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 R C H , 2 0 2 0

Sunday 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.

Youth Bible Study: 10 a.m. (1st & 3rd Sundays)

Midweek Lenten Worship Wednesdays at 7 p.m.

Theme: “Living Among the Bible’s Trees”

We live among the Bible’s trees! The Bible reports God creating trees on the third day, and trees apparently survive the Last Day’s annihilation of the present ground and sky to reappear on the new earth under the new heaven. The Bible’s trees are relevant to us. In fact, considering them helps us realize why we need a Savior, how God provided a Savior for us in Jesus, who died on the cross, and how the saved lives of repentant believers look.

Dear Beloved Members and Friends,

Who loves you? Your parents love you. Your mother carried you in her womb for nine months and gave birth to you. Your parents brought you to church to be baptized by a pastor. Your parents brought you with them to church to worship God. They brought you to Sunday School, Confirmation, and youth Bible classes. Your parents spoke about God and His love to you. They prayed with you and for you. Your parents spoke loving words to you. They did loving deeds for you. Your parents had blessed purposes for you. They lovingly prepared you to leave their home and live in the world. You may also have a spouse, family members, friends, and fellow Christians who love you. Praise and thank God for people who love us.

God loves you. God is love. God has demonstrated His love to you. God made you a citizen of His Kingdom. God lovingly gave you a spiritual birth of water and the Spirit. Jesus spoke of heavenly things that were written down by John, Luke, Mark, and Matthew. God sent His Son into the world to save it through Him. Thank and praise our Lord.

PASTOR’S LETTER continued:

You were born again spiritually by the sacrament of Holy Baptism. You were spiritually born again through the gospel of Jesus. You can see the Kingdom of God. You see God’s kingdom as you hear it preached and taught. You see the Kingdom of God as you read about it in the Bible. You are a child of God by faith in Christ. The Kingdom of God is within you by Baptism and by faith in God. You were born of water and the Holy Spirit when you were baptized.

God made you a citizen of His Kingdom by the washing of Holy Baptism. You have all the blessings of being a citizen of God’s Kingdom. You have eternal life, the Holy Spirit, forgiveness of sins, justification, salvation, sanctification, and Christ’s righteousness. You have a King who hears and answers your prayers.

God loved you by sending the Holy Spirit to give spiritual birth to your spirit in Baptism. The Spirit gave a new spiritual birth to your spirit when you were baptized. “God has poured out His love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit Whom He has given us.” (Romans 5:5) The Spirit has given you the fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

God loved you by sending Jesus to be lifted up on the cross, that by believing in Him you have eternal life. Christ was lifted up on the cross on Golgotha on Good Friday. The faith that clasps Christ uplifted on the cross makes us alive in and through Him. Jesus paid the full price for your eternal place in heaven by shedding His blood on the cross. Christ rose from death and the tomb. By believing in Jesus as your Savior and Lord, you have eternal life in heaven. You have the hope of the resurrection of your body by faith in Christ. You will live forever in heaven with our Lord, fellow believers, and angels.

God loved you and the world by giving Christ into it so that whoever believes in Him may have eternal life. In agape love lies full understanding and true comprehension, coupled with a corresponding blessed purpose. So astounding is the love that made this gift. So great and so tremendous was the gift. God gave His only-begotten Son to be conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. God gave Jesus to live a perfect life of love for you. God gave Christ to suffer and die for you on the cross. God raised Jesus from death and the tomb for you. By believing in Christ as your Savior and Lord, you will not perish in hell but you will have eternal life in heaven. If you ever doubt that God loves you, remember that He gave His one and only Son for you.

God the Father and His Son have expressed their love for you. Christ spoke of earthly and heavenly things to you. Trust in our loving God.

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

Sincerely Yours in Christ,Pastor Terry Nelson

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 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 at 10 a.m. on the first and third Sundays of the month – March 1 and 15. For questions about Bible study contact Dom at eldridge.dominick@gmail.com or 586-864-8623.SUNDAY ADULT BIBLE CLASS

ADULT BIBLE STUDY Join us Sunday mornings at 9 a.m. All are welcome!We have begun a new DVD study entitled “LITURGY.” The presenter on the DVD is Dr. Arthur Just, professor at Concordia Seminary, Ft. Wayne, Indiana. Dr. Just leads viewers through a presentation of our liturgical heritage and its Scriptural origins. All are welcome to join in at any time.

