Tag: Disciples of Christ

Celebrating Our Gifts

Posted on by Wende Gonzales

Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirt, and there are varieties of services, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone. 
–I Cor. 12:4-6
 
We are a week away from hosting the Regional Assembly of our Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) congregations in Arizona. It is an exciting time, and we are ready to welcome our siblings in faith!

The theme for assembly is “Celebrating Our Gifts.” Promotional materials from ra.azdisciples.org said this:

Spiritual gifts are what makes Christianity not merely a belief system but a way of life, a calling to ministry, an opportunity to truly follow Jesus in shining God’s light and spreading God’s love. God has poured out the Holy Spirit on each of us, given us “spiritual gifts” to use for the common good. As we read in John 20: Jesus said to them … “As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.”

As we read in 1 Corinthians 12:7: To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. Each of our congregations and each of us as individual disciples of Jesus Christ have unique gifts that we are called to use in ministry. The goal of our church is to nurture, equip, and inspire us all in using our gifts for ministry.

Howard Thurman wrote: “Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.” A great church, a thriving church, is filled with people who have come alive, who are living into their calling and giftedness. Our churches don’t have to do the same ministries or have the same structure. We just want us all to be alive, inspired, and equipped by the Holy Spirit to love and serve like Jesus.

Here is a list of the congregations that will be represented at Assembly. Keep them in prayer as we prepare to welcome them in person:

  • Alfa y Omega — Phoenix
  • Casa de Adoración (CdA) Discípulos de Cristo — Phoenix
  • Chalice Christian Church — Gilbert
  • Community Christian Church — Marana
  • Community Christian Church — Tempe
  • Desert Dove Christian Church — Tucson
  • Desert Heritage Church — Mesa
  • Discípulos en Acción — Phoenix
  • East Mesa Christian Church — Mesa
  • First Christian Church — Globe
  • First Christian Church — Mesa
  • First Christian Church — Scottsdale
  • First Christian Church — Tucson
  • Foothills Christian Church — Glendale
  • Iglesia Dios de Segunda Oportunidad – Discípulos de Cristo — Glendale
  • Iglesia la Cruz — Glendale
  • Larkspur Christian Church — Glendale
  • Saguaro Christian Church — Tucson
  • Sun City Christian Church — Sun City
  • Templo Cristiano Central — Phoenix

Regional Assembly Guest Preacher

Posted on by Wende Gonzales

Assembly Guest Preacher and Project Director, Thriving Congregations
Lexington Theological Seminary

Erin Cash is the Project Director for the Thriving Congregations Project at Lexington Theological Seminary.  Prior to this role, Erin served as Director of Admissions at LTS for over 8 years.  She is a graduate of Greenville University in Greenville, IL, Candler School of Theology at Emory University in Atlanta, GA, and Lexington Theological Seminary in Lexington, KY. Ordained in 2006, Erin enjoys the opportunities she has to serve in pulpit supply, guest lectures, and as a lay leader in her own congregation.

Erin has served as Moderator for the Christian Church In Kentucky, as co-chair of the Local Arrangements team for Regional Assembly, and as co-chair for the Local Arrangements Team of the General Assembly. She also serves as Kentucky’s representative to the General Board, chairing the General Assembly Planning Committee there.  Erin is deeply passionate about the work of the local and the Regional church.

Erin is part of a clergy couple.  Her husband, Chris, is the Senior Pastor at FCC Georgetown, having formerly served North Middletown Christian Church and Oxford Christian Church.  She is mom to Ella.

She is co-author of the book Thriving Church: What You Can Learn from Faithful Congregations now available from Chalice Press.

Regional Assembly Guest Musicians

Posted on by Wende Gonzales

Héctor Soto and Daniel Montoya

Héctor Soto is a songwriter, worship leader, pianist, and professional translator. Daniel Montoya is a professional drummer, songwriter, artist, and psychologist. Together, they founded La Misión in southeastern Costa Rica in 2002.

From his teenage years, Héctor ministered through worship music in evangelical churches. Later, he and Daniel received God’s call to serve as full-time missionaries among local communities and indigenous peoples. Throughout his life, Héctor has maintained a deep passion for writing Christian songs rooted in Scripture—songs that not only honor God but also inspire faith, hope, and trust in the Lord within their community.

Over the years, Héctor has written dozens of worship songs, many of which have become beloved hymns in local churches and communities. As Héctor often says, “Every song was dictated to me by the Lord. They are not new songs; somewhere in heaven they are already being sung.”

