As a highly sensitive and deeply empathetic person, I have always had to limit the amount of time I spend watching the news.  Because I feel the pain and suffering of others so acutely, hearing about a world’s worth of suffering in one sitting can be more than I can handle.  Lately I have been hearing from more and more people who are also experiencing this type of emotional overload and finding themselves feeling overwhelmed and run-down by all the hurt and hatred filling the news each day.  Many people are expressing exhaustion, despair, and even paralysis - not knowing what to do or not having the energy available to do much of anything.

Click Read More to continue reading Pastor Heather's article.

Click Read More for October's worship schedule.

The month of October is always exciting!

Click Read More for October's updates!

Join us on the front lawn Sunday, October 5th at 2:00 pm for our annual Blessing of the Pets!

Bring your cat, dog, reptile, and/or amphibian for a special blessing by Pastor Heather.  This is a rain or shine event, watch Facebook for updates!

Join us on the lawn for a fun evening of music and fellowship Sunday, October 5th at 4:00pm.  Featuring Josh Hoyer, a singer/songwriter from Lincoln as seen on NBC’s “The Voice”, with musical style blends of soul, rock, and a dash of blues. Bring your own lawn chair, snacks and drinks.

On Sunday October 19th from 4:00-8:00 PM, we'll have a congregational picnic and bonfire at Monke Lodge at Carol Joy Holling Camp in Ashland, NE.

Click Read More for more information! 

October 19-November 16, our Prayer Shawl Ministry is hosting a Winter Gear Drive for CIRA - Center for Immigrant and Refugee Advancement. 

Please click "Read More" for the list of items we are collecting and ways you can help!

The weather is getting cooler and it is time to stock up on your puzzles for the winter!  Saturday, October 25 from 12:00-2:00pm you can bring any puzzles you would like to exchange to the Fellowship Hall.  Puzzles will be sorted by the number of pieces in the puzzle.  Leave one, take one! Invite your friends! If you have puzzles you just would like to donate or have questions, please contact Kelli Joseph (ksjose123@cox.net). 

On Sunday October 26th following worship, we will be assembling care packages for our young adults! 

If you would like to donate items for the packages, you can take a look at the photo above and drop items off to Kelsey at any time before the 26th. Thank you in advance for helping our young adults feel loved!

Calling all ghouls and goblins!

You're invited to our annual Pumpkin Carving Party! 

All ages, young and old, are welcome to join us in the Fellowship Hall on Sunday October 26th from 6-8 pm to carve pumpkins! We'll have a Halloween movie playing, snacks, and carving supplies ready for you! Bring your own pumpkin, everything else will be provided.

It's that time of year again! Our annual Trunk N Treat is BACK! We can't wait to see all you little goblins on Friday October 31st from 6-8 PM.

You are invited to a traditional Trunk N Treat in our parking lot! 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 to sign up! 

Calling all OWL's (Older Wiser Lutherans)! You are invited to Music and Lunch with Pastor Heather featuring music by Carol & Kelly Rich on Tuesday, November 11th at 11:30 am here at Holy Cross. 

Watch the Narthex and bulletin later in October for more details and ways to sign up! 

Mark your calendars for our annual Fall Craft Fair at Holy Cross Lutheran Church! We'll welcome over 30 local makers on Saturday November 15th from 9:00 am - 3:00 pm for a day of shopping fun! 

Admission is FREE!

Stay tuned for vendor paperwork!

The Holy Cross Food Pantry continues to serve the community the First Saturday and Third Thursday of every month.  Click "read more" for October's pantry article.

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.

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

Financial Update through August

October Meetings

Finance Committee Meeting - October 16 at 6:00 pm

Council Meeting - October 21 at 6:30 pm

Birthdays

Lisa Jones....................10/1
Duane Doering...............10/2
Tyler Gift................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
Charlotte Anderson...................10/10
Raelyn Kniewel............10/12
Kayson Malone.......................10/13
Ryan Buckley..................10/14
Julia Poole...................10/15
Robert Krueger.......................10/17
Jennifer Gitt.......................10/19
Sharon Wineman.............10/20
Connie Mertz.........................10/21
Alice Hewitt.........................10/23
Brian Thilliander...................10/24
Paula McDonald............................10/26
Henry Sukstorf...........................10/27
Kirsten Glesne.......................10/30
Jim Schneider...........................10/30
Sarah Sjolie.............................10/31



Anniversaries

Joel & Jenny Fitzpatrick.................10/6
Jason & Jen Valandra.......................10/15
Ryan Buckley & Sarah Duncan......................10/22
Rohn Collins & David Magnuson.....................10/24
Kyle & Andrea Hewitt.......................10/25
Ed & Alisa Krueger...................10/28
Tristan & Catherine Harvey.....................10/30