Desert Palms Presbyterian Church is a friendly beacon of light and hope in Sun City West, a retirement community. The PC(USA) congregation is known for its spacious 500-seat sanctuary, extensive music ministry, Christian education, health ministries and service throughout Sun City West and the wider West Valley.
Sunday Worship Through the Seasons
Sunday worship is held in the sanctuary. From June through September, the church offers one service at 9:30 a.m.; during the rest of the year, services are at 8:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Sunday services are also available through livestream worship, and the church maintains an archive of worship. Coffee is served between services during Sunday Fellowship Hour.
The church has two main parking lots. One covers the south and east sides of the building, while overflow parking is at the southwest corner of Stardust Boulevard and 135th Avenue. An aerial map of the church shows the sanctuary, grounds and parking areas.
Come as you are. Congregants usually choose sharp casual attire for Sunday worship, and everyone is welcome. The front office entrance is on the northeast corner of the building, marked by a sign. Office hours are 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on weekdays.
From R.H. Johnson Social Hall to a 500-Seat Sanctuary
Desert Palms began in December 1979, when a group of Presbyterians guided by the Reverend Paul Calhoun began meeting for Sunday worship at R.H. Johnson Social Hall. The Reverend Arthur Dahlberg became the organizing pastor in June 1980. On November 23, 1980, Desert Palms Presbyterian Church was chartered with 119 members.
A contract for the sanctuary was awarded to Taliesin West Architects of the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation in August 1984. The completed sanctuary was dedicated on November 16, 1986. Its 500 seats are arranged in a 180-degree fan, placing every parishioner no more than 48 feet from the pulpit.
Groundbreaking for Phase II took place on December 10, 1989. The additions included the Fellowship Hall, Administration Building, Chapel, Memorial Gardens and Columbarium, all dedicated on November 19, 1990. A further expansion began on August 20, 2000, adding office space, a library, a conference room and drama and storage areas. Those spaces were dedicated on April 29, 2001.
Created by the Gospel and for the Gospel
Desert Palms understands itself as a congregation created by God's grace and for the purpose of sharing the gospel. Its leaders say they are seeking to become disciples of Jesus Christ, live for God and invite others to become Christ-followers. The church uses the language of salt and light to describe its calling to serve Sun City West and the surrounding area, and it wants the power of the good news to be visible in the community.
Presbyterian government holds Christ as the head of the church and regards the church as one body in which no special group has a higher spiritual order. Those selected to govern are chosen by the congregation because of their leadership skills. The Confessional Banners represent nine historic statements of faith spanning the early Christian era, the Reformation and more recent times.
Desert Palms belongs to the Presbytery of the Grand Canyon, the Synod of the Southwest and the Presbyterian Church (USA). Deacons give the church's form of service through committees for Communion, Congregational Life, and Care and Support. Their work centers on sympathy, witness and service, including intercessory prayer, reading Scripture, presenting gifts and assisting with the Lord's Supper.
Music at the Center of Ministry
Music reaches across much of church life at Desert Palms. Director of Music Ministry Wendy Fentiman leads the music program, while Worship Accompanist Judy Penick accompanies several vocal and instrumental groups.
- The Chancel Choir rehearses Thursdays from 1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. in the sanctuary and sings at almost every Sunday service from September through May, as well as special services. Its sacred repertoire uses varied musical styles and instruments.
- The auditioned Choral Ensemble rehearses Tuesdays from 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. in the Chapel. It sings for area churches, community organizations, occasional worship and special gatherings.
- Faith Journey, a six-singer women's ensemble, rehearses Tuesdays at 2:00 p.m. in the Chapel. Voices in Praise, the men's ensemble, rehearses at 2:30 p.m. and both groups perform sacred and secular music for church and community events.
- Together combines Faith Journey and Voices in Praise for services, special programs and community events. JABOA, a women's choir whose name stands for Just A Bunch Of Altos, sings mostly sacred music and rehearses as needed.
- The Handbell Choir rehearses Wednesdays from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. in the Music Room and plays for worship about once each month and for special concerts. A six-member Handbell Ensemble and a four-member Handbell Quartet also play for church and community events.
- The Piano Quartet performs on four pianos and rehearses Thursdays at 12:30 p.m. in the sanctuary for services, programs and concerts.
- The Gloryland Band, formed in 2020, rehearses as needed and features soprano and baritone ukuleles, banjo ukulele, autoharps, violin, acoustic bass and piano.
Bible Study, Women’s Circles and Stephen Ministry
Christian education follows several regular rhythms. Biblical Bible Study meets Thursdays from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. from September through mid-April. Living the Lessons meets Mondays at 2:00 p.m. in Room A and uses a video followed by discussion about the Bible and biblical times. Pastor Jim's Bible Study meets at three Monday settings: 10:30 a.m. in the Desert Palms Conference Room, 12:30 p.m. in the Third Floor Conference Room at Grandview Terrace and 2:30 p.m. in the Activities Room of the Assisted Living building at The Colonnade.
Presbyterian Women includes women who are members or friends of Desert Palms. Its circles nurture faith through prayer and Bible study, support mission, work for justice and peace and strengthen an inclusive, caring community. Five circles meet monthly:
- Esther Circle: second Monday at 9:00 a.m. in Fellowship Hall, Room B.
- Lydia Circle: third Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. in Room A.
- Martha Circle: second Wednesday at 11:30 a.m. in Fellowship Hall, Room B.
- Phoebe Circle: second Thursday at 6:00 p.m. in homes.
