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APRIL 2015
FULLY ALIVE!
Fully Alive!
COMMUNICATING AND CELEBRATING THE MISSION AND MINISTRIES OF HOLY CROSS
ON KILLING JESUS...
INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
RCLS GRANT
2
LIFETREE CAFÉ
3
MILITARY
MEMBER
CARE
TEAM
3
WORKCAMP
TESTIMONY
4
MISSION
MANIA
5
INDIA UPDATE
5
FINANCIAL
STEWARDSHIP
7
For many weeks leading up to
Palm Sunday there was much hype
over the film version of Bill O’Reilly’s best selling book Killing Jesus.
I was looking forward to it and
even made sure I set the DVR to
record it so I could watch it without
the interruption of commercials.
While the acting was very good
along with the scenery, sets, and
costuming, in the end what the
movie did was Kill Jesus!
peasant admits that he didn’t, but
nonetheless that is what people
have said.
When it comes to the resurrection,
each person has to decide for him
or herself what has actually taken
place. Is He alive or did someone
come and steal the body since
there was no Roman guard posted
at the tomb? The movie closes
with Peter by himself fishing.
When he experiences a miraculous
I don’t mean the crucifixion scene catch of fish he looks up toward
near the end. What I mean is the heaven with a smile and then
movie killed the Jesus of the Bible shouts to his companions on
and portrayed a different Jesus. In shore, He is with us! Yet, there is
the movie, Jesus is not certain of
no actual physical presence of
who he is or what he is supposed
Jesus. Bill O’Reilly’s Jesus is out
to do. His cousin John the Baptist there somewhere as a thought, a
has to cryptically reveal this to
principle, a standard, a supreme
Jesus. From there Jesus is trying
example of what it means to opto figure out what he is supposed
pose injustice, love God, and love
to do each step of the way. The
others.
end result is a Jesus who is a comThe moral of the movie is that
munity organizer and political acstanding for what is right and good
tivist. He is out to right the wrongs
and godly is dangerous and it
of secular and religious society.
might even get you killed. But, if
He performs only one miracle, but enough people will follow in that
even then, exactly what he did is
way, just maybe the evil will be
uncertain. All He does for a lepdefeated, the mighty humbled, the
rous woman and her son is give
rich go bankrupt and the strong
them a drink of water and wipe
will become weak. As that haptheir open sores. Near the end of pens the good will prevail, the
the movie, an elderly peasant in
humble become mighty, the poor
the crowd speaks of His miracles
become rich, and weak become
of walking on water and feeding
strong. Which suggests to me the
the multitudes to which a bystand- beginning of another cycle of power retorts: Did you see him do
er and control, oppression, subverthese things? The old
sion, rebellion and activism.
As the movie concludes, the narrator informs us that the efforts of
Jesus resulted in a religion of over
2 billion adherents – a church, by
the way, that was established by
Peter in Rome. Sadly, that is what
happens to Jesus when man tries
to make sense of him. In short,
they end up killing Jesus.
It is no coincidence this movie
came out on Palm Sunday, just in
time for Holy Week. But, I am
praying that millions upon millions
will follow the way of the cross to
the empty tomb and celebrate and
discover who Jesus truly is. He is
the Jesus revealed to us in the
Bible. He is the Lamb of God,
Light of the World, the Way, the
Truth and the Life, Prince of Peace,
First and the Last, King of kings
and Lord of Lords. He is the Savior
of all. He is the Son of God who
died on the cross for the forgiveness of our sins and rose from
the dead, offering us eternal life
beyond the grave. He is not the
figment of your imagination. He is
your ever-present help in times of
trouble. He is worthy of your
praise, love, and service. He is the
reason for living and for loving God
and others. He is coming again to
judge the living and the dead and
His Kingdom will never end.
This is Jesus and He is alive,no
matter hard man tries to kill Him!
Pastor Schauder
FULLY ALIVE!
Page 2
DO NOT HARDEN YOUR HEART
Psalm 95 begins with seven
wonderful verses about joyfully
singing to the Lord with thanksgiving and praise because He is
so good and powerful. But in
the middle of verse seven it
takes a sharp turn that is very
important for us to consider in
our worship of God.
asking and trusting God to help,
they hardened their hearts and
bitterly complained against God
and Moses. Because of this,
God never let them enter the
Promised Land, the place of
rest.
from becoming hardened.
God has saved us by grace
through faith in our Lord Jesus.
