Let s Do This! by Christine Eid, Director of Children s Ministries

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As we studied the psalm, we saw that the author began and ended the song of praise the same, Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever.

1 Let s Do This! by Christine Eid, Director of Children s Ministries December 2016 GIVE THANKS TO THE LORD, FOR HE IS GOOD; HIS LOVE ENDURES FOREVER. PSALM 118:1 In a recent Kidsitute lesson, our scripture focus was Psalm 118. As we studied the psalm, we saw that the author began and ended the song of praise the same, Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever. In between these two verses are a variety of things that the people are thankful for God s presence, alleviation of fears, God s assistance, taking refuge in God, God s strength, God s salvation, and for all that God has done. After seeing how the author praised God, the students related which of these things they could also give thanks for, and the overwhelming consensus was all of them! We realized that though our situations are different and our struggles may change, God s presence, assistance, strength and salvation are still the same for all of us. God is with us each and every day in everything that we face, both joyful and difficult. The Psalmist began and ended with giving thanks. We also need to start and end each day with words of thanksgiving. And, as we enter into December, the last month of the year, it is my hope and prayer that we also end this year of 2016 and begin 2017 identifying all the things that we can be thankful for. While there are struggles and concerns, we have the confidence of God s everlasting presence with us. As I reflect on this past year in ministry at Cross View, there are so many things for which to be thankful. So many people have been involved in so many ways to share the love of Christ within our walls and also outside in the community. Most recently, at the end of October, I gave thanks to the over 160 people who participated in our first 5th Sunday Service Day. It was wonderful to see generations working side by side to serve in response to what God has given us to do. One of my favorite pictures of the morning was one of our kids carrying a bucket with the slogan, Let s Do This. It s the joy and excitement I know that child had while working side by side family members, but it s also the words, Let s Do This that brings me a smile. Let s do this! Let s serve our wonderful God wherever we are and in whatever situation He may give us. Let s share the message of God s salvation. And, this month and throughout the year, let s give thanks with anticipation for the celebration of the birth of the Christ child, our Savior of the world. Children s Christmas Musical Storytelling Refreshments Crafts Live Animals Sat., Dec. 10, Noon OPEN TO ALL! FREE FOR EVERYONE! We d love for you to volunteer and help! Check for bulletin inserts, sign-up at the Connection Center, and invite your family and friends!

PAGE 2 CHRISTIAN EDUCATION Christmas is Coming, and the Children Are Busy Preparing! Sunday School children are excited to share the Christmas Gospel with family and friends!

