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From the Pastor
The LOGOS program has been going on for many years now at Holy Cross, and every year it has been a wonderful part of our ministry. But there was something new this year that made LOGOS extra great: we were much more intentional about inviting new people to become part of the group. On two separate occasions, actual invitation cards were printed up for our 4th to 8th graders to give to their friends. But there was also a more general mindset that friends were always welcome to attend. (Early on some of our youth were under the impression that they could bring a friend. How pleased they were when they learned they werent limited to bringing along just one person, but could invite as many as they liked!) In LOGOS this year we have been blessed by having several newcomers as part of the group, just as those young people have clearly been blessed themselves through their participation.
The experience I have just described isnt (or shouldnt be) limited to our LOGOS program. We have so many wonderful things going on at Holy Cross! There are many people in our wider community, for whom the activities of our church would be a real blessing. For some, all that might be needed is a word of invitation. Not a sales pitch, not pressure tactics. But simple words, spoken in a genuine spirit of caring: Would you like to come to _________? It would be great to have you there. Or You might be interested in knowing that _________ is happening next week. Youd be more than welcome to attend. You dont need a printed invitation to hand out. And its not your responsibility to make anyone respond in a certain way (you couldnt really do that, even if you tried). By the power of the Holy Spirit we extend the invitation, and by the power of the Spirit the person may be moved to take action. (And even if they dont, a seed may be planted that will bear fruit later on.)
Jesus himself spoke of his followers being sent out as fishers of people (Matt 4:19), and as workers in a plentiful harvest. (Luke 10:2) Jesus calls us, and equips us, to do the same. In order for others to be blessed when they participate in the life of the church -- and that we be blessed, as well, by their presence. This involves being intentional, without being pushy; being direct, without putting pressure on anyone. An invitation that is intentional, direct, kind and gracious isnt likely to offend. Rather its likely to be received in the same spirit in which it was offered. And it may be just the open door someone needs. Who could you invite?
In Christ, Pastor Rich P.S. In my sermon on Easter morning I told a story about a person who had grown up as a racist. I told the story from a first person perspective, but it was not my own story. I did say during the sermon that the story came from Philip Yancey, in his book Whats So Amazing About Grace? But I have realized that if someone didnt catch that reference while listening to the sermon, they could easily have mistaken the story as being my own. Im sorry for any confusion this may have caused.
ASSOCIATE IN MINISTRY RELECTIONS
In a recent email communication to Betty Grit, the administrator of the Worship Renewal Grant which we received almost a year ago from the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship, with funds provided by Lilly Endowment Inc., I wrote the following:
As I reflect back on the three workshops that we have had under the grant, it has been amazing that we have been blessed with three wonderful workshop leaders who not only left us with tools for worship renewal, but also were inspiring and gracious people to have in our midst. We are all very grateful for these wonderful opportunities.
We have been so very blessed with the funding that we received under this grant. Our first workshop on Experiential Worship has given us many tools and the inspiration for creating meaningful worship experiences and for doing worship planning that incorporates heart, mind, soul, and strength. Our series on prayer, Reformation Sunday, All Saints Sunday, Holy Week and Easter are just some of the highlights that have come out of this type of worship planning. The workshop on Liturgical Art led to the creation of the amazing Fear Not angel that filled our rafters during the Advent and Christmas seasons. A further outcome of that workshop has been the silk art projects that have graced our sanctuary windows. The final workshop on Liturgical Drama provided us with a process for writing and producing drama that can be used ongoing to enhance our worship experience. All three of our workshop presenters, Bob Rognlien, Anita Miller, and John Paul Stevens were outstanding leaders who bestowed on us not only practical tools, but also their inspiration and grace.
Through other aspects of the grant we have also been able to purchase some major upgrades for our sound system, music for our choir, some ELW worship books for the altar as well as some pew hymnals.
As we journey through the Easter season of the liturgical year, a time that is filled with appearances and biddings of our risen Lord, may we remember with grateful hearts how Jesus has appeared among us in this past year through the presence of Bob, Anita and John. May we continue to share their inspiration with the words of Mary on Easter morning: I have seen the Lord!
