CROSS OF CHRIST LUTHERAN CHURCH24155 Griswold Road, South Lyon, MI 48178

248-437-8810Fax: 248-437-7708

www.crossofchristlutheran.org Email: cross-christ@att.net Like us on FACEBOOK at: www.facebook.com/crossofchristsouthlyon

S U M M E R , 2 0 1 6

Sunday Worship: 10 a.m.

Holy Communion is celebrated on the 2nd, 4th, and 5th Sundays of the month.Sunday School classes held during the school year.

Sunday School: 10 a.m. – 3 years old through fifth grade Adult Bible Study: Sundays 9:00 a.m.

Youth Bible Study: 10 a.m. (1st & 3rd Sundays)

Dear Beloved Members and Friends,

You have all changed. Just today. Just in the time you got up. You put on clothes and shoes. You brushed or combed your hair. Perhaps you shaved.

In more substantial ways, you have changed in the last year, ten years or twenty years. You have learned thing, seen new things. Some of you graduated from high school. Others received a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree from a university. Some of you have traveled to places you haven’t visited before in the United States. Others have traveled to other countries.

Certainly you have changed a lot since you were conceived in your mother’s womb. Good science says there is nothing essentially different in the physical person from the moment of conception until old age. The many changes are just matters of size and degree of development. You are you from your mother’s womb. You were wonderfully made by God.

There has been an essential change in you that is more significant than anything we see. It is not a physical change, but rather a spiritual one. That same change God can also work this summer. The Gospel of Jesus Christ changes us, and in this change God is glorified.

The Gospel of Jesus has changed us from enemies of God to children of God. You are God’s child by faith in Christ. God made you His child when you were baptized into Jesus. God is your heavenly Father. Jesus is your Brother. Christ made you a friend of God by dying for you on the cross. Jesus saved you from your sins and from hell through His resurrection from the dead.

You have read and heard that Jesus’ death on the cross is yours. The forgiveness Christ earned when He died is yours. The resurrection of Jesus from the tomb is yours.

Continued . . . . . .

PASTOR’S LETTER Continued

That changes everything. Be of good cheer. Take heart. All your sins are forgiven by God. All our failures to love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength; all our inability to love our neighbors as ourselves; all our failures to love one another as Jesus has loved us; all our sins of commission, omission, and nomission; they are all forgiven. You receive forgiveness of all your sins by faith in Christ. When you pray in the Lord’s Prayer, “forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us” our Father in heaven will forgive your trespasses because of Jesus.

The Gospel of Christ has changed us into children of glory. The Gospel of Jesus glorifies us. What an honor to be Jesus’ faithful followers. Let us serve and follow Christ. We can serve Jesus by worshiping Him and by hearing His Word. Christ is with us here on earth. Our Lord will be with us forever in heaven. Christ’s Father will honor you for serving Him on earth and in heaven.

We are changed to glorify God. We can glorify God for His mercy. We are able to glorify God with a spirit of unity. We can ask God to give fellow Christians a spirit of unity so that with one mouth and heart they may glorify God.

Our change brings God glory, when we live and walk in Him. Our Lord leads and empowers you to do good works of faith and love in your vocations. As you let your light shine for Jesus, folks will see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father.

May God bless you and your family this summer and always!

Sincerely Yours in Christ,Pastor Terry Nelson

CHRISTIAN EDUCATION

SUNDAY SCHOOL classes are held during our worship service for children three years old through fifth grade during the school year. YFC - BIBLE STUDY for grades 6-12 is held at 10 a.m. on the 1st and 3rd Sundays of the month during the school year.

A Year-End Sunday School party will be held on Sunday, June 5, during the Sunday School class time. Hope all of your children can attend!

THANK YOU to all of our Sunday School teachers for their dedication to teaching the Word of God to our children: Rob & Diana Hindley, Becky Kreipke, Shealyn Lach, Kindsey Nelson, and Lisa Sterling. Thank you to Tom & Kelli Hackbardt for all of their help as Sunday School Superintendents. We thank our Youth Leaders: Dom Eldridge & Amy Lockard.

“Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it.” Proverbs 22:6

CHRISTIAN EDUCATION

CONFIRMATION

On Sunday, May 8, Matthew Robert Wood – (verse John 3:16) was confirmed in his Lutheran Christian faith. He confessed his faith in God and promised his faithfulness to Him. May God abundantly bless Matthew and his family!

Confirmation instruction for 7th and 8th graders will start up again in September. A parents’ meeting will be held at the end of August.