2 PAGE 2 CHRISTIAN EDUCATION Christmas is Coming, and the Children Are Busy Preparing! Sunday School children are excited to share the Christmas Gospel with family and friends! Please join us for these special performances! Preshool-1st Grade Sunday, December 4; 9:30 AM 2nd-6th Grade, The Inn Crowd Saturday, December 10 (during Children s Nativity); TWO performances 10:15 and 11:40 AM Families of 2nd-6th Graders: Rehearsals for the program will be during the opening of Sunday School. We will also have two dress rehearsals: Saturday, December 3, 10 AM 12 noon and Wednesday, December 7; 6:30-8:00 pm. Please contact Christine Eid at Christine@crossview.net if you have any questions. Please note there will be no education classes on Sunday, December 25 or January 1, in celebration of Christmas and New Years. Regular Sunday classes will resume Sunday, January Year-End Offerings Deadline IRS regulations make it very clear that for a contribution to be credited to the 2016 tax year, it must be received on Cross View s premises by December 30 or postmarked no later than midnight on December 31, Dropping it off in January with a December date on the check does not qualify. The church office will be open Friday, December 30, from 9 A.M. to 4:30 P.M. Thank you for your attention to this important detail. Altar Flower Sign-Up Altar flowers are given to Cross View to beautify our worship space. You may designate a particular occasion or remembrance in the bulletin for which you have given the flowers. A flower signup is posted on the bulletin board in the lobby. Flowers may be ordered through Cross View s regular florist or provided by you personally. Find Cross View on Facebook! Like Us at facebook.com/crossviewlutheran and Join in the Conversation! Redeeming Christmas Continues: See How It All Fits Together On New Year s Day, in morning worship, come see how all of St. Luke s birth stories fit together. In our one worship service at 9:30 AM, January 1, you will hear how God broke into the stream of human history in dramatic ways. This story becomes gripping as you see three angel announcements and two miraculous births with the presence of the Holy Spirit infusing it all. You will see the reactions of real people as God comes suddenly and unexpectedly into their lives. Cross View member Pastor David Buuck will present his dramatic version of the first two chapters of the Gospel of Luke, a presentation he has been performing since the 1990s, in the place of the Gospel and sermon that day. Through this, you will certainly gain new insights into the familiar stories and find your meditation on the message of this holy season deepened. The Genius of Generosity Update In October our congregation engaged in the fall stewardship emphasis. This year s theme was based on Chip Ingram s book The Genius of Generosity. Our focus involved a four-week series in worship and the adult education hour. We brought our focus to completion on October 11, Commitment Sunday. Time & Talent Forms were updated as we anticipate transition to a The Genius Of GENEROSITY new member database system. We are happy to report over 150 of you returned your Time and Talent Forms. They will provide valuable information to staff and Ministry Action Teams in the year ahead for recruitment of ministry volunteers. We also have currently received 116 Financial Commitment Cards. Thanks to everyone who participated in this year s fall emphasis. The rich generosity of Cross View s membership empowers the mission and ministry which we are privileged to carry out. It will be very exciting to see all our Lord will accomplish through this congregation in the year ahead. If for some reason you have not yet had the opportunity to return your Time and Talent Form and/or your Financial Commitment Card, please return them to the church as soon as possible. This is helpful to Cross View s leaders as they recruit for the year ahead and seek to responsibly plan for the 2017 budget. Additional Time and Talent Forms and Financial Commitment Cards are available on the Connection Center in the church lobby.

PAGE 3 CROSS VIEW YOUTH MINISTRY Fall Wraps Up with Rake and Run, Severs Corn Maze, and the Remodeled Youth Room RAKE AND RUN THANK YOU!

26 youth and adults took on the task of raking seven yards as quickly as we could before the rain set in.

SEVERS CORN MAZE Thirty-three junior and senior high students enjoyed Severs Corn Maze, a great place for our youth to burn off energy with a corn maze, a

They then gathered at the Swensons house for a devotion and Halloweenthemed chili dinner, followed by some ghost in the graveyard games outside in the

YOUTH ROOM REMODEL Earlier this year we received a gift from the Grammie Jean Foundation to replace worn-out carpet in the youth room.

Demo work, wall repair and plumbing was done by Dennis Scheppman, Steve Volbrecht, and Dick Rostal.

3 PAGE 3 CROSS VIEW YOUTH MINISTRY Fall Wraps Up with Rake and Run, Severs Corn Maze, and the Remodeled Youth Room RAKE AND RUN THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! Rake and Run was a great success this year due to your generous support. 26 youth and adults took on the task of raking seven yards as quickly as we could before the rain set in. We raised over $1300 dollars and had a lot of fun! SEVERS CORN MAZE Thirty-three junior and senior high students enjoyed Severs Corn Maze, a great place for our youth to burn off energy with a corn maze, a corn pit, a live petting zoo, and jumping pillows. They then gathered at the Swensons house for a devotion and Halloweenthemed chili dinner, followed by some ghost in the graveyard games outside in the dark. It was a great success! YOUTH ROOM REMODEL Earlier this year we received a gift from the Grammie Jean Foundation to replace worn-out carpet in the youth room. This generous gift began the process of the youth room getting a much needed facelift! In early August the youth cleaned out the room. Demo work, wall repair and plumbing was done by Dennis Scheppman, Steve Volbrecht, and Dick Rostal. Larry Lunderby painted the room with new colors, which gave it a whole new feel. The youth then moved everything out of the room so new carpet and cabinets could be installed. The room was re-dedicated on November 13. Thank you to Tonya Bushey, Lisa Carston, Scott Douglas, Eric Langaard, Laura Waller and Rebecca Waller for their work to get this remodeling project completed. Be sure to visit the Youth Room. What a blessing this renovated room will be to the youth for many years to come! UPCOMING DATES December 10 Junior High Christmas Party December 11-5:30 PM Mission Trip Informational Meeting for 8th-12th graders. December 18 Senior High Christmas Party January 16 Jr/Sr High Ski Trip to Highland Hills

