CrossPoint Community News – December 17, 2021

by | Dec 17, 2021 | Announcement, CrossPoint Community Ministry, FrontPage-News | 0 comments

Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

       Thank you to all who have been praying for my family as we went through the COVID protocol for isolation and quarantine. Praise God, we are all healthy and back into the normal swing of things. I hope to see you tonight in person at our Friday Night Bible Study!

       This week, I want to introduce you to a Christian named Samuel Rutherford. (Note: The following information was collected from 50 People Every Christian Should Know, by Warren Wiersbe). Samuel Rutherford lived, preached, wrote, and died in Scotland in the 1600’s. Why should you care to learn about a Christian in Scotland who lived over 400 years ago? It’s because he loved Jesus and worked to make him known, even in the face of controversy.
       Rutherford was born in 1600 and after a life apart from Christ throughout his childhood, he became a Christian sometime during his teen years or early 20s, because he was licensed to preach in 1627, following theological studies. He ministered in a small church in Anwoth for about 9 years. During this time, he published a book called “An Apology [Argument] for Divine Grace” which opposed weak theology in his day. He was censured, forbidden to preach in 1636. He was sent to Aberdeen where he wrote letters back to his church (much like Paul in Rome to the Philippians). These letters have been collected and organized by one of his former students, and are available for reading today. But they are more mystical with a lot of analogies referring to the church as the bride of Christ, the vineyard of the Lord, and the ship. These letters, I have heard, provide content for reflection and exalt Jesus Christ.
      When, after 2 years, he was cleared, he went back to his church. A year later he was commissioned to take the chair of divinity at St. Mary’s College in Ediburgh, Scotland. He wasn’t one to seek position and fame, but sought to serve where the Lord led him. He went as a representative from the Scottish churches to the Westminster Assembly. In the Assembly, he helped to craft the Westminster Confession of Faith (It’s pretty long.) which was intended to help reform the theology and practice of the Church of England. He is also credited with drafting the Westminster Shorter Catechism (which the New City Catechism my family uses is partially based on).
       He also wrote a book called Lex Rex (Latin for “The Law and the Prince”). In it, he called for democracy and civil rights in a time of the British Monarchy. He was summoned to the gallows for this book, but he was on his deathbed and answered the summons: “I behoove [It is necessary] to answer my first summons [to be with Christ], and ere your day come, I will be where few kings and great folk come.”
       If you want more information on Samuel Rutherford, I can suggest a number of works about him or by him.

       Also, please join us on New Years Eve for a special night of community building and prayer. The plan is to begin activities a little earlier than normal, but start prayer at 7:30 pm so that families can get home at a reasonable hour and others can still attend New Year’s Eve parties.
       Additionally, this is the last month of 2021 when you can give financially to support the ministry of CrossPoint Community and CBCGL. Please make sure that if you have moved, you update your address with the treasurer so that he can send you your donation receipt. Please give generously so that we have the resources to serve the community and share the good news of the generosity and abundance of our God!

This Week (Dec. 17 – Dec. 23):

1. Tonight, on Dec. 17, 2021, we will have Friday Night Bible Study. Join us at 7:30 as we take time to sing, share and study together “God With Us” from the life of Jesus in Matthew 1 and Isaiah 7. You can join in person in Room A-216 or online.

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 and YAs Sunday School – on Dec. 19 – is meeting in-person or online at 9:45 am.

a. The Young Adults will be meeting at 9:45 am (in-person in Room A-202 and online)! We will be studying the Gospel of John and taking time for Scripture recitation. Info is found on the YAs Teams Chat Channel or the Facebook Messenger chat for the Teams Meeting Link.
b. “A Guide to Christian Beliefs” Sunday School is this Sunday in-person (Room A-216) and online via the following link:
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)

3. This Sunday, Dec. 19, Pastor Steven Chin will be preaching. Pray for him! Join us for worship in person or online!

a. Text: Luke 2:1-21
b. Title: Good News For You
c. Live stream via Youtube: https://www.cbcgl.org/resources/live-stream/

4. This coming Wednesday, Dec. 22, at 7:45 pm, you are invited, encouraged, and requested to join our weekly prayer meeting. We’ll spend time in listening prayer first, then we will take time to share prayer requests and pray together. The link is found below in the section on prayer.

Announcements / Events

5. CBCGL’s COVID-19 waiver form has been updated. If you have not completed a waiver, please do so. You can find the updated waiver at http://bit.ly/cbcgl-covid19-waiver. You must have completed this form and follow its guidance if you plan to participate in any in-person church activities. Note: the following is the most recent guidance from the COVID task force.

a. Wearing a face mask is required to attend indoor church activities regardless of vaccination status except when preaching, teaching, or leading the worship service.
b. After international or domestic travel by plane, self-quarantine for ten days before attending church in-person activities or follow state and CDC recommendations or requirements (such as fully vaccinated individuals who have traveled obtaining a negative COVID Test before in-person participation).
c. MPR room is limited to only no contact sports, e. g. pong-pong, badminton, etc., and otherwise pre-approved activities.

6. Save the Date: Empower Post-Christmas Hangout is happening on Dec. 27th, at 6 pm. Location: CBCGL Cafeteria. [Game Night, on Sunday, Dec. 26, is also available to you.] For the Post-Christmas Hangout, please bring a wrapped White Elephant Gift (something you got for Christmas or have that you don’t want) and also a snack/sweet to swap. (You’ll probably want to bring another container to bring snacks home). We’ll be hanging out, playing games, and taking time to pray for 2022.

7. All other announcements can be found here (in our CrossPoint Community bulletin). (Such as the Christmas Food Drive or the Scheduled Parking Lot Clean-up).

For Prayer

1. Our time in prayer shows what we think about God! Do you see your need of Him? Or are you trying to live this life without / apart from Him? 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)

Young Adults Prayer Meeting: Wednesday nights @ 7:45 – 9:30 pm –
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86893982884?pwd=Q2RIWEtVMGtmdGJ2ZHNJdDJ3Rng4dz09
Meeting ID: 868 9398 2884
Password: 197791

2. Here is our list of prayer and service requests. The service request tab is for brothers and sisters to ask for assistance or announce any give-away items. It is an attempt from EM to reach out and take care of those in need among us. You may also enter yours via the provided link:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1U64MLIp-EpQ8YKfIpHzBNR_3tceMaOxrchnfbqlkcpU/edit?ts=5e851f21#gid=0

In Christ, your servant, SDG,
Nathan Willems