Join us for Worship on Sundays @ 10 am. We are on Facebook and in-person!
Following live streamed worship, the service will be posted on Facebook and on our website.
Holy Communion will be shared during the first Sunday of each month, so be sure to have your bread and cup ready to go!
Following live streamed worship, the service will be posted on Facebook and on our website.
Holy Communion will be shared during the first Sunday of each month, so be sure to have your bread and cup ready to go!
Letter from Pastor Julie
Greetings COTC Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
As we are all aware, the Delta Covid-19 variant has begun to take hold. Cook County is in the "Substantial" category.
The Guidelines of the Illinois say this... "The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) announced today (7/27) it is fully adopting updated Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) masking recommendations to protect against COVID-19 and the Delta variant. CDC recommends that everyone, including fully vaccinated individuals, wear a mask in public indoor settings in areas with substantial and high transmission. "
Session determined back at the beginning of the pandemic that we would adhere to the CDC Guidelines and expect our facility users to do the same.
Given that we are now in the 'substantial' category, beginning today, masks are required for worship and other indoor gatherings at COTC. Thank you for your patience and understanding as we all work together to contain this new covid variant.
Please click here for the study document put out by the PCUSA entitled, “8 Habits of Evangelism.” Yes, it is about Evangelism.
In June, Session began the study and has committed to spend time with one section each month as different members lead the discussions. As Session was discussing it this past week, it dawned on me that ALL of us need to be engaging in this study. While no plans are in place for that ‘yet,’ Session felt it was a good idea to start sharing the study with you.
As the study’s Preamble reminds us (and please read the Preamble as there is great stuff there)--
“If evangelism is simply a tool to bring more people into our churches, evangelism is not good news. Evangelism is not good news when it is used to focus on one aspect of the faith, like eternal life. Separated from justice, evangelism is bad news. The gospel is meant to bring both hope and restoration to the world. The prophet Isaiah paints a compelling picture with words of those who bring a message of good news:
How beautiful upon the mountains
are the feet of the messenger who announces peace,
who brings good news,
who announces salvation,
who says to Zion, “Your God reigns.” Isaiah 52:7
The good news of the gospel is that God fiercely loves us and is actively at work reconciling broken systems, relationships, and lives; indeed, all of Creation.”
“God fiercely loves us” is a message for the people around us in our daily lives. Recall the stories of fun, joy-filled activities you so easily share with others which we don’t even think about sharing because to do so has become a delightful habit in our lives. This study on Evangelism helps us to develop equally as delightful habits of discipleship: prayer, generosity, sacraments, worship, teaching, justice, fellowship, and radical welcome. As the Preamble suggests: “Over time these habits change us and offer discernment and guidance for following Jesus through the trials, structures, and systems of our nation and world. These habits enable us to hear God’s voice over all the other voices calling out to be heard. These habits cause our hearts to break over and open to the needs of and hurt in people around us.”
The Preamble and first two lessons were shared in print with those in worship on July 25th . Each Sunday after a Session meeting, the next lesson will be provided in print. Additionally, the full document is not only attached, but also on our website. I invite you to read through this study guide, ponder the questions, consider how small changes can become faithful habits. In the not-too-distant future, I hope to hold in person or online conversations about each of these topics. We are the future of not only the Church of the Cross, but of the faith we hold so dear to our hearts.
For the sake of those who don’t know that ‘God’s fiercely loves us’ please take this study to heart. For we never know when our reaching out will open another's heart to God's fierce love.
Blessings & Joy,
Julie
Greetings COTC Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
As we are all aware, the Delta Covid-19 variant has begun to take hold. Cook County is in the "Substantial" category.
The Guidelines of the Illinois say this... "The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) announced today (7/27) it is fully adopting updated Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) masking recommendations to protect against COVID-19 and the Delta variant. CDC recommends that everyone, including fully vaccinated individuals, wear a mask in public indoor settings in areas with substantial and high transmission. "
Session determined back at the beginning of the pandemic that we would adhere to the CDC Guidelines and expect our facility users to do the same.
Given that we are now in the 'substantial' category, beginning today, masks are required for worship and other indoor gatherings at COTC. Thank you for your patience and understanding as we all work together to contain this new covid variant.
Please click here for the study document put out by the PCUSA entitled, “8 Habits of Evangelism.” Yes, it is about Evangelism.
