Holy Cross Lutheran Church February 2015 Newsletter

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Phone: 734-427-1414 ● Email: office1@holycrosslivonia.org ● Website: www.holycrosslivonia.org

The Tree of Life 2015 Lenten Journey

ASH WEDNESDAY - February 18, 7:30 pm Return to the Lord, your God, who is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love. [Joel 2:13] Invitation to the Lenten Journey, Imposition of Ashes and Holy Communion

MIDWEEK LENTEN WORSHIP - February 25, March 4, 11, 18, and 25. 7:30 pm Holden Evening Prayer and Faith Talks

LENT 1 - February 22, 8 and 10 am One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God. [Matthew 4:4] GPS Call to Renewal

LENT 2 - March 1, 8 and 10 am May I never boast of anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. [Galatians 6:14] Welcome to the Table 1: Communion Preparation for children following 10 am worship

LENT 3 - March 8, 8 and 10 am We proclaim Christ crucified, the power of God and the wisdom of God. [1 Corinthians 1:23-24]

LENT 4 - March 15, 8 and 10 am God so loved the world that he gave his only Son. [John 3:16a] Welcome to the Table 2: Communion Preparation for children following 10 am worship

LENT 5 - March 22, 8 and 10 am Unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains a single grain, but if it dies, it bears much fruit. [John 12:24]

SUNDAY OF THE PASSION/PALM SUNDAY - March 29, 8 and 10 am Christ humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death – even death on a cross. [Philippians 2:8] Welcome to the Table 3: Holy Week Preparation for children following 10 am worship

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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

for FEBRUARY

Lectors 8 am/10 am

February 1 Carol Schreengost Karen Berean

February 8 Jack Keck Sue Scherbarth

February 15 Carol Schrecengost Linda Carlucci February 22 Mary Foster Jack Dahlstrom

Communion Teams

February 1 Dudek Team February 8 Hall Team February 15 Berean Team February 22 W/ELCA Team

Coffee and Tea Servers for February

Feb. 1 Vern & Betty Adams Feb. 8 Annual Mtg. w/ Lunch Feb. 15 Trudi Feenstra Feb. 22 Pricilla Circle

Please sign up for this much-appreciated ministry.

Contact Susan Scholz to volunteer.

Altar Flowers

for February

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

Trifolium hybridum l.

Christian Fellowship will meet at Logan’s Restaurant on Tuesday,

February 10 at 11:30 am.

The focus this month will be on the two major items council is currently addressing, the merger discussion with Faith and the interim pastoral process.

Where are we in exploring a relationship with Faith Lutheran? As you know, our Faith/Holy Cross Exploratory Team has completed its task. On January 19th, there was a joint meeting of the church councils of Holy Cross and Faith facilitated by Bishop Donald Kreiss and Pastor Jack Eggleston. Bishop Kreiss walked through what we have accomplished in the exploratory process and was impressed with the initial arrangement that has been agreed to by both church councils. The initial Arrangement document was approved at the Faith annual meeting on January 18th by a vote of 59 to 1. Bishop Kreiss appreciated the spirit of cooperation among both councils and stated that there is no standard blueprint for mergers. However, it was acknowledged that we are on a path that should lead us to a point in the not-too-distant future where Faith merges into Holy Cross, and then will cease to exist.

At Council's next meeting on January 23rd, we will discuss whether asking the congregation to vote on the initial arrangement would be beneficial to the process. If so, that would be included in the Congregational Meeting on February 8th. Additionally, Pastor Eggleston recommended that the respective councils each identify 3 people to serve as a “transition team” and work through details of the merger process, the first of which is settling on a rough timeline that takes us to a merger date.

Where are we in the Interim/Call Process? The Council is in the process of identifying a trained Intentional Interim Pastor who will walk with us until we call our permanent pastor. There will be an interview with a potential candidate on January 23rd. The interview will be conducted by the Holy Cross Church Council along with a non-voting contingent from Faith's Church Council. We hope to have the Interim Pastor identified by early February with a start date by mid/late February. Once the Interim Pastor begins, he/she can help us outline what our Interim Process should look like. That Process can take an unspecified amount of time but is an integral part of the journey our community is em-barking on as we listen to where God is leading us. As the interim process unfolds, we will know when the time is right to form a Call Committee. This will likely happen sometime this summer. We will endeavor to keep everyone informed every step of the way. Please be diligent in lifting this entire process in prayer and wrapping it in your own listening as to what God is calling us to do and be.

