99th Annual Hanging of the Greens
Sunday December 23 is the 4th Sunday in Advent, the day of our almost century-long tradition of the hanging of the greens, i.e. decorating the church for Christmas, and many volunteers are needed. So wear your gardening/work clothes to the only service Sunday, December 23 at 9:30 am, then join in the decorating at 11 am after fellowship in Skiles Hall. All are welcome, all are needed! This is a great tradition so join in! There is a job for young and old alike.
Contact Dedy Traver at traverarms@yahoo.com or call 898-5771 to let her know you will be participating or if you would like to donate a pot of soup or some sandwiches.
Advent Retreat
Friday, December 14, 2018
Advent Retreat: 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
Johnson Hall – The Valle Crucis Conference Center
As you prepare for Christmas, take time to savor the Advent anticipation. Stop for a few hours and recollect stories, poems, and music that thrilled you when you were a child. Delve more deeply into the mystery, awe, and wonder of the Incarnation. Come, pause with us in a four-hour retreat led by noted author and performer, Katerina Whitley. We will break for lunch.
All are invited and most welcome, women and men and young people.
Angel Tree Gifts Due Dec. 16
Angel Tree Gifts due under tree December 16!
As we look forward to celebrating the upcoming holidays with family and friends let us also be God’s hands and feet as we remember and support the many individuals and families who have little to celebrate and those in nursing homes who are in poor health and have no family. Many families in our community have only seasonal income so have very limited resources to cover basic needs in winter and little or none left for gifts for their children.
Once again this Christmas our Angel Tree will focus on these families and individuals who, without our support, would have little or nothing on Christmas morning. Our families are being identified through the faculty and staff at Valle Crucis School this year, and the staff at Life Care Center in Banner Elk will identify residents there who have no family.
Look for our Angel Tree to be up and decorated on the Sunday after Thanksgiving (November 25) with a multitude of Angels noting gifts needed or wanted by identified individuals. We encourage you to make choosing and filling listed needs from these Angels a Holiday tradition for your family. Please return all gifts before the end of church service on December 16.
As we move into the Holiday Season please remember that this is a time when showing God’s love is especially meaningful. Let us make it a Season of Joy throughout our community. God bless you every one.
Christmas Flowers and Greenery
Donations for Christmas Flowers and Greenery
The Altar Guild relies upon donations in order to decorate the Church for Christmas. Please give generously using the envelopes provided. Completed forms must be submitted by 5pm December 16, 2018 in order to be included in all Christmas Service Leaflets. Thank you!
Blue Christmas Service
A “Blue Christmas” Service will be held December 18th at 5:00 pm.
Offered as a ministry to those who, because of deaths, illness, or for reasons known only to them, find the holiday season difficult, “A Blue Christmas” provides an opportunity for quiet reflection and consolation.
Anyone interested in helping plan, read scriptures aloud, or serve in any way on this occasion is asked to contact Pan McCaslin, 828-963-5198.
Christmas Services
CHRISTMAS AT HOLY CROSS:
Gather for the joyous celebration of The Nativity of our LORD Jesus Christ amidthe quiet beauty of The Church of the Holy Cross.
Christmas Eve: Monday, December 24
5:00 pm Children’s Story and Holy Eucharist
7:30 pm Special Music and Carol Singing
8:00 pm Holy Eucharist in celebration of Christmas
Christmas Day: Tuesday, December 25
10:00 am – “Come just as you Are” Holy Eucharist celebration of prayer and scripture.
O Come, let us adore Him, Christ, the Lord!
AutoBell Gift Cards Available through Sunday, Dec. 30
ECW Gift Program - Just in time for Christmas!
$20.00 AUTOBELL Car Wash Gift Cards
The ECW (Episcopal Church Women) invite you to help their fundraising efforts by purchasing AutoBell Car Wash Gift Cards. The cards make great Christmas gifts for family, friends, teachers, hair stylists, etc.
Proceeds from the sale will benefit community charities. Cards are available in Skiles Hall after the 8:30 services and 11:00 o’clock services Today through Sunday, Dec. 30th.
The ECW thanks you for your continuous support.
Prayer List Information
We will be purging our Prayer List at year’s end.
If you wish for someone to remain on the current list, or to add someone new, please email Kathy Williams at holy_cross@skybest.com. Be sure to include the person’s full name, nature of prayer request, and any other pertinent information. Thank you.
Epiphany
Sunday, January 6, 2019
Mark your Calendars!
Sunday, January 6, 2019
The Feast of the Epiphany!
9:30 am only!
One service only at 9:30 am featuring the March of the Three Kings, the Holy Eucharist, hymnody, and sermon. Following the service, breakfast will be served in Skiles Hall and, (weather and Fire Marshall permitting), we will hold a “burning of the greens” ceremony – a fun Epiphany celebration.
Campus Ministry Upcoming Student Dinners
Volunteers! Mark Your Calendars!
Tuesday, January 22, 2019
Holy Cross will host Westminster Canterbury Campus Ministry Students from ASU for a Moveable Feast. The idea of a Moveable Feast is that the Campus Ministry students visit the churches that support them throughout the year so that they may build relationships with their supporters. They also get the opportunity to worship in different Presbyterian and Episcopal Churches to broaden their experience of worship. So on January 22, we will host a parish-wide covered dish supper. Please sign up to participate and meet and get to know our Campus Ministry students. The covered dish will begin at 6:00 and be followed by a Contemplative Service in the sanctuary. Do plan to join us and show your appreciation for our Campus Ministry students! Who can resist a Holy Cross covered dish meal? Best cooks in the High Country attend Holy Cross!
To sign up: Contact Kim Gauss 252-230-0774 or gausskf@yahoo.com
