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 November 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

ECW REQUEST

ECW asks all members who are able to please bring finger foods to Holy Cross for Francis Pressly's funeral on this Sunday, November 24, at 2:00 pm. We anticipate over 200 people to attend, so all help will be appreciated. Thank you.

The ECW Holiday Sale has been moved from this Sunday to sometime in December.

This Sunday

Sunday, November 24, 2019
The Last Sunday After Pentecost– The Feast of Christ the King!

8:30 am Holy Eucharist, Rite II

9:45 am Adult Christian Education Series (Upper Skiles) Our study of the Psalms continues this week with Psalm 42.
ACE Classes gather on Sunday mornings from 9:45 - 10:30 in Upper Skiles.
All are welcome!

11:00 am Holy Eucharist, Rite II with the Choir of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, Charlotte, NC.
Heartfelt thanks are expressed to The St. Peter’s Choir, Elizabeth Lenti, and Garrett Law for joining us in worship today! Today’s anthem is offered by the combined choirs of both Holy Cross and St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, Charlotte. Today’s anthem arrangement is based on an American folksong—tune name: Dunlap’s Creek—which originated in Appalachian Kentucky. Thank you, St. Peter’s, for sharing your many musical talents with us today; it is greatly appreciated!

12:30 pm Fellowship in Skiles Hall

We thank those who will serve this Sunday:

	8:30 am	11 am
Greeters/ Oblationers:	Ann Iles	Patty Matthews, Janice Russell
Ushers:	Jane Blackburn	Kim Gauss, Karla Prudhomme
Lector:	Jane Blackburn	Nina-Jo Moore
Prayers of the People:	Judy Bondi	Claire McDonough
Chalicers:	Ted Ponko	George Ehrhardt, Nina-Jo Moore
Acolyte:	Ted Ponko	George Ehrhardt

Next Week

Wednesday, November 27
The Daughters of the King will NOT meet this Wednesday due to the Thanksgiving Holiday.
The parish Eucharist will be held at 5:30 pm.

Thursday, November 28
The Parish Office will be closed on both Thursday, November 28 and Friday, November 29 in Observance of Thanksgiving.

Next Sunday, December 1, 2019
The First Sunday of Advent

8:30 am    Holy Eucharist, Rite II
9:45 am    Parish Breakfast
11:00 am Holy Eucharist, Rite II,
12:30 pm  Fellowship in Skiles Hall

Tuesday, December 3, 2019
Contemplative Worship Service – 6:30 pm

Our “First Tuesday” Contemplative Worship Service will include a meditation on St. Nicholas of Myra: Friend of Children, Giver of Gifts, Climber of Chimneys, and much more. Through brief scripture readings, responsive prayers, silent reflection and song in the style of the Taizé, Iona and Celtic community traditions, Contemplative Worship Services invite attendees to gather in soft candlelight and experience for one’s own self what it means to, in the words of the Psalmist, “Be still and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10).

Announcements

Angel Tree

Once again this Christmas, our Angel Tree will focus on families and individuals who, without our support, would have little or nothing on Christmas morning. Families and individuals have been identified through the faculty and staff at Valle Crucis School and the staff at Life Care Center in Banner Elk.

Look for our Angel Tree to be up and decorated on the Sunday after Thanksgiving. And with Thanksgiving being later this year, please try to pick your angels early.

We encourage you to make choosing and filling listed needs from these Angels a Holiday tradition for your family.

“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!

Valle Crucis Community Tree Lighting and Carol Sing

Mark Your Calendars on Friday, December 6, 2019 for this annual tradition.
5:30 pm (Lower Parking Area at Holy Cross)
The Valle Crucis Community Tree Lighting & Carol Sing

This annual event invites neighbors and friends to gather for a time of light refreshments, fellowship, singing carols and “songs of the season,” followed by the lighting of the huge spruce tree that dominates our lower parking area.

Begun as a way to gather the community following the 2016 Valle Landing fire, the lighting of our tree serves as a beacon of hope and reminds those near and far of the blessings we experience together each and every day in this fair valley.

So, tell your neighbors, friends, and families, and do plan to attend.