MenuCrossroads:
Our next Crossroads is February 4th at 5:00pm. Please join us in praising God with some contemporary song, and exploring and meditating on the Word. Holy Cross is hosting a once-a-month Saturday evening devotional experience. We praise God with some contemporary Christian songs, meditate on the Word with a short devotion, and connect with others in God’s love and peace. All are welcome so please join us for this exciting new devotional experience. Please contact Samantha with any questions at samanthabrown.holycross@gmail.com. Please join us!
Hearts Winter Collection
Hearts for the Homeless has sent out an urgent request for new or gently used men’s and women’s hats, scarves, gloves, mittens, heavy socks, blankets and adult backpacks. There will be a collection box available. We will be collecting January 15, 22, 29 and February 5th. Please consider giving to help our neighbors in need. The Sunday School and youth will also be participating in the collection.
Soup-er Bowl Sunday
We believe that it is important to grow relationally so that we may grow spiritually. Come connect with fellow Holy Cross friends February 12th at 12:15. Please sign up with Laura Scarantine to enter a soup in our soup contest. Bring a pot of soup in a crock-pot or heat it up at church. All those not entering the competition are welcome to come be judges! Instead of an entry fee, or ticket sale, we are looking for free will donations toward the Clarence Food Pantry. Both Food items, and monetary donations are appreciated! We also need a few bakers to bring desert. Please see Laura to sign up!
Tables of 8
Here at Holy Cross we seek to connect with one another outside of the worship service so that we may build strong Christian relationships, and grow in our faith. As a part of that mission, we are starting a new program called Tables of 8. For the first few weeks of February, people will sign up with Samantha Brown. On February 15th she will break people into groups of 8, and let everyone know who is in your group. This could be 4 couples, 8 singles, or any combination thereof. The group will then discuss amongst themselves to find a time to meet once a month for the next 4 months. Members will take turns hosting and preparing food. It’s going to be a lot of fun eating food and getting to know new people and staying in contact with old friends! Sign up with Samantha Brown!!!
Swap and Shop
February 23rd, 2017 • 7-9pm in Krampitz Hall
Bring as many items as you want to trade
All items should be gently used and in good condition
Adults only clothing please. Leftover clothing will be donated to Hearts for the Homeless
Everyone is asked to bring a dessert or snack to share
Drinks will be provided
A signup sheet is available so we can plan for drinks and tables
Volunteers needed to set up, clean up and/or lend tables
Be sure to invite a friend!
Please see Jill Carl or Nancy Cote’ with questions
Hope to see you there for a fun evening!
High School Escape Room
On Sunday February 26th high school students are invited to join us at the Galleria Mall for an escape room experience. Time is TBD but will be in the afternoon. Please see Samantha Brown for details.
New Member Class:
Pastor Nickel will teach a class on the basics of the Christian faith, as believed and confessed by the Lutheran Church, on Wednesdays at 7:00pm from January 11- February 15th. In commemoration of the 500th anniversary of the Reformation in 2017, the class will focus on the book of Roma and the Augsburg Confession (the basics of Christian faith). Everyone is welcome.
Heritage Home
The next Heritage Home visit is Sunday, February 26, at 10 a.m. The Bible story filmstrip is “Jesus Chooses Helpers,” as found in the four Gospels. We will discuss how we are all helpers of Jesus in the big and little acts of love we do every day. Then we sing, pray, make a simple craft that ties in with the story, and, of course, visit and catch up with their activities and whose birthday is/was during the month.
Wednesday Night Small Group:
Join us for a study entitled “Better Together: Connecting with God & Others”. As we dive into Bible passages for each session, we’ll reflect on how God connects people to Him through His church and through each other. Take this time to reflect and discover together how we can grow in Christ and grow as the Body of Christ. Wednesday evenings through February 15th at 7pm in the HCCC upstairs. See Samantha Brown for more information.
Habitat for Humanity News
Habitat provides housing for low income people who do not qualify for a traditional mortgage. The applicant must meet certain qualifications and work 500 volunteer hours in order to obtain an interest free mortgage.
Habitat also has 2 stores called ReStores. The stores are not for profit. They sell new and gently used appliances, building supplies and materials, furniture and home accessories. They do not sell clothing. Many of the items are donated by stores and construction companies as well as individuals and are re-sold at a fraction of the cost of retail. The proceeds are then used to help build more homes. If you wish to donate items they can arrange a pickup. The stores are at 1675 South Park Ave in South Buffalo and at 501 Amherst Street in Buffalo. To arrange for a pickup call 852-6607 x 203. Any questions see Jill Carl.
