advent by candlelight - clover...

Holy Cross Lutheran Church Newsletter

December 2013

SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP TEAM: Pastor Dana Runestad Cantor Dr. Michael Burkhardt Pastor Benjamin Morris Ministers - The disciples at Holy Cross

Phone: 734-427-1414 Fax: 734-427-1419

Email: [email protected] Website: http://holycrosslivonia.org

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Advent by

Candlelight Tuesday,

December 3rd 6:30 pm

Everyone is invited to attend

this annual celebration of Advent. All members and guests will enjoy a de-lightful evening of appetizers, desserts, fellowship and music of the season. The Detroit Handbell Ensemble will provide our musical entertainment. Hostesses are needed for the tables. Each hostess decorates a table with her own ta-ble decorations, centerpiece, candles, lin-ens and dishes. An appetizer and dessert will be provided for all to share.

Sign-ups will continue through Sunday, December 1st.

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Christmas Eve Services 4:30 Family Candlelight Service with Holy Communion 7:30 Festival Candlelight Service with Holy Communion 10:30 Music of the Season 11:00 Festival Candlelight Service with Holy Communion

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What would

the world look like if

Christmas came

for everyone?

Complete Advent schedule on page 14 of this newsletter.

Hope-for-peace Child, God’s stupendous sign, Down-to-earth Child, Star of stars that shine,

This year, this year, let the day arrive when Christmas comes for everyone, everyone alive!

What would it look like if Christmas came for everyone? This is a question we will be asking as we gather as God’s people during the Advent season at Holy Cross, beginning Sunday December 1. Shirley Erena Murray, New Zealand’s premier hymn-writer, penned the words above (along with four other verses) for her Christmas card in 1994. Murray says, “The carol grew out of increasing concern at the market values dictating our welfare system, now creating more and more ‘social rejects.’”

How timely for us that this year we will have the opportunity to learn this new carol as we are forming relationships with children who live just down the street from us at the Methodist (in name only) Children’s Home in Redford. I am particularly struck by the second stanza:

Street child, beat child, no place left to go, Hurt child, used child, no one wants to know, This year, this year, let the day arrive when Christmas comes for everyone, everyone alive!

We will have a small part in helping Christmas come for these very children. They will receive gifts from us via our “wish tree.” Hopefully they will experience a sign of God’s love through these gifts. But more than that, they have started coming to Holy Cross on Mondays at 5 for their very own hour of hearts, hands and voices with Dr. B and friends. More relationship opportunities are in the works, beginning with a tour of the Methodist Children’s Home by Holy Cross folks on Wednesday December 11 at 10 a.m. This is all part of living out our mission in this community to be God’s people doing God’s work. It’s nigh impossible to think about Christmas coming for everyone without reclaiming a very old idea called “the common good.” Author Jim Wallis reminds us that Jesus issued that call and an-nounced the kingdom of God – a new order of living in sharp contrast to all the political and reli-gious kingdoms of the world. That better way of life was meant to benefit not only his followers but everybody else too…Christianity is a call to a new relationship that changes all our other rela-tionships.* Each Sunday in Advent we will pray together, “Bring Christmas to us; bring Christmas through us.” It’s my prayer that our Advent worship will bring Christmas to us by deepening that primary rela-tionship that changes all our other relationships, and that we will be part of the answer to Shirley Erena Murray’s prayer, “This year, this year, let the day arrive, when Christmas comes for every-one, everyone alive.” Faithfully,

*On God’s Side: What Religion Forgets and Politics Hasn’t Learned about Serving the Common Good

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REMEMBER IN YOUR PRAYERS

Those Ill or Recovering or in need of Special Prayers: Those Homebound:

Those Grieving:

Those Serving in the Military:

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

To add a name to this list: Call the office or email [email protected];

Put “Prayer Request” in the subject line: include only the request information and a general reason for the request. Names will be removed after 3 months unless we are contacted. Thank you!

