A custom which dates back to 1880 and continues today is the gift of a brown bag with nuts, candy and an orange is given to each child after the Christmas Eve services. The Board of Education oversees this project.

The Christmas tree is a tall, fragrant cedar from one of the neighboring farmers. Before 1941, the tree stood in front of the high, raised pulpit on the south side of the church. Now it is placed to the north of the pulpit.

Before electricity, the Christmas tree was lit with wax candles. Small metal candleholders were attached to the ends of the branches to keep the candles in place. A man or two were stationed by the tree to ensure that the candles did not ignite the tree and extinguish candles after services.

The Christmas tree was invented in 1910. However, electricity was not available in Wartburg until 1927, when the church bought a dynamo to power the church, school, pastorage and teacherage. In 1938, Illinois Power Company built the power lines through Wartburg. After electricity as installed, colored light bulb strands were used to decorate the tree. For many years, it was customary to have solid strands of blue lights along with the multi-colored strands. During the singing of "Silent Night", the multi-colored strands were disconnected, leaving the blue lights burning. The sight was breathtaking.

The Christmas tree started to be decorated with handmade ornaments in 1972. These ornaments were made by the Ladies Aid.

Until 1946, Holy Cross celebrated "Second Christmas Day" on December 26.

From time to time, the pastor took several children with him to carol to some of the shut-in members of the congregation. Currently, this has been undertaken by the AAL/LB branch.

Each year the church has a Nativity scene on the hillside in front of the church.

The first known Candlelight Christmas Eve Service was conducted in 1990.

1970 seems to be the first time that an Advent wreath was lit in the church. It had a white Christ candle surrounded by three purple and one pink candle. The first known wreath was arranged on the altar. In 1974 the wreath was placed on a center table in the aisle.

Advent 1979 saw a new, hanging, Advent wreath. The candles surrounding the Christ candle were purple and blue. The new wreath was given by the Sunday School in memory of Michael Dann.

The "old rugged cross" is set up in church during Lent. On Easter morning the cross is surrounded by Easter lilies.

A sunrise service is held at Camp Wartburg on Easter morning. It is attended by parishioners from Holy Cross and Immanuel, Waterloo.

The Lord's Supper was celebrated four times a year (Easter, Pentecost, Trinity, Christmas) and then six times a year. In April 1958, communion was offered once a month. In May 1973, it was voted to give members the opportunity to take communion twice a month and on special occasions. Members were required to "announce" their intention to partake in communion to the pastor, usually two days before communion was held. About 1963, communion cards were made available. This made the "announcement" an optional process.

In October 1978 the individual cups were purchased. It was voted to use individual cups once a month and the chalice once a month.

Prior to 1922, the congregation knelt at the altar to take communion. Although kneeling racks were installed when the chancel was added, they have never been used on a regular basis.

In July 1888, the voters passed a resolution to rise for the Lord's Prayer.

The custom was for the men and boys to sit on the south side of the sanctuary while the women and girls sat on the north side. In 1945, members were encouraged to sit as families.

The balcony seating was used only by male members of the congregation before 1946.

The bells were rung at various intervals before worship. They also rang at the beginning of worship. During the service, it is rang during the recitation of the Lord's Prayer. On New Year's Eve, it was rung before and after midnight. Upon a death, the bells would be tolled the day before the funeral. On the day of the funeral, they would be rung while the cortege made its way to the cemetery.

Live or cut flowers are now placed on the altar except during Good Friday and Lenten services. Before 1941, the flowers displayed were artificial. They were arranged in a China vase and a glass dome was placed over it. One stood on either side of the cross. The vases are now displayed in the display cases. Members state that when the altar was placed in the new chancel, the dome arrangements were replaced by the new brass vases.