We have every reason to sing
for joy to Him, thank and praise
Him, and bow down before Him
in worship. And we have every
This is a very important warning reason to trust Him. So let’s
for each of us: when we praise continue to worship God by
These verses refer to when God and revere God, let’s be extrusting Him in every circummiraculously delivered the Isra- tremely careful that our trust of stance. Do not harden your
elites from horrible slavery in
Him extends into our daily lives, heart.
no matter how afraid we may
Egypt. As free people, they
faced starvation, and instead of be. This will keep our hearts
Today, if
you hear God’s
voice, do not
harden your
hearts…
Psalm 95:7b-8a
TUITION GRANTS FOR HOLY CROSS FAMILIES ENROLLING AT RCLS!
Holy Cross offers need-based
tuition assistance to Holy Cross
families who enroll their child/
children at RCLS. If your family is
enrolling for the 2015‑16
school year at RCLS, you are
encouraged to apply for a tuition
grant for your child/children.
All tuition grants are based on
financial need as identified by
TADS (Tuition Assistance Data
Services). The maximum grant
amount for the 2015-16 school
year is $1,600 per student in
grades K‑8.
If you would like more information on the Holy Cross Tuition
Grant Program, you can request
information from our TADS administrator, Mrs. Patty Clancy at:
[email protected]. Also,
you can apply online by going to
www.holycross--church.org and
www.holycross
clicking on the TADS – click here
to apply online banner on the
bottom left of the home page.
call the school at 289‑3267,
visit their website at:
www.rcls.net, or plan a visit by
making an appointment with
Principal Suzanne Laagerward.
All questions regarding the Holy
Cross Tuition Grant Program
should be directed to the Program Administrators, Mrs. Patty
Clancy and/or Pastor Schauder.
If you are considering the
Christ‑centered education offered at RCLS and would like to
know more about the school,
MILITARY MEMBER SUPPPORT—THANK YOU!
Thank you for supporting our
Holy Cross members serving in
the military! Here is a thank
you received from Lieutenant
Colonel B.J. Herman who is
currently serving in Afghanistan.
ion, 5th Air Defense Artillery
Regiment, I would like to thank
you for the snacks, hygiene,
and worship music provided.
Every item was well received
and put to good use. It has
been an honor leading these
On behalf of the men and womDragonSlayers in the defense
en assigned to the 5th Battal-
against enemy rocket and mortar attacks of coalition forces in
Eastern Afghanistan. While
there has been little rest over
these last five months, the morale and commitment to duty
remain high. Thank you again.
LTC B. J. Herman
COMMUNICATING AND CELEBRATING THE MISSION AND MINISTRIES OF HOLY CROSS
WHY LIFETREE CAFÉ?
Lifetree brings people together to explore life, experience
God, and grow in relationship
with Jesus and others. Lifetree Café is designed for the
large portion of the population that is spiritually curious
and wants to talk and ask
questions about life issues.
Lifetree Café appeals to all
ages – families, couples,
singles, and students.
Lifetree Café attracts the
unchurched, the de-churched
(those who formerly attended
a church), the churched who
desire what Lifetree uniquely
offers, and the churched who
wish to share their faith stories with others, including pre
-believers.
The people who come to Lifetree Café describe it as a
safe place. They yearn for a
sense of belonging. They
want to find meaning. In
describing the basic needs of
all people, the Mayo Clinic
includes the following:
•
and join the conversation on
Wednesday evenings from
7:00 to 8:00 in the Holy
Cross Lounge.
People want to feel respected, worthy, whole,
and accepted.
•
People need their closest relationships to be
safe and comfortable.
•
People need places
where they are accepted
and not judged.
This is the Lifetree audience.
They are regular people who
are looking to connect with
God in a fresh way. And, that
is what happens at Lifetree
Café! So, give it a try! Come
MILITARY MEMBER CARE TEAM COLLECTING FOR CALEB SCHAUDER
The HCMMC team is
providing you a way to
thank, encourage, and
support active Military
Members of Holy Cross. In
April we are collecting specifically for Technical Sergeant Caleb Schauder, who
has served in the US Air
Force for eight years.