Thad Aardal*

Angela Allen

Ed Arndt*

Mary Ann Asher*

Randy Bradakis

Isabelle Bumford

Michael Burkhardt*

Jayne Cool

Linda Coran

Kelley Cote

Betty Dahlstrom* Lisle

Eckhardt

Dee Eichendorf

Norma Eisbrenner*

Michael Eisbrenner

Bob Fredericks

Carol Hope-Eory

Bob Ferrari Sr.*

Rene Foster*

Gerry Gibson

Sue Grant

Cindy Hale

Jackie Hansen

John Hart

Betty Hendrickson*

John Hobart*

Michael Hodges

Bob Hoyrup*

Cheryl Jarzombek

Terri Ann Jones

Ann Kalec

Linda Koeppe

Don Koponen

Bob Kunz*

Ellen Kuuttila

Demetrios Lambros

Tom Leavitt

Arlayne Lewis*

Herb Lewis*

Doris Maiert

Diane Markwell*

Carolyn Martin

Elizabeth Morman

Michelle Morman

Shelly Molaro

Mary Kay Moore*

Keiko Morse

Pete Moundros

Lee Onkka*

Sharon Pielak

Diana Paolella

Karla Pearson

Bonnie Quince

George Rabe

Jackie Robbins

Lorry Ross

Bea Rumley

Steve Sheldon

Susan Siler

Emily Stevens*

Valerie Stevens

Jerry Strickler

Bell Storchan

Ruth Tobey

Melinda Welch

Charles Wellman

Dave Wheeker*

Brooklyn Wojtyniak

Betty Wolf

Don Wolf

Benjamin Wrobel

Michael Zaleski

Andrew Barr

Nathan Bordach*

Paul & Erin Tracy

Joseph Comeau

Matthew Conrad

Stephen Cruickshank

Chad Davey

Michael Davey

Amanda Forbear

Marc Garnsey

Evan Gearino

Tina Hiller

Seth Hooper

Conner Lanius

Daniel Lanius

Jeremy Samuels

Marc Samuels

Heidi Scherbarth

Jennifer Smith

Jeff Sweitzer

Scott Vasko*

Mark Barnett*

Betty Connell*

Edna Duffy*

Ann Holliday*

Doris Knapp*

Ruth Lindke*

Dorothy Manley*

Werner & Amy Oellerich*

Jan Siemert*

Bob & Trudy Stone*

Jack & Eleanor Thom*

Betty Wickham

The family and friends of:

Audrey Aardal*

Eric Anderson*

Christine Gary

Heather Hall-Gleason

Roscoe Hoover*

Jeff Ketcham

Carol Simmons*

Esther Taylor*

Bonnie Williams

Altar Flowers

for December Dec. 15 … … … … … … … .Herb & Arlayne Lewis

All other Sundays in December are open. Please sign up to provide altar flowers.

January NEWSLETTER

DEADLINE is set for

December 15

SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP TEAM PASTOR DANA RUNESTAD

CANTOR DR. MICHAEL BURKHARDT PASTOR BENJAMIN MORRIS

(734) 427-1414 http://holycrosslivonia.org

* SHARI DUDEK – EDITOR

(734) 331-2649 [email protected]

Holy Cross Lutheran Church NEWSLETTER

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December 1: ADVENT 1 Light one candle to watch for Messiah: let the light pierce the darkness.

Come, let us walk in the light of the Lord, filled with HOPE for the world!

8 & 10 a.m. Worship: Isaiah 2:1-5; Romans 13:11-13; Matthew 24:36–44

11:30 a.m. Advent Wreath Making with Hanging of the Greens

December 3: ADVENT by Candlelight

6:30 p.m. An evening of music, fellowship, appetizers and desserts

Sponsored by Women of the ELCA

December 8: ADVENT 2 Light two candles to watch for Messiah: let the light pierce the darkness.

Forth from the stump of the family of David comes PEACE, promised of old!