In June, Session began the study and has committed to spend time with one section each month as different members lead the discussions. As Session was discussing it this past week, it dawned on me that ALL of us need to be engaging in this study. While no plans are in place for that ‘yet,’ Session felt it was a good idea to start sharing the study with you.
As the study’s Preamble reminds us (and please read the Preamble as there is great stuff there)--
“If evangelism is simply a tool to bring more people into our churches, evangelism is not good news. Evangelism is not good news when it is used to focus on one aspect of the faith, like eternal life. Separated from justice, evangelism is bad news. The gospel is meant to bring both hope and restoration to the world. The prophet Isaiah paints a compelling picture with words of those who bring a message of good news:
How beautiful upon the mountains
are the feet of the messenger who announces peace,
who brings good news,
who announces salvation,
who says to Zion, “Your God reigns.” Isaiah 52:7
The good news of the gospel is that God fiercely loves us and is actively at work reconciling broken systems, relationships, and lives; indeed, all of Creation.”
“God fiercely loves us” is a message for the people around us in our daily lives. Recall the stories of fun, joy-filled activities you so easily share with others which we don’t even think about sharing because to do so has become a delightful habit in our lives. This study on Evangelism helps us to develop equally as delightful habits of discipleship: prayer, generosity, sacraments, worship, teaching, justice, fellowship, and radical welcome. As the Preamble suggests: “Over time these habits change us and offer discernment and guidance for following Jesus through the trials, structures, and systems of our nation and world. These habits enable us to hear God’s voice over all the other voices calling out to be heard. These habits cause our hearts to break over and open to the needs of and hurt in people around us.”
The Preamble and first two lessons were shared in print with those in worship on July 25th . Each Sunday after a Session meeting, the next lesson will be provided in print. Additionally, the full document is not only attached, but also on our website. I invite you to read through this study guide, ponder the questions, consider how small changes can become faithful habits. In the not-too-distant future, I hope to hold in person or online conversations about each of these topics. We are the future of not only the Church of the Cross, but of the faith we hold so dear to our hearts.
For the sake of those who don’t know that ‘God’s fiercely loves us’ please take this study to heart. For we never know when our reaching out will open another's heart to God's fierce love.
Blessings & Joy,
Julie
Donations and Pledges
Please consider making a donation or pledge via our online Donate page, or mail in a check to our address listed below. Despite our building being closed due to the pandemic, your donations continue to support the ongoing ministry of COTC which is beginning to take on new opportunities to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ!
In quickly moving times, we are dedicated to ‘walking together’ through these difficult days, so here are a couple of other opportunities to help those in need:
Zoom Gatherings
Connecting in this time of physical distancing is vital to our remaining connected in life giving ways. Zoom Gatherings can be accessed with a computer, a tablet, a smart phone, or by calling in on your regular phone. We gather every week on Tuesdays at 11 am; and Thursdays at 9 am. Contact Pastor Julie for Zoom sign-in information.
Please consider making a donation or pledge via our online Donate page, or mail in a check to our address listed below. Despite our building being closed due to the pandemic, your donations continue to support the ongoing ministry of COTC which is beginning to take on new opportunities to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ!
In quickly moving times, we are dedicated to ‘walking together’ through these difficult days, so here are a couple of other opportunities to help those in need:
- The Schaumburg Senior Barn may be able to help seniors who are in need of food. Their number is: 847-524-7496.
- The Schaumburg Food pantry continues to be in desperate need. Here is how you can help:
- The Schaumburg Food Pantry is taking curbside donations on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9 am to 1 pm. Please take donations directly to their location at: 1 Illinois Blvd, Hoffman Estates, IL 60169
- Donate to the Township Food Pantry through our Amazon wish list! Simply follow this link, order our most needed items and ship them to our building at One Illinois Blvd, Hoffman Estates. Their wish list can be found here: https://amzn.to/2MJXMpk
Zoom Gatherings
Connecting in this time of physical distancing is vital to our remaining connected in life giving ways. Zoom Gatherings can be accessed with a computer, a tablet, a smart phone, or by calling in on your regular phone. We gather every week on Tuesdays at 11 am; and Thursdays at 9 am. Contact Pastor Julie for Zoom sign-in information.
Wednesday Bible Study
We meet every Wednesday at noon. EVERYONE is invited to join us!! Contact Pastor Julie for Zoom sign-in information. Check the schedule to see passages we will be discussing.
