New to Holy Cross Lutheran Church?

Welcome to Holy Cross Lutheran Church in St. Cloud, MN! If you have questions about our services or what we believe, please scroll down to find more information!

Feel free to contact our church office by using the information at the bottom of the page if you would like to talk with our Pastor.

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What to Expect

Christ-centered worship and biblical preaching
Worship services are Sundays 8:00 AM & 10:30 AM
Sunday School and Bible Study 9:15 AM
Traditional hymns and Liturgical Worship
Our worship is a gathering of the family of God. People of every age are invited to attend!
Children’s message every Sunday service
Communion is served on the first and third Sunday of the month. (Please speak with our pastor before the service if you would like to receive communion.)

Who is Jesus?

We believe that Jesus is the Son of God who was born of the Virgin Mary, and was crucified for our sins. He was raised to life for our salvation. He sits at God’s right hand as king over all the earth. By faith in his name we are saved. Christ will return on the Last Day to judge the earth, those who believe in him will be raised in the flesh to eternal life. He will reign on the throne with his Father on the New Heavens and the New Earth for all eternity.

What We Believe

Holy Cross is a congregation of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod. We believe and confess the three historic creeds of the Christian Church: The Apostles Creed, The Nicene Creed, The Athanasian Creed. As heirs of the Reformation we hold to scripture alone, faith alone, and grace alone.

Scripture Alone

The Word of God is inerrant, infallible, and eternal. It reveals all that God desires for us to know about him and his salvation. Scripture is the sole rule and norm for Christian doctrine.

Grace Alone

The Grace of God is sufficient for our salvation. All who believe in Jesus freely receive full and complete forgiveness for all of their sins.

Faith Alone

We are saved apart from works, but only by faith in his name.

Other Resources

Lutheran Church Missouri Synod Faith and Practice:

https://www.lcms.org/about/beliefs

Book of Concord:

https://bookofconcord.org/

Small Catechism:

https://catechism.cph.org/

Worship

Worship is our response to God’s grace, it is also where we receive his grace through preaching, hearing the Word of God and receiving the sacraments of baptism and the Lord’s Supper.

Meet Our Staff

Who's who in key roles at Holy Cross

Senior Pastor

Zach Hoffman

I have served at Holy Cross since June of 2021. We are blessed to be a part of a community that feels like family! I am most excited for the opportunity to preach the resurrection of the dead, developing leaders for the church, and partner with families and individuals to pass the faith on to the next generation. My wife, Tracie, and I have four kids and a dog. I love hiking, backpacking, reading, and disc golf. We invite you to join us on Sundays to hear the gospel of Jesus Christ and to find a family for your walk with Jesus!

Office Manager

Teri O'Connor

I have been at Holy Cross since November 2009. I am privileged to work with the Outreach and Compassion teams here at Holy Cross along with my other duties in the office. My wonderful husband, Tim, and I have been married since 2000. We have a son, Christian, whose musical talents are amazing. In my free time, I enjoy helping out with Christian's Boy Scout Troop, hosting craft days here at Holy Cross, camping, gardening, and hanging out at the lake.

Youth Director

Renee Bacon

I am blessed to be working with the wonderful youth here at Holy Cross Lutheran Church. I truly enjoy helping our youth grow in their faith in Jesus Christ and feel equipped to face the world outside our church walls. We have fun learning together and bonding in our Christian faith and friendships. My family and I joined Holy Cross Lutheran Church in July 2001 and have felt at home here ever since. My husband, Brad, and I have two wonderful adult children, Chandler and Ciera. Some of my hobbies include spending time with our family, reading, scrapbooking, and walking.

Preschool Teacher & Director

Kim Essington

My husband, Steve, and I have been members of Holy Cross Lutheran Church since 1997. We have been blessed with two children, Scott and Karley. I have enjoyed teaching for Prince of Peace Lutheran Preschool at the Holy Cross site since it began in 2002. I have been the Preschool Director since 2012.

Music Director

Mic Brunner

I have served as the Music Director for Holy Cross since 2023. In this role, I coordinate music for worship services, direct the senior choir, and direct the handbell choir. Music is an integral part of Lutheran worship; Martin Luther said, "Next to the Word of God, music deserves the highest praise. The gift of language combined with the gift of song was given to man that he should proclaim the Word of God through Music." I have bachelor's degrees in music, education, and math, a master's degree in education, and I'm working on my doctorate degree in education as well. I also work in student affairs at St. Cloud State University. I am originally from Prior Lake, MN, and in 2021 my family and I moved to the St. Cloud area. I met my wife Marissa in college (she attended Concordia Wisconsin and I attended Concordia Chicago). We have three wonderful sons, Asher, JP, and Silas.

Head Organist

Joanne Froelke

I’ve always felt blessed to be part of many church congregations, but Holy Cross, officially since 1978, has been home. I was born and raised in my elementary years in Regina, SK, Canada, where my father was a pastor. We moved to Iowa for a few years and then to Pine City, MN, just two days before my freshman year in school. During my junior year, I started dating my future husband, Greg. I attended St. Cloud State University and graduated with an elementary education degree and a music and physical education minor. I taught 6 ½ years with the Rocori Public School system. Our second child was born, and I retired from teaching to help my husband with our business and be a stay-at-home mom. For many years, when our three children were younger, I volunteered to do the music for VBS at Holy Cross. Greg and I were in High School Choir, College Concert Choir, and church choirs all our lives. I currently teach music for K-6 at a private school in St. Augusta two days a week and have for the past 16 yrs. I operate my own piano studio in my home. What a joy it is to help develop budding musicians! I thoroughly enjoy being the head organist at Holy Cross. I’m grateful my parents paid for piano lessons for me starting at age five. I know it was a hardship on a very limited salary. My hobbies are reading, sewing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, and spending time at our cabin in the wilderness with our children and three granddaughters.

Reserve Organist

Nancy Lidberg

Holy Cross has been my home church since my college days at SCSU over 40 years ago. My church music experience started when I was in third grade, playing hymns for Sunday School. For six years and three summers, I played the organ for my small hometown church. Then teaching filled my life, along with being a mom to three wonderful children. Currently, I am involved with music at Holy Cross as a choir member, Sunday School, as well as a small group pianist and reserve organist.

Custodian

Mary Gasser

I have been working as a custodian here at Holy Cross since 2004. My husband Ken and I have a daughter, Jamie, and three wonderful grandchildren, Noah, Ella, and Cree. I enjoy camping, kayaking, card making, and flower gardening, being a master gardener since 2005. I also enjoy volunteering for the preschool classes during the school year.