8 &10 a.m. Worship: Isaiah 11:1-10; Romans 15:4–13; Matthew 3:1–12

December 15: ADVENT 3 Light three candles to watch for Messiah: let the light pierce the darkness.

Nations, creation, REJOICE and be glad, see the glory of God!

8 & 10 a.m. Worship: Isaiah 35:1–10; James 5:7–10; Matthew 11:2–11

2 p.m. Caroling

December 22: ADVENT 4 Light four candles to watch for Messiah: let the light pierce the darkness.

Look, a young woman gives birth to a son: “LOVE, Emmanuel.”

8 & 10 a.m. Worship: Isaiah 7:10–16; Romans 1:1–7; Matthew 1:18–25

2 p.m. Blue Christmas Facilitated Labyrinth Walk

3 p.m. Blue Christmas Service of Holy Communion All are invited, especially those who have lost or are estranged from

loved ones and those for whom the holidays may not be joyful.

December 24: NATIVITY OF OUR LORD Unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given. And his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor,

Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

4:30 p.m. Family Candlelight Worship with Holy Communion

7:30 p.m. Candlelight Worship with Holy Communion

10:30 p.m. Music of the Season

11:00 p.m. Candlelight Worship with Holy Communion

Wreath-Making December 1st at 11:30 AM

The Vibrant Faith@Home team is sponsoring this year's Advent Wreath-making event on the first Sunday in Advent in the Fellowship Hall at 11:30. Everything needed to make a beau-tiful wreath will be available. A donation of $10 is requested. The event will conclude with a 'hanging of the greens' brief time of worship and decorating in the sanctu-ary. Bring a snack or lunch and enjoy this time of preparation for our 2013 Advent Jour-ney.

Reserve your wreath ASAP by contacting Kim Thomas at:

313.721.1956 or [email protected]

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

Drys octopetala l.

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Dedication of the new

Music Center (the old chapel)

New Consolidated Home of ALL Music Groups

& Organizations at Holy Cross:

Choir, Bells, hearts, hands and voices Sunday, December 1

following 10 am worship

Open House between services from 9-9:45 am

Coffee and Tea Servers for December

Dec. 1 … … Karen Anastasiow & Lillian May Dec. 9 … … … … … … … … … ..Karen Berean Dec. 15 … … … … … … … … ..Mary Anderson Dec. 22 … … … … .W/ELCA: Priscilla Circle Dec. 29 … … … … … … … … .Linda Haddock, Susan & Clayton Scholz

Please sign up for this much-appreciated ministry.

Contact Susan Scholz to volunteer.

December 14th at 6:00 PM

will be held at the home of Carol & Allen Schrecengost

Call the Schrencengosts to RSVP

and sign up for an appetizer.

734-261-1858 or email [email protected]

for DECEMBER

Lectors December 1 Norm Sorensen December 8 Sue Scherbarth December 15 Karen Berean December 22 Jeff Schuman December 29 Cheryl Pearson Christmas Eve 4:30 Trudi Feenstra 7:30 John Hall 11:00 Pat Ferrari

Communion Assistants December 1 Ferrari Team December 8 Dudek Team December 15 Hall Team December 22 Berean Team December 29 W/ELCA Team

$85,252 $93,668

$29,709 $31,618

$31,305

$271,552

$90,722

$81,132

$26,587 $21,381

$32,237

$252,059

$-

$50,000

$100,000

$150,000

$200,000

$250,000

$300,000

1st Qtr. 2013 2nd Qtr. 2013 July 2013 Aug.2013 Sept.2013 Year-to-Date

Holy Cross Evangelical Lutheran Church2013 Comparison of Operating Expenditures and Receipts

January 1 - September 30, 2013Average Worship Attendance Year-to-Date: 182

Expenditures Receipts

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Poinsettias to be placed in the sanctu-ary on Christmas Eve may be ordered in the Narthex beginning December 1st. The last day to order will be Sunday, December 15th. The cost is $8.00. Plants may be picked up after worship services on Christmas Eve.

