ADULT EDUCATION
The Adult Education Ministry is designed to encourage those who wish to be life-long
learners. Broadening the knowledge base of members and visitors from the community
alike, sessions may cover a host of religious topics from Christian, Jewish, Muslim
and other world faiths to secular topics such as medical, financial, and cultural
issues. Exploration, learning and open discussion are the keys to understanding
and acceptance.
Adult Education Report for 2007
What a fun and fulfilling year. Since the inception of the monthly pancake breakfast,
the number of weeks that adult ed sessions were conducted was cut. This allowed
us additional time to search for more interesting and creative speakers and presentations.
The following topics were covered via video presentations and subsequent discussions:
The Jesus Experience in Latin American, North America, Asia and Africa (the last
four sessions of that series which we initiated in 2006); “How Jesus Died, the Final
18 Hours”; The Gospel of Judas; A Journey of the Travels of the Apostle Paul ; St.
John spoke to us from the Island of Patmos about his times with Jesus AND our newly
introduced series --- The Lutheran Handbook --- “How to Share your Faith”, “The
5 Most Rebellious Things that Jesus Did” and the Reformation. The average attendance
at video presentations was 10 people.
We increased the number of speaker sources. God blessed us this year with sources
coming to us and asking to speak or advertisements arrived in the mail. We explored
each opportunity. All speakers were free or at very reasonable rates. Carthage College
disbanded its speakers’ bureau. While we still utilized Carthage professors as speakers,
there was additional cost to us to cover their travel expenses from Kenosha. Kathy
Mills worked very hard to get each of these sessions advertised in the Daily Herald.
Most times the Herald cooperated.
The following topics were covered via speakers:
n Understanding the Catholic Church (By the Director
of Education at Our Lady of the Wayside)
n Zionism in the Holy Land (Greg Brownfield as a representative
of our Synod)
n The Meaning of How and Why Jesus Died for Us (Professor
Vitor Westhelle)
n Complimentary Medicine (Dr. Jerry Wesch)
n The Passover Experience and Seder Dinner (Professor
Sandra Bisciglia)
n Archeological Dig of the Northern Temple in Israel
(Professor Dan Schowalter)
n Alzheimer Disease (Representative from the Alzheimer
Association)
n The Everyday Life in Palestine (Del Leppke, from our
Synod)
n The Apostle Paul (Professor Christian von Dehsen)
n Yom Kippur (Professor Sandra Bisciglia)
n A Guatemalan Experience (Laurie Johnson)
n LCC Before/Aftercare Program (Sharon Stephen)
The average attendance at a speaker presentation was 20 people.
In addition, we again hosted a visit by Sharing the Dream. Another successful sale
of Guatemalan handcrafts at LCC, just in time for Christmas shopping.
During 2008 we plan to continue with more of the same since it all appears well
received. We are constantly seeking new sources of free or inexpensive speakers…..any
suggestions are always appreciated. Starting in February, 2008, we will be conducting
one session in the evening each month (probably on Sundays). This will enable blended
service attenders and others to also participate in adult education. Happy Learning!!!!!!!!
Respectfully submitted by the Adult Education Team: Carolyn Ohman, Kathy Mills and
Laurie Johnson.
CHRISTIAN EDUCATION
Christian Education ministry description and goals coming soon....
Christian Education Team Report for 2007
We continue to be pleased with our expansion in the last year. We have gained a
new family or two and are seeing some old friends filtering into our classrooms.
Ellen Gnoyke has joined our teaching team once again and has taken on the middle
school age (6th, 7th and 8th grade) class. It is nice to be able to utilize such
a wonderful leader and role model in our classrooms again. Katherine Ehlert continues
to bring energy to our program and enlightens our 3rd through 5th graders who are
honing their bible skills. We are serving at least 11 member families and 18 kids.
Though not all are regular attendees, it is wonderful to be seeing so many children
running our halls and filling them with laughter and a little mischief. We have
continued to serve several visiting children as well.
We studied Moses, Joshua, and Rahab in the first quarter of 2007. Ask the children
about Bible Baseball. It’s their favorite review game.
