Cross Lutheran Church
April 2014 Newsletter
Pastor Michelle’s Corner
Light the Way
If we as Lutherans had a patron saint, I think it
would be Paul. The settled unshakable conviction of the
apostle Paul was that the open tomb opened the way
to a life of immense possibilities. He wanted the
Colossians (Cross) not only to believe in the power of Christ’s
resurrection, but to claim the victory of it as their own. Paul taught
them the secret of Resurrection Living in Colossians 3:1-11. Victorious Resurrection Living can be realized through a conscious
habitual pattern of thought in the mind and an attitude in the heart.
The death and resurrection of Jesus to many is just an objective fact
concerning how the world was reconciled to God. We cannot be too
emphatic about that fact because it is not the whole gospel. You see the
gospel is intended:
 to be personally received,
 to change life,
 to become a living reality in the lives of those who believe and
receive Jesus as their life.
It is the foundational principle for truly living a Christian life. We
are all at different points in our journey this year, but we all have to
answer the same question. How can you live a life in the power of the
resurrection of Jesus Christ?
In other words, the resurrection changes everything. The
Kingdom of God is here and yet it is coming. God has chosen His
resurrection people to be change agents in their culture/community; to
proclaim this coming Kingdom through how they live, relate and work.
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I know that it is difficult as we see ourselves as sisters and brothers
struggling to live into it every Sunday at Cross. I believe many people
criticize or all out reject the Christian faith because they believe the
Christian life is too difficult to live. They realize they have bad habits,
problems, hang-ups, fears and lifestyles over which they seem to have
no control. Life is going in a direction they do not like. While the
Christian life has many attractive features, it may appear to be
impossible to really live Christ-like. The Apostle Paul writes: “I have
been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ
lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in
the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.” (Galatians
2:20)
God wants us to be change agents and he sent his Son, so we
could do it. Living as resurrection agents bringing in the new Kingdom
may seem like a high task for most of us who are in the thick of jobs,
family, bills and endless to-do lists. But there are a few ways we can
make the intentional, but simple choice to proclaim the coming
Kingdom of God.
Most of us are already engaged in the practice of repentance,
grief, mourning and self-reflection during this season of Lent. We have
our Lenten devotionals to do our daily readings or perhaps we attend
Lenten services. The season of Lent can lead us in this process of
reflection on our sins if we allow it. Though it may be a painful step
for us, it is essential to living life in light of the resurrection. It also
provides us with an opportunity to draw on God’s power for
transformation. This is a chance to, with the help of the Holy Spirit,
examine our lives and how the decisions we make affect others.
Humbly asking for forgiveness can be very powerful in opening
relational doors that have been slammed on some of our sisters and
brothers this year and perhaps in the past as well. We will not have the
right to truly rejoice in our new life until we first understand our own
mortality and need for grace too.
Rev. Dr. Barb Horner-Ibler reminded us this past Sunday how
we were blind and now can see. Can you see as resurrection people
that we cannot bask in the light of life to the fullest while others stand
by in desperate need. People made in the image of God are suffering
from injustice in our own communities, we need not search for them
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half way across the world. She also reminded us that when Jesus
walked on earth, He made it his mission to love and serve them.
As resurrection people, we must stand and speak up on matters
of justice to bring the resurrection life Christ offers to those who need it
most. You have a voice--exercise it in whatever way you see fit, but
say something through your words and actions.
Resurrection is not an afterthought in the story of our salvation;
it is the defining moment of our re-creation. The point is, if we are
living in the light of a coming Kingdom, we should be working to bring
some type of alignment between the world as it is and the world as it
will be.
The power of the resurrection is greater than the power of sin
and of death in our lives (Romans 8:2). It is the greatest power in the
universe. “Resurrection is not an afterthought in the story of our
salvation; it is the defining moment of our re-creation.” Resurrection
says, “The Kingdom is coming!” As we approach Easter, let’s
challenges ourselves, Cross, to live in light of the promise of being
brought back to life with Christ. Imagine what a difference these small
seeds can have in transforming you, Cross, and the coming Kingdom.
Living in the Resurrection,
Pastor Michelle
From Pastor Arlen
BOHEM
The Job Readiness Program with BOHEM has developed a
good relationship with Family Dollar stores. Sarah Philips was the first
person to begin work at Family Dollar after graduating from the
program. She is celebrating six months of employment there this April.
