cf. john 12:3 holy cross lutheran church - clover...
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Holy Cross Lutheran Church
“Sharing the
Ointment for Jesus’
Feet, Giving God
our Very Best” Cf. John 12:3
Our mission statement:
Celebrating God’s love
by worshipping God,
caring for each other,
and serving in community.
Vol. 25
No. 5
May 2019
“Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.” Luke 23:46.
“Father, into your hands I commit my spirit,” a redundant reiteration
of the obvious. The man, after all had led an entire lifetime, spirit totally
committed to the Father. With complete control, he relinquishes control. It is
a callshot to end the game a winner. “Two rails and a kiss into the left corner
pocket.”
My Dad taught me how to shoot pool. This mechanistic game,
totally dependent on the laws of physics was a screen activity for philosoph-
ical conversations that lasted 40 years. “Son, the balls on the table don’t
care about you. They are mindless material to be manipulated. Don’t get
upset. Observe the angles. Master your breath, your concentration and your
emotions.
We began this method of father/son communication in 1960 at the
pool hall on Main Street, McPherson. One of the valuable learnings of these
sessions was that even in something so mundane, or, as was the popular
opinion in those days, profane, as a pool game, one could discover the
deepest mysteries of the universe. Isaac Newton for Dummies. Theology,
mythology, psychology and metaphor blooming into infinite angles and
possibilities at the satisfying crack of a tight rack, the Oedipal struggle on
green felt, his pride and my remorse the first time I finally won a game.
BERGY’S BABBLE: “INTO YOUR HANDS”
… /// ...
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Andy never threw a game for anyone to save their feelings which instead
needed to be dealt with and savored. And the game he taught was Callshot.
Slop balls that went into the pocket unintentionally, got spotted and put back
into play. Learn to live under the Law with no Grace. Control was the name
of the game.
Isn’t that what it’s all about? CONTROL? One of life’s bitter con-
tests that we all play is control. Perhaps it is the earliest, most original of
sins, a primeval lactational struggle for survival. Control your food source
for nourishment.
Pontius Pilate, control your crowds. You Sanhedrin there…control
your pilgrims and Passovers. Judas, you stiletto wielding terrorist, control
your revolution, and for God and Israel’s sake, Mary, control your son.
Dad’s last words to me were, “Keep it under control kid.” That was a
lifetime tape that he implanted in my head. But it was also a joke that we
shared. And that moment near death we chuckled at our standing under-
standing for years. In this world, control is rare and most often exploitative
or tyrannical. The illusion of control is most often self-will run riot. One of
the dictums of twelve step groups is, ‘You didn’t cause it, you can’t cure it
and you can’t control it.’ So relax and praise God and go ahead and commit
your spirit. Giving God control is the highest form of control there is.
We are most ecstatic, most free when we relinquish the control we
think we have. All of our favorite rites and passages, some of them deeply
sacramental are callshots to win, giving control to the Father God. In
baptism, my parents and the community gave up control of my life to God
himself, and then reassumed temporary custody, until confirmation when I
was called upon to reaffirm for myself, God’s control over my life.
Confession is the admission to God and others that I am aware that I
am flat out of control and ‘please God step in and help.’ And in communion
I am strengthened by consuming God and giving him indwelling control
over my nature and nurture. … /// ...
… /// … Bergy’s Babble: “Into Your Hands”
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In marriage we know that the union will survive and thrive if God is
in control. In marriage we say to the whole community, my control is now
relinquished to the life of the other and God’s image in my beloved. The
extent of our control in family life is determined by our ability to live in the
Christlike example of mutual servanthood.
Ordination is not spiritual striving, but giving control to the possibil-
ity of a call from the Body of Christ; to discern the Body of Christ and serve
in it. We “eat to our destruction” when we try to control the Body of Christ.
He’s the head. We are called to meet the need which evokes our responsive-
ness, not to anticipate canned success by controlled programming. The
wonderful thing is that God’s doing this whole thing perfectly, and all we
need to do is keep saying thanks, and suiting up and showing up.
“Into thy hands I commit my spirit.” Psalm 31:5. It is an unashamed
commitment. Something has been worked through to the bitter end, the
point of no control. Beginning in hope, Jesus controlled the winds and the
waves, the demons and the diseases, the Pharisees and the paralyses. But
from the very beginning, funneling down toward apparent defeat he realized
that he must enter the conundrum. To control sin and death, he must give up
all control and allow sin to ride him into death.
Jesus controlled himself with kindness and servanthood, so that the
most pathetic commentary ever written on human life is the two millennia
long roster of his out of control enemies. “Into your hands I commit my
spirit,” is not surrender. In those full and rolling syllables, he pronounces
the death knell to death. It is a wily, uncanny, strategy to defeat sin and
death.
