Holy Cross Lutheran Church
February 2007
This Newsletter is also available in Acrobat (PDF) format with the original printed page layout, including graphics.  Click here.

Click here for the Calendar Page

Back to Contents

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
I don’t know about you, but I typically have trouble getting ready for the Lenten season. Lent has sometimes been called the Springtime of the soul, which really does sound quite lovely, but it usually feels more like a doctor’s visit where the physcian says, “breathe....again....again....and again....one more time.” Advent is a steady beat of expectation that reaches its crescendo in the Incarnation of God, and before you know it, Emmanuel, “God with us”, is tracing lines on our forehead, reminding us that we have a legacy of dust.

     ......remember that you are dust.....and to dust you shall return....
     ......doesn’t quite feel appropriate to look up and say thank you
     to the impositioner of ashes, does it?

But we are grateful.....
     ......grateful that of all the hands that could have shaped, formed, and
           molded us......it was the hand of God that fashioned us into being.

The poem, “Learning to Pray Alone” seems particulary appropriate for us to
ponder as we slowly ramp up for the piercing gaze of Lent. I commend it to you
for your times of personal devotion.

Learning to Pray Alone
It’s one thing to pray in a large room
filled with people holding books of prayer,
and a priest telling us which page to read from.
Those are good prayers. They stick to the gut
and can lift away even our darkest dreams.
But it’s the prayers we say in isolation,
the ones we must write for ourselves
that gnaw their way through brittle bone.
Into these prayers we enter both blind and deaf,
and must learn to fend for ourselves.
There’s a strange porosity to such prayers.
They make their way through the same stuff that fills them.
In such prayers I learn my little name,
find the one thing that makes it noble.
Grace is slippery stuff when one walks alone.
~ Frederick Zydek ~

It is not hyperbole to say that Western Christianity’s greatest sin is making all of Scripture read like a “how to” book for the individual. Our approach to Scripture is increasingly atomistic as we read ourselves into the characters and contexts of antiquity. We render ourselves at the center of the biblical and moral universe, and only after that center has been mined for individual insights do we actually begin, if at all, to think of Scripture’s Word to the community. It is, therefore, perhaps Scripture’s and the Church’s greatest gift, possibly its tragic curse, that the “we” is entitled to become the “I” during the season of Lent.

As is true for any desert trek, the group must remain together if it is to survive. This trek will, however, expose the “insides” of people to the core. In the Lenten desert, with all of its forced self-instrospection, one has very little choice but to come face to face with her mortality. She must come to terms with, as the poem notes,

     “the prayers we say in isolation,
     the ones we must write for ourselves
     that gnaw their way through brittle bone.”

She must come to terms with having the ashes of finitude being “imposed” on more than just her forehead. She must come to terms with the ashes of finitude being “imposed” on her life. She must come to terms with Kurt Vonnegut’s quip in God Bless You, Mr. Rosewater; or Pearls Before Swine, who asks, “What the hell are people for?”

The quintessential question of the Lenten journey is “Why am I somebody instead of nobody?” When Ash Wednesday is imposed on us we will, for the following five weeks, be cast into the chaos that God called forth to create us and all creation. Regardless of what we believe about earth’s genesis, we are called to return to something primordial. It is for this return that we walk the Lenten journey, to be told that we shall return from whence we came, back to the earth and before it, to not so much find ourselves, but to have our truest selves found. In that place and in that moment we will “enter both blind and deaf, and must learn to fend for ourselves.” In the fending for ourselves we will learn that even “slippery” grace is still grace, and that no one really “walks alone.”

Peace to you this Lenten Season,
John Preston Bost, Pastor

Back to Contents

Dear sisters and brothers in Christ:

What a pleasure and a privilege it has been to work in ministry with all of you at Holy Cross. Five months passed quickly! As I leave, I can only give thanks for what I’ve experienced here.

