CROSS OF CHRIST LUTHERAN CHURCH
24155 Griswold Road, South Lyon, MI 48178
248-437-8810
Fax: 248-437-708
www.crossofchristlutheran.org Email:
Like us on FACEBOOK at: www.facebook.com/crossofchristsouthlyon
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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)
Dear Beloved Members and Friends,
George Washington was the first President of the United States of America and a Christian. President Washington gave his first Thanksgiving Proclamation on October 3, 1789. He encouraged the new nation to fan the “sacred fire of liberty” so that it might burn even more brightly. Washington’s proposed method was by acknowledging the Providence of Almighty God and humbly imploring His blessing on the nation. He called on the nation to find forgiveness of sins in the “Lord and Ruler of Nations,” a New Testament title for Christ. This was the first national Thanksgiving Day proclamation under the Constitution. George Washington affirmed the doctrine of salvation in this proclamation. President Washington proclaimed that it is the duty of all nations to be thankful for God’s benefits. A joint committee of the House of Representatives and the Senate asked President Washington to recommend to the people of the United States a day of thanksgiving and prayer. He expressed gratitude to God for giving our country the opportunity to peaceably establish a form of government for their happiness and peace. President Washington encouraged citizens to unite with him in giving humble and sincere thanks to God for His kind care and protection of the people of the United States. He urged the American people in 1789 to give thanks to God.
Let us give thanks to God in Michigan during this month of November, 2014. We can identify blessings for which we can thank our Lord. Jesus has made us righteous and given us eternal life by His crucifixion and resurrection. Christ will put us on His right side on Judgment Day. Our Lord will commend us for doing good works of faith, for Him and for believers. During November, let us give thanks to our King Jesus Christ.
The righteous people will go away to eternal life in heaven. You are a righteous person in God’s sight by faith in Christ. God declared you righteous when Jesus was crucified. Christ paid the full price for your place in heaven and for your sins by His blood shed on the cross. You have eternal life in heaven by faith in Christ. You will go away to eternal life in heaven. Believing family members, friends, and acquaintances will go away to eternal life in heaven. Give thanks to our King for the blessing of eternal life in heaven.
Pastor’s Letter
November, 2014
Jesus will commend us for doing good works of mercy for Him and for Christians. When you saw a hungry believer and fed him, you fed Jesus. When you saw a thirsty Christian and gave her something to drink, you quenched Christ’s thirst. When you saw a believing stranger and welcomed him, you welcomed our Lord. When you saw a Christian needing clothes and clothed her, you clothed our King. When you saw a sick believer and looked after him, you looked after Jesus. When you visited a Christian in prison, you visited Christ. Give thanks to our Lord for the works of mercy you did for brothers of His and for Him.
May God bless you and your family this month of November and always. Happy Thanksgiving! Blessed thanksliving.
Sincerely Yours in Christ,
Pastor Terry Nelson
Thanksgiving Worship Services:
Sunday, November 23rd – 10 a.m.
Wednesday, November 26th – 7 p.m.
All are invited . . . .
Annual
Thanksgiving Dinner
Sunday, November 23
After Worship
Come and celebrate Thanksgiving with your church family on Sunday, November 23, after the 10:00 a.m. worship service. Enjoy a delicious turkey dinner with all the trimmings. Suggested Donation is $9.00 per adult/ $5.00 for children 6 – 12/ Free for children 5 and under – (approximate cost of the dinner to our church.) Donations of desserts are requested. Help is also needed for CLEAN UP after the dinner. Sign up on the Information Board so we can determine a count.
STEWARDSHIP COMMITMENTS
Thank you to all who turned in their 2015 COMMITMENT Form. We would like everyone to fill out a Commitment Form, even if you are unable to pledge at this time. Commitment forms can still be returned in the offering plate or mailed to the church office. Extra forms can be found on the table in the Gathering Hall. Our Financial Secretary, Chuck Deeds, confidentially reviews the pledges.
C H R I S T I A N E D U C A T I O N
“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. Children are dismissed to their classes from the worship service after the opening hymn.
The SUNDAY SCHOOL CHRISTMAS PROGRAM
We are in need of someone to head up this year’s Children’s Christmas Program. Prayerfully consider helping out in this way. The children typically practice for the program during Sunday School time. Speak with Tom Hackbardt or Pastor Nelson.
YOUTH BIBLE STUDY SCHEDULE Youth in grades 6 – 12 meet during the worship service on the first and third Sundays of the month. They are dismissed to their classes after the opening hymn. YOUTH EVENT:
THANK YOU to Annie & Neil Nichols for hosting the Youth for Christ BONFIRE night at their home. A great time was had by all!!