Medieval Christian artists and Mel Gibson got it partially right with
all those ghastly realistic pictures of the barbarous crucifixion. However,
left with those images we are left awash in the aftermath of human control.
Earlier Christian art showed a crowned king on the cross driving sin and
death before him. … /// ...
… /// … Bergy’s Babble: “Into Your Hands”
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Nothing had gone wrong. Something had gone eternally right. He drank the
bitter cup and hurled it away, and climbed into death with confidence, de-
feating hell and receiving the crown of his Kingdom.
The whole day of Good Friday seems pervaded by a sense of out of
control troubled uncertainty. There was no control in Pilate. He went in. He
went out. He read a Captain Marvel comic book. He sat down. He stood up.
He ate a ham sandwich. He asked questions. He talked to his wife. He didn’t
listen to her anyway. Isn’t that typical? He gave judgments. Then he went
back on his judgments. Then he washed his hands. This is the guy in
charge! The one in control! Yeah. Right.
There was no control in the frantic mob, supposed to be celebrating
high holy days. There was no control in the frightened band of disciples
who by now should certainly have known what was going on. They’d been
told a hundred times. The Sanhedrin was out of control and couldn’t get its
act together, arguing, disorganized and confused.
Only Jesus was deliberate and masterful. To Pilate he virtually offers
reassurance and some degree of absolution. “You say that I am a king, but
my kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my followers would fight.” If I
were playing the same control game as you, if this was just another mamma-
lian territorial dispute, another monkey dance, then you’d be corned beef
hash in a Kosher deli. Pilate was a marionette possessed. The last word
from him is a confession of faith in bold print above Jesus’ bleeding brow,
in three languages so no one will miss the significance of this death. “This
is the King of the Jews.”
At the foot of the cross his friends don’t get it. When he says his last
words about committing his spirit, he shouts in a loud voice. To them it
sounds as if he is regaining control, a second wind maybe. “Hang in there
Jesus, the angels are coming.” Or at the very least, Passover starts at dusk.
If he can live until then maybe the Romans won’t break his legs and he
won’t suffocate. … /// ...
… /// … Bergy’s Babble: “Into Your Hands”
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See you in worship …………………… BERGY
Anyway, watch out for when you think you have the most control
and your plans are really clickin’. You got one finger on the steering wheel
and you’re cruisin’ down the highway of life, wind in your hair, elbow out
the window, tires hummin’ on the pavement….Watch out!! You might be
getting ready to make a big mistake. If we think we have it under control,
we’ve missed the point of the cross. In a cruel world of chaos, rudeness,
unpredictability, and upheaval, the best we can do is commit our lives into
God’s hands, and climb into the grace of being in Christ’s control and
compassion. “Into your hands, O dear God, we commit our whole lives.”
And then Easter happens! Amen.
… /// … Bergy’s Babble: “Into Your Hands”
FRIENDSHIP CLUB
The Friendship Club will be meeting Saturday, May 18, 2019,
for pot luck at the church.
Our hostess will be Linda Cuzzort and she will provide dessert.
Please bring your favorite covered dish to share.
We will begin to gather at 4 p.m. and supper will be served at 5 p.m.
Hope to see you there.
Nancy Beamesderfer
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… /// ...
MINUTES FOR COUNCIL MEETING
MARCH 13, 2019
The March 2019 Church Council meeting was called to order by
President Warren Schick on Wednesday, March 13, 2019 at 2:00 p.m.
Pastor Berggren opened the meeting with a prayer.
In attendance were: Pastor Jim Berggren, Pastor Jhon Jairo Arroya-
ve, Warren Schick, Bettie Baring, Jay Byerly, Pat Curran, Deacon
Karen Davidson, Julie Kilkenny, Wendy Lambeth, Bettye Raschke,
Wayne Schaper and Fredda Yurk.
The minutes from the February Council Meeting were submitted by
Julie Kilkenny and unanimously approved by Council. They will be
submitted for publication in Crossties
and on the website.
The Treasurer’s report was presented by Wayne Schaper. Offerings
for the month of February were $28,837, an increase of $7,761 over
the previous month. Expenses for the month were $37,992, a
decrease of $1,163 from January expenses. Year to date expenses
exceeded offerings by $27,234. The checking account balance at
2/28/19 was $223,470, not including restricted funds. The Endow-
ment Committee has $387 interest available for disbursement. The
Treasurer’s report was unanimously approved as presented.
Pastoral Staff Reports:
Pastor Berggren updated Council on his activit ies over the past
month. He noted that his annual report for the Synod was completed
and sent in on time. He presided at the Baptism of Stella Louise
Case, the daughter of Cassie (Walker) and Theo Case. He conducted
a memorial service for Darlene Johnson at Woodlawn Cemetery.