As always, please feel free to contact any Church Council member (Mark Erickson, Jeff Schu-man, Lynette Hoelter, Jeff Hatteberg, Vern Adams, Melodie Provencher or Andy Heise) if you have any questions.

Andy Heise Church Council

Council Corner

Book Club News Our book this month will be "the Husband’s Secret" by Liane Moriarty. Join us on February 19th at 3:30 pm.

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Fellowship Events

Saturday, February 14, 6:00 pm

Pizza & Game Night

Saturday, February 28, 10:30 am

Opera House Backstage Tour Costs include: $5 - Tour /$12 - Box Lunch

(Please sign up by Feb. 21. Plan to meet at Holy Cross to carpool at 10 am)

Saturday, February 28, 2:00 pm

Movies & Munchies featuring

Babbette’s Feast

Save these Dates!

March 14 - DHE Bell Fest at EMU April 11 - 3rd Annual Brew & Stew

April 18 - W/ELCA Spring Meeting April 24/25 - W/ELCA Rummage Sale

March NEWSLETTER

DEADLINE is set for

February 8

Organ Recital Sunday, February 1, 2015

4 p.m.

Dr. Michael Burkhardt EMU Artist-Professor of Organ

Organ Works by

J. S. Bach, Dietrich Buxtehude, César Frank, Louis Vierne,

and Michael Burkhardt

FAITH FORUM

Our new study, “Why Did JESUS Have to Die”, begins on February 8th.

Topics include: Week 1 - Lamb of God Week 2 - A Ransom for Many Week 3 - SEE What Love Week 4 - The Happy Exchange Week 5 - Father, Forgive Them Week 6 - Thine is the Glory. All are invited at 9:00 am every Sunday morn-ing. New faces are always welcome!

Holy Cross Fine Arts Series - Opera Talk #3

Sunday, March 22, 3 pm featuring arias from

Presented by Arthur White,

Audience Engagement Coordinator, The

Michigan Opera Theater

Joined by performers from

The Michigan Opera Theater

Wine & Appetizers to follow

Reservations are required by March 15,

for this FREE event.

Sign up on bulletin board.

Sunday, February 18 Transfiguration of Our Lord

8:00 am - Worship as usual 10:00 am - Hymn Festival led by Cantor Michael Burkhardt

You’ve Got Mail...

Or do you? If you are NOT

receiving weekly email from the

church and would like to keep

up with all that is going on, please

send a brief message to the office at of-

fice1@holycrosslivonia.org.

$98,706 $93,458

$88,807

$28,278 $30,398 $39,152

$378,799

$92,382 $88,368 $84,309

$25,626

$33,223 $45,271

$369,179

$-

$50,000

$100,000

$150,000

$200,000

$250,000

$300,000

$350,000

$400,000

1st Qtr. 2014 2nd Qtr.2014

3rd Qtr. 2014 Oct. 2014 Nov. 2014 Dec. 2014 Year-to-Date

Holy Cross Evangelical Lutheran Church2014 Comparison of Operating Expenditures and Receipts [PRELIMINARY]

January 1 - December 31, 2014Average Worship Attendance Year-to-Date: 182

Expenditures Receipts

Note: The data in this chart are preliminary and may be adjusted once year-end closing entries are post-

ed. Final information will be presented at the Congregational Meeting on February 8, 2015.

Plan to join us for Lenten Suppers As part of our Lenten focus, we gather for a light supper each Wed at 6:30 before 7:30 worship. The suppers, which begin on Feb 25, provide a wonderful sense of community and preparation for worship. Each week will be sponsored by a different ministry team.

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The Michigan Treasure Hunters would like to take a moment and thank everyone at Holy Cross for extending and embracing a new opportunity for our organization to have a new home and meeting place. Our group, as well as others, called Faith Lutheran Church our home. We were the senior group, meeting nearly 40 years at that location.

