The mission or task which our Lord Jesus Christ has given every church is to make disciples of all nations by the power of the Holy Spirit: Jesus said, All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. So wherever you go, make disciples of all nations: Baptize them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Teach them to do everything I have commanded you. And remember that I am always with you until the end of time. (Gods Word translation).) Trusting in His promise and lovingly responding to His assignment to us, we at Cross are carrying out that mission by His power.

Our experience at Cross has consistently been that we gain far more than we give by our involvement in the Lords mission outside ourselves.

• Adulam Newsletter
• Honduras Mission Trip 2006
• LCMS World Mission – Fiala Oct. 2008 Update
• Rupprecht Mission Update
• Uganda Hope Africa Newsletter | Uganda Hope Africa Website
  
• A minimum of one tenth of Crosss income, both through our general fund and building fund offerings, goes to the Lord for missions or ministries outside Cross itself. Through The Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod Cross supports the Lords mission in over 60 countries. Cross also supports local ministries and missions as well. All the major holiday offerings (Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas) go for outside projects such as foreign missionaries, Hispanic mission congregations in our district, an urban rescue mission, and the local community benefits program.
• Our Lutheran Womens Missionary League supports mission projects in the United States and around the world.
• Crosss budget helps to support one of our members and her family who are missionaries in Moscow, Russia.
• Since 1997 Cross has been in a partnership with the Adulam Christian Orphanage of Lima, Peru. Members of Cross, including staff members, go there and to other parts of Peru several times a year for stays ranging from a few days to a month at a time. Cross members have also gone on short-term and mid-term missions to other areas of the world besides Peru including Alaska, Argentina, Brazil, China, the Czech Republic, Haiti, Hungary, Liberia, Nigeria, and Japan.

The purpose of the Prayer Ministry at Cross is to provide time, space, and assistance for those who would like to affect their lives through prayer. Prayer is the way we communicate with God and it unleashes His power in our lives. You are encouraged to . . .Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances for this is Gods will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16

• PRAYER REQUESTS: You may send us your prayer requests via e-mail to prayers@hiscross.org. You may also place your prayer requests, praises, and thanksgivings in the Prayer Requests box outside of the Chapel. Our Prayer Ministry team will send out these requests to our prayer warriors on the E-Prayer Team. If there is an emergency, please contact the Church Office at 553-7335. As with all of our prayer ministries, complete confidentiality is maintained. They will only be shared, after discussing it with you, and you make the request that the prayer be made public in the Church Bulleting or in the weekend service prayers.
• SUNDAY MORNING PRAYER SUPPORT: Before, during, and after our worship services on Sunday morning,the Prayer Chapel is open for private prayer and meditation. Prayer ministers are also available to pray with and for you , before and after service. The Prayer Chapel is located down the corridor to the right as you enter the main church building.
• SPECIAL PRAYER EVENTS: Special prayer events are occasionally offered through the Prayer Ministry Team. These events might include Prayer Walks, Fast and Pray Days, Prayer Vigils, Prayer Breakfasts, Prayer Services, and the like. We invite your ideas as well as your participation in all such events. Watch the Special Events section of this site for details on upcoming prayer events.

Prayer is a way in which we minister to one another, give thanks and glory to God, and maintain our own relationship with Him. The only thing you need to be a Prayer Minister at Cross is a heart for others and a desire to share Gods love. If you are interested in becoming part of the Prayer Ministry Team you are encouraged to contact Cindy Voiland at cdvoiland@sbcglobal.net.

• Choir Ministry - We are committed to serving God and enhancing worship through music. Choir members need to love to sing and be able to carry a tune. Meets weekly September thru May. Special music performances are presented at Christmas and in Spring. If you are interested contact Brian Jensen, Director of Worship at 630/553-7335 ext 109.
• LWML - The Lutheran Womens Missionary League (LWML), with a membership of over 250,000, is the official womens organization of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. The LWML focuses on affirming each woman in her relationship with Christ to enable her to be in ministry among the people of the world. For 60 years the organization has been encouraging and equipping women to live out their Christian lives in active mission ministries and to financially support global missions.

  The LWML focuses on:

  • Richer Spiritual Living
  • Global Awareness for Ministry
  • Avenues for God-blessed Service

• Thrivent for Lutherans (Merging of Aid Association for Lutheran & Lutheran Brotherhood) - Their mission is "to bring Lutheran people together to pursue quality living through financial security, volunteer action and help for others." Local branches organize fund raisers and service days for people with special needs within the community; our local branch has supplied "matching funds" for various Cross Church fund raisers. Current branch secretary is Beth Thanepohn. Contact the church for more information at 630/553-7335.

• Bible Study for Senior Women: Our ladies group is made up of mature ladies. Our sesssions are ususally in-depth studies of different books of the Bible or related topics. Our sharing, caring and love grows weekly as we all grow older and sometimes frail. We continue to be prayer partners for each other and Cross congregation thru the example of our leader for many years, Elsie Gilbert. Group meets Wednesday mornings from 9:30 - 11:30 AM in the Church Parlor at Cross.
• Bible Study for Seniors: Meets Friday afternoons from 1:00 2:30 PM in the Church Parlor at Cross. We have been using the Faith Lessons on the Promised Land series, but a new study will be starting soon.

