Parish News
Welcome & Worship Information
Welcome!
Holy Cross is an Episcopal Church and Member of the Diocese of
Western North Carolina
(828) 963-4609
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Sunday Morning Worship Services:
THE CHURCH OF THE HOLY CROSS
Online giving is now available - click here or click "Give Online" in the Navigation Bar at the top of the website.
Autumn & Winter Schedule
- 8:30 a.m. - Holy Eucharist, Rite II at Holy Cross without music and hymnody
- 9:30 a.m. - Fellowship time in Skiles Hall
- 11:00 a.m. - Holy Eucharist, Rite II, at Holy Cross with music and hymnody
- 12:00 p.m. - Fellowship time in Skiles Hall
The 11:00 a.m. service from Holy Cross is Live-Streamed via our YouTube Channel commencing at 10:50 am.
Click here to view our Live Streamed and previously recorded services.
Click here to view & download this week's worship leaflet.
Click here to view & download this month's Holy Cross Newsletter.
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Gather for the joyous celebration of The Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ amid the quiet beauty of The Church of the Holy Cross.
Christmas Eve: Sunday, December 24
7:30 p.m. - Special Music and Carol Singing
8:00 p.m. - Holy Eucharist and celebration of Christmas
Christmas Day: Monday, December 25
The First Sunday After Christmas: Sunday, December 31
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Healing & Eucharist Services take place at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday evenings at Holy Cross.
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Weekday Worship Services offered via "Zoom":
Compline at 8:00 p.m. every Monday & Thursday - click here to join the Zoom meeting
The "Virtual Waiting Room" opens 15 minutes before each service begins.
(Meeting ID: 852 8293 1603)
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The Sacrament of Reconciliation:
This Sacrament is offered at any time by appointment. Please contact the Rector directly at (828) 963-4609 ext. 22
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Further Information & Links:
To read recent sermons, visit the Sermons page.
The current Prayer List is here.
The Latest Sunday Worship Leaflet is here.
The Current Holy Cross Newsletter is here.
This Sunday
- 8:30 a.m. - Holy Eucharist, Rite II, at Holy Cross - quiet service with no music
- 9:30 a.m. - Fellowship Time in Skiles Hall
- 9:45 a.m. - ACE: “Bless the Advent We Actually Have” (Upper Skiles)
- 11:00 a.m. - Holy Eucharist, Rite II, at Holy Cross, with music and hymnody - This service is Live-Streamed via our YouTube Channel
- 12:00 p.m. - Fellowship time in Skiles Hall
While a daily devotional series, we will gather on Sunday mornings in Skiles Hall for a time of sharing and deeper reflection on the themes of Advent and how we might recognize Emmanuel - “God with us” - right now.
See the Parish December Newsletter for more information and consider downloading the entire program.
We thank all those who will serve this Sunday:
- Greeters/Oblationers: Stuart & Edie Tugman (8:30 a.m.) and Jim & Darby Logan (11:00 a.m.)
- Ushers: Stuart & Edie Tugman (8:30 a.m.) and Jim & Darby Logan (11:00 a.m.)
- Lector: Nancy McInnes (8:30 a.m.) and Ann Gerber (11:00 a.m.)
- Prayers of the People: Jane Blackburn (8:30 a.m.) and Ann Gerber (11:00 a.m.)
- Chalice: Sis Kinney (8:30 a.m.) and Kim Gauss & John Goodrich (11:00 a.m.)
- Acolytes: Sis Kinney (8:30 a.m.) and John Goodrich (11:00 a.m.)
- Healing Ministers: Ron McInnes (8:30 a.m.) and Kim Gauss (11:00 a.m.)
- 8:30 a.m. - Holy Eucharist, Rite II, at Holy Cross - quiet service with no music
- 9:30 a.m. - Fellowship Time in Skiles Hall
- 9:45 a.m. - ACE: “Bless the Advent We Actually Have” (Upper Skiles)
- 11:00 a.m. - “A Service of Nine Lessons & Carols for Advent”
Hear the scriptures which foretell Christ’s coming, along with carols, vocal anthems, and the chimes of handbells - This service is Live-Streamed via our YouTube Channel - 12:00 p.m. - Fellowship time in Skiles Hall
Subscribe to keep up to date with Holy Cross News & Happenings!
News & Happenings
"Bless the Advent We Actually Have"
See the Parish December Newsletter for more information and consider downloading the entire program. Print copies will be available in Skiles Hall next Sunday.
2024 Calendars Available
A limited supply of 2024 Churchman’s Ordo Calendars are available for purchase for $5 in the Parish Office. This calendar offers a full listing of the traditional feasts and devotional days which are frequently celebrated throughout the Anglican Communion.
November Adult Christian Education Classes
Did you miss the November ACE classes in Skiles Hall? The Rev. Scott Oxford will be offering the classes as a workshop at Johnson Hall on Friday and Saturday, December 1st and 2nd.
The first session will name and explore various fractures in our world, the broken Body of Christ, the Church; and review many fundamentalisms in our world and within ourselves, and the threat they pose to our Faith. Session two will focus on the much-needed recovery of the core of our Faith, and many other spiritual traditions; and the Love of God and our neighbor.