Daniel has been a drummer for nearly thirty years and has also written beautiful songs of faith and worship. Beyond music, he is an accomplished artist with a special passion for freehand drawing and doodling, using creativity as another avenue to express God’s gifts.

For nearly twenty-five years, Héctor and Daniel have faithfully served their community by teaching the love of Christ, the power of faith and worship, and the blessing of giving and serving others through the unique talents God has entrusted to them. When they come together to lead worship, their passion becomes tangible and deeply inspiring to those who listen.
In addition to their ministry work, they have helped create meaningful employment opportunities within their community.

Héctor also serves as the Director of Christian Immersion Spanish Academy (CISA), a language school that welcomes students from around the world to learn Spanish through professional instruction and cultural immersion.

Daniel is the Director of Café Misión Costa Rica, a coffee company dedicated to producing high-quality Costa Rican coffee—from the plant to the package—while supporting local families and community development.

Together, Héctor and Daniel continue to use their gifts, creativity, and faith to impact lives, strengthen communities, and bring glory to God.

Unlikely hero: Joseph

Posted on by Wende Gonzales

“Come closer to me,” Joseph said to his brothers. “I am Joseph, your brother whom you sold into Egypt. And now do not be distressed, or angry with yourselves, because you sold me here; for God sent me before you to preserve life.” Genesis 45:4-5

Sunday, we continue our “Unlikely Heroes” series with the story of Joseph. Joseph’s journey takes him from being a favored son, to being thrown by his brothers into a pit, sold into slavery, falsely imprisoned, raised to power in Egypt, and finally back into the presence of the brothers who once betrayed him.

Our scripture this week is Genesis 45:1-15, the moment when Joseph finally reveals his identity to his brothers. Instead of seeking revenge, he eventually chooses a different response. In one of the most remarkable moments of restoration in scripture, Joseph tells his brothers, “God sent me before you to preserve life.”

Sometimes, what has been broken cannot simply be returned to its original condition. Restoration asks a different question: What might make life whole again? What might allow people, relationships, and communities to move toward healing after harm has occurred?

That is part of what makes Joseph’s story so compelling. Joseph does not pretend that what his brothers did was acceptable. The harm and betrayal were real. But Joseph’s story invites us to consider what it means to become people who preserve life rather than perpetuate harm, who seek reconciliation rather than revenge, and who believe that even after terrible things have happened, God can still be at work bringing about something life-giving.

I look forward to worshipping with you Sunday as we consider what Joseph might teach us about the God who preserves life and the people who become partners in restoration. This will be our last service of the season in the Chapel, as we return to the sanctuary on October 18th.

Question of the day: Recall a memory you have with siblings or cousins that you still talk about to this day.

Brett

Our very first Blessing of the Animals this Sunday!

Posted on by Wende Gonzales

Then Jacob woke from his sleep and said, ‘Surely the Lord is in this place—and I did not know it!’ And he was afraid, and said, ‘How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven.’ So Jacob rose early in the morning, and he took the stone that he had put under his head and set it up for a pillar and poured oil on the top of it. He called that place Bethel;
–Genesis 28:16-19

We crushed our Regional Assembly sign-up goals! We have 30 people registered, and every volunteer position we asked for has been filled! That is something worth celebrating. Thank you for your willingness to show up, lend a hand, and help us welcome our sister churches to our campus later this month. I am grateful for each of you and excited about what we will share together!

This Sunday, October 4, is the Feast Day of St. Francis of Assisi, a beloved figure in the Christian tradition known for his deep love of all creation. Francis saw animals and the natural world as fellow creatures of God, often speaking of them as brothers and sisters. Over the centuries, churches have celebrated his legacy with a Blessing of the Animals, giving thanks for the creatures who share our lives and reminding us of our responsibility to care for all creation.

And this year, we are joining in that tradition for the first time as a congregation!

Around noon, following our fellowship time, you are invited to run home, grab your furry friends, and bring them back to the church for a special blessing (if they aren’t already relaxing in a pet carrier with you!)

Our pets are so much more than animals who live in our homes. They are family. They greet us with excitement, offer comfort on difficult days, keep us company when the house feels quiet, and bring laughter and love into our lives. For many of us, they help ease loneliness and remind us of the simple, faithful gift of being loved. That kind of companionship is worth celebrating and blessing!

Bring your furry family members and join us for this new tradition. We look forward to blessing them and giving thanks for the joy they bring into our lives.

This Sunday, October 4, our scripture reading is Genesis 28:10–19, the story of Jacob’s dream at Bethel. Along his journey, Jacob encounters God in unexpected places and experiences moments that shape and change his life. Again and again, he marks these experiences by naming places, building altars, or dedicating spaces as reminders of what happened there. These places become part of his story, helping him remember God’s presence and recognize the sacredness of those encounters.

