Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
It seems that we are in a season of snow. Whether a light flurry or a freezing rain or a plowable snow event, our lives are impacted by this frozen precipitation. Given that school was cancelled yesterday due to a couple inches of snow and some freezing rain, and given that forecasters are saying that we have the potential for some significant snow fall from Saturday night into Sunday, I thought I should remind you of our church’s weather cancellation policy. We want to do what we can to have church, but we will cancel the worship service or activities if it is not safe to gather. So, if there are 4+ inches on the ground by the beginning or end of the event, or if there is a ¼ of an inch of ice, or other hazardous condition resulting in a declared State of Emergency, then we will cancel our programs for that day.
The Senior Pastor, Deacon Chair and Chair of the Elder Board work to make the decision about cancelling. They will make the decision by 9 pm on Saturday for a cancellation of Sunday morning worship. We will send e-mails and/or try to have this information on a local news station (like CBS) and/or a local tv station (like CW) and/or on a radio station (WRKO, AM 680). We may also use other communication channels to ensure that all members, as much as possible, are informed.
We also will be discussing (at the PE Meeting tomorrow) if we need to cancel or if we can/should pivot to online church or to a different worship service time, given our experience with COVID. We’ll keep you informed about what we decide to do.
If the weather permits, this Sunday, CrossPoint Community is hosting its Annual Soup and Bread Luncheon on February 9th. The luncheon is open to all CrossPoint Community members, their families and friends. Come and sample the many varieties of soups, breads and desserts we have to offer. At the same time, learn about our CrossPoint Community and make new friends! We’d love to see you there on February 9th at 1:00pm. Bring your family and friends! Sign-up via the QR code in the poster above or this link.
Please continue to pray for the nations of Israel and Ukraine and South Sudan. Pray that the wars would end and the ceasefire in Gaza will hold. Here is a suggested list of prayers if you are at a loss for words in how to pray: https://send.org/story/hh_pray_for_ukraine. And https://worldrelief.org/blog-prayer-for-israel-and-gaza/ Thank you for kneeling on behalf of the people of Ukraine and Russia, Israel and Gaza and Lebanon, Sudan and South Sudan, and taking a stand (or a knee in prayer) against the forces of darkness in this present age.
This Week (Feb. 7-13, 2025):
1. Tonight, Jan. 24, 2025, the Living Stones Friday Night Bible Study is meeting from 7:30-9:30 to study “Looking Forward in Expectation”. You can read Matthew 24:32-44 in order to prepare. Join in person in Room A-218 or online via the following link at 7:30 pm:
https://zoom.us/j/685376249?pwd=cWtyUk1pckJiRHJxZVZCSGdJZWw2UT09
Meeting ID: 685 376 249
Password: 840840
Join by phone: +1 929 436 2866 US (New York)
2. CrossPoint Community Sunday School meets this Sunday – Feb. 9 in the Koinonia Room (A-216). We are starting a study of Theology and Economics, led by Marina Lam. We will use the following link for those who wish to join online this Sunday:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/491248585?pwd=RnpLcnpjQ01nTGZLSmhaZ3l4L3dKQT09
Meeting ID: 491 248 585
Password: 403767
Join by phone: +1 929 205 6099 US (New York)
There will also be a connection hour, a time for conversation and prayer, in A-202.
3. This Sunday, Feb. 9, 2025, at 11:25 am, our CrossPoint Community Worship Service will start and Pastor Raymond Lee will be preaching. Pray for him! Join us for worship at CBCGL and take communion with other brothers and sisters in Christ.
Text: Isaiah 61:1-3
Title: Beauty for Ashes
Live stream via Youtube: https://www.cbcgl.org/live-stream/
4. Each Wednesday, such as this coming week (Feb. 12) at 7:45 pm, you are invited, encouraged, and requested to join our weekly prayer meeting. We will not grow in Christ without growing in our dependence on God through prayer. In February, we will be praying with a focus on the love of God. The link is found below in the section on prayer.
Administration / Events
1. We have a missions update (so check out the missions tab in the bulletin)! You can pray for the Panama STM team. They are working to prepare and plan for their time with students in March. For more information, you can talk with Pat Fung. Also, if you’d like to help with providing mission updates – let Pastor Nathan know!
2. CPCM has reserved the Multi-Purpose Room on Saturday’s from 1:30 to 4PM for sports. But in the month of February, we will not have sports on Feb. 8 (Due to Chinese New Year Celebration Activities from the Cantonese Congregation). In general, we can play any game: Ping-pong, badminton, pickleball, volleyball, basketball; we can do it all. The room is reserved only for CPCM members and their guests, so it is highly likely you will have lots of space and time to play whatever you want. The goal is to build deeper bonds through shared interest and activity. The contact person is Joshua Zhang.
3. Sunday Lunch Service is available at CBCGL with $5 lunches that are first-come, first-served. Pizza is $2 per slice and Ramen is available (priced variously according to size).
4. Women’s Bible Study – “KEEPING IT VERTICAL” meets the first and third Tuesday of each month to learn, share and grow in the Lord. We are studying the Fruit of the Spirit. Come join us and meet new friends and bring more friends along! Contact jeannemic50 (at) icloud.com
5. Got a Hobby you want to pursue but don’t have the time, space or motivation? Come to the Hobby Bunch on Feb. 15, from 1:30 to 4 pm. See the Bulletin or Weekly worship announcement slides for a QR code for a permission slip for Youth. Bring your own hobby and supplies, or sign up to learn a hobby. All ages welcome (Children are to be accompanied by an adult.) Refreshments will be provided at this once a month activity!
6. The Ladies Fellowship (Keeping in Vertical) invites you to register to attend a one-day women’s retreat at Calvary Bible Church in Derry, NH either Fri, May 16 or Sat, May 17, 2025 (a one-day event held on two separate days).
Online registration begins on Monday, February 24, 2025 via https://www.cbcderry.org/lda25
Cost is $45 which includes breakfast, lunch and registration details.
EVENT DETAILS including the event schedule, a short bio on the speaker (Katie Davis Majors) and important things to know can be found on the website noted above. PLEASE NOTE Tickets are NONREFUNDABLE AND NONRETURNABLE (Feel free to sell or give your ticket to a friend if you register and can’t make it). Also, plan to register ASAP as a WAITING LIST WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE THIS YEAR. Registration starts on the website February 24th. For more info or to register as a group, please contact: Pat Fung (patriciafung5 AT gmail.com)
7. All other announcements can be found here (in our CrossPoint Community bulletin).
For Prayer:
1. From Bishop J.C. Ryle – “To be prayerless is to be Christless, Godless, and in the high road to destruction…It will always be found that when prayers are few, grace, strength, peace, and hope are small.” Please join our Wednesday night prayer meeting (7:45 – 9:15 pm) even if you can’t participate the whole time.
https://zoom.us/j/758587937?pwd=aS9sZUdxcm1janNNM2I2aXJ6Smx2QT09
Meeting ID: 758 587 937
Password: 030086
Join by phone: +1 929 436 2866 US (New York)
2. We’d be glad to pray for you. If you need prayer, you can submit your prayer request via the following link: https://www.cbcgl.org/pray/
In Christ, your servant, SDG,
Rev. Dr. Nathan Willems
Associate Pastor of CrossPoint Community – A Ministry of CBCGL