stewardship corner - c web viewwe may not have murdered with a gun or a ... please let me know your...
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CROSS OF CHRIST LUTHERAN CHURCH24155 Griswold Road, South Lyon, MI 48178
248-437-8810Fax: 248-437-7708
www.crossofchristlutheran.org Email: [email protected] Like us on FACEBOOK at: www.facebook.com/crossofchristsouthlyon
M A R C H , 2 0 1 7
Sunday Worship: 10 a.m.Holy Communion is celebrated on the 2nd, 4th, and 5th Sundays of the month.
Sunday School: 10 a.m. – 3 years old through fifth grade Adult Bible Study: Sundays 9:00 a.m.
Youth Bible Study: 10 a.m. (1st & 3rd Sundays)
Midweek Lenten Worship Wednesdays at 7 p.m., beginning Ash Wednesday, March 1st.
Theme: “The Ten Commandments”
****** Last Minute Special ******Ash Wednesday Dinner
March 1st – 6 p.m.MENU:Chicken, cheesy potatoes, green bean casserole, salad, rolls, dessert
Free-will donation(Sign up, call Chris, or just come!)
****** Service starts at 7 p.m.******HOLY WEEK WORSHIP SCHEDULE
Palm Sunday . . . . . . . . . . . . . April 9 . . . . . . . . . . .10:00am +Maundy Thursday . . . . . . . . . .April 13 . . . . . . . . . . .7:00pm +Good Friday . . . . . . . . . . . . . . April 14 . . . . . . . . . . .7:00pmEaster Sunday . . . . . . . . . . . . April 16 . . . . . . . . . . .7:30am + & 10:00am +
(+ Indicates Holy Communion)
Sunday School classes and Adult Bible Study will not be held on Easter Sunday.EASTER LILIES
Sign up on the Information Board to purchase EASTER LILIES for the altar area. Lilies may be given in memory of loved ones and taken home after the Easter services. Help us make the church sanctuary beautiful for Easter.PASTOR’S LETTER
Dear Beloved Members and Friends,
We begin our observance of the church year season of Lent during this month of March. March 1st is Ash Wednesday. We will observe Ash Wednesday with a Divine Service, with Holy Communion, conducted at 7 p.m. We are planning to conduct midweek Lenten Divine Services on Wednesdays at 7 p.m. during Lent. We hope the 7 p.m. time will give people who work outside the home during the day and retired folks opportunities to worship God together on Wednesdays.
I am preparing a sermon series on the Ten Commandments for the midweek Lenten series. Please pray that God bless my preparation and preaching of these sermons and my Sunday sermons during March.
I am planning to preach on Commandments Nine and Ten on Ash Wednesday. You know the Ninth and Tenth Commandments and how Martin Luther explains them.
“You shall not covet your neighbor’s house.” “We should fear and love God, so that we do not scheme to get our neighbor’s inheritance or house or get it in a way which only appears right, but help and be of service to him in keeping it.”
“You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his manservant or maidservant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.” “We should fear and love God so that we do not entice or force away our neighbor’s wife, workers or animals, or turn them against him but urge them to stay and do their duty.”
God’s Ninth and Tenth Commandments and Luther’s explanations are a mirror that shows us our sins of coveting. We have coveted our neighbor’s house, spouse, animals, workers, and possessions. We schemed and plotted in order to get what we wanted. We cheated, lied, stole, even murdered. We may not have murdered with a gun or a knife, but we did it with hate-filled words and an enraged and envious heart. We were sure to make it all look so right. The Holy Spirit put these commandments in the Bible in order to reveal us. The Spirit leads us to recognize our own sin in our own lives.
God emphatically forbids coveting! No ifs, ands, or buts. We coveted any way. We coveted like there’s no tomorrow. We coveted as if God could not be trusted to take care of us. So today is the day to repent. Let us make it a Lenten repentance. Let’s live in and from our Baptism into Christ. Today is the day to change our minds and to turn around. Let us repent of all coveting and covetousness. Let’s joyfully receive God’s forgiveness of our sins for Jesus’ sake. Let us receive our Lord’s body and blood in His Supper and the forgiveness of our sins.
This Ash Wednesday, this Lent, as well as all your life, you have good use of Jesus, the Savior of coveters. Jesus died for you. All our coveting and all the other sin that flows from our coveting belong to Jesus. Christ wrapped Himself up in it so that He was counted as the coveter par excellence, and then He took all of its damnation.
PASTOR’S LETTER continued:
Jesus bore all your sins in His body on the tree. Christ took all your sins away on the cross. Jesus saved you from hell by going through it for you when He was crucified. Christ accomplished the forgiveness of your sins by His crucifixion. That’s Good Friday. God is for you. You are forgiven.
