Category: pastor’s notes

Our shared meal becomes a mission of love

Posted on by Wende Gonzales

He said also to the one who had invited him, ‘When you give a luncheon or a dinner, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbors, in case they may invite you in return, and you would be repaid. But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind. And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you, for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.’  – Luke 14:12-14

Last Sunday, we gathered around the Lord’s Table in the spirit of World Communion Sunday. We are reminded that Christians everywhere, in all times and places, share one bread and one cup. But if we take that moment seriously, it calls us to something even deeper: to live communion, not just receive it.

This week’s scripture from Luke 14:12–24 is one of Jesus’ parables about a great banquet. This feast table imagery mirrors the communion table we gather around each week. In the story, those who were first invited make excuses as to why they cannot attend, so the host sends servants out into the streets to bring in the poor, the blind, the lame, and the forgotten. The table becomes a place of radical welcome, widened again and again until every seat is filled.

It is a reminder that the blessing found at the Communion Table doesn’t end when the worship service does. Every act of kindness, every moment of forgiveness, every time we make space for another, that is communion, too. The Holy Spirit empowers us to keep communion a verb, an act we repeat throughout our week by doing as Jesus would.

This Sunday, we’ll continue reflecting on what it means to live as the body of Christ in daily life. We will explore how our shared meal becomes a mission of love that continues long after the bread and cup are passed.

Come ready to gather, to grow, and to go forth in service together! I look forward to worshipping with you on YouTube or in our sanctuary!  

Brett

Pastor’s Notes 10/3/2025

Posted on by Wende Gonzales

The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a sharing in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a sharing in the body of Christ?  Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread. –1 Corinthians 10:16-17

This coming Sunday, October 5, we will join with Christians all around the world in celebrating World Communion Sunday. It is one of those holy days that reminds us we are a part of something greater. It is a day when our table feels a little bigger, our prayers reach a little farther, and our fellowship stretches across languages, cultures, and traditions. It is the one Sunday a year when Christians, no matter our denominational or local church practice, take Holy Communion.

Our scriptures for Sunday, 1 Corinthians 10:16–17 and Matthew 13:1–9,  help set the tone for our belonging and connection together. Fittingly, our choir ensemble will offer the hymn Seed, Scattered and Sown as special music. This hymn, written by Dan Feiten in 1987, was inspired by these very passages of scripture. It poetically ties together Jesus’ parable of the sower with Paul’s teaching about the unity of the church through bread and cup. The hymn invites us to see ourselves as seeds scattered throughout the world, yet brought together as “one bread, one body.” Its imagery reminds us that while we come from many places and experiences, at Christ’s table we are gathered and made whole.

On World Communion Sunday, we will break bread and share the cup with the awareness that we are part of something larger than ourselves. From small congregations in rural villages to large cathedrals in bustling cities, believers everywhere will echo the same words of blessing, share the same bread of life, and drink from the same cup of blessing.

Let us prepare our hearts this week to come to the table with gratitude, humility, and joy—remembering that in Christ, we are never just scattered, but always gathered and bound together in love. I look forward to meeting you at table in the sanctuary or on YouTube.

Brett

Pastor’s Notes 9/26/2025

Posted on by Wende Gonzales

On the mount of the Lord it shall be provided. – Genesis 22:14b

Fall is officially here,  and it won’t be long (God willing!) for the heat of summer to leave us. This means it is time to emerge from our air conditioning, welcome back old friends, and return to the full schedule of life together.

Wednesdays will become a very active day for us at Sun City Christian Church. 

Wednesdays at 10:00 am in a classroom off of the Library will be Supporting Seniors hosted by Fred Wieck. Sessions will begin on October 8th;  each week folks will touch base about life, celebrating highs and lows and encouraging each other through whatever it is we currently face.

From 11:00-11:50 am in Cobbs Hall will be Wednesday Workout with Bella. Come and exercise! Bella will introduce the group to some new exercises as well as work in some of the classic and helpful chair exercises from last season, so lace up the tennis shoes and get the blood flowing a bit!

At 12:00 pm every Wednesday, we will have lunch and a program/activity. Keep your eyes out for our calendar, bulletin inserts, and weekly announcements for the specifics but each month the rotation should look like this.

First Wednesday: Lunch and Learn presentation around a Health or Wellness topic.

Second Wednesday: Project day. Bring the current quilt, crochet, knitting, sewing or other craft project you are a working on and “stitch and mingle” with one another. If you don’t have a project to bring, Disciples Women will have a shared project for you to take part in. Bring a salad to share for lunch that day.

