SUNDAY,

May 4 , 2008

Worship Services:  9:00 a.m. and 10:45 a.m.

Church Announcements

Kids of the Cross Pentecost Party!

Your parents wish they could come to this one, but it’s for kids 3-12 on Saturday, May 10 from 10-12.  What do a ring, plane tickets, a candle, hair dryer and a Spanish bible have to do with Pentecost, you ask?  Don’t miss the chance to learn about this most exciting event in the history of the church and what it means for us.  Bring a friend, bring a costume (if you like), bring a snack from another country (if you like) and practice your best piñata swing this week.

Ten Days of Prayers to get Ready for Pentecost

A simple guide with readings from the Book of Acts is available on the Welcome Table for any in the church family who would like to pray in the days leading up to Pentecost for the church and for the world.

Walk For Life

New Life Family Services is having their annual walk for life fundraising event on Saturday May 17th at 8:30 a.m.  The course is from their office in Richfield to a nearby park (2 miles) and includes a band, puppet show and snacks.  See www.nlfs.org for more details.  (Dads­—bring your kids while your wives are on the women’s retreat, have fun with other COTC walkers, and support a great ministry!)  If you are unable to participate, but would like to donate, go to www.firstgiving.com/peteandcarigregory.  Contact Cari Gregory with any questions (peteandcarigregory@hotmail.com & 612-205-5257).

One Service on Sunday, May 25

We will hold one service at 10 a.m. on Sunday, May 25, Memorial Day Weekend.  Other Sundays this summer with one service are:  July 6, Fourth of July Weekend; August 10, Kids Games Wrap Up; and August 31, Labor Day Weekend.

Newcomer’s Dinner

We invite all those who have begun attending Church of the Cross in the last few months or to those who have never come to a Newcomer’s Dinner to join us on Wednesday night May 28th 6:00 PM at the home of Christian and Molly Ruch.  This is a time to get to know some other people that are newer to the church and to learn more about our church community.  If you are able to come please sign up at the welcome table or contact Christian at Christian@ofthecross.org.

Church Missions Trips

The Missions & Outreach Team is planning 3 different church missions trip opportunities.  We will determine specific details based on participants but are planning 2 opportunities for this summer:  Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota and a trip to Honduras.  The third opportunity is a trip to Kenya next summer.   You can contact Dan Fine or Christine Liptak with any questions.  

Parenting Ministry Update

After much discussion, we have decided that the best parenting text to start with is the Bible!  Given the sign-up sheet, we plan to have a group in south Minneapolis, one in Hopkins, and possibly two more in St. Paul and the northwestern suburbs, depending on whether others sign up.  If you are interested, but haven’t signed up, please do so.  Groups will meet for 6 weeks this summer at a time and place convenient for that group to reflect on scripture meditations that will be circulated when groups are assigned.  Please contact Pete or Cari Gregory (peteandcarigregory@hotmail.com) or Liz Stewart (elizabeth@ofthecross.org) with any questions.

Documentary Film Screening, As We Forgive:  May 8

A new documentary covering the healing that has taken place in Rwanda since the genocide in 1994, entitled As We Forgive, will be shown at 7 p.m. on May 8 at Oak Street Cinema (309 Oak Street SE, Minneapolis).  A $5 donation is requested for this showing.  The Pilgrim Center for Reconciliation, The Program in Human Rights and Health, and the Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies at the University of Minnesota are cosponsors of the event.  Dr. Arthur Rouner, The Pilgrim Center’s founder, will lead a discussion following the showing.  This film may be of interest to those in our church as it features interviews with Anglican leaders in Rwanda, who also are involved in the leadership of the Anglican Mission, and it was made by a member of an AMiA church in Washington D.C. (to view the trailer visit www.asweforgivethose.com).

Upcoming Events!

Baptisms

On May 4th (the last Sunday of the Easter season) at our 10:45 a.m. worship service and on May 11th (Pentecost Sunday) at the 9 a.m. service we will have baptisms.  If you would like to be baptized or you have children whom you would like to have baptized, please contact Christian at 952-933-3686 or Christian@ofthecross.org.

Worship in St. Paul

Join us for the St. Paul-area evening prayer and worship service to be held from 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. each month at Roseville Covenant Church.   This event will be an opportunity to build community with other Church of the Cross worshippers and pray for how God might be calling us to minister in our local area.  Prayers and Eucharist will be led by Rev. Chris Peterson and childcare will be provided on site.  For more information, please contact Bob & Michelle Kingsbury (rmkingsbury@aol.com) or Paul & Anne Calvin (paul@ofthecross.org).

Women’s Retreat

Mark your calendar for the 2nd annual COTC Women’s Retreat on May 16th-17th.  The retreat will again be located at the Mount Olivet Retreat Center in Farmington, MN just 45 minutes from Minneapolis and will run from 3:00 p.m. Friday through 8:00 p.m. Saturday.  Look for more information and registration at the Welcome Table.  You may register anytime between now and May 4th.  We are excited to enjoy this time away together and hope you can join us. 

Bible Studies & Teachings

Men of the Cross - Men's Fraternity

Come find out about Men's Ministry at Church of the Cross.  Men of the Cross will meet the first and third Saturdays of each month.    Our next meeting is Saturday, May 3rd, 8 - 10 a.m. (prompt start at 8 a.m.).  We are watching and discussing in small groups the video series The Quest for Authentic Manhood (more information at www.mensfraternity.com).  Join us for coffee, fellowship and discussion.  If you're the least bit interested, come check it out and bring a friend!  Contact André LaTondresse (952-936-7891 & andrelat@ties2.net).

Women's Fall Bible Studies (Tuesday morning and Wednesday evening)

All women are invited to join our Bible studies (bring a friend or neighbor):

Tuesdays at the Table will start up a new class (June 3 through August 5, 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.) meeting in the library at church.  This group will use Joel Warne’s Soul Craving as a framework for our time together.  This is a more contemplative gathering experience where we learn to listen & pray using worship, silence, scripture, music and dialogue.  Materials need to be ordered by May 24th.  Sign up at the Welcome Table or call Cheryl Witham at 952-941-2560.

This Ain't Your Daddy's Youth Group

All teens at Church of the Cross are invited to join us every Sunday at 10:30 a.m.  We're not going to talk about WWJD bracelets or the latest Christian music album.  To start we're going to talk about the Apostle's Creed (it's cooler and more hardcore than it sounds).  And  here will be baked goods.

Prayer at COTC

Morning Prayer

The Book of Common Prayer’s Daily Office will be prayed in the sanctuary from 7-7:30 AM on Wednesday mornings.  All are welcome to join our intercession for the world. 

Noonday Prayer

Noonday prayers will be prayed in downtown Minneapolis on Fridays of each week starting at 12:15 PM.  Please contact Chris Peterson for details at 952-933-3686, Ext. 14.

Sunday Prayer
Our Sanctuary Prayer Team, headed by Tim Peterson, is available each Sunday for those who would like someone to pray for them.  There are Team members available during Communion or a request can be taken at any time by contacting Tim.  The Team will not share information from the prayer time with others and will not ask about the topics of prayer at a later date.  This time is viewed as sacred.

Bulletin and Scheduling

Please contact Annie with any bulletin announcements by 1:00 PM each Wednesday.  If you wish to schedule and reserve a specific room at Church of the Cross, please also notify Annie.  Thank you!