Shalom Zone SAWs Build - Sept 20

The 6 faith communities of the Shalom Zone, Allisonville Christian Church, Cross & Crown Lutheran Church, First Friends Meeting, and St. Pius X Catholic Church, The Garden, Metanoia UCC, will once again participate in an access ramp build with the organization, Servants at Work (SAWs). SAWs is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) that builds ramps to provide people with disabilities and conditions of aging with the freedom to remain in their homes and reconnect with their communities.

The event will take place on Saturday, September 20, 2025, from 8AM to approximately 12PM. No experience is necessary. This is a local ramp build within Marion County. The address will be shared at the time of registration.

This is a private build; volunteers cannot register on the SAWs website. To volunteer, contact David Tatum via email (tatum.david@att.net) or text/phone (317-371-7500).

Second Helpings - Sept 27

Our quarterly visit to Second Helpings is Saturday, September 27, 8:30 am – 12 noon. Charley Smith will be leading a group of up to 10 volunteers in the kitchen. Volunteers must be 16 years old. If interested, contact Charley Smith.

In the wake of the fire and during this season of rebuilding, many of us have found ourselves asking: How can we help? How can we offer care to one another? As one immediate response, we’re forming The Cross & Crown Amen Corner.

What is the “Amen Corner?”

In church tradition, the “Amen Corner” was a group of faithful voices offering prayerful support and vocal encouragement during worship. At Cross & Crown, we’re embracing that same spirit—and expanding it into a hands-on ministry of presence, compassion, and practical support.

You will find the Amen Corner just inside the Narthex of our temporary sanctuary. A table will hold two (soon to be three) Amen Baskets, along with notecards, pens, and a few helpful materials. This small space is your invitation to participate in lifting each other up through intentional acts of grace.

The "Amen Baskets"

• Blessings Basket - A space for notes of thanks, short prayers, or small tokens of encouragement for Pastor Ed, the church staff, and one another. You’re also welcome to drop in a little fun treat, candy, pet treat, tea bags, cheerful stickers, or anything that might brighten someone’s day.
• Burdens Basket - A confidential space to lay down worries or prayer concerns—including those related to the fire or other challenges. These will be received with compassion & care.
• Beacon Basket (coming soon) - For those seeking deeper conversation or prayer support, this basket will be a way to request a conversation with Pastor Ed or a Stephen Ministry team member. Just leave your name and preferred contact information.

This is a time to lift each other up—in spirit, in prayer, and through small, heartfelt gestures of love. The Amen Corner invites all of us to play a part in the care and renewal of our Cross & Crown community. Amen and amen.

Interested in joining the Children's Ministry text updates? These Saturday updates will provide reminders about programming and other opportunities for kids. If you would like to be added to the list, please text CCLKIDS to 888-232-1950. If you have any issues signing up please talk to Pastor Ed or Lisa. 

Outreach Indiana is in need of a lot of things to help the children ages 14 to 26 that are either homeless or are living on a couch in someone else’s home, or in a home with no support. Whatever you can put in the barrel in the Narthex, will get to them. Thank you in advance!

Clothes

• During this time when you’re changing out your closets and storing away the winter clothes and going through your summer clothes, please bring those items you think a young person from 14 to 26 can use that you will no longer need
• New boxer briefs for men, all sizes
• New cotton underwear for girls, bikini style and briefs all sizes
• New sports bras for girls, all sizes

Personal hygiene items:

• Washcloths
• Toothpaste, toothbrushes
• Deodorant for both men and women
• Tampons, pads, and liners
• Individual small bars of soap
• Shampoo, and conditioner
• Body lotion
• Tide Pods - the young people are able to do their laundry there

Snacks & Water

• On their website is a list of snacks that they can give the youth so they have something to eat on the days Outreach is not serving food
• They also go through a lot of bottled water during the summer month

VIEW GREATEST NEEDS LIST

Thank you all for your support, the staff at Outreach are so appreciative. 

“Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me, receives not me but him who sent me.” (Mark 9:37)

Becoming a Stephen Minister is a life-transforming experience…an opportunity to serve God, help others, and grow in faith. Through a series of regular articles in the Connection, we will share what it means to become a Stephen Minister.

What Do Stephen Ministers Do?

Stephen Ministers make a real difference in the lives of people who are hurting. They walk alongside people going through life challenges like grief, divorce, a medical crisis, job loss, and more. They offer care, support, and encouragement, connecting hurting people with Christ’s healing love during some of the hardest times in their lives.

Stephen Ministers see God at work through their ministry. While trusting God is at the core of their ministry, Stephen Ministers regularly say how their faith deepens as they experience the training, learn to use distinctively Christian caring tools, and witness God at work in the lives of their Care Receivers.

Learn More

For more information about becoming a Stephen Minister please contact Pastor Ed at (317) 849-4500 or Ron Hanson, Stephen Leader, at (317) 430-2173 for a confidential conversation. Classes will begin in September at Cross & Crown.

It takes financial resources to accomplish the work God has called us to do. Your generous offerings enable Cross & Crown to fulfill its mission to grow in faith, serve all in need, and gather every person to Christ. Our giving funds the daily operations of the church, fuels special projects, and supports our many core and outreach ministries. Remember our offerings are an important part of our worship even though we are not meeting in person.

Giving Options

• Cash or Check - Checks should be made out to “Cross & Crown Lutheran Church.” At in-person services, checks or cash can be put into the offering basket. You can also mail your offering to Cross & Crown Lutheran Church, 5233 E. 79th St., Indianapolis, IN 46250.
• Electronic Giving -  If you would like to give via regular automated withdrawls, you can find more information and a sign up form here. Complete the form and mail it into the office along with a voided check.
• Donate Online - We also offer secure online donations via our tithe.ly site. Click on the button below to make an online donation.