Third Wednesday: Lunch and Learn presentation around a life interest topic. Previous sessions have been about fireproofing our homes, being on the lookout for scams, and last month Bob Wasson introduced us to Scotland and Ireland.

Fourth Wednesday: Board Games will now begin at 12pm. Snacks will be the food of choice as we play some of our favorite card, domino, and tabletop games.

Fifth Wednesday: Potluck and a movie. Bring a dish to share and watch a show!

Monthly Sunday afternoon concerts will also begin soon so we will keep you posted! Many great things are happening at Sun City Christian Church—come and join us!

This Sunday, as I will be on vacation, Rev. Janel Randle, who is an associate at Foothills Christian Church, will bring the sermon entitled “Unlearning Sacrifice” based upon Genesis 22:1-14.

Brett

Pastor’s Notes 9/19/2025

Posted on by Wende Gonzales

“He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” –Micah 6:8

Expectations and requirements are important in a relationship. It has proven advantageous in my life to respect both. When going out at night with friends, my father had an expectation that I “be good.” The rules had been previously established, boundaries set, and preferred behavior explained. To act in a way that proved otherwise may lead to consequences, a stricter curfew, and disappointment (which sometimes felt like the worst punishment).

To go with that, my mother had one requirement: check in. It was before the days of cell phones, so there was some effort involved, but if I called with the location of our whereabouts and  a general description of what we were up to, all was good. Expectations and requirements matter, and when they are met, covenant is upheld. Mom would go back to sleep, save the worry for another day and good graces remained.

We continue to be in an active relationship with God, and as the Bible reminds, there are requirements for us to keep. Do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with God says the Prophet Micah. In the gospels, Jesus reveals the greatest commandment is to love. Love God first and then love your neighbor as you wish to be loved.

As the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) we hold these passages to be foundational to our existence as the body of Christ. As a movement for wholeness in a fragmented world we accept the expectations placed upon us to set a course to live with the compassion of Jesus. I look forward to joining you at the table Sunday, as we remind ourselves to love in remembrance of Christ.

Brett

Pastor’s Notes 9/12/2025

Posted on by Wende Gonzales

A body is made up of many parts, and each of them has its own use. That’s how it is with us. There are many of us, but we each are part of the body of Christ, as well as part of one another.   – Romans 12:4-5 CEV

Have you heard this one?

A guy sees an ad in a pet-shop window: “Talking Centipede $100,” a deal he couldn’t refuse. He gets home, opens the box, and asks the centipede if he wants to go get a burger.

The centipede doesn’t answer, so the guy closes the lid, convinced he’s been swindled. Thirty minutes later he decides to try again. He raises his voice and shouts, “Do you want to go for a burger?”

The centipede pokes his head out of the box and says, “Simmer down! I heard you the first time. I’m putting my shoes on!”

Sometimes it feels like a monumental effort to get everyone going in the same direction. God gifts us all with skills, talents, and purpose but seeing our efforts come together can sometimes feel like we are waiting for the caterpillar to be ready.

On September 14 we’ll reflect on Paul’s words in Romans 12:4–8. As Disciples of Christ, we affirm that every member is a minister. Each of us is capable, worthy, and called to serve; whether it’s setting the Table for communion, teaching, encouraging, leading in prayer, caring for a neighbor, or simply showing up with compassion and joy.

The church isn’t whole when only a few people are doing everything. The Body of Christ flourishes when everyone brings their gifts to the table, both literally and figuratively.

So maybe this is the week to ask yourself: What gift do I bring to this Body of Christ? Where might God be calling me to step forward, to serve, speak, or care in Jesus’ name?

We don’t all have to do everything — but we are all invited to do something. Together, we become the living presence of Christ in the world. So, let’s get our shoes on and go serve together! I look forward to worshipping with you in the chapel or on YouTube this Sunday.

Brett

Pastor’s Notes 9/5/2025

Posted on by Wende Gonzales

For I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, ‘This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.’ In the same way he took the cup also, after supper, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.’ For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.                       

– 1 Cor 11:23-26

This Sunday, September 7, we will continue our focus of what we believe as the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). We take great pride and find  true identity in being people of the table.  Our theme for the day is: “All Are Welcome at the Table.”

Our scripture readings come from 1 Corinthians 11:23–26 and Acts 2:42–47. Paul shares the words of Jesus at the Last Supper, reminding the early church that the bread and cup are to be received in remembrance of Christ. Luke then paints a beautiful picture of the first believers: they devoted themselves to teaching, fellowship, the breaking of bread, and prayer. “Day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.”

As Disciples of Christ, the Lord’s Table is central to our identity. We gather every week to share bread and cup, not because it is our tradition alone, but because it is Christ’s invitation. At this table, there are no barriers. You don’t have to be a member of our church, or of any church, to receive communion. You simply need a heart open to God’s grace.