- Rebecca Circle: second Wednesday at 9:00 a.m. in the Conference Room.
Stephen Ministry provides confidential, compassionate one-on-one Christian care by trained lay ministers. Class leaders, facilitators and support groups gather on the first Tuesday of each month. The Grief Group meets at 1:00 p.m. on the first and third Wednesdays, while Book of the Month meets at 10:30 a.m. on the third Friday in the Music Room and centers on reflection, discussion and fellowship around a selected book.
Health Ministry for Body, Mind and Spirit
Led by Faith Community Nurse Noelle Wells, the Health Ministry blends spirituality and nursing to support holistic health. Its team supports the physical, intellectual, emotional, social and spiritual needs of the faith community through exercise, blood drives, educational events and access to health resources.
Fitness Fun meets in the Fellowship Hall at 7:30 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. The class includes stretching, cardiovascular exercise, strength training and balance and is open to members and the community by donation. Cardio Drumming follows at 11:00 a.m. on those same days, using the rhythm of music for a fast-paced workout that raises the heart rate, strengthens muscles and burns calories. A digital fitness library supplements the in-person classes.
The health ministry also holds several blood drives each year with Vitalant and hosts free monthly educational talks with speakers and organizations from the community. The Caregiver Support Group meets in person at 1:00 p.m. on the first Monday of each month, creating a setting for caregivers to share experiences, find resources and receive care.
Summer Concerts, Movies and Games
The Outreach Committee keeps activities going throughout the year with concerts, summer movies, games and shared meals. Its recurring summer pattern includes guest musicians, Bible-themed entertainment and events designed for fellowship in the Arizona heat.
- Sounds of Summer: on the fourth Sunday of June, July, August and September, a guest musician or group performs during worship and gives a concert beginning 15 minutes after worship ends.
- Movie nights: summer movies are shown on Wednesday evenings for fellowship and entertainment.
- Games: Jeopardy, bingo and other Bible-themed games provide regular summer gatherings with friends.
Adult Bible School is a four-evening program of theological conversation, biblical engagement and catered dinners. Featured speakers have included regional pastors and Fuller Seminary faculty. Ushers, greeters, coffee servers and Sanctuary Angels also serve Sunday worship. Ushers welcome guests, take the offering and tidy pews; greeters welcome and direct visitors; coffee teams prepare and clean up during Fellowship Hour; Sanctuary Angels clean a sanctuary section each week and refresh books and other pew resources.
Missions Near, Far and Woven into Fellowship
Desert Palms describes mission as both local and worldwide, connecting the life of the congregation in Sun City West with partners serving families and communities in Arizona, Mexico, Uganda, Kenya and other places.
- Local food support: Desert Palms has long raised funds and collected cash and food for Agua Fria Food and Clothing Bank, including support for holiday and Souper Bowl campaigns and school uniforms. Valley View Community Food Bank is another local partner.
- Dysart Community Center: this partnership connects Desert Palms with educational programs, ESL, GED preparation, citizenship classes, after-school activities, summer camp, health and nutrition programs, a mobile food pantry and a children's meal program.
- Benevilla: the local partnership supports services for older adults and their caregivers.
- Choices and A New Leaf: Choices serves young women, men and babies with confidential health information and services, while A New Leaf helps families and individuals respond to crises such as job loss, medical emergencies, domestic violence and homelessness.
- Habitat for Humanity: Desert Palms supports a global nonprofit housing organization that partners with families in need of decent, affordable housing.
International mission relationships include Prepare the Way Ministry in Uganda, which has received support since a 2017 visit to a Christian school, children's home and church. Projects have included school expansion and clean drinking water. Desert Palms has also supported Kenya Keys with a school-roof project and Heifer International's work with farmers and communities.
Frontera de Cristo's Children's Enrichment Ministry in Agua Prieta, Sonora, seeks to improve children's education and recreation while supplying food resources. Friends of PEB emphasizes high-quality education responsive to individual needs, and Café Justo is a grower-owned coffee cooperative in Chiapas, Mexico, designed to improve growers' livelihoods.
Several ministries turn fellowship into practical service:
- The Prayer Shawl Ministry meets at 12:30 p.m. on the third Wednesday in Room B. Members make prayer shawls and pocket squares, provide baby caps and blankets for local hospitals and honor veterans and fallen soldiers through handmade gifts.
- The Quilters meet from 9:00 a.m. to noon on the first and third Thursdays in the Fellowship Hall. Rather than hand-stitching every section, they layer patchwork, batting and backing, then tie each square with colored yarn.
- Angel Bees meets at 8:30 a.m. on the third Saturday in the Fellowship Hall and Room A, making small quilts for children and other community projects.
Established in 1994, the church's scholarship fund helps high school graduates who have average-or-above grades but cannot afford continued education. It is supported by regular giving, memorials and endowments, and each recipient is paired with a Desert Palms mentor. Financial gifts may also be made through online giving or through Realm Connect.
Memorial Garden and Columbarium
The Memorial Garden and Columbarium are maintained under a perpetual care arrangement supervised by the church Session. The Columbarium stands between the sanctuary and Fellowship Hall. Permanently constructed niches have bronze plaques bearing the names of deceased members and loved ones, while benches sit among the living landscape. Paintings by Ross Snodgrass depict the seven days of creation described in Genesis 1 and 2.
Desert Palms understands preservation of cremains as a proclamation of faith in the resurrection of the dead. Its history from the first 1979 meetings to worship, education, music, health ministry, care and mission remains centered on forming Christ-followers who live for God and serve their neighbors.