The

Spirit
February 2015

Lenten Schedule
Lenten Study
Sundays, March 1-22 @ 10:00am
Study: Focus on Mary
Thursdays, March 12-26 @ 6:30pm
Easter Tea
Saturday, March 28 @ 2:00pm
Maundy Thursday Service
Thursday, April 2 @ 6:00pm
Good Friday Service
Friday, April 3 @ 7:00pm

Church Events

February 3 Board Meeting

February 7-8 OwenArmy

Duty

February 18 Newsletter
Articles Due

February 21- POWWOW

February 21-22- Chi Rho and

CYF Youth Retreats

Holy Saturday Service

Saturday, April 4

February 22- Congregational

Meeting
XPLOR Commissioning

Easter Sunrise Service

Sunday, April 5 @ 6:30am Saguaro National Park East
Easter Brunch & Egg Hunt
Sunday, April 5 Brunch from 8:30am 11:00am
Egg Hunt @ 10:10am

February 26- Newsletter

Assembly

A Few Thoughts
Lent is upon us. Beginning with Ash Wednesday,
we mark the forty day journey to the cross and
empty tomb. This is a time of honest reflection.
We consider the state of our soul. We look to the
abiding grace of Gods mercy and dig deep within
ourselves. To help us in this endeavor, our times of
worship are going to center on the periphery of
Christ story. We overlook how the ordinary people
are keys to an extraordinary moment. My hope is
that during our reflection this year we can see with
clarity how our lives are written within the Good
News of the Gospel. Whether it is in worship or
our Sunday morning educational encounters reading Rowan Williams, Being Christian, I hope these
next days and weeks are prayerful ones.
Owen

Focus on Mary

Prayers of Our Congregation

Barbara Miranda

Ruth Harmon

Bob Purvis

Cece Terry

Fredda Cox

The Youngs

Helen Ellis

Betty Thompson

Clayton Gooden

Clayton Gooden

The Larsen Family

Bonnie Logan

Abby Casey

Harry Johnson

Prayers of sympathy to the families of

Mary Ridgeway and Chuck Mull.
Mary passed away January 24. She and her husband, Guy were long- time members of Saguaro.
Services for Chuck Mull are scheduled for May 23rd
at 4pm.

Quilting Group
THERE IS A NEED.........AND YOU CAN HELP FILL IT
........AND THE BEST PART IS IT WON'T COST YOU
ANYTHING BUT YOUR TIME!

She has been called saint, sufferer, madonna. She has

been called mother of God, Theotokos, beloved. Many
times we hear from her at Christ's annunciation and
birth. But rarely do we open the story of Mary near the
end or in the wider world of Christian tradition
and belief. Beginning March 12 at 6.30 pm, Carol Friessen and Shelly Tilton will lead a class focusing on Mary
across the globe, in the life of believers, and as grieving
mother and watcher at the tomb. Join us for beautiful
art, rich history, and the unique story of Mary.

Saguaro's quilting group is looking for people who

would like to help others by joining us to make simple quilts using a large stash (that's a quilting
term for an abundance of fabrics) of donated fabrics that we have ready for you.

Thank You

We are more than happy to give you basic sewing

lessons if you need them. You can come on the first
or third Monday of the month when we meet in
the Saguaro Room at 10:30, pick out fabric, get
help, do some work there or even take supplies
home and work at your leisure.

A heartfelt thanks for the generosity of the church and

our beloved choir this holiday season. Ongoing professional development for musicians is very expensive
(registration, travel, housing, etc). Your gifts will help
support my efforts to participate in the national ACDA
(American Choral Directors Association) conference in
Salt Lake City February 25-28. Thanks again and best
wishes for a blessed 2015.
In Christ,
Keith Koster

There are a number of agencies in Tucson who benefit from our work, rangingfrom the pediatrics ward
at local hospitals, to homeless shelters and senior
living centers. Nothing perks up someone's day like
their having a quilt of their own, made by the caring hands of our quilters.

Won't you consider joining us and either using the

talent you already have or learning a new one? Put
a smile on someone's face by showing that you
care.
For more information, call Sharon Jensen (2969729) or Bonnie Logan (722-3893)

OUTREACH

Attendance
December

Food Bags Given Out During December: 0

8:00

Elders Gift Cards Given Out During December : 1

Primavera Meals Served: 2 Breakfasts
(Each breakfast serves about 70, dinners about 100)
Blessings in a Backpack : 432 Bags packed,
42 Volunteers

9:00

11:00

7th

10

53

125

14th

10

50

129

21st

11

54

135

28th

37

101

Mobile Meals Delivered: 65 trays

Financials

DWM Christmas Party News

The DWM Christmas party was a huge success.
After a wonderful meal from El Molinito, we packed
75 hygiene bags for Aviva, an organization which
services about 3000 children under the custodial
care of DCFS (formerly CPS) We also loaded up
bags and bags of undies and socks along with two
boxes full of toys for the children.

