Preparation for Sunday, 12/20/09
I am excited this week because Mike Haskew will be leading us in worship! We will continue to observe the Advent season at Crossbridge this week as we light the fourth candle, the candle of Joy. Remember that Advent is when we focus on the promised coming of the Messiah to the Jews, the coming of Jesus being born in Bethlehem, the promised return of the risen Christ in final victory, and the continual coming of Christ into the lives and hearts of believers. Advent is also a time where we will sing gospel centered hymns that are particular to this season. I will not list all of these hymns that we will be singing but I wanted you to know that you will not want to miss the first 5 minutes of the services during Advent!
Song Preparation: I encourage you listen to these songs each week so that you are familiar with them by the time we sing on Sunday. I always find that becoming more familiar with the lyrics to a song gives me more freedom to be led by the Holy Spirit as I worship. We won’t play these song exactly as they sound below but this is a good start!
Songs:
Remember you don’t want to miss the first 5 minutes of the Advent service this week!
Ben
Notes from Chuck
Hi Everybody!
I can’t believe Christmas is one week away! YIKES! There is a lot to be done at my house, and there is also a lot of information that I need to tell you or remind you of.
1. Take Time to Reflect
I hope the hustle and bustle of the holiday season is not taking away time for you to sit down and reflect on the amazing truth of Advent and Christmas. God has moved into the neighborhood, bringing light into the world! Jesus has come to save us from our sins by dying in our place. Don’t just walk by Nativity scenes, but stop and say, “Thank you Lord for coming into this world for us.” When we reflect, it helps our hearts stay gospel focused in a time when it’s easy to be focused on anything and everything else. Take some time today and reflect on Jesus coming into the world.
2. Invite to Christmas Eve
Who are you inviting and bringing with you this Christmas Eve? In Crossbridge history, we have traditionally seen more people open to the invitation of coming to church during this season than even Easter! God gives us an open door with this season to naturally bring up church with our friends, families, and neighbors. Grab some invite cards and invite some people to join you for a new tradition–Christmas Eve at Crossbridge.
3. Living Water Offering
We have been focusing on Living Water International and the water crisis in the world this month. We are asking you to pray and see if God would prompt you to give something to LWI to help push back the darkness of this crisis. This offering can be given any time between now and the end of the year. You can…
- Include it with your normal giving and just put in the memo line how much is going to the church and how much to LWI.
- Write a separate check to Crossbridge Church and be sure to put “LWI offering” in the memo line, or your check won’t be counted toward that.
- Mail it to our office: 935 Eldridge #282, Sugar Land, TX 77478, marked for LWI.
- Drop it in the offering basket or box on Sunday, December 20, or at the Christmas Eve service.
We won’t be having a special time where we pass the baskets just for LWI, so make sure you get it in to us by December 31(on Sunday or by mail), so it will be counted for 2009 and for this offering.
4. End of Year Housekeeping
- No Services on December 27
Since we are gathering for worship on Christmas Eve, we will not be gathering on Sunday, December 27. So no services on the Sunday after Christmas, but we will be back on January 3, at 9:30 and 11:15! - End of Year Giving
Your 2009 contributions have to be received in the church office or post marked by December 31, 2009, for them to be deductible for 2009. Our mailing address is 935 Eldridge Rd. #282, Sugar Land, TX 77478. - Church Offices Closed December 28 – January 1
Our offices will be closed the last week of the year, so please reread the above announcement to avoid any frustration with your end of year giving. Thanks!
Finally, please pray with me about three things…
- Church Finances – We have been behind in our weekly giving since September. Please pray the Lord will allow us to end the year with strong contributions so we might stay on budget.
- Christmas Eve – Pray that 1049 will be packed out with people who need to hear the Gospel and that many will come to saving faith in Jesus Christ through this service.
- Living Water International – Pray that God would help us meet our prayer goal of $10,000 so we might build two water wells in El Salvador this summer!
Lots to know, lots to do, and lots to pray for.
This is an exciting season, Crossbridge! I am anxious to see what the Lord will do with us.
Chuck
Parents: Upcoming Storytime and Living Water News
Parents,
Here is some news you can use for this next week. Looking forward to seeing your family Sunday!
Living Water Challenge, Elementary – LAST SUNDAY, 12/20!
Elementary Parents: the students are really excited and working hard to think up ways to give towards our class challenge. So far, we have surpassed our initial goal, and we currently have raised $207. There are stories of kids doing extra chores to make money to give, asking grandparents to match what they give, change jars at home for collecting loose change, and more. What a way to teach our children to be on mission for Jesus, to give to others with an open hand and to think beyond themselves! Two teachers have said they would MATCH the total given for the class…..what a blessing and encouragement! This Sunday, 12/20 is the last Sunday to give for the class to this Living Water challenge. Thank you for doing all you do to lead your child to know the goodness of Him more each day.
