Cross of Christ Lutheran Church s1

CROSS OF CHRIST LUTHERAN CHURCH 24155 Griswold Road, South Lyon, MI 48178 248-437-8810 Fax: 248-437-7708 www.crossofchristlutheran.org Email: [email protected] Like us on FACEBOOK at: www.facebook.com/crossofchristsouthlyon N O V E M B E R , 2 0 1 6

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,

During this month of November we celebrate a national Day of Thanksgiving. God is worthy of our gratitude as individuals, congregation, and nation. God is the Giver of every good gift. It is good and right to thank God for all spiritual and physical blessings He has graciously given us. Every worship service is an opportunity for us to give thanks to God with our brothers and sisters in Christ. Please note in this newsletter the worship opportunities we offer to you and your family this month.

We, as baptized people, can express thanksgiving to God for all His gifts to us. First and foremost are His gifts of the forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation, centered in the Father’s Provision, Jesus Christ, who suffered, died, and rose again to give us these. We demonstrate thanksgiving to God for all His spiritual blessings to us.

We give thanks for the fruits of the earth: food, drink, clothing, shoes, house, home, land, animals, money, goods, a devout husband or wife, devout children, devout workers, devout and faithful rulers. . . and the list goes on, as Martin Luther draws it out in his explanation of the Fourth Petition of the Lord’s Prayer:

“Give us this day our daily bread.” We pray for and receive our daily bread with thanksgiving. We express thanksgiving to God for all our physical blessings. Martin Luther wrote, “God certainly gives daily bread to everyone without our prayers, even to all evil people, but we pray in this petition that God would lead us to realize this and to receive our daily bread with thanksgiving.”

Jesus wants us to realize that our entire life and that of everyone else depends on God. The psalmist wrote, “the eyes of all look to You, and You give them their food at the proper time. You open Your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing.” We look to God, and He gives us our food at the proper time. God opens His hand and satisfies our desires and needs.

Continued . . . . Pastor’s Letter

Christ said, “He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.” (Matt. 5:45) God causes His sun to rise on us and sends rain on us. Our Lord wants us to receive our blessings with thanksgiving. The psalmist wrote “give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever.” (Psalm 106:1)

The word Thanksgiving is used by St. Paul in the New Testament to refer to the Holy Eucharist. Eucharist means thanksgiving. It comes from the Greek eucharisto which means to give thanks. The Holy Eucharist is another term for Holy Communion. We thank our Lord for all the blessings He gives us in Holy Communion, including His body, blood, bread, wine, forgiveness of sins, life, salvation, joy, love, and peace.

Paul refers most specifically to the worship service, where Jesus is the One to Whom songs, hymns, and spiritual songs are addressed, “giving thanks always.” Christ is the One Who is given into the Divine Service, the one Who sanctifies and makes holy with His divine blood shed for us on the cross, through preaching and the Holy Sacrament, the Eucharist. Jesus is given right into our midst, the assembly of sinners and saints. Christ loves to be with us.

May God bless you and your family during this month of November and always!

Sincerely Yours in Christ, Pastor Terry Nelson Thanksgiving Worship Services

Sunday, November 20th – 10 a.m. Wednesday, November 23rd – 7 p.m. All are invited . . . . Annual Thanksgiving Dinner Sunday, November 20th After Worship

Come and celebrate Thanksgiving with your church family on Sunday, November 20, after the 10:00 a.m. worship service. Enjoy a delicious turkey dinner with all the trimmings. Suggested Donation amounts will be posted on the sign-up sheet. Donations of desserts are requested, as well as CLEAN UP help after the dinner. Sign up on the Information Board, email us at cross- [email protected], or call 24-437-8810 to reserve your spot!

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.

SUNDAY SCHOOL CHRISTMAS PROGRAM SUNDAY, DECEMBER 18, 10 a.m. Send Janelle an email if your child will be participating. Practices will be held during Sunday School in Nov./Dec. ([email protected])

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:

Cross of Christ YFC (Youth for Christ) BONFIRE NIGHT was held on Saturday, October 22. We thank Annie & Eric Nichols for hosting the YFC Bonfire Night. The young people all had a wonderful time!

Any questions about the youth program, contact Dom at 586-864-8623/ [email protected] or Amy at 810-333-6370/ [email protected].

SUNDAY ADULT BIBLE CLASS

Sunday mornings at 9 a.m.

The Adult BIBLE CLASS will begin a DVD Bible Study entitled Joseph, Carpenter of Steel, on November 6. The early chapters of Matthew and Luke give intriguing details about the principal players in the Christmas story, but few about Joseph. In this study we will take a look at the foster-father of Jesus. From seeking a shelter for Mary, to delivering her Son, to searching for the young Jesus in the busy streets of Jerusalem, Joseph occupies a unique place in the course of human history. As carpenter, guardian and parent, Joseph was above all—faithful. All are welcome to join us!

