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… the people living in darkness have seen a great light;on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.” … Matthew 4:16 

Each dawn brings the light of Christ to guide us through another day. The new dawn each day is like the new year that brings hopefulness and a fresh start for each day ahead. We are in the season of Epiphany which celebrates the revelation of God’s grace in Jesus Christ and his light that shines in the darkness. With all of the chaos and conflict in the world, we need a guiding word like the sun that breaks through the clouds to keep us focused on Jesus’ love and how we live that out in our lives.  

So I invite you to help me create a Desert Cross Word Cloud 2022 to guide our thoughts, words, and actions as we work together each day to share God’s love in our hurting world. Please email your 2022 guiding word to me by January 14th at acain@desertcross.org.  

What’s new in 2022?

Good News: Thanks to very generous December giving in response to our congregational meeting, Desert Cross did not need to transfer funds from Renew to finish out 2021! We met all our financial obligations that we committed to when we approved the 2021 budget. We give big thanks to God for the response from generous hearts! 

SOJ Update: Council and Chamber are making progress on welcoming Spirit of Joy to worship at our Gilbert campus. Come to the Town Hall lead by Pastor Thadd at our Gilbert campus on Sunday, January 9th at 2:00pm to hear the details. Minutes will be shared following the meeting. I am unable to attend as our extended family celebrates our daughter’s graduation from U of A! 

Changing Lives: In December I shared a request from LSS for bicycle donations for asylum seekers needing transportation to work. There was a very generous response from DCLC so be sure to read the thank you letter from Ruth Escobar, below. 

Staffing: We are seeking a new Youth Director and Gilbert worship leader and will keep you posted on our progress. We welcomed our new Director of Media Production, Joni Van Rossum, at our staff meeting this week and look forward to the new ways he will help us to be church and share the Good News in a changing world! 

Even in these difficult days we have much to celebrate in thanksgiving. According to 2 Peter with each new dawn, the morning star rises in our hearts to guide us in the way of Christ’s peace, hope, and love. The light of Christ is shining brightly on the new year!

Peace be with you, Pastor Andrea