February 2010

Pastor Mark:Pastor Mark:

Why are we here?Why are we here?

Team Impact:Team Impact:

Living, Loving and Leading in ChristLiving, Loving and Leading in Christ

Until the whole world hears:Until the whole world hears:

The Glory of God and the joy of the nationsThe Glory of God and the joy of the nations

Team OutreachTeam Outreach

What does Convoy of Hope do?What does Convoy of Hope do?

Labor for your neighbor:Labor for your neighbor:

Valley View Community Food Bank Valley View Community Food Bank

In the Family Room:In the Family Room:

Meet our newest MemberMeet our newest Member

Just around the corner:Just around the corner:

This month @ DC3 This month @ DC3

ReCharge is coming!ReCharge is coming!

Are you ready for it?Are you ready for it?

This month;

Desert Cross isDesert Cross is

“Reaching out, Touching lives and Changing this World”“Reaching out, Touching lives and Changing this World”

Why are we here?Why are we here?

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Our beginning. . .

Desert Cross has a rich heritage and long standing tradition. What is today Desert Cross was once known as Phoenix Japanese Free Methodist Church. This all began in 1929 when Mr. Kiichi Sagawa

came to a life changing faith in Jesus Christ and began a Sunday School in his home in Tolleson. That Sunday School was later relocated to the Japanese Language School on the corner of 43rd Avenue and

Indian School Road.

In 1932 the church was officially organized and dedicated on May 8, with Rev. J. A. Kashitani who served as our first pastor. Our present sanctuary was built in 1964 on land that was donated by Mr. Kiichi

Sagawa. The original buildings were moved from their original locations and placed on our current church property.

As time moved forward the world around the church was changing and now Phoenix Japanese Free

Methodist Church was changing too. In 2007 the name of the church was changed from Phoenix Japa-nese Free Methodist Church to Desert Cross Community Church. This new name is more reflective of

the wonderful diversity of the family we know and enjoy at Desert Cross.

Today we are a multi-generational, multi-ethnic church family. We are a church family with a wonderful past, and a promising future. Come join us as we work together to advance the Kingdom of God into the

lives of many people.

Welcome Home!

Come join us this Sunday @ 10AM for exciting worship, great bible teaching

in a warm family atmosphere.

Bring the kids—there’s something for everyone!

Desert Cross Community Church 4143 N 43rd Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85301

602-278-0917 www.dc3fmc.org

Why are we here?

A lot of people ask that question – why am I here? What’s my pur-

pose? Does my life have any real meaning? All reasonable questions no

doubt, but they focus on ‘me’, which seems to be an American cultural

mental block. Me - I - Self. I think this is even a barrier for those of us in

the church today. Hear me out.

I fear we get too caught up in what’s going on in our lives, our families, our kids. Running

to T-ball, soccer practice, games. All good things mind you, but are they really why we’re here?

Are we on this planet to focus on what’s important to us? Or what’s important to God?

Now don’t get me wrong, I know that our families are important, and even more important

to God than we will ever understand this side of heaven. But what I’m asking is this, are we

focusing too much on our own things, our own interests and not enough on the big things that

touch God’s heart?

In the Old Testament, God challenged his people to keep in mind and to carry out their re-

sponsibility to others; the widow, the orphan and the stranger in their gates. In the New Testa-

ment, that didn’t change at all; Jesus actually kicked it up a notch. Right before he left the dis-

ciples, he told them why they were being left behind, and what they were to do. You will be my

witnesses. But what does that mean?

Simply, it means we will take the message of grace, and we will be the message of grace.

We will take it with us everywhere. That’s why we’re here. We take it to work, to school, to

play, etc. - you get the idea. That’s why Jesus didn’t take the disciples with him when he left.

And that’s why you and I are still here today. We are to be the message. And we have two great

opportunities to take the message to the world in the next few weeks.

How will you be the message of the gospel? There are two great ways. You can be part of

our outreach team at Convoy of Hope on Saturday Feb. 27 from 10 – 2. You can be part of our

outreach team working in the children’s booth at the Matsuri – Festival of Japan on February

27 & 28. These are incredible times for us to be the real reason why we are here. To reach out

to others with the love of God and the message of grace found only in Jesus Christ.

Why are we here? To be the hands and feet, to carry the message to a world that still needs

to hear. That’s why we are here.

Pastor Mark

Why are we here?Why are we here? Page 3

You know you can listen to a podcast of all Pastor Mark’s weekly teaching, right?

Did you know that soon we will offer video podcasting?

Keep your eyes on www.dc3fmc.org

Team Impact — Children & Youth Ministry

Let Us Pray!Let Us Pray!

It’s amazing that we’re already a month into the New Year! In Team Impact it has It’s amazing that we’re already a month into the New Year! In Team Impact it has

definitely been a time of learning.definitely been a time of learning.