For me, it has been a time of many “firsts”: my first baptism, first memorial service, and first time confirming young people; my first time leading a council retreat, on-going bible study and weekly worship; and – a highlight! – my first time leading worship for the Nativity of the Christ. Even though I have not yet been ordained, I can’t help but think of Holy Cross as my first parish.

You have been wonderful teachers, students, companions, and workers in the vineyard. As I composed the Christmas letter to the congregation several weeks ago, in which I listed the many ways this community feeds Christ’s sheep, I realized the depth of your dedication and skills. Thanks to each one of you – from the leaders on Council and the committees to youth and the adults who nurture them; to musicians and worship planners; to custodians, ushers and altar care-givers; to Stephen Ministers and Sunday School and pre-school teachers; to outreachers, communicators, and Crafty Ladies; to those who offer rides and food and prayer. May this community
continue to flourish and grow in the gifts of the Spirit.

The Muslim mystics called Sufis have a saying: When the heart grieves over what it has lost, the spirit rejoices over what it has found. I will hold Holy Cross in my heart, and I thank God for you all.

Peace and blessings in Christ,
Lori

Back to Contents

Go to our Worship Web Page

Worship Service Schedule

Midweek Lenten Services

Join Us for Mid Week Lenten Services
at 7:00pm

Each Wednesday Evening during Lent
Feb 28, March 7, 14, 21, and 28.

February 21st
Ash Wednesday Service at 7:00pm
Join us before service for a Soup Supper hosted by the Fellowship Committee

Back to Contents

Go to our Education Web Page

VBS News

Vacation Bible School 2007 is only five months away and there is much work to be done before that time.

This year’s theme is “Great Bible Reef” and filled with fun sites and music.

I, Kathryn Sizemore, along with the assistance of Megan Kuneli and the support of Heidi Wolfson, will be taking the lead on our “under the sea” adventure as V.B.S. Coordinator to complete our Girl Scout Gold Award Project.

Mark your calendars for June 18-22 as V.B.S. Week for the kids and consider volunteering as a teacher this year. There is lots of need for assistance, be it through singing with the band, serving snacks, assisting at a site or teaching a site. Because between 15 and 20 teachers are needed to run V.B.S. week, offering 5 sites and 3 preschool classes, the recruitment of teachers is highly necessary. Though the task may seem daunting, the program is well designed and lots of fun. As a former teacher, I highly recommend volunteering. The job requires a little stamina and a lot of love. If you are interested in what being a teacher involves and might be interested in volunteering this year call me at (209) 483-0084.

Kathryn Sizemore
V.B.S. Coordinator 2007

Sunday School

CHALKING THE PARISH HALL
Do you remember noticing the chalk writing on the parish hall doors? No, it wasn’t vandals! Our Sunday School classes enjoyed a group gathering to celebrate the Feast of the Epiphany and learned about “chalking the door.” Using chalk (hence, “Chalking the Door”), people are invited to inscribe the lintel of the home (the horizontal frame above the door) with the letters C M B which come from the traditional (9th century) names for the “three kings” -- Caspar, Melchior & Balthazar. Some also suggest “Christus Mansionem Benedicat” which means “May Christ bless this dwelling!” Of course, one would usually just write on the door frame but as you can imagine, the kids had a grand time “chalking the doors!” The celebration of Epiphany is often lost with our modern church calendar celebrating the Baptism of our Lord on the first Sunday after Epiphany (January 6th) but this year, January 6th fell on a Saturday and many churches will then focus on Epiphany on that Sunday the 7th. It really is a nice way to close the Christmas season and the arrival of the three kings should be celebrated!

We enjoyed some wonderful praise music from our band. If you haven’t heard these guys yet, our band includes Eric Danielsen on drums, Ryan Littell on electric guitar, Clifford Tam on clarinet, Esther Tam on keyboards and Leland Tam on the bass guitar. The singing was led by our always energetic Amy Lemmon, Hypaitia Rauch and Megan Kuneli! Thank you guys! The kids had a great time dancing and singing!

