MenuWe welcome Aizlyn M. Przybylski to the family of God through Holy Baptism!”
Summer Hours: In June, July, and August Holy Cross will have two Sunday services at 8:00am and 10:00am. This will begin on Sunday June 4th. We will resume our “regular hours” on Sunday, September 3rd and Rally Day will be on Sunday, September 10th.
Sunday School News: Please re-register your child for the 2017/18 Sunday School Year on our website: holycrossclarence.com, the electronic registration forms are located under the “Sunday School Tab”. We look forward to another year of Growing together in Christ! Mark your calendars for The Rally Day & Church Picnic on Sunday, August 27, 2017 @ The Clarence Town Park, Pavilion. Please join us for worship @ 10am followed by lunch, fun-games, and fellowship (hot dogs provided, please bring your own beverage & a dish to share).
Help Wanted Nursery Attendant: As the years fly by, Holy Cross will lose another trusted Nursery Attendant as Taylor moves on to pursue her college education. Many thanks and prayers go with Taylor on this next part of her adventure. And now we look for the next person (or persons) to provide this important service to the young families that join us at our late Sunday worship. Specifically, we are looking for someone able to watch children during the second service, entertain newborns 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. The proper candidate must be able to change the occasional dirty diaper, and 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 compensated position. Thanks!
VBS Help Wanted! VBS planning is underway! Mark your calendars for August 7-11! Many volunteers of all ages are needed! Please plan on attending an informational meeting on June 4th after the late service. This quick meeting will answer any questions you might have about volunteering. If you would like to help us or have any questions, please contact Ruth Marzano at themarzanos@gmail.com or text Katie Marzano at 270-3170. Help us spread the word about God’s Victory!
All-Church Rally Day Picnic: Mark your calendars for Sunday, August 27th! We will have a time of worship starting at 10:00am at the Clarence Town Park Pavillion, followed by lunch, games, fun, and fellowship. Hot dogs will be provided, please bring your own beverage and a dish to share.
NEW! 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 the church secretary or the Pastor will contact us. A handyman will then get back to you to determine who may be 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.
He-Brews NEXT Meeting Thursday June 15th 7:30pm He-Brews generally meets on the 3rd Thursday of each month, usually at 7:30 pm; at a member home or at a local restaurant. Watch the weekly announcements for the location. We do not stay out late as most have to work in the morning. A typical gathering starts with fellowship followed by a Christian video presentation and discussion. You do not need to drink beer to join us, other beverages both with and without alcohol are often enjoyed. All are welcome – including neighbors and friends, to come and see serious support given to fellow members and a willingness to help others and our church. He-Brews is open to all men, young and old.
Hearts For the Homeless: December 2016 marked our 26th year of feeding the poor and homeless in our area. Holy Cross has supported “Hearts” from the beginning. Ron has shared the vision and ministry of Hearts For the Homeless and the congregation has responded with donations, prayer, and continued support. We got a check for May’s receipts for $225 which will go towards a new vehicle to deliver meals. Thank you to Lorraine Woodman for tabulating the receipts and thank you Holy Cross for 26 years of support!
Pastor’s Trip to Israel
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ:
My daughter Laura and I will be embarking on a study trip to Israel June 20 – July 3. The trip is organized by Rev. James Thomas of Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church (St. Louis, MO). We will be visiting Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Judea, Mount Carmel, the Sea of Galilee, the Jordan Valley, Jericho, Masada, the Dead Sea and the caves where the Dead Sea scrolls were discovered. During my absence, Rev. Spilman will preach on June 25 and Vicar Fox from Pioneer Camp will preach on July 2. In case of spiritual care emergency, please contact a Holy Cross Elder (Peter Olsen 406-2494, Francis Cote 568-1373, David Chalmers 759-7377 or Scott Brooks 636-4858). I am excited to look out across the field where David and Goliath did battle, to look out across the waters of the Sea of Galilee that Jesus stilled, to walk on the shore where Jesus called His first disciples, to visit the synagogues where Jesus stood and preached, to stand at the very spot where Jesus was judged by Pilate, and even to see the places where He likely was crucified and buried and the mount of His ascension. I expect that having this opportunity to stand in the footprints of our Lord, to hear His words from the very places they were spoken, to see with one’s own eyes the places that He saw, will move Laura and me spiritually and will benefit my ministry at Holy Cross. Dear brothers and sisters, this is the land where the actual story of our Lord Jesus Christ’s gift to us of forgiveness, life and salvation unfolded. I pray, by God’s grace, that I may bring back a sense of that to you. Please pray for Laura and me and our entire study group, that the Lord would use this trip to draw us closer in knowledge, wisdom and faith in Him. And thank you so much for your support.