We look forward to a new beginning and relationship with Holy Cross. We would also like to extend an invitation to anyone who would like to attend one of our meetings. We will be meet-ing the fourth Tuesday of each month, with the exception of December, at 7:30 pm. Once again, a heartfelt thank you on behalf of the Michigan Treasure Hunters. Respectfully, Mark Branton - President and Bonnie Klisz - Secretary www.michigantreasurehunters.com

Congregational Meeting Sunday, Feb. 8th, after 10 am Worship

This is primarily a financial/governance meet-ing. We will also provide updates on both our relationship with Faith Lutheran and our inter-im/call process. Actions will include voting on our annual budget and next steps with Faith. A light lunch will be served. We need volunteers to prepare soup, salad and rolls (or meal of your choice). Please contact Kathy Weaver to volun-teer.

The Honoring Women Luncheon is scheduled for

March 7, 2015 at the Best Western

in Sterling Heights. This year our honoree is Sue Scherbarth!

Watch for details

Spiritual Care Team We have an active Spiritual Care Team that offers comfort, prayer, scripture and communion to our homebound mem-bers and members recovering from ill-

nesses. We invite Holy Cross and Faith mem-bers to participate approximately once a month in visitations to the homebound and hospital patients. Communion kits and booklets are pro-vided and reports are sent to record the com-munion visits. Meetings are held twice a year. Please contact Chuck Hunter or Marilyn Grable if you are interested in adding your spirit to this important ministry.

How We Manage Our Prayer Request Lists

With many new faces among us, it seems a good time to review our prayer request list process.

Prayer requests can be submitted at any time. When a request is received, it is placed in the bulletin

insert, the newsletter list and, if the situation warrants, in the “Prayers of Intercession” during Sun-

day worship. General guidelines for how long names remain on the lists:

The bulletin insert starts fresh each month, except for those grieving which are included for 6

months. The bulletin insert is a supplement to the comprehensive newsletter list that appears

monthly. Requests received by Wednesday will be added to that week’s insert.

The newsletter list includes those ill or needing special prayers for 3 months unless there is a

request to remove or continue. Those confined to home remain on list until the situation

changes.

Requests can be submitted in writing and put in the box outside the office, or emailed to

office1@holycrosslivonia.org, please put “Prayers” in the subject line.

Kitchen Clean-Up Day Friday, February 20th at 9 am

Come join the fun as we clean, purge and shine the kitchen. The concept of “Too many cooks in the kitchen” does not apply to this endeavor! Many hands make for light work, so the more the merrier!

Dearest friends,

I am still overwhelmed by the day you bid us farewell, sending my family and me off

with your well wishes. It was a beautiful worship service. The luncheon was, to use

the word again, overwhelming. Thank you for letting me be part of your life together

for four years. Thank you for the computer (from which I am writing this), and for

your generous, over-the-top monetary gift. We will use it to spiff up our new house

and (hurrah) Jenni has agreed to the much-wished-for canoe. I will think of you all

every time I load up my family, camping gear and Edel to go out and explore

God’s good creation. I cannot wait to hear about how you all change another pas-

tor for the better! Know that we are still connected in Christ’s mystical body as we

continue to be God’s People, doing God’s work, wherever we are!

PB

Wanted: Day Camp Co-Director Do you enjoy children and seeing the joy in their eyes when singing camp songs or learning a new game? Then this is perfect for you! For the past two summers Holy Cross has co-hosted LW Day Camp with Emmanuel Lutheran Church. Living Waters sends out college-aged students trained to run camp, we just need an overseeing adult to co-direct with very organized adult from Emmanuel. This year camp will be held June 15-19 at Emmanuel. Contact the office if you would like more information!

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Norma Eisbrenner* Bob Ferrari, Sr.*

Carl Gerard* Tom Reiterman

Constance Schacht Sharon Schrecengost

Fred Splittgerber Eleanor Thom*

Don Wolf

The Family & Friends of the Following Persons Who Have Died:

To add a name to this list: Call or email the office, 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!

