Join us on Reformation Sunday, October 26, for a tailgate meal -- grilled brats and some sides -- and celebration in our parking lot right after worship. Bring some:

• Camp chairs
• Halloween candy
• Your best college sports sweatshirt
• If you have an EZ-UP Canopy Tent and can bring it along, reach out to Pastor Ed!

In lieu of the usual trunk-or-treat setup, a costume parade will take place after the meal has begun. 

SIGN UP FOR THE TAILGATE

We will be observing All Saints Sunday on Sunday, November 2 with the reading of the names of loved ones who have passed on at any time in the past. Due to restrictions in the narthex and sanctuary, we will not be using pictures and candles, but there will be a signup sheet in the narthex. Or, you can email your information to Mary Jean Woods. Please include pronunciation information if the name is unusual. We would appreciate your information by Saturday, November 1 at the latest.

God provides. We’ve been saying it every Sunday, but what does it mean to you? Let’s talk it over. Join us Tuesday, November 11 at 6:00 pm at Upland Brewery at 4939 E. 82nd Street for a theological chat with your Cross & Crown friends. Order a drink of your choice, maybe some pizza or an app, and we’ll all dig deeper into this idea that’s so central to our community right now--God provides. Reach out to Pastor Ed if you have any questions. 

As many of you know, every November we mail out pledge cards along with a letter, asking for you to prayerfully consider what you are able to pledge to the congregation in the coming year. This year we’re going to turn that letter into a sermon series on stewardship. Don’t worry, you won’t have to pack your bags for any kind of guilt trip or avoid eye contact while your pastor goes around asking for funds. You will, however, get to hear how our walk with Christ colors the way we look at our relationship with money. Our discipleship also affects the way we view our time and our talents, which we can use for the good of the world around us. So, coming this November, will be an exploration of:

• Nov. 2: Is Money a Sign of God’s Blessing? Matthew 6:19-24
• Nov. 9: Is it Really Our Money? Matthew 22:15-22
• Nov. 16: If We’re Faithful Will We Be Given More? Matthew 25:14-30
• Nov. 23: Does God Help Those Who Help Themselves? Matthew 25:31-46

At the end of this series, we’ll have an opportunity to turn in our pledge cards during worship, as well as mail them to the church.

Let’s lift one another up—offering blessings, sharing burdens, and shining beacons of hope together. 

This week you’ll find new note slips tucked into the Sunday bulletin:

• Blessings - Leave a word or prayer of encouragement for our pastors, staff, or church family.
• Burdens - Share a confidential worry or prayer concern. These will be held in trust by Pastor Ed and our prayer team.
• Beacons - If you’d welcome a confidential check-in, let us know. You may request contact from Pastor Ed and/or a Stephen Minister.

How it works: 

Jot your note during worship or afterward, then place it in the labeled basket by the sanctuary doors. Add your name and contact only if you’d like follow-up; anonymous notes are always welcome. All notes will be read only by Pastor Ed and/or a Stephen Minister.

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.