Silverado Storytime, MONDAY, 12/21 & 28, 10 am
Lead your child (infants through 1st grade) to serve others the next two Monday’s by attending Silverado Senior Living’s story time, just for Crossbridge Church! This is a great venue to bring your baby, toddler, or even 1st grader, so they can love on Seniors by just being themselves and listening to a story, and maybe offering a hug or two. Hope to see you there!
Notes from Chuck
Hi Everybody,
Kathleen and I were so blessed to be back worshipping with you this Sunday! After being gone two weeks-with one of those helping a hurting a church-it was refreshing to see your smiles. It’s been great to talk to some of you about the ways you are learning contentment. What a necessary, yet, hard thing to learn!
This Sunday we will celebrate the third Sunday of Advent by lighting the “Love” candle. Let me encourage you to be in the service at least five minutes before it starts. Our ushers will not let anyone in after the service starts until the Advent element is over. Thanks again for your understanding and patience. I know, for those of you who have been there, it has been a meaningful time of worship.
Remember to be praying about our special Living Water offering this season. We are asking Crossbridgers to pray about giving the money they would spend on one present to a mission offering that will be given to Living Water International. You can make your check out to Crossbridge Church and put “LWI offering” in the memo. We are hoping to raise enough money to build two water wells in El Salvador, and we need to raise $10,000 to do that. Please be praying about being a part of this offering that will take Christmas back from a commercial endeavor to a missional endeavor. Let’s use Christmas for what is was originally intended for-to bring God’s love to the world through Jesus.
We will be accepting the LWI offering until the end of the year. If you would like to learn more about LWI go here.
You guys are taking a ton of invite cards for our Christmas Eve services! I am pumped about your energy and passion to invite people to this time of celebrating the coming of Jesus into the world. Keep it up, and make plans to be here on December 24th at 5:00 or 7:00 p.m.
See ya Sunday as we wrap up our series, “Joy in the City.”
I love being your pastor.
Chuck
Preparation for Sunday, December 13, 2009
We will continue to observe the Advent season at Crossbridge this week as we light the third candle, the candle of Love. Remember that Advent is when we focus on the promised coming of the Messiah to the Jews, the coming of Jesus being born in Bethlehem, the promised return of the risen Christ in final victory, and the continual coming of Christ into the lives and hearts of believers. Advent is also a time where we will sing gospel centered hymns that are particular to this season. I will not list all of these hymns that we will be singing but I wanted you to know that you will not want to miss the first 5 minutes of the services during Advent!
Song Preparation: I encourage you listen to these songs each week so that you are familiar with them by the time we sing on Sunday. I always find that becoming more familiar with the lyrics to a song gives me more freedom to be led by the Holy Spirit as I worship. We won’t play these song exactly as they sound below but this is a good start!
Songs:
Liturgy:
When we sing “Angels we have heard on high” this Sunday, the chorus repeats the phrase “Gloria, in excelsis deo” which is latin for “Glory to God in the Highest”. I know most of us are not used to singing in Latin on a daily basis, but this simple phrase is one that we have sung for many years during the Advent season. Let’s really proclaim the meaning of Christ’s coming this week as we sing “Glory to God in the Highest”!
I look forward to worshipping with you this week. Remember to be on time because the Auditorium doors will stay closed for the first 5 minutes of service.
Ben
Upcoming Family Ministry Events and Fun
Hello Parents!
We have lots of tools for you and your family together to celebrate the birth of our Lord, — I’ll be giving you some friendly reminder’s each of these next few weeks so you don’t miss out on all the fun!
December 6, Family Advent Calendar begins!
If you don’t already have this calendar on your fridge, pick one up this Sunday at the Information Desk. Each day there are short, easy activities to lead your child(ren) to know Christ more and to understand the meaning of Christmas.
December 13, Happy Birthday Jesus Party
We’ll be talking about the birth of Christ and each class, 2 years through 5th grade will have special crafts, a cake walk, and more!
December 20, My Brother’s Keeper Outreach, 1-4 pm
Kids ages 7 and up are able to serve with parents at this Alief mission, handing out gifts to needy children. Interested? Sign up to serve: Tisha@crossbridge.cc
Preparation for Sunday, December 6, 2009
We will continue to observe the Advent season at Crossbridge this week as we light the second candle, the candle of Peace. Remember that Advent is when we focus on the promised coming of the Messiah to the Jews, the coming of Jesus being born in Bethlehem, the promised return of the risen Christ in final victory, and the continual coming of Christ into the lives and hearts of believers. Advent is also a time where we will sing gospel centered hymns that are particular to this season. I will not list all of these hymns that we will be singing but I wanted you to know that you will not want to miss the first 5 minutes of the services during Advent!
Song Preparation: I encourage you listen to these songs each week so that you are familiar with them by the time we sing on Sunday. I always find that becoming more familiar with the lyrics to a song gives me more freedom to be led by the Holy Spirit as I worship. We won’t play these song exactly as they sound below but this is a good start!
Songs:
Liturgy:
This week Chuck will explain the candle of Peace and we will read scripture that reflects on Christ who is our only Peace. Again, you do not want to miss the first 5 minutes of the services during this Advent season.
See you on Sunday!
Ben
