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Holy Cross Lutheran Church
“Sharing the
Ointment
for Jesus’ Feet,
Giving God
our Very Best” Cf. John 12:3
Our mission statement:
Celebrating God’s love
by worshipping God,
caring for each other,
and serving in community.
Vol. 22
No. 5
May 2016
This recently concluded Holy Week saw the celebration
of J.S. Bach’s 331st birthday. I spent a little time thinking about and
celebrating the life of Johann Sebastian, by playing some of his easiest
pieces, and listening to some of his more complicated compositions.
Albert Schweitzer recorded 25 records of Bach organ music on the
Columbia label. He called this great Lutheran, wonderful father, musi-
cian and composer, The Fifth Evangelist.
I know for a fact that I was first exposed to the music of Bach, in
utero. Mom was practicing on the New Gottland Lutheran Church
organ, an instrument she played for 60 years. I remember being snuggly
held against the kneeler of the altar rail, by a rolled up blanket, gazing
with awe into the cavernous darkened nave, and thrilling to the counter-
point, harmony and modulations of Bach’s music washing over me like
the caress of the surf on an infinite beach, or rumbling like approaching
thunderheads over the prairie with the trilling of lightning grace notes.
The first time I was big enough to climb the casing of the pipes,
I did, leaving fingerprints on the gilded mouth of the longest flue pipe as
I tried to discover where the sound originated. Those fingerprints
remained there in full view of the congregation for at least three
decades, until the organ was refurbished. Every time I sat in the pew for
worship, the evidence of my sin was right in front of my face, the dirty
fingerprints of my unfiltered curiosity. … /// ...
BERGY’S BABBLE: “STAND UP AGAIN, ANASTASIS”
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… /// … Bergy’s Babble — “Stand Up Again, Anastasis”
Fortunately the fingerprints did nothing to change the grandeur of the Bach
music issuing from that place. Bach can fix anything. The evening after
my father’s funeral, Mom, Candy, Shane and I listened to Jesu, Joy of
Man’s Desiring, over and over again, several different versions by different
performers until we were virtually vibrating over every nuance.
Several years ago, Broward County Florida, was experiencing an in-
tense crime wave. The Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, submitted a bid to send
transcendental meditators there to stop crime by emitting harmonious vibra-
tions. The cost: ten cents a day per county resident, or $47 million a year.
Wow, for half of that we could set up huge amplifiers and speakers and play
Bach, and even the most wretched of criminals would be too enthralled to
be bad. And we’d still have 15 to 20 million bucks left over. Hmmm, what
to do with that clear profit? I go to Mark Schweizer, in his book, “The So-
prano Wore Falsettos: A Liturgical Mystery,” for a great idea. We could
sponsor the Holy Cross NASCAR Racing Team, put our name in front of 40
million viewers, and win a lot of races, because who is going to pass a car at
220 mph that has “WHERE WILL YOU SPEND ETERNITY?”, written on
the rear bumper?
Second only to Easter Sunday in the celebration of the church,
should be Easter Monday. In early Greek tradition it was an official day of
joy and laughter in which the clergy cracked jokes to awaken people to the
realities of joyous resurrection and to drag out the “Easter smile” a little
longer. It is a shame that artists haven’t depicted angels holding their sides
doubled up in laughter. We talk about the joys of heaven but don’t dare say
that one way joy is expressed is in the belly-laugh, the snort and guffaw, the
hee-hawing until tears run and sides hurt. Jesus was all for it. If you look
back in his life you’ll see that his critics were always real serious. The de-
mons he expelled were sad sacks and sourpusses, mad at the world. In
heaven, grumps will be transformed into wits and grouches will become
masters of repartee. … /// ...
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… /// … Bergy’s Babble — “Stand Up Again, Anastasis”
Most will be shocked at how funny heaven is, and Easter is the time to cele-
brate that, the season of hilarity made holy in the unbelievably divine resur-
rection turn of events. We’ve all heard of stand-up comedy. Anastasis, the
Greek word for resurrection, means to stand up again!
Therefore in the spirit of fun I’d like to introduce you to some of the
lesser known Biblical personalities. The names and passages are from the
Revised Standard Version. The descriptions are from the ancient writings of
St. Figment d’Imagination.
AHITUB: (1 Samuel 15:8) Designer of the penthouse bathroom in the
Tower of Babel.
AMOK: (Nehemiah 12:7) Early Jerusalem politician immortalized in
headlines in “The Hebrew Herald”: ‘Local Party Runs Amok.’
DODO: (2 Samuel 23:9) Philistine military officer who graduated last in a
class of 666.
EHI: (Genesis 46:21) Yell leader at Elohim High School in Jerusalem.
ER: (Genesis 38:3) Early Canaanite orator noted for his lack of prepara-
tion.
