Holy Cross Monthly Newsletter - March, 2007

Lent is Here!
T
he season of Lent runs through Wednesday, March 28. During Lent we hold special Wednesday services that focus on the depth of our sin and the depth of Jesus’ suffering for our sin. This year’s Lenten theme is: "The Hidden Glory of the Cross."

Here is the Wednesday Schedule:

Holy Week is Coming!
During Holy Week we set aside special time to ponder our Lord’s death and resurrection. Mark your calendar for these dates and times:

Bethany Band to Play for Services
S
unday, March 11
W
e’re privileged to have the Bethany Lutheran College Concert Band, Jazz Ensemble and Brass Choir at Holy Cross on Sunday, March 11. The Bethany Band will play during both worship services and put on a brief concert in-between services. On Monday afternoon around 2 pm, the band will play for our school children. Come and bring a friend!

Heavy Snow Could Mean Light Offerings
W
ow! When’s the last time you remember church being cancelled due to blizzard conditions? On Saturday afternoon, we pastors were on the phone with the Elders deciding what to do about Sunday services. One of the Elders said, "A Sunday with no church could be very hard on our financial situation…" but that comment was immediately followed by a statement of faith, "But, we trust that the Lord will provide and take care of us."

One missed Sunday could result in $12,000 lost offerings. That’s our entire Evangelism and Sunday School budget for the year! But we do trust that the Lord will provide. Please consider making up this lost offering!

LYA Convention
Thursday, July 26-Sunday, July 29
T
he LYA (Lutheran Youth Association) Convention this year will be in Mankato, MN, at Bethany Lutheran College. The convention is for youth who are currently in 8th grade or high school. This is a excellent opportunity for our youth to have a faith building experience, meet ELS youth from around the nation, and get a first-hand look at our Synod’s college! Please encourage your child to attend!

Schiller Scholarship at Bethany College!
L
ast spring, Bertha Schiller most generously instituted an endowed scholarship at Bethany Lutheran College, and indicated that the scholarship is to be given to a member of Holy Cross Lutheran Church. This is exciting for Bethany and for Holy Cross, and the hope is that this will be an incentive for our young people to enroll at Bethany! Please contact Bethany Lutheran College or Pastor Bartels for more information. Thank you so much, Mrs. Schiller!

Helping Hands
H
elping Hands is a large group of Holy Cross volunteers ready to help our fellow members in times of special need or crisis. We are ready to prepare meals in times of crisis, or in times of special need go grocery shopping, do minor home repairs, or light yard work. We are also ready and willing to visit our homebound members.

If you find yourself or your family, or a friend from Holy Cross in a time of crisis or special need, please contact Pastor Bartels. Thank you!

Thanks from Adeline!
"I
want to say thanks to all who remembered me with cards, thoughts and prayers during my recent surgery. It meant so much to me and I am so thankful for my loving Christian family! Also, thank you to my pastors for their visits and consoling prayers."

    Adeline Olson

Thanks from John!
J
ohn Gullixson wishes to express his thanks to his many friends at Holy Cross for all of their many kindnesses prompted by their Christian faith. John knows that only with the Lord’s help are we delivered daily from the trials that we face in this life.

Camp Indianhead
S
unday – Friday, July 8-13
Camp Indianhead has left many of our youth with memories that will last a lifetime. It’s a week in the summer, with other youth from ELS congregations in Wisconsin and Iowa. Camp is a week packed with fun, fellowship, Bible Study, swimming, boating, campfire songs and more. Registration for camp is $200 ($160 for Holy Cross members.) Space is limited. Registration forms are available at the church office.

Marriage Enrichment!
F
riday-Sunday, April 20-22
A
healthy marriage with Christ at the center is filled with so much potential good. The Wisconsin Synod has invited members of the ELS to join them for a National Marriage Enrichment and Getaway Weekend. The retreat will take place in Delavan, Wisconsin at the Lake Lawn Resort, April 20-22. For information go to www.WELSmarriageretreat.org. or call WELS Adult Discipleship at 414-256-3278.

Special Acts-February

Baptisms
Colton Carter Christen 2/10

Weddings
Justin Tune & Heidi Peterson 2/24

Special Gifts-February

Vehicle Donations
Jesus Cares Ministries (to the developmentally disabled) will accept drivable, running vehicles with no maximum mileage limit. Other forms of transportation or equipment (such as motorcycles, 4-wheelers, camper, etc.,) can also be donated. Contact Heidi at the Jesus Cares Ministries Office toll-free at 877-503-3675.

Soup Labels for Bethesda
D
o you eat Campbell’s products? Did you know the can labels can be used to purchase educational materials for the developmentally disabled at Bethesda Lutheran Home in Watertown? You can either place the soup labels under the coat rack at Holy Cross, or take them to the House of Thrift on Cottage Grove Road

Relocation Update
T
he Planning and Construction Committee, with the approval of the Church Council, has put together a pre-construction planning team including architect, Plunkett-Raysich and contractor, Findorf Construction. Regular meetings are planned with this design team and basic plans may be ready in May for the congregation to review. The Plunkett-Raysich/Findorf design team was chosen because both companies fit the following criteria:

Our 2nd Capital Campaign is set to have commitment Sunday on May 20, 2007, with a 3 year campaign to follow. A Leadership Team has been appointed and is already busy preparing. Please pray for their efforts. The Leadership Team is:

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