PAGE 4 3 Upcoming Senior Adult Events On Saturday, December 3 Cross View members will go caroling at the Minnesota Veterans Home.

Meet at Cross View Saturday, December 3 @ 2:30 PM (to sing through songs) 3:30-4:30 carol at the MN Veterans Home end at the Unit we ve adopted 1.

15; 20 seats reserved Information at Connection Center or contact Reg Schroeder.

This event will begin at 6:30 PM in the Fellowship Hall.

of your choice (e.g. Bridge, 500, Cribbage, Tic, Whist, Rummikub, Golf, Dominoes, Scrabble, Pinochle, Hand and Foot).

EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER ECC Students Receive Bibles, Get Civics Lesson, Have a Super Day Our Early Childhood Center was a busy place this last month with many special activities.

These Bibles go home with the children so they can learn more about God and His love. Each child received their Bible at Chapel.

When they begin reading, they will find a book mark in their Bible which their parents had created especially for them.

4 PAGE 4 3 Upcoming Senior Adult Events On Saturday, December 3 Cross View members will go caroling at the Minnesota Veterans Home. What a great way to serve and bring the joy of Christmas to those who have served to bring peace to others. All ages are welcome to sing! Meet at Cross View Saturday, December 2:30 PM (to sing through songs) 3:30-4:30 carol at the MN Veterans Home end at the Unit we ve adopted 1. Wednesday, December 14, 1:00 PM Meet at church for Christmas caroling to our shut-ins. Sign up at the Connection Center or contact Loren Rehmer, Saturday, December 17, Ceremony of Carols, 7:00 PM (see pg. 6) Pre-concert appetizer party at 5:00 PM; sign up at Connection Center 3. Wednesday, January 25, Plymouth Playhouse Rise Up, O Men at 1:00 PM; optional lunch at 11:30 AM Sign-up and payment deadline: Dec. 15; 20 seats reserved Information at Connection Center or contact Reg Schroeder. Christmas Potluck/Game Night On Friday December 9, Cross View Cards and Games will celebrate the Christmas season with a potluck meal followed by cards and board games. This event will begin at 6:30 PM in the Fellowship Hall. After the meal you will have the opportunity to connect with Cross View members and friends (adults of all ages) for several hours of fun and fellowship by playing cards and games of your choice (e.g. Bridge, 500, Cribbage, Tic, Whist, Rummikub, Golf, Dominoes, Scrabble, Pinochle, Hand and Foot). Sign up at the Connection Center, or call hosts: Mary & Chuck Daenzer or Cal Kuhlman New participants are welcome! EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER ECC Students Receive Bibles, Get Civics Lesson, Have a Super Day Our Early Childhood Center was a busy place this last month with many special activities. PRESCHOOLERS RECEIVE BIBLES Each year Cross View gives Children s Bibles to the children in our preschool Penguin class. These Bibles go home with the children so they can learn more about God and His love. Each child received their Bible at Chapel. They were very excited to take them home and couldn t wait to begin looking at their Bibles. When they begin reading, they will find a book mark in their Bible which their parents had created especially for them. CIVICS LESSON The ECC had a civics lesson as we set up a voting booth for Election Day. The students voted for President and afternoon snack. By overwhelming response, Mickey Mouse won for President. The students also saw firsthand how voting affects them, as chocolate milk won for the snack option. They were excited at snack time! Seminary student Caleb Wright sent this note of thanks for Cross View s free-will offering to support his education. The Super Heroes made an appearance at The Early Childhood Center. Kara and I were overwhelmed when we received your gift in the mail. Cross View has blessed Kara and me in so many ways; we can never repay or give enough thanks. Between Kara s employment, the experience that she gained there, letting me work there for a summer, and now blessing us with this grant, we are extremely touched and blessed by everyone who has been and is now at CVECC. We love Cross View, and it will always have a special place in our lives. In Christ, Caleb and Kara Wright