Serving you in the promise of the resurrection,
Karen
MESSAGE FROM A COUNCIL MEMBER
Thoughts On Faith From A Former Catholic
Almost 50 years ago I sat in the Holy Cross Church each Sunday morning as a child when the original building was St. Monicas, the Catholic Church. My mother usually took my brother and my sisters to the early service because she had to go back to our business and help our father when the service ended. We went each Sunday because we were obligated . And in the Catechism classes, we were told what to believe, because it was the religious doctrine. I never was able to establish a true faith because I was just told to have faith in God , but never told how to have that faith within myself.
As a Lutheran, I have seen my faith in God increase in leaps and bounds as I have found that I am the source of my Faith in God, not the teachings alone I have learned. Just as each of us must find our own salvation, we also must find our faith, and build upon it as much as we like, as long as we like, because there is no limit to our faith in God, only limits in our minds.
Our faith, service, and love of God cannot be handed or taught to us. And the greatest part is that there are no limits to our faith, service, or love of God. There is probably no more personal event in our life. Martin Luther was quite clear about our personal relationship with God as he stated, Everyone must do his own believing as he will have to do his own dying . Rich Keating, Church Council member
CHOIR NOTES
It won't be long until we have the privilege of hosting the magnificent. Land of Lakes Boys Nordic Choir from Minnesota. They will arrive between 4 and 5 o'clock on June 17th, and sing at 7:00 p.m. We have been asked to provide a meal before the concert and then housing for that Sunday evening. There will be a sign-up sheet in the Narthex for those able to provide overnight lodging for the boys. There are 34 boys age 8 - 12 to host, two or more per home. If you can help prepare dinner that evening, please see me. This choir has won many awards and I am thrilled that they will share their talents with us. Peace, Warren MY LINGONBERRY HYMNAL
My sources tell me that the Scandinavian Lutherans from the upper Midwest lobbied to have our new Hymnal referred to as the "Lingonberry Hymnal" since its reddish color closely matches that mountain berry delicacy from the "old Country" that they love. The description "Cranberry Hymnal" won out in a close contest primarily because most members of the ELCA could relate to that color description. At least we New England Scandinavians could feel some pride in that choice since our Cape Cod is the heart of Cranberry country.
This is the fourth Hymnal that I have grown with in my lifetime in the Lutheran Church. Some were better than others. From my youth through the mid-fifties, I always used the black "Augustana Hymnal". I had practically memorized everything about the worship service, which was important since the music for the liturgy changed five times a year with the different seasons.
In 1958, a fire engine red hymnal called "The Service Book and Hymnal" was produced by two thirds of all the Lutherans in America, our first effort at a hymnal truly representative of Lutheranism in America. The new liturgy and the fine choice of hymns made it a wonderful book, but it did not serve us long enough. Moved by the possibility of a hymnal produced by nearly 100% of American Lutherans, the green book, "Lutheran Book of Worship" was released in 1978. Fine work was done on the liturgical services but the hymn selections were skewed by an effort to include hymns dear to the new body that had joined in its preparation but which were not as familiar to the others. For reasons too complicated to try to summarize, that new block of Lutherans pulled out of joint sponsorship in the last months before publication and produced their own "green" hymnal. Too much printing preparation had been done to change our green hymnal, so it was published with a fine liturgical section but a less useful selection of hymns.
Now we have our Lingonberry, I mean Cranberry hymnal some 30 years later. It is known as "Evangelical Lutheran Worship". It is the work of the same American Lutheran members that produced the fire engine red hymnal of 1958, but now they are all members of the one church, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
Initial study and usage seems to indicate that we have a real gem this time. The extra large hymn selection appears to be excellent and the organization is superb. I am told that more than two thirds of the hymns and praise songs used at our first services "contemporary" service are in the hymnal. Ten settings of Holy Communion are printed, including Setting Three which we used for the first time at the second service on Easter Sunday without missing a beat.
I suppose that the "Contemporary" service people will make small adjustments in their order of worship and soon find themselves nearly completely in the new Worship Book. I also suppose that those at the second, or "traditional" service will also experiment with other settings, learning new music and the like to add to our familiar form of worship.
