May 2021

“You are loved more than you can imagine and sent with more purpose than you thought” -Toby Schmidt

Who ARE you? by Toby Schmidt, Associate Pastor

Beloved Cross View family, us to ground our identity not from inside our- How would you answer the question, “Who selves but from outside of ourselves. Let your- ARE you?” (not “Who are YOU?”) As you think self be defined by God. about your answer, you really start to dig into the So, we’ve gotten hold of the answer to Who heart of your identity. In his book Loved & Sent, am I? Now we’re able to answer an even more Jeff Cloeter, Senior Pastor of Christ Memorial­ powerful question: Why am I? (What is my pur- Lutheran Church, St. Louis, Missouri, says, pose in this life here on earth, in this commu- “As Christians, we often stutter when ques- nity, family, circle of friends? What’s God given tioned. Who are you?” me to do?). These two questions (who and why) It’s fascinating how we answer that question. are at the very root of human existence, and as So often, we derive our identity from within ­Jesus followers, we’re actually able to find the ­ourselves. In his book, Pastor Cloeter ­encourages ­answers to these fundamental questions. And the ­answers, as Pastor Cloeter states in his book, are Beloved, we are walking into spring, a time of “loved” and “sent”. Who are you? One loved by flowers and trees blooming. Join us as we walk God. Why are you? Sent for God’s purpose. into this new season and discover together that In our current sermon series and during Ed- you and I, and the people God has placed in our ucation hour, we’re exploring what it means to lives, are loved more than we can imagine and be loved more than you can imagine and sent sent with more purpose than we ever thought with more purpose than you thought. We’re possible. diving into Scripture and exploring what it means If you’d like a copy of Loved & Sent, a limited to have a Christian identity and purpose, and how number are available at the Welcome Center for to it apply to our daily lives. $10. Or you can order your own copy from Amazon.

Financial Update – Year-to-Date Results Women’s Ministries • March contributions were $18,634 below budget and $28,748 less than March 2020. WOMEN’S BOOK CLUB • Year to Date income for the first quarter is ahead of budget by $4,047. The women’s • Year to Date expenditure is less than budget primarily due to lower wage book club has and benefit expenses with open positions. selected The Dearly • ECC tuition income remains below budget with some openings in one room. Beloved by Cara Wall to read and discuss in May. We Cross View Lutheran Church are going to try to meet outside at 3/31/21 2021 Actual 2021 Budget Actual vs. Budget Year to Date Year to Date Greater (Less) Boulder Creek Park in Minnetonka at 1:00 PM on Monday, Total Income $309,549 $305,502 $4,047 May 17th. Please contact Marcy at Total Expenses $302,381 $338,064 ($35,683) [email protected] if you have

General Fund Net Surplus (Deficit) $7,168 ($32,562) $39,730 questions or are interested in joining.

Early Childhood Center

Notice of Nondiscriminatory Policy As to Students Center is looking for donations of Cross View Early Childhood Center admits students of any race, color, national and the following new or slightly-used ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded items: or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis • Puzzles for toddler to school age of race, color, sex, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational (up to 100-piece puzzles) policies, admission policies, and athletic and other school-administered programs. • Chapter Books for our school age program in the summer WEEK OF THE YOUNG CHILD • Legos for our school age The Early Childhood Center program in the summer celebrated the Week of the Young • Balls and child lawnmowers for Child in April. The celebrations the playground included a magic show, bubble day, • Board games for school age celebrating Twins’ opener, a dance students party, and pajama day. The children • Etch-a-Sketch enjoyed all the events throughout the • Light Brite week. We also had special colors to • Books with Tape/CD wear each day. • Science items The Cross View Early Childhood

2 | Cross View Clarion Christian Education

KEEPING PLACE NEW WOMEN’S BIBLE STUDY, TUESDAYS, 7:30–8:45 PM MAY 11–JUNE 8, ON ZOOM Home. There’s nowhere quite like it. It’s a safe place, a place of belonging, the place we feel secure. We all long for home, we all LOVED & SENT feel the ache of homesickness in our hearts. SUNDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY, 9:30-10:30 AM In the 5-session series on Right Now Me- APRIL 18–JUNE 6, ONSITE (ROOMS 209–210) & ONLINE dia, author and Bible teacher Jen Pollock Mi- No matter what stage of life, we are always living with chel will take us on a journey through Scripture to uncover basic questions of identity and purpose. In a complex the meaning of home. We’ll discover our holy yearning for world, we are given countless answers to “Who am I?” and a place to belong, how God graciously provides that place “Why am I?” In this Bible study, we’ll learn about how “You for us, and how we can model His hospitality in our lives are loved more than you can imagine and sent with more each day. Come along with the ladies as we dig into God’s purpose than you ever thought.” Pastors Steve and Toby Word, laugh together, share joys and burdens, and will be facilitating this study. Register on CVConnect. If you pray with one another. This class is led by Vicki Weber. have questions or need information, email Pastor Toby at Register on CVConnect. If you have questions or need [email protected]. ­information, call Vicki Weber at 952.838.5500.

