Crosspointe Community Church

September 2005 E-Newsletter

In this Issue:

From the Pastor

Sermon Series

This Month's Ministry Spotlight

Welcome to Corie Nielson

Happy Birthday to Crosspointe!

Family Forum

C.L.A.S.S.

Metanoia Update

Ukraine Missions Update

DivorceCare Ministry

Upcoming Calendar Dates

LIFE GROUPS = BIBLICAL COMMUNITY

Purpose, Description and Functions of a Life Group

A major focus in September will be helping every Crosspointe member and attender connect (or reconnect) with a Life Group.  The information below conveys why Life Groups are so important to our church and our goals for how they function. They truly are our front-line of ministry and mission.

Connecting and growing in biblical community means sharing common purposes:
 

DISCIPLESHIP (Spiritual Formation)
     As a Life Group, we will annually encourage one another to pursue development in Christ. We will use biblical resources and tools to assist in our discipleship.  We will confess our areas of struggles to one another and set personal goals for our growth in Christ in the year to come. Through the year, we will share our progress and encourage one another monthly in our pursuit of Christ-likeness.

EVANGELISM (Outreach & International Missions)
     As a Life Group, we will commit to pray for at least three “unconnected” families/households from our common circles of influence (or neighborhood).  We will pray together monthly for these individuals/families and their personal request. We will hold one another accountable to prayerfully touch or reach out to these households quarterly.  We desire to win at least one household to Christ each year.

     As an expression of our desire to share Christ with the world, we will adopt and support monthly at least one Mission Partner or Mission Project through increased awareness, commitment to prayer, and communication to the larger body.

FELLOWSHIP (Care & Recreation)
     CARE - The foundation of Biblical Community will be our commitment to care for one another. This will manifest itself in practical help to those in difficult and crisis situations, i.e. hospital or home visits, meal preparation, validation, prayer, referral to resources, etc.

     RECREATION - Life Groups that recreate together will find opportunity for spontaneous and genuine expressions of Christian beliefs, practices and virtues.  Inviting non-believers and unconnected people to these recreational activities can often bridge the gap between isolation and connection.

SERVICE (Volunteering & Extending Compassion)
     As members of the Biblical Community, we will commit ourselves to support the greater Body of Christ at our Church through involvement in ministries such as youth, children, worship, ushers, and greeters. We will gather weekly to celebrate what God is doing throughout the greater Body of Christ at our Church.

     In response to the social needs of our community, we will commit to participating in at least four onsite compassion projects as families through the year.  Monthly, we will select, prepare for, or celebrate our involvement in the compassion project.

WORSHIP (Celebrating)

     As a Life Group, we will worship God by responding to Him in the above ways.  We will also worship by responding in prayer, thanksgiving, celebration and praise as we continually experience who God is and all that God does in and through our group and individual lives.

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SERMON SERIES: GETTING A GRIP ON LIFE

The words below come from two individuals wanting to get a grip on life.  They are good “Christian” people honestly struggling and desperately searching to live with integrity, freedom and passion.

“Lord, I am disappointed and confused with myself and the choices I am making.  I start each day with you (your Word, prayer and journaling) but I end each day living in “the flesh”.  My ways are a contradiction.  My mind is filled with conflicting thoughts.  I go from hope to doubt…from a “let’s get after it” attitude to paralyses.”  

“What I don't understand about myself is that I decide one way, but then I act another, doing things I absolutely despise.  The power of sin within me keeps sabotaging my best intentions…I obviously need help!  I realize that I don't have what it takes.  I can will it, but I can't do it.  I decide to do good, but I don't really do it; I decide not to do bad, but then I do it anyway.  My decisions, such as they are, don't result in actions.  Something has gone wrong deep within me and gets the better of me every time.”

