Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
Holy Cross
Herald
Of German Descent,
Being of German descent, I remember celebrating advent in our home every Christmas season. I
didn’t fully understand the meaning of it until later in life, but had a clue that it was something
important. The concept of the Advent wreath originated among German Lutherans in the 16th
Century. However, it was not until three centuries later that the modern Advent wreath took
shape. The modern Advent wreath, with its candles representing the Sundays of Advent,
originated from an 1839 initiative by Johann Wichern,
a Protestant Pastor in Germany and a pioneer in urban
mission work among the poor.
In view of the impatience of the children he taught as
they awaited Christmas, he made a ring of wood, with
nineteen small red tapers and four large white candles.
Every morning a small candle was lit, and every
Sunday a large candle. Custom has retained only the
Volume 40, Issue 12
December2018
IN THIS ISSUE
1.) Newsletter Article by
Stephan Ellis
2.) Photos and Happenings
3.) Calendar of Events
4.) Information on up-
coming events.
5.) Church Council Minutes
6.) Poem submitted by
Richard Johnson
large candles. The wreath crown is
traditionally made of fir tree branches
knotted with a red ribbon and decorated
with pine cones, holly, laurel, and
sometimes mistletoe. It is also an ancient
symbol signifying several things; first of all,
the crown symbolizes victory, in addition to
its round form evoking the sun and its
return each year. The number four
represents, in addition to the four weeks of Advent, the four seasons and the four cardinal
virtues, and the green color is a sign of life and hope. The fir tree is a symbol of strength and
laurel a symbol of victory over sin and suffering. The latter two, with the holly, do not lose their
leaves, and thus represent the eternity of God. The flames of candles are the representation of the
Christmas light approaching and bringing hope and peace, as well as the symbol of the struggle
against darkness. For Christians, this crown is also the symbol of Christ the King, the holly
recalling the crown of thorns resting on the head of Christ. I remember Mom putting out the
wreath on the coffee table in the living room and it smelled great! It was to signify the coming
of Christmas, the coming of our King and Savior! It was usually accompanied by the smell of
cookies baking in the oven. Each Sunday we would light a candle and sing hymns and
Christmas carols (sometimes we got lazy and listened to a Christmas record). It was a wonderful
time of year in our home, full of love, and the anticipation of Christmas was sometimes
overwhelming for a kid! Our Advent wreath was adorned with 4 red candles, we lit one every
Sunday until Christmas eve when we lit the fourth one and sang Silent Night Holy Night.
Tradition has it that it’s usually three violet or purple and one pink, the pink candle being lit on
the Third Sunday of Advent, called Gaudete Sunday after the opening word, Gaudete, meaning
"Rejoice". Some add a fifth candle (white as we do at Holy Cross Lutheran), known as the
Christ Candle, in the middle of the wreath, to be lit on Christmas Eve or Day. Advent signifies
the beginning of the Church year where Jesus' earthly life began — in the Old Testament
prophecies of his incarnation. It’s a time of renewal and lets us refresh our faith as we rejoice in
the coming of our Savior Jesus Christ!
Yours in Christ, Stephan Ellis
Sign up today! In the
narthex. We are
looking at January 24-
28 at Angel fire, NM!
Watch for the sign-up sheet
and dates. We had so much
fun last year!
All ladies of the congregation are invited to Tabitha Guild’s Christmas Party on Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2018, 6:00 pm at Susan
Drake’s house. (Directions are shown below.) Please bring an “Angel” gift (approximately $10) for our gift exchange. We
normally play “Dirty Santa” to see who will “steal” the gifts from whom! Also, if you’d like to clean out your cabinets, etc,
please bring your items for our “White Elephant” auction. We hope you can join us for an evening of fun & fellowship –
hope to see you there!
On Thursday, November
1st, 34 pencil cans decorated by the Sunday
School Children were delivered to
Eisenhower Elementary School and 28
pencil cans were delivered to Ridgecrest
Elementary School. The teachers loved them
and in fact we got a thank you message from
one teacher immediately after she received
one.
Take I-44 to highway 49 west at
Love’s gas station (exit 45) Drive 2.5
miles to Wichita Mountain Estates
and turn right onto Ketch Creek
Drive (1st right past Hop & Sack)
Then drive 0.8 miles
around curves on Ketch
Creek to #17 Quail
Place, on the right. You
can pick up a copy of
this map on the table in
the narthex.
Pastor Tim’s
Retirement Potluck
Our tiniest and cutest parade
participant, little Westlynn Mathis.
Holy Cross’ first parade float! Looking forward to next year
already!
BEST POEM IN THE WORLD I was shocked, confused, bewildered As I entered Heaven's door, Not by the beauty of it all, Nor the lights or its decor. But it was the folks in Heaven Who made me sputter and gasp-- The thieves, the liars, the sinners, The alcoholics, addicts and the trash. There stood the kid from seventh grade Who swiped my lunch money twice. Next to him was my old neighbor Who never said anything nice. Bob, who I always thought Was rotting away in hell, Was sitting pretty on cloud nine, Looking incredibly well.