January has been focused on learning about prayer. As it says in the song “Let Us Pray” January has been focused on learning about prayer. As it says in the song “Let Us Pray”

by Steven Curtis Chapman, by Steven Curtis Chapman, “Let us pray let us pray, everywhere in every way, every moment “Let us pray let us pray, everywhere in every way, every moment

of the day it is the right time. Let us pray without end and when we finish start again, like of the day it is the right time. Let us pray without end and when we finish start again, like

breathing out and breathing in, oh let us pray!” breathing out and breathing in, oh let us pray!” We can pray anytime, anywhere, about We can pray anytime, anywhere, about

anything! In addition to learning this song and the importance of prayer, the children of Team anything! In addition to learning this song and the importance of prayer, the children of Team

Impact have learned their first memory verse, Impact have learned their first memory verse, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in “Do not be anxious about anything, but in

everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God”everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God”. .

Philippians 4:6 Philippians 4:6

Going into February, we will be focusing on the Love of God. Going into February, we will be focusing on the Love of God. “For God so loved the world “For God so loved the world

that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have

eternal life”eternal life” John 3:16. So much focus is put on Valentine’s Day and the world’s version of John 3:16. So much focus is put on Valentine’s Day and the world’s version of

“love”, but with Valentine’s Day falling on a Sunday this year we’re going to spend a little “love”, but with Valentine’s Day falling on a Sunday this year we’re going to spend a little

extra time learning about that different, very special kind of love that God has for us!extra time learning about that different, very special kind of love that God has for us!

Aside from all we’re learning from God’s word, January 30Aside from all we’re learning from God’s word, January 30 thth was our first Team Impact was our first Team Impact

FunFun--day! We had great time with a Kidz Cookout at Sahuaro Ranch Park. Check out our day! We had great time with a Kidz Cookout at Sahuaro Ranch Park. Check out our

pictures on the facing page.pictures on the facing page.

Please continue to keep Team Impact in your prayers as we learn more about the Love of Please continue to keep Team Impact in your prayers as we learn more about the Love of

God and how to share that love with others.God and how to share that love with others.

Looking forward to all God has in store,Looking forward to all God has in store,

Stephanie CartwrightStephanie Cartwright

Team Impact LeaderTeam Impact Leader

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Team Impact — January Fun Day @ Sahuaro Ranch Park Page 5

Where is y

our m

ission f

ield?

Where is y

our m

ission f

ield?

Until the Whole World Hears

Desert Cross — A local, global outreach

The Glory of God The Glory of God

and the joy of all the Nationsand the joy of all the Nations

Oh sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all the earth! Sing to Oh sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all the earth! Sing to

the LORD, bless His name; tell of His salvation from day to day. Declare His the LORD, bless His name; tell of His salvation from day to day. Declare His

glory among the nations, His marvelous works among all the peoples! For glory among the nations, His marvelous works among all the peoples! For

great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; He is to be feared above all great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; He is to be feared above all

gods. gods. (Psalm 96:1(Psalm 96:1--4)4)

The psalmist reminds us that we were created to glorify God and enjoy The psalmist reminds us that we were created to glorify God and enjoy

Him forever. First thing we notice is what the psalmist says in verse 4; “Him forever. First thing we notice is what the psalmist says in verse 4; “For For

great is the LORD, and greatly to be praisedgreat is the LORD, and greatly to be praised…” this is our first motivation for …” this is our first motivation for

proclaiming the good news of His salvation to all the nations. That is to say proclaiming the good news of His salvation to all the nations. That is to say

that our God is worthy of our praise and therefore we should long to see the that our God is worthy of our praise and therefore we should long to see the

nations worship Him. Our hearts should long to see Him get the honor and nations worship Him. Our hearts should long to see Him get the honor and

praise and the glory that He deserves. The psalmist’s heart cries out in verse praise and the glory that He deserves. The psalmist’s heart cries out in verse

1 and 2 “1 and 2 “Oh sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all the earth! Oh sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all the earth!

Sing to the LORD, bless his name; tell of his salvation from day to daySing to the LORD, bless his name; tell of his salvation from day to day.” .”

The second thing to notice is that the palmist wants the nations to enjoy The second thing to notice is that the palmist wants the nations to enjoy

God forever. So the second motivation for proclaiming the Good news is the God forever. So the second motivation for proclaiming the Good news is the

joy of the nations. He goes on in verse 11 to say “joy of the nations. He goes on in verse 11 to say “Let the heavens be glad, Let the heavens be glad,

and let the earth rejoice; and let the earth rejoice; let the sea roar, and all that fills itlet the sea roar, and all that fills it;” As the psalmist ;” As the psalmist

desired for the nations to rejoice, so we should desire to constantly praise desired for the nations to rejoice, so we should desire to constantly praise

Him. We praise Him for saving us and through the Him. We praise Him for saving us and through the testimonytestimony of our lives of our lives

others will also enjoy God forever. others will also enjoy God forever.

So, what will you do this year to bring glory to God and joy to all the So, what will you do this year to bring glory to God and joy to all the

nations?nations?

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Stay tuned for more ways you can get involved….

Contact Lincoln at missions@dc3fmc.org

Team Outreach Team Outreach -- Be the hands and feet of Jesus to the worldBe the hands and feet of Jesus to the world Page 7

What is Convoy of Hope ?

