PASSION/PALM SUNDAY – April 13

• 9:15 am - All-ages Palm Sunday event in the Narthex, hosted by the Children’s Ministry
• 10:30 am - Palm Parade & Worship Service
• 11:45 am - Pack snack kits for Horizon House

Maundy Thursday – April 17

• 7:00 pm - Worship Service

Good Friday – April 18          

• 7:00 pm - "Seven Last Words of Jesus" Worship Service

Easter Sunday – April 20

• 7:30 am - Sunrise Service in the Sanctuary
• 8:30 - 9:45 am - Easter Breakfast
• 9:45 am - Children’s Activity in Narthex
• 10:30 am - Worship Service

Hey fellas, what a great new year's resolution - come join the Men's Bible Study Fellowship. We will be starting a new study of the Book of Acts looking at what happened after the death and resurrection of Jesus. We meet on the first, third and fifth Saturday's of each month at 8:00 in Fellowship Hall. Strengthen your faith; have good fellowship with other Christian men. COME JOIN US!

Upcoming Dates: April 26, May 3, 17, 31

In January 2024, there were over 1,700 people reported homeless in Indianapolis. Of that number, 25% of them were children. That number reflects a 18% increase from 2023 and we fear a similar increase in 2025. 

But YOU can help!

Family Promise of Greater Indianapolis began it's Apartment Shelter Program in 2020 during the pandemic and has served 355 families since then! They lease 20-25 apartment units in Indy and host families experiencing homelessness temporarily while they work with a case manager to navigate and overcome barriers that led them to become unhoused. By providing a family their own unit, we can show respect and extend dignity to them during an already stressful time in their lives. Often the children don't even realize they are staying in a shelter, therefore decreasing the trauma that's associated with being homeless. 

Join us to help sustain this program and serve more Indy children and their families experiencing homelessness. C&C has been great about supporting this campaign in the past and has formed a team again this year. We hope that you'll consider donating! 

MAKE A DONATION

Wheeler Mission After-School Snacks Collection

Your Cross and Crown Youth Group will be collecting donations for Wheeler Mission after-school snacks. Wheeler Mission depends on these donations to provide children with their snacks at the Women's Center. Please consider bringing donations of:

• Granola bars
• Juice boxes

Please put donations in the Youth Group donation box in the narthex. Thank you! 

Donation Drive for Robin's Nest-Indy

The Youth Group was so pleased with the turnout for the Indy Humane donation drive that we thought, why not do it again? This time, we want to help a smaller rescue organization: Robin's Nest. Robin's Nest is a cat rescue organization that supports, cares for, and facilitates adoptions of cats. We are hoping to raise funds and collect donations of: 

• Wet and dry kitten food
• Cat toys

Please place donations in the Youth Group donation box in the narthex. We will be collecting through mid-April. Thanks! 

If you have any questions please email Alyssa Roberts.

College Care Packages

Cross & Crown is sending care packages to our college students! Please stop by the table in the narthex to write a note of encouragement to the students! We are accepting notes on April 13 and April 20! For questions regarding this action, please contact Beth Gelfius.

Intergenerational Summer Mission Trip – Commitment Form Due by May 1

We are finalizing plans for our summer trip! Those interested in attending are asked to complete a Mission Trip Commitment Form by May 1, along with a deposit of $200. The remaining $200 will be due June 1. Financial Aid is available - please reach out to Pastor Ed or Laura Strietelmeier if you would like to apply for assistance with some or all of the trip cost. We will also hold a meeting on Sunday, May 18, to begin more intentional planning as a group. All participants are strongly encouraged to attend.  

Storage Pod

Cross & Crown is storing a storage pod for Changing Footprints in the parking lot. Changing Footprints lost the lease on their current space and had to move all of their items out of the facility.

In previous years, many of our members have created artwork for each Sunday’s reading. It was featured on bulletin inserts, sanctuary screens, and the hall bulletin board. The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. Our community has been deeply blessed by this creative and faith-filled art!

For 2024/25 we are excited to announce a new opportunity for artists of all ages and skill sets within our community! Pastor Ed has proposed a new Narrative Art Project: “to enhance the worship experience at Cross & Crown…to journey through the overarching story of Scripture.”

Overview of Two New Approaches to Our Artwork

1. Seasonal Bulletin Covers: With background information given from Pastor Ed, artists will consider the biblical and liturgical themes and images for their designs on bulletin covers (Reformation, Advent, Lent, ‘Ordinary Time’ etc).
2. Bulletin Doodles: Artists will create their original small drawings for personalized touches throughout our worship bulletins (Gather, Psalm, Creed, Blessing, etc).

Your artistic talents can bring these themes to life and enrich our worship experience.

Sign Up

If you feel called to contribute, please join our 2024/25 Design Team! Sign-up poster in the Narthex. Specifics for artists will follow in the coming weeks.

Questions? 

Ask Pr. Ed, Carolyn Ramsey, or Pam Ruble

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.

Upcoming Classes

Stephen Ministry classes begin the week of Sept 9 and will conclude the first week of January, 2025. A list of the class topics are posted on the Stephen Ministry bulletin board in the hallway. The daytime classes will last approximately 90-120 minutes with some homework. Breaks in classes will be made for Thanksgiving and Christmas. If you are interested please speak with Pastor Ed or Ron Hanson.

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.