Cross of Life is a vibrant, growing, Christian community of faith focused on proclaiming the Gospel of God’s grace to all people.

We are a midsize church with members coming from across the U.S. and around the world. Serving Roswell, Milton, Alpharetta, and surrounding areas, we offer a wide variety of ministries to meet your needs for worship, service, learning, fellowship, and more! We are a congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA).

Mission and Beliefs

Our Mission
To join hands, touch hearts, change lives.

Our Vision
Through God’s unconditional love made known in authentic community, inspiring worship, and meaningful service, we connect with the distracted, disillusioned and detached.

The Heart of the Call
We live in a world of constant distraction from that which is most important, disillusionment with the church and social institutions, detachment from authentic relationships with God, one another, even ourselves.  God’s gifts of unconditional love, constant forgiveness and Christian community meet these needs.  These are gifts that we share through inspiring worship, on-going exploration of faith’s deepest questions and meaningful service.

How We Live Out Our Mission

Authentic Community

Inspiring Worship

Meaningful Service

Worship and Music: The Worship and Music Team oversees all aspects of the worship and music life of the congregation.  The team tends to all of the detailed planning and implementation of worship.  With the chair, they prepare for and implement worship, particularly during the seasons of Advent/Christmas and Lent/Easter.

Adult Ministry: The Adult Ministry Team provides opportunities for adult learning and spiritual growth through a variety of classes (on Sunday mornings and during the week), study groups, retreats, and small groups.

Social Concerns: The Social Concerns Team is responsible for encouraging the congregation to extend Christian compassion and provide service to the community of Cross of Life, our neighborhoods, and to the world in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. The team strengthens existing programs and partnerships and encourages stewardship through donations and participation in missions.

Stewardship: Giving back to God is an act of worship and the Stewardship Team oversees a program by which members of this congregation share time, talent, and financial resources to support the work of Christ through this congregation and through church as a whole.

Children’s Ministry: The Children’s Ministry Team provides programming to teach the Bible, passing on our faith to the next generation, and providing fellowship opportunities for our youngest members. Due to the pandemic and safety concerns, we currently offer Sunday School, First Communion instruction, nursery care, and some outdoor special events.

Parish Care: Parish Care provides care and nurture to the members of the congregation through ministries like the Meals Ministry, Funeral Reception Team, Stephen Ministers, Prayer Team, and the Fellowship Team, which provides fellowship opportunities for the congregation.

Evangelism: The intent of the Evangelism Team is to provide a loving, friendly, and welcoming environment for all people; orient and engage new members into our congregation; provide online worship opportunities, and promote our congregation within the community via advertising, publicity and personal invitation.

Youth Ministry: The Youth Ministry Team provides guidance and support to the Youth of the congregation, encouraging them to:  1) serve and strengthen one another; 2) offer themselves in service, fellowship and leadership to the congregation, the wider church and community; 3) reach out in love and hospitality to other youth; all in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Property: The Property Team sees to the proper maintenance and protection of all property of the congregation, thus allowing Cross of Life to share our facility with the community.

What is a Lutheran?

What is a Lutheran?
First and foremost, a Lutheran is a Christian who has a faith relationship with Jesus Christ, bringing joy, meaning, and peace. Begun by Martin Luther during the Protestant Reformation in the 1500’s, Lutherans make up the 4th largest Christian denomination in the United States. While we value Luther’s contributions to the truth of the Gospel, we do not worship Martin Luther or believe everything he wrote or said — all theology is measured against the timeless truth of Scripture.

Specifically, Lutherans emphasize:

GRACE — We cannot earn God’s love; it is a freely given gift.
FAITH — A faith relationship with Jesus Christ assures us of God’s forgiveness.
WORSHIP — When we worship, when we receive Holy Communion and God’s holy Word, we are strengthened for daily faith and life.
WELCOME — All of God’s diverse children are welcome here.
GROWTH — In response to God’s love, we strive to grow in faith and trust.
SERVICE — We are called to use our resources to care for the needs of others.
MINISTRY OF ALL — In baptism, we are all made ministers of Christ, a calling expressed in daily life.

Perhaps most importantly, Lutherans are Christians who admit they do not have all the answers — only God has all knowledge and certainty.  We explore our faith together, open to questions, fresh perspectives and joyous ways to discover and serve together.  You are welcome to join the journey.

For more information about Martin Luther or about Lutherans visit the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

Joining the church

Becoming a Member

Perhaps you’ve been worshiping with us for a few weeks, months, or even years. How do you become a member at Cross of Life, and how is membership different from attending regularly?

Joining Cross of Life is a statement that you

  • desire to join in partnership in the ministry of the congregation
  • agree with our mission, vision, beliefs and values
  • feel at home in our faith community
  • desire to carry out your personal ministry through the work of this congregation
  • feel this is your church home

How do you make such a decision?

  • Pray, worship with us and see how it feels
  • Explore our ministry through this web site, conversations with others, or with a visit with Pastor Terri
  • If you’d like more information about Lutheranism, come to the What Lutherans Believe classes or send Pastor Terri an email with your specific questions

To formally join Cross of Life:

This information completes our database and parish record.  Additionally, for those transferring membership from a previous congregation, our office will request a letter of transfer on your behalf.

  • Attend the next New Member Orientation sessions.  

Held throughout the year, these sessions give you a chance to meet members of Council, hear of the many ministries at Cross of Life, and give you an opportunity to discern where you wish to invest yourself in ongoing spiritual growth and service.

  • Receive a COL Shepherd who will guide you through the new member process and be a “first friend” at Cross of Life.
  • Join the congregation on New Member Sunday and enjoy a luncheon in your honor.

Contact us for more information on our upcoming New Member Session.