This week we’ll reflect together on what it means to be people of the table. We will focus on how Christ’s welcome shapes the way we live and love. We will prepare ourselves for  how this meal sends us back into the world with compassion and courage.

Come ready to be fed, not only by bread and cup, but also by the Spirit, the Word, and the fellowship of God’s people. I look forward to breaking bread with you in person or on YouTube.

Brett

Pastor’s Notes 8/29/2025

Posted on by Wende Gonzales

‘I ask not only on behalf of these, but also on behalf of those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one. As you, Father, are in me and I am in you, may they also be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.’ – John 17:20-21

I have always known the brightest star in the sky, the “North Star,” which is also known as “Polaris” or the “Pole Star.” Find it and I will always be pointing true north. As someone who is directionally challenged, having certainty like this is comforting.

For centuries travelers looked to this beacon for guidance. Unlike other stars that shift in the night sky, the polar star remains fixed in one place. Sailors at sea, explorers on land, and those journeying through unfamiliar territory relied on its steady presence to find their way. It became a symbol of constancy, direction, and hope when all else seemed uncertain.

This image speaks powerfully to faith. Just as travelers fixed their eyes on the polar star, Christians have long sought a guiding light that gives clarity, direction, and purpose. For the early leaders of our tradition, including Barton Stone, that guiding light was the unity of all Christians in Christ. Stone rooted his conviction in the prayer of Jesus found in John 17. Barton Stone once wrote:

“Let the unity of Christians be our polar star. To this let our eyes be continually turned, and to this let our united efforts be directed — that the world may believe, and be saved. A little longer forbearance with each other’s weakness, and truth will triumph. But let that man, who opposes Christian union, remember, that he opposes the prayer of Jesus, and the salvation of the world. How will he meet his Judge?”

Unity, then, is not a passing idea. It is the guiding presence that calls us beyond division, beyond preference, beyond self, and toward the greater purpose of God’s redeeming work in the world. And it is this unity in Christ and all that Jesus said, did, and stood for, that is our focal point.

As a congregation, we are still discerning what we believe together. In many ways, we are identifying our own “polar star.” We are still claiming the communal truths that guide us, the convictions that shape us, the commitments that hold us steady. Unity in Christ is part of our heritage as Disciples of Christ and remains a living call for us today.

May we keep turning our eyes to this star, walking together in grace, and trusting that Christ’s prayer for oneness continues to lead us forward. I look forward to worshipping with you in person or YouTube this Sunday.

Brett

Pastor’s Notes 8/22/2025

Posted on by Wende Gonzales

Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) Identity                                                   

“We are Disciples of Christ, a movement for wholeness in a fragmented world. As part of the one body of Christ, we welcome all to the Lord’s Table as God has welcomed us.”    

Belief.

Belief proclaims who we are. Our identities, both personal and corporate, are shaped by beliefs. According to Merriam-Webster, belief is a state or habit of mind in which trust or confidence is placed in some person or thing.

As we are in the process of adopting a congregational mission and vision, it is critical that we can name what we believe. Over the next several Sundays, we will begin by understanding the core beliefs of our denomination. This Sunday, 2 Corinthians 5:14-21 will be the text important to our corporate faith that we will center around. I look forward to worshiping with you in the chapel or on YouTube this Sunday.

This is what our denomination says about our identity statement—the 12 core principles that our denominational faith is centered around.

Who do we say that we are? Identity is a vital concern for all parts of the church. Many long-time Disciples worry that we may be losing crucial characteristics of our common life. New Disciples want to know about the distinctive gifts of this community of faith. All of us need to have clarity about who we are in order to be faithful and effective witnesses to Jesus Christ.

A church’s identity must be firmly rooted in scripture and yet flexible enough to adapt to changes in culture and the shifting demands of mission. Early Christians in Jerusalem had to learn what it meant to be faithful in Antioch and Rome. The forebears of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), as they moved from the frontier to the city, had to rethink such matters as congregational autonomy and the goal of “restoring” the New Testament church. Today, we wrestle with what it means to be disciples of our Lord in a world that is increasingly pluralistic, globally connected, and yet so often violently divided.