“For where two or three come together in My Name, there am I with them.” (Matthew 18:20)CROSS OF CHRISTCHRISTIAN PRESCHOOL

“Preschool With a Plus” REGISTRATION for fall classes will take place according to the following schedule: Church Members: Sunday, March 15, after worship Current Preschool Families: Wednesday, March 18, at 9:00 a.m. Past Preschool Families: Thursday, March 19, at 10:00 a.m. Open Enrollment for the Community: Friday, March 20, beginning at 10:00 a.m.

A $70 registration fee (cash or check) is due at the time of registration. You are welcome to come and visit a preschool class. A 2020-21 Registration Form is available on our website.

If you are new to our congregation and would like more information, please call the school office (248-437-0871). We offer a play-based program for three and four year olds, with age appropriate academics and kindergarten readiness. Three year olds have the option of a morning or afternoon class on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Four year olds will meet Monday, Wednesday, and an (optional) Friday – morning and afternoon sessions available.

Thank you to all who participated in our yearly fundraiser. The items will be delivered the week of March 30th.BOARD OF EVANGELISM – STEWARDSHIP

STEWARDSHIP CORNER:

It’s time to reach into our community and let South Lyon know Cross of Christ is alive and well. We have chosen to do a mini-food drive for ACTIVE FAITH. Judy Nimer has asked what popular food items need to be replenished frequently, and here is what they told us:

Macaroni and Cheese Cream of Chicken Soup Saltine Crackers Peanut Butter Soups Canned Veggies

We will be collecting these items in the church entryway during the month of May. There will be boxes set up near a table marked Active Faith. Please start picking up a few items when you shop weekly so in May we can gather everything we have collected and transport them to Active Faith.

Time to share with those less fortunate. Thank you for your time and contributions. May God bless those in need. (Any questions, contact Lynda Whitcher or Judy Nimer.)WOMEN’S FELLOWSHIP

Thank you to Women’s Fellowship for hosting the Ash Wednesday Lenten dinner. The soups and salads were delicious!

Join them on Thursday, March 5th, for their monthly meeting at 10:30 a.m. in the church conference room. All women are welcome! Lunch follows at a local restaurant.

Plans will continue for the Pastors’ Circuit Lunch on April 14 and the LWML Rally on Saturday, April 25th, a joint venture with Shepherd of the Lakes Lutheran Church in Brighton. The Rally will be held at Shepherd of the Lakes. Mark your calendars and plan to attend.EASTER LILIES

Sign up on the Information Board to purchase EASTER LILIES for the altar area. Lilies may be given in memory of loved ones and taken home after the Easter service. The sign up sheet will be posted soon. Help us make the church sanctuary beautiful for Easter.

Rose Eldridge is generally available the third Sunday of the month at 9:30 a.m. and after the worship service to take blood pressure readings.

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

DONATIONS are being received to a Carpet Cleaning Fund. Thank you!STEWARDSHIP

CORNEREmpowered by Jesus

Jesus said, “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. I am the Vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in Me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing” (John 15:4-5). In Jesus’ illustration, we are the branches, and He is the Vine. As branches on the Vine, we are totally dependent on Christ, the true Vine. We, as branches, are to bear fruit.

The Apostle Paul explained to the Galatians what that fruit is: “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23). Deeds done in faith are the fruit of faith resulting in good works. This fruit will be evident in the lives of Christians as a natural outcome of Christ living in us. We minister to the needs of others as Jesus, the Vine, did during His life on earth. We feed the hungry, give water to the thirsty, entertain the stranger, clothe the naked, and visit the sick and the prisoner (Matthew 25:37-39) all in the name of Christ. In serving others, we bear much fruit and glorify God through our lives (John 15:8). We are not saved by the fruit we bear, but we have been created by God and empowered by Him to bear fruit.

May God help us all stay connected to Jesus, so that we may honor Him by serving others.

Blessings on your journey as a steward! FORTY DAYS TO REFLECTON OUR UNWORTHINESS AND THENFOCUS ON GOD’S GRACE AND LOVEIN JESUS

“He Who did not spare His own Son but gaveHim up for us all, how will He not also withHim graciously give us all things” (Romans 8:32).