• Passages - is a one on one ministry for individuals dealing with rape and sexual abuse. If you need help, you can anonymously contact Margaret at 630-553-6043 for more information.
• Drug and Alcohol Problem Confidential Help available. Call Dave at 815-600-0188
• GriefShare - A support group in which we walk together with people through the grieving process following the loss of a loved one. Using both seminar time and sharing time, this 13 week session will be a place for you to be around people who understand what you are feeling. Contact khardecopf@hiscross.org for complete information.
• Tender Hearts - This adult grief support group is an informal small group that meets in a relaxed atmosphere. For details on place/time, please contacttenderheartgrief@hotmail.com or khardecopf@hiscross.org
• Spectrum: Grief Support for Teenagers - This support group program is offered two times a year for teenagers going through grief – whether a loss of a parent, sibling, family, or friend. More information can be obtained through Steve Riehle-Moeller at 630-553-6043.
• RAINBOWS: Grief Support for Children - This group offers support for children who are processing the loss (through separation, divorce, or death) of a parent or significant person in their life. The time and location of the group vary according to needs. For more information contact Jeanne Leifheit or Diane Johnson through the church at 630/553-7335.
• DivorceCare - Caring group of people gather together for support through one of life's most difficult experiences. This 13 week, seminar based support group gives valuable resources to help deal with the pain of the past and to help look forward to rebuilding your life. Don't go through separation or divorce alone. Contact khardecopf@hiscross.org for complete information.
  Click here - learn more about the upcoming special DivorceCare event on Nov. 18th.
• DivorceCare for Kids - A safe and neutral place for children (5 to 12 years of age) to recognize and learn to share their feelings caused by a separation or divorce. The topics coincide with the DivorceCare for Adults program which combined, is powerful for family healing. Contact khardecopf@hiscross.org for complete information.
• HAPPY (Healthy Attitudes Positive Peers for You) - An informal weekly support group to encourage one another towards healthy living (in body, mind and spirit). Contact khardecopf@hiscross.org for complete information.

Care Ministries at Cross Dec 2006

The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body. Now the body is not made up of one part but of many. In fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. I Corinthians 12:12-27

As part of the Pastoral Staff, the Director of Care Ministries has the privilege to serve in these areas:

• Confidential Hospital, Nursing Home, and Home visits
• Advocate for wholistic health (body, mind, and Spirit) - including resources and/or referrals

Care Ministries available - to aid and opportunities to serve:
Access these ministries through khardecopf@hiscross.org or call the Church Office at (630) 553-7335.

• Bus Ministry Transportation to Sunday Service for those in need in the Yorkville/Plano area
• Monthly blood pressure screening after services
• New Baby Visits a nurse sees new baby & family
• Friendly Card Ministry send a card 4 times/year to a friend
• Friendly Hospital Visiting stop in for a 3 minute hello from church family
• Friendly Visiting Ministry monthly hour visit to a special someone
• Friendly Phone Call Ministry use the telephone to connect with someone
• Food Ministry make and deliver a meal for people in crisis
• Food Pantry non-perishable food items available on site (kitchen cabinets)
• Hometouch Weekly Mailings activity & devotional for seniors
• Church Tape Deliveries available to drop off a church service tape to someone?
• Handyman Ministry people on call to help the widowed, single parents, elderly with minor home maintenance
• Transportation Team be on call to drive people to appointments, treatments, therapy. Able to work around your schedule
• Project Connect/Lutheran Hour Brochures donate money to purchase topical booklets which are available free to anyone (located by church doors)
• Gods Individual Plan Sunday School opportunity designed around child and family who have special learning needs (professional with 25 years of special educational background will meet individually with you prior to class)
• Stephen Ministry one on one confidential ministry, trained Stephen Minister will meet with you weekly during crisis time in your life
• Heart for Horses (by referral only) for children whose heart is hurting
• Comfort Blanket Ministry soft blankets made and given to local hospitals to be used to share Gods Comfort; in baby intensive care units, obstetrics bereavement care for stillborn babies and miscarriages, for kids and adults nearing the end of life
• Disability Day for Cross 4th grade a day when children gain knowledge and understanding from Bethesda Lutheran Home Representative, from people with disabilities, learn how to share that information with younger school children in a learning atmosphere
• Care Bag Ministry a small bag with a couple of goodies to give to children who are hospitalized or have broken a bone
• Kendall County Community Bridges provides tangible assistance such as grocery & gas vouchers in emergencies, as well as information and linkage to community agencies and programs that may be of assistance.
• Meditation Time at Heritage Woods Supportive Living, Yorkville sharing together Gods Word
• Church Services at Heritage Woods Supportive Living and Hillside Nursing Home sharing Gods Word and songs

• DivorceCare
• DivorceCare For Kids
• Grief Share
• Loving Arms Child Care Center
• Lutheran Bible Translators
• Lutheran Child and Family Services of Illinois
• The Lutheran Hour
• Lutheran Womens Missionary League
• Northern Illinois Ministries Ablaze
• Thrivent Financial for Lutherans