CROSS OF CHRIST LUTHERAN CHURCH24155 Griswold RoadSouth Lyon, MI 48178

(248) 437-8810www.crossofchristlutheran.org Email: cross-christ@att.net

N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 2Sunday 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. & Friday 7:00 p.m. (once a month)Youth Bible Study: 11 a.m. (1st & 3rd Sundays)

Dear Beloved Members and Friends,

We celebrate Thanksgiving Day on Thursday, November 22 nd. May you have a blessed Thanksgiving as we gather in God’s house to give thanks to Him for all that He has done for us.We come together in our Lord’s sanctuary to thank Him for who He is as God. Thanksgiving Day has many traditions – travel being one of them. As people drive, fly, take the train or the bus, their purpose is to come together. We desire to be with family and friends and celebrate this national holiday. You may be traveling to spend Thanksgiving Day with family or friends. Friends or family might be traveling to spend Thanksgiving Day with you. We desire to give thanks to God.

Martin Luther teaches us to give thanks to God in his explanation to the Second Commandment. Luther wrote, “We should fear and love God so that we do not curse, swear, use satanic arts, lie, or deceive by His name, but call upon it in every trouble, pray, praise and give thanks. Luther provides the proper use of the holy name of God to pray, praise, and give thanks.

The Apostle Paul, in writing his first letter to Timothy, strongly urges prayer. “First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people.” (I Timothy 2:1) The Holy Spirit strongly urges prayer in the lives and worship of believers today. Pray for the needs of others and yourself. Pray for people who need help from God. Ask our Lord to give injured and sick people physical healing according to His will. Pray for our Lord to bless them with grace, mercy, and strength. Thank God for all the physical and spiritual blessings He has given you and His people.

This is our purposes this month – to pray, praise, and give thanks. The foundation of our prayer life is Jesus Christ. This means that our giving of thanks goes far beyond Thanksgiving Day. The news media often features children and adults naming blessings for which they give thanks during the days before Thanksgiving Day. We will gather together in God’s sanctuary to praise, pray, and give thanks to Him. In past years the South Lyon Herald has interviewed elementary school children about what they are thankful for. Because Christ is our life and the source of all blessings, we can give thanks in a distinctive way. We are compelled to give thanks because of the mercy of Jesus. The love of our Lord moves us to give thanks to God.

PASTOR’S LETTER Continued

This month we gather in our house of God for a distinct purpose. Thanksgiving Day is a national holiday. As Lutheran Christians, we carry our thanksgiving even further as we confess Jesus Christ as Savior, Lord, and Giver of all good gifts. We give thanks in our worship, in our prayers, and in the renewed lives we have in Jesus. We practice thanksgiving. In Jesus’ name we pray, praise, and give thanks.

May God bless you and your family during this month of November and always!

Sincerely Yours in Christ, Pastor Terry NelsonSTEWARDSHIP COMMITMENTSThank you to all who turned in their 2013 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.

Thanksgiving Worship Services:Sunday, November 18 – 10 a.m.

Wednesday, November 21 – 7 p.m.

Mid-Week ADVENT worship services begin Wednesday, November 28, at 7 p.m.All are invited . . . .

AnnualThanksgiving DinnerSunday, November 18

After WorshipALL ARE WELCOME!Come and celebrate Thanksgiving with your church family on Sunday, November 18, after the 10:00 a.m. worship service. Enjoy a delicious turkey dinner with all the trimmings. Suggested Donation is $8.00 per adult – (approximate cost of the dinner to our church.) Donations of desserts are requested. Help is also needed for CLEAN UP after the dinner. Any questions, call Sue Zimmerman at 248-486-1193.

Sign up on the Information Board so we can determine a count.NEW MEMBER WELCOME

We praise and thank God for our new members. On Sunday, October 21, the following adults and children were welcomed:

Richard & Beverly JenningsJeffrey & Rebecca Kreipke, Noah, Haley, & JuliaMatthew & Kelli Lauer, Aaron, Christopher, & HaleyNeil Allan NicholsBrian & Susan Parrish, EliseFrank & Kim Zemla, Emmett & Parker

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.

SUNDAY SCHOOL SUBS NEEDED:Please contact Kelli (248.321.5991) or Tom Hackbardt (248.321.6608) if you can help out or if you have any questions. YOUTH in grades 6-12 are meeting periodically for fun events. Watch your bulletin for updates. Bible Study is held at 11 a.m. on the first and third Sundays of the month. SUNDAY ADULT BIBLE CLASSAdult Bible Study is being held Sundays at 9:00 a.m. We are currently studying the book of Daniel.

Children’s Christmas Play presented to church --

Sunday, December 16th – 10 a.m.

Dress Rehearsal presentedThursday evening, December 13

Participants Needed: 3 years old through fifth gradeContact Janelle Lach at janellealan@yahoo.com or (248-486-5644)

A few Saturday rehearsals may be needed. Music will be practiced at the beginning of Sunday School class.FRIDAY EVENING BIBLE STUDY

Friday Night Bible Study will meet Friday, November 16, at 7 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. We will continue the video series "The Truth Project" by Focus on the Family. As always, the video and discussion will be followed by refreshments and fellowship.

