The Cactus & The Cross Blog

This Thanksgiving, let's gather to enjoy delicious food, warm fellowship, and thankful hearts! Join us on Thursday, November 27, at 2:00 pm in the Chapel for our Thanksgiving Potluck —a wonderful opportunity to celebrate God’s blessings with your church family. We’ll take care of the turkey and gravy , and we invite you to bring a favorite side dish, salad, or dessert to share. Whether it’s a cherished family recipe or something new you’d like to try, your contribution will

As Thanksgiving nears, we take a moment to reflect on the many blessings God has bestowed upon us. Join us on Wednesday, November 26, at 6:30 pm for a special Thanksgiving Eve Worship Service —a time to express our gratitude and praise for all the goodness in our lives! This significant evening will feature thanksgiving hymns, heartfelt prayers, and stories highlighting God's work in our lives and community. It’s an ideal way to prepare our hearts before the holiday hustle b

Are you seeking a practical way to serve with compassion? Participate in our Shower Ministry this Friday, November 21, from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm at St. John’s Courtyard. This ministry goes beyond providing hot showers—it focuses on restoring dignity, spreading kindness, and demonstrating God’s love to our unhoused neighbors. We offer hygiene supplies, clean towels, and, most importantly, a warm, welcoming community. 👐 How You Can Make a Difference: Your assistance is vital,

A vibrant church is founded on a community that grows together in faith, love, and purpose. We invite you to join us every Sunday at 9:45 am for a time of learning, connection, and spiritual development, no matter your age or life stage. Whether you're just beginning your faith journey or have been on it for many years, you are welcome here. ✝️ FROG – Fully Rely on God   (Children’s Ministry) 📍 Room 9 Each week, our younger members gather for FROG – Fully Rely on God , an en

A thriving church is built on a community that develops together in faith, love, and purpose. We welcome you to join us every Sunday at 9:45 am for a session of learning, connection, and spiritual growth, regardless of your age or life stage. No matter if you're starting your faith journey or have been on it for years, you have a place here. ✝️ FROG – Fully Rely on God   (Children’s Ministry) 📍 Room 9 Every week, our youngest disciples come together for FROG – Fully Rely on

Our ushers play a vital role in ensuring every service runs seamlessly and in making everyone who enters feel welcome. To stay connected and ready for the busy season ahead, we invite all ushers to attend an important meeting on Saturday, November 15, at 9:00 am . In this meeting, we’ll go over upcoming events, provide important updates, and discuss how to continue serving our congregation with excellence and care . It's also a wonderful chance to connect with each other, as

This Thanksgiving, let’s come together to share good food, warm fellowship, and grateful hearts! Join us on Thursday, November 27 at 2:00 pm in the Chapel  for our Thanksgiving Potluck —a wonderful time to celebrate God’s blessings with your church family. We’ll provide the turkey and gravy , and we invite you to bring a favorite side dish, salad, or dessert  to share. Whether it’s a family recipe or something new you’d like to try, your contribution will make the meal even m

As Thanksgiving approaches, we pause to remember the countless blessings God has poured into our lives. On Wednesday, November 26 at 6:30 pm , we’ll come together for a special Thanksgiving Eve Worship Service —a time to lift our hearts in gratitude and praise for all that is good! This meaningful evening will be filled with thanksgiving hymns, heartfelt prayers, and stories of how God is working in our lives and community. It’s the perfect way to center our hearts before the

Thanksgiving is just around the corner, signaling one of the busiest and most meaningful times of the year for our Food Pantry! This season, we aim to support 125 families with Thanksgiving meals and a grocery gift card, allowing them to come together and enjoy a special meal. We encourage you to join this effort by donating $15 or $20 gift cards to local grocery stores. Your generosity will enable families to purchase the essentials they need to celebrate Thanksgiving with

By Pastor Dan Potaznick, Associate Pastor for Outreach This summer at St. John's, something remarkable happened. When Phoenix hit 118 degrees on July 9th, breaking a record from 1958, we kept our doors open. For 117 days from May through October, we served 3,568 neighbors seeking relief from deadly heat. We welcomed 598 pets too, because no one should choose between safety and their companion. But we offered more than air conditioning. Working with Arizona Faith Network and c