New Sunday School Class Offerings

New Sunday School classes will start on January 21, 2018. Classes being offered are:

• Church History in Plain Language, led by Pete Keeley. There's an old English proverb that says "You don't know where you're going until you know where you've been." When it comes to church history there can be a lot of truth in this old adage. Understanding church history gives us a proper perspective of the course the church is chartering, and allows us to see where we as followers of Christ fit in. Having a good grasp of church history is like have a good grasp of your family heritage. If your family's heritage is rooted in America's old west you probably wouldn't want to show up at the family hoedown dressed in a powdered wig and French silk gown. Why are we Protestants and not Roman Catholic? Where do Eastern Orthodox fit in? Are they really just Protestants like us? Who determined what books should be in the Bible? What's the Reformation and is it important? These are only a few of the many questions we will explore over the next year.


• Westminster Shorter Catechism, led by Scott Graubard. This class began three years ago aimed at exploring our doctrine. Doctrine sounds scary. It simply means that we decided to explore what the Bible says and why we confidently believe what we believe. We began with an in-depth study of the London Baptist Confession of 1689 and have since embarked on a study of the Westminster Shorter Catechism (Baptist Version). The format of the group encourages frank and open discussion. And while the topics are deep, one does not have to be a theologian to participate.


• Understanding the Place of the Law of God in the Life of the New Covenant Believer, led by Todd Jaussen. This course will be an extension of Grace School of Ministry and previous attendance is not a prerequisite for this session. This will be an in-depth study of an important issue that has challenged the church since its beginning. How are Christians to relate to the many commands of the Old Testament such as circumcision, the dietary laws, the Sabbath celebrations, and the moral commands? What did Jesus teach His followers? How did Paul and the other apostles approach this issue? What happened when the Gentiles began entering the church? What are the implications of this for us today? How does this study impact the great moral debates of our days? There will be weekly homework assignments to prepare for our discussions.


• Twelve Extraordinary Women, led by Stephanie Russo, Jodi Kendra, and Deb Weese. Celebrated for their courage, vision, hospitality, and spiritual giftedness, it's no wonder women were so important to God's plan revealed in the Old and New Testaments. It wasn't their natural qualities that made these women extraordinary but the power of the one true God whom they worshiped and served. Their struggles and temptations are the same trials face by all believers of all ages. These women were not ancillary to His plan - they were the very heart of it. As we discuss the remarkable ways God worked in these twelve women's lives, we will be able to look inside ourselves to see how God has shaped us as Godly women.


• Children's Sunday School classes will continue.

Nursery will be available.

Adult Sunday School classes begin at 9:00 am while the children's class start at 8:45 am.

Jr. Church Kids Hosting Fall Bash

On Sunday October 29, 2017 the Jr. Church kid's will be hosting a Fall Bash starting at 12:00 noon. Everyone is invited. Lunch of soup and salad will be provided. Lots of games, fun activities, and a hayride will follow.

VBS is Coming!

The 2017 edition of Vacation Bible School will address the question based on Acts 17:22-31: Who is this God, and what does He want from me? It will take place July 24-28, 2017 at Crossroads. Fun, games, snacks, and Bible lessons will be offered daily for children from pre-kindergarten through sixth grade from 9:00 m to 11:00 am.

VBS is open to all children of the area.

New Childrens' Sunday School Program to Start

Beginning Sunday January 8, 2017 Crossroads will be presenting a new Sunday School program for school age children. Creation to Christ (C2C) The Foundation Blocks of the Bible is based on a highly respected and effective curriculum developed by New Tribes Mission for the mission field that teaches the Bible chronologically, from the beginning.

Sessions will be every Sunday morning starting at 8:45 am. Classes are available for 1st grade children and up. Adult classes will also be conducted. Nursery service will be provided. Transportation will be available, if needed.

A free kick-off event will be held on Sunday November 20, 2016. An afternoon of fun is planned at The Olympic Fun Center in Hermitage. Entry, food, drink, and transportation will be provided. Kids can be dropped off the church at 1:15 pm and will return to the church at 5:00 pm. Permission forms will need to be submitted.

A team of volunteers is being assembled to oversee this project. If you would like to be involved or have questions, see Dave Ruhl or Pete Keeley.

2016 VBS Planned... Help Needed

Crossroads will be holding morning Vacation Bible School from Monday August 1 - Friday August 5, 2016 from 9:30 am - 11:30 am daily. Teachers, helpers, and snack planners are needed. Please see Joyce Keeley if you can assist in one of these areas.

Also, as a closing event, a picnic is being planned for Sunday August 7, 2016 following the Worship Service.

2016 Clothing Drive Collection

For the 2016 Clothing Drive, each month with concentrate on a different need. Totes are available to collect the donations.

February	Infant Clothing
March	Toddler Girls and Boys
April	Girls and Women
May	Boys and Men
June	Winter Coats and Gloves
July	Canned and Boxed Foods for Thanksgiving Baskets

All undergarments must be new and in original packaging.

Direct any questions to Debbie Weese.

Kids' Adventure Outing

An outing is planned for children in kindergarten through 6th grade to the OH Wow Center in Youngstown, OH on Saturday September 12, 2015. Adult drivers and volunteers are needed. See Jackie Ehrhart or Elizabeth McHenry for more information.