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He continues preparations for the Lent and Easter services. He also
visited homebound HCLC members and reached out to prospective
and visitors to Holy Cross.
Pastor Arroyave r epor ted that the Spanish minist r y welcomed five
new families into membership. Classes continued for adult members
(over 19 years old) to prepare for First Communion and Confirmation.
Sunday school attendance averaged 23 students, and plans are in the
works for special adult classes on a variety of subjects.
Deacon Davidson updated Council on her activit ies. She also
completed her annual report to the Synod. She noted that Holy
Cross welcomed 20 new members last year, and several more in
2019. Deacon Davidson brought registration information for the
Synod convention (May 17-18th at Kinsmen Lutheran Church). She
noted that the convention will take place over two full days, instead
of three days as in the past. She continues her visits, phone calls
prayers for HCLC members and friends, as well as the preparation of
the PowerPoint presentation for the early worship service. She noted
that the Adult Forum class has begun its study of Adam Hamilton’s
book Simon Peter, Flawed but Faithful Disciple.
Old Business and Committee Reports:
Mr. Schick updated Council on Building and Grounds activities. The
problem of water getting into classrooms in the ELC arose again and
was related to clogged gutters. After discussion, Council determined
that Mr. Schaper should call the contractor and put HCLC on a regular
maintenance schedule to have the gutters cleaned every 6 months.
… /// ...
… /// … HCLC Minutes for Council Meeting — March 13, 2019
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… /// ...
Bettie Baring reported on WELCA activities. The WELCA Board
met earlier this month and allocated funds to the following projects:
$1,500 to Heavenly Quilters (for the restroom renovations) and $200
to the TLU Choir performance (for piano rental). Proceeds from the
February 17th Thankoffering were $800. WELCA is working on a
“Spring Basket” for donations to Krause Center. She noted that
several WELCA members expressed an interest in helping with the
TLU Choir performance on March 28 th by providing dinner for choir
members and serving refreshments after the concert.
Mr. Schick reported that Fratelli’s Ristorante donated back $250
from the HCLC Night. Council members noted that it was a fun time
and that there was good participation from Holy Cross members and
friends. Thanks to Cathy Elijah for organizing the event.
There were no new updates from the Telge Property team or the
Spanish Ministry team.
New Business:
The Congregational Meeting Part II on Sunday, March 17, 2019 will
consider the election of Council and certain Committee members, as
well as proposed changes to the HCLC Constitution and Bylaws.
President Schick reminded Council of the Holy Week services and
celebrations:
Maundy Thursday Service & Seder Feast (April 18 th at 6:30 p.m.)
Good Friday Service (April 19 th at 7:00 p.m.)
Saturday Informal Service (April 20 th at 6:00 p.m.)
Easter Sunday: Sunrise Service (April 21 st at 7:00 a.m.)
Breakfast at 8:00 a.m.
English Worship Service at 9:30 a.m.
Easter Egg Hunt (following 9:30a.m. Service)
Spanish Service at 11:00 a.m.
Sunday School at 12 noon
… /// … HCLC Minutes for Council Meeting — March 13, 2019
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Council approved a request by Spring Branch I.S.D. to use the Youth
Room April 22nd—30th for early voting.
Mr. Schick took a minute to reflect on his tenure as Council Presi-
dent. He noted that Council got faced some tough issues over the
past couple of years and got a lot accomplished, and he expressed his
appreciation to everyone on Council for their hard work, service and
support. He thanked outgoing Council members Jay Byerly, Fredda
Yurk and Wendy Lambeth. He noted that although he is going off
Council, he can continue his work on Buildings & Grounds, updating
the website and the electronic sign at the corner of the church
property, and as the HCLC representative to the Pantry Advisory
Committee. Council responded with a standing ovation for President
Schick for his outstanding service to Holy Cross.
The next Council meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, April 17,
2019 at 2:00 p.m. (Unless this time is not convenient for newly
elected Council members.)
Upon motion to adjourn, the meeting was closed with the Lord’s
Prayer.
Respectfully submitted,
Julie Kilkenny
Council Secretary
… /// … HCLC Minutes for Council Meeting — March 13, 2019
COUNCIL MEETING
Next Council Meeting:
Wednesday, May 15, 2019
at 4:00 p.m. in the Annex.
Church Council
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APRIL 2019
Altar flowers were donated by:
07 Ann Larson
14 Warren & Penny Schick
21 Al & LaVerne Pivonka
28 The Lambeth Family
DATE
1st READING
PSALM
2nd READING
GOSPEL
05/05/2019
Acts
9:1-6
30
Revelation
5:11-14
John
21:1-19
05/12/2019
Acts
9:36-43
23
Revelation
7:9-17
John
10:22-30
05/19/2019
Acts
11:1-18
148
Revelation
21:1-6
John
13:31-35
05/26/2019
Acts
16:9-15
67
Revelation
21:10, 22—22:5
John
5:1-9
READINGS, PSALMS & GOSPEL
MAY 2019
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BRUNCH BUNCH
Our last BRUNCH BUNCH for this season will be at:
FUZZY’S PIZZA & CAFE
823 Antoine Dr. — Houston, TX 77024
(713) 682-8836
Sunday, May 19th, at 11:45 am.