Question of the Day: Where is a place you have journeyed to that feels special or sacred to you?

I look forward to worshiping with you in person or on YouTube!

Brett

Pastor’s Notes 9/25/2026

Posted on by Wende Gonzales

Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you.”
–Genesis 12:1

I am delighted by your ongoing responses to the “question of the day” that we highlight in the bulletin each Sunday. Each question is intended to reflect the theme or scripture for that Sunday in some form or fashion.

The hope for these questions is that they become conversation starters during fellowship time. And when your signed and answered forms make their way to the office, whether through the offering plate, left in the pews or at the back of the sanctuary, or handed to me or one of our elders, they will be added to your file.

This week’s question is this: Abraham was called by God to “go.” Recall a time when you took someone’s advice to “go.”

The possible directions this question can lead are limitless. It might have been someone’s encouragement to continue your education, get married, break free from a toxic relationship, start a new adventure, take a chance on something new, or finally follow through with something you had been putting off.

Sometimes “go” is a word of adventure. Sometimes it is a word of courage. Sometimes it is simply the nudge we need when we have become too comfortable where we are.

That is certainly true for Abraham. In Genesis 12, God does not give Abram a detailed map or a complete itinerary. God simply says, “Go…to the land that I will show you.” Abram is asked to take the first step before he knows exactly where the journey will lead.

That may be one of the most faithful things about Abraham’s story, and what makes him an “unlikely hero”. He was not chosen because he had everything figured out. He was not given all the answers before he began. He was simply willing to trust the voice calling him forward.

God rarely calls us to a life where we know exactly what comes next. More often, faith asks us to take the next step, trusting that God will meet us along the way. So, as you think about this week’s question, I invite you to remember one of those moments when someone told you to “go.”

I look forward to worshipping with you in the chapel or on YouTube. Don’t forget to sign up for regional assembly and volunteering needs. We have done an amazing job of signing up so far, let’s keep it up!

Brett

Pastor’s Notes 9/18/2026

Posted on by Wende Gonzales

“God said, ‘This is the sign of the covenant that I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for all future generations: I have set my bow in the clouds, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and the earth.'”
Genesis 9:12,13

We are just over a month away from hosting our Regional Assembly of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Arizona, on October 23-24! The final preparations are kicking into full gear, and I am so excited for our greater church family to come and see how God is moving among us. The care and love we show to one another is the same hospitality we are preparing to extend to 200+ fellow disciples!

The theme for the event is “Celebrating our Gifts.” From storytelling to worship and workshops we will have opportunities to celebrate and deeper explore what equips each of our congregations for ministry. Each congregation is unique and has found a niche and purpose. For us, it is reminding older adults of our value and purpose and that God continues to have need of us. We are a people with passion and skill, and we offer relationship and the living presence of Christ to everyone we encounter.

On Sunday we will take the time to register our congregation for the event. It is free of charge and even if we are just planning to volunteer for a specific task, we all need to sign up. Hard copy forms will be handed out if you prefer to write your information down and our fantastic office will finish the online registrations for us. We will also have digital stations available for those who wish to register online or with assistance on your cell phone.

Most importantly for our hosting responsibilities, sign-up sheets for all the volunteer needs will be available as well.

The event kicks off on Friday night with a time of music and storytelling. Our very own Ginger Lanier will be one of the storytellers! Erin Cash, the director of the Thriving Congregations project we have been participating with, will be the keynote presenter and will also preach during our regular 9:30 a.m. Sunday worship (a perk of being the host congregation)!

This Sunday we will also begin a new series called “Unlikely Heroes” which is fitting with the theme of celebrating our gifts. We will journey with Noah and his relationship with God and the story from flood to bow in the clouds. Genesis 9:8-17 will be the read text if you wanted to prepare in advance! I look forward to worshipping with you online or in person. Brett

P.S. If you wanted to register for assembly on your own, go here: https://azdisciples.org/regional-assembly/

Pastor’s Notes 9/12/2026

Posted on by Wende Gonzales

“Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever.”
—Lord’s Prayer

“How many stars did it get?”

“What do the reviews say about it?”

Purchases don’t get made without doing some research these days. Which is easy to do because I don’t have to dig very deep online to find a review or survey response about a product’s value or worth.

I tend to pay a bit more attention to reviews that explain their rankings more than simply leaving a word like, “terrible” or “great”. Extol the virtues and tell me why this seemed to work so well. Leave a thoughtful testimonial to your experience and I will pay closer attention.