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

The preschool children will be busy the month of November focusing on the themes of Harvest and Thanksgiving. They will celebrate with two special days -- a Feast of Favorites day and a cooking presentation by our in-house Master Baker, Ettie Ann Hirth.

We have openings in our afternoon classes. 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.

ADVENT WORSHIP

This year’s mid-week Advent worship services will be held on Wednesdays (tentatively planned for afternoons) Nov. 30, Dec. 7, and Dec. 14, at 12:30 p.m.

THANK YOU to the Board of Evangelism/Stewardship for organizing the Octoberfest Potluck on October 16th, and to all who helped with set up and clean up!

STEWARDSHIP COMMITMENTS

Thank you to all who turned in their 2017 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.

CHILDREN’S HALLOWEEN PARTY

THANK YOU to Tom & Kelli Hackbardt, Amanda, Abbi, Lexie, and Annie for all of their hard work and talent setting up and organizing the Children’s HALLOWEEN Party. The party was well attended and a great outreach to our preschool families. All of the children had a great time!

Thank you to the youth that attended and helped with the games. Thank you also to the Kreipke family for help with set up and to all who helped at the party, donated candy, baked goods, etc. and helped to clean up afterwards! COMMEMORATION OF THE + FAITHFUL DEPARTED +

All Saints Sunday – November 6, 2016 We will remember those called home to glory this past year:

Doreen Barbara Echols July 22, 1927 - March 6, 2016 Juanita Lenore Tunis November 18, 1913 - May 23, 2016 Lucille Namah Martin April 27, 1921 - July 26, 2016

P R E P A R I N G F O R C H R I S T M A S

OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD

Boxes due NOV. 13 Operation Christmas Child is a mission of Samaritan’s Purse (President, Franklin Graham) and demonstrates God’s love to hurting children in a tangible way by partnering with churches worldwide to deliver gift-filled shoe boxes and the Good News of Jesus Christ. Fill your own box (plastic or shoe box). (A few empty shoe boxes are available at the church entryway table for you to use.) Brochures are located on the front table. If able, please include a $7 donation in the envelope for shipping and place inside the top of the box; or pay online and track where your box is delivered. POINSETTIAS

We need your help - sign up to place Poinsettias on the altar for Christmas services! Watch for a sign-up sheet in November to purchase POINSETTIA plants for the church sanctuary for Christmas week. The beautiful three-stem plants may be taken home after the Christmas Eve worship services. CHURCH DECORATING FOR CHRISTMAS Saturday, November 26th – 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!

CHRISTMAS LIGHTS

We thank Christmas Décor for donating all of the outdoor Christmas lights for this upcoming Christmas season.

BERRY HOME COLLECTION: For many years Women’s Outreach has sponsored a gift collection to provide gift baskets for the ladies at Berry Foster Home in South Lyon. Please send in 5 small items (all the same) and place in the box provided in the Gathering Hall by Sunday, December 11th. The ladies love candy and snacks. Try to avoid lotions this year, as we have received and set aside some for this year. Thank you for contributing to this heart-warming collection. You are welcome to join us for delivery. The excitement and joy the ladies receive from this simple act is beyond measure.

LWML MITE BOX COLLECTION 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. ACTIVE FAITH Remember Active Faith with nonperishable food items during this holiday season. (A donation box is located at the front entryway.) This is a way to thank God for all He has given us. Our congregation pledges $250 per month to Active Faith. Monetary donations are also welcome.

A R E A N E W S LUTHERFEST The 20th annual Lutherfest Concert of music celebrating the Reformation and All Saints Day, will be held at 4 p.m., Sunday, November 6th at Guardian Lutheran Church, 24544 Cherry Hill, Dearborn.

The concert, under direction of Mr. Erv Aufdemberge, will feature the talented Michigan-Ohio Chorale, gifted musicians and a mass choir comprised of members from several Detroit area congregations. A mass children's choir will be an exciting addition to this year's event. Refreshments will be served following the concert. In addition to the uplifting music and the opportunity to gather with fellow Lutherans, Lutherfest also serves as the only fundraising event for the Lutheran Center Association. An offering will be collected at the concert to aid the mission of the LCA, which includes the operation of the Lutheran Center Bookstore.

Detroit Lutheran Fellowship Detroit Lutheran Fellowship (DLF) is a young adult social group for post-college aged individuals in the area. Following Lutherfest and its refreshment hour on Sunday (around 6:00 p.m.), the group will be gathering at Buddy’s Pizza (22148 Michigan Ave, Dearborn) for food, drink, and conversation. Join us for a casual gathering, and to learn more about other DLF activities. For additional information, email [email protected].

COINS FOR CROSS OF CHRIST Dream Catchers Save your spare change for Cross of Christ ministry in our Dream Catcher containers. Proceeds go to the Mercy Fund to help those in need in our church and community. Take home a labeled can, available on the entryway table. ______STEWARDSHIP CORNER

Becoming a Disciple In Mark 8:34, Jesus tells us what is expected of those He chooses as His disciples, “If anyone would come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me.”