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

Andrew Barr Nathan Bordach* Joseph Comeau Matthew Conrad Stephen Cruickshank

Chad Davey Michael Davey Taylor Furda* Marc Garnsey Evan Gearino

Ryan Hall* Tina Hiller Seth Hooper Connor Lanius Michael Rasler

Heidi Scherbarth Jennifer Smith Jeff Sweitzer Paul & Erin Tracy

Those in Service to Our Country:

Jayne Beyers* Jo-Andrea Brandt* Lois Cavanaugh Betty Connell* Betty Dahlstrom* Mildred Duby

Edna Duffy* Muriel Harper Ann Holliday* Doris Knapp* Sally Lanius* Ruth Lindke*

Dianne Markwell* Marilyn May* Bob Noechel* Amy Oellerich* Werner Oellerich* Lee Onkka*

Mary Jane Robinson Bea Rumley Jan Siemert* Bob Stone* Trudy Stone*(R) Jack Thom* Betty Wickham

Those Homebound:

James Adams Bob Alexander Angela Allen Steve Allen Dennis Ammons Karen Anastasiow* Morgan Anastasiow Bill Anderson Gard Andresen* Dolores Ardnt* Ed Ardnt* Mary Ann Asher* Matias Asuma Kevin Bajis Joyce Bigelow Nathan Bordach* Jack Boyer Randy Bradakis Wayne Brehob Max Brown

Isabelle Bumford Amanda Carr John Calloway Ron Chandler Michael Chaves Dick Christopherson

Dorothy Collins Jessica Conway Kelley Cote Jim Dawe Teri DeCoster-George Devries Wesley Drake David Eads Elsie Enzmann Kurt Enzmann Rene Foster* Alex Franz Laura Geletzke Wolf Goreceki

Shira Gongaski Henry Habarek* Denise Haskett Elena Herrera John Hobart* Chad Hook Patricia Hook Tom Hook Sue Hooper Bob Hoyrup* Lori Jermont Tom Johnston Jack Jones Dawn Kesler Brian King Gary Koval Larue Kriner Beverly Kunz* Bob Kunz*

Miguel Martinez Lillian May* Shannon McCarthy Ewan McMichaels David Miners Mary Kay Moore* Elizabeth Morman Pete Moundros Renee Murphy Mike Neary Diana Paolella Bea Price Ray Provencher Valerie Przywara Chris Rasler David Rasler Art Rautenberg* Jan Richardson Laura Rojas Dorothea Ross

Janet Russell Ethan Russell Bernice Russian Alberta Schmidt Jean Shea Mary Spire Paul Stawsk Rosemary Steinmueller

Scott Strachan Joe Strong Eric Stuebben Royce Subject* Shirley Trueman Becky Tomblin Melissa Wangler Bill Weaver* Dave Wheeker* Dorothy Werthman Benjamin Wrobel Carol Zogo

Those Ill or Recovering or in need of Special Prayers:

REMEMBER IN YOUR PRAYERS

Thrivent & W/ELCA News!

Each year, W/ELCA identifies an organization to support through proceeds of our Bake Sale and other activities. This year, we identified S.A.Y. Detroit as the recipient of our support. S.A.Y Detroit is a fully formed 501(c) (3) charity aimed at improving the lives of the neediest citizens, through shelter, food, medical care, volunteer efforts and education.

To encourage the good people of Holy Cross congregation to live generously, connecting faith and fi-nances for good, the Western Wayne County Chapter of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans committed to match our efforts, dollar for dollar, up to $500. Our November Bake Sale generated $471.00, a bit short of the goal as a result of rescheduling and shifting away from other activities. Not only did Thrivent match the $471.00, they sent a second check for $629.00 payable to S.A.Y. Detroit. The check was en-closed with a letter saying it is their hope that it will serve as further encouragement to S.A.Y. Detroit to continue their ministries that seek to bring the healing and uplifting love of God into the lives of hurting people of our area. They joined in our prayers that the Holy Cross W/ELCA gift of $471 and the addition-al $1,100 will assist them in being a gracious provider of the Lord’s help to people in their time of need.

We express heartfelt thanks to Western Wayne County Chapter of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans in leading by example to leverage our work in the community.

