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

A P R I L 2 0 1 8Sunday 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)

Dear Beloved Members and Friends,

Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! As Christians that is how we greet one another on Easter Sunday. We celebrated Easter on April 1st. The Easter season is celebrated throughout the month of April. All during the Easter season it is appropriate and encouraging to greet one another by saying, “Christ is risen! He is risen indeed!”

We gather together on Sunday mornings to worship our risen Lord Jesus Christ. Christ and His resurrection are the reason for Easter Sunday and for the Easter season. We worship our risen Lord by singing hymns to Him. We worship our risen Lord by speaking words of praise to Him and by praying to Him. We celebrate and receive our Lord’s Supper. We receive Christ’s body and blood and proclaim His death. Jesus promises to be with us when we come together in His name and when we celebrate His Supper.

There are obstacles to serving Jesus in our lives. What obstacles are in your life that get in the way of you serving our risen Christ? Physical afflictions may be obstacles to serving our risen Lord. We want to serve Jesus, but some days we don’t have the physical strength. Over-commitment may be an obstacle to serving Christ. We want to serve our Lord in a specific way but we already scheduled something else at that day and hour. Who will roll the stones away from the opportunities to serve Jesus? Who will roll the obstacles away from the possibilities to serve our risen Christ?

God and His angels can roll the stones away for us. God and His angels can help us to roll away the obstacles from serving Jesus. God and His angels can guide and strengthen us to serve Christ. The Holy Spirit rolls away obstacles to the truth of our Lord’s resurrection.

God can roll away obstacles to serving Jesus. God can heal your physical afflictions. He can give you wisdom. God can help you practice wisdom as you manage your time. He will guide and strengthen you to serve our risen Lord.

PASTOR’S LETTER

A young girl collected three eggs during a church Easter egg hunt. She opened the first two eggs. They had candy in them. The girl put the candy back in the eggs and closed them. She opened the third egg. It was empty. The girl said to a friend, “This is the best egg. Jesus rose from the dead. Jesus left His tomb empty. This empty egg will help me remember Jesus rising from the dead and leaving the tomb empty. When I eat the candy in the other eggs, they can remind me of Jesus’ resurrection too.”

The risen Christ gives blessings and promises to us. Jesus gives us the commission to go into all the world and proclaim the good news to all people. Our Lord promises that whoever believes in Him and is baptized will be saved. Christ gave us the Office of the Keys. Jesus gives us His peace by His presence and words. Christ will come back on the Last Day and take you to be with Him that you also may be where He is in heaven. Jesus will give you a glorious, immortal body like His so that you will be able to live forever in heaven.

Jesus is with you when you are afraid and bewildered. Christ says to you, “peace be with you!” (John 20:19) The peace of our risen Lord will remove bewilderment and fear from your heart, mind, and soul. Hear Jesus’ Word in worship services and Bible classes. Read Christ’s Word in your Bible. Our Lord will encourage, guide and strengthen you with His Word. Jesus will make you courageous and wise. He lives to silence all your fears; He lives to wipe away your tears; He lives to claim your troubled heart; He lives all blessings to impart.

May our risen Lord bless you and your family this month of April and always!

Sincerely Yours in the Risen 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 are meeting for Bible Study at 10 a.m. on the first and third Sundays of the month. For questions about Bible study contact Dom at 586-864-8623 or email him at eldridge.dominick@gmail.com.SUNDAY ADULT BIBLE CLASS “For where two or three come together in My Name, there am I with them.” (Matt. 18:20)

ADULT BIBLE STUDY is enjoying the 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.CROSS OF CHRIST CHRISTIAN PRESCHOOL

“Preschool With a Plus” Registration for fall classes is off to a great start. We have openings in our afternoon 4 year old class and both 3 year old classes at this time. A $70 registration fee (cash or check) is due at the time of registration. 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 church/school office. Call 248-437-0871 also to set up a class visit. We offer a play-based program for three and four year olds, with age appropriate academics and kindergarten readiness.

