The Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany   January 29th (See Church Announcements Below) Church Announcements     Annual Celebration & Pot Luck Dinner Come join us on Saturday, January 28th at 5:30 p.m. for our Annual Celebration and feasting in the Great Hall.  It's designed for giving praise & thanks as well as enjoyment and encouragement so don't miss it.  Bring a favorite dish or just something easy!   Our Anglican Identity Wednesday night February 8th at 7:30 p.m. in the Great Hall Christian will be sharing an update on happenings in North American Anglicanism and the process of discernment we are beginning with other Anglican churches in the upper Midwest.  There will also be time to answer any questions folks may have about our Anglican identity or happenings in the Anglican world.   Newcomers Dinner If you are newer to the church (or have never been to Christian and Molly Ruch’s for a meal) you are invited to our next Newcomers meal on Monday, February 13th beginning at 6:30 p.m. in the Ruch house.  This is a time to learn more about the church and meet some other new people.  There will be an informal dinner, followed by a brief time in which Christian and Molly will share a little of the church’s story and answer any questions you have.  If you can come please sign up at the Welcome Table, where you will also find directions, or email christian@ofthecross.org.   Evening Prayer Come enjoy quite worship & reflection in the middle of the week...Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m.   Ash Wednesday The season of Lent begins on February 22nd with the celebration of Ash Wednesday.  We will be gathering for worship at 7 p.m. in the sanctuary to commemorate this important day on the church calendar.  If celebrating the season of Lent is new to you, this service will help to explain the significance of the season.   Lenten Soup Suppers On Wednesday nights beginning February 29th and going through March 28th we will gather together at 6:30 p.m. in the Great Hall.  The evening begins with everyone enjoying soup and bread together followed by separate teaching and sharing times for children and adults.  Both the children and adults this year will be focusing on God's heart for the poor.  More details will be coming, but please make note of the dates and plan on joining us if you can.   Wednesday Morning Study Come be part of our women's gathering on Wednesday mornings from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. as it continues in the stories of Abraham.  New comers are always welcome and childcare is provided for a small donation.  Please contact Cheryl Witham (cherylwitham@gmail.com or 952-941-2560) with any questions or to register new children.   Women's Bible Study There's a new women's Bible study on Wednesday nights at 7:15 p.m. (runs through February 15th).  Molly Ruch leads this study of the book of Psalms.  Women are encouraged to bring a Bible - any translation - and a journal.  Bible and journal will be provied for those without.  During this time, we will be learning how to add devotion to our Bible study and add study of the Word to our devotions.  Wherever you are on your spiritual journey, there will be something for you.  Contact Molly Ruch with any questions at 952-931-9101 or molly.ruch@usfamily.net.  Feel free to bring a friend and we look forward to seeing you.   Join the Missions Team! Are you interested in serving on the Missions Team?   Email Jen Asp (jennifer_asp@hotmail.com) to learn more.   Younger Adults Are you a younger adult without children, whether single or married?  If you would like to be on an email list to hear about occasional opportunities for fellowship and ministry, talk to Katy Wehr after the service or send her an email, katy@ofthecross.org.   Youth Group Our youth group meets weekly (Sunday nights from 6:30-8:30 p.m.).  This is a great time of fellowship, worship, prayer, and study that all teenagers are invited to.  Contact Peter (peter@ofthecross.org) for more information.  On Sunday, Febuary 5th, they will gather at 4:30 p.m. at Pete's home.   Praying for our Children Mid-service prayer for children takes place every Sunday morning at 10:30 in the red-carpet room upstairs.  Volunteers for that morning should attend.  Anyone who would like to pray for the children and youth of our church are welcome and encouraged to join us.   'Pamoja' Place Service (Swahili for Togetherness) 'Fostering Togetherness In Christ Through Dialogue' sums up the theme and spirit behind 'Pamoja' Services.  For more information contact Sammy (763-258-6834) & Mwende (612-751-9622) Kieti or visit www.PamojaPlace.org for more information.   SMALL GROUPS AT CHURCH OF THE CROSS… Small groups play an important role at Church of the Cross.  Groups meet at various locations around the Twin Cities including Edina, Hopkins, Minneapolis (Nokomis and Powderhorn), St. Louis Park, St. Paul (Frogtown and Midway), Falcon Heights, and Lakeville.  They are a fruitful context for discipleship and though each group has its own unique composition and location, all exercise the practices of prayer, the reading of scripture, and casual fellowship.  If you would like more information in order to join a small group or start one yourself, please contact Peter Berg (peter@ofthecross.org or 952-933-3686).   CaringBridge Site for Art Dickinson Our prayers are a blessing to him and us.  Send prayers and encouragements to Art & his family as well as keep up with him by going online to CaringBridge.org (artdickinson)…it’s free to register.  Art asks us all to pray that God would receive the glory and lives be changed by his witness during treatments for brain cancer.    Coffee & Doing Good Remember you can “Do Good” by purchasing Rwanda coffee for yourself or as Christmas gifts.  Look for individual bags ($10) on the refreshment table in the Gathering Space.  Land of a Thousand Hills began six years ago in northern Rwanda through faith and hard work…and has now extended to coffee farmers around the world.  Learn more…purchase other cool things like tee shirts, etc…at www.drinkcoffeedogood.com & 1-866-875-4369.   Finding What You’ve Lost? Our lost and found might have something you’d like back before it gets recycled!  Ask an usher to show you into the office after the service or contact Annie (annie@ofthecross.org).   All Church Email with Newsletter If you do not receive our newsletters via email, copies are available on the Welcome Table.  If you have an email and would like to receive upcoming newsletters and all church emails, please contact Annie in the office (952-933-3686 & annie@ofthecross.org). E-Giving Forms are available at the Welcome Table to fill out if you wish to make contributions to Church of the Cross electronically (contact Annie in the church office at annie@ofthecross.org or 952-933-3686). Bulletin and Scheduling Please contact Annie by 9:00 a.m. each Friday with requests for bulletin announcements.  If you wish to reserve a room, please also notify her at annie@ofthecross.org or 952-933-3686.

Church of the Cross  |  201 9th Avenue North  |  Hopkins, MN 55343  |  ph: 952-933-3686  |  info@ofthecross.org