April News and Updates

Holy Week Schedule: Please join us!

Sunday April 9th:   8:00am & 11:00am Palm Sunday Service                                                    

Thursday April 13th:   7:00pm Maundy Thursday Service

Friday April 14th:   7:00pm Good Friday Service

Sunday April 16th:   8:00am & 11:00am Easter Sunday Service

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Easter Egg Hunt: Saturday, April 1st!

Who:  Children Birth-8th grade(accompanied by their parent/guardian) & The Clarence Community

What: We will begin the event with an Egg Hunt, followed by a kid-friendly message centered around the Resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!

When: Saturday, April 1st: 1pm-3pm Rain or Shine

Where: Holy Cross Lutheran Church @ 8900 Sheridan Drive.  This is an Outdoor Event! 

RSVP: By email: holycrossclarence@gmail.com that includes your child’s name and current grade level. Please bring a friend! 

Questions? contact: Lindsay G, lindsaygugliuzza@gmail.com, or  call/text (716)435-3007

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CrossRoads is April 1

Crossroads is a once-a-month Saturday evening devotional experience. We praise God with some contemporary Christian songs, meditate on the word with a short devotion, and connect with others in God’s love and peace. The next few months we are exploring God’s character as we hear Him say, “I AM.” Mark your calendars for April 1st from 5:00-6:00 PM, and please join us for this exciting devotional experience.

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Men’s Night of Reflection:

Newman Center Men’s Club Presents a Men’s Night of Reflection Tuesday, April 4th at 7:00pm . Pastor Nickel will be speaking on preparing ourselves for the Easter season with emphasis on men’s issues in the twenty-first century. He will also give some insight on his special journey towards Christ. For more information please contact Men’s Club President Dominic Buccilli at 807-5223 or Francis Cote at 510-8742. _______________________________________________________________________

See the NEW Martin Luther Film:

A special screening of the new Martin Luther film will be on April 6th, at 6:30pm at the Transit Regal Cinemas 6707 Transit Road, Williamsville. All tickets must be purchased in advance. Tickets can be purchased online through this dedicated site http://williamsville.NewLutherMovie.com or if you would rather not purchase tickets online you can contact Bob Hamp at (716) 863-8367 or email him at rlhp64@yahoo.com . Everyone is welcome. Invite your friends! A portion of the ticket sales will be returned to the Holy Cross congregation for our mission and ministry projects.

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Jr/Sr High Late Night

Here at Holy Cross we believe that we were created for relationships. Come build relationships and start off your weekend by enjoying this late night. Friday, April 7th we will start off out late night at 6:30 PM with dinner and have some games, service project, devotion, and movie time ending at10:30 PM. Stay out late and have fun with friends! All 7th-12thgrade students are invited! Sign up in the upstairs of the HCCC or with Samantha to let her know you’re coming!

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Spring Lady’s Tea (and coffee of course!)

On Saturday, April 8th at 10:00 AM Ladies of all ages are invited to join us in K-Hall for a time of fellowship over tea. Please bring your favorite tea cup to use and your classy conversation starters:) Hope to see you all there! Sign up in K-hall to bring a food item.

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Holy Cross Spring Clean Up Day:  

Holy Cross Spring clean up is scheduled for April 22nd, Earth Day at 8:30 am.  More details to follow.  Weather permitting.

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Easter Breakfast:

Holy Cross’ annual Easter Breakfast will be held on Easter Sunday, April 16th, between the two services. Everyone is invited! Bring something to share if you would like. There is no sign up necessary. Everyone pitches in and it is truly lovely. For more information see Sue Fay.

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Care packages!

We are sending care packages to our young adults for some end-of-year cheer! I know our college kids will be especially grateful for a package as they prepare for their semester finals! In the vestibule outside the sanctuary, there is a tree with some small items that we need purchased for our care packages such as granola bars and coffee gift cards! Please take a tag or two and return your item by Palm Sunday: April 9th! Small boxes are also needed, and cash donations accepted! 
[If you know of a young adult who would enjoy hearing from the Holy Cross community, please see Samantha.] 

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Confirmation:

April 8th, 15th and 22nd:  Confirmation Review @ 10:00am in the HCCC

Please keep our 5 Confirmands in your prayers the next few weeks as they prepare for Confirmation weekend: April 29 (exam) and 30th: Confirmation Sunday. They have a lot to memorize!!! 