Caleb, his wife Hillary, and
their 2-year-old son Luther
are currently living in
Guam. Caleb appreciates
the support Holy Cross has
been showing to all its
military members. He prefers not to have supplies or
treats collected for him. In
lieu of the traditional collections, the team is asking
you to jot down a note of
encouragement, a prayer /
blessing, and words of
thanks to Caleb and his
family, for their service and
dedication. There will be
special note paper at the
collection box for you to
use, or bring in a card for
him. The team will collect
all the cards and letters
and mail them to the
Schauder family in early
May. Shining the love of
Jesus, may God be glorified!
Page 3
FULLY ALIVE!
Page 4
COLORADO WORKCAMP 2014—LEXIE REINSTROM
What did God show you on this
trip?
* A Great friend, strengthened
my relationship with him.
How did God challenge you on
this trip?
* He challenged me to get to
know people I didn't know and
some I knew already.
Describe a project you did for
your resident?
* We painted his house.
Which daily theme impacted you
the most, and why?
* The boy and feeding of the
five thousand. It impacted me
because the boy had so little,
and Jesus used it to feed many,
many people.
What would you like people to
know about Workcamp missions?
* They are super fun! You can
meet a ton of new people who r
really funny and will always
make you laugh.
Describe one of your favorite
memories from your trip.
* Getting to connect with this
youth group.
Please add anything else you
would like people to know about
your experience.
Whitewater rafting can be a lot
of fun! :)
Lexie enjoying the evening
program at Workcamp
PHOTOS AND MORE!
We have set a goal by summer
of '15 to get all members and
regular attenders photographed
so that we can better connect
with each other by attaching
names to faces in all cases. We
have contracted with a local
photographer to do the work,
and they will be offering professional photo packages to those
who wish to purchase them.
Once we get the photos done,
we will have the ability to print
our own photo directories that
are current and up-to-date
whenever needed.
for families with college students who will be home.
Photos will be taken at various
times on these dates: April 8,
11, 12, 15, 18, 19, and possibly Easter, April 5. The signup
for times is now open at
www.holycross--church.org.
www.holycross
Help us out by getting signed up
as soon as you are able.
If you have existing, relatively
current photos for all family
members and the family, and
want us to use those rather
than have a new photo taken,
please send those along or
update them yourself in CCB
Wardrobe suggestions: wear
There will be additional times in something you like, stay away
May/June to catch those we
from bright colors, and try to
haven’t photographed yet and
find colors that blend well with
others in your group.
If you can help by serving as a
host for one of the sessions, or
by making some calls to help
get people signed up, let Curt
Boger know.
We are wholeheartedly encouraging anyone that is part of our
ministries to sign up and get
photos done, regardless of
whether you are officially considered "member" or not.
Thanks for taking part in this
KIDZALIVE SING PRAISE
Through the
KidZAlive children shared beautiful songs of praise to God on
Sunday, March 22. Thanks to
Michael Zarling and the other
leaders for helping us praise
God.
praise of
children God has
established a
stronghold
against our
enemies.
~based on
Psalm 8:2
COMMUNICATING AND CELEBRATING THE MISSION AND MINISTRIES OF HOLY CROSS
Page 5
FRUITS OF THE SPIRIT GARDENS
Planting season has begun!
Stop by the youth room to watch
the progress. All crops are up
and going! Plans for this year
include expanding areas for
pumpkins and other vining
crops, fortifying our raccoon
defenses which were breached
at the end of last year’s corn
crop, expanding honeybee colonies, and more. You can help by
letting family and friends know
about the garden and our
Wednesday and Sunday vegeta-
ble stand in the summer.
Curt know if you need seed potatoes for your own garden. We
Also, we have plenty of potatoes
have russet, reds, and some
left from last year’s crop for
Yukon golds.
seeding the youth garden and
more, so stop by church or let
Seed Planting
MISSION MANIA!!
Just a quick heads-up about our
upcoming Mission Mania Saturday on May 9! We will be looking
for donations of household
items, furniture, electronics, yard
tools, bikes, toys, etc. once again
for the sale portion. Then be
sure to tell friends and neighbors
to come and shop! Along with
the sale, there will be burgers,
brats, dogs, etc., a carwash,
Gerten’s plant sale, bake sale,
scrap metal and e-scrap drop off.
Thrivent is helping with $250
support!
Get your car washed
at the Mania!
INDIA MISSION IN NEED OF SEPTIC TANK
Brother Suresh, missionary in
India, shared with Holy Cross
member Jim Krom on a recent
phone call that their Worship
Center is now in need of a second septic tank. The Worship
Center serves many purposes,
including serving as space to
provide seventeen young children with Christ-centered care
and education.