Please contact the Valle Crucis Conference Center to register for this workshop, or follow this link to sign up: https://form.jotform.com/
Men's Night Out
The final Men's Night Out gathering for 2023--and the conclusion of our seventh year of fellowship--is a festive holiday gathering and "roast beast feast" taking place at 5:45 p.m. on Thursday, December 7 in the dining room at the historic Valle Crucis Conference Center with dinner served promptly at 6:30 p.m. Remember that after this meeting, we'll be taking a two month hiatus over the winter months, resuming in March 2024.
Chef Nick (or "Poet Fernando," as you'll see from this vivid description of our menu) is preparing pot roast, or "USDA Prime chuck roast tenderly bathed and simmered until it's a melt in your mouth consistency in a rich stock containing carrots, onions, garlic, thyme, and sage (with a savory chicken pot pie option for non beef eaters) accompanied by Yukon gold mashed potatoes, creamed and herbed, Southern classic green beans with butter, salt and pepper, accompanied by rustic oven warm wheat rolls, and a splendidly sumptuous salad bar serving all the favorites with a choice of dressing, and... spiced fruit cobbler served warm with vanilla ice cream for dessert, plus coffee, tea, water, and juices," but please bring your favorite libation. Yum! The cost is a mere $20 per person.
MNO is an opportunity for men from within the parish and in our community to enjoy having an evening of fellowship together. We're very flexible and inclusive, so feel free to bring a friend... or three! In order to let our gracious hosts know how many will be in attendance from Holy Cross, please RSVP by noon on Monday, December 4 via email to KeithTMartin@gmail.com by text or phone to (704) 608-2755.
Donations for Christmas Flowers and Greenery
2023 Angel Tree
This link will take you to this year's 2023 Angel Tree SignUP Genius Site:
https://www.signupgenius.com/
There are several children at Valle Crucis School and several residents of The Life Care Center in Banner Elk for whom Holy Cross Church is their only Santa Claus. We are also helping out our Valle Crucis Teachers with gift cards this year as well. Thank you all in advance for your generosity!
Below is this year's "Virtual Angel Tree" registry and sign-up for gift donations. Here is how the Angel Tree gift donations will work this year:
- Sign up for gift(s) and donations via this SignUp Genius link: https://www.
signupgenius.com/go/ 508084FADAC23A2FB6-holy1#/ - Bring your wrapped and tagged gift(s) to Skiles Hall. A Christmas tree will be in place after November 24.
- Please begin bringing wrapped and tagged gifts starting on Sunday, November 26.
- All gifts and teacher gift cards need to be delivered to Skiles Hall no later than Sunday, December 10.
- For those buying gifts for Life Care Persons, please add a few nice toiletries (i.e. lotions, creams, body washes, etc.)
THANK YOU so much for your help!
ECW Potluck Dinner
Please bring items in reusable totes, as they always need large reusable bags.
OASIS needed items:
- Over the counter medication (Benadryl, ibuprofen, Neosporin, cough medicine, etc.)
- New first aid supplies
- Shower caddies
- Makeup/ Face wash / makeup remover wipes
- Regular tampons
- Chapstick/Lotion
- New towels and washcloths
- Hair brushes
- Razors/ Shaving cream
- Pillow protectors
- Ear plugs
- Toothbrushes and toothpaste
- Bar soap
- Body wash
- Super tampons/maxi pads
- Gloves
- Deodorant
Annual Advent Retreat - Valle Crucis Conference Center
During Advent-time our thoughts turn to the Prince of Peace and to lovely carols filled with light and love and, above all, hope. As we find ourselves in the midst of news and images of war this year, how can we reconcile the two? Where do we turn for understanding? How can we discuss the Incarnation in a manner that sustains us throughout Advent and beyond?
Please contact the Valle Crucis Conference Center to register for this workshop, or follow this link to sign up: https://form.jotform.com/232883773705163.
Coffee's On
Meeting ID: 878 3876 2772
Christmas at Holy Cross
Christmas Eve: Sunday, December 24
7:30 p.m. - Special Music and Carol Singing
8:00 p.m. - Holy Eucharist and celebration of Christmas
Christmas Day: Monday, December 25
The First Sunday After Christmas: Sunday, December 31
Contemplative Worship Service
Join us on Tuesday, December 19 via Zoom for a Conemplative Worship Service. Click the link below to join! The service begins at 5:00 p.m.
Coffee Hour Hosts Needed
Coffee Hour is an important time of not only fellowship, but also a time to get to know our visitors and newcomers.People tend to stay longer and interact more when there is food.
Hosting Coffee Hour means providing light refreshments and a non-coffee beverage. Teams of two volunteers work best. The sign-up sheet can be found on the kitchen serving window ledge in Skiles Hall. Please consider hosting after the upcoming services !
Daughters of the King
Daughters of the King (DOK) meets weekly on Wednesday afternoons at 4:00 p.m. in Skiles Hall. The group invites any women of the church interested in finding out more about DOK to join them. Click here to learn more about DOK!