Holy Week Schedule
April 2 – April 9
Take note of how we will be travelling through the sacred week of Holy Week!
Palm Sunday – April 2, 9:00 am
Worship with procession of palms. Outside procession weather permitting.
Maundy Thursday – April 6, 5:45 – 7:30 pm (includes a meal)
Worship around a meal, will include communion. Service will conclude with the stripping of the altar in the sanctuary. Because we are planning a meal, we are requesting people RSVP by April 2. Sign up here or in the narthex.
Good Friday – April 7, 7:00 pm
A contemplative service of silence and sorrow. Worship will offer space for reflection on Christ’s suffering and the suffering of the world.
Easter Sunday – April 9, 9:00 am
After Easter breakfast, stick around for festive worship as we celebrate Christ’s resurrection from the dead!
Maundy Thursday and Easter Food Needs
We have the opportunity to eat together twice during Holy Week! Can you help us? We need contributions of food for our Maundy Thursday meal (April 7) and for Easter breakfast (April 9, 7:30 am).
Outstanding needs for Maundy Thursday are:
- pulled pork – 5 people preparing at least 2 lbs. of meat each
- veggie trays – 2 trays needed, each serving 10 people
- chips – 3 bags
- bars/cookies – 2-3 people to prepare 1 dozen each
Outstanding needs for Easter Breakfast are:
- bananas – 1 additional person to provide
- grapes – 1 additional person to provide
- people to help serve and clean up on Easter Sunday morning
If you can help with any of the above, or are looking for further clarification, see the sign up sheet in the narthex or contact the main office.
Upcoming Yard and Bake Sale @ SOTC!
Saturday, May 6, 7:30 am – 2:00 pm
One fundraiser that our Stewardship Team is working on is to host a Yard/Bake Sale. Here’s what you need to know:
- Look through your closets! A list of items that we will not receive will be shared soon.
- Items can be dropped off at church between Friday, April 28 – Friday, May 5
- Contact Melissa Booth or Connie Hoekstra if you intend to contribute things, and be as specific as possible. This will help us plan for how much we will be selling and how much space we need.
- We will also host a bake sale that day. Sign up lists of needed items will be shared soon.
If you have any questions about this event, talk to Melissa or Connie.
Family Faith Night Survey for 2023-2024 Year
Respond by Sunday, April 9
Have you been involved in Family Faith Nights this year? Or, are you interested in participating next year? Whether you – as an adult – participated, or whether your kids or youth participated, we’re looking for your feedback so our congregations (SOTC, Grace, Zion) can plan appropriately for next year. Complete the short survey here by Sunday, April 9. Should take about 2-5 minutes!
Last Sunday for Sock and Laundry Drive!
Donations accepted through April 2
This is it! Bring in any last minute donations of socks (kids and adults), laundry detergent, dryer sheets, toothbrushes, and toothpaste! Not able to get to the store? Put your cash offerings in the plastic container in the narthex or check donations (written to Shepherd of the Cross with “Laundry Love” in the memo) in the offering plate.
Synod Revival in Des Moines – Imagine
Saturday, May 20, 10:00 – 3:00 pm
Mark your calendars for a day of worship, inspirational speakers and music, an opportunity to learn about ministries across the synod, and a chance to network with others in our synod!
Click here for more information, updates are posted often!
This event is FREE of charged and intended to be a joyful, fun gathering for all ages. Bring your friends, neighbors, family, or anyone and watch what God does!
If you are interested, talk to Pastor Aleese and we can begin coordinating a carpool!
Could you help organize a Carnival/Bags Tournament Day?
Saturday, September 9
Later this fall, we will host a carnival/bags tournament as a community event and also as a fundraiser for SOTC. We will serve BBQ sandwiches along with other food, have carnival games for kids, and are looking to organize a bags tournament. Here’s where we need help: would you be willing to help organize the bags tournament? Or, would you be wiling to coordinate food? If so, talk to Melissa Booth or Delene McConnaha.