December
Dec. 14

2014 (YTD)

Income

46,478

380,577

Expenses

50,039

407,579

($3,561)

($27,002)

In addition, we provided a small Christmas tree and

a plate of cookies for ten of our shut-ins.
Thanks to all who came and contributed and made
this a special night for all who attended and all who
will receive our gifts.
In God's service
Lynn Crobbe

Blessings in a Backpack
Blessings in a Backpack is starting the new year with
a new vendor who will be delivering food for the
backpack program to the church. The delivery will
be made by Sysco Products. Hopefully this will
make a huge difference in the backpack program. Our program is growing, and we now pack
104 bags each week. We always appreciate those
who continue to support this wonderful mission to
feed children over the week-end.
In December we packed 520 bags including a triple
pack for the Christmas holiday break.

Income/(Loss)

Thirteenth Month
We would like to extend our sincerest thank you to
those of you who gave an extra monetary push in the
end of 2014. We saw donations of $6,605.00 in addition to a significant influx in our loose offerings.

Spring Cleaning
Were doing some spring cleaning around Saguaro!
We are going to update our photos on the photo
wall. If you would like the photo of yourself or your
family that was hanging, they are available in the
office at the front desk. We will let you know when
we begin retaking photos.

Saguaro Christian Church Proposed 2015 Budget

Income
Pledges

341894

loose offering

40180

Facility Usage

24000

PowWow

2000

Interest Income

1000

CIP credit

20000

(Vanderbilt)
CIP Credit

10000

(SCC Sponsor)

Totals

439074

Expenses
Administration
Endowment

13000
0

Finance

2500

Property

47000

Insurance

18600

Mortgage

9180

Media/Tech

1000

Personnel
Loan Repayment
Stewardship
Disciples Mission

320045
4500
0
10000

Backpacks

5000

Primavera

3200

Sol Team

5000

Totals

439025

February 2015
Sun
1

Mon
2
7pm
Meditation
Class
7pm Faith
Based
Recovery

9
12:15pm
Primavera
Breakfast
Group

15
12:15pm
Primavera
Breakfast
Group

4:30pm
Primavera
Breakfast
7pm Meditation
Class
7pm Faith Based
Recovery

16

4:30pm
Primavera
Breakfast
7pm Faith
Based
Recovery
22
23
7pm Faith
10am
Based
Congregational
Recovery
Meeting
XPLOR
Commissioning

Tue

Wed

Thu

Fri

Sat

3
4
5
9:30am
Blessings
in
1:30pm Staff
a Backpack
5:30pm
5:30pm Saguaro
Finance
Ringers
7pm
Sanctuary
6pm Board
Choir
Meeting
8pm Shelter

7
OwenArmy
Duty

10
11
12
9:30am
Blessings
in
1:30pm Staff
a Backpack
6:30pm SOL
5:30pm Saguaro
Team
Ringers

13

14
9am DWM
Board

7pm Sanctuary
Choir
8pm Shelter

17
18
19
20
1:30pm Staff 9:30am Blessings 1pm Deborah
in a Backpack
Womens
5:30pm Saguaro
Group
Ringers
7pm Sanctuary
Choir
8pm Shelter

24
25
26
9:30am
Blessings
in
1:30pm Staff

27

21
POWWOW
Youth Retreats
7:30am Mens
Breakfast

28

a Backpack
5:30pm Saguaro
Ringers
7pm Sanctuary
Choir
8pm Shelter

DISCIPLES WOMEN HAVE BEEN BUSY!

The Disciples women have had a busy fall. We started with a woman's luncheon in September followed by sponsoring a baby shower for Emily Chandler in October.
We prepared eight Thanksgiving baskets for EMERGE ,special church members and SICP teachers. We sent gift
cards to our military and college students in December. We bought and delivered Christmas Trees to ten of our
shut-ins along with a tray of cookies. At our Christmas Party, we packed 75 hygiene bags, and donated socks,
underwear and toys for Aviva. We served cookies and coffee at each of our memorial services.
Our groups are very involved with each aspect of the church, including helping to decorate the church at Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter .If you would like to be part of a woman's group, contact Lynn Crobbe, Pat Sutton, or
Carol Friesen. We always welcome new members.

