Upcoming Events
Mid-Week Lenten Service 2-24-2021 – 6:30 PM
Those who don’t feel well or are in an at risk category are urged to stay home. We will live stream the service on facebook for them. Those who come will be urged to keep a 6 foot distance, no handshakes or even fist bumps.
If you wish to have a bulletin you can click on: Bulletin 2-24-2021
Holy Communion 2-21-2021 – 9:00 AM
First Sunday in Lent
Those who don’t feel well or are in an at risk category are urged to stay home. We will live stream the service on facebook for them. Those who come will be urged to keep a 6 foot distance, no handshakes or even fist bumps.
If you wish to have a bulletin you can click on: Bulletin 2-21-2021
Announcements 2-21-2021
Here is the link for the ANNOUNCEMENTS 2-21-2021
Praise Service 2-14-2021 – 9:00 AM
Last Sunday After Epiphany, Transfiguration of our Lord, St. Valentine’s Day
Those who don’t feel well or are in an at risk category are urged to stay home. We will live stream the service on facebook for them. Those who come will be urged to keep a 6 foot distance, no handshakes or even fist bumps.
If you wish to have a bulletin you can click on: Bulletin 2-14-2021
Announcements 2-14-2021
Here is the link for the ANNOUNCEMENTS 2-14-2021
Holy Communion 2-7-2021 – 9:00 & 10:30 AM
Fifth Sunday After Epiphany, Souper Bowl of Caring & Scout Sunday
Those who don’t feel well or are in an at risk category are urged to stay home. We will live stream the service on facebook for them. Those who come will be urged to keep a 6 foot distance, no handshakes or even fist bumps.
If you wish to have a bulletin you can click on: Bulletin 2-7-2021
Announcements 2-7-2021
Here is the link for the ANNOUNCEMENTS 2-7-2021
Holy Communion 1-31-2021 – 9:00 AM
Fourth Sunday After Epiphany
Those who don’t feel well or are in an at risk category are urged to stay home. We will live stream the service on facebook for them. Those who come will be urged to keep a 6 foot distance, no handshakes or even fist bumps.
If you wish to have a bulletin you can click on: Bulletin 1-31-2021
Announcements 1-31-2021
Here is the link for the ANNOUNCEMENTS 1-31-2021
We did it!
We broke our record from last year!
Christmas Eve Candlelight Service 12-24-2020 – 7:00 PM
Those who don’t feel well or are in an at risk category are urged to stay home. We will live stream the service on facebook for them. Those who come will be urged to keep a 6 foot distance, no handshakes or even fist bumps.
If you wish to have a bulletin you can click on: Bulletin 12-24-2020
Christmas Day Holy Communion 12-25-2020 – 9:00 AM
Those who don’t feel well or are in an at risk category are urged to stay home. We will live stream the service on facebook for them. Those who come will be urged to keep a 6 foot distance, no handshakes or even fist bumps.
If you wish to have a bulletin you can click on: Bulletin 12-25-2020
Holy Communion 12-20-2020 – 9:00 AM and 10:30 AM
Those who don’t feel well or are in an at risk category are urged to stay home. We will live stream the service on facebook for them. Those who come will be urged to keep a 6 foot distance, no handshakes or even fist bumps.
If you wish to have a bulletin you can click on: Bulletin 12-20-2020
Announcements 12-20-2020
Here is the link for the ANNOUNCEMENTS 12-20-2020
Luminaria Night at Holy Cross
Just in case you missed it, we would like to share Luminaria Night at Holy Cross with you. Four of our wonderful youth (Skylre Hahn, Paige Sciarra, Erineah Quan and Elijah Quan) helped Mr. Stryker display and light almost 200 luminaries in front of our church building Saturday evening. It took almost an hour and a half but the results were worth the time and trouble.
Join Us for Christmas Caroling
Community Thanksgiving Eve Service 11-25-2020 – 6:30 PM
Those who don’t feel well or are in an at risk category are urged to stay home. We will live stream the service on facebook for them. Those who come will be urged to keep a 6 foot distance, no handshakes or even fist bumps.
