Imagine a world where everyone experiences the love of God.  That is exactly what our congregational council did at this year’s council retreat.  Click "Read More" to continue reading Pastor Heather's article.

Save the Date! On October 8th we will celebrate the official installation of Pastor Heather Grell.  Please plan to attend the Potluck reception immediately following worship Sunday.  Bring your favorite dish - enough to share!  If you would like to help set up/decorate or clean up following the event, contact Dave Magnuson. 

Click "Read More" for October's worship schedule.

Starting October 15, join Pastor Heather for this 6 week adult forum series where we will look at familiar Bible stories and reveal new details and interpretations for an adult audience.

You can order a copy of the book here.

Join us on the front lawn Sunday, October 1st at 2:00 pm for the Blessing of the Pets.  Bring your cat, dog, reptile, and/or amphibian for a special blessing.  This is a rain or shine event, watch Facebook for updates!

Click "Read More" for all Children + Youth October happenings!!

Join us for one of our favorite events of the year!

Our annual Hayrack Ride & Bonfire will be held on Sunday October 22nd at Shady Lane Ranch (17744 Shady Lane, Council Bluffs, IA 51503).

We'll enjoy a classic hayrack ride through Shady Lane's beautiful fall scenery and end with a bonfire, complete with hot dogs and s'mores! 

Cost is $15 per person. Children 3 and under are FREE. 

Please register by Sunday October 15th so we can confirm the correct number of hayracks. The link to register can be found by clicking "Read More."

What is Garden and Gab? A chance to come together and clean up the church garden areas. We will work together in a different section every week. Bring your lawn chair and favorite beverage and enjoy conversation and fellowship after the garden is complete.   Mark your calendar and join us Wednesday evenings at 6 PM as we work to keep our church gardens looking beautiful.  Garden gloves and small clippers are recommended.   

Sunday, October 1st from 8:00 am to 2:00 pm.  Visit RedCrossBlood.org and enter HolyCrossLutheran to schedule an appointment.

Plan to join us on Sunday October 29th after worship for an Intergenerational Service Project! Again this year, we'll be creating care packages for the Young Adults in our congregation. We'd love to have your help collecting items to include in the packages. See the requested donation list above, and place them in the appropriate bin in the Narthex. Thank you!

*There will be no Sunday School on October 29.

You are invited to a traditional Trunk N Treat in our parking lot on Tuesday October 31st from 6-8 PM! Volunteers will decorate the trunks of their cars, and families are invited to stroll through the parking lot, trick or treating from vehicle to vehicle to collect candy and treats. 

If you are interested in decorating the trunk of your vehicle, please click the button below for the Sign Up link.

A Halloween joke before we go...

What is a zombie's favorite cereal?

....Rice CREEP-ies!!

See you on October 31st for a spooky good time!

Start your holiday shopping at Holy Cross Lutheran Church!

On Saturday November 18th, over 30 local handmade vendors will be selling their goods to kick off the holiday season!

Admission is FREE, please share with your friends!

We are nearing our $1,500 fundraising goal!  To donate, you can use Tithe.ly (be sure to designate Habitat for Humanity) or drop a check in the collection plate. Make checks payable to Holy Cross and mark the subject line “Habitat for Humanity.” The classic way to help Habitat is hands-on building and our “Faithful Builders Coalition” is working on Saturdays through October 28^th. To help with construction please sign up here https://bit.ly/HFHO-Faith23, or contact Jim Schneider. 

Click Read More for more information on the Knitting in the Narthex Group.

A beginner's Tai Chi class will occur weekly on Wednesdays from 12:30-1:30 pm.

A free-will donation will be accepted for our instructor, Cynthia Simon. 

Bring a friend, a water bottle and an open mind as we move together, breathe together and discover balance within.

Questions? Contact Becky Jones.

Knitting in the Narthex
Meet at Holy Cross on Fridays from 1pm - 2:30pm for fellowship and knitting prayer shawls.

Circle Bible Studies:
Sarah Circle - Meets at Holy Cross on the 2nd Saturday of the month at 9:30am.    
Rachel Circle - Meets via zoom on the 2nd Monday of the month at 7pm.  Contact Peg Schneider at schneider7@cox.net for more information.
Both groups use the ELCA Women’s Gather magazine for their study.

Contemplative Prayer - Spiritual Ministry

Click the Read More button for details on a normal Contemplative Prayer session and upcoming events centering around Contemplative Prayer.

Financial Update through August

                                            2023 Actuals        2022 Actuals
Beginning Balance              (27,803)                 (21,259)
Monthly Expenses               29,697                    28,155
Monthly Income                  23,788                    29,263

Income (Deficit)                 (33,713)                  (20,151)

Text to Give is just one of the new features that we offer here at Holy Cross Lutheran Church.  

October Meetings

Finance Committee Meeting - October 10 at 3:00 pm

Council Meeting - October 17 at 6:30 pm

Anniversaries

Joel & Jenny Fitzpatrick.............10/6
Kenneth & Kathleen Jackson...............10/8
Ryan Buckley & Sarah Duncan...............10/22
Rohn Collins & David Magnuson............10/24
Ed & Alisa Krueger....................10/28

Birthdays

Lisa Jones.............10/1
Duane Doering............10/2
Tyler Gift..................10/5
Randall Howard..............10/5
John DeBoer..............10/6
Peter Sukstorf...............10/6
Sandra Doering..............10/7
Anna Grell..................10/7
David Olson...............10/7
Walter Roberts...............10/7
Rudy Toscano.................10/7
Wendy Erickson...............10/8
Alex Howatt..................10/8
Valerie Birch.............10/9
Julie Leahy................10/9
Ryan Buckley...............10/14
Julia Poole..............10/15
Bob Krueger.................10/17
Kathleen Magistretti...............10/17
Kiah Shaw..................10/18
Jen Gitt...................10/19
Sharon Wineman.............10/20
Connie Mertz.................10/21
Brian Thilliander..............10/24
Paula McDonald...............10/26
Henry Sukstorf................10/27
Kenneth Jackson..................10/28
Kirsten Glesne...................10/30
Jim Schneider.........................10/30