Holy Cross Evangelical Lutheran Congregation

Welcome to Holy Cross, a member congregation of The Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod. Our pastor is the Rev. Walter P. Snyder. You are welcome to phone Holy Cross at 660-463-7869 or email us for more information. Even before you visit, we invite you to come inside and take a look around.

Holy Cross is easy to find. We're located about half-way between Kansas City and Columbia, Missouri on Interstate 70. We're less than a quarter mile south of the Emma exit (#62) on the interstate. We welcome guests to our services.

We follow the Biblical practice of closed Communion. Thus we ask that our guests please check ahead and then meet with Pastor Snyder before services. Normally, members of LCMS congregations are welcome to partake, as are people from churches in fellowship with the LCMS. Currently, the Lord's Supper is celebrated on the first two Sundays of each month, as well as on the major festivals of the Church Year. Our primary hymnal is Lutheran Worship, but we also use The Lutheran Hymnal and the new Hymnal Supplement 98 in some of our services. After years of service as organist, Mr. Ken Fuchs retired. Mrs. Michelle Williams and Mrs. Stephanie Snyder now share the duty. Mrs. Williams also acts as the choir director.

Sunday Divine Service Begins at 9:00 A.M. Midweek services are held during Advent and Lent and for special celebrations such as Ascension Day. For more information, here is our calendar of events.

Sunday School and Adult Bible Classes begin at 10:15 a.m.

Tuesday Bible Study begins at 10:00 a.m. except when Pastor's schedule interferes.

A Men's Bible Study meets at 7:00 a.m. each Thursday at Saint Paul Lutheran High School, just west of here in Concordia, Missouri. Adult Instruction Classes meet as needed in order to teach Christian doctrine in preparation for receiving the Lord's body and blood at our altar in Holy Communion.

Pastor Snyder has regular morning hours at church Tuesday through Thursday. Other times and days may be scheduled. He offers communion announcement and Holy Absolution by request.

Our Men's Club is involved with the Lutheran Laymen's League. They help to sponsor Lutheran Hour Ministries. Our women's organization is the Dorcas Society. They are part of the Lutheran Women's Missionary League. Holy Cross youth activites run from the fifth grade through high school.

Holy Cross Lutheran Day School

Holy Cross Lutheran School runs from Pre-K through 8th grade. Its dedicated teachers strive for both academic excellence and to instill the love of the Lord Jesus Christ in each of their students. Religion is not an "add-on" at Holy Cross. Rather, it is an integral part of the lives of all the students. During their seventh and eighth grade years, the students are given in-depth catechetical instruction by the pastor, in preparation for receiving the Lord's Supper.

In addition to religious and academic pursuits, Holy Cross offers involvement in a variety of interscholastic sports, as well as helping to nurture the physical well-being of its students through regular physical education classes and recess time. A new multi-purpose building houses a gymnasium, as well as new office and special meeting space.

The school participates in the federal School Lunch Program. Students are drawn from a radius of about 15 to 20 miles, mainly from Lafayette and Saline counties. However, some have come from Pettis and Johnson counties.

The option for continuing a Christian education is easily available to Holy Cross graduates. While some enter either the Sweet Springs or Concordia high schools, others choose to attend Saint Paul Lutheran High School in Concordia. Here, they are challenged academically while being nurtured in the Christian Faith. Holy Cross is in an association with St. Paul High, which not only serves the area but also, as a boarding school, has students from numerous states and foreign countries. Mr. William Gasau, a member of Holy Cross, is also chief musical instructor at St. Paul. In that capacity, he leads the Singing Saints choir, which has gained national renown.