I look forward to being very well served by this fourth Lutheran Hymnal of my lifetime. While we continue to have many expressions of worship in this broad Lutheran Church of ours, the hope of "One Hymnal" for our "One Church" appears to be in the process.
Now, about the Lingonberry color.... by Roger Rotvig PEACE
Do you ever give a thought to standard greetings and salutations that seem to be second nature in our culture? Dear friend . . . Very Truly Yours; Hi There . . . Sincerely; How are you? . . . Fine Thanks, and you? And in Church: Peace be with you . . . And with you, too; Go in Peace, Serve the Lord . . . Thanks be to God.
The rituals of our culture and our faith are so routine we often take them for granted. At least, I did until tragedy knocked on my door, the day the state trooper drove into our dooryard to tell us our son was dead. I stopped using ritualistic greetings and salutations. I came to believe nothing was ever going to be dear or very truly ours again. I believed God was never going to grant me peace again.
Through the darkness of grief and depression, I saw the standard greetings I had said throughout my life, without meaning, were truly without meaning to me after that heart crushing moment.
In my darkest days a lifeline was thrown and I was reminded that God works through the kindness and compassion of strangers and friends. I came back to church and Sharing the Peace took me by surprise. When someone reaches out to you to share the Peace of God . . . share it and mean it. Don't take this Christian gesture for granted. The persons hand you are shaking may need the lifeline you are offering; OR you may be the one looking for the meaning behind the gesture.
A friend of mine signs all her emails with Shalom (a Jewish greeting for Peace). As I worked through my grief I began to sign my correspondence with Peace, or Peace be With You, or Peace and Love.
Let us Share the Peace that God has built within each and every one of us with true meaning and Gods Love. Peace be With You, Donna Simmons
HOW TO CELEBRATE A LITTLE BIT OF EASTER EVERY DAY
I was reading Our Daily Bread * the other day when I ran across this thought about the simple joys of a beautiful sunrise: It doesnt matter where we are, we can be amazed at what God gives us each day. Every morning of life offers us new challenges and rich blessings as we walk with Christ. Despite mistakes we may have made yesterday, choices we regret, and heartache we have endured, God is merciful to us. The sunrise reminds us of His faithfulness and the new start each day brings .*
A beautiful sunrise reminds me of the Easter season we are now celebrating, perhaps because so many churches have Easter Sunrise Services. During Easter we celebrate that which God promised, Jesus rising from the dead to be with us always and the promise of forgiveness of our sins and eternal life. We are given a new beginning, just like the start of each new day. The sunrise, like Easter, can remind us that each new day the Lord gives us, is an expression of His faithfulness and provides opportunities to live for Him . We are indeed given New Life through Christ.
Sometime during the forty days of Easter, I would encourage you to take time to view a sunrise, by yourself or with your family. A beautiful sunrise can fill you with intense pleasure and a feeling of hope. Why? Well, Jeremiah a prophet from the Old Testament had a good answer for this. In Lamentations 3: 22-23 he writes His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; GREAT IS HIS FAITHFULNESS .
HAPPY SUNRISE GAZING!
From Deadra DAddeo
*Our Daily Bread, 2006 RBC Ministries (written by Bill Crowder)
WHAT DOES "CONTEMPORARY" MEAN?
How can we make our contemporary service both as accessible and as meaningful as we'd hope it to be? The Worship Committee invites participation from interested congregants in planning our contemporary worship services. If you would like to help with this ministry, please contact Pastor Rich Horner or Music Director Warren King. HOUSEKEEPING FOR THE HOUSE OF GOD
At Holy Cross Lutheran Church, we are blessed with the rich heritage of centuries of liturgical practice, and we are also blessed with a sanctuary over a century in age. While honoring and appreciating our heritage, the church makes adaptations over time -- such as our new Evangelical Lutheran Worship books -- and we need to both maintain and optimize our worship space. If you would like to participate in an ad hoc committee to evaluate and improve the furnishings and functionality of the chancel and related spaces, please contact Roger Rotvig. Especially appreciated would be people with design talents and/or experience in leading any aspect of the worship service.
