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 1 8

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: “Return to the Lord”

HOLY WEEK WORSHIP SCHEDULE

Palm Sunday . . . . . . . . . . . . . March 25. . . . . . . . . 10:00am +Maundy Thursday . . . . . . . . . . March 29 . . . . . . . . .7:00pm +Good Friday . . . . . . . . . . . . . . March 30 . . . . . . . . . .7:00pmEaster Sunday . . . . . . . . . . . . April 1st . . . . . . . . . .10:00am +

(+ Indicates Holy Communion)

Sunday School classes and Adult Bible Study will not be held on Easter Sunday.Dear Beloved Members and Friends,

This month of March contains Holy Week. Holy Week is a special time set apart by Christians to celebrate the actions of Jesus that made us holy. Christ rode humbly and triumphantly into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday to save us and to make us holy. Jesus instituted Holy Communion during His celebration of the Passover meal with His disciples on Maundy Thursday. Christ was crucified and died on Good Friday. We have been made holy through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ once for all on the cross. Jesus rose from death and the tomb for us on Easter Sunday.

Our Lord calls us to faith and holiness. Jesus calls you that He might pardon you in abundance. Christ pardons in bunches and then some. More pardon than there is sin. That is the way of our Lord with you. Jesus puts pardon into flesh with His incarnate Word. continued . . . . . . .PASTOR’S LETTER continued:

Jesus asked His Father to pardon you while He was suffering and dying on the cross. Jesus said, “Father, forgive them for they do not know what they are doing.” God the Father heard and answered His Son’s prayer. God forgave you because of Christ.

Heaps of pardon with unending compassion does not happen by accident. It comes at a cost. A cost that must be paid by Jesus. It all comes together right here at the cross. Here the Word accomplishes that for which He was sent. At the cross Christ succeeds in God’s purpose.

Jesus paid the price in full for your sins when He shed His precious blood on the cross. Christ paid the full price for your place in heaven with His blood when He was crucified. When He had received the drink, Jesus said “It is finished.” With that He bowed His head and gave up His Spirit. (John 19:30). The Greek word translated “It is finished” also means “paid in full.” Tetelestai was used in commerce in the first century. Christ announced from the cross that He had paid in full for your sins and for your place in heaven.

The Word succeeds by the cross. The cross is why Jesus returned to God forty days after rising from the dead successfully. God does not gauge success as we do. Jesus gauges success by pardoning. Christ has succeeded in winning for you an unending supply of pardon. You can be certain of it. This is most certainly true. There is no doubt that God will pardon you because of His crucified Son.

Every time you confess your sins to God, you know that He forgives you because of Jesus and His death on the cross. Each time you pray in the Lord’s Prayer, “forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us,” our Father in heaven forgives you because of His Son.

Jesus will raise you up on the Last Day. “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.” (John 6:40) Christ will reunite your body and spirit. Jesus will transform your mortal body and make it like His glorious body. You will never sin, get sick, or die. You will live with our Lord forever in heaven.

May God bless you and your family this Lenten season and always!

Sincerely Yours in Christ,Pastor Terry Nelson NEW MEMBER WELCOME

On Sunday, March 18, we will welcome the following new members: Landry Roebuck, Emma and Luka, from St. Paul, Northville Anna Redmon, from Emmanuel, Dearborn Kevin & Sue Dawley, from Holy Cross, Livonia

May God 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 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.

A Children’s EASTER EGG HUNT will be held on Palm Sunday after the 10 a.m. worship service. All are welcome to join in the fun!

YOUTH in grades 6-12 meet for Bible Study at 10 a.m. on the first and third Sundays of the month – March 4 and 18. For questions about Bible study contact Dom at 586-864-8623.

SUNDAY ADULT BIBLE CLASS

ADULT BIBLE STUDY has begun a new DVD study, Jesus: Legend or Lord. Jesus is one of the most written about and debated figures in the world.  Dr. Paul Maier takes you on a three lane journey of Archaeology, History and Geography showing Jesus through the world of His time as he moved toward the cross.  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)MARK YOUR CALENDARS . . .

