Author: Web Admin

Treasures and Treats at our Spring Rummage & Bake Sale

Thursday, March 26 through Saturday, March 28, 2020

Church of the Palms, 14808 N Boswell Boulevard, Sun City, Arizona 85351

Our church rummage sale is famous for its:

furniture at the rummage saleTreasures: furniture, housewares, books, clothes, DVDs, CDs, office items, linens, notions, shoes, electronics, and MORE

Bakery pop-up: cakes, pies, brownies, cookies…(we have the BEST bakers)

Lunch combos: Hot dog, chips, soda, and a cookie $4.00

Add 50 cents and swap out that hot dog for a coney dog, meatball hero, or a sloppy joe!

The hours are:

Thursday 7:30 AM to 2:00 PM
Friday 7:30 AM to 2:00 PM and 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Saturday 7:30 AM to 12:00 Noon

You can use a credit card for purchases of $100 or more.

Shop with a friend, or bring your family! It’s a great place to meet your neighbors, too. We look forward to seeing you.

Jack Evans’ film series “From Jack’s Private Stock”

We watch the films on fourth Fridays at 9 a.m. in the boardroom. Bring a friend! It’s free.

February 28: Playtime

Playtime is a comedy about a group of people attempting to navigate a futuristic Paris constructed of straight lines, modernist glass and steel high-rise buildings, multi-lane roadways, and cold, artificial furnishings.

Roger Ebert called this a peculiar, mysterious, magical film.

 

Dysart Community Center and The Church of the Palms

The Church of the Palms has a partnership with the Dysart Community Center. Here are ways you can help:

February “Giving Tree” for After School Kids
Open your hearts for the kids. There are 200+ children in the After School Kids Club that are sometimes without socks and underwear. A giving tree will be in the narthex in February filled with suggestions of sizes on pink and blue hearts. Take one or as many hearts as you can to help. Bring the items back to the church.

English as a Second Language
Can you help teach English as a Second Language for adults? If you are interested in teaching a group, contact Joe Reyes or for one-to-one lessons contact Nancy Mueller. You can also contact Linda or Kurt Hofmann to assist with conversational English sessions.

Reading is FUNdamental
There are after school reading and game playing volunteer opportunities. They meet on Tuesdays from January through March. The bus leaves the church at 3:15 and returns by 5:00. Contact Jane Lane or Sharon Pitts.

Chili Cookoff!

Sunday, January 12 after worship

Mark your calendar and get ready for our next Church of the Palms mouthwatering epicurean event: another world-famous chili cookoff on Sunday, January 12th in King Hall following our Sunday service. You can find the sign-up sheets on the opportunity table in the narthex (or call the church office).

You may sign up to bring chili (limit 12 chefs) or just plan to attend and enjoy a wonderful chili lunch.

You may also sign up to bring cornbread or your favorite chili side dish.

Proceeds go to support the ministries of our church.

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2020

Mark your calendar and please plan on attending one or more of the Week of Prayer services at churches around Sun City during the week of January 20th.
.
The presentation theme this year is: “They Showed Us Unusual Kindness” -Acts 28:2.

The emphasis this year is on all churches demonstrating “unusual kindnesses” to each other and as one to the world in need.

The schedule for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is as follows (the first church listed is the host church, the second church is the supporting church).

Monday, Jan. 20: First Presbyterian w/ St Christopher’s
Tuesday, Jan. 21: United Church of Sun City w/ Faith Presbyterian
Wednesday, Jan. 22: St Elizabeth Seton w/ Church of the Palms
Thursday, Jan. 23: All Saints of the Desert w/ St Joachim & St Anne
Friday, Jan. 24: First United Methodist w/ Shepherd of the Desert

Services: 12:00 – 12:30 p.m.
Fellowship lunch: 12:30 – 1 p.m.

Look for additional details in Sunday bulletins as the Week of Prayer approaches. If you have questions, please contact Pat & John Durbin.

Educational and spiritual growth opportunities

The Church of the Palms offers several educational opportunities to assist folks in their spiritual journeys.

MONDAY MORNING LIFELONG LEARNING (10 AM – 11:30 AM)

We begin 2020 on January 6 with something new for our Lifelong Learning Monday morning class. Jim Yang-Hellewell will teach this class, “The Challenge of Paul,” beginning January 6.

The apostle Paul is the second most important figure in the history of Christianity. We arguably know more about the historical Paul than we do about the historical Jesus. Scholarly ink abounds. And you may already have an opinion. Join us for a DVD / discussion-based class about this fascinating person. The DVD features the noted New Testament scholar, John Dominic Crossan.

Jim Yang-Hellewell is a graduate of Pennsylvania State University and Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary (M.Div.) He has also studied at Boston College’s school of theology and Andover-Newton Theological Seminary. Jim chose to enter the field of social work and received a Master of Social Work degree from ASU. He practiced as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker for over thirty years with a focus on child and family issues, particularly issues of family violence. An Episcopalian, Jim has become a friend of COTP, attends services frequently, and regularly attends our Cosmic Christian group. We welcome him now as teacher.

MONDAY AFTERNOON LIFELONG LEARNING (11:30 AM – 1 PM)

“Living the Questions” led by Linette Stenberg.

FELLOWSHIP BREAKFASTS (2ND TUESDAYS at 8:30 AM)

Continental-style breakfasts follow a speaker and program. Bring a friend or neighbor. Freewill offerings accepted to defray the cost.

INCHWORMS (Tuesdays, 10 – 11:30 a.m.)

Currently reading and discussing Karen Armstrong’s book, Twelve Steps to a Compassionate Life, led by Nick Nichols.

