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What is your favorite Christmas
Carol? Why ? For me it would
have to be Silent Night! Holy
Night! Why? Because it takes
me back to a childhood memory
of sitting in church on Christmas
Eve with my family. My dad is on
my left, my mom on my right and
my two sisters next to my mom.
It is the close of the worship
service. The lights are low and
the sanctuary is lit by the soft
glow of two gigantic Christmas
trees that adorn the front of the
church. The organist softly intro-
duces Silent Night! Holy Night!
My mom is holding a hymnal on
her lap. But, as the carol begins
she gently closes it. No words
are necessary. She knows them
by heart. Together we sing of
the wonder of that first Christ-
mas and the dawn of God’s re-
deeming grace. In that moment
the love of God envelopes us. All
is warm, calm and bright. We
have a Savior. His name is Je-
sus.
But, there is more. This timeless
Christmas carol also defines
more fully what worship truly is.
Briefly, worship is:
PROCLAMATION – Christ the
Savior is born!
ADORATION – Jesus, Lord, at
your birth!
REVELATION – Son of God,
love’s pure light!
CELEBRATION -- Heavenly hosts
sing, Alleluia!
ANTICIPATION – With the dawn
of redeeming grace!
I am praying that in the midst of
the busyness of the Christmas
season you will make it a priority
to come to worship every Sunday
and on Christmas Eve. Each
time we gather we will focus on
one of the five aspects listed
above. We will sing the songs of
Christmas and share the stories
of Christmas. We will enjoy spe-
cial times with the children
around the Advent Wreath and
have visits with that unpredicta-
ble puppet, Gordy!
So, come, let us worship! You
will be creating a memory of a
time that takes you back to Beth-
lehem when God sent a multi-
tude of angels to announce the
Good News of great joy. We
have a Savior! His name is Je-
sus! And, because of Him all is
well. We can rest secure in His
redeeming grace and live with
the anticipation of one day be-
holding His beautiful face in the
glorious, eternal Kingdom of
God. And, it all began on that
Silent Night… that Holy Night!
A Blessed Christmas to You!
Pastor S
O H , C O M E , L E T U S W O R S H I P !
M N A D U L T / T E E N C H A L L E N G E C H O I R R E T U R N S D E C . 6 !
You won’t want to miss worship
at Holy Cross on Sunday, Decem-
ber 6! The Minnesota Adult/
Teen Challenge Choir will be with
us in worship. They were a great
blessing to all who heard them
last year and we look forward to
another great time of worship
and testimony.
Minnesota Adult & Teen Chal-
lenge is a faith-based residential
drug and alcohol program for
people of all ages 13-70+.
In addition, our Band of Broth-
ers will be hosting a BRUNCH BRUNCH BRUNCH BRUNCH
following worship, and we will
have the opportunity to give a
special offering to support that
great work of MNATC in Roches-
D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 5 F U L L Y A L I V E !
Fully Alive! C OMM U N I C A T I N G A N D C E L E B R A T I N G T H E M I S S I O N A N D M I N I S T R I E S O F H O L Y C R O S S
I N S I D E T H I S I S S U E :
P O B L O C H R I S T M A S E V E N T
2
S H A R I N G T R E E 2
L I F E T R E E I N D E C E M B E R
3
K I D Z A L I V E 4
B A N D O F B R O T H E R S
4
Y O U T H N E W S 5
R C L S N E W S 6
U P D A T E F R O M S U R E S H
7
Page 2 F U L L Y A L I V E !
H O L Y C R O S S ’ S H A R I N G T R E E
Have you noticed the Sharing
Tree in Holy Cross’ Lounge yet?
It is there to give you more op-
portunities to give the gift of
Jesus’ love this Christmas.
All you need to do is take an
'ornament' off the tree, read the
directions, shop, and donate
the items right back under the
tree. Please do not wrap the
gifts.
The Missions & Evangelism
team will collect, wrap, and
drop off all gift items.
This year's local charities in-
clude: Maple Manor Nursing
Home, Golden Living Center
West, MN Teen Challenge,
Women's Shelter, and the Sa-
maritan Fund. Feel free to take Feel free to take Feel free to take Feel free to take
more than one ornament! more than one ornament! more than one ornament! more than one ornament!
Praise God for His gift to us, our
Savior Jesus!
Many, many thanks to all who
helped in any way with the fu-
neral for Dan Schottler. Sharing
your time, talents and condo-
lences meant a lot!
