By: Marcy Serby

When I was a child my father was an alcoholic, so things were rather chaotic in my home. We didn’t experience much love or kindness. God was certainly never a part of our young lives. My brothers and I loved Sunday mornings though, because on Sundays our family did something fun like bowling or putter golf. My Lutheran friend Christi didn’t get to do anything fun because she had to go to church – every Sunday!

When I was 8 or 9 years old Christi brought me to Vacation Bible School at her church. I cannot tell you one thing that we talked about, one craft we made, or one song that we sang; but I remember feeling “different” and “safe” when I was with this group of Christians, and I remember loving to hear stories about Jesus. I was so disappointed when the week was over because VBS was like a flashlight in my dark world.

“I was the kid VBS was made for.”

Fall came and Christi invited me to Pioneer Girls at her church on Wednesday nights. Yes, over 50 years ago a Lutheran church had Wednesday night programs. I guess some things never change. I was excited to hear the Bible stories and again felt different when I was at church.

Fast forward another year or two, and I asked my parents if they would drive me to church on Sundays. They enrolled me in a Sunday School at a church I had never been to, and I went to church and Sunday School by myself. They never walked inside that church.

Vacation Bible School and Pioneer Clubs played a major role in introducing me to Jesus – and for that I will forever be grateful. I will also always be grateful to Christi, whose initials are on the Ripple Effect banner in our sanctuary. 

“I am a life that was changed by the grace of God through prayer, VBS and Pioneer Clubs; and I am so thankful there were people to shine their light on Jesus so I could see Him.”

By: Jeff Cluver

Last Friday I had the sincere pleasure of sitting in on the Affirmation conversations here at Holy Cross Lutheran Church. Listening to these young people talking about their faith journeys took me back to when I was a young man, and I couldn’t help but compare their statements to what I would have said when I was their age. You see, back then I was just checking off the boxes. I grew up in the LCMS. I got baptized (check), I went to Sunday school and church (check), I went to Saturday school and VBS in the summers (check), and I completed Confirmation (check). All my boxes got checked; I was done. It wasn’t that I didn’t believe; it just took me until I was in my early twenties to finally acknowledged Jesus in my heart as my Savior.

Like me at that age, some of these young people were timid and shy, never looking up from their papers and only answering questions when directly asked. Unlike me at that age, some of them were bold in their statements and confident in the love that their Savior has for them. Some were honest with us and themselves that they are still struggling with what it is that they believe exactly. But all of them confessed with their lips that Jesus is the Lord of their life and the one to whom they turn to in times of trouble.

These are some examples of statements that touched me deeply:

“When I am sad, my tears are His.”

“Being confirmed will help me thrive in my journey with God.”

“Jesus needs me and I need Him.”

“I know that my faith will blossom into something great.”

and my favorite is, “He is crazy in love with us.”

These examples clearly showed me that these Confirmands understand that they aren’t “done,” that learning about Jesus is a life-long journey and that there is more to it; that we respond to His love for us. They understand that He has plans for us to spread His love to a world that desperately needs Him. Most of all, it shows me that they understand just how much Jesus loves them, that He is crazy in love with us and holds our tears in His hands.

I invite you all to pray with me for these young people, that they continue to grow in their faith journey, that they would trust in God’s plans for their lives, and that they fearlessly spread the love of Christ to those around them all to the glory of God. Amen.

By: DCE Intern Bradley Asmus

Dear Holy Cross,

I would like to tell you how I have seen the Holy Spirit at work here at Holy Cross during my internship this past year. And yes, it has been a year already!

Starting with VBS last year, I got to see a VBS more wonderful than I’ve seen before, one that digs deep into the lesson as well as makes you feel like you are actually in Rome. Seeing the kids smiling and the leaders dancing and singing to the band brought joy to my heart knowing that God was at work through all of us helping there. There is just something about VBS—with the kids, helpers, and God—that brings kids to God and strengthens their faith.

My first impression of Holy Cross was such a wonderful experience, with many of you coming up to me and introducing yourself. You all provided me with food for the first few weeks, and you always provided me with prayers, smiles, and accountability. You all have been a blessing in so many ways, beyond what I have already mentioned. You have such a big heart for people, and it is such a blessing to many people, including me. By showing love and volunteering, you helped show me what a loving congregation looks like.

The San Diego Mission Trip was a wonderful experience, and it was interesting to go as an adult, not a youth. I know God worked through the kids I helped with at the Day Camp/VBS while there. The love and kindness they showed us was amazing, but even more amazing was what I saw through the youth that came on the trip. I saw such joy on their faces when talking about the different things they helped with and about how one group chose to help more instead of relaxing when the person in charge said they could. I also observed youth helping youth, youth writing letters to support those serving overseas, as well as youth simply being inclusive. God was at work through all of them, and it was wonderful.

I had the honor and privilege of going on the Men’s Retreat, too, and it was one of the main highlights of my time here. I wish I could go every year! To see men of all ages pushing themselves was a wonderful thing. Some men did a lot of sitting, hiking, and devotions, while others did every activity available. With that said, every man there showed respect firstly to God, then to everyone else.

