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In this week's Crossroads, you will find information on:
In-Person Worship and Sunday School, Sunday 10 AM
Christmas Worship
Christmas Worship and Covid-19 Protocols
Christmas Eve Helpers Needed!
Snow Shovelers Volunteer
Thank you
December 19th Benefit Concert
Volunteers Wanted
Gifts for the residents of Harrison Place
It’s in the bag
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Upcoming Dates for Sunday School
Longest Night Service
Learning Day Follow-up
Four Gospels Many Resurrections
CLAY 2022 Postponed
ELCIC Taskforce Survey
Christmas Blessing
Read ahead
This Week at Church of the Cross
The deadline for all Crossroads submissions is Wednesday at noon. Thank you.
Please visit our website for more information about us and our events.
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In-Person Worship, Sunday 10 AM PST
 Church Council and others continue to work to see that in-person worship is safer for everyone. There are new requirements from the Provincial Health Officer as of Tuesday, November 30. 2021 for “worship services.” Our current practises for in-person worship meet all of these requirements. Changes in the pandemic continue to raise concerns for health and safety, and we will adjust our plans as health orders change.
Being vaccinated against COVID-19 is the best protection for the health of yourself and others. We strongly encourage everyone who is eligible to receive both doses of the vaccine.
We will continue to livestream worship each Sunday.
December 19, Fourth Sunday of Advent
Everyone planning to come to worship and Sunday School are asked to follow these requirements:
- If you are not feeling well and experiencing any Covid-19 related symptoms or if you are not vaccinated, please stay home and participate in worship online.
- Wear a mask when entering the building and throughout worship and Sunday School. (This is required of everyone age 12 and older. Children under 12 are encouraged to wear a mask.)
- Observe social distancing.
- Sanitize or wash hands as needed.
- You are welcome to sing, but masks must be worn.
- We will greet one another and share the peace at a distance.
- Holy Communion will be served with bread and individual glasses of wine that are spaced in the trays. You may commune with bread or wine alone if you wish.
- You are invited to greet and talk with others after worship with masks on. If refreshments are served in the Upper Hall, you may remove your mask when seated at a table for eating and drinking.
It is not required that people register for worship ahead of time or sign in as you arrive (with the exception of Christmas Eve worship we are asking people contact the church office to RSVP for the 5 or 7 PM service).
We will continue to make adjustments as needed and keep you informed of any changes. Your feedback on your experience with in-person worship is valued. Please let any member of Church Council, the Covid Leadership Team, Pastors, or the church office know of any questions, concerns or ideas for making in-person worship and Sunday School safer and meaningful for everyone.
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Christmas Worship
Christmas Eve – Friday, December 24
5 PM PST – Christmas worship with carols and candlelight
7 PM PST – Holy Communion Christmas Worship with Carols and candlelight
Please register for Christmas Eve worship by email lutheranchurchofthecross@shaw.ca or phone 250-477-6222.
Christmas Day – Saturday, December 25
11 AM PST – Holy Communion Worship with Carols
Christmas 1 – Sunday, December 26
10 AM PST – Holy Communion Worship with Carols
Christmas 2 – Sunday, January 2, 2022
10 AM PST – Holy Communion Worship with Carols
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Christmas Worship and Covid-19 Protocols
 Our BC Provincial Health Officer has updated requirements for religious services. The new requirements are listed here under “worship services.” Church of the Cross is currently in compliance with these requirements - wearing masks, physical distancing, and less than 50% capacity in the building for Sunday worship. But Christmas Eve worship has typically exceeded this capacity. To allow for greater participation at Christmas, the Covid Leadership Team has decided that we will require proof of vaccination for Christmas worship. This may continue beyond Christmas depending on response and the requirements from the Provincial Health Officer. Everyone participating in Christmas Eve worship (age 12 and older) will be required to show proof of vaccination and identification. Christmas Eve worship will also be livestreamed for those who are not vaccinated and/or not comfortable worshiping in person. We are also asking that people register for one of the Christmas Eve worship times – 5 or 7 PM PST by emailing or calling the church office at lutheranchurchofthecross@shaw.ca, 250-477-6222. Again, we hope this will allow the participation of as many people as possible and ensure the greatest safety for everyone. If you have any questions or concerns please contact any member of the Covid-19 Leadership Team or the pastors through the church office.
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Christmas Eve Helpers Needed!
As you know it has been decided that in order to accommodate everyone who wants to attend worship at 5:00 pm and 7:00 pm Christmas Eve, we will be checking to ensure that everyone attending is fully vaccinated.
