HOLY WEEK SCHEDULE
March 29 - Palm/Passion Sunday
April 2 - Maundy Thursday
April 3 - Good Friday
April 5 - Easter Sunday
HOLY WEEK TEXTS 2026
Pastor Ed is once again texting the story of Holy Week in real time, this year according to the Gospel of John. Texts start March 28 and finish April 5, and include the events of Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem, followed by his final supper, arrest, trial, crucifixion, and resurrection. To take part, either text HW26 to 888-232-1952 or email Pastor Ed.
LENTEN BOOK STUDY
Join Pastor Ed and Carolyn Ramsey for a study of Walter Brueggemann’s book Remember You Are Dust. In this book, Brueggeman shows how remembering we are dust opens space for God’s steadfast love to meet us where we are, holding together two truths at once: we are dust, and we are beloved. The book study continues in the conference room after worship on Sunday.
WEDNESDAY NIGHT SOUP SUPPER &
HOLDEN EVENING PRAYER
Wednesday night soup suppers and Holden Evening Prayer conclude on Wednesday, 3/25. The soup supper will begin at 6:00 pm, Holden Evening Prayer will begin at 6:45, followed by choir practice.
Host teams will set up and clean up the meal, and volunteers are needed to provide the soups. Please bring your own dinnerware to the meal. Contact Chris Lantz with questions.
BLESSINGS, BEACONS, AND BURDENS
Remember Blessings (giving thanks), Beacons (hope and encouragement), and Burdens (prayer concerns) from our time at Allisonville Christian Church?
All of us are encouraged to share our 3 “B's” at our cross during Lent. Help your children to write their thoughts; what a wonderful, teachable moment!
Please write your Blessings and Beacons on the white slips of paper and your Burdens on the lavender paper, fold them, and affix them to the cross in the narthex. We, as a congregation, will be praying for all these thoughts as we walk through Lent. This is a wholesome time to empty ourselves to Christ and the cross.
All messages will be held in confidence. If you leave your name and contact information on the violet Burdens paper, Pastor Ed or a Stephen Minister will contact you to pray about your Burden. There is power in prayer. Let’s empty our hearts and fill our cross this Lenten season.
BOOK GROUP & BIBLE STUDIES
Book Group - March 23, April 20
The Cross & Crown book group will meet on Monday, March 23, to discuss The Island of the Sea Women by Lisa See. The discussion will be at Upland Brewery (4939 E 82nd St) beginning at 5:15 pm.
The book for April is The River We Remember by William Kent Krueger. The discussion will be on April 20. For questions about the book group contact Alice Miley.
Men's Bible Study - 8:00 am on April 4, 18 & May 2
The Men's Bible Study meets every other Saturday at 8:00 am at Cross & Crown. Upcoming discussions are on Saturday, April 4 and 18, and May 2, 2026. For questions about the men's bible study, contact Ron Hanson.
Women's Bible Study - 10:00 am on April 4, 18 & May 2
The Women's Bible Study meets every other Saturday at 10:00 am at Cross & Crown. Upcoming discussions are on Saturday, April 4 and 18, and May 2, 2026.
COLLEGE CARE PACKAGES - MARCH 22 & 29
Cross & Crown is putting together care packages for our college students! Stop by the table in the narthex on March 22 or March 29 to write a note of encouragement and support—it will mean so much to them.
For questions regarding this project, please contact Beth Gelfius.
USHER TRAINING - MARCH 22
Tom Marette will be hosting an usher training this Sunday March 22 after worship. This training is for all current ushers, and anyone interested in becoming an usher. Updated usher guidelines will be discussed and distributed to all attendees. If you have any questions please contact Tom Marette.
CHILDREN'S MINISTRY
Families with Children Birth to Age 3
Beginning on Sunday, March 15 at 9:30 in the nursery (room 102), join us for Sunday Storytime. We will sing songs, hear a story, and have playtime together. If you have any questions, please contact Lisa Stocks.
Sunday School
Children ages 3 – 4th grade are invited to join us for Sunday School at 9:15 in the Sunday School Room (Room 107).