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL 2018: July 30 – August 3, 2018 “Shipwrecked: Rescued by Jesus”Plan your summer vacations and other activities around VBS. Many helpers will be needed!

WOMEN’S FELLOWSHIP

In March, Women’s Fellowship will sponsor a Diaper Drive and Baby Items for Another Way Pregnancy Center. The following items are most needed:

Diapers size Newborn, 4, 5, and 6Baby outfits size 9mo – 2T (both boys and girls) – gently used okGrooming items (clippers, brushes, etc)Baby towelsBaby socksPacifiers and teethers

The next meeting will be held Thursday, March 8, at 11 a.m. at Big Boy Restaurant (8510 W. Grand River Ave.) in Brighton. Call Patty at 248-446-9016 if you have any questions.

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. Plants are available for $16 each. Help us make the church sanctuary beautiful for Easter.

USHERS NEEDED We are in need of additional Ushers. Ushers serve on a team of four, once every three or four weeks. See Pastor Nelson if you can help out. Thank you!

Enjoy Dinner after Churchon Sunday, March 18th,

Hosted by Women’s Fellowship(Free-will donations to Floor Waxing Fund)

Sign up on the Information Board.CROSS OF CHRISTCHRISTIAN PRESCHOOL

“Preschool With a Plus”

REGISTRATION for fall classes will take place according to the following schedule: Church Members: Sunday, March 11, after worship Current Preschool Families: Wednesday, March 14, at 9:30 a.m. Past Preschool Families: Thursday, March 15, at 10:00 a.m. Open Enrollment for the Community: Friday, March 16, 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 2018-19 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 11.STEWARDSHIPCORNER

Seeking God First

During this Lenten season, our thoughts and hearts focus on the love that Jesus demonstrated to each of us by His willingness to suffer and die on the cross. Our heavenly Father loved us so much that He sent His one and only Son to live among us and die for us so that, through His Son’s death and resurrection, we could be reconciled with Him and sin and death would be conquered.

During Lent, we meditate on what Jesus has done for us and, by God’s grace, we may be led to develop a more disciplined lifestyle by giving up certain foods and/or activities in order to focus on our relationship with our Savior. Jesus said, “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you” (Matthew 6:33). The first word in this verse is “but.” Jesus used this word because people are so worried about worldly things that we are too preoccupied to seek Him. Jesus promises that, if we will seek Him, He will give us what we need. What about you today? Are you seeking God with all your heart knowing that He can be trusted and will provide? Are you worrying too much about material things and relying too much on yourself? Have you embraced the attitude of our culture that “more is better”? Do you feel strained, exhausted, and breathless because of the rat race you can’t escape? In Christ, you can escape, and, through faith, you can freely “seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness,” knowing He will provide.

Prayer: Lord, place in me an attitude to seek You first. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

Blessings on your journey as a steward!

OUR SINFUL NATURE IS ALWAYSAT WAR WITH OUR DESIRE TO DO

WHAT IS GOOD. WHO WILLRESCUE US FROM THIS DILEMMA?

“Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!” (Romans 7:25).

He Is Risen! He Is Risen Indeed!Have a Blessed Easter!

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 Evans

Olivia HindleyAaron Nelson

21 Jason PetschMike WasilkoRobert Wolski

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.

MEMBERSHIP

RECEIVED: + + Kevin & Sue Dawley From Holy Cross, Livonia

EMAIL ADDRESSES

If 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.

Like us on FACEBOOK at:www.facebook.com/crossofchristsouthlyon

THRIVENT CHOICE DOLLARSThank you to all who have designated “Cross of Christ” to receive funds. In 2017 we received $2,121 for ministry here at Cross of Christ. As a reminder, you can still direct 2017 Choice Dollars®. Act now before the 2017 Choice Dollars* expire. Directing Choice Dollars online is fast and easy. Simply visit:www.Thrivent.com/thriventchoice and click the “Get Started” link to begin. If you have any questions about directing Choice Dollars you can contact our Member Connection Center at 1-800-847-4836 and say “Thrivent Choice” at the prompt. For information about Thrivent products, contact Brian Bower, our church representative, at:

raymond.bower@thrivent.com or call 734-531-8423.