Karla Schottler
Kelly and Aaron Isackson
Jon and Krissy Schottler
T H A N K Y O U F R O M T H E S C H O T T L E R S
P O B L O C H R I S T M A S E V E N T @ H O L Y C R O S S
When you think of Christmas,
you may think of all of the tradi-
tions that your family has. Those
traditions may include going to a
tree farm to pick out a Christmas
tree, going Christmas caroling,
making Christmas cookies, or
volunteering at a soup kitchen
on Christmas Eve. There are
many different Christmas tradi-
tions.
As a service event, the confirma-
tion class at Holy Cross will be
hosting an event on the evening
of Wednesday, December 16th
for the international students of
POBLO (People of the Book Lu-
theran Outreach) to introduce
some of these Christmas tradi-
tions. The event will include
decorating Christmas cookies
and singing Christmas Carols.
The students at POBLO are very
interested in learning about
American culture. This event is
a wonderful way to introduce the
students not only to Christmas
traditions but also to the Good
News of our Savior.
At the event, the students will
receive a handout inviting them
to local Christmas programs and
services. Hopefully, we will see
a few new faces join us in our
worship of Jesus during the
Christmas season!
L I F E T R E E C A F É — A D E C E M B E R T O R E M E M B E R !
Page 3 C O MM U N I C A T I N G A N D C E L E B R A T I N G T H E M I S S I O N A N D M I N I S T R I E S O F H O L Y C R O S S
SPECIAL SUNDAY SPECIAL SUNDAY SPECIAL SUNDAY SPECIAL SUNDAY
PRESENTATION!PRESENTATION!PRESENTATION!PRESENTATION!
Just in time for
Christmas, join
us for “The Spirit
of Santa” at Life-
tree Café on Sun-
day, December
20 from 10:45 to
11:45 in the
Parish Hall!
We'll be talking
about: Santa: the
legend, the love
the lowdown.
Guaranteed to
help put you in
the Christmas
spirit. Join us for
“The Spirit of
Santa” at Lifetree
Café!
Pastor Steve, in the lead article
called, “Oh, Come, Let Us Wor-
ship!”, mentioned that this De-
cember, we will enjoy special
times with the children gathered
around the Advent Wreath.
A part of these times will include
the Kidz Alive children helping
the rest of us worship God in
song (and teaching Gordy some
of what that means).
The Kidz Alive children will be
singing on Sundays, Dec. 13
and 20, and on Christmas Eve,
Dec. 24. Parents, please bring
your children to Holy Cross 30
minutes prior to each worship
service, and meet in the Library.
K I D Z A L I V E A T H O L Y C R O S S T H I S C H R I S T M A S
Page 4 F U L L Y A L I V E !
Band of BrothersBand of BrothersBand of BrothersBand of Brothers is our men’s
ministry at Holy Cross. We strive
to live a shared life of disciple-
ship as we focus on four specific
areas of ministry.
Basecamps Basecamps Basecamps Basecamps are our primary
meeting where we cover rele-
vant and meaningful topics,
such as the current study on
authentic manhood. We meet
on Monday evenings 6:30-7:45
in the lounge at Holy Cross. This
group is open to all men.
Excursions Excursions Excursions Excursions are special events
such as our recently held chili
feed and the annual Peak Chal-
lenge event. These events are
intended to provide fun, fellow-
ship, and/or adventure for our
men and are also great opportu-
nities to invite new men to join
our group.
Acts Acts Acts Acts are serving opportunities
for our men, such as the brunch
put on by the Band of Brothers
for our hosting MN Adult and
Teen Challenge.
Fireteams Fireteams Fireteams Fireteams are the final compo-
nent of our men’s ministry.
Soon we will be developing this
vital piece. A fireteam is a small
group of men, 3-4 who gather to
share the challenges and victo-
ries of everyday life. These
groups are able to provide the
place for genuine discipleship to
occur.
Contact Pastor Fran if you’d like
to learn more about the Band of
Brothers fran@holycross-
church.org, 507-289-1354, x. 4.
B A N D O F B R O T H E R S
“Be patient, then, brothers
and sisters, until the Lord’s
coming. See how the farmer
waits for the land to yield its
valuable crop, patiently wait-
ing for the autumn and
spring rains. You too, be
patient and stand firm, be-
cause the Lord’s coming is
near.”
- James 5:7-8
Another great year of provision
is now complete, and once
again the ground at the youth
garden lies in wait for a new
spring and a new beginning. It
is quiet out there right now, a
great place to sit and reflect on
God’s creation. Much like our
own lives, God’s timing and the
need for patience are front and
center there. Life will return in
the spring, at a time that God
will determine. We stand firm
and wait.
CONNECTION CARD COMMENT! CONNECTION CARD COMMENT! CONNECTION CARD COMMENT! CONNECTION CARD COMMENT!
