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Everybody can be great. Because anybody can serve. You don't have to have a college degree to serve. You don't have to make your subject and your verb agree to serve. You don't have to know the second theory of thermodynamics in physics to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love. ~Martin Luther King, Jr.
AIM RELECTIONS
Once again the children and youth in our congregation reminded us, in the annual Christmas pageant, about just how precious they are and how precious is the story they told. The story always ends with the three kings presenting their gifts to the Christ child. Gifts have become a central feature of our holiday celebrations. With the twelve days of Christmas behind us, I invite you to not put away the concept of gifts with the unused wrapping paper and ribbons. Our very lives are gifts from God, as are the many blessings that he has given to us. He instructs us to use our gifts wisely. The Old Testament prophet, Micah, (6:8) tells us that God desires not great sacrifices to him but rather three important ways to show our gratitude for all that he has done and given to us. First, we are told to do what is just. Micah is not simply referring to doing right vs. wrong. Throughout Jesus' ministry, he speaks of justice in terms of feeding the poor, being merciful to all who need compassion or healing, being a peacemaker. Micah then tells us to show love and mercy, not just to our friends, but also to our enemies and not just to those who love us, but also to those whom we have a hard time loving. Finally Micah instructs us to walk humbly with our God. Do not make a big show of what you do. And be careful of your pride. Which brings us back to those gifts that he has given to us. Knowing that our gifts are from God, we are to use them humbly, but we are to be sure to use them - not simply for self-gratification or to get ahead in this world. We are to use them to bring justice and mercy to a world that badly needs these gifts.
As you reflect on the New Year, I hope that you will remember the source of all your blessings. As you think of all that you have, not just materially, but also your gifts of body, mind and spirit, I pray that you would use your gifts and talents for the good of others, as well as for your own self care. In so doing, God will be glorified and you will be filled with God's spirit of love and compassion. Serving you in love, joy and peace, Karen
WHAT IS A KING?
Recently the 4th - 6th grade LOGOS class was asked to describe what a person needed to do or be to become a king. This assignment was given to finish a Bible Skills segment on the Kings of the Old Testament leading into the birth of Jesus Christ. Their answers were very thought provoking and so I would like to share them with you.
A king is smart
A king is a wise ruler.
A king should like everyone, even those people who are "have-nots". (Interpreted the writer meant that everyone should be treated equally).
Sometimes kings are very rich.
Kings may take revenge
Kings are nice, caring and they do what is right for their people and their country.
A king should listen to his people.
In discussing these descriptions with the class, we determined that not all of these statements could apply to all kings, and that Kings actions depended upon many things. The class did agree that there was one person who could fit all of these descriptions all of the time, thus being a great ruler.
How fitting it is that as we prepare to celebrate the birth of Gods Son, that these young people were able to come up with a meaningful description of Jesus our Savior. Definitely a King for all time and for all people. Deadra D'Addeo
ST. STEPHEN'S IN BROOKLYN
A group of Holy Cross folks are going to Brooklyn during the MLK weekend (January 14-15) to visit the congregation from which the Steel Drum Orchestra originated. You will need to pay your own expenses but sleeping in the church is an option and some meals will be provided. See Karen if you would like to go. There are tentative plans for a larger trip to happen in the spring - details will be forthcoming.
CHRISTMAS PAGEANT
The Christmas Pageant was held on Sunday, December 18th at the 10:45 service. The Senior High Logos group, and the Sunday school youth, had been working together since November to present this Christmas play. They all worked very hard and it was a wonderful pageant! A very big thank you goes out to the following for all their help with the pageant! Allison Janiak, Ryan Richmond, Emilie Brady, Katie Anderson, Tom Cherry, Christine Sullivan, Schuyler White, Karen Indorf, Michele Janiak and Mary Keating. Also a thank you to all the people who showed up to the sewing party to make, repair and iron pageant costumes. Thank you Vi Stephens, Dorothy and Sarah Haws, Cathy Bansmer, Karen Indorf, Marie-Louise Doe, Emilie Brady, Allie Janiak, Katie Anderson, and Heidi. The children all looked terrific and we now have costumes all ready for next year!
WINTER TEA PARTY
The Young at Heart group is invited to attend a Tea party at the home of Mary Keating. This will be on Friday, January 13th from 1:00 p.m. until 3:00. Please RSVP to Mary. Im am looking forward to this fun event! Call me if you need to find out where I live! Thank you!