GAD: (Genesis 30:11) Founder of “The Royal Order of Soft Core
Cursers.”
OHEL: (1Chronicles 3:20) Founder of “The Royal Order of Hard Core
Cursers.”
HASHEM: (1 Chronicles 11:34) Short order cook in King David’s NCO
Club.
HUPPEM, SHUPPIM, & MUPPIM: (1Chronicles 7:15 & Genesis 46:21)
Early Edomite entertainers who specialized in puppets.
SODI: (Numbers 13:10) Canaanite soft drink bottler.
SUAH: (1 Chronicles 7:35) Loyal Arkite Razorback fan whose name
became basis for famous yell.
TELEM: (Joshua 15:24) Homiletics professor at Samaria Seminary.
ZIPPOR: (Numbers 22:2) Moabite tailor who invented a devise to keep
robes from flying open in the wind, hence the slang term ‘fly’.
Stand up again, Anastasis, and I’ll see you in worship …..……. Bergy
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MINUTES FOR
HOLY CROSS COUNCIL MEETING
Council met on Sunday, March 13, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. Those present
were: Pastor Jim Berggren, Ann Larson, Nancy Beamesderfer, Wendy
Lambeth, Gordon Tinker, and Sandra Williams. Newly elected members
present were: Bettie Baring, Bettye Raschke, Fredda Yurk and Dave
Garwick. Pastor Jhon Arroyave, AIM Karen Davidson, Rosie Haas, Wayne
Schaper, Warren Schick, Jay Byerly and Ernesto Lopez did not attend.
President Ann Larson called the meeting to order at 11:00 a.m. Pastor Jim
Berggren opened the meeting with a prayer for guidance and thanks for the
blessings and season of Easter.
The minutes from the February Council meetings were unanimously
approved and were submitted to Crossties and the Website for publication.
The Treasurer Report was unanimously approved as presented.
PASTORS’ REPORTS:
Pastor Berggren advised the Lenten services have been well attended and
the Lenten lunches were all good. This Friday is his Palm Friday as that is
when he goes to cut palms to prepare for the Palm Sunday service. The
palms for the congregation to wave on Palm Sunday have been delivered
and are in the Annex kitchen. The month has been very active at HCLC
with a birthday celebration for Ora Dell Dittmar, the ELC successful fund -
raiser and the SpringFest Craft Sale. He presided at the wedding of Larry
Davis and Renee Willington, the founders of AJAM (A Journey against
Misery). He presided at the well attended memorial service for Warren
Larson. He advised that the choir is serious about its music ministry and
more choir members are needed.
OLD BUSINESS:
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Wendy Lambeth reported the Upcycled Crafty Ladies did well at both the
SpringFest Craft Sale and the St. Andrews Craft Sale. … /// ...
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… /// ..
… /// … HCLC Council Meeting — March 13, 2016
She asked for approval of Council to sell some of the spring and Easter
crafts the next Sunday before and after the 9:30 am service.
Council approval was given and several expressed their appreciation for this
sale to the congregation as some members had not been able to attend the
craft sales.
Sandra Williams advised the SpringFest Craft Sale was successful and
Barbara Neumann did a great job of managing all aspects of the sale. Most
vendors are ready to come back again next year and even more vendors are
interested. We will need to expand the number of workers involved in
organizing the Craft Sale particularly for advertising.
Pastor Jim advised that weather permitting the Easter Sunrise service would
be outside not inside as indicated in the Sunday News.
NEW BUSINESS:
President Ann Larson updated email addresses for the incoming Council
members. She thanked the outgoing members for their service this last year
and welcomed the incoming members.
The new Council will be installed on Palm Sunday at the 9:30 am service.
President Ann Larson handed out charts of the hits the HCLC facebook page
receives. In the future, she will email these to the Council.
April 10, will be the Pre-School Sunday and the ELC students will sing for
the congregation.
Fredda Yurk asked that the Council find someone to assist Gloria McGarvey
in opening the church. This takes about a half hour to do and involves
considerable walking. Fredda also advised Suzan Cook is moving to Florida
in June or July.
Council approved that it will return to meeting at 11:30 am so that the Adult
Forum can continue each Sunday. Bettie Baring thanked Council for return-
ing the meeting to the 11:30 am time as the Adult Forum is an important
asset for members.
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… /// … HCLC Council Meeting — March 13, 2016
The next Council meeting will be on Sunday, April 17, 2016 at 11:30 a.m.
ADJOURN:
The meeting was concluded with the Lord’s Prayer.
Respectfully submitted,
Sandra Williams & Julie Kilkenny
WELCA UPDATE
WELCA is so blessed to be able, through the hard work and generosity of
the women and men of Holy Cross, to participate in many of the programs
at Holy Cross and throughout the US and world! But we owe it to our mem-
bers to be wise and careful stewards of this money. So please, if you want
contributions from WELCA, please get an estimate approved by the Board
and provide the Treasurer with receipts for expenses.
