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If you have a Mac or the links are not working,
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In this week's Crossroads, you will find information on:
Sunday School Update
Holy Week & Easter Worship
Invitation to Holy Week & Easter
Thank you José Enrico Tuazon
Celebration of Gratitude LCC Honourees
LCC sidewalk art
Coats and Blankets
Devotional Edition podcast from Denise
Easter Messages
Reconciliation in Action
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Murder Mystery Afternoon
Kids Day Camp
LTS President's Tour
Health Centre Open House
Church office hours next week
In-Person Worship
Read Ahead
This Week at Church of the Cross
The deadline for all Crossroads submissions is Wednesday at 12 noon.
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Sunday School Update
Sunday school is on pause during Spring Break with many families away.
Sunday School gathers April 9, Easter Sunday, 10 AM.
Plan to join also for Easter Breakfast, April 9, 8:30 AM.
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Holy Week & Easter Worship at Church of the Cross
All times in Pacific Time.
All locations at Church of the Cross except for Easter Sunrise at the top of Mt. Tolmie.
Maundy Thursday April 6, 7 PM
Good Friday April 7, 11 AM
Easter Vigil April 8, 7:30 PM (with St. Luke’s at Church of the Cross)
Easter Sunrise April 9, 7:30 AM (Mt. Tolmie)
Easter Breakfast April 9, 8:30 AM
Easter Sunday April 9, 10 AM
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Invitation to Holy Week & Easter
You are invited to join for Holy Week & Easter worship. It is an opportunity to take a break from weekly routines to reflect upon God’s grace for us.
Maundy Thursday at 7 PM is a meditative worship experience through which Jesus’ love for us is revealed. On Maundy Thursday Jesus gives the disciples a new commandment to love one another and demonstrates that love in the washing of feet. We invite people to participate in foot washing, which is optional. We gather around the table, sustained by Jesus’ love for us.
Good Friday at 11 AM is an opportunity to reflect upon Jesus’ Passion on the cross. Good Friday invites us to reflect upon the depth of God’s love for us and all creation. A theology of the cross is central to the Lutheran tradition. The tension between the cross and empty tomb foreshadows the Easter mystery. Good Friday is an opportunity to reflect upon what is broken and fragile in our lives, the world, trusting in God’s presence even in death.
Easter Vigil at 7:30 PM on Saturday will feature dramatic readings and songs from Taizé. The Vigil is an opportunity to tell the story of the liberation of God’s people from captivity and exile. It is the journey of faith that through God all things are possible. Through the Easter fire, the Word, the Font, and the Table we journey towards the dawn of Easter.
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Easter Sunrise at 7:30 AM on Mt. Tolmie we gather on a mountain which evokes the empty tomb. There is the simplicity of proclaiming the Easter gospel of resurrection with song outside with the birds. Dress for the weather.
Easter Breakfast at 8:30 AM takes the place of coffee time. The breakfast is hosted by church council with confirmation students helping serve. It is a time for folks to gather both those who attend Easter Sunrise or arrive and stay for Easter Festival at 10 AM.
Easter Festival Worship with Sunday School at 10 AM. The phrase of pulling all the stops is true for this celebration with organ, brass, voice, and proclaiming the Easter gospel.
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Giving Thanks for Artist in Residence José Enrico Tuazon
 
José Enrico who has served as Artist in Residence – Cellist, at Church of the Cross for the past two years, will be leaving Victoria after Easter. He will be travelling to Japan with his partner to pursue new opportunities. We are sad to say farewell to José Enrico, but so very grateful for the gifts of his music and presence in worship and this community. We will offer blessings of Farewell and Godspeed at the end of worship on Easter Sunday.
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Celebration of Gratitude LCC Honourees
 
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Lutheran Church of the Cross sidewalk art
On Palm Passion Sunday, Sunday School participated in some joyful sidewalk art outside the front doors of the church. One way we marked Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem. We celebrate God’s love for us and for all neighbours.
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Coats and Blankets
 Thank you to everyone who donated coats, blankets, shoes, scarfs and socks on Palm Sunday 🌿. 9 large bags containing these gifts of loving kindness were delivered to Our Place. The generosity and compassionate spirit of LCC is making a difference in the lives of our neighbours at Our Place.
