Time Flies: Advent/Christmas Season is upon us

Advent (from Latin word meaning the "Coming" of the newborn Savior that God had long promised), and Christmas, literally "Christ's birth", are part of the same event, stretched out over a pregnancy season.  Surely Jesus' mother Mary felt the quick passage of time as the baby grew large within her.
It is good to celebrate both parts of the season. Advent helps us answer questions like "Who promised Jesus' birth?, and where are those promises and prophecies located in holy Scripture?"
As we find these answers, we are in awe as we literally watch God at work in history in our corrupt world. We get a chance to let Scripture answer clearly, "Why was a savior needed?" and "From what does He rescue us?"  We then approach the suggested day of His birth knowing that God has loving mercy on sinners as He provides His perfect rescue for them. He makes this forgiveness available to all who  loathe our own sins and turn to Him for cleansing.  This is work that Jesus willingly did for us on the cross.

We invite you to join us as we contemplate anew our predicament, and God's solution at Advent services on Wednesdays at 6
Then join us as we stand in awe of God's provision of a Savior on Christmas Eve at 7.

Advent services:  Dec. 1,8, and 15 at 6 pm at the church

Christmas Eve joyful Lessons and Carols:  Dec. 24 at 7 pm

Watch Chestnut St. in front of our church for a life-size one-of-a-kind nativity scene featuring multiple sheep, shepherds, the holy family, and Isaiah, the prophet who lived centuries before that special night.


ETHNIC FESTIVAL REPORT:
The recent festival was a real success in every way.  Weather was tremendous for large crowds, and local stage music made the milling about fun.
Our congregation sold out on haluski, halupki, perogies, and almost everything.
A significant portion of our sales for the weekend supports the work of Veteran Community Initiatives, and Beginnings, Inc, whose work with children and their families we also support.

Rain held off on Sunday , but chased the community worship service at 9 am into the church.
There was a lot of interest in the 2 pm Sunday commemoration of 9/11 and moment of silence (20th anniversary), and the commemoration of the return home of Vets from Afghanistan, aided by the American color guard and veterans of the Viet Nam, Korean, and other wars.



HOLY CROSS: 'STILL FAITHFUL TO THE WORD OF GOD.

Please be assured that Holy Cross Lutheran Church and the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, our parent church body, hold the Apostles' Creed * as our statements of faith, drawn from holy Scripture- and not evolved from the inventive ideas of men and women.
While many other churches follow other creeds and beliefs, we remain faithful.  If you have doubts about your Lutheran or other congregation's doctrines, please contact us today.  Worship with us on Sunday!

*Note: Creeds we follow: Apostles' Creed, Nicene Creed, Athanasian Creed.


We hold Sunday worship 10 a.m. in the sanctuary.
Adult Bible study 8:30 a.m. in fellowship hall (Jeremiah)


In respect / care for those around us,
some of our worshipers- still wear masks to minimize the chance of infections for all!

Celebrate! God has given His Son Jesus as a ransom for sinners,   It is Him we celebrate all these years later.  For we daily receive the benefits of His mercy on all who repent and call on Him.

Holy Cross' members enthusiastically have supported several local and national missions, including Unity Lutheran Church's (Pittsburgh) after-school ministry,  local Beginnings.org, Veterans Community Initiative, as well as Gospel ministries of the SELC District of the  Lutheran Church Missouri Synod.

    We worship and live in the light of Jesus' crucified, risen from the dead, and bodily ascended into heaven.
And He has not left us orphaned. He has sent His Holy Spirit to comfort and guide you and me.  Join us on Sundays as we celebrate the most earth-shaking events in all history!

    We celebrate holy Communion almost every Sunday for our members and members of our sister Lutheran Church Missouri Synod congregations. We'd like to talk with you about joining us.
    With the apostle Paul, we say, "I resolved to know nothing...  except Jesus Christ and Him crucified."
We are not big into the Law. In our preaching, the Gospel of forgiveness is the last Word. We are liturgical, but not dogmatic about the forms of worship. Some of our worship is chanted- we are encouraged in Scripture to sing to the Lord.

Teaching from the Bible the timeless good news of the Grace of God who sent Jesus to be crucified in the place of sinners like you and me, Holy Cross Lutheran Church still serves this community after 110+ years.
Holy Cross has been served by many faithful pastors through the years, each speaking from God's Word, not from the pastor's own inventions, nor applying man's logic or social agenda to spiritual truth. We invite you to join our community for worship and fellowship this week. Come, or call or email pastor Ruppert today.