VOLUME 9, ISSUE 10October 2011

Pastor’s Note 1Quarterly Statistics 2Reflections from Scripture 2

My Stewardship Story 2

Year-to-Date Giving Statement

It is the mission of the Stewardship Team to help people grow in faith as trustees of God’s generous gifts.

HHOLYOLY CCROSSROSS LLUTHERANUTHERAN CCHURCHHURCHStewardship Team Newsletter

“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”– Matthew 6:21 –

Dave AndersonTom BarrRick CerkowniakMike DircksenAaron KvisteroAdam RoarkBruce SwanNolan Thompson

SSTEWARDSHIPTEWARDSHIP ATAT H HOLYOLY C CROSSROSS ::WWEE RRECEIVEECEIVE ANDAND WWEE GG IVEIVE

“God has given us two hands – one to receive with and the other to give with. We are not cisterns made for hoarding; we are channels made for sharing.”

– Billy GrahamStewardship at Holy Cross plays out in many ways – acts of service,

sharing one’s expertise or talents, or giving money. Being a good steward is a trait we all want to be known by. When I think of being aservant to others, I think of Jesus washing the feet of his disciples atthe Last Supper.... A strong example of being a servant to others fromthe greatest servant of all. As I come to the end of my presidency at Holy Cross, I think back on

all the things I have learned about stewardship at our church the pastthree and a half years. The signs of stewardship are everywhere. I haveseen many at Holy Cross volunteer repeatedly and give generously. Weare a loving and grace-filled community that cares about one another.We committed to an expansion project that will require all of us to helppay for it, and many have stepped up to the plate and given generously.We continue to be blessed by getting additional gifts toward some ofthe furnishings and equipment that will help us “finish” this new space. I also have been shocked by some things I have learned about

stewardship. Some statistics have shown that a surprising 53% ofChristians in our country have not given anything to their church lastmonth. At Holy Cross many have given less than $5.00 every month. We continue to have blank lists for volunteers to teach Sunday School,usher, assist with communion, etc. Many stand at the edge and think,“Someone else will do it.” I used to be that person. I gave little and volunteered even less. I can

tell you for certain that I will never be “that person” again. I have finallylearned the lesson of stewardship – the more I give, the more I receive.Now it is hard for me to imagine not getting involved or not giving tosupport the ministry of my church. Getting involved and supporting thechurch financially does wonders for the soul.So I challenge you to come to church and open your minds and hearts

to the lessons of stewardship. Open your two hands – one to receivethe gifts and grace offered here, and the other to give your acts ofservice, talents and/or money. The more you give the more you willreceive.Thank you all for allowing me to be a leader of our great church...

Thanks Be To God!Court Anderson, Holy Cross Council President

CCONSUMERONSUMER OROR C CONTRIBUTORONTRIBUTOR By Tom Barr, Stewardship TeamI recently attended my nephew’s church and heard a message that really struck me.

The pastor spoke about the difference between consuming and contributing, and I’dlike to share some thoughts about how this relates to stewardship at Holy Cross.

Every congregation is made up of people at various stages between consuming andcontributing, much like a child grows from needing everything provided for him to thepoint where he can care for and help others. And I believe it’s important for each of usto consider where we are on the scale from being a consumer to becoming a full contributor.

Some of us are at a point where we really need to receive all that the church has tooffer. If this is you, you can be assured that Holy Cross is a church that is happy to provide you and your family all you need to grow in your faith; and we (the members ofHoly Cross) are here to help, comfort, and support you. On the other hand, if you have consumed the Word of God, have grown in your faith and, in connecting to the church,have developed to a point that you can become a greater contributor; then by all meansplease do try to find ways you can help share the gifts God has given you.

This is what Stewardship is all about – Contributing in ways that God will find pleasing.

July — September 2011

Mission & MinistryIncome $ 167,832 Expenses $ 179,893 M&M Budget 2011

$ 171,427

ConsiderSimply Giving

(an automated way of giving)It’s free to you

and to the church.You may pick up a form

at the kiosk or enroll online from the Holy Cross website using the “donate online” link

on the left side.

Out of town?Forget your offering?

Make it easy on yourself, and keep the ministries

of Holy Cross going.

BuildingMort. & Maint.

FundIncome $ 28,446 Expenses $ 21,263 B&M Budget 2011

$ 44,300 Mortgage Loan Balance

$ 792,986 CONSTRUCTION LOAN

BALANCEReceived $ 1,793,474

II CII CORINTHIANSORINTHIANS 8:18:1––5:5:We want you to know, brothers and sisters,

about the grace of God that has been granted to the churches of Macedonia; for during a severe ordeal of affliction, their abundant joy and their extreme poverty

have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. For, as I can testify, they voluntarily gave according to their means, and even beyond their means, begging us earnestly for the privilege

of sharing in this ministry to the saints – and this, not merely as we expected; they gave themselves first to the Lord and, by the will of God, to us.

What an amazing passage. The Macedonians, by right, should have been askingfor financial aid! Paul describes their poverty as “extreme.”But, instead of focusing on their needs, they seized the opportunity to be overly

generous! The Christians in Jerusalem were suffering, and Paul wanted to securesome help for them. Did he ask the Macedonians for help, or did they catch wind of it and jump on the chance to give?Paul gets right to the reason for their generosity. “They gave themselves first to the

Lord and by the will of God to us,” Paul explains.Right there you have the basis for Christian stewardship. Our giving is determined

by (1) need and (2) gratitude for what God has done for us. For those two reasons the Macedonians (and we) have to give. We do not want to be deprived of the basicneed to give.

By Pastor Dave Johnson, Interim Senior Pastor

A simple choice; a generous responsewww.thrivent.com/community/outreach/giving/simplygiving/index.html

‘NOW IS THE TIME!’Received $ 326,149 Spent $ 307,831Balance $ 18,319

MONTHLYSTATISTICS