Volunteers & Donations Needed
We are looking for help to make our year a success. Please consider signing up to help share the good news with our youngest members. We are in need of volunteers to share a bible story and lead a craft or game each week. All materials, training, and support are provided. We also need donations of a peanut- and tree-nut-free snack each week for 25 children. If you have any questions, please contact Lisa Stocks.
Text Updates
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.
NEW MEMBER CLASS
Interested in becoming a member of Cross & Crown Lutheran Church?
Pastor Ed plans to hold a New Member Class after worship sometime between Easter and Pentecost. Please reach out to him at pastored@cclutheran.com or in-person if you are interested! He’ll pick the best Sunday for the event after hearing from potential new members.
Peter Panda Preschool Registration Now Open!
Registration is open for the 2026–2027 school year! Peter Panda Preschool welcomes children ages 1–5 for a nurturing, play-based program.
Days: Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday
Time: 9:00–11:30 a.m.
Extended day: Available each day until 2:00 p.m.
Ages: 1–5 years
For more information, please contact Angie Carroll, Director
Email: peterpanda@cclutheran.com
Phone: 317‑370‑5380
Please share this information with anyone you know that has a preschooler.
SUMMER DAYS TOGETHER - SAVE THE DATE: June 7-11
Save the Date
Summer Days Together will be held this year from Sunday, June 7, to Thursday, June 11. Summer Days Together is open to congregation members, friends, and family of the congregation. Children and a caregiver come together for worship, service, fellowship, and fun each day. More details and registration information will be coming soon. If you have any questions before, please reach out to Lisa.
Sharing Place
The SHARING PLACE is now back in business at its temporary location, Servants of Christ Lutheran Church, so food donations are now being received in the Red Wagon in the entrance way.
Corn flakes, pork and beans, spaghetti and sauce, toilet paper, cooking oil, or money to Stan.
Thank you, as always, for your continued generosity and support!
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY PANEL BUILD - APRIL 11
Partnership with Allisonville Christian Church
Cross and Crown members and guests have been invited to participate in building the panels/walls for an entire Habitat for Humanity house. This is a great opportunity for fellowship and engagement with our members and members of Allisonville Christian Church.
This event will take place on Saturday, April 11, 2026, from 8 am-1 pm in the parking lot of Allisonville Christian Church, 7701 Allisonville Road. You can sign up for the 1st or 2nd shift. No experience necessary!
Any questions or help with signing up, please contact Rick Westwick at 408-802-7252 or Dave Durham at 317-457-7348.
COMMUNION BREAD BAKERS
Do you like to bake? We are hoping to expand our list of communion bread bakers. The recipe is very easy, and it would be a one- or two-time commitment every quarter. Young bakers are welcome! If interested, contact Chris Lantz.
Purchasing Replacement Items for C&C
As the restoration at Cross & Crown continues, we are grateful for the many ways our church family wants to help.
Unfortunately, many of the church’s contents were not salvageable and will need to be replaced. While our insurance will cover these costs, we ask that any replacement items be approved by the appropriate ministry leader before purchase.
Please take a moment to consult with your ministry leader before purchasing anything. Your care and attention help ensure that resources are used wisely as we continue to restore our church home.
Ministry leaders will share monthly updates with the Church Council on all purchases, large and small, so that the whole community can stay informed and connected in this work.
Below are the ministry leaders and their contact information:
DONATIONS FOR OUTREACH INDIANA
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
Personal hygiene items:
Snacks & Water
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)
STEPHEN MINISTRY
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.
Email Chris Lantz with Questions
Text Alerts
If you would like to be included on the church text alerts, send Chris Lantz an email with the mobile phone number you would like to receive the messages. This method of communication will not be used for prayer requests.
Simply Giving
If you are tired of writing checks for your offerings and would like the convenience of electronic giving, then we invite you to consider the Simply Giving program. Contact Chris Lantz for details.
OFFERING
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
JOY FUND
If you find your self in financial hardship during the pandemic, Cross and Crown has a designated fund, called the Joy Fund, to help with unexpected nonrecurring expenses. Email Stacy Reid for more information.