Principles Of Our Identity

  1. We confess that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God, and proclaim him Lord and Savior of the world, requiring nothing more – and nothing less – as a basis of our life together.
  2. We hold the centrality of scripture, recognizing that each person has the freedom – and the responsibility – to study God’s Word within the community of the church.
  3. We practice the baptism of believers, which emphasizes that God’s grace demands a response of faith and discipleship, while also recognizing the baptism performed in other churches.
  4. We gather for the Lord’s Supper, as often as possible, experiencing at this table the gracious, forgiving presence of Jesus Christ.
  5. We structure our community around the biblical idea of covenant, emphasizing not obedience to human authority but accountability to one another because of our shared obedience to Christ.
  6. We participate in God’s mission for the world, working with partners to heal the brokenness of creation and bring justice and peace to the whole human family.
  7. We hear a special calling to make visible the unity of all Christians, proclaiming that in our diversity we belong to one another because we commonly belong to Christ.
  8. We witness to the Gospel of God’s saving love for the world in Jesus Christ, while continuing to struggle with how God’s love may be known to others in different ways.
  9. We affirm the priesthood of all believers, rejoicing in the gifts of the Holy Spirit – which include the gift of leadership – that God has given for the common good.
  10. We celebrate the diversity of our common life, affirming our different histories, styles of worship, and forms of service.
  11. We give thanks that each congregation, where Christ is present through faith, is truly the church, affirming as well that God’s church and God’s mission stretch from our doorsteps to the ends of the earth.
  12. We anticipate God’s coming reign, seeking to serve the God – Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer – whose loving dominion has no end.

Pastor’s Notes 8/15/2025

Posted on by Wende Gonzales

In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I solemnly urge you: proclaim the message; be persistent whether the time is avorable or unfavorable; convince, rebuke, and encourage, with the utmost patience in teaching.

– 2 Timothy 4:1-2

A confession time from your pastor:

I like to get the last word in. It is a form of communication that can be used in a variety of ways whether the intentions are to be playful, funny, manipulative, instructive, memorable, annoying, passive aggressive, or something else entirely. I like to get the last word in for all these reasons (my wife Trish will roll her eyes here and say, “yes he does”).

Sometimes, “last” words can be famous (not that I anticipate ever having such an accomplishment). Our passage of scripture for Sunday is one of those texts. 2 Timothy 4:1-8 is recognized as being the apostle Paul’s last letter or final discourse before he is beheaded under the rule of Nero.

It is as if he is saying, “If you remember nothing else from my actions, I hope you will recognize something familiar in what I am telling you as a reminder of how I lived my life.” Like how Jesus would tell a parable and then explain it, so too is Paul hoping to leave a lasting impression with this closing faith statement.

As we conclude this short series, “Never too old,” I encourage you to think about what you would say about your faith? What do you believe? What are the most important things that followers of Christ can faithfully do or be? Chances are good that this will lead to a few more weeks of exploring what we believe in as individuals and as a congregation.

I am really looking forward to sharing this journey with you as we thrive to be our best selves as disciples of Jesus. I will see you Sunday in the chapel, or you will see me on YouTube! Many blessings.

Brett

Pastor’s Notes: 8/8/2025

Posted on by Wende Gonzales

“Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace, according to your word, for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.”
Luke 2:29-32

I did a little digging this week and found some interesting data on senior living.

  • Nearly 1 in 3 retired adults are clinically depressed, says theretirementmanifesto.com. They also report that retirement increases the chances for depression by 40% and 60% of folks retire earlier than planned, which can also lead to depression from a lost sense of identity.
  • A 2023 national poll found 34% of adults aged 50–80 reported feeling isolated some or most of the time. About 37% also reported lacking companionship (healthyagingpoll.org).
  • “Research shows that chronic loneliness can impact older adults’ memory, physical well-being, mental health, and life expectancy” (Time.com).
  • According to an article from the National Council on Aging written in August of 2024, 80% of older adults are either financially struggling now or are at risk for economic insecurity in retirement.

I did this digging to back up what I have learned from experience in ministry. Quite often, seniors feel alone, especially when loved ones have died, their careers have concluded, and their sense of purpose and vitality are unclear. It is easy to question God with “Why am I still here?”

I think it is a natural response to confess our readiness to enter eternity, to be impatient with waiting for “God’s timing.” My point is that Sunday’s theme of  “Never too late: waiting faithfully” is not an easy concept. The faithful challenge before us is to achieve a balance where we are both ready for life eternal whenever that day comes and to also embrace the opportunity in each day on this earth to share God’s love with others.

The older adults named Simeon and Anna from Luke 2:25-38 are the exemplary models for the church to strive emulate. This story is the culmination of a much-anticipated moment, the coming of the Messiah. Simeon sings a song of praise, and the prophetess tells the good news to anyone ready to listen.

There is much work left to be done in sharing the hope of Christ with the world, and this calling is ours. We must comfort, support, and motivate each other to live in the balance of faithful waiting. I look forward to worshipping with you in person or on YouTube this Sunday. 

Brett