Crossing Family, As we continue our Epic Journey through the books of the Bible, we are beginning a new miniseries entitled, Foundations. Foundations is an opportunity for all of us to ask our selves the question, “What is God calling me to do, so that I can grow and mature in my faith?” For some it may be a call to leadership, for others it may be starting to journal and for some it may be taking the first step of inviting Christ into your heart. Whatever your next step, we pray God makes himself real to you over the next 3 weeks. Praying for you, Greg & Tamara Dumas
FEBRUARY’S KP3 FOCUS: KINGDOM For the month of February, we are teaching elementary children about God’s Kingdom. The one big idea we want them to learn is: When I become who God wants me to be, I will change the world. Week 2 Big Idea: When I do what God asks I can change the World Scripture: Numbers 13-14 Mom & Dad… God has given us all a big responsibility: to help change this world with God’s love. Be sure to encourage your child now to learn that they have a big job from God. NURSING MOTHERS ROOM MOVING We will be relocating the Nursing Mother’s Room to the first floor in the coming weeks. Announcements will be made in future bulletins and from the stage to designate it’s new location. Until then it will remain upstairs down the hall from the balcony entrance.
WHAT IS THE CROSSING ALL ABOUT? Been coming to The Crossing for sometime and been wanting to learn more about who we are as a church? Please join Pastor Greg and our staff for a free meal at our Warm Up Lunch next month. Registration is available online at www.crossingonline.org/news. AMAZING LOVE MINISTRIES Help Crossing Kids collect loose change to donate to Amazing Love’s “Heaven Cent” fundraiser and help feed the homeless! Donation containers will be located in the BreakAway room during weekend services beginning February 6 and ending February 21, 2010. Thank you for your support! WANT TO IMPACT A GENERATION? We’re looking for potential LifeGroup leaders for our new twenty-somethings ministry! For more information, contact Scott McIntosh at smcintosh@crossingonline.org or call 813-626-0783 ext. 136.
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 experience dates are: • Warm-Up: March 28, regitration closes March 21 • Starting Line: May 22 and 23, registration closes May 15 • Mile One: March 7, registration closes February 27 • Pushing Through: March 30, registration closes March 14 • Momentum: April 24, registration closes April 18 WWW.TWITTER.COM/CROSSINGOINLINE
FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE VISIT WWW.CROSSINGONLINE.ORG/ANNOUNCEMENTS
SPECIAL GUEST FIRST WEDNESDAY This coming First Wednesday we will be welcoming special guest speaker, James Robison. Pastor Robinson is the Founder and President of LIFE Outreach International and has preached to more than 20 million people, and by the grace of God has led over 2 million people to relationship with Christ. Make sure to invite your friends for this special First Wednesday gathering.
Saturday, February 20 Sunday, February 21 Epic Journey: Through the Bible The Book of Ezra Ezra 7:10; Isaiah 55:2-3, 6-11
WELCOME TO THE CROSSING CHURCH Lead Pastor: Greg Dumas
SCRIPTURE Ezra 7:10 (MSG) Ezra had committed himself to studying the Revelation of God, to living it, and to teaching Israel to live its truths and ways.
OBSERVATION Isaiah 55: 2-3, 7-11(MSG)
There are two teachers: Wisdom and Consequences The are two pains: Discipline and Regret
APPLICATION Get a Bible (Church or Self Purchase: Life Application Study Bible)
The Word of God is Perfect (Psalm 19:7-11) The Word of God is Personal (Hebrews 4:12) The Word of God is Powerful (John 1:1) The Word of God is Profitable (2 Timothy 3:16)
Get a Journal (Church or Self Purchase: Life Journal with instruction guide)
Bring a pen Use the daily reading plan Use or create a daily notes section in your journal
S.O.A.P. Daily (Church or Self Purchase: The Divine Mentor; Wayne Cordeiro) S = Scripture O = Observation A = Application P = Prayer
PRAYER Lord, lead me in the knowledge and application of your Word. It is altogether perfect in its guidance for me. It is life to my spirit and it saves my soul from corruption. Your revelation is relevant in every situation of my life. It’s always applicable, always real and full of your divine revelation. The Word is my source and shield against known and unknown sin. It has the power to transform me from the inside out as I hide your Word in my heart. Lord, make me thirsty for You and Your ways, make me more and more hungry for your divine Word.
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”. Opener: What are some of your memories with soap? Strange question, but the answers are revealing. Did you have your mouth cleaned out with soap? What were the circumstances? Did you avoid soap as a child? Why? “I hated baths!!” or perhaps you were/are a germ phobe. Where did that come from? What soap do you use now? This should provide a good laugh – enjoy. Digging Deeper: Let’s SOAP. LifeGroup leader, print out in advance or make sure everyone has pen and paper to SOAP on. Set aside 15 minutes for everyone to meditate on the scripture below and write an Observation, Application and Prayer. Keep it short and simple. For help with instructions on starting the Life Journal, go to www.lifejournal.cc click on “click here to learn how to journal.” SCRIPTURE: “All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking correcting, and training for righteousness.” 2 Timothy 3:16 Hint: For help with an application and prayer see verse 17. OBSERVATION: APPLICATION: PRAYER: Application: If you don’t SOAP at all, commit to getting a journal and starting. SOAP at least one this week to bring to LifeGroup. Set a goal of one, or more and share with your LifeGroup so that they can hold you accountable. If you SOAP, but not regularly, commit to SOAP on a more consistent basis. Set a goal and share with your LifeGroup so that they can hold you accountable. If you SOAP every day, commit to being an accountability partner for one of the groups above. If you are SOAPING every day, you can also give a personal testimony about the benefits of being in communication with God every day through the Life Journal reading plan NOTE: We recommend those getting started to use the “First Steps” Life Journal. These are available at The Crossing-Information Booth.