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Change the Story: Rethinking Answers to Life's Most Important QuestionsSummer Worship Series I'm sure I don't have to tell you that our nation is undergoing a major shift in religious belief and participation. According to Gallup, church membership among U.S. adults is now below 50% for the first time since they have been tracking it. According to the latest Pew research study, only 65% of American adults describe themselves as Christians, down 12% over the past decade. For more infomation visit: https://hclchurch.com/blog/change-the-story-rethinking-answers-to-lifes-most-important-questions
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NEW In-Person Worship GuidelinesEffective June 6, 2021 At a Special Congregation Council meeting, held on May 27, the Council approved the following new guidlelines for In-Person Worship. These new guidelines go into effect beginning Sunday, June 6, 2021. Based on the new CDC guidelines regarding COVID-19 and the end of the Omaha mask mandate, Holy Cross is making changes to our In-Person Worship Guidelines effective June 6, 2021. As you will see below, those who are fully vaccinated are no longer required to wear masks or practice social distancing and will be allowed to sing in worship. However, it must be made very clear that this does not mean that everything is back to normal. We must be highly mindful of those around us who are still at risk including:
Jesus' admonition to “love your neighbor as yourself” means those who are not fully vaccinated are expected to continue to wear a mask, refrain from singing, and practice social distancing. We must make it a priority to care for those still at risk, especially our children. To provide families with young children and/or adults who are greater risk for COVID-19 an opportunity to worship more safely, we are planning on having one outdoor worship each month, June through September. The most important thing we can all do to help get things as close to back to normal as possible is get vaccinated. If you need any assistance getting vaccinated, please ask for help. General Information
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Worship Leadership
1“Getting COVID-19 may offer some protection, known as natural immunity. Current evidence suggests that reinfection with the virus that causes COVID-19 is uncommon in the months after initial infection, but may increase with time. The risk of severe illness and death from COVID-19 far outweighs any benefits of natural immunity. COVID-19 vaccination will help protect you by creating an antibody (immune system) response without having to experience sickness.” For more infomation visit: http://holycross.tithelysetup.com/news/new-in-person-worship-guidelines |
Living the Dreamby Becky Jones Every Sunday when I see a particular person every week, I always ask them how they are doing. Their never-fail response? “I’m living the dream!”
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June Worship ScheduleChange the Story: Rethinking Answers to Life's Most Important Questions On Sunday, May 30, we began our Summer Worship Series: “Change the Story: Rethinking Answers to Life's Most Important Questions.” (CLICK HERE for more information about the series.) During the month of June, we will reflect on the questions below.
New In-Person Worship Guidelines go into effect beginning June 6. CLICK HERE for more information. For more infomation visit: http://holycross.tithelysetup.com/news/june-worship-schedule |
June Children's Ministry UpdateSchooooool's Out! For! Summer! Believe it or not, we have finished our first ever year of At Home Sunday School. Whether you religiously used the lessons and curriculum, used bits and pieces for your own faith conversations, or just open and shut the emails - we are thankful for you, we are alongside you, and we know that this past year and a half has been quite a ride. Thank you for being flexible this year and thank you for nurturing your child's faith - whatever that looked like for your family. For more infomation visit:
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June Youth NewsSweet summertime... We are officially entering summer break. Need a little centering? Click "Read More" for a breath prayer and some youth updates. For more infomation visit:
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Let's Get Back 2getherHeartland Pride Parade "Let’s Get Back 2gether" is the 2021 theme for the annual Heartland Pride Parade. Holy Cross Lutheran Church is excited to be a part of the festivities again this year. Click "Read More" for more information about the parade and our involvement. For more infomation visit:
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Confirmation Faith Journey Statements
On May 9, 2021, five of Holy Cross' amazing young people Affirmed their Baptism and were confirmed. Below are their Faith Journey Statements that they read as part of the Affirmation of Baptism worship service. Pictured above, left to right, front row: Ryan Grell, Jonathan Wellsandt, Kora Grunke, Brooke Leaders, Emma Leaders
For more infomation visit: https://hclchurch.com/news/confirmation-faith-journey-statements
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Graduating SeniorsCongratulations Class of 2021! Join us as we celebrate and pray for our Graduating Seniors! For more infomation visit:
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Together A Greater GoodDownload the app NOW to support Holy Cross Lutheran Church! Do you TAGG yet? Together A Greater Good is an app that connects local businesses with important causes, charities, ministries, and programs. When you shop from your favorite businesses and restaurants and take a photo of your reciept - those businesses donate 5% of your total back to Holy Cross Lutheran Church! If you are new to TAGG, they will donate $.50 to Holy Cross the first time you use it! Click "Read More" to get started. For more infomation visit:
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Our WebsiteGoing Places! For more infomation visit:
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Food Pantry UpdateMay The Holy Cross Food Pantry continues to serve the community the First Saturday and Third Thursday of every month. We continue with our COVID Prevention Model of a drive-thru pantry service. Press "Read More" to read about our May progress. Questions? Contact Dave Magnuson or Kelley Kennedy. Thank you!