Serving Schedule
Elders Serving at Communion Table
Palo verde Service Traditional Service
2/01

Wende Gonzales

Alex Dely/ Michael Cleveland

2/08

Rachel Sager

Annette Armstrong/ Alex Dely

2/15

Patricia Casey

Margi Lott/ Bryan Lott

2/22

Sharon Steehler

KC Estes/ Peggy Goforth

Ushers
9:00am

Bobbie Butler

11:00am

Arlie & Shirley Heald

Diane Rodgers

Acolyte
Corbyn Cleveland/Evvie Cleveland

Home Communion

Deacons (*Coordinator)

Communion Preparer

2/01

Lisa Ledbetter

Pa lo ve rde Service

TBD

2/08

TBD

TBD

2/15

Sharon Steehler/Patricia Casey

2/22

Margi Lott/

Traditional Service
TBD

Scripture Readers
Pa lo ve rde Service

Traditional Service

Childrens Moment Leaders

2/01

Pam Pioche will be scheduling our upcoming

2/01 Gwen Elbert/Adrienne Crump

2/08

scripture readers as well as some of our other

2/08 Laurie Cleveland/KC Estes

2/15

serving positions. Be sure to check constant

2/15 Shelly Tilton/Lisa Ledbetter/Gwen Elbert

2/22

contact tor your reminder.

2/22 Michelle Gusick/Michael Cleveland

February Birthdays
3rd
5th
8th
11th

Wanita Bartee
Iris Carson
Dee Rickgauer
Gwen Elbert
Sharon Giddings

12th
13th
17th
20th

Karen Powell
Dave Thompson
Lisa Jackson
Arlie Heald
Rod Maerker
Roma Krebs
Diane Rodgers

22nd Shirley Sandelands

25th Mike Aaker
Bob Purvis
Jerry Roadman
26th Nancy Cook
28th Keith Koster

Happy New Year from the Finance Committee!

As we enter a new exciting year of ministry at Saguaro, we

want to remind everyone about a few of the church's finance policies, so that we can cut down on confusion and frustration
for those who are working hard in service to the church, including both staff members and volunteers.
First, because the holidays are a time when many of our staff take time off to visit their families, we would like to remind everyone that reimbursement requests are processed and checks sent out within 10 working days of our office manager, Laurie
Cleveland, receiving them. If, however, Laurie is on vacation or has taken off for the holidays, then she would not be able to
get them out within 10 working days because she would not have received them yet. We ask that everyone be mindful of the
office schedule when making reimbursement requests, just in case Laurie is out.
Along with the timing of the reimbursement requests, just a quick reminder about the form of the requests. Be sure to fill the
request out correctly - with correct category, amount, and signature - and place it in the Office Manager box. If anything is
miscategorized or misplaced the process will be slower, because office staff may have to track down information or the request may have to be resubmitted. If you have any questions about reimbursement requests and how to file them, please feel
free email or call Laurie. The office staff is there for the congregation, and is happy to help.
A final reminder, because this comes up on occasion: reimbursement checks cannot be written if the church is experiencing
cash flow problems. Occasional income lows create a lack of funds that delays the reimbursement process. There is nothing
staff members can do in such a situation, regardless of whether they are in the office or not.
Again, so many people work hard to keep our ministries running, and we want to honor that dedication and care by giving you
the best information and best experience we can.
Blessings on your new year! And may God bless Saguaro and its ministries.

February 20, 2015

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Our Mission Statement

Christ has called Saguaro Christian Church
to build a home to serve God and all people through growth and healing in ourselves
and the community beyond our front doors.

For Your Information

Worship Services:
Sunday: 8:00am 9:00am 11:00am
Sunday School: 10:10am
E-mail:

info@saguarochristian.org

Phone:

520-296-5901

Fax:

520-298-0168

Web Page:

saguarochristian.org

Our Staff
Minister
Rev. Owen Chandler
Ministerial Resident
Shelly Tilton
SICP Director
Tanima Lawrence
Office Manager & Christian Education
and Youth Coordinator
Laurie Cleveland
Director of Music
Jeff Myrmo
Accompanist & Contemporary
Worship Director
Keith Koster
Property Manager
Paul Ledbetter
Custodians
Brian Rudigier
Jacob Ansell
Seminarian Resident
Rev. Kevin Prahar
Financial Manager
Laurie Colburn
Media
Frank Terry
Nursery Attendant
Barbara Sager

Sermon Theme through Lent

February 22
Mark 1:9-15 (bystander by the baptismal pool)
March 1
Mark 8: 31-38 (bystander over hearing Christ proclamation)
March 8
John 2: 13-22 (temple business person)
March 15
John 3:14-21 (Nicodemus)
March 22
Luke 1:26-38 (Mary - Flashback)
March 29 Palm Sunday
April 5 Easter
John 20:1-18 (Mary Magdalene - look at her as an every person type of
character)