Welcome to Our Blog

This is the place where you can get the latest happenings at this place we call The Crossing.  Available 24/7, our blog is your one-stop for up-to-the minute updates as well as various connection points at The Crossing.  You can also access our weekly media through this site.  Make sure and bookmark this page, save it in your favorites, and come back often.  Enjoy!

Night of Worship February 17th…Kicks Off Our 40 Day Lenten Fast

Wednesday, February 17th, 2010 at our Night of Worship

7:00 – 8:00 PM in the auditorium

This year, we are calling for The Crossing to set aside the 40 days leading to Easter as a time of commitment to seeking God.  In the spirit of this, we are inviting you to join us for “The Rising”, a 40 Day “lenten” fast.  Many of you may come from a tradition that yearly adheres to this fast.  We are adapting this fast this year and are asking you to prayerfully consider what you will set aside for the 40 days period leading up to Easter and in the process commit to a time of prayer and seeking God.

Some examples would be…setting aside Facebook/social media fast, certain food items, media fast.  We will be sharing more about this on our evening of worship and prayer.   Choosing your fasting plan is a very personal decision. We are all at different places in our walk with God and our spirituality should never be a cause for comparison or competition.  There is nothing more “inherently spiritual” about one type of fast as opposed to another.  Your personal fast should present a level of challenge to it, but know your body, know your options, and most importantly, seek God in prayer about this and follow what the Holy Spirit leads you to do.  It’s also important to not let what you eat or do not eat become the focus of your fast.  This is a time to disconnect enough with your regular patterns and habits in order to connect closer to God.

As part of “The Rising”, we will be sending out daily emails, texts, and twitters of encouragement as we journey through this time of prayer together.

This is a family event.  Our Student House Churches  will be part of this evening and childcare will be available for ages 5 and under.

Back In Black Wk. 2: Red No More Now On Video!

Watch the video

February 7th, 2010

Speaker: Shane Philip

Worship Leader: Jason Deese

Formats available: Quicktime (.mov), Flash Video (.flv)

Van Ausdal Story…Finding Financial Freedom

February Prayer Emphasis – Seth and Megan Philip in Japan

Meet Kurt…Our New Elementary Pastor

Back In Black Series Continues This Sunday!

New Economy. New Normal. Renewed Hope.

Now known as “The Great Recession”, the last two years have brought tremendous upheaval and unrest in all of our lives.  The dream that many of us had envisioned and were convinced was the goal is now largely skewed or even shattered.  Many are asking, “when will this crisis be over?”  Perhaps it’s time we begin asking a different question.  A more relevant and biblical question.  What if we began to ask, “How will we be changed from this crisis and what is God wanting to do in us as a result.”

We invite you to join us for our four –week series, “Back In Black”.  As we continue the process of recalibrating our lives within the new financial realities, this series will help guide us biblically in getting and staying “in the black.”

Our weekend services take place each Sunday at 8:30, 10:00, 11:30 and 6:00 pm.  Children’s programs are available at all services.

You can also join our online worship experience during our three morning services at www.thecrossingonline.com/live.

Haiti Relief – Special Offering Update!

****Haiti Relief Offering Update****

Thank you so much for your generosity.  We have received over $10,000 towards Haiti relief.  Combined with the $5000 pledged from our missions funds, we will be giving over $15,000 to World Vision to assist in Haiti.

Over 3 million people have been affected by the quake and its aftermath.  The death toll is estimated to be in the tens of thousands. Now is the time for the church to be the church and assist in any way it can.

You can still make your donation by going to donate.worldvision.org.

Please keep the country of Haiti and its people in your prayers.

Men’s Small Groups Available

Two reasons to join a Men’s Group now:

1.     You need it.  You need the community, the growth, the accountability, and the time dedicated to meeting God.

2.     They need you.  There is a men’s group that will be less effective and complete if you aren’t there.  We’re all on the same team and weneed each other!

Small Groups for the first trimester of 2010 will start in February. We currently have three available groups looking for new members. You may contact the group leaders directly prior to the first meeting for more information or directions.  Below is a list of Group Leaders, Meeting Times and Areas of Study which may help inform your decision for which group suits you best.

