Other Newsletters March 29, 2010 January 25, 2010 December 24, 2009 November 24, 2009 November 02, 2009 October 01, 2009 September 02, 2009 July 25, 2009 June 24, 2009 April 25, 2009 March 21, 2009 February 19, 2009 January 24, 2009 December 25, 2008 November 30, 2008 October 25, 2008 October 05, 2008 August 25, 2008 July 21, 2008 May 27, 2008 May 05, 2008 April 06, 2008 February 27, 2008 February 03, 2008 January 06, 2008 December 07, 2007 November 05, 2007 October 01, 2007 September 03, 2007 July 13, 2007 June 03, 2007 April 28, 2007 April 06, 2007 March 02, 2007 February 04, 2007 January 07, 2007 November 30, 2006 August 19, 2006 July 01, 2006 May 29, 2006 April 29, 2006 April 02, 2006 February 25, 2006 January 28, 2006 January 08, 2006 December 03, 2005 October 27, 2005 October 02, 2005 August 25, 2005 July 01, 2005 May 26, 2005 April 27, 2005 March 30, 2005 February 20, 2005 January 26, 2005 January 03, 2005 December 01, 2004 October 28, 2004 October 09, 2004 September 19, 2004 July 29, 2004 July 08, 2004 May 26, 2004 April 23, 2004 March 27, 2004 November 06, 2003 October 11, 2003

SUMMER 2010

From the Pastor...

My wife and I were recently in Boston. We drove into the city, parked the car, and met Barbara's niece, Summer, who had come up from New York City on the bus. The day was a humid one, with a forecast that included the possibility of afternoon thunder showers.

We enjoyed a walking tour of Boston Common and the Public Garden, as the sun went in and out behind the clouds, and a soft breeze blew occasionally to give some relief from the warm temperature. Then we continued on foot quite a few blocks down Boylston Street, to visit a tourist site Summer had seen advertised on a brochure, as the sky became more and more overcast.

Afterwards, we hopped on a city bus for a trip over the Charles River into Cambridge, to get a bite to eat at our favorite Mexican restaurant. As we rode down Mass Ave toward Harvard Square, we could see a pitch-black line of angry-looking clouds moving in. When we stepped off the bus, a few huge drops of rain were beginning to fall. Hurrying along the sidewalk, we were buffeted by some strong gusts of wind. Reaching our destination, we went inside and were shown to our table.

No sooner had we settled into our seats, than the sky outside unleashed a torrent that was something to behold. Looking through the large plate-glass windows, we could see massive quantities of water bursting forth from the heavens. The wind had increased to what looked like gale force, driving the downpour in a near horizontal direction. As our waiter handed us our menus, he commented: "I've never seen a white out condition like that, just from rain!"

Once dinner was over, we headed back outside. There were still some puddles as we walked along the street, but the rain had stopped falling, the wind was no longer howling, the sun was beginning to peak through the clouds again, and the air was no longer hot and humid, but instead felt fresh, clean, and invigorating.

Reflecting on that recent experience, I see some connections with the life of faith.

Into your life, there sometimes come dark and threatening clouds. The specific form they take can vary. It might take the form of watching on the nightly news as crude from an oil well continues to gush into the waters off the Gulf coast. It might take the form of financial insecurity caused by an anemic economy -- or worse yet, by the loss of your job. It might take the form of a family member who is struggling to find their way in life -- a loved one who is confused or aimless, or who is plagued by physical or mental illness. It might take the form of personal loneliness, sadness, or grief.

Whatever the specific problem might be, it looms over you like a storm ready to unleash its fury. The prospect of being caught by it out in the open, makes you feel vulnerable and afraid.

It would be pushing the metaphor too far to say that living by faith in relationship with Jesus, will completely protect you from all the effects of such storms. As though faith in Christ means you will always be afforded a place to ride out the storm, completely untouched by the downpour.

The truth of the matter is that you do sometimes get wet -- in fact, you may at times get drenched. Trouble may come that you wish with all your heart could have been avoided altogether.

