Holy Cross Lutheran Church

MESSAGE FROM A COUNCIL MEMBER

A group of professional people posed this question to a group of 4 to 8 year-olds, "What does love mean?" The answers they got were broader and deeper than anyone could have imagined. See what you think:

"When my grandmother got arthritis, she couldn't bend over and paint her toenails anymore. So my grandfather does it for her all the time, even when his hands got arthritis too. That's love." Rebecca- age 8

"You really shouldn't say 'I love you' unless you mean it. But if you mean it, you should say it a lot. People forget." Jessica - age 8

When someone loves you, the way they say your name is different. You just know that your name is safe in their mouth." Billy - age 4

"Love is when a girl puts on perfume and a boy puts on shaving cologne and they go out and smell each other." Karl - age 5

"Love is when you go out to eat and give somebody most of your French fries without making them give you any of theirs." Chrissy -age 6

"Love is what makes you smile when you're tired." Terri - age 4

"Love is when my mommy makes coffee for my daddy and she takes a sip before giving it to him, to make sure the taste is OK." Danny - age 7

"Love is when you kiss all the time. Then when you get tired of kissing, you still want to be together and you talk more. My Mommy and Daddy are like that. They look gross when they kiss" Emily - age 8

"Love is what's in the room with you at Christmas if you stop opening presents and listen." Bobby - age 7 (Wow!)

"If you want to learn to love better, you should start with a friend who you hate." Nikka - age 6 (we need a few million more Nikkas on this planet)

"Love is when you tell a guy you like his shirt, then he wears it everyday." Noelle - age 7

"Love is like a little old woman and a little old man who are still friends even after they know each other so well." Tommy - age 6

"During my piano recital, I was on a stage and I was scared. I looked at all the people watching me and saw my daddy waving and smiling. He was the only one doing that. I wasn't scared anymore."
Cindy - age 8

"My mommy loves me more than anybody. You don't see anyone else kissing me to sleep at night."
Clare - age 6

"Love is when Mommy gives Daddy the best piece of chicken." Elaine - age 5

"Love is when Mommy sees Daddy smelly and sweaty and still says he is handsomer than Robert Redford." Chris - age 7

"Love is when your puppy licks your face even after you left him alone all day." Mary Ann - age 4

"I know my older sister loves me because she gives me all her old clothes and has to go out and buy new ones." Lauren - age 4

"When you love somebody, your eyelashes go up and down and little stars come out of you."
Karen – age 7 (what an imagination)

And the final one -- Author and lecturer Leo Buscaglia once talked about a contest he was asked to judge. The purpose of the contest was to find the most caring child. The winner was a four year old child whose next door neighbor was an elderly gentleman who had recently lost his wife. Upon seeing the man cry, the little boy went into the old gentleman's yard, climbed onto his lap, and just sat there. When his Mother asked what he had said to the neighbor, the little boy said, "Nothing, I just helped him cry."

Father, God bless all my friends in whatever it is that You know they may be needing this day! And may their life be full of your peace, prosperity and power as he/she seeks to have a closer relationship with you. Amen! Submitted by Dorothy Haws

Early in my brief writings for the “Crier”, I submitted an article, “Hitting the High D”, in which I confessed that the most beautiful part of our liturgy was that section on page 62 of our “old” Green Hymnal. I opined that the words and the musical beauty would probably never be matched by anything in any future worship service.

I was wrong. On Pentecost Sunday this year, our use of our new cranberry hymnal, Evangelical Lutheran Worship moved to Setting One and on page 102, in a section entitled “Gospel Acclimation”; I was totally blown away. There it was again in a form even more beautiful than the one that had enthralled me in the Green Hymnal

As we prepare to hear the reading of the Holy Gospel and the Pastor’s sermon making that word meaningful in this time and place, we sing 4 alleluias, followed by these strong words of our belief; “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.” That confession is so critical in our day when we can Google answers to anything in a moment and we are barraged with self-help programs on any issue we want.

We are confessing that God alone, through the Word and the presence of the Holy Spirit, will enable us to find the reconciliation He has prepared for us through the work of His only Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.

After only 3 months of use of our new cranberry service book and hymnal, I am becoming convinced that this is truly a great gem of a book prepared for our use. Not only are most of the 743 hymns (ask me how I got that number) rich and very singable, but the music for parts of the liturgy, like the above Gospel Acclimation, is the type that keeps echoing in your mind in the manner of a section of a Beethoven symphony or the music of the latest hot music group. Hallelujah! Roger Rotvig

MOMISM OF THE MONTH – NUMBER 2

Here is the second Momism of the Month to help us all keep our shared spaces tidy:

You may use “it”, but please put “it” back where you found “it”.

Most of us have borrowed something from someone at one time or another. We ask politely and are usually given permission to use our friend’s wingnut remover of doohickey extractor. Upon completing our removal or extraction we return the borrowed tool. Holy Cross tools and supplies deserve the same treatment.