We took a break from Sunday School in July and August spent our time planning and
recovering from VBS! We spent a week here at Avalanche Ranch (aka., LCC) with 100,
(yes, I did say 100!), loud, obnoxious, laughing kids. They were being just that,
KIDS. A church full of fun, noise, emotion, promise and blessings! Katherine Ehlert
got the word out that LCC was the place to be for VBS. If we plan it they will come
and come they did indeed. We were filled to the brim and inviting more. You are
all invited to help us recreate the excitement this year.
We started a new curriculum this fall and it seems to work well for now. We have
covered Ruth, Naomi, Boaz, Hannah and Samuel and reviewed David. Our students are
now split into 3 classrooms, Pre-K through 2nd grade, 3rd through 5th, and 6th through
8th.
Eight children had their first communion the first Sunday in December. Nothing could
have been more encouraging for our growing program. We were very proud to welcome
all of them to our Lord’s Table.
Advent brought our Christmas program produced and written by Jean Hineman. She did
a wonderful job as usual. We would like to thank Jean for her hard work. She continues
to step up when we need her. We couldn’t have accomplished this program without
her. We had 11 children who made it to the performance and about 4 others that practiced
for it. Almost everyone had and wanted a speaking part, even the 3 mice, in our
wreath, that sang “We Three Kings”! (If you missed that bit, ask us. I’m sure they
are still hanging around LCC waiting for an encore). The true meaning of Christmas
was felt by all who attended.
The Education Team would welcome anyone who would like to join our mission. We need
to continue to grow this ministry if we want to energize our church. These children
truly are our future. Invite your friends, neighbors, and relatives. We have! You
will never know if they want to join us, if you don’t ask. They may just be waiting
for an invitation. We ask you to fervently search your soul, schedule and your gifts
and ask yourself if you might be able to assist this ministry. We need planners,
administrators, participants and prayers. We continue to pray and look at our options.
A big thank you goes out to all of those who have volunteered their time to serve
our youth this past year. Your dedication to this ministry is very much appreciated.
Submitted by:
Jodi Check Christian Education Team Leader
EVANGELICAL TEAM (E-TEAM)
The purpose of the E-Team is to provide a feeling of welcome and hospitality to
all guests who walk through our doors. The team also works to assist new members
in making person-to-person connections in order to experience the personal care
and the love of God, as well as helping them integrate into the church family.
Evangelical Team (E-Team) Report for 2007
The E-Team continues to function as both an outreach and in-reach committee. Some
of the normal activities of this committee are to provide greeters for the 9:00
a.m. service, maintain the friendship attendance booklets each Sunday, and sponsor
new member receptions.
As an outreach function, we send letters to new home owners in the area. We provide
visitor bags and name tags for visitors each Sunday. Thanks to Linda Sosnowski,
we have children’s bags to be used by visitor or member children during services.
As an in-reach function, for the monthly newsletters that have not been picked up
from the mailboxes, we write personalized “staying in touch” notes on the newsletters
and mail them to the members. In addition to sponsoring an opportunity table in
the Fellowship Hall, we also sponsor new-member activities as follows:
n hold a reception at a new-member instructional meeting
n hold a reception on new-member Sunday
n make new-member packets and name tags
n provide sponsors for the new members
n make arrangements for new members to add their hands
to our Hands Quilt in the hall
n take pictures of these new members for the bulletin
board and for the pictorial directory.
Ushers and greeters have been instructed to encourage visitors to fill out a name
tag and to give first-time visitors a prepared informational visitor bag.
A new-member procedure sheet is used to ensure that all aspects of new-member Sunday
are covered.
We designed a general information sheet for the new member bags and for distribution
to any visitors or those new to the area.
Pastor reminds members and visitors to sign our Friendship booklets each Sunday.
We have used this attendance information to determine which members have not attended
church recently so that we can follow up with them.
Thanks to all the people who have volunteered as greeters during the past year.
We would happily welcome new members to the Evangelical Team Please let us know
if you would like to join our committee. E-Team Members: Lynnea Semasko and Mary
Teppen
FELLOWSHIP TEAM
The purpose of this ministry is to develop and plan social events to promote Christian
fellowship for church members, their families, friends and neighbors. We attempt
to grow our church membership by including anyone who would like to participate.