Deny ourselves: By the power of the Holy Spirit, we are changed from self-centered to God- centered people. As John the Baptist said, “He must increase, but; I must decrease” (John 3:30). As disciples who deny ourselves, we become focused on Christ. We keep our eyes on Jesus without thinking of ourselves.

Take up our crosses: By God’s grace, we are capable of overcoming pain, obstacles, and disappointments so we can carry our crosses for Jesus. Through Christ’s presence and strength, we become oblivious to ourselves and our burdens become light. By teaching us first that we must deny ourselves, Jesus has prepared us to carry our crosses. Just as we did not choose to be disciples (Jesus chose us), we do not choose the crosses we will carry.

Follow Jesus: A disciple is a follower of Jesus. Just as Jesus chose His twelve disciples, He chooses us, by His grace, to be His disciples. When we follow Jesus, we leave any attachments that we have to the things of this world. Jesus said, “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be My disciple. Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple” (Luke 14:26-27). When we follow Jesus, we die to self and live for Him.

Stewardship Corner The Apostle Paul wrote, “Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content” (Philippians 4:11). How can Paul sitting in jail, facing death, say that he was content? Paul’s contentment came from a relationship with Jesus. Paul found his security and hope in Jesus. Our contentment should not be based on the size of our paychecks, the size of our homes, the cars we drive, the size of our investments, or even the state of our health. Our contentment can’t be bought and is not based on outward circumstances. In the same way Paul found contentment, we can find contentment when we follow Jesus and place our trust and hope in Him.

NOVEMBER BIRTHDAYS

1 Bryan Lach 4 Emily Deeds 5 Sarah Walrath 11 Matthew Gilbert Deanna Sieting 12 Barbara Elandt 15 Louise Rucker 16 Amy Lockard Esther Schlosser 17 Jan Flook 20 Drew Hantz 21 Diana Baker 22 Brian Priskorn 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 ANNIVERSARIES

12 Gary & Nancy Cash

Let the church office know of any dates missing or incorrect. ______MEMBERSHIP UPDATE

BIRTH: ++ Lily Anna Nelson Child of Aaron & Christina Nelson October 24, 2016

TRANSFER OUT: ++ Matthew & Kelli Lauer, Aaron, Christopher & Haley To St. Matthew – Walled Lake

MEMORIALS

+ + In memory of James Schiller, a gift has been given to the Air Conditioning/Furnace Fund by Suzanne Brown and Family.

+ + In memory of Ron Welch, a gift has been given by Elinor Wikoff. EMAIL ADDRESSES

If you’d like to be added to our email list, contact [email protected]. To check out upcoming events, go to our web site at: www.crossofchristlutheran.org. The monthly calendar and newsletter are available each month online. Like us on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/crossofchristsouthlyon

THE APOSTLE PAUL DECLARED, “WHEN I AM WEAK, THEN I AM STRONG” (2 CORINTHIANS 12:10).

“ But [Jesus] said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weak-nesses, so the power of Christ may rest upon me” (2 Corinthians12:9).

N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 6 CROSS OF CHRIST LUTHERAN CHURCH Email: [email protected] Office: 248-437-8810 Fax: 248-437-7708 Web: www.crossofchristlutheran.org Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 2 3 4 6:00pm 4:00-5:30pm 6:00-8:00pm + Indicates Good News Class Brownie Troop Holy Communion Confirmation 6 9:00am Adult Bible Class 7 8 9 10 11 10:00am Worship 10:00am Sunday School 6:00pm 4:00-5:30pm 10:00am Youth Bible Study Good News Class Confirmation Daylight Saving Time: Fall Back Election Day 13 14 15 16 17 18 9:00am Adult Bible Class 10:15am 10:00am Worship + Bd. of Evangelism/ 4:00-5:30pm 3:00pm Abbey 10:00am Sunday School Stewardship Park Service 11:00am Board of Elders 6:00pm Confirmation Good News Class Operation CC Boxes Due 7:00pm Church Council 20 21 22 23 24 25 10:00am Worship (No Preschool Thanksgiving Thanksgiving Celebrated or 6:00pm Day Choir Sings Good News Class 10:00am Sunday School Confirmation) 10:00am Youth Bible Study 11:30am Thanksgiving Dinner 7:00pm

Thanksgiving Eve Worship + 27 28 29 30 9:00am Adult Bible Class 10:00am Worship + 6:00pm 12:30pm Advent 10:00am Sunday School Good News Class 4:00pm Rehab Center Worship Worship 4:00-5:30pm

Confirmation

PRAISE GOD FROM WHOM ALL BLESSINGS FLOW AND LIVE YOUR LIVES IN GRATITUDE FOR HIS WONDERFUL GOODNESS.

“Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good;

and His love endures forever”

(Psalm 107:1).