Holy Cross Connections

Size: px

Start display at page:

Download "Holy Cross Connections"

Myrtle McCormick
5 years ago
Views:

Holy Cross Connections Upcoming Events: Palm Sunday 25th 8:00 am, 8:45 am, 11:00 am Maundy Thursday 29th 7:00 pm Worship Good Friday 30th 7:00 pm Worship Easter Sunday April 1st 7:00 am, 8:45 am,

1 Holy Cross Connections Upcoming Events: Palm Sunday 25th 8:00 am, 8:45 am, 11:00 am Maundy Thursday 29th 7:00 pm Worship Good Friday 30th 7:00 pm Worship Easter Sunday April 1st 7:00 am, 8:45 am, 11:00 am Communion at all 3 services Inside This Issue Holy Cross Young Adult 2 Best Times Fellowship 2 Visiting Care Ministry 2 Men s Golf League 3 Projectors 3 Hospitality 3 Holy Cross Crafters 3 Stephen Ministry 3 Lenten Meals 3 Pr. Emil 4 Ladies Book Discussion 4 Mom s Group 4 School Mission & Ministry 5 Easter Egg Hunt 6 Lenten HC University 6 Quilters 6 Thank You Letter 6 Holy Cross Pics 6 We Know How It Ends! 2018 I feel sorry for Jesus poor disciples as they saw their Leader arrested, dragged before the Sanhedrin, Pilate and then to a cross. I cannot imagine the fear, the dread, the sense of doom and despair with which they were wracked. Palm Sunday afternoon He was sitting on top of the world; Friday afternoon He was dead. They could not believe what they had seen with their own eyes. It was too horrible to comprehend. But you know, it did not have to be that horrible for them. If only they had remembered what Jesus had repeatedly told them: And on the third day He would rise again from the dead. Yes, seeing their Leader and Lord, Whom they dearly loved, beaten, mocked and crucified would have still torn their hearts. Yes, they would have still probably run and hid for their lives Maundy Thursday night. But they would not have been crushed in despair; for they would have known that His death was not the end. It was not going to be the end for Jesus and it was to going to be the end for them. Jesus would rise again! Death would be defeated. Forgiveness of sins and life would be proclaimed in His name. But they forgot. They got so caught up in the tragic drama unfolding before their eyes; they forgot what they had heard with their own ears. Lent is so much easier for us because we know how it ends. Every year, without fail, we gather on Easter morning to exclaim, HE IS RISEN; HE IS RISEN INDEED! But then we go out into the world, back to the drama of our everyday lives. Worse yet, we find out that we are not exempt from the tragedies we see on world news. Teen suicides, gun violence, and school shootings break our hearts and boggle our minds. We wonder what this world is coming to and where it will all end. Before we know it, we are doing the same thing Jesus first disciples did. We are forgetting how it ends. Our risen Lord Jesus is coming back one day. He is going to gather us and all those who believe in Him as their Lord and Savior, and He is going to take us home to be with Him in heaven forever. Then there will be no more suffering, no more sorrow and tears; there will be no more death. Don t let the day s drama blind you to the ultimate victory that is yours in Christ Jesus. We know how it ends! So let s bring the victory that is ours in Christ Jesus with us into the chaos and confusion of our day and let Christ Jesus use us to leaven our broken world with His healing love, just like His first disciples did. HE IS RISEN; HE IS RISEN INDEED! AMEN! Pr. Kip

