Feast of the Holy Cross

This year, the Feast of the Holy Cross falls on a Sunday, giving us the opportunity to celebrate this ancient festival in our regular Sunday worship. The Feast of the Holy Cross dates back to the 4th century, when the Church remembered the dedication of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem and the discovery of what was believed to be the True Cross. For centuries, Christians have kept this day as a time to reflect on the paradox of the cross: an instrument of suffering and death that has become, through Christ, the very sign of life and salvation.

In the Lutheran tradition, we don’t often observe this feast day unless it falls on a Sunday—but when it does, it gives us the chance to lift up the centrality of the cross in our faith. As St. Paul reminds us, we preach Christ crucified, for the cross is both the power of God and the wisdom of God. On this day, we pause to remember that the cross is not only a past event but an enduring sign of God’s love, hope, and victory in our lives.

Our Sunday service that day will be particularly solemn and festive in observance of this special feast day. As part of our worship, we invite you to bring a cross from your home or daily life—a wall cross, a necklace, or another personal cross. During the service, a table will be set before the altar where all our crosses will be displayed, and we will offer a special prayer of blessing over them.

Come join us on Sunday, September 14, as we together lift high the cross, the love of Christ proclaimed!