Post on 26-Mar-2021
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Holy Cross Lutheran Church
“Sharing the
Ointment for Jesus’
Feet, Giving God
our Very Best” Cf. John 12:3
Our mission statement:
Celebrating God’s love
by worshipping God,
caring for each other,
and serving in community.
Vol. 24
No. 7
July 2018
A bad year for rabbits, the winter was so brutally frigid that the
starving quail and pheasants marched with impunity past shivering cats and
dogs to eat with the chickens. The raccoons with their cute little opposable
thumbs were desperately ripping shingles off the chicken house trying to
burrow through the roof into warmth and freshly laid omelets.
The night the raccoon fell through, the chickens woke us with a
squawking cacophony, equaled only by Ray Stevens’ rendition of “In the
Mood: Barnyard Style,” at top volume on a good stereo. Dad and I jumped
into clothes and ran to the chicken house to see what in Sam Hill (Samael?)
was causing the commotion. In the luminous snow, the moonlit air made my
nostril hairs crinkle and freeze.
Plywood and cinder blocks provided a temporary fix until the
morning. Next day we rustled up a car battery, an old electric fence charger
and we ran a string of wire around the roof, the windows, and the door.
Unauthorized critter personnel were bound to have a shocking new experi-
ence if they dared trespass.
Sure enough, late that afternoon, emboldened by previous successes,
that raccoon came by for his sunny-side up. He touched the wire, hollered
bloody murder and took off running on air like a Carl Lewis broad jump.
Too bad it was before the days of video cams.
BERGY’S BABBLE: “ANIMAL FARM”
… /// ...
2
Telephones couldn’t even take pictures then. They just hung on the wall
with a crank on the right side, a honker in the middle to speak into and a
miniature Victrola speaker to hold up to your left ear. Video proof of a spe-
cies of flying raccoon would have been a cryptozoologists dream. Anyway
Bif Skinner’d been proud of that one-trial learning curve. Rocky Raccoon
never came back.
My bedroom was on the second floor, north side of the first house
ever built by a Swedish ship builder named Engwall. Sturdy as an oak, with
long beams that stretched from stem to stern, it would rock and sway in a
windstorm like a Viking ship. My room was heated by the kitchen directly
below it. At night, I slept with the north window open. That way I could fall
asleep to the keening ululations of the coyote on the north 80, while he sang
his lullabies of love and hunger.
One coyote always sounds like a chorus of several. This one, whose
voice I knew, had such a varied repertoire that on a good night with full
lunar inspiration, he could do a reasonable imitation of the Bethany Oratorio
Society, sopranos each one starting out on a different measure of the
“Hallelujah Chorus”, at the same time, in a different key. At the time I was
really into Hindemuth and Paganini, so I considered my trickster coyote an
admirable composer. I just couldn’t quite predict what he’d sing next. Just
short of a melodic groove, he’d introduce an interesting variation on a yo-
deled arpeggio that would make Coltrane sound like “Chopsticks”.
Later that year he became my nemesis as I discovered he was the
one responsible for a daily dead chicken. As the nights got warmer, the
days longer, and me busier with track season and music festivals, I got lazy
about herding the chickens in every night. I let them free-range and roost
overnight in the big junipers making up the north windbreak. … /// ...
… /// … Bergy’s Babble — “Animal Farm”
3
It wasn’t long before I’d notice every morning, a pile of white chick-
en feathers and coyote tracks. The rabbit population reduced by the winter,
the predator was in the barnyard and eating better’n me. Apparently he’d
learned to climb trees as well. After a week of staying up until midnight
chasing chickens out of trees, catching them one by one and still finding
feathers of the one I’d missed the next morning, I got mad. If you are eating
my chickens I don’t care how good you sing.
The county bounty was two bucks for a set of coyote ears. I’d solve
my problem and be a rich hero at school, the first kid to bag a coyote.
The canine serenades always stopped about 3:00 AM and then the trickster
hunted ‘til dawn. So I bundled up, slipped out of the house at 3:00 with
my .22, and got on an outbuilding roof under branches, downwind from the
coyote’s trail. I didn’t move for 3 hours. My body was singing, “Help, I’m
a Rock,” and I was numb and hungry.
