Crosscurrents weekly edition |
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Marking a Year of Online Worship |
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Next Sunday will mark one full year since we made the then difficult decision to suspend in-person worship. We had no idea that a year later, we still would be in the midst of this terrible pandemic, and still needing to do all we can to keep ourselves, one another, our neighbors and indeed our nation and world as protected as possible for the spread of COVID-19, including to continue to worship together differently through our recorded worship services.
Marking this occasion, Pastor Dave be joined in next week’s recording by our Director of Worship and Music Ministries Ben Fowler and Congregational President and Colin Walker, the editor and producer of all 63 of the services we recorded in this year for a conversation about what it’s been like to prepare and share worship with you this past year, and what we’ve learned so far, from technical stuff to theological reflections like what is worship really all about, how do we stay connected as “one church, on family of faith, one body of Christ” when we can’t physically be together, and what have we learned in this time that we will want to carry forward post-pandemic.
We’ll also share some behind the scenes video clips, and Colin will probably throw in a few of the countless bloopers and between the scenes outtakes for which Pastor Dave is primarily responsible. Please join us in this special worship and sharing experience next Sunday via the Cross of Christ YouTube channel.
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Comfort Food: Midweek Lent Zoom Gatherings |
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In this Lenten season when we are not able to worship in-person, or share Soup Suppers and Midweek services which are our tradition, we’re offering Comfort Food, with both pre-recorded and live interactive elements which we’ll share from 6 to 7 pm for the next five Wednesdays in Lent via Zoom.
Part Lenten devotionals, part advocacy for agencies working to alleviate and eliminate hunger and poverty, part cooking show, and part fellowship time, Comfort Food will be hosted by one of our staff members or lay leaders who will invite you into their kitchens as they share a favorite soup recipe, reflect on how they are finding comfort in these uncomfortable times, and highlight one of Cross of Christ’s partner organizations, especially those serving our neighbors in need, near and far away.
Following these pre-recorded portions, your host will join you in conversation on Zoom. Pastor Dave hosted the first Comfort Food last week, and this Wednesday, our Associate Pastor for Caring Ministries Judy Brennan invites you to her kitchen where she’ll be making Corn Chowder – yum! Links to the Zoom Room are sent via email each Wednesday morning. Comfort Food videos will also be posted on the Cross of Christ YouTube channel.
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Each week Pastor Dave invites you to join him as he takes a deep dive into the Bible lessons for the upcoming Sunday.
Along the way he usually takes a few interesting side trips into the original languages of the Bible, Biblical culture, geography and history, and even some trivia and “did you know” nuggets that come from our readings. Please join us as together we “grow in faith” this week in…The Pastor’s Study.
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WELCA March Bible Study
Pastor Dave will also be posting on our YoTube channel this week the WELCA March Study Guide for Circle Leaders and anyone else who would like to join us. Based on the study from Gather magazine, we’ll continue our series on Angels. A link will be sent via email when the study is available. You can also request my notes be mailed or emailed to you by contacting Office Administrator Judy Giseburt at office@CrossOfChristBellevue.org.
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Ash Wednesday Images to Share |
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Thanks for the notes of appreciation for our Ash Wednesday recorded service and the take-home worship kits with ashes and communion material. A couple of folks sent us photos of themselves bearing their ashes. If you took a photo of your participation in this service, we’d love to see it and share it with other members. Please email to Pastor Dave at pastordave@crossofchristbellevue.org.
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Part 3 of Pastor Judy Winter Book Study Inspired: Slaying Giants, Walking on Water, and Loving the Bible Again by Rachel Held Evans, is this Thursday, March 4. Gatherings to talk about the book will be offered two times, 10:30am and 6:30pm via Zoom. A link will be sent to those who signed up to participate. If you have questions, please email Pastor Judy at pastorjudybrennan@gmail.com.
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Thanks to the hard work of our dedicated volunteers, most of the downed trees and branches from recent storms have been removed. The larger branches have been cut up into fireplace or firepit appropriate sizes. If you would like some free firewood, you can pick up what you would like for your personal use. The cut wood is stacked and located behind the dumpster in the Cross of Christ lower (west) parking lot. |
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Bellevue Mobile Vaccination Team |
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A representative of the City of Bellevue Fire Department contacted Cross of Christ to inform us about their Mobile Vaccination Team, serving homebound folks unable to drive to a vaccination site. To learn more, you can call 425-452-2026, or email vaccine@bellevuewa.gov.
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Online Synod Assembly Delegates |
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This year’s Synod Assembly – like so many other things – will be online on Saturday, May 15. Cross of Christ is eligible to “send” five lay delegates – two female, one male, one young adult (18-30 at time of Assembly) and one youth (Confirmed member under 18) – in addition to Pastor Dave and Pastor Judy. The deadline for us to register delegates is March 31, so please let us know this week if you are interested in attending.
If you are interested in being considered as a delegate, please send an email to our Congregational President, Colin Walker, at colin@crossofchristbellevue.org.
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While the Cross of Christ office has been physically closed during the pandemic, we have kept “virtual” office hours, with Office Administrator Judy Giseburt available to answer phone calls and emails Monday through Thursday, 9:30 am to 2 pm.
Remember: any campus visits must be arranged in advance. Contact Pastor Dave to coordinate campus visits.
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Cross of Christ Lutheran Church
CrossOfChristBellevue.org
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