Holy Cross Lutheran Church Newsletter

November 2013

SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP TEAM: Pastor Dana Runestad Cantor Dr. Michael Burkhardt Pastor Benjamin Morris Ministers - The disciples at Holy Cross

Phone: 734-427-1414 Fax: 734-427-1419

Email: office1@holycrosslivonia.org Website: http://holycrosslivonia.org

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Deck the Halls! … and the Sanctuary, the Narthex,

the Abbey…

Saturday, November 30th at 9AM

Many hands are needed to help set up our Christmas trees in the Sanctuary and Fellowship Hall. If you are willing to help erect our trees and/or climb ladders to hang lights and ornaments, please arrive at 9AM to report for duty. We’ll also need volunteers for decorat-ing the rest of the church. Many hands make light (and quick!) work. The more, the merrier!

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Christmas Boutique Vendor & Craft Fair Saturday, Nov. 16th

10AM—3PM $1 admission includes ticket

for door prize drawing. Lunch available for purchase.

Youth helpers needed! Sign up online. Would you like a table at this event?

Contact Cindy Channey.

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Book & Bake Sale

November 1 - 3, 2013

The Holy Cross Women of the ELCA are sponsoring the 10th Annual Book and Bake Sale. Many volunteers will be needed the week of the sale. Watch the announcement pages for infor-mation.

Sisters and Brothers,

Ever since I started Seminary I have been wary about discussions about

the church and growth. Too often numbers seemed like idolatry. It is curious

when you hear people ask, “How many people does your church worship?” As if

the numbers were the object of worship.

All of that changed when my internship supervisor confronted me during

a debate on church growth and said, “Behind every number is a person.” How true that is.

When we are a church that is growing, which we are, it means people are connecting with

the Good News of Jesus Christ. It means people are questioning what matters in life. It

means that we are responding to the Great Commission, to go out and make disciples.

I still think too much attention to growth can put numbers in the center- which is not

what we are called to do. But to say that growth is not important is to ignore our neighbors,

it is to say that it is enough that I am connecting to God.

As my thinking on growth has come full circle, I am not thinking about it as it ap-

plies to us at Holy Cross. Lutherans are not typically known as people who are too vocal

about their faith. We prefer to go about our work quietly and in many ways I believe that is

not a bad thing. I have always joked that when Jesus says to the person he cured, “do not

tell anyone” that we Lutherans take this as a universal commandment. But Jesus also com-

mands us to tell everyone about the Good News that the Kingdom of God is near.

This has got my imagination running and I want to invite you into it. What would

Holy Cross look like with one hundred more people in our community? What ministries in

our community could we dive into if we had more hands, more feet, more eyes and more

mouths? I do not have the answers right now but I believe God has placed this on my heart

to get our collective imaginations going. I hear consistently how much this congregation

has changed peoples lives – how would having that many more people impact our region?

Soon you will be receiving a letter in the mail. It is part of our Stewardship cam-

paign. We often talk about Stewardship of resources, this year we are asking questions

about the stewardship of relationships. Who is God calling you to invite into this communi-

ty? How is God calling you into the Great Commission? I am excited to hear what you

have to say. Pull me aside, or Michael, or Pastor Dana or really, anyone and share. We

cannot wait to hear your visions.

Peace and Love,

PB

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REMEMBER IN YOUR PRAYERS

Those Ill or Recovering or in need of Special Prayers: Those Homebound:

Those Grieving:

Those Serving in the Military:

(H) - Known to be Hospitalized (HO) - Hospice (R) - Rehab * - Member

To add a name to this list: Call the office or email office1@holycrosslivonia.org;

Put “Prayer Request” in the subject line: include only the request information and a general reason for the request. Names will be removed after 3 months unless we are contacted. Thank you!

