Author: Wende Gonzales

Tell Me Something Good: Grounding ourselves in the good news of Lent

Posted on by Wende Gonzales

“Everyone else serves the best wine first, and after the guests have drunk a lot, he serves the ordinary wine. But you have kept the best wine until now!” Jesus performed this first miracle in Cana in Galilee; there he revealed his glory, and his disciples believed in him.”
–John 2:9b-11

Lent is upon us. Our theme for this season is: “Tell Me Something Good: Grounding ourselves in the good news of Lent.” Lenten devotional guides can be picked up in the Narthex on Sunday, and you will also find inspiration from the series on our Facebook page.

The curriculum is produced by A Sanctified Art, and their Creative Team of Rev. Lisle Gwynn Garrity, Rev. Sarah Speed, Hannah Garrity, Rev. Lauren Wright Pittman, Rev. Anna Strickland introduce us to the theme with these words:

Lent was originally a season for new converts to learn and prepare for their baptism on Easter. During that time, they would study what was central to Christianity. As we crafted this Lenten devotional, we studied what was central to Jesus’ life and ministry: radical welcome, love for neighbor, care for the vulnerable, nourishment for the hungry, nonviolence in the face of injustice.

At the heart of Jesus’ teachings, we find liberation, love, mercy, and grace—all of which are meant to be very good news for us all. Jesus’ ministry can be described as “radical” which comes from the Latin word “radicalis,” meaning “root” or “ground.” Therefore, the good news should bring us back to our roots. Emulating Jesus and embodying his teachings should ground us in who God created us to be. Can we be “good news” people in a world too often burdened by bad news?

This Lent, let us remember that the good news really is good news. It is joyful—like fine wine saved for celebration. It grows like a mustard seed and smells like perfume poured from an alabaster jar. It tastes like bread passed endlessly through a hungry crowd. It sounds like laughter and feels like mercy. The good news is alive in the world. This Lent, let the teachings of Jesus lead us forward. May the good news inspire us to take action in a world desperate to hear, see, and taste what is good.

This Sunday, the story of the Wedding at Cana will remind us that “The good news is… so good it catches us by surprise. Glenn Henriksen will grace us with special music throughout the service, and a potluck will be shared after worship. See you Sunday!

Brett

Pastor’s Notes 2/13/2026

Posted on by Wende Gonzales

“Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit that is from God, so that we may understand the gifts bestowed on us by God.  And we speak of these things in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual things to those who are spiritual.”
– 1 Cor. 1:12,13

I recently had a Tootsie Pop, and it immediately took me back to that old commercial many of us remember. A child goes on a quest, asking various animals one important question: “How many licks does it take to get to the center of a Tootsie Roll Tootsie Pop?” Everyone guesses. Everyone speculates. Finally, the child finds the wise old owl. The owl takes the pop, licks it thoughtfully: “One… two… three…” crunch.

“Three,” the owl declares.

The joke, of course, is that the owl never really answers the question. Instead of patiently discovering the center, the owl breaks it open, using power rather than discernment.

That image feels surprisingly close to what Paul is addressing in 1 Corinthians 2:6–16. The Corinthians were eager for wisdom, clarity, and certainty. But Paul reminds them that God’s wisdom doesn’t bring quick and simple answers. It doesn’t name who speaks with the most authority or offer forceful conclusions. God’s wisdom is revealed by the Spirit, and  is discerned over time, together.

This Sunday, as we conclude our Called as Partners series, we’ll reflect on discerning our call as followers of Jesus. Spiritual maturity, Paul suggests, is not about who sounds the wisest or who speaks the loudest. It grows when discernment replaces control, when listening matters more than winning, and when the church learns to trust that God is at work among us.

I look forward to worshipping with you in person or on YouTube this Sunday as we practice wisdom that emerges when we seek the way of Jesus, together.  

