March 23rd Announcements

NEW BLACK PARAMENTS HAVE ARRIVED! “Black is seen very seldom during the year. The calendar calls for its use only twice; on Good Friday and Ash Wednesday. There's no mistaking the message that this sober color gives. Black is the absence of light. Good Friday, or Black Friday in combination with Ash Wednesday, calls for sober reflection on the cost of our redemption. Without Christ's sacrifice on the day the sky turned dark and hid the light of the sun, there would be no bright Light of Christ to live in, nor new life in Christ to enjoy.”  (Author: Douglas K. Escue — http://lcms.org)
 
MARCH 31 DEADLINE!  Thrivent Choice Dollars for 2023 will expire soon! If you are a Thrivent member, you may be eligible to participate and direct Thrivent Choice Dollars to your favorite ministry. Go to www.thrivent.com/thriventchoice or call 800-847-4836 before March 31 and say, “Thrivent Choice.” Any Thrivent choice dollars designated to Holy Cross are applied to Youth conferences and Youth camps. If you have any questions or need further information, please let me know. --John Feldt, Treasurer
 
USHERS NEEDED: There is an usher sign-up sheet on a table in the narthex.  Confirmed men of the congregation are encouraged to serve as ushers for one or more months. There is a list of duties beside the sign-up sheet.  Feel free to take one for reference. --Board of Elders
 
BOARD OPENINGS: The Board of Evangelism and the Board of Properties both have openings. If you are interested in joining, please contact Jeremiah Bolin for Evangelism and Mark Selby for Properties.  
 
PASTOR ON VACATION: Pastor will be taking vacation Sunday afternoon, April 7th, until mid-day Wednesday, April 10th. No morning Bible studies on April 10th, but Vespers and Confirmation classes will take place. Please note the change in days from what was published on the March calendar.  
 
DIRECTORY UPDATES: There have been some updates to the directory. Please grab a new sheet from the usher’s table to place inside your directory. It contains all the updates for this year and can replace the previous insert that was created.  
 
LADIES’ GUILD WEBPAGE: The Ladies Guild has added a webpage to the Holy Cross website.  You can find it under the "Serve" tab on the Holy Cross homepage.  Be sure to check it out, fill out the survey, and sign up for Easter Breakfast.
 
SIBERIAN LUTHERANS NEED YOUR PRAYERS: Lutherans in Siberia still need your prayers and support. Even as crisis between Russia and Ukraine persists, the Siberian Lutheran Mission Society’s support for the Siberian Lutheran Church and its seminary in Novosibirsk remains as strong as ever. Pastors continue to carry God’s Word and Sacrament to the Russian people and those in neighboring countries. Despite the conflict, the seminary remains open, preparing more pastors for God’s work in the area. Please pray for those caught in the tangle of war, particularly those who have benefited from the pastoral outreach of the Siberian Church and the Lutheran Seminary in Novosibirsk. Your gift to the Siberian Mission Society and the campaign to keep the seminary operating matters now more than ever. Learn more at savetheseminary.org.
 
NEW LCMS DATING SITE: LCMS Connections is a newly launched free service available to marriage-minded confessional Lutheran singles hoping to connect with others like them throughout our Synod. Visit www.lcms-connections.com. This matchmaking service is not sponsored by the Synod, but is run by LCMS members.  
 
PARENTS WITH LITTLE ONES IN DIAPERS: Did you know there is a pro-life diaper company? EveryLife believes “every baby is a miracle from God who deserves to be loved, protected, and supported. As parents, we have spent our hard-earned dollars diapering our children with products made by companies that are increasingly pushing anti-family, anti-American agendas that directly contradict our convictions and donate to causes that condemn our values.” Their diaper cost is comparable to name brands, if not cheaper; and if you choose a monthly shipping option, shipping is free.