Angela Allen

Ed Arndt*

Mary Ann Asher*

Ralph Bolhouse

Randy Bradakis

Isabelle Bumford

Michael Burkhardt*

Jayne Cool

Linda Coran

Betty Dahlstrom*

Lisle Eckhardt

Dee Eichendorf

Norma Eisbrenner*

Michael Eisbrenner

Carol Hope-Eory

Bob Ferrari Sr.*

Rene Foster*

Gerry Gibson

Sue Grant

Cindy Hale

Jackie Hansen

John Hart

John Hobart*

Michael Hodges

Bob Hoyrup*

Cheryl Jarzombek

Terri Ann Jones

Ann Kalec

Linda Koeppe

Don Koponen

Bob Kunz*

Ellen Kuuttila

Arlayne Lewis*

Herb Lewis*

Doris Maiert

Carolyn Martin

Elizabeth Morman

Michelle Morman

Shelly Molaro

Mary Kay Moore*

Keiko Morse

Pete Moundros

Diana Paolella

Sharon Pielak

Bonnie Quince

George Rabe

Jackie Robbins

Lorry Ross

Bea Rumley

Steve Sheldon

Susan Siler

Emily Stevens*

Valerie Stevens

Jerry Strickler

Bell Storchan

Ruth Tobey

Melinda Welch

Charles Wellman

Dave Wheeker*

Bonnie Williams

Brooklyn Wojtyniak

Betty Wolf

Don Wolf

Michael Zaleski

Andrew Barr

Nathan Bordach*

Paul & Erin Tracy

Joseph Comeau

Matthew Conrad

Stephen Cruickshank

Chad Davey

Michael Davey

Amanda Forbear

Marc Garnsey

Evan Gearino

Tina Hiller

Seth Hooper

Conner Lanius

Daniel Lanius

Jeremy Samuels

Marc Samuels

Heidi Scherbarth

Jennifer Smith

Jeff Sweitzer

Scott Vasko*

Mark Barnett*

Betty Connell*

Edna Duffy*

Ann Holliday*

Doris Knapp*

Ruth Lindke*

Dorothy Manley*

Werner & Amy Oellerich*

Jan Siemert*

Bob & Trudy Stone*

Jack & Eleanor Thom*

Betty Wickham

The family and friends of:

Audrey Aardal*

Eric Anderson*

Christine Gary

Roscoe Hoover*

Jeff Ketcham

Charles Schrecengost

Carol Simmons*

Esther Taylor*

Paul Zitzewitz*

Youth News and Events

Altar Flowers

for November Nov. 3 … … … … … … ..Jerry & Ann Ransom

Please sign up on the board outside the office to provide altar flowers.

December NEWSLETTER

DEADLINE is set for

November 10

SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP TEAM PASTOR DANA RUNESTAD

CANTOR DR. MICHAEL BURKHARDT PASTOR BENJAMIN MORRIS

(734) 427-1414 http://holycrosslivonia.org

* SHARI DUDEK – EDITOR

(734) 331-2649 holycross_news@yahoo.com

Holy Cross Lutheran Church NEWSLETTER

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6.1.2 All youth in grades 6-12 meet on Wednesday nights at 6:12 PM

for dinner and group study. Join us, and invite a friend or three!

Nov. 2: Planet Rock. Meet at HC at Noon

THE GATHERING December 27-30 at the Radisson in Lansing

Cost: $140 (includes t-shirt) The Gathering is an opportunity for groups of high school-aged youth to experience four days of service, leadership and community. Convening for its 31st year, the Gathering offers partici-pants an opportunity to experience meaningful worship, engage in small groups, serve others, grow in faith, and have a blast! Participants have opportunities to be small group leaders, serve as peer ministers, lead worship, make a difference in the world through service, and form com-munity with other youth from Michigan and beyond! $75 deposit due by Sunday, Nov. 16th.

Trifolium hybridum l.

Holy Cross Statement of Welcome

Holy Cross is a Christ-centered community in the Lutheran tradition (ELCA).

We believe all people are created in God’s image.

We are passionate about the radical hospitality that Jesus showed all people.

We are committed to being a community of that same kind of hospitality.

We welcome all people to our life and ministry together…

…in worship, at the font, at the table and in fellowship,

regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, age

or any other category society uses to distinguish between people.

We are Holy Cross and you are welcome here.

There is no longer Jew nor Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female;

for all of you are one in Christ Jesus. Galatians 3:28

A Beautiful

Day at

Erwin’s Orchards

The best-behaved Sunday School Class award goes to the September-October session under the leadership of Cindy & Shari.

