809 West Beverly Boulevard, Montebello, California 90640
Phone: (323) 721-0926
Since Our Last Newsletter

It was one year and four months ago that we sent out our last newsletter. At that time in March, 2005 Emmanuel Henry John was serving as our Sunday morning adult class teacher and preacher at our worship services.

Now we want to share some of the main happenings at Cross and Crown over this long period:
Baptisms:
Nathan Erik, son of Johnny and Sarah Ottesen, was born on December 25, 2004 and received into membership by baptism on March 13, 2005.

Deaths:
One of the founding members of our church, Helga Boe, passed away at the age of 99 ½ on March 8, 2005.

Former member and missionary to Mexico Irma Davis died on July 17, 2005 in McAllen, Texas at the age of 92. Her husband Merrill survives her.

Former members Pauline Emery and Ray Emery both passed away in 2005.

Former member Chuck Miller died on June 9, 2005.

Former member Casey Millick died on October 22, 2005.

Mickey Caughey passed away on February 5, 2006.

Our New Pastor:
In late fall last year our congregation voted to receive Timothy Dean Hansen as our seventh regularly called pastor, and in early January Pastor Timothy and his wife Athista arrived here from Minnesota. He began to serve actively on Sunday, January 15. Then on Monday evening, April 14, he was installed. That was a joyous and blessed event!

Since January Pastor Hansen has been conducting weekly chapel services on Tuesday mornings at the Golden Manor Retirement Center as well as at the Montebello Care Center. He also prays individually for the many needs of these elderly people.

Special Memorable Events these past months:
On Easter Sunday a three-member group of the ministry Covenant Players made a presentation at our festive Easter service. We passed out hundreds of flyers and made many phone calls inviting people to attend.

There were two Mother’s Day celebrations in May. One was on Friday for the preschool teachers, students, and families. The other was on Saturday, the day before Mother’s Day, for the church family. Our special speaker was Mrs. Margaret Luttio, former missionary to Japan.
The church was filled with parents and relatives of the preschool children gathered here for the graduation ceremonies in June.

Mission Work that we support

Jeff and Kathie Dahl are still serving the World Mission Prayer League at the home office in Minneapolis. Jeff is business manager and Kathie also serves part time in the office.

As this letter is being sent out, Bob and Margaret Lee are on their way to Minneapolis, Minnesota as Bob is enrolled at the seminary of the Association of Free Lutheran Churches at Medicine Lake. Their new address is: 3140 E. Medicine Lake Blvd. # B, Plymouth, MN 55441. Their E-mail address is: bobmarglee@gmail.com

Rock Point Navajo Mission in Arizona continues to receive student support from our congregation for Therman Thomas, age 13. He studies at the mission school.

A Call to Prayer

Pastor Hansen has urged all of us to join with him as far as possible in fervent prayer. The church is open for prayer on Tuesdays at noon until 1:00 p.m.; Friday evenings at 7:00 p.m.; and Sunday mornings at 8:00 a.m. We are praying especially for revival, for the transformation of our city of Montebello, and for victory in the war against terrorists.

A New Hispanic Ministry
at Cross and Crown

We expect Spanish services will begin in September with Pastor Jose Castillo and his wife Lilyana. It will be an independent church, free to decide about future affiliation as they think best.

New Study on Islam

Beginning in August, Pastor Hansen will begin a series of studies on Islam in the 9:00 a.m. Sunday morning adult class and 7:00 p.m. Wednesday evening classes.

We welcome one and all to join us in our worship!