April 3, 2020
This Sunday we welcome our new Vicar, the Rev. Richard Hogue, and his wife Maura, to Holy Cross. We are blessed to have them both as part of our Holy Cross faith family. We hope you will join us in worship via livestream, more information is below.

Rev. Richard recorded a short, 4 minute, video message to the Holy Cross faith family. You may view the video by clicking on the picture below, the YouTube video will open in a new tab in your browser and begin playing.
A transcript of this video is available to read by clicking here.
This Sunday
SUNDAY OF THE PASSION: PALM SUNDAY
Sunday, April 5th, at 9 AM
via livestream

We hope you will join us this Sunday as we welcome Rev. Richard and celebrate the Sunday of the Passion: Palm Sunday . This service is the start of Holy Week which ends with the “Triduum" (the three days from sunset on Thursday to sunset on Easter Day), the period during which we mark Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection.

The Palm Sunday service is framed in drama, from Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem, his walking in the Garden of Gethsemane, being taken prisoner and brought to trial. The story ends in sorrow and utter desolation, with Jesus dying like a criminal on a cross and his body being placed in a tomb.

We will livestream the service as we have the past few weeks, we invite you to join in viewing the service and, to perhaps think of yourselves as participants in a kind of dramatic reenactment of scriptural events. Raise a palm or other green branch (see below) and shout out Hosanna in the highest during the Liturgy of the Palms. Shout out He deserves to die and Let him be crucified during the Passion. We hope this service will draw you in and help you sense the significance of the Passion narrative and what it teaches us about Jesus' ministry, his suffering and death, and leaves you wanting to continue the Holy Week journey to the joyful discovery of Resurrection and life and hope in Christ Jesus.

We are planning streaming services for Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and the Great Vigil of Easter. We will share additional information in a few days along with information about a diocesan wide Easter Sunday service.

To watch the Sunday livestream:

Go to the home page on our website, holycrosscarlsbad.org and click on the video button under Worship Livestream or go directly to our Facebook page Holy Cross, Carlsbad and watch for the video page premier.

The service booklet for this week is accessed via the click here button under the Sunday Worship Booklet heading on our webstie home page. You may also access by clicking here.

You will also find a link to listen to just the audio of the service on the home page of our website.

We are continuing to try and embed watching the livestream directly in our website. We will be testing a potential option tonight and tomorrow. Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee we will be successful with this option so, it may not be available this Sunday.
Decorate your home, door or window for Palm Sunday

We are borrowing this idea from the brothers of the Missionaries of the Holy Spirit, a monastic order in Banks, Oregon.

We invite you to gather one or more palm or any green branch(es), from your yard, or a neighbors/friends yard (please ask their permission first!).

Put the branch(es) in a visible place in your home, on the door of your house or in a window to celebrate Palm Sunday. Use one of the branches during worship on Sunday to raise high in the air at the appointed time in the service in affirmation of Jesus' kingship.

We may be physically isolated, but we are not separated. We are united as the body of Christ. We are the Church.

We invite you to email a picture of your Palm Sunday palms, include a selfie or picture taken by someone else with you in the pic if you are so inclined to newsletter@holycrosscarlsbad.org. We will make a picture collage to share with the congregation.

Examples of some arrangements (pic from Missionaries of the Holy Spirit):
Adult Formation Class during Holy Week
Jesus' Last Week in Jerusalem
Begins this Sunday, April 5th
and runs each day of Holy Week through Holy Saturday, April 11th
4 pm - 4:30 pm
via Zoom

Join Rev. Richard, Bob Meloon and Brian Petersen in a discussion about Jesus' last week in Jerusalem, a time filled with uncertainty and hope. We'll discuss the passages from the earliest gospels, Mark.

P.S. It's also a good opportunity to get to know Rev. Richard!

Group size is limited so email Rev. Richard at vicar@holycrosscarlsbad.org to sign-up. You will receive a separate email with the link to join the Zoom meeting (see below on how to join a Zoom meeting) and an attachment with the study outline below.

Study outline:

For Sunday:
1.      Read Mark 1:1-11
2.      Think about the following – ready to question or comment.
a.      How do you picture the original Palm Sunday “parade” look like?
b.      Have we romanticized it?
c.       What was the purpose of the parade?
 
 
For Monday: 
1.      Read Mark 1:15-19
2.      Think about the following – ready to question or comment.
a.      Why was Jesus upset with the temple?
b.      Is the Holy Cross actually following Jesus today?
c.       How can we speak truth to power?
 
 
For Tuesday:
1.      Read Mark 12:28-34 and 12:38-44
2.      Think about the following – ready to question or comment.
a.      What does it mean to love your neighbor?
b.      What does Jesus think about scribes? Why?
c.       Why did Mark include the story of the widow’s copper coins?
 
 
For Thursday: 
1.      Read Mark 14:12-21 and 14:32-42
2.      Think about the following – ready to question or comment.
a.      Why do we celebrate the Eucharist (mass, last supper)?
b.      Is prayer important? Why or why not?
c.       Are you ready to face the end of life?
 
 
For Friday: 
1.      Read Mark 15:25-41
2.      Think about the following – ready to question or comment.
a.      What does Mark think about Pilate? What do you think of him?
b.      What is the significance of three hours of darkness?
c.       Comment on the role of women at the cross.
 