Mark Your Calendars!
March 11 is when Daylight Savings Time begins this year. Sunday School will be hosting a children’s service at 9:45 (during the Sunday School hour rather than classes) in the Parish Hall. The band and our singers will be back again to provide the music. This group gathering will be just as upbeat and fun as our others but with more organization as we actually follow an order of service.

April 1 is Palm Sunday. We encourage all of the Sunday School students as well as any other member of the congregation to join us in the parish hall for a Passover Seder during the Sunday School hour. Learn about the Last Supper and hear the Hebrew, understand the meaning behind passing the wine and sharing the unleavened bread. Revisit the story of the Exodus and grow in your own faith as you gain a deeper understanding of Christ’s last meal with His disciples.

Adult Education

Sunday Adult Classes were held 9:45-10:45 a.m. There has been a strong desire for adult Bible study at Holy Cross. In the fall of 2006, two dozen participants began a six-week class to review the book, About the Bible: Short Answers to Big Questions, by Terrence Fretheim. Next came a two-week class on text study, and class members have continued to use the method of text study learned to get deeper into the weekly gospel text. As spring approaches, adult class members will decide with Pr. John Bost what to focus on next. In conjunction with the start of the new pastor, there should be a concerted effort to get new people interested in the adult classes.

First Communion News

The First Communion class will soon be under way. Any third grader or older child who has not yet been instructed in Communion is welcome! Class begins during the Sunday School hour on February 25 in the regular 3rd/4th grade Sunday School classroom.

Required classes will be:
Sunday February 25 at 9:45,
Sunday March 4 at 9:45,
Sunday March 18 at 9:45,
Thursday March 22 at 4:00 pm and
April 1st at 9:45 (in the Parish hall.)

They will also meet on Sunday afternoon, March 18 at 2:00 pm at Cafe Art in Livermore to create their challises.

Church service attendance is also required during this time and families are welcome to attend either the 8:30 or 11:00 service.

Participants will enjoy their first Communion at the Maunday Thursday, 7pm service on April 5th. This is a special time for these children and a
milestone in their Christian education. Please pray for them as they learn and grow in their faith!

Contact Heidi Wolfson, Sunday School Superintendent, at 447-2429 if you have any questions or would like to register your child for these Communion classes.

Back to Contents

Go to our Youth Web Page

J-Hi Youth Group
(6th to 8th grades)

Feb. 3rd Mid-Night Bowling, and come back to the church for a lock in, then Church in the morning.
For more info call Judy Bird 443-2190 or Amy Kirby 373-1030

God's Glads
(3rd to 5th grades)

HOLD THE DATE - BOWLING
When: February 10th, Saturday at 11:45 am (approx length of time, 3 hours)
Where: Granada Bowl, Livermore
Cost: Approx. $10.00 per person (includes shoe rental and use of bowling balls), bring extra for any snacks or drinks
RSVP: Required by Feb. 4th, Sunday. Contact Teresa Trump 371-8044 or rantertrump@netscape.net
This activity can be a family event, be sure to mention total number of people bowling.
When you arrive, first get your bowling shoes at the desk and then look for Holy Cross members gathered at one of the lanes. Then, Dave Jones will gather the money and assign you to a team.

Back to Contents

Go to our School Web Page

Happy New Year! I hope the coming year brings many blessing to each of you.

Teachers are busy preparing for upcoming conferences in February which is a great opportunity for them to sit down one-on-one with each and every parent here at Holy Cross.

In the office we are busy preparing registration materials for the upcoming 2007-2008 school year.

As I begin my job as Interim Director here at Holy Cross Preschool I am just thankful for the support of parents, teachers and the church in my undertaking.

God Bless,
Cindy

Back to Contents

Giving Securities

Can I receive a charitable income tax deduction for giving gifts of securities?

