Desert Hills Presbyterian ChurchEchoes

34605 North Tom Darlington Drive P.O. Box 874Carefree AZ 85377 480-488-3384

August / September 2015

FOND FAREWELL

to FRIENDS

from JAMAICA

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Echoes

Echoes is published every other month by and for the congregation of Desert Hills Presbyterian Church in Carefree, Arizona. If you have received this publication by mistake or you would like to no longer subscribe to the magazine, simply call the DHPC office at 480-488-3384 or write to admin@deserthills.org.

The lead time for the publication is four weeks before the first month displayed on the cover. For the October - November issue, deadline for submissions is September 10.

Contributions from any and all DHPC members are always welcome! Simply e-mail your documents and pictures to

editor@deserthills.org or drop them off at the church office.The Echoes staff welcomes any and all feedback. If you would like to submit any questions, concerns or comments about the contents of this publication, please send them to editor@deserthills.org or drop them by the church office and we’ll make sure they are read and addressed as promptly as possible. Please allow 2-4 weeks for any necessary replies.

If you have been blessed with the ability to write or take pictures and feel called to use your talents to serve the Lord, Echoes would love to have you be part of our editorial team! Just call Patrick McAvoy at 602-549-7217 or write us at editor@deserthills.org.

August / September 2015

IN THIS ISSUE:

FEELING SOCIAL?Be sure to “like” Desert Hills Presbyterian Church on Facebook! Simply go to the DHPC website: www.deserthills.org and click the Facebook icon.

You may also type “Desert Hills Presbyte-rian Church” in the search bar on Face-book. We have security set so that “tag-ging” of photos is not permitted, so check

out the page and enjoy the photos and informa-tion about your church family.

03 Pastor's Message

04 Member Classes

05 Christmas Tea

05 Christmas Musical

05 Autumnfest

06 Farewell to Jamaican Friends

08 Youth Ministry Update

09 Leupp Navajo Sister Church

10 Congregational Nurse's Corner

11 Stephen Ministry

12 Dashboard

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TAKE TIME TO COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS AND PRAISE THE LORD FOR ALL HIS BENEFITS: PSALM 103

Jim Noble, Senior Pastorjnoble@deserthills.org480-488-3384

Pastor’sMessage

1 Praise the LORD, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name.2 Praise the LORD, my soul, and forget not all his benefits—3 who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases,4 who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion,5 who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the

eagle’s.6 The LORD works righteousness and justice for all the oppressed.7 He made known his ways to Moses, his deeds to the people of Israel:8 The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.9 He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever;10 he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities.11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him;12 as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions

from us.13 As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who

fear him;

14 for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust.15 The life of mortals is like grass, they flourish like a flower of the field;16 the wind blows over it and it is gone, and its place remembers it no more.17 But from everlasting to everlasting The LORD’s love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their

children’s children—18 with those who keep his covenant and remember to obey his precepts.19 The LORD has established his throne in heaven, and his kingdom rules over all.20 Praise the LORD, you his angels, you mighty ones who do his bidding, who obey his word.21 Praise the LORD, all his heavenly hosts, you his servants who do his will.22 Praise the LORD, all his works everywhere in his dominion.

Praise the LORD, my soul.

Peace in Christ,

Jim

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Sundays 12:45 p.m. 4 Classes

September 27 October 4, 11, 18

What we believe

Father, Christ, & Holy Spirit

Who we are in Jesus Christ

How we can better serve Him

Member Classes

Welcome to the Family!

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Annual Christmas Tea: Save The Date!Saturday, December 5, 2015Guest Speaker: Lynda Murphy, author of the book, "The Second Half; Finding The Fountain Youth Truth."

Would you like to be part of the Planning Committee or host a table? We would love for you to join us!!

Advance Tickets Sales with Reserved Seating Are Available now. Contact Judie Preston 480 269-6608

We want YOU in ourChristmas Musical for 2015! “Bethlehem Buddies” tells of workers at the Inn in Bethlehem who find they’ve done great things while doing their daily jobs.