 
For Saturday: 
1.      Read Mark 16:1-8 and 1 Corinthians 12:12-31
2.      Think about the following – ready to question or comment.
a.      Jesus’ body lies in the grave all Saturday. Mark records no activity. Why?
b.      Are you ready for Easter? What begins anew?
c.       What does it mean for Holy Cross to be the resurrected “body of Christ”?
  
No class on Sunday: HAPPY EASTER. Join with us at the virtual diocesan celebration led by Bishop Susan.

Below is a video for how to join a Zoom meeting. You can use your computer/laptop/tablet or mobile device.
Volunteer From Home Opportunity
for our Neighbors in Faith Ministry
Our Neighbors in Faith ministry would like to provide face masks to the homeless community we serve. If you are able and would like to help make/sew face masks to be distributed by our ministry we are providing links below with instructions. Brian Petersen will be happy to pick up the masks you make and ensure they are delivered to the homeless our Neighbors in Faith ministry serves.

If you have questions, need more information, or to schedule a pick-up of finished products please contact Brian.




Stewardship
In this time of not gathering on Sundays, we cannot set aside paying the church bills. We know these are difficult financial times for some right now, including Holy Cross. If you find your own income/livelihood sorely impacted, please let Rev. Richard or Karen, our Sr. Warden, know, so that we can, at the very least, lift you to the Lord in prayer.

The Holy Cross congregation has been faithful and generous over the years in supporting our mission and ministries. We ask that, to the extent you are able, to please continue your faithful stewardship during this time and, to the extent you are able to stretch a bit in being even more generous. We understand if you are unable to support the church at this time.

We encourage you to to use our secure online giving platform via the link to the left - the process is easy, you can make a one-time or recurring payment. It's secure and built specifically for churches for online giving. Funds donated are transferred automatically to our bank account which eliminates the need for counters to go to the church office to prepare and make deposits.

You may also make a donation via Text giving - the phone number to text is 646-832-4848 - text the amount you want to donate, e.g. $50, to this number. Click on the link you receive and enter the Holy Cross quickcode, hcec . Follow the instructions to finalize the process. This too is secure (your Sr. Warden has used it!!).

Thank you to those who have mailed pledge/donations to the church and to those who have used our online secure giving portal. Your support, especially during this pandemic, is very much appreciated.

Please note: we are working with the diocese to evaluate various programs offered through the recently passed CARES Act legislation to see if any might be of benefit to Holy Cross.
Please hold all on our prayer list in your prayers:
prayer candles in a church
Prayer for Discernment:
Brian Petersen and his Discernment Committee as he continues to discern if God's call for him is ordained ministry.

Prayers for Comfort:
Fr. Atwood, Tom & Wayne, Nancy, Arlene, Peter, Mary, Sandy, Tom & Ann, Barbara, Julie, MichaelMhead, all who have been affected by the COVID-19 virus, and those who have no one to pray for them.

Prayers for the Departed : 
We commend to God all who have died, including Bob Breckinridge (former Holy Cross member), Lee Mommsen (Holy Cross member and father of Sue Sebastian), Gilda Arruda (friend of the Zolners) those who have lost their lives to the COVID-19 virus, and those who have given their lives for freedom’s cause.
Please hold Sue and Larry Sebastian in prayer at the death of Sue's father, Lee Mommsen. Lee died peacefully in his sleep early morning this past Saturday. Lee was 104 and was at peace in his remaining days with a sense of a life well-lived and was ready to enjoy eternal peace and the newness of life in the glorious company of the saints in light. Notes of love and support may be sent to:

Sue and Larry Sebastian
3315 Cadencia Street
Carlsbad, CA 92009-7807

May Lee’s soul, and the souls of all the departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace and rise to Glory.
Please hold the family of Bob Breckinridge in your prayers. Bob died the morning of March 9th surrounded by family. Bob was the Senior Warden of Holy Cross in 1998-99, prior to that he was the Junior Warden 1996-97. He was a faithful servant during his years at Holy Cross. May Bob's soul, and the souls of all the departed, rest in peace.
If you would like to be added to the Prayers for Comfort, or would like to add someone else (please get their permission first) or add a family member to the Prayers for the Departed , please contact the church office at: email holycross@holycrosscarlsbad.org or 760.930.1270. Please mention 'Prayer List' in the Subject line and include whether the prayer request is for "Comfort" or for the "Departed".

Individuals will remain on the prayer list for 4 weeks. Please contact the office if you wish to have someone added for another 4 weeks.

Note: If you have lost a member of your family and would like us to include your loss in "Notes of Care" please provide the name and relationship of your loved one, the date they entered into glory, and the address of where you would like notes of care sent.
Notes of Care
Thinking of you. Humming bird watercolor card illustration
Please keep in your thoughts and prayers those who are unable to be with us in worship and reach out to them to let them know they are missed.

Fr. Theodore Atwood Room 228
c/o St Paul's Senior Services Nursing and Rehabilitation
235 Nutmeg Street
San Diego, CA 92103
 
Tom Andreas & Wayne Kirts
1930 W San Marcos Blvd Spc 234
San Marcos, CA. 92078

Arlene Cull
4714 Athos Way
Oceanside, Ca 92056
Arlene welcomes cards and visits (please call first to schedule a time to visit).

Allen & Cathie Zych
4014 Layang Layang Circle #J
Carlsbad, CA. 92008
If you would like to be added, or suggest someone to be added (please get their permission first) to Notes of Care please contact the church office at: holycross@holycrosscarlsbad.org or 760.930.1270.
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