This is a great opportunity to get involved in a Bible Study if you've never done it before. Current issues such as Sociology: the Divine Imprint, The State: Whose Law?, The American Experiment, Labor: Created by God are some of the topics we will look at. Secular and Biblical worldviews are presented.

You don't have to be a Biblical 'expert' to participate. It is not necessary to have come to last year’s sessions to start now as each unit is self-contained.

We meet about once a month on a Friday evening. Any questions, contact Michael & Claudia Abrash or Pastor & Chris Nelson. We look forward to having you join us!CROSS OF CHRISTCHRISTIAN PRESCHOOL

We are a play-based program for three and four year olds with age appropriate academics. If you are new to our congregation and would like more information, call the church/preschool office at 248-437-8810.

THANKSGIVING PIE SALE

Women’s Outreach is having a PIE SALE on Sunday, November 18. Your donations of pies are invited. Also on November 18th, ORDERS will be taken for Thanksgiving

Pumpkin Pies, to be picked up at church the day before Thanksgiving, November 21.

CHURCHDECORATING FORCHRISTMAS Saturday, November 24th – 9 a.m. Thanksgiving weekend

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

CHRISTMAS LIGHTS

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

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 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 11.PRAYER CHAIN UPDATE

The PRAYER CHAIN list is currently being updated. If you would like to be added to our Prayer Chain, please indicate your desire to Pastor or Chris. When there is a request, the next person on the list is contacted to take a moment to pray for the person in need.ADULT CHOIR

People of all voices are needed -(soprano, alto, tenor, and bass). If you enjoy singing praises to God, please prayerfully consider singing in the Choir. Speak with Pastor Nelson if interested. Our Choir sings once a month at the 10 a.m. worship service. THANK YOU to Tom & Kelli Hackbardt for organizing the Children’s Halloween Party. Thank you to all who gave donations and helped out.

EMAIL ADDRESSES

If you’d like to be added to our email list, contact cross-christ@att.net. Indicate whether you would also like to receive the monthly newsletter via email, rather than in your church mailbox. To check out upcoming events, go to our web site at www.crossofchristlutheran.org. The monthly calendar and newsletter are available each month online.

A R E A N E W S

HOLY LAND TOUR:The Holy Land-Walk in the Footsteps of Jesus, March 5-14, 2013. Air/land is only $2599. Walk

where Jesus walked . . . cruise the Sea of Galilee . . . visit Nazareth. . . . climb the Mt. of Olives and view the Old City of Jerusalem. . . walk the Via Dolorosa to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and visit Bethlehem’s Church of the Nativity. Contact Pastor Gregory Dwyer at 860-924-2467 or pastordwyer@hotmail.com for more information. GDwyerwww.gregdwyer.comTHRIVENT FINANCIAL FOR LUTHERANS

THRIVENT CHOICEThank you to Thrivent members for choosing “Cross of Christ Church or Preschool” as their designation for Choice Dollars. Thrivent policy holders, go to Thrivent.com/thriventchoice or call 800-847-4836 to request our church and preschool receive Choice Dollars.

Call Raeann Kusch at 734-432-7777, our Thrivent representative, for more information.

THRIVENT West Oakland County Chapter

Activity: Navigating the Road Ahead: Assets, time & taxesDate: Nov 9, 2012Time: 6:30-8 pmPlace: St. Matthews- 2040 S Commerce Rd, Walled Lake

COMPLIMENTARY DINNER SERVED at 6:30 pmContact: Don Mann

248/624-1478 leisuremanns@fastmail.fmFinancial Guest Speaker- CARMEN HAGG

Learn how diversification, taxes and age-specific events affect retirement decisions and goals.

INCLUDES VOTING FOR NEW BOARD MEMBERS

CRAFT SHOW:St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, 7979 Commerce Rd., West Bloomfield, will hold its 12 th Annual Craft Show and Bake Sale on Saturday, November 3, from 9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Call 248-363-6316 with questions.MEMBERSHIP UPDATE

BAPTISMS:

+ + Julia Mary Kreipke + + Charlotte Rose Colley Child of Jeffrey & Rebecca Kreipke Child of Christopher & Denise Colley September 30, 2012 October 13, 2012

CALLED HOME: MEMORIAL:+ + Carolina Mielke + + In memory of Carol Mielke, October 15, 2012 a gift has been given by Marie Smith.

OUR MISSION OFFERINGS SUPPORT:St. Paul Lutheran Community Church, Pontiac

Dear Servants of Christ,

There is an air of excitement in the Halls of St. Paul Lutheran Community Church. You share in the reason for that excitement. Lives are being changed, hearts are healing and souls are finding peace through their Savor Jesus Christ. You may never know how much your contribution toward the ministry there means to the recipients and those who serve them. Bodies are being fed by your generous contribution of food. The food pantry is well- used and nearly empty, but another food drive begins as you read this. The needed food items will accompany this news note.