The Methodist Children’s Home

Christmas Gift Program The Social Ministry Committee is establishing the

“community’ portion of our new relationship with

The Methodist Children’s Home in Livonia. The

children’s Christmas wishes will be located on the

Gift Wish Tree on silver ‘Star’ gift tags. The tree

will be set up in the narthex by the last week of No-

vember. In past years the generosity of our mem-

bers has been wonderful and we hope that you will

continue to help make this a very joyous holiday

season for the children at the Methodist Children’s

Home. Once the tree is set up:

Please choose ‘Star’ gift tag(s).

Write your name next to the recipient’s

name on the corresponding print-out

in Narthex.

DO NOT wrap the gift. (This is a request

from the Methodist Children’s Home.)

Securely attach the ‘Star’ gift tag to the gift

with the recipient’s name showing.

Return the gift to the church by December

15th in the marked boxes in Narthex.

The gifts will be delivered to the

Methodist Children’s Home on De-

cember 15 by the committee.

If you have questions regarding the above,

please contact Peggy Hefner (313) 255

-6260 or Cheryl Pearson (248) 444-

4003. Contact Laurie Cook (Social

Ministry Chairperson) (313) 971-2497

for information regarding the Method-

ist Children’s Home.

This is a change from the newsletter article last

month. We apologize for the confusion.

Mittens, Hats & Scarves Tree Look for the Mitten Tree in the narthex by the first

Sunday in Advent. As you holiday shop or knit/

crochet please remember those who might not have

the warmth of a pair of mittens/gloves, a snuggly

hat/ear warmers, or scarf to keep them warm this

cold winter ahead. Babies to adult sizes needed.

Place the item(s) on the Mitten Tree in the Narthex.

Once again, thank you!

6th Doris Miller 7th Judith Kirkeby 10th Noelle Hillert 11th Kaarina Bodnar 13th James Stroka 15th Larry Foster 17th Werner Oellerich 18th Adam Baker 19th Megan Dumouchelle 22nd Ruthann Swanson 23rd Nick Baker 24th Herb Lewis James Najjar Cole Rochowiak 25th Arlene Fedoroff 27th Ruth Lindke 30th Karin Pearson 31st Kendra Hillert

BLUE CHRISTMAS for those who have lost or are estranged from loved ones;

for those for whom the holidays may not be joyful

Sunday, December 22 (the day after the longest night of the year)

2 pm: Facilitated Labyrinth Walk (Dress for the weather)

3 pm: Service of Holy Communion

for Comfort and Support

Refreshments Following in the Abbey

YOU CAN HELP send a word of encouragement and support

to Taylor Furda, HC member in boot camp in the Air force.

Her address:

AB Furda Taylor A 320 TRS/FLT 034 (Dorm) B5

1320 Truemper Street Unit 364029

Lackland AFB TX 78236-6430

2nd Mark & Julie Branton 19th Herb & Arlayne Lewis 27th Art & Barb Lewis 30th Jim & Pam LeDuc

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Happy Anniversary!

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FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) about Building Use and Renovation

Why is the choir room being moved to the chapel? In order to free up “prime real estate” (location, location, location!) for flexible, multi-use

purposes -- for a library, hospitality, meeting opportunities and overflow from the nar-thex. With the construction of The Abbey, we lost the library and meeting room adjacent to the narthex. The choir room area was only being used two hours a week on average – that was in the evening, and the room has nice big windows! This will enable us to be better stewards of the space we have.

To consolidate all musical activities into one space (choir, bells, hearts, hands and voices) conveniently adjacent to the Cantor’s office. Now, this one room designated for music rehearsal will be used at least eight hours a week, and all musical instruments can be in one place.

Can the music center be used for any other purpose? In general, no, because of the instruments and equipment that will be stored in the room. Howev-er, we will still use the room as a venue for watching movies.

