Holy Cross Lutheran Church

1495 Underwood
Atwater, Ca. 95301 Tel. 209-358-3471
Sunday Service 10:15 Sunday School 8:45

E-mail holycross@pacbell.net
Web site: http://holycrossatwater.wordpress.com/
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Volume 36
No. 05
May 2016

Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries

Use these devotions in your newsletter and bulletin! Used by permission; all rights reserved by the Int'l LLL (LHM).

"The Father's Tender Care" By Rev. Wayne Palmer

March 26, 2016
... Joseph, from the Jewish town of Arimathea. ... This man went to Pilate and asked for the
body of Jesus. (Luke 23:50b, 52).
Read Luke 23:50-56.
While the crowd returns to Jerusalem beating their breasts, Jesus' faithful followers stand at a
distance, staring in shocked grief. Jesus' body will soon be cast into a common grave along
with the two criminals. They stand helpless to stop it, clueless what to do.
Then an amazing sight meets their eyes. One of the prominent rulers of the Jewish high court
steps up to the centurion in charge of the crucifixions. He carries orders from Pilate giving
him custody of Jesus' body. As the women follow, Joseph removes Him from the cross,
wraps His body in a linen shroud with spices, and lays Him in a new tomb.
This Joseph is a prominent member of the Jewish high court, a good and righteous man who
had not consented to their plan to condemn and crucify Jesus. Formerly, he had been a secret
disciple of Jesus, now he takes courage to openly display his loyalty.
Oh, the tender care of our loving Heavenly Father! At Jesus' birth, God the Father provided a
Joseph to wrap His infant body in swaddling bands and lay Him in a manger. In His death
God provides another Joseph to wrap His body in linen and lay it to rest in a new tomb.
The women follow behind so they can note where Jesus is laid. Then
they return home to prepare spices and ointments to give the body a
more proper burial after the Sabbath ends.
THE PRAYER: Lord Jesus, thank You for the faithful men and
women who came forward at Your crucifixion and death-the
repentant criminal, the centurion, Joseph, and the believing women.
Give me courage and loyalty to come forward and honor You
through the days of my life, until I rest in Your Paradise. Amen.

"Good Intentions Gone Bad" April 7, 2016

(Jesus said) "In the same way, let your light shine
before others, so that they may see your good works
and give glory to your Father who is in heaven."
Matthew 5:16
From a Christian point of view there is some degree of
truth in the rather dark expression "No good deed ever
goes unpunished."
* For example, God creates a perfect Garden and
gives it to His people, who promptly disobey His
one commandment.
* He frees the children of Israel from slavery, and they spent their time in the wilderness
grousing and complaining.
* He sends His Son into this world to seek and save the lost, and the lost reject, revile and
rebuff His invitation and end up nailing Jesus to the cross.
The PEZ candy company can certainly understand good deeds don't always work out the
way the imaginer planned. As evidence, we point to the PEZ "Annual Easter Egg Hunt."
PEZ had planned that the children who came to the 10:30 a.m. event would be divided up
into age groups. Those groups would be released chronologically to search for some of the
9,000 hidden eggs.
That was the plan.
What happened was this: people didn't wait for their designated time. Instead, the parents
of the children rushed into the fields before the event was to begin. Those parents pushed
four-year-old children out of the way, and some adults even stole eggs out of the youngsters'
baskets.
Looking at the disaster, the PEZ company set up tables and gave away candy and
certificates to any child who had been left empty-handed. One of the PEZ people said,
"Due to the actions of a few, the good intent turned into a mess."
And so it goes. No good deed goes unpunished, which takes us to the question, "What can
we learn from all of this?"
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I think the answer is a simple one: even if our good deeds do

not always have the result we want, we do them anyway. After
all, isn't that what our Lord has done?
* Even though Adam and Eve were going to sin, God wasn't
dissuaded from setting up the Garden of Eden.
* Even though the children of Israel were going to grumble,
God wasn't deterred from rescuing them.
* Even though Jesus was going to be condemned, that didn't cause the Lord to rethink His
plan and promise of salvation.
Similarly, we who have been washed of our sins by Jesus' innocent blood -- who have been
freed from hell and are destined for heaven -- need to keep on doing good. Even when we are
misunderstood, misinterpreted and misread, we need to keep on doing what is right because
it is right and because right actions will glorify our Redeemer.
THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, may my daily actions bring honor to the Savior who did what
was right so we might be forgiven and made right. In His Name. Amen.
"Stifling the Savior" April 12, 2016
"And call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me." Psalm
50:15
Some of our Daily Devotioners remember the terrorist attacks in Belgium that left 33 dead
and almost 100 injured. More than a few of you shared the pain you felt for those victims
whose bodies and lives, families and futures had been shattered by the rabid hatred of
fanatics from another religion.
In those feelings you are not alone.
Rick Stathakis, a town supervisor from Shelby Township in Michigan,
went on his Facebook page and recorded his reaction. This he did in
the form of a most appropriate Bible verse: "God is our refuge and
strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear
though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the
heart of the sea" (Psalm 46:1-2).