Brett

Pastor’s Notes 2/6/2026

Posted on by Wende Gonzales

“When I came to you, brothers and sisters, I did not come proclaiming the mystery of God to you in lofty words or wisdom. For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and him crucified. And I came to you in weakness and in fear and in much trembling.”
–1 Corinthians 2:1-3

This Sunday we will continue to navigate our way through the first couple of chapters of Paul’s letter to the church in Corinth. The theme of this series is “Called into Partnership,” which plays directly into the focus this quarter for our participation in the “Thriving Congregations” project sponsored by Lexington Theological Seminary and Disciples Home Missions.

Here is what we have learned so far from Paul about being in partnership together as the body of Christ.

Partnership begins with God’s call and not human preference. God chose us whether we wanted such a blessing or not. And as a congregation, we are called together in the life and way of Jesus, first and foremost. Unity in Christ is our common bond and from this center we have paved our way together.

We have also learned that we move as one, but more like a blob than anything else. Some of us are quicker to grasp our mission and purpose, some rest longer in prayer in reflection, and some of us are natural doers while others focus energy on Sunday worship and fellowship time. But the good news is, we still move forward together.

Paul was also instructive in teaching the church in Corinth that partnership means moving toward the same horizon, even with different perspectives. When ministry becomes about “who leads” rather than “why we’re here,” the body pulls apart. If loyalty is no longer centered around Christ but in their case, Paul or Apollos a shared vision is harder to share.

And last Sunday Paul’s words encouraged us to rethink what God holds to be strength. There is more strength in humility than the power humanity seems to value. God redefines what faithfulness looks like, and partnership thrives when humility leads.

This Sunday, we will center ourselves around 1 Corinthians 2:1–5. We will find that our shared ministry is rooted in trust rather than control. Paul knew this with his relationship with the early church, and he worked hard to model restraint, not dominance. Leadership must invite and not overwhelm. It will also be good to remind ourselves that faith deepens when power is shared.

It will be a good day to worship together in person or on YouTube. See you then.

Brett

Pastor’s Notes 1/30/2026

Posted on by Wende Gonzales

“Consider your own call, brothers and sisters: not many of you were wise by human standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth.” 1 Cor. 1:26

I don’t usually pay much attention to my wife’s double-sided make-up mirror in our bathroom. It happened to be flipped to the extra magnification side. Out of curiosity, I took a look.

Whoa! I was taken aback by what I was seeing. It was my face but had I not known better, I might have guessed I was looking at the surface of the moon! That was harsh, and a little more than I thought I would see. Moisturizer definitely needs to be in my daily regimen.

Our scripture for Sunday is 1 Corinthians 1:18-31. In this passage, Paul invites the church to take an honest and closer look at itself to remember who God is calling us to be. It is important to look deep inside and remind ourselves of how we respond to God at work in us and in the world.

The Corinthians, like many communities, were tempted to measure faithfulness by cultural standards: influence, wisdom, success, and status. Paul gently but clearly turns that thinking upside down.

“Consider your own call,” he says. God did not choose the church because it was impressive. God chose the church to reveal what truly matters.

Paul reminds us that God’s wisdom is often revealed through what the world overlooks. God works through ordinary people, shared life, humility, and trust. The strength of the church is not found in prestige or performance, but in belonging to Christ and living faithfully together.

As a congregation committed to serving and praying together, we’ll consider how thriving may require letting go of cultural expectations so we can trust more deeply in God’s wisdom already at work among us.

I look forward to worshipping with you in person or on YouTube this Sunday.

Brett

Pastor’s Notes 1/23/2026

Posted on by Wende Gonzales

“Now I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you should be in agreement and that there should be no divisions among you, but that you should be united in the same mind and the same purpose.” 1 Cor. 1:10 

What do you prefer:

  • Salty or sweet?
  • Do you drink coffee, tea or water?
  • Have you embraced the digital world are you still clinging to analog?
  • If there was one kind of food you could eat for every meal, what would it be?