SAVE THE DATE:
Holy Cross Work Day with Habitat for Humanity. Saturday, May 6th. We will plan on meeting at church at 8:15 am and returning to Holy Cross between 2-3pm. We will be working on a project in the City of Buffalo. More details and an opportunity to sign up coming soon! For more information please see Peter Olsen.
Kitchen News
We have purchased a 100 cup coffee urn, towels, a 3 piece place of Corelle-ware in white to serve 24 people, 3 serving bowls, 3serving platters. This is available for use by everyone.
When you have an event please remove all leftover items including all food, drinks, and dishes.
We hope to maintain a “correct” date on all perishable items for the health & safety of all.
Feel free to help out. Questions email debby518@yahoo.com or 651-0974.
Thanks for your support. Debby Hamp
Defensive Driver Class
Holy Cross Lutheran Church
Saturday, March 11, 2017
9:00 am – 3:30 pm
Tuition – $25.00 per person
All members & families & friends are welcome.
Receive a reduction off your auto insurance for 3 years!
Seating is limited – advanced registration is required.
Please contact Diana Zubrzycki at 741-5150.
The Sunday School is hosting an Easter Egg Hunt!!
Who: Children Birth – 8th grade (accompanied by their parent/guardian), The Clarence Community, and High School Youth: grades 9-12, are invited serve before and during the event (youth sign-up sheet is posted in the HCCC youth lounge and k-hall)
What: We will begin the event with an Egg Hunt, followed by a kid-friendly message centered around the Resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!
When: Saturday, April 1st: 1pm-3pm • Rain or Shine
Where: Holy Cross Lutheran Church — This is an Outdoor Event!
Sign-up: using the sign-up sheet located on the k-hall bulletin board or send an to email: holycrossclarence@gmail.com that includes your child’s name and current grade level. Please bring a friend!
Questions? Contact Lindsay G, lindsaygugliuzza@gmail.com, or call/text (716)435-3007
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Lutheran “3-0” Radio Broadcast Schedule and a call for volunteers:
Holy Cross will sponsor “Lutheran 3-0” on WXRL 1300 AM from 9:00-9:30am on Sunday, Feb 19th, and March 19th. “Lutheran 3-0” precedes the Lutheran the Lutheran Hour on WXRL on Sundays. If you would like to help be a part of this ministry as a lay reader, sound or technical person or in any other capacity please see Pastor for more information.
Council News
As we start 2017 we are pleased to announce that almost all of the serving Council members are returning again this year, with two exceptions. Bob Hamp will now be serving as Vice-President, filling the shoes of Sam Gugliuzza. Unlike the V-P of the United States, our V-P is the “go to guy”, (or gal), for special projects, such as the Narthex update that Sam oversaw last year. Please be sure to thank Sam for all his tireless work, and thank Bob for stepping into this critical position. Also, we welcome past president Doug Garlapo back to Council, where he will be responsible for Building and Grounds, taking the reins from Paul Donnelly. It should be remembered that the harder the B&G people work, the less you will notice. Please be sure to thank Paul for his many years of dedicated service, and thank Doug for sharing his skills and wisdom with us. One other notable change, Linda Ponivas and her co-leader Ellie Stevenson are stepping down from leading the Kitchen Committee, with Debbie Hamp stepping up to fill their shoes. Please thank Linda and Ellie for their hard work, while we all should look for ways to help Debbie carry the load. Lastly, it wouldn’t be right to not mention the 40 other people serving as leaders in different aspects of our church life, (and this count does not include all the helpers that support these leaders). A “scatter plot” showing these different “missions”, their leaders, and how we all “orbit” around the church, is found in the directory, and on the Bulletin Board in Krampitz Hall. Remember that just as there are many different parts of the body, there are many different ways we all can serve in the mission of building the Kingdom of God, and if you are not already, please think about ways you can help with this mission.
Visitation Care
If you are or will be hospitalized or homebound and desire Christian care from the Holy Cross staff, please phone the church office at 634-2332 and/or
email holycrossclarence@gmail.com to let us know. Please do not assume that we know your situation because for many reasons we often don’t. We will
do our best to visit you, and if homebound, see that you receive communion.
Care-Ring Circle
To all the Care-Ringers who provide meals for those in need, Thank you! Until you have experienced the love and generosity from our Holy Cross
family, you couldn’t know how much it is appreciated. If you are interested in volunteering to make a meal for those in need please contact Doreen Borschel at 688-8096. I will add you to the list of volunteers in our email group.
Looking ahead to the Lenten Season…
March 1st 7:00pm Ash Wednesday Service at Holy Cross
March 8th,15th, 22nd, & 29th Lenten Services at area churches. Holy Cross is hosting on March 22nd.
Midweek Lenten Devotions throughout the season
April 9th Palm Sunday
April 13th Maundy Thursday/ First Communion Service
April 14th Good Friday
April 16th Easter Sunday