Congregational Thanksgiving Meal Planned (UPDATED)

A traditional Thanksgiving meal for the entire congregation has been scheduled for Sunday November 14, 2010 at 5:00 pm. Turkey and all the trimmings will be provided. Please sign up if you are planning on attending. Also volunteers are needed for some items and to help serve.

UPDATE: An addition to the evening has been announced. After the meal a concert of special music will be presented. Dawna Walsh and Divine Delay will be the featured performers.

Operation Christmas Child (REMINDER)

The Missions Committee is encouraging everyone to participate once again in the shoe box gift project of Samaritan’s Purse. Boxes and brochures are available at the church.

REMINDER: The filled boxes need to be returned to the church by Sunday November 14, 2010 for a dedication ceremony before they are shipped and distributed.

New Sunday School Class for Women

What's a wife to do? Jan Jaussen will be leading a 6 week Sunday School class for women starting Sunday November 7, 2010. The class will focus on what it means to be a Godly woman. Topics will include respect, contentment, and submission.

New Elder Care Groups Announced

The Elders at Crossroads have an 'Elder Care Group' program to better minister to our growing congregation. By dividing the congregation by last name, each group becomes the special focus of a particular elder. Although all the Elders will continue to minister to the whole congregation, one Elder will be responsible to specifically minister, encourage, help, and be aware of any specific needs you may have. He will also be responsible to keep the other Elders informed of your needs. The Elder assignments shift every year, giving all the Elders an opportunity to become better acquainted with the whole congregation over time.

If you are in need of spiritual care, guidance, or help, feel free to contact your Elder. The desire is to be able to best minister to each and every one of you and to be your servants in the Lord. Please pray for the Elders as they seek to care for Christ's dear sheep as men who must give an account.

After the recent induction of four additional elders, the 'Elder Care Group' assignments have been realigned. Here are the current assignments through the end of 2011:

Pete Keeley	A-B
Chuck Murrin	C-D
Matt Courtney	E-F
Frank Weese	G-H
Todd Jaussen	J-L
Gary Meikle	M
Ron Beil	N-R
Lee Earnhardt	S
Bill Haller	T-Z

New Sunday School Class to Discuss Worldviews

A new class will begin Sunday October 24, 2010 to examine the consistencies of God's creation and His world. Scientists would have us believe that they have all the facts including proof there is no God. However they also have their own worldviews and agendas that affect their ability to interpret the truth. This War of the Worldview -- Science vs. God -- will be the foundation of this class.

How can Christians defend their own worldview? Armed with the information that science has it basis in our creation in God's image, we have no reason to be ashamed of our faith.

This class should be enjoyable, thought provoking, and perhaps a little complicated.

The Good Shepherd Center Needs Your Help

Crossroads has been asked to contribute 130 canned or dried fruit items to The Good Shepherd Center's Christmas Basket program.

Donations will be accepted through Sunday December 12, 2010. Please bring your donations to the church office so we can keep track of what comes in.

We'll Be Ringing the Bells Again

Again this year we will be supporting the Salvation Army's Christmas Kettle Drive by manning the kettle at the Greenville WalMart on Friday December 3, 2010 from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm. Two or more volunteers are needed for each one hour time slot.

The Christmas kettle effort is the Salvation Army's largest fundraising endeavor, accounting for a third of their annual budget.

Please sign up if you are interested in helping support this project.

Quarterly Congregational Meeting

A quarterly congregational meeting has been scheduled for Thursday October 28, 2010 at 7:30 pm. There will be voting on the following: 3 deacon positions (3 year terms each), 1 additional deacon position to fill an unexpired term (2 years), 1 deacon secretary (3 year term), confirming an elder, and the proposed church budget for 2011. Agendas will be made available the Sunday prior to the meeting.

Clothing Drive (UPDATED)

A Clothing Drive will be held on Monday November 1, 2010 from 1:00 pm to 7:00 pm at Crossroads. In order for this drive to be successful, we are asking for donations of clothing. All clothing must be clean and in good condition (no rips or holes). We will accept only clothing, coats, shoes and boots. We are also asking for donations of NEW winter hats and gloves. Undergarments will NOT be accepted. If you have clothing that you would like to donate, please bring the items to the church and give them to Debbie Weese, Margie Haller, Donna Webker, Patsy Savchuk or Barbara Freeman.

UPDATE: A free bag of clothing will be available for each individual that needs help.
Also there will be an opportunity to donate items to be used by the Good Shepherd Center. Items needed include any canned goods, boxed dinners, peanut butter, toilet paper, facial tissues, and paper towels.

Time to Do-Si-Do

Polish your boots and practice your dancing moves because a square dance is planned for Saturday October 30, 2010 at First United Methodist Church in Greenville. The festivities start at 6:00 pm with a fellowship dinner of chili followed and followed by the dancing from 7:00-10:00 pm. Come one, come all!!