Kids from Kindergarten through High School are welcome as singers and actors.

We are meeting Mondays from 4 to 5:30 pm in the Fellowship Center. Our performance is Sunday, Dec. 6 at 6 PM.

We’re also looking for behind the scene workers too, both youth and adults.

Register on Sundays at church or on line at tinyurl.com/BethlehemBuddies-DHPC.

Contact Ron or Vicky Crowe with questions: 623-465-7156 or ron.croweaz@gmail.com. We’ll have fun, learn about performing in a musical, and share the Christmas story.

See you in August!

2014 Cast

Join our west side DHPC members atAnthem Community Council

AUTUMNFESTOctober 24 & 25We will share our church with residents of the Anthem/ Desert Hills area. Join us for the fun!! Call the church office or talk to Nan if you would like more information.

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From July 15-27, DHPC hosted a team from Ebenezer church in Mandeville, Jamaica. What a glori-ous time we had, jammed packed with lots of ministry, fellowship and events.

Through it all, we bonded together even more as brothers and sisters in Christ. Our Jamaican brothers and sisters commented on all the love they felt here and at Leupp, and we were all in awe as we watched

the outpouring of the Holy Spirit change lives and hearts through all the ministry, prayer and fellowship with one another. So many God mo-ments, so many blessings! Glory be to the Lord, who has in His infinite wisdom brought us together!!Special thanks to all of you who pro-vided housing, food, gifts and trans-portation to make this time such a success!!

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The Confirmation program is an opportunity for disciples to confirm their faith in Je-sus Christ. This exciting time gives 7th and 8th grade students a time to ask questions, learn more about the Bible and their Savior Jesus Christ and to build a solid foundation in the faith.

7th Grade students spend the year in the Bible from Genesis to Revelation. 8th Grade students will learn church history, 5 Solas, Presbyterian Government, Corporate Wor-ship and the Sacraments.

The confirmation class begins on September 27 and meets on Sunday mornings from 9:30am-10:45am in the Youth Rooms. For a detailed schedule please contact Kath-leen Harris at the church at 480-488-3384 or cell is 602-741-3429 or email children@deserthills.org.

Youth Leadership Team

Since Kevin announced his departure from DHPC, ensuring a smooth transition for our DHPC Youth has been a primary focus for me. Working with Kari Frye (Elder for Youth) and Kathleen Harris (Director of Family Ministries) to set plans in motion that will build on the strong core of middle and senior highers we have in place at DHPC.

At this point, we have:

• Requested and received permission from the DHPC Session to hire quality, dedicated youth leadership for the 2015/2016 school year.

• Begun to plan out a fall calendar to ensure that momentum is carried forward after Kevin’s departure on August 23.

• Connected with the existing Youth volunteers to gather their insight.

I want to assure you that I will be personally involved in the planning and leading of the youth ministry effort this year, and I will be sharing my vision for the program and this transition planning with all DHPC youth and parents/caregivers at the kickoff meeting already scheduled for August 23rd at 12:30 p.m. in the Youth room. Pizza will be served!

If you cannot make the meeting or have an idea of question, please feel free to contact me. My cell phone number is 480-766-8407.

Peace in Christ,

Jim

YOUTH MINISTRY UPDATE

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Save the dates Different Weekend

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September is “Fall Prevention” Month and we want to prevent “falls” both physically and spiritually. To prevent spiritual falls we must study God’s Word and pray regu-larly. To prevent physical falls we must exercise and eat healthy and be aware of risk issues than can compromise our safety.

Some medications such as sedatives and some antide-pressants can cause fall risk issues. Falls can increase the likelihood of fracturing a bone in the hip, wrist, spine or other parts of the skeleton.

Here are a few statistics regarding falls:

1. Falls are the leading cause of death from injury among persons 65 and over.

2. Approximately 9,500 deaths in older Americans are associated with falls each year and the elderly account for 75% of deaths from these falls.

3. Annually, falls are reported by one third of all people 65 and older.

4. Two thirds of those who experience a fall will fall again within six months.

5. 33% of all falls in the elderly involve environmental hazards in the home such as throw rugs.

