Shari n g Go d s Lo v e a n d P r o mi se of Salva t i on Thr ou g h C hrist. Cross & Crownicle. Volume XXXV Issue 6 June, 2016

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1 Shari n g Go d s Lo v e a n d P r o mi se of Salva t i on Thr ou g h C hrist Cross & Crownicle Volume XXXV Issue 6 June, 2016 A letter from our Presiding Bishop The Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton, presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), has issued a letter in response to the June 12 shooting that claimed the lives of 49 people at a nightclub in Orlando, Fla. This is the deadliest mass shooting in U. S. history. I share her letter with you this month in place of my regular column. Pr. Marilyn Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, "So God created humankind in his image, in the image of God he created them." Genesis 1:27. We are killing ourselves. We believe that all people are created in God's image. All of humanity bears a family resemblance. Those murdered in Orlando were not abstract "others," they are us. But somehow, in the mind of a deeply disturbed gunman, the LGBTQ community was severed from our common humanity. This separation led to the death of 49 and the wounding of 54 of us. We live in an increasingly divided and polarized society. Too often we sort ourselves into like-minded groups and sort others out. It is a short distance from division to demonization. Yesterday, we witnessed the tragic consequences of this. There is another way. In Christ God has reconciled the world to God's self. Jesus lived among us sharing our humanity. Jesus died for us to restore our humanity. God invites us into this reconciling work. This must be our witness as the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. The perpetrator of this hate crime did not come out of nowhere. He was shaped by our culture of division, which itself has been misshapen by the manipulation of our fears. That is not who we are. St. Paul wrote, "So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation; everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new. All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting the message of reconciliation to us. So we are ambassadors for Christ" (II Corinthians 5:17-20). (Continued on Page 3)

2 PAGE 2 CROSS & CROWNICLE VOLUME XXXV ISSUE 6 PRELUDE - A BIBLE STUDY FOR WOMEN Women, you are invited to join the Prelude Bible Study group that meets on the 3 rd Thursday morning each month at 9:30 AM in the Library. Our study theme for July 21st will be The Heart of the Matter Seeking God, and is based on the theme verse from Jeremiah 29:13, When you search for me, you will find me; if you seek me with all your heart. The study was written by Angela Shannon and is in the Women of the ELCA s monthly publication Gather, which is available on the table in the Narthex for those who plan to attend. We do hope you ll join the group in July. A cup of coffee and a healthy snack will await you as you arrive. OWLS POTLUCK & BIBLE STUDY Looking for something fun to do each month? If so, consider yourself invited to join the OWLS (Older, Wiser, Lutheran Saints) of the congregation for a potluck meal and Bible Study. They ll be meeting next on Thursday, July 14th at 11:30 AM in the Choir Room. We always have an amazing assortment of delicious food and lively conversation over lunch. We then have about a 30-minute Bible Study, connecting scripture with some current event of the day. Newcomers are always welcome! VBS Thank You!! Our Vacation Bible School was held this year from June 6 th through the 10 th. Our theme was Cave Quest, Following Jesus the Light of The World. Children learned that Jesus gives Hope, Courage, Direction, Love, and Power when you follow him. We had 31 congregation members, both adult and youth, helping during the week. Thank you to all who participated and made this such a special week for the 70+ children who attended. Our awesome God planted seeds through you that the children will remember forever. One of my favorite quotes comes from Max Lucado. To the world you are one person, but to one person you may be the world. Those who helped were the world to the children. Thank you! Warren Jacobs MISSION TRIP NEWS This year, 18 of us will be heading out to Buffalo, New York, for our Mission trip. We leave on July 8 th and will return on the 16 th. We will work with five others we have never met before. The work will consist of painting inside and outside homes, taking down and rebuilding decks, building wheel chair ramps, working on the roof of mobile homes and much, much more. Please pray for safety for those who are attending as well as a meaningful God filled adventure.