SUNDAY ADULT BIBLE CLASS
Sunday mornings at 9 a.m.
Join us Sunday mornings at 9 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall as we study “The Many Wonders of Heaven, The Joy of Our Future Home.” What will we be in Heaven? What will we have? What will we do? What will heaven be like? There are Biblical answers to these questions. All are welcome!
CONFIRMATION instruction, for young people in 7th and 8th grades, is held Wednesdays, from 4:00 – 5:30 p.m. If you are interested in having your child join the class, give Pastor Nelson a call.
CROSS OF CHRIST
CHRISTIAN PRESCHOOL
We are enjoying a large enrollment this school year at preschool. If you are new to our congregation and would like information, we would love to have you visit our school. We offer a play-based program for three and four year olds, with age appropriate academics and kindergarten readiness.
THANK YOU to Tom & Kelli Hackbardt, Amanda, Abbi, Lexie, and Annie for all of their hard work setting up and organizing this year’s Children’s HALLOWEEN Party. The party was well attended and all of the children had a great time!
P R E P A R I N G F O R C H R I S T M A S
OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD
Our congregation is again reaching out to needy children in desperate situations around the world through Operation Christmas Child. Please fill your own box (plastic or shoe box is fine). BROCHURES are available on the entryway table with suggestions. If able, please include a $7 donation in the envelope for shipping and place on top inside your box. FILLED BOXES ARE DUE BACK ON SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 16.
CHRISTMAS LIGHTS
We thank Christmas Décor, by Eradico, for donating all of the outdoor Christmas lights for this upcoming Christmas season.
CHURCH
DECORATING FOR
CHRISTMAS Saturday, November 29th – 9 a.m.
Thanksgiving weekend
Help is needed (both men and women) to put up our Christmas tree and decorate the sanctuary for the Christmas season. We usually complete the task in an hour or two. Hope you can attend!
POINSETTIAS
We need your help - sign up to place Poinsettias
on the altar for Christmas services!
Sign up in November to purchase POINSETTIA plants for the church sanctuary for Christmas week. The beautiful three-stem plants will be available for $16 each and may be taken home after the Christmas Eve worship services. Cash or checks made payable to “Cross of Christ” may be placed in the offering plate, designated “Poinsettias.”
ALTAR FLOWERS
Dates are open in November and December to sign up to place flowers on the altar in celebration of special events or in memory of loved ones. Cost is $30 per vase. Sign up on the chart in the Fellowship hallway.
W O M E N ’ S O U T R E A C H N E W S
Thanks to the thirteen ladies attending our Women’s Outreach meeting on Sat, Oct 19th. In one hour events were discussed and planned for Nov., Dec., and Jan.
CHRISTMAS CHARITIES
ANOTHER WAY PREGNANCY CENTER
Collection For the Month of November
We are asking for donations of diapers. Sizes needed are newborn, 2, 3, 4. Also hand-knit baby hats and booties and baby blankets.
BERRY HOME COLLECTION
Gift baskets will be delivered week of December 15
Berry Home is a group Home for 5 ladies here in South Lyon. For many years gifts have been donated, wrapped and taken to the home. It is a special treat for these ladies. We ask for 5 identical gifts. Some suggestions are jewelry (bead necklaces), candy, homemade treats, little room decorations.
100TH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION FOR ESTHER SCHLOSSER
Sunday, November 16th
A light lunch, punch and birthday cake will be served after church service. A short program is planned to honor Esther. Sign up to attend this special celebration honoring a special lady.
Food prep and hall set up will take place on Saturday, Nov. 15, at 11 a.m. Sign up if you can help.
CHRISTMAS RESALE SHOP
Saturday, Nov. 22nd and Sunday Nov.23
10-3pm Gathering Hall
We received a large amount of Christmas decorations from an estate in June and decided to save it for a Christmas sale in Nov. We would love to add any of your unwanted decorations to our sale. Bring decorations on or before Thursday, Nov. 20th. The Christmas sale set up will be Thurs., Nov 20th, at 11 am.
THANKSGIVING DINNER
Sunday November 23rd
Thanks to Sue Zimmerman for the traditional Cross of Christ Thanksgiving Dinner.
CHRISTMAS RESALE SHOP in Gathering Hall ….. last day.
HISTORIC TRINITY LUTHERAN CHURCH
Advent Service and Luncheon (free will offering)
Wednesday, Dec. 3rd at noon
This is a must if you have never been to Trinity at Christmas. The sanctuary , rooms, and halls are filled with decorations, Christmas trees, animated characters, wreaths, candles, angels and crèches, in celebration of the birth of the Christ child. This will certainly fill you with the Christmas spirit.