V A C A T I O N B I B L E S C H O O L 2 0 1 6

We are planning this year’s VBS for JULY 25-29, 2016. Plan your summer commitments as able around VBS. This year’s theme is “Cave Quest” – Following Jesus, the Light of the World! We will learn that Jesus gives us hope, courage, direction, love, and His power. VBS is held for children going into kindergarten through going into sixth grade. A $15 materials fee is due at the time of registration. No fee for the 3rd child plus in a family. (If you help out VBS week, there is no registration fee for your child.)

Many helpers will be needed to provide this outreach. If you can lend a hand this summer, email or call the church office.A REGISTRATION FORM is included at the end of this newsletter.

DONATIONS to the VBS Fund to cover expenses are greatly appreciated!

CROSS OF CHRISTCHRISTIAN PRESCHOOL

Our preschool provides a Christian, play-based program for three and four year olds with age-appropriate academics and kindergarten readiness. Three year olds have the option of a morning or afternoon class on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Four year olds will meet Monday, Wednesday, and (optional) Friday – morning and afternoon sessions. There are openings in the afternoon classes, with waiting lists for the morning classes.

REGISTRATION for fall classes is off to a great start. Call the church/preschool office at 248-437-0871 to get more information or to register.

We recently pass our License Renewal inspection with a “Perfect” rating!

2016 ALTAR

FLOWERS - - Sign Up Needed

Sign up for those important dates in celebration of birthdays, anniversaries, etc. or in memory of loved ones. Vases are available for $30 each and may be taken home after worship. Two vases are available each Sunday. (You do not need to sign up for both.) Checks are made out to “Cross of Christ” – designated “Altar Flowers” and placed in the offering plate. Special envelopes are also provided near the sign-up chart. Sign up is especially needed for the summer months.

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

The board is focusing their attention at this time on re-tiling a section of the sanctuary tile, which is chipped. They are also going to landscape the north side of the church near the playground, where a tree was damaged and removed. Shrubs and grass will be planted. If you are looking to donate to a special fund, consider those funds. Thank you!

THANK YOU to Ron & Bonnie Reichert for planting, weeding, and adding mulch to the front flower beds. They look beautiful. Thank you to our Trustees for their faithful grass cutting: Bill Hirth, Gary Albin, Charley Hall, Ron Reichert, and Brent Sterling!

FUNERAL LUNCHES

THANK YOU to all who provided food and helped at recent funerals. Thank you to Annie Nichols and Louise Rucker for organizing the lunches. Thank you also to all who help set up and clean up. If you would like to be added to our Funeral Luncheon List, contact Annie Nichols at 248-437-9599 or the church office.

THRIVENT CHOICE DOLLARS:Thank you for choosing Cross of Christ Lutheran Church or Preschool as your designation for choice dollars! If you have Thrivent products and would like to designate dollars, go to:

Thrivent.com/thriventchoiceLearn more about Thrivent products by calling our congregation’s representative,

Cathy Gateman, CLU, FIC, at734-432-7777 or online at

catherine.gateman@thrivent.com.

Thank you for your donations of non-perishable food items for Active Faith throughout theyear. Donations are welcome in the box provided as you enter church. Our church has a monthly commitment of $250 to Active Faith. Your monetary donations are also invited.

STEWARDSHIP CORNER

Jesus Accepts and Perfects Our Gifts

As sinful people, we are incapable of giving God what He deserves from us. However, we can be confident that our gifts are acceptable to God through Jesus. To illustrate this point, there is a story about a wood-carver who early in his life was a renowned carver. He passed on his craft to his son. Later in his life, the old man’s eyes began to dim, and his hands began to tremble. He could no longer carve the perfect figures of his youth. He would mar the figure, and imperfections blighted his work. His fading eyes could no longer see the flaws.

During the night, as the father was sleeping, the son would sneak down and correct his father’s flaws in the newly carved wood. When the figures passed through the hands of the son, they were made perfect again.

In the same way, we may bring our imperfect gifts with the confidence that, as they pass through the hands of Jesus, they will all be placed before the Father in absolute perfection.

In the beginning, we, as the centerpiece of God’s creation, were created in God’s image so we were without sin. Just as the early wood-carvings were flawlessly created, so were we. Because of sin, everything changed. Since the act of rebellion in the Garden, mankind has lived in darkness and separated from God. To reconcile us to Himself and to bring us out of darkness into His wonderful light, God sent His Son to live among us and to take our sin with Him to the Cross. Through His death and resurrection, we are forgiven, and He has adopted us as His children.

Because of our relationship with God through Jesus, God is pleased with our works and gifts that are offered in faith. Prompted by faith and love, we give with changed hearts that seek to do God’s will. Our gifts express our gratitude to Him and are used to worship Him. Through the work of the Holy Spirit, we give generously and cheerfully. God receives our gifts and uses them to provide for His churches, to help the needy, to provide for our Christian schools, to support missionaries, and a host of Christian organizations and causes. Jesus accepts our gifts, perfects them, and magnifies them so God’s purposes are accomplished. Praise God for His wonderful grace that He would choose to work through us.

