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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. 23

No. 1

January 2017

CHRISTmas comes but once a year! I can already hear the cynical

saying, “And thank God for that!” But as a friendly pastoral prediction, I

think that in the near future, December 25th will only come once a year but it

will last all year long. Wouldn’t daily CHRISTmas be wonderful?

The songs and carols of the season are beautiful, and now I am

pleased to hear them in stores before Halloween. Wal-Mart got their first

CHRISTmas aisle set up this year at the beginning of September. I pushed

all the toy buttons on the aisle to get the CHRISTmas carols going. It was

so hot that day, and it actually made me feel cooler.

One thing that bothers me is the amount of people who can’t wait for

the 26th so they can get their CHRISTmas tree out into the garbage. Of

course that’s probably wise, in case the tree is totally dried out, since it was

purchased the Monday before Thanksgiving when the first tree shipments

came into town. Clearly a post-modern CHRISTmas has shifted the original

12 days of CHRISTmas around. The Twelve Days of CHRISTmas tradi-

tionally took us up to January 6th, Epiphany.

The Lindsborg Swedes always liked to keep the party going a little

longer. So we celebrated Tjugondag jul (Twentieth Day Yule). January 13th is

St. Knut’s Day (also spelled Canute). The candy decorations on the tree are eaten

while the tree is dismantled and taken down. … /// ...

BERGY’S BABBLE: PERPETUAL CHRISTMAS

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… /// … Bergy’s Babble — “Perpetual CHRISTmas”

Then everyone brings their bare CHRISTmas tree down to a huge pile on

the sandbank of the Smoky Hill River just below the Old Mill dam. Occa-

sionally I was called upon to bring my French Horn and play some kind of

fanfare for King Knut when he strode in with a large torch to start the bon-

fire blazing with flames as high as the railroad bridge. I always had to im-

provise something with open valves on my horn because all the valves

would freeze open on that wintry night.

But actually, I like to enjoy the CHRISTmas tree until at least Val-

entine’s Day. By that time, Candy is asking me to please take the tree out

under the cover of darkness so the neighbors don’t think we’re nuts. I say,

“Why hide the truth?” CHRISTmas is now a distant memory to the neigh-

bors, and I’m still celebrating.

After all, we just did the whole department store, from-the-1st-of-

September-until-December-24th-thing, which according to my count is al-

most 4 months. What’s the problem? Between me and the department

stores we’ve already got six months of the year covered with CHRISTmas. I

call that better, not worse.

Toss in Lent and Easter and it brings us up to 8 solid CHRIST-

related months invoking CHRIST. Even popular culture, and secular socie-

ty have taken up the CHRIST banner inadvertently, simply through the in-

vocation of his name. Like they say, “Any advertising is good advertising.”

It would save a lot of confusion if we would just celebrate CHRIST-

mas everyday. Perpetual CHRISTmas would keep us focused on carrying

the CHRISTchild through our bodies into the world on a daily basis.

A heartful of happiness and love to you and yours in these Holy

Days of CHRISTmas!!!!

From the Pastor

See you in worship……………… BERGY

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… /// ...

MINUTES FOR COUNCIL MEETING

NOVEMBER 13, 2016

Church Council meeting was called to order by President Ann Larson

on Sunday, November 13, 2016 at 11:35 a.m. Pastor Berggren

opened the meeting with a prayer.

In attendance were: Pastor Jim Berggren, Bettie Baring, Jay Byerly,

AiM Karen Davidson, David Garwick, Julie Kilkenny, Ernesto

Lopez, Bettye Raschke, Wayne Schaper, Warren Schick and Fredda

Yurk. Pastor Jhon Jairo Arroyave did not attend. Ernesto Lopez will

be attending Council meetings as a non-voting representative of the

Spanish service.

The minutes from the October Council meeting were submitted by

Julie Kilkenny, unanimously approved and will be submitted to

Crossties and the website for publication.

The Treasurer’s report was presented by Wayne Schaper. Collec-

tions for the month of October were $3,478 more than expenses;

however, year to date expenses at 10/31/16 were $90,503 less than

collections. The Bromley investment account is yielding 1.88% in-

terest, and there is $277 interest from the Bromley Mission Endow-

ment Fund available for disbursement. The checking account balance

at 10/31/16 was $85,464, not including restricted funds. Mr. Schaper

will be presenting the 2017 budget at the congregational meeting on

December 4th. The Treasurer’s report was unanimously approved as

presented.

Pastoral Staff Reports:

Pastor Berggren updated Council on Early Learning Center

activities. The open teacher and support positions have been filled.

Enrollment is full.

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… /// ...

There is still a waiting list, but new students have enrolled as others

have withdrawn. He pointed out that the waiting list is a testament

to the strength of the program and, given the space constraints, the

ELC leadership and staff do a good job balancing personal attention

for the students with reaching out to the community.

Advent services will take the place of the Wednesday noon Bible

Study. Each week Pastor Jim will focus on a different study topic:

1) Ten Commandments (11/30); 2) Apostles’ Creed (12/7); 3)

Lord’s Prayer (12/14); 4) Confession and Daily Prayers (12/21).