2 Holy Cross Connections Page 2 Holy Cross Young Adult Happeings Who doesn t love receiving a care package? If you would like to write one of our college kids a note of encouragement, donate a king-sized chocolate bar, home-baked cookies, etc. to include in a care package, please leave them in Lorin Zuppe s mailbox! You can designate them for a specific student or for anyone. We will be sending them once in the fall and once in the spring with a devotion, and young adult updates to help encourage them in their faith and keep them in the loop! Thank you for loving and supporting our college kids! We have been asked by Stark State faculty to expand onto their new Akron campus! We could not be more excited about this opportunity God has sent to raise up and equip new young adults to lead on that campus next semester! What a great example and blessing for our local HC kids to witness, meet and serve with more Christian peers, all to add to their Christian growth! Our Main campus weekly Bible studies continue every Thursday at 4:00 p.m. in room B-101 in the Business building. Please help get the word out to college kids you know (other local collegians welcome as well as the away-ans when they are home!). Please keep all in your prayers to stay close to their Lord with all the worldly things that get thrown at them, and that they can reach out to those they come in contact with who do not yet know Jesus! Thanks for your support of our awesome young adults! Holy Cross Best Times Fellowship Goings On! Please join us for the GlenOak Jazz Festival to be held on Monday, 19! This year they feature Dr. Scott Garlock on trombone with their jazz bands. They also welcome the Lake High School Jazz Band and the Washington High School Jazz Orchestra. Concert begins at 7 PM at GOHS with a $5 admission charge. Please sign up on the Best Times bulletin board and your general seating ticket price will be covered. We will meet at GlenOak High School s theatre at 1801 Schneider St. NE at 6:45 p.m. Check in with Lorin Zuppe, then enjoy an evening of music and fellowship, all in support of our community kids! Thank you! Visiting Care Ministry! Shut-ins are defined as those who are unable to attend worship because of health reasons for an extended portion of time or cannot come to church without assistance. We are looking for volunteers to visit one person once a month at their residence (assisted living or at home) regularly. These visits may be done by individuals or in pairs and the purpose of these visits is to build a rapport with those being visited. (The visits will also provide the opportunity to bring sermon tapes, bulletins, cards and other parts of church life to people unable to attend church). If you are interested in making a regular visit and/or if you know of someone needing a visit please contact Lorin Zuppe! Thanks and blessings!

Page 3 MEN S GOLF LEAGUE INFORMATIONAL MEETING MONDAY, 5, 2018 @ 6:00 PM (Cafe) If you are interested in joining the Holy Cross Men s Golf League

The work with the projectors in the North Sanctuary is completed and the new South Sanctuary projectors have arrived and were installed on Tuesday,

Stephen Ministry provides this kind of care, freedom, and joy.

Contact: Diane Diehl (330-491-1402), Judy Forsythe (330-494-7532),Rosemarie Millin (330-966-9365), Joe Wonsettler (330-834-0365); or Pastor Kip at

It s Spring and we ll be making cards for the shut-ins 20th @ 7:00 PM in Room M-6. Sherry Lemke will provide materials and lead us.

3 Page 3 MEN S GOLF LEAGUE INFORMATIONAL MEETING MONDAY, 5, 6:00 PM (Cafe) If you are interested in joining the Holy Cross Men s Golf League this year, please plan to attend this informational meeting. Questions??? - contact Don Whitman at dwhitman@neo.rr.com or The work with the projectors in the North Sanctuary is completed and the new South Sanctuary projectors have arrived and were installed on Tuesday, February 27th. Want More Freedom And Joy? Upcoming Holy Cross Hospitality Serving Opportunities! If you would like to serve in our Sunday Hospitality ministry, please sign up on the provided sheets any Sunday morning in the church Café! THANK YOU! Did you know that there is joy and freedom when we put the needs of others ahead of our own? Stephen Ministry provides this kind of care, freedom, and joy. If you ve ever thought about finding ways to bring Christ s love to those who are hurting, you need to learn more about Stephen Ministry. Contact: Diane Diehl ( ), Judy Forsythe ( ),Rosemarie Millin ( ), Joe Wonsettler ( ); or Pastor Kip at A t t e n t i o n H o l y C r o s s Crafters, and anyone interested in making greeting cards! It s Spring and we ll be making cards for the shut-ins 7:00 PM in Room M-6. Sherry Lemke will provide materials and lead us. Bring small scissors and $ t o d e f r a y expenses. All of the remaining Wednesdays in Lent will be Soup Suppers. You may sign up to bring either a soup or dessert. This is a great way to serve your fellow believers here at Holy Cross by helping to provide them a hot meal and dessert before worship every Wednesday during this Lenten season. Make sure to Call Linda Eckberg to be put on the schedule

Page 4 4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away. Rev.

He said what a lot of Americans are thinking. But then he said something that shocked me as a Christian. He said, I'll never see my kid again. Never ever will I see my kid again.