Who made the decision to move the choir room? The congregation council, elected by the congregation.

Why are the Tiny Tots meeting in the Fellowship Hall? Because the Tiny Tot room is temporarily full of books from the library. The TT’s met in the rooms being used by Mother Hubbard Pre-school last year, but Mrs. Ashbay, their teacher, felt that the toys there proved too distracting for the children. She is grateful for the open, sunny space in the hall. Children also seem to enjoy having smaller tables in an area designated for them in the large Fellowship Hall. This is temporary, however.

Why not ask Mother Hubbard to leave so we can have that space for our use? We have had conversations with them about this; however if they left our building they would have to close their doors. We have begun to explore the possibility of a partnership with them down the road. This is all still in the infancy stage.

How was the renovation of the chapel into the Music Center paid for? Through designated gifts and $10,000 budgeted for 2013 for physical plant updates.

When will the library be up and running again? Sometime after the first of the year, in its new location. We owe our wonderful librarian, Barb Lewis, a debt of gratitude for her patience and cooperation in this long process! Thank you, Barb!!!

Holy Cross Lutheran Church

proudly presents their

Third Annual

New Year’s Eve Benefit Celebration! An Adult Event

Theme: New Year’s Eve Around The World Party Favors provided

Date: December 31, 2013

Time: 8:00 p.m. – 12:30 a.m.

(Doors open 7:30 p.m.)

Cost: $15 per person plus a dish to pass / B.Y.O.B.

Beverages (beer, pop & water) provided

Place: Fellowship Hall, Holy Cross Lutheran Church

Attire: Dressy or show your ethnic pride

(if desired)

Money raised will support our Social Ministry Needs

Tickets on Sale in Narthex after services

November 24 – December 22

Individual reserved tickets OR reserve by table (8)

Limited number of tickets available (120)

Music Provided by DJ Randy/Debbie

Contact Celebration Directors for tickets:

Janet & John Hall

[email protected]

734-788-1373

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Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol A Four-Week Bible Study for Advent

Faith Forum at 9 am on Sunday Mornings December 1 through December 22

Many of you have probably read or seen the play/movie of Dick-ens’ A Christmas Carol but have you ever thought of it in terms of a Bible Study? Most of us would probably say “No” to that, but the story of the redemption of Ebenezer Scrooge is a mean-ingful story for people of faith! We will be exploring the mean-ings of Advent and Christmas through the story of A Christmas Carol this December! Read an overview of the study below and then come and join us for the four Sunday mornings in Advent as we use this study to listen for the notes of hope that ring true in the Word made flesh for us all! Ever since its first publication in 1843, Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol has been a holiday classic. The legendary story of the transformation of Ebenezer Scrooge from “Bah Humbug!” to “God bless us, every one!” is as much a part of Christmas as mistletoe and Santa Claus. Dickens originally wrote A Christmas Carol to revive the joyful traditions of Christmas and the cele-bration of the yuletide, since Cromwell’s Puritan revolution in England had prohibited any rites or practices deemed “pagan.” A Christmas Carol nearly single-handedly rejuvenated those tra-ditions in Victorian England. Yes, the story of the redemption of Ebenezer Scrooge is a meaningful story for people of faith, and a wonderful story to study as part of the Advent journey to the manger outside Bethlehem. As a result, we will be studying the original text of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol complemented by a four-part discussion guide for Christian groups. Some of the themes that have been found within the story that make it an interesting study for Advent and Christmas include hope, redemp-tion, transformation, the work of the Spirit, and the Christian life. The explorations of these themes are intertwined throughout the story and the discussion guide.

Come and journey together with others as we travel the Advent journey to the manger!

Advent Devotions are Available

in a Form that Works for You

A special booklet of Advent devotions from Luther Semi-nary, "DAYS OF DESIRE: Longing FOR THE ADVENT DAWN" is available for your use.

