Updates from congregations around the Church of the Lutheran Confession
Holy Cross Evangelical Lutheran Church and School is located in the heart of North Phoenix. This central location is the hub for many visitors throughout the winter months for people visiting from all over the upper Midwest who enjoy spending a few weeks or a few months in various parts of “The Valley.” From as far east as Apache Junction and Mesa to those staying out in Sun City and Sun City West, on Sundays (and some Wednesdays in Advent and Lent) they meet in the middle at Holy Cross. Hundreds of thousands of winter visitors enjoy a winter respite here in the valley of the sun. At the height of our busy visitor season, Holy Cross has had a tradition of treating our guests to a winter visitor luncheon to show our appreciation for their time spent among us and the gift of fellowship shared here while they are away from their home congregations. This year the luncheon was cherry themed and the guests were treated to a game of “Name that Hymn” while the little ones played “Pin the Cherry on the Ice Cream.”
“But we ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the firstfruits to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth. To this he called you through our gospel, so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (2 Thessalonians 2:13-14 ESV)
For the past two years we have hosted an annual outreach event at Moon Valley Park, located just two miles from us. On a Saturday in early spring, we will rent an enormous inflatable bounce house with slides, and while park goers bring their kids over to play, we offer them a picnic lunch consisting of hot dogs prepared on site along with chips and a drink. This lends itself well to sharing information about our church and school. One person who works in real estate even commented that she was going to borrow the idea, as she liked how you had a captive audience while parents stood by watching their children play. Many meals have been served, and almost anyone will take a bottle of cold water off of your hands around here. So far, one new student has been enrolled in our school as a direct result of our school parents chatting with other parents at the park.
Left and Right: Holy Cross outreach event at Moon Valley Park in Phoenix
Since the summer of 2022, Holy Cross has hosted an offsite worship service at Orchard Pointe at Arrowhead, a senior living community and memory care facility. Our service has been the only one regularly offered to the residents since the facility was built. On Thursday mornings several residents, including a faithful core, have met regularly for these past three years. Those who attend have appreciated the high-quality organ music that is offered (by way of the Lutheran Service Builder) and remarked that it feels like they are sitting in church again, which they sorely miss. We have had the joy of sharing the powerful Gospel of Christ crucified for sinners with a number of people who have come through Orchard Pointe, either returning home because their rehabilitation was complete or because they had nearly reached the end of their time of grace.
At all times and in every circumstance, Holy Cross Lutheran Church strives to be an oasis of God’s Word, offering the water of life to thirsty souls here in the desert Southwest.
is pastor of Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Phoenix, Arizona, and a visiting missionary to Africa.