Preferences are part of being human. They give us language for what we enjoy, what feels familiar, what has shaped us along the way. On their own, they aren’t harmful. But it doesn’t take much for preferences to harden into camps and for camps to quietly pull us apart.

This Sunday, we will listen to Paul’s words to the church in Corinth from 1 Corinthians 1:10–17, where he calls them back to what truly matters. Paul reminds them (and us) that when allegiance to personalities or positions becomes louder than purpose, the body begins to fracture.

Our theme for the day is “One Mind in Christ.” Partnership, as Paul imagines it, means moving toward the same horizon, even when we bring different perspectives, experiences, and voices with us. It is a shared orientation of heart and purpose, grounded not in who leads, but in why we are here.

So, we will figuratively lace up those old WWJD (What Would Jesus Do) bracelets and remind ourselves of who we are and whose we are. Together we continue to thrive and live into the shared call Jesus has for us at Sun City Christian Church. I look forward to worshipping with you in person or on YouTube Sunday.

Brett

Pastor’s Notes 1-9-2026

Posted on by Wende Gonzales

“Now after they had left, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Get up, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you, for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.”
–Matthew 2:13

This Sunday we will do something a little different as we linger with all of Matthew chapter 2 and not just the familiar visit of the Magi. Our readers will cover the fuller, harder, and more honest story that follows. Through scripture and hymnody, we will trace the light of Epiphany as it shines not only in wonder, but also in fear, courage, and faithful response.

Matthew tells us that the Magi perceive what others cannot: a sign of God’s new work breaking into the world. Their openness and wisdom stand in stark contrast to King Herod, whose reign was marked by insecurity, paranoia, and violence. History remembers Herod as a ruler deeply fearful of losing power, and Matthew shows how that fear erupts into rage when confronted with the promise of a new kind of king.

Into this danger, God speaks to the heart, guiding the Magi home by another way, and urging Joseph to act quickly and decisively in a dream. Matthew 2 reminds us that the Holy Family themselves were refugees, fleeing violence in order to protect life. Faith here is not passive; it is responsive, courageous, and grounded in trust that God is present even on uncertain roads.

Our hymns will help us carry this story, even its beauty and its sorrow. The words of scripture and song invites us to reflect on how God still leads, warns, and protects, and how we too are called to move when light breaks into shadow.

I will be away for a week of vacation but if you need anything please let the church office or our elders know. Many blessings!

Brett

Caring Angels: Turning Plastic Bags into Hope

Posted on by Wende Gonzales

For the past seven years, a dedicated group of women known as Caring Angels has been quietly making a powerful difference in the lives of people experiencing homelessness in Sun City and surrounding communities. Meeting twice a week at Sun City Christian Church and in their homes, these volunteers transform ordinary plastic grocery bags into something extraordinary—hand-crocheted sleep mats that provide comfort, dignity, and protection.

The process begins with collecting plastic bags. Each bag is flattened, cut into strips, and tied together to create plarn (plastic yarn). Using a simple pattern made with just the double crochet stitch, volunteers crochet the plarn into sturdy mats measuring about 3 feet by 6 feet. These mats serve as moisture barriers, helping keep people dry and insulated from cold or damp ground.

The environmental impact is just as impressive. To date, Caring Angels has kept more than 203,000 plastic bags out of circulation and out of landfills. Considering that plastic bags can take over 1,000 years to disintegrate, this effort is truly a win for both people and the planet.

Each mat requires about 750 bags—a reminder that even small actions, repeated faithfully, can add up to life-changing results.

Caring Angels has even been recognized for its work receiving an award from the State of Arizona Volunteer Environmental Stewardship Program, honoring the group’s commitment to service and sustainability.

Today, the need is greater than ever. The group currently has a mountain of donated plastic bags, but fewer hands to turn them into mats. Many longtime members have passed on or can no longer crochet for extended periods of time. Volunteers are needed at every stage of the project—cutting bags, making plarn, and especially crocheting mats. Those who can crochet are the greatest need right now, and the pattern is simple and easy to learn.

