Wednesday, April 24 at noon in Cobbs Hall
Pastor Brett is presenting a slideshow of his trip to Italy! Join us for a potluck featuring Italian cuisine as we enjoy Pastor Brett’s Italian adventure! There is a sign up sheet in the narthex for the potluck (we can’t wait to see what wonderful Italian dishes you’re bringing!) This is going to be great! Don’t miss it!
“Knock – Knock.”
“Who’s there…?” “
Arn.”
“Arn who?”
“Aren’t you going to come and celebrate holy humor Sunday at Sun City Christian Church?”
This Sunday we will begin a new series about tips for experiencing resurrection. The first bit of advice for truly undergoing new life in Christ on this earth is to laugh. Scripture tells us directly that Jesus wept but whether he had a sense of humor is more implicit, but surely, he had a sense of humor.
How could Jesus not laugh? Some of his favorite people to hang around were children and they had no trouble relating with him. Children are playful, filled with wonder, and don’t take themselves or life too seriously. He had to exude these virtues to relate so well.
How else could one speak of a camel going through the eye of a needle unless they had a light-hearted take to life.
In our sermon time together, we will explore stories that confirm Jesus’ sense of humor. We will give ourselves permission to look at scripture through a lens that sees Jesus capable of sarcasm or replying in jest. The theme scripture for Sunday is John 21:20-25 and is the continued conversation between Jesus and Peter after he appears to his disciples on shore.
So come on Sunday with your best jokes in mind as we get through life together with laughter.
Brett
Bring a friend or neighbor! All are welcome!
Our text for this Sunday is John 21:1-19. Our series of “Wandering Heart: finding our faith with Peter” is concluding Sunday and will come full circle. I am grateful for the creators from A Sanctified Art who had this to say about Sunday’s story:
“This week’s text could be read alongside our first text for the series (Luke 5:1-11). The parallels and connections between the two are palpable and powerful. Once again, Jesus offers Peter abundance. His journey—like ours—is not linear, but God’s grace continues to circle back to him again and again like a familiar chorus played on repeat. In this text, we primarily want to focus on Peter’s threefold redemption granted to him by Jesus’ question: “Do you love me?” We might imagine Jesus asking us the same question. As we move forward in our faith journeys, how can we let love lead the way?”
I also want to let you know that our new automated Phone Tree messages will begin next week. Through this system we have the capability of sending audio versions of my weekly email update, meeting reminders, announcements, prayer concerns and other communications to your cell phone or landline. It may take us a bit to work the kinks out so please be sure to let us know if you have any questions or phone number changes.
I look forward to worshipping with you on Sunday!
Brett
2 pm on Sunday, April 21
We welcome the Tremble Clefs to Cobbs Hall for a freewill offering performance! Light refreshments and fellowship to follow.
The Tremble Clefs are music groups for people with Parkinson’s disease, their family members, and care givers with no music experience expected or required. Parkinson’s disease is a neurological disease that causes deterioration of muscles throughout the body including loss of voice. The purpose of the Tremble Clefs is to intervene the voice loss by improving voice volume and speech through singing and focused exercise. Singing not only improves voice but also improves movement and mood allowing us to live well with Parkinson’s disease.
Please visit TrembleClefsArizona.org for additional information about the group and future concerts. The site also includes practice locations, dates and times for those who might be interested in participation.
weekly on Thursdays
Are you looking for a supportive community to share the joys and challenges of aging?
You are welcome here each week for a morning of connection and inspiration in a safe space, led by Fred Wieck.
Whether you’re facing challenges or simply seeking companionship, you’re welcome here.
Come on down and let’s make the most of this journey together! Remember, you’re never alone when you have a supportive community by your side.
Second Tuesdays at 10:30 am; in the church library or on Zoom
Looking for a new book group to join? Sign up for our monthly Book Club!
All are welcome to join us for this month’s book discussion. Reading the book or being a church member is NOT required! Books are available to borrow for each session.
This month’s book announcement is coming soon!
Call the church office to sign up 623-972-6179. If you’re at church on Sunday, there is an overview and sign-up sheet in the narthex.
Books are available to borrow for each session.
Monthly on the second Tuesday at 9 am
JiMichael’s Restaurant, 13039 N. 103rd Avenue
Our monthly breakfast gathering for men is a place for fellowship and camaraderie! Each person is responsible for the cost of their individual meal. A sign-up sheet is available in the narthex.
(check the weekly update or call the church office for the location)
On the fourth Friday of every month at 11:00 am, join us for good conversation and an opportunity to meet new friends! Each person is responsible for the cost of their own meal; restaurant will distribute individual checks. Sign-up sheet is in the narthex, or call the church office.
Focal Scripture Luke 24:1-12
As the Sanctified Art team wrote in the notes for Sunday’s text, we might expect that, after denying Christ, Peter would cower in shame—or perhaps even run away in an attempt to leave his past behind him. Instead, when he hears the news from the women, he doesn’t dismiss them like the other disciples. He gets up and runs to the tomb.
When Peter peers into the empty tomb and sees the linen cloth, he is filled with awe. Even after the biggest failures, even after the worst-case scenario has happened, can we run toward hope? Like Peter, will we keep going? Will we keep looking for God in our midst?
In our reading from Luke 24:1-12 on Easter Sunday we will experience the promise fulfilled in resurrection. Resurrection is the gift that continues to provide followers of Christ with purpose, meaning, and that persistent little word that we call hope. Hope prevails on Easter morning and continues to fuel us in our pursuit to be the living presence of Jesus in this world.
If you are reading this post on Good Friday or Holy Saturday, may you find a moment to sit in prayerful reflection. Without crucifixion there is no resurrection. Light is brighter after the darkness. Hope springs from that which is certainly lost. Sit for a moment with the anguish of Jesus as the brokenness in our world is great. Allow yourself to sink into the heaviness, trusting that you will not be consumed. Hope is coming!
I look forward to shouting Hallelujah with you on Easter Sunday.
Brett