And yet it is also true to say that Christ is with you, when your soul encounters stormy weather. Christ is with you, to provide protection and shelter, so your spirit does not drown, is not swept away. Christ is with you, to bring you safely through -- to that place and time where once again you feel the sun shining upon your spirit, and a fresh, clean breeze invigorating your soul.

Yours in Christ,

Pastor Rich 

THANK YOU

Dearest Friends,

I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for the lovely reception and send-off that you had for me on my last Sunday at Holy Cross. The many gifts and cards are so appreciated. I was overwhelmed by the gift of money and your generosity. The memory book will always be cherished.

It was a very bitter-sweet occasion. I have had wonderful years at Holy Cross and I have been very sad about leaving. You will be missed. At the same time, I am also looking forward to the next step on my journey. You will not be far from me in spirit and in prayer.

“I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 1:3-6)

Love and blessings,

Karen

MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT 

Dear fellow members of Holy Cross Lutheran Church,

I am writing today to ask all of you to stop and look at our church. Not from the standpoint of looking at the building, grounds, or facilities, but look at the people who are among us. Our church does not run by itself. We need not just a Pastor, music director, and secretary to make things work; most importantly, we need fellow members to take active roles on boards and committees to make things happen.

I know that you are all aware of the recent loss of several members of the church. We all have decisions to make in our life. These decisions are very personal and I know that they are made after careful and prayerful consideration as to how we should proceed. Our decisions can affect not only us, but also on the members of our immediate family and on the members of our greater family, the church. We must respect and honor the decisions made by our members and move on accordingly.

We are going through a time of change at Holy Cross that will be exciting and may be a little rough at times. We are asking our leaders to take on more responsibilities, we have a very tight budget this year that thankfully is going very well so far, and we are faced with the future task of performing maintenance projects that are long overdue. As with all challenges, there comes an opportunity to succeed, learn, and grow from the experience. This is where I see us as we move forward to fulfill God’s purpose for his church, Holy Cross.

In the next several months, we will be having temple talks and presentations at each service focusing on the boards and committees at Holy Cross. These presentations will show you who is on each board and committee, what the responsibilities are, how often they meet, and what special talents or gifts, if any, are required or useful to possess. The most important message that I hope you hear and see from these presentations is that we need you, our brother and sister in Christ, to take an active role in our church.

We have immediate openings on several committees that are very important to Holy Cross. These include Deacons, LOGOS coordinator and staff members, worship assistants, and choir. There will be a signup sheet in the Narthex available so that you can see how many members are needed for each committee. If you have questions now, please feel free to contact Dick Eaton for Deacons, Pastor Horner for LOGOS, Sharon McGary for worship assistants, and Warren King for choir.

I ask that you all give prayerful consideration to how you can help at Holy Cross. God is the reason why we all worship here, but God also asks each one of us to use our time and talents wisely. Both you and I are needed as we go forth and proclaim God’s glory and work in His church.

Yours in Christ, Chris Cherry, Council President

MESSAGE FROM A COUNCIL MEMBER

Brotherly Love

In a sermon Pastor gave recently he mentioned the city demeanor he took on while he was in seminary in Philadelphia. When I was a young woman I worked in the same city commuting by bus from my apartment on the Jersey side of the Delaware River. I remember that rushed, no eye contact way of walking from the bus stop on Market Street, through city hall square to my office building two blocks up on Chestnut Street. City Hall, which bisects both Broad Street and Market, is a picturesque building with a statue of William Penn on top looking down upon his City of Brotherly Love.

On my way to work I joined the throng of people, all of us trying not to make eye contact. One particular morning I stood in a crowd of business men waiting for the light to change to cross the street from city hall to Broad Street. The light turned green and I stepped off the curb into the path of a car whose driver ignored, or did not see, the light change. I thank God that the two business men on either side of me grabbed my arms and yanked me back into the safety of the crowd.