3 PAGE 3 CROSS & CROWNICLE VOLUME XXXV ISSUE 6 Presiding Bishop s Letter Continues: Our work begins now. We need to examine ourselves, individually and as a church, to acknowledge the ways we have divided and have been divided. We must stand with people who have been "othered". We must speak peace and reconciliation into the cacophony of hatred and division. We must live the truth that all people are created in God's image. This morning your church wide staff came together to mourn and to pray. We prayed for those killed in Orlando and remembered the Charleston Nine killed only a year ago. We prayed for the family of the shooter, for our LGBTQ brothers and sisters and for our Muslim brothers and sisters who now face the threat of retaliation. And we prayed that the Prince of Peace will bring us to the day when we stop killing ourselves. Your sister in Christ, Elizabeth A. Eaton Presiding Bishop, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Highlights of the Northern Illinois Synod Assembly Augustana College, Rock Island, IL June 16-18, 2016 Celebrated the ministry of Bishop Gary & Polly Wollersheim on Thursday evening, giving thanks for their 18 years of faithful service to our synod. Elected Pastor Jeffrey Clements as Bishop of the Northern Illinois Synod on the 5 th ballot. He will be installed on Saturday, September 24, 10:00 AM at First Lutheran Church in Rockford. Heard a Bible study on Jesus, the Pray-er, in the Gospel of Luke, led by Bishop S. John Roth. Received Freedom Lutheran Church of Oregon, IL as a new congregation of the synod. Elected members from across the synod to serve on the Synod Council and various committees and boards. Adopted resolutions on the following topics participating in the Always Being Made New campaign, our Muslim neighbors, Lutheran Advocacy of Illinois, Racial Justice and the Life of Faith Initiative. Adopted a budget of $2,347, Participated in the worship service in which three Seminary graduates were ordained into the Ministry of Word & Sacrament of the ELCA: + Elizabeth Martin called to serve Trinity Lutheran Church in Harvard. + David Elliot called to serve Joyful Spirit Lutheran Church in Bolingbrook. + Barbara Otten called to serve Immanuel Lutheran Church in Amboy.

4 PAGE 4 CROSS & CROWNICLE VOLUME XXXV ISSUE 6 Congratulations, Graduates! Our high school graduates: Katy Butler Tina Gallagher Dominique Green Bailee Jensen Audrey Johnson Carley Korte Morgan Lacy Riley Landenberger Jeffrey Madura Alyssa Martinez Marcus Procter Hailey Saladino Ethan Schubert Kelsie Smith Kendra Zimmerman Our college graduates: Erica Cramp Coe College, Cedar Rapids, IA Kevin Peters Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, Texas Shelbey Puppe University of Wisconsin Milwaukee, WI Note: We apologize if we have missed the names of any of our graduates. Please let the church office know of any error and we will include the names of additional graduates in the August newsletter. Can You Help? Along with other nonprofit agencies, KNIB did not receive the grant promised from the state. To help them out, in addition to dollar donations, they need items from the following list. Let s fill a bin and a couple boxes for KNIB. They strive to keep God s earth green and clean. Dollar donations can be written to KNIB or Cross and Crown with KNIB in the memo section. Thanks for your support. KNIB always needs: Duct tape, Scotch tape, 8 x 11 ruled note pads, boxes of Kleenex, paper towels, toilet paper, handi-wipes/hand sanitizer, reams of colored paper, large coffee cups (disposable), napkins, gift cards for Dunkin Donuts or grocery stores, snacks, large candy molds or Jell-O jiggler molds (ideal for crayon molding), clipboards (large and small), large staplers and staples, large box fans.

