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PASTOR’S PROJECTS

SUNDAY MORNING CLASSES 9:00 AM

WEDNESDAY

CONFIRMATION CLASSES 6:00 PM

EARLY CHILDHOOD CHAPEL SERVICES

9:30 PM

ADULT INSTRUCTION CLASS

SUNDAYS 6:00 PM

CIRCUIT YOUTH

MEETING SUNDAY

APRIL 10th @ TRINITY

CIRCUIT PROFESSIONALS

MEETING TUESDAY APRIL 17th @ TRINITY

2016

THE MONTH OF APRIL PASTOR’S ARTICLE

Pastor Francis L. Schroeder Holy Cross Lutheran—Nederland

“ULTIMATE SACRIFICE”

Eric was one of the good guys. As a police officer, he saw his work as service to his community and was fully committed to serving at all costs. Evidence of this desire was seen on his locker where John 15:13 was posted. A year later Eric was killed in the line of duty. Jesus Christ lived out the words of John 15:13 within hours of saying them. The Upper Room event where Jesus spoke such words of sacrifice was followed with His time in the Garden of Gethsemane, a series of illegal trials, and then crucifixion before a jeering crowd. This Son of God could have avoided all of this. He was without sin and did not deserve to die. But love, the true catalyst that drives true sacrifice, drove Him to the cross. As a result we receive His sacrifice and are assured of the Resurrection. So what is John 15:13? May you have a blessed April! Pastor Francis L. Schroeder

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IN OUR SUNDAY MORNING PRAYERS WE LIFT UP…...

April 3rd Genesis Lutheran Church – Buchanan Dam, Texas Pastor Jan "Trey" Rienstra (Son of Holy Cross) April 10th St. Paul Lutheran Church - Jasper, Texas Faith Lutheran Church - Woodville, Texas Pastor Mark Follett April 17th Redeemer Lutheran Church - Beaumont, Texas Pastor Fred Kelm April 24th St. John Lutheran Church - Beaumont, Texas Pastor Doug Rathgeber May 1st Hope Lutheran Church - Winnie, Texas Pastor Richard LeBlanc May 8th St. Paul Lutheran Church - Sheboygan, Wisconsin Pastor Alan Kretschmar (Son of Holy Cross) May 15th Trinity Lutheran Church - Port Arthur, Texas Pastor Tim Dinger & Pastor Mario Casillas May 22nd Grace Lutheran Church - Orange, Texas Pastor Tom Haas May 29th St. Paul Lutheran Church - Groves, Texas Pastor Richard Turner

DID YOU KNOW THIS FOR APRIL & MAY

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WORSHIP SERVICES FOR APRIL 2016 SUNDAY, APRIL 3rd THE 2nd SUNDAY OF EASTER Divine Service Setting One with Holy Communion with Holy Baptism 10:30 AM in the Church Sanctuary SUNDAY, APRIL 10th THE 3rd SUNDAY OF EASTER Creative Worship Service With Holy Baptism with Messiah’s Muppet Ministry 10:30 AM in the Church Sanctuary SUNDAY, APRIL 17th THE 4th SUNDAY OF EASTER Divine Service Setting One with Holy Communion 10:30 AM in the Church Sanctuary SUNDAY, APRIL 24th THE 5th SUNDAY OF EASTER Creative Worship Service With Children’s Message 10:30 AM in the Church Sanctuary THURSDAY, APRIL 28th 8th GRADE CONFIRMATION PRESENTATIONS 7:00 PM Service in the Church Sanctuary

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DID YOU KNOW THIS TOO ?

CHURCH SANCTUARY UPGRADES FOR ITS 50th BIRTHDAY! There will be long-term audio and video upgrades for the sanctuary in the coming months to bring our sanctuary into current technology while at the same time keeping the beautiful sanctuary intact. OUR DAILY BREAD (March, April, & May) are available in the narthex. PORTALS OF PRAYERS (April, May, & June) are available in the narthex of the church. THE CIRCUIT PROFESSIONALS CONFERENCE will be on the second Tuesday of every month at a different church in the circuit. We gather at 8:30 AM for coffee and refreshments, 9:00 AM for Opening Devotion, 9:15 AM for Bible Study, 10:30 AM for Topical Study, 11:15 AM for Circuit Business and Casuistry. The next Circuit Professionals Meeting will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church in Port Arthur on April 12. HOLY CROSS HOMEBOUND MEMBERS receive on a weekly basis an CD of Holy Cross’ Sunday morning services and on a monthly basis a DVD from Lutheran Ministries Media. WORSHIP BULLETINS RECEIVED FROM MEMBERS St. Paul Lutheran Church in Groves, Texas NEXT CHURCH COUNCIL MEETING will be on Tuesday, April 19th, at 7:00 PM in Conference Room “A”. NEXT VOTERS ASSEMBLY MEETING will be on Tuesday, April 26th, at 7:00 PM in the Family Life Center Gymnasium. 8th GRADE CONFIRMATION will be on Sunday, May 1st, at 10:30 AM in the Church Sanctuary.

