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Pilgrim Roadrunner Page 1
December 2018 ~ Volume 31 ~ Issue 8
News of the Congregational Church of Sun City
18401 N. 99th Avenue, Sun City, AZ 85373
Phone: 623-977-4241
Visit us on the Web: www.ccscaz.org
The Prince of Peace Isaiah 9:6
Isaiah, the prophet writing hundreds of years before the birth of Jesus, gives to
his readers some of the attributes of God’s Messiah, and four very special
examples are given in Isaiah 9:
“And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
With so much war and conflict in this world of ours, the focus is more often on “the price of peace” rather
than the Prince of Peace! Nations in conflict try to see how many concessions they may have to make and
how much of their own territory and land may have to be given to the enemy to allow a peace deal to be
brokered.
Are these words familiar at all? “Since wars begin in the minds of men, it is in the minds of men that the
defenses of peace must be constructed.” Those words are part of the Preamble of The Constitution of the
United States of America.
Peace is something more than the lack of outward hostilities. Peace is an inward state. Peace becomes a
reality when men and women find peace in their hearts.
We think of peace this time of year because Jesus was referred to as The Prince of Peace. He is the one who
is able to change the hearts of men and women and cause all of us to make peace a reality in our lives and
then in the world.
Remember the exciting declaration that the angels had for the frightened and bewildered shepherds outside
Bethlehem: “Peace on earth, good will toward those with whom God is well pleased.”
The angels declared peace to the shepherds, and their words echo down the running centuries to you and I
today.
May each of us know the true, real, lasting peace which comes from Christ this Christmas in our hearts and in
our homes, and across this land of ours.
Merry Christmas from your pastor and friend, Dr. Brian Anderson
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CHURCH STAFF
Senior Minister Dr. Brian Anderson NEW EMAIL: [email protected]
Music Director/Organist
Christine Kyhn [email protected]
Office Manager Terri King [email protected]
Senior Custodian Mike Rush
Support Custodian Glenn Ankrum
Sunday Worship Service: 9:30 AM Fellowship time in Alexander Hall is offered immediately after the service ends. Church Office Information Hours: Monday—Thursday - 8:00AM – 1:00PM Phone: 623-977-4241 Fax: 623-977-0008 Email: [email protected] For pastoral emergencies, call Dr. Anderson’s cell
phone: 1-781-534-5701 Church Website: http://www.ccscaz.org Please visit our website for all the latest information about our church! You can also listen to Pastor Anderson’s sermons, download Sunday bulletins, and current and previous copies of the Roadrunner.
Like us on Facebook www.facebook.com/CCSCAZ
Roadrunner Information The Roadrunner is published 9 times a year. Call the church office if you have a question regarding an item printed in the Roadrunner. Copies of the Roadrunner are e-mailed if we have your address, available on the counter in the church narthex, or you may access it on our website.
BOARDS & COMMITTEES
2018 OFFICERS & CHAIRS Church Moderator: Bonnie Shetley
Moderator Elect: Pepper Roady
Church Council Clerk: Pat Canfield
Council Members at Large: Nancy Asendorf (1 yr)
Jean Brenn (2 yrs)
Gordon Petersen (3 yrs)
Board of Trustees Chair: Carl Wolkenhauer
Treasurer: Jim Bohn
Deacons’ Board Chair: Eleanor Poe
Membership Board Chair: Chuck Harrison
Missions Board Chair: Gloria Almrud
Women’s Fellowship Chair: Joyce Dudley
Men’s Club Chair: John Lozano
Entertainment Chair: Jane Higgs
Flower Committee Chair: Ginger Hamilton
Sweat Shop Sorority Chair: Norma Sandvig
PHOTO DIRECTORY UPDATES Please update your 2018 Directory with the
following information.
Brian Anderson [email protected]
Pastor Brian’s old email address will still work, but please update your email address book when you can!
Jan Ferguson 15226 N. Bolivar Dr., Sun City, AZ 85351
(623) 972-3917 cell: (623) 693-2726 [email protected]
Karen Koetting 9709 W. Tonto Ln., Peoria, AZ 85382
(623) 670-3567 [email protected]
Sue Moss 9273 W. Jason Dr., Peoria, AZ 85382
Cell: (262) 957-0222 [email protected]
Sandie Roderick [email protected]
Maxine Ross [email protected]
If you have an update for the directory, please contact Terri in the church office.