In order to check proofs of vaccination, 3-4 helpers are needed at both worship times. If you are able to be one of the checkers please let me know as soon as possible.
Craig Knight
craigrknight@gmail.com
250-893-8201
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Trustees are looking for Volunteer Snow Shovelers
 The strange weather we are experiencing has not yet shown its full colours and I anticipate snow storms in December and January. Snow removal from the sidewalks on Ceder Hill Road, Cedar Hill Cross Road and around the church building is our responsibility and vital for the safety of all who attend the Church. Volunteer snow shovelers are required to keep snow off the municipal and church sidewalks. If it snows, please come with your shovels and help as much as you can. Your help in this labour is greatly appreciated.
Grant Froyland
Board of Trustees
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Thank you
On behalf of Church Council, Trustees wish to extend sincerest thanks to Josephine Justiniano and Hydie Perez our janitorial staff. Josephine and Hydie have worked diligently throughout the year following the strict Covid 19 protocols that are now industry standards. Further, they played a key role in keeping the building safe and clean during the shutdown and now most importantly as we begin in person services. For the hard work of Josephine and Hydie we are very grateful.
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Sunday, December 19, 2021
Two Shows: 2:30pm and 7:00pm
Lutheran Church of the Cross in the Sanctuary (3787 Cedar Hill Rd.)
Details: Join us in celebrating the holiday season with vocalist Edie DaPonte and the smooth musical rhythms of the Bob Watts Trio. Featuring musical styles from jazz to gospel and spanning several musical genres, these incredible musicians will be performing everything from jazz standards to holiday favourites.
The Kitchen currently serves over 850 families and individuals who are living on low income in our community. All proceeds raised from ticket sales and throughout the event will provide vital funding to support The Kitchen's programs and services. A generous anonymous donor has even offered to match all funds raised through this event -up to a total of $25,000! What a wonderful way to celebrate the holidays, to double the impact of your donations and do some good in our community.
Come out to enjoy an evening of beautiful music in support of The Kitchen!
Tickets: $20/person, available online via Canada Helps. Limited tickets available at the door. Purchase Tickets Online via Canada Helps
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Volunteers Wanted for the December 19th Benefit Concert for Shelbourne Community Kitchen
 Show times: 2:30 and 7:00 pm at Lutheran Church of the Cross
Contact: Ann Baty at 250-413-7052 or iannbaty@gmail.com
Tickets: $20 and all fundraising will be matched
Visit http://shelbournecommunitykitchen.ca/ for concert details
Positions for volunteers include:
Help with sound system – 1 per show
Greeters and vaccine checkers at the door- need 3 each show
Donation table – need 1 for afternoon and 2 for evening show
Parking lot attendants for St. Luke’s - 1 or 2 wearing high-visible vests
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Thank you Carol, Janice and Rosalene for putting together these amazing Christmas gifts for the residents of Harrison Place.
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It’s in the bag
This week we reflect on the fourth candle of Advent representing love. Love is a gift from God. The greatest gift of love was Jesus, our Savior. As a response to loving God and God's love for us, we are also called to develop an understanding of the interconnections between God, humanity, and Creation. God's Creation is made up of three closely intertwined relationships: a relationship between us and God, a relationship between each of us as neighbors, and a relationship between each of us and creation itself. God’s creation is a priceless gift to value and protect.
God’s creation is all around us ---- take a walk and embrace the beauty of God’s creation, letting the magnificence overwhelm your senses. Use this as a prayer time, a time to connect with God and sense God’s presence in the leaves, in the animals and birds, in the air.
In the bag this week, eco-friendly swaps, and ideas to honor God's creation throughout the year.
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Upcoming Dates for Sunday School
 Fourth Sunday in Advent, Dec. 19
Baptism of Jesus, January 9
We invite families with young kids to join us for Sunday school on the above upcoming Sundays.
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Longest Night Service – Tuesday, December 21 – 7 pm in St. Luke’s Church
A special service for those who find Christmas difficult, a quiet holy time of remembrance and hope. Whether you have experienced loss recently or simply are finding it difficult to enter into Christmas this year for whatever reason…Come and enter gently into a quiet holy time…
The lead up to Christmas can be hard for many people as they struggle with their life situations, because of a loss or change in their lives. Or maybe you are looking for a simpler way to approach Christmas, without all the glitter and commercialism. You are invited to take some time out before Christmas for this special quiet, reflective prayer service and to light a candle for hope and remembrance of a person who was special in your life. For more information, please visit St. Luke’s website (www.stlukesvictoria.ca/events) or call St. Luke’s office at 250-477-6741.