If you wish to have a bulletin you can click on: Bulletin 11-25-2020
Holy Communion 10-25-2020 – Reformation and Confirmation
Those who don’t feel well or are in an at risk category are urged to stay home. We will live stream the service on facebook for them. Those who come will be urged to keep a 6 foot distance, no handshakes or even fist bumps.
If you wish to have a bulletin you can click on: Bulletin 10-25-2020
Announcements 10-25-2020
Here is the link for the ANNOUNCEMENTS 10-25-2020
All Saints Sunday – November 1st
If you would like your loved ones remembered click on the Sign-Up-All Saints Sunday Form and fill in the information. Once you fill it in you can print it out, bring it into the church and place it in the offering plate. Or, save the form on your computer and open it up in Adobe Acrobat Reader. Fill in the form and click on the “Send To Holy Cross” Button at the bottom of the form and it will email the form to the Holy Cross Office.
Looking for something fun to do with your family?
Come to
Trunk or Treat
Saturday, October 31
4:00-6:00 PM
Holy Cross Evangelical Lutheran Church
2700 Jacksonville Rd., Bethlehem, Pa. 18017
Cars will be decked out in creative ways
to portray popular Bible messages!
Fun and treats for the whole family!
(Masks are encouraged…after all, it is Halloween!)
Hello Friends!
Do you, like me, long to be with the throngs of believers who will be prayer walking through the Washington DC mall on Saturday? Well, we can do the next best thing! Karen Brown composed a wonderful slide presentation of the seven beautiful landmarks and monuments on the prayer route. We can pause at each one as it appears on the large screen and pray according to the prayer focus Franklin Graham’s organization suggests. This slide show will be reverently presented in the church sanctuary repeatedly between the hours of:
Noon to 2:00 PM
Saturday, September 26
Here is a map of the route we will take:
Please come when you can, leave when you must.
Our nation is in trouble and we need God’s help!
Allentown Rescue Mission
- Cleaning products: Hand sanitizer, Clorox/Disinfectant Wipes, Bleach, All Purpose Disinfectant Spray Cleaner, Pine sol
- Paper products: Toilet Paper, Paper Towels, Latex Gloves (Large-XL), 55 Gallon Trash bags
- Food items: Single-serve snacks (granola bars, chips, crackers, etc.), single-serve beverages (water, juice, soda, etc.), powder drink mix, peanut butter, jelly, tuna.
All aboard! Get on track for the best week of the summer!
July 20 through July 24
Holy Cross Evangelical Lutheran Church is excited to provide a modified Vacation Bible School program as we honor certain covid-19 health guidelines. We will sanitize areas before and after the children attend and have hand sanitizer available. Using large open areas and the outdoors, we will shorten the program to 1 ½ hours for five evenings and there will be no closing program. We will not serve food but have ample amounts of bottled water available. We encourage the use of facial coverings (especially upon entering and exiting) but they are not required.
At Rocky Railway VBS, kids discover Jesus’ power can pull them through life’s ups and downs. Rocky Railway is filled with incredible Bible-learning through drama, games and music. Even though the program is pared down a bit, this will be a memorable summer experience. We’ll help kids discover how to see evidence of God in everyday life. Please mark these dates on your calendar:
Monday, July 20 through Friday, July 24
6:00-7:30 PM
Holy Cross Evangelical Lutheran Church
2700 Jacksonville Rd., Bethlehem, Pa. 18017
610-867-6231
We will limit enrollment to 40 children with the first 40 registrations received.
You can download the Registration Form and either mail it to Holy Cross or email it to Holy Cross.
Your Rocky Railway VBS Director
Food Bank Donations
Safe Drop off outside
Check out this Adobe Acrobat List of Needed Items.
Shoe Box Sunday
March 8
Holy Cross will participate in Samaritan’s Purse Operation Christmas Child with missionary Nelson Randolph. We will have a soup lunch following the 10:30 worship for volunteers packing the shoe boxes.
Hawaiian Spring Tea Party Postponed
The April 4 date will be postponed until September 19th.
