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Contents

• From the Pastor
• Saint of the Month
• What and Why?
• Community of Believers
• A Salute to Our Veterans
• Giving Boxes
• Christmas Advent Giving Tree
• Social Ministry News
• Giving Service to the Lord
• Church Council Meeting Minutes

Joyful Thanksgiving
Of course, November is associated in all our minds with Thanksgiving, and I hope for you, Thanksgiving is associated with fond memories of family togetherness, favorite foods, and the unofficial kick-off to a holiday season that will not be concluded until the New Year’s confetti has been swept up.
A major part of our family Thanksgiving traditions is watching the National Dog Show following the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. We are a family of dog lovers, and we get ridiculously over-invested in cheering for our favorites. A super-fun moment for us was when an episode of the sitcom Brooklyn 99 featured two of the police getting a whole bar of New Yorkers to tune in to the dog show instead of the football game, getting others to join us in our over-the-top nerdiness.
The year that has become legend for us is 2022, when a French Bulldog named Winston won the Best in Show. As the arena erupted into cheers, this little cream-colored puff ball broke from his professional show demeanor to joyfully leap into his handler’s arms, a feat I would have thought impossible for those stubby little legs.
It was a picture for me of the way we Christians should give thanks to the Lord. St. Paul exhorts us, “do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” (Philippians 4:6) We know what the Lord has done for us in Jesus Christ, so no earthly anxiety should be able to take away our joy. May the Lord give you this kind of joy throughout the holiday season ahead, inspiring joyful thanksgiving at this holiday named for the same.

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 Martin Chemnitz on Monday, November 9th. He was born November 9th, 1522, in Brandenburg. He was the youngest of three children, worked as a weaver’s apprentice in his family’s business, and studied at the University of Frankfurt when he was in his twenties. He then studied at the University of Wittenberg under Luther and Melancthon. After his schooling, Martin Chemnitz dedicated himself to theological and academic studies, studying the Church Fathers, and reading the Bible in its original languages. Eventually Chemnits returned to Wittenberg to lecture on theology, became co-adjutor(co-bishop) of Braunschweig, and pastor of St. Martin’s Church. Martin Chemnitz was important in continuing Martin Luther’s teachings after his death, and published the Book of Concord in 1580. He died on April 8th, 1586.
As we read this, let us remember 2 Timothy 4:2-5, preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. But as for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

In our confirmation classes, in addition to learning the outlines of the Bible’s story of salvation and The Small Catechism as a faithful exposition of the Christian life from those same Scriptures, our confirmands have to learn a lot of vocabulary. Let’s face it; in our culture, where else but church do you need to understand words like propitiation, expiation, and atonement?
One of those fancy “churchy” words that is extremely important for all of us to know is doxology, which simply means “praise.” During the season of Pentecost, the words we sing as we bring forward the offering are referred to by most Lutherans as simply “the doxology:”

Praise God from whom all blessings flow,
Praise Him all creatures here below,
Praise Him above, ye heaven’ly host,
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost!

We give thanks most truly to God by praising Him, and our thanks is the only thing God cannot have without our participation, so let us praise Him with thanksgiving proportionate to what He has given us… which is everything!

I had the pleasure of attending the Atlantic Mission Region Women’s Conference on Thursday, October 8, which was part of the NALC Convocation held at Holy Cross that weekend. I also volunteered to help prepare and serve some of the meals that were served on several days. What a wonderful response we had from our congregation in providing baked goods for the entire weekend. They certainly out did themselves. We received many compliments for the hospitality of Holy Cross. And the many volunteers worked joyfully side by side to see that the weekend went smoothly. Praise God for all of them.

So, we had lots of breads, cakes and cookies to comfort our stomachs, but what impressed me were the words of Scripture that came out of our mouths. Telling of our favorite Bible verses and listening to each other as we shared how we serve in our respective congregations. Giving each other ideas of how we might better serve in our own churches.

Throughout Scripture we can find examples of believers gathering together. Worship, teaching, and meals were often enjoyed in community. The believers were instructed not to neglect fellowship with other believers.

What I loved most about the weekend was how people from different congregations traveled long distances to be a part of something bigger than themselves. To become a community of believers who are there to support each other in their faith and to help that faith grow and become stronger as individuals and as congregations.

I am so happy and privileged to be part of this Christian family of Holy Cross and a sister in Christ with all those who make up the NALC.

– Barbara Lynn-Sarley

Women of Abundance are doing a collection this Christmas season to benefit local food banks. If you are able, we would appreciate non-perishable food items. These items can be placed in the Christmas wrapped boxes in the entry-way (where items for the food bank are normally placed). The collection will start on November 1st and continue through the Christmas season.
Some suggestions for non-perishable items would be:
mac & cheese, ramen noodles, pasta, sauce, cereal, pancake mix, syrup, oatmeal, can goods such as vegetables, fruit, tuna, chicken, soups, cornbread, brownie or cake mix, small sugar, small flour, salt, pepper, spices, mustard, ketchup, mayo, or whatever you wish to donate.

