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Holy Cross Lutheran ChurchNEWSLETTER |
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Thanksgiving Eve Service Book and Bake Sale The Holy Cross Women of the ELCA will sponsor the Seventh Annual Book and Bake Sale on November 5, 6 and 7, 2010. It will be open to the public from 10:00 am until 4:00 pm on Friday and Saturday and open to Holy Cross members and visitors on Sunday immediately following worship services until 12:00 pm. Your book donations are needed and welcomed; drop off information will be provided at a later date. Many volunteers will be needed to move stored books from the White House, donate baked goods, sort books, assist with advertising and work during the sale days. Specific information for volunteer opportunities is available in the Narthex. This year the beneficiary will be Lutheran Social Services of Michigan Foster Care Division, in memory of Marge Faraday.
It’s Always About the F.R.O.G. (Fully Relying On God) My great grandfather, Ernest Edward Horth, was a Methodist pastor. I think it must have been because of that Methodist thread in my heritage that my mother (his granddaughter) still purchases yearly subscriptions to the daily devotional, “The Upper Room” for me and my three brothers. I grew up hearing these devotions read at the dinner table. Each devotion is written by a different person from just about anywhere in the world one can imagine. And there is always a “Thought for the Day” to take away. One recent devotion was especially good. I brought a copy in to share with our Tuesday morning Bible Study group, and they all asked for a copy. So I said I would put it in the newsletter. It was written by Tim Burleson from South Carolina, and was originally published on June 21, 2001. It was included in the current devotional booklet for Sun. Oct. 10, 2010, as an “encore” meditation to celebrate the publication’s 75th anniversary. So here is the meditation for Sunday Oct. 10, 2010 from The Upper Room: WHOM DO YOU TRUST? The Lord answered Job…”Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? All my life I had been a modern-day Pharisee. It was important to me and my security to know what to believe in, what the right doctrine was, which preacher had the “truth,” which church was correct. In my mind I played a game in which I thought I would be at peace if I figured out the “truth.” This “truth” would often change from day to day, but I still played the game – to my own detriment. Finally I heard the voice of God saying to me, “Why torture yourself? You do not know all the answers, and you never will. I do know the answers, and I can be trusted.” I did not listen right away. I kept asking my questions: “How was the universe made?” “How can I know the Bible is true?” To every question came the same answer, “Trust me.” Prayer: Thank you, Father, that I have you. Today I place my trust in you anew, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Our trust is in the Lord. Prayer Focus: THOSE WHO NEED PROOF TO BELIEVE Thank you for allowing me to indulge. You can discover more about “The Upper Room” at www.UpperRoom.org/bookstore. You can subscribe by calling 800.925.6847.
Faithfully,
Pastor Dana Runestad Communion at the Steps OR the Rail! Thanks to our creative task force (Dave Wheeker and Bob Ferrari) we are able to choose whether to go up the steps and receive Communion kneeling or standing at the rail, OR receive at the base of the chancel steps. Those who sit in odd numbered rows commune at the steps, and those sitting in even numbered rows commune at the altar. It really works! When you sit in the pew, if you see an “S” that means you will commune at the steps. If you see an “A” that means you commune at the altar. Ushers guide all those in the even numbered pews forward first, to commune at the rail. All those in odd numbered pews commune last, when the servers move down to the base of the steps. As always, servers will take communion to anyone who wishes to receive it in the pew. |
The Pastor's Pen
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Christmas Boutique
Vendor & Craft Fair Saturday, Dec. 4th Stampin’ Up!, Mary Kay, Tupperware, $1 admission includes ticket for door prize drawing Get a lot of your Christmas shopping done on this day! Would you like a table at this event? Contact Shari Dudek “God With Us: A Study of Matthew’s Gospel” Advent begins November 28, which marks the beginning of a new church year, and a change in the Gospel from which our Sunday morning readings are taken. Readings rotate in a three year cycle. Year A is Matthew, Year B is Mark (with a lot of John), and Year C is Luke. This next year is an “A” year. To better prepare for hearing the word each Sunday, a six week study of Matthew’s Gospel will be offered Tuesday mornings from 9:30-10:30 beginning November 16. The study group will not meet Dec. 21 or 28. The last session of this study will be January 4. “Living the Lectionary” Bible Study will continue, exploring the upcoming Sunday’s lessons, January 11 and Tuesdays following, from 9:30-10:30. The study will be a combination of DVD presentations (by Trinity Seminary New Testament professor Mark Allen Powell), and group discussion around key themes of Matthew’s Gospel, especially those themes that are the heart of our congregation’s ministry.
“One For All” Christmas Card Soon it will be time to prepare for Christmas. That often includes the sending of Christmas cards. Many of our members exchange Christmas cards with each other. Actually, we can give our personal greetings and hugs to each other in church when we come for worship, study or meetings. With this in mind, it has been suggested that we each bring our family Christmas card to be displayed for all the members to see. This would allow us to use the portion of our time and money used on the purchase, mailing and writing of cards in a more meaningful way.
Angel Tree Each family at Holy Cross is invited to contribute an angel ornament to decorate the tree in our Fellowship Hall. Whether you are a new member or if you’ve been with us for years, if you’ve never given an ornament, you can! You can also replace your ornament if you feel like it’s time for a new one. Bring it in anytime. Please include your family name on the ornament, too. It’s fun to look at the tree and see who brought in each one. The Sunday after Thanksgiving, a display area for the posting of cards will be made available across from our church mail boxesHospice 101: Informational Session About Hospice Care Sunday Nov. 14 11:30-12:15 in the Library Kimberly Fix, a representative from Hospice of Michigan, will offer a brief introduction to hospice care and answer any questions you may have. Refreshments will be provided. This is an opportunity to become acquainted with this option for end of life care that is focused on comfort, rather than cure. Please remember that the angels must be appropriate for church - i.e. no angels golfing, fishing, or other noveltiesWANTED A child at Coolidge Elementary school needs someone who believes in them, cares about them, and is willing to spend just one hour a week only with them! We are looking for 5 good people. If you are one of them, KEEP UP WITH DONNA MATTEIS’S EXPERIENCE IN JERUSALEM Holy Cross life-long member Donna Matteis is serving for three months in Jerusalem in the ecumenical accompaniment program. (EAPPI). She is posting reflections on her experience on the internet. These postings are called a “blog,” short for “web log.” You can access her reflections at: www.mid-eastpeace2010.blogspot.com Lynda Franklin is posting hard copies of her reflections on the kiosk in the narthex, and collecting them in a loose-leaf notebook in the library. Continue to keep Donna in your prayers, and be open to learning about what is really going on in Israel and Palestine as we pray for a just and lasting peace
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