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OUR STEWARDSHIP AT HOLY CROSS

MARCH 2016

ATTENDANCE ENVELOPES DESIGNATED SPECIAL 02/28 165 $ 6,341.10 $ 357.00 03/02 73 Midweek Lenten Service 03/06 168 $12,650.00 $ 310.00 $ 370.00 03/09 42 Midweek Lenten Service 03/13 127 $ 5,081.75 $ 80.00 $ 220.00 03/16 39 Midweek Lenten Service (Spring Break) 03/20 180 $ 8,075.00 $2,987.00 $ 275.00 03/27 Newletter gone to print

2016 WORSHIP ATTENDANCE STATISTICS

TOTAL WORSHIP ATTENDANCE: 2,647 NUMBER OF WEEKS CELEBRATED IN 2015: 12 AVERAGE ATTENDANCE FOR 12 WEEKS IN 2016 220 AVERAGE ATTENDANCE FOR 12WEEKS IN 2015 237 AVERAGE ATTENDANCE FOR 12 WEEKS IN 2014 227

TOTAL MID-WEEK ATTENDANCE IN 2015: 444 AVERAGE MID-WEEK ATTENDANCE: 74 NUMBER OF MID-WEEK WORSHIP DAYS: 06

2016 FINANCIAL HEALTH OF HOLY CROSS

WEEKLY BUDGETED EXPENSES: $ 10,789.32

HOLY CROSS YEAR TO DATE BUDGET $129,471.84 HOLY CROSS YEAR TO GATE GIVING $101,400.50

$-28,071.34

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2—Mary Adix Luke Day Zackery Odom Kristy Witek 3—Amanda McLauchlin Susan Simmons 5—Christina Purgahn Kristen Stewart 6—Alice Clotiaux Debbie Cook Moni Hopper Rudy Parma Ken Rice 7—Cadence McCullough Eric Ronning 8—Chris Wolfe 10—Keaston Benoit Braeden Caywood Jaysa Fortune David Prioux 11—Kim Carter Stephen Gunter Connie Weber 12—Brytni Borel Vera Canton 14—Rachel Shuford 16—Casey Runnels 17—Ethan Becker Janna Hall 18—Samuel Pelton Jamie Reue 20—Brice Perryman

21—Mike Sturgis 24—Randell Howard 25—Emily Albright Rich Kilken Patti Parks Marilyn Sanders 26—Jeannie Heider 27—Emma Bruney Carol Loupe Lance Vincent 28—Paige Digiovanni Donna Gunn Will McCall 29—Jeff Mayfield Jennifer Reue Mary Helen Terrell Corey Tucker 30—Luna Hogge Dane Stewart

april

4—Judy & Pat Sturgis 6—LuAnn & Tom Hansen 8—Mary & Carl Adix, III 12-Cindy & Gil VanBrocklin 14—Nicole & Joey Arena 18—Jill & Beau Blackwell 20—Dee & Dennis Dunlap 24—Laynie & Scott DeSerrano 26—Ashley & Tim Terrell 30-Sandra & Cary Erickson

Deadline for April Newsletter isMonday, April 18th!

To: Holy Cross Memorial Fund

In memory of June Greer given by:

Judy & Pat Sturgis

In memory of Robert Gribnau

given by: Monica & Robert Gribnau

In memory of Helen Stone

given by: Martha Ann & Harry

Murphy Mary Helen & Charles

Terrell

In memory of Lillian Abshire

given by: Judy & Pat Sturgis

COME VISIT OUR CHURCH LIBRARY in the Education Building.

Just sign the checkout card & leave it on the desk.

Any questions, you can call Lynne Hollomon, Pam Vin-

cent, or Kathy Pinnt.

Heading for the Holy Land!

Anyone Interested?? Join Donna Pyle & Artesian Ministries along with Rev.

Wayne & Kathy Graumann for 9 Life-changing days in the Holy Land, April 16-24, 2016! $4,095.00

from Houston! Itinerary & details available on welcome

table in the Narthex!

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LWML is: Lutheran

Women who are: In the Word, of the

Word, walking with their Lord!

We have many opportunities for the

congregation to help us with our many worthy

mission projects.