A Relationship with Jesus

What everyone needs is a meaningful relationship with our Lord, our families, and our friends. Only a relationship with Jesus will fill our emptiness and give life meaning. In order to be intimate with the Lord, we need to walk with Him and be willing to serve, obey, and follow Him. We must admit that we fail to follow God. Instead, we often rebel against Him and go our own ways, yet He continues to desire a relationship with us. “But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). We can be certain that God will never stop loving us. A relationship with Jesus is more than an intellectual understanding or a philosophical awareness. Our relationship is based on love—Christ’s love for us, and, in response, our love for Him—love that enables our faithful obedience. Jesus said, “Whoever has My commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves Me” (John 14:21).

MARCHBIRTHDAYS

4 Thomas Hamlet 5 Lindsay Bray

Travis Miller 7 John Mattison

James Wadkins 8 Kindsey Nelson10 Earlene Reinwand14 Blake Russell18 Jeff Marsh

Jack Petsch19 Lynne Lach20 Kayla Jedanak

Olivia HindleyAaron Nelson

21 Jason PetschMike Wasilko

22 Carole BedardJohn Candela

24 Dennis Evans29 Dana Hamlet30 Paige Sterling31 Beverly Beyer

Jeffrey Kreipke

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

MEMORIALS

+ + In memory of George Richardson, a gift has been given to Debt Reduction Principal by Charles & Rose Eldridge.

+ + In memory of George Richardson, a gift has been given by Christina Lewis.

+ + In memory of Tanner J. Bryon, a gift has been given to the Preschool Fund by the Gilbert Family.

+ + In memory of Milton Heidt, a gift has been given to the General Fund by Mickey Heidt.

Thrivent Choice Program:Don't miss your opportunity to use your voice to make a meaningful choice! Be sure to direct your 2019 Thrivent Choice dollars before they expire March 31, 2020. (The last deposit from Thrivent Choice was for $1154!) Praise God! It's as easy as 1-2-3:

1. Thank you for choosing Cross of Christ Lutheran Church as your organization of choice.

2. Log on to your Thrivent account or call 800-847-4836 to direct your dollars to that organization.

For information about Thrivent products, contact our church representative: Eric A VanHevel, FIC Our church representative Chelsea Group Thrivent Financial eric.vanhevel@thrivent.com 734-385-7435

ALTAR FLOWER CHART

Thank you for signing up to purchase Altar Flowers in celebration of birthdays, anniversaries, and in memory of loved ones. The 2020 Flower Chart is located in the Fellowship Hallway near the kitchen. Two vases are available each Sunday; you only need to sign up for one. The cost of one vase is $30. Flowers are taken home after the worship service. (When a Sunday isn’t covered, the church needs to pay for the flowers.)______________________________________ACTIVE FAITHSTRIKE OUT HUNGER BOWLING Saturday, March 21, at Pinz Bowling Center, South Lyon, 12 p.m. – 2 p.m. Form on bulletin board.

Thank you for your donations of non-perishable food items for Active Faith throughout the year. Donations are welcome in the box provided.

M A R C H 2 0 2 0 C 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 Web:www.crossofchristlutheran.org_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday1 9:00am Adult Bible Class10:00am WORSHIP 10:00am Sunday School 10:00am Youth Bible Study

2 3 4

7 pm WORSHIP

5 10:30am Women’s Fellowship 4:00-5:30pm Confirmation

6 7

8 9:00am Adult Bible Class10:00am WORSHIP +10:00am Sunday School

9 10 11

7 pm WORSHIP

12

4:00-5:30pm Confirmation

13 14

15 9:00am Adult Bible Class10:00am WORSHIP 10:00am Sunday School10:00am Youth Bible Study11:00am Congregation Mtg. 11:00am Preschool Registration (church members)

16 17 6:00pm Church Council

18 7 pm WORSHIP

19 4:00-5:30pm Confirmation

2010:00am Preschool Registration (Open to the Community)

21

22 9:00am Adult Bible Class10:00am WORSHIP + 10:00am Sunday School 4:00pm Rehab Center Worship Service

23 24 25

7 pm WORSHIP

26 3:00pm Abbey Park Worship Service 4:00-5:30pm Confirmation

27 28

29 9:00am Adult Bible Class10:00am WORSHIP + 10:00am Sunday School

30 31

+ Indicates Holy Communion

March Newsletter