Along with the Bible verse Stathakis also wrote a prayer. That prayer says, "Mighty God,
Shine your radiance into every corner of this dark and fallen world. Send your angel armies
into Brussels, and heal the land. Hear the prayers of those who call to You. Calm them with
Your peace, and soothe the souls of those who have lost loved ones in this attack. Amen."
Now while I would have preferred Stathakis' prayer to reference the Savior and His
interceding commitment to those whom He has saved, all in all, the prayer expresses the
feelings and emotions which were in his sympathizing heart. In my opinion, he did a fine
job.
Sadly, there are others who disagree with Stathakis.
One person responded: "As a government official, it is unconstitutional for you to use
your official position to promote the establishment of faith. It violates the most basic legal
principles of the United States of America. In addition to being unconstitutional, it is highly
offensive to your constituents. Please remove all religious references from government
materials and keep your faith to yourself."
In reply, Stathakis says, "It's not about me. It's about the people in Brussels. It was just a
simple prayer asking God to be at their side, and all of a sudden now it's become pointed at
me."
That last line is not quite right. Such criticism comes just about any time Jesus steps out of a
church and enters the marketplace or a community. This criticism comes because the world
doesn't want us to call upon God in the day of trouble. They don't want those who are weary
and heavy laden to trust in Jesus, who gave Himself to win our
forgiveness and salvation.
What they want is for believers in the Triune God to give up freedom of
religion and freedom of speech. They want us to sit down, shut up, and
stay silent about the Savior -- which isn't so very far removed from what
the Belgium bombers want, is it?
THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, trusting in the deliverance that comes
through Jesus' Name, may Your people always call upon You in faith.
This I ask in Jesus' Name. Amen.
Faith and love
The two chief things are faith and love. Faith receives the good; love gives the good. Faith
offers us God as our own; love gives us to our neighbor as his own. Martin Luther
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"Sounds a Little Backwards" April 20, 2016

And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to
meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you
see the Day drawing near. Hebrews 10:24-25 If you want to see world-class beer drinkers, you have to go to the Czech Republic where
the average citizen annually puts away more than 37 gallons of the brew. In contrast,
Austrians and Germans manage to down a meager 27 gallons of beer per person. Australia,
which is 19th on the list of beer-drinking nations, is hardly to be mentioned with her measly
19 gallons per person.
No, the Australians are a long way from setting any per-capita beer-drinking records. That
being said, nobody can claim those folks don't love their suds. They do.
As proof, I share a report from the West Australia District Police who have made some
beer-related arrests. No, the folks arrested weren't blitzed, drunk or "two sheets to the wind."
They were arrested for having had bad priorities. For example, there was the man who
* had used his seatbelt to secure and keep safe his two cases of beer, while his children in the
car were totally unrestrained;
* there was the individual who was transporting cases of beer with a suspended license. And
if that wasn't bad enough, the individual had seat belted the beer and placed the children on
adult laps and in the car's foot wells. Oh, you might want to know one of those children was
less than one year old.
The local superintendent says, "It shows some of the attitudes of some of our road users in
the way they see their priorities."
Wrong priorities. Wrong priorities are not confined to Australians seat
belting their beer, while allowing their children to run free range. No,
the church also has folks on their books who have bad priorities.
Need an example?
If so, here's one: every time I took a call to a congregation I found the
names of people on our roster who hadn't shown up in church for
more than three years. Understand, I'm not talking about people who
had moved away; nor am I referring to the shut-ins who couldn't
come.
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No, I'm speaking of local folks who were in fine health. These were people who could do
lawn work on Sunday, or go golfing, or fishing, or to the cabin. They seemed fit enough to
do just about anything ... anything other than come to worship.
Understand what that means. Three years of not worshipping means 156 Sundays came and
went, and each time they decided not to fellowship, commune, make an offering, or praise
the Savior who gave His life to win their salvation.
That's some serious bad priorities, and it's not pleasing to the Lord who made some great
sacrifices so we and our families could be forgiven and granted a home in heaven. Souls
who have stood at the manger, watched at the cross, mourned at the tomb, and rejoiced
when it was emptied, should respond in a better way. They need better priorities. And it's
our privilege to try and help them.
THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, may we who have been saved be given right priorities and a
heart ready to worship You for all You have done. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