These two experiences are not the exception…they’re the norm.  But when it is what’s going on in “my life” it’s hard to admit.  I mean, “What will people think?”  But the truth is that we all struggle and need help getting a grip on certain aspects of our life.  The second confession above is the words of the apostle Paul recorded in Romans 7.  Don’t think you’re the only one dealing with hurts, hang-ups or habits.  Don’t think that “this is just the way it is” either.  Help comes when we get honest and ask God for His help.

8/21:  FACING DOWN FEAR

8/28:  CONTROLLING ANGER

9/4:  HANDLING DOUBT

9/11:  DEALING WITH DEPRESSION

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A BIG "Thank you" to Scott Feldman & Katherine Lantz (and to all the Parents & Youth Volunteers!) for all you did this Summer!  Crosspointe appreciates your investment of time & your ministry to our students!!!   (See articles below...)

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Six Flags, White Water, camp, Big Time Summer Event, White Water rafting, pool parties, BYBC, party nights, Bible studies, interp, praise team …and the list could go on.  I don’t even think the term “busy” can suffice to describe how cram-packed this summer was.  Before I write anything else, I want to thank the parents for transporting their children in all different directions and helping out at different events.  The time that the students spent together is priceless since it brought them closer to Christ and to each other, and none of this could have happened with out our parent support.

 I’ve avoided writing this “summer summary” article because I hate thinking about the fact that summer is drawing to a close.  Or maybe my default procrastination setting is kicking back in since classes are starting soon.  Whatever the case, I greatly treasure this season that God has allowed me to come back home and serve at the Pointe.  This past summer, I feel like I have gotten a glimpse of what Heaven will be like.  I have seen students reaching out and loving others –both in the church and in the community- through selfless service.  I have seen students laughing ‘til they started crying and running around covered in chocolate syrup and vegetable oil (well, the last one might not be in Heaven, but who knows).  I have seen hearts change and eyes turn toward Christ.  I have seen students with eyes closed, arms raised, and voices crying out as they sang love songs to their Heavenly Daddy.  God has blessed our church with a group of students who are gifted and talented in so many ways, and who are eager to use these gifts to serve Him.  I thank God that He entrusted me with this time to invest in the students.  However, as Scott and I have been telling the youth, the start of school does not need to be the end of the holy excitement and energy that the students experienced the past few months. 

 Thank you, my church family, for allowing me to spend time with the guys and gals of the Pointe.

Blessings,

Katherine

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As a member of the Pointe during High School, I never once imagined that I would return to serve as its pastor for the summer. Imagine my surprise when the opportunity came and the elders asked me to pray about stepping in! I had no idea what to expect, which was probably a good thing, but I knew that God would be faithful in guiding me through the summer.

He definitely was. We all had a great time through the various student activities, like Big Stuf camp, party nights, and the Big Time Summer Event. The best part, however, wasn’t the activities but the people. I treasure the three months I had with such a dynamic and authentic student body. As the summer pressed on, they continually rose to the occasion through their leadership in Bible studies and even the Backyard Bible Clubs. My desire for them was not to be passive recipients of truths and information, but to be active followers of Christ through practical obedience to His commands. I was truly blessed to see them become, “not merely hearers of the word, but doers,” as James wrote.

In addition to the students, adult leadership was essential and extremely valued. Scott Sibley showed me the ropes early on and continued walking with me throughout the summer, making sure I kept my head above water. Katherine Lantz gave over and above her responsibilities as youth intern in every area of involvement. Richard Lee was my “go-to” guy in carrying out activities, as well as a leader of the Pointe praise band. Parents as well gave of their time and resources to help make the summer happen in practical ways.

This summer was a “success” for the Pointe and for Crosspointe not because we accomplished specific goals, which we did. It was a success because the entire church, from students to adults, stepped up to the plate, took responsibility for the Pointe, and worked together to build toward a common purpose:  a student ministry that empowers students to reach their friends for Christ and impact their communities. I’m not sure that we got there by the time I left, but the direction is set and there is intention and movement.

Let these steps be an encouragement to the entire church body as God continues to call Crosspointe beyond intention and into movement toward new areas of Kingdom purpose. Keep living it together for Him!