PRAYER PARTNERS
The history of the Prayer Chain at Holy Cross started under the direction of John Corgan, former Pastor at Holy Cross. Ruth Bentley, Ruth Fraser and Bob Evans initiated the project which started as a true telephone prayer chain where one person received a phoned in prayer request and prayerfully phoned that need to the next person on the list, with the process continued until the 15 committed prayer people had been contacted and were agreeing in prayer before the Lord. Many answers to prayers were experienced and glowing testimonies continue to be shared as to the Power of God's merciful intervention in the lives of those who were prayed for as well as those who prayed.
Matt. 18: 10-20 Jesus spoke, "and again I say to you, that if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it shall be done by My Father who is in heaven. For where two or more are gathered in My Name, I am there in their midst." .....Hebrews 4:16, "Therefore let us draw boldly and with confidence, before the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and help in time of need." Scripture holds many more promises of the Living God that are not to be taken lightly. Andrew Murray, writer of many books on prayer calls prayer, "a sleeping giant in the Body of Christ, the church," that waits to be awakened by the prayers of the people.
Prayer life is an essential part of church life....The prayer ministry at Holy Cross is now officially called, "Prayer Partners," and is under the Council listing of Deacons and is overseen by Bob Kreie, Deacons Chairperson. The ministry is expanding because of the call of Holy Spirit on people's hearts to become a people of prayer, a people of the heart, a people who hear His cry for prayer and who are willing to respond to the prayer needs of others and the community. Prayer is also a vital part of Evangelism and the church's role to spread the Good News of the Lord Jesus Christ throughout the world without leaving our homes..........."Prayer Partners," is renewing it's invitation to persons of all ages to be part of this significant ministry that can help touch countless lives thru Christ Prayer Partners is made up of people who will pray for a few minutes for the needs or celebrations forwarded to them via phone or e-mail. God absorbs all prayers and is generous to shower blessings on those who serve in this humble but fulfilling ministry.
Connie Orme and Helen Collamati are now reorganizing Prayer Partners to suit the current needs of Holy Cross. The immediate plan is to streamline the current flow of phone calls by being in touch with our faithful phone partners whose long time and continued participation is so appreciated. The second part of the plan is to take advantage of the computer technology at Holy Cross and within the congregation, by creating a data base of persons who have computers and are willing to be included in this ministry by e-mail. This way e-mail prayer messages could be forwarded to Prayer Partners on the data-base....no need for them to forward anything else............just take advantage of the moment a message is received to utter a prayer intended for the specific need. Cooperating on these two plans would facilitate the need of the church to intervene for the church, it's members and the community.
Here comes the hard part.....we need you to come alongside and give these thoughts some prayer.....if you would like to come aboard as a Prayer Partner please notify the office, and leave your name and phone number and/or your email address. You may also call Connie or Helen, Joyfully Christ's, Helen Collamati
The Will of God will never take you to where the Grace of God will not protect you.
RENEWING WORSHIP GRANT
A grant proposal for some Lilly Foundation money that is available for helping with the costs of congregational efforts related to renewing worship is being submitted. The focus of the proposal from Holy Cross is to bring in some consultants who would help us to think about possibilities for worship that would enhance our music, art and worship services, especially during the coming year when the ELCA new hymnal and worship resources will be published. We will be notified in May as to whether our proposal is funded. An ad hoc committee has formulated the proposal and Karen is writing it. The committee members are Pastor, Karen, Mike Scott, Paula Dennison, Cheryl Mills and Linda Gaidimas.
EVENING BIBLE STUDY
Pastor Horner will be teaching an evening Bible Study beginning Thursday January 12, 2006. The class will run for six sessions, with the subsequent meetings being on January 19th, January 26th, February 2nd, February 9th, and February 16th. We will meet in Luther Hall, except on the two Thursdays when Harvest Café is serving a meal - on those days we will meet downstairs in the Sunday School area. Each class will run from 7pm to 8:30 pm. If you can't make all of the sessions, you are still welcome to come for as many as you are able to attend.
CHURCH SEASONS
"...We saw His star in the east and have come to worship him." Matthew 2:2
January 6th of each year mark the observance of Epiphany, which commemorates the visitation of the Three Kings, Christs manifestation to the Gentiles. This event carries further significance, as the spreading of Christianity to all lands, to all people, for all ages. Led by the star, the Magi found Jesus, with His mother, Mary, and believed Him to be the King of the Jews as was foretold. Scripture tells us they brought the Christ Child gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh, and bowed down in worship. Gold is the symbolic gift for the King; frankincense is the gift to One who is Divine, and myrrh, the emblem of death, is the gift to a Sufferer. Christians see these gifts as representations of offerings to Christ of wealth, adoration, and self-sacrifice.*
The days of Christmas, Epiphany and the Baptism of Our Lord are observed with vestments and paraments of white, the color of innocence, purity and holiness. The season of Epiphany, which extends to the day of the Transfiguration of Our Lord and the season of Lent, uses the color green, signifying spring, and the triumph of life over death.
