SUNDAY SERVICES ARE BACK AT CROSS & CROWN
We are excited to share that after seven weeks away, we are gathering for worship once again in our building on Sundays at the normal time of 10:30 AM.
We are deeply grateful to our friends at Allisonville for graciously sharing their space with us during this challenging time.
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:
MARK YOUR CALENDARS: DECEMBER 14
Joy Sunday
Joy Sunday is December 14th! We will be celebrating with a youth-led worship service, ugly Christmas sweaters, a congregational meeting, and cookies! After the worship service, plan to go to the Narthex to sign in for the meeting, grab a cookie, and return to the Sanctuary for the congregational meeting.
Important Congregational Meeting
There will be an important congregational meeting on Sunday, December 14, following the worship service. The meeting was called by the church council to obtain approval to spend up to $30,000 on improvements to our church home not covered by insurance after the fire. Please mark your calendars to attend this important meeting. Read the letter sent to the congregation about the meeting.
There will be a Q&A session on Sunday, December 7, at 9:30 am, followed by a tour of the education wing. Contact Jim Ficorilli with questions.
SPONSOR A POINTSETTIA - ORDER BY DEC 15
If you would like to sponsor a poinsettia for the Sanctuary for the Christmas season, please complete this form.
The cost is $22 per plant. Please return the form and payment to the church office via the offering plate or US Mail. Be sure to write "poinsettia" on the memo line of your check. The last date to order is December 15.
Theology oN Tap with Pastor Ed - Dec 16
Our 'Theology on Tap' group meets again in December, this time on Tuesday, December 16 at 6 PM at Upland Brewery, at 4939 E. 82nd St.
We'll be talking about all the interesting details of the lead-up to Jesus' birth, especially the experience of Mary & Joseph. Come join Pastor Ed on the 16th for some good conversation!
HOPE & LIGHT: A SERVICE OF HEALING - DEC 17
Join us on Wednesday evening, December 17, at 6 PM for a service of Holy Communion centered on healing and reflection. This service is especially designed for those facing grief, anxiety, or stress this Christmas season. All are welcome.
NEW NAME TAGS
Inspired by the name tag tree that was seen at Allisonville Christian Church, Cross & Crown now has a new name tag tree. The name tags have a very strong magnet on the back; the best way to release the magnet is to slide up or down with your thumb. Due to the magnets, these were not ordered for the youngest of the congregation. See Chris Lantz with questions or concerns.
CROSS & CROWN ADVENT NEWS
This Advent, we’re starting a new photo project using the theme words for each week: Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love.
During each week of Advent, be on the lookout for signs of HOPE, PEACE, JOY, and LOVE around you. If you see something that brings you or reminds you of these words, snap a photo of it and send it to crossandcrownphotos@gmail.com. Photos will be collected between now and 9 AM on Friday, December 12 will be included in the project.
On Sunday morning, visit the Kids Corner in the narthex to participate in an Advent art project. People of all ages are needed to help us!
Stop by the Advent Table in the narthex to pick up candles for your home Advent calendar and sticker Advent calendars for kids!
FLOWERS FOR WORSHIP SPACE
The 2025 flower chart was not retrieved from the bulletin board before it was taken down, so unfortunately, there is no record of who had signed up. If you had signed up for flowers or would like to sponsor flowers for a special occasion, email Chris Lantz with your date and occasion. You will be provided with details on ordering flowers a week prior to your date.
CHILDREN'S MINISTRY 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.
Sharing Place
Family Day Volunteer Opportunity
The Sharing Place has an opportunity for your family (ages 9+) to volunteer together at The Sharing Place on Wednesdays and Fridays from 1-3 pm. The Sharing Place is located at 6501 Sunnyside Road.
More Volunteers Needed
The Sharing Place is in urgent need of additional volunteers. They have several areas where you can help: shoppers, sorting/stocking, and housekeeping.
SEE MORE VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Donations
Also, keep those donations coming! Corn Flakes, egg noodles, pork 'n beans, spaghetti and sauce, toilet paper or money to Stan. Thanks for your help. Let's keep up the good work!
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.