HOW WE GOT THE BIBLE VBS IS COMING! SUNDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY, 9:30-10:30 AM Life is an expedition, but God is MAY 9–JUNE 13, ONSITE IN ROOM 218 good! Each day during this summer’s va- The story of the Bible has been cation Bible school, Treasured, we’ll dis- called “The Greatest Story Ever cover that God’s greatest treasure isn’t diamonds, gems, or gold Told.” But did you ever won- – it’s us! Life is an expedition full of ups and downs and twists der where the Bible came from? and turns. It can often feel like a jungle with no map. This week Who wrote it? Why they wrote it? we’ll experience the reassurance of God’s love which empowers Who decided which books to us to boldly face life’s challenges. Join us onsite June 21–25, include? In this study, Dr. Paul 9:00–11:30 AM for a great week! Maier travels to the Bible Museum in Goodyear, Arizona, Onsite VBS is open to students age 3 (potty trained) through to take a look at how we got the Bible. This class will entering 4th grade. Cost is just $15 for the week! ­(Students be led by Greg Lenz. Register on CVConnect. If you ­entering 5th grade and older are invited to volunteer). To guar- have questions or need information, email Greg Lenz at antee a t-shirt, please register by Monday, May 17. Registration [email protected]. is now open by going to www.crossview.net/vbs or click here to register participants or register volunteers.

Youth Ministries

(TC)2–TAKING CARE OF THE TWIN CITIES–RETURNS Zellar or John Porisch know if you have a project we can help JULY 25-29, 2021 with! All families with youth, 6th grade through high school, Need a reminder of what (TC)2 are encouraged to be a part of this awesome week of service. is? It’s five days of service to our We’re also looking for senior saints to work alongside the church family and our community youth. If you have a skill or experience to share, we need you! doing outdoor projects to help What’s the (TC)2 daily schedule? Our mornings will and support them. Projects such as start at CV with a devotion and praise before heading painting a garage, washing windows, cleaning up a yard, out in small groups into the community. Bring your own cleaning up our area parks – these are ways we can serve bagged lunch and work side by side (socially distanced) to our church family and community! Last year’s (TC)2 was grow, connect, and help one another. At the end of each hugely successful, so we’re doing it again! afternoon, we’ll meet back at CV for dinner and close the Do you know someone who needs help? Are you day with a short worship and praise! able and willing to help us? Are you able to support this Registration is now open! Click here to get registered. servant event? Fill out the form on our website or let Jon Please note the three different registration forms.