5 PAGE 5 CROSS & CROWNICLE VOLUME XXXV ISSUE 6 Serving the Lord July, 2016 July 3 July 3 July 10 July 10 July 17 Greeter Kristin & Bill Frank Cindy Loken Cindy & Dean Snowdon Cheryl Metcalf Sue & Dave Chaney Ushers Ann & Joe Chamberlain Greg Loken Sally & Bill Clemens Mike Metcalf Tyler Bauer Amanda Acolyte/Cup Collector Amanda Elizabeth Martinez Olivia Warneke Ashlynn Swartout Amanda Assisting Minister Message for Children Loren Sass Ralph Prescott Mitch Olson Puppets Puppets Jan Ethington Jan Ethington Mitch Olson Lector Bill Frank Greg Loken Pam Prescott Mike Metcalf Julie Lewis Setup Nancy Christianson Vicki Sims Nancy Christianson Bread Michele Lally Violet Bane Vicki Davis Assistants Kristin & Bill Frank Jim Lacy Louise Glon Eileen & John Herring Sandy & Dave Nugent Ann & Joe Chamberlain Nursery Jenny Bella Warneke Jenny Coffee Host and Clean up Michele Lally Eileen Herring Amy Mary Jordon Sue & Dave Chaney PowerPoint Operator Bread Delivery Offering Caretaker Indoor Plant Care Ralph Prescott Barb Larson Diane Peters Sheila Carey Penni Korte Ann Chamberlain Kristin Frank Mike Metcalf Dean Snowdon Dave Nugent Joe Chamberlain Violet Bane Recycling Snow Shoveling Cheryl & Mike Metcalf If you are unable to serve on your assigned day, please find a replacement and call the church office by Thursday for bulletin changes ( ).

6 PAGE 6 CROSS & CROWNICLE VOLUME XXXV ISSUE 6 Serving the Lord July, 2016 July 17 July 24 July 24 July 31 July 31 Greeter Sandy Nugent Sally & Bill Clemens Christy Swartout Vicki & Duke Sims Floyd Hermann Ushers Jim Lacy Cindy & Dean Snowdon Louise Glon Cindy & Gary Powalish Jen Ezop Acolyte/Cup Collector Elizabeth Martinez Olivia Warneke Ashlynn Swartout Amanda Elizabeth Martinez Assisting Minister Ellen Colletta Ralph Prescott Message for Children Mitch Olson Dean Snowdon Dean Snowdon Ellen Colletta Ellen Colletta Lector Cassie Hartje Barb Larson Louise Glon Nancy Christianson Cassie Hartje Setup Vicki Sims Nancy Christianson Bread Cindy Snowdon Christy Swartout Assistants Barb & Dan Larson Sandy & Dave Nugent Jan Ethington Mary Walters Vicki Davis Christy Swartout Nursery Bella Warneke Jenny Coffee Host and Clean up PowerPoint Operator Bread Delivery Dorothy & John Melquist Angie Henbest Debbi Paus Anita Drake Hilde Magnuson Barb Larson Karen Radtke Offering Caretaker Indoor Plant Care Recycling Snow Shoveling Mike Metcalf Doug Nichols Dave Nugent Gary Powalish Dean Snowdon Violet Bane Cheryl & Mike Metcalf If you are unable to serve on your assigned day, please find a replacement and call the church office by Thursday for bulletin changes ( ).

7 PAGE 7 CROSS & CROWNICLE VOLUME XXXV ISSUE 6 JUNE CHURCH COUNCIL HIGHLIGHTS Welcomed members of the Call Committee who presented the name and qualifications of the pastoral candidate they are recommending for call to Cross & Crown. Agreed to hold a Meet & Greet with the pastoral candidate and discussed possible dates for a meeting for the congregation to meet and vote on the candidate. Affirmed that the next Committee Night will be held on Tuesday, July 12, 6:30 PM for those committees who would like to meet in July and the next Church Council meeting will be on Sunday, July 17, 11:00 AM. Heard that the pop machine was turned in and $100 was received and donated to the Youth Group. Heard that Vacation Bible School was a big success with 70+ children enrolled. Heard that the Finance Committee has reviewed the remaining items on the audit practices list, as well as the monthly accounts and investment portfolio. Heard that Social Concerns Committee will be doing a drive for office supplies for Keep Northern Illinois Beautiful and school supplies for the Drawstring Backpack project. Approved sending a letter to our inactive members with the signature of the Church Council in an effort to update our current membership roster. Heard that the Pre-School Board is need of 1 or 2 board members, specifically members who may have a financial background. Set Sunday, October 9th as the kick-off date for our Fall Stewardship Campaign. Pastor Kurt Nordby of the Northern Illinois Synod will be our guest preacher that day. Our Celebration Sunday to complete the campaign will be Sunday, November 6th. Moved to approve up to $1,200 for the repair of our hand bells. JULY COMMITTEE NIGHT Tuesday, July 12, :30 7:45 PM Our standing committees will hold their next Committee Night on Tuesday, July 12. The format for the evening will be as follows: 6:30-7:30 PM Committees meet individually around tables in the Children s Chapel (or in various classrooms, if preferred) for visioning & planning. 7:30-7:45 PM Committee members come together for devotions and a sharing of committee highlights in the sanctuary. 8:00 PM The Executive Committee will hold its July meeting in the Library. If you aren t currently serving on a committee, consider yourself invited to come and join us on July 12. Any of our committees would warmly welcome new members. Serving on a committee is important work and a way you can help shape the ministry of this congregation as we move forward into the future. Please note: The Evangelism Committee (John Herring, chair) & Pre-School Board (Julia Leslie, chair) will not meet on July 12. Please contact the committee chairs to find out the date of their next meetings.

