The Cactus & The Cross Blog

As we start a new year, we also take a moment for a significant event in our church's life: the Annual Congregational Meeting . We welcome all members of St. John’s to join us on Sunday, January 4, 2026, at 9:45 am , either in the Sanctuary or online . This meeting goes beyond just an agenda item—it's an opportunity to reflect on our past, celebrate God's work among us, and thoughtfully consider our future path as a faith community. What We’ll Do Together ✔ Review and Vote on

As the year draws to a close, we invite you to gather with your church family to welcome 2026  with joy, laughter, and worship. New Year’s Eve at St. John’s is a wonderful opportunity to reflect on the year behind us and step into the new one together. We’ll begin the evening with a festive potluck at 3:30 pm in St. John’s Chapel . Bring a favorite dish to share and enjoy a relaxed time of food and fellowship. A sign-up sheet  is available in the Narthex and the church office

Looking for a meaningful way to begin the new year by serving others? Join us for our Shower Ministry  on Friday, January 2 , from 9:00 am to noon , as we care for and stand alongside our unhoused neighbors. This ministry is about more than providing hot showers. It’s about honoring dignity, offering hospitality, and sharing God’s love through simple acts of kindness. In addition to showers, we provide hygiene supplies, clean towels, and—most importantly—a welcoming, respectf

A thriving church is built on shared faith, meaningful relationships, and a desire to grow together. Each Sunday at 9:45 am , we gather for learning, fellowship, and spiritual formation—and we invite you to be part of it, no matter your age or where you are on your faith journey. Whether you’re just beginning to explore faith or have been walking with God for years, there’s a place for you here. ✝️ FROG: Fully Rely on God Children’s Ministry 📍 Room 9 Our children gather each

West Valley Lutheran Thrift Shop Hours of Operation Monday through Friday  9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Saturday  9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. West Valley Lutheran Thrift Shop 10615 West Peoria Ave, Sun City http://www.wvlutheranthrift.com/ --623-815-7061-- Hours of Operation Monday through Saturday  9:00 am to 3:00 pm Make a New Year’s Resolution That Truly Makes a Difference in 2026! As we prepare to welcome a new year, many of us are thinking about resolutions—opportunities to reset,

"Company is coming..." That's what we say when we prepare our homes for guests. For four weeks during 2025, St. John's welcomed some very important company: families struggling with homelessness. In February, May, August, and October, we opened our facilities and our hearts to care for families with children who needed a place to stay. In partnership with Family Promise of Arizona through the Glendale Center, we provided a safe place to sleep, a healthy evening meal, and groc

As we begin a new year, we also pause for an important moment in the life of our church: our Annual Congregational Meeting . We invite all members of St. John’s to take part on Sunday, January 4, 2026, at 9:45 am , gathering in the Sanctuary and online . This meeting is more than an agenda item—it’s a chance to reflect on where we’ve been, celebrate how God is at work among us, and prayerfully discern the path ahead as a community of faith. What We’ll Do Together ✔ Review and

The New Year is a traditional time to reset and recenter. If there’s any good that comes out of New Year’s resolutions, it is the spiritual recentering on God and God’s desires for us. Of course, it’s a good thing to start a new discipline of exercise or diet, but these will be shallow if not rooted in God’s desires for us. God always desires us to grow as disciples of Jesus. In God’s eyes, we aren’t so much “members of St. John’s” but “members of the body of Christ.” We are

There’s something uniquely beautiful about Christmas morning—soft light, expectant hearts, and the deep joy of celebrating God’s gift to the world in Jesus Christ. We invite you to begin your Christmas Day centered in worship, reflection, and song. On Thursday, December 25 , we will gather for one special Christmas Day service at 9:30 am . Join us in the Sanctuary or online , wherever the morning finds you. This festive service will include a treasured tradition: a Christmas

Christmas Eve is an evening brimming with wonder, warmth, and the joyful anticipation of Christ's birth. This year, we welcome you to pause, breathe deeply, and join us for a lovely candlelight celebration aimed at bringing peace and hope to your heart. We have three Christmas Eve services available at 4 pm, 7 pm, and 9 pm , allowing you to select the time that suits your family's schedule best. Whether you prefer the early afternoon's warm glow or the peacefulness of a late-