Finally, I knew I couldn’t stop shivering and the trickster would
catch the movement and hear my stomach growling, so I clambered down
for breakfast. At 7:00 I headed for the barn to do chores and what do you
know? There’s the coyote sauntering down his trail, tongue lolling, engaging
in a pre-salivatory fantasy about chicken juniperette. We both leaped in the
air, and took off in opposite directions. Me for the rifle, and him for his den
and a meager fare of field mouse hors d’ouvres. From then on his nightly
howling always had a refrain that went, “Ha, ha, I watched you for 3 hours
and you didn’t see me coming.”
One group of fauna thrived that winter. The skunks had lots of fur
and slept most of the time. If they woke up, they’d gorge on dog food at
night when the dogs were in the house, and then go back to sleep. They
would come out in force when the nights warmed and held a thick fog.
Their only real enemy was speeding cars.
… /// … Bergy’s Babble — “Animal Farm”
… /// ...
4
… /// ...
Jerry found an orphaned litter and so everyone on a five mile stretch
of township section line road got a baby skunk to try and keep alive by hand
feeding. We named our new baby Thumper, because she playfully stamped
her front feet and threw her tail in the air pretending to spray us. Fortunate-
ly, baby skunks aren’t developed enough to actually spray. Now when an
adult skunk does a round-off, the smart kids do a skedaddle.
We all started out with the same idea. Keep the polecats until their
musk glands were developed and then release them with natural defenses
intact. But Thumper became a housepet, building her nest out of shredded
sheet music in the music closet. It wasn’t exactly the Peaceable Kingdom,
but she got along well with 2 dogs and 3 cats.
Everything was fine until that fateful Sunday dinner after church
where I truly learned the meaning of divine retribution. I had been admon-
ished in every tone of voice except, ‘telephone,’ “Do not feed the animals
from the kitchen table or you’ll be sorry.” So, reveling in the human fasci-
nation with original sin, I slipped Lady, a chicken bone. She dropped it.
Thumper and Herr Sigmund von Schnapps, the dachshund who tried
to eat Santa at the school Christmas Pageant, began a battle for possession
of that fowl fibula. Snarling, stamping, there’s the round-off………………
I was sorry!!
You know that stuff about tomato juice? Don’t believe it! Taking a
bath with 20 pounds of baking soda barely made a dent in my personal
olfactory radiance.
The next morning, Dad took me to the vet’s office with Thumper for
a scent-glandectomy. You know you are persona non grata, when the vet
starts crying when you walk in the examination room.
The only people who would talk to me, The Stinking Pariah, for a
week were the other kids. They kept their distance, but the problem was
acceptable collateral damage, part of farm life, better’n losing your hand in
an augur for sure.
… /// … Bergy’s Babble — “Animal Farm”
5
JUNE 2018
Altar flowers were donated by:
03 Ann Larson
13 Fredda Yurk
20 Betty Mooney to the Glory of God
27 Wayne & Ruby Schaper
And dear Thumper, darling Polecat de Parfum? She went through
life stamping her feet, throwing herself into her round-off spray position and
nothing bad would happen, and we’d laugh, at first with relief and later with
joy as she did her trick just to make us laugh.
What we reflexively feared in the ‘natural order’ of things had be-
come a game of joy, a deeper relationship than the natural order could imag-
ine or realize.
“Oh, skunk, where is thy stink?” The stink of death is sin and the
power of sin is the law, but the skunk is just havin’ a little fun with us. He’s
our pet! We’re not his victim! And we know, because we’ve been sprayed
with the water of death, and died and lived to tell about it. We can say with
confidence and joy, “Death is just another episode in eternal life in Christ,
who gives us the victory!” I Corinthians 15. Easter life is amazing!
See you in worship…………………….. BERGY
… /// … Bergy’s Babble — “Animal Farm”
6
… /// ...
MINUTES FOR COUNCIL MEETING
MAY 16, 2018
The May 2018 Church Council meeting was called to order by
President Warren Schick on Wednesday, May 16, 2018 at 2:00 p.m.
Pastor Berggren opened the meeting with a prayer.
