Natural Disasters · The American Association for Advancement of Atheism sing a different doxology than the one we sing each week in our worship service. Theirs goes like this:

Pilgrim Roadrunner Page 1

November 2018 ~ Volume 31 ~ Issue 7

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

Natural Disasters

This has been the wettest October in Arizona for many years, and we have all been watching and praying for the people in the panhandle of Florida, and before that, for the people in the Carolinas, all of whom have suffered because of several hurricanes to strike our coastlines.

The American Association for Advancement of Atheism sing a different doxology than the one we sing each week in our worship service. Theirs goes like this:

Blame God from whom all cyclones blow, Blame him when rivers overflow. Blame him who swirls down house and steeple, Who sinks the ships and drowns the people?

They blame a God in whom they do not believe, and for whom they have desire to love or learn about that same God.

They suggest a God who is not just disinterested in the problems and pressures of human life upon earth, but who is a mischief-making God, who takes pleasure in inflicting people with natural disasters for his own amusement.

Does that describe Jehovah God, the God of the Bible, the God whom Jesus proudly described as “Father”? Does that describe a God who is endless in his power, boundless in his love, gracious, kind, and compassionate to his people?

Listen again to the best known verse in the New Testament:

“For God so loved the world that he gave His only begotten Son that whoever believes in Him shall never perish but have life everlasting.” John 3:16

The Bible is the foundation upon which we build our assumptions about God, and our relationship to Him. We can neither reject or adore a God we do not know!

Your Pastor and friend, Brian Anderson


CHURCH STAFF

Senior Minister Dr. Brian Anderson [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

Wednesdays at 9 AM

There are two Wednesdays left of fall Bible

study for the month of November:

• Wednesday, Nov. 7th at 9 AM

• Wednesday, Nov. 28th at 9 AM

There is NO Bible study on Nov. 14 or Nov.

21 due to the Arts & Crafts Fair and the

Thanksgiving holiday.


2018 Commitment Compassion Cooperation I command you to love one another as I have loved you.

John 15: 12

As I write this month’s Moderator’s View, I am enjoying a rare treat in the Valley of the Sun (especially in the west valley) . . . it’s called rain. This offering from God arrives very welcome to our parched and draught-laden ground. It is a blessing for us, to be certain. This also makes me think of the faithfulness our Lord gives to us each and every day, coming to us in more ways than most of us realize or stop to the think about.

An example of His blessings is the joy of looking across our sanctuary on Sunday mornings and seeing many faces: some new, some more familiar, and some known over a longer period of time. We are grateful for our year-round family, returning church family, and our new and returning visitors. Fellowship time in Alexander Hall is, happily, also, filling with more and more people — enjoying not just a cup of coffee, we also share in fellowship, friendship and getting to know those who are new to us. Yes, we love to grow our FAMILY.

Our nominating committee is in the annual process of filling the slate of officers for positions for next year’s boards. The slate will be presented to the membership during our church annual meeting next January.

We need the help of our church family to build this church, to offer meaningful and helpful experiences for all of us. Solid groundwork, opportunities and growth are created by our willingness to participate — stretching ourselves to, perhaps learn something we have yet to do, or, perhaps do something we have not done in some time. We are needed to take our church further in being alive, growing and helpful — learning what our Lord can, and will, do in our lives if we but give Him our commitment and step forward to be a blessing. We/you are called HELPERS and God will use us where He knows we will be of value to Him.

With the (thankfully) cooler weather come thoughts of the upcoming holidays. We can almost smell the roasting turkeys, the pumpkin and apple pies, the delicious smell of stuffing and spices. Our Church Thanksgiving dinner is a fellowship event of, not only, delicious food; it’s also a time for church family fun. Remember: it’s OUR HOLIDAY — a holiday started by the Pilgrims who celebrated their gratefulness to our Lord for His help as they worked in this new land. Dinner tickets are available each Sunday after worship service or weekly during church office business hours.