GOD GIVES US THE PRIVILEGE OF SERVING AS HIS MESSENGERS TO MAKE THE GOSPEL KNOWN TO PEOPLE ALL OVER THE EARTH.

“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.” (Matthew 28:19).

MEMBERSHIP

CALLED HOME:+ + Juanita Lenore Tunis May 23, 2016

PHONE NUMBER UPDATE:MACHS: Bruce – 248-756-3487

Joy – 248-763-0225

NEW MEMBER WELCOME

WELCOME and God’s blessings to our new members:Robert & Beverly BeyerAdam & Jessica Wood,

Matthew, Elena, Julia, and Dylan

MEMORIALS

+ + In memory of Lynn Zurek, a gift has been given to Vacation Bible School by Annie Nichols.

+ + In memory of Juanita Tunis, a gift has been given by Jerry & Lynne Boeberitz.A R E A N E W S

ANOTHER WAY PREGNANCY CENTERSummer Golf Outing & Awards Dinner on

Saturday, June 25th at The Links of Novi SinghFor more information and to register, visit awpcfriends.com/events.

PAROCHIAL LCMSSCHOOL REGISTRATIONSSt. Paul Lutheran School, Northville, is registering for the 2016-17 school year.Call (248) 349-3146, or visit the school website at: www.stpaulnorthville.org.St. Paul offers member tuition rates for all LC-MS sister congregation members.

*******************************Our Savior Lutheran School in Hartland is registering for the 2016-17 school year.

Call 248-887-4300 or go to www.oursaviorhartland.orgto get information about their tuition-free school. Students excel in top-tier achievement testing and are taught Biblical world views in a small class size setting.

EMAIL ADDRESSES & FACEBOOK

If you’d like to be added to our email list, contact cross-christ@att.net. If you’d prefer to receive the newsletter via email, please indicate that. To check out upcoming events, go to our web site: www.crossofchristlutheran.org. The monthly calendar and newsletter are available each month online. Like us on FACEBOOK at: www.facebook.com/crossofchristsouthlyon

JUNEBIRTHDAYS

1 Hailey Bray

Aaron Lauer 4 Rebecca Kreipke Bradley Miller 6 Robert Petz 7 Amanda Hackbardt 9 JoAnn Fransik

Annie Nichols10 Jen Gorman13 Jennifer Besler

Nancy Cash16 Thomas Hackbardt17 Alyssa Petz

Devon Walrath18 Scott Walrath20 Brian Flook

David Nelson23 Peyton Sterling26 Noah Petz

Jesse Precht28 Carol Erb

Hailey Lanam30 Leona Hart

JUNE ANNIVERSARIES

4 William & Patricia HicksJohn & JoAnn Fransik

5 Dustin & Tammy Wyman 6 Scott & Martina Walrath 9 Bryan & Lynne Lach13 Ronald & Bonnie Reichert16 Ken & Lyne Nelson17 Robert & Beverly Beyer

Bruce & Joy MachKenneth & Susan Miller

23 Robert & Carol Walrath25 William & Diana Baker

JULYBIRTHDAYS

1 Elsie Huber 2 Brandon Miller

Dawn MillerStephanie Petsch

5 Dana Faust 7 George Richardson 9 Nancy Marsh11 Joy Mach14 Dawn Marchesseault15 Scott McFadden

Grant NeiswinterLeslie Pratt

16 Mary GilbertJulie Mattison

17 Christopher Stevenson Jr.20 William Hirth21 Bonnie Reichert22 Ruth Morofski24 Faith Nelson25 Rich Miller26 Robert Hindley27 Chaz Hamlet28 Shelley Besler29 Robert Petz, Jr.

JULYANNIVERSARIES

15 Pat & Janet Gorman19 Bob & Tammy Smith21 Michael & Deanna Sieting31 Pastor & Chris Nelson

AUGUSTBIRTHDAYS

4 William Hicks

Jack LecknerGrace Nelson

9 Eric Miller11 David Bye

Jared Tura12 David O. Nelson

Jacob Precht15 Julia Wood17 Emily Olsen18 Arianna Russell19 Brian Mayer 21 Sabra Evans22 Lynda Whitcher28 John Boyle

Kathy Sulisz30 Pat Gorman

AUGUSTANNIVERSARIES

2 Andrew & Gloria Schrom 3 Matthew & Kindsey Nelson 4 Michael & Dana Faust 6 Aaron & Christina Nelson12 Tom & Jan Flook17 Hal & Judy Nimer20 Gary & Edda Albin

Larry & Lindsay BrayMike & Michelle Conrad

22 Charles & Rose Hall27 Bruce & Julie Mattison28 Matthew & Kelli Lauer29 John & Julie Candela30 John & Dawn Lanczki

Please inform the church office of any missing dates or errors.