AiM Karen Davidson gave an update on her activit ies this month.

She advised Council about some prayer concerns for HCLC members

and friends. She continues her home visits, prayer and counseling

visits and phone calls, as well as preparation of the PowerPoint

presentations for the early worship services and Adult Forum

(Sunday School).

Old Business and Committee Reports:

Bettie Baring reported on WELCA activities. This morning Barbara

Sledge headed up the semiannual “candy stuffing” work Sunday for

the missionary trips to Mexico. The annual WELCA Thank Offering

Sunday is planned for November 27 th. A special budget meeting will

be held on November 29 th, and the general meeting will be on De-

cember 3rd. Other upcoming events include the annual retreat

(January 28th) and the Craft Show.

Warren Schick gave a quick update on Grounds and Maintenance

activities. Several members of the congregation expressed interest in

the old pew cushions after the new ones arrive. There are 48 cush-

ions of approximately 18 foot lengths. He proposed a $10/cushion

price. Council discussed this, as well as the desire for the cushions

“to find a good home”, and decided to proceed with the plan. Julie

Kilkenny will prepare a short write-up to include in Crossties.

… /// … HCLC Council Meeting — November 13, 2016

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… /// … HCLC Council Meeting — November 13, 2016

New Business:

Council discussed the revised draft of the 2017 budget, which will be

presented at the congregational meeting on December 4 th.

Betty Raschke reminded Council that Christmas Day is on a Sunday

and inquired about services on that day. Pastor Berggren answered

that HCLC would have the customary Sunday services at 9:30 and

11:00 a.m.

The next Council meeting will be on Sunday, December 11, 2016 at

11:30a.m.

Upon motion to adjourn, the meeting was closed with the Lord’s

Prayer.

Respectfully submitted,

Julie Kilkenny

COUNCIL MEETING

January 15, 2016

at 11:30 a.m. in the Annex.

RECYCLED CARD PROGRAM

I will be collecting the 1st page of used Christmas and any type of greeting

cards again this year. They will be sent to St Jude’s Ranch for children to

make "New Cards" for sale. Please drop them in the Christmas box in the

FLC by the door.

Thank you, Norma Berg.

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SAVE THE DATE FOR WELCA RETREAT

The second annual WELCA Retreat is scheduled for January 28, 2017.

Entitled “Just Pray”, it is expected to bring a Saturday full of Bible study,

good food and fellowship. Holy Cross is famous for its Prayer Warriors and

this retreat promises to explore the importance of personal and community

prayer, the power in the study of His Word and the beauty of our audience

with the King.

Mark your calendars and join WELCA on Saturday, January 28, 2017, from

9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Holy Cross for “Just Pray”.

For more information and/or to be a part of the planning team, call Kay

Vaccaro, 281-731-9615.

BRUNCH BUNCH

HAPPY NEW YEAR ONE AND ALL!

Our first Brunch Bunch gathering for the New Year will be

on Sunday, January 8th, at 11:45a.m. at JERRY BUILT

10403 Katy Freeway, Houston, TX 77007 — (281) 549-2874

We hope that you can join us. Thank you.

Jeanette (832)326-7214

FRIENDSHIP CLUB

will be meeting January 21, 2017, at the church for a pot luck supper. Bettie

Baring and Lucy Candler will be the hostesses.

If you would like to play table games, come at 3:00 p.m.; supper will be

served at 4:00 p.m. We will have a short meeting to discuss the plans for the

coming year.

Hope to see you there! — Nancy Beamesderfer

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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

Holy Cross members celebrating birthdays this month:

DECEMBER 2016

Altar flowers were donated by:

04 The Jasters

11 Ignacio Reyes

18 Poinsettias decoration.

25 Poinsettias decoration.

07 Helen Jacob

Debra Moore

08 Maureen Fredrickson

Chris Abrego

09 Francisco Araiza

12 Logan Crick

13 Brenda Duarte

14 Jan Walker

16 Brent Baumann

Edwin Pineda

20 Julia Linn

23 Kris Drosche

William Allcorn

Fred Gardner

24 Charles Pustejovsky, Sr.

Clarice Gross

Megan Schomburg

28 Rowdy Todd

29 Jadher Abad

30 Wayne Schaper, Sr.

Juan Araiza

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TO ALL GROUP LEADERS

2017 CALENDAR REQUEST FORMS

Once again, you are kindly reminded that

you must fill out a Calendar Request Form to schedule your meetings/events in 2017

on the forms located on the table in the Atrium.

Anything not written on the calendar may lead to a conflict in scheduling.

This applies to each and every group that meets and uses the church facilities,

and if any church related group or circle meets at homes and would like

to be scheduled on the church calendar.

For instance, if you meet the “second Tuesday of each month,”

that information needs to be written on the calendar each month.

Your meetings/events will be announced in the Sunday News,

Crossties Calendar and on the Church website.

In advance, I thank you very much and wish you a a Happy New Year!

