THE CROSSFIRE. Ash Wednesday Worship Service March 1, :00 p.m. Making Disciples of Jesus Christ for the Transformation of the World.

Transcription

1 Church of the cross Issue 236 THE CROSSFIRE March 2017 Making Disciples of Jesus Christ for the Transformation of the World ON THE INSIDE 2 Pastor s page 3 8/8 Prayer 3 Maundy Thursday 3 Breakthrough Prayer Initiative Training 4 Creation Meeting 4 Glow Party 5 Children s Ministry 6 Praises 6 Wedding Congrats 7 Finances Mission News, Insert Special Dates in March: Communion Sunday, March. 5 First Sunday in Lent, March 5 55 & Over Luncheon, March 15 Ugly Quilts, March,18 REFIT, Tuesdays(6:30) & Saturdays (9:00) Ash Wednesday Worship Service March 1, :00 p.m. Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the season of Lent. Lent is a time when many Christians prepare for Easter by observing a period of fasting, repentance, moderation and spiritual discipline. Ash Wednesday emphasizes two themes: our sinfulness before God and our human mortality. The service focuses on both themes, helping us to realize that both have been triumphed through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. During the Ash Wednesday service, the minister will lightly rub the sign of the cross with ashes onto the foreheads of worshipers. The use of ashes as a sign of mortality and repentance has a long history in Jewish and Christian worship. Historically, ashes signified purification and sorrow for sins. Join us for this meaningful service. March 3, 2017 March 5, 2017 March 12, 2017

2 Page 2 Issue 236 Church Staff In Ministry with you Lead Pastor Keith Luke keith@cotcumc.com Administrative Assistant Lisa Gleason Visitation Pastor Chuck Albright chuckalbright@ymail.com Traditional/Blended Worship Director Rich Dubler Keyboard Musician Donna Myers Contemporary Worship Leader Andrew Brammer Bell Choir Director Aaron Keaster Custodians Joanne Born Tita Wood A NOTE FROM PASTOR KEITH Dear Friends, I want to thank you for your faithful commitment in living out your faith in Jesus Christ through Church of the Cross. You are each in my prayers as I ask God to continue to grow in and through your life by the presence of Jesus Christ and the guidance of God s Spirit being upon you. As you know, in the past month we as a church have experienced significant transition as both Jane and Pastor Joe have moved on to new places in ministry and life. As they have moved on, we had the opportunity to thank them for their faithfulness and celebrate their ministries here at Church of the Cross. We also sought God s blessings to be upon them in their next season of life and ministry. As we continue our journey together here at COTC, I want to thank those who so faithfully continue to serve this church and community through your gifts, talents and time. To those who are Sunday School Teachers, Small Group Leaders, Children s Workers, Youth Leaders, Nursery Workers, Greeters, Safety Team, Hospitality, Congregational Care, The Food Pantry, Office Volunteers, True Vine Garden, Music Ministries and so many others ( this is a danger in making a list, because I will leave some out); I say Thank You! Thank you for all that you do that is both noticed and unnoticed, you are each a part of the Body of Christ as you serve beside one another to God s glory. As we move ahead seeking to fill staff positions for our ministry areas, please keep this process in your prayers. We are currently seeking to fill two positions; one will be a parttime Director of Children s Discipleship, while the second will be a part-time Director of Student and Young Adult Discipleship. Also we will soon be advertising for a part-time Director of Adult Discipleship, as well as a part-time Connections Coordinator. The Connections Coordinator position will have the goal to help new guests to connect to the church in meaningful ways, as well as to help people who are a part of the church already but are seeking a more meaningful and deeper connection to the church where increased connections can be made in relationships and ministries. Please pray for wisdom and discernment in this season. If you would have any questions or concerns, please feel free to let me know. It is my goal that Faithfulness to Christ and Excellence in Ministry is our focus for all Staff of Church of the Cross today and into the future. Thank you again for all that you do for Christ in this church and in our community. In Christ, Pastor Keith

3 The Crossfire Page 3 COTC S 8/8 PRAYER (In this Season, let us pause each day at 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. and pray this prayer for God s church and our lives.) M AUNDY THURSDAY/ BREAKTHROUGH PRAYER On Thursday, April 13 we will be having our annual Maundy Thursday Dinner at 6:30 p.m. in the multipurpose room followed by a service in the sanctuary which will include communion. Watch for Sign up information in the bulletins this month. Easter Flower Sale March 19 April 9 Again this year we will be offering Easter plants to decorate our altar. If you would like to purchase Easter plants, pick up a form at the Adult Ministry Corner. The cost is $8.00 and you can place them in memory or honor of a loved one. Breakthrough Prayer Initiative Training to be held at Church of the Cross! Mark you calendars for Saturday, April 1st. Church of the Cross will host the MWD Breakthrough Prayer Initiative Training event. Every church recognizes prayer as important. But what happens when a congregation unites to pray collectively and consistently for God to break through in new and miraculous ways? You can launch your congregation into the kind of church-wide breakthrough prayer initiative that fuels the atmosphere of possibility. The entire focus begins to shift from inward to up-and -outward. It s easier than you think and results will make spiritual history right in your own community and beyond. The training event will be held at COTC on Saturday, April 1 from 9:00 a.m. -2:00 p.m. in the gym. The cost is $10 and includes lunch. If you are able to attend, sign up at the Adult Ministry Corner this month. (If cost is an issue, please let Pastor Keith know.) Dubler, Andrea 3/1 Montgomery, Devon 3/2 Sudheimer, Ray 3/4 Rulason, Andrea 3/5 Breymaier, Susan 3/7 Ryan, Darlene 3/9 Scribner, Vicki 3/9 Bushea, Peggy 3/10 Fuller, Brian 3/10 Klohn, Lori 3/11 Leffel, Patricia 3/12 Rogers, Laurie 3/12 Cox, Timmy 3/16 Leow, Warren 3/17 Olin, David 3/18 Raab, Jane 3/19 Valdez, Henrene 3/19 Breymaier, Emily 3/22 McDonagh, John 3/25 Zaborowski, Scott 3/25 Taylor, Jonah 3/26 Breymaier, Luke 3/28 Strole, Judith 3/28 Weller, Elbert 3/28 Huber, Laura 3/29

