Cross Lutheran Church
April 2014 Newsletter
Pastor Michelle’s Corner
Light the Way
If we as Lutherans had a patron saint, I think it would be Paul. The settled unshakable conviction of the apostle Paul was that the open tomb opened the way to a life of immense possibilities. He wanted the Colossians (Cross) not only to believe in the power of Christ’s resurrection, but to claim the victory of it as their own. Paul taught them the secret of Resurrection Living in Colossians 3:1-11. Vic- torious Resurrection Living can be realized through a conscious habitual pattern of thought in the mind and an attitude in the heart.
The death and resurrection of Jesus to many is just an objective fact concerning how the world was reconciled to God. We cannot be too emphatic about that fact because it is not the whole gospel. You see the gospel is intended:
· to be personally received,
· to change life,
· to become a living reality in the lives of those who believe and receive Jesus as their life.
It is the foundational principle for truly living a Christian life. We are all at different points in our journey this year, but we all have to answer the same question. How can you live a life in the power of the resurrection of Jesus Christ?
In other words, the resurrection changes everything. The Kingdom of God is here and yet it is coming. God has chosen His resurrection people to be change agents in their culture/community; to proclaim this coming Kingdom through how they live, relate and work.
I know that it is difficult as we see ourselves as sisters and brothers struggling to live into it every Sunday at Cross. I believe many people criticize or all out reject the Christian faith because they believe the Christian life is too difficult to live. They realize they have bad habits, problems, hang-ups, fears and lifestyles over which they seem to have no control. Life is going in a direction they do not like. While the Christian life has many attractive features, it may appear to be impossible to really live Christ-like. The Apostle Paul writes: “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.” (Galatians 2:20)
God wants us to be change agents and he sent his Son, so we could do it. Living as resurrection agents bringing in the new Kingdom may seem like a high task for most of us who are in the thick of jobs, family, bills and endless to-do lists. But there are a few ways we can make the intentional, but simple choice to proclaim the coming Kingdom of God.
Most of us are already engaged in the practice of repentance, grief, mourning and self-reflection during this season of Lent. We have our Lenten devotionals to do our daily readings or perhaps we attend Lenten services. The season of Lent can lead us in this process of reflection on our sins if we allow it. Though it may be a painful step for us, it is essential to living life in light of the resurrection. It also provides us with an opportunity to draw on God’s power for transformation. This is a chance to, with the help of the Holy Spirit, examine our lives and how the decisions we make affect others. Humbly asking for forgiveness can be very powerful in opening relational doors that have been slammed on some of our sisters and brothers this year and perhaps in the past as well. We will not have the right to truly rejoice in our new life until we first understand our own mortality and need for grace too.
Rev. Dr. Barb Horner-Ibler reminded us this past Sunday how we were blind and now can see. Can you see as resurrection people that we cannot bask in the light of life to the fullest while others stand by in desperate need. People made in the image of God are suffering from injustice in our own communities, we need not search for them half way across the world. She also reminded us that when Jesus walked on earth, He made it his mission to love and serve them.
As resurrection people, we must stand and speak up on matters of justice to bring the resurrection life Christ offers to those who need it most. You have a voice--exercise it in whatever way you see fit, but say something through your words and actions.
Resurrection is not an afterthought in the story of our salvation; it is the defining moment of our re-creation. The point is, if we are living in the light of a coming Kingdom, we should be working to bring some type of alignment between the world as it is and the world as it will be.
The power of the resurrection is greater than the power of sin and of death in our lives (Romans 8:2). It is the greatest power in the universe. “Resurrection is not an afterthought in the story of our salvation; it is the defining moment of our re-creation.” Resurrection says, “The Kingdom is coming!” As we approach Easter, let’s challenges ourselves, Cross, to live in light of the promise of being brought back to life with Christ. Imagine what a difference these small seeds can have in transforming you, Cross, and the coming Kingdom.
Living in the Resurrection,
Pastor Michelle
From Pastor Arlen
BOHEM
The Job Readiness Program with BOHEM has developed a good relationship with Family Dollar stores. Sarah Philips was the first person to begin work at Family Dollar after graduating from the program. She is celebrating six months of employment there this April.