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October 12-14, Pastor Dana attended laby-rinth facilitator training in Tipp City, Ohio, outside of Dayton. The trainer was The Rev. Dr. Lauren Artress, a guiding force of the Labyrinth movement and founder of Veriditas (veriditas.org). She is also the au-thor of two books: Walking a Sacred Path: Rediscovering the Labyrinth as a Spiritual Practice, and The Sacred Path Companion: A Guide to Walking the Labyrinth to Heal and Transform. Stay tuned for more and more opportunities to experience the laby-rinth as a powerful spiritual tool on a jour-ney of living a life centered in Christ.

$85,252 $93,668

$29,709 $31,276

$239,905

$90,722

$81,132

$26,587 $21,381

$219,822

$-

$50,000

$100,000

$150,000

$200,000

$250,000

$300,000

1st Qtr. 2013 2nd Qtr. 2013 July 2013 Aug.2013 Year-to-Date

Holy Cross Evangelical Lutheran Church 2013 Comparison of Operating Expenditures and Receipts

January 1 - August 31, 2013 Average Worship Attendance Year-to-Date: 181

Expenditures Receipts

Nov. 2 Laura Sroka Nov. 4 Julie Branton Nov. 5 Trudi Feenstra Karen Tulpa Nov. 9 Carolyn Elliott Judith Fussell Jameson Rohrschneider Nov. 10 Mark Branton Nov. 11 McKenna Moore Nov. 12 Mary Ann Asher Nov. 13 Dawn Koponen Nov. 14 Laura Haddock Earl Scherbarth Nov. 20 Melodie Provencher Nov. 21 Tim Bodnar Nov. 22 Andy Heise Doug Shepherd Nov. 23 Laurie Cook Jackson Williams Nov. 24 Linda Haddock Nov. 26 Bella Feenstra Nov. 27 Dave Hermann Nov. 28 Kirsten Galka Nov. 29 Karen Berean Phil Capion

Nov. 3 Jerry & Ann Ransom Nov. 10 Dennis & Karen Walker Nov. 18 James & Kim Chartrand Nov. 19 Art & Jayne Rautenberg Nov. 25 Tim & Kaarina Bodnar Nov. 26 Royce & Rhema Subject

HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Happy Anniversary!

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Fellowship Events

Pizza and Games Saturday, Nov. 9th

at 6 p.m. Plan to visit Historic Trinity Lutheran Church, Detroit, Dec. 8th at 3:30 to hear the Lutheran Singers. Adults $10, seniors $7, and kids $7. Pay at the door. Sunday, December 15th at 3 p.m., The 3 1/2 Stories of Christmas will be per-formed by Frank Runyeon at St. Fabian Catholic Church in Farmington Hills. This will appeal to all ages. No reservations needed. Free will offering. “Children and adults were enthralled.”

ARM CALISTHENICS

A Little Lesson on Greed by Linda Goodrich

Each arm is squeezing the opposite shoulder; my much favored ego - the better to hold 'er.

Both hands are grasping bank statements of wealth

which I have acquired by wit and great stealth.

Ten fingers pinch pennies that shower my way, to use on myself some fun, distant day.

I glance to the Heavens and offer a (just 1) thank

to God for so blessing my status and rank.

Then . . . It's hard to explain how the Lord changed my steps, but He completely reversed all my exercise reps!

The perception I gained as I pondered my living,

was to mirror Gods heart of real care and glad giving.

Now my arms to my God up above do I raise, as my self is more centered on giving Him praise.

These hands have relinquished what I'd called Just Mine",

and reach out to others with no sigh of resign.

All fingers, relaxed now, know a purpose much wider, and are trustingly twined with my Faithful Provider.

Linda is a new member of Holy Cross and a participant in GPS 2013-2014.

Wish Tree for Wayne County Family Services Once again Holy Cross will participate in the Wayne County Family Services Gift Giving Program. The Gift Wish Tree with ‘Star’ gift tags attached will be set up in the narthex the last week of November. In past years the generosity of our members has been wonderful and we hope that you will continue to help make this a very joyous holiday season for families in need. Please choose a ‘star’ gift tag(s), and then write your name next to the recipient’s name on the corresponding print-out near the tree. Please wrap the gift in

holiday paper and securely attach the ‘star’ gift tag to the gift with the recipient’s name showing. (No bows or ribbon as they become crushed & tangled in transit). Return the gift to the narthex tree on or before Sunday, December 22nd. If you have questions, please contact Peggy Hefner (313) 255-6260 or Cheryl Pearson (248) 444-4003. BOXES NEEDED! If anyone has a large box (think appliance) to donate, we need several to transport the gifts.