Due in large part to Sarah’s good work there and also with Jobs
Specialist Michael Adams growing relationship with them, there have
been 3 new hires from the Jobs Program at Family Dollar in the month
of March. Two of them were hired in entry level positions and the third
was hired as an assistant manager.
More relationships with employers are being solidified and soon
there should be several employers with various types of work who will
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look to the Jobs Program to fill their employment vacancies.
May God continue to bless Sarah and the others in the Jobs
Program as God is renewing them spiritually and financially.
Senior High Youth Group
There was a lock-in for Cross youth in March. This was a kickoff event for what will hopefully be a Youth Group which is
meaningful to the kids and glorifying to God. Eight kids attended the
lock-in.
We gathered together and ate. Then we did some group
building by making collages that said something about each person and
listened while each person explained their collage. We also had a Bible
Study and watched a movie.
Many of the future activities will be directed by the kids. For
instance the kids decided that they would like to go to an AA or an Alanon meeting. I was very proud of them for suggesting such a pertinent
topic in society as well as their lives.
The group is open to kids 7th grade and older. Please refer kids
to me if you know of any with interest. It would also be wonderful for
any adults in the congregation to help to plan or to host an event. The
group will be meeting every week to two weeks.
Pastor Arlen
Wednesdays Lenten Soup Meals,
Discussions and Dramas
April 2, 5:30 p.m.
April 9, 5:30 p.m.
Ellwanger Fellowship Hall
Ellwanger Fellowship Hall
Holy Week Schedule
April 17, Maundy Thursday:
Seder Meal at Hephatha
Lutheran, 6 p.m.
Cross Lutheran, 6 p.m.
Capitol Drive
Lutheran, 6 p.m.
April 18, Good Friday:
April 19, Easter Hip Hop Vigil:
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April 20, Easter Worship:
Cross Lutheran, 9:30 a.m.
FREE Yoga Classes
You are invited to attend the free yoga
classes being offered at Cross on Thursdays, 4:30
p.m. – 5:30 p.m. in the Ellwanger Fellowship Hall.
Join us in starting off the new year with yoga! For
more information, contact Parish Nurse Linda.
Wearing a Name Tag Is Like
Getting a Flu Shot
I hope the title got your attention, with a bit of
curiosity and a touch of humor. I got my first flu shot
the year I learned that the most important reason for
getting a flu shot is to protect all those I came in
contact with. I had not been subject to the flu for many
years prior to getting that first shot, so I saw no reason to
change my health care, self care practices. When I heard, from a doctor
who knew, that I could be infecting others, I decided to risk a change.
Happy to report I have not been subject to the flu since getting my first
flu shot.
While you may question this comparison, the main point is that
both wearing a name tag and getting a flu shot are choices to consider
for the sake of others around you in your community. While one
prevents harm, the other promotes harmony. Studies show that people
like being addressed by name, and people are stressed when they
cannot remember a name. So, it seems to be a good thing to do both
for self and others.
With the start of the new year, wearing your name tag could
bring you surprising rewards beyond those obvious ones already
mentioned. Every now and then, on a random basis, we will choose a
name tag wearer and give them a gift. This process will be periodically
repeated through the year. It’s a win-win proposition!
We are also accepting gift donations---enjoyable, quality
items you have which you would like to offer---for the fun of it. Contact
Emory Churness at angka@aol.com (414-933-0746) or Marian
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Wasierski at marianwasierski@gmail.com (414-463-2662) to learn
more.
Second Lesson Readers for April
April 6
April 13
April 20
April 27
Judi Hunter, Romans 8:6-11
Paull Kragh, Philippians 2:5-11
Loni Mounger, Colossians 3:1-4
Linda Radder, 1 Peter 1:3-9
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As you read this newsletter, our Parish
Nurse Linda will be returning home from a medical
trip to Tanzania, Africa. She will update us in the
next newsletter.
Book Club Update
The book club is now reading I Am
Malala written by Malala Yousafzai. We will be
discussing the book on Friday, May 2, at 1:30 p.m. at
Terry Spears Barnett’s home, 8106 N. 51st St. All are welcome, even
if you haven’t read the book. Please bring a dish to share if possible.