3 | Cross View Clarion Outreach & Missions

WE’RE GETTING CLOSER! ­backgrounds. We (the Alaraj family) serve The new Welcome MAT design as liaisons between our American broth- team has continued to meet monthly, ers and sisters in the church to connect working diligently toward the launch of and serve so that “we” can fulfill spiritual, this exciting new ministry! The actual physical, and emotional needs. Togeth- launch is planned for September, but er, “we” connect with these families by they have planned presentations to offering free classes like English, citizen- STEPHEN the congregation and training for all ship, PC, sewing, knitting, etc. However, volunteers a couple of months prior the most important thing is that “we” MINISTRY to that. The major factor for this is that treat them as a family. Most of them they still need lots of volunteers to make don’t know about The Lord, and through CORNER this ministry successful as planned. The close relationships (especially with ser- Our congregation’s Stephen Ministry Welcome MAT is in need of Hosts, vants from Cross View), we introduce to equips laypeople to provide one- Connectors, Welcome Center Attendants them the love of Jesus in different ways to-one Christian care to people in and a couple of lead positions. If you and conversations. our congregation and community have a gift or passion for making visitors Most recently, with the coronavirus who are experiencing difficulties in feel welcomed and bringing them in to pandemic’s ramifications, several their lives. Stephen Ministry is a Cross View, the design team prays that families have lost their jobs or have an confidential ministry. The identity of you would consider becoming a part understandable but higher sense of fear those receiving care and everything of this vital ministry. They will be happy and need to be prayed with or helped they discuss with a Stephen Minister to answer any questions you may have out directly. Rarely, we lend them some remain private. regarding the roles that need to be filled. cash to cover certain urgent needs. A Stephen Minister is… Please contact any of the following team However, through personal contacts • A child of God who walks members with questions and/or offers and checkups “we” can demonstrate beside someone who is hurting. to volunteer. who Jesus is, through the church and • A congregation member who • Tonya Bushey, tonyabushey@ us. Thank you for helping us offer all is carefully selected to serve gmail.com, (612) 716-5583 this help and prayer in the name of in this role because of his or • Sue Harrison, kharrison1111@ Jesus and His Church. We crave your her caregiving gifts. gmail.com, (713) 269-9657 continued prayers. We ask for your • A layperson with 50 hours • Barb Martenson, blynnmart@ ongoing support. Cross View, you are of training in providing gmail.com, (952) 240-3597 always appreciated and treasured! high-quality, distinctively The Welcome MAT design Many Blessings! Christian care. team thanks you for your prayerful Please prayerfully consider being • A caring Christian friend consideration for participation in this a sustaining individual donor. Through who listens, cares, prays, exciting and vital ministry to grow your financial support, the lives of supports, and encourages. God’s Kingdom! believers and nonbelievers alike will • Someone who meets faithfully experience the love of Christ and each week with his or her care the salvation of souls. If you have receiver for as long as there’s a questions, talk to your pastor, or need. contact us directly: [email protected], (402) 968-6486. You can also follow us If you need a Stephen Minister or are POBLO UPDATE on Facebook. Request to be added to interested in becoming a Stephen We are POBLO Ministries (Interna- the Facebook page (as it is private). Minister, please contact one of Cross tional Friendship Center, aka ‘IFC”). “We” —Your Missionaries, Nader & View’s pastors. means Cross View and other Lutheran Georgette Alaraj & Kids. churches joining us as “we” work with immigrants and internationals in the Twin “Bear one another’s burdens, Cities. Folks arrive here at different times and in this way you will in a very diverse city but never fully get fulfill the law of Christ.” a chance to be helped or guided. “We” -Galatians 6:2 seek to create relationships with fami- lies from different cultural and r­­eligious

4 | Cross View Clarion Welcome to the Lord’s Table IMPORTANT NEWS! On Maundy Thursday, nine of Cross View’s students (Matthew, Lucca, Aiden, NEW SCHEDULE! Tabitha, Erik, Ethan, Reuben, Liam, and Katrina) were welcomed to the Lord’s Cross View’s interim Sunday worship schedule is now in effect Table after completing a six-week course to accommodate our growing Sunday morning attendance: in preparation for their first communion. The class was held on Sunday mornings • 8:00 AM Traditional Worship — Sanctuary with both students and parents attending. The class incorporated faith • 9:30 AM Traditional Worship — Sanctuary formation that took place in the home • 9:30 AM Education Hour each week with their parents. Discussions, • 10:45 AM Contemporary Worship — Great Commission memory work, weekly worksheets, and Room with overflow seating in the Lobby interactive activities contributed to the overall learning experience. Parents • 12:15–12:45 PM Drive-through Communion — 2nd and and students capped off the class with a 4th Sundays “final celebration of learning” (otherwise known as a final exam). Everyone did super! We give thanks to the Lord for His precious meal and we celebrate Celebrating Margaret Garrison’s with these young students as we say, “Welcome to the Lord’s Table!” Ministry Among Us We give thanks to our Lord Traveling Student Art for Margaret Garrison and for her Exhibit Coming in May dedicated and faithful service to Jesus and to our congregation. Many knew Cross View will host the third traveling Margaret as the sweet voice that high school student exhibit titled: answered the phones of Cross View “God Our Refuge, a Safe Place in Time and as the smiling face at the front of Trouble.” desk of the church office, but Margaret Area high school students expressed contributed so much more to our their response visually in artwork to the mission and ministries over the past following question: “How do you seek five years. refuge in God to find a safe and powerful Each week, Margaret oversaw the production of our bulletins and place away from the time of trouble announcements. She oversaw office logistics and membership related issues. She caused by the coronavirus pandemic, daily worked with volunteers and coordinated many of our ongoing schedules to experience God’s help and all things connected to worship and other ministries. Beyond the weekly duties required working together for good?” by the church office, Margaret regularly went the extra mile to provide support The exhibit scripture is Psalm 46:1 to Cross View’s pastors, directors, and membership. and Romans 8:28. Students selected In addition, Margaret was passionate about getting people involved in a scripture meaningful to them that ministry. She made the spiritual gifts inventory that we use for existing and new inspired their artwork in addition to their members a reality. Her gifts in visioning were instrumental to the development response to our inspiration question. of the newly revised “Welcome to Cross View” class for new and prospective There are 14 works of art in this exhibit members. It’s safe to say that she was always way more than “just a secretary.” that will be displayed in the sanctuary. In February, Margaret submitted her resignation, indicating that she wished to For this 2021–2022 exhibit, there is a pursue other endeavors at this time. Her deep commitment to our congregation video that accompanies the students’ led her, with love, to see us through the Holy Week. We will deeply miss her but artwork, as a virtual exhibit. The video will wish her God’s richest blessings as she begins a new chapter of life and service. be available on our website to members If you didn’t get a chance to send Margaret a card, thanking her for her ministry, unable to view the exhibit in person or please drop it by the church office. We will make sure to forward it to her. wishing to hear the student artists discuss their work.

