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

248-437-8810Fax: 248-437-708

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

N O V E M B E R , 2 0 1 4

Sunday Worship: 10 a.m.Holy Communion is celebrated on the 2nd, 4th, and 5th Sundays of the month.

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,

George Washington was the first President of the United States of America and a Christian. President Washington gave his first Thanksgiving Proclamation on October 3, 1789. He encouraged the new nation to fan the “sacred fire of liberty” so that it might burn even more brightly. Washington’s proposed method was by acknowledging the Providence of Almighty God and humbly imploring His blessing on the nation. He called on the nation to find forgiveness of sins in the “Lord and Ruler of Nations,” a New Testament title for Christ. This was the first national Thanksgiving Day proclamation under the Constitution. George Washington affirmed the doctrine of salvation in this proclamation. President Washington proclaimed that it is the duty of all nations to be thankful for God’s benefits. A joint committee of the House of Representatives and the Senate asked President Washington to recommend to the people of the United States a day of thanksgiving and prayer. He expressed gratitude to God for giving our country the opportunity to peaceably establish a form of government for their happiness and peace. President Washington encouraged citizens to unite with him in giving humble and sincere thanks to God for His kind care and protection of the people of the United States. He urged the American people in 1789 to give thanks to God.

Let us give thanks to God in Michigan during this month of November, 2014. We can identify blessings for which we can thank our Lord. Jesus has made us righteous and given us eternal life by His crucifixion and resurrection. Christ will put us on His right side on Judgment Day. Our Lord will commend us for doing good works of faith, for Him and for believers. During November, let us give thanks to our King Jesus Christ.

The righteous people will go away to eternal life in heaven. You are a righteous person in God’s sight by faith in Christ. God declared you righteous when Jesus was crucified. Christ paid the full price for your place in heaven and for your sins by His blood shed on the cross. You have eternal life in heaven by faith in Christ. You will go away to eternal life in heaven. Believing family members, friends, and acquaintances will go away to eternal life in heaven. Give thanks to our King for the blessing of eternal life in heaven.

Pastor’s Letter

November, 2014

Jesus will commend us for doing good works of mercy for Him and for Christians. When you saw a hungry believer and fed him, you fed Jesus. When you saw a thirsty Christian and gave her something to drink, you quenched Christ’s thirst. When you saw a believing stranger and welcomed him, you welcomed our Lord. When you saw a Christian needing clothes and clothed her, you clothed our King. When you saw a sick believer and looked after him, you looked after Jesus. When you visited a Christian in prison, you visited Christ. Give thanks to our Lord for the works of mercy you did for brothers of His and for Him.

May God bless you and your family this month of November and always. Happy Thanksgiving! Blessed thanksliving.

Sincerely Yours in Christ,Pastor Terry Nelson

Thanksgiving Worship Services:

Sunday, November 23rd – 10 a.m.Wednesday, November 26th – 7 p.m.

All are invited . . . .

AnnualThanksgiving DinnerSunday, November 23

After Worship

Come and celebrate Thanksgiving with your church family on Sunday, November 23, after the 10:00 a.m. worship service. Enjoy a delicious turkey dinner with all the trimmings. Suggested Donation is $9.00 per adult/ $5.00 for children 6 – 12/ Free for children 5 and under – (approximate cost of the dinner to our church.) Donations of desserts are requested. Help is also needed for CLEAN UP after the dinner. Sign up on the Information Board so we can determine a count.STEWARDSHIP COMMITMENTS

Thank you to all who turned in their 2015 COMMITMENT Form. We would like everyone to fill out a Commitment Form, even if you are unable to pledge at this time. Commitment forms can still be returned in the offering plate or mailed to the church office. Extra forms can be found on the table in the Gathering Hall. Our Financial Secretary, Chuck Deeds, confidentially reviews the pledges.

