Get Involved: Serving at Lutheran Church of the Cross

We are a church community together in worship, fellowship, and service.
Serving is always voluntary—many discover real joy in helping. When you volunteer, you meet people, feel connected, and become a vital part of our church family.

“Be hospitable… serve one another with whatever gift each of you has received… so that God may be glorified in all things through Jesus Christ.” — 1 Peter 4:9–11 (NRSV)

Ready to get involved? Tell us your interests and Tracy Olson will connect you with the right team.

Time & Talent Sign Up

Volunteer Opportunities

  • Contacts:

    Ways to serve: cross Kids Sunday Ministry | Christmas Pageant | Confirmation Guide/Mentor | Youth Worship | Youth Activities/Retreats & Chaperones | Drivers | Prayer Partner (with Youth) | Post-Grad Age Ministry | Summer Stretch | Mission Trips | Trunk or Treat | VBX | Youth Ministry Team

    • Out to Dinner Fellowship — Kate Carlson 218-851-1277, dickate@brainerd.net • Margaret Sommerfeld 218-330-7789, georgesommerfeld@aol.com

    • Golden Girls (Widows’ Lunch) — Pastor Michelle Ruen 218-961-2013, pastormichelle@lccnisswa.org

    • Women in the Word (1st Tue, 10:00am & 7:00pm) — Pastor Michelle (above)

    • Text Study (Wed 8:30am) — Pastor Drew Bakken 218-961-2014, pastordrew@lccnisswa.org

    • Men’s Breakfast (Thu 8:15am, Spot on 371) — Pastor Drew (above)

    • Women’s Weekly (6–7 week study) — Marilyn Quist 614-769-1832, marilynquist@att.net

    • Novel Ideas (Monthly book discussions) — Jean Olson 763-234-9445, LTLTHNDR@gmail.com

    • PrimeTimers (2nd Thu; bring lunch) — Mike & Carol Smith / Bruce & Sherrie Kunkel, carolsmithminn@gmail.com

    • Life Groups — Carol Smith 218-829-8142, carolsmithminn@gmail.com

    • StoneHouse Fridays (Noon, Baxter) — Carol Smith (above)

  • Volunteer roles: Ushers | Greeters | Communion Assistants | Scripture Readers | Worship Coordinators
    Contact: Tracy Olson, Volunteer Coordinator — 763-258-6364 or 218-961-2052, volunteer@lccnisswa.org

    Altar Guild: Prepare altar/communion — Darrell Paske 218-831-4959, dmprdt@msn.com

    Music Ministries:

    • Director of Music: Cathy Taylor 763-607-4282, cathy@lccnisswa.org

    • Worship Band (Wed & some Sundays) | Instrumentalists/Vocalists | Cantors | Special Music

    • Senior Choir (Sept–May) — Mike Smith 218-851-4357, dmcsmith@charter.net

    • Bells of Praise (May–Dec; HS–Adult) — Cheryl Karlgaard 218-839-0542, ckarlgaard51@gmail.com

    • Pick-Up Choir (Summer; arrive 30 min early) — Mike Smith (above)

    • Youth Choir “King’s Kids” (Wed rehearsals; sing 2nd Sundays) — Carol Smith 218-829-8142, carolsmithminn@gmail.com

    • Worship & Music Committee — Sharon Taute 218-330-0881, staute78@gmail.com

    • Coffee Fellowship (Sundays) — Tracy Olson (see above)

    • Creation Care Team — Laura Raedeke 218-963-3877, raedekel@gmail.com

    • Cross Companion Visitation — Pastor Michelle Ruen 218-961-2013, pastormichelle@lccnisswa.org

    • Funeral Committee — Laurie Hemish 218-963-2564, laurie@lccnisswa.org

    • Kitchen Committee — Connie Peterson 612-508-2934, conannpet@yahoo.com

    • Lenten Suppers / Wednesday Suppers Teams — Tracy Olson (above)

    • New Member Committee — Dan & Tracy Olson, volunteer@lccnisswa.org

    • LCC Library — Jean Olson 763-234-9445, LTLTHNDR@gmail.com

    • Memorial Garden & Columbarium — Maureen Schmidt 320-894-2451, schmidtm@nisswa.net

    • Offering Counters — Darrell Paske 218-831-4959, dmprdt@msn.com

    • Office Assistant — Laurie Hemish 218-963-2564, laurie@lccnisswa.org

    • Property Committee (maintenance/landscaping) — Dale Peterson 651-600-7932, daalpe@gmail.com

    • Stewardship Committee — Dean Dalzell 320-380-5045, deananddianedalzell@charter.net

    • Sanctuary Decorating (Christmas & Easter) — Mike Smith 218-851-4357, dmcsmith@charter.net

    • Prayer Chain — Ann Lanz 218-963-2268, knitter73@gmail.com

    • Prayer Shawl Ministry (Mon 1–2pm, Sept–May) — Colleen Both 218-963-4903, johnkboth@aol.com

    • Spring & Fall Rummage Sales — Connie Peterson 612-508-2934, conannpet@yahoo.com

  • Wednesday/Lenten Suppers Teams | Creation Care | Cross Companion Visits | Funeral & Kitchen Committees
    Primary contact: Tracy Olson, Volunteer Coordinator — 763-258-6364 or 218-961-2052, volunteer@lccnisswa.org

    • Sharing Bread Soup Kitchen — Ann Bergin 218-820-5511, georgiabergin@gmail.com

    • Bridge on 7th Overnight Shelter — Bonnie Stevens 218-966-2125, sidelake64@aol.com

    • Operation Sandwich — Bonnie Stevens (above)

    • Mission Outreach (global/social ministries) — Bonnie Stevens (above)

    • Habitat for Humanity — Pastor Michelle Ruen 218-961-2013, pastormichelle@lccnisswa.org

    • Lakes Area Food Shelf — Mary Klang 218-343-2618, klanger@scicable.com

    • Red Cross Blood Drive (Sept) — Erin Strachan 713-826-1493, Estrachan5@yahoo.com

    • Audio/Video & Livestream (Sundays, weddings, funerals, concerts; AV setup) — Pastor Drew Bakken 218-963-2564, pastordrewlcc@gmail.com

    • Computer Resource Center (Tues 9:00am–Noon) — Lyle Amundson 218-765-3100, lmamundson@gmail.com

  • Contact (group lead): Marie Olness 218-234-1205, marie.olness@gmail.com

    What they do: Gather Bible Study • Quilt Ministry • Prayer Shawl • Pill Bottle Ministry • LWR & Global Health Kits • 10:30 Rummage Sale Ministry • ELCA Good Gifts • Christmas Tree of Sharing

    Gather Bible Study: Monthly studies with Gather magazine (copies provided; new members receive a one-year gift subscription).
    Quilt Ministry & “Rippers, Strippers & Rollers”:

    • 1st Wed 9:30am — tie quilts (no experience needed)

    • 3rd Wed 9:30am — prepare cloth bandages for global shipment
      Contact: Margaret Sommerfeld 218-330-7789, georgesommerfeld@aol.com

    Lutheran World Relief / Global Kits: Baby Care, School, Personal Care & Sewing Kits; local school care kits; kit parties.
    Contact: Marie Olness": Phone: 218-234-1205 Email: marie.olness@gmail.com