November 23, 2021 E-Newsletter
Dear Members and Friends of Holy Cross
Happy and Blessed Thanksgiving!!!
Upcoming Special Worship Services:
Thanksgiving Worship – Thursday, November 25 at 9:00 a.m.
Midweek Advent Worship – Wednesdays December 1, 8 and 15 at 10:30 a.m.
Please note the following change of date!!
Christmas decorating of our Sanctuary will be on Friday, December 3 at 9:00 a.m.We changed the date because of a conflict with the Church of God that uses our sanctuary on Saturdays. Your help is greatly appreciated.
Highlights of our Congregational Voters’ Meeting:
We had our Annual Voters’ Meeting on November 21 where we voted on our budget for 2022 and elected officers and board members. All the resolutions were passed. Here are some of the highlights so far for 2021:
Our membership has grown by 20% over the last year.
Our live worship attendance is up more than 25%.
Our online worship attendance remains strong and has not dropped whereas, in comparison, the average church that has online options are down an average of 90%.
Our giving for the year is up more than 30%.
Our involvement in Bible study has more than doubled in the last year.
Our mission work locally and abroad continues to expand.
We had an amazing 60th anniversary celebration for Holy Cross and for Pastor Brian’s retirement.
These are just a few of the many ways God is blessing us, even as our world still works its way through COVID. I do not know of any other churches that are experiencing the kind of growth we are through a very challenging time in history. Thank you for your faithfulness and all glory goes to God!!
It was a fun and exciting meeting!!
Trusting In His Promises
The hope and prayer for Holy Cross is to now have a legacy to keep expanding for the next 60 years and beyond. The goal in “Trusting In His Promises” is to raise $60,000 over the next fourteen months and to have a capital fund to cover the costs of our facility repair and maintenance. We would like our general fund to be used for missional and ministry purposes and have the separate capital fund to cover the care of our facility. Most of you have received the mailing that was sent out. Within it, there was a brochure that lays out the details the campaign. There are more of the brochures available at Holy Cross. This week we are asking you to do three things:
To make a general fund commitment for 2022. This would be what you will give on a regular basis for 2022.
To make a commitment for Trusting in His Promises. This will be over and above your normal giving (please do not cut back on your normal giving to fulfill this). You can give a year-end gift for 2022. You can also make a pledge to give over the course of 2022.
Pray for the success of this campaign collectively and, also, how God is leading you to respond.
We encourage you to bring your commitment cards to worship. You can also mail your form or drop it off at the church office. We ask that all cards are turned in by the end of November. It is your option as to whether or not you place your name on the commitment cards. I am happy to report that we have already received five commitments of $5,000 or more to be given over the next fourteen months (That already brings us close to halfway to our goal of $60,000). We have also received $10,000 in gifts already which is a great start.
The following video link will share the basic information about the campaign.
Pastor Jon’s Sermon Thanksgiving “Thankful Mindset” Luke 17:11-19
Pastor Jon’s Sermon for November 27-28 based on I Thessalonians 3:9-13, “What Does Thankfulness Look Like?”
Pastor Jon’s Sermon for November 20-21 based on Mark 13:24-37. This is the second part in a two-part series focusing on the theme, “What Are the Signs of the End Times.”
Pastor Jon’s sermon for November 20-21, “What are the Signs of the End Times? Part 2”
Bible Studies
Sundays at 10:30 a.m. Study of the Weekly Readings: Led by Dennis Marten in the Amen Corner.
Study the Gospel of Matthew: A verse by verse study of the first Book in the New Testament led by Mike Reese in the conference room next to the church office.
Tuesdays at 10:00 a.m. “Women of the Old Testament,” led by Dee Kett in the Amen Corner. (This class will not meet in the month of December)
Wednesdays:
9:00 a.m. Study of Genesis led by Pastor Jon. This is a Zoom Bible study. Contact the church office or Pastor Jon for the link. (This class is not meeting again until January 5)
7:00 p.m. Overview of the Bible led by Pastor Jon. The study will cover one Book of the Bible each week. This class will be live and on Zoom. (This class will meet again on December 1 but then not meet again until January 5)
Thank you for supporting the mission and ministry of Holy Cross. Your sacrifice to God’s work is greatly appreciated and is an expression of thankfulness to God for who He is and all He does for us. If you are unable to attend worship, please send your offerings to the church office or give through our secure online platform.
https://givetoholycross.churchcenter.com/giving
Mission Opportunity for November-December
Our annual drive to collect needed hygiene products began on November 13th and ends on December 12th. Shoe Box coordinates the collection of items in the Phoenix Metro area for those experiencing homelessness and others in need who cannot afford hygiene products. This is an opportunity to show Jesus’ love through our generosity by assisting Shoe Box in their mission. There will be flyers on the bulletin table listing the needed products.
New Hospice Volunteer Opportunity: Pastor Tim Duerr and Stoneridge Hospice could use your help! Holy Cross’ very own Beverly Fletcher is leading the residents at a Scottsdale group home in Music Therapy Wednesdays from 1-2PM. We could use a couple of volunteers to assist the residents with finding the songs and turning the pages of their songbooks. If you are interested in this fun opportunity or if you would like to help other patients as they go through this special time we will provide the required training, fingerprinting and Hospice volunteer certification. Contact Pastor Tim Duerr at: tduerr@srhospice.com.
Worship hymns and other singing resources:
If you click on the link below, it will take you to a free song library that has 162 worship songs. There is a search bar on the first page and you can type in hymns you are looking for and it will take you directly to the song. The other option is to scroll through the songs and pick some you want. The search tool is quickest and easiest. You can use this any time you want to sing along with Christians hymns. It is a great resource that has been put out by the Michigan District for use by the church and public. Click on the link below and it will open up another way for you to worship the Lord.
https://vimeo.com/showcase/6931887
For updated information, please check out our website at scottsdaleholycross.org.
In His Service,
Pastor Jon Bjorgaard
Bible Studies