Social Justice Committee
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Devotional Edition podcast from Denise
 Latest episode based on the Maundy Thursday reading. Denise Pawliuk is a diaconal candidate with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC).
Just click on the link here and you will be taken to the podcast. Please also feel free to share with others.
Denise Maier Pawliuk (she/her)
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Easter Messages: Lutherans, Anglicans, World Council of Churches
As Holy Week begins, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC) National Bishop Susan Johnson and Anglican Church of Canada (ACC) Archbishop Linda Nicholls share an Easter message of hope, life and new beginnings. To view and/or download the video, please go to the ELCIC website for the link.
WCC Easter Message: Christ Makes All Things New
World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr. Jerry Pillay shares an Easter message of hope and renewal, reflecting on the moment when Jesus Christ, on the cross cries: "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" Pillay notes that Jesus expresses the pain and suffering of his impending death. To read the full news article, please click here.
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Reconciliation in Action: VNFC Youth Housing Campaign
 The Victoria Native Friendship Centre (VNFC) is seeking to match $1.3 million dollars in funds for a new 45-unit housing community with space for on-site supports and services focused on helping Urban Indigenous Youth get ready, get set, and soar into healthy futures.
To learn more about this important opportunity to put our commitment to reconciliation into concrete action, click this link here.
Consider Supporting Today! Contribution Opportunities:
● Online donation: link here or visit our website at vnfc.ca
● Donation By Phone or Credit Card: (778) 587-1567 development@vnfc.ca
● By Cheque or Money Order: ATTN VNFC Programs Fundraiser, Victoria Native Friendship
Centre, 231 Regina Ave, Victoria BC V8Z 1J6
"On behalf of the Board of Directors of the Victoria Native Friendship Centre, we are absolutely thrilled to see this project unfold in a good way,” said Monique Gray Smith, VNFC Board President. “We offer much gratitude to all who have and will work hard to make a safe place for young people to navigate a healthy and vibrant path for themselves.”
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Murder Mystery Afternoon - May 13, 2023
The Murder Mystery Afternoon has been postponed to Saturday, May 13, 2023 in Upper Hall, Lutheran Church of the Cross. More information will be available soon.
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Save the Date: Kids Day Camp July 10-14, 2023
Watch for more information about how to register kids in Day Camp July 10-14, 2023. This year St. Luke’s will be hosting the camp.
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Luther Court Society Community Health Centre Open House April 12, 2 pm
You are invited to the Luther Court Society, Community Health Centre’s Open House on Wednesday April 12, 2023 from 2-5 pm. Tour our beautiful new clinic, meet the team, learn about our first year of providing care and about what’s next for the Community Health Centre. This event is by invitation and includes a plus one if there is someone you would like to bring. We hope to see you there.
In community spirit,
Luther Court Community Health Centre
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Church office on limited hours next week
The week following Easter Sunday the church office takes some rest. The office will be open Wednesday and Thursday, April 12 & 13, 9 AM to 3 PM. Some programming may continue as planned on other days. Check with organizers if you are unsure.
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In-Person Worship, Sunday, April 9, 10 AM PST
Covid-19 and Worship
- We offer worship in both live (in-person) and livestream (online) formats.
- We rejoice in the gift of vaccination and encourage everyone to be / stay vaccinated & boosted if you are eligible.
- We support those who choose to wear a mask and those who choose not to wear a mask. For our church at this time, wearing a mask is optional and a matter of personal choice in all our activities, including worship, fellowship time, meetings and office hours. This personal choice includes all those involved in leading our services, including presiding ministers, worship assistants, musicians, choir members and ushers. Please see a member of the Council if you have any questions or thoughts on the matter.
- If you test positive, or have symptoms for Covid-19, please stay home (and worship via live-stream)!
- The Church Council reviews our COVID protocols and practices on a regular basis and will amend them when needed.
Church Council
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Read ahead:
Maundy Thursday Exodus 12:1-14
April 6, 2023 Psalm 116:1-2, 12-19
1 Corinthians 11:23-26
John 13:1-17, 31b-35
Good Friday Isaiah 52:13-53:12
April 7, 2023 John 18:1-19:42
Easter Festival Acts 10:34-43
April 9, 2023 Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24
Colossians 3:1-4
Matthew 28:1-10
Worship Bulletin: CLICK HERE for Worship Bulletin
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