CLICK HERE to download full printable PDF
Contents
- From the Pastor
- Saint of the Month
- Life-to-Life Evangelism with Matt Kay
- Christ in Passover
- From the Pastor’s Devotional
- Giving Service to the Lord
- Church Council Minutes
From the Pastor
This Lent, our Tuesday daytime Bible study is wrapping up a months-long study of the book of Revelation. (You can access the entire series of classes by clicking on the playlist “Revelation Bible Study” through our YouTube channel.*) On Sunday mornings, I am preaching through the lessons we can and should learn from Jesus’s letters to the seven churches listed at the beginning of Revelation. After all, “whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.” (Rom 15:4)
I feel so blessed to be part of a liturgical Christian tradition, which sets aside an entire season of the Church year to focus on repentance, on crrecting what in our lives needs correcting, on refocusing our attention on our daily wak with God. After all, while Jesus has encouraging words for most of those seven churches, He has words of correction for nearly all of them too… and which of us is not in need of at least a little spiritual improvement?
But as Lent goes on, and we get either bored or fatigued with our Lenten devotions, it is also good for us to remember another thing that the Revelation of St. John makes clear; the people of God always and only conquer “by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony” to the Gospel of His reign. (Rev 12:11)
If you are finding yourself flagging in your Lenten zeal, lean back into the power of the blood of Jesus. Call on Him, trust the promise of His love, and ask Him to fight the battle with you… or for you!
As next month begins, we celebrate the victory of Jesus, the “Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.” (John 1:29) As we near that great celebration, let us ever walk with Jesus, all the way to the cross and the empty tomb beyond… for He is ever walking with us.
- https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLMJg0PjvU9C4R55N6FmDMiYVSUsYrmRgJ
: John Donne
Like St. Paul, Lutherans refer to all those in Christ as “saints,” and we look to the great ones as role models in the faith.
This month we are remembering John Donne on Tuesday, March 31st. He was a poet and is well-known for his religious and love poetry, and his sermons. He was born to Roman Catholic parents in 1572. His father died when he was four, and his brother died in prison. John Donne studied law and his early poetry was about love. He later worked for Sir Thomas Egerton where he fell in love with and secretly married Ann More. He lost his job for this, causing them to live in poverty. They had support from friends and family, and had twelve children. Ann died in childbirth and five of their children died as infants. In 1615 John Donne took Holy Orders, and he was elected dean in 1621. He was fully devoted to his work in the church. He died in 1631, writing during his sickness, Hymn to God, My God, in My Sickness.
As we read this, let us remember Romans 12:9-13, “Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.”
Life-to-Life Evangelism with Matt Kay
You didn’t miss it! Because of the impending snow on February 22nd, Matt Kay of Cru Church Movements will begin his special teaching time us with at Holy Cross this coming Sunday, March 1st!
Join Mtt and Pr. Brett to learn invitational, welcoming, non-confrontational ways of sharing our precious relationship with God through Jesus Christ with others. During the Sunday School hour on March 1, 8, and 22nd, Mr. Kay will gather us in the social hall for some amazing and heart-opening ways of sharing our precious Christian faith with others. During a special evening session TBA, there will be a special follow-up class taught with Pr. Brett, Staying with People Through Their Objections.
Everyone has someone they know would benefit from a relationship–or a better relationship–with Jesus. All are invited for these three weeks to share, laugh, and grow together in this crucial discipleship practice.
Mark your calendars, and make these three life-changing weekends part of your Lenten journey!
- Matthew Kay is a candidate for ordained ministry in the Anglican Church in America with 15+ years of experience with fulltime evangelism and discipleship-building.
On March 25, 2026, Holy Cross will host “Christ in the Passover: An Interactive Experience.” This powerful, interactive experience, led by Samuel Rood of Jews for Jesus, will illustrate the link between the Jewish feast of Passover and the last supper Jesus shared with His disciples.
Join us for a sensory exploration of the beautiful Jewish ceremony called a seder. As we taste the traditional symbolic foods, we’ll weave the story of the exodus and freedom from slavery together with the messianic hope realized in Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection. The words “do this in remembrance of me” will take on an even deeper meaning to Christians as we learn the significance of the tradition Jesus observed the night before He died and give us a closer look at the very Jewish life He led.
From the Pastor’s Devotional
Last Sunday the church sang the last Alleluia and Lent began.