Treasures
One by one he took them from me,
all the things I valued most,
until I was empty-handed;
every glittering toy was lost.
And I walked earths highways, grieving
in my rags and poverty
till I heard his voice inviting,
Lift your empty hands to me!
So I held my hands toward heaven,
and he filled them with a store
of his own transcendent riches,
till they could contain no more.
And at last I comprehended
with my stupid mind and dull,
that God could not pour his riches
into hands already full! Martha Snell Nicholson

I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer

of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your
partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.
Philippians 1:3-5 (ESV)
Held every 3 years since 1980, the LCMS Youth Gathering provides
thousands of youth and adults the opportunity to come together as a
community of Gods people to learn more about Jesus Christ, the
Christian faith and their Lutheran identity.
During the five days of the Gathering, youth spend time together in Gods word, worship,
service and fellowship with others from across the synod. This event is organized by LCMS
Youth Ministry in Saint Louis, MO.
For additional ways to connect to LCMS Youth Ministry, please visit www.lcms.org/youth.
Why was New Orleans chosen to be the 2016 Gathering city?
New Orleans was chosen as the 2016 Gathering host city for a number of reasons:
The city has a rich Gathering history, having hosted the event in 1992, 2001, and 2010.
The city continues to be one of Americas top destination cities for large, city-wide
events (e.g., conventions, sporting events, etc.) due to its hotel community and facilities.
Since the 2010 Gathering, the main facilities the Morial Convention Center and the
Mercedes-Benz Superdome have undergone major improvements and upgrades.
The city appreciates the youth of The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod and provided
hotels and facilities at a rate that was complimentary to the events program budget.

Procrastinators
A pastor waited in line to have his car filled with gas just before a long holiday weekend.
The attendant worked quickly, but many cars were ahead of the pastor at the service station.
Finally, the attendant motioned him toward a vacant pump.
Sorry about the delay, said the young man. Everyone seems to wait until the last minute
to get ready for a long trip.
The pastor chuckled, I know what you mean. Its the same in my business.
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May 2016 - LCMS Stewardship Newsletter Article

Do we Christians really have to tithe? Are we really under a
compulsion to give? Aren't we free? Don't we have a freedom
from the law that was purchased for us by Jesus Christs death
and resurrection?
The problem is that our sinful flesh uses our freedom for selfishness. Christ did not die and
rise so that we could give less and do less good work in the world. He died and rose to free
us from the compulsion of the Law, to free us from a burden we could not bear.
We are missing the point completely if we use the freedom from the Law that Christ won by
His passion, crucifixion, and resurrection to give less, or to do less of any good work. Christ
set us free to live in His image of faithfulness, generosity, and kindness. We are free from the
Law's condemnation so that we can walk in the good works the Lord has prepared for us.
Our freedom is not given to indulge our sinful and selfish flesh. Our freedom was purchased
and won by Christ so that we could serve our neighbors our family, our society, our
church.
As a result, much of your freedom is not a freedom from, but a freedom to and for. You are
not free from serving your neighbor. You are free for service toward your neighbor
willingly and without compulsion. You are not free from giving to your church; you are freed
to give to your local congregation in joy, willingly, and without compulsion.
The reason you are free to serve, the reason you are free to give is because of Jesus Christ
and the forgiveness of sin He won for you on the cross, which He delivers to you in the
Gospel and the sacraments. That is our motivation. For God so loved the world, that He
gave His only-begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have eternal
life (John 3:16). And since God loves us in this way, by giving us His only-begotten Son so
that we do not perish, we also love one another in this way, by giving what we have so that
our neighbor does not perish.
If the God who has provided the sacrifice for your eternal salvation, the God who delivers
that salvation to you in Holy Baptism, the God who continues to forgive you and show you
His faithfulness, if that same God is the one who also promises to give you daily bread and
take care of your earthly life, you can trust in Him, even in giving. After all, Jesus Christ is
proof that God loves you and will take care of you.