*from Signs & Symbols in Christian Art, George Ferguson
FLOWER DEDICATIONS
The Guild wishes to invite parishioners to sign up for dedicating altar flowers for the coming year. The calendar is posted on the bulletin board in the Narthex. More than one dedication per Sunday is welcomed and can be easily be accommodated. Donations can be for any amount, and may be given via the offering plate in the Flower Fund envelopes. Remember that you may take the flowers home following the second service. Thank you!
CHOIR NOTES
By the time you read this article the Christmas Season will be over and we will be in the season of Epiphany (when God shows himself to us). The worship services over the Christmas season were inspiring and frankly a lot of fun to do. The music of the season is wonderful and it was good to hear so many people making a "joyful noise". I would like to thank all those who were involved with the music for the Advent and Christmas season this year. It is a sheer joy to be surrounded by such wonderful talent. We are truly blessed here at Holy Cross to have so many people who participate in the music program. I can only pray that it continues. Peace, Warren
KNITTING BEE
The Social Concerns Committee is sponsoring a knitting bee on Saturday, January 21st from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm. A light breakfast of scones, muffins and other goodies will be provided along with a lunch of soup and bread. We will be knitting scarves, hats and mittens to benefit the shelter and Sweetser kids. This is open to everyone of all gender and ages. Come even if you don't know how to knit - there will be plenty of teachers on hand to teach you. If you don't have knitting needles or yarn, there will be some available to use. If you start a project and can't finish it that day, we will be collecting all finished pieces on Sunday, February 5th. If you have any questions, please see a member of the Social Concerns Committee.
CHURCH LIFE COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSON
The Church Council is seeking a chairperson for the Church Life Committee. This person would be in charge of coordinating the various functions, which Church Life sponsors. These functions include the hosting of receptions for baptisms, confirmation, and new members. The committee also hosts the Lenten Bread and Soup meals and the Easter Breakfast. In recent years the committee has sponsored a spring picnic and softball game and has arranged for some scrapbooking mornings throughout the year.
The chair of the committee would keep kitchen supplies up to date and keep account of the money spent and a small budget. They would also help to keep order in the kitchen and refrigerator (this is also the job of whoever uses the kitchen). The committee itself needs to meet only occasionally. If you feel led to serve your church in this capacity, or if you have further questions, contact a council member, Pastor, or Karen.
A committee becomes a team when all members are sure enough of themselves and their contribution to praise the skills of the other.
Past the seeker as he prayed came the crippled and the beggar and the beaten. And seeing them... he cried, "Great God, how is it that a loving creator can see such things and yet do nothing about them?" God said, "I did do something. I made you." ~Author Unknown
YOUTH SKI TRIP
The dates for the Youth Ski Trip this year are February 10-12, 2006. We will leave late Friday afternoon and return around 8 or 9pm on Sunday. The trip is open to youth in middle school or high school, and friends are welcome to come along too. We will be staying at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Rutland, Vermont and skiing at OKEMO Mountain. A $25 nonrefundable deposit will have to be turned in by February 1st. A sheet listing the cost for food and transportation, as well as lift ticket and rental prices, is available on the white board in the entryway at the church, along with a sign up sheet. So talk to your friends and add your name to the list soon! If you have any questions, please contact the church office.
ANNUAL MEETING
The annual Congregational meeting will be on Sunday, January 29th after the second service. If you are a voting member, please plan on attending. We have a number of important issues to vote on including the 2006 church budget. Thank you!!
SHARING THE JOY
Come along with us as we bring joy to the residents of Atria by singing favorite old songs and hymns. Spend an hour on Sunday, January 22nd at 3:00, either singing or visiting with those who don't get out much, especially in winter. You don't have to read music - all of the songs are familiar. Kind hearts and joyful spirits are the important qualities that we bring to the residential facilities in which we sing. See Karen for further details.
SNOW CLOSINGS
We are now in the midst of winter and storms will happen. If you are supposed to attend a meeting on a day when it is storming and you are not sure if the meeting will be taking place, please check the church website. All postponing and cancellation of meetings will be posted on the home page as soon as possible the day of the meeting. If you are leading a meeting, please contact Julie Clapp as soon as you decide that you will be not be holding the meeting. Please see her for her phone numbers and/or e-mail address. Thank you!
May brooks and trees and singing hills
Join in the chorus too,
And every gentle wind that blows
Send happiness to you.
~Irish Blessing
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