In attendance were: Pastor Jim Berggren, Pastor Jhon Jairo Arroyave,
Warren Schick, Bettie Baring, Pat Curran, Deacon Karen Davidson,
Julie Kilkenny, Wendy Lambeth, Bettye Raschke, Wayne Schaper, and
Fredda Yurk. Jay Byerly did not attend.
The minutes from the April Council meeting were submitted by Julie
Kilkenny and unanimously approved by Council. They will be submit-
ted for publication in Crossties and on the website.
The Treasurer’s report was presented by Wayne Schaper. Offerings for
the month of April were $28,961, which was down $1,984 from the
previous month. Expenses for the month of April 2018 were $36,380,
an increase of $345 from the previous month. Year to date expenses
exceeded offerings by $5,034. The checking account balance at
4/30/18 was $217,697, not including restricted funds. Mr. Schaper
noted that HCLC expenditures are in line at 33% of the annual budget,
but cautioned that historically there is a decrease in collections during
the summer months. The Endowment Committee has $299 interest
available for disbursement. The Treasurer’s report was unanimously
approved as presented.
Pastoral Staff Reports:
Pastor Berggren updated Council on his activit ies over the past
month. He conducted memorial services for HCLC members Chris
Wignes and Charles Pace, as well as Betty Ann Christ and James Otto
Zenk. He asked Council for recommendations for a new representative
for Memorial Area Ministries (MAM), which meets one night a month.
7
… /// ...
… /// … HCLC Minutes for Council Meeting —May 16, 2018
Warren Schick agreed to fill in temporarily until a replacement can
be found. Pastor Berggren noted a couple of pastoral changes in the
area: Advent Lutheran Church and Memorial Drive Lutheran Church.
Pastors Berggren and Arroyave, Deacon Davidson and Gloria
McGarvey represented Holy Cross at the Synod Convention earlier
this month.
Deacon Karen Davidson r epor ted that she had a busy month with
nursing facility and in-home visits, as well as prayers, phone calls
and visits for HCLC members and friends. Adult Forum is currently
covering the book When Christians Get It Wrong, which discusses
changing attitudes of young adults as regards traditional church affil-
iation. After this topic Bruce Elijah will be conducting a several
week study of topics in the Old Testament. Deacon Davidson also
continues her preparation of the PowerPoint presentation for the
early worship service.
Pastor Arroyave noted the celebr a tion of Fir st Communion will
be on May 27th for 15 girls and boys.
Old Business and Committee Reports:
President Schick presented updates for several ongoing items:
Building and Grounds:
The carpet in the Youth Room has been removed, revealing a brick
floor. The floor (circa 1955) has some cracks and will need to be
sealed, but things are under way sooner than previously estimated.
Many thanks to Bruce and Cathy Elijah, Jay Byerly, Pastor Berggren
and Warren Schick! Wayne Schaper reported that work is also in
progress on the exterior brickwork and windows of the room; the
contractors found more extensive damage around the windows and
are restoring the framing. Pastor Berggren volunteered to replace the
glass in the affected windows.
8
… /// ...
… /// … HCLC Minutes for Council Meeting —May 16, 2018
Spanish Ministry team: A meeting is scheduled next week
with Pastor Chris Markert to seek Synod support and guidance for
this ministry.
Work continues on updating the Holy Cross website. Joe Lam-
beth and Cesar Majano will spearhead efforts to implement the
new platform.
The current plan is to have the updates of the Constitution and
Bylaws r eady for pr esenta tion at the Congr egational meeting
in December.
Telge Committee report: Pr esident Schick r eiter ated his de-
sire that Council and HCLC members encourage discussion and
get a feel for what the congregation wants to do in the future and
how the Telge property might fit into these plans.
Bethlehem Village: Cathy Elijah sent a pr oposal to Council
for a Bethlehem Village Community outreach event in December.
This would be separate from the Christmas in the Park event put
on by Spring Valley. Wendy Lambeth agreed to be the Council
liaison for this item.
Bettie Baring gave an update on WELCA activities for the month.