May His peace be with you.
~Pastor Nickel
Guest Preachers: While Pastor Nickel is away we will be blessed with some wonderful guest speakers. Rev. Robert Spilman will preach on June 25th. Vicar Michael Fox from Pioneer Camp will preach on July 2, and Dr. David Wurster will be joining us on July 30th.
Bi-Annual Voters Meeting Date: Please plan on attending the semi-annual Voters Meeting between services, at 9:00 A.M. on June 11th. In this important meeting we will review our progress in 2017 and propose some changes to the approved 2017 budget. Not only will we review our financial and mission related progress in 2017, there will be a proposed change to the current operating budget. Specifically, the Council will be recommending that our Praise Band Director receive a stipend in compensation for their service. There are several reasons for this, and we would like to discuss this during the meeting, but please feel free to contact any Council Member to discuss this proposal, or any other concerns, before the meeting.
Camp Pioneer Golf Benefit: The Camp Pioneer Golf Benefit is set for Monday, July 17th at the Brierwood Country Club in Hamburg. The early bird price (before June 1st) is $135 per golfer. Please call Camp Pioneer at 549-1420 to register. The proceeds will assist children of our military to have a camp experience. Copy of the golf brochure contains all the details – and is available fin the church office and is posted on the Bulletin board in K-Hall. Church organizations and businesses are urged to sponsor a hole at the benefit for a donation of $150.
Holy Cross is going to camp! Join us for a week of camp July 9-14. At “Seizing the City” we will get to run a VBS for Our Savior Lutheran Church downtown during the day, and experience the traditional fun camp activities during the evening! All 13-18-year-old students are invited to sign up! The cost of the camp is $350, and financial assistance is available.
Camp Chaperones needed! Experience camp with our amazing youth, if you are interested in going with some wonderful students to Camp Pioneer for a week this summer (July 9-14).
Women’s Bible Study Group: The Women’s Bible Study Group breaks for the summer but meets on Tuesdays (except the 2nd Tuesday of the month) in the conference room of HCCC. We begin our social time at 9:30am with a study begin time of 9:45- to conclude about 11am. We are lay led, participants volunteer each week to facilitate a particular lesson.We also volunteer to bring “goodies” from our kitchens to go with our coffee. We may host a service project for the summer months. Details coming soon. Remember,it is always good to begin the day in God’s word!
Heritage Home: Summer dates for our regular visits include June 25 and July 23, both at 10 a.m. We enjoy working through the Bible creation stories in Genesis 1, “God Creates Land, Water, Plants” and then “Living Creatures.” The residents have a lovely patio on the east side of the house where they can enjoy God’s nature more fully. It is good to be with them over the summer months. Join us! -Ron, Alfrieda, Margaret
ATTENTION MARRIED COUPLES:
Have you signed up for your fall Lutheran Marriage Encounter Weekend? Both of our spring Weekends had waiting lists, so sign up now for a fall Weekend to avoid disappointment! Couples overwhelmingly report that the Weekend is the best thing they have ever done for their marriage.
The fall Weekends are:
September 15-17, 2017 at Spruce Lake Retreat Center, Canadensis, PA, a new hotel-style facility on Spruce Lake in the heart of the Pocono Mountains – an hour north of Allentown.
October 6-8, 2017 at the Black Swan Inn in Lee, Massachusetts. Nestled in the foothills of the Berkshire Mountains, a hidden gem overlooking Laurel Lake – an hour north of Hartford, CT.
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. Registrations are limited, so sign up today by going to the website: www.GodLovesMarriage.org and paying the registration 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 fjschamber@comcast.net or 724-325-3166.
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 8526607 x 203 any questions see Jill Carl.