Dear Friends and Guests, Whether this is your first time at The Crossing or you have been coming for years, one thing is certain: God is in this place! There are so many things that I want to share with you that involves the future of the Crossing – and that is why we are calling this teaching series, “Vision”. Today, you will hear more about God’s vision for The Crossing. Tamara and I truly pray that this would become a place for you and your family to call home and to hear God’s vision. We hope that today is the beginning of a great future together! Sincerely, Greg and Tamara Dumas, Lead Pastor
Crossing Kids May Monthly Focus: Kingdom - When I become who God wants me to be I will change the world. Kids can so easily get caught up in their own world, they rarely look around to see if God has something more for their life. What is God’s mission? During the month of May CrossingKids will take a look at the parable of the lost sheep, The Great Commission and how we can gain the respect and privilege to speak into the lives of others. The fourth week of May we’ll dig into the Roman’s Road and teach kids what it means to lead someone to Christ. The last week there will be a special Missions focused weekend; a mini-mission’s conference. Join us in praying for CrossingKids this month as we learn what it means to be Kingdom Focused.
Emerge JV/Emerge
Interested in Volunteering? www.crossingonline.org/serve Want to join a LifeGroup? visit a leader in the 26.2 Café Office Hours Monday - Friday 8.30am - 5pm
Lectio Divina. We live in a fast paced world, and our time with God seems to be no exception. This next series, “Lectio Divina” is going to help students slow down and discover the art of listening, meditation, prayer, and contemplation. We will see a student ministry that is fervently praying.
Scholarships Needed! We are in desperate need of scholarships for students to attend Summer Camp. You could be a part of changing a student’s life by giving them an opportunity to encounter God! Contact Pastor Tom at tfox@crossingonline.org today!
Attention On-line Givers If you are currently an on-line giver you will need to re-register your on-line giving information with our new database system. If you have never utilized this tool, now would be a great time to start. Simply go to http://www.crossingonline.org and click the “member’s log-in” button at the bottom. Follow the instructions for updating your account or creating an account for the first time.
KP3 Academy We at The Crossing Church are intensely Kingdom focused, fervently Praying, compassionately loving People and relentlessly pursuing God’s Presence. KP3 Academy’s part of this vision is raising, training and empowering each new generation of leaders. KP3 Academy is 2 years that will challenge you mentally, emotionally, intellectually, physically and definitely spiritually! Enrollment is now open. For more information check out http://www.crossingonline.org/kp3.
Baptism The Bible tells us that after we have believed in Jesus we are to be baptized! If you have never taken this next step please consider getting signed up for our next Baptism Celebration at June’s First Wednesday service or at service the weekend of June 5-6. Email Jean at JBoudin@crossingonline.org or call the church at 813-626-0783.
Volunteer to work with Special Needs Kids Crossing Kids has a buddy program for kids with special needs called Sidekick. Sidekick allows kids to participate in Crossing Kids weekend experiences. God is beginning to bring more and more families to the Crossing that are affected by special needs. We need your help! In order to safely provide care to these kids we need one leader for every kid. No special training is required, just a willing heart to minister. Contact Sue Smith at ssmith@crossingonline.org. Matthew 25:40
Job Opportunities at The Crossing We have two full-time job opportunities at The Crossing Church: Video Engineer/ Editor and Web Developer/Designer. Previous experience is required. Email resumes to icewing@crossingonline.org.
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: • Mile One:
June 13, registration closes June 6 June 26, registration closes June 20
For more announcements: www.crossingonline.org/announcements
Saturday, May 29 Sunday, May 30
WELCOME TO THE
CROSSING CHURCH
THE VISION Kingdom Matthew 24:4-14
Lead Pastor: Greg Dumas
SCRIPTURE
Jeremiah 23:3-4 (NIV) “I myself will gather the remnant of my flock out of all the countries where I have driven them and will bring them back to their pasture, where they will be fruitful and increase in number. 4 I will place shepherds over them who will tend them, and they will no longer be afraid or terrified, nor will any be missing,” declares the LORD. 3
Matthew 24:14 (NIV) And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come. 14
Matthew 28:18-20 (NIV)
Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” 18
OBSERVATION All Kingdoms have: • • • • • • • • • • •
A King and Lord (a sovereign) Ps 24:1-3; Ps 47:2; Rom 10:9-10; Phil 2:11 A Territory (a domain) Dan 4:34-35 A Taxation (infrastructure) Matt 22:17; Matt 22:21b; Mal 3:8b-12 A Constitution (a royal covenant) Eccles 8:4-5; Ps 119:16; Ps 119:89-93; Matt 4:4 A Citizenry (community of subjects) Phil 3:20-21; John 18:36; John 8:23; John 17:16 Law (acceptable principles) Deut 6:25; Ps 19:7-8; Ps 119:72; Matt 5:18 Privileges (rights and benefits) Matt 6:33-34a; Phil 4:19 A code of Ethics (acceptable lifestyle and conduct) 1 Cor 6:9-11 An Army (security and protection) Ps 91:11-12 A Commonwealth (economic security) Matt 6:31-33; Ps 84:11 A Social Culture (protocol and procedures) John 17:15-17a
APPLICATION The Kingdom of God Transforms The Kingdom of God Transports The Kingdom of God Transfers The Kingdom of God Transmits
PRAYER Lord, thank you for bringing your kingdom rule to earth. Thank you that you have come for the church, your Holy Bride. Thank you that you are establishing shepherds within the body of Christ who will do your will and love your people. Thank you for the fact that the gates of Hell will not prevail over the advancement of the church in the world. Lord, we know that your Kingdom has come and all the more that it is coming in our day. We are being faithful to go and make disciples of every nation, we are preparing for your triumphant return.
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: Are there any world travelers amongst you? Everyone take a turn telling of some of the greatest adventures you’ve had either locally or abroad. What did you see of God’s creation? What kind of people did you intersect with? Digging Deeper: Tell why you agree or disagree with the following statement, “American Culture tends to focus more on self than community.” In other words, are we living with an ego-centric perspective or a global perspective? Read Matthew 24:4-14 as well as Matthew 28:1820. Should a Christ follower have a global perspective or is it better to concentrate on self? Yes, that may appear an easy question to answer, but what are the ramifications of your answer? If we are to focus globally – what should our purpose be? How do we go from thinking only of our lives to concerning ourselves with people around the world? Application: This is a great opportunity for your LifeGroup to learn to think globally together, even if it is just around the corner. Globally does not necessarily mean you have to go global, it simply means that as Christ followers, we yearn for all the people across the Earth to receive the Gospel. So list it out, what can you do as a LifeGroup? What can you do individually? For some great examples, check out http://www.crossingonline.org/ missions or contact Valerie Templeman in the church office (813)-626-0783.