Financial goals have been to just break even, unless we hold a fundraiser event.
Examples of past events have been:
n Bunco and other game nights (Food pantry fund raisers)
n Dinner & theater
n Bowling & pizza
n Chinatown dinner outing & shopping
n Family movie nights
n Road rally Scavenger hunts
n Fund raising theme dinners and entertainment.
Fellowship Team Report for 2007
Fellowship events for 2007 were interesting and fun events for many members of the
congregation, as well as supporting Social Ministries' Food Pantry program.
Every first Sunday of each month, Fellowship, in conjunction with Social Ministry
held a free pancake breakfast for all with free will donations benefiting the LCC
food pantry.
In March, Fellowship sponsored and co-sponsored with Social Ministry the last two
Wednesdays of the Lenten suppers.
In May, we held a pizza and candlelight bowling event at Arlington Lanes.
In September, the committee sponsored the chicken for Rally Day, and assisted with
food set up and clean up.
New committee members and chairpersons are needed for new events planning for 2008.
Thanks to all who participated and supported these fun events, especially Ken and
Sue Miller, June and Herb Hanson, Doris Olson, and Walker and Carole Reach of the
Social Ministry committee.
Respectfully submitted,
Klaus & Gail Schuetze Chairs of Fellowship Team
HELPING HANDS
Members of this ministry team reach out to church members through gestures of caring.
It typically involves, but is not limited to: driving to doctor appointments, providing
meals or light housekeeping and cleaning. Most requests are made when someone is
ill, recovering from post-operative surgery, or whenever a helping hand is needed.
Helping Hands Report for 2007
The Helping Hands Ministry is a loosely organized group of volunteers who respond
when a special need occurs to a congregational member. During the past year the
majority of services have included:
n Providing meals for ill or post operative members
n Visiting members, specifically to help with household
chores
n Driving members to doctor visits
The Ministry Team is usually called into action at the direction of Pastor when
he has been made aware of an illness or hospitalization. The team is organized by
those who can serve during the day, evening, and/or weekends. We welcome additional
volunteers.
This is a wonderful way to be the hands and feet of Jesus, sharing God’s love.
Tanya Haak Ministry Team CoOrdinator (847) 934-8511
WORSHIP AND MUSIC MINISTRY
The Worship & Music Team strives to implement programs, practices, and music that
will enhance your worship experience and bring you into the presence of our Lord.
The team’s mission is to provide the highest quality services and encourage as many
members as possible as participants and leaders, according to their gifts.
PRAYER MINISTRY
Those in the Prayer Ministry are asked to pray daily for our church family including,
Pastor, leaders and all the church ministries, as well as any other individuals
who have requested intercession for self or others. Prayer requests may be specific
or non-spoken. To join this ministry or to relay a prayer request, either fill out
a prayer request form at church or call the office at 847-437-5141.
Prayer Ministry Report for 2007
Those of us in the prayer ministry are to pray daily for our church family and all
it’s ministries as well as any individual who has requested intercession for self
or others. Any request may be specific or non spoken as God knows what we need even
before we ask. He hears the heart.
We have been blessed by several new prayer warriors being added to our roster.
In an age when government and schools are being pressured to kick God out, our job
is even more needed. He can and will use the faithfulness of the “faithful few”.
May He find us always watching and waiting.
To join this ministry or to relay a prayer request, fill out a prayer request form
at church or call Virginia Lloyd at 847/593-3681 or myself at 847/392-4630.
Cast all your anxiety (cares) on Him because He cares for you. I Peter 5:7.
In His Service,
Myrna Salazar
SOCIAL MINISTRY
Lutheran Church of the Cross’ Social Ministry, is an involved, hands on Ministry,
serving the LCC Family and reaching out to the local community and global missions.
Social Ministry, for the community, is active with the Jewel Shop & Share Days program,
which in turn helps provide for the LCC Food Pantry. The Food Pantry reaches out
to the community as the largest pantry in the area serving for over thirty years
to all in need, as an open boundary pantry. The LCC Food Pantry has always been
very busy and continues to provide even though the numbers for those in need have
been increasing.