News from our: Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

QUILTING CIRCLE: EVERY THURSDAY

at 9am in the

Conference Rooms. Everyone is welcome to come sew with us. We’re still taking

donations of material, blue jeans, or cash for supplies.

We appreciate each one of you for supporting our efforts for this worthwhile mission project. If you’re unable to quilt with the

group you can work from home. Call Rosie & she will get you set up #201-5710.

Sewing machines are available.

LADIES CIRCLE BIBLE STUDY

Thursday,

April 21, at 2:30pm in the

Church Parlor.

LWML

Tuesday, April 12, at 6:00pm

Hostesses: Dedie Orta

Jan Laurents

Program: “EASTER IS …..”

We will have drawing for the “Suduko” raffle quilt.

All ladies are invited

Buy tickets to support our Quilting Circle. They have made a Donation Quilt “Suduko” that can be seen

in the Narthex—it is a 56” square throw to be raffled off. April 12th is the date that a ticket will be drawn .

The proceeds received from the raffle will be used to defray the shipping cost of the other quilts that are sent to

Lutheran World Relief. Tickets will be on sale in the narthex or see Rosie Herring or any LWML Member.

Tickets: $1.00 each or 6 for $5.00.

Donations are needed of denim yardage or used blue jeans, thread, twin flat or fitted sheets and cash for other purchases. We are happy to announce our group has grown to 8 members and we welcome more quilters to come and join us.

We observed the Blessing of the Quilts & Human Care Kits on Palm Sunday during our worship service.

prepared by our Quilter’s Circle & LWMLer’s . All the quilts & Human Care Kits have been packed & sent to for distribution

all around the World. to all that helped prepare the

39 quilts & 117 kits & also those that made many donations .

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ECE NEWS

Enrollment: Monday-Wednesday: 59/Tuesday-Thursday: 59 Thank you to the Trustees for continuing repairs.

Thank you to the parents for all your support. 2016-2017 registration continues:

contact the school office for more information #722-2177. Dates to remember in April:

April 4: NISD Student Holiday—NO SCHOOL April 5: 2016/2017 ECE Registration opens to the public & those on waiting list April 13 & 14: Pizza Days April 18 & 19: Individual and group (classroom) pictures April 20 & 21: Trike-A-Thon; 10:30am—Maxwell & Smiley 4’s/5’s April 27 & 28: Art Show; 1:30pm—Dayla & Brooke 3’s/4’s

Campbell’s Labels for Education will be collected through May. This program is ending & all points will be redeemed at the end of May. Your many years of support has been appreciated. We continue to participate in the SHOPAROO Program as an on-going fundraiser. Contact the school office for more information—#722-2177.

RUMBLE BALL Tuesdays After School

3pm-4:15pm K-8th Grade

Help Needed! This ministry is growing by leaps & bounds & we’re in need of

extra helpers to help supervise the children. If you’re available on Tuesdays from 3pm-4:15pm we need your help & would love to add you to a rotation schedule.

Please prayerfully consider & con-tact DCE Kristy Witek if you’re

able to help serve!

Save the Dates!

Middle School Youth to Schlitterbahn in Galveston Tuesday, June 28 @8am-9pm

Midnight Madness Garage Sale

Friday, July 8 @11:59pm Set Up Nights —Tuesday, July 5 & Wednesday, July 6 @ 6pm-9pm

You may begin bringing items on Sunday, June 26.

Link Sale Saturday, April 16 @10am-2pm

Market Basket—on Daley’s Side

Tickets are available NOW for $5 (link, chips and drink). Monies raised from this event will support those students who

will be attending the National Youth Gathering in New Orleans, Louisiana on July 15-July 20.

Help Needed

NYG Participants and family, please sign up for a shift.

DONATION NEEDED We are seeking donations of tortillas (fajita sized), drinks,

individual sized bags of Lays potato chips and monetary donations. If you can donate any of the following,

please sign the clipboard or contact Colette Stahl at 409-350-9456.

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INGATHERING for the LWML Spring Event is to stock Trinity’s Pantry for needy individuals. We will collect

individual items such as canned goods with pop-tops, meals ready to eat, fruit cups, peanut butter or cheese crackers,

boxed drinks, individual packages of cookies, Vienna Sausage, Tuna fish packets, etc.

Thank you for any donations!

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2nd ANNUAL FLIPPING FOR JESUS PANCAKE RACES AND BREAKFAST

Please join the fun on Sunday, April 10, at 9:00am in the Family Life Center. Coffee & orange juice will be served at 9:00,

& breakfast will begin at 9:15. The races start at 9:45. The racing categories are listed below.

