FEBRUARY
IS LOVE, HOPE AND FAITH
February
is a month of freezing temperatures and groundhog shadows, snow and
winter sports, valentines and tokens of Love.
In our house this means a continuation of the care and feeding of the
animals that share our forest home – the mourning doves and
chickadees, the blue jays and nuthatches, the woodpeckers hanging on
the suet ball, and, in addition this year, a flock of wild turkeys
who’ve taken to grazing beneath our birdfeeder. Birdseed has become
a regular expense on our monthly budget as has a box of apple drops
for the deer whose hoof-prints trail throughout our property.
Another
sign of February in our house is the barrel of potting soil thawing
beside the woodstove and the stack of seed catalogs growing on the
table with pages earmarked for new plants to try. We start our
planting before the end of February – precious little seeds of Hope
in
starter flats.
In
this month of love and hope we begin the season of Lent and a chance
to get closer to our Lord. Ash Wednesday, always the beginning of
introspection for me, is a time to ask God, “Am I doing all you
need of me?” Lent is a time to renew my Faith,
to read devotions, the Bible, and other interpretations of God’s
gifts, to pray from my heart, and to walk closer with our Lord.
In
this spirit, I wish you all the time to pray with introspection and
to share God’s gifts of Love and Hope and Faith. -- Donna
Simmons
Thrivent
Supports Congregations
For
the past 7 years, Thrivent Financial Services for Lutherans has made
about $1,300 available annually to each Lutheran congregation
throughout the country. The funds at Holy Cross have been used for
many small misc. items and causes that otherwise were not in the
Church budget. Three Thrivent members at Holy Cross have formed the
coordinating committee to see that these funds were directed in an
appropriate manner.
Some
of the more significant usages lately have been: 2009, $400 for a lap
top computer for running informational slide shows on our TV set,
located at times in the Narthex; 2007, $750 towards the cost of the
new ceiling fans in Luther Hall; 2006, $850 to start off the new
Hymnal purchase drive.
In
between these major gifts there has been $1,000 for Aim and Vicar
scholarship needs, $1,200 for world hunger. $1,600 for youth and
Sunday school equipment & supplies; $900 for Camp Calumet and
Royal Family Kids Camp scholarships. At least another 18 causes were
the benefactors of smaller Thrivent grants.
In
2010, this fraternal grant program will be ending. In its place will
be a program known as “Thrivent Choice”, where each “benefit”
member of Thrivent will be given the opportunity to designate a
certain amount of fraternal grant money to an approved Lutheran
entity of choice. Colleges, Seminaries, Camps, Social Service
agencies and Congregations are among the most prominent of the
approved recipients.
While
the details are still being established, their recent information on
this reads as follows: “On
average, eligible members will be able to direct
between
$25 and $100, though some may direct significantly more.”
(the amount will vary according to the level of business
participation the member has with Thrivent products)
We
look to turn this change into a new opportunity for our Holy Cross
Thrivent members to be more directly involved in some of these fine
causes. We also hope to be able to interest other York County
Thrivent members who are not affiliated with Holy Cross to join with
us in support of the type of church and community service that has
been carried out over the past 7 years.
DEATH
OF DRAMA CONSULTANT
We
recently learned of the death of John Steven Paul on July 10, 2009.
John was the drama consultant who came to Holy Cross in 2007 from
Valparaiso University and led us in a drama workshop. This workshop
was part of our first Worship Renewal Grant. A memorial service was
held at Valparaiso in September at which many former students
performed as well as the university’s Bach Choir. He was much
loved and respected and he certainly inspired those of us at Holy
Cross who participated in his workshop.
Holy
Cross Lutheran Church 2nd
Annual Florida Reunion
Who:
Any and all present and/or former members invited .
Where:
Home of Betty and Bob Kreie in Sarasota, Fl. 34234
When:
February 14th
2010
Social Hour: renewal of
friendships-12.30 appox
Dinner
-2pm. with Betty’s Famous spaghetti sauce
Desert
to follow.
Come
and renew old friendships. For some of us, they and we might really
be old. You will not have to climb stairs. Bedrooms available for
anyone who would like overnight accommodations on Saturday or Sunday
(first come first serve).Church is at Concordia Lutheran where Bob
and Betty attend. There are other numerous Lutheran churches in the
area.