PAGE 5 5th Sunday Service Days Over 160 people, across the generations, participated

Over 40 bags were sent to the homeless and battered women s shelter; 20 college care

sent to the Edina police department; 275 bandages were rolled for Global Health

Projects of cleaning and repair were done inside and outside of Cross View!

Thank you to everyone who participated and served our community in this way.

Tentative projects include tying fleece blankets for the Frauenshuh Cancer Center,

bandages, a project for hospice patients and for a crisis nursery.

Jon Zellar or Christine Eid at the church office.

We are truly grateful for your continued support!

Laura & the Sojourner staff Twitter shout out from Edina police.

5 PAGE 5 5th Sunday Service Days Over 160 people, across the generations, participated in seven different projects on October 30. Over 40 bags were sent to the homeless and battered women s shelter; 20 college care packages brought joy to Cross View s students; cards of encouragement and thanks were sent to the Edina police department; 275 bandages were rolled for Global Health Ministries; and 8 quilts were tied to be given to someone in need. Projects of cleaning and repair were done inside and outside of Cross View! What a wonderful morning! Thank you to everyone who participated and served our community in this way. Our next 5th Sunday Service Day is January 29. Tentative projects include tying fleece blankets for the Frauenshuh Cancer Center, cards for the Edina Fire Department, a meal for Ronald McDonald House, rolling bandages, a project for hospice patients and for a crisis nursery. If you would like to help in the planning of the event, please contact Pastor Toby, Jon Zellar or Christine Eid at the church office. Dear Cross View, Thank you so much for the welcome bags! We are truly grateful for your continued support! Thanks for helping to create safer lives and communities. Laura & the Sojourner staff Twitter shout out from Edina police. A MONTH FOCUSED ON SERVICE As you celebrate God s greatest gift to the world, Cross View invites you to change up Christmas by changing lives! The goal of this year s Redeeming Christmas emphasis is to make difference in our community, Minnesota, the United States, and the world. Your gift is the giving of time and talent in the name of Jesus and for the sake of others. Get more information and submit your service stories and photos at

PAGE 6 Tenwek Dental Clinic Report Last Christmas, our congregation agreed that we would partner together in an attempt to redeem the true meaning of Christmas.