That evening, two hours later than usual, I was once again hurrying to the bus stop at 13th and Market, waiting for the light to cross from city hall. Since it had been raining earlier, I was carrying an umbrella. I looked up at the men standing by the bus stop and realized that the commuter crowd had already gone. Philadelphia was a popular stop for foreign ships and a large group of sailors in unfamiliar uniforms were standing between me and the bus stop where I needed to wait for my ride home.

As a young woman I was concerned for my chances of catching my bus unmolested and I shifted my hold on the umbrella as if it were a sword. The sailors saw my grip change, and I’m sure the anxiety on my face, and parted like the Red Sea as I walked across to them. Most of them walked down the street looking for other entertainment, but as I waited, and prayed that my bus would soon arrive, a few of the sailors remained by my side. I didn’t speak their language and they didn’t try mine. No others approached me with the three of them standing on either side of me.

My bus came and one of the sailors reached out to me with a flower I had not seen before. I sniffed the blossom all the way home as I remembered my three guardian angels who’d stayed to protect this very frightened girl. I had not thought of brotherly love when I hurried back and forth to my office until that day I was rescued twice. Prayers do get answered and, this time, the City of Brotherly Love lived up to its name.

I wish you all the gift of brotherly love, both given and received.

Donna Simmons, Council Member

GOING GREEN

In the recent New England Synod Conference, a resolution was presented and voted for approval that would encourage our Lutheran churches to make a mindful effort to conserve our resources and reduce carbon emissions. I know we at Holy Cross have made conscientious efforts to use less fuel by thermostat control during the winter months and to conserve on the use of electricity, remembering to turn off stoves/ lights that are not in use.

I would like us, as a congregation, to be thinking of what we can do to cut our use of paper/ plastic supplies during our food-related functions. As Church Life chairperson, I feel we need to curb the use of our convenient, throw-away kitchen supplies and be willing to use the dishes and silverware that can be processed through our efficient dishwasher. I know we are always in a hurry to serve and clean-up after an event, but in keeping with our own good conscience and adoption of our Synod policy, I am open for suggestions about making changes so we may "be gentle with the earth". Please feel free to share any ideas you may suggest in promoting our efforts to "go green". Thanking you in advance, Sandie Hamel, Chair of Social Concerns

MONDAY MORNING GROUP

The Monday morning group meets in Luther hall from 10 a.m. until around 11:45 or so. We meet most Mondays, except for holidays and on Friendship lunch Mondays,( we set up for the lunch). We usually have coffee and muffins and work on knitting or sewing projects we have. Some people bring scrap booking projects too! During the summer months we will be working on things for the Blueberry festival in August so if you’d like to come and visit and bring your projects for yourself or the fair, we’d love to see you! If you have any questions, contact Vi Stephens or Mary Keating.

SUMMER BARBECUE

Church and Community Wide - Free Chicken BBQ on July 17th following the 5pm Saturday Service.

Bring the family, or bring a friend - and be prepared for a fun evening topped off with a Root Beer float.

There will be a sign up sheet in the Narthex for volunteers for time and/or food around the beginning of July.

For more info: Contact the Church Life Committee

Live simply.
Love generously.
Care deeply.
Speak kindly.
Leave the rest to God.

Submitted by Donna Simmons

FRIENDSHIP LUNCH

The friendship lunch is our free monthly lunch offered to the community on the second Monday of each month. During the summer months of June, July and August we will be offering more of a summer menu of grilled foods and salads that fit perfectly during the hot summer months. If you haven’t had a chance to attend one of these meals, or if you’d like to help out, please think about it! It’s a great time meeting people from our community and working with people from our congregation and getting to know them in this wonderful ministry. Everyone is welcome and we invite you to come on over and give it a try! The dates for Friendship lunch this summer are Monday, June 14th, Monday, July 12th and Monday, August 9th. The meal is always served from noon until 1 p.m. If you’d like to help out with the friendship lunch or donate something, please contact Mary Keating or Vi Stephens!