It was a time of pushing yourself past your comfort zone as well as learning new things. I went on the ropes course and did the Leap of Faith, which made me use my balance at a time I was trembling with fear—but I managed to get up after a minute of heavy breathing. I also rappelled a wall over a hundred feet tall, and I only cried for a few seconds. Both experiences were possible through the encouragement of men and the helpers, most whom I didn’t know before the Men’s Retreat but recognized when I got back. There also was the Close Quarter Combat, which helped me learn how to treat a situation if there was a home invasion.

It was such a blessing to have Pastor Jeffrey there as our main speaker. He helped keep us focused on God through the verses in Ezekiel 37:1-14. There was much discussion on how to be a man for God, and I learned a lot about how to be a husband (hopefully to the woman in Minnesota I’m dating) and how to be a father (hopefully not for a few years). If you haven’t gone in the past, I highly encourage you to due to the fellowship of men from different places in Colorado as well as the spiritual depth you get from the speaker, events, and devotions.

The Peak Conference was held here at Holy Cross, and it was an amazing experience. It was professionally organized and executed yet felt nice because it was about the church and how to apply it to our ministry. I got to meet many different people from around Colorado, and it was great to learn things I’ll be able to apply down the road. The atmosphere was God centered and open to learning. It was such a great experience learning and hearing impactful speakers.

You all had a very big heart in showing God’s love by opening your church for the Fall Festival that welcomed over 1,000 people from the community. Through sharing Martin Luther, God and how He works, plus providing a safe way of getting candy and providing fun games, Holy Cross showed God’s love to a community that needs God’s love. Thank you to all who participated and volunteered. It was a lot of people, and it was only because of you that the event was able to touch so many people in a loving way.

The Children’s Christmas Program was a wonderful time and a blessing to be part of. I had fun working with the kids to stay organized in the midst of a skit and singing together with actions. It was amazing to see how God works through kids through a simple Christmas Program—that is not so simple to do. Many people worked to make it happen, and that is an amazing blessing.

The Easter Encounter was a blessing in my heart, also, because I learned how to plan a family event for the congregation and because I got to see a lot of happy kids. I saw God at work through the volunteers that signed up, as well as a number of volunteers who showed up without signing up! It was a blessing to have so much help for kids and families. I think the place I saw God at work most was through the youth that volunteered for the drama. They did a truly amazing job, and God was definitely working through the law and gospel they shared through their skit.

I also was blessed to teach a variety of classes to a variety of ages. Through teaching the seventh grade Affirmation, I learned seventh-graders are weird and quirky but amazing youth to teach. I had a blast teaching them and asking questions, and it was a blessing how they took it seriously and asked some heartfelt questions that applied to their lives. Teaching the high school students taught me it is best to teach from the heart, even if it isn’t your favorite material to teach. As far as teaching the adults, I have never been more scared in my life than when I learned I had to teach an adult class of 50 people. With that said, I learned so much through it. Believe me when I say what I never thought I would say, that I truly enjoyed it and had fun! As much as I learned through the prep for the lesson, I saw God at work through your answers to the questions and sharing your life experiences when it may have seemed I had no clue what I was teaching. You all provided me with an amazing experience to be involved with, learn from, and grow from, not just mentally, but spiritually.

The staff has been a blessing for their love, forgiveness, honesty, and for living out their faith through their work. I have been part of and worked with around six churches, and this is the best staff I have seen, experienced, and worked with. The fact they are not afraid to speak their minds or disagree is not that common, and Holy Cross has that, in a respectful way. They do their best to be clear on what is going on, and they work together very well. Even in the LMT meetings, I was allowed to give my opinions and suggestions on things, and they took them to heart. I am honored to have been part of it.

I also sat in on the Board of Lay Ministry for the past year and have not seen a better board filled with love for God. The fact the majority of them are there the majority of the time is something Holy Cross shouldn’t take for granted. They take being leaders and being elected seriously. They care about the topics brought up and stay focused on God through what is going on. It helps there are different personalities with differing opinions on the board because it helps solve problems in a better, holistic way. As with the LMT meetings, the Board of Lay Ministry allowed me to express my options and suggestions, and I was listened to. It was a blessing to be part of this group and experience all the meetings.

There are many more things I could write about, but I will spare you the time. Please know you all have a place in my heart, and I appreciate the time and effort you put into me. It has not gone unnoticed. Thank you for all you have done for me. Your prayers, your time, your homes, and your hearts have been a blessing to me, and please know I have taken it all to heart. You have been like Christ to me, one who hasn’t deserved it but you blessed me with it anyway. I have seen God at work through all of you in the little things such as a hug or smile, a conversation or joke, spending time with me, or inviting me to something. You have showered me with love, forgiveness, your time, your patience, and your church home. In the things I have done right as well as the things I have failed at, you helped me learn from it all.
For all of that and much more, I am beyond grateful. I have seen God at work through all you’ve shown me as well as all you show each other and people in your community.

Thank you Holy Cross for all you have done, do, and will continue to do,

Blessings on your days, your weeks, and your lives,

Bradley Clifford Asmus