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Habitat for Humanity Faithful BuildersUpdate We have a schedule! Faithful Builders begins work July 31st. Thanks again for your interest in helping with this amazing mission! Find out more by pressing "Read More." If you have any questions or need any help, please email Jim Schneider. For more infomation visit: http://hclchurch.com/news/habitat-for-humanity-faithful-builders
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Centering Prayer GroupConnecting with God More Deeply Centering Prayer is a method to move beyond conversation with Christ, to communion with Christ, and to hear His voice speak to us. For more infomation visit:
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Stewardship and FinanceKeeping Our Priorities Straight "Even if churches did not need money to operate, they would still need the ministry of stewardship programs to help people keep their personal priorities straight. A United Methodist bishop once told about attending a country auction. It was a frosty December morning. The auction offered the usual conglomeration of belongings. There were four horses, twelve cows, and thirty sheep. Two wagon beds were piled high with tools, scrap metal, and rolled wire. Antique collectors nudged one another at the sight of a thirty-gallon copper kettle in which apple butter had been made the previous season. There was a brass bed adorned with a frayed canopy, and four bundles of used coat hangers. The table, piled high with glassware and bric-a-brac, included a two-by-three folding metal picture frame. One side was empty, and the other held a blurry tintype. “The bishop said that the country auction points graphically to a basic truth about every one of us. One day soon, you and I will be called away. Relatives will hire an auctioneer (either literally or figuratively) and set up a hotdog stand in the tool shed. Nice people will buy soft drinks and coffee and bid on the apply butter kettle and Grandma’s tintype. “Viewed from the perspective of the country auction, stewardship is more easily recognized as a spiritual matter. What other goal in life is more significant than investing our lives in something that brings meaning, purpose, and a spiritual relatedness to God while we still can.” [The Vital Congregation, Herb Miller]
Financial Update through April 2021 Actuals 2020 Actuals Income (Deficit) (11,886)* 3,234 *Keep in mind we passed a $32,000 deficit budget for 2021. (We did this with the knowledge that we have $59,000 left over from our 2020 Paycheck Protection Program funds. At the end of the year, we will make up our 2021 deficit using these funds.) Because we passed a $32,000 deficit budget, our monthly and year-to-date "actuals" will most likely always show a deficit. To keep things in perspective this year, it is more helpful to look at "budgeted" amounts as opposed to "actual" amounts, which are shown in the chart above. With that in mind, while our actual deficit through February is $11,886 our budget deficit is only $1,331. For more infomation visit:
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Council UpdateMay Highlights • Beginning in June, outside groups will be able to start using the church building.
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June Birthdays and Anniversaries
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Dates and Calendar
May Meetings Zoom Finance Committee Meeting - June 10 at 6:30 pm Council Meeting - June 15 at 6:30 pm For more infomation visit:
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