Holy Cross Lutheran Church November 2017 Newsletter

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Holy Cross Lutheran Church November 2017 Newsletter Phone: 734-427-1414 Email: [email protected] Website: www.holycrosslivonia.org SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP TEAM Pastor: Rev. Elizabeth Birkholz Pastor: Rev. Scott Seeke Cantor: Dr. Michael Burkhardt Ministers: The disciples at Holy Cross NOVEMBER WORSHIP at HOLY CROSS November 5: ALL SAINTS SUNDAY We give thanks on this day for all the saints “who from their labors rest,” who have fought the good fight, who have gained the crown. Before we join them, sealed by the Spirit and sustained by the Savior’s body and blood, we are invited to shower radical love, blessing, forgiveness, generosity and trust, on all people. November 19: THANKSGIVING SUNDAY While every gathering for worship has elements of thanksgiving, we set aside this day to welcome new members, and respond to the goodness and mercy of the Lord by offering up ourselves, our time, our gifts and talents. November 26: CHRIST THE KING SUNDAY Jeremiah promises that the Lord will raise up a different kind of king, a new and righteous shepherd who will restore the nations. Stewardship Potluck Sunday Sunday, November 19 following 10 am worship Bring a dish to share, based on your last name: A-D: Finger Dessert/Fruit E-R: Entree S-Z: Salad/Side Dish Help will be needed to set-up and clean-up, watch for details in the coming weeks! Deck the Halls! and the Sanctuary, Narthex... Saturday, December 2nd at 9 am. Mark your calendar and watch for details in your weekly email. Fall back It’s time to Daylight Savings Time ends November 5th! Advent by Candlelight Tuesday, December 5th - 6:30 pm Everyone is invited to attend this annual celebration of Advent. We will enjoy a delightful evening of appetizers, desserts and fellowship. Hostesses are needed for the tables. Hoping to make it easier, we will be using Holy Cross tablecloths, dinnerware and silverware. There will be no need to haul dirty dishes home. Each hostess will need to provide napkins, candles, a centerpiece, etc. to decorate a table. Appetizers and dessert should be supplied by the hostess or another guest at the table. Watch for a sign-up sheet!

Transcript of Holy Cross Lutheran Church November 2017 Newsletter

Holy Cross Lutheran Church November 2017 Newsletter

Phone: 734-427-1414

Email: [email protected] Website: www.holycrosslivonia.org

SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP TEAM Pastor: Rev. Elizabeth Birkholz Pastor: Rev. Scott Seeke Cantor: Dr. Michael Burkhardt Ministers: The disciples at Holy Cross

NOVEMBER WORSHIP at HOLY CROSS

November 5: ALL SAINTS SUNDAY We give thanks on this day for all the saints “who from their labors rest,” who have fought the good fight, who have gained the crown. Before we join them, sealed by the Spirit and sustained by the Savior’s body and blood, we are invited to shower radical love, blessing, forgiveness, generosity and trust, on all people.

November 19: THANKSGIVING SUNDAY While every gathering for worship has elements of thanksgiving, we set aside this day to welcome new members, and respond to the goodness and mercy of the Lord by offering up ourselves, our time, our gifts and talents.

November 26: CHRIST THE KING SUNDAY Jeremiah promises that the Lord will raise up a different kind of king, a new and righteous shepherd who will restore the nations.

Stewardship Potluck Sunday

Sunday, November 19 following 10 am worship

Bring a dish to share, based on your last name: A-D: Finger Dessert/Fruit E-R: Entree S-Z: Salad/Side Dish

Help will be needed to set-up and clean-up, watch for details in the coming weeks!

Deck the Halls! and the Sanctuary, Narthex...

Saturday, December 2nd at 9 am.

Mark your calendar and watch for details in your weekly email.

Fall back

It’s time to

Daylight Savings Time ends November 5th!

Advent by Candlelight Tuesday, December 5th - 6:30 pm

Everyone is invited to attend this annual celebration of Advent. We will enjoy a delightful evening of appetizers, desserts and fellowship.

Hostesses are needed for the tables. Hoping to make it easier, we will be using Holy Cross tablecloths, dinnerware and silverware. There will be no need to haul dirty dishes home. Each hostess will need to provide napkins, candles, a centerpiece, etc. to decorate a table. Appetizers and dessert should be supplied by the hostess or another guest at the table. Watch for a sign-up sheet!

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REturn

I started at Holy Cross on July 30. Our first paycheck came a week later, and we had some decisions to make. How much do we spend on dinner to celebrate? How much do we donate? How much do we use to buy new clothes, or groceries, or to pay the mortgage? These decisions probably sound familiar because you make them all the time, just like I do. There’s a word for these kinds of decisions. What is that word?