COSMIC CHRISTIANS (Tuesdays, 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.)

This energetic group reads and discusses progressive theology
and its perspective on contemporary issues. Continued study of Becoming Wise by Krista Tippet. This class is led by Linette Stenberg.

JUMPSTART (Tuesdays, 3:30 p.m.)

Bring a light snack to enjoy. John Durbin, director of our Social Justice Action Team, leads this class that follows the weekly liturgy.

JACK EVANS PRESENTS: The Palms’ monthly film

Check the upcoming features here.

PALMS CINEMA

Check the upcoming features here.

SUNDAY AFTERNOON LIFELONG LEARNING (1:30-3 PM)

(currently on hiatus)

SUNDAY MORNING DISCUSSION (8:30 AM -9:30 AM)

Beginning February 9, 2020 Debby Stinton will facilitate our Sunday Morning Discussion. We will start with The Great Courses “Gnosticism: From Nah Hammadi to the Gospel of Judas” taught by Professor David Brakke from The Ohio State University.

Let’s play . . . Name That Carol!

Below are random lines from 30 different Christmas hymns, carols, and popular songs. See how many you can identify!

  1. Down where he lay
  2. Silent stars go by
  3. In heavenly peace
  4. Ride and sing
  5. Field and fountain
  6. And sweet the words
  7. Dancing through the night
  8. Cold winter’s night
  9. Made of snow
  10. Pulling on the reigns
  11. How are thy leaves
  12. Gather near to us
  13. I used to know
  14. Snow is glistening
  15. No place to go
  16. King of angels
  17. Triumph of the skies
  18. You would even say
  19. The mountains in reply
  20. Deep and crisp
  21. Prepare him room
  22. Our finest gifts
  23. To you and your kin
  24. Dressed up like Eskimos
  25. Only in my dreams
  26. Bushels of fun
  27. My true love
  28. The weary world rejoices
  29. What a laugh
  30. Smile after smile

Click here for the answers!

Service Project Craft Group update

Seat belt covers, baby blankets, shawls, adult bibs, children’s quilts, walker bags, aprons with a butterfly on the bib, and lap size afghans/quilts. These are just some of the items on our tables in King Hall. ‘Twiddle Mitts’ for those with dementia to keep their hands busy, are still a popular item. Our inventory changes weekly. If there is an item or color or design you prefer, let us know, we can probably accommodate your request.

Why shop at a big box store for that special gift when you can give a one of a kind treasure? Beautiful gifts for anyone are available on the Service Project Craft Group tables in King Hall. All gift items are beautifully handmade and one of a kind. If you simply can’t decide, we have gift certificates available.

If you’re looking for items to decorate your home, this is a great place to start. You can find table runners, refrigerator towels and more.

Whether for as a gift for a friend or a gift to yourself, consider the Service Project Craft Group tables in King Hall as your first shopping stop, We offer reasonable prices and abundant stock.

Whatever sort of crafts you do, whether at home or here at church, we’d love to have you join us on Wednesday mornings from 9 -11 in the board room!

Carol Reynolds, team coordinator

We are now officially 50! A recap.

The first Sunday of worship for Church of the Palms was World Communion Sunday, October 5, 1969. We are now officially 50!

We ended our year of celebration on November 3, 2019 with the triumphant worship and our anniversary luncheon. To recap what we did this past year:

  • A Chili Cook-Off, two Bingo parties, and a Cookie Bake Sale.
  • We dedicated not one, but two labyrinths. A most unique Peace Pole graces the center of our labyrinth.
  • We honored Len Silvester as our Pastor Emeritus and celebrated our personal roots.
  • A number of us, including non-member neighbors enjoyed an Afternoon English Tea
  • Easter Sunday the beautiful stained glass cross which now hangs in the back of the sanctuary, was unveiled.
  • We received brand new pictorial membership directories.
  • A beautiful, original banner has been hung in the sanctuary.
  • Throughout the year we had an opportunity to purchase exclusive 50th anniversary tee shirts and embroidered shirts.
  • We participate in the Amazon smile and scrip gift card programs.

The 50th anniversary committee is extremely thankful for everyone who engaged in and rejoiced with us during this year of celebration.

NOW WE TRULY EMBRACE THE FUTURE!

I-HELP: Church of the Palms Provides Relief to the Homeless

Over a year ago our Social Justice Action Team was exploring ways to address the growing homeless population in our corner of Maricopa County. We learned of a program that was being used in Avondale and four of our members went to see the program in action at the First Baptist Church.

The program was I-HELP run by Lutheran Social Services and it was having success, twelve homeless people at a time. LSS provided the staff and resources for the program; churches provided housing and food for the guests for up to 90 days until they were settled in their own housing. It was not a short term solution, like a soup kitchen or a shelter, but an intentional effort, focused on adults who had lost their housing through some bad fortune and needed temporary help to get back on their feet.

With the blessing of the COTP staff and the church council, members of the Social Justice Action Team began conversations with LSS and the city of Surprise, offering to be a host church should an I-HELP program be developed in the North West Valley. LSS acquired the grant money needed to staff the program, other churches were recruited to host and the program was launched on Sunday, October 27, 2019.

A twenty member I-HELP Committee at COTP has been working for several months planning and preparing to host I-HELP every Monday evening beginning 10/28/’19. Many volunteers have already committed to drive the bus, provide food and stay overnight in addition to financial support.

Church of the Palms will make a difference in the lives of our neighbors who ‘need a hand up, not a hand out’. It will also be a blessing to our volunteers who show generosity and hospitality to our guests, a win-win endeavor.