4 Page 4 4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away. Rev. 21:4 Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Last night I watched a father vent his anger and frustration over the death of his daughter. She was a victim of the Florida school shooting. He said what a lot of Americans are thinking. But then he said something that shocked me as a Christian. He said, I'll never see my kid again. Never ever will I see my kid again. I want that to sink in. It's eternity. My beautiful daughter, I'm never going to see again. Imagine living with that much hopelessness and despair. Imagine not having the slightest hope that you will see loved ones again. Imagine not having the comfort and hope of Christ and His resurrection. I wonder if I would be able to go on living. There are people like this father around us every moment of every day. They are around us at school, at work, on the sports field, in the grocery store, in our neighborhood. They may look like they have it all together. But when disaster strikes, it will become clear that they, like us, are helpless and powerless on our own. But we know how the story ends! Jesus is coming! He s coming to wipe away our tears! He s coming to undo the power of death! He s coming to purge our world of sin and all suffering! He s coming to bring permanent peace, joy and eternal life for those in Christ! He s coming to bring with Him the dead in Christ! We will see them again! We will be with them and our Lord for eternity! That s why I m thankful for our igo! Team. They are being intentional about developing relationships with those around them so that they can be there to share the hope of Jesus Christ when they are ready. But this isn t only the job of the igo! Team. This is our calling as Christ s Church, to be salt and light in a dark and bitter world. If you want encouragement and support to be more effective at alleviating the hopelessness and despair of the world around you, please let me know. I d be happy to come alongside you to do just that. Please pray for our 60+ igo! Missionaries. Pray that they have opportunities to Bond with the lost, Learn about them, Engage them in a deeper more meaningful relationship, Serve them as needs become evident, and Share the Good News of Jesus when appropriate, so they too may be comforted by knowing the end of the story. With Great Joy in Jesus, Pastor Emil Ladies Book Discussion Group What: Secrets of a Charmed Life by Susan Meissner. When: 7:00 PM Where: Youth House Michele Rivard & Sharon Ludwig Hope to see you there! Mom s Group Mom s Group will be held on: 7:00 PM Audrey Wakefield s House 8898 Market Ave NE Canton, OH Come and bring a friend!

5 Page 5 School Mission & Ministry News... Registration for the school year is going very well. We still have a few openings. If you know of someone who is looking for a quality, Christian program please have them give me a call. Remember, we are a Five Star Center in Step Up to Quality. The feedback from our parent/teacher conferences was extremely positive. Parents were impressed with what their children have been learning, and have been thankful for the time we spend teaching their children about Jesus and His love. Please pray for us. The staff needs the strength that comes from God to carry out this important Kingdom work. The mother of a three-year-old child teaches in Plain Local School. She made a point to come to my office after her parent/teacher conference with Mrs. Eagon. She told me that the teachers in Plain Local love the children who come from Holy Cross. She said they can always tell which children went to preschool here. They can stand in the front of the room and point them out, and they are always right. They are the children who have a solid base of learning on which to build, they know how to listen to the teacher, they know how to follow directions and they are leaders among their peers. Another mother wanted to push her son ahead into the pre-kindergarten class even though he is not ready for the class. When she found me to be unwilling to do that, she went to her local public school to see about registering him there. The principal told her: My children went to Holy Cross. That is an excellent school. Ours is not the school for your son. Take him back to Holy Cross. Stories like that help us to see that what we are doing here is highly effective. Our goal is to teach the children and give them a good start on their educational career. The most joyful part of what we do is to tell the children about the love of our Heavenly Father in sending His Son, Jesus to take away the penalty of our sins. The love Jesus has for us was a big part of our February Valentine s celebration. Love is what Holy Cross Preschool and Kindergarten is all about. In Bible time in the Toddler room, the children learned that Jesus had 12 special friends (disciples) who helped Him tell people about God's love. The children were excited to learn that Jesus also loved children! They learned that Jesus showed His love by helping people. In the 3 & 4 year old classroom they talked about keeping their bodies healthy for Jesus as they studied health & nutrition. They learned about Jesus feeding the 5,000 and how He stopped a storm. The children continue to grow in God s love and learn about Jesus great love for them! The four-year-old/pre-kindergarten class started February with the letter M. Through the Bible story of the Ten Lepers the children learned that Jesus loves them and they have much for which to be grateful. They learned about the importance of listening to God's Word as they learned about Mary and Martha. Their Bible lessons continued as they learned about the miracle Jesus performed when He fed 5,000 people with only five small fish and two loaves of bread! Continuing with their Bible lessons the children learned about how the love of Jesus changes our hearts through the story of Zacchaeus. The Pre-Kindergarten class learned that God wants us to eat healthy. With our healthy bodies we are able to tell others about Jesus, as they learned Peter and Lydia did long ago. The Kindergarten children celebrated 100 days of school by walking 100 steps north from their classroom. They ended up outside Pastor Emil s office. He was there and had a hug for every child with a special hug for his daughter who is in that class. How blessed we are to have God s friendship and love. We love because HE first loves us! 1 John 4:19. In His Service, Marjorie James, Administrator