We extend to each of you our love and thanks as we think about all of the ongoing help and love you continue to give this year’s leaders and helpers. We are successful because you provide your participation and your prayers for our church and God’s mission for each of us.

— 2018 Moderator, Bonnie Shetley

Island Dinner Night

October 10, 2018


It’s that time of year again when we are seeking out church leaders. Remember a few Roadrunners back I wrote an article entitled “Been There Done That”? I thought now might be an appropriate time to revive that thought. It is so in our nature to let “the other guy” take the responsibility. You know---the ole’ 80/20 rule. Most of us have “been there done that” several times. And each time we have served, we have found it a very rewarding and enriching experience. But let’s not let the 20% have all the fun! For those of you who will be asked to serve, please take a moment and ask God what He would have you do. I have found no better way to get to know my fellow Christians and serve my God than to take a leadership role in my Church. And every time I stumble (there have been many), there is always someone by my side to pick me up and show me the way.

Remember—saying “no” makes wrinkles in your mouth---saying “yes” puts a smile on your face. So when you are asked to serve, just say “YES”.

“GREAT THINGS NEVER CAME FROM COMFORT ZONES”

Yours in Christ,

Pepper Roady

Moderator Elect

DEACONS CORNER

Remember 9-11 in your prayers. Happy Thanksgiving! Many of these pilgrims were among the first congregational founders.

“’Are you so dull?’ he asked. ‘Don’t you see that nothing that enters a person from the outside can defile them?’” - Mark 7:18

The Legend of the Five Kernels

The first winter the Pilgrims spent in their new home was very cold. Food was in short supply. Some days they had only enough food for each person to have five kernels of corn for the day. But spring came. They planted food...it grew. And all the Pilgrims did not die. From then on, when a time of Thanksgiving came around, the Pilgrims put five kernels of corn on each plate and used them to remind themselves of their blessing. Let us remember (hold up each kernel one at a time as you read about it):

The first kernel reminds us of the Autumn beauty around us.

The second kernel reminds us of our love for each other.

The third kernel reminds us of God’s love and care for us.

The fourth kernel reminds us of our friends—especially our Indian brothers.

The fifth kernel reminds us WE ARE FREE PEOPLE.

Eleanor Shauger Poe Chair, Board of Deacons


2018 Annual Meeting - Part 3

I wish to clear up a couple of things. Last month, when talking of the Congregational Foundation Donors

Reception, I failed to acknowledge the members of our own Sun City congregation who consistently

support the work of the NA through their financial gifts. You know who you are. Thank you! Thank you!

Thank you! Here’s the other one: If I have ever given any of you the impression that the NA Annual

Meetings are just about good ‘ole boys getting together or a good time, please disabuse yourself of that

notion. Yes, we do enjoy ourselves, but much serious work is done. Also, learning more about God’s

wonderful plan for our lives is the core of everything that goes on.

Two important measures were passed by the delegates this year. The first was a two parter—a new

mission statement and a new vision statement. Mission: “To nurture fellowship among Congregational

Christian Churches and support ministries in our community and to the world, all in the name of Christ.”

Vision: “Vital and healthy Congregational churches, sharing the love of Jesus Christ.” For those

unfamiliar with the terms, a mission statement is what we are doing now; a vision statement is where

we are going. The 2nd measure was “The Case for Support.” The CFS explains the services the NA

provides its member churches and gives the reasons the NA should be supported. It codifies in one

document what many of us have understood for years but have found difficult to express. You may view

the entire text at naccc.org. Search for “Case for Support.” Of course, there’s a lot more on the NA

website. I just read “The Role of a Deacon in a Congregational Church” by the late Michael Holcomb. I

only wish I had read it before I became a Deacon!

