4 pm on Good Friday, March 29 in our sanctuary
“The Stations of Peter”
We invite the community to experience Holy Week through the actions of Peter.
All are welcome.
Good Friday worship service
Tag: Disciples of Christ
“Leaving Our Legacy” pizza lunch
Come for lunch on Wednesday, March 6th at 12pm in Cobbs Hall for a presentation by guest speaker Marilyn Fidmont of the Christian Church Foundation.
As a part of the 50th Anniversary of SCCC, we are establishing a Legacy Society so that future generations of Sun City Christian Church will be able to thrive as we have because of the generous gifts of our previous members. We hope that you will attend and explore with us the many ways we can remember our church and establish our legacy.
Pizza and soda lunch is available for just $5.
Chair of the Board notes: 2/9/2024
This week’s update is from our Chair of the Board, Carol Finch:
The annual board meeting of the Sun City Christian Church was held on Sunday, February 4, 2024. The congregation voted unanimously to approve new positions to the Board including Vice Chair, Chair of Property, Chair of Trustees, and Chair of Ministry of Development.
The Board members unanimously approved for 2024 are:
- Chair of the Board – Carol Finch
- Secretary – Jan Kansorkin
- Treasurer – TBA
- WorshipTeam Leader – Ginger Lanier
- Chair of Property – Timmie Wilber
- Chair of Trustees – TBA
- Chair of Ministry of Development – Miriam Seylar
- Member at Large – Sylvia D’Avanzo
- Chair of Elders – Marcia Blake
The 2024 Budget was also unanimously approved.
The Rev. Jay Hartley, Disciples Regional Minister, will serve as minister to deliver the sermon this Sunday, February 11.
We encourage all women who would like to learn to crochet and knit on a loom to join us on Monday, February 12 at 9 am in the Church Cobbs Hall. We look forward to working on projects to serve the community.
Save the date to hear a special performance by a local ukulele group on March 3 at 3 pm. Light refreshments will follow.
Pastor’s Notes 2/2/2024
Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having the goodwill of all the people.
– Acts 2:46–47
Love God/Love Neighbor
This Sunday we will continue our dive into to what it means to live out what Jesus refers to as the greatest commandment: “Love the Lord your God will all your heart, soul, mind, and strength and love your neighbor as you wish to be loved.” Our attention this week is on loving God by loving our neighbor.
Loving our neighbor might be the hardest thing we are called to do, especially the neighbors we don’t understand, know, or like. Jesus was no fool and when folks attempt to trip him up, perhaps like the teacher in this story, Jesus could respond with his understanding of scripture. To which, the teacher knew Jesus was correct.
As Mark 12:34 teaches, “When Jesus saw that he had answered wisely, he said to him, ‘You are not far from the kingdom of God.’ And from then on no one dared ask him any more questions.”
I find the humor and anxious response of the people comforting in Mark’s Gospel, noting that no one dared ask Jesus any more questions. Jesus confirming that loving our neighbor is the second most important commandment, is a tough reality to sit with. If I am not ready to live with the answer, I shouldn’t ask the question.
My Grandma would remind me that if following God’s commandments was easy, God wouldn’t need to remind us to do it. To love our neighbor as we wish to be loved, we must start close to home. Focus on the needs nearby. My Grandma would probably also remind me to “Eat the low hanging fruit before picking something I must stretch to reach.”
A supporting text for Sunday will come from Acts 2:42-47. The early church came together and shared their enthusiasm and all that they had and all that they were to serve Christ together. In the sermon we will explore the ways we too come together in our discipleship. We will bless the commitments we prayerfully chose to make as a congregation in 2024. During the congregational meeting we will approve a slate of leadership as well as a budget to guide us in the coming year.
Please note that the memorial service for Diane Wallace is scheduled at the church for February 24th at 2 pm.
Pastor’s Notes 1/26/2024
“Let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action. And by this we will know that we are from the truth and will reassure our hearts before him.” – 1 John 3:18-19
Remember some of the ‘ol the catch phrases that were used to motivate us to act. “Just Do it.” “Actions speak louder than words.” “Put your money where your mouth is.” “Practice what you preach.” And then there is probably the most uttered challenge my brother and I would lob back and forth at each other, “prove it.”
“I can run faster than you.”
“Prove it.”
“I can stuff 30 marshmallows in my mouth.”
“Prove it.”
”I heard that if you put a raw egg, still in the shell in the microwave for a minute, it will explode.”
“Prove it!”
“Prove it” is a still one of my favorite motivational statements and it is one that is made constantly in the Bible. The scriptures influencing worship for Sunday include: 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, 1 John 3:16-24, Matthew 7:24-27, Mark 12:28-34.
Service matters. Loving God requires action, it is something followers of Jesus should feel compelled to do. Faith is a practice and to love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength our body must get involved.
Scholar Steve Thomason reminds us that the body is the connective tissue between loving God and loving our neighbor. Our texts this week remind us that love without action for the good of the neighbor is not love at all. We cannot love God without loving our neighbor and we cannot truly love the neighbor, especially our enemies, without the love of God overflowing from our lives.
The life of the disciple is a life called to service for the good of the other. This Sunday we will explore how our congregation is using the gifts of our physical resources to serve all our neighbors.
Don’t forget to bring bags of potato chips this Sunday as we will disperse what we collect into baggies for the food pantry of Community Christian Church (DOC) in Tempe.
