Ministry

Ministries at HCLC

Serving God

Growing in Faith and Service Together

At Holy Cross Lutheran Church, our ministries are dedicated to fostering spiritual growth and community engagement. We believe faith is a shared journey, enriched by worship, education, fellowship, and service. Each ministry offers unique opportunities to connect with God and one another, deepen biblical understanding, and contribute positively to our community. Whether enhancing your worship experience, participating in community service, or joining a supportive fellowship group, our ministries provide something for everyone. Join us as we grow together in faith, love, and service.

Bible Studies

Our Bible Studies ministry at Holy Cross Lutheran Church fosters a deeper understanding of the Scriptures through various study groups and classes. We provide a supportive environment to explore the teachings of the Bible, delving into their historical context, theological significance, and practical application. Join us to deepen your faith, strengthen your relationship with God, and connect with a community that values learning and fellowship in Christ.

Sunday Mornings at 10:30 am

Women of the Cross (L.W.M.L)

Purpose of Ministry: The Lutheran Women’s Missionary League (LWML) is recognized as the official women’s auxiliary organization of the LUTHERAN CHURCH MISSOURI SYNOD. The LWML is composed of member societies within synodical congregations. The purpose of the LWML is to further Christ’s mission to the world by supporting the work of the Church and by providing education, inspiration, and opportunities for service, both at home and in the world.

LWML Mission The mission of the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League is to assist each woman of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod in affirming her relationship with the Triune God so that she is enabled to use her gifts in ministry to the people of the world.

Objectives: Recruit and train Members of Women of the Cross

Activities:
• Pray regularly for Women of the Cross
• Bi-Monthly Meetings
• Spring and Fall Rally with the Saginaw Zone
• Orphan Grain Train
• Food for local pantries
• Blessing bags
• Funeral Dinners
• Assisting with Altar Guild as needed
• Assisting with Special Events as needed
• Assisting with Church Decorations as needed

Altar Guild

ALTAR GUILD DUTIES:
The AG is made up of women, men, and young adults after confirmation to do weekly duties to get the Sanctuary ready for services on Sunday/Monday.
There is dusting, vacuuming, setting up communion, checking ot see if paraments need to be changed for the services.
We’re in charge of taking care of the Altar and Chapel flowers when ordered. We also take care of ordering Lillies for Easter, Geraniums for Pentecost and Poinsettia’s for Christmas.The geraniums are planted outside around the church around Memorial day. They need to be watered and dead heads taken off routinely. These are taken care of by volunteers throughout the summer.
We have items to set up for baptisms, weddings and funerals that someone from a group needs to take care of.
There are usually 4-5 on a team and we fill in for each other as needed.

Altar Guild Team Leader

Purpose of Ministry: The purpose of serving as Altar Guild Team Leader at Holy Cross Lutheran Church is to glorify God by ensuring that the physical atmosphere of the sanctuary is conducive to worship

Objectives:
1. To ensure that the chancel area is appropriately attired for each liturgical season
2. To oversee the preparation of communion elements
3. To recruit, train, and schedule Altar Guild Team Members

Activities:
• Recruit and train Altar Guild members
• Pray regularly for the congregation’s worship, the pastor, and the Altar Guild Team Members.
• Develop rotation schedule for Ellen and Team Members
• Make sure all liturgical cloths are clean and ready for the appropriate season.
• Oversee regular cleaning of communion and altar ware.
• Make sure supplies needed for communion, etc. are available.
• Check with pastor for any special needs.
• Ask members to help with decorating, selling flowers, etc.
• Schedule and lead meetings as needed.
• Replace wax candles with oil ones in main chancel areas.
• Contract with carpenter to build a free standing advent wreath.

Social Ministry

Purpose of Ministry: The purpose of serving in Social Ministry at Holy Cross Lutheran Church is to glorify God by providing the needs of the church members and the surrounding community as resources permit.

Objectives: To oversee the food pantry, pack and distribute holiday food baskets, Christmas Caring tree, Lutheran World Relief, CROP Walk, Abortion Alternatives Fill-A-Crib drive, St. Louis and Fort Wayne Seminaries food pantry support, Souper Bowl fundraiser for East Side Soup Kitchen and management of the love fund.

Activities:

• Food Pantry – Oversee solicitation of food, monitor inventory, stock shelves, distribute food as requested, and at holidays, assemble and deliver food baskets. (Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter)
• Caring Tree – Get the list of requests from Lutheran Child and Family services, make tags and put them on the tree, inventory donations, and deliver them to the Agency.

• Lutheran World Relief – Post and solicit items for organization, box, and deliver to drop off site.
• CROP Walk – Sign up walkers and take donations.
• Abortion Alternatives – set up and hang tags on baby crib, collect items of need, pack, and deliver to the organization.
• Seminary Food Bank – Post notice in newsletter and bulletin, collect money through the Love Fund, and send checks to both seminaries.
• Souper Bowl Fund Raiser – Have a door collection on Sunday to donate to East Side Soup Kitchen.
• Manage Love Fund – Oversee personal requests for assistance from members in need.

Prayer Shawl Ministry

Purpose of Ministry: The purpose of serving as a Prayer Shawl Ministry Member at Holy Cross is to glorify God by caring for the needs of homebound members of the congregation and their families; as well as non-members facing health crises or in need of a special comfort.

Objectives: To knit or crochet a shawl for each homebound or nursing home member at the congregation. To knit or crochet a shawl for non-members facing health crises or in need of special comfort as requested.

Activities:

• Enjoying each ministry member’s fellowship
• Sharing time and talent to serve others.
• Receive training in knitting and crocheting if desired
• Help members with reading patterns as needed
• Knitting or crocheting prayer shawls at times convenient to ministry members
• Selection of yarn, needles, or hooks at a ministry meeting
• Yarn may be purchased by ministry members as a donation to the ministry

• Fundraising for the purchase of yarn, needles, or accessories may be planned

• Attendance at meetings is encouraged but not mandatory
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