4 Page 4 Issue 236 C REATION MEETING DOUBLE FEATURE Monday evening, March 27 at 7:00 p.m. in the Gathering Area. As we learn more about ancient shipbuilding, we must ask the question, When Noah constructed the Ark, did he use the technology of the day to follow the Lord s directions and build a ship able to withstand the ocean s tempest?; Arc specialist Tim Lovett applies new research to the contours of the Ark while maintaining an unwavering commitment to the Word of God. Our second feature is a fast- Paced documentary revealing the thrilling backstory of the building of Ark Encounter. Come along on a journey from the first brainstorming plan in 2004 to the Grand Opening in Join us for Noah s Ark: Thinking Outside the Box and the Building of the Ark Encounter. JOIN REFIT GREATER TOLEDO FOR OUR One-Year Anniversary Glow Party Fundraiser Friday, March 10th Doors open at 6:30 PM, Class from 7:00PM 8:00 PM Church of the Cross 1750 Eastgate Rd., Toledo, OH Fee :$10 Proceeds support the Food Pantry at COTC (Families of 3 or more $25 max) All Are invited! - Friends, Spouses & Children (12 & under free, but must be able to participate.) Be sure to wear white or neon colors to glow in the black lights!

5 Page 5 C RO S S OV E R C H I L D R E N S M I N I S T RY Issue 236

6 The Crossfire Page 6 G OD S ANWSERS TO OUR PRAYERS Ephesians 5:20 NIV.always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Praise: Daughter has a college roommate! Praise for Grandma whose improved health issues did allow her to attend church today. Praises for answering a friend s prayer. Praise that a second opinion diagnosis is encouraging for the family of a friend. Praise that a friend is returning to work after having had pneumonia. Praises for answered prayers for former husband a she is now receiving the mental health treatment he needs. Praises for God for caring about all situations. Member is praising God for successful back surgery! Praises for father who celebrated his 90th birthday! Praises that friend is back to work after pneumonia and heart issues. Thank you Lord, for closing some chapters in my life and for giving me patience. Praising God for allowing me to serve through The Kid s Club where I have been blessed well! Praising God for birth of niece s baby. Member is praising God for walking with her this past year and now returning her to being herself. Members are praising God for 52 years of marriage and for opportunity to travel to visit granddaughter and husband in Texas. The above praises were taken from requests at the altar, from s or from Sunday Connect Cards. Congratulations to Jane Raab & Don Nixon who were united in marriage on Saturday, February 11 at Church of the Cross. The traditional wedding ceremony was officiated by Pastor Keith Luke and Pastor Stuart Broberg of Church of the Covenant in Washington, PA. After honeymooning in North & South Carolina they will be living in Pennsylvania. Congratulations to you both and wish you many of God s blessings on your marriage. (Jane & Don s address is: 412 Old Pike St. Canonsburg, PA15317)

7 Page 7 Issue 236 F INANCES AT A GLANCE J ANUARY 2017 & YEAR TO DATE Consider Online Giving Life is busy! And that means you may not be at church every Sunday. We hope you won t forget Church of the Cross even if you are not here every Sunday. Online giving is a great way to continue your financial support of the mission and ministry programs at COTC, even though you may not be able to be here every week for worship. To donate electronically using your debit or credit card or checking account transfer, please visit our website at and click on the link that says give. C ONGREGATIONAL NOTES 55 & Over Luncheon The March 55 & Over Luncheon is scheduled for Wednesday, March15 at 11:30 a.m. at TGI Fridays (1334 Bernath Pkwy). Sign up at the Adult Ministry Corner. Crossfire Deadline The deadline for the April edition of the Crossfire is March 15. Please submit articles via at or drop them off at the church office. Thank you for meeting this deadline. Ugly Quilts Ugly Quilts will meet on Saturday, March 18 from 10:00-2:00. A light lunch will be provided. Please contact Dolly Ryan at if you are able to attend and for any questions. On behalf of the Ugly Quilters, we would like to thank everyone who donated material and batting to our sleeping bag project. Thanks to you and your very generous donations, we will be able to continue our ministry of keeping the homeless warm on cold nights. What a blessing to open our cupboards and see them filled to capacity! -Dolly Ryan Our Sincere sympathy is extended to Dave Holman on the death of his father, Howard Holman on February 9. A memorial service was held on February 13 at First Christian Church in Wauseon. Remember Dave and his family as they grieve the loss of their loved one. Remember to Spring Forward on Sunday March 12th and get to church on time!

8 Church of the Cross, UM 1750 East gate Rd. Toledo, OH Address Service Requested Prepared Especially For: Phone: Fax: Eastgate Rd. Toledo, OH Church of the Cross Phone: Fax: We re on the Web: Church of the cross We re on the Web! Sunday Worship 8:00 AM The Chapel 9:30 AM The Gathering 11:11 AM Cross Community Food Pantry Every 2nd & 4th Tuesday 4:00-6:00 p.m. Community Meal - 4th Tuesday Prayer Line Number# M-TH 8:30am-4:30pm Editor: Lisa Gleason Deadline for copy: 15th of each month. Editor reserves the right to edit for content and space.