You now desire a gift and treasure that Jesus says is yours. What is that? That gift is Christ’s body and blood. That treasure is fruit from the vine and fruit from the cross. Given and shed for you for the forgiveness of your sins. Your heart can be content with such a promise. You also now want to help and be of service to your neighbor in keeping what belongs to him. You desire to serve your neighbor in love. Our Lord leads and empowers us to be content with all that He has given us.
May God bless you and your family this Lenten season and always!
Sincerely Yours in Christ,Pastor Terry Nelson PRAYER CHAIN SIGN UP
Sign up on the Information Board if you would like to be added to an updated Prayer Chain List. When a need for prayer is requested, people on the Prayer Chain pray for the need and then call the next person on the list. WOMEN WANTEDWe want to find out what women are interested in doing together in our church. This could include such activities as Bible study, fundraisers, crafts, etc, or just meeting for lunch. Please let me know your ideas and whether you would like to be involved and/or organize any of these activities. We can start with a lunch. Call me with times available if interested. Thanks, and hope to see you soon! Patty Wadkins 248-446-9016 (cell phone, call, leave message or text)
“Let’s Do Lunch!”Everyone is invited to join us for lunch. Men & women welcome!
Friday, March 10th, 11:30 a.m.at
Lucas Coney Island22689 Pontiac Trail, South Lyon
Please sign up or call Chris or Ettie Ann (248-349-2545)
COINS FOR CROSS OF CHRIST Dream Catchers Save your “spare” change for Cross of Christ ministry in our Dream Catcher containers.Take home a labeled can, available on the entryway table. Change will go to the Mercy Fund.
“Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old
he will not depart from it.” -- Proverbs 22:6 SUNDAY SCHOOL classes are held at 10 a.m. for children three years old through fifth grade during the school year. Children are dismissed to their classes from the worship service after the opening hymn.
YOUTH in grades 6-12 meet for Bible Study at 10 a.m. on the first and third Sundays of the month – March 5 and 19. For questions about Bible study or youth activity nights, call Dom at 586-864-8623 or Amy at 810-333-6370.SUNDAY ADULT BIBLE CLASS
ADULT BIBLE STUDY has begun a new DVD study, entitled Revelation: A Testament of Hope. Join us Sundays at 9 a.m. for an in-depth study of this often misunderstood book of the Bible.
“For where two or three come together in My Name, there am I with them.”(Matthew 18:20)
CROSS OF CHRISTCHRISTIAN PRESCHOOL
“Preschool With a Plus”
REGISTRATION for fall classes will take place according to the following schedule: Church Members: Sunday, March 12, after worship Current Preschool Families: Tuesday, March 14, at 9:30 a.m. Past Preschool Families: Thursday, March 16, at 10:00 a.m. Open Enrollment for the Community: Friday, March 17, beginning at 10:00 a.m.
A $70 registration fee (cash or check) is due at the time of registration. You are welcome to come and visit a preschool class at any time. A 2017-18 Registration Form is available on our website.
If you are new to our congregation and would like more information, please call the school office (248-437-0871). We offer a play-based program for three and four year olds, with age appropriate academics and kindergarten readiness. Three year olds have the option of a morning or afternoon class on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Four year olds will meet Monday, Wednesday, and an (optional) Friday – morning and afternoon sessions available.
The yearly preschool fundraiser by Cherrydale Farms - Morley Candy is available on the entryway table. We appreciate your support of our preschool. Orders are due Sunday, March 12, and will be delivered the week of April 10.
STEWARDSHIP CORNER
Therefore…Be Steadfast
Each year Christians look forward to the penitential season of Lent. That seems strange to some who don’t understand the blessings this time affords. Among these is time set aside to focus on our own sins and then to place them purposefully at the foot of the cross, knowing that Christ has already paid the penalty in our place.
Another blessing arises from knowing that Lent is a period of time that culminates in Easter, that day the whole Christian Church rejoices together over the victory Christ won as He rose from the dead. His resurrection is ours! The Apostle Paul wrote, “The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, Who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 15:56-57).
He followed this declaration with the word “therefore,” implying that something should happen as a result of this great victory: we should “be steadfast” We should be “immovable” We should “always [abound] in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain” (1 Corinthians 15:58).
As God’s people, we are “steadfast” and “immovable” as we rely on God’s strength. In the words of Paul to the people in Ephesus, “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm” (Ephesians 6:10-13). God has fully equipped us, and He defends us. Through the faith that God gives us, we can place our total trust in Him to be with us as we face our battles.