C H R I S T I A N E D U C A T I O N

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

Proverbs 22:6

SUNDAY SCHOOL classes are held at 10 a.m. for children three years old through fifth grade. Children are dismissed to their classes from the worship service after the opening hymn.

The SUNDAY SCHOOL CHRISTMAS PROGRAM We are in need of someone to head up this year’s Children’s Christmas Program. Prayerfully consider helping out in this way. The children typically practice for the program during Sunday School time. Speak with Tom Hackbardt or Pastor Nelson.

YOUTH BIBLE STUDY SCHEDULE Youth in grades 6 – 12 meet during the worship service on the first and third Sundays of the month. They are dismissed to their classes after the opening hymn. YOUTH EVENT:

THANK YOU to Annie & Neil Nichols for hosting the Youth for Christ BONFIRE night at their home. A great time was had by all!!

SUNDAY ADULT BIBLE CLASS

Sunday mornings at 9 a.m.Join us Sunday mornings at 9 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall as we study “The Many Wonders of Heaven, The Joy of Our Future Home.” What will we be in Heaven? What will we have? What will we do? What will heaven be like? There are Biblical answers to these questions. All are welcome!CONFIRMATION instruction, for young people in 7th and 8th grades, is held Wednesdays, from 4:00 – 5:30 p.m. If you are interested in having your child join the class, give Pastor Nelson a call. CROSS OF CHRISTCHRISTIAN PRESCHOOL

We are enjoying a large enrollment this school year at preschool. If you are new to our congregation and would like information, we would love to have you visit our school. We offer a play-based program for three and four year olds, with age appropriate academics and kindergarten readiness.

THANK YOU to Tom & Kelli Hackbardt, Amanda, Abbi, Lexie, and Annie for all of their hard work setting up and organizing this year’s Children’s HALLOWEEN Party. The party was well attended and all of the children had a great time!

P R E P A R I N G F O R C H R I S T M A S

OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD

Our congregation is again reaching out to needy children in desperate situations around the world through Operation Christmas Child. Please fill your own box (plastic or shoe box is fine). BROCHURES are available on the entryway table with suggestions. If able, please include a $7 donation in the envelope for shipping and place on top inside your box. FILLED BOXES ARE DUE BACK ON SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 16.

CHRISTMAS LIGHTS

We thank Christmas Décor, by Eradico, for donating all of the outdoor Christmas lights for this upcoming Christmas season.

CHURCHDECORATING FORCHRISTMAS Saturday, November 29th – 9 a.m. Thanksgiving weekend

Help is needed (both men and women) to put up our Christmas tree and decorate the sanctuary for the Christmas season. We usually complete the task in an hour or two. Hope you can attend!

POINSETTIAS

We need your help - sign up to place Poinsettias on the altar for Christmas services!

Sign up in November to purchase POINSETTIA plants for the church sanctuary for Christmas week. The beautiful three-stem plants will be available for $16 each and may be taken home after the Christmas Eve worship services. Cash or checks made payable to “Cross of Christ” may be placed in the offering plate, designated “Poinsettias.”

ALTAR FLOWERS

Dates are open in November and December to sign up to place flowers on the altar in celebration of special events or in memory of loved ones. Cost is $30 per vase. Sign up on the chart in the Fellowship hallway.

W O M E N ’ S O U T R E A C H N E W S

Thanks to the thirteen ladies attending our Women’s Outreach meeting on Sat, Oct 19 th. In one hour events were discussed and planned for Nov., Dec., and Jan.

CHRISTMAS CHARITIES

ANOTHER WAY PREGNANCY CENTERCollection For the Month of November

We are asking for donations of diapers. Sizes needed are newborn, 2, 3, 4. Also hand-knit baby hats and booties and baby blankets.

BERRY HOME COLLECTION Gift baskets will be delivered week of December 15

Berry Home is a group Home for 5 ladies here in South Lyon. For many years gifts have been donated, wrapped and taken to the home. It is a special treat for these ladies. We ask for 5 identical gifts. Some suggestions are jewelry (bead necklaces), candy, homemade treats, little room decorations.