I met a young man at St Paul who was pulled out of the pit of darkness and brought into the light through the ministry at St. Paul. You are a part of that ministry. In following newsletters you will hear more about the ministry and how the members of your church have contributed toward the upward movement of ministry at St. Paul.

God bless you for your prayers, your service, your contribution of food and money. All of it is appreciated, thoughtfully distributed and carefully spent. So many precious souls are at stake. The ministry moves forward boldly and faithfully because of the emotional, physical, financial and prayer support offered by all of you. May you fully understand how very precious you are to the Ministry at St. Paul.

In His love and ours, St. Paul’s Board of Directors

*FAMILY CHRISTMAS DINNER IN A BAG was very much appreciated last year. We would like to repeat the gift of Christmas Dinner for those in need. The following items are needed to fill a bag that will feed a family.

A donation of $15.00 to purchase a gift card for Ham or Turkey. The gift cards will be purchased from stores that are within walking distance of the target neighborhood near St. Paul’s.

Large box of Instant Potatoes Canned Gravy or gravy packet Canned Cranberries or Fruit Cocktail Large Box of Stuffing mix Canned Green Beans or Corn Cake mix & canned frosting

*CHRISTMAS FOODS FOR THE HOMELESS.Foods that do not require a can opener or a stove to prepare. We hope to prepare food bags for the homeless. We must remember only some of them live in cars. Some move from place to place. Think of their life style as you chose. Pray for them. Many are good people who have lost their jobs, families, homes. Pray that they seek the Hope that is in Jesus Christ.

Vicci SalernoWEBSITE: stpaulspontiac.com

NOVEMBERBIRTHDAYS

1 Bryan Lach 4 Emily Deeds 5 Sarah Walrath

11 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

NOVEMBER ANNIVERSARIES

5 Neil & Annie Nichols 7 Jerry & Carla Geelhood 7 Richard & Beverly Jennings12 Gary & Nancy Cash27 Julius & Marjorie Saner

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

Looking to donate to a special need?Consider the following funds:

Painting FundCement Work Fund

Parsonage Door FundParking Lot FundNew Roof Fund

Debt Fund, Garage Fund

STEWARDSHIPCORNER

Expressing our Gratitude

A father and his young son were eating a meal at

McDonalds. The father who had no French fries, started to smell the wonderful aroma of the fries his son was enjoying so he reached over for one of the fries. The father was shocked to hear his son say loudly, “Stop, these are my French fries.” Even though the father was the one who a few minutes earlier had paid for his son’s meal and fries, the son was still unwilling to share any of his fries.

This story in many ways reminds us of how we show our lack of gratitude for what God so generously provides us. In order for us to express our gratitude, we need first to understand that all that we are and have are gifts from God. In the words of King David, “The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein” (Psalm 24:1). We all belong to God the Creator. God is the creator of all good things (James 1:17), but, more important, through His Son we have received forgiveness and are saved from eternal prison. When we truly understand that all we are and all we have are gifts from God, we can begin to express our thanks in words and actions.

As God’s stewards, we also realize that our talents and abilities are gifts from God that are to be used in His service. When we use our gifts for God’s glory, we acknowledge that He is the provider, and we express our thanks for all He gives to us.

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

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

+ Indicates Holy Communion

16:30-8:30pm Girl Scouts

2 3

4 9:00am Adult Bible Class10:00am Worship10:00am Sunday School11:00am Youth Bible Study

Time Change: Fall Back

55:30 & 6:30pmWeight Watchers

6

Election Day

74:00-5:30pm Confirmation

86:30-8:30pm Girl Scouts

9 10

11 9:00am Adult Bible Class10:00am Worship +10:00am Sunday School

Operation CC Boxes Due

12

5:30 & 6:30pmWeight Watchers

7:00pm Trustees

13 144:00-5:30pm Confirmation

15 16

7:00pmBible Study“The Truth Project”

17

18 (No Bible Study)10:00am Worship 10:00am Sunday School11:15am Thanksgiving Dinner(Pie Sale & Orders Taken)

195:30 & 6:30pmWeight Watchers

20 7:00pm Church Council

217:00pm Thanksgiving Eve Worship +

(Pick up Pies)

22

Thanksgiving Day

23 249:00am Church Christmas Decorating

25 9:00am Adult Bible Class10:00am Worship +10:00am Sunday School

265:30 & 6:30pmWeight Watchers

27 284:00-5:30pm Confirmation7:00pm Worship

29 30

PRAISE GOD FROM WHOM

ALL BLESSINGS FLOW

AND LIVE YOUR LIVES IN

GRATITUDE FOR HISWONDERFUL GOODNESS.

“Give thanks to the Lord,

for He is good; and His love endures forever”

(Psalm 107:1).