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Learning Day Follow-up via Zoom
Saturday, January 22, 2022 at 9am
Click here to connect to Zoom Meeting
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Four Gospels Many Resurrections: Invitations to Easter
Zoom presentations lead by Dr. Hairy Maier
Dr. Harry Maier, a member of Redeemer Lutheran Church, Vancouver, will be leading Zoom presentations on "Four Gospels Many Resurrections: Invitations to Easter" thanks to St. Dunstan's Anglican Church. The presentations will be Tuesdays from 7-8:30PM on January 18, January 25, February 1, and February 8 (and a 5th one after Easter on the so-called Gnostic Gospels). Dr. Maier is New Testament and Early Christian Studies Professor at Vancouver School of Theology.
From Harry: "What is Easter? What do we mean when we confess that God raised Jesus from the dead? How do we experience this in our lives? The New Testament tells several stories about Easter. They are not the same stories and each one conveys the resurrection differently and invites us to consider what Easter means for us in various ways. This series invites us to a lively engagement with the many resurrection stories of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John as well as extracanonical Gospels (The Gospel of Mary; The Gospel of Philip; The Gospel of Truth; etc.) to consider the many ways that early Jesus followers conceived of the resurrection and how they wanted to acclaim that confession to others. Each week we will take up the resurrection stories as they are found in one or more of the Gospels to see the ways they convey the good news of Christian faith."
Please click on the link below for more information and to register for these exciting sessions!
https://www.st-dunstans.ca/events/four-gospels-many-resurrections/2022-01-18
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CLAY 2022 Postponed until August 2023
 Dear Friends,
After talking to church leaders, youth groups, and parents, the planning committee has heard alot of uncertainty around gathering in 2022, and as a result we are announcing today that the 2022 CLAY gathering will be postponed until August 2023. This will give time for youth groups to reconnect, for our leaders to get the rest they need, and for our planning team to organize a gathering that will take place in what we hope will be a time of more certainty.
This was not an easy decision to make, and we know that that there will be feelings of disappointment for so many of you who were looking forward to being together this summer. We share these feelings of grief with you.
Our main focus is to ensure CLAY 2023 is meaningful, impactful, and a safe experience for all. More details will be shared with you over the coming months. And while our main focus is on the summer of 2023, we hope to kickstart your journey with some resources that will help you prepare.
In the new year, you can look forward to highlight videos and recordings of our keynote presentations from our gathering last summer to be available on YouTube.
And next summer we will be providing resource that can be adapted for use by your youth group, diocesan, or synodical gatherings to spend time together locally and start digging into our theme of Ashes and Embers.
We look forward to sharing these resources with you and we look forward to seeing you again in person when we can all feel more confident about gathering again.
Yours in Christ
Jordan & Lauren
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ELCIC Taskforce Survey - 2SLGBTQQIA Community
The taskforce addressing homophobia, biphobia and transphobia in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC) is inviting people in the 2SLGBTQQIA community to share stories and experiences in order to help form the taskforce's report and recommendations.
Information on how to complete the survey and a link to an invitational video can be found here: https://www.elcic.ca/taskforcehbt/
If you have any questions, please contact Rev. Paul Gehrs at pgehrs@elcic.ca
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A Christmas Blessing from ELCIC National Bishop Susan Johnson
 ELCIC National Bishop Susan Johnson shares a Christmas Blessing in a video that congregations are invited to use on or around Christmas. The video is available to be downloaded from Box using this link.
World Council of Churches Christmas Message 2021
A Christmas message from World Council of Churches' Acting General Secretary, the Rev. Prof. Ioan Sauca, has been widely circulated to member churches. To read his Christmas greetings, a complete message and watch a video which invites us all to meditate about Christian life in today's world, please click here.
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Thrifty's Stamp Collection
Women in Faith is collecting the stamps from Thrifty's Vivo pots and pans promotion. The stamps collected will be used to buy pots and pans for Shelbourne Community Kitchen. If you shop at Thrifty's but don't need the stamps please consider collecting and donating them. A box for the stamps has been placed by the mailboxes. While the promotion runs until March 2, 2022 the Kitchen is planning to give away some pots and pans at Christmas.
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Read ahead: Fourth Sunday of Advent
 - December 19, 2021 Micah 5:2-5a
Luke 1:46b-55
Hebrews 10:5-10
Luke 1:39-55
Worship Bulletin: CLICK HERE for Worship Bulletin
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