Other Newsletters June 20, 2010 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 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

Monthly Article from a Council Member

Advent – the four weeks before December 25th when we prepare for the birth of the Christ Child. The Christmas Season – the time from Halloween to December 25th when all the retailers try to separate us from our money. (This used to start on Thanksgiving.) Personally, I prefer Advent. It is much calmer, more relaxing, and shorter than The Christmas Season. It directs our attention in the right direction – toward Christ. And it does not need to exclude the fun things that are part of The Christmas Season. We can still give gifts, attend parties and concerts, and go sleigh riding with friends. We just need to keep things in perspective. Advent is the time of preparation for the big event, not the time to shop ‘till we drop.

I sometimes like to imagine that I am in charge of a whole town and can dictate how we will celebrate Christmas. First, there would be no street decorations until the day after Thanksgiving. The Nativity Scene would be just as valid a decoration as Santa Claus, because Jesus really is the reason for the season. The only parties and concerts before Christmas would be in the schools for the children. We would all put up our trees on Christmas Eve so we could enjoy them, not be sick and tired of them because they have been up since Thanksgiving. We would have our parties and open houses between Christmas and New Year’s Day as we celebrate the Birth of Christ and share His peace with all. We would sing Christmas carols all week and the radio stations would play only Christmas music. All the good Christmas stories would be on TV when the children could stay up to watch them.

But I am not in charge, so I have to make do with things as they are. As much as possible I will try to ignore the crass commercialism that has taken over Christmas. It is hard not to sing those carols when they are blaring in the mall, but I will try to hold off until I can belt them out in church on Christmas Eve and at the service of Lessons and Carols. I will listen attentively to the readings on the Sundays in Advent. And I pray that you and I are prepared for the coming of the Christ Child.

Peace to All,
Ann Scott

By the time this Crier article reaches many of you we will be well into the Advent season, making plans and preparations to celebrate the birth of Christ.  What a wonderful season!  We begin to fill with the anticipation of seeing the joy in the eyes of family and friends as they receive the special gifts we have found or prepared for them.

You have also received a letter from the Holy Cross Stewardship Committee asking for your prayerful consideration of a gift of your time and talents, as well as your continued financial support for our Church.  We ask that you prayerfully consider your pledge in light of what you and God decide is right.

By the second Sunday in Advent, we hope to have all of your pledges in hand, so that we can work with Council and the Congregation, guided by the Holy Spirit to plan next year.  If any member or friend of the congregation has a question, or would like to talk with a member of the Stewardship Committee, contact Mike Scott at 282-4579, and we'll try to get you an answer.

You know haw much Holy Cross means to you, you know how much we try to do in God's name, you know how good you feel when you give gifts at Christmas.  Think of your pledge this year as a gift to the Christ Child that will last all year long.

God Bless us, everyone.
The Stewardship Committee

Joe, Sarah and I would like to express our deepest gratitude to everyone who supported us during Joe and my recent hospitalizations. The positive thoughts and prayers mean so much to us. We are indeed blessed to belong to such a caring and supportive community. All of the meals were delicious and Joe really appreciated the visits from all of the people who stopped by. God bless all of you!!!!

Joe & Pam Hepp

The trustees are doing some much-needed housecleaning in our church properties. Some of the items no longer needed are usable albeit with some TLC. We would ask all to check out these things, which will be in the church basement on Dec.5th between services and after 2nd service. If you do not have need of anything perhaps someone you known might.  All not removed will be disposed of at a cost to the church. We ask that in the future before you plan to donate an item please check with pastor, the council or a trustee as to its need. We also ask that when an item is no longer used to please dispose of it in a timely fashion.

Available: 
2 ceiling fans, 4 florescent lights (workshop type), computers, small bookcase, 4 drawer chest and a quilt to name a few.

What if the Spirit of Holy God was to break through into the body of churchgoers everywhere?

What if youth and adult experienced Spirit led repentance?  Revived in spirit they would be freed to Praise God from the heart, and to enter increased worship of God, who loved us so much He gave His only Son, Jesus Christ, to live and die on earth so He could be born again in our hearts, that we might live Spirit filled lives in this world.

What if we could live in the Glory of the Living, Risen Christ...the Glory of God's grace?

What if during this Advent season, we would pray and ask that God's transforming power change each of us into the Likeness of Jesus Christ, "from one degree to another?" (2Cor.3:18) to become fruitful ministers of God's gifting, each one according to his/her calling?

Would we wait for a better offer?

On December 5^th we will carpool to Portland to a concert at First Lutheran by the now infamous group "A Bunch of Guys." This group is mostly former Calumet staff, led by Dave Piper and Knute Ogren. They made the CD "Take a Breath" which has raised over $50,000 for world hunger. The concert will feature a new CD, the proceeds all designated for hunger. This concert of Christian music is for all ages and for a great cause. For further information on any youth events see Barbara Horner.

A new Women’s Support Group has started on Wednesday evenings, twice a month, from 7-8:30 at LSH, during the time period of confirmation. It is not at all limited to mothers of confirmands, but it is scheduled to coincide with the picking up of their children. In addition to prayer and devotion, we will be sharing the joys and challenges of being a Christian woman in the 21st century. The group will meet only once in December, on the 8th. We will be discussing John Grisham’s book, Skipping Christmas, a lighthearted approach to managing all of the stress of the holidays. Contact Karen for further information.