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Christmas. Christmas! What do you mean it’s time for Advent and Christmas? Yet, here we are full into festivities, projects and hitting the hi-speed switch on our energy button to help us accomplish what needs to be done.
Our church council met late October; leaders reported on projects and activities of their group. The thorough reporting from our leaders shows us that we have healthy commitment and follow-through continuing development in our church family.
We have just finished this year’s Arts & Crafts Fair. Thank you to, literally, dozens of people in our church for your work on this annual event. YOU make the success. Special thanks for the leadership and, the almost year round, work of our Arts & Crafts Fair Chair Chris Palmer, our Sweat Shop Sorority, our Women’s Fellowship and our Men’s Club. This year’s vendors were a hard-working bunch also, bringing many goodies to sell. There were temptations for purchase in every direction we looked.
Thanksgiving, once again, brought church family together in fellowship to share in a delicious dinner. We are grateful as well as blessed by all who were there to enjoy it. It certainly added to our Lord’s blessings upon the day.
By the time you read this issue of the Roadrunner, we will be in the Season of Advent. Besides sharing the Advent message, we also participate in giving, sharing and supporting those in need beyond our church campus. The message of the Magi, to give gifts, continues to be exhibited with love from our church. Whatever our personal boundaries, we know God’s love and help for us over many decades and we provide for others, as a part of our celebration.
It is also time to take care of year-end responsibilities with donations to our church. If we are in a leadership position this year, we are beginning to gather documentation to prepare our year-end report. Reports are due to the church office not later than the end of the first week in January 2019 — or before that, if possible.
Our church annual meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, January 29, 2019, at 1:00pm in Alexander Hall. Per our bylaws, the CALL to the annual meeting will be mailed to all members via first class mail at least 10 days prior to the annual meeting date. We encourage all members and associate members to attend this meeting. All non-member church family are also welcome to attend; however, they may not participate in the meeting proceedings. All 2018 board/committee/group leaders/participants are especially requested to attend.
All of us can say: It is our church, governed by our people, which is our responsibility.
I wish each and all of you joys of the season with the Lord’s blessings to you and those you love. Merry Christmas!
— 2018 Moderator, Bonnie Shetley
WELCOME NEW MEMBERS!
We extend a very warm welcome to new
members that joined on October 28, 2018:
TOP ROW LEFT TO RIGHT:
Karen Koetting, Jan Ferguson, Bob Wixon,
Barry Blackstone, Millie Blackstone,
Gwen Leifheit, and Cliff Oliphant
BOTTOM ROW LEFT TO RIGHT:
Arlene Porter, Sue Moss, & Nancy Oliphant
2018 Commitment Compassion Cooperation I command you to love one another as I have loved you.
John 15: 12
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Putting “Christ” Back Into Christmas
As we enter into this Christmas season let us remember the true meaning of Christmas and what we are celebrating. As a child, Christmas was all about presents. As an adult with my own children, Christmas was busy with buying the presents, holiday parties, decorating and family dinners. And, of course, preparing for the big Sunday and Christmas Eve services at our church. It was so easy to get lost in the “busyness” of Christmas that sometimes the “Christ” in Christmas took a back seat. I ran across this Christmas poem while searching the Internet for Christmas slides and was so moved by it I want to share it with you. Read it, enjoy it, live it.
"Not Only Christmas Day"
Lord, this is my prayer, Not only on Christmas Day, But until I see you face to face May I live my life this way:
Just like the baby Jesus I ever hope to be, Resting in your loving arms - Trusting in your sovereignty.
And like the growing Christ child in wisdom daily learning, May I ever seek to know you with my mind and spirit yearning.
Like the Son so faithful let me follow in your light, Meek and bold, humble and strong not afraid to face the night.
Nor cowardly to suffer and stand for truth alone, Knowing that your kingdom awaits my going home.
Not afraid to sacrifice though great may be the cost, Mindful how you rescued me from broken-hearted loss.
Like my risen Savior, the babe, the child, the Son, May my life forever speak of who you are and all you've done.
So while this world rejoices and celebrates your birth, I treasure you, the greatest gift unequaled in your worth.