A small number of copies (large print and regular print)will be printed and placed in the narthex. If you would like to receive a copy through the mail, call the office (734)-427-1414. You may download your own copy at:

www.luthersem.edu/advent

...or you may receive them delivered to your inbox via email each day.

The devotions have been written by Laura Thelander, '97, seminary pastor. If you are al-

ready a subscriber to God Pause online devotions, you'll also continue to receive these

devotions in your inbox on a daily basis.

Helping to Feed the Hungry As part of our community outreach, Holy Cross will sponsor a Gleaners food drive be-

tween January 19 and 27, 2014. During the Christmas season, there is both great need

and great support for hungry people in our greater community. However, when January

comes, the contributions decrease but the people are still hungry. Gleaners Food Bank

supplies food to a multitude of organizations including food pantries, homeless shelters

etc. A list of most needed items and details of the drive will be provided in January.

Gleaners is able to purchase food at great savings so monetary contributions will also be

welcomed.

HOLY CROSS EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH DECEMBER 2013

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1ST SUNDAY IN ADVENT 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

8:00 am Worship

9:00 am Faith Forum

10:00 am Worship & Sunday School

11:30 am Intercessory Prayer

11:30 am Advent Wreath Making

9:30 am Prayer Shawl

Ministry

6:30 pm hh&v No GPS

9:30 am Bible Study

2:00 pm Staff Meeting

6:30 pm Men’s Bible Study

6:30 pm Women’s Bible Study

7:00 pm Advent By Candlelight

OFFICE CLOSED

9:00 am Men’s Breakfast

6:00 pm Bell Rehearsal

6:12 pm 6.1.2.

7:30 pm Choir Rehearsal

7:00 pm W/ELCA Board

7:00 pm Prayer Shawl

Ministry

10:30 am Care Givers

2ND SUNDAY IN ADVENT 8 9 10 11 12 13 14

8:00 am Worship

9:00 am Faith Forum

9:00 am Fair Trade Sales


11:00 am Fair Trade Sales


3:30 pm Lutheran Singers –

Historic Trinity

6:30 pm hh&v

6:30 pm Ruth Circle No GPS

9:30 am Bible Study

11:30 am Christian Fellowship

Blue Plate Diner




OFFICE CLOSED


10:00 am Methodist

Children’s Home Tour


6:12 pm 6.1.2.


7:00 pm GPS

(rescheduled from 11/18)

7:30 pm Rachel Circle

6:00 pm

Pizza & Game Night

3RD SUNDAY IN ADVENT 15 16 17 18 19 20 21

8:00 am Worship

9:00 am Faith Forum



2:00 pm Caroling

3:00 pm 3½ Days of Christmas

6:30 pm hh&v

6:30 pm Council No GPS

9:30 am Bible Study




OFFICE CLOSED



6:12 pm 6.1.2.


3:30 pm Book Discussion

4TH SUNDAY IN ADVENT 22 23 CHRISTMAS EVE 24 CHRISTMAS 25 26 27 28

8:00 am Worship

9:00 am Faith Forum



11:30 am Christmas Eve Decorating

6:30 pm NO hh&v No GPS

OFFICE CLOSED

4:30 pm Worship - Candlelight



OFFICE CLOSED

OFFICE CLOSED

1ST SUNDAY OF CHRISTMAS 29 30 NEW YEARS EVE 31 8:00 am NO Worship

9:00 am NO Faith Forum



6:30 pm NO hh&v No GPS

OFFICE CLOSED

8:00 pm New Year’s Eve Gala

"Building Use by the Community"

M 5pm Ellies Weigh Th 11am AA

T&TH 6:15pm Dance It F 10am AA

T 6:30pm DHE Sun 5pm Over Eaters

W&TH 7am AA 1st T 7pm Model Airplane

W&F 8pm AA 1st Th 9:30am Spinners

W 8pm Alanon

advent by candlelight - clover...

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