As I mentioned in an earlier article, Dr. Terry Lindvall gave the 3 Bible lectures, and what an inspiration

they were. Dr. Lindvall focused on witnessing for Christ. Highlights: Being a witness says this: “I don’t

know. I don’t know how. But I believe.” He told us that neither the woman at the well nor the blind man,

or the man possessed of demons was a qualified witness. But they believed. Brokenness, humility, and

suffering make someone a credible witness. Sin and death have separated us from God, but out of sin

and death come hope, love, and salvation. That which will make us weep will also make us laugh and

rejoice. The witnesses to the Resurrection are keys to who WE are. They were witless people, but they

woke up, and they couldn’t keep quiet! They were UNLEASHED! Bottom line—It is when we are at our

worst, our lowest, that God chooses us to be witnesses.

Next month’s Roadrunner will feature a workshop that was so outstanding that it deserves an article of

its own. The workshop’s title was “The Healthy Church.” Meanwhile, I wish to share a few facts. This

year’s Annual Meeting had 226 people, of which 85 were delegates, representing 96 churches in 23

states. 15 of the total were missionaries from countries around the globe. The credentials committee no

longer lists the top 10 churches and states. Next year, the 65th Annual Meeting and Conference of the

NACCC will be held June 22-25 at the Cleveland Hopkins Airport Marriot Hotel.

Randy Asendorf, NACCC Year-Round Delegate


SWEAT SHOP SORORITY

As yet another reminder, our group is gearing up for the Arts & Crafts Fair scheduled for November 15-16 this month. We had a pleasant surprise when one of our vendors stopped by for coffee at a recent Sweat Shop meeting. She gave us some tips and took some tips from us as well. Bev Taylor also dropped by and donated some place mats for our group to sell at the fair. We are so thankful.

We appreciate all the hard workers in our group, but this month we are singling out Mary McKenzie who has wrapped 90% of the little boxes for the Christmas trees and then helps Norma Sandvig put them together.

Carol Suhr is helping us make cards and cute little table place setting crafts on some of the Mondays that we do not have regular Sweat Shop meetings. Check with her for those days if you want to join in.

We are having more gals drop in on Mondays to help, and we continue to have an open invitation for anyone to join us. We can always find a task for you even if you can’t sew or aren’t crafty. Your coffee or tea cup is waiting for you. The Sweat Shop Sorority meets the 1st and 3rd Monday each month September—May at 8:30 AM in the choir room (and we meet weekly in the summer). Come join us!

Marcia Lynk, Sweat Shop Sorority

Summer is over and it even feels like fall in Arizona. With all of our snowbirds returning for the winter season, we are busy planning fellowship activities for the next few months.

On November 15 and 16, our Arts & Crafts Fair will be held. Women's Fellowship holds a bake sale for the fair, which has always been very popular with the vendors and shoppers. So, think about what you can bake to contribute and plan

to bring the items to the church kitchen on Wednesday, the 14th between 10 AM and noon. Think Thanksgiving or Christmas, and do some holiday baking or candy making. We need cookies, bars, breads, candy, small cakes and especially pies. We need some sugar free and gluten free items as well. We also need your help to price and package on the Wednesday as baked goods are brought in. For the sale days, we need 2 people for each two hour shift from 8:30 AM - 2:30 PM. There will be a signup sheet on the small bulletin board in Alexander Hall or you can call me to volunteer. This is a great opportunity for fellowship as we work together.

The Angel Tree begins on Sunday, November 25. Jo Hamilton and her team will be in the hallway toward Alexander Hall for you to choose what gift you will bring to a needy child. There will also be some tags for gift cards for the Doves residents who are needy.

Also on that Sunday, tickets go on sale for the Ladies Christmas Luncheon to be held on December 13. Ticket price is $15 for a catered lunch and entertainment as well as great fellowship. Tickets will be also be sold on Dec. 2 and Dec. 9th after worship service. Invite your friends and put the dates on your calendar. Our entertainment will be a Christmas program by the Hudson Harmony Band, a family of 5 children and their parents.