WELCA wants to participate in everything we are asked to but we do not
have unlimited funds and must budget so that all requests can be handled
appropriately.
WELCA NEWS
GENERAL MEETING MAY 7, 2016
Please come and participate in our WELCA General Meeting on May 7, at
10 am!! Your input into our projects, benevolence, direction and gifts are
necessary! Come have your voice be heard!! Great FELLOWSHIP, FUN
AND FOOD!! PLEASE COME AND BE A PART OF OUR DESTINY!!
WELCA BOARD
Thank you! — WELCA
COUNCIL MEETING
May 22, 2016
at 11:30 a.m. in the Annex.
Ann Larson
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HOLY CROSS LUTHERAN CHURCH
COUNCIL & COMMITTEE MEMBERS
— 2016 — President : Ann Larson
Treasurer : Wayne Schaper
Secretary : Julie Kilkenny
Council : Bettie Baring
Jay Byerly
David Garwick
Bettye Raschke
Warren Schick (Vice-President)
Fredda Yurk
Nominating
Committee : Marilyn Flick
Ruby Schaper
Penny Schick
Kay Vaccaro
Endowment
Committee : Norma Berg
Pat Boessling
Rick Finstad
Mark Kilkenny
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BRUNCH BUNCH
It’s Pizza time!! we will meet at Fuzzy’s Pizza at 823
Antoine, Houston, TX 77024 (713) 682-8836 on May 15,
at 11:45 a.m. and that includes YOU if you so desire.
Have a fun summer. Hope to see you in September when
we resume our Brunch Bunch.
RSVP Jeanette Dukleth
To my friends at Holy Cross Lutheran Church:
I take this opportunity to thank the congregation of Holy Cross for their
generosity with providing calendars for so many people over the years.
Most calendars land in garbage dumps because we get too many of them
while there are people out there who would like to have a nice, new colorful
calendar.
I have been collecting them at HCLC for several years and distributing them
to nursing homes and assisted living facilities. The calendars are colorful,
cheerful and free. All one has to do is contact several of the places to make
contact. (One doesn’t just drop them off) You must explain that they are for
anyone who would like to have one.
I sincerely, hope that someone there –boy scouts, girl scouts, teens, clubs —
anyone can take up the rein and carry on.
Thank you! and may God bless you, Joyce Pavelka
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FRIENDSHIP CLUB
The Friendship Club will be meeting May 21, 2016, at the church for a
pot luck supper. Please bring you favorite covered dish to share. Dessert
will be provided by the Friendship Club. Supper will be served begin-
ning at 5:00 p.m.
Following supper, we will have BINGO. The club will furnish the prizes
so there is no need to bring any white elephant gifts.
Nancy Beamesderfer
The Friendship Club is making plans to attend
"Opry in Humble" August 12, 2016.
A precinct bus has been reserved but there must be 15 riders for the bus to
roll. Our favorite entertainer, Michael Hix will be performing again this
year. Tickets to the show are $15.00 (bus ride is free) and food can be
purchased at the event.
Please contact Madelyn Price (713-462-3682) ASAP to reserve your seat on
the bus. Note: The bus will leave Holy Cross no later than 4:30 p.m.
Nancy Beamesderfer
FRIENDSHIP CLUB — SAVE THE DATE!
October 22 — Octoberfest at First Lutheran
Church in Galveston.
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What a day! Some of us were spared the wrath of the storm on Monday, but
many more were not. Please pray for those who were impacted by the
floods and the power outages.
Words don’t come easily on occasions such as this. Suffice it to say, call me
or another Stephen Minister if you want just to talk.
May the compassionate Lord be with you to comfort and strengthen you.
God bless,
Marge Carroll
WORKDAY
A workday is scheduled on Saturday, May 28, 2016 starting at 9:00 a.m.
Please see the task list posted on the Building & Grounds Bulletin Board in
the FLC. Please look them over and if you can help come prepared to work.
EARLY LEARNING CENTER
With heartfelt gratitude we thank you for your support of the mission of
Holy Cross Early Learning Center. The children have grown not only
academically but spiritually.
We end our year on May 27th, and begin on September 6th. Praise God!
Stan Crick
Cathy Bankhead
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If your name is not listed or if this is incorrect information
please contact Ann Larson so that the list can be corrected.