Thank you, Richard Johnson for submitting this poem.
Do you have one to submit? Email it to the newsletter editor
I nudged God, 'What's the deal? I would love to hear Your take. How'd all these sinners get up here? God must've made a mistake. 'And why is everyone so quiet, So somber - give me a clue.' 'Hush, child,' He said, 'they're all in shock. No one thought they'd be seeing you.' JUDGE NOT!!. Every saint has a PAST... Every sinner has a FUTURE! Now it's your turn... Share this poem.
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
1
2 9:15 am Sunday School 10:30 am Communion Service 5:00 pm Cub Scout’s Meeting
3
4 7:00 pm Call committee meeting
5 6 pm Advent dinner 7pm Advent Service
6 6:00 pm Learning Center Staff Meeting 7:00 pm Boy Scout’s Meeting
7
8 9 am Men’s Group meeting Christensen Wedding
9 9:15 am Sunday School 10:30 am Worship Service 1pm soup/Salad & Dessert Auction 5:00 pm Cub Scout’s Meeting
10 6pm Neighborhood Watch meeting
11 7:00 pm Call committee meeting
12 6 pm Advent dinner 7pm Advent Service 7:00 pm Council meeting
13 7:00 pm Boy Scout’s Meeting
14 15
16 9:15 am Sunday School 10:30 am Communion Service 5:00 pm Cub Scout’s Meeting
17 7:00 pm Pat Tucker’s Night Owls
18 7:00 pm Tabitha Guild meeting 7:00 pm Call committee meeting
19 6 pm Advent dinner 7pm Advent Service
20 7:00 pm Boy Scout’s Meeting
21 22
23 9:15 am Sunday School 10:30 am Worship Service 5:00 pm Cub Scout’s Meeting
24 7pm Candle Light Service 11 pm Candle Light Service
25
26
27 7:00 pm Boy Scout’s Meeting
28 29
30 31
Advent Wednesday Services
1st
Advent: December 5th
2nd
Advent: December 12th
3rd
Advent: December 12th
Lutheran Hour Radio Program
Sunday/9:00 am
101.1 FM
Jennifer Green / December 1st
Richard Moore / December 12th
Gavin Price / December 22nd
Dennis Meyer / December 24th
Cornelius & Lynn Stewart
Celebrating 37 years on December 19th
Billy & Nancy Nash
Celebrating 60 years on December 20th James & Laura Price
Celebrating 15 years on December 22nd
Mark & Jennifer Ellis
Celebrating on December 23rd
Jonah & Jennifer Green
Celebrating 12 years on December 29th
60 wonderful years!
Holy Cross Lutheran Church
Council Meeting Minutes
November 14, 2018
Meeting was called to order at 7:05 pm with an
invocation from Stephan Ellis. Minutes for
October 10, council meeting was approved.
Reports:
Pastor: Stephan met with Pastor Tim and the
discussed the call and other church business.
Pastor’s health has improved as he is not taking
as much Chemo as before. His tumor has also
shrunk by 30%. He and his family will move to
Salinas, Kansas on Thanksgiving Day. Stephan
will ask the congregation if anyone can help
them load the truck on Wednesday, November
21st.
Education: No report.
Elders: The Elders are working on getting an
Adult confirmation class going for new people
that want to become Lutheran members. Stephan
Ellis reached out to Pastor Howard and he is
sending resources that he used in the past.
Looking for a couple of new Elders. Aside from
the regular several home visits, every week after
Communion Service, Stephan has visited Billy
Nash in the hospital. Christa Theissen at her
home and Carly and Larry King. He also visited
with Pastor Schneider about what he can and
cannot do as an Elder during home visits.
Evangelism: No Report. Carolyn shared a new
Family Promise hosting list for next year. We
are hosting on (January 20-26), (March 24-30),
(May 19-25), (July 14-20), (September 15-21),
and (November 10-16).
Learning Center: Board of Directors-Linda
Hillard (Executive Director), Sarah Head, Joe
Diaz, Shandel Martinez, Rachel McGlothlin,
Rosemary Templeton.
Enrollment: The center is currently licensed for
60 and has an enrollment of 58. Out of that 58, 4
are church members. There are 2 babies, and 3
toddlers on the waiting list.
Items Purchased: Gym Phone $25.00 and
internet $45.99, Coffee, Tea, Lemonade, Paper
goods and cleaning supplies-$183.57, Guardian
Security-$90.00, Maintenance man-949.59. The
total for October is: 1,298.15. The total for the
year, 2018 is: $12,750.81.
