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In this week's Crossroads, you will find information on:
Congregation’s Annual General Meeting
In our prayers…
A New Setting for worship and decoration for Lent
Prayers for Healing and Wholeness in Lent
Visitor’s Gathering
Lenten Soup Suppers and Evening Prayer
Sunday School
Saturday Afternoon Board Games
Tropical Island Lunch
AGM Lunch
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To Mask Or Not To Mask
Anawim House Lenten Project
Rally for Old Growth Forests
By Heart Books Arrived
Lutherans Connect: Before the Cross
Give It Up for the Earth
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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 Congregation’s Annual General Meeting
The Congregation’s Annual General Meeting will take place on Sunday, March 12, 2023. An invitation to the meeting and annual report will be sent by email prior to the meeting.
AGM Q&A In-person, at Sanctuary
Sunday, February 26, 11:30 AM PST. (after Worship and Coffee)
Sunday, March 5 , 11:30 AM PST. (after Worship and Coffee)
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In our prayers…
Please pray for the Calland family, Rose and Rob, Cameron and Michelle, and Heather Bedard and family as they grieve the death of Rose and Heather’s Mom this past week in Hamilton, ON. God’s Spirit of comfort and peace in the resurrection hope of Christ be with them.
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 A New Setting for worship and decoration for Lent
Thank you to members of the Board of Worship and others who assisted with resetting the worship space for the season of Lent. And thank you to Dana for the wonderful quilted hangings and to Dana and Lynn for decorating the worship space so beautifully for each season and festival day.
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Prayers for Healing and Wholeness in Lent
 As part of Sunday worship throughout the Season of Lent, the Board of worship has decided to offer the opportunity for individual prayers and anointing for healing. Those who wish to may go to the area near the corner window before or after Communion to kneel or sit or stand to receive an individual prayer and the sign of the cross with oil on your forehead. This early Christian practise of prayer and anointing the sick is spoken of in the Christian Testament of the Bible. We offer this practise trusting in God’s grace to give wholeness and healing together with the gifts of medicine and science and not in expectation of miraculous cures. If you have any questions or concerns, please speak with Pastor Lyndon or Pastor Lyle, or a member of the Board of Worship.
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Visitor’s Gathering – March 8 – 1 PM in the Sanctuary
To encourage and support the practise of people of the congregation visiting those who are homebound or in need of care, anyone interested and able to visit is invited to an initial meeting on Wednesday March 8 at 1 PM in the Sanctuary. We will discuss possible visits, prayers, training and support. If you have any questions, please speak with Pastor Lyndon or Pastor Lyle.
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Lenten Soup Suppers and Evening Prayer – Thursdays in Lent
Soup at 6 PM
Evening Prayer at 7 PM PST
 Join in the spiritual practise for Lent of gathering weekly for a simple meal of soup and bread and for Evening Prayer together. Beginning March 2, and each Thursday in Lent, the supper will begin at 6 PM in the church entranceway, followed by Evening Prayer from 7 – 7:30 PM. If you are able to help with bringing soup or bread for the meals, there is a sign-up sheet outside the church office, or you may contact the church office by email or phone to sign-up. God bless our Lenten practise together.
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Kids are welcome to join us for Sunday School on February 26.
Transfiguration Sunday, Feb. 19 falls on Family Day Weekend, a time many families are away. We will provide crafts for kids to do at the kids table in the worship space on Sundays there is no Sunday School.
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Saturday Afternoon Board Games – February 25, 2023
 Saturday Games Afternoon - February 25th, 3:00 to 5:00 pm. Join Women in Faith for an afternoon of games for all ages. We will have some games available, however you are invited to bring your favourite game. Dessert, coffee and tea will be provided. Contact Janice for more information.
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Tropical Island Lunch
Women in Faith has organized a luncheon at Tropical Island (#1-3690 Shelbourne St) on Thursday, March 2nd at 1:00 pm. Everyone is welcome to join us. If you are interested in attending please contact Janice Nelson (jbnel13@gmail.com).
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AGM Lunch
 Prior to the AGM on March 12th a light lunch will be provided. If you are able to contribute sandwiches, finger foods or dessert please sign up on the list outside the office.