I long to hear the same words that welcomed home your Son, "Come, good and faithful servant," Your Master says, "Well done."
And may heaven welcome others who will join with me in praise Because I lived for Jesus Christ, Not only Christmas Day
- Mary Fairchild
May this Christmas season fill your hearts with love and peace. And may the “Christ” in Christmas give your souls release
Yours in Christ, Pepper Roady, Moderator Elect
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DEACONS CORNER
Christ and Christmas 1998
Do you remember as a little child The wonderment of things brand new? The lovely Christmas evergreen with lights And trimmed in colors of every hue? The baby born in Bethlehem In a lowly stable manger? The Royal Magi bringing gifts Made it seem all the stranger. Good old Saint Nicholas represents the three With gifts galore beneath the Christmas tree. But the birth of the Christ Child Is what we really need to see. It wasn’t Santa Clause who promised us Life for eternity. All we need is to believe Christ was born and died on Earth, and For all mankind he did this! So as we watch the wonderment Of this lovely Christmas season, Let us keep within our hearts The real reason for the season!!!
Merry Christ-Mass Eleanor Shauger Poe Chair, Board of Deacons
For unto us a child is born, to us a son is given.
Mike Rush would like to thank all of
our church family WHO helped set up,
clean up, and everything in between
for the Arts & Crafts Fair last month.
THE WINTER ROSE: A CHRISTMAS CANTATA On Sunday, December 9 at 9:30 AM, the CCSC Choir along with the Palm West Community Church Choir will present “The Winter Rose” by Joseph M. Martin in lieu of our regular worship service in our church sanctuary.
“From the earliest of Christian time, the rose has been a symbol of divine love...It is in that same spirit that the present work was conceived and written. It is our sincerest prayer that as Christ,
the Rose of Sharon, opens before you this Christmas, your spirit will be encouraged by the beauty of God’s greatest gift. Let the words and
music of this cantata remind you that even in the deepest winter, we are people of joy and
life...children of the garden.”
This would be another great opportunity to invite your friends and neighbors to our Sunday service. The joint choirs will then present the Cantata again in the evening at 6 PM at Palm West Community Church in Sun City West if you prefer the evening performance or want to experience both services!
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2018 Annual Meeting - Part 4
Most workshops at NA Annual Meetings are small gatherings, attended by a dozen or so people. No one can attend all of them because multiple workshops are held at the same time. However, the organizers in San Diego rightly believed that Dr. Bill Wilson’s “What Does a Healthy Church Really Look Like?” would be so popular that it should be presented in the main room at a time not in conflict with other events.
Dr. Wilson is the director of The Center for Healthy Churches, based in Nashville, TN. It’s a non-denominational organization that offers help and guidance to churches having difficulty, and to churches who just want to do better. Dr. Wilson began by showing us a chart that illustrates upward and downward trends for churches. I’m happy to say that if we were to find a place for our church on that chart, it would be at the apex. That’s a good thing! But what happens when congregants move away or die? What happens when the pastor (inevitably) leaves? Does a church have a solid foundation on which to rely when conditions change? Dr. Wilson told us that one third of current USA churches will not exist in 10 years. How do we make sure that CCSC isn’t in that group?
A healthy church is “a community of Jesus followers with shared vision, thriving ministry, and trusted leadership.” Key questions are: What’s right about us? Who are we? Why are we here? Where do we go now? How will we succeed? What is most important right now? Who will do what? All of these are critical to our shared vision.
A church with a thriving ministry (and that is not referring only to the pastor) is making a difference in the lives of its members. It has rediscovered its community and its neighbors. It goes deeper, not just wider. It thinks of ministry as a 7 day a week endeavor.
With trusted leadership, a church minimizes scapegoating. It builds a high trust culture. It recalibrates laity/clergy roles. It becomes leaner and more focused on outcomes.
A healthy church puts its emphasis on service. It’s a church where members are not focused on promoting their own agenda. How many times has Pastor Brian reminded us that too many people are invested in their own ideas of what the church should do and be and too quick to get angry when they don’t get their own way? Dr. Wilson says we must cultivate a dependence on God and each other. It’s not “my church.” But “our church.”