After the races finish, we will proceed to the sanctuary for our worship service.

a. ages 3 years through kindergarten b. grades 1 through 4 c. grades 5 through 8 d. grades 9 through 12 e. college age through 35 years f. 36 years through 50 years g. 51 years and older h. Members of the Board of Elders

Port Neches River Fest—Faith & Family Night Wednesday, April 27, 2016 @ 5:30pm-9:30pm Cost:$5

Deadline to sign up/pay—Sunday, April 3, 2016. What to bring! Cash for dinner/snacks/souvenirs (t-shirts, cds, etc.) blanket to sit on or a folding chair, sweatshirt (if

cold), bug spray, sunscreen. We will need adult sponsors & drivers— see sign up sheet on the clipboard for more detailed

information & to sign up if interested.

The Guest

I went into the church alone

It was my church away from home;

The songs we sang, I knew them well,

The message held me in its spell;

And when the final prayers were said

I followed those who walked ahead.

But no one came to me to say

“You’re new–I’m, glad you came today.”

So, leaving sadly, I became

A visitor without a name.

This poem was shared by Judy Sturgis and was written by her mom, who was a quiet, shy

lady but could put her feelings into her poems. Judy wanted to share this in hopes of

encouraging our members to be “Greeters” at our Sunday morning worship services.

Please consider using your talents to serve in this capacity. Thank you in advance.

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Camp Moosefeather Falls VBS will

take place on Sunday, June 19 through

Thursday, June 23 @6pm-7:30pm.

VBS REGISTRATION WILL OPEN

SUNDAY, APRIL 10

3 years old (potty trained) through the

completed 5th Grade!

We will have all ONLINE registration!

Super easy! Type in the info and

DONE!

Be watching for update on our website

at www.holycrosstexas.org and on our

Holy Cross Facebook Page.

VBS HELPERS NEEDED!

We are forming our Vacation Bible School Team, so if you are willing to continue serving on our team or if you are interested in joining us for the first time, please contact DCE Kristy Witek at

dcekristy@sbcglobal.net. We are in need of Cabin Leaders, Cabin helpers, guitarists, babysitters (for staff children), dining hall helpers, decoration coordinator and decoration team, registration team, Preschool Leaders, Preschool Helpers, Preschool Arts and Crafts Leader, Preschool Games Leader, and Family Fun Night

Helpers. Please sign the clipboard if you can help.

VBS Staff Training

Sunday, May 15

4pm Registration Team 4:30pm Preschool Helpers, Leaders, & Preschool Helpers 5pm Camp Counselors (ie: Helpers in Cabins) 5:30pm Cabin Leaders 6pm Dining Hall Coordinator & Helpers 6:30pm Opening and Closing - Activities Director, Kody the Bear (voice), Kody (costume), Beez, Music Leader, Computer Guy, Decorations Coordinator

Let’s Go Change The World

Each night our campers will be challenged to “change the world” by donating “change” to a

very special mission project. We are still in prayer about our specific mission project!

“Let's Go CHANGE the World” through this project!

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Mid-week/Kingdom Quest (K-4th) and

Confirmation (5th-8th) Classes

Wednesday

5:30pm – M&M Time (Meal & Memory Work Time)

Family Life Center Foyer

6pm-7:15 — Classes for Kindergarten—Adults

Our Last Night of Mid-Week Classes

will be on

Wednesday, April 27.

More details about our Confirmation Classes, Memory Work and Class Schedules, please go to our website

www.holycrosstexas.org

If you have any questions or would like to know more about our Midweek, Kingdom Quest and

Confirmation Classes, please contact DCE Kristy Witek at 722-1609 ordcekristy@sbcglobal.net

Sunday Morning Classes 9am

Preschool through Adults

Donuts, Kolaches, Coffee and Juice are provided!

Our last day of Sunday morning classes for all ages

will be Sunday, May 22.

While we will be allowing our Sunday School Team to take a break in the summer, that does not mean one is

taking a break from God’s Word. Quite the opposite. Throughout the summer and beyond, everyone is en-

couraged to do personal and/or Family Bible Study to continue growing in Christ.

ONLINE SERMON REPORTS

Holy Cross Lutheran requires members 5th—8th grades to complete sermon reports in order to fulfill the requirements for the course.

You may use the sermon report forms at Holy Cross or any church you’re visiting. While students are still allowed to use the hard copies of the sermon reports, we are trying

out a “virtual” sermon report that you can find on our website. You simply access www.holycrosstexas.org, scroll down to the bottom of the home page and click the

“online sermon report button,” complete the form on your phone, laptop or IPad and then click “ submit”! Please be sure to click "submit" after you have completed your sermon report

let DCE Kristy know you’ve completed it online!

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