Fifty years ago this month, on a frosty Sunday morning, it was standing-room-only inside a small church on the outskirts of Tempe. That’s when 355 souls gathered for the first-ever service at Grace Community Church.
It’s that time of year when everyone, it seems, is trying to get into shape. Whether it’s a few too many Christmas cookies or that extra serving of pie and pastries, lots of folks find their clothes are on the snug side come January.
Pastor Roger Ball of First Baptist Church of Tempe is like many folks this time of year who relish the joy of Christmas and enjoy displaying it with elaborate lights and decorations.