We have many and varied tools and supplies that lend themselves to multiple uses. Some committee or individual probably has primary control over most of our stuff and, as such, has designated a place for “it” to live. Most often the “controller” is not available when you need to use “it” or you do not know whom to ask permission of, so you just borrow “it”. Which is okay.

Here is where the process breaks down. I suspect that because you did not ask someone if you could borrow “it” you have not internalized the need to return ”it”. Whom do you return “it” to? No one, since no one loaned “it” to you. But the cleaning person expects to find a vacuum cleaner in the hall behind the altar and a Sunday School teacher expects to find a roll of tape in the properly marked drawer. So use what you need, but please return “it” to the place where you found “it”. Ann Scott, Trustees

REFLECTIONS/REPORT ON THE RECENT NEW ENGLAND SYNOD ASSEMBLY
FROM PASTOR HORNER

I very much appreciated hearing the presentation by the keynote speaker, Bishop Munib Younan of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land. The Bishop thanked the New England Synod for its partnership in working for peace in the region, and especially for having sent a delegation recently to see for themselves what is happening there “on the ground” so-to-speak. A total of about $45,000 was pledged from our synod to support a housing project Bishop Younan is sponsoring on the Mount of Olives, to provide affordable apartment units for which there is a great need among Palestinians. The money will go to the Lutheran World Federation, who are providing oversight for the project. Bishop Younan speaks forcefully and eloquently of the need for understanding and respect on both the Palestinian and Israeli sides of this conflict, and emphatically rejects the use of violence by either side. Please keep the Bishop and the Palestinian people, along with the people of Israel in your prayers.

Resolutions taken up at the assembly included the following: encouraging the congregations of the synod to learn more about and advocate further on behalf of the people of Darfur – also a separate resolution asking the ELCA to consider adopting a similar measure. Another that dealt with support for continuing dialog – local, national, and international – with representatives of Islam, and again asking the national church to consider taking similar action. A resolution urging congregations to form Care for Creation committees, as a response to the threat posed by global warming. All of the above passed by wide margins.

One resolution that ended up being referred to a study committee to be established by the synod council to bring back next year with recommendations, had to do with giving priority to “Father, Son, and Holy Spirit” as the way of referring to God in worship and study materials. No one argued against the use of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit as being central and important, but there was some significant difference of opinion as to whether or not other “names” for God (e.g. Creator, Redeemer, and Sanctifier) were being given too much of a priority.

The most contentious resolution had to do with asking the ELCA to consider changing a document called “Vision and Expectations” which currently requires that pastors who are gay remain celibate in order to continue serving as pastors. The motion taken up at the synod assembly proposed that the ELCA be asked not to bar pastors who are in a “mutual, chaste, and faithful committed same-gender relationship.” After much debate the vote was taken and the resolution passed, 278 to 99. It will be forwarded to the ELCA, where a decision will be made as to whether or not it will be taken up as an item of business at the national assembly (scheduled, I believe, for this summer).

Overall I would say the experience at the Synod Assembly was a good one for me, as it again provided an opportunity to meet with brothers and sisters in Christ from other churches around New England – to hear from them what God is doing in their midst, and to share how the Spirit is moving in the life of our local congregation. The sense of being connected to the broader church is encouraging and enlivening.

I know God will not give me anything I can't handle.
I just wish that He didn't trust me so much.
~Mother Teresa

NEW HYMNALS

To the members and friends of Holy Cross:

You may have missed the minor miracle that started about three months ago when we introduced the new cranberry or merlot Hymnal. We did not go to war with one another. We took the advice of Warren, and the Worship committee, and the choir and choose to be in the vanguard of congregations using the new hymnal.

And then about a month ago, with Pastor Rotvig serving as our supply pastor for the Sunday, we introduced two new settings from the book. We on the Worship Committee have not heard many complaints, rather a lot of positive comments about the new settings and the hymns that are included. Thanks are due to Warren and the Choir and the Worship Team for taking the time to learn the new settings and doing such a good job of teaching us. And thanks are due to each of you for accepting this change with such open hearts, willing minds and strong voices.

There appears to be only one problem. Since we are getting more worshipers on Sundays, we could use 30 to 40 more books. So, if any of you would like to order more hymnals as a memorial of a friend or relative, or if you feel called upon to offer the purchase to the Glory of God, we would be most appreciative. Just mark your check with hymnal donation. We’ll get in touch to see what dedication would be appropriate. Thank you, and may God continue to bless our efforts, Mike Scott

HOLY COMMUNION CLASS

Seven of our children recently completed a class on Holy Communion. They each wrote a prayer petition that was used during worship. The following prayers (anonymous) were prayed during second service on June 10th and were written by George Doe, Stewart Doe, Paige Krampetz, Joy Landolfi, Timmy Moyer, Connor Shillington, and Sarah Strange. As one who was privileged to teach these young people, I am thankful for each one of them, and for their parents, Sunday School and Bible Camp teachers, and others who have nurtured them in their faith journeys thus far. Karen

Dear God, Please take good care of my Papa.

Dear God, Thank you for the food you give us and the water we drink.

Dear Lord, Please take good care of my family. In Jesus name we pray.