Our planning committee meets on Wednesday, November 28 at 10:15 AM. All are welcome to attend as we look to activities for the new year of 2019.

On Thursday, November 29 at 10 AM, we will decorate Alexander Hall (Hanging of the Green). Come one and all, men and women. We will put up 2 or 3 large trees and decorate them in gold and white to go with the Chrismons that will hang on the trees.

For the luncheon, we invite you to bring in a Christmas centerpiece for one of tables as we did last year. They were all so beautiful and added to the spirit of Christmas. These need to be brought in after Sunday, Dec. 2. If you want to bring it on that Sunday, we will find a place for it. There is a concert that night by the Desert Brass in Alexander Hall and many tables will be taken down. We would like all tables to hold a centerpiece by Sunday, the 9th.

In Christ,

Joyce Dudley, Women’s Fellowship Chair


News From MOMC (Missionary Outreach Ministry Council)

Barbara Dabul, Ph.D.

On October 8-9, 2018, I made a successful trip to the PAI (PanAmerican Institute) in Tijuana. I delivered an estimated $300 in school supplies from generous members of our congregation. I also gave to the 70 students, ages 12-15, a

musical presentation called “Music South of the Border”. I played my guitar and sang 4 songs in English and 6 songs in Spanish. Then, at the request of the former Superintendent, Juana Santos, I gave a speech about my life, how and why I learned Spanish, and the value of knowing two languages. I included a short lesson on the 15 vowel sounds that English uses compared to only 5 vowel sounds in Spanish.

The students were very attentive and appreciative of my songs and spoken remarks. Then, two male students serenaded me with their own song, and all 70 students wrote thank you notes to our church using the pens we gave them. Most of the notes were in Spanish, but a few are in English. I

displayed these notes for our members to see on Sunday, October 21.

The next activity of MOMC will be our annual budget meeting, where we decide how church donations will be distributed among the 25 missions that the NACCC sponsors. At this meeting, we will also be considering the applications of two missions here in the United States that would like to be considered for MOMC sponsorship. One, the Outpost of Freedom Ministries, is here in Arizona, and they are seeking sponsorship from our church. They serve the Apache and Navajo nations. Among other services, they act as equippers for mission groups who come from other Sates to aid and worship with our Native American neighbors. The other consists of a ministry to our national parks. Inasmuch as the Grand Canyon is one of the parks to be served, our church has a potential interest in this mission as well. I will give you an update on the outcome of our deliberations in the December Roadrunner.

For more information about the NACCC, visit www.naccc.org and about PAI, visit www.paischool.org

National Association of Congregational Christian

Churches

Mission Board Update Your Mission Board has the responsibility of allocating the funds designated in the CCSC budget for support of both local and international charitable organizations. Each quarter the board chooses three organizations to receive funds from our church. There is a listing of vetted organizations that are referenced in making these choices. This year the mission board placed a priority on supporting local food banks. Each quarter one of the three donations is given to a food bank. It alternates between St Mary’s Food Bank and Valley View Community Food Bank. In an effort to meet our charge of supporting international missions the board is allocating a donation each quarter to MOMC (Missionary Outreach Ministry Council) which is part of the National Association of Congregational Christian Churches. Barbara Dabul represents CCSC on MOMC’s board and can influence the use of our contributions. 100% of dollars given to MOMC go to mission efforts insuring our funds are going to the best use.

In addition the mission board allocated the special offerings at Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas.

The 4th quarter allocations are going to Valley View Community Food Bank , MOMC and to Sunshine Acres. Sunshine Acres, located in Mesa focuses on helping less fortunate children.

It will soon be time for the Thanksgiving Special Offering. Watch for information in the bulletin and look for the special envelopes in the pews. Your generous gifts will be split 50/50 between Eve’s Place to aid victims of domestic abuse and Streetlight USA which aids child victims of sexual abuse.


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.