Due in large part to Sarah’s good work there and also with Jobs Specialist Michael Adams growing relationship with them, there have been 3 new hires from the Jobs Program at Family Dollar in the month of March. Two of them were hired in entry level positions and the third was hired as an assistant manager.
More relationships with employers are being solidified and soon there should be several employers with various types of work who will look to the Jobs Program to fill their employment vacancies.
May God continue to bless Sarah and the others in the Jobs Program as God is renewing them spiritually and financially.
Senior High Youth Group
There was a lock-in for Cross youth in March. This was a kick-off event for what will hopefully be a Youth Group which is meaningful to the kids and glorifying to God. Eight kids attended the lock-in.
We gathered together and ate. Then we did some group building by making collages that said something about each person and listened while each person explained their collage. We also had a Bible Study and watched a movie.
Many of the future activities will be directed by the kids. For instance the kids decided that they would like to go to an AA or an Al-anon meeting. I was very proud of them for suggesting such a pertinent topic in society as well as their lives.
The group is open to kids 7th grade and older. Please refer kids to me if you know of any with interest. It would also be wonderful for any adults in the congregation to help to plan or to host an event. The group will be meeting every week to two weeks.
Pastor Arlen
Wednesdays Lenten Soup Meals,
Discussions and Dramas
April 2, 5:30 p.m. Ellwanger Fellowship Hall
April 9, 5:30 p.m. Ellwanger Fellowship Hall
Holy Week Schedule
April 17, Maundy Thursday: Seder Meal at Hephatha
Lutheran, 6 p.m.
April 18, Good Friday: Cross Lutheran, 6 p.m.
April 19, Easter Hip Hop Vigil: Capitol Drive
Lutheran, 6 p.m.
April 20, Easter Worship: Cross Lutheran, 9:30 a.m.
FREE Yoga Classes
You are invited to attend the free yoga classes being offered at Cross on Thursdays, 4:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. in the Ellwanger Fellowship Hall. Join us in starting off the new year with yoga! For more information, contact Parish Nurse Linda.
Wearing a Name Tag Is Like
Getting a Flu Shot
I hope the title got your attention, with a bit of curiosity and a touch of humor. I got my first flu shot the year I learned that the most important reason for getting a flu shot is to protect all those I came in contact with. I had not been subject to the flu for many years prior to getting that first shot, so I saw no reason to change my health care, self care practices. When I heard, from a doctor who knew, that I could be infecting others, I decided to risk a change. Happy to report I have not been subject to the flu since getting my first flu shot.
While you may question this comparison, the main point is that both wearing a name tag and getting a flu shot are choices to consider for the sake of others around you in your community. While one prevents harm, the other promotes harmony. Studies show that people like being addressed by name, and people are stressed when they cannot remember a name. So, it seems to be a good thing to do both for self and others.
With the start of the new year, wearing your name tag could bring you surprising rewards beyond those obvious ones already mentioned. Every now and then, on a random basis, we will choose a name tag wearer and give them a gift. This process will be periodically repeated through the year. It’s a win-win proposition!
We are also accepting gift donations---enjoyable, quality items you have which you would like to offer---for the fun of it. Contact Emory Churness at (414-933-0746) or Marian Wasierski at (414-463-2662) to learn more.
Second Lesson Readers for April
April 6 Judi Hunter, Romans 8:6-11
April 13 Paull Kragh, Philippians 2:5-11
April 20 Loni Mounger, Colossians 3:1-4
April 27 Linda Radder, 1 Peter 1:3-9
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As you read this newsletter, our Parish Nurse Linda will be returning home from a medical trip to Tanzania, Africa. She will update us in the next newsletter.
Book Club Update
The book club is now reading I Am Malala written by Malala Yousafzai. We will be discussing the book on Friday, May 2, at 1:30 p.m. at Terry Spears Barnett’s home, 8106 N. 51st St. All are welcome, even if you haven’t read the book. Please bring a dish to share if possible.