Yes. In fact, if your gift of stock or bonds has appreciated since you first bought it, you can make a gift at a significant discount to you.
Example:
June Bug bought $3,000 of stock in Acme Bug Food Company. Six years later, the stock is worth $8,000. She would like to make a gift to her church’s mission fund in Beetle Land.
June Bug could sell the stock, which would net her $7,000 in a 20% capital gains tax bracket. She could then give this money to her church for an income tax deduction of $7,000. Although she earned $5,000 on her stock, the church only received the benefit of an extra $4,000 above her cost, since $1,000 went toward her capital gains taxes.

Instead, June Bug decided to give her church the stock itself. The church sold the stock for $8,000 (the church does not have to pay capital gain tax) and June Bug received an income tax deduction of $8,000 (the full fair market value of the stock). June Bug’s total cost of the gift to her church was $3,000 (her original cost basis).

Pretty smart bug!

The purpose of this piece is to provide general information only and is not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual. We suggest you consult your attorney, accountant or tax adviser regarding your personal situation. Provided by the Pacific Northwest Agency of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, the largest fraternal benefit society in the United States. Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, Appleton, WI 54919/Minneapolis, MN 55415.

Registered representative for securities offered through Thrivent Investment Management Inc., 625 Fourth Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55415-1665, 800-847-4836, a wholly owned subsidiary of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans. Member NASD. Member SIPC.

Thrivent Financial for Lutherans and its respective associates and employees cannot provide legal, accounting, or tax advice or services. Work with your Thrivent Financial representative in collaboration with your attorney and/or tax professional for complete details.

Worship Book Seminar

What an incredible turnout from Holy Cross!!
We have 30 members signed up to attend the workshop at PLTS on Saturday, February 10th to learn about our new Evangelical Lutheran Worship book. What a great show of interest in this new worship resource! No other church has had as many people go to one of the workshops. Pastor Bost will be attending with us, also.

Book Club

Please join us on the second Tuesday of every month @ 10:30 a.m. for a lively and friendly discussion of our current book selection. Selections for the next two months are as follows:

• February - Three Cups of Coffee: One Man’s Mission to Fight Terrorism and Build Nations One School at a Time, by Greg Mortenson & David Oliver Relin
• March - The Memory Keepers Daughter, by Kim Edwards

If you’ve read a good book lately (any topic, fiction or non-fiction) and would like
someone to discuss it with, please join us. We’ll be happy to put your book on the list.

Crafty Ladies

We meet at 9:30 a.m. on the first and third Tuesdays of each month (during the spring). The Crafty Ladies’ meetings for the first half of 2007 are as follows:
Feb. 6, Feb. 20, Mar. 6, Mar. 20, Apr. 3, Apr. 17, May 1 and May 15.

Fair Trade Coffees & Teas

We are offering a variety of coffees, teas and chocolate bars. Prices are posted in the Parish Hall.. Just put your money in the cash box or write a check to Holy Cross and indicate that it is for the coffee project. Every purchase you make helps a third-world farmer..

Church Bowling Challenge

Interested in joining a fun event? The monthly church bowling challenge might be just for you.  This is a great singles or family event.

This event is open to anyone over the age of 5. Bumper lanes are available for the small ones.

No previous experience, average, or equipment is required.

It is held once a month (February thru October) at Granada Bowl on Saturdays at noon. You do not
need to commit to each month, just whenever you are available. The first one will be held
on February 10th. The cost is approximately $10.00 per bowler, with money being rewarded to the
churches of the top team finishers. The winning team receives the perpetual trophy for the month.

If you are interested in bowling please contact Dave Jones at jones12@sbcglobal.net or 443-0276.

