Weekly Crossroads

Crossroads

March 29, 2020

The Fifth Sunday in Lent

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Opportunities for individual prayer and pastoral care:
Ways to join worship on-line
Read ahead

The deadline for all Crossroads submissions is Wednesday at noon. Thank you.

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Covid-19 Pandemic update

“Jesus said… “I am the resurrection and the life.”

These words from the Gospel this Sunday are our centre and hope as followers of Christ. They are not only about life beyond this life, but about how we live Jesus’ resurrection life now; now in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic, how we see and share this risen life in the Spirit of Christ together, and particularly for the sake of the most vulnerable and most affected. We must remain physically distant, but we continue this ministry together of offering care and compassion, calm and hope, peace and joy, by God’s grace as people of Church of the Cross, and with others: partners in faith, community partners, national and global partners, for the wellbeing of all and all God’s creation. God bless us in this ministry together.

A few updates since out last newsletter

Worship online continues – the link is on the home page of our website, you can view worship live-streamed, Thursdays at 7 PM and Sundays at 10 AM or it may be viewed after. A Sunday School learning time is also available. Tuesday morning prayers will be added this coming week. Orders of worship, sermons, and Crossroads are being mailed out to anyone who does not have computer access.
Phone calls have been made or attempted to everyone connected to the congregation. Emails have been sent in instances where we don’t have phone numbers. Follow-up contacts are being planned.
Assistance is available – for groceries, medications, conversation, and other help as needed; a group of people are ready to assist. Please contact the Church office if we can be of help in any way.
The Church Council met – online via Zoom on Wednesday evening for updates and to discuss our response and needs during the pandemic. It was a good meeting. We are blessed with wonderful leadership. A letter from Church Council will be coming soon with updates for the congregation.
Zoom is available – This application for online meetings is available through the Church office for any Boards, Committees or groups in the congregation to meet during this time. It is simple to use, and Nicky in the office is able to set-up the meetings for those who wish to use it and assist with any questions.
Beyond March – it is anticipated that the physical distancing will continue for some weeks. Some are reminding us with the image that “this is not a sprint but a marathon.” We anticipate that the Church will remain closed for worship and other activities into April and through Easter. We are planning for this, and we will provide further updates.
Thank you! – to everyone who has assisted with phone calls, emails, groceries, medications and other needs; with live-streaming worship and Sunday School, and in the office, with messages of support and feedback, dropping off offerings, and in many other ways. Thank you to everyone for your ongoing support of the congregation and our communities.
Please pray – for the everyone in the congregation during this time, for our elders particularly and others who are vulnerable, for those working in health care on the front lines of support, for many who are much more affected by this pandemic in our neighbourhoods and around the world, and for leaders in our nation and world for wisdom and compassion in their words and actions.

Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life,” and raised his friend Lazarus from death to life as a sign of the resurrection of Jesus for all humanity to come. As we pray in one of our Thanksgiving Prayers in Holy Communion, “Grant us such life, the life of the Father to the Son, the life of the Spirit of our risen Saviour, life in you, now and forever. Amen.

Offerings during the time of the Covid-19 pandemic

Many people have been reaching out asking how they can continue to support the church and its ministries during this time. In particular those who give during the Sunday offering or cannot leave their residences at this time.

Alternative Giving Delivery Methods.  We can't do collection as normal but there are a variety of options to allow you to continue to support the church:

Mail The church office will be staffed during normal working hours and cheques can be mailed to Lutheran Church of the Cross 3787 Cedar Hill Rd Victoria, BC V8P 3Z4. Please do not mail cash, if you want to make a cash offering please drop it off at the church or call for home pick up.

Direct Banking Over 40 members of the church give their offering via direct monthly with-drawls from their bank accounts. If your interested in giving this way contact the office and we will get you the forms to start as soon as possible. You can select to contribute monthly, weekly, bi-monthly, or a one-time single offering. You can stop and start any time you want.

Church Drop Off  The church office is open Monday to Thursday 900 am to 300pm.

E Transfers If you use E Transfers for other things in your life you know what we are talking about. We can accept these through our bank Van City. If you would like to do an E-Transfer please contact the church office before sending your transfer and Nicky can help you.

Home Pick Up  If you are not comfortable with any of the above methods but still want to support the church contact the Financial Secretary Barry Walker, 250-381,1698, bhwalker@shaw.ca and he will arrange for someone from the congregation to come and pick up your offering. We will even bring a collection plate for you to put it in!

Local & National Charitable Foundations  Several of these exists that you can use on-line to get your offering to the church. The two most commonly used by members of the congregation are The Victoria Foundation and Canada Helps.

If you have any questions or need any help please contact the Financial Secretary, Barry Walker, 250-381-1698, bhwalker@shaw.ca or the church office. Thank you for your continued generous support of the church and its ministries.

Church Office phone: 250-477-6222
Office e-mail: lutheranchurchofthecross@shaw.ca
Mailing address: Lutheran Church of the Cross, 3787 Cedar Hill Road, Victoria, BC, V8P 3Z4

Updates on Luther Court and the Shelbourne Community Kitchen

Luther Court – is closed to all visitors except to immediate family of residents who are under palliative care. The staff are working very hard to protect and care for residents during this pandemic. Please pray for the people of Luther Court and all residents and staff of care facilities, for their safety and health.

Shelbourne Community Kitchen – is closed for all programs and activities but remains open for access to groceries for members of the Kitchen and community. They cannot accept food donations at this time, but cash donations are needed and appreciated. See their current newsletter below for the latest information and ways to support the Kitchen.

https://mosaico.io/files/mx86hi9/social-distancing-infograph-eng.pdf

Blood Donors Urgently Needed

Canadian Blood Services is in urgent need of blood donors to ensure the supply of blood to serve the needs of cancer patients, accident victims and heart surgeries. It is safe to donate blood! The clinics are extremely sanitary and appropriate precautions are taken to protect blood donors. If you are in good health, contact Canadian Blood Services at 1-888-236-6283 or visit the website at www.blood.ca to book an appointment. The Victoria blood donor clinic is located at 3449 Saanich Rd. Across from Uptown Mall.

Canadian Blood Services is Canada’s Lifeline!
Help save a life today!
Call 1-888-236-6283 to book a donation time!

Opportunities for individual prayer and pastoral care:
Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10 AM to 12 PM, Church of the Cross Sanctuary.
One way we keep our doors open while practising physical distancing.
If you feel ill please stay home.

Read ahead:
+ Lent 5 - Sunday, March 29, 2020 (P) Ezekiel 37:1-14 / Psalm 130
Romans 8:6-11 / John 11:1-45

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3787 Cedar Hill Road, Victoria, BC V8P 3Z4
www.lutheranvictoria.ca

Rev. Lyle McKenzie, Co-Pastor (O) 250-477-6222; pastorlyle@shaw.ca
Rev. Lyndon Sayers, Co-Pastor (O) 250-477-6222; pastorlyndon@shaw.ca
Church Office (O) 250-477-6222; lutheranchurchofthecross@shaw.ca

Our emailing address is:
lutheranchurchofthecross@shaw.ca