This year we will be collecting toys to be given to foster children through Northampton County Office of Children and Youth. We will be doing an Advent Calendar when the specific needs of the children are known in November. Details to follow.

We will also be doing a Giving Tree for the collection of gift cards to benefit the children being served by the Office of Children and Youth. Gift cards for Giant, Weis, Walmart, or Target would be appreciated. The gift cards will be distributed through Plesion to the case workers to purchase urgently needed items. The gift cards that were given so generously by this Congregation last Christmas, were used by the case workers to buy food, diapers, formula, clothes, and Christmas presents for families in need. The need continues. If you are able to purchase a gift card, please include the gift receipt or mark on it the amount and place in the Christmas box in the Narthex by December 15, 2026.

Matthew 25:40 – Truly, I say to you, as you did to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.

CHRISTMAS COOKIE BAKERS NEEDED!
Donations of Christmas cookies and/or wrapped candies for our sick and shut-in members are needed.
On December 12, Social Ministry will bag the donated cookies/treats and prepare poinsettias and cards for church members to deliver to our sick and shut-ins. Cookie/treat donations should be brought to the church by 9:30am Saturday December 12. Please sign up in the Social Hall.

POINSETTIA SPONSORS NEEDED for our sick and shut-in members. Complete a Poinsettia order form and return it with payment to the church office by November 29. Thank you for your support! Order forms are located in the Social Hall or print the order form from the newsletter pdf.

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 October 14, 2026

Ten members present.
Absent: Tom Kneisly
GUESTS: Pastor Brett Jenkins, Paul Grube, Cindy Bonney, Mirella Bulawa
Review of Reports:
Secretary’s Report – Boy Scout Troop 74 requested use of the pavilion for their annual Troopsgiving cookout for Saturday, Dec. 5. Social Hall will only be used if there is inclement weather. Emily Frack has requested the use of the Social Hall for a family birthday party on Sunday, Nov. 1 from 3-8pm. Kratzer Septic Service completed our biannual cleaning on Oct. 2. Invoice forwarded to treasurer and paid. Brotherhood Mutual sent a policy change notice. Changes to person property coverage, addition of abusive acts policy and deletion of infectious disease coverage was reviewed with no concerns. Tax Exempt status is set to expire at the end of 2026. Renewal packet has been received. Rich Siegfried agreed to assist with the submission of the paperwork. Social Hour Help sign-up form was created and reviewed by council.
Treasurer’s Report – Category overview, month by month, and account register provided. General income was positive this month by $700.00. Snow removal summary from last winter was provided to aid in soliciting prices for this year. The Capital Campaign tracking was also provided and reviewed with clarifications on charges for glass and paint.
Pastor’s Report – New Business Amanda Osbun, Lisa Misiti, Lisa Jenkins, and myself gathered on Sunday, Sept. 20 to plan a re-invigoration of our older youth ministries. An inaugural Music and Worship Committee meeting was held on Sept. 30. Pastor would like to take his final vacation Sunday on Nov. 15 to attend his daughter’s concert in Grove City. Approved by Council.
Old Business Report on Washington DC experience: there was no cost to the church. Parent Amy Riger noticed come incorrect dates on the Confirmation Class Schedule. A revised calendar was sent to parents and is attached for Council information.
Committee Reports:
Christian Education: Hard copy of minutes provided.
Elders: The Elders met in September to discuss how best to fulfill their obligations as Elders per the Constitution of Holy Cross.
ERT: CPR Training 10/24/26 9am-12pm. Saturday, Nov. 7 10-11am will be the Quarterly ERT Business Meeting.
Property: No formal report. Library glass was repaired. Broken glass in classroom still needs review. Men’s room lights are out and replacement emergency light needs review.
Social Ministry: Sept. 10 the ministry visited the NW1 unit at Gracedale with homemade treats, which were thoroughly appreciated. Next scheduled visit is Oct. 15.
Spiritual Care Team: Barbara continues to visit home bound members and administer communion. Shawn Fernsler accompanied her on several of the visits to meet the members. Team members continue to send greeting cards to those who may need an uplifting word.
Worship and Music Committee: Hard copy of minutes provided.
Women of Abundance: See hard copy of minutes.
Old Business: Due to the African Children’s Choir having issues with paperwork, it was voted and agreed to postpone the concert until 2027. Confirmation requirements were reviewed in great detail. Additional counters are still needed. Council approved Keith Johnson to the counter team.
New Business: Annual Congregational Meeting set for January 31, 2027. The 2027 Spending Proposal is being developed in conjunction with a thorough review of the 2026 budget and spending. Council nominees for 2027, one member’s term is complete in December 2026. Christmas Eve services shall be 3:00, 7:00, & 9:00pm. Christmas Day will be at 10:00am.

The next regular meeting is scheduled for
Wednesday, November 11, 2026 at 7:00 p.m.