Due to the coronavirus.
Shoe Box Sunday
Saturday, April 11th at 10 AM
Details and invite to follow in the coming weeks.
Queen Esther
August 4, 2020
We are planning another fun day of fellowship as we head on out to see Queen Esther at Sight & Sound Theatres – Lancaster, PA on Tuesday, August 4, 2020. We will depart Holy Cross at 8:15 and view the 11:00 AM show with a meal at Shady Maple afterwards. The cost per adult is $108 which includes bus, show and meal. Children 13 and under $77.00. Payment due by June 21. This trip is reserved on a first-come basis. We are offering it to church members/friends and families first. It will be advertised to the public at a later date. Please see Ruthann Kistler with your questions and payment. She can also be reached at 610-867-6231.
Game Night
This is a night for all ages. Bring the whole family. There are games galore provided, but anyone may bring a game of their own if they wish. Adults…how about we revive our old “Chicken Feet” tournaments! Or…do you have a card-playing group of friends? How about if you meet at Fellowship Hall that night a pull up to one of our tables? Is there a craft you would like to share? Bring your supplies and do it with us on Game Night. Transportation can be provided for anyone who does not like to drive at night.
Our Adopted School:
2019 Christmas Luncheon
The 2019 Christmas Luncheon program was a great success. Many thanks to all of the volunteers that put on a great luncheon. The Fellowship Hall was beautifully decorated, the food was fantastic and the music was wonderful! Can’t say enough.
Congratulations to the Dart Baseball Team
Congratulations to the Holy Cross Dart Baseball Team for winning the Bethlehem Inter-Church Dart Baseball League Double Elimination Tournament. All thirteen teams play one another until there is only one team remaining with less than 2 losses. The Holy Cross Team won the losers bracket (1 loss) and then had to play the winner of the winner’s bracket (no losses) and beat them 2 games in a row to be crowned the champions. The engraved plaque is displayed outside Pastor’s office.
Reverse Advent Calendar
Our annual Advent workshop is scheduled for Sunday, December 1st, during Sunday School. This workshop is about learning the symbolism behind some of our Chrismons, and making candy “poppers” to hand out to the residents at Atria. We also decorate our “reverse Advent calendar” boxes.
The reverse Advent calendar is a fairly novel idea. It is an enjoyable way of giving back this Advent season instead of just taking. It can be done by families or individuals. If you missed the workshop you can still participate. See Karen Brown or Ruthann Kistler. Also see the enclosed Reverse Advent Calendar. The boxes are taken to Everlasting Life Ministries (ELM). Here’s how it works:
- Take a box.
- Donate an item to the box each day of Advent. Advent begins 12/1.
It’s that simple! But we do have some things to help you.
- Boxes will be available in the Gathering Place. You may leave your box undecorated, decorate it yourself at home, or take a decorated one after the Advent workshop.
- We have charts available with daily scripture passages and suggestions for donations. You may use the scripture for family or personal devotions, and simply write in each day what item you are donating. Keeping a list of what you place in the box will be helpful to ELM to know what each box contains.
We hope this activity becomes a Holy Cross tradition, and that you find it meaningful as we provide for those less fortunate than ourselves.
— Karen Brown
Church Picnic – September 15, 2019
Our church picnic will be held after the second service. Bring your favorite picnic salad, casserole or dessert to share. Hot dogs, barbeque, and beverages will be provided. Fun and Games for the entire family!
Rumor has it that our Picnic “Hero” has a special dessert but I have been sworn to secrecy under threat of being left at home.
Museum of the Bible Trip – October 1, 2019
Holy Cross is going to the Museum of the Bible on Tuesday, October 1, 2019. The $49.00 is due ASAP and checks can be written to Holy Cross (indicate on memo portion of check that it is for “Museum of the Bible” or “bus trip”). It looks like we will be home much sooner than 9:30 and I hope to make an announcement of the time very soon. We leave the church parking lot at 7:00 AM and we hope to spend about 4 hours in the museum. We will stop at a Cracker Barrel on the way home and of course each person would be responsible for their own dinner. Contact Ruthann Kistler with any questions at 610-217-0397 or ruthannkistler@aol.com
Courtesy Museum of the Bible. All rights reserved. © Museum of the Bible, 2016.