For Nancy and me, it has been an honor and a privilege to represent our church as year round delegates to the NA and attend Annual Meetings in Detroit, Demorest, Georgia, and San Diego. We are happy to do this one more time for the conference in Cleveland in June of 2019. It’s close to Toledo, our home town. However, it’s time for others in the church to become involved in the NA. If you are willing to commit to being the year round delegate and attend the 2020 Annual Meeting and Conference in Portland, Maine, please speak to Pastor Brian. Reminder: 2020 is the 400th anniversary of the arrival of the Mayflower at Plymouth Rock. FYI, the 2021 event will likely be held in the Pacific Northwest.
Randy Asendorf, NACCC Year-Round Delegate
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The bake sale at the Arts and Crafts Fair was a huge success. Thank you to all the people who baked, worked and purchased the baked items. Thank you to all who provided gluten free and sugar free goods as well. Our next one will be at the Rummage Sale coming up at the end of February.
The Angel Tree is available for you to choose a gift for a needy person. You can give cash if you cannot shop and Jo Hamilton will do the
shopping for you. Please bring in your gifts to the church by Sunday Dec. 9.
Tickets are now on sale for our annual Christmas Luncheon to be held on Thursday, Dec. 13. Ticket price is $15 for a catered lunch, good fellowship and entertainment. You can purchase a ticket Dec. 2 or Dec. 9 after church or in the office from Monday- Thursday from 8-1 until Dec. 9. Invite your friends. The entertainment will be by the Hudson Harmony Band, a family of 5 children and their parent. Our theme is “Chrismons: Symbols of Christ”, and the Christmas trees will be decorated with Chrismons in gold and white.
For the luncheon tables, we invite you to bring in a Christmas centerpiece for one of the tables as we did last year. Please bring them in so we can have one on each table by Sunday, Dec. 9. If at all possible, plan to leave your centerpiece in place throughout the Advent and Christmas season as it adds so much to the spirit of Christmas in our fellowship hall.
I wish you all the blessings of Christmas.
In Christ, Joyce Dudley, Women's Fellowship Chair
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News From MOMC (Missionary Outreach Ministry Council)
Barbara Dabul, Ph.D.
On October 25, I petitioned the Church Council for partial support of my activities as a member of MOMC. My commitment is from June 2017– June 2020. Although I could not attend the council meeting, I received notice that I would be supported for the full amount of my upcoming mandatory trip. I am very grateful for the church’s decision to support me financially in these duties. THANK YOU ALL!
From November 6-10, I made a successful trip to Deer Valley Lodge in Tennessee (2 hours outside of Nashville) for the budget meeting of MOMC—the purpose of which is to monitor the work of our 25 worldwide missions and to determine how to distribute the monies the local churches have donated. Many thanks to John Lozano, who got me to the airport on Tuesday (leaving at 3:30 AM!) and Ralph Canfield, who rescued me from the airport on Saturday and delivered me to my door. The trip was a whole lot easier for me due to their assistance.
The MOMC meeting was held at one of our national missions, called the Morgan-Scott Project. Morgan and Scott are two of the poorest counties in Tennessee, and the Project provides material, financial, and legal assistance to county residents. Our first day was a long business meeting, which included consideration of two prospective missions. One is titled A Christian Ministry in the National Parks (ACMNP). Upon interviewing their board members, we were very impressed with their work, which consists mainly of training youth ministers and leaders to conduct worship services in US National Parks. We voted to support them as a recommended ministry, not primarily to fund them, but to connect them with college students and others to be trained. We will take this recommendation to the annual NACCC conference in Cleveland next June.
The other prospective mission is Outpost of Freedom, which our church mission board has recently decided to support. This is the mission that serves the Apache and Navajo Nations here in Arizona, and they worked closely from time to time with Tom and Sharon Gossett of Indian Trails. After receiving a presentation from the mission founders, Rick and Susan Bennett, our church mission board voted to send some monies both in 2018 and 2019 to this mission.
MOMC has received an application for support from this mission, as well as a recommendation for support from our church. The MOMC board members reviewed these materials and found that we have several questions regarding the legal structure of the mission and whether it meets all criteria for our support. We will be following up on our discussion with one or more phone calls to Rick and Susan Bennett for further clarification of their status.
