Worship News May 20, 2009

Spanish 'Church on the Street' Goes to Nogales,by Ed Kuehneman and Tommy Trampp

Anything for Jesus! (l-r) Pastor Ernesto Flores and "disciples" Augustine, Ellie, Ofelia, Ebony and Tony: CCN’S Tommy Trampp was driving a long highway when he saw hikers carrying a cross from Phoenix to Mexico. They were From "Iglesia en la Calle" at the Phoenix Dream Center, the Spanish branch of Church in the Street, a church renowned for 21 years for getting out to the needy with recovering "disciples" and a lot of love. The church has a Spanish / English service on Sunday at 1:30 p.m., but it is their "outreaches" that keep them excited. "Iglesia" does the surplus food pick-ups, starting at 4:30 a.m. They pack food boxes or bags, and head for a lot in Phoenix (or even beyond) and invite people. We're having music, testimonies, play for the kids, and a food giveaway. Come join us! (And people do!) "Iglesia" and Church on the Street minister to the homeless, and if wanted, will "disciple" them in a 15-month program, both physical and spiritual. In the first six months, disciples go to a gym three days a week, sleep, eat and attend Bible willclasses and outreaches where they use what they are learning. For the “victims," helping others, feels really good. Sometimes a released inmate will enter the live-in program, rather than return to the temptations of the old neighborhood. Later in the program, disciples transition into outside homes and jobs, but are encouraged," It's a whole new life in Jesus." Keep coming to outreaches so you don't get "cold." The Nogales Dream Center uses the same pattern, and in only two years it has become the largest Christian Church in Nogales, Mexico. Phoenix outreaches go down to help twice a week. The pastors laugh to see their Native American and Korean disciples speaking to the people in Spanish now. Many disciples already have skilled trades, great potential, and real talent. Ebony Carruthers helped at a kid’s outreach as a clown, and was such a hit, there are three clowns now. For more information, check out ielcnana.org or Pastor Theresa at 602-465-3037. Tax-deductible donations can be made to Nana Ministries 3210 N.W. Grand Ave. Phoenix,Az. 85017.

'Harry the Vampire', By Ed Kuehneman

Harry, alias "Harry the Vampire," is a hospital worker who draws blood at Banner Heart Hospital in Mesa. He was a smoker for 32 years, telling himself he didn’t cough much, he jogged, and he didn’t smoke around his daughter. One day four years ago, when his daughter was seven, he was outside smoking. She came out, impatient because he was supposed to take her somewhere. "I'm smoking a cigarette," he said. "I wish you'd get rid of those darn things," she said. "You spend more time with them than you do with me!" And she went back in the house, slamming the door. Harry quit "cold turkey;" and soon he was feeling the benefits. He remembered how he used to wake up coughing and looking for a cigarette. How addicted! Harry was also hooked on fast food, sometimes three times a day. It was convenient, and he liked cheeseburgers. His cholesterol was through the roof! Wiser eating has cut his cholesterol in half. Long live Harry! He can get the blood out almost painlessly, and we need people like that.

Returning From Mission

Pictured: Degen Bradford Perry: Degen Bradford Perry returned May 14 from serving a full-time mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Degen served in the Montana, Billings Mission. He reported at the Globe II Ward, Sunday, May 17, 11:00 a.m., at the Globe Stake Center. Degen is the son of Vernon and Lynne Perry of Globe and a graduate of Pima High School.

SACRIFICE, by Barbie Howland-Morton,Co-Pastor, First Christian Church(Disciples of Christ

Recently, I was contemplating on the word: sacrifice. Of course, as a believer in Christ, my thoughts went to Jesus on the cross. He was the sacrifical Lamb for the atonement of our sins; He sacrificed His all for us. How much are you willclasses and outreaches where they use what they are learning. For the "victims," helping others, feels really good. Sometimes a released inmate will enter the live-in program, rather than return to the temptations of the old neighborhood. Later in the program, disciples transition into outside homes and jobs, but are encouraged," It’s a whole new life in Jesus." Keep coming to outreaches so you don’t get "cold." The Nogales Dream Center uses the same pattern, and in only two years it has become the largest Christian Church in Nogales, Mexico. Phoenix outreaches go down to help twice a week. The pastors laugh to see their Native American and Korean disciples speaking to the people in Spanish now. Many disciples already have skilled trades, great potential, and real talent. Ebony Carruthers helped at a kid's outreach as a clown, and was such a hit, there are three clowns now. For more information, check out ielcnana.org or Pastor Theresa at 602-465-3037. Tax-deductible donations can be made to Nana Ministries 3210 N.W. Grand Ave. Phoenix,Az. 85017. ing to sacrifice for the sake of Jesus? Are you willing to give up pride for ridicule? Comfort and security for pain and fear? How much are you willing to commit? God desires all of you ... for He gave us all He has.

Relay For Life Held at Harribison Field, By Monika K. Valencia

Friday afternoon of May 15th at Harribison Field, another successful year of Relay for Life kicked off. It was a bittersweet atmosphere, with the survivors, and the loved ones luminaries displayed that had been lost. Not to mention the many that could not be there, due to that fact that they are fighting their disease. Lynn’s School of dance entertained the crowd as all the booths where being set up and everyone was getting settled in. Later in the evening, Tap into Dance took the stage after an exciting performance by the Crown Dancers. Something new to this year’s Relay was a youth team that the High Desert Middle School Student Council and teacher sponsors put together. With each member raising $100 each for the cause. This is the first youth team to be part of the Globe-Miami Relay for life. As someone who has attended the last eight years, since I’ve moved here, I must say that my most memorable one was last yea’rs with Dylan Earvan leading the survivors lap on his tricycle. Dylan is still fighting his battle and was unable to attend but he is in everyone’s prayers and hearts. As always the community was out in full force, with die hard team members keeping the walk going into the early hours of the morning, and the Globe Fire Department there providing a pancake breakfast for everyone who made it through the night.

National Day of Prayer

A very special "THANK YOU" to Rita Hassard and the Gila County Ministerial Association for the National Day of Prayer events they led for the Globe-Miami area. The pastors prayed faithfully at various important sites in the morning, while the group organized by Rita Hassard again prayed at the County Courthouse flagpole at noon, with this year’s National Day of Prayer theme of “Prayer ... America's Hope." Many thanks also to each of the others who prayed for our community and nation. Prayer is needed now, more than ever. May our Almighty God continue to be patient as He waits for many more of us to come to Him, in Jesus' name, amen! Jerry Green, Gila County National Day of Prayer Coordinator.