Come
one-Come all—the more the better. See you on the 14th.
Upcoming
Youth Activities
February
19-21: Annual 8th
– 12th
Grade Ski Trip to Sunday River.
We will again be staying
at the home of the Ballutte’s in Bethel, about 10 Minutes from the
base of Sunday River. We will leave Kennebunk around 5:30 on Friday
the 19th ,
ski Saturday and Sunday, and return to Kennebunk around 6:00 PM or so
on Sunday. Cost to be determined. Friends are invited as well! A sign
up sheet will soon be posted in the Narthex. See Diver Dan for more
information.
February
28 – after 2nd
Service: 4th
Grade - college age Snow Tubing at Windham fun parks
We will leave Kennebunk
shortly after second service on the 28th,
and head to Seacoast fun Parks in Windham. Cost around $20 or so
will cover snow tubing, snacks, and Hot Chocolate at the lodge.
Friends are invited as well! Look for a sign up in early February.
See Diver Dan for more information.
FRIENDSHIP
LUNCH
Friendship
lunch is served the second Monday of each month. The next one will be
Monday, Feb. 15th from noon until 1 p.m. It is a rewarding and fun
experience, so please contact Mary Keating or Vi Stephens if you
would like to help out at the meals, donate food or even donate money
for this worthy cause. Thank you!
THANK
YOU!
I
cannot tell you how surprised and thrilled I was to receive the
beautiful quilt that marked the end of my internship year. All of
your signatures will forever remind me of the wonderful people at
Holy Cross. A special appreciation goes out to those who stitched and
quilted and secretly gathered signatures. It is a gift that I will
cherish wherever I go.
With
gratitude and love, Karen
Holy
Cross on Facebook
We’ve
joined the twenty-first century! Holy Cross Lutheran Church has a
page on the popular networking site, Facebook, and the number of fans
keeps growing. It’s a great way to keep informed of upcoming
events and activities. Just search “Holy Cross Kennebunk” from
within Facebook, and see what’s up!
Epiphany
Concert CD
Great
thanks are owed to Rich McBrine, sound engineer extraordinaire, for
recording and producing the beautiful CD of the 2009 Epiphany Concert
presented by the combined choirs of Ogunquit Baptist Church and Holy
Cross. The CD features lovely solos by our own Schuyler and Owen
White, Cathy Hammond, and Danielle Mills, as well as friends of Holy
Cross Nancy Paige Gerber and Alex Pratt.
Given
that production was not complete until mid-December, the response was
very gratifying. As of this writing, 40 CD’s have been sold,
raising $400 for the Holy Cross Music Ministries. Now that the
Christmas season is over, the CD’s will no longer be available in
the Narthex, but orders can be placed by contacting Warren or Jane
King.This coming Fall, CD’s will
hopefully be placed in retail outlets as well, for the coming
Christmas season.
ASH
WEDNESDAY
Ash
Wednesday marks the beginning of the holy season of Lent, the 40 days
before Easter. A service with Holy Communion and the imposition of
ashes will be held on Wednesday, February 17th
at 7:00.
SOUP
AND BREAD LENTEN SERVICES
Beginning
February 28th,
on Thursdays during the season of Lent, we will be making time for a
simple meal of soup and bread, followed by the night prayer service
of Compline. Join us for this opportunity to gather together for a
meal and meditation on our Lenten journey to the cross. Supper will
be served at 6:00, with services at 6:30. On March 18th,
instead of soup, we will join the Harvest Café for supper at 5:30
with worship at 6:30.
Holiday
Decorations
If you’ve ever helped
with the Christmas decorating at Holy Cross, you know how grim it is
to climb to and from the unlit tower storage room. Thanks to Roger
Rotvig’s carpentry skills, we now have a clean and bright storage
space in the church basement. As we fill the new shelves, we will be
sorting through all the decorations that have collected in that attic
over the years, to save and store just those that are in good
condition and usable, or perhaps have a special sentimental
connection. If you know who the donors were for particular items,
please contact Jane King
Every effort will be made to contact donors as to their preferences
regarding their gifts.