Stewardship.

For a long time, this is not how I understood stewardship. Stewardship was “that time of year when the church asks for money,” and it was a good time to go on vacation. But that’s not what stewardship is at all. Stewardship is not limited to a certain time of year, and it’s about much more than how much we contribute. Every decision we make is a stewardship decision.

Every. Single. One.

Thinking about what shirt to wear? That’s a stewardship decision. Sitting down to watch TV? That’s a stewardship decision. Every decision we make is a stewardship decision, because stewardship is how we manage what God has given us. Yes, we are stewards of our money, but it’s bigger than money. Much, much bigger. We are also stewards of our time, our relationships, our talents, our clothes, our TV watching time, the list goes on and on. In fact, I can’t think of a single decision that’s not a stewardship decision. Every decision we make is a stewardship decision.

Every. Single. One.

This stewardship season, our theme is REturn. In the spirit of the Reformation, we are seeking to REturn thanks for all God has given us. That starts with realizing just how blessed we really are. Then we will look at how God is calling us to manage these gifts. How will we REturn thanks to God for what God has first given us?

That’s Stewardship, and that’s our topic this season.

- Pr. Scott

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Quilting Bee

November 16th will be our last date to meet in 2017.

Thank you to those who gave time and sewing talent to accomplish the LWR quilts.

Watch for details on 2018 dates!

Autumn Labyrinth Event a Huge Success!

The labyrinth ministry at Holy Cross would like to extend a heartfelt "thank you" to everyone, members and guests, who attended our annual Autumn Labyrinth Event on Thursday, Oct. 5. Approximately 40 people enjoyed the evening of activities, music, friendship and refreshments. Special thanks to Pastor Beth who led us off with yoga on the labyrinth,

attracting 30 participants. We hope to offer this again in the future. Thanks also goes out to Bill Bozgan, Tami Klopfer, Joan Onkka, Jeff Schumann, Cindy Channey and others from the Labyrinth Events Committee for their work in making the evening a success! We hope to meet you on the path again, soon. ~ Lunice Clay

P.S. If YOU would like to participate in planning future labyrinth events, please contact Lunice Clay.

Mark Your Calendar

The 6th Annual Brew & Stew is scheduled for

Saturday, February 10th. Plan ahead and get your brew started!

Watch for details after Christmas.

Pastor Scott & Pastor Beth's Movie Screening & Book Signing

On Sunday Nov. 26 at 2:00 p.m., Holy Cross will host a screening of Pastor Scott's movie Get Low, which he helped write, and is about Pr. Beth's family. Get Low starred Robert Duvall, Bill Murray and Sissy Spacek, and is based on the true story of a hermit who had his funeral while he was still alive and 10,000 people came. It was produced by Sony Pictures and released nationally in 2010. After the screening Pr. Scott and Pr. Beth will have a Q&A. Pr. Scott will also be signing copies of his book, Uncle Bush's Live Funeral, which tells the true story behind the movie. A sign-up sheet

is available on the bulletin board, near the narthex, please indicate if you would like to order a book for $13. Books are also available for purchase on Amazon.com.

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Check Out the New Arrivals in the Library

Fiction To Be Where You Are by Jan Karon: The 14th novel in the beloved Mitford series features three generations of Kavanaghs as they struggle with the conflicts of retirement, financial problems, marital woes and more.

Kiss Carlo by Adriana Trigiani: This sweeping, multigenerational story will take you from Italy to New York as it explores the dynamics of family life in all its conflict and love. The novel brims with romance as long buried secrets are revealed, mistaken identities unmasked, scores are settled, broken hearts mended and true love reigns.

Truly Madly Guilty by Liane Moriarty: A last-minute neighbor barbecue seems like a fun idea. What could possibly go wrong? And yet, two months later three families are left to wonder, “If only we hadn’t gone.” Sometimes you don’t know how good you have it, until it’s too late.