ALTAR FLOWER CHART

Thank you for signing up to purchase Altar Flowers in celebration of birthdays, anniversaries, and in memory of loved ones. The 2018 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.)______________________________________

AREA NEWS

Our Savior Lutheran School, Hartland, invites you to an Open House to visit school in session on March 8 and 20, from 8:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Our Savior features small class size, tuition-free grades K-8, high achievement test scores and strong reading and writing programs. Kindergarten Round-Up will be held Tuesday, March 6, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. (half and full day options available). Contact 248-887-3836 for more information.

LIFE LINE SCREENING

Life Line Screening will be here at Cross of Christ Lutheran Church on Saturday, March 10, 2018 offering safe, painless, non-invasive preventive health screenings that are typically not a part of a routine physical.  Register for these life-saving tests today.   For more information, flyers are available on the Gathering Hall table.  For only $139 (regularly $149) you can learn your risk of having a stroke or vascular disease.

Three ways to register:•      Call toll-free: 866-229-0469•      Online: www.lifelinescreening.com/communitycircle

•       Text: the word circle to 797979

LAUGH4HOPE Family-Friendly Comedy Night

To benefitAnother Way Pregnancy Center (awpc)

Featuring Comedian Jeff AllenFriday, March 9, 7:30 p.m.Ward Church – Northville

BUY TICKETS at AWPCevents.org or call (248) 939-5901

Tickets $15 Each or 2 for $25

MEMORIALS

+ + In memory of Norman & Lula Witt, a gift has been given to the Tractor Fund by Milton & Mickey Heidt.

+ + In memory of Hal Nimer, a gift has been given by Jeffrey Sutherland.

+ + In memory of Hal Nimer, a gift has been given by Nancy Childs.

ACTIVE FAITH

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. Your monetary donations are also invited.

STRIKE OUT HUNGER BOWLING, Sunday, March 4, 1-3, PINZ Bowling, South Lyon. To register call 248-437-9790. Walk-ins welcome!

STEWARDSHIP THOUGHT

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).

Prayer: Lord, thank You for wanting a relationship with me a poor, sinful person. Help me to show my gratitude to You by how I care and serve others. Use me as Your instrument of love, grace, and mercy to those around me. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

M A R C H 2 0 1 8 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/ Home: 248-486-4335 Web:www.crossofchristlutheran.org_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday+ Indicates Holy Communion

1

6:30-8:00pm Girl Scouts

2 3

4 9:00am Adult Bible Class10:00am WORSHIP 10:00am Sunday School 10:00am Youth Bible Study

5 6 7 4:00-5:30pm Confirmation

7 pm WORSHIP

811:00am Women’s Fellowship At Big Boy-Brighton

9 10Lifeline Screening866-229-0469

11 9:00am Adult Bible Class10:00am WORSHIP + 10:00am Sunday School 11:00am Preschool Registration (members)

12 13 9:30am Current Preschool Families Register

14 4:00-5:30pm Confirmation 7 pm WORSHIP

15 1610:00am Preschool Registration (Open to the Community)

17

18 9:00am Adult Bible Class10:00am WORSHIP (New Member Welcome)10:00am Sunday School10:00am Youth Bible Study11:00am St. Patrick’s Day Dinner

19 2010:15am Bd. of Evangelism/ Stewardship 7:00pm Church Council

21 4:00-5:30pm Confirmation

7 pm WORSHIP

22 3:00pm Abbey Park Worship Service

23 24

25 Palm Sunday

9:00am Adult Bible Class10:00am WORSHIP + 10:00am Sunday School 11:00am Easter Egg Hunt 4:00pm Rehab Center Worship Service

26 27 28

29 Maundy Thursday

7:00 pm WORSHIP +

30 Good Friday

7:00 pm WORSHIP

31

March Newsletter