Rejoicing in the victory that Jesus has won for us on the cross and through His resurrection, we keep our eyes on Him and remain steadfast. We do the work our Father has prepared for us to do, for we know our labor is not in vain. We are eager to live in Jesus’ victory. FUNERAL LUNCHEONS
THANK YOU to all who donated food for recent funeral luncheons. Help would be appreciated by donating a dish and/or assisting at funeral luncheons. This ministry is important to families in their time of grief. If you would like to be added to our “Helper” list, please contact Annie Nichols at 248-437-9599, [email protected], or call or email the church office.EMAIL ADDRESSESIf you’d like to be added to our email list, contact [email protected]. If you’d prefer to receive the newsletter via email, please indicate that. To check out upcoming events, go to our web site at www.crossofchristlutheran.org. The monthly calendar and newsletter are available each month online.
MARCHBIRTHDAYS
4 Thomas Hamlet 5 Lindsay Bray
Travis Miller 7 John Mattison
James Wadkins 8 Kindsey Nelson10 Earlene Reinwand14 Blake Russell18 Jeff Marsh
Jack Petsch19 Lynne Lach20 Kayla Jedanak
Olivia HindleyAaron Nelson
21 Jason PetschMike WasilkoRobert Wolski
22 Carole BedardJohn Candela
24 Dennis Evans29 Dana Hamlet30 Paige Sterling31 Beverly Beyer
Jeffrey Kreipke
Please inform the church office of any missing dates or errors.
MEMBERSHIP
WELCOMED: + + Kari Ann Bye
Adult Confirmation January 15, 2017
BIRTH: + + David James Bye III Child of David & Kari Bye January 27, 2017
CALLED HOME: + + John E. Boyle Birth: August 28, 1918 Death: February 19, 2017
THRIVENT CHOICE DOLLARS
Thrivent Choice® participants have thousands of options, but we thank you for choosing Cross of Christ. The Thrivent Choice program helps Thrivent members make a positive impact in their communities.
Eligible Thrivent Financial members who have been designating Choice Dollars have until March 31, 2017, to direct them. Don’t miss this opportunity to recommend that Thrivent Financial direct funding to Cross of Christ Lutheran Church or Preschool. Go to:
Thrivent.com/thriventchoice to learn more and find program terms and conditions. Or call 800-847-4836 and say “Thrivent Choice” after the prompt. (Press 1)
ALTAR FLOWER CHART
Thank you for signing up to purchase Altar Flowers in celebration of birthdays, anniversaries, and in memory of loved ones. The 2017 Flower Chart is located in the Fellowship Hallway near the kitchen. Two vases are available each Sunday; you only need to sign up for one. The cost of one vase is $30. Flowers are taken home after the worship service. (When a Sunday isn’t covered, the church needs to pay for the flowers.)______________________________________MEMORIALS
+ + In memory of Rev. William Besler, a gift has been given to Active Faith by Jim & Patty Wadkins.
+ + In memory of Clarice French, a gift has been given to Active Faith by Jim & Patty Wadkins.
+ + In memory of Clarice French, a gift has been given by Shelley Besler.
+ + In memory of Clarice French, a gift has been given to Active Faith by Jennie Besler.
+ + In memory of Rev. William Besler, a gift has been given by Jennie Besler.
M A R C H 2 0 1 7 C R O S S O F C H R I S T L U T H E R A N C H U R C H
Email: [email protected] Office: 248-437-8810/ Fax: 248-437-7708/ Home: 248-486-4335 Web:www.crossofchristlutheran.org_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday+ Indicates Holy Communion
1
4:00-5:30pm Confirmation 6 pm Dinner 7 pm WORSHIP
2
6:30-8:00pm Brownie Troop
3 4
5 9:00am Adult Bible Class10:00am WORSHIP 10:00am Sunday School 10:00am Youth Bible Study 11:00am Choir Rehearsal
6 7 8 4:00-5:30pm Confirmation 7 pm WORSHIP
9 1011:30am Lunch at Lucas Coney Island
11
12 9:00am Adult Bible Class10:00am WORSHIP + (Choir sings.) 10:00am Sunday School 11:00am Preschool Registration (members)11:00am Board of Elders
13 14 9:30am Current Preschool Families Register
15 4:00-5:30pm Confirmation 7 pm WORSHIP
16 1710:00am Preschool Registration (Open to the Community)
18
19 9:00am Adult Bible Class10:00am WORSHIP10:00am Sunday School10:00am Youth Bible Study11:00am Coffee Hour: PS Bd.
20 2110:15am Bd. of Evangelism/ Stewardship 7:00pm Church Council
22 4:00-5:30pm Confirmation 7 pm WORSHIP
23 3:00pm Abbey Park Worship Service
24 25
26 9:00am Adult Bible Class10:00am WORSHIP + 10:00am Sunday School 4:00pm Rehab Center Worship Service
27 28 29 4:00-5:30pm Confirmation 7 pm WORSHIP
30 31