The May 5th meeting included the election and installation of new
board members. They in turn will select the convener for the coming
year. WELCA, along with the Ruth and Deborah Circles, is under-
taking the refurbishment of the restrooms in the Family Life Center
(Gym). WELCA is also following up on a “housewarming” gift to
the Houston Mennonite Church. Mr. Schaper noted that this year the
Mennonite Church will be holding their annual quilt sale at their
newly constructed campus on Wirt Road.
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… /// ...
New Business:
Warren Schick asked Council to consider how to update Holy
Cross’s policy on video presentations in the sanctuary for memorial
services. He has been approached by several people wanting to show
photos and videos of their loved ones at memorial services in the
sanctuary; however, this is not possible with the current system.
President Schick reported on the East Spring Branch Food Pantry
expansion. He got a favorable reception for his presentation at the
Hillshire Village meeting in May, and he is hopeful the expansion
will be approved. The Pantry will try to obtain a separate electric
meter for its activities.
Bettye Raschke presented some observations regarding mobility and
accessibility issues at HCLC. From the perspective of a person
relying on the assistance of a cane or a walker, there are areas that
Holy Cross can improve upon. She noted that the uneven parking lot
is worrisome and hard to navigate, as is getting in the Atrium doors.
She mentioned that table communion, although only one Sunday per
month, is hard also for those with bad knees or hips. She pointed out
that sitting in a pew without one’s walker within reach (think re-
stroom breaks) can be distressing and assumes that an usher will
magically know if a person needs to get up in the middle of the ser-
vice.
Council discussed these points and noted that several of them are
easily resolved by:
1) having continuous communion every Sunday,
2) propping open Atrium doors before and after services,
3) allowing walkers to be stowed in the pew, and
4) volunteers (ushers, greeters) and members of the congregation
being more observant and proactive in this area.
… /// … HCLC Minutes for Council Meeting —May 16, 2018
10
COUNCIL MEETING
Next Council Meeting:
Wednesday, July 11, at 2:00 p.m. —FLCA
Church Council
Mr. Schaper noted a legacy gift from a Holy Cross member, to be
used toward capital improvements. After discussion Council voted to
use this generous gift toward the improvements in the Youth Room.
Mr. Schick reminded Council that Lizbeth Johnson (Lutheran
Foundation of the Southwest) would like to make a presentation on
Legacy Giving to the congregation. Deacon Davidson offered the
Adult Forum classroom one Sunday for this presentation. Mr. Schick
said he would get more information from Dr. Johnson to preview the
congregation before a time was scheduled.
Fredda Yurk reported that the problem with the water cooler and
delivery service has been resolved.
The new church directory, which was updated by Calvin and Tillie
Remmert, will be available in the narthex on Sunday.
The next Council meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, June 20,
2018, at 2:00 p.m.
Upon motion to adjourn, the meeting was closed with the Lord’s
Prayer.
Respectfully submitted,
Julie Kilkenny
… /// … HCLC Minutes for Council Meeting —May 16, 2018
Happy 4th of July!
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Holy Cross members celebrating birthdays this month:
02 Elias Escamilla
03 Nancy Beamesderfer
04 Gordon Tinker
07 Yedith Gomez
08 Meredith Schomburg
Christopher Lambeth
09 Laura Ruthstrom
11 Jessica Latigo
12 Calvin Remmert
Ashley Aleman
Lissett Hernandez
16 Gloria McGarvey
17 Vicenta Yáñez
18 María Villegas
Giselle Díaz
20 Betty Firth
24 Ilda Torres
26 Jessica Villegas
27 Antonio Díaz
28 Julie Kilkenny
29 Irene Meyer
31 Loy Dell Kaltwasser
If your name is not listed or if this is incorrect information
please contact Ann Larson so that the list can be corrected.
Ann Larson (713) 957-0972 email: larson.berg@yahoo.com
12
CAR WASH
July 7, 2018 — 9:00 a.m. —1:00 p.m.
Please come to support our Holy Cross Spanish Ministry.
Bring your car on Saturday, July 7.
Thank you!!
Pastor Jhon Jairo Arroyave
MEN’S BREAKFAST
To all in the First Wednesday Breakfast Group – (guys and gals)
PLEASE NOTE:
The first Wednesday in July is the 4th. So – at our 06 June meeting, we
decided to re-schedule the July meeting to the 11th.