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"To Mask Or Not To Mask?"
That is the question we continue to ask ourselves and others. The Church Council discussed this question again in our meeting last night. 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.
The latest guidance from the BC Center for Disease Control is helpful. "Be respectful of everyone whether they choose to wear a mask or not. It is important to be kind and respectful of other people's choices." That's good advice!
Church Council
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Anawim House Lenten Project
 Anawim means “God’s precious poor.” It was established in 1987 to serve the homeless poor in Victoria. It offers hope, tools for breaking out of poverty and a safe environment. It now offers housing to 7 men and a variety of drop in services for women and men coping with poverty, addiction and mental health issues. It has a kitchen, dining area, a living room, library, arts and crafts studio, computer stations, showers and laundry facilities. It provides food and clothing to anyone who needs these things.
During Lent the Social Justice Committee invites you to support Anawim House by donating needed products. A collection box will be placed inside the front entrance. The products needed are: toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant, combs, hair brushes, men’s and women’s underwear, feminine hygiene products, new and slightly used towels, wash cloths, chocolate bars, granola bars, reusable water bottles, $5 or $10 gift cards to Tim Hortons, McDonalds, Subway Burger King.
If you have questions about this project contact Craig Knight (craigknight@gmail.com) or Sherry Coughlin (sherry_coughlin@yahoo.ca)
The Social Justice Committee Thanks You!
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Rally for Old Growth Forests
If you are concerned about the many challenges in BC forestry , particularly in regard to old growth forests, consider attending a rally to protect old growth forests this Saturday, February 25 at the BC legislature at 1:30 pm.
Care for the Earth
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By Heart Books Arrived
Zoom conversation beginning:
Feb. 28 7:30 PM & March 1 10 AM PST
 The By Heart books are here. You are welcome to pick up a copy you ordered this Sunday after worship or stop by during office hours, Monday through Thursday, 9 AM to 3 PM PST.
We are looking at beginning the Zoom small groups on Tuesday, Feb. 28, 7:30 PM and on Wednesday, March 1, 10 AM PST.
We will be sending e-mails by this Friday directly to people who registered for the small groups. If you do not receive an e-mail by Feb. 24 let us know and we can add you to the list.
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Lutherans Connect: Before the Cross
Lutherans Connect invites you to make space in the Lent and Holy Week journey for a new devotional series. This Lent, we will reflect on the events in Jesus' life which can be thought of as 'stations' of his story - moments of teaching and ministry in which Jesus or others signal what lies ahead. In addition, we will visit the contemporary stories of individuals and communities around the world whose lives involve acts of resistance to empire or a permanent commitment to the wilderness. If you would like to subscribe, please send an email to lutheransconnect@gmail.com. To connect with Lutherans Connect through Facebook, please click here.
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Give It Up for the Earth
As in past years, For the Love of Creation (FLC) will partner with Citizens for Public Justice on "Give it up for the Earth," a Lenten initiative. This annual campaign runs from February 22 to April 8 (Easter) pledging personal actions and supporting FLC's advocacy goals from COP27. A webinar on Biodiversity and COP15 will also be held in March. Details will be shared as it becomes available. The 2023 programme will be available throughout February. Please sign-up to CPJ's newsletter for updates.
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Reflections
Music and Words to Close the Day
Sunday, February 26, 2023
7:00 - 8:00 pm in St. Luke's Church
Your friends at St. Luke Cedar Hill invite you to Reflections - Music and Words to Close the Day, Sunday, February 26th at 7:00 pm. This month’s Reflections will feature the Bourdons, an early music ensemble, and the theme is Ancient music, Ancient words. This Reflection time will include prayers from some of our ancient faith ancestors. Before the reading of each prayer, a very brief bio of the saint will be read. The readings, prayers, and music of this special Reflection Time will calm your spirit and soothe your soul.
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In-Person Worship, Sunday, February 26, 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:
 First Sunday in Lent
February 26, 2023 Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7
Psalm 32
Romans 5:12-19
Matthew 4:1-11
Worship Bulletin: CLICK HERE for Worship Bulletin
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