echoes of dhpc | april - may 2013

Desert Hills Presbyterian Church Echoes

34605 North Tom Darlington Drive P.O. Box 874Carefree AZ 85377 480-488-3384

April / May 2013

Flowers appear on the earth;the season of singing has come,the cooing of doves is heard in our land.

Song of Songs 2:12

2 Desert Hills Presbyterian Church Echoes • April / May 2013

•

Echoes is a semi-monthly publication by and for the congregation of Desert Hills Presbyterian Church in Carefree, Arizona. If you have received this publication by mistake or you would like to no longer subscribe to the magazine, simply call the DHPC office at 480-488-3384 or write to [email protected].

The lead time for the publication is four weeks before the first month displayed on the cover. For the June - July issue, deadline for submissions is May 10.

Contributions from any and all DHPC members are always welcome! Simply e-mail your documents and pictures to [email protected] or drop them off at the church office.

The Echoes staff welcomes any and all feedback. If you would like to submit any questions, concerns or comments about the contents of this publication, please send them to [email protected] or drop them by the church office and we’ll make sure they are read and addressed as promptly as possible. Please allow 2-4 weeks for any necessary replies.

If you have been blessed with the ability to write or take pictures and feel called to use your talents to serve the Lord, Echoes would love to have you be part of our editorial team! Just call Patrick McAvoy at 602-549-7217 or write us at [email protected].

Echoes April / May 2013

03 Pastor’s Message

04 New Members

04 Homeless Chaplaincy Golf Outing

05 Stephen Ministry

06 Music & Arts Festival

06 DHPC Christmas Ornaments

06 Caring Relationships Series

07 UMOM Baby Shower

08 God Sightings

10 Children’s Ministry

11 Concluding Confirmation

10 Student Summer Fundraiser

12 Dashboard

IN THIS ISSUE

3Desert Hills Presbyterian Church Echoes • April / May 2013

Pastor’sMessage

Seeking Fulfillment

Jim Noble, Senior [email protected]

Pastor’sMessage

Let all justice and righteousness be fulfilled.

Justice = the fulfillment of legal expectations and obligations.

Righteousness = the fulfillment of all proper social expectations and obligations arising from a relationship.

Debt = what is owed to another as a result of a failure to meet the proper expectations and obligations of justice and/or righteousness.

Sin = the separation in the relationship that precipitates and results from failure to fullfill all justice and righteousness.

Let all Grace and Mercy be fulfilled.

Undeserved = required neither by justice nor righteousness and therefore arising out of a freedom to bestow or not.

Grace = the undeserved bestowing of positive gifts that strengthen a relationship. The Greek word “Charismata” means “Grace Gift.” Examples of Grace Gifts: Adoption into God’s family, made heirs with Christ, sealed/filled with the Spirit, manifestations of the Spirit, made in the image of God.

Mercy = the undeserved removal of one’s debts and the overcoming of the sinful separation. A removal of a negative.

Faith = Grace and mercy are acts and expressions of Faith in another person or people. Only through Faith will grace and mercy arise. We are saved through the faith of Christ.

God has done so much to show His faith in us, what will we do to show our faith in Him?

Let us fulfill all justice and righteousness.

Let us fulfill all grace and mercy.

Peace in Christ,

Jim

photo byTeresa Howes


Chaplaincy for the Homeless Golf OutingYou are invited to participate in the Third Annual tournament to benefit The Chaplaincy for the Homeless on Saturday, May 18th at Quintero Golf & Country Club in Peoria, Arizona.

The Chaplaincy for the Homeless has been serving the needs of the Valley’s homeless since 1988, helping them to get back on their feet and back into productive lives in the workforce by replacing lost, stolen and destroyed identification documents such as ID’s and driver’s licenses, or birth certificates. These make it possible for a person to get assistance, health care, work, and housing.

Quintero Golf & Country Club is a Troon Golf-managed semi-private facility located six miles west of Lake Pleasant on Carefree Highway. Opened in 2001, the Rees Jones designed Founders Course has been honored as one of America’s top 100 modern golf courses by Golfweek Magazine for nine straight years. Set in the scenic Hieroglyphic Mountains, the impeccably groomed course features dramatic elevation changes and sweeping vistas with unspoiled views for miles of the surrounding Federal Lands.

Entry Forms are available on Desert Hills Website, www.deserthills.org; Chaplaincy Website, www.azhomeless.com and in print form at Desert Hills Church office.

WELCOME New Members!

Marjorie Sutton & Marvin Bulgatz Barb FeddersenSuzanne FearnsideMark, Heather & Mason Briganti

Marilyn Irvin Linda KeenanJoEllen Foreman Wil Marker(picture unavailable)

STEPHEN MINISTRY TRAINING COMING IN SEPTEMBER

“Christ Caring for People Through People” at Desert Hills Presbyterian Church

The skills and knowledge you learn and practice during the 50 hours of training will prepare you for providing a distinctly Christian caregiving ministry.

What does a Stephen Minister do?

• Offers Christian friendship and love• Listens• Encourages• Keeps Confidence• Prays• Supports

Please join our team of Stephen Ministers!

“Love one another as I have loved you.” John 13:34

“Encourage one another and build each other up.” 1 Thessalonians 5:11

“Here am I, Lord. Send me.” Isaiah 6:8

Please sign up or contact Pastor Bob or Barb Conti for more information.

STEPHEN MINISTRY AT WORK

On Sunday, March 10th, Nancy Clarke spoke in all our worship services about her experience with Stephen Ministers. She said:

“After my husband of 54 years passed, I really needed someone to talk to that had a heart with ears.

I needed someone that would listen.

I needed someone I could speak to that could keep what we talked about in confidence.

I needed some reminders that God was still with me.

The Stephen Ministry’s leadership must have prayed about whom they would send, because they found a super match for me, someone with similar background interests, church experiences and love for people.

I experienced someone who reminded me that God was with me.

I experienced someone who asked thought-provoking questions.

I experienced someone who saw growth that some-times I couldn’t see and encouraged me.

When one of our members makes a commitment to become a Stephen Minister, it includes training, pair-ing people to the right person, and the two people determining their own timeline for communication. The Stephen Ministers can be there for you in many of life’s situations.

1 Thessalonians 5:11 says ‘Encourage one another and build each other up.’ My Stephen Minister was a very caring person.”

If you or someone you know might need a caring, listening, and confidential person, consider asking for a Stephen Minister by contacting: Barbara Conti (women) or Don Paisley (men), or call our church office.

You too can become a Stephen Minister by applying now for our Training Sessions scheduled to begin in Fall 2013. Contact Pastor Bob at the office.


S T E P H E N M I N I S T R Y


NEW HANDPAINTED DHPC CHRISTMAS ORNAMENT AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ORDER

Limited Edition supports Children’s Ministries – Reserve Yours Today for $20!

We know… we just finished Easter and we’re already talking about Christmas? But we have a very good reason!

In lieu of the annual year-end cookie dough sale to help raise needed funds, DHPC’s Children’s Ministries has commissioned a fully original, completely hand-painted Christmas ornament through Brenda Schodt at Southwest Ornaments. Since each of these ornaments is hand-painted based on the original design above, we’re taking orders right now and the ornaments themselves will be available for pickup around October.

Brenda’s beautiful ornaments can be found at Sky Harbor Airport and the Desert Botanical Garden as well as through her website, www.southwestornaments.com.

However, the only place you’ll find this one-of-a-kind ornament is through DHPC’s Children’s Ministries, and only for a limited time. Once they’re gone, they’re gone!

To reserve your ornament, simply:

1) During the month of April ONLY: stop by the table on the patio to see the ornament and register yourself!

2) Stop by the church office anytime through the summer and ask Kathleen to add you to the list.

Either way, just bring cash or check for $20 per ornament, and you’ll be guaranteed to receive the exact quantity you order when our shipment arrives!

We’ll let you know when your ornament(s) is/are ready for pickup once the weather cools again and the holidays draw nearer.

Four sessions on Thursday evenings, April 4 - April 25, 6:30 – 8:30 pmTaught by George & Cathy Hoxie

The Caring Relationships Series is designed to lead you in living a Christ-like life in all your relationships.

