Crossing Family, As many of us are in the hustle and bustle of the Christmas season, it can be easy to forget the reason we are celebrating. This weekend, as we approach Christmas, we as a church are going to humble ourselves and seek the face of our deserving God. We hope that you leave this service with a better understanding of what it means to pray and be in relationship with Jesus Christ our Lord. In Jesus’ Name, Greg & Tamara Dumas
The 26.2 Spiritual Race is intricately designed with you in mind! Through the different 26.2 Experiences, you can learn more about The Crossing and its leadership, become involved in a LifeGroup, and understand more about your spiritual gifts. We encourage everyone to join in the race! Register for all the 26.2 Experiences at www.crossingonline.org. The next events will be on the following dates • Warm-Up: January 10, registration closes January 3 • Starting Line: January 30 and 31, registration closes January 23 • Mile One: March 7, registration closes February 27 • Pushing Through: January 30, registration closes January 23 • Momentum: February 20, registration closes February 14
PLEASE JOIN US AS WE CELEBRATE “THE PROMISE”
DECEMBER 24TH AT 3PM, 5PM, AND 7PM
FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE VISIT CROSSINGONLINE.ORG/ANNOUNCEMENTS. LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE KP3 is a dynamic approach to Bible College through innovative classes and hands-on ministry experience. This is a high intensity program to help shape you not just spiritually, but physically and mentally. Our partnership with Logos Educators Network and Logos Christian College allows students to actually earn an accredited Bible degree through KP3. For more information go to www.crossingonline.org/kp3 BABY DEDICATIONS Our upcoming opportunities to dedicate your child are January 23rd and 24th 2010, a special Mother’s Brunch will be held to provide fellowship, encouragement and more information on what will happen during Baby Dedication. To register, log onto www.crossingonline.org/bdedication no later than 2 weeks before the dedication service. For questions or for more information, please contact Tiffany Ogborn, Associate Jungle Jam Coordinator, at (813) 626-0783 ext. 151 or by e-mail at togborn@crossingonline.org DEEPER LIFE If you are looking for an opportunity at The Crossing Church to be trained in ministry but are unsure of where to begin, look no further than “Deeper Life.” “Deeper Life” is a mini version of Seminary that will guide you through both personal and spiritual growth as you study the Bible for the purpose of transforming the lives around you. Register now for January enrollement at : www.crossingonline.org/deeper-life-orientation. HOLIDAY ADDOPTIONS If you, your family, co-workers or LifeGroup would like to help out someone in need this holiday season, go to the Local Missions page on the Crossing website and choose from one of the many needs posted with our Missions Partners. Be a blessing to those less fortunate! NEXT GEN ATTENTION PARENTS OF 6th-12th GRADERS: All the Next Gen Staff would like to invite you to our Parent/student Information meeting to go over the upcoming events and camps we have planned for next year. Please feel free to join us for either meeting. Saturday December 12, 2009 in the Life Center @ 7:00 pm or Sunday December 13, 2009 in the Rock @ 11:30 am. COME & SERVE - GET CONNECTED! Visit us online at crossingonline.org/serve. Its our “Connection Process”.
Saturday, December 12 Sunday, December 13 Epic Journey: Through the Bible The Books of 1 & 2 CHRONICLES
WELCOME TO THE CROSSING CHURCH
“If my people...”
Lead Pastor: Greg Dumas
SCRIPTURE 2 CHRONICLES 7:11-22 (NIV)
OBSERVATION As human beings we will always fight the temptation and inherent tendency to abandon God and His ways (sin). Abandoning God and His ways lead to chaos, disorder, destruction and captivity. The way home is marked by humility, prayer and putting on Christ and His Word. The principle applies to individuals, families, groups, cities, countries, nations and the world at large. The only way to change the word is to start with personal renewal and revival
APPLICATION Luke 15:11-24 Humble yourself (James 4:10) Start praying with the goal of seeking God’s face (Matthew 6:9) Put on Christ and His Word (Colossians Chapter 3)
PRAYER “Lord, give me the grace to realize how much I need you every moment of every day. I lay down my stubborn insistence and independence, my selfishness has only complicated my life and now I am in sitting in the middle of the mess I created in the first place. I am hungry, thirsty, and beyond that I am deeply saddened by my sin and choices. I long to see your face again, I am going to get up now and start walking home. I humble myself before you and receive your gracious welcome and loving embrace, form now on, I will wear the rob of my righteousness in humility and joy.” Personal: 1 Thes. 5:16-24 (Key Verse print entire verse), Matthew 6:34, Philippians 4:6, 1 Peter 5:7, Matthew 10:1, James 5:14-16, Ephesians 4:26, Ecclesiastes 7:8-9, Proverbs 3:5-6, Deuteronomy 31:8, Psalm 32:7-8, Psalm 46:1-3, Matthew 18:21-22 Provision: Psalm 37:25, Matthew 6:31-32, Matthew 7:11, Luke 12:7, 2 Corinthians 9:8, Philippians 4:19, Matthew 6:25, Luke 1:37 Global: Acts 1:8 (Key Verse), Deuteronomy 5:16, Matthew 28:1820, Mark 16:15, 1 Timothy 2:1-4, Hebrews 13:7,8, —1 Peter 4:8, John 13:34-35, Matthew 5:44, Luke 23:34, Romans 12:9-10
LIFEGROUPS Use the following as a resource for your LifeGroup to go deeper with this week’s message. We hope this helps you as you “do life together”. A Different LifeGroup Experience: While it would be odd to spend every meeting of your LifeGroup completely devoted to prayer (LifeGroups are based equally on the Word of God, fellowship and prayer), this is one of those special nights where you group can find new intimacy with God through an evening of prayer. Based on Pastor Greg’s message, use II Chronicles 7:14 as a template. Our prayers might include: • • • • •
Seek God Humility Repentance Healing our sin Healing our nation
If your group members are more comfortable, pray in groups based on gender. Beginning your time of prayer with worship will also open your LifeGroup to the presence of God. If you have more time to pray, try this new exercise. Have the first person pray their prayer request (instead of taking time to share prayer requests and then praying). The next person to go should pray over the prayer request of the one who just prayed and then add their own. Each person follows in order, praying for the prayer request of the person they followed and adding their own personal request in prayer. Each person should then be praying for two people. The person they followed as well as themselves.