Walnut Way Link
If you’d like to keep up on the events and programming of
Walnut Way Conservation Corp., please click on the following link:
http://walnutway.org/newsletter/spring-2014-newsletter-healthwellness-issue
Wed., April 2
BOHEM, 11:45 a.m.
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Thurs., April 3
Sat., April 5
Sun., April 6
Tues., April 8
Wed., April 9
Thurs., April 10
Sat., April 12
Sun., April 13
Mon., April 14
Tues., April 15
Wed., April 16
Thurs., April 17
Fri., April 18
Sat., April 19
Lenten Soup Meal, Drama & Discussion, 5:30
p.m., Ellwanger Fellowship Hall
Free Yoga, Ellwanger Fellowship Hall, 4:30 p.m.
Bridges Tutoring, 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Trustees meet at 9 a.m.
Elders meet at 10 a.m.
Cross Youth Praise Team practice, 10 a.m.
Cross Comm. Gospel Choir practice, 11 a.m.
Cross Praise Choir practice, 12:30 p.m.
Worship, 9:30 a.m. Sunday School/Adult Forum
at 11:15 a.m.
Adult Center, 9:30 a.m.
Bridges tutoring, 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
BOHEM, 11:45 a.m.
Caregivers meet at 4 p.m.
Lenten Soup Meal, Drama & Discussion, 5:30
p.m., Ellwanger Fellowship Hall
Free Yoga, Ellwanger Fellowship Hall, 4:30 p.m.
Quilting ministry meets from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Cross Youth Praise Team practice, 10 a.m.
Cross Comm. Gospel Choir practice, 11 a.m.
Cross Praise Choir practice, 12:30 p.m.
Palm Sunday Worship, 9:30 a.m. Sunday
School/Adult Forum at 11:15 a.m.
Finance/Stewardship Committees meet at
5:45 p.m.
Adult Center, 9:30 a.m.
BOHEM Volunteer meeting, 1:30 p.m.
BOHEM Advisory Committee meeting, 3 p.m.
NO tutoring on April 15.
BOHEM, 11:45 a.m.
Free Yoga, Ellwanger Fellowship Hall, 4:30
p.m.
Maundy Thursday Seder Meal at Hephatha
Lutheran, 1720 W. Locust St., 6 p.m.
NO tutoring on April 17.
Good Friday Service at Cross, 6 p.m.
Cross Youth Praise Team practice, 10 a.m.
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Sun., April 20
Mon., April 21
Tues., April 22
Wed., April 23
Thurs., April 24
Sat., April 26
Sun., April 27
Tues., April 29
Wed., April 30
Cross Comm. Gospel Choir practice, 11 a.m.
Cross Praise Choir practice, 12:30 p.m.
Hip Hop Vigil at Capitol Drive Lutheran Church,
5229 W. Capitol Drive, at 6 p.m.
Easter Sunday Worship, 9:30 a.m. NO Sunday
School/Adult Forum.
Church Council, 5:30 p.m.
Adult Center, 9:30 a.m.
Bridges tutoring, 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
BOHEM, 11:45 a.m.
Free Yoga, Ellwanger Fellowship Hall, 4:30 p.m.
Bridges tutoring, 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Spring Cleanup, 9 a.m.
Quilting ministry meets from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Cross Youth Praise Team practice, 10 a.m.
Cross Comm. Gospel Choir practice, 11 a.m.
Cross Praise Choir practice, 12:30 p.m.
Worship, 9:30 a.m. Sunday School/Adult Forum
at 11:15 a.m.
Adult Center, 9:30 a.m.
Bridges tutoring, 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
BOHEM, 11:45 a.m.
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Cross Lutheran Church
A Reconciling in Christ ELCA Congregation
1821 N. 16th Street
Milwaukee, WI 5320
Phone: 414-344-1746
Fax: 414-931-0537
Email: clc@crossltheranmilwaukee.org
Web Site: www.crosslutheranmilwaukee.org
Michelle Townsend de López, Senior Pastor
Pastor Michelle’s Email:
revmichelle@crosslutheranmilwaukee.org
Arlen Solem, Associate Pastor
Pastor Alen’s Email:
pastorarlen@crosslutheranmilwaukee.org
Sunday Worship: 9:30 a.m.
Sunday School/Adult Forum: 11:15 a.m.
Office Hours: Monday – Thursday, 9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
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