Tag: Disciples of Christ

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

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

Pastor’s Notes 12/12/2025

Posted on by Wende Gonzales

The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad, the desert shall rejoice and blossom;
like the crocus it shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice with joy and singing.
The glory of Lebanon shall be given to it, the majesty of Carmel and Sharon.
They shall see the glory of the Lord, the majesty of our God.
Isaiah 35:1,2

This Sunday we will continue our Advent journey with the lighting of the Candle of Joy.

Our scripture will come from Isaiah 35:1–10, a beautiful promise that the wilderness will bloom, dry land will rejoice, and weary hearts will be renewed. It is a passage filled with movement, color, and hope. The prophet has a vision of God’s transforming joy breaking into places that once felt barren.

Our main symbol this week is the poinsettia, a flower often associated with Christmas, but also rich with spiritual meaning. According to legend, the poinsettia first bloomed when a child, who had nothing else to give, offered a simple bundle of weeds in love. God transformed that humble gift into something radiant and beautiful.

This week, we will reflect together on what it means to be people who believe that even dry places can flower, even weary souls can sing again, and even small gifts can become something sacred. Joy comes from what we offer, not from what we possess. Joy blooms when we bring our hearts honestly to God.

P.S. Tuesday’s ugly sweater Christmas party was so much fun. Thanks to all of you for your participation and good-hearted willingness to play games and have fun. The random outbreaking of a snowball fight is a memory I will carry with me for a long time!

P.P.S. I also wish to extend an invitation to a Christmas Day Open House that Rev. Trish and I are hosting at our home from 4-7pm. I will have our address and more information in the days ahead!

Many blessings and I look forward to worshipping with you on YouTube and in person on Sunday.

Brett

Pastor’s Notes 12/5/2025

Posted on by Wende Gonzales

So (Jesus) came and proclaimed peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near; for through him both of us have access in one Spirit to the Father.
–Ephesians 2:17-18

As the season of Advent continues, we gather this Sunday around a powerful and familiar symbol of our faith. The unbroken circle of the Advent Wreath reminds us that God’s love and peace have no beginning and no end. This week, we will reflect on the theme: “Peace that holds us together.” Luke 1:68–79 and Ephesians 2:14–18 will be our core scriptures.

In a world that often feels unsettled and divided, we will pause together and remember that Christ’s peace is a deep, steady peace that surrounds us, binds us together, and restores what is broken. As we light the candle of peace, we will be reminded that God’s presence does not rush or force its way in, but gently encircles us with calm, hope, and healing.

Whether your heart feels steady this week or weighed down with burdens, you are welcome just as you are. Come and be held in the circle of God’s peace. Come and let the light of Christ shine upon, give you peace, and send you forth in love. I look forward to worshipping with you on YouTube or in person.

Also, daily Advent devotionals about our new Chrismons are being sent to your email every morning. Please let me know if you are not receiving them and have an alternate email you would like us to use.

–Brett

Pastor’s Notes 11/28/2025

Posted on by Wende Gonzales

A shoot shall come out from the stock of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots.
– Isaiah 11:1

A new liturgical year is upon us!

November 30th marks the First Sunday of Advent. Our journey this season will lead us through the symbols of our faith. For many weeks our DWM have been creating Chrismon ornaments to adorn our worship space.

While preparing for our 50th anniversary, a file was found which contained a previous set of Chrismon patterns that were constructed. With the help of the Worship Ministry a small team led by Reva Best, Doris Helvig, and Beverly Bever created a booklet to accompany the new decorations. That set of Chrismons, created in 1988, is gone but the booklet remains.

Every day of this Advent journey, you will receive an email highlighting a different Chrismon symbol. A photo from this season’s ornaments, a description of the symbol, scripture verse, prayer, and a question to ponder will make up the daily email devotional.

It is fitting to use the original description written by Reva Best and The Worship Ministry to lead us into this Advent journey with the symbols of our faith. Many blessings, Happy Thanksgiving, and I look forward to worshipping with you on YouTube or in person this Sunday.

–Brett

THE CHRISMONS

An explanation of the symbols on the Chrismon Tree at the Sun City Christian Church (1988)

The Chrismon Tree originated in the Lutheran Church of the Ascension in Danville, Virginia in 1957. From the beginning, the idea has spread to Christians throughout the world.

Crismon is a combination of two words—CHRIST and MONogram. Hence, a Chrismon is a monogram of Christ.

Chrismons proclaim our Lord Jesus Christ through the use of symbols. Some Chrismons are simple copies of Christianity from its earliest days; others are new explanations of God’s never changing presence in our ever changing world, while others are combinations of several elements, old and new.

All our Chrismons are made in combinations of white and gold—White, the liturgical color for Christmas refers to our Lord’s purity and perfection; God to his majesty and glory. We point to Christ as the light of the World by using tiny white lights on the tree.

Designs will differ in the way that they unite the various elements so that each Chrismon presents its unique message. These symbols are interdenominational and the heritage of all Christians.

We hope these pages will help you understand the truth that the tree proclaims—the story of God’s plan for salvation that, through faith in Jesus Christ, we might all be restored to the Father in a community of love, the Christian Church.

May each of you be blessed with the love and joy and true meaning of Christmas.

–the Worship Ministry (1988 and 2025)