Testimonial.

That is the final instruction that Jesus’ leaves us when teaching us to pray. Not only are we to let God know how we have received blessings, but we must share our experiences of God with others.

These closing to our prayer calls us to recognize that God has been present in our past, is with us now and will guide our thoughts and actions in the days to come. God is good and worthy of my praise.

This is where our testimonial comes into play. Live and speak in ways that explain our experience with God. Don’t keep the goodness of God to ourselves. The more we express who God is and describe or exemplify our relationship with the Holy, the greater chance another person might take to experience God themselves. “I have seen God at work in my life, and I am proud to share my experience with you.”

On Sunday, we will remind ourselves of the ways God has been present with God’s faithful from the Old Testament to today. We will better understand what influenced the closing words to the Lord’s Prayer we pray every Sunday and get a better taste for what it means to be a witness to God’s love in the world… to offer our testimonial.

I look forward to worshipping with you online or in person! Our scripture verses for Sunday will include: Matthew 6:13, Exodus 15:1–2, 6, 13, I Chronicles 29:10-13.

Brett

Pastor’s Notes 9/4/2026

Posted on by Wende Gonzales

Bless the Lord, O my soul, and do not forget all his benefits—who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the Pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good as long as you live so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. –Psalm 103:1-5

Psalm 103 is a song of thanksgiving, traditionally attributed to David. It is not so much a prayer asking God for something as it is a reminder to the one praying of what God has already done. David begins by speaking to his own soul: “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and do not forget all God’s benefits.”

That phrase, “do not forget,” is important. David knows how easily we can receive God’s goodness without really noticing it. We enjoy the gifts of life, the people who surround us, and the moments of peace. We appreciate the food on our tables, the beauty of creation, and the countless ways we experience God’s presence. But it is easy to take our daily blessings for granted.

Thanksgiving is more than saying “thank you.” It is an intentional practice of remembering where our blessings come from and recognizing that God’s presence has been woven through our lives all along.

This Sunday we will gather around Psalm 103 and consider what it means to cultivate a grateful heart. As we worship, we will also dedicate and bless the new and gently used children’s books our congregation has been collecting for distribution at the Regional Disciples Women’s Retreat.

If you have a children’s book you would like to contribute, please bring it with you Sunday. These books will become gifts of love to children we may never meet, and we will take a moment to bless both the books and those who will receive them.

Together we will consider the goodness of God that surrounds us, often in ways we have simply stopped noticing. I look forward to worshipping with you in the Chapel or on YouTube.

Brett

Pastor’s Notes 8/28/2026

Posted on by Wende Gonzales

And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And do not bring us to the time of trial but rescue us from the evil one. For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you; but if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
–Matthew 6:12-15

“Embedded Faith”

“Embedded faith” is a phrase the Tuesday Bible Study group is quite familiar with, because we reference it a great deal. The word embedded is an adjective meaning: fixed firmly and deeply in a surrounding mass; implanted. Faith is defined by Webster as a strong belief in God or in the doctrines of a religion, based on spiritual apprehension rather than proof. So, when we put these words together, we find an embedded faith to be:

“A deeply rooted belief about God.”

Theologian David Hartkopf says embedded faith is simply the assumed components of Christian belief, concepts, and ideas that are taken as truth without thought on the part of the hearer. Often these are ideas and understandings we grew up with or learned along the way and they have taken hold as our core understanding.

You have also heard me talk before about our sources of authority.,

This rationale makes sense when we engage in dialogue about Matthew 6:5-15. What is the “proper” language to use when reciting the Lord’s prayer whether we prefer debts, trespasses or sins. We all have a preference, and it is often an embedded belief we pick up as we grow in faith. “It was how my grandma prayed it.” “The church I grew up in taught me.” “It is the language that makes the most sense to me as an adult and helps me understand with deeper meaning, the words I am confessing before God.”

As we can see in the italicized quote to introduce this message, both debts and trespasses appear in Matthew’s gospel account. If we were to summarize the concept even more, as some Biblical translations have, we can also trust that Jesus was addressing sin. Bottom line, there are many ways to find meaning in the Lord’s prayer and as a community of faith we make room to recite these faithful words as each person chooses (it is the closest the Disciples of Christ come to speaking in tongues)!

Our diversity in faith is truly a gift and Sunday we will focus our attention onto what draws followers of Jesus together through the Lord’s Prayer rather than that which divides us. I look forward to worshipping with you in the Chapel or on YouTube.

Brett