...and Hats & Scarves, too! Look for the Mitten Tree in the narthex by December 1st. That will be the first Sunday in Advent. As you shop or knit or crochet this month and next, remem-ber those who might not have the warmth of a pair of mittens/gloves, a snuggly hat/ear warmers, or scarf to keep them warm this cold winter ahead. Place the item(s) on the Mitten Tree in the narthex. The donated items will be delivered on Sunday, December 22nd.

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Some Ideas for Celebrating Thanksgiving in Your Home Scripture Readings: Deuteronomy 26:1–11; Psalm 100; Philippians 4:4–9; John 6:25–35

Video: Nearing sixty years as a Roman Catholic monk, Brother David Steindl-Rast inspires A Network for

Grateful Living (http://www.gratefulness.org). He narrates a heartfelt five-minute video, "A Good

Day," (http://www.gratefulness.org/brotherdavid/a-good-day.htm) that encourages irrepressible rejoicing (Phil.

4:4).

Experience: Keep a gratitude journal. Each night, review the day and write down a small number of things

that you are thankful for that day. Do it at dinner or before bed, by yourself or with family members. Do it less

often if you need to. Use a beautiful journal and colorful pens, or not. Notice what a difference it makes over

time. For jounaling inspiration, see http://www.simpleabundance.com/gratitude_journal.html

Experience: Write and send thank-you notes to those who have blessed your life this year. Children can draw

their thanks. Tell recipients what they did that you appreciated. For unique, homemade cards, seek the help of

someone who can provide stamping and scrapbooking supplies.

Testimony: People who practice gratitude experience physical, psychological, and social benefits, including

stronger immune systems, lower blood pressure, and higher levels of positive emotions. They feel less lonely

and isolated and act with more generosity and compassion. Robert Emmons, a scholar who studies gratitude,

writes about this in "Why Gratitude Is Good."

http://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/why_gratitude_is_good/

Prayer: Some families share highs and lows or make prayer requests before, during or after a meal.

When a person voices something they are thankful for, have them or a leader say, "Praise God . . . ,"

to which all others add, ". . . from whom all blessings flow!" Similarly, when someone voices a con-

cern, say, "God, in your mercy . . . ," with everyone concluding, ". . . hear our prayer." Over time,

this becomes a shared, gracious pattern for acknowledging God at any given moment.

History: How did events in the 1700s set the precedent for present-day Thanksgiving celebrations?

Investigate the Massachusetts colony's first Thanksgiving at Plimoth Plantation (http://

www.plimoth.org/learn/MRL/interact/thanksgiving-interactive-you-are-historian), a Smithsonian

Institution affiliate. A simpler but still-balanced presentation is National Geographic's "First Thanks-

giving." (http://www.kids.nationalgeographic.com/kids/stories/history/first-thanksgiving/)

Film: The film Native Nations: Standing Together for Civil Rights (2008), hosted by Peter Coyote,

chronicles the beneficial partnership between Lutherans and Native Americans. Watch the promo

(http://www.elca.org/nativenations) and perhaps order a DVD.

Immigration: Now, as at the time of the first Thanksgiving, vulnerable immigrants remain among

us. Learn about some of them from Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service (http://

www.lirs.org). Make advocacy part of this season.

Shepherds/Sheep from Nativity sets or other Christmas decorations

needed ASAP Please leave items in the church office with your name & phone number on the container so that we can return it to you. If you have any questions or if you need items picked up please contact Cheryl Pearson at 248-444-4003.

We invite you to explore a new resource available to all Holy Cross families called Vibrant Faith At Home (VFAH). It will allow you to connect your Sunday church experiences to daily living through simple faith building activities for all types of families. On Sunday, November 24, at 9:00 am in the Fel-lowship Hall, a short introductory activity devel-oped by VFAH ministries will be shared to help us

prepare for a meaningful Thanksgiving. We invite all ages to join us for this event and we ask that you bring a donation for the non-food pantry, which will be part of our activity. On Sunday, December 1, the annual Advent Wreath Making Gathering will be held in the Fellowship Hall at 11:30 am. Everything you, your family, and friends need to create your own wreaths will be supplied. Small donations for the materials will be appreciated! The event will conclude with a “hanging of the greens” brief time of worship and decorating in the sanctu-ary. Bring your lunch and enjoy this time of preparation for our 2013 Advent journey! VFAH faith-building home activities associated with these special events will be made available which will inspire and equip you to center your lives in Christ Monday through Saturday. They will be supplied at the end of each event. More information about Vibrant Faith at Home will be available on Sundays in the Fellowship Hall. You can also visit the Vibrant Faith at Home website at www.vibrantfaithathome.org, which will soon be available through the Holy Cross website.