6. A decrease in bone density contributes to falls and resultant injuries.

7. Failure to exercise regularly results in poor muscle tone, decreased strength and loss of bone mass and flexibility.

Many of these risk factors are preventable; that is the good news. The bad news is that many people “think” falls are a normal part of aging and are not preventable. This is not the case.

Here are three things you can do to decrease your risk of a potentially dangerous fall:

1. In the meantime, ask me for a “Preventing Slips, Trips and Falls” brochure, or pick up a copy in the display stand in the lower level entry to the church office. The above statistics were taken from this brochure.

2. Participate in the "Art of Moving Prayer" held here at DHPC. It helps with muscle stability, balance and stress reduction through gentle movements, music and focusing on God’s Word and simple prayers. Watch the bulletin for the date, since we will resume after our summer break. Call me at 480-220-6679 or email me at nurse@deserthills.org for more information about this class.

3. Come to the September 30th Fall Prevention Expo & Workshop at DHPC. Join us for a FREE informative and interactive presentation full of tips, ideas, products and support for fall prevention on Wednesday, September 30, 2015, 9:30 am - 2:30 pm. Call the Foothills Caring Corp 480-488-1105 for your reservation for lunch. This Expo is presented by the Northeast Valley Coalition, of which DHPC is a member. As your Congregational Nurse, I am working with representatives from agencies on a committee at the Northeast Valley Coalition to present this expo. There will be:

• speakers

• panel discussions

• vendor exhibits

• demonstrations of different types of exercises available to help with coordination and balance

Congregational

Nurse's Corner

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Stephen MinistryProblems? Opportunities!

P stands for predictor. How we handle problems predicts much about your life experience. It’s not what comes into our life that matters; it’s how we think about what comes into our life that defines who we are and the life we will live.

R stands for reminder. Problems serve as a reminder that life will always have challenges. No matter how well we live, how well we choose, how much we do right, we will still be confronted with problems – with creative opportunities.

O stands for opportunity. A problem is an opportunity for us to create a solution which reflects the highest and best of who we are mentally, emotionally, physically and spiritually. It is an opportunity to reassure ourselves that God is working in our life even if we don’t feel it.

B stands for blessings. Blessings are experiences which teach us about the assurances of our Creator, about people we hold dearly, the world, and ourselves and allow us to re-examine our faith, our life and to live a more meaningful and fulfilled life.

L stands for lesson. Personal growth usually comes gift-wrapped in the gilded box of a problem. Problems, provide lessons for living.

E stands for everywhere. Problems are everywhere and everyone has them. That is how life is designed.

M stands for messages. Just like the indicator lights in the dashboard of our car, problems are messengers, grabbing our attention and requesting or demanding that we take action and create a solution.

S stands for solvable. Every problem has a solution. It may take everything we have to confront a particular problem, and none of the solutions may seem ideal, but we always have options and choices available to us. We have at least three broad choices:

1. We can leave, go away, get away.

2. We can give up and leave the decision to others, or to the situation that surrounds us.

3. We can take whatever time and resources necessary to creatively experiment with alternatives until we find an answer that is the best possible one for the particular time and place in our life.

• free assessments provided by a physical therapist and a pharmacist to help evaluate your medications for possible “Risk of Fall” screening.

The information provided will be beneficial to all of us, especially those of us over 50, those with physical handicaps, osteoporosis, impaired vision, balance or chronic diseases that affect mental or physical functioning.

“Our greatest strength comes from dependence on our strong God”.

“Jesus specializes in restoration … We are restored by the Master.” Colossians 3:15-17

“The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in Him; though he may stumble he will not fall.” Psalms 37:23-24

“The Lord upholds all who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down.” Psalms 145:14

34605 North Tom Darlington Drive P.O. Box 874 Carefree AZ 85377 480-488-3384

Non-Profit OrganizationU.S. Postage PaidPAIDCave Creek, AZ Permit No. 9

or current resident

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