THANK YOU to those who participated in the Cherrydale Farms - Morley Candy preschool fundraiser. We appreciate your support of our preschool.FUNERAL LUNCHEONS

Thank you to all who have donated food and helped at the Funeral Luncheons. Not all on our Helper List are called for each funeral. The number of guests at a luncheon determines how many helpers and dishes are needed. However, if you want to help, please call or email Annie Nichols at 248-437-9599 or annie5cents@yahoo.com. Many hands make light work.THANK YOU

Thank you to all who helped prepare for our Easter celebration with the placement of altar paraments, banners, and lilies, music practice and performance, and children’s activities.

LWML SPRING RALLY Sign up on the Information Board.Healing in the Hospital

LWML Ann Arbor Zone Spring RallySaturday, April 21, 2018 ~ 9:00 AM – 12 Noon

Living Water Lutheran Church of Whitmore Lake200 Barker Road, Whitmore Lake, MI 48189

****Speaker and Special Guest:

Joel Maier and Denver the Therapy DogC.S. Mott Hospital Child Life Specialists

Ingathering for C.S. Mott Hospital See List on board.

THANK YOU to all who have contributed to the DIAPER DRIVE this past month for Another Way Pregnancy Center. Women’s Fellowship thanks Thrivent for Lutherans, and Rose Hall for heading up the Thrivent Action Team, for providing $250 worth of diapers for the cause. Women’s Fellowship will deliver the items on Thursday, April 19, and take part in a tour of the facility. ALL ARE WELCOME to attend. Meet at church at 10:30 a.m. They will enjoy lunch at a nearby restaurant.

On Sunday, April 22, a Thrivent Member Appreciation Day will be held. Brian Bower, our congregation’s Thrivent representative, will host a Coffee Hour after worship on April 22. Our congregation is invited to stay after worship to enjoy this time of fellowship.

STEWARDSHIP CORNERGiving God our Best Efforts

God has chosen to give each of us different gifts and abilities. Although the type of gifts and the number of gifts will be different among us, the one constant that God expects is a faithful effort to use our blessings to serve Him and others. “As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another as good stewards of God’s varied grace” (1 Peter 4:10). God’s gifts to us are to be used according to His will, and, because of God’s grace, we can do the work of the Lord.

In the Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14-30), a master (God) gave three servants different gifts. One received five talents, another two, and another one. It is not a person’s talent which matters, but it is how that person uses it that counts. God never demands from people abilities which he or she does not have. God does demand that we use our abilities and possessions to the fullest extent. While we may not be equal in ability, we have the ability of equality in effort.

In the parable, we see that the reward for work well done is still more work to do. The two servants who had done their work well are not told to lean back and take it easy because they have done well. Rather, they are given greater tasks and greater responsibilities in the work of the master. The productive servants receive even more of the master’s property. The reward of work well done is not rest, but more work.

The servant with the one talent did not lose his talent, but he simply did nothing with it. In response to the master, the one-talent servant said, “I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.” (Verse 25). By not doing anything with his talent, the servant will lose his opportunity to be of further service to the master. What a terrible sentence he heard, when the master said, “So take the talent from him and give it to him who has the ten talents” (Verse 28). It is always a temptation to believe that we have so little so it is not even worthwhile to try. It is a mistake not to use what we have been given to offer for the common good.

As Christians, we are called into ministry. We are God’s representatives who are called to serve. May we all by faith understand that God is the source of all that we are and have, and that He has provided us with our gifts and abilities to serve Him and His people. When we tap into His strength and guidance, we will hear Him say to us, “Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your Master” (Verse 23).

STEWARDSHIP DEVOTION

Scripture Reading: “But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed” (2 Corinthians 4:7-9).

The Power of the WordThe Word of God has been described in many ways, but each description carries the connotation of worth and value and power. The Word, we read in Hebrews 4:12, is “living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword…” The prophet Isaiah declared that the Word that goes out of our Lord’s mouth “shall accomplish that which [God] purpose[s] and shall succeed in the thing for which [He] sent it” (Isaiah 55:11). By the word of His mouth, God created the heavens and the Earth (Genesis 1:1, 3, 6, 9, 11, 14, 20, 24, 26). God Himself called His word a fire and a hammer (Jeremiah 23:29). In Ephesians, Paul wrote about the Armour of God, topping off all the defensive weapons God gives us with one offensive weapon, “the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God” (Ephesians 6:17).