If you are interested in making an Advent Wreath, please RSVP to Kim Thomas at kimthomas212@gmail.com or 313.721.1956

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THANKSGIVING DAY TABLE GRACE*

We come to this table today, O God, humble, thankful and glad.

We thank you first for the great miracle of life,

for the exaltation of being human,

for the capacity to love.

We thank you for joys both great and simple -

For wonder, dreams and hope;

For the newness of each day;

For laughter and song and a merry heart;

For compassion waiting within to be kindled;

For the forbearance of friends and the smile of a stranger;

For the arching of the earth and trees and heavens and the fruit of all three;

For the wisdom of the old;

For the courage of the young;

For the promise of the child;

For the strength that comes when needed;

For our family united today and every day.

Of those to whom much is given, much is required,

May we, our children, and our children's children remember this.

Gracious God:

We thank you for food and remember the hungry;

We thank you for health and remember the sick;

We thank you for friends and remember the friendless;

We thank you for freedom and remember the enslaved.

May these remembrances stir us to service

that your gifts to us may be used for others. AMEN.

*Clipped from Ann Landers and adapted by PD; to be used at your table on Thanksgiving Day.

Our communal Thanksgiving worship will be incorporated into our Sunday morning wor-ship on November 24, the Sunday prior to Thanksgiving. A workshop after 10:00 worship that day will offer resources for an intergenerational Thanksgiving celebration in the home. We will not have a Thanksgiving Eve service at Holy Cross, but anyone from Holy Cross who would like the opportunity to worship on Wednesday evening is welcome at Faith on 5 Mile at 7:30 pm. This will not be a joint service, but Faith’s service to which we are invited.

Veteran’s Day Music

Jake Runestad (Pastor Dana's nephew), is an up-and-coming composer. His work, “Dreams of the Fallen,” for orchestra, pi-ano, and chorus, is going to be premiered by the Louisiana Philharmonic in New Orle-ans on Veterans Day, November 11 at 7 pm Central Time. It is based on poetry by an Iraqi war veteran. The orchestra repre-sents the geographic landscape, the chorus will sing the text of the poetry, and the pi-ano represents the emotional landscape in the psyche of the soldier. You can watch a podcast live. Follow the link below. You can also see an interview with him online if you Google “Jake Runestad Dreams of the Fall-

en.”

http://lpomusic.org/?q=honoring-our-heroes 12-Hour Crop & Craft Saturday, Nov. 23 10AM - 10PM

Are you a knitter? Stamper? Scrap-per? Cross-stitcher? Beader? Quilter? Painter? Something else-er? Join us! Come for a few hours or stay all day. Bring a lunch, snacks, and beverages. We will order out for dinner. Contact Shari Dudek if you have questions.

for NOVEMBER

Lectors November 3 Linda Carlucci November 10 Carl Gerard November 17 Ben Miller November 24 Jack Dahlstrom

Communion Teams November 3 Dudek Team November 10 Hall Team November 17 Berean Team November 24 W/ELCA Team

Help Dan celebrate his new album release: When the Lights Come On. Space is limited, come early, get a drink and find a seat. More info about the new album, preorder and listen to select tracks: http://danvaillancourt.bandcamp.com/ Concert at Holy Cross on Nov. 8th at 7 :00 pm. The Abbey Coffeehouse is dedicated to the idea

of community - locally and globally. Located in Holy Cross Lutheran Church, adjacent to a beauti-ful labyrinth we are a place for spiritual curiosity: believers, questioners, atheists and nomads wel-come to find a place of rest, rel...axation, stimu-lating conversation and joy. http://www.holycrosslivonia.org/#/front-porch/the-abbey Admission is free. Donations are welcome.