TON OF FOOD DRIVE

The "Ton of Food" drive continues! Throughout the season of Pentecost, our pledge as a church to support the Kennebunk Food Pantry goes on. So far, Holy Cross has collected and donated 849.5 lbs. of food and beverage. As we strive to reach our goal of 2,000 lbs. in provisions for local hungry adults, teens and children, please be generous in your gifts. Donations can be placed in the bins in the Narthex. These items are weighed and delivered weekly to the Food Pantry. Thank you!

PS.The Kennebunk Food Pantry has specifically requested the following items for the month of June: juice, baked beans, spaghettios, maple syrup, and small jars of mayonnaise.

CRAFT DAYS

The Social Concerns Committee will be hosting a craft-making work day on Saturday, June 26, from 9a-1p in Luther Hall. Items are being made to sell at the 4th Annual Blueberry Festival in August. A light lunch provided for crafters. All ages are welcome to help out -- we have a task for everyone!

BLUEBERRY FESTIVAL

The Fourth Annual Blueberry Festival will be on Saturday, August 14. Come peruse the tables filled with homemade crafts, try some blueberry treats (also homemade) and support a worthy cause, all at the same time! Proceeds from the event will be given to the Biddeford Free Clinic. This event has proved to be very popular not only for Holy Cross people but for the community at large. Come early to snag your favorite item! See you there!!

I just wish that He didn't trust me so much.

~Mother Teresa

This summer, the Young at Heart group will have a few activities to pick from! On Friday, June 18th at noon, there is a tea party luncheon at Mary Keating's home. Lunch will be served on the porch and there will be a great selection of summer foods and sweets and of course iced tea! The sign up sheet is on the board in the Narthex or you can call Mary.

In July, the Rotvigs are having their annual summer pot luck dinner at their home. The date for that will be Saturday, July 31st, at 5 p.m. There will be a sign up sheet for that a few weeks before the dinner.

In August, we will be going for lunch to Merriland Farms in Wells. This will be on Friday, August 27th at 11:30 a.m. We will meet there but we can car pool over from the church parking lot if people want to. More information on that will be available closer to the date and a sign up sheet will be posted also.

I’m checking into the concerts in the park that are usually offered on Wednesday evenings at the Rotary Park. I thought it would be fun to attend some of those and then maybe go over to Duffy’s for dinner after the concert. When I get more information as to if the concerts will be given etc. I will post something in the bulletin for dates and times and other pertinent information.

If anyone has any ideas of things they’d like to do or see as the Young at Heart group, please contact me and I’ll check into it!

Have a wonderful and safe summer! Mary Keating

BAOBAB BLAST is at Vacation Bible Camp!

Vacation Bible Camp is just around the corner……………………This year we’re trying something new. VBC will be held on three consecutive Saturdays in July! Each day will be packed full of fun! There will be singing, games, science, Bible stories, crafts, music and yummy food. The theme is “Baobab Blast” which is an African safari type adventure. You’ll discover the Baobab “tree” in Luther Hall and find out why this “tree of life” is so important. You’ll meet some new friends and maybe find old ones at Baobab Blast! Please invite your neighbors and friends. There is no charge for VBC. Kids of all ages (3 to 99)are invited so maybe you will invite your mom and dad, a favorite aunt or uncle or even your grandparents EVERYONE IS INVITED!! You do need to fill out a registration form and they can be found in Luther Hall on the bulletin board . Just look for the leopard print. Return them to the same spot or you can mail them to the church office at Holy Cross Lutheran Church ,2 Lord Street, Kennebunk, ME. 04043.

The dates for VBC are as follows:

Saturday, July 10th 9 a.m. until 2 p.m.

Saturday, July 17th 9 a.m. until 2 p.m.

Saturday, July 24th 9 a.m. until 2 p.m.

*Please note the time change then had been previously listed

If you have any questions or want to volunteer to help at VBC, call Mary Keating. We hope to see you there!!

VBC Craft Supplies Wish List

The following items are needed for Vacation Bible Camp. There will be a box in the Narthex for donations. Please see Cathy Hammond or Mary Keating for more information. Thank you!