On November 22, 2015, a wor-
shiper included the following
comment on his Connection
Card:
Our minds tend to stray to the
object of our passion. Let us
make JESUS the object of our
passion!
F R U I T S O F T H E S P I R I T G A R D E N S
B I T S ‘ N P I E C E S
W 0 R K C A M P M I S S I O N 1 6
Workcamp Mission16 has been
set for Cedar Grove, WV. We will
depart June 30 and return July
10, and the trip is open to any-
one grade 6 or older.
Everyone needs a Workcamp
experience. Here is a quote
from a 15 year old Workcamper
from a few years back:
“The very, very best part of Work-
camp though, is the spiritual
growth you’ll experience. I’ve
been to two Workcamps so far,
and each time I came back so
much closer to God. God is pre-
sent in everything that goes on
there. He’s there with the group
of kids playing cards in the hall-
way, and He’s there with the
singers as they practice for the
evening program. He’s there in
the hearts of the workers and
the residents. It’s just so amaz-
ing to be able to walk around
and see Him working every-
where! This past summer I came
the closest to God I think I ever
have, and it was an experience I
will never forget; it still brings me
to tears when I think about it.”
So sign up yourself and a friend
at www.holycrossyouth.org, or
get a form at church. Cost this Cost this Cost this Cost this
year is only $50. We have year is only $50. We have year is only $50. We have year is only $50. We have
worked hard to develop finan-worked hard to develop finan-worked hard to develop finan-worked hard to develop finan-
cial systems that make this cial systems that make this cial systems that make this cial systems that make this
possible. possible. possible. possible. Now you have no ex-Now you have no ex-Now you have no ex-Now you have no ex-
cuse! Join us, won’t you?cuse! Join us, won’t you?cuse! Join us, won’t you?cuse! Join us, won’t you?
“God is present
in everything
that goes on
there….”
Page 5 C O MM U N I C A T I N G A N D C E L E B R A T I N G T H E M I S S I O N A N D M I N I S T R I E S O F H O L Y C R O S S
Our main garden plot, idle now as we
wait upon the new season.
“Love the Lord
your God with all
your heart and
with all your soul
and with all your
strength ...”
~Luke 10:27
From Suzanne Lagerwaard,
RCLS Principal
The students at RCLS are living
out the message of Jesus as the
Prince of Peace, who said, “For I
was hungry and you gave me
something to eat, I was thirsty
and you gave me something to
drink, I was a strange and you
invited me in, I needed clothes
and you clothed me, I was sick
and you looked after me, I was
in prison and you came to visit
me.” (Matthew 25)
In response to Jesus’ love,
RCLS students are actively giv-
ing to our community and world
neighbors by:
• Feeding the hungryFeeding the hungryFeeding the hungryFeeding the hungry. The
first grade Stuff the Turkey
project. This bountiful gift
of food was donated to
Habitat for Humanity to
provide nourishment to
many.
• Welcoming a stranger. Welcoming a stranger. Welcoming a stranger. Welcoming a stranger. The
RCLS Sharing Tree is brim-
ming with gifts that will be
taken to the Salvation Ar-
my Sharing Tree – provid-
ing smiles to many chil-
dren.
• Creating warmth.Creating warmth.Creating warmth.Creating warmth. The sixth
grade is making Fleece
Blankets for New Life
Christian Services. New
Life is a Christian organiza-
tion that honors the sancti-
ty of life specifically to
those with unplanned preg-
nancies.
• Providing water. Providing water. Providing water. Providing water. The fourth
grade is publishing, The
Bobcat Gazette, and the
third grade is making book
marks. The sales of the
newspapers and the book
marks will go towards the
chapel offerings. RCLS is
supporting the purchase of
a water pump for the Fond
Blanc Orphanage in Haiti.
The faculty, staff and students
of RCLS invite you to perfor-
mances highlighting the birth of
Christ, beautiful music and the
Peace of Christmas.
We hope you can join us on:
• Friday, December 11Friday, December 11Friday, December 11Friday, December 11 at
6:30 pm for the Preschool
– Grade 4 Christmas
Concert
• Thursday, December 17Thursday, December 17Thursday, December 17Thursday, December 17 at
6:30 pm for the Grade 5 –
Grade 8 Advent Music
Concert
As we prepare for Christ’s com-
ing, know that you are in our
prayers. May God’s blessings
be with you and all your loved
ones.
C H R I S T M A S G R E E T I N G S F R O M R C L S !
Page 6 F U L L Y A L I V E !
October 2015 general fund re-
ceipts were $40,774. October
2015 General Fund expendi-
tures were $39,898, for a cash
increase of $876.