6 PAGE 6 Tenwek Dental Clinic Report Last Christmas, our congregation agreed that we would partner together in an attempt to redeem the true meaning of Christmas. We all agreed to change up Christmas to change lives. We accomplished this by forgoing extra gifts and Christmas luxuries. Instead, we put our combined savings toward life-saving dental equipment for Tenwek Hospital and Dental Clinic in Bomet, Kenya. The result of our combined sacrifices and generosity was an outpouring that no one could have anticipated. By God s grace, we raised over $112,000 toward the purchase of dental equipment. Since last December, a number of things have transpired with our project. The equipment was purchased from Patterson Dental. They sold the equipment to Cross View at or below cost, allowing us to nearly furnish the entire clinic! The equipment was then crated by Cross View members on May 21, The equipment was shipped to Marion, Indiana where it was loaded into a shipping container to send to Kenya. Unfortunately, the Kenyan government is very slow in clearing shipments like this and has added multiple layers of bureaucracy. For months we have been waiting for the Kenyan government to clear the shipment. This eventually will happen, but we need to pray that it will happen quickly as this equipment is desperately needed at Tenwek Hospital and Dental Clinic. About three weeks ago, we received word from Steve Burgert, medical superintendent of Tenwek Hospital. He wrote: We do have progress to report! All 192 items on the container have been inventoried. This includes many items in addition to the Quantum x-ray equipment. Each individual item also has a specific Kenya code number now assigned to it. This list is currently being approved by the Kenya Nursing Council and the Kenya Pharmacy and Poison Control Board, which should take a couple of weeks. Unfortunately, we do not have any way to expedite that process. We need the approval of those two Kenya authorities to obtain an Import Declaration Form (IDF) from Kenya Revenue Authority. After we have the IDF, then we can arrange for a pre-shipment inspection of the container contents in Marion, IN by a Kenya-approved inspector. Then we can arrange for transport from Indiana to a USA port for ocean shipment. I think that the water portion of the journey usually takes about 6 weeks. The container will arrive in Mombasa and be transported by truck to a screening station in Nairobi for inspection and approval before it is released for transport to Tenwek. We are getting close! But please continue to pray that God will open doors for our shipment to make its way to Kenya. As soon as we hear more news, we will share it with the congregation. POBLO Fundraiser Fruitcakes Buy your Christmas fruitcakes to benefit POBLO, a mission outreach program supported in part by Cross View. These delicious fruitcakes are made with Ed Whelan s famous recipe. Place your orders at the Connection Center for Christmas enjoyment! Gluten free also available. Price: 1 fruitcake $9; 2 for $16. A CEREMONY OF CAROLS SATURDAY, DECEMBER 17 7:00PM AT CROSS VIEW FREE & OPEN TO THE PUBLIC Take a journey with Encore as they explore unique carols and anthems sung throughout the world during this season of love and joy. The program features Benjamin Britten s Ceremony of Carols with harp, Stephen Paulus Three Nativity Carols with oboe, and many favorite carols arrangements with audience participation! Encore is an adult choir of graduates from the Angelica Cantanti Youth Choirs (Bloomington, MN), as well as family and friends of Angelica. Experienced singers all, they enjoy singing a varied and challenging repertoire. Please join us for a delightful evening of carols! Thanks for Mittens and Hats for Trinity First In partnership with The Frauenshuh Company, our November Sunday School and congregational mission project was to collect new hats and mittens for Trinity First Lutheran School and the community around them. To date, over 100 hats and 40 mittens/gloves have been given. Thank you for your participation and gifts to keep children warm this winter! Women s Book Club Pat Rostal will host book club in her home on December 19, 2016 at 1:00 PM. Please watch the bulletin for notification of the book choice for December. All women of Cross View are welcome to join us. Please contact the hostess if you are interested in joining or if you have any questions.

7 PAGE 7 OUTREACH AND MISSIONS Trinity First Thanksgiving Serves 200; Adopt a Veteran This Christmas Over 75 Cross View members contributed money, goods, time, and/or energy to prepare and serve a Thanksgiving meal to the students, families and teachers of Trinity First Lutheran School, Minneapolis. This year s event was moved to Saturday, November 19, in the effort to serve more people from the school and its neighborhood, but also to allow more Cross View people to participate on a non-work day. A special thank you to Judy Larson and Edie McGurgan for their leadership of this successful event. This Christmas Cross View has the opportunity to serve by adopting a group of approximately 33 veterans living at the Minnesota Veterans Home. This is a great way to love and serve those who have loved and served our country and us. You, your family or your small group can adopt a veteran this Christmas. Select a recipient from the lobby bulletin board. Return your wrapped and labeled gift to Cross View before Thursday 12/15.

PULL OUT PULL OUT PULL OUT PULL OUT PULL OUT PULL OUT PULL OUT PULL OUT PULL OUT PULL OUT PULL OUT PULL OUT InC* Event on Sat.

The concert will set the tone for your Christmas celebration. It is free and open to the public. We will gather after the concert for socializing at Tavern on France, 6740 France Ave S, Edina.

Please join YAMS for a great service event on Saturday, January 28, beginning at 4:15 PM. Serve at Feed My Starving Children in Chanhassen, packing life-saving meals for children all over the world.