5 | Cross View Clarion Cross View Position Vacancies Cross View currently has three vacancies. Additional in- formation for each one is here on Cross View’s website. Praise Band — We have not received any qualified applicants. Our commitment to the Praise Band remains strong. Staff is discussing how to reimagine this contem- porary worship component. Children’s Ministry — Cross View members are en- couraged to fill out a “Member Nomination Form” lo- cated at the Welcome Center. Posting locations include: Confirmation Sunday – May 2 Cross View website, Minnesota South District Classified On May 2, 2021, twelve 8th grade students will undergo Ads, Handshake (42 Lutheran colleges), Minnesota Coun- the rite of confirmation, reaffirming the promises made at cil of Non-profits, a Facebook job board, and the Weekly their baptism. Because of capacity limitations with Covid-19, Connections insert. Lynn Pahl is the Search Committee the rite of confirmation will be held at 3:00 PM. Only family Chairperson. Additional members include Vicki Barton, and their guests will be able to attend in-person. The service Erik Kelly, Rachael Johnson, Jill Harrison, Emily Hawkins, will be streamed and archived for all to enjoy. The sermon at Pastor Wheeler, and Renee Kirchner. Applications are the three morning services will be the same as the sermon at coming in. We hope to conduct interviews in May. the 3:00 PM service. Administrative Assistant — This full-time vacancy is We thank God for each of these young people and are so the result of Margaret’s resignation. Information is located thankful for the testimonies that they have shared with us over at the Welcome Center and on Cross View’s website. the last several months. Please keep these young people in Please email Renee Kirchner at [email protected] your prayers as they move into a new season of growth and or Scott Douglas at [email protected] if you or some- development as fully-devoted followers of Jesus Christ, one you know is interested in any of these vacancies. Good Friday Family Worship In Review On Good Friday afternoon over 60 people attended our family friendly worship service. With the help of George, the monkey, parents, and kids learned all about our “yuckiness” our sin, God’s love and sacrifice for us, and the righteousness of Christ that covers us all. Through various visuals and activities families learned what Good Friday is all about.

6 | Cross View Clarion GROW

SUNDAY WORSHIP 8:00 am Traditional Worship in the Sanctuary*

9:30 am Traditional Worship in the Sanctuary

10:45 am Contemporary Worship in the Great Developing fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ along life’s journey Commission Room* *Also live­ streamed. Rev. Steve Wheeler, Senior Pastor 952-941-5453, [email protected]

Rev. Toby Schmidt, Associate Pastor SUNDAY EDUCATION 952-243-2053, [email protected] 9:30 am Onsite & Online

Jonathan Zellar, Children’s Ministry (Interim) & Youth Ministry 952-243-2047, [email protected] OFFICE HOURS Mon.-Fri., 9:00 am - 4:30 pm Stacey LaMere, Early Childhood Center 952-941-5215, [email protected] CALENDAR Renee Kirchner, Church Administration 952-243-2045, [email protected] Cross View’s most current calendar is always available Sue Quist, Music & Fine Arts Ministries 952-243-2048, [email protected] on our website at www.crossview.net/calendar Alyssa Meger, Finance Specialist 952-243-2046, [email protected]

Claire Oie, Administrative Assistant 952-941-1094, [email protected] CONNECT José Portillo, Minister of Facility & Maintenance 6645 McCauley Trail West Harrison Lawrence, Organist [email protected] Edina, MN, 55439-1076

Paula Wilson, Interim Lead Vocalist - Contemporary 952-941-1094 (Office) Julie Sherman, President 952-941-5513 (FAX) 952-941-0009 (ECC) Nadar & Georgette Alaraj, POBLO

The Clarion is published monthly by Cross View Lutheran Church. Items for inclusion should be sent via email to [email protected]. www.crossview.net

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