Pastor’s Notes 1/12/2024
Therefore, prepare your minds for action; discipline yourselves; set all your hope on the grace that Jesus Christ will bring you when he is revealed. – 1 Peter 1:13
The human mind is such a fascinating creation. We could think of the brain as God’s first computer design. Our mind is a cognitive nexus that is constantly firing and sending messages and impulses that trigger all aspects of our being. Not only do we think with our mind but we reason and connect and create the messages that we communicate with others.
It makes sense that for a sermon series entitled, “Loving Deeper,” this week’s theme is “Loving God with our Mind.” It is as important a place as any to start. We also find that the Gospel writer Mark this week, Mark 12:28-34 (Romans 12:1-2, and Luke 2:39-40 will also be present in worship Sunday) highlights what we must use to love God and our neighbor. “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.”
On Sunday we will explore ways to deepen our Spiritual relationship through study and prayer. Being in communication with God and other humans is key to a healthy Spiritual life. We must be in dialogue. Words and feelings must not only be expressed but received. We send out information and open ourselves to receive it and as a result, apply it to our lives.
One way I hope we can deepen our spiritual connection in 2024 is by being intentional in ministry practices with Sun City Christian Church. The use of our time and talents matters. So to help us identify our gifts, I invite you to join me for lunch. Sign-up sheets will be available Sunday and there are four slots each day at 11am in the library for either January 15, 16, 17, 18, 23, or 24.
We have such rich opportunities for ministry awaiting us and I can’t wait to hear the ways you are excited to participate. See you Sunday.
Brett
Pastor’s Notes 1/5/2024
He said to them, ‘Why were you searching for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house? – Luke 2:49
“I have an idea.”
“Here’s a thought.”
“I wonder.”
I like those sentences. I will drop whatever I am doing and pay full attention every time someone (especially a member of Sun City Christian Church) has an epiphany. This is who we are and what we are called to do: manifest Christ into the world through our ability to love.
The season of Epiphany is about recognizing that Christ has come to the world for all. God’s love is greater than any power or might that humanity could wield, and it is available to all who wish to receive it.
I really wrestled with scripture passage to utilize for Sunday. Do we focus our epiphany energy onto the Magi finding the Christ child and paying him homage? Do we follow the lectionary and celebrate Jesus’ baptism by John the Baptist? Both of those scriptures regularly appear this time of year, but I was drawn to another passage, Luke 2:41-52.
As we continue in Luke’s gospel, immediately after Jesus is dedicated in the temple, we find him back in the Temple 12 years later. After having journeyed to celebrate the Passover with his family and community, Mary and Joseph fail to recognize that he is not with them on the return journey.
“Where else would I be?” Jesus responds to his parents. Engaging about deeper questions of faith in the Temple was the obvious answer and the ah-hah moment for us readers as to what the following stories of Jesus’ life would hold in store.
Together we will explore our ideas for how to love fully as those who believe in Jesus. We will begin to give shape to our calling and purpose for loving others with all our mind, body, and Spirit.
As we forge ahead into a new year, we will do so together in worship and in prayer! See you Sunday in the Chapel as we will continue to worship there until further notice.
Brett
Pastor’s Notes 12/8/2023
In those days Mary set out and went with haste to a Judean town in the hill country, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. –Luke 1:39-41
One thing the authors of our “How does a weary world rejoice” want to impress upon us is that in community, our joy expands. Even when personally, we are weary and may find it hard to rejoice, we can carry each other’s joy. Not only are Elizabeth and Mary kin, but they now become deeply kindred spirits for one another.
The good news begins to take shape in Elizabeth’s womb, but scripture tells us that she stays secluded, hiding her pregnancy from others—that is, until Mary arrives at her door, also pregnant. Perhaps Mary’s arrival is the inbreaking that changes everything for Elizabeth, for in that moment, her child leaps in her womb and she is filled with the Spirit. She can’t help but rejoice.
Being around people who aren’t afraid to expose their excitement permits us to do the same. Joy thrives when it can be shared. Joy operates so much better when it is a communal experience. Engaging in moments that connect us is why parents who are expecting invite those they love to gender reveal parties. This is why fans thousands upon thousands of fans fill stadiums for sporting events and concerts, to share joy with others.
Our authors remind us that Joy is fundamentally rooted in connection, but connection expands beyond just human relationships. We experience joy through feeling a deep connection to ourselves, our loved ones, to God, to nature, and to the whole cosmos that surrounds us. As we look to the Gospel text, many sermons may emphasize how Elizabeth provides sanctuary for Mary. However, this year, we hope to highlight a different angle: perhaps Mary’s arrival is what pulls Elizabeth out of her seclusion, allowing her to experience joy and delight.
On Sunday we will celebrate the mutuality of Elizabeth and Mary’s bond—even if they each cannot feel joy for themselves, they are both holding joy for each other. From that connection, joy grows. We are connected as the body of Christ; we are on a journey of faith together! See you Sunday.
Brett
Christmas Eve
On December 24, we’ll celebrate the fourth Sunday in Advent with worship at our regular time of 9:30 am, and return at 4 pm for the Christmas Eve service.
Finding Peace Amidst the Holiday Hustle: A Longest Night Service
The holidays can be joyful, but for many of us, they can also bring up feelings of loss and sadness. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the “merry” expectations while mourning the absence of a loved one or facing difficult emotions, you’re not alone.
This Longest Night (Blue Christmas) service, on Thursday, December 21st at 3pm, offers a gentle space for reflection and remembrance amidst the holiday rush.
Find solace, comfort, support and understanding in this brief service which offers you a moment of pause and peace during the longest night of the year. You are welcome to come as you are, and bring whatever memories or feelings you are having.
Don’t let the holidays overshadow your grief. Find strength and comfort in shared quietude and understanding.