Non-Fiction What Happened by Hillary Rodham Clinton: Now free from the constraints of being a political candidate, Hillary Rodham Clinton reveals what she was thinking and feeling during one of the most controversial and unpredictable presidential elections in U.S. history. (BIOG)

Uncle Bush’s Live Funeral by Scott Seeke: Written by our own Pastor Scott, this is the story of East Tennessee hermit Felix “Bush” Breazeale who decided to have his funeral while he was still alive and could attend it. The event occurred in 1938 and was expected to attract perhaps only 20 or 30 people. Imagine the surprise when 10,000 people from around the country showed up! Sprinkled with interesting tidbits of information about southern life and culture from a bygone era, this is a unique look at a man who was determined to rewrite his life history before it was too late. (BIOG)

The Best of Us by Joyce Maynard: Author and journalist Joyce Maynard, a totally independent woman, never imagined that she would ever feel the need for a man in her life until she met Jim. Then just after their one-year wedding anniversary her new husband was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. This is the story of their whirlwind courtship, a marriage cut short by tragedy and Joyce’s return to the single life on new terms. A heart-wrenching yet life affirming account on understanding true love through the experience of great loss. (BIOG)

The Templars by Dan Jones: A major new history of the Knights Templar, a band of elite warriors prepared to give their lives to protect Christian pilgrims to the Holy Land. Drawing on extensive original sources, the author traces their rise to become the most powerful religious order of the medieval world and their ultimate fall amid accusations of lurid misconduct and heresy. (271.7-JON)

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Upcoming Events

Nov. 1 - Dinner & Faith Formation Nov. 8 - Dinner & Faith Formation Nov. 15 - Dinner & Faith Formation Nov. 29 - Dinner & Faith Formation

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Crop Walk Update Holy Cross raised $490, add this to the area wide donations and the current total is $8,704! We had thirteen people and one dog participate in the 2 mile walk on a beautiful Fall day. Thank you to all who donated and participated in the walk!

THANK YOU! The youth and I are SO excited and grateful for your response to our envelope fundraiser. We appreciate your willingness to give! ~ Kim Rowe

National Gathering FAQ!

Q: What is the National Gathering? A: Every three years, 30,000+ high school youth and their adult leaders from across the ELCA gather for a week of faith formation. Through days spent in interactive learning, worship, Bible study, service and fellowship, young people grow in faith and are challenged and inspired to live their faith in their daily lives.

Q: What will the youth and leaders be doing while at the Gathering? A: Groups will rotate through different programs Interactive & Service Learning and Synod Day and Community Life programming throughout the week.

Q: When is the Gathering? A: Gathering takes place June 27- July 1, 2018.

Q: Where is the 2018 Gathering held? A: Houston, Texas

The 2018 Gathering theme is, “This Changes Everything,” based on Ephesians 2:8, “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God.”

At this time we have six Holy Cross youth committed to going to Houston, and one from Holy Trinity Lutheran. If you are interested in helping or participating in fundraisers, please contact Kim Rowe.

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HOLY CROSS LUTHERAN CHURCH - NOVEMBER 2017

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 2 NON FOOD PANTRY 3 4

6:00 pm Chancel Bells 6:00 pm 6.1.2 7:30 pm Choir Rehearsal

10:00 am WELCA Board 7:00 pm Prayer Shawl Ministry

Council Retreat

1:00 Private Event

5 ALL SAINTS DAY 6 7 8 9 10 11 8:00 am Worship 9:00 am Faith Forum 9:00 am Membership Inquiry Mtg. 10:00 am Worship & Godly Play 11:30 am Intercessory Prayer

9:30 am Prayer Shawl Ministry 6:30 pm hhav

9:30 am Bible Study 6:30 pm Women’s Bible Study

6:00 pm Chancel Bells 6:00 pm 6.1.2 7:30 pm Choir Rehearsal

9:30 am Esther Circle 7:00 pm Rachel Circle

Bird Show Bird Show 6:00 pm Pizza & Game Night

12 LECTIONARY 32 13 NEWSLETTER DEADLINE 14 15 16 17 18 8:00 am Worship 9:00 am Faith Forum 9:00 am Fair Trade Sales 10:00 am Worship & Godly Play 11:00 am Fair Trade Sales 11:30 am Intercessory Prayer 4:00 pm Opera Talk

6:30 pm hhav 7:00 pm Ruth Circle 7:00 pm ACA Study Grp.

9:30 am Bible Study 11:30 am Christian Fellowship @ Annie’s Restuarant 6:30 pm Council Meeting 6:30 pm Women’s Bible Study 7:30 pm Model Airplane Club

6:00 pm Chancel Bells 6:00 pm 6.1.2 7:30 pm Choir Rehearsal

10:00 am Quilting Bee 3:30 pm Book Discussion

10:00 am 12 Hour Crop & Craft 2:00 pm Movies & Munchies

19 THANKSGIVING SUNDAY 20 21 NON FOOD PANTRY 22 23 THANKSGIVING 24 25 8:00 am Worship 9:00 am Faith Forum 10:00 am Worship & Godly Play 11:30 am Intercessory Prayer 11:30 am Potluck

6:30 pm hhav

9:30 am Bible Study 6:30 pm Women’s Bible Study

NO Chancel Bells NO 6.1.2 NO Choir Rehearsal

OFFICE CLOSED

Private Event

OFFICE CLOSED

26 CHRIST THE KING 27 28 29 30

8:00 am Worship 9:00 am Faith Forum 10:00 am Worship & Godly Play 11:30 am Intercessory Prayer 2:00 pm Movie Screening - Get Low

6:30 pm hhav 7:00 pm ACA Study Grp.