In designated gifts we received
$3,664, and paid $1,135 for an
inflow of $2,529, most which
related to support of Youth min-
istry. $395 was paid in addition
to the normal amount on the
lighting/sign.
As we move toward the end of
2015 please consider an over
and above gift to support the
mission and ministries of Holy
Cross.
Our faithful giving is making a
difference in the lives of chil-
dren, youth and adults, not only
at Holy Cross, but in our commu-
nity and around the world.
Thank you to everyone who sup-
ported our mission of Helping
People Become Fully Alive in
Jesus in 2015. Our tithes and
offerings are a part of our be-
coming fully alive in Jesus as
we respond to God’s great love
in Jesus by using our God-given
gifts and resources to fulfill our
mission!
“Freely you have received, so
freely give. (Jesus to His Disci-
ples in Matthew 10)
O U R F I N A N C I A L S T E W A R D S H I P
G R E E T I N G S F R O M I N D I A
Dearly Beloved Saints,
Hearty greetings to you all from
India in Jesus mighty name!
I thank our precious Savior for
this blessed privilege He has
given me to come to all through
these lines. By His amazing
grace we are fine and doing
well here. We praise His name
for all of you and for your pray-
ers for the mission here among
the poorest of the poor and
needy.
The Lord is with us and He is
guiding us every day for His
glory! Blessed be the name of
the Lord!
In the last month, our worship
center east faced wall was col-
lapsed and it has fallen. We all
prayed to the Lord with tears.
And with the leading of the Holy
Spirit and immediately we start-
ed to reconstruct the wall. The
hard work of the masons went
well and finally they finished the
construction work. They dig
foundation deep and we were
able to put two long concrete
beams and seven cement pil-
lars. Now the worship center
and our children home are in
the safe condition. In India com-
pound walls are very necessary.
They are very important too due
to sensitive security reasons.
We all worked together and we
offered our physical help too in
the construction work. I praise
God for eight young men who
helped in this work. The Lord
answers the prayers of His chil-
dren. Our children are fine in
our Children Home and they are
growing in the Lord and it is so
wonderful see them walking in
the light of the Lord. Every day
They pray for you and for your
beloved families.
Last week we had heavy rains
and now some of our neigh-
bouring districts were attacked
by heavy rains and floods. Be-
cause of His grace, our region is
safe. Now, it is the beginning of
the winter season. Please pray
for our Children and poor wid-
ows. They are in the need of
sweaters and blankets. We
need 95 sweaters and blankets
to distribute to the Children and
widows. We trust in Him and
we know that our Lord is Jesus
is our faithful provider!
Once again, I thank you very
much from the bottom of my
heart for your love, prayers and
for your sacrificial support for
the ministry here in India. In-
deed, you are all making a real
difference in the lives of the
people. The victorious Gospel of
our Lord is being shared and
the people are coming into the
knowledge of our Savior!
My wife Suneela , our Children,
widows, our believers and our
family members are sending
their love and greetings to all of
you.
Have a glorious day in the Lord!
With much love in Jesus,
Brother Suresh
Page 7 C O MM U N I C A T I N G A N D C E L E B R A T I N G T H E M I S S I O N A N D M I N I S T R I E S O F H O L Y C R O S S
Before /During After
Latest Issue of Fully Alive!
2703 9th Avenue NW
Rochester MN 55901
Phone: 507.289.1354
Fax: 507.289.4815
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.holycross-church.org
H O L Y C R O S S L U T H E R A N C H U R C H
Non-Profit Org.
U.S. POSTAGE PAID
Permit No. 264
Rochester MN 55901
Singing the Songs Singing the Songs Singing the Songs Singing the Songs
of Christmas!of Christmas!of Christmas!of Christmas!
Worship is...Worship is...Worship is...Worship is...
PROCLAMATION! PROCLAMATION! PROCLAMATION! PROCLAMATION! ---- December 6 December 6 December 6 December 6
ADORATION! ADORATION! ADORATION! ADORATION! ---- December 13 December 13 December 13 December 13
REVELATION! REVELATION! REVELATION! REVELATION! ---- December 20 December 20 December 20 December 20
CELEBRATION! CELEBRATION! CELEBRATION! CELEBRATION! ---- CHRISTMAS EVE CHRISTMAS EVE CHRISTMAS EVE CHRISTMAS EVE
@ 6:30!@ 6:30!@ 6:30!@ 6:30!
ANTICIPATION! ANTICIPATION! ANTICIPATION! ANTICIPATION! ---- December 27 December 27 December 27 December 27
(Sunday Morning Worship @ 9:30)(Sunday Morning Worship @ 9:30)(Sunday Morning Worship @ 9:30)(Sunday Morning Worship @ 9:30)