Susan Scholz, President Holy Cross WELCA

The Outreach Committee of

The President's Commission on1he Status of Women

in collaboration with WSU student organizations Not For Sale and Heavenly Hope International and the Soroptimist Group of Grosse Pointe presents a

Tuesday, February 10, 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Wayne State University - Student Center Ballroom

Join us for an important conversation about raising awareness about human/sex trafficking,

action being taken to end it in our state and how you can advocate against it.

TOPICS: A Survivor Story • Trafficking Legislation • Perpetrators' Perspectives • Trafficking & Technology • Resources

Light refreshments will be served.

For more information, contact Sara Byczek at aw4681 @wa yne.edu or 31 3.577.8564

HUMAN TRAFFICKING

HOLY CROSS EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH - FEBRUARY 2015

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 4TH SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY 2 3 4 5 6 7 8:00 am Worship 9:00 am Faith Forum 10:00 am Worship & Godly Play 11:30 am Intercessory Prayer 11:30 am Spiritual Care Team Meeting 12:00 pm GPS 2:00 pm Organ Recital at EMU

9:30 am Prayer Shawl Ministry

6:30 pm hh&v 7:00 pm GPS

9:30 am Bible Study 6:30 pm Men’s Bible Study 6:30 pm Women’s Bible Study

6:00 pm Bell Rehearsal 6:12 pm 6.1.2 7:30 pm Choir Rehearsal

7:00 pm W/ELCA Board 7:00 pm Prayer Shawl Ministry

8 5TH SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY 9 10 11 12 13 14 8:00 am Worship 9:00 am Faith Forum 9:00 am Fair Trade Sales 10:00 am Worship & Godly Play 11:00 am Fair Trade Sales 11:30 am Intercessory Prayer 11:30 am Congregational Mtg. 1:30 pm GPS

6:30 pm hh&v 6:30 pm Ruth Circle 7:00 pm GPS

9:30 am Bible Study 11:30 am Christian Fellowship @ Logan’s Restaurant 6:30 pm Men’s Bible Study 6:30 pm Women’s Bible Study

6:00 pm Bell Rehearsal 6:12 pm 6.1.2 7:30 pm Choir Rehearsal

9:30 am Esther Circle 7:30 pm Rachel Circle

6:00 pm Pizza & Game Night

15 TRANSFIGURATION OF OUR LORD 16 17 18 ASH WEDNESDAY 19 20 21 8:00 am Worship 9:00 am Faith Forum 10:00 am Worship & Godly Play 11:30 am Intercessory Prayer 11:30 am GPS

12:00 pm BB Brigade

NO hh&v 7:00 pm GPS

9:30 am Bible Study 6:30 pm Men’s Bible Study 6:30 pm Women’s Bible Study

NO Bells NO 6.1.2 7:00 pm Choir Rehearsal 7:30 pm Ash Wednesday Worship

3:30 pm Book Discussion

9:00 am Kitchen Cleaning 9:00 am Serv-Safe Renewal Class

22 1ST SUNDAY IN LENT 23 24 25 26 27 28 8:00 am Worship 9:00 am Faith Forum 10:00 am Worship & Godly Play 11:30 am Intercessory Prayer 11:30 am GPS

6:30 pm hh&v 7:00 pm GPS

9:30 am Bible Study 6:30 pm Men’s Bible Study 6:30 pm Women’s Bible Study 6:30 pm MSU Cottage Law Class

5:30 pm Bell Rehearsal 6:00 pm 6.1.2 6:30 pm Lenten Supper 7:30 pm Lenten Worship

7:00 pm Lydia Circle 7:30 pm Choir Rehearsal

6:30 pm Council

10:30 am Opera House Tour 2:00 pm Movies & Munchies

Building use by outside groups is

shown in gray.

Italicized activities are off site.

Community Building Use

M 5pm Ellies Weigh

T & Th 6:15pm CK Cardio

T 6:30pm DHE

W & Th 7am AA

W & F 8pm AA

W 8pm Alanon

Th 11am AA

Th 7:30pm AIM

F 10am AA

Sun 5pm Over Eaters

1st T 7pm Model Airplane

4th T 7:30pm MI Treasure Hunters

1st Th 9:30am Spinners

1st & 4th F 6:30pm ACA