RECOGNITION OF LOGOS WORKERS
On April 29th, we will publicly recognize all the people who have served in the LOGOS program for the 2006-2007 school year. There are many people who make up the staff of Logos including the Worship Skills, Bible Skills and Recreation Time leaders, the Table Parents and Dinner Dean at meal time, the all important kitchen crews who prepare the meals and cleanup afterward, the people who work behind the scenes and Pastor Rich and Karen. Without these people, the LOGOS program would not be as successful as it is. These people definitely have A Heart for Service .
Coincidentally, in the past few weeks, the 4th-6th grade Logos group has been working on the subject of having a heart for service in their Bible Skills session. We had a lively discussion of Luke 22:27 where Jesus asks his disciples Who is greater, he who sits at the table, or he who serves? We finally came to an agreement (some more reluctantly than others) that the following statement is true: In Gods kingdom, the greater one isnt the one who receives the service, but the one who gives the service.
As I think about all the wonderful people who serve the youth in LOGOS, I am reminded of something Mother Teresa once said: We can all do small things with great love . The people who serve our youth at LOGOS each week do just that. They do many things, some big and some small, each week. They have shown that we can serve each other in so many ways and when done in Gods name, there is no small or unimportant act of service.
THANK YOU to each of you who give willingly of your time for the Youth of Holy Cross.
SPRING CLEAN-UP: SATURDAY, MAY 5
Springtime is finally here! It's time for our annual Spring clean-up at Holy Cross. Everyone is invited to join the Trustees for a morning of fellowship and a good sense of accomplishment as we tidy up after the long winter. Even if you can only come for a little dusting or window polishing, your presence will be appreciated. We will be working from 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 noon, and refreshments will be provided. In case of rain on May 5, the clean-up will be postponed to the following Saturday, May 12.
VBC INVITATION TO ALL FAMILIES!!
Summer is just around the corner and were planning an exciting VBC adventure for your kids! Are you looking for a safe, friendly, and fun environment for your kids? Then sign up today for Great Bible Reef VBC. This fun-filled vacation Bible camp is for everyone between the ages of 4 years and 18 years old. The adventure begins Monday, June 25th until Friday, June 29th. The sessions will run from 9 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. each day.
Set in an exciting and fun underwater environment, this lively VBC program will engage your kids in discovering how we can live each day as Gods disciples. Through kid-friendly Bible stories that emphasize discipleship, combined with fathoms of hands-on fun-filled activities, at Great Bible Reef kids will learn that it is fun and faithful to share the good news of Jesus love with everyone!
At Great Bible Reef kids will hear stories about Jesus, make cool crafts, learn catchy reef tunes, play zany games, eat yummy snacks, and make lots of new friends!
Registration is going on now! For more information or to register for VBC, check out the display in the Narthex or contact Mary Keating.
**Parents/adults: If you are interested in helping out at Bible camp, we have lots of opportunities available! Please see Mary Keating or Tammy Krampetz!
These sentences actually appeared in church bulletins or were announced in church services*:
The Fasting & Prayer Conference includes meals. The sermon this morning: Jesus Walks on the Water The sermon tonight: Searching for Jesus Ladies, dont forget the rummage sale. Its a chance to get rid of those things not worth keeping around the house. Bring your husbands. Dont let worry kill you off - let the Church help! Miss Charlene Mason sang I will not pass this way again , giving obvious pleasure to the congregation. For those of you who have children and don't know it, we have a nursery downstairs. Potluck supper Sunday at 5:00 PM prayer and medication to follow. The ladies of the Church have cast off clothing of every kind. They may be seen in the basement on Friday afternoon. The pastor would appreciate it if the ladies of the congregation would lend him their electric girdles for the pancake breakfast next Sunday. Remember in prayer the many who are sick of our community Smile at someone who is hard to love. Say Hell to someone who doesn't care much about you. Eight new choir robes are currently needed due to the addition of several new members and to the deterioration of some older ones. *Submitted by Bob Hores
GARDENS & GROUNDS
Last summer we had great success with our "Adopt a Garden" effort, with over a dozen congregants choosing areas of our extensive grounds to spruce up and maintain. The result was a much more inviting premises, and the added benefit of more flowers for decorating the church. Those who chose areas to maintain last year are invited to continue with "their" plot if they want to, and additional areas available for adoption will be shown on the sign-up sheet in the Narthex. Mowing the grass will still be handled by the Trustees.