100 TH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION FOR ESTHER SCHLOSSER Sunday, November 16th

A light lunch, punch and birthday cake will be served after church service. A short program is planned to honor Esther. Sign up to attend this special celebration honoring a special lady.Food prep and hall set up will take place on Saturday, Nov. 15, at 11 a.m. Sign up if you can help.

CHRISTMAS RESALE SHOPSaturday, Nov. 22nd and Sunday Nov.2310-3pm Gathering Hall

We received a large amount of Christmas decorations from an estate in June and decided to save it for a Christmas sale in Nov. We would love to add any of your unwanted decorations to our sale. Bring decorations on or before Thursday, Nov. 20 th. The Christmas sale set up will be Thurs., Nov 20th, at 11 am.

THANKSGIVING DINNERSunday November 23rd

Thanks to Sue Zimmerman for the traditional Cross of Christ Thanksgiving Dinner.CHRISTMAS RESALE SHOP in Gathering Hall ….. last day.

HISTORIC TRINITY LUTHERAN CHURCHAdvent Service and Luncheon (free will offering)Wednesday, Dec. 3rd at noon

This is a must if you have never been to Trinity at Christmas. The sanctuary , rooms, and halls are filled with decorations, Christmas trees, animated characters, wreaths, candles, angels and crèches, in celebration of the birth of the Christ child. This will certainly fill you with the Christmas spirit.

WOMEN’S OUTREACH continued . . . .

PROGRESSIVE DINNERSaturday, Dec. 6th, 5-10pm, $10 donation

5-6 Abrash home………........ Hors d’oeuvres 6:30-8 Hirth Home……………… Entree 8:30-10 Ulrich’s Club House….. DessertsThis is a wonderful evening of good food, fun and fellowship, amidst all the beautiful Christmas lights and decorations. Sign up for this lovely night with delightful Lutheran friends.

SOUP-SALAD-SWEETS-POTLUCKSunday, January 18, 2015

Thanks to Claudia for a delightful devotion on cupcakes. It’s the appearance, flavor, and all the qualities of a cupcake combined that makes it so good. There’s a similarity between what makes our lives good as Christians. For us as Christian women, there has to be some ingredient such as Bible study, prayer and guidance of the Holy Spirit. Our batter should be all those things we depend on to help round us out and make us into the Christian women that we are capable of being. From the very beginning to the very end, it’s what’s in the middle that makes it so good. That goes for the cupcake and Claudia’s devotion. Claudia closed with a prayer. - - - - Ettie Ann Hirth

LWML MITE BOX COLLECTION The recent door offering for LWML (Lutheran Women’s Missionary League) collected $101.83. Throughout the year you can collect change in a LWML mite box and place it in the larger box, provided on the entryway table. Your spare change can make a big difference for Missouri Synod mission work. Banding together under the LWML umbrella, Lutheran women have touched millions of people in more than 30 countries.

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Donations are invited for needed repair to the church steeple/roof due to water leakage before painting of the narthex is undertaken. Donations may be made to the Improvement Fund for this purpose. If you are looking for a year-end donation for a specific need/project, give Bonnie a call for a list of most needed projects. . . . .. Bonnie Reichert (248-349-1555)PICTORIAL DIRECTORY UPDATEThe Board of Evangelism/Stewardship thanks you for participating in the recent photography sessions for a new Pictorial Directory. A Directory should be provided to those photographed some time after the first of the year. You are invited to submit a photo for the directory, if you were not able to make one of the photography sessions. Please call the office by November 7 th

if you still plan on submitting a photograph. Thank you!MEALS FOR HACKBARDT FAMILYThe Hackbardt family thank you for the meals which have been so helpful. They are grateful for the generosity, prayers, and love shown to them.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * The web site is back up and running . . . . If you would like to take a meal to the Hackbardt family, go to the following website to set up a day. If you have any questions or prefer not to sign up online, contact Chris Nelson.www.signupgenius.com/go/805084DABA62EA31-meals/7351492