Page 6 Children s Ministry Easter Egg Hunt 24th from 10:00 AM 12:00 PM If you would like to donate candy or Easter eggs, please leave your donations near Josh Craig s office.

Please see Sarah O Briskie and/or Erin Lindsey with any questions. QUILTERS Why Comfort Quilt Mission? O.k...actually, we don t quilt! We collect donate, cut, sew, assemble, sew some more and tie.

6 Page 6 Children s Ministry Easter Egg Hunt 24th from 10:00 AM 12:00 PM If you would like to donate candy or Easter eggs, please leave your donations near Josh Craig s office. This event will require many volunteers. We are in need of greeters, people to hide the eggs, work a craft table or serve a snack. Please sign up in the (NS) Welcome Center. Please see Sarah O Briskie and/or Erin Lindsey with any questions. QUILTERS Why Comfort Quilt Mission? O.k...actually, we don t quilt! We collect donate, cut, sew, assemble, sew some more and tie. NO quilting stitches. Some quilts are really attractive. Some are interesting! Some make us chuckle!! But...ultimately...it s not about the quilts. It s about the men, women and children who will receive them through Lutheran world Relief and Refuge of Hope. Only God knows who they are. We want them to know that we care. So...last year when Judy O Briskie suggested that these are Comfort quilts, that sounded exactly right! P.S. The January Newsletter from Refuge of Hope has a picture of Marty Myers and Jinny Powell delivering 28 of our Comfort quilts last October. Thanks ladies!! LENTEN HOLY CROSS UNIVERSITY Soup Supper: 5:30-6:15 PM Bible Classes: 6:15-7:00 Hymn Sing: 7:00-7:15 Lenten Meditation: 7:15 7th...Courageous Heart 14th...Aching Heart 21...Compassionate Heart

7 Holy Cross Connections Page 7 Holy Cross Pics Youth Choir Guitar Club Our Youth! Our Newlywed Game Contestants

Holy Cross Lutheran 7707 North Market Avenue North Canton, OH 44721 Non-Profit U.S. Postage P A I D Canton, OH Permit No.

DVDs of Sunday worship services are on the counter in the north and south hallways. Audio is on the website.

8 Holy Cross Lutheran 7707 North Market Avenue North Canton, OH Non-Profit U.S. Postage P A I D Canton, OH Permit No. 123 ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED is a Christ-centered, friendly, mission-minded, Bible-based community of believers who strive to carry out ministry with integrity and excellence. DVDs of Sunday worship services are on the counter in the north and south hallways. Audio is on the website. Sunday Mornings At Holy Cross 8:00 AM Liturgy of Praise Traditional Worship 8:45 AM Majestic Praise Blended Worship 8:45 AM Adult Bible Class 10:00 AM Sunday School, Youth Bible Class, and Adult Bible Hour 11:00 AM Expressions of Praise Contemporary Worship April Newsletter Deadline Sunday, 18th Office Phone Office FAX Preschool info@holycrossnorthcanton.com Richard Kip Smith, Senior Pastor Emil Gretarsson, Associate Pastor Ted Voss, Pastor Emeritus Dale Fjordbotten, Vicar Mr. R. Lee Zacharias Worship Ministries Coordinator Mr. Joshua Craig Director of Children and Youth Mrs. Lorin Zuppe Coordinator of Care Ministries Mrs. Vicki Zacharias, Office Manager Mrs. Katie Stiver, Soul Accounting Secretary Mrs. Diane Diehl, Stephen Ministry Mr. Tom James, Property Manager Mrs. Marjorie James Holy Cross School Administrator

Holy Cross Connections

Holy Cross Connections Upcoming Events Sunday, January 6 Youth Event Time (TBA) 2019 Wednesday, January 9 6:30-7:30 PM Holy Cross University Begins Thursday, January 10 11:15 AM (A3) Best Timer s Committee