9:30 am Bible Study 6:30 pm Women’s Bible Study

6:00 pm Chancel Bells 6:00 pm 6.1.2 7:30 pm Choir Rehearsal

Community Building Use

M 5pm Ellie’s Weigh W & Th 7am AA W & F 8pm AA W 8pm Alanon Th 11am AA Th 7:30pm AIM F 10am AA

1st T 7pm Model Airplane 4th T 7:30pm MI Treasure Hunters 2nd & 4th F 6:30pm ACA

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HOLY CROSS LUTHERAN CHURCH - NOVEMBER 2017

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 2 NON FOOD PANTRY 3 4

6:00 pm Chancel Bells 6:00 pm 6.1.2 7:30 pm Choir Rehearsal

10:00 am WELCA Board 7:00 pm Prayer Shawl Ministry

Council Retreat

1:00 Private Event

5 ALL SAINTS DAY 6 7 8 9 10 11 8:00 am Worship 9:00 am Faith Forum 9:00 am Membership Inquiry Mtg. 10:00 am Worship & Godly Play 11:30 am Intercessory Prayer

9:30 am Prayer Shawl Ministry 6:30 pm hhav

9:30 am Bible Study 6:30 pm Women’s Bible Study

6:00 pm Chancel Bells 6:00 pm 6.1.2 7:30 pm Choir Rehearsal

9:30 am Esther Circle 7:00 pm Rachel Circle

Bird Show Bird Show 6:00 pm Pizza & Game Night

12 LECTIONARY 32 13 NEWSLETTER DEADLINE 14 15 16 17 18 8:00 am Worship 9:00 am Faith Forum 9:00 am Fair Trade Sales 10:00 am Worship & Godly Play 11:00 am Fair Trade Sales 11:30 am Intercessory Prayer 4:00 pm Opera Talk

6:30 pm hhav 7:00 pm Ruth Circle 7:00 pm ACA Study Grp.

9:30 am Bible Study 11:30 am Christian Fellowship @ Annie’s Restuarant 6:30 pm Council Meeting 6:30 pm Women’s Bible Study 7:30 pm Model Airplane Club

6:00 pm Chancel Bells 6:00 pm 6.1.2 7:30 pm Choir Rehearsal

10:00 am Quilting Bee 3:30 pm Book Discussion

10:00 am 12 Hour Crop & Craft 2:00 pm Movies & Munchies

19 THANKSGIVING SUNDAY 20 21 NON FOOD PANTRY 22 23 THANKSGIVING 24 25 8:00 am Worship 9:00 am Faith Forum 10:00 am Worship & Godly Play 11:30 am Intercessory Prayer 11:30 am Potluck

6:30 pm hhav

9:30 am Bible Study 6:30 pm Women’s Bible Study

NO Chancel Bells NO 6.1.2 NO Choir Rehearsal

OFFICE CLOSED

Private Event

OFFICE CLOSED

26 CHRIST THE KING 27 28 29 30

8:00 am Worship 9:00 am Faith Forum 10:00 am Worship & Godly Play 11:30 am Intercessory Prayer 2:00 pm Movie Screening - Get Low

6:30 pm hhav 7:00 pm ACA Study Grp.

9:30 am Bible Study 6:30 pm Women’s Bible Study

6:00 pm Chancel Bells 6:00 pm 6.1.2 7:30 pm Choir Rehearsal

Building use by outside groups is shown in red.

Italicized activities are off site.

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Gary Ewing Mary Markes Carole Mevis

The Family & Friends of the Following Persons Who Have Died:

To add a name to this list: Call or email the office, [email protected], put “Prayer Request” in the subject line: include

only the request information and a general reason for the request. Note that we only include members in the newsletter, with the exception of those serving our country.

Names will be removed after 3 months unless we are updated. Thank you!

