Newsletter March 27, 2022

Isaiah 12:1-6, 2 Corinthians 5:16-21, Luke 15:1-32

Fourth Sunday of Lent

Church Service – March 27, 2022

  New Sermon Series: Lent: Reflection, Repentance, Renewal

As we prepare for Easter during the season of Lent, we take time to reflect on ourselves, repent of those ways in which we have failed, and receive the renewal of life that comes through Jesus. Based on a series of readings from the Gospel of Luke, we will experience the life change that comes from these three ideals.

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

March 30 – Lenten Bible Study & Soup Supper

Soup Supper begins at 6PM followed by the Lenten study led by Pastor Matt at 6:30 PM in the community center. 

April 11 – 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 with questions!

Theme for April 11: 30 Minute Meal

RSVP desired but not necessary. Diane Culpepper 407.430.5324.  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

Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra- Friday, April 29 @ 7 PM

Youth & Children’s Ministry

March 27- Kids Church!!!

Kids K-5 Join Children’s Director Emily at 10AM in the Children’s Center!

March 27-Youth Ministry

Join Youth Director Blake during the 9AM Education Hour

Youth Group March 30th

Join Youth Director Blake and Pastor Chris. 

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 

Thursday 

Ladies Bible Study by LWML 6:30pm (Sharon Shyrock or Chris Jennison) – will return after Easter.  Christine Jennison(jennisons2000@aol.com) or Sharon Shyrock (ssshyrock@yahoo.com). 

Volunteer Spotlight: Oasis Helpers

For the past several years, Holy Cross has had a faithful group of servants helping the homeless with services to ease their lives. Laundry, showers, access to charging stations and more allow for a little respite from the despair of homelessness. The Oasis is located at The Sharing Center in Longwood. See Pastor Matt to find out about this and other volunteer opportunities.

Announcements & Updates  

Soup Supper will continue Wednesday 3/30 at 6:00PM in the Community Center. Soups will be prepared by the ladies of LWML. Please bring sandwiches to share or just for yourself. Lenten Bible Study will follow at 6:30PM. 

Youth Group or Early Communion 3/30.  

We are sending students to the National Youth Gathering! Once a month they will be providing baked goodies after service. Please consider supporting them as they raise funds for their trip! 3/27 will be the next bake sale. 

Metal Collection Notes:

Aluminum cans and any other non-serviceable metals can be recycled. Two collection points are available: the blue box in the courtyard and the other is behind the dumpster inside the enclosure. All aluminum cans and any metal objects no longer serviceable are gladly accepted. 

All donations are greatly appreciated for this worthy cause. Thank you! Contact Warren Jennison @321-377-8524 with any questions/comments about the ministry. All profits go to the youth. 

Thrivent Scholarships:

Thrivent Charitable Community Scholarship – Two $5,000 scholarships
The Thrivent Charitable Community Scholarship was established in 2013 to benefit students who are members of churches and students of schools that have an active endowment fund at Thrivent Charitable. Applicants must be high school graduating seniors seeking a four-year undergraduate degree at an accredited college or university. Through this scholarship award, we hope to provide educational opportunities to two individuals who demonstrate financial need, high academic achievement, and a commitment to sharing their blessings with the world. This scholarship program is through a Field of Interest Fund, made possible by Thrivent Charitable donors to benefit our shared community.

WomenLead Scholarship  – Two $3,000 scholarships
WomenLead recognizes the need for diverse leadership in ministry, nonprofits and civic organizations, and seeks to accelerate the extraordinary leadership of women to lead change using their talents to educate, advocate, and activate. The Chris Andersen WomenLead Scholarship was established in 2017. Two educational scholarships in the amount of $3,000 will be awarded to women of Christian faith seeking a Master or Doctoral level degree that will prepare them to serve in public service, non-profit leadership and/or in Christian ministry. Women of diverse backgrounds (race/ethnicity, age, faith) eager to lead through bold action, innovative vision and faith-inspired passion are encouraged to apply.

Applications for these scholarships are due on April 29, 2022. More information is available on our website. If you have any questions about the scholarships or the application process, please don’t hesitate to contact our team at TCScholarships@thrivent.com or call (800) 365-4172.

Communion:

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. 

Prayers of Thanksgiving

We are thankful to celebrate so many birthdays with our church family this month. Happy Birthday and many blessings to Bill Baessler, Chris Jennison, Sharon Shyrock, and Hannah Hench

Tom & Lyn Easton- Celebrating their 15th  wedding anniversary on March 30th.

Barb Rueh – thankful for a successful surgery. Please pray for continued healing.

Prayers of Comfort

Prayers of comfort for the family of Charlie Betts. He passed away on March 20th in Arizona.

Prayers of the Church

Chris Kimball – will need an additional surgery on his leg after a motorcycle accident in the Fall. Pray for a successful surgery.

Walter Meyers – Prayer for peace and family healing 

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