The Cactus & The Cross Blog

When the Lutheran Thrift Shop first opened its doors, donations were picked up and furniture deliveries were made by volunteers using their own pick-up trucks. The ability to transport large items has always been crucial to the shop’s success, and it remains a major component of our daily operation. Over the years, business has steadily increased, and to keep up with demand, the shop upgraded to a seven-passenger, 14’ box truck — which continues to be a key part of our busine

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people, in order that you may proclaim the excellence of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. (1 Peter 2:9) “Who me?” you might say. “Yes, you! I choose you!” Read the verse above again: yes, that’s you, that’s St John’s, that’s everyone who trusts God saves through Jesus! As people with high status (“a royal priesthood!”) before the God of the universe, we are free! How will we

In March, we held our annual Volunteer Appreciation dinner where we celebrated the hundreds of volunteers who generously give thousands of hours each year at the shop and from home. According to IndependentSector.org , the value of a volunteer hour in Arizona was $34.49 in 2025. Those donated hours save the shop millions of dollars in salaries - money that can instead be granted to many West Valley non-profits. Way to go, volunteers - that’s good business! Their generosity

Spring is here, and before the weather gets too hot, now is the perfect time to do a little spring cleaning! As you sort through closets, garages, and kids’ rooms, you may find items that are no longer needed, no longer fit, or are simply taking up space. Those gently used treasures can become a blessing to others through the Lutheran Thrift Shop. Donating is a simple way to clear clutter while supporting a ministry that gives back to our community. Clothing, household items,

I find myself saying to people, “You can’t control other people, you can only control yourself.” Maybe a little obvious. It’s an attempt to redirect frustration with the decisions other people make to focus on what decisions we can make. Rather than become angry and powerless about things we can’t change, we focus on changing ourselves and our habits of thought and action. Self-control is within our reach. If a friend or family member asks us to participate in something we a

What is Shrove Tuesday? The simple answer is—the day before Ash Wednesday. It is sometimes called—Fat Tuesday, Pancake Tuesday, or Mardi Gras. Why eat Pancakes? Pancakes were an easy way for Christians to use up their milk, eggs, and sugar before the 40 days of Lent (and fasting) started the next day—Ash Wednesday. What do I need to bring? Nothing, except an appetite! Come and make a new friend!! Donations are accepted and will go toward camp scholarships for our children a

St. John’s chili supper and basket raffle will be on Saturday, February 14th from 3-5 p.m. and we need your help. The Fellowship Committee collected a variety of baskets of differing sizes. If you have any baskets you want to donate, please drop them off either on the Narthex table or at the church office. Next, we need your help in filling the baskets. On Sunday, January 11th a table of baskets was placed in the Narthex and office area. The Fellowship Committee is asking

How would you describe “a Christian Community”? I ask because I’ve been reminded again how fragile relationships are. I often assume that because we’ve worked side by side for years, discussed weighty topics, and share joys and sorrows that we have strong relationships. But then, something happens, and I discover that the relationships aren’t strong at all, but so easily fractured by hasty words, misunderstandings, or pettiness. It reminds me of Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s book, L

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,

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