Rally Day/VBS Reunion Celebration – 9/8/2019
“RALLY DAY/VBS Reunion 2019” – Everyone had a great time as we met at 9:15 in the Fellowship Hall.
Special September Services and Events:
9/1 – LABOR DAY Sunday – 7:45AM & 10:30AM-Communion/Blessing of Vocations. 9:15AM-Last week of Summer Sunday School
9/7 – 12 noon – MOTHERS AND OTHERS LUNCHEON. 1:30PM – Movie: “Run the Race”
9/8 – RALLY DAY/Installation of Christian Education. 7:45AM & 10:30AM-Roar VBS Reunion. 9:15AM-RALLY DAY begins new Sunday School Year
9/10 – Holy Cross Christian Preschool classes begin
9/15 – Holy Communion/Installation of Worship Ministries. 7:45AM & 10:30AM-Communion. 9:15AM-Sunday School. 12 Noon-ANNUAL CHURCH PICNIC (potluck)
9/19-22 – MEN’S RETREAT, Lake Champion, NY
9/22 – Harvest Home
9/28 – BRIDGE OF HOPE LOCK-IN
9/29 – YOUTH SUNDAY. 7:45AM & 10:30AM-Holy Communion. 9:15AM 5th Sunday Brunch/10:10AM-Praise Time
Bits & Pieces
- Prayer Group- Jesus told us to ask, seek, and knock, and to always pray and not give up. In obedience to His words, every Wednesday at 7:00PM we will meet for prayer in the Adult Sunday School Room. Won’t you pray and see if the Lord is calling you to come and pray? Please contact Judy Miller or Judy Iasiello.
- 2016 Altar Flower & Bulletin Sponsor Sheets are posted.
- Office Volunteers- The office is staffed with friendly volunteers on Wednesdays 10AM to 1PM, and on days when Lisa is on vacation & not in the office. Thank you to our volunteers!
- Piano Lessons – Nancy Cook offers piano lessons. Please contact her for more information.
- Help Celebrate Our 60th- We are beginning the process of developing a pictorial directory for 2017, celebrating our 60 years of Christian Ministry. If you would like to serve on this special committee, please contact Pat Davis.
HOLY CROSS CHRISTIAN PRESCHOOL has started enrolling for the 2016-2017 school year. At this time, there are several families who are in need of financial assistance. The 3-year old program is $115, and the 4-year old program is $140 per month. Won’t you consider sponsoring a preschooler? Any amount you can contribute toward tuition is greatly appreciated. Please contact Karen Steiner at 610-867-9735 or 610-868-4935. Thank you in advance!
Giving Opportunities
Bulletin Sponsoring
For $10 you can sponsor the Sunday Bulletin for a week. Please use the Bulletin Sponsor Chart on the bulletin board.
Ongoing Opportunities
Comment/Request Forms
Comment/Request Forms are in mailbox B-2. Have a comment or request about worship? Please fill out and sign a form and place it in the offering plate or in the Pastor’s mailbox. Thanks.
Redner’s Tapes
We are still collecting Redner’s Tapes. Please place all receipts in the “Redner’s Box”. Note: when saving tapes, please remember to NOT cut off “todays contributions” . We cannot use them if that part is missing. It is right before pump perks.
Coffee Hour
Please sign up to host the coffee hour. Sign-up sheet is posted outside the church office. Thank you to everyone who continues to bake for the coffee hour. Effective October, if you would like to bake I will gladly place out your goodies and clean up. A sign-up sheet has been posted outside the church office. Thanks! – Yvonne
Food Pantry
Please continue to bring food items that are distributed to the food bank. The need is very great this year.
Worship Service Tapes
If you would like a copy of a particular service or to receive a copy each week, please put a note in mailbox E-4
Reminder – All Information is due on the 15th of each month for the newsletter.