Sussy Terry — Church Office

TODD, ROWDY “DUSTIN” and

VASQUEZ, CHRISTINE

13611 Garden Grove Ct.

Houston, TX 77082

Rowdy (281) 850-9309 — dustytodd@ymail.com

Christine (832) 982-6837 — texasgirl1969@hotmail.com

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FROM HAITI TO HOUSTON

I pray that each of you enjoyed a very blessed Christmas season and that the

New Year holds a great deal of hope and promise. I was granted my first

furlough and was able to spend the holidays with family and friends in Houston.

As you read this I will have returned to Haiti and begin another term of working

with the people here. I am so glad that I had furlough as I was really put to the

test the last month. One week we had 200 patients and that stretched our work

capacity to the limit. To make matters worse I had problems with an intern and

it took all my managing skills to work through the necessary problems which

left me rather drained. I realized that God was using this and other situations to

mold me into the leader He wants me to be. I recalled James 1:2-3"count it all

joy, my brother, when you meet trials of various kinds"

The next week was pretty breezy and I took a day off and visited an orphanage

for special needs children, about 130 kids there. I couldn't believe the amazing

ministry they were doing there.

The last week we had a dental and mobile unit which we had not done before

and I had to learn about the generator and compressor and how to sterilize

instruments - a challenge. Saying goodbye to the interns was very hard emotion-

ally. We have lived together through some pretty good times and some very

difficult times, We learned together and grew together. Now I must learn about

a new group and a fresh start - how to lead them and how to work together to

get things done.

Over the holidays I hoped to covey the right message about my work in Haiti

and that God would gave me the right words and he still has so much more for

me to do. I get excited as I think about the rest of my time here and I fall more

and more in love with Haiti the longer I am here.

Please continue to include the work being done here and for me in your prayers

as they are definitely needed.

Much love, Lauren

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DATE

1st READING

PSALM

2nd READING

GOSPEL

01/01/2017

Numbers

6:22-27

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Galatians

4:4-7

Luke

2:15-21

01/08/2017

Isaiah

42:1-9

29

Acts

10:34-43

Matthew

3:13-17

01/15/2017

Isaiah

49:1-7

40:1-11

1 Corinthians

1:1-9

John

1:29-42

01/22/2017 Isaiah

9:1-4

27:1, 4-9 1 Corinthians

1:10-18

Matthew

4:12-23

01/29/2017

Micah

6:1-8

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1 Corinthians

1:18-31

Matthew

5:1-12

READINGS, PSALMS & GOSPEL

JANUARY 2017

FOOD PANTRY

The Thanksgiving Distribution was extremely successful this year.

We served approximately 880 families a generous amount groceries. These

groceries were contributed by many churches and neighborhood

groups!! We had more volunteers this year than ever before, not only stu-

dents but adults as well.

It’s a lot of work to accumulate the money to fund our pantry, and it’s a

steady job to recruit volunteers as well as food drives. Many people who

work at the pantry do this every month in addition to serving the guests

that come to us.

We like to accept all with the Love that Jesus would show them. Everyone

loves serving the poor at the pantry.

Consider joining us! Call Mary 281-799-6752

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R E M E M B E R I N P R A Y E R

AVERAGE ATTENDANCE

NOVEMBER 2016

English Saturday & Sunday services: 95

Spanish Sunday services: 99

The homebound, disabled,

long-term ill, and prolonged recovering.

Ora Dell Dittmar

Doris A. Drosche

Roselain Larson

Doris Pannell

Doris Polker

If you are not receiving HCLC Prayer

Request emails and would like to,

please contact Renee Allcorn at

allcornr@swbell.net

or (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.

TREASURER’S REPORT

If you have any questions call

Wayne Schaper, Sr. at (713) 465-5206.

NOVEMBER 2016

Receipts $ 41,023.00

Expenses 35,657.35

Balance $ 5,365.65

Operational receipts

year to date received ……….. $ 350,235.92

Expenditures year to date ……. 435,343.88

Balance < $ 85,107.96 >

You may sign up for Altar Flowers

in the Narthex.

Suggested donation is $50.00

and $10.00 for a rose.

CHURCH OFFICE

HOURS

Monday—Thursday

8:30 am—4:30 pm

Friday

8:30 am—2:30 pm

HOLY CROSS

Lutheran Church

E-MAIL address:

hclc@holycross.us

Marge Carroll

Ed Cooper

Julie Davidson

Doris Ann Drosche

Dolores Fojt

Regina Hernández

Nannette Luker

Gene Schwartz

Elaine Snell

Gary Strohmaier

Ursula Thurley

Bob Womack

Family & friends of

Anita Abrego upon

the completion of

her life’s mission.

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TELEPHONE EXTENSIONS

100 Church Office

101 Sussy Terry

103 Rev. Jim Berggren Senior Pastor

104 Rev. Jhon J. Arroyave Hispanic Pastor

105 Karen Davidson Associate In Ministry

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 — Associate in Ministry 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

Ann Larson President

Warren Schick 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