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In this week's Crossroads, you will find information on:
Blessed Christmas and 2021
Greeting from the ELCIC and ACC
Eternity for Today 2021
Covid-19 Update
Flower Chart for 2021
Chalking the Door – Epiphany, January 6, 2021
Roadside Hazard Signs with Rev. Dr. Martin Brokenleg
Queer Eye Watch Party
Dessert and Dialogue
Donate VIVO Kitchen Knives to the Shelbourne Community Kitchen
Calling and Caring
FaceTime Invitation
The Cozy Collection
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Young Adults in Global Mission
Good News: Epiphany Year B Resource for Justice Seekers
CLWR: Give the gift of hope this Christmas
Holy Communion continues every Sunday
Continuing Ways to join worship on-line
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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Blessed Christmas and 2021!
As pastors, staff and office volunteers of Lutheran Church of the  Cross, we want to express our appreciation to everyone in this community for the many greetings and blessings that we have received from you through this Christmas season and for 2021. Thank you! As this extraordinary year of 2020 with its challenges and changes comes to a close, we pray all God’s blessings of new life and hope and peace and joy that we celebrate in the birth of Christ Jesus, be with all of you and our world in 2021. God’s grace be with you always!
Pastors Lyndon and Lyle, Nicky, Brian, Donna and Barry
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Ete rnity for Today 2021
The first quarterly edition of this daily Bible reading, devotion and prayer resource has arrived at the church. They are available to pick-up in the entranceway during office hours or you may request that it be mailed to you by emailing or calling the church office.
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Covid-19 Update
The current orders of our Public Health Officer are in place until January 8, requiring that the Church remain closed to all in-person worship and public gatherings. We will continue our current practise of livestreaming our worship and meeting remotely until at least January 8. Thank you for everyone’s patience and understanding. The Covid-19 Leadership Team will continue to provide updates as needed. We give thanks that a vaccine has been approved and administering the vaccine is beginning. We look forward to it being widely available to everyone.
Here is the link to the government of BC information: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/emergency-preparedness-response-recovery/covid-19-provincial-support/restrictions
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Flower Chart for 2021
If you would like to bring flowers for worship for a special occasion or remembrance, please email or call the church office to sign up on the Flower Chart, posted on the bulletin board. A reminder will be emailed to you as your date approaches. If you have any questions, please call the church office.
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Chalking the Door – Epiphany, January 6, 2021
 We are unable to gather for Epiphany worship at the church, but we will celebrate the Epiphany as part of our worship on Jan. 3, and you are invited to “chalk the door” of your residence as part of Epiphany celebrations again this year. Instructions and a brief order follow:
Family and friends gather at the main entrances to homes or apartments and ask God’s blessing on their dwellings and on all who live or visit there. Leadership may be shared if possible with a change of voice at each paragraph or phrase.
Peace be to this house and to all who enter here.
A reading from Proverbs: “By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures.”
Let us pray: Gracious God, as a shining star once guided the magi to the birthplace of the infant Jesus, so enable those who dwell here to be your light in the world; through Jesus Christ we pray. Amen.
Using chalk (hence, “Chalking the Door”), people are invited to inscribe the lintel of the home (the horizontal frame above the door) with the inscription shown below. The letters C M B come from the traditional (9th century) names for the “three kings” – Caspar, Melchior and Balthazar. Some also suggest “Christus Mansionem Benedicat” which means, “May Christ bless this dwelling!” Each person is afforded a turn to make one or more of the marks:
20 + C + M + B + 21
A reading from Isaiah: “The effect of righteousness is peace, and the result of righteousness, quietness and trust forever. My people will abide in a peaceful habitation, in secure dwellings, and quiet place.”
Let us pray: Sovereign God, we pray that you will bless this home and all who live here with your gracious presence, that your love may be our inspiration, your wisdom our guide, your truth our light, and your peace our benediction; through Jesus Christ we pray. Amen.
Lord, remember your children and teach us to pray: Our Father…
May the Lord watch over our going out and our coming in, from this time forth and forevermore. Amen.
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Queer Eye Watch Party
 Sunday, January 17, 2021, 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM PST Board of Care of Communities invites you to join a Watch Party followed by a discussion of “Preaching Out” (Season 5, Episode 1, 50 min.). An opportunity to explore one openly queer pastor’s journey to acceptance both within the church and accepting himself after decades of destructive theology telling he is lesser than. An opportunity to reflect upon ways in which we continue growing as a Reconciling in Christ (RIC) congregation that is queer affirming, exploring barriers that remain.
We will begin watching the episode at 7 PM, followed by discussion over Zoom starting at 7:50 PM.
Ways to watch: 1) Simplest option: Watch the episode on your own using a Netflix account. 2) Watch party option: both a Netflix account and a Google Chrome extension are needed to join the watch party. The watch party allows viewers to see the episode at the same time, while messaging the group, sharing reactions and reflections while watching similar to Zoom chat. We will include more instructions with links for the watch party and Zoom discussion closer to the event.
https://www.lutheranvictoria.ca/events/queer-eye-watch-party-discussion/2021-01-17
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Donate VIVO Kitchen Knives to the Shelbourne Community Kitchen
When you shop at Thrifty Foods collect the Vivo Kitchen Knife stamps at the Checkout.