Our second day at Morgan-Scott was reserved for us to work as a team, assisting the Project. We had eight members, four of whom went off to build a wheelchair ramp. The other four stayed at the “store” where we shelved hundreds of books onto new bookshelves and sorted hundreds of large bags of clothing into men's, women's, and children’s bins to be redistributed to various churches and other facilities in the region to be given out for free. Those items which stay at the Project are sold, but very inexpensively, sometimes for $1.00 a bag.
After a final breakfast on Friday, we hugged our hosts, Crystal and Ella, and headed for the airport thinking our job was done. However, we were then on the phone and texting to Pastor Andrew of a congregational church in Paradise, California. The entire church was burned down, along with the rest of the town, in a wildfire. We have voted since then to send $2,000 of the NACCC’s available disaster relief funds to that church. Imagine coming home to no church and no house!
For more information about the NACCC, visit www.naccc.org.
National Association of Congregational Christian
Churches
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God Answers Prayers Please see the large bulletin board outside of Alexander Hall for our current list of church family and friends in need of prayers. The prayer list is updated weekly and posted for all to see—towards the right side of the board between the calendar and flower sign ups. We encourage you to take the “take-home” cards available underneath the posted prayer list sign as well.
To place someone on our prayer chain, please contact our prayer chain coordinator, Bonnie Shetley, 623-972-3574; the church office, 623-977-4241 or talk to Pastor Brian. Those of you who would like to be one of our prayer partners,
please call Bonnie. New prayer partners are always welcome.
December 2, 2018:
Desert Brass Band Concert—7 PM
December 3, 2018:
Sweat Shop Sorority Christmas Party
December 9, 2018: Christmas Cantata—9:30 AM
December 13, 2018:
Women’s Fellowship Christmas Luncheon 11:30 AM
December 24, 2018:
Candlelight Christmas Eve Service—6 PM
January 9, 2019:
Potluck & Mark Baker Concert—5:30 PM
January 29, 2019: Annual Meeting—1 PM
February 28—March 1, 2019: Church Rummage Sale
March 12 , 2019: All Star Big Band Concert
The following members and friends of our congregation have passed
away since our last Roadrunner edition. Our thoughts and prayers go
out to their loved ones:
• Joan Simpson — October 29, 2018
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HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
However many years anyone may live,
LET THEM ENJOY THEM ALL.
ECCLESIASTES 11:8
12/20: Gene & Rosalie Craven 12/30: Frank & Lois Wells
12/02: Barb Berg 12/10: Ralph Canfield 12/14: Rosalie Craven 12/14: Jo Hamilton 12/14: Dottie Massey 12/14: Jan Orr 12/15: Ron Stanley 12/17: Mary Miller 12/18: Bob Mohr 12/20: Winnie Holick 12/21: Ed Srsen 12/22: Randy Asendorf 12/22: Jack Tuerk 12/23: Melvin Jenkins 12/25: Mary Wolkenhauer 12/26: Cliff Oliphant 12/27: Laura List
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Pilgrim Roadrunner
Volume 31—Issue 8
18401 N. 99th Avenue Sun City, AZ 85373 Phone: 623-977-4241
First
Class
Stamp
Required
Return Service Requested
PD # 95289000
ADDRESS UPDATES 2
BIRTHDAYS & ANNIVERSARIES 11
CALENDAR 10
CHRISTMAS CANTATA 5
CHURCH INFORMATION 2
DEACONS CORNER 5
MODERATOR-ELECT 4
MODERATOR’S VIEW 3
NACCC ANNUAL CONFERENCE 6
NACCC MOMC REPORT 8
NEW MEMBERS 3
PASTOR’S MESSAGE 1
PRAYERS & THANKS 9
PUZZLE 11
WOMEN’S FELLOWSHIP 7
TICKETS ON SALE SOON!
The Congregational Church of Sun City Invites you to join us this Christmas season
All Are Welcome!
Sunday Worship
9:30 AM
Christmas Eve Service
6:00PM
Congregationalism
Since 1620
“The Original
AMERICAN Church”
Senior Pastor
Rev. Dr. Brian Anderson
99th Avenue & Union Hills
18401 N. 99th Ave. Sun City; AZ 85373
623-077-4241 www.ccscaz.org
Join us for a special
candlelight service
at 6 PM on
Christmas Eve
December 24th!