Same time – same place - just one week later.
See you even sooner at Sunday service.
Calvin
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MAM’S BACK TO SCHOOL
SPONSOR A CHILD
Please assist in sponsoring a child through Memorial Assistance Ministries’
annual program to help students be prepared at the start of the 2018—2019
school year.
You may make a donation in any amount to help purchase school clothing
and supplies for a child in need.
100% of donations will be used to purchase clothes and supplies. Fifty
dollars can supply the necessary clothing for an elementary or middle school
student so that they can meet their school’s dress code.
Please help a child start the school year right!
We will accept donations in the atrium on Sundays:
July 15 and July 22, 2018.
Call Angie Eckermann for more information
at (281) 497-3022.
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FRIENDSHIP CLUB
The Friendship Club will be meeting July 21, at 4:00 pm for a picnic and a
movie. We will be grilling hamburgers and will have all the trimmings.
Please RSVP to Gloria McGarvey (713-686-3252) by July 18, so meat can
be purchased. We will be eating at 4:00 pm so we will have time for the
movie.
Nancy Beamesderfer
SPONSORED BY THE
EAST SPRING BRANCH FOOD PANTRY
7901 Westview Dr. Houston, TX 77055
July 19, 2018 9am—1pm
Back to School Immunizations Free
Parents must bring the “Original shot record”
Food Fair, Free Fruits & Vegetables
Mary White
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WE HAVE A WINNER!
Sharon Wagner won the 2017—18 quilt that was prepared by the Heavenly
Quilters.
We thank our congregation for their support in our latest project. We put
this money toward the refurbishing of the Family Life Center (Gym)
bathrooms.
We are grateful to WELCA for donating funds to help complete this pro-
ject. We also thank Ruth & Deborah circles for their generous donations.
Thank you!
Our appreciation goes to Alan Lambeth for purchasing and installing taller
toilets, A.D.A. safety bars and new door openers. We really appreciate you,
Alan! These changes have helped make a safer environment.
Heavenly Quilters
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RECYCLED CARDS FOR ST. JUDE PROGRAM
Please remember to bring your Christmas cards and other cards for the
children at St. Jude.
The cards can be placed in the box located in the Family Life Center
and I will send them to St. Jude for the children's projects.
Nancy Beamesderfer
HOSPITALITY APARTMENTS IN THE
TEXAS MEDICAL CENTER
welcomes donations of calendars, note cards, note pads, stationery, etc.
These donations are made available to the residents of the apartments during
their stay for treatment at the various Med Center hospitals and are very
appreciated.
There is a donation box in the Fellowship Hall near the west entrance and I
deliver all donations to the Apartments on a regular basis.
Thank you in advance for supporting this project.
Marilyn Flick
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DATE
1st READING
PSALM
2nd READING
GOSPEL
07/01/2018
Lamentations
3:22-33
30
2 Corinthians
8:7-15
Mark
5:21-43
07/08/2018
Ezekiel
2:1-5
123
2 Corinthians
12:2-10
Mark
6:1-13
07/15/2018
Amos
7:7-15
85:8-13
Ephesians
1:3-14
Mark
6:14-29
07/22/2018
Jeremiah
23:1-6
23
Ephesians
2:11-22
Mark
6:30-34, 53-56
07/29/2018
2 Kings
4:42-44
145:10-18
Ephesians
3:14-21
John
6:1-21
READINGS, PSALMS & GOSPEL
JULY 2018
18
Haiti to Houston
What a whirlwind it has been since coming back to Haiti from furlough.
I immediately started a three week stent on True North. The first week we
traveled to La Gonave, an island just west of Port au Prince. We worked
several days at a Haitian run clinic that had only one doctor so our 4 addi-
tional providers meant we could see so many more patients - 417 we strug-
gled with few translators but God made it work and we had a great clinic.
At the end of each boat trip we have about 24 hours to go back to campus,
do laundry, rest and get ready for the next trip. This week we returned to the
village of the very first True North trip, Les Anglais. We were welcomed by
so many friendly faces and had translators to help whether they were hired
by us or not. A whole community coming together to serve the people.
