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Visioning Update: If you missed the VAM…we approved our new Mission Statement: “Together in God’s Word and Love, we boldly go to grow and sow Christ’s Kingdom.” With our new Mission Statement as our guide, our next step is to work together to identify internal and external ministry efforts to strengthen and/or initiate. Similar to our earlier small group feedback sessions, we will hold another 10 small group sessions in January to talk about our ministry efforts. Here are the dates: Sunday Adult Bible Study (January 7th), Confirmation Students (January 7th), Confirmation Parents (January 7th), High School Sunday School Class (January 7th), Saturday Family Breakfast (January 13th), Women’s Bible Study (January 16th), Hebrews (January 18th), Sunday Morning (following 8am and 11am service on January 21st), Wednesday Night (January 31st). We will also hold another Congregational Retreat to review the small group feedback and discuss ministries to pursue! The date is TBD, so stay tuned. Any questions? Please see Dave, Francis, Peter, Scott or Pastor.
Adult Inquirers Class: Pastor Nickel will lead an “Adult Inquirers” class for new members (and any members or long-time attenders wishing a refresher on the basics of the Christian faith from a Lutheran perspective) on Wednesday evenings in January. The first session will be at 7:00 pm on Wednesday, January 3rd in the Holy Cross Christian Center conference room. The other sessions will be January 10th, 17th, 24th, and 31st.
Adult Bible Study: The Sunday morning Adult Bible Study begins again January 7th. All adults are welcome to join us each Sunday in the Narthex at 9:30 am for fellowship within the Word.
Women’s Bible Study: The Women’s Bible Study begins a new 4-week study of the incarnation in January. We meet on Tuesdays, at 9:30am in the Holy Cross Christian Center (HCCC). We have adopted Rev. Micah Glenn and his family, missionaries to Ferguson, MO. as our service project.
Clarence Community Pantry: Thank you for your continued support of the Clarence Community Pantry! Urgent food needs this month are tuna, spaghettios and soup. See Nancy Herdic for more information or bring your donations to the Krampitz Fellowship Hall.
Hearts for the Homeless: Holy Cross does two collections a year for Hearts for the Homeless. Hearts is on the front lines every week preparing meals and taking them downtown to the homeless people in Buffalo. These are the requests they are getting now: Warm blankets, sleeping bags, warm hats, scarves, gloves, jackets, boots, backpacks, heavy socks. These items can be new or gently used. You’ll see boxes for your donations in the Narthex. Cash will also help and I will purchase some things at Dollar General. Please help to warm the people of Buffalo who really need a helping hand.
Save the date: Souper Bowl lunch after church on Feb 11
Wear and Share: Through the years, Holy Cross has been a generous supporter of Wear n Share, a children’s clothing charity based in Clarence. Please read the following article about this wonderful organization and consider helping out with the many needs that have arisen. Your child/grandchild’s outgrown clothing can be put to good use keeping another child warm this winter. Please contact Ruth Marzano at themarzanos@gmail.com if you have any questions or would like to help.
Habitat for Humanity Update: Thank you for supporting Habitat for Humanity Buffalo! We have assisted 294 families in achieving their dream of homeownership, broken ground on more than 300 homes across Buffalo and Lakawanna including the rehabilitation of nearly 200 vacant or abandoned properties, and engaged more than 350 schools, churches, businesses and groups each year in community service. On behalf of those we serve, thank you so very much!
Lutheran “3-0” Radio Broadcast Schedule: Holy Cross next sponsors “Lutheran 3-0” on WXRL 1300 AM from 9:00-9:30am TODAY Dec 24th, Jan 21st, and Feb 18th, March 19th, and April 15th. “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, like to sponsor a broadcast, or serve in any other capacity, please see Pastor Nickel.
Thank You Advent Helpers: Thank you to everyone who helped with the successful Advent Supper! The Boy Scouts again were very helpful. All the generous donation of sandwiches were greatly appreciated. Sincerely Debby & Bob Hamp
Weather Related Closings: As we enter into the winter season in the unlikely event of a weather related closing, Holy Cross’ closings and delays will be announced on WGRZ, Channel 2, and online at www.wgrz.com/closings .
Sunday School News:
Welcome Back to Holy Cross Sunday School! 2017-2018 Get EXCITED for a new year of growing in Christ together with friends and family! We are going to have a great year! So many truths from God’s Word to learn, so many friends to hang out with and share our faith with, and lots of fun activities planned along the way!
Here’s some great events to look forward to throughout the year ahead:
Easter Egg-stravaganza! * VBS – Summer 2018 *more info. to come!
*Parents and Youth please be sure to sign up to help with any of these events as they come up! We are sure to have a great time! Contact Sallye NeGron at Negron5@roadrunner.com
2018 Lutheran Marriage Encounter Weekends Announced: Please make 2018 the year you resolve to attend a Lutheran Marriage Encounter Weekend to learn how to maximize the joy and intimacy that God intends for your marriage.
The following Weekends have been scheduled with one more to be added in Massachusetts in the fall.
* March 16-18, 2018 at Heritage Hotel Lancaster in Lancaster, PA. A newly-renovated hotel, home of the unique treehouse-inspired restaurant, “Loxley’s.”
* April 6-8, 2018 at Toftrees Golf Resort in State College PA. A peaceful resort surrounded by a golf course and nestled in the woods in the center of PA.
* September 14-16, 2018 at Spruce Lake Retreat in Canadensis, PA. A lovely hotel-style facility In a wooded area of the Poconos, an hour north of Allentown.
* October 19-21, 2018 at Olmsted Retreat Center. A stunning, hotel-style retreat next to Olmsted Mansion in Allegheny National Forest, 2 hours north of Pittsburgh.
Two nights lodging, 5 meals for each of you, and all supplies are included with your $100 per couple registration fee, plus toward the end of the weekend you will be given an opportunity to make a confidential contribution of whatever amount you wish toward the continuation of the program. To be sure to get the Weekend of your choice, sign up at your earliest convenience by going to the website: www.GodLovesMarriage.org and paying the registration fee with your credit card, or marking the option to mail a check. For questions, or if you would like a brochure with registration form mailed to you, contact Northeast US Directors of Lutheran Marriage Encounter, Fred & Julie Schamber,
at 724-325-3166 or fjschamber@comcast.net.
Volunteer Opportunity –
Nursery Attendants: We are looking for someone able to watch children during the second service, entertain newborn to three year olds for the full hour of the service, and to lead children up to the age of 7 in activities during the sermon. Red Cross or equivalent Babysitter Training is required for any youthful attendants. Please see any Council member or Pastor Nickel if you are interested in learning more about this volunteer position.
He-Brews Handyman Service: The He-Brew guys are willing to lend you a hand. We would particularly like to help those who are unable to do the work themselves. If you want advice or help around the house or yard ask us. If we can’t help we probably have someone who can point you in the right direction. Call the church office (716) 634-2332 or email holycrossclarence@gmail.com and Lynda or the Pastor will contact us. A handyman will then get back to you to determine the best fit for your needs and when they can come help. There are certain jobs that may be beyond our scope but even if that’s the case will be happy to advise you.