8 PULL OUT PULL OUT PULL OUT PULL OUT PULL OUT PULL OUT PULL OUT PULL OUT PULL OUT PULL OUT PULL OUT PULL OUT InC* Event on Sat. 12/17 InC friends are invited to attend the Ceremony of Carols concert on Saturday, December 17, 7:00 PM in Cross View s sanctuary (see pg. 6). The concert will set the tone for your Christmas celebration. It is free and open to the public. We will gather after the concert for socializing at Tavern on France, 6740 France Ave S, Edina. All are welcome! *InC is a service and social group for Cross View members around the ages InChrist, InConnection, InCaring, InCommunity YAMS* Servant Event Save the date! Please join YAMS for a great service event on Saturday, January 28, beginning at 4:15 PM. Serve at Feed My Starving Children in Chanhassen, packing life-saving meals for children all over the world. Kids age 5+ are welcome to attend with an adult ratio of 1:1. After the 2 hour packing session, the group will head out to socialize over dinner in the area. Sign-up at the Connection Center in the coming weeks. Contact Megan or Patrick Rooney with questions. *YAMS is a service and social group for Young Adults, Married and Single. InC Visits Luther Exhibit On November 6, 25 Cross View friends visited the Martin Luther exhibit at the Minneapolis Institute of Art. After touring the exhibit, they ate at Black Forest Inn German restaurant, and raised a glass of beer in Martin s honor, although Katie Luther was the brewmaster of the family! Pulpit from which Luther preached his last sermon.

9 PULL OUT PULL OUT PULL OUT PULL OUT PULL OUT PULL OUT PULL OUT PULL OUT PULL OUT PULL OUT PULL OUT PULL OUT Cross View December 2016

Christian Education, 9:30 AM Office Hours: Tues.-Fri., 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM; Closed Monday Developing fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ along life s journey Rev.

10 NON-PROFIT US POSTAGE PAID TWIN CITIES, MN PERMIT NO Cross View Lutheran Church 6645 McCauley Trail West Edina, MN December 2016 Return Service Requested SCHEDULE Sunday Worship: 8:15 AM (Traditional) & 10:45 AM (Contemporary) Sunday Christian Education, 9:30 AM Office Hours: Tues.-Fri., 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM; Closed Monday Developing fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ along life s journey Rev. Steve Wheeler, Senior Pastor ext 203, steve@crossview.net Rev. Toby Schmidt, Associate Pastor ext 206, toby@crossview.net Jan Stockman-Sater, Early Childhood Ministries ext 222, jan@crossview.net Christine Eid, Children s Ministry ext 215, christine@crossview.net Jonathan Zellar, Youth & Young Adults MInistries ext 207, jonathan@crossview.net Lisa Carston, Finance & Administration ext 204, lisa@crossview.net Margaret Garrison, Parish Secretary ext 200, margaret@crossview.net Rebecca Waller, Music & Fine Arts Ministries ext 210, rebecca@crossview.net Jason Paulson, Contemporary Music jason@crossview.net Jungjoo Park, Organist jungjoo@crossview.net Lynn Pahl, President Nadar & Georgette Alaraj, POBLO Todd & Kim Roeske, Evangelistic Missionaries in Alaska Rev. Dr. Harry Wendt, Crossways International The Clarion is published monthly by Cross View Lutheran Church, 6645 McCauley Trail West, Edina, MN, (Office), (FAX), (ECC). Items for inclusion may be dropped off in the church office or sent via to rebecca@crossview.net. ADVENT & CHRISTMAS CALENDAR Young Children s Christmas Program December 4, 9:30 AM Children s Nativity with grades 2-6 children s program December 10, 10 AM - Noon Christmas Eve Dec. 24 Family Worship, 3 PM Traditional Lessons & Carols, 5 PM Christmas Day Dec. 25 Traditional Worship with Holy Communion, 9:30 AM New Year s Day Jan. 1 Contemporary Worship with Holy Communion, 9:30 AM

How Will You Shine? by Christine Eid, Director of Children s Ministries

September 2016 How Will You Shine? by Christine Eid, Director of Children s Ministries IN THE SAME WAY, LET YOUR LIGHT SHINE BEFORE OTHERS, THAT THEY MAY SEE YOUR GOOD DEEDS AND PRAISE YOUR FATHER IN HEAVEN.