Business: We are excited and ready for the
parade this Saturday. In December the Fire
Marshall is due to come again as it is time to
renew our license.
Stewardship: Fred has received 34 pledges out
of the 72 letters he sent. That is less than last
year. There were 10 people that pledged last
year that did not pledge this year.
Tabitha Guild: Jeri Mossiman, Director of the
Lawton Food Bank, was the speaker at our
October 16th meeting and presented a powerful
talk regarding their program. Begun in 1985 by
C. Carter Crane, the Lawton Food Bank
provides a valuable service to all of Southwest
Oklahoma.
This past Sunday, Nov. 11th, was our annual
“Soup Luncheon / Dessert Auction” and we
would like to thank everyone who attended this
event. Your help & support made this event a
wonderful time of fellowship and fun for all!
Our November meeting was held Tuesday, Nov.
13th and we had a speaker from the Salvation
Army present our program. We discussed when
we would like to prepare an Advent dinner in
December. Also, the Guild’s Christmas party
will be held on Dec. 11th , 6:00 pm, at Susan
Drake’s house in Wichita Mountain Estates. All
ladies in the congregation are invited to attend.
Hope you can all join us for an evening of
celebration!
Treasurer: General Fund Balance as of October
31st is $40,631.99. The Capital Improvement
fund is $52,413.40, and the Uncommitted
Capital Improvement fund is $17,543.69. The
totals are high because we aren’t paying a Pastor
or his medical expenses anymore. Capital
Improvement is still high because we have funds
for the sign still in there. Property insurance
rates are going up. It will be roughly about $100
more per month. We are still paying Workman’s
Comp, because we still have employees to
cover. Jonith & Angela will get together to
discuss whether it’s worth keeping the electronic
giving.
Financial Secretary: We are still behind in
giving. Right now it is ok because we aren’t
paying a Pastor. But when we do start again, it
will matter. Sunday offerings are less because
we have shrunk as a congregation.
Trustees: Water bill is still a little high. They
will monitor the situation. Asking Janitor to
check faucets and toilets before leaving for the
night, to be sure that nothing is running. The
latches in the ladies bathroom in the gym are
broken. The trustees will take a look at it.
Old Business: Carolyn updated the council on
the digital sign, and she heard form Arrow Sign
Company, that they are almost ready and will
notify us soon. Baby shower was great.
Children’s Christmas program is December 9th.
New Business: Steve Grundmann said that
because of the thefts in or around the church
lately that he is going to get an 8 camera system
from Sam’s. We can install it ourselves, it will
be some work but it is doable. Steve made a
motion for the church to buy the system at a cost
of up to $500.00. Fred Rowzee seconded the
motion and it passed. Steve also made a motion
for the Fellowship committee to have $200.00
for a storage cabinet for all their decorations.
Stephan seconded the motion and motion
passed. Steve Grundman made a motion to pay
Stephan Ellis $1000.00 per month as a “Visiting
Assistant” for all the work he is doing for the
church. It was decided that it needed to be voted
on by the congregation and that we would put it
to a vote on December 2nd
. We also need to vote
on nominations for Synod and District,
Presidents and Vice Presidents at the same
voter’s meeting. Advent dinners were decided
on. Tabitha Guild will host December 5th Advent
dinner with Enchiladas on the menu. The Elders
will host the December 12th dinner with Lasagna
on the menu. The council will host the last
Advent dinner on December 19th with Baked
Potatoes on the menu. Linda informs the
council that the stove is going out in the kitchen,
Angela moved to purchase a new stove for up to
$600.00. Jonith Grundmann seconded the
motion and it passed. It was also decided to add
the President and Vice president to the agenda
for making a report. Stephan will look into
whether our constitution needs to be approved
by the Synod, as there was a question about it.
Jonith says we need to form a Budget
Committee, hopefully by December 15th. Steve
said the Call Committee will meet again on
November 27th, Tuesday, at 7 pm. He wants
them to meet weekly to get things moving along.
Thinks we should contribute to the seminary to
help us get a Pastor faster. Carolyn needs to get
a forwarding address for Pastor Tim. Meeting
was adjourned at 8:46 pm with the LORD’s
Prayer.
Minutes respectfully submitted by Carolyn
Ellis
As we pray for:
T For those who are battling cancer: Erika Boos, Karen Faulkner, Von Rohde, Courtney Jane, Ladonna Montz, Ken Lucas, Pastor Tim, Michelle Grundmann, Bob Cliburn, Jamie Peckinpaugh and Linda Rodeheaver.
T For those recovering from surgery and illness: Bella Simpson.
T For our church family shut-ins; Jenny Niskern, Brad Rushing and Wava Brunkow.
Holy Cross Lutheran Church
2105 NW 38th St.
Lawton, Ok 7355
The Cub
Scouts
get
treated
to a tour
of the
Paradise
Valley
Fire
Station.
