Parish News

Worship Information

Holy Cross Welcomes You!

We are an Episcopal Church and Member of the Diocese of
Western North Carolina.

Please check this page for any possible changes to our regular worship schedule especially during Advent and Christmas, Holy Week, Easter,
and Valle Country Fair time.

Sunday Services from Sunday following Labor Day through Sunday prior to Memorial Day weekend
at Holy Cross:
8:30 am: Holy Communion, a quiet service (no music).
11 am: Holy Communion (with music).
1st Tuesdays, 6:30 pm Contemplative worship service of quiet reflection, prayer and song.
Wednesdays, 5:30 pm Quiet Holy Communion & Healing Service.

Office Hours: The office is located in Skiles Hall; our parish administrator's hours are Sunday-Thursday, 9 am to 5 pm.

Summer Schedule of Services Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day:

Sundays:
9 am St. John’s Church: Holy Communion with “old-time Gospel style” hymns. Here are directions to St. John's.
11 am Holy Cross Church: Traditional Holy Communion Service with hymns. Here are directions to Holy Cross.
(Please note healing ministers are present on first and third Sundays each month to pray with you as you desire.)

1st Tuesdays of the Month:
6:30 pm   St. John’s Church, Contemplative worship services during summer months.

Wednesdays:
5:30 pm   Holy Cross: Quiet Holy Communion & Healing Service (no music).

The Sacrament of Reconciliation:
This Sacrament is offered at any time by appointment. Please contact the Rector directly at (828) 963-4609 ext. 22.

Read the October, 2019 Newsletter here.

News from the Diocese is here.

Published sermons are here.

Prayer Lists -- We have a separate page for our prayer lists here.
Or click on "Prayer Lists" under Parish News in the navigation bar at the top of each page.

Coming Up

Tomorrow, Thursday, October 17, 2019 at 5:30 pm - the Villager Project, or Foster Parent Night Out, needs volunteers. Villager is a program sponsored by Holy Cross Church through Mission and Outreach. It is designed to give Foster Parents in Watauga County the opportunity to have a break and know that their foster and/or biological children are being cared for.
The Children’s Playhouse in Boone receives a grant each year from Holy Cross Church so that we may serve families in a safe, child-friendly facility. We also would love for more men to join us for this fun time. Ed Beck has been our solitary male volunteer and the children, especially the guys, really appreciate having a man in the group. Please let Suzie Long know if you can volunteer. Her home number is 828-264-0685 and email is capehart@charter.net. Thank you!

This Sunday

Sunday, October 20, 2019
The 19^th Sunday After Pentecost and
“The Day After the Valle Country Fair”

ONE SERVICE ONLY!

9:30 am All Parish Worship Service - Holy Eucharist, Rite II,
10:30 am Fellowship Gathering on the Fair Grounds

Come to church in comfortable work clothes (bring gloves, too) and join with visitors, friends, and fellow parishioners in this united service of worship, prayer, thanksgiving, and Holy Eucharist. We will gather after the worship service down at the fair grounds for snacks and refreshments, and a walk through of our fair grounds gathering up our layout markers and fair materials. NO HEAVY LIFTING to be done as we should have enough strong bodies on hand for what little may be required. Estimated time for the grounds clean-up is under 2 hours. Even if you stay for just a ½ hour or so, your help will make light work.

We thank those who will serve Sunday:

	9:30 am, Holy Cross
Greeters/ Oblationers:	Janice Russell Lynne Thomson
Ushers:	Sandy Barber Brad Barber
Lector:	Robin Whitley
Prayers of the People:	Lynne Thomson
Chalice:	Karla Prudhomme Edie Tugman
Acolyte:	Randy McDonough
Healing Minister:	Robin Byerly

Next Week

Wednesday, October 23, 2018
Daughters of the King Meeting, 4:00 pm - 5:15 pm in Skiles Hall
All women of the Church are welcome to gather with The Daughters of the King (DOK) for a time of study and prayer.
The Eucharist, open to all parishioners, follows at 5:30.

Next Sunday, October 27, 2019
The Nineteenth Sunday After Pentecost
One Service Only

8:30 am Holy Eucharist, Rite II (no music)

9:45 am Adult Christian Education Class (Upper Skiles)

11:00 am Holy Eucharist, Rite II, (with music and hymnody and presentations to Valle Country Fair Grant recipients)

12:30 pm Fellowship in Skiles Hall with reception for Fair Grant Recipients

Announcements

Parish Annual Meeting and Brunch

Sunday, November 10, 2019
One Service Only at 9:30 am

Come and celebrate the grace of God demonstrated through the ongoing mission and ministry of Holy Cross; hear reports from our leadership, and enjoy this annual time of fellowship and thanksgiving. We will also elect 3 new Vestry Members at the meeting.

The slate of Vestry Nominees (with pictures and biographical information) is posted in Skiles Hall. If you wish to nominate someone other than those on the slate, please complete a Nomination Form (Skiles Hall) and return it to the Parish Office by next Sunday, October 27, 2019.

Preparing for All Saints’ Sunday Observances

Preparing for All Saints’ Sunday Observances
It has been our tradition on every All Saints’ Sunday to name aloud Parishioners and friends of the Parish who have died during the past year. However, given that names are often handwritten into the Prayers of the People roster each week, we do not always know how the deceased is known to the parish or if that added name is simply a memorial from prior years. To that end, a list of names has been posted in Skiles Hall for your careful review. Please let us know if we have inadvertently omitted a name. Note: where the listing states “Unknown” please write in the relationship to you and/or Holy Cross otherwise their name will not be read aloud. Thank you for your help.

All Saints Day Memorial Offering

Envelopes will be available on November 3, 2019 for your memorial offerings.

2020 Pledge Drive Update

The Finance Committee has begun to prepare the 2020 Budget for presentation at the Annual Meeting on Sunday, November 10.
Parishioner financial pledges for the coming year play a significant role in that process.

The Finance Committee is determined to present a balanced budget this year. So, if you have yet to do so, please complete and return your Pledge Card to the Parish Office as soon as possible. If you have misplaced your card, feel free to pick one up from the Narthex, Skiles Hall, or the Office.

Please know that regardless of the amount pledged for the coming year, we remain most thankful for the continuing generosity of parishioners in giving of their time, talent, and treasure in service to God and this community. Thank you for your continuing support.

5th Tuesday

Tuesday, October 29, 2019
5^th Tuesday Potluck Dinner – 5:30 pm

Bring your favorite dish or two (enough to share) and enjoy a relaxing night with no agenda, just good fellowship and a chance to know each other better. All are welcome so bring your family and friends (new and old).

A "Simple Gesture" Continues

Food/Grocery Drive for the Hunger & Health Coalition

One in four children in the High Country are hungry. Along with other churches in the area, we have a simple way to meet this immediate need. Green recyclable grocery bags are available in the Choir Room. Simply fill them with the items listed on the bag and return it to the Choir Room (under the bell tables) on the date listed on the bag. Thank you!

Become a Founding Partner

Remembering Holy Cross in your Will/Estate is a wonderful way to ensure that the legacy of this dynamic parish will live on for multiple generations to come. All are welcome to become a Founding Partner in The Vale of the Cross Legacy Foundation. See the brochures in the Narthex, Skiles Hall, and Welcome Center for additional information.