Bible Quiz

Which books of the Bible include an

account of Jesus ascension?
A. Luke and Acts
B. Matthew and Luke
C. Mark and John
D. All four gospels

Answer: A (See Luke 24:51 and Acts 1:9.)

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11

LWML Meeting

Monday, April 11, 2016

President, Gail Iken, opened the meeting with having those in attendance recite the LWML
Pledge.
Correspondence: Newsletters received will be posted. Donation request were given to
Treasurer Mary Rahn.
Mary Rahn presented the Treasurers report. The report will be filed for audit.
Love Gift: Connie Northern moved that the April Love Gift be sent to Heifer International.
Irene Iken seconded the motion. The motion passed.
The offering was collected.
No Birthdays for April.
Christian Growth: Connie Northern present the devotion, Serving the
Lord as Mother: Eve. (Another devotion on women in the Bible).
Committee reports
Cookbook: Cook books are still selling, but slowly. There are about 105 left to sell.
Food Pantry: Connie Northern reported that the meat has been replenished. The Food
Pantry is low on cereal, peanut butter, and jelly. There was one family that was supplied
with food. The Annual Stamp Out Hunger food drive is March 14th.
Country Pantry: Anne Luedecke is resigning as chairman of the Country Pantry. Anne
was thanked for her many years of service as head of the committee.
Old Business:
Convention: The LWML District convention is April 15-17, 2016. The following Mite
projects were selected for Delegate Mary Rahn to vote for at the Convention: Joy of
Harvest Hmong Language School, Solar Lanterns Brighten African Womens Lives,
Operation Barnabas for Comfort Dog Congregations, St Johns Valley of Faith, S.A.Y.
Yes! Center, Bringing the Gospel to Muslim Seekers in California-Making Technology
personal, Bring Youth and Young Adults to Christ, Concordia Lutheran Church in Doi
Sango, Thailand, Tuition Assistance for Pastoral Training for Native Hawaiian, Clarence
DeLude III, and LINC Bay Area Theological Training.
Report on Spring Rally: Mary Rahn reported that it was very good and she enjoyed the
speakers.
LWML Handbook: The LWML Handbook has been completed and distributed to
members.

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New Business:
Layout of Treasurers report: It was approved that the revised layout would be used.
Changes to the layout can be made at the Treasurers
discretion.
Mites: Mites were collected.
The meeting was closed with the
Lords Prayer.
Respectfully submitted, Irene Iken

GLOBAL SEMINARY INITIATIVE $100,000

And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the
saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of
the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God (Ephesians 4:11-13).
Theological education is the most frequent request from The Lutheran ChurchMissouri Synod (LCMS)
partner churches worldwide. The Global Seminary Initiative (GSI) provides scholarships for pastors,
leaders, and students throughout the world for advanced degrees at LCMS seminaries. This in turn allows
them to return to their home countries and bring more people to Christ as a result of their new leadership
abilities. This grant is an opportunity for us, the women of the Lutheran Womens Missionary League
(LWML), to bring others to Christ through these newly trained leaders.

The goal of this initiative is to encourage international students to apply to our graduate and postgraduate seminary programs. These students then return home to their churches and communities
around the globe with the best training available. This grant will bring 100 students selected by
partner church leaders to train and study at one of our seminaries. The leaders choose talented
students who they think can impact the future growth of their churches.
The initiative works in three ways: 1) it takes the best candidates globally and brings them to study at
the graduate level, equipping them to provide advanced theological leadership in their communities;
2) it also gives assistance to local regional seminaries for scholarships and aid; 3) it supplies
continuing education through conferences, classes, and visits by qualified LCMS pastors and
teachers.