Blessings,

Scott

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It's a party!

On September 18, Crosspointe will celebrate her 15th year with a birthday party...and you're invited! 

Do you have a favorite Crosspointe memory?  Would you like to share what this church body has meant to you over the years?  We will have a time to share during the 10:45am Worship Celebration.

What party is complete without gifts?  Do you have a special gift (time, ministry, involvement...) that you can give to Crosspointe? 

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Family forums (held on the 1st Wednesday of each month) 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.  Everyone is encouraged to attend.  The next family forum will be held upstairs  (in the Life School Suite 310) on:

September 7 @ 7:00pm

Topics will include:

• Student Ministry - search update

• Missions Dates

• Ministry Opportunities

• LifeGroups

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Take the next step!!!

• CLASS 101 provides attenders with an overview of Crosspointe's structure and beliefs. 
• CLASS 201 reveals the habits of the growing Christian life. 
• CLASS 301 will help you discover your God-given SHAPE for ministry. 

The next CLASS offering will be:

Sunday, September 11, 12pm-2:30pm (Part 1)

Wednesday, September 14, 6:30pm-8:30pm (Part 2)

**Meals and materials will be provided for those that sign up.  Look in your bulletin and on the information card for an opportunity to RSVP for the next offering or call the church office (770-640-9959).

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Dear Crosspointe Family,

Two months ago Kim and I packed up our belongings and headed north. We were immediately greeted with two months of  weather in the 90’s and 100+ heat indexes. The people I have met up here have jokingly accused me of bringing the heat up in our UHaul.

This coming month (September) marks the beginning of the first phase in Metanoia Church plant. I will be forming a “core group” of people and we will begin our planning/strategy gatherings by the end of September. I hope to have a group of 12-24 persons by then. Already, Kim and I are immersing ourselves in the surrounding culture and meeting new persons. Next week (August 29) Kim begins teaching again and I begin working as a part-time barrista in a local coffee shop.

I will begin sending a monthly e-newsletter within the next few weeks. If you are interested in receiving it, please email me at news@metanoiachurch.org (if you are already receiving the prayer updates you will automatically receive the e-newsletter).

Thank you for your steadfast prayer and support of our family and Metanoia Church.

Godspeed,

Adam Feldman

Metanoia Church

P.O. Box 298

Ellicott City, MD 21041

news@metanoiachurch.org

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A point of praise as ministry continues to multiply in the Ukraine…

Yeah God!!!  He continues to work through the ministry of Crosspointe to add to His family:

I just heard from Ura, one of my Ukraine students.  He sends word that 40 children & 6 adults received Christ when they got “In The Race,” during their “Summer Institute” (VBS).

REJOICE!!
This is what we were made for!

Keep Living It!

Tammy Minear

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DivorceCare is non-denominational and features biblical teaching for recovering from divorce and separation.

• When: Tuesdays, 6:00pm-8:45pm

• Where: Crosspointe Community Church (77 E. Crossville Road, Roswell, 30075), 3rd floor in the LifeSchool Suite (310)

• Leaders: Mike & Becky Cowan

• Schedule: 6:00pm-6:30pm Community Supper; 6:45pm-8:45pm Support Group Session

*Participants and their children are welcome to attend the Community Supper.

*Community Supper and Support Group materials are free of charge.

*Childcare provided for children birth - 5th grade.

If you are interested in participating in or supporting this ministry, please contact Becky Cowan at 404-434-5787.

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*Printed copies of the September calendar are available in the lobby.

*Be sure to check the online calendar on the Crosspointe website for any changes & updates.

• Aug. 28 - Budget Q & A, 9:30am

• Aug. 28 - Budget Vote, 10:45am

• Sept. 5 - CCC offices closed for Labor Day

• Sept. 11 - CLASS 101-201-301 (part 1)

• Sept. 14 - CLASS 101-201-301 (part 2)

• Sept. 18 - CCC Birthday Celebration

• Oct. 8 - Roswell Youth Day Parade

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