2015 Clothing Drive Focus (UPDATED)

The Clothing Drive returns in 2015 and this year will focus on items for infants, children, and youth. Each month with address a particular clothing need. A tote will be available to collect each month's donations. Items can be either new or used in good condition.

The collection kicks off in February 2015 by seeking socks, hats, and gloves.

March 2015 will concentrate on items for infants and toddlers.

Clothing for elementary age children will be the focus for April 2015.

May 2015 brings clothing for teenagers to the forefront.

Think about being warm in winter during June 2015. This month's effort will be on winter coats for all children ages infants to teens.

July 2015 is the final month to receive donations for the clothing drive. Shoes for all ages of children will be July's target.

The free Clothing Drive give-away will take place July 31, 2015 from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm.

Exciting New Children's Sunday School Program to Start Soon

Beginning in June 2014 a bold new approach to the children's Sunday School program will roll out. Life Tools is designed to present key Christian values that will be useful for the rest of a person's life. Its key is to give kids the opportunity to see, feel, hear, touch, and just experience God’s Word!

On Sunday May 25, 2014 we will kick-off Life Tools with a family lunch during the Sunday School hour.

We want to reach as many children as possible. Please complete and submit the following Student Information sheet for each child that you want to participate in Life Tools.

This will be a whole church effort. Of course, adult help will be necessary to make Life Tools successful. We know that they also need Sunday School classes for their own growth so this program will allow them to still attend frequently. There are lots of ways and levels you can participate: from shepherding a group each week for a quarter (12-13 weeks), to assisting a only few times a quarter, to committing to consistantly praying for Life Tools. All skills are needed and welcomed.

If you believe it is important to instruct our children about God then please read the Interest Survey and then submit your responses below.

Children's Sunday School Planning Meeting Scheduled

There will be a meeting concerning the children's Sunday School program at 7:00 pm on Sunday December 1, 2013. This meeting is for teachers, anyone interested in teaching, and parents. Continue to pray that God will give us wisdom and direction regarding this important program.

A Tiny Bit-o'-Talent on Display for VBS

The 2013 VBS theme will be 'A Tiny Bit-o'-Talent' based on "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord" (Colossians 3:23). All children from age 3 to those just completing 6th grade are welcome. VBS will run July 15-19, 2013 from 6:00-8:00 pm at Crossroads.

The daily lessons will be:

• Monday: Miriam uses her special talent to worship. (Exodus 15:1-21)
• Tuesday: Besalel uses his special talent to create. (Exodus 36:1-2)
• Wednesday: Ruth uses her special talent to be a friend. (Ruth 1:1-22)
• Thursday: Isaiah uses his special talent to tell others. (Isaiah 6:1-8)
• Friday: Tabitha uses her special talent to serve. (Acts 9:36-43)

Seeking Funds for Summer Camp Scholarships

Would you like to help a young person have the special experience of attending a Christian summer camp? Camp can be such a highlight of the summer and a great opportunity to grow in one's relationship with Christ. It is very challenging to be a young person today. So much that is negative and hurtful is constantly coming at them. Your gift will help fight against this pressure. Also it is very expensive raising children today, and your gift will help parents who are struggling.

The Summer Camp Fund Needs You

There are several opportunities coming up for young people to hear the gospel, grow in their faith, and serve the Lord by serving others. We hope our youth will be active in these events, and we certainly do not want families who are financially strapped to not include their children because of a lack of funds. If you want to help, please contribute to Crossroads Summer Camp Fund to enable the church to offer scholarships to our young people.

Looking For VBS Help

For anyone interested in helping run a VBS program for the summer of 2012 there will be a meeting on Sunday March 18, 2012 in the kitchen following the worship service.

Bringing Back Parents Night Out

The Youth are again offering a Parents Night Out on Saturday December 4, 2011 from 4:00—8:00 pm so they can do some Christmas shopping or just have an evening together. Children can be dropped off here at Crossroads anytime after 4:00 pm and must be picked up by 8:00 pm. Dinner for the children will be provided.

The Power of a Simple Gift

It's time once again to fill shoe boxes for Operation Christmas Child presented by Samaritan's Purse. We are now distributing empty boxes for this program. The simple gifts, toys, and other items in the box will bring joy and hope to children in desperate situations around the world. Along with the things you put in, each box will contain an evangelistic message telling the Good News of God's love.

The boxes are available now at the church and are due back by Sunday November 13, 2011 for shipment.

Help Wanted: Sunday School Teachers

We are looking for those who have a heart to see our children come to Christ and to see them grow in their knowledge of the Lord through His Word. Would you like to be a part of this wonderful work of God? Please pray and ask God if He would want you to serve in this way. We will be hosting a Sunday School Teacher’s Training Seminar on an upcoming Saturday morning, and will be providing teachers with easy to use curriculum to help in all preparations. Please see one of the Elders if you are willing to serve in this area.

Volunteers Needed

We are looking for volunteers to help with children's Junior Church program. If you would be willing to be on a rotation to help out with this children's ministry, please see Lorretta Ball or Pete Keeley.