5 yd. plain cotton cloth or muslin (36" wide) 3 yd. natural burlap (36" wide) Fabric paint - squeeze tubes and larger - natural earth tones Acrylic paint - multicolor Yarn, jute or string - natural earth tones Cellulose sponges Large "craft" sewing needles Plastic jewelry beads Jewelry cording/"gimp" Heart stickers "Cross" beads or charms Markers - multicolor Fabric Markers - multicolor Glue sticks Brown paper bags, lunch size Small (bathroom size) cups Masking tape 2 large bags dried beans Tissue paper, green Liquid glue (Elmer's, etc.) Multicolor construction paper (extra green, please) Paper plates (cheap kind)

Zipper type bags: sandwich size, quart freezer size Vegetable shortening - 1 tub Clear plastic cups Wooden dowels, 1/2 - 1" diameter Wooden clothes pins (w/spring) Brown and Black craft felt- 1 sheet each Empty cereal boxes Dish soap (Dawn) Old cotton towels Old newspapers Cardboard egg cartons Cotton swabs (Q-tips) For Care Kits for the homeless: Adhesive bandages (Band-aids) Small soaps/hand wipes Mini-pack tissues Travel-size toiletries: -toothbrushes -toothpaste -mouthwash -shampoo -lotion

Our monthly bean supper for July is on the 3rd This is the Fourth of July weekend so come and help out at a traditional New England bean supper. Last month's supper went very well with new and old volunteers working beautifully together to make our guests feel welcome and well fed. A special thank you to everyone who filled in on tasks that our regular volunteers were unable to do because of the Synod Assembly.

Art, our wonderful guitar player and singer can not be at the July supper. If anyone would like to provide dinner music (guitar, piano, trumpet, oboe, harp, bagpipes...any instrument will do), please see Julie Clapp.

Summer nursery schedule

The 9:45 a.m. church service stills offers nursery care during the summer months! We have moved the nursery to the much larger Sunday school area close to the old room. Please feel free to bring any child five years old or younger down there during the church service. We can always use new or gently used toys for our nursery. If you would like to make a donation, please leave the item down on the counter of the nursery area with your name on it so we can thank you ! If you have any questions about our nursery, please contact Mary Keating

I will always be grateful to all of you for sending me all the beautiful cards, prayers, and the lovely praying shawl during my recent surgery. Thank you for your thoughtfulness. Sharon Lantigua

SATURDAY SERVICE TIME CHANGE

If you are a regular attendee of the Saturday service, and even if you aren't, please take notice of the time change for July and August. Starting the first weekend in July (July 3rd), the service will start at 5:00 pm. Sometime in August, a brief survey will be taken to see how people like the time change for future scheduling ideas.

APARTMENT NEEDED

Cathy Hammond's nephew, Bobby Schroeder (BA, Gettysburg University), will be attending the Landing School in Kennebunk for the next two school years, and seeks a reasonably priced, dog-friendly (girlfriend & dogs will visit) apartment or cottage rental. Cathy will vouch for his polite and responsible nature. Contact Cathy with any information.

JOKE OF THE MONTH

By Jack Bates

Visit to the Dentist

A man and his wife walked into a dentist’s office.

The man said to the dentist, “Doc, I’m in one heck of a hurry. I have two buddies sitting out in my car waiting for us to go play golf, so forget about the anesthetic, I don’t have time for the gums to get numb. I just want you to pull the tooth, and be done with it!. We have a 10:00 AM tee time at the best golf course in Maine and it’s 9:30 already..... I don’t have time to wait for the anesthetic to work!”

The dentist thought to himself,”My goodness, this is surely a very brave man asking to have his tooth pulled without using anything to kill the pain.”

So the dentist asks him, “Which tooth is it Bob?”

The man turned to his wife and said, “Open your mouth Betty and show him.”

A perfect summer day is when the sun is shining,

the breeze is blowing, the birds are singing,

and the lawn mower is broken. ~James Dent