Leader                                   Day/Time                       Location                              
Study                                     Phone                               E-mail

Jim Coli                              Wed/9am                          Church Coffee Shop
Book John                          847-561-5950               jimcoli@earthlink.net

Jim Barickman                 Tue/7pm                          Barickman Home                           Book  John                        702-461-3971                sellm@mac.com

Ron Wellman                       Thur/6:30pm              Church office                                 
Romans                              702-808-3976

Go to the Men’s Pursuit blog today at www.thecrossingonline.com/pursuit.

The Truth Project: February 10th

The Truth Project is a video-based group curriculum comprised of 13       one-hour lessons taught by Dr. Del Tackett of Focus on the Family. This study is the starting point for looking at life from a biblical perspective. Each lesson discusses, in great detail, the relevance and importance of living the Christian worldview in daily life as it considers topics such as history, philosophy, science, politics and many others. In this course you will be challenged with one question; “Do you really believe that what you believe is really real?”

Our class series begins Wednesday, February 10th from 6:00pm – 8:00pm.  Sign up at the Next Steps table after any service or contact Sue Blount at sblount@thecrossingonline.com.

Where Are You on ‘The Map’?

THE MAP is our newest discipleship tool designed to help you identify the next step in your spiritual growth. THE MAP will show you what groups, classes, serving opportunities, etc. are available over the next few months. Then, based on where you’re at in your spiritual journey, you can figure out which ones will help you take your next steps. Pick up THE MAP at The Next Steps Table in the lobby and chart your course!

Check Out Our New Missions Blog!

There is so much ongoing in our continued efforts to be “the church” beyond the walls both locally and around the world.  We have created a new blog specifically designed to keep you updated on all of the efforts and opportunities.  Items include regular updates from missionaries The Crossing supports around the world, Crossing individuals who are currently serving in ministries on a short term and long term basis as well as highlights from recent happenings.  Family Promise, Homes of Hope, KIVA micro loans and more are currently featured.  Plus it is here that you will find opportunities for you to get involved with these efforts.  Make sure and take a moment to check it out!!! Great stuff!!!

Click Below

Next “Starting Point” Opportunity: March 7th

If you’re new to The Crossing, your next step is Starting Point. This class will help you discover who we are, what we believe, and how you can get connected. This 70 minute class is offered the first Sunday of each month during the 10:00 AM service (10:00 – 11:20). Located on the second floor of the Main Office building. Childcare is provided in our Children’s Ministry.  If you’d like to attend the next class, please sign up at the information Table in the Lobby or Click Here to register online.

For more information, please contact Sue at 947-2080 ex. 245.

Downtown Outreach – Next Serving Opportunity

We invite you to join our Outreach Ministry to serve the homeless community on the 3rd Saturday of each month to provide a warm meal and a personal touch to those who are less fortunate.  Our next opportunity takes place  Saturday,  February 20th. We need approximately 25 volunteers to make this meal and worship gathering happen each month.  There are many ways to serve & you can come for an hour or stay for the day. The outreach takes place from 9 am to Noon.   Frank Lee is our new coordinator for the outreach and you can contact him at franklee@fcbb.com or go to www.calvarydowntownoutreach.org for directions and more information.

Children’s Ministry Shoe Drive: Project Haiti

Change the life of a family affected by the Haitian earthquake! The Children’s Ministry is partnering with Soles4Souls again to collect 500 pairs of shoes.  Parents you are asked to encourage your child to bring in new or gently used shoes to church on Sunday and put them in one of our three collection bins on campus; 1) the Early Childhood hallway, 2) the Elementary hallway and 3) the Auditorium lobby. Shoes can be donated from February 7th-28th, Monday through Friday 8-5pm & Sunday 8-12:30pm.

Soles4Souls is a Nashville-based charity that collects shoes from the warehouses of footwear companies and the closets of people like you. The charity distributes these shoes, free of charge, to people in need, regardless of race, religion, class, or any other criteria. For more information about Soles4Souls please go to http://www.soles4souls.org/

For futher questions about this event please call Perlita at 947-2080 ext. 251.

Vision Night – February 21st

On Sunday, February 21st at 6:00 pm in the Activity Center, there is going to be a Vision Night for the leaders and parents of the Kids Crossing Elementary Ministry.  This is a great opportunity to come and hear about our plans to partner with parents in leading their children to Jesus and their life’s journey with Him. 

Food and child care will be offered for this event, so RSVP to Perlita Padaoan at 947-2080 ext. 251 or email her at ppadaoan@thecrossingonline.com.