Ann Larson (713) 957-0972 email: [email protected]
Holy Cross members celebrating birthdays this month:
FREDRICKSON, MAUREEN
19315 Jordans Landings Lane
Richmond, TX 77407—3298
Telephone (281) 499-6971
01 Jackson Lambeth
02 Marge Carroll
04 Carol Prokofieff
05 Stephanie Walton
06 Nannette Luker
07 Dolores Abrego
María García
08 Jadher Abad
10 Pat Hartfiel
Antonio López
11 Catalina Villegas
13 Socorro Samano
15 Mario Torres
16 LaVerna Wegner
Oscar Contreras
17 Bettie Baring
18 Jhon Jairo Arroyave
19 Jo Ann Wood
20 Michael González
23 Sussy Terry (Church Office Manager)
28 Carolyn Rothschild
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DATE
1st READING
PSALM
2nd READING
GOSPEL
05/01/2016
Acts
16:9-15
67
Revelation
21:10, 22—22:5
John 5:1-9
05/08/2016
Acts
16:16-34
97
Revelation 22:12-14,
16-17, 20-21
John 17:20-26
05/15/2016
Genesis
11:1-9
104:24-34,
35b
Acts 2:1-21
John 14:8-17
[25-27]
05/22/2016 Proverbs
8:1-4, 22-31
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Romans 5:1-5
John 16:12-15
05/29/2016
I Kings
8:22-23, 41-43
96:1-9
Galatians 1:1-12
Luke 7:1-10
READINGS, PSALMS & GOSPEL
MAY 2016
APRIL - 2016
Altar Flowers were donated by:
03 Kathy Auth
Terry Mackie
10 The Jasters
17 Warren & Penny Schick
Al & LaVerne Pivonka
24 Ann Larson
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R E M E M B E R I N P R A Y E R
AVERAGE ATTENDANCE
MARCH 2016
English Sunday services 119
Lenten services 38
Maundy Thursday 50
Good Friday 57
Easter Sunrise (7am) 62
Easter Day (9:30 am) 146
Spanish Sunday services : 101
Good Friday 65
Easter Day 119
The homebound, disabled,
long-term ill, and prolonged recovering.
Ora Dell Dittmar
Doris A. Drosche
Doris Pannell
Doris Polker
Elsie Schulze
Sue Vogt
Roselain Larson
If you are not receiving HCLC Prayer
Request emails and would like to,
please contact Renee Allcorn at
or (713) 254-8638 Note that Prayer Request emails
are sent out daily, so if you are on the
email list and did not receive any email,
please contact Renee.
TREASURER’S REPORT
If you have any questions call
Wayne Schaper, Sr. at (713) 465-5206.
MARCH 2016
Receipts $ 38,150.00
Expenses 35,914.78
Balance $ 2,235.22
Operational receipts
year to date received ……….. $ 101,893.00
Expenditures year to date ……. 116,196.42
Balance < $ 14,303.42 >
You may sign up for Altar Flowers
in the Narthex.
Suggested donation is $50.00
and $10.00 for a rose.
CHURCH OFFICE
HOURS
Monday—Thursday
8:30 am—4:30 pm
Friday
8:30 am—2:30 pm
HOLY CROSS
Lutheran Church
E-MAIL address:
Ronald Burns
Ed Cooper
Clarice Gross
Regina Hernández
Bruce Jaster
Charlotte Jaster
Ralph Lovberg
Madelyn Price
Julie Yanta
Family & friends of
Max Gurganious
upon completion of
his life’s mission.
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“Holy Cross Lutheran Church is a community of Christians
gathered by God’s grace and reaching out through God’s love.”
TELEPHONE EXTENSIONS
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101
Church Office Sussy Terry Office Manager & Events Coordinator
103 Rev. Jim Berggren Senior Pastor
104 Rev. Jhon J. Arroyave Hispanic Pastor
105 Karen Davidson Associate In Ministry
107 Financial Office
108 Stephen Ministry Office
109 Family Life Center
110 Nursery
111 Volunteer Office
Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Spring Branch
A Congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA)
7901 Westview Dr. Houston, Texas 77055
Tel. (713) 686-8253 Fax (713) 686-9095
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.holycross.us
YOUR CHURCH STAFF
† Rev. Jim Berggren — Senior Pastor Email : [email protected]
† Rev. Jhon Jairo Arroyave — Hispanic Pastor Email : [email protected]
† Karen Davidson — Associate in Ministry Email : [email protected]
† Sussy Terry — Office Manager Email : [email protected]
WORSHIP MUSICIANS
Cathy Elijah Music Director / Organist
Jo Ann Meeker Pianist
Ann Crick Pianist
EARLY LEARNING CENTER
ELC (713) 461-5535
OFFICERS OF THE CONGREGATION
Ann Larson President
Warren Schick Vice-President
Julie Kilkenny Secretary
Wayne Schaper, Sr. Treasurer
SATURDAY INFORMAL SERVICE
6:00 p.m. — Atrium
SUNDAY WORSHIP SERVICES
English Service : 9:30 a.m.
Sunday School : 11:00 - 11:45 a.m.
Spanish Service: 11:00 a.m.
Estudio Bíblico y Escuela Dominical
12:00 noon