Our goal is to become well-balanced individuals who are living in our strengths, not wallowing in our weaknesses. The class will not only help with our own personal growth, but will be useful in improving our relationships with others. While

we can’t change other people, we can change the way we approach them as we begin to identify and understand our and their personality.

We will explore false and self-defeating thoughts, beliefs, feelings, and behaviors that are preventing us from experiencing a full life. We will learn how to go forward with our new beliefs improving our relationship with ourselves, others and God. For further information contact Cathy Hoxie at 480-478-9559 or [email protected].

Our Chancel Choir was very pleased to sing praises to the Lord on Palm Sunday in their new robes! We especially want to thank the anonymous donor whose contribution has provided the choir with a great deal of joy!

CARING RELATIONSHIPS SERIES, PART 3: KNOWING YOURSELF, KNOWING OTHERS


YOU ARE INVITED TO ATTEND A UMOM BABY SHOWER!WHERE: DHPC FELLOWSHIP CENTER | WHEN: SATURDAY, APRIL 20, 2013 | TIME: 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.Cake and punch will be served. Please RSVP at the Women’s Ministry Table between services.

The Women’s Ministry Program has adopted UMOM’s “Showers for Strangers” as our outreach ministry to the community. These baby showers are held for homeless women who are in temporary housing at a UMOM facility. Many of you participated in helping this program at our Christmas Tea by bringing in baby bottles filled with money to help fund these baby showers.

We are pleased to announce that an April Shower for two expectant mothers is coming to DHPC. This is a big undertaking which requires many hands, but more important, a heart to serve someone less fortunate than ourselves. We need you!

Following is a list of gifts that may be purchased and/or you can give a donation to help purchase more expensive items. Yard sales, Goodwill Stores, Dollar Stores, Savers, etc. are good places to find “gently” used baby items and baby bath supplies at a good price.

Items to be purchased will also be on slips of paper on the Narthex windows. If possible, please wrap and label your baby gifts and drop them off in Narthex 1. Otherwise, we will be glad to wrap the gifts for you.

Please mark your calendar and plan to join the Women of DHPC to provide a time of celebration and joy for these expect-ant mothers.

HOW YOU CAN HELP1. Give a donation to Women’s Ministry to help purchase gifts that are needed.2. Shop for gifts (list below). Yard sales, Goodwill Stores, Dollar Stores, Savers, etc. are good places to find “gently”

used baby items and bath supplies at a good price.3. Bring your wrapped and labeled gifts (or unwrapped gifts) to Narthex 1 where there will be large boxes to put

them in.4. Help wrap gifts.5. Help decorate the Fellowship Center.6. Help with Clean-up after the shower.7. Attend the Shower and bring an afternoon of joy to two expectant mothers.

GIFTS TO BE PURCHASED FOR TWO MOTHERS

Baby Wash Frames Girls Clothes Boys Clothes

Baby Shampoo Bibs 0-3 months 0-3 months

Baby Lotion Strollers – single, - 3-6 months 3-6 months

Bathtub (new) double, triple 9-12 months 9-12 months

Towels & Washcloths Diapers Diaper Genie Bottles

Bulb syringe Diaper wipes Diaper Bag (new) Bottle drying rack

Thermometer Baby Blankets Changing table/pad Bottle warmer

Nail Clippers Lily Pad (tummy time) Changing table covers Breast Pump

Diaper Cream Lullaby lambs/music Crib or Basinet Breast feeding cover-up

Baby Monitor Teething rings/toys Crib Sheets Swing

Infant carrier/slin Baby blankets Mobile Play Pen

Bouncy Chair Baby Books Toys Pacifiers

Parenting books/DVDs Stuffed animals Car Seats (new) Infant carrier/sling

Pregnancy Journal & Organizer

Baby’s 1st Year Book

If more gifts are received than can be used for this shower, they will be given to UMOM for future showers.