YOUNG
AT HEART
Join
us for a Valentine’s Tea Party at the home of Mary Keating on
Friday, February 12th
at high noon (12:00!!) Come as you are or dress in style. Please
sign up in the Narthex.
GAME NIGHT IN SPRINGVALE
Those
of you who live in Springvale, Acton, or Sanford and usually travel a
long way to church activities, are invited to an evening of games and
fun, including dessert, at the home of Linda Gaidimas in Springvale.
We will gather at 7:00 on Friday, February 5th.
Arrangements can be made for separate activities/supervision for
children. Please RSVP to Linda or the church office.
TON
OF FOOD DRIVE
Social
Concerns will once again be sponsoring a drive to collect a ton of
food for the Kennebunk Food Pantry. Our kick-off will be on Sunday,
February 14th .
Each week we will weigh and track our donations on a poster and then
take the food to the pantry. Our game plan is to collect a ton, 2000
pounds, of food by Easter. We welcome all of our fans to help us
reach our goal.
Share the Bounty Volunteers
It was with much
thought and consideration that the bean supper was canceled on
January 2nd.
It just seemed like the weather was going to be too dangerous for
volunteers and guest to be out driving.
Thank you to all who
volunteered for that bean supper. It was wonderful to see the new
names appear on the sign-up sheet. It is hoped that the cancellation
will not dampen the enthusiasm to serve.
A new sign-up will be
posted each month. The following items will still need to be
attended to in order to produce the bean supper.
Shopping
for the ingredients done a week before the bean supper (beans, mayo,
brown sugar, molasses, etc.). A list will be provided each month.
Shopping
for the perishable ingredients done the day before the bean supper
(hot dogs, bacon, cabbage, carrots, etc.). A list will be provided
each month.
Sorting
and soaking the beans done on Friday night. Ten pounds of beans
need to be sorted through to check for bad beans and stones and then
soaked in water in big pots, five pounds per pot.
Starting
the beans by 9:00 Saturday morning. A recipe/training will be
provided.
Watching
the beans and stirring them all day. Adjusting seasonings as they
cook.
Shredding
the cabbage and carrots for the cole slaw, usually done before 2:00
on Saturday so it is ready.
Setting
up the kitchen for the serving (preparing pots to cook the hot dogs,
setting out serving bowls and spoons, etc.)
Making
the cole slaw (recipe will be provided).
Setting
up the tables at 2:45 (putting the tables and chairs in place,
putting out place mats, plates, silverware, condiments, etc.).
Setting
up the desert, drinks, bread tables.
Serving
the meal from 3:45 or so to 6:00.
Doing
the dishes during the meal.
Cleaning
up and putting things away.
The
next bean supper is scheduled for February 6th.
Please check the board in the Narthex to see if there is any slots
available and consider volunteering. It is a fulfilling experience!!
Thank you!
SOCIAL
CONCERNS WORK DAY
On
Saturday, January 30th ,
from 9-1, we will be making pillows for cancer and surgery patients.
Please join us. Lunch is included.
STORM
CANCELLATIONS
Although
we hope that we won't have to cancel services here at Holy Cross, it
does happen on occasion. If you are wondering if a service is
canceled, please call the church office or check the website
(www.kennebunklutheran.org).
Both the answering machine and the website are updated as soon as a
decision is made. TV stations will also be called but sometimes it
takes a while for the cancellation to be noted. Please check before
driving over. We want everyone to be safe. Thank you!
JOKE OF THE MONTH
by
Jack Bates
Three
buildings in town were overrun by squirrels --- the town hall, the
hardware store and the church. The town hall brought in some cats.
But after they tore up all the files, the town manager got rid of the
predators, and soon the squirrels were back.
Ace
hardware humanely trapped the squirrels and set them free outside
town. But three days later, the squirrels climbed back in.
Only
the Lutherans came up with an effective solution. They baptized the
squirrels and made them members. Now they see them only on Christmas
and Easter.
Love
is a symbol of eternity. It wipes out all sense of time, destroying
all memory of a beginning and all fear of an end. ~Author Unknown