Walnut Way Link
If you’d like to keep up on the events and programming of Walnut Way Conservation Corp., please click on the following link:
http://walnutway.org/newsletter/spring-2014-newsletter-health-wellness-issue
Wed., April 2 BOHEM, 11:45 a.m.
Lenten Soup Meal, Drama & Discussion, 5:30 p.m., Ellwanger Fellowship Hall
Thurs., April 3 Free Yoga, Ellwanger Fellowship Hall, 4:30 p.m.
Bridges Tutoring, 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Sat., April 5 Trustees meet at 9 a.m.
Elders meet at 10 a.m.
Cross Youth Praise Team practice, 10 a.m.
Cross Comm. Gospel Choir practice, 11 a.m.
Cross Praise Choir practice, 12:30 p.m.
Sun., April 6 Worship, 9:30 a.m. Sunday School/Adult Forum at 11:15 a.m.
Tues., April 8 Adult Center, 9:30 a.m.
Bridges tutoring, 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Wed., April 9 BOHEM, 11:45 a.m.
Caregivers meet at 4 p.m.
Lenten Soup Meal, Drama & Discussion, 5:30 p.m., Ellwanger Fellowship Hall
Thurs., April 10 Free Yoga, Ellwanger Fellowship Hall, 4:30 p.m.
Sat., April 12 Quilting ministry meets from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Cross Youth Praise Team practice, 10 a.m.
Cross Comm. Gospel Choir practice, 11 a.m.
Cross Praise Choir practice, 12:30 p.m.
Sun., April 13 Palm Sunday Worship, 9:30 a.m. Sunday School/Adult Forum at 11:15 a.m.
Mon., April 14 Finance/Stewardship Committees meet at
5:45 p.m.
Tues., April 15 Adult Center, 9:30 a.m.
BOHEM Volunteer meeting, 1:30 p.m.
BOHEM Advisory Committee meeting, 3 p.m.
NO tutoring on April 15.
Wed., April 16 BOHEM, 11:45 a.m.
Thurs., April 17 Free Yoga, Ellwanger Fellowship Hall, 4:30
p.m.
Maundy Thursday Seder Meal at Hephatha
Lutheran, 1720 W. Locust St., 6 p.m.
NO tutoring on April 17.
Fri., April 18 Good Friday Service at Cross, 6 p.m.
Sat., April 19 Cross Youth Praise Team practice, 10 a.m.
Cross Comm. Gospel Choir practice, 11 a.m.
Cross Praise Choir practice, 12:30 p.m.
Hip Hop Vigil at Capitol Drive Lutheran Church, 5229 W. Capitol Drive, at 6 p.m.
Sun., April 20 Easter Sunday Worship, 9:30 a.m. NO Sunday School/Adult Forum.
Mon., April 21 Church Council, 5:30 p.m.
Tues., April 22 Adult Center, 9:30 a.m.
Bridges tutoring, 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Wed., April 23 BOHEM, 11:45 a.m.
Thurs., April 24 Free Yoga, Ellwanger Fellowship Hall, 4:30 p.m.
Bridges tutoring, 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Sat., April 26 Spring Cleanup, 9 a.m.
Quilting ministry meets from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Cross Youth Praise Team practice, 10 a.m.
Cross Comm. Gospel Choir practice, 11 a.m.
Cross Praise Choir practice, 12:30 p.m.
Sun., April 27 Worship, 9:30 a.m. Sunday School/Adult Forum at 11:15 a.m.
Tues., April 29 Adult Center, 9:30 a.m.
Bridges tutoring, 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Wed., April 30 BOHEM, 11:45 a.m.
Cross Lutheran Church
A Reconciling in Christ ELCA Congregation
1821 N. 16th Street
Milwaukee, WI 5320
Phone: 414-344-1746
Fax: 414-931-0537
Email:
Web Site: www.crosslutheranmilwaukee.org
Michelle Townsend de López, Senior Pastor
Pastor Michelle’s Email:
Arlen Solem, Associate Pastor
Pastor Alen’s Email:
Sunday Worship: 9:30 a.m.
Sunday School/Adult Forum: 11:15 a.m.
Office Hours: Monday – Thursday, 9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
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