8 PAGE 8 CROSS & CROWNICLE VOLUME XXXV ISSUE 6 CAMPFIRMATION Five of our young people will be attending Campfirmation from June 26 th through July 1 st. They will experience a week long Christian community. Each day we focus on a main theme. The themes are Chosen, Who is God, Sin and Forgiveness, Life Together, Living in Hope and Love as you ve been loved. Please pray that those attending will experience God like they never have before Madelyn Craft, Elizabeth Martinez, Amanda, Ashlynn Swartout A n d Olivia Warneke. Warren Jacobs and former Please save your flower pots as you replant. We can use them to pot plants for the 2017 Rummage & Plant Sale. Happy Anniversary Drew Madura 7/1 Lacey Jensen 7/3 Fred Martinez 7/4 Courtney Hanke 7/6 Craig Carter 7/7 Jennifer 7/8 John & Betty Downing 7/2 Rick & Debbi Paus 7/10 Drew & Sheryl Madura 7/18 Ken & Meg Lewis 7/22 Warren & Sandra Jacobs 7/28 Happy Birthday Connie Hoffman 7/10 Alexandra Nugent 7/13 Maximus Hermann 7/15 Marilyn Cramp 7/17 Jan Ethington 7/18 John Herring 7/20 Scott Homann 7/22 Jennifer Ezop 7/24 Sue Diesner 7/25 Michele Lally 7/26 Dorothy Melquist 7/30 Alice Forseth 7/31 Ralph Prescott 7/31

9 Shari n g Go d s Lo v e a n d P r o mi se of Salva t i on Thr ou g h C hrist 7404 Elevator Road PO Box 788 Roscoe, IL Phone info@crosscrown.org Website: Non-Profit Org. Permit 16 U.S. Postage Paid Roscoe, Illinois Summer Worship Schedule: Sundays: Traditional Worship 9:30 a.m. Community Time Worship Address Service Requested FUN ON THE FARM RETURNS! Join us for a fun filled evening on Jan Ethington s farm, 1811 Manchester Road in South Beloit. We ll gather at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, July 27 and meet at the pond where you can swim, fish, or paddle a canoe. (Bring your swimsuit and/or fishing pole). Grilled hamburgers and hot dogs, lemonade, water, and table service will be provided. Please bring a dish to pass - salad, dessert, or dish of your choice. After eating, you can enjoy a horse drawn wagon ride and sit around a campfire roasting marsh- mallows. Sunscreen and bug spray are recommended. Please sign up on the poster in the narthex to enjoy an evening on the farm. See you there! Cross and Crown Staff Marilyn Hanson, Interim Pastor Mitchell Olson, Director of Music Warren Jacobs, Dir. of Youth and Family Ministries Matt Guschl, Hand Bell Director Deb Dunnavan, Organist Barbara Peterson, Office Manager, Bookkeeper Jennifer Ezop, Preschool Director Cindi Irons, Newsletter Editor and Counter Leanne & Jerry Upward, Counters Judy & Bob Larson, Counters Cassie Hartje, Webmaster Violet Bane, Custodian