In our reading, we find Paul describing the Word as a “treasure” in “jars of clay.” This great treasure is God’s Word. It lives inside us; it strengthens us; it encourages us; it gives us hope; it never fades away; it enables us to persevere. Indeed this is a treasure!

Many don’t know that this treasure exists. They may have it beautifully leather-bound and on a shelf in their homes, but they don’t realize they have a priceless treasure in their possession. It is up to us who have this treasure to share it, for it can never be used up, never decrease in value, and never lose its newness and vitality.

Discussion Thoughts:1. Read Hebrews 4:12-13. What does the Word have power to do? What does that mean?2. Scan Matthew 24:1-35. Why is verse 35 such a great climax to this section of Scripture?3. Discuss ways Christians can share our “treasure in jars of clay” with those who don’t know

about God’s Word.

Prayer: Almighty God, we praise and thank You for this great gift You give us–the gift of Your Word. Let it be to us the greatest treasure we have. Let us always be grateful and never take for granted our privilege to read and study it, to hear it preached and taught. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

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.

MEMORIALS

+ + In memory of Grant Neiswinter, a gift has been given by Jim & Patty Wadkins

+ + In memory of Grant Neiswinter, a gift has been given to Debt Reduction Principal by Charlie & Rose Eldridge.

+ + In memory of Grant Neiswinter, a gift has been given by Annie Nichols.

+ + In memory of Robert Walrath, a gift has been given by Annie Nichols.

+ + In memory of Grant Neiswinter, gifts have been given by S. Morgan & M. Forte, Mr. & Mrs. Gilmore, and T. David.

MEMBERSHIP

WELCOMED:March 28, 2018:

Kevin & Sue DawleyAnna RedmonLandry Roebuck, Luka & Emma

May God bless them in our midst!

CALLED HOME:

+ + Earl W. BaldwinB: 09-17-1927 D: 02-20-2018

+ + Grant S. NeiswinterB: 07-15-1938 D: 03-16-2018

+ + Robert A. WalrathB:12-25-1940 D: 03-17-2018

A memorial service will be held for Robert Walrath here at church on Saturday, April 14, at 5 p.m. Visitation will be held from 1-5 p.m.

APRILBIRTHDAYS

2 Lisa Sterling 3 Rachel Tura 6 Julia Kreipke 8 Ronald Reichert

Gloria Schrom 9 Dawn Lanczki

Brent SterlingSue Zimmerman

10 Heather Sieting15 Lillian Candela

Karen HantzKenneth Nelson

16 Joe Vance17 Vi Chambers

Cathy Eckhout18 Sarah Zimmerman19 Alice Miller

Luke NelsonSamantha Hudson

21 Bob Smith22 Stephen Flook23 Brian Hall27 Gary Albin

APRILANNIVERSARIES

1 David & Kari Bye 3 Dennis & Donna Evans28 William & Leslie Pratt

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL 2018

JULY 30 – AUGUST 3

A P R I L , 2 0 1 8 CROSS OF CHRIST LUTHERAN CHURCH

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 Saturday1 Easter Sunday

10:00 am WORSHIP +

2

PreschoolSpring Break

Week

3 4 511:00am Women’s Fellowship

6 7

8 9:00am Adult Bible Class10:00am WORSHIP +10:00am Sunday School10:00am Youth Bible Study11:00am Choir Rehearsal

9 10

114:00-5:30pm Confirmation

12 13 14Robert Walrath Memorial1-5pm Visitation 5pm Service

15 9:00 am Adult Bible Class10:00am WORSHIP Choir Sings 10:00am Sunday School10:00am Youth Bible Study

16 177:00pm Church Council

184:00-5:30pm Confirmation

1910:30amMeet at church to deliver to AWPC & Tour

20 219am-NoonLWML RallyWhitmore Lake

22 Thrivent Member Appreciation Day 9:00am Adult Bible Class10:00am WORSHIP +10:00am Sunday School11:00am Coffee Hour – Hosted by Thrivent 4:00pm Rehab Center Service

23 24 254:00-5:30pm Confirmation

26

3:00pm Abbey Park Service

27 288:00am-8:00pmGirl ScoutFundraiser Event

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

30 + Indicates Holy Communion

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