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VBS HELP WANTED!

Before we know it, VBS will be here!  We have scheduled it for August 7th-11th from 9 AM-12 PM.  MARK YOUR CALENDARS!  In order for it to be a success, many helpers are needed!  We need group leaders, station “directors” (crafts, snacks, etc.), helpers, donors, actors, prayers and more!  If you are willing to help in any way, please contact Ruth Marzano at themarzanos@gmail.com or text Katie Marzano at 716-270-3170.  This is a HUGE outreach opportunity!  We want to bring many children to Christ.  Help us to do so as we celebrate God’s Victories!

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Heritage Home

The Sunday after Easter is our regular visit at 10 a.m. with our friends at the Heritage Home.  Of course, we will talk about “Jesus Goes to Calvary” and then His resurrection, from the Gospels of Matthew and John.  Always, we give thanks and praise to Him for His forgiveness ad love.  Jesus is very important in their lives, and it is good to share His love for all of us day by day and especially at this Easter time.

~Ronald Talboys 

716-741-3079

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Book and Bake Sale

We will be having a Book and Bake Sale on Saturday, May 20 from 8:30am-3pm.  Please search your house for books you no longer read and ask neighbors and friends to donate their old books also.  We’ll also be collecting CDs and DVDs.  Linda Cummings and Pat Ludwig will be running the bake sale portion of the event.  Please contact them to donate baked goods.  If you need to have your books picked up, just call Nancy Cote at 818-1175.

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YAM

Holy Cross’s Young Adult Ministry will be gathering on May 21st @ 6:30 in K-Hall for a time of fellowship & fun. We don’t often get to see one another, but being in town for summer has its benefits! Please join us for a good time as we hang out & with a good homemade dinner and fun game night! All young adults are welcome!

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Summer Hours:

In June, July, and August Holy Cross will have two Sunday services at 8:00am and 10:00am. This will begin on Sunday June 4th. We will resume our “winter hours” on Sunday September 3rd and Rally Day will be on Sunday September 10th.

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CAMP PIONEER GOLF BENEFIT:

The Camp Pioneer Golf Benefit is set for Monday, July 17th at the Brierwood Country Club in Hamburg.  The early bird price (before June 1st) is $135 per golfer.  Please call Camp Pioneer at 549-1420 to register.  The proceeds will assist children of our military to have a camp experience.  Copy of the golf brochure contains all the details – and is available from your church office and is posted on the Bulletin board in K-Hall. Church organizations and businesses are urged to sponsor a hole at the benefit for a donation of $150.

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Lutheran “3-0” Radio:

Broadcast Schedule and a call for volunteers: Holy Cross will sponsor “Lutheran 3-0” on WXRL 1300 AM from 9:00-9:30am on Sundays April 16th, May 14th, and June 11th. If you would like to help be a part of this ministry as a lay reader, sound or technical person or in any other capacity, please see Pastor.

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NEW! He-Brews Handyman Service:

The He-Brew guys are willing to lend you a hand. We would particularly like to help those who are unable to do the work themselves. If you want advice or help around the house or yard ask us. If we can’t help we probably have someone who can point you in the right direction. Call the church office (716) 634-2332 or email holycrossclarence@gmail.com and Lynda the church secretary or Pastor will contact us. A handyman will then get back to you to determine who may be the best fit for your needs and when they can come help. There are certain jobs that may be beyond our scope but even if that’s the case will be happy to advise you.

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HABITAT FOR HUMANITY NEWS

Habitat provides housing for low income people who do not qualify for a traditional mortgage. The applicant must meet certain qualifications and work 500 volunteer hours in order to obtain an interest free mortgage. Habitat also has 2 stores called ReStores. The stores are not for profit. They sell new and gently used appliances, building supplies and materials, furniture and home accessories. They do not sell clothing. Many of the items are donated by stores and construction companies as well as individuals and are re-sold at a fraction of the cost of retail. The proceeds are then used to help build more homes. If you wish to donate items they can arrange a pickup. The stores are at 1675 South Park Ave in South Buffalo and at 501 Amherst Street in Buffalo. To arrange for a pickup call 8526607 x 203 any questions see Jill Carl.

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