WOMEN’S OUTREACH continued . . . .
PROGRESSIVE DINNER
Saturday, Dec. 6th, 5-10pm, $10 donation
5-6 Abrash home………...... Hors d’oeuvres
6:30-8 Hirth Home……………… Entree
8:30-10 Ulrich’s Club House….. Desserts
This is a wonderful evening of good food, fun and fellowship, amidst all the beautiful Christmas lights and decorations. Sign up for this lovely night with delightful Lutheran friends.
SOUP-SALAD-SWEETS-POTLUCK
Sunday, January 18, 2015
Thanks to Claudia for a delightful devotion on cupcakes. It’s the appearance, flavor, and all the qualities of a cupcake combined that makes it so good. There’s a similarity between what makes our lives good as Christians. For us as Christian women, there has to be some ingredient such as Bible study, prayer and guidance of the Holy Spirit. Our batter should be all those things we depend on to help round us out and make us into the Christian women that we are capable of being. From the very beginning to the very end, it’s what’s in the middle that makes it so good. That goes for the cupcake and Claudia’s devotion. Claudia closed with a prayer. - - - - Ettie Ann Hirth
LWML MITE BOX COLLECTION
The recent door offering for LWML (Lutheran Women’s Missionary League) collected $101.83. Throughout the year you can collect change in a LWML mite box and place it in the larger box, provided on the entryway table. Your spare change can make a big difference for Missouri Synod mission work. Banding together under the LWML umbrella, Lutheran women have touched millions of people in more than 30 countries.
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Donations are invited for needed repair to the church steeple/roof due to water leakage before painting of the narthex is undertaken. Donations may be made to the Improvement Fund for this purpose. If you are looking for a year-end donation for a specific need/project, give Bonnie a call for a list of most needed projects...... Bonnie Reichert (248-349-1555)
PICTORIAL DIRECTORY UPDATE
The Board of Evangelism/Stewardship thanks you for participating in the recent photography sessions for a new Pictorial Directory. A Directory should be provided to those photographed some time after the first of the year. You are invited to submit a photo for the directory, if you were not able to make one of the photography sessions. Please call the office by November 7th if you still plan on submitting a photograph. Thank you!
MEALS FOR HACKBARDT FAMILY
The Hackbardt family thank you for the meals which have been so helpful. They are grateful for the generosity, prayers, and love shown to them.
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The web site is back up and running . . . .
If you would like to take a meal to the Hackbardt family, go to the following website to set up a day. If you have any questions or prefer not to sign up online, contact Chris Nelson.
www.signupgenius.com/go/805084DABA62EA31-meals/7351492
NOVEMBER BIRTHDAYS
1 Bryan Lach
4 Emily Deeds
5 Sarah Walrath
11 Deanna Sieting
12 Barbara Elandt
13 Ed Hempel
15 Louise Rucker
16 Amy Lockard
Esther Schlosser
17 Jan Flook
18 Juanita Tunis
20 Drew Hantz
21 Diana Baker
23 John Gilbert
Pastor Nelson
24 Jeannine Hosbach
Colleen Martin
Dawn Petz
27 Amy Deeds
28 Hazel Richardson
Drake Wyman
30 Brenden Lach
Nicholas Stevenson
NOVEMBER
ANNIVERSARIES5 Neil & Annie Nichols
7 Jerry & Carla Geelhood
Richard & Beverly Jennings
12 Gary & Nancy Cash
Let the church office know of any dates
missing or incorrect.
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MEMORIALS
+ + A Gift has been given by The Janet and Howard Kaiser Memorial Fund of InFaith Community Foundation.
STEWARDSHIP
CORNERTeasures in Heaven
“If then you have not been faithful in the unrighteousness wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches? (Luke 16:11). God’s Word tells us that until we are faithful with the money God entrusts to us, we will not receive true riches. In view of eternity, money has no value. The Gospel’s lasting value surpasses any earthly thing. However, we can use money in this life to store up treasures in heaven. Treasures in heaven are not destroyed by moths and there thieves can’t break in and steal (Matthew 6:19). We store up treasures in heaven when we use our money to help the poor, support our church, and extend God’s kingdom in the name of the Lord.
Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for all Your blessings. Place in me a right attitude toward the money You’ve entrusted to me. Help me to be a wise manager and a generous giver. Help me to store up treasures in heaven. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.
Blessings on your journey as a steward!
FREE ELECTRIC ORGAN AVAILABLE
A preschool family is looking for a good home for a used small upright Baldwin electric organ. Contact Michelle at: 248-790-5493
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