There was a construction crew on the boat this week so they went to a near-
by orphanage and painted it inside and out making it look so nice.
The third week was the Watermark team from Dallas. The team all work/
volunteer at a clinic in Dallas whose purpose is to serve the impoverished.
The week was challenging in that the waves were rocky and many became
sick or at best not feeling well.
Back to dry land! Not to my home in Titanyen but the upper campus as the
A&M athletic team was in Haiti so we opened the upper campus as they
needed a nurse on site. It gave me the opportunity to get some rest after the
boat trip and before the summer craziness begins. I went every day to the
main campus to lead the mobile team. God always provides exactly what
you need right when you need it. I will be home for two weeks and then
back to Bercy for the summer and I know it will be an amazing journey.
Much love,
Lauren
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R E M E M B E R I N P R A Y E R
The homebound, disabled,
long-term ill and
prolonged recovering.
If you are not receiving HCLC
Prayer Request emails and would
like to, please contact
Renee Allcorn:
allcornr@swbell.net
or call (713) 254-8638
Note that Prayer Request emails
are sent out daily, so if you are on
the email list and did not receive
any email, please contact Renee.
CHURCH OFFICE HOURS
Monday—Thursday
8:30 am—4:30 pm
Friday
8:30 am—2:30 pm
You may sign up for
Altar Flowers
in the Narthex.
Suggested donation is $50.00
and $12.00 for a rose.
Ed Cooper
Betty Firth
Betty Morris
Doris Pannell
Elaine Snell
Rosie Stork
TREASURER’S REPORT
If you have any questions call
Wayne Schaper, Sr. at (713) 465-5206.
MAY 2018
Receipts $ 24,022.00
Expenses 42,959.67
Balance < $ 18,937.67 >
====================
Operational receipts
year to date received …….. $ 171,316.00
Expenditures year to date ..… 195,287.99
Balance < $ 23,971.99 > =======================
Building Rental $ 640.00
AVERAGE ATTENDANCE
MAY SERVICES 2018
English
Saturday: 15
Sunday: 78
Spanish
Sunday: 98
Maureen Fredrickson
David Garwick
Norma Hines
Jo Rita Kaltwasser
Bryan Kile
Mitchell Kilkenny
Nanette Luker
Donaldo Mendoza
Al Pivonka
Larry Polzin
Charles Pustejovsky
Vernon Thielemann
20
TELEPHONE EXTENSIONS
100 Church Office
101 Sussy Terry
103 Rev. Jim Berggren Senior Pastor
104 Rev. Jhon J. Arroyave Hispanic Pastor
105 Karen Davidson Deacon
107 Financial Office
108 Stephen Ministry Office
109 Family Life Center
111 Volunteer Office
Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Spring Branch
A Congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA)
7901 Westview Dr. Houston, Texas 77055
Tel. (713) 686-8253 Fax (713) 686-9095
E-mail: hclc@holycross.us
Website: www.holycross.us
“Holy Cross Lutheran Church is a community of Christians
gathered by God’s grace and reaching out through God’s love.”
YOUR CHURCH STAFF
† Rev. Jim Berggren — Senior Pastor Email : jlberggren@holycross.us
† Rev. Jhon Jairo Arroyave — Hispanic Pastor Email : jhonyave@holycross.us
† Karen Davidson — Deacon Email : aimked@gmail.com
† Sussy Terry — Office Manager Email : hclc@holycross.us
WORSHIP MUSICIANS
Cathy Elijah Music Director / Organist
Jo Ann Meeker Pianist
Ann Crick Pianist
EARLY LEARNING CENTER
ELC (713) 461-5535
OFFICERS OF THE CONGREGATION
Warren Schick President
Bettye Raschke Vice-President
Julie Kilkenny Secretary
Wayne Schaper, Sr. Treasurer
SATURDAY INFORMAL SERVICE
6:00 p.m. — Atrium
SUNDAY WORSHIP SERVICES
English Service : 9:30 a.m.
Sunday School : 11:00 - 11:45 a.m.
Spanish Service: 11:00 a.m.
Estudio Bíblico y Escuela Dominical
12:00 noon
Office Manager & Events Coordinator