NOVEMBER BIRTHDAYS

1 Bryan Lach 4 Emily Deeds 5 Sarah Walrath11 Deanna Sieting12 Barbara Elandt13 Ed Hempel15 Louise Rucker16 Amy Lockard

Esther Schlosser17 Jan Flook18 Juanita Tunis20 Drew Hantz21 Diana Baker23 John Gilbert

Pastor Nelson24 Jeannine Hosbach

Colleen MartinDawn Petz

27 Amy Deeds28 Hazel Richardson

Drake Wyman30 Brenden Lach

Nicholas Stevenson

NOVEMBERANNIVERSARIES

5 Neil & Annie Nichols 7 Jerry & Carla Geelhood Richard & Beverly Jennings12 Gary & Nancy Cash

Let the church office know of any dates missing or incorrect.

__________________________________MEMORIALS

+ + A Gift has been given by The Janet and Howard Kaiser Memorial Fund of InFaith Community Foundation.

STEWARDSHIPCORNER

Teasures in Heaven“If then you have not been faithful in the unrighteousness wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches? (Luke 16:11). God’s Word tells us that until we are faithful with the money God entrusts to us, we will not receive true riches. In view of eternity, money has no value. The Gospel’s lasting value surpasses any earthly thing. However, we can use money in this life to store up treasures in heaven. Treasures in heaven are not destroyed by moths and there thieves can’t break in and steal (Matthew 6:19). We store up treasures in heaven when we use our money to help the poor, support our church, and extend God’s kingdom in the name of the Lord.

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for all Your blessings. Place in me a right attitude toward the money You’ve entrusted to me. Help me to be a wise manager and a generous giver. Help me to store up treasures in heaven. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.

Blessings on your journey as a steward!

FREE ELECTRIC ORGAN AVAILABLE

A preschool family is looking for a good home for a used small upright Baldwin electric organ. Contact Michelle at: 248-790-5493

N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 4CROSS OF CHRIST LUTHERAN CHURCH

Email: cross-christ@att.net Office: 248-437-8810 Fax: 248-437-7708 Web: www.crossofchristlutheran.org Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday + Indicates Holy Communion

1

2 9:00am Adult Bible Class10:00am Worship10:00am Sunday School10:00am Youth Bible Study 1:00pm Nichols Baby Shower

Time Change: Fall Back

3 4

Election Day

54:00-5:30pm Confirmation

67:00pm Girl Scouts

76:00-8:00pm Girl Scouts

8

9 9:00am Adult Bible Class10:00am Worship +10:00am Sunday School11:00am Choir Rehearsal

10 11 124:00-5:30pm Confirmation

13 14 1511:00am Party Set Up

16 9:00am Adult Bible Study10:00am Worship 10:00am Sunday School10:00am Youth Bible Study11:00am E. Schlosser B-Day11:00am Bd. of Trustees

Operation CC Boxes Due

17 18 6:00pm Church Council

194:00-5:30pm Confirmation

2011:00am Set up for Resale Shop

21 2210:00am-3:00pm Christmas Resale Shop

23 9:00am Adult Bible Class10:00am Worship + Thanksgiving Celebrated Choir & Brass 10:00am Sunday School11:30am Thanksgiving Dinner________________________30 9:00am Adult Bible Class10:00am Worship +

24 25 267:00pm Thanksgiving Eve Worship +

27

Thanksgiving Day

28 299:00am Church Christmas Decorating

PRAISE GOD FROM WHOM

ALL BLESSINGS FLOW

AND LIVE YOUR LIVES IN

GRATITUDE FOR HIS WONDERFUL GOODNESS.

“Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good;

and His love endures forever”

(Psalm 107:1).