The world has changed from the days when we sent missionaries to places where no one had
heard the Gospel story. Many have heard the Gospel but desire to grow in their knowledge of
Scripture and its teachings. We have partner churches that knowingly trust the LCMS to provide
the best theological education available. This initiative will spread the Gospel through the
teachings of these newly educated shepherds.
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2016-2018 Grants - LWMLCNH District

1

St John's Valley of Faith, S.A.Y. Yes! Center

$3,715
St John's Valley of Faith Lutheran Church, Arvin, CA - Funded at Convention

Bring Youth and Young Adults to Christ

Grace Lutheran Church, Grass Valley, CA

Operation Barnabas for Comfort Dog Congregations

LCMS Office of National Mission/Armed Forces

$2,000

Solar Lanterns Brighten African Women's Lives

Lutheran Women in Mission, St. Peters, Lodi, CA

$5,000

Hmong Bibles and Catechisms

Peace Lutheran Church, Sanger. CA

$6,300

Community Caf Rural Outreach: Nourishing Body and Soul

Our Savior's Lutheran LWML, Caruthers, CA

$6,200

Creatively Sharing God's Word with People who have Intellectual

and Developmental disabilities Bethesda Auxiliary,
CNH UNIT, Cupertino, CA (RSO)

$9,000

Gospel Hands VBS for Deaf Children

Lutheran Friends of the Deaf (RSO)

$3,000

Joy of Harvest Hmong Language School

Joy of Harvest Ministry, Merced, CA: St Paul, Merced

$10,000

LINC Bay Area Theological Training

Zone 2, LINC Bay Area, Hayward, CA

$20,000

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11 Vacation Bible Experience with High Enrollment of Children from

The Marshall Islands Waikoloa Lutheran Church, HI and
Our Savior Lutheran Church, Aiea
12 Childcare Scholarships for High School Parents
St Johns Lutheran Church, Fallon, NV
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$17,000

$2,084

$6,600

13 Mission Outreach to Children of N/A Single Mothers

First Lutheran Church, Yuba City, CA
14

Blessings From Heaven Preschool Roofing Project

Messiah Lutheran Church, Ewa Beach, HI

15 Bringing The Gospel to Muslim Seekers in California-Making

Technology Personal POBLO International (RSO)
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$3,120

$10,000

$8,900

The Lutheran Church of Nigeria Nursery/Primary School Project

$2,081
(partial payment) L.W.G. of Lutheran Church of Our Savior, Cupertino CA
TOTAL GRANTS

$115,000

Disciples needed
The greatest issue facing the world today, with all its heartbreaking needs, is whether
those who, by profession or culture, are identified as Christians will become disciples
students, apprentices, practitioners of Jesus Christ, steadily learning from him how
to live the life of the kingdom of the heavens into every corner of human existence.
Dallas Willard, The Great Omission
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2016 Food Drive video: The story behind the story

By Community and Membership Outreach Coordinator Pam
Donato in the April 2016 Postal Record:
Each year, NALC produces a video that is sent to each
branch registered for the Letter Carriers Stamp Out
Hunger Food Drive. The video comes to fruition with
professional filming and editing work performed by a union
media company (this year, Sutherland Media of Washington,
DC). It then gets played on workroom floors throughout the
Postal Service, as well as at community meetings and other
labor gatherings, all with an eye toward motivating letter
carriers and providing a rallying point for working for our
food drive.
The goal is to create a short video, so its difficult to have it
go into much depth. This years video has a simple message:
The folks we help with the food we collect are folks we all
know. We wanted to personalize the message, showing real people and real situations.
Let me shed a bit of light on the story behind the stories youll see in this years video; if
you know some of the players back story, it should help remind us why weve been working
nationally at this food drive for so many years.
First up in the video is Mark, whos dealing with serious, chronic health issues and who
had been homeless for 14 months before wed met him at the Food for Others food bank in
Fairfax, VA. Marks first visit there was on the day we filmed; he was looking for food to
stock his newly acquired apartment. He was able to obtain some basicsfood, toilet paper,
dish soapand he was excited about the prospect of preparing a meal in his own kitchen that
evening, something he had not done in more than a year. Watch as Mark sincerely expresses
his gratitude for the help. He was kind and articulate, with a sense of optimism about his
lifeand he thanked letter carriers for the work we do that was helping him get back on his
feet.
Next we meet Hassan, who fled Iraq in 2011 because he feared for the safety of his wife and
four children. He was in his late sixties at the time, having been a surgeon for more than 40
years. Hassan worked hard while in Iraq and saved for his retirement, but that was all lost
when his family emigrated. To gain the credentials necessary to practice medicine in the
U.S. would be expensive and require many exams, and now that hes over 70, doing so isnt
realistic. Hassan and his family have all become American citizens. His children are all
adults now. All are working as much as they can, but they still come up short every month,
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so they rely on their food bank for help.

