Crosscurrents weekly edition
November 29, 2020
Midweek Advent Reflections
In addition to our Sunday services, this year we are also offering Midweek Advent recordings on our YouTube channel. These short and hopefully sweet 20 minutes or so of readings, reflections, prayers, and music are offered to you as a way of filling some of the gap we know will be the reality of this season during a rise in the spread of the COVID-19 virus and all we are doing to stay home, stay safe, and stem the tide of this pandemic.

An email will be sent out each of the next three Wednesdays inviting you to click the link and watch these little Advent offerings. You can also find the Midweek Advent offerings and all our recordings on our YouTube channel.  
Share Your Advent Candle Lighting
It is not too late to be a part of our Advent recorded services by recording yourself and those in your household lighting Advent candles to be shared in an upcoming worship. The candles can be part of an Advent wreath, but any candles will do.

If you are willing to share a short recording, please email Director of Worship and Music Ministries Ben Fowler – ben@cofclc.net - to receive some brief directions on how to make and send a recording. Thanks in advance for helping us stay connected as we share the light of Christ’s love during Advent.
Read a Lesson for an Upcoming Sunday
Another way to be a part of our worship services at this time is to read and record a lesson. Lectors are sent the readings along with some simple tips on how to record them in advance. You can record on your laptop computer, cell phone, or tablet. It is a joy to share God’s word, and a joy to “see” members doing so in our recorded services. If you’re willing to be a lector in the coming months, please email Pastor Dave at pastordave@cofclc.net.
New Adult Faith Formation Opportunites

Pastor Dave would love to have you join him in his study for this and upcoming studies of God’s word. For some, spending this time in the readings for the upcoming Sunday is proving to enhance their worship experience week by week. Why not drop by this week and check it out for yourself.

This week’s study if for the First Sunday in Advent. Our four texts this week share the theme of faithful waiting, with a special focus on the Second Advent of Christ, his promised return. Along the way Pastor Dave shares some Hebrew and Greek etymology, a little historical and geographical information on one of the places mentioned in one of our lessons, and goes on a bit of a rant on the topic of trying to calculate the day and hour of Christ's return.

Watch this week’s episode on the Cross of Christ YouTube channel (and don’t forget to subscribe)!  
WELCA Bible Study Leaders' Guide for December: Each month Pastor Dave helps those leading WELCA Circle Bible studies (these days via Zoom or other online venues) by researching the biblical texts from Gather magazine, the periodical for women from the ELCA.

While Pastor Dave’s studies are primarily for those facilitating the monthly discussions, all are welcome to watch the recorded guides, posted on or around the first Wednesday of each month on the Cross of Christ YouTube channel. In December, Gather offers a devotional on Advent rituals including singing, writing, moving, and connecting. When the guide is ready -- it is scheduled to be posted online on Wednesday -- an email is sent out to All Members. 
Thanksgiving Eve Gathering Thank You's
Special thanks to Colin, Ben, and our Interfaith Covenant Community partners for the parts so many played in putting together this year’s Thanksgiving Eve Virtual Gathering. We hope you joined us for the Premiere on Wednesday, or have been able to watch since. If not, we highly encourage you to go to the Cross of Christ channel on YouTube and check it out. We truly believe you will be blessed by the music, message, and overall spirit of unity and gratitude that always make these events special – and none less so this year, even though we had to gather differently.
Cub Scout Wreath Sale Summary
Thanks to the many members who purchased wreaths for our Cub Scout Pack 673 this year. Distribution was different but very efficient, as the Pack set up a “drive-through” wreath store in the Cross of Christ parking lot. As they do every year, the Cub Scouts donated several wreaths and garland to the church for our Advent and Christmas decorating. 

The Pack says “thank you” to Cross of Christ, and we say “thanks” in return.
CofC Pandemic Response Update
Even as we hear encouraging news about the development of potential COVID-19 vaccines, the current circumstances with the spread of the coronavirus locally and nationally continue to be moving in concerning directions. Cases, hospitalizations, and death are rising at an alarming rate. In response, Washington Governor Inslee recently issued new directives to restrict the opportunities for spread. For the most part, the measures only serve to reinforce the good measures we already have in place at Cross of Christ. 

We all long to be together again, to hold events and meetings on campus, and especially to return to in-person worship. However, we MUST do our part to slow the spread of the virus, especially over these upcoming winter months. Please stay safe and healthy, and continue to follow proven methods that doctors, scientists, and sound guidance call us to - properly wear a mask, practice safe distancing, avoid large and even for a while small gatherings, and wash hands regularly.

With Council ‘s unanimous affirmation, Cross of Christ will be following government guidelines as well as the very strong suggestion of Bishop Shelley Wee of the Northwest Washington Synod of the ELCA, and will not plan for in-person, indoor worship to restart until at least March. We may be able to return to limited in-person worship then, or we may have to delay even longer depending on the COVID-19 trends and recommendations and regulations by health, government, and synodical leaders. Thank you for your continued patience, prayers, and participation in recorded worship, fellowship, sharing, serving, and faith formation offerings from Cross of Christ.

Other than our Ark Early Learning Center and our weekly recorded worship sessions, the campus and facilities are closed due to COVID-19 to all visitors, including members. If you have a need to come on campus, please email or call Pastor Dave to make arrangements in advance – email pastordave@cofclc.net or 425-746-7300. Thanks for helping us do our part to keep everyone healthy and reduce the impact of this pandemic.