2018 VBS Plans

Planning is getting started for the 2018 VBS week. It will be held the week of July 16-20, 2018 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm each evening. Mary Buchanan is leading the effort. Various volunteer positions are needed; see where you can help out.

Bible Study Series on Daily Personal Devotions to Start

From Todd Jaussen:

One of the most significant things that has impacted my life for good has been the practice of Daily Personal Devotions. I cannot overstate how this has benefited my life over the years and how God has used it to mature and strengthen my faith and walk with Him.

It can be a source of struggle and frustration for many... finding time; what to do if you do find time; wandering thoughts; reading the Bible but feeling like you are not getting anything out of it.

On Sunday March 18, 2018 we will be starting a brief series called Enriching Your Devotions. The goal behind this series is to give you the practical helps needed to have a very blessed devotional life that will bear fruit and yield years of enjoyment in fellowship with God.

Evening Bible Study is held on Sundays at 6:00 pm (except for the first Sunday of each month).

Special Congregational Meeting Set

A special congregational meeting will be held on Sunday April 8, 2018 at 12:00 noon for the purpose of confirming a new elder, Jonathan Powell, to the eldership.

A tureen lunch will follow the meeting.

Bread Making Class Announced

We will be offering a Bread, the Staff of Life class on Saturday February 17, 2018 at 10:00 am. Come experience the joy of making bread! Lunch will be included. Those interested in attending, please sign up.

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.

New Staff Member to Focus on Women's Needs

It is our joy to introduce our newest staff member, Jill Lamar. Jill will be focusing on ministry to women, including pastoral counseling and discipleship. She has a Masters Degree in Biblical Counseling from Dallas Theological Seminary. The women who feel the need for help or support in their lives and walk with God are encouraged to contact Jill.

Bask in the Glorious Light

The Joyful Sound Choir will be sharing the news about the birth of our Savior at its annual Christmas program on Saturday December 23, 2016 at 6:00 pm. The program is titled Glorious Light. They will be joined by the children from the Junior Church program.

Holiday Dinner to be Turkey with All the Trimmings

The annual combined holiday dinner will be held Saturday November 11, 2017 at 5:00 pm. This year the dinner will consist of a traditional roast turkey and sides. Everything will be provided. Sign up if you plan to attend.

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.

Quarterly Congregational Meeting Scheduled

A quarterly congregational meeting is scheduled for Monday November 6, 2017 at 7:00 pm. The 2018 budget will be presented and voted upon as well as confirming one Elder and one Deacon position. An informational packet will be available.

Baptism Class Scheduled

Pastor Todd Jaussen will be leading a special class session on baptism during the Sunday School hour on October 22, 2017. Those who are planning to participate in the upcoming Baptism Service or those who simply want to learn more about meaning and importance of baptism are encouraged to attend.

A Baptism Service is being planned for during November 2017. The exact date will be announced later.

It's Time to Pack Shoe Boxes

While it's only October, it is already time to start thinking about Christmas! Operation Christmas Child presented by Samaritan's Purse provides a shoe box full of gifts to thousands of children around the world each year. Each filled box is an opportunity to share the Good News of Jesus Christ with a hurting child.

Crossroads will be collecting the filled boxes on Sunday November 12, 2017.

Summer's Over Picnic Arranged

Crossroads will be holding a potluck dinner Sunday October 1, 2017 at 5:00 pm. Please bring a dish of food to share, your own tableware, and a lawn chair. Weather permitting, we will be using the pavilion. Prayer Meeting will be held following the fellowship meal.

Special: Donna Ruhl Memorial

A memorial service to celebrate the life of Donna Ruhl has been set for 11:00 am on Saturday August 26, 2017 at Crossroads. All are invited to share a meal afterwards.

Women to Camp Too!

A Women's Camping Weekend is being planned for September 14-17, 2017 at the Adventure Bound Camping Resort. Anyone with a camper wanting to make a reservation can do so as there are several spots still open for that weekend. Please speak with Michelle Earnhardt if interested in making a reservation.

Take Me Out to the Ballgame (UPDATED)

The Crossroads Senior Saints ministry has scheduled a trip to a Mahoning Valley Scrappers ballgame on Friday August 25, 2017. They will be playing the West Virginia Black Bears (a Pittsburgh Pirates associate). Please sign up early as we need to know the number of tickets we will need to purchase. This event is open to our entire church family.

Update: A block of 25 tickets have been purchased with the option to obtain 15 more, if needed. See Ron Courtney for information or tickets. We will leave Crossroads together at 5:00 pm for the 7:05 pm game time (or meet up at Eastwood Field for those going directly to the stadium).

Three Church Pig Roast Announced

On Sunday evening July 30, 2017 at 5:00 pm Crossroads will be hosting Central Community Church and Hartford Community Church at our pavilion for a pig roast. There will be good food and fellowship. Please bring a side dish or dessert to share. Meat and beverage will be provided.

Men Getting Back to Nature... Again?

The 2017 men's camping retreat will be held the weekend of August 11-13, 2017. Camp will be set up near Hartstown, PA at Tim Ball's farm. Snacks will be available Friday evening. All other meals and drink will be provided. Two sessions of Bible study are planned for Saturday. Please bring your Bible and plan to attend these. Kayaking and canoeing, fishing, and biking trips are available. For information on activities and directions are available. Please sign up.

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.

Celebrate Easter with Us

There will be several opportunities to worship and fellowship with us this Easter season.

On Good Friday April 14, 2017 the Joyful Sound Choir will present Remember, the Empty Grave at 7:00 pm. The Lord's Table will also be observed.

On Easter Sunday morning April 16, 2017 the youth will lead the Sunrise Service at 7:30 am.

Afterwards, stay for a complimentary breakfast.

Easter Worship Service is at 10:00 am. There will be no Sunday School, evening Bible Study, or youth meeting on Easter Sunday.