If you are looking for a meaningful way to serve—one that blends compassion, creativity, and care for creation—Caring Angels invites you to join them. A few hours of your time can become a mat that offers warmth, dignity, and hope to someone in need.

New volunteers are always welcome. Come lend your hands and your heart—and help turn plastic into purpose. Materials for the mats can be delivered to your home or you can join the group at their headquarters.

The group meets every Monday and Tuesday morning at Sun City Christian Church, 9745 W. Palmeras Drive, Sun City AZ 85373.  Call this phone number 623 972-6179 with questions and for more information.

Pastor’s Notes 1/2/2026

Posted on by Wende Gonzales

On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure-chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road.
–Matthew 2:11,23

As the Christmas season continues, we journey together toward Epiphany Sunday, a day that celebrates revelation, discovery, and light for all people.

This week’s scripture, Matthew 2:1–12, tells the story of the Magi who follow a star across great distance, trusting that its light will lead them to something holy. The star becomes our guiding symbol as it is a reminder that God’s light is not hidden, but given to be followed, even when the road is uncertain.

Our theme, “A Great Epiphany,” invites us to reflect on how God still reveals truth and grace in unexpected ways and unexpected places. In worship, our hearts will gather  beneath that same guiding light, calling us to rise, to seek, and to rejoice in the presence of Christ revealed to the world.

We will continue to think about what fills us will joy and resolve to let that pursuit drives us forward in the year ahead, much like the Magi seeking the truth they find in the Christ child.

I look forward to worshipping with you in person or on YouTube as we lift our eyes, follow the star, and celebrate the widening circle of God’s love.

Brett

Pastor’s Notes 12/26/2026

Posted on by Wende Gonzales

But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for see, I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. –Luke 2:10-11

Merry Christmas Everyone!

As the glow of Christmas Eve lingers, we move together into the First Sunday of Christmas. We are still wrapped in wonder, still listening for the good news. This week our guiding symbol is the Angel, and our scripture comes from Luke 2:8–14, where heaven breaks into song and joy spills out into the night.

The angels are not using their inside voices as they praise, rejoice, and proclaim the Christmas message. They invite weary shepherds (and us) to lift our eyes, to trust that “good news of great joy” is still being sung over the world. On Sunday, we’ll lean into that joy and revel with the angels, remembering that Christmas is not confined to one night, but continues to echo with hope, peace, and love.

I look forward to worshipping with you on YouTube or in person as we celebrate the message that still rings out:

“To you is born this day… a Savior.”

Pastor’s Notes 12/19/2025

Posted on by Wende Gonzales

So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger.
– Luke 2:16

This Sunday we will light the final candle of Advent, love. We will turn to Luke 2:15–20 and the timeless symbol of Christmas: the Nativity. In these final days before Christmas, our hearts center on the scene of Jesus’ birth. It is a scene that has shaped our imaginations, our worship, and our homes for generations.

Luke tells us that the shepherds, having heard the angels’ message, “went with haste” to find Mary, Joseph, and the newborn Christ lying in the manger. 

They encountered God in the most unexpected place, and left glorifying and praising God with full hearts and changed lives. Their story reminds us that God’s love does not wait for perfection but meets us in ordinary places. It is a love that dwells in humble spaces, and invites us to draw near.

On Sunday we will reflect on the Nativity as a symbol of God’s love made visible. Few images speak more deeply to our understanding of Christmas than figures gathered around the manger, the world hushed in wonder, heaven touching earth through a child born for us. We place nativity sets in our homes, we light up lawns with the holy family, and we reenact this story year after year in pageants because it tells us who God is: love embodied, hope revealed, peace born small and vulnerable, and joy shared with the world.

Come to worship on YouTube or in person, ready to stand with the shepherds, to gaze once more into the manger, and to share in the love God has placed at the center of our world. Advent grows short, Christmas draws near, and may Christ’s love find us all.       

Brett