CHICK FLICKS
Announcing a new small group/Bible study....Chick Flicks!! It is a once a month opportunity to get together with a bunch of women to have a pot luck supper, watch a movie and then have a small Bible study based on the movie. The movies vary from Casablanca to While You Were Sleeping to Little Women. Watch for more information in future Criers, the bulletin and/or on the white board in the Narthex. Or see Cathy Bansmer or Julie Clapp.
WANTED: INSTRUMENTALISTS AND SINGERS
We are exploring the possibility of starting a third service, probably in a late Saturday afternoon time slot, that would be contemporary in nature. If you, or someone you know, would be interested in playing in a Saturday Worship Band or singing with such a band, please contact Warren King.
HOLY COMMUNION CLASS
We will be offering a four week Holy Communion preparation class for all children who will be going into 3rd grade next year or older. As parents, we suggest that you speak with your child(ren) if you think that they are ready to prepare for this important step in their spiritual formation. The class is scheduled to begin on May 15th from 4:00-5:00 for four weeks and will be taught by Karen, our Associate in Ministry. We may also have another class for those in middle school if there is an interest. If you have questions or would like to register your child, speak with Karen or Pastor Rich.
STEEL DRUM ORCHESTRA
Yes they will be returning this summer for concerts on August 9, 10 and 11. This wonderful group of young people from St. Stephen Lutheran Church in Brooklyn NY will be sharing their amazing talent with the congregation and community. They play a vast repertoire of music from jazz to gospel to Broadway all on drums. They will also be joining us for worship on August 12th. Those who heard them in the summer of 2005 will remember their wonderful concerts and fellowship among us.
Several of you have already offered your homes for housing we will need a few more. We are also forming a sub-committee to work on publicity/fund raising. Please inform Karen if you are interested in assisting with housing or publicity. It is great to be able to bring this group back to Maine.
As your faith is strengthened you will find that
there is no longer the need to have a sense of control, that things
will flow as they will, and that you will flow with them, to your great
delight and benefit. ~Emmanuel
FREE IN CHRIST TO SERVE THE NEIGHBOR: LUTHERANS TALK ABOUT HUMAN SEXUALITY
A four week class, beginning on Wednesday, May 16th from 7:00-8:45, will be co-led by Pastor Rich and Karen. We will be using material from the third in a series of ELCA studies on sexuality. The study will be based on the book of Galatians and an essay by Martin Luther. Topics will include sexuality in relation to our culture, social institutions, power and abuse, money, and economic justice. At the end of the class, we will have an opportunity to send to the ELCA a response to the study which will help to shape the social statement on human sexuality which will come before the Churchwide Assembly in 2009. We would appreciate your registering in advance by May 8th by contacting the church office.
SHARE THE BOUNTY
On the first Saturday of every month, from 4:30 to 6:00, Holy Cross offers a free meal to the community at large of home made baked beans, hot dogs, cole slaw, bread and desert. There is usually live entertainment offered by our own musicians. Everyone is invited to come share in a wonderful meal. If anyone from Holy Cross would like to help with preparing the meal, serving or cleaning up, please see Ann or Mike Scott.
BLUEBERRY FESTIVAL
On August 11, 2007, the Social Concerns Committee is sponsoring a Blueberry Festival from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm in Luther Hall. We are asking for anyone interested to make or donate items that have a blueberry motif. We are looking baked goods, knitted or sewed items. More information will be forth coming but we are asking your help now to make items and not to have to do last minute work. It will be a fun day and will benefit some very worthy needs (to be determined). Thank you!
COLLECTION BINS
A huge thanks to Sharon Lantigua for decorating the new Social Concerns collection bins which are in the Narthex. There are three bins which can be designated for donations. We are currently collecting food items for the Food Pantry, socks for the Cambridge outdoor ministry, and hats and mittens for local shelters.
SHARING THE JOY
Join us as we sing along with the residents of Atria on May 20th at 2:00. They are so appreciative of us leading them in song and fellowship. Note: We will not be singing during the summer months.
Happy Mother's Day - May 13, 2007 I remember my mother's prayers and they have always followed me. They have clung to me all my life. ~Abraham Lincoln
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