Recently my granddaughter Allie, who is attending the U of A in Tucson, called her mom to say she wanted them to come down and go with her to a new church she was attending. When my daughter and her hus-band went down to meet her at the church, she was thinking as they walked up, wouldn’t it be awesome if it were the First Baptist Church my parents were married in 58 years ago. As it turned out, it is the same church. Of all the churches in Tucson, God led her to this amazing connection. We have an awesome God.

- Gisela Stewart

Sometimes God Sightings come when we don’t know what we are doing. We were trying to put appoint-ments together one day, as we usually do, in order to save gas. We left the house at what seemed the correct time. When we arrived an hour early at the first appointment we began to rue our waste of time and wonder how it happened and what to do about it.

It was a cool day but the sun was warming the car so we decided to sit and pray. We took turns praying aloud and then thought “be still, and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10. After a time we each became aware of the Shekinah between us and the blessedness of the experience was beyond explanation. All we could do was thank Him and praise His Holy Name.

God knows how to fill your day with peace and beauty when you least expect it.

“For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst.” - Matthew 18:20

- Peggy & Chris Heydrick

What a treat God provided for us on our 40th wedding anniversary! The pastor that married us attended our church service to hear Kevin preach, for he is mentor-ing him at Fuller Seminary. We asked if he remem-bered marrying us 40 years ago on that day (he didn’t), but it made our special day complete. We felt it was a God Sighting.

- John and Mary Denaro

After the Healing and Prayer Service where I was prayed with for my children, I came home to find my DirectTV service out of order. As I was going through my DVDs, I came across one that I did not recognize. I opened the disc to find a card dated Jan. 24, 2008 from my son who had helped the movers pack up my house in CA for my move to AZ. The note said, “I love you, Mother.”

It was such a surprise and so meaningful to me! I would never had found it if the TV service was not available. To think five years had gone by, and at last I was led to the message!

Thank You Lord, how You know a Mother’s heart and when to answer prayers in times of special need!

- Norma Solkah

GOD SIGHTINGS


Monday, March 4th 2013 will hold a special meaning for me. Let me elaborate. I have been wrestling with tax problems for 2012. Without going into specifics, I had several one-time financial issues occur last year. One was a dispersal of funds from a financial institu-tion that manages an account for me, and the other a large lump sum paid to me by the Social Security Administration.

Several telephone calls did not help. The financial institution that calculated the incorrect cost basis was unable to correctly compute the capital gains. The net result would be a very substantial tax liability. I con-tacted my CPA firm regarding these issues and they offered no solution.

On Sunday, March 3rd, 2013, during the silent prayer portion of the DHPC service I put this matter in God’s hands. I said, “Please help and guide me through this difficult process. I have complete faith in your guid-ance in this matter.”

I have been a licensed ham radio operator since the mid-1970s and stay in touch with the many fellow hams I have met over the years. We have an informal daily roundtable discussion each weekday at 9:30 am. After the normal conversations ended and everyone had signed off, a “voice” appeared on our frequency calling my station. The station was W7AQK, a ham radio operator located in Tucson, Arizona.

After a short time discussing normal subjects such as station equipment, antennas, and so forth, the conver-sation came around to how long we lived in Arizona and when we moved to Arizona. I operated an air charter business in New Mexico during the 70s and mentioned I used to fly accountants from Albuquer-que to Window Rock, Arizona during that time.

Tom Yarnes, the other ham operator, said I may have flown him on my plane at one time. He explained he worked for Peat, Marwick & Mitchell in Albuquerque during that time. After we finished chatting, I asked

Tom if I could get some financial advice. He said “Sure, go ahead.” Tom answered the questions I had asked my accountant and financial advisor directly and to the point. His advice saved me a considerable amount of tax liability and let me put this difficult situation to rest.

I verified his advice with the IRS and was told his advice was accurate and correct. I know without doubt that this was NOT a coincidence and was God’s way of answering my prayer for guidance in this matter. A voice over the air on Amateur Radio appeared out of nowhere with the answers that the so-called profes-sionals I had contacted did not have.

- Stephen Gross

How is God at work in your life? Give glory, honor and praise by sharing your own God Sightings! Please email what God has planned in your heart and life to [email protected] or leave a voice message anytime, day or night, through the God Sightings Hotline at (480) 525-8388.