Start collecting your stamps today and drop them off in the Vivo Knife Box at the church, or contact me to arrange for a pick-up. We will process them and redeem the stamps for Vivo Kitchen knives to donate to the Shelbourne Community Kitchen. This promotion will run until mid-Feb. 2021
Susan Beiderwieden, Social Justice Committee
susandb@telus.net or 250 533 9075
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Calling and Caring
 During COVID-19, we continue to find ways to connect as a congregation. We have started a group of people dedicated to calling and touching base with others in the community. Thanks to those who have volunteered. If you are interested in helping out, please contact Scott Constantine at 222scott@gmail.com or the church office. Scott will fill you in on the details!
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FaceTime Invitation
If you are comfortable using FaceTime, have some time to spare and would enjoy engaging with a Luther Court resident, contact Gerry Saleski at gerry.saleski@gmail.com or 250-727-9249 or contact the church office.
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The Cozy Collection
The Social Justice Committee is offering an opportunity to fill a  box in the entranceway with cozy, warm, gently used or new clothing items for homeless and marginalized folks in our community. It’s that time of year when the wind whips and the rain chills to the bone. Many of our friends that we don’t know, are living in the cold and facing a long winter ahead. In that spirit we are collecting hats, mitts, gloves, scarves, coats, boots, socks, rainwear, sweaters, blankets and sleeping bags. Thanks to those who have made donations already. These items will be sent to Our Place in the middle of January.
As we go about our Christmas preparations, let’s remember those struggling among us.
Social Justice Committee
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Young Adults in Global Mission 
The invitation process for the ELCA’s Young Adults in Global Mission (YAGM) program is now open. Applications are now being accepted for young adults aged 21 to 29 on this journey abroad for the coming 2021-2022 program year.
Now is the time to reach out and encourage those around you to apply for YAGM by the deadline of January 15, 2021. This will be an opportunity to deepen and expand the faith, identity and careers of those in attendance, while broadening the shared understanding of God’s work in the world.
YAGM volunteers will begin in August 2021 and will be placed in one of the country programs. As YAGM continues to monitor the COVID-19 situation, be advised that the list of country programs for the 2021-2022 program year may change. More information about the program can be found here: Learn more at https://elca.org/YAGM
Don’t wait - spread the word and forward this exciting opportunity now! The deadline to apply is January 15, 2021.
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Good News: Epiphany Year B Resource for Justice Seekers
Cou ldn't we all use a little Good News? KAIROS' Good News Epiphany worship resource brings together the creation narrative and stories of Jesus to help us seek out the goodness and good news in our world today. Use the resource for worship in-person (when safe to do so) or online. Or consider how the stories, prayers and reflections might inspire your prayer circle, planning meeting or personal devotions. An accompanying justice focus shares hopeful stories of resilience and change in the face of the climate crisis. For more information and to order this resource, please visit: https://www.kairoscanada.org/what-we-do/prophetic-witness/epiphany .
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CLWR: Give the gift of hope this Christmas
 Canadian Lutheran World Relief's 2020 Gifts from the Heart catalogue is now available! The new catalogue is full of thoughtful and creative gifts that will fight COVID-19 and make a difference in the lives of those who need it most. Although the holiday season looks a little different this year, you can still bring joy to your loved ones and change the lives of the people around the world this Christmas with a meaningful gift. The new Gifts from the Heart catalogue will be included in the December issue of Canada Lutheran, or you may have already received a copy in the mail. You can also shop online anytime by visiting www.clwr.org/gfth .
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Holy Communion continues every Sunday
As worship includes Holy Communion every Sunday,  those who wish to join in celebrating Holy Communion at home are invited to prepare a small amount of bread and wine (or grape juice if required) on a plate and in a cup, prior to worship. You may also wish to light a candle(s) as part of worshipping at home. At the time of Holy Communion, you are invited to have the elements in front of you, join in the words of thanksgiving and to lift the bread and wine at the same time as the presiding minister. At the time of Communing, share the bread with yourself or with one another with the words: “The body of Christ given for you.” and “The blood of Christ shed for you.” After Communing, or following worship, please consume the remaining bread and wine. This invitation is for those who wish to and feel comfortable joining in Communion at home during worship. Those who do not feel comfortable are welcome to observe Holy Communion celebrated at the church as we trust in God’s Spirit and gifts of grace offered to all as and where we are. If anyone has any questions or concerns, please contact Pastor Lyndon or Pastor Lyle.
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Continuing Ways to join worship on-line:
Sunday Worship Livestream, 10 AM PST:
Go to website: www.lutheranvictoria.ca and click on the livestream link.
Copies of the bulletin/worship order for each Sunday are available for download, and printing if you wish, on the website.
View past worship videos by visiting “About/Videos” tab of the website:
https://www.lutheranvictoria.ca/about
View Sunday School videos and activities here:
https://www.lutheranvictoria.ca/kids-youth-students/childrens-ministry-sunday-school
Tuesday morning prayer resumes on January 12 at 8:30 PM on the website and Facebook.
On Facebook Live and you can view past videos here:
https://www.facebook.com/lutheranvictoria/
You do not need a Facebook account to view the church page.
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Read ahead: Second Sunday after Christmas
- Sunday, January 3, 2021 Sirach 24:1-12
Psalm: Wisdom of Solomon 10:15-21
Ephesians 1:3-14
John 1:1-18
Worship Bulletin: CLICK HERE for Worship Bulletin
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This Week at Church of the Cross
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Dessert & Dialogue hosted by Truth & Reconciliation Committee For more info visit the event page. Zoom link will be sent out via e-mail prior to event:
