Saturday and Sunday Worship
Our Sunday morning services are held at 9:00 a.m. each Sunday, and utilize the orders of service from the 2006 Lutheran Service Book. We use Divine Service 1, 2, or 3 depending on the season.
Our Saturday evening services are held at 6:00 p.m. each Saturday. These services are smaller and more informal than our Sunday morning services, and utilize a simplified form of the liturgy, with more contemporary hymn arrangements.
Holy Communion is offered on the first and third Sundays of each month, and on the Saturday evenings preceding those Sundays.
CREATIVE COMMONS IMAGE BY BOBOSH_T
The Season of Advent
The word "advent" is from the Latin word for "coming," and as such, describes the "coming" of our Lord Jesus Christ into the flesh. Join us at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday nights the four weeks before Christmas for a fellowship meal, and at 7:00 p.m. for our evening worship during this penitential season as we await the coming of our Lord.
The Season of Lent
Lent is a solemn preparatory season for the Church, as we reflect on both our sinfulness and our Savior's love and grace, shown to us in His Passion. As we reflect on the suffering and death of our Lord on our behalf, we are prepared for the joyous celebration of His resurrection on Easter Day. Join us during the 40 days before Easter on Wednesday nights at 6:00 p.m. for a delicious meal, (there will be no supper on Ash Wednesday however), followed by a Lenten service at 7:00 p.m. The Season of Lent culminates with Holy Week services: Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter.
Our Faith
Cross of Christ is a congregation of the Mid-South District of the Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod. As Lutherans, we accept and teach Bible-based teachings of Martin Luther that inspired the reformation of the Christian Church in the 16th century. The teaching of Luther and the reformers can be summarized in three short phrases: Grace alone, Faith alone, Scripture alone.
We believe that the Bible is the inerrant and inspired Word of God (2 Timothy 3:16). The Bible reveals that all humans are separated from God by our sin (Romans 3:10-20). It also reveals that God became a human being, Jesus of Nazareth, through whom we are forgiven and restored to a right relationship with God (Romans 3:21-28). We call this announcement of forgiveness and reconciliation the Gospel, or Good News.
Our congregation believes the 1580 Book of Concord is a clear explanation of the Scriptures' essential teachings on God, Jesus, salvation, and the Christian life.
Our History
Cross of Christ Lutheran Church, a congregation of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod, was organized on September 22, 1957 with 42 charter members.
The idea of starting a Lutheran Mission in the area north of the river was initiated by a joint endeavor of First Lutheran Church and the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd. A canvas was taken of the Rivermont area, and it was decided to purchase a 7.5-acre tract of land at the corner of Hixson Pike and Meadow Lake Road for a future building site.
The congregation initially worshipped in the Rivermont Elementary School. In 1959, the congregation moved to its present site, dedicating a new sanctuary and education facility to the Glory of God on August 31, 1959. In 1974, a balcony and an additional 6,000 square feet were added to the complex to complete our present facility.
On June 16, 1957, Rev. Roland K. Lemke, a retired U. S. Army Chaplain, was commissioned as Missionary-at-Large for the purpose of establishing a new congregation. On January 6, 1958, Rev. Lemke was called as the first resident Pastor at Cross of Christ Lutheran Church. During his tenure, the congregation incorporated, signed the constitution of the Missouri Synod, built a new church, and established a kindergarten program.
Since its beginning, the congregation has been served by many fine ministers of the Gospel. The Pastors that have served at Cross of Christ are as follows:
Rev. Roland K. Lemke 1957-1959
Rev. Theodore W. Buehner 1960-1963
Rev. Arthur J. Constein 1963-1966
Rev. Paul J. Albers 1967-1979
Rev. Curtis D. Harper 1980-1986
Rev. Edwin E. Doepel, Jr. 1986-1993
Rev. Barry C. Hildebrandt 1994-present
Our congregation continues to grow and flourish. Over the years, our church has grown to more than 315 communicant and 400 baptized members. Future development of facilities, property, and programs are being planned.
There is a high spirit of mission among the members of Cross of Christ Lutheran Church and of service to the Church at large, having sent 10 men into the ministry since 1993. It is a church "on the move," excited about the future and the challenges that God will bring.
Cross of Christ is very active in reaching out with the Good News of Jesus Christ. Besides sponsoring an active ministry to the prison community of Chattanooga, counseling services, an early childhood program, and parochial elementary school opportunities as an affiliate congregation for the Lutheran School, the church also sponsors the broadcast of the Lutheran Hour radio program, food and service programs for the poor, elderly, and homeless, and an aggressive evangelism program of love and service.
We thank God for his many blessings and pray for His continued grace and mercy.