From time immemorial the Alleluia has been omitted from the services of the Church
during the season dedicated to the remembrance of the Passion of our Lord.
The last Alleluia dies away in chapel and cathedral,
and while the echo still lingers among the rafters,
the violet paraments of sorrow are placed upon the altar.
It will be Easter morning before the Alleluia is heard again.
There is wisdom in this.
It is another and profound difference between the Church and the world.
The world never willingly abandons joy.
Worldly people hang on to happiness with all the gust they have—
until, inevitably, it is taken away from them.
They want to forget that the line of life must sometimes go down
into the darkness of sorrow.
It is never easy, but it is a great deal better to go down willingly
than to be driven down like a slave…
To give up joy by the strength of Him who gave up heaven
is a part of the way by which joy and heaven will return.
Easter can come only to the heart that has known Lent.
O.P. Kretzmann 1901-1975
“The Pilgrim” in The Cresset, Valparaiso University
Sunday of the Week of Lent I
FOR ALL THE SAINTS, VOL III
For All the Saints is a publication of the American Lutheran Publicity Bureau, on the board of which Pr. Brett serves
Giving Service to the Lord
COMPLETE Church Council Minutes are posted on the bulletin board in the Narthex. Attachments are filed in the church office with the originals.
The meeting minutes summarized here are pending Council approval at next month’s meeting.
Meeting Highlights for February 11, 2026
Ten members present.
Absent: Tim Kryman
GUESTS: Pastor Jenkins
Review of Reports:
Secretary’s Report – Lenten Giving Envelope funds will be held by the church to cover extended expenditures. Easter Service times were set for 8:00 & 10:30am with an Easter Breakfast at 9:15am provided by the men of Holy Cross. Troop 74 has inquired if holy Cross is willing to print their color programs for their banquet if they provide the paper. Council approved this instance and will discus with the Troop that hsall not be a regular occurrence. Troop 74 has also asked if the Sexton for Holy Cross would be able to clean the restrooms after their banquet so it is set for Sunday morning. Brad Livermore confirmed he is available if Councilapproves. Troop will pay fee. Council approved.
Treasurer’s Report – The following reports were provided for review and comment: Category Overview, Income Statement, General Operating Checking – Account Regsiter, and General Operating Checking – Reconciliation Report.
Pastor’s Report – The computer purchased in October 2025 will accept no further updates of Windows 11. Insurance purchased with the PC may be covering the cost of a replacement. Will keep Council updated. High school Youth Group will be held on 2nd & 4th Sundays of the month following the late Social Hour. A post-high school discussion group is being held in the same time slot on the 1st & 3rd Sundays. Council has agreed to proceed with the Holy Week Seder Meal again this year. HS seniors would like to host their summer mission trip to be served in house this year and potentially invite nerby youth from other churches. Pastor to coordinate an off property event to be in conjunction with this event. 4 weeks after a first recorded visit, people will be sent an invitation to either speak with pastor directly to help get settled in or join the next new member orientation. Cindy Bonney has agreed to be the lay congregational representative to the AMR Convocation Planning Committee. People have had trouble accessing the online directory through ChurchTrac app. We have determined that each member must have access cleared individually.
Committee Reports:
Christian Education: See hard copy of minutes.
Fellowship Committee: Amy Rigor will be taking over for Amanda Bombico who has stepped down. Hard copy of minutes were provided.
Hospitality/Funeral Servers: Luncheon on 2/17/26 held for Elaine Gercie, member Denise Nolder’s mother. 50 people in attendance, 3 volunteers.
Prayer Team: Two requests for the month of January.
Social Ministry: 1/8/26 visitied the women on NW1 at Gracedale. Next visit is 2/12. Easter flowers will be ordered for shut-ins.
Women of Abundance: See hard copy of minutes.
Old Business: Security cameras on hold until better weather.
New Business: Rabbi Shulman visit set for 3/15/26 at 9:15am. Council has review the Congregational Meeting Minutes. Council has approved the minutes to be presented to the congregation at the next annual meeting. Rich S. Inquired as to who is a Thrivent member. There are choice dollars and grants available. If you or someone you know is a member, please let Rich S. know.
Meeting adjourned at 8:25 pm.
The next regular meeting is scheduled for
Wednesday, March 11, 2026 at 7:00 p.m.