Back to Contents

Annual Congregational Meeting

Sunday, February 11
12:15pm

We will approve a budget for 2007.
Your voice and your vote do matter at Holy Cross as the
congregation moves forward in ministry

Back to Contents

The Witness

Legends Program

LEGENDS is a special program for seniors
Are you a senior, 65 or over?
Are you or someone you know feeling blue all of the time?
Do you have any of these symptoms?
- Tearful daily
- Isolating from family and friends
- Negative feelings most of the time
- Agitation or anxiety most of the time
- Confusion
- Sleeping too much or too little
- Appetite change
- Fatigue all of the time
- Feeling hopelesss or helpless
- Hallucinations
- Delusion
- Panic attacks
- Suicide ideas or plans

WE CAN HELP!
1-800-884-8038

Back to Contents

Stand With Africa

Thank you for your support of The Stand With Africa campaign. You made the bucket so heavy with your coins that the drawer in the office where the coins were stored broke. Thank you, Ron Wallace, for repairing it. Thanks to those who carried the heavy bucket.. Your financial support has gone to the struggle in Africa to:
   Withstand HIV/AIDS,
   banish hunger
   build peace

Fellowship Committee

The Fellowship Committee sponsors opportunities to bring Holy Cross members together in a social atmosphere for fellowship and good fun. Last year, the committee coordinated and set up: a salad bar lunch for the annual meeting; the Ash Wednesday soup supper; roses for all ladies on Mother’s Day; a brunch for Father’s Day; a farewell potluck for Pastor Don Haven; the annual picnic at Shadow Cliffs; a Halloween party potluck; and pumpkin pie after the Thanksgiving eve service. Each Sunday after services, the committee provides coffee with Peggy Thomas and Barbara Bell preparing and serving the coffee, with other committee members assisting as needed. Diane Belak coordinates desserts for coffee time and our HCLC volunteers provide the desserts. Gloria Wallace is chairperson of this busy committee. Committee members include Diane Belak, Barbara Bell, Laura Hasaka, Sharon Lemmon, Iona Ray, Kathy Scarbrough, Pam Schmidt, Peggy Thomas, and Heidi Wolfson. Barbara Edwards is the council liaison. Thank you all for your dedication and effort in bringing good fellowship to our congregation.

Volunteer Ministry Committee

The Volunteer Ministry Committee keeps the congregation informed of volunteer opportunities here at Holy Cross. This is done through the preparation of the Volunteer Guide, the Time & Talent form, and monthly CrossRoads recognition of committee and group activities. Last October, an ice cream social was held to thank and recognize our Holy Cross volunteers Members of the committee are Max Schell, Lois Cornell, and Joyce Correia. Thank you for your efforts in providing recognition and information to our Holy Cross members.

Holy Cross Lutheran School Board

The Holy Cross Lutheran School Board oversees the program for the students at the school, always striving to improve the quality of the education. Several successful fundraisers were held last year to raise money for the school’s goals. The director of the school this past year was Neva Bandelow. Neva recently resigned to take another position and Cindy Silveira is the interim director. Current board members are Allison Gomes, (chairperson), Rick Knowles, Joan Hottinger, Sharon Roller, Lisa Orsini, Marina Devine, Deanna McDaid, and Pastor Lori. Thank you all who serve on the HCLS board.

Back to Contents

Please see the printed copy of CROSSroads for these sections.

Back to Contents

CROSSroads
Published monthly by Holy Cross Lutheran Church
1020 Mocho Street, Livermore, CA 94550

The paper version of CROSSroads is sent to each member of the Holy Cross shortly before the beginning of the month.

This web version of the newsletter contains most of the contents of the paper version, with different formatting.  In general, personal and financial information are not included in this version.  Names, except those of the Pastors or staff, are generally listed as first name, last initial.

The following sections of CROSSroads are NOT included on the web version:

• Among Members and Friends
• Parish Prayer List
• Personal Thank You Messages
• Birthdays and Anniversaries

Back to Contents

Holy Cross Lutheran Church is a body of Christians whose mission is:

• to invite all persons to hear and respond to the good news of God’s love revealed in Jesus,
• to provide opportunities for growth in faith and love towards God and one another,
• to actively share God’s love with all people.

We are partners in ministry with the Sierra Pacific Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.