Convoy of Hope ( Helping Others Prepare for Emergencies ) exists to feed millions of people in

need, in the United States and around the world through children nutrition initiatives, city wide

outreaches and disaster response.

Each year they host up to 50 community events, with the help of an army of volunteers, giving

away free groceries, job and health fairs, hair cuts, children's activities, and a prayer tent. Con-

voy of Hope has adopted a Guest of honor principle - to unconditionally love and accept each

guest with out regard to age, race, physical appearance or spiritual condition". Desert

Cross has been blessed by God to be able to participate in the community event being held on

February 27, 2010 at Grand Canyon University. There are two ways in which we can help Con-

voy of hope. You can volunteer your time on February 27. You can also participate in the "One

day to feed the world " program. This is a money donation program that asks for you to donate

one days wages.

Convoy of Hope also has several other programs. There is a nutritional program for children.

"Seeds of hope" is a sustainability program that provides families of third world countries with

packets of seeds along with educational literature teaching them how to farm so that they are

able to feed and sustain themselves. Convoy of Hope also has a water filtration program.

They go in to poor countries and install bio-sand water filtration units that provide enough water

for an entire family to have safe water every day. These systems are made out of rocks and

sand, so they require no up keep which means no added expense. $30 is the average cost for

Convoy of Hope to bring a life time of safe water to a third world family.

The time and money each of us spends to help

Convoy of Hope will turn into food, clothing and

basic necessities. Your efforts will touch the lives

of some many people in need, not only here in our

community but around the world.

Lets go out and be the hands and feet of Jesus.

What will you do?

Melissa

Contact Melissa at outreach@dc3fmc.org for more details.

Labor for Your Neighbor Day

@

Valley View Community Food Bank

Together, we really can make a world of difference in the lives of others...

Be the body of

Christ:

Start where you are, u

se what you’ve got,

do what you can.

In Jesus name

It’s common to feel the need to help others at Christmas.

The season gets us in a giving frame of mind. But the

reality is that life on the street is a 24/7, 365 way of life for

many homeless people in Phoenix. The needs of the

disenfranchised were always on the mind of Jesus. They

should be on ours as well. So, what can you do to make a difference in the world of our

many homeless in Phoenix?

You can give dignity to our homeless by supplying the simple basic necessities of life.

We need your giving of toiletries, socks, Guidepost and Reader’s Digest are needed.

Thank you for your support to help those in need. The Shoebox Ministries boxes are in

the Fellowship Hall next to the kitchen.

Shoebox Ministries—an ongoing need...

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What is truth? Is it subjective? Is it relative? Does it change?

Is there really anything that could be called absolute truth?

The truth is out there. And it’s coming to Desert Cross.

Come join us as we embark on a discovery of truth. We will be offering the Truth project

this spring in our Sunday evening Diggin’ Deeper Discipleship Class.

New Family members at Desert Cross

You know you can listen to a podcast of all Pastor Mark’s weekly teaching, right?

Keep your eyes on www.dc3fmc.org

The Family Room

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Kayla was born three weeks early, but is doing well and growing every day.

Can you guess who got to hold the baby ?

Special congratulations to

Kenji & Cary Murikami

on the birth of their little girl

Kayla Elizabeth!

We’re going to Matsuri and we need your help in the children’s booth.

This is an outreach event to those who will attend Matsuri.

See Diane Komatsu to sign up and help with this event.

Visit us on the web @ www.dc3fmc.org

Desert Cross Community

Church

4143 N. 43rd Avenue

Phoenix, AZ 85031

Phone: (602) 278-0917

E-mail: Pastor@dc3fmc.org

“Reaching out, Touching lives, and Changing this world.”

Sundays: Diggin’ Deeper Discipleship every Sunday @ 5PM.

Tuesdays: Life Journey Groups at Pastor Mark’s and Dorothy Tanita’s at 7:00 p.m.

Fridays: Ephesians Bible Study at Church, 7:00PM. Bible teacher Lin-

coln Solis.

Feb. 7: New Service time begins — 10 AM

Feb. 14: Prayer Warriors meeting, 8:00AM

Feb. 14: Women’s Ministry fund raiser breakfast at 8:30 AM

Feb. 27-28: Matsuri Festival of Japan — Heritage Square Park

Feb 27: Convoy of Hope Outreach event — Grand Canyon University

Just around the corner .. coming Soon to Desert Cross Page 12

Save the Date! Join us for our Passover Seder

$12.50 per person

March 23 rd @ 6PM

Visit us on the web @ www.dc3fmc.org

ReCharge — the name says it all. ReCharge is a time to get away and slow down. To be with your church family and friends. To let the noise of the city fall away and hear God speak to you. To you. To refresh your heart, and recharge your spirit. Once you’ve been to ReCharge, you don’t want to miss it. Just ask anyone in this picture. Plan now for ReCharge 2010, October 22-24, at beautiful Emmanuel Pines Camp, in the mountains outside of Prescott, AZ.

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