(H) - Known to be Hospitalized (HO) - Hospice (R) -Rehab

Matthew Conrad Stephen Cruickshank

Taylor Furda* Tina Hiller

Michael Rasler Jennifer Smith

Dr. Erin & Paul Tracy Scott Vasko

Those in Service to Our Country:

Jayne Beyers JoAndrea Brandt Lois Cavanaugh Mildred Duby Edna Duffy

Judith Fussell (HO) Joan Giese Muriel Harper Jack Hendrickson Ann Holliday

Burt Holliday Arelene Kudlas Pat Lindholm Bob Noechel Werner Oellerich

Lee Onkka Bob Stone Jack Thom

Those Homebound:

Those Ill or Recovering or in need of Special Prayers:

Mary Ann Asher Norma Beckerman Joyce Bigelow Mark Branton Donna Hagen

Maureen Hatteberg Alva Holk Ellie Leveranz Lillian May Kathy Mertins

Doris Miller Pete Moundros Cara Nims Betty Parsley Ann Ransom

Dan Rochowiak Dave Wheeker

REMEMBER IN YOUR PRAYERS

What’s Happening

in the Preschool?

We have much to be thankful for in the Preschool this month. We have special visitors coming to our classroom, and we have a field trip to the theater scheduled. The children are also excited about our Thanksgiving Feasts. If you are looking to meet some Pilgrims or Indians, there will be some in the Preschool class on November 20th!

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Treasurer’s Update

As we turn our eyes toward the beginning of a new church year, it is timely to assess our financial status. In the nine months ended September 30, 2017, receipts exceeded expenses by $9K and our expenses are $30K under budget. That's all good news.

Unfortunately, our most recent quarter (July through September) doesn't look so rosy. Receipts came in $36K below expenses. Some of this can be explained by $18K in capital expenses and typically lower receipts in the summer months. However, we must all recognize that the addition of full-time staff members necessitates regular, increased funding. To meet this need, please consider additional gifts during the remainder of this year. as well as contemplating an increase in your regular giving for 2018.

We continue to be inspired by your faithful stewardship, making it possible for us to move where God is calling us in our mission together.

Your Treasurer, Karen Brehob MacKenzie

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Lectors 8 am/10 am

November 5 Carol Schrecengost Norm Sorensen November 12 Michael Murphy Susan Morman November 19 Mary Foster Linda Carlucci November 26 Tami Klopfer Karen Berean

Altar Guild

November 5 Please sign up! November 12 Peggy Hefner November 19 Please sign up! November 26 Please sign up!

Communion Teams

November 5 Team Waligora November 12 Team Adams November 19 Team WELCA November 26 Team Berean

Acolytes

November 5 Alex Dudek November 12 Seth Pianga November 19 Gabriella Thomas November 26 Mickey Bernhard

for November

Fellowship Events

Saturday, November 11, 6:00 pm

Pizza & Game Night ♦ ♦ ♦

Saturday, November 18, 2:00 pm

Movies & Munchies

12 Hour Crop & Craft

November 18, 10 am - 10 pm

Come craft the day away! Whether you like to scrap, crop, bead, knit or something else, come when you can and leave when you must. Bring your lunch, snacks and something to drink. We typically order out for dinner.

Questions? Contact Shari Dudek.

Coming soon…

order your Christmas poinsettias!

Have you ever wondered about the small red baskets, on the shelves, in the mailbox hall? Wonder no more! Bring the items listed, deposit in the appropriate basket and WELCA will get them to the organization that will benefit.

Pop/Beer can pull tabs Box Tops for Kids Eyeglasses

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Holy Cross Statement of Welcome

Holy Cross is a Christ-centered community in the Lutheran tradition (ELCA). We believe all people are created in God’s image. We are passionate about the radical hospitality that Jesus showed all people. We are committed to being a community of that same kind of hospitality. We welcome all people to our life and ministry together… …in worship, at the font, at the table and in fellowship, regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, age or any other category society uses to distinguish between people. We are Holy Cross and you are welcome here.

There is no longer Jew nor Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus. Galatians 3:28

Coffee & Tea Servers for November

November 5 Art & Barb Lewis November 12 Laura Sroka November 19 Potluck November 26 Lydia Circle

Please contact Susan Scholz to volunteer for this much appreciated ministry.

Altar Flowers for November

November 5 ............................ Scotti Nichols November 12 ......................... Lois Carpenter November 19 ......................... Please sign up! November 26 ......... Chuck & Judi Glatfelter

Please consider providing flowers for the altar. Sign up on the board

hanging across from the office.

Book Club News

Our book for November is The Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh. Join us for a discussion in

the Abbey, at 3:30 pm on November 16.

Christian Fellowship will meet Tues., November 14, 11:30 am

at Annie’s Restaurant.

December NEWSLETTER

DEADLINE is set for

November 13.

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