J U N E 2 0 1 6C R O S S O F C H R I S T L U T H E R A N C H U R C H

Email: cross-christ@att.net Office: 248-437-8810/ Fax: 248-437-7708/ Home: 248-486-4335 Web:www.crossofchristlutheran.org________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

+ Indicates Holy Communion

1 2 3 4

5 10:00am Worship 10:00am Sunday School End of Year Party 10:00am YFC Bible Study

6

7 8

9

10

11

12

10:00am Worship +11:00am Bd. of Elders

13

P a s t o r

14

N e l s o n ’ s

15

V a c a

16

t i o n

__________

17

W e e k

18

19 Father’s Day

10:00am Worship

20 2110:15am Bd. of Evangelism/ Stewardship

22

23

3:00pm Abbey Park Service

___________

24 25

26

10:00am Worship + 4:00pm Rehab Center Service____________________

27 28 29 30

J U L Y 2 0 1 6 CROSS OF CHRIST LUTHERAN CHURCH

Email: cross-christ@att.net Office: 248-437-8810/ Fax: 248-437-7708/ Home: 248-486-4335 Web:www.crossofchristlutheran.org_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

+ Indicates Holy Communion

1 2

3

10:00am Worship

4Independence

Day

5

6 7 8 9

10

10:00am Worship +

11

12

13

14

15

16

17 10:00am Worship

18 19 20 21

_____________

22 23

24 / 31

10:00am Worship + 4:00pm Rehab Center Service (24th)

_____________________

259am-Noon V A C A

26 9am-Noon T I O N

279am-Noon B I B L E

289am-Noon

S C H3:00pmAbbey Park Service

299am-Noon

0 0 L

30

A U G U S T 2 0 1 6 CROSS OF CHRIST LUTHERAN CHURCH

Email: cross-christ@att.net Office: 248-437-8810/ Fax: 248-437-7708/ Home: 248-486-4335 Web:www.crossofchristlutheran.org

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1 2

3

4

5 6

7

10:00am Worship

8 P a s t o r

9 N e l s o n ’ s

10 V a c a

11

t i o n

12

W e e k

13

14

10:00am Worship +

15 16

17

18

_____________

19 20

21

10:00am Worship11:00am Coffee Hour: Bd. of Evang/Stewd. 4:00pm Rehab Center Service

22 23

24 25

_____________

26 27

28

10:00am Worship +

___________________

29 30 31

__________

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL REGISTRATION FORM Cross of Christ Lutheran Church (24155 Griswold Rd., South Lyon, MI 48178 / 248-437-8810)

JULY 25 - 29, 2016 - - - 9 A.M. to NOONAges: Going into Kindergarten (or 5 yrs. old by Nov. 1, 2016) through Going into 6th grade

A $15 Materials Fee per Child is due with the registration form.(No fee for 3rd or more children in a family.)

(If an adult helps out the full week, the Materials Fee is waived.)CHILD’S NAME BIRTH DATE GRADE IN FALL ALLERGY/MED.

CONCERN

PARENTS’ NAMES ___________________________________________________________________

______ I can be a Class Assistant the week of VBS. Days available VBS week: _______________________________

MAILING ADDRESS____________________________________________________________________________CELL PHONE NUMBERS _____________________ HOME PHONE NUMBER _________________________

_____________________ EMAIL ________________________________________HOME CHURCH ________________________________________________CHILDREN CAN BE RELEASED TO (other than parent) ____________________CELL PHONE:_____________

EMERGENCY I give permission to Cross of Christ to secure emergency medical care and/or treatment for the above child/children. _______________________________________________

Parent Signature

Vacation Bible SchoolJuly 25-29, 2016

9 a.m. – NoonFor children going into Kindergarten (or 5 years old by Nov. 1)

through going into Sixth Grade$15 materials fee per child

____ I can help prepare crafts at home before VBS. (The amount of help needed for this varies from year to year.)

______ I can be a Class Assistant the week of VBS. - - MOST NEEDED

Days available VBS week: ________________________________

______ I can help at the Registration Table on Monday, July 25 – (about an hour)

______ I can help the children with Crafts the week of VBS.

______ I can assist with serving Snack.

______ I can help Decorate before VBS.

Name_________________________________________________________________

Phone Number ________________________________________________________

It may be early, but we need commitments to plan for VBS!Any questions, call the church office.

Drop off or mail to the church office.

FILL OUT A REGISTRATION FORM FOR YOUR CHILD (even if you’re a Helper)Registration Forms are available on our website and entryway table.

Children of Adult Helpers who help out the full week of VBS do not have to pay the $15 materials fee for their children.