Crosspointe Community Church

Crosspointe Community Church December 2004 E-Newsletter


From the Pastor: "Making Room for Life"
	Life often feels like we’re running on a hamster’s wheel – lots of motion with very little meaning. Time is consumed at the fast-food window and buried under work. There’s hardly enough time to sleep, let alone connect with coworkers, church friends, neighbors, family members, sports buddies… Is this frantic treadmill really God’s idea of what our lives and relationships should look like? We will kick off 2005 with a new series of messages based on Randy Frazee's book, "Making Room for Life" that exposes the chaos and pressure of “normal” living and points toward a better life where community and church are authentic, rich, and as close as the neighbors on your street. *"Making Room for Life"* Sunday Morning Messages - 10:45am JAN 2: A FULFILLING WAY TO LIVE JAN 9: SQUEEZING LIVING OUT OF LIFE JAN 16: RESTRUCTURING RELATIONSHIPS AND TIME JAN 23: OVERCOMING BAD HABITS AND MYTHS JAN 30: YOU CAN DO IT!

Children's Christmas Program
	"Sing a Song of Christmas" Join us for one of Crosspointe's Holiday Highlights! Sunday, December 19, 2004 at 10:45am in the Worship Center

Crosspointe Family Forums
	Family forums are a time for Crosspointe to come together as a church family to share experiences and insights and also to pray for church-wide concerns. The next family forums will be held upstairs (Life School Suite 310) on: January 5 @ 7pm January 26 @ 7pm

Winter 2004-2005 Adult Bible Classes - Sundays, January ?? - February? ??
	Click here to register for these classes. Registration is required to secure study guides for each participant.

World Missions Update: Clarence & Peggy Ledford
	Dear Friend, CROATIA: We had 10 days of ministry and attended the regional mission meeting in Croatia. It was our privilege to participate with our dear friend Anita Valjak who ministers with Hope for Life in Croatia. Besides attending the regional meeting we had 8 counseling sessions, I (Clarence) preached three times and we shared with 4 young men addicted to drugs. Here are some highlights. M. is a 19 year old who is the daughter of a lady Croatian judge. She has been addicted to drugs since age 13. It was our privilege to meet with her and to participate sharing the gospel with her. She prayed to receive Christ as Savior. A few days later she sent the message, “this Jesus thing seems to be working.” V. is a lady Croatian judge. She is a former Catholic who had a 14 year affair with a Catholic priest. Through studying the scriptures to write his sermons for him she met the Savior. Of course that stopped the affair and she is no longer Catholic. She has written a book detailing her journey of coming to know Christ. She still has a lot of forgiveness issues to deal with and lots of wounds that need healing. CHRISTIAN REHAB CENTER: We shared lunch with 4 young men addicted to drugs. Then I shared how I came to know Christ as Savior and my journey into intimacy with Him. These 4 have now completed their stay at the center. Anita continues to minister to them through Hope for Life. One of them just prayed to receive Christ as Savior. UKRAINE: We just completed two weeks of training at the Bible school in Dnepropetrovsk. The first week was the Grace Life Conference with 28 people attending. The second week was our Advanced Training with 18 people participating. It was a real blessing to see the “eyes” of their hearts being opened to truth. God wonderfully impacted lives. On the last day we were there the students asked the school director (Canadian) to call us. They said, “we have tried to express our appreciation to them through an interpreter. We don’t feel that was adequate. Would you talk to them in their heart language (English) just to express adequately how much we appreciate the Lord’s ministry through them to us.” Here are some statements regarding the training. School Director: The best two weeks ever. It also impacted my life. Missionary: The whole city is talking about Jesus! Lady: I have 3 births. One was physical, the next was spiritual and now I am born into grace! BOOK TRANSLATION: We have just received permission to translate the book “The Rest of the Gospel. ” We have permission to translate this into Russian and Ukrainian. THANKSGIVING SEASON: We thank God for His personal provision and the privilege of seeing the Lord do mighty things in lives and in the furtherance of His kingdom. You have participated in each activity that we have been involved in. This has been by far our most fruitful year in Eastern Europe. Thank you for your partnership and participation with Him and us! CHRISTMAS GREETINGS: From our heart to yours, may each of us experience the Joy of the Lord as we celebrate Him this season and forever! In His love and grace, Clarence and Peggy Ledford

C.L.A.S.S. 101
	Take the next step in the journey! CLASS 101 provides attenders with an overview of Crosspointe's structure and beliefs. The next offering of this 2-part series will be immediately following the worship services on Sunday, January 23 (part 1) and Sunday, January 30 (part 2). Lunches will be provided for those that sign up. Look in your bulletin and on the information card for an opportunity to RSVP.

Student Ministry News
What's Up at:	Merry Christmas!!! This has been a great fall for us at the POINTE. I am looking forward to where God is taking us. I just want to remind students and parents about our Winter Retreat and summer camp. Our winter retreat is January 14-17 at Shocco Springs Retreat Center in Alabama. The cost is $135 and is due January 9^th. This summer we are going back to Big Stuf Camp. The cost for camp is $275 and a $50 deposit is due January 9^th as well. I hope everyone has great Holiday. Remember to make a difference in someone’s life this Christmas. Key Dates December 4^th- Student Leader Christmas Party Demeber 8^th- Yall Meeting December 12^th- Youth Christmas Party December 25^th- Jesus B-Day Christmas Outreach This Christmas each of our youth small groups are doing a special Christmas outreach. We are doing the $20 outreach experiment. Each group has is given $20 to perform an mission project for someone this Christmas. If you know of anyone we could help please let us know. No revolution in December Start back January 9^th w/ *Fear Factor*

Prayer Happenings
	Can you give some time each week to pray by name, those that do not have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ? Would you consider praying by name, our weekly guests as they seek God's will for a church home? Contact Marsha in the office for more information. Call 770-640-9959 or email at: marsha@crosspointeonline.org

Upcoming Holiday Dates & Events
	December 4 Decorate the Worship Center for the Holidays December 5 Annual Christmas Banquet December 9 Truly Ornamental Evening (*please note new date) December 11 Caroling at Crabapple Pointe Subdivision December 12 Youth Christmas Party December 19 Children's Christmas Program - 10:45am December 24 Christmas Eve Service December 25 Christmas Day December 27 Crosspointe offices closed for holidays December 28 Crosspointe offices closed for holidays December 31 New Year's Eve - Crosspointe offices closed for holidays

Caroling @ Crabapple Pointe
	Put on your jackets and warm up your vocal cords because Crosspointe is going caroling! Saturday, December 11^th, we will meet at the church building at 6:15 to practice a few old favorites before going next door to serenade our neighbors in Crabapple Pointe. If you are interested in taking part, then please contact Scott Feldman by phone or email by Dec 8^th. See you there!

Truly Ornamental Evening - Date Rescheduled
	Due a death in our host, Marsha Feldman's, family, the "Truly Ornamental Evening" has been rescheduled for Thursday, December 9. A note from Marsha: I do hope those that had a previous conflict will now be able to come. Please remember not to come empty handed......bring someone with you, an appetizer to share and wrapped ornament to swap. This is a wonderful opportunity to "get with the girls" for some holiday cheer. Use the information card on Sunday to sign up if you haven't before or call the church office (770-640-9959). Thank you for your understanding and your prayers. I look forward to seeing all of you next week (Thursday December 9th at 7pm) at my home, 425 State Street. -Marsha Feldman

Lower Parking Lot Restrictions
	Please do not park in the lower parking lot (the office park beside the church). They have recently changed ownership, and we have received notice that all cars will be towed if not there for business pertaining to their tenants. Thank you for your cooperation.