Newsletter February 20, 2022

Isaiah 55:10-13, Revelation 5:1-14, Luke 8:4-15

Sexagesima Sunday

Church Service – February 20, 2022

New Sermon Series: Worthship

In worship we acknowledge God’s worthiness and receive from Him our worth and value through His love and mercy and grace. Join us as we begin a four week sermon series where we examine our Sunday morning worship experience at Holy Cross. We will talk about what we do and why we do what we do. We will answer questions you may have, and see how the answers to those questions lead us back to the gospel.

We know it’s hard to feel connected sometimes with everything that is going on. We are working hard here at Holy Cross to keep our church family thriving as much as possible while still being responsible with our decisions about the health of our congregation and the community. Here are some ways to stay plugged in to HCLM:

Prepare for Sunday Services – worship song set lists, scripture readings, and questions for deeper thinking will be posted throughout the week on Facebook and Instagram
Praying for You – We have always believed in the power of prayer. If there is something weighing on your mind or want to submit a prayer, let us know through our prayer request form or e-mail prayer@hclm.org.
Online or In Person Services – Sunday at 8:00am for traditional service or 10:00am for contemporary
Holy Cross Lake Mary Podcast – Check out and subscribe to our new podcast on iTunes or Spotify. You can also simply ask Alexa to “play the Holy Cross Lake Mary Podcast”

Tithes & Offerings

We give because we recognize that God has blessed us immensely and so we honor Him by giving back to Him out of our tithes and offerings. You can give online at hclm.org/give or mail to church address at 780 N Sun Drive, Lake Mary, FL 32746.

Sunday Morning Seating Arrangements

We ask that members of households to sit together while remaining socially distant from other households with 2-3 seats between families. Thanks for keeping others safe.

Upcoming Events and Activities

February 17, Game Night (NEW L-TEAM)

Let’s play some games! Come join us the 3^rd Thursday of each month! Everyone is welcome!

We will bring some of our favorites and welcome you to bring your favorites too. Gametime starts at 6pm in the Community Center.

RSVP not necessary. Contact Kelly Kutcher with questions 386.804.6812.

February 25-Mercy Me @UCF

March 2- Ash Wednesday Service

7PM in the Worship Center

March 6- Chili Cookoff!!

Dust off those aprons, the Chili Cookoff is back! We’re excited to bring this event back, so start preparing those recipes!

March 9- First Communion Class Begins

During the Season of Lent, Pastor Chris will host this class for  4th and 5th grade students and prepare them to receive their First Communion at the Maundy Thursday service on April 14th. Click here for more information and to register. 

March 13- Family Serve Day

Join Pastor Chris from 1-3 to clean up our adopted Road (Longwood-Lake Mary). It’s a great time of service and fellowship. 

March 13- Concordia University Ann Arbor Wind Ensemble Spring Tour

Join us in the Worship Center at 7:00 PM for this free Concert.

March 14, Cookbook Crew (NEW L-TEAM)

Do you like to eat? Do you find yourself in a recipe rut? Are you curious what others are putting on their tables each evening? Come join us in fellowship as we have fun sharing some of our favorites. We will have a monthly theme and wish for you to bring your favorite written recipe that fits the theme. You will leave full of ideas and hopefully inspired to try out a new dish. Sharing does not have to be overwhelming…contact Diane Culpepper or Kelly Kutcher with questions!

Theme for March 14: Family Favorite

Theme for April 11: 30 Minute Meal

RSVP desired but not necessary. Diane Culpepper 407.430.5324 or Kelly Kutcher 386.804.6812. Meeting in the new coffee shop @ 6pm.

Dream Builders

The Dream Builders team is back at it  – raising funds and helping to build with Habitat for Humanity – Seminole Apopka’s Women Build project.  The Women Build project means one house goes up built at least 85% by women!  The Dream Builders team holds meetings together to plan group fundraisers and socialize.  We will spend at least one day on a Habitat Build in Sanford during April.  Open to women 16 and up!  Please text Sara Russell 773-710-6871 or send an email to sarahoyer@gmail.com if you’d like to particpate. 

St. Luke’s Concert Series

UCF Symphony Orchestra- Saturday, February 19th @ 7PM

Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra- Friday, April 29 @ 7 PM

Youth & Children’s Ministry

February 20- Kids Church!!!

Kid’s church is back! Join Children’s Director Emily as we kick of this New Year with more fun!