IMPORTANT DATES FOR CHILDREN’S MINISTRYGRAB YOUR CALENDAR AND MARK DOWN THESE IMPORTANT DATES!

APRIL 7th is Rwandan night at DHPC. Our sister church is invited to be with us. These beautiful people need to meet our beautiful people so we hope to see you there!

APRIL 20th The Sunday School Classes will be collecting diapers for the UMOM Baby Shower to be held April 20th (see “UMOM Baby Shower Comes to DHPC” for more details.)

MAY 5th is the all-church Spring Picnic and will be held in Desert Willow Park. Look forward to supporting our youth and enjoying good picnic food with our great DHPC friends!

JUNE 17th - JUNE 21st is our annual Vacation Bible School pro-gram. This summer we will spend the week in “The Marketplace from the Holy Land”. Imagine yourself where Jesus would have walked!

STUDENT SUMMERFUNDRAISERHelp students raise money to go to San Diego & Jamaica this summer

BEST IN SHOW: HOT DOG COOK-OFFWHO: All ages and friends are invitedWHAT: Hot Dog cook-off & Church Picnic WHEN: Sunday, May 5th from 4-6 pm WHERE: Desert Willow Park (located west of Cave Creek Rd. on Desert Willow Pkwy) WHY: For a great time of fellowship & fundraising *

HOW YOU CAN HELP:

Sponsor a hot dog booth.• Bring your favorite and most unique hot dog toppings for everyone to eat.• Hot dogs and buns will be provided!• Decorate your booth to match the theme of your hot dog creation.

Bring money to donate .• Use your money to buy votes for your favorite hot dog creation & booth.• Use your money to play games.

Sponsor a game booth.• Bring or create a carnival type game that others can pay to play.

*ALL money raised will go toward students going to Hume Lake San Diego Camp/Urban mis-sion trip & those students going to Jamaica.


Our 8th grade students have been hard at work all school year attending confirmation class. After two retreats, 13 classes, note taking during Sunday morning worship, and volunteer service hours these students will almost be done with their long journey through confirmation. As the primary teacher for confirmation I have been personally blessed this year by this small group of students and adult leaders. I have seen students grow in their understanding of God during our class sessions and especially from par-ticipating in worship on Sunday mornings. The students have been teaching me the value of our church family here at Desert Hills and how God is able to transform our lives through worshiping together. I have also seen our fe-male leader, Ashley Murphy engage and connect with the female students through building personal relationships. Regardless of age each person desires to have genuine personal relationships with those who will listen and sup-port them during their various seasons in life.

As this year’s confirmation class finishes up attending class, writing out their statements of faith, and meeting with our church session I will continue to be praying for this group of students. I am specifically praying for more

adult leaders who can love these students through meet-ing them where they are at in life and listening to them. I invite you to pray with me for all our students at Desert Hills and particularly this group of 8th grade students as they transition into high school next year. As these stu-dents make this journey they will need more adults in their lives who they are able to trust through personal relation-ships. Please join me in considering being an adult leader so that God may use you to leave a lasting impact on the next generation.

If you feel God is calling you to be a part of a student’s life then please join us as we serve dinner to families at Salva-tion Army in downtown Phoenix on Wednesday May 8th. This is a wonderful opportunity to glorify Christ by being used as His hands and feet to serve a warm meal to a fam-ily. Along with serving, students and adults will be able to build lasting relationships with one another as they serve side by side. Space is limited for this service opportunity so please contact Youth Director, Kevin Deasy to reserve your spot. Kevin can be reached through his email: [email protected] or his cell phone: 602-618-5199.

From the

Director of Youth Ministry

Kevin Deasy • [email protected]

Concluding Confirmation

34605 North Tom Darlington Drive P.O. Box 874 Carefree AZ 85377 480-488-3384

Non-Profit OrganizationU.S. Postage PaidPAIDCave Creek, AZ Permit No. 9

or current resident

CHURCH DASHBOARD

echoes of dhpc | april - may 2013

Documents

church office

echoes staff

dhpc office

examples of grace gifts

proper expectations

semimonthly publication

dhpc members

proper social expectations