Dear God, Please take care of people who live on the streets. Give them some money so they can buy a blanket or food.

Dear God, Please help Grandpop because he was in the hospital. He was very sick. Please help him.

God, I ask you to help the people in need around the world and help me become a helper to everybody around me.

Dear God, please help the people in our church that are in their 80’s, 90’s, and 100’s. Please help them receive communion and help them walk.

SMILE FOR THE CAMERA!

As Holy Cross Lutheran Church is quickly approaching our 35th anniversary, we want you to participate in a “snapshot in time” recording this history. All Holy Cross members and friends are invited to sign-up for individual or family portrait appointments. The sign-up sheets will be posted in the Narthex.

Olan Mills will be sending Maine photographer Greg Hatt to set up a portrait studio setting in Luther Hall on the following dates: Tuesday, August 21st, Tuesday, November 13th and Wednesday, November 14th. Appointments begin at 3:00 pm and run every ten minutes with the last appointments scheduled at 9:20 pm. (Please note: The August 21st date is planned for the purpose of accommodating our seasonal members and friends who may not be around in November, i.e. college students, summer residents, etc. Sign-up for these appointments will be exclusively for those people until August 7th , and then will be open for anyone in the church to request.) Sandie Hamel, chair of Church Life, will be in charge of maintaining the portrait appointments. If you have any questions, please contact Sandie.

Immediately following your portrait appointment, an Olan Mills representative will present you with digital results on a video monitor. From these views, you can select whichever portraits you would like reproduced, in a variety of sizes. The final results will be mailed directly to your home within 30 days. Plus every individual or family photographed receives a free 8x10 full-color portrait and a free Holy Cross Pictorial Directory!

Over the next few months, Patti Berg Anderson, the Pictorial Directory Editor, will be compiling many aspects of Holy Cross celebrating this time heading into our 35th anniversary. Photo pages are planned to be included in the directory highlighting our various ministries, church history and staff. If you have some pictures that you would like to share, please contact Patti. Make sure your pictures include a written description of the event on a separate sheet of paper and are in an envelope clearly marked with your name and phone number. All photos will be returned. For more information, please contact Patti.

STEEL DRUM ORCHESTRA

Yes – they will be returning this summer for concerts on August 9, 10 and 11, including an afternoon concert as part of our Blueberry Festival. 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 talent and what a delight it was to have them with us. It is great to be able to bring this group back to Maine!

Several of you have already offered your homes for housing – we will need a few more. We have also formed a sub-committee to work on publicity/fund raising. We will be seeking ads and sponsors to publish in the printed program. Please sign up on the board in the Narthex if you can provide housing and contact Jane King if you would like to donate an ad to our program booklet, either as a business or an individual patron. The deadline for ads is July 26th.

YOUNG AT HEART

Join us on Saturday, August 18th at 5:00 for our annual backyard gathering at the home of Helen and Roger Rotvig. Bring a light dish to share or just come! Roger and Helen have already put in an order for the wonderful weather we have had in years past. But even if it rains, there is plenty of room indoors. Please sign up on the board in the Narthex.

WORSHIP RENEWAL GRANT CONSULTATION

Set aside the date of Saturday, August 4th from 9-3 for a workshop on contemporary worship to be held in the sanctuary. It will be led by one of our New England Synod Pastors, Eric Wefald from Westborough, MA. Sponsored by the Third Service Task Force and funded through our Worship Renewal Grant from the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship, Grand Rapids, Michigan, with funds provided by Lilly Endowment Inc. this workshop is open to anyone in the congregation who would like to learn more about contemporary worship. The Third service Task Force will be using what we learn in its ongoing exploration of the possibilities for a third contemporary service. Please sign up on the board in the Narthex so that we can plan for food and handouts.

WORSHIP LEADERS APPRECIATION SUNDAY

Our monthly Appreciation Sunday for July will be on Sunday, July 29th. All those who provide leadership for our worship program will be thanked/recognized/re- commissioned at both of the morning services. (All those, that is, except music leaders who were recognized in May.) Members of the Worship Committee, ushers, altar guild, flower guild, worship assistants, and acolytes will be invited forward during the services on July 29th.

CHICK FLICKS

Join the women of Holy Cross for a time of fellowship and study using a movie and the Bible. We’ll share a meal that is theme based (recipes are next to the sign up sheet), watch the movie, then have a discussion with Biblical references. The July movie is “Enchanted April”. Come join us on Saturday, July 14th, at 4:00 pm in the Sunday School area. The August movie will be on Saturday, August 18th (movie to be determined). If you have any questions, please see Cathy Bansmer or Julie Clapp.

THANK YOU!

I want to extend a very special thank you to Violet Stephens, The Monday Morning Needlework Group, Bob Kreie, the Service Bank and all who brought me food, gave me showers, cleaned my house, and gave me endless rides while the tendon transplant in my right thumb healed. After 8 weeks the cast is off, and I can gradually get back to normal. Thanks again to Pastor Horner, Karen, and all my church family. Barbara Nurnberger

Keep smiling - it makes people wonder what you've been up to. ~Author Unknown