Rebecca is on next. Shes a young, single mother who recently left a violent relationship;
the day we filmed at Food for Others was her first time reaching out for help from the
food bank. Rebecca had been laid off from the airline industry. She gets no government
assistance; instead, she works to put herself through nursing school. Her sons school
counselor referred her to Food for Others. For Rebecca, being on the receiving end of help
was unfamiliar. With humility, she sought the food banks help to see her and her son
through until she graduated from nursing school and could gain full-time employment.
The video also features interviews with Roxanne and Kirsten, two food agency
representatives who understand how important the Letter Carriers Food Drive is in
supporting their ability to serve those in need. Like letter carriers, these two women work
face-to-face with real people in need every day, confirming in human terms this countrys
staggering hunger statistics.
Maybe the most compelling person we met at Food for Others was Leo, a warehouse
worker and driver there. Leo had been one of four children being raised by his single
mother; his first experience with food agencies was as a child on the receiving end of help.
That experience made Leo deeply appreciate such places, and he has a passion and drive
that lets you know he is indeed in his element. Leo is now happily married with two young
children, and its easy to imagine how a Letter Carriers Food Drive some 20 years ago
might have provided Leo with the best leg up that any one of us could have given.
The video ends there, but the story will continue with this years food drive on Saturday,
May 14.
Video found at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mqj5s7a3Gmw&feature=youtu.be
Blind faith
Eighteenth-century British evangelist George Whitefield once asked a coal miner what he
believed.
I believe what my church believes, the man answered, respectfully and confidently.
And what does your church believe? Whitefield followed up.
The same thing I believe, the man said.
And what do both of you believe? the preacher asked again.
We both believe the same thing, the man assured Whitefield.
Belonging to a Christian church and knowing exactly what it teaches is vital but
doesnt guarantee salvation. Thats between each individual and God.
As Romans 10:9 (ESV) says, If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe
in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
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Holy Cross welcomed Owen Gene Imbrie into the family of Christ on
April 19, 2016 by Baptism.
In and through Baptism, God cleanses us from all of our sins, snatches us from the power of
Satan, and gives us everlasting life. It is all Gods doing as He gives us His blessing. It is His
promise. In Baptism, our Triune God imparts to each of us personally the gifts the Lord Jesus
Christ won for the world through His life, suffering, death, and resurrection.

Life lessons
Late-night comedian Stephen Colbert, a practicing Catholic who teaches Sunday school,
faced tragedy at age 10 when his father and two of his brothers died in a plane crash. As
Colbert told The New York Times, his mom helped him avoid bitterness about the loss:
She taught me to be grateful for my life regardless of what that entailed, and thats directly
related to the image of Christ on the cross and the example of sacrifice that he gave us. What
she taught me is that the deliverance God offers you from pain is not no pain; its that the
pain is actually a gift. Whats the option? God doesnt really give you another choice.

We will be love caroling again on May 21st.

We will meet at the church at 4 pm and have
dinner after we sing.
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Close to God
I can take my telescope and look millions and millions of miles into space. But I can lay it
aside, go into my room, shut the door, get down on my knees in earnest prayer, and see
more of heaven and get closer to God than I can assisted by all the telescopes and material
agencies on earth. Isaac Newton
Expanded lives
In a fascinating, kid-friendly science experiment, a bar of Ivory soap heated in a microwave
writhes and expands into a unique, billowy shape. The change is due to Charles Law, which
describes how a gas, such as that contained in pockets inside a bar of Ivory, expands as its
temperature increases. The soap can still be used as normal, though its now fragile and
flaky.
When the Holy Spirit enters us, we expand as well. Our Spirit-enlarged lives may seem
misshapen to some, no longer conforming to the worlds expectations. But our uniqueness
reflects the creativity of our Triune God, who reveals himself to people in many different
ways.
Our hearts expand and soften too, opening to other peoples needs and concerns, while our
God-created purpose remains: to be a force of love and care of cleansing and renewal
in the world.
The gladdest thing
Turn around and believe that the good news that we are loved is better than we ever dared
hope, and that to believe in that good news, to live out of it and toward it, to be in love with
that good news, is of all glad things in this world the gladdest thing of all.
Frederick Buechner, The Clown in the Belfry
"God Is the Fountain"
God is the fountain whence ten thousand blessings flow; to him my life, my health and
friends, and every good, I owe. The comforts he affords are neither few nor small; he is the
source of fresh delights, my portion and my all. He fills my heart with joy, my lips attunes
for praise; and to his glory Ill devote the remnant of my days. Benjamin Beddome
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PRAYER #1
Dearest Lord, we lift to You this task of teaching pastors and leaders throughout the
world. Grant that this initiative will train more leaders and pastors worldwide on a
graduate level so that they may in turn teach others and bring Your salvation to the
world. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.
PRAYER #2
Heavenly Father, we remember Paul as he wrote in Romans 10:1, Brothers, my
heart's desire and prayer to God for them is that they may be saved. We pray for
pastors and teacher to step out in faith and gain advanced education through the
Global Seminary Initiative to bring the lost to salvation. We ask this in His name.
Amen.
PRAYER #3
God our Father, hear our prayer for this mission grant. You commanded us go and
make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19). We pray for all those seeking
greater knowledge that they may be encouraged to use their skills and education to
bring the Good News to their communities with the aid of this grant. We pray in Your
Sons Holy name. Amen.
PRAYER #4
Blessed Lord, we pray for the teachers at our seminaries as these pastors and leaders
from around the world come to gain greater knowledge through their advanced
degrees that the Holy Spirit will fill both the teachers and students with the desire to
spread the Gospel to all nations. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.