Recent Thank You Notes to Our Church Family:

From Ruth Banker: “A loving thank you for the prayers and caring support to me and my family on the passing of my sister, Doreen Coco on July 31, 2018. Your messages and hugs have been the blessings that help us through this time.”

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:

• Gary Riggs—September 22, 2018

• Sara Witzel—October 6, 2018

• Patricia Shepley—October 10, 2018


November 15-16, 2018:

Annual Arts & Crafts Fair/Bake Sale

November 22, 2018:

Thanksgiving Dinner—Noon

November 25, 2018:

Angel Tree Begins

November 29, 2018:

Hanging of the Greens

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 Lunch—11:30 AM

December 24, 2018:

Candlelight Christmas Eve Service

January 9, 2019:

Potluck & Mark Baker Concert—5:30 PM

January 28, 2019: Annual Meeting—1 PM

February 28—March 1, 2019: Church Rummage Sale

TREASURES

WANTED!

CAN YOU HELP? The Arts & Crafts Fair is coming up this month (November 15-16) and the Silent Auction committee is looking for donations for the Silent Auction. ALL PROCEEDS ARE GIVEN TO HOSPICE OF THE VALLEY.

Do you have some auction-worthy items to make this outreach amazing? Perhaps you are doing some cleaning and prepping for the holidays and have something unique to donate. Or, you could donate gift cards or event tickets to this worthy cause. Examples of items include:

Jewelry *Sporting/Show Tickets

Gift Cards *Special Activities Equipment

Collectibles *Unique (rare music, etc.)

Artwork

If you have questions or would like to make a donation, contact Silent Auction Chair, Bev Eilken, 623-975-1091.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP IN MAKING THIS OUTREACH SUCCESSFUL!

- Chris Palmer, Arts & Crafts Fair Chair

Silent Auction Items to Benefit Hospice of the

Valley

16th

Annual ARTS &

CRAFTS FAIR

The Congregational Church of Sun City 99th Avenue, just south of W. Union Hills Drive

Thursday, November 15

&

FRIDAY, November 16

9:00AM — 2:30PM

Coffee and light lunch available.

T H I N K C H R I S T M A S



11/10: Doc & Bobbie McClean 11/20: Russ & Julie Wood 11/27: Ron & Marilyn Munns 11/28: Neil & Sue Dawson

11/02: Evelyn Uhl 11/06: Marian Buchanan 11/07: Dale Caron 11/07: Howard Cripps 11/10: Jo An Jansen 11/14: Diane Bowman 11/14: Carol Hart 11/18: Betty Thompson 11/20: Doreen Muir 11/22: Roy Bernier, Jr. 11/22: Jean Brenn 11/27: Joan Corkadel

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

However many years anyone may live,

LET THEM ENJOY THEM ALL.

ECCLESIASTES 11:8


Pilgrim Roadrunner

Volume 31—Issue 7

18401 N. 99th Avenue Sun City, AZ 85373 Phone: 623-977-4241

First

Class

Stamp

Required

Return Service Requested

PD # 95289000

BIBLE STUDY INFO 2

BIRTHDAYS & ANNIVERSARIES 11

CALENDAR 10

CHURCH INFORMATION 2

DEACONS CORNER 4

ISLAND DINNER NIGHT PHOTOS 3

MISSION BOARD UPDATE 7

MODERATOR-ELECT 4

MODERATOR’S VIEW 3

NACCC ANNUAL CONFERENCE 5

NACCC MOMC REPORT 7

PASTOR’S MESSAGE 1

PRAYERS & THANKS 8

PUZZLE 11

SWEAT SHOP SORORITY 6

THANKSGIVING DINNER 8

WOMEN’S FELLOWSHIP 6

TICKETS ON SALE SOON!

Documents

Natural Disasters · The American Association for Advancement of Atheism sing a different doxology than the one we sing each week in our worship service. Theirs goes like this: