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

M A Y , 2 0 1 7

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,

During this month of May, we will celebrate Mother’s Day on Sunday, the fourteenth.

Mothers are worthy of our celebration, honor, and love. We honor and love our mothers on Mother’s Day and throughout the year. We can remember how our mothers loved us, our mothers carried us in their wombs for nine months and delivered us. They fed, clothed, and protected us. Our mothers brought us to the sacrament of Holy Baptism. They brought us to worship services, Sunday School, and Confirmation instruction. They read Bible books and the Bible to us. Our mothers talked about God and His love with us. They cared for us when we were sick and injured. Our mothers told us that they loved us. They drove us to school, music lessons, practices and ball games. Our mothers helped us with our home work. They listened to us. Our mothers demonstrated their love for us by their loving actions and words. They loved us deeply from their hearts. Thank God for our mothers. Our mothers are gifts from God to us.

Let us love our mothers deeply and sincerely from our hearts. We can tell our mothers that we love them. We may give our mothers cards, gifts, or flowers. We can pray for our mothers. Let us praise and thank God for our mothers. We regard our mothers as God’s gifts and representatives to us. We serve our mothers by gladly providing what they need or require.

Jesus provided for His mother while He was crucified. Christ commended His mother Mary to the care of His beloved disciple John. John took Mary into his home. We can obey our mothers in everything in which God has placed them over us. Our Lord Jesus was obedient to Mary and Joseph when He grew up in Nazareth.

PASTOR’S LETTER Continued

Let us love and cherish our mothers as precious gifts of God. Ruth loved and cherished her mother-in-law Naomi. Ruth moved with Naomi back to her home town of Bethlehem. We can show love and respect to our mothers.

Let us love one another as Jesus has loved us. “A new command I give you: Love one another as I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are My disciples if you love one another.” Jesus taught us His Word. Christ prayed for us. Our Lord healed us physically and spiritually. Jesus laid down His life for us. Christ rose from the dead for us. Our risen Lord forgave us.

The Word of our risen Lord stands forever. Jesus will lovingly receive your spirit into heaven when you die. The risen Christ will lovingly raise you up on the last day. Our risen Lord promises “for My Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in Him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day.” Jesus will give you a glorious, immortal body like His. You will be able to live forever in heaven with your risen Lord. We will live forever in heaven with our believing mothers and all believers.

May our risen Lord bless you and your family during this month of May and always!

Sincerely Yours in Christ,Pastor Terry Nelson

IMPORTANT CONGREGATION MEETING

All members are encouraged to attend our next Congregational meeting, on Sunday, May 21, after worship. Topics of discussion will include refinancing our mortgage with Church Extension Fund, and replacing the furnaces and roof.CONFIRMATION SUNDAY

On Sunday, April 30, seven young people will be confirmed in our Christian Lutheran faith. We pray for Mary Gilbert, Olivia Hindley, Jack Petsch, Noah Petz, Nicholas Stevenson, and Adam & Eric Walrath. May our risen Lord bless and strengthen them to fulfill their Confirmation promises.

NEW MEMBER WELCOME

It will be a special day on Sunday, May 21, as we welcome our new members: Milton & Mickey Heidt Carrie McShane, Callie & Molly Rae NimsMay the Lord bless them in our midst!

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 Sundays at 10 a.m. for children three years old through fifth grade during the school year. Children are dismissed to their classes from the worship service after the opening hymn.YOUTH in grades 6-12 meet for Bible Study the first and third Sundays of the month during worship. SUNDAY ADULT BIBLE CLASS

ADULT BIBLE CLASS is studying Revelation: A Testament of Hope. Join us Sundays at 9 a.m. for an in-depth DVD Bible study of this often misunderstood book of the Bible.  All are welcome!

CONFIRMATION instruction, for young people in 7th and 8th grades, is held Wednesdays from 4:00 – 5:30 p.m. during the school year. They will resume classes again in the fall.CROSS OF CHRISTCHRISTIAN PRESCHOOL

Registration for fall classes is under way and classes are filling quickly. If you are new to our congregation and would like information about our preschool, please call the church office. We offer a Christian, play-based program for three and four year olds, with age appropriate academics and kindergarten readiness. Our morning three and four year old classes have begun waiting lists. There are presently openings in both afternoon classes.

The Preschool children will sing in worship on Sunday, May 7.

V A C A T I O N B I B L E S C H O O L 2 0 1 7

We are planning this year’s VBS for JULY 24-28, 2017. Plan your summer commitments as able around VBS. This year’s theme is “Maker Fun Factory” – Created by God, Built for a Purpose. VBS is held for children going into kindergarten through going into sixth grade. A $15 materials fee is due at the time of registration. (If you help out VBS week, there is no registration fee for your child.)

Many helpers will be needed to provide this outreach. Please fill out the “Help” form included at the end of this newsletter or speak with Chris.

THANK YOU to Tom & Kelli Hackbardt, Amanda, Abbi, Lexie, and Annabelle for organizing the Easter Egg Hunt on Easter Sunday. All of the children were so excited!

WOMEN’S FELLOWSHIPWe thank Women’s Fellowship for hosting the delicious chicken dinner on Maundy Thursday. After the April meeting, a group gathered at Java House Cafe for lunch. Their next meeting will be held Wednesday, May 10, at 11 a.m. All women are invited to join them!

Mark your calendars. We hope to have a group from our congregation attend and sit together. A sign up is available on the Information Board. Tickets are FREE but need to be reserved soon, so sign up as soon as you can. Hope many will attend.

Sunday, October 15, 2017 | East Lansing, MIMichigan District-wide Reformation Worship Service

Breslin Center at Michigan State University

2:00 p.m. Concourse Displays Open4:00 p.m. Pre-Service Concert5:00 p.m. Celebration Worship

Thank you for your donations of non-perishable food items for Active Faith throughout the year. 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.

ACTIVE FAITH IS IN NEED OF VOLUNTEERS:1)      Please spread the word that the Active Faith Board of Directors is looking for a legal professional to serve on the Board.

2)      We are looking for a person who would be interested in cleaning our facility once per week – bathrooms, windows, kitchen, and floors.

3)      A clerical volunteer is needed for weekly office assistance – answering phones, creating thank you letters, data tracking.

Interested persons may contact Active Faith at 248-437-9790 or stop in to complete a Volunteer Application.

STEWARDSHIPCORNER

Given a New Life in Order to Serve

Jesus taught a powerful lesson about servanthood, recorded in the 13 th Chapter of John’s Gospel. He taught that lesson on the night of the final meal He would eat with His disciples. We're told all twelve were gathered in an upper room with Jesus in their midst. Off to the side, nearly forgotten, was a basin. In the basin was water. No one was standing behind the basin. No one had it in his grasp. It stood unattended, unnoticed. You see, that basin was meant for the washing of feet. In ancient times, the mode of transportation was a little messier on the road than it is today. The person who was traveling would not only come into your home with a little dust and dirt, but his feet would be dung-stained as well. Washing feet was the job of the least servant. To put it in our terms, the servant with the lowest amount of seniority got the basin as the guests came into the home. He would kneel down and wash their feet.

On that night, when the twelve were gathered with Jesus in their midst, the basin was unattended. There were no men pushing and shoving to see who could be first in line. "No, no, my turn, you got to do it last time. I get to be first. Get behind me. I get to serve. Who do you think you are, pushing in front of me? It's my turn." The basin stood alone—until Jesus got up and took the basin and knelt down and began washing the feet of each disciple. It was a very awkward moment. You see, they recognized the One with the basin. They knew where He came from. He was the Son of God, from the right hand of the Father. Finally Peter, speaking up as if to voice the concern, the awkwardness, and the embarrassment of the whole group, said, "Lord, You can't do this. Of all the people in the room, You shouldn't be doing this!"

The Lord was teaching them about a newer, grander, more blessed way of life. He was getting them ready for what was going to happen less than 24 hours later. As He hung on that cross, and they watched Him bleed and groan and gasp, that same thought must have washed over them that should come to us as you and I picture that scene. It's supposed to be the same feeling the disciples had when Jesus took the basin. "Lord, this isn't right. You're not supposed to be doing this. I'm the one who should be there. I'm the one who should be suffering, not You." But the Lord makes it clear that, through that cross, He gives more than an example; He gives us new life. Through the work of the Holy Spirit, we receive a new life as we look to Him and recognize the blessings of His service, of His ransom, of His deliverance. We come to rejoice and hold onto and remember that great beginning. That beginning, our salvation through Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross, is what enables us to live lives in service for Jesus.

AS GOD’S STEWARDS, OUR SPORADICACTS OF SERVICE BECOME PARTOF OUR DAILY LIVES.

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ,he is a new creation. The old haspassed away; behold, the new hascome” (2 Corinthians 5:17).

MAY BIRTHDAYS

2 Carol Walrath 6 Michelle Conrad 9 Charley Hall

Bruce Mach10 Ron Miller Christina Nelson11 Andrew Mattison14 Carol Hermann

Shari Stevenson15 Chandler Lach18 Janet Gorman

Scott LanamLyne Nelson

19 Jeff Hantz21 Zachary Wasilko22 Carol Nelson23 Nicole Hermann25 Helen Perttunen27 Karen Neiswinter29 Shealyn Lach

Shelby MartinEvelyn Mayer

30 Blake Evans

MAY ANNIVERSARIES 3 Ben & Kathy Sulisz10 Jim & Sue Zimmerman11 Charles & Amy Deeds21 Bill & Ettie Ann Hirth29 Alan & Janelle Lach

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

MEMBERSHIP

TRANSFERS IN:+ + Milton & Margaret Heidt From Good Shepherd Lutheran, Novi, MI

+ + Carrie McShane From St. Michael Lutheran, Wayne, MI

TRANSFER OUT:+ + Nancy Cash To St. Paul, Northville, MI

CALLED HOME:+ + Debra L. Green Birth: 03-27-1958 Death: 03-19-2017

MEMORIALS & HONORARIUMS

MEMORIALS:+ + In memory of Rev. William Besler, a gift has been given by Ken & Lyne Nelson.

+ + In memory of Esther Schlosser, a gift has been given by Gary & Edda Albin.

HONORARIUM:+ + In honor of Mary Gilbert’s Confirmation, a gift has been given to Cross of Christ Christian Preschool.

EMAIL ADDRESSESIf 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 at www.crossofchristlutheran.org.The monthly calendar and newsletter are available each month online.

ALTAR FLOWERS

Thank you for signing up to purchase Altar Flowers in celebration of birthdays, anniversaries, and in memory of loved ones. The cost of a vase is $30 and may be taken home and enjoyed after worship. Sign up in the hallway near the kitchen. Dates are open and sign up is needed in the coming months.

PAROCHIAL LCMSSCHOOL REGISTRATIONS

Our Savior Lutheran School in Hartland is registering for the 2016-17 school year. Call 248-887-4300 or go to:

www.oursaviorhartland.org.to 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.

*******************************St. 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 LCMS sister congregation members.________________________________

We thank Thrivent Financial for continued donations to our church and preschool through the Thrivent Choice Program. If you are a Thrivent policy holder and have not selected Cross of Christ Lutheran Church or Preschool as your designated choice, do so at Thrivent.com/thrivent choice. For information about Thrivent products, contact Brian Bower, our church representative, at:

raymond.bower@thrivent.comor call 734-531-8423.

ST. PAUL PONTIAC VBSDear Friends in Christ,The time has come to get ready for VBS at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Pontiac. I was wondering if you would like to participate with us as we feed 300 children. I make breakfast and a bag lunch each day. It would be greatly appreciated for your help.

Sister in Christ,Marie Thompson

If you can help, please make the check out to: St. Pauls Lutheran Pontiac

In the memo please write “VBS only”

Any questions, call Becky Gladden at248-821-4967.

St. Paul Lutheran Church1133 Joslyn Ave.

Pontiac, MI 48340___________________________________COINS FOR CROSS OF CHRIST

Dream Catchers Save your “spare” change for Cross of Christ ministry in our Dream Catcher containers. Take home a labeled can,

available on the entryway table. Change will go to the Mercy Fund.

M A Y 2 0 1 7C 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 1 2

3 4

6:00-8:00pm Brownie Troop

5 6

7 9:00 am Adult Bible Class10:00am Worship Preschool Sings10:00am Sunday School10:00am Youth Bible Study11:00am SS Teachers’ meeting

8 9Pastor attendsS & E Conference& Circuit Visitors’Conference 9th-11th

1011:00am Women’s Fellowship Meeting

11 12 139am-7pmGirl Scout Event

14 Mother’s Day 9:00am Adult Bible Class10:00am Worship +10:00am Sunday School11:00am Board of Elders

15 1610:15am Evangelism/ Stewardship mtg.7:00pm Church Council

17 18 19 20

21 New Member Welcome Sunday10:00am Worship (New Member Welcome)10:00am Sunday School10:00am Youth Bible Study11:00am Coffee Hour11:00am Congregation Meeting

22 23

24

PreschoolYear-End Picnic 4’s

253:00pm Abbey Park Service

PreschoolYear-End Picnic 3’s

26 27

28 9:00am Adult Bible Class10:00am Worship +10:00am Sunday School 4:00pm Rehab Center Service

29

MemorialDay

30 31+ Indicates Holy Communion

Vacation Bible SchoolJuly 24-28, 2017

9 a.m. – NoonFor children going into Kindergarten

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 help the children with Crafts the week of VBS.

______ 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 24 – (about an hour)

______ 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 available soon.

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