Basketball, Anyone?

On Sunday October 10, 2010 the youth would like to invite all who are interested in a game of basketball or volleyball or other games to the church! Their “Sports Challenge” will be from 5:00-6:00 pm, followed by a walk and a lesson. All are welcome! The youth are discussing how to use the talents God created everyone with as well as all of God’s creation to share the Gospel! Please come, fellowship, and play.

Another Lap of Greenville's Amazing Race to Go

The 3rd annual Greenville Amazing Race is going to be held the afternoon of Sunday October 2, 2010. Students in grades 7-12 are eligible to register in teams of four. Please encourage your friends from outside the church as this event is designed for lots of fun as well as outreach.

Please contact Annie Ball for more information.

Note that lots of adult helpers are needed to make this day successful.

Let's Go Camping

Remember that the weekend of September 10-12, 2010 will be our church camping trip for this year. It will be held at Shenango Valley RV Park. Everyone is invited to join us. If you are planning to participate, you must make your own campsite reservation. Please call Shenango Valley RV Park to reserve your spot soon. Be sure they know you are with Crossroads as they have us in a designated area.

Things will kick off Friday with a Fire Circle Sing-a-long at 8:00 pm. Bring your talents and snacks.

Saturday will start with a pancake breakfast at 8:30 am followed by a Bible Study led by Pastor Todd Jaussen at 10:30 am.

At 5:00 pm on Saturday will be the pot luck supper. Even non-campers are encouraged to attend this event. After a time of special music at 7:00 pm, Divine Delay will be in concert at 7:30 pm.

A church service will be held at the campground on Sunday at 9:00 am with Gary Meikle speaking. After the noon pot luck lunch, there will be a planning meeting for next year's weekend followed by a prayer circle to conclude the adventure.

Shoebox Countdown Event

On Saturday September 18, 2010 at 6:00 pm, Greenville Alliance Church invites you to come and hear Operation Christmas Child’s National Spokesperson, Lejla Allison, share her amazing testimony of how a shoe box changed her life in 1993 while growing up in war-torn Bosnia.

“I truly felt blessed,” Lejla said. “I knew that God had answered my prayers. I was so over-whelmed I started to cry. But these were not tears I was used to. This time they were tears of joy. This time I knew it was worthwhile to keep on living. I pray that every one of these boys and girls will know that God loves them the same way. I knew He loved me, because He gave His greatest gift, His only son.”

New Sunday Evening Bible Study Series on Ephesians to Begin

The Sunday evening Bible Study will begin again on Sunday September 12, 2010 with a study of the book of Ephesians. Many have described this book as the mountain top of New Testament truth. Like a mountain peak this book offers an unparalleled views of God's grace and goodness in salvation. We will be held in awe of what grace actually is and how God has poured forth that grace in Christ. It is a honor and privilege to study this book together. Let's open this treasure chest together.

Annual Quilt Fair Coming Soon

The Ladies' Aid will be holding the annual Quilt Fair on Friday October 8, 2010. They are currently seeking donations of craft items and baked goods for the event. All items can be brought to the church by Thursday October 7, 2010.

Delicious homemade beef-vegetable soup, sandwiches, and homemade pies will be available for lunch. The soup can be purchased by the quart for takeout.

Remember to bring your beautiful quilts for display.

2011 Budget Process Beginning (REMINDER)

The budget formation process for the calendar year 2011 has begun. Ministry leaders, please check your church mailbox for the Budget Request Form that you will need to fill out and submit to the church office by Sunday September 12, 2010.

Attention Young Women and Moms

We’re beginning our Growing Pains Bible Study again on Thursday September 2, 2010. This is a group of young moms, moms of preschoolers, expecting moms, or just young women in need of fellowship, encouragement, and a challenging Bible Study group! This fall we are studying and reading through Lies Women Believe by Nancy Leigh DeMoss. Please come, invite your friends, invite other moms you think are in need of the support. We’ll meet every Thursday from 10:00—11:00 am at the church.

Also, we will need one or more people to help watch the little ones while the Bible Study meets. For more information, please contact Annie Ball.

Ordination of Elders

On Sunday August 22, 2010 we have the great joy of ordaining four men to the eldership. As these men begin their ministry among us as shepherds and pastors, please support them in prayer and with your encouragements. The men are Ron Beil, Matt Courtney, Lee Earnhardt and Frank Weese. We thank God for blessing this church with such godly leaders.

Prayer for Schools

On Tuesday evening August 24, 2010 there will be a Prayer for the Schools gathering. Believers from around our community will meet to pray for God’s blessings of safety and help for the students, teachers, and administration of our schools during the upcoming school year. The service will be at 7:00 pm at Fresh Grounds and all are encouraged to attend.