So what's our part in supporting
Christ's ministry? Sometimes
we see “success” numbers in
people reached for Christ; but
sometimes it is in a humble,
less obvious way, like a septic
tank. Helping to care for the
least of these is more than
words. To give a gift toward the
septic tank, place a check in
the offering plate or bring it to
the Holy Cross office; write
“Suresh” in the memo line.
Thank you for your help.
In India, this is a time of the
year when many people are out
in the fields working. Also, the
school year is quite a bit longer
than ours in the States. Demands on Suresh and the ministry team are high: both to
travel out to the villages to
share God's Word and to run
the school. These demands are
not just to serve, but to do so in
Christ’s love. Suresh, his wife
Suneela, and all the people
there thank you and pray for
you and Christ's ministry here at
Holy Cross and in Rochester.
Let's continue to keep them in
our hearts and minds, too, by
praying that God provides for
them and by being a part of that
provision.
FULLY ALIVE!
Page 6
YOUTH HAPPENINGS
Everyone needs
a youth group.
Yours awaits you
at Holy Cross on
Wednesdays
and Sundays.
Left and Above: Nate Onhsee gets Baptized!
Confirmation and other Youth
Join for Simply Youth Group
COMMUNICATING AND CELEBRATING THE MISSION AND MINISTRIES OF HOLY CROSS
Page 7
OUR FINANCIAL STEWARDSHIP
February general fund receipts
were $31,742 (2014 was
$33,145), versus general fund
expenditures of $37,467 (2014
was $42,111) for a February net
outflow of $5,725. Snowplowing
and natural gas were above last
year (really reflect January
weather). Additionally we recorded our refinancing closing
costs as expense (below) in February.
In designated gifts we received
$5,618 and spent $2,672.
The Accord Lighting bill has arrived and was $23,155, well
below what they had set as a
ceiling. Additionally, RPU indicated the rebate to be well above
the initial estimate, over $6,006,
for a net project cost of
$17,149.
Worship the Lord with cheerful
giving, helping people become
fully alive in Jesus!
Summary of Refinancing:
New Loan Balance
$99,189.88
MN West LOC Repayment
10,519.85
Refinanced LCEF Balance
52,701.67
Loan fees, expenses
1,131.87
Net Cash to HC
$34,836.49
Lighting Project (net of rebate) $17,149.00
Checking restoration
$15,000.00
Remaining unused balance
$2,687.49
DEVOTED HEARTS WOMEN’S CONFERENCE IN ROCHESTER
Keeping it real! Real women…
real faith… and a very real God.
The 9th annual area-wide Devoted
Hearts Women’s Conference will
be held at Autumn Ridge Church
in Rochester on April 24-25,
2015. Friday: 6:30-9 pm, and
Saturday: 8:30 am-2:45 pm.
Tickets are $53; optional box
lunch: $7.50.
Bonus: buy 10 tickets, get one
free!
For tickets, go to:
www.devotedheartsrochester.com,
or call 507-289-2415.
Speakers are Marian Jordan Ellis
and Liz Curtis Higgs, with music
by Nicole C. Mullen.
ARTICLE 20 BITS ’N PIECES
Ongoing Scrap Fundraiser—
Fundraiser We
continue to take computers and
other electronics, scrap aluminum, steel, motors, rims, catalytic converters, and more.
Leave behind church in the
white barrel or by Curt’s office.
All proceeds to Youth Mission
Trips.
Screen Programmers—If
Programmers you
like to work with graphics on
the computer, you may be just
the person to join the team that
programs the screen for worship services. Help lead people
into God’s presence in worship
through visual technology. Ask
Cindy Wessel for more information (contact info at right).
Partners in Prayer—Meet
in
Prayer
Pastor Schauder’s office every
Sunday morning from 8:309:15 to pray.
Openings for PraiseHym Worship Team—We
currently have
Team
openings for guitar players,
bass guitar players, and drummers on PraiseHym. Training
provided. Help make God’s
praise glorious!
Contact Cindy Wessel, [email protected], or
507-289-1354, x. 5.
Non-Profit Org.
April Issue of Fully Alive!
U.S. POSTAGE PAID
Permit No. 264
Rochester MN 55901
HOLY CROSS LUTHERAN CHURCH
2703 9th Avenue NW
Rochester MN 55901
Phone: 507.289.1354
Fax: 507.289.4815
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.holycross-church.org