I hope that you can come for the last outing of the season.
Thank you,
Jeanette Dukleth — RSVP (832) 326-7214
EAST SPRING BRANCH FOOD PANTRY
If you want to help us, please donate, condiments, cake mixes, soup,
personal care items (shampoo, lotion, etc.) and special, unusual food items.
FOOD
PANTRY
Mary White
Coming Event:
Food Fair in the church parking lot
Saturday, May 4, 2019, from 8 a.m. to 12 noon
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If your name is not listed or if this is incorrect information
please contact Ann Larson so that the list can be corrected.
Ann Larson (713) 957-0972 email: [email protected]
Holy Cross members celebrating birthdays this month:
11 Catalina Villegas
13 Socorro Samano
15 Mario Torres
16 LaVerna Wegner
17 Bettie Baring
18 Jhon Jairo Arroyave
19 Jo Ann Wood
23 Sussy Terry (Church Office Manager)
01 Jackson Lambeth
04 Carol Prokofieff
05 Stephanie Walton
06 Nannette Luker
07 Dolores Abrego
María García
08 Jadher Abad
10 Pat Hartfiel
Antonio López
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R E M E M B E R I N P R A Y E R
The homebound, disabled, long-term
ill and prolonged recovering.
If you are not receiving HCLC
Prayer Request emails and would
like to, please contact
Renee Allcorn:
or call (713) 254-8638
Note that Prayer Request emails
are sent out daily, so if you are on
the email list and did not receive
any email, please contact Renee.
CHURCH OFFICE HOURS
Monday—Thursday
8:30 am—4:30 pm
Friday
8:30 am—2:30 pm
You may sign up for
Altar Flowers
in the Narthex.
Suggested donation is $50.00
and $12.00 for a rose.
Ed Cooper
Betty Firth
Betty Morris
Doris Pannell
Elaine Snell
Rosie Stork
TREASURER’S REPORT
If you have any questions call
Wayne Schaper, Sr. at (713) 465-5206.
MARCH 2019
Receipts $ 29,593.00
Expenses 38,886.41
Balance < $ 9,293.41 >
=======================
Operational receipts
year to date received …….. $ 79,600.00
Expenditures year to date ..… 115,390.80
Balance < $ 35,790.80 > ====================
Building Rental $ 460
English
Saturday: 19
Sunday: 78
Lent
Ash Wednesday: 37
Lenten services : 30
Spanish
Sunday: 74
AVERAGE ATTENDANCE
MARCH SERVICES IN 2019
Dolores Abrego
Edgar Baring
Harold Braun
Karen Estes
Dolores Fojt
Nanette Luker
Ike Thompson
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TELEPHONE EXTENSIONS
100 Church Office
101 Sussy Terry
103 Rev. Jim Berggren Senior Pastor
104 Rev. Jhon J. Arroyave Hispanic Pastor
105 Karen Davidson Deacon
107 Financial Office
108 Stephen Ministry Office
109 Family Life Center
111 Volunteer Office
Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Spring Branch
A Congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA)
7901 Westview Dr. Houston, Texas 77055
Tel. (713) 686-8253 Fax (713) 686-9095
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.holycross.us
“Holy Cross Lutheran Church is a community of Christians
gathered by God’s grace and reaching out through God’s love.”
YOUR CHURCH STAFF
† Rev. Jim Berggren — Senior Pastor Email : [email protected]
† Rev. Jhon Jairo Arroyave — Hispanic Pastor Email : [email protected]
† Karen Davidson — Deacon Email : [email protected]
† Sussy Terry — Office Manager Email : [email protected]
WORSHIP MUSICIANS
Cathy Elijah Music Director / Organist
Jo Ann Meeker Pianist
Ann Crick Pianist
EARLY LEARNING CENTER
ELC (713) 461-5535
OFFICERS OF THE CONGREGATION
Wendy Lambeth President
Bettye Raschke Vice-President
Julie Kilkenny Secretary
Wayne Schaper, Sr. Treasurer
SATURDAY INFORMAL SERVICE
6:00 p.m. — Atrium
SUNDAY WORSHIP SERVICES
English Service : 9:30 a.m.
Sunday School : 11:00 - 11:45 a.m.
Spanish Service: 11:00 a.m.
Estudio Bíblico y Escuela Dominical
12:00 noon
Office Manager & Events Coordinator