Social Ministry, globally, recently participated in a program hosted by a local
church to package food for an organization called "Feed My Starving Children." This
food is then sent to those in need around the world.
Social Ministry, for the LCC Family is accomplished in the following ways: participation
in the Sunday Fellowship Hour and hosting the Pancake Breakfasts, sponsors two Annual
Bunco Parties that support mission opportunities, assists WELCA with the annual
Giant Rummage Sale, is active with the Property Committee maintaining the Churches
property, manages the annual Postman's Food Drive and provides other services as
requested.
Social Ministry Report for 2007
Social Ministry for 2007, again, has been blessed and supported by our community.
The churches, businesses, schools, individuals and our own LCC family have all given
generously to support our mission work for the community.
Social ministry provides for others in several different ways.
n First for Global Missions, LCC allots us $300.00 a
year that we contribute to ELCA for the Missionary for a Day Program. The rummage
sale provides for other outreach projects. We also contribute $500.00 to ELCA, for
World Hunger and Disaster Relief.
n Second for Local Missions, we contributed $500.00
each to Wings in Palatine and Deborah’s Place in Chicago. Both organizations support
woman and children in need.
n Third we contributed $500.00 to our own LCC property
committee to help offset the cost of the extras, chemicals and extra garbage pick
ups, when the new floors were installed.
n Fourth, we donated the leftover donated Christmas
toys to The Saint Vincent DePaul Society, through Saint Zachary Catholic Church.
One vanload, about 100 toys.
n Fifth, our largest mission, the LCC Food Pantry.
n Sixth, our own Pancake Breakfasts. Our way of saying
thank you to our LCC family for the support of our Food Pantry. What a great opportunity
for fellowship within our congregation. Your generous free will offerings support
this activity, with a little left over for the Food Pantry.
January found us traveling twice a week to 42nd and Pulaski, the home of the Greater
Chicago Food Depository and Pantry University. Yes, we are now a Certified Agency
of the GCFD. We took the required classes they offered and our facility met all
of their requirements and passed a physical inspection. We are able to buy food
for the pantry at very reasonable prices, some items offered free. Presently, we
rent a seventeen-foot truck and pick up about 4000 pounds of food a trip. The first
year we must provide our own pick up and delivery. Starting in March 2008, we can
get the food delivered to our door. We do buy some products locally as needed and
buy some products we prefer.
The Postal Food Drive remained a very important project for the Food Pantry. Last
year the postal drive generated 18,000 pounds of food. We shared this with other
pantries, netting us about 12,000 pounds. This year we got all the food, 16,000
pounds. Again we thank the Tucker’s for donating the use of a truck and to their
driver who donated his time for the pantry. For all the helpers who sorted, checked
dates and quality, packed, or stocked……….A BIG THANK YOU.
The WELCA Rummage Sale again came through as a major project for WELCA and Social
Ministry. The two groups shared the proceeds from this major fundraiser.
Social Ministry shares its portion with missions both global and local. The food
pantry also benefits from money received to cover the extra costs of operating the
pantry. To purchase boxes to store the food, pay for the cost of truck rental and
gas, and to purchase additional shelving. For all the volunteers who work the Rummage
Sale, set up, stock, price, sell, clean up and load the Salvation Army truck…………A
BIG THANK YOU. We are having another Rummage Sale, Spring, 2008.
The Jewel Shop and Share Program. This is our newest venture to help provide for
our Food Pantry. Our congregation is small; therefore, we are reaching out to the
community with this program. We provide certificates to twelve neighboring Churches
and four Curves fitness centers. Dates for our 2008 program will be announced soon.
Again, a big thank you to all of you for your support of our LCC Food Pantry.
In 2007 we served 2501 bags of food that helped feed 8392 family members. This was
a 16% increase over 2006 of 2150 bags of food. The retail value per bag of food
is $15.00. The cost of 2501 bags of food is $37,500.00. Food purchased of $12,500
and donated food of $25,000 filled these bags for the needy families.
For all who donated cash, food, and volunteered their time…….A BIG THANK YOU.
Thank You For Sharing God’s Love,
Walker R. Reach Chairman, Social Ministry
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