Cross Lutheran Church
July 2012
Pastor’s Corner
Over the past few months we have
been preparing for our transition and its
implications for our mission, church and service
to
the larger community. We need to remember that
we are
chosen and appointed by God to go and bear fruit,”
which affirms so much about whose we are and our relationship with
God, our identity as Christians, and our calling to offer a powerful
witness of Christ active in our lives.
Our witness of Him is the means and manner by which we are
able to bear fruit in the lives of others. Jesus said, “I am the vine, you
are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit;
for without Me you can do nothing” (John 15:5). Jesus is the source of
the grace and truth that makes our lives spiritually fruitful. When we
are connected to Jesus we are connected to God and to His immense
power. As we abide in Him, His presence and guidance creates the
conditions for true creativity leading to a rich spiritual bounty that we
have witnessed in our ministry in so many places. We have been
blessed to have the organization, Teen Challenge come and do a
powerful witness via song & testimony and most recently, Sheila Ray,
daughter of the infamous Ray Charles at Cross during our Wednesday
Bread of Healing Empowerment Ministry.
When we are connected to Christ, we know that we are chosen
and appointed by God to go and bear fruit in terms of promoting our
Christian faith--a faith which we do not keep for ourselves, but extend
to others by invitation to our Sunday service and participation in our
various outreach ministries.
We must remember that Cross has a wonderful reputation for
being partners with our larger community in prayer, justice and faith.
Our fruitful witness and work, our relationship with Christ and each
other is essential and critical. It is essential, because without this type
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of relationship we will falter and become stagnant. If we are to
produce fruit in the lives of the many in need of compassion and
salvation, we must abide in Him. This connection is also critical
because we live in a world of great needs and we continue to be
appointed and chosen by God to meet the needs of the people we serve.
We have the unique opportunity to bring abundant blessings into the
lives of so many people—let us not waste it.
We should continue our prayerful preparations for the future of
our Church. I also ask each of you to consider the various ways we
have expressed this over the years. In worship, fellowship, and spirit,
we will affirm that we are chosen and appointed by God for a very
special purpose and service in our church, synod and community. To
accomplish this purpose and to address the great needs before us, we
need plans, resources and commitment. We need faithful servants who
are committed to the work of God. May we pray that our church will
be blessed with a spirit of willingness and shared commitment, and
most of all, by a willingness to dedicate all that we do to living in
Christ, bearing fruit in the lives of others, and bringing honor and glory
to God.
Pastor Michelle
Notes from the Parish Nurse
A nurse does NOT work alone to help people
become or stay healthy. There are many members of the
health care team involved. An important member is the
pharmacist, who can help you or a member of your
family understand medicines that have been prescribed
so that good results can be achieved.
Did you know that a pharmacist can:
o Recommend over-the-counter products that are safe to
take with other medicines
o Teach you how to use medication devices like inhalers
or syringes
o Give tips on how to remember to take medications
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o Recommend vaccinations based on your health concerns
or your age
o Conduct health screenings like blood pressure or blood
sugar
o Offer information about how to quit smoking
o Suggest over-the-counter products for minor illnesses (
colds, flu, heartburn)
o Offer advice about the treatment of minor skin
problems.
o Make sure medicine prescribed by different doctors
work together and don’t hurt you
o Screen you for side effects from your medications
o Verify medication dosages prescribed for children
o Answer questions from doctors or other health care
professionals about medicines
o Provide lesser cost alternatives for medicines
o Communicate with health insurance companies to make
sure your medications are paid for, and to answer any
questions they may have
o Recommend Medicare Part D plans
There are many other things a pharmacist can do for you!
Please make sure to take advantage of all the services a pharmacist can
provide for you.
Your Parish Nurse Linda
Quilters Needed
We are looking for quilters in our midst (or even people who
would like to learn!) If you don't know how to sew, we
still need people to cut squares and tie the finished
quilts. If you're interested, we can use you! We would
ultimately like to start a quilting ministry here at
Cross, but we are currently working on a special
project this summer (for this project we need people
who can complete an entire quilt for us).
Please talk to Amy Jandrisevits (262-792-1193,
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mjandris@gmail.com) or Fran Love (414-449-1607,
mscrafty213@sbcglobal.net) for more information.
Second Lesson Readers for July
July 1
July 8
July 15
July 22
July 29
Terry Spears Barnett, 2 Corinthians 12:2-10
Yvonne Toliver, Ephesians 1:3-14
June Torrence, Ephesians 2, 11-22
Marian Wasierski, Ephesians 3:14-21
Vicki Watkins, Ephesians 4:1-16
Cross Book Club
Holly Ghost Girl by Donna M. Johnson is the
book that the club is reading at this time. We will be
discussing it on Sat., August 11, at 12 noon at
Carolyn Jackson’s home, W340 N4899 Road O,
Nashotah. All are welcome and please bring a snack or dessert to
share.
Cross Lutheran Church
A Reconciling in Christ ELCA Congregation
1821 N. 16th Street
Milwaukee, WI 53205
Phone: 414-344-1746
Fax: 414-931-0537
Email: cross@choiceonemail.com
Web Site: www.crosslutheranmilwaukee.org
Kenneth W. Wheeler, Pastor
Pastor Ken’s Email:
disciple@choiceonemail.com
Michelle Townsend de López, Associate Pastor
Pastor Michelle’s Email:
pastormichelle@choiceonemail.com
Sunday Worship: 9:30 a.m.
Sunday School/Adult Bible Study: 11:15 a.m.
Office Hours: Monday – Thursday, 9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
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