February 20-Youth Ministry

Join Youth Director Blake during the 9AM Education Hour

YOUTH GROUP FEBRUARY 23rd!

Hope you enjoyed the break this week, but come on back! 6-8 PM in the Youth Center. 

LCMS National Youth Gathering! – Next summer the LCMS (Lutheran Church Missouri Synod) is holding their National Youth Gathering in Houston Texas! This is a youth conference that our synod puts on in a different city every three years. For the first time in a long time, we will be sending a group to attend! This conference is for those currently in 8th grade to those in 12th grade. If this is something that you or your student(s) are interested in, please let me know! For more info click here

***Upcoming High School Spring Retreat–  We have a date! The Winter Retreat is now the Spring Retreat, April 1-3 at Lake Yale. If you have already registered and this date does not work, please reach out to Youth Director Blake. 

L-Team News and Calendar

If you are interested in starting an L-Team or your existing L-Team has resumed, please reach out to the office or one of the pastors.

Ongoing L-Teams:

Sunday 

Adult Bible Study  9am
Student Ministry 9am
Sunday School 9am – upstairs in the Children’s Center with Emily
A Fighting Chance 11:30 AM- The Studio with Will Zacharias
Jiu Jitsu Club 12:10 PM- The Studio with Will Zacharias                                                            

Monday 

Men’s Bible Study 7am (Pastor Chris)
Men’s Ministry 7:30pm                                                                                                       Ladies Book Club (4th Monday only) 7pm                                                            Cookbook Crew (Meets once a month. Days may vary) 6pm *New

Wednesday 

Wednesday Morning Bible Study 10:30am 
Worship Team Practice 6:45pm (Chris Kutcher)

Thursday 

Ladies Bible Study by LWML 6:30pm (Sharon Shyrock or Chris Jennison)

Christine Jennison(jennisons2000@aol.com)

or Sharon Shyrock (ssshyrock@yahoo.com). 

Game Night (Third Thursday only) 6PM *NEW 

Announcements & Updates 

Coffee House will open again 2/27 ;  9AM-10AM

Chili Cook-Off is March 6th. Get those recipes ready!

First Communion starts 3/9. Go to hclm.org/communion to register your 4th or 5th grade student. 

HCLA is looking for a full time administratiive assistant. Interested applicants can email hr@thehcla.org

Communion is available in our in person services (1st and 3rd Sunday at 8am and 2nd & 4th Sunday at 10am). For those who are not able to get to a service or are not yet comfortable attending in person services, please contact the office or one of the pastors and we will be happy to make other arrangements. 

Volunteer Spotlight

Altar Guild

Holy Cross’s Altar Guild is composed of women, men, and a young adults who dedicate themselves to serving God and our congregation by setting up and cleaning up the communion service each week.  Each member is responsible for two months of the year. Each month has two members assigned to it with the understanding that in case of absence someone else will step in to help.  Other altar tasks include changing the paraments as needed, replacing the candles, and hanging banners as needed.

Thank you so much for all your time and dedication Altar Guild!

Prayers of Thanksgiving

We are so very thankful for the work Grace Chewning puts into our church community. Happy Birthday Grace! We hope you have a great day!

Prayers of the Church

Gertrude Lopeman- Pacemaker implant procedure this week. Pray for a successful procedure and healing. 

Donald White- Prayers for healing from infection after surgery.

Jim Irwin-In serious pain from a vehicle accident. Prayers for healing and a return to good health.

Jacob Shyrock- Safe travels for work trip to New York. Wisdom to help with project concerns. 

David Escabi- Courage, knowledge, and faith to handle difficult times. 

Parker Howard (daughter)- Pray for daughter’s depression and lonelines

Lester Detterline-  For successful healing from  hip replacement surgery he had on February 7th.

Pray for all those suffering from coronavirus 

General Prayers

We pray today for our nation and our world. We ask that God would be with all of our leaders and elected officials; we pray that He would bring peace to the world, an end to violence and especially watch over Christians that are facing persecution.

Prayers for Healing from Cancer

“Casting a light to help those who are lost find their way in Christ”

Sunday Services at 8:00am, and 10:00am in the Worship Center

and Online on Facebook and YouTube/hclm

Pastor Matt Wallis (mwallis@hclm.org)

Pastor Chris Johnson (chrisj@hclm.org)

www.hclm.org     Facebook: facebook.com/lakemarychurch