Psalm 100:2
Serve the Lord with Gladness, come into His presence with singing.
The lay leadership of the congregation is critical to the fulfillment of Holy Cross’ mission and ministry. Congregations of the Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod have a congregational form of organization. The maintenance of the property and the administration of the congregation’s treasure are handled by the laity and their elected leaders.
The Pastors of the congregation have been able to devote their time to fulfilling their calls because such functions have been administered by the laity. The Board of Elders exists to provide support and oversight to the Pastors in the fulfillment of their Pastoral duties.
Sometimes, when the congregation faced financial challenges or when natural disasters damaged the physical facilities of the congregation, one can imagine the leaders of the congregation wondering if they were “Serving with Gladness.” With the Lord’s guidance the congregation always moved forward. Consider the challenges that the congregation faced.
The congregation amassed significant long term debt. In the 1940’s, the congregation had a fund raising campaign, “Debt Free in ’43,” to raise needed money. The recent renovations of the church in 2007 were accomplished without incurring debt, due to the generosity of members of the congregation and its friends.
In the late 1940’s the roof of the church was in danger of collapsing, requiring immediate, unplanned restoration. During the 1960’s the church renovations insured that all parts of the church structure were sound, including the use of steel beams.
Lay leadership accomplished more important tasks than maintaining the propertyof Holy Cross. Our Sunday School exists due to the efforts of Robert Steinmeyer, Theodore Kunz, Erwin Wallner, Bob Lehr, “Miss Ruth” Hohenstein, Barb Haeffer, Eva Ross, Sharon Flori, and many others.
One cannot imagine worship without the volunteer efforts of the Altar Guild, the enhancements to the church by the Ladies Aid, or the people who serve as ushers, and those who provide the bulletins.
The Leaders of Holy Cross throughout the years.
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