A prayer for times of sorrow

God of compassion,
When our hearts are filled with sorrow,
When our minds are wondering with questions,
How often you come to us
With an assurance that we are in your presence!
It may not give us the answers we hunger for,
But it is all we need to make it
Through the moment!
David McPherson

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Tuesday, April 5, 2016 1:42 PM

Update~ I was JUST told that Klyde has 3 Molars coming
in! hoping that was reason for his fever yesterday..?
Maddie said Klyde has been doing good & if all continues,
hopefully he will get to have a break from the Hospital & get
discharged where he gets to stay in the Ronald McDonald
House for a few days,,, with Dr apts in the mornings.
But the WEEKEND OFF! Yay!!
Keep your continued Prayers a comin Friends & Family,,Cuz
they are TRULY helping him get thus far!!! Can't help but say, I get so emotional just
THINKING about that baby boy getting to finally see the outdoors,,,,
Sent in by Carol Rogge
Tuesday, April 12, 2016 4:43 PM
Ed Nakade has been in Mercy hospital for two weeks dealing with breathing and other
medical problems. Pray for healing and encouragement Connie Northern
Wednesday, April 13, 2016 5:07 PM
Please pray for Wayne Wootten, the husband of my friend/co-worker who is currently in
ICU for heart issues. He is not doing too well at this point and he is the father of four
children. Please pray for his recovery and a swift diagnosis and treatment. Thanks, Doreen
Thursday, April 14, 2016 4:48 PM
It is with a heavy heart that I ask for everyone to pray hard for the family and friends of
Wayne Wootten, who passed away in the early morning hours of 04/14/2016.
He is survived by his wife Aime and five sons; one from a previous marriage.
He was so loved by not only family and friends but those of us who were extremely close to
Aime. My heart is with her during this time. Thank you, Doreen
Thursday, April 21, 2016 2:40 PM
Please pray For comfort and peace for all who mourn the death of Ed Nakade, especially his
wife Debbie. Ed died recently in a Modesto hospital. Thank you, Connie Northern

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MAYS SPECIAL DATES

OF OUR

MEMBERS

BIRTHDAYS
Mike JOHNSON
Mike BURGER

WEDDING ANNIVERSARIES
Richard & Lillian
HOPKINS
5/26

5/02
5/05

BAPTISM ANNIVERSARIES
Hazel IKEN

5/31

SERVING IN MAY
AT

HOLY CROSS LUTHERAN CHURCH

Please Remember: It is up to YOU to arrange coverage if YOU are
UNABLE to serve on your scheduled day. Please contact the church
office with any changes.
THANK YOU FOR USING YOUR STEWARDSHIP TALENTS
BY SERVING DURING WORSHIP!!!
Elders:
Aron Schmidt
Larry Rogge
Acolytes: Volunteers
Lay Readers: Volunteers
Stewardship: See Earl
Ushers: Volunteers
Altar Guild:
Lillian Hopkins
Connie Northern

Altar Flowers/Before &

After Worship Greeters
John & Betty
Kessler
Sharon Roper
Jennie Callahan
Richard & Lillian
Hopkins
Earl & Marilyn
Phillips

5/01
5/08
5/15
5/22
5/29

If you would like to help with

any of these committees,
please call the church office.
358-3471

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