Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
This coming week, we will have the Thanksgiving holiday. Thanksgiving is not just a time to gather for a meal (and eat Turkey or get takeout) and have a day off from work. Thanksgiving is a time to remember and recount all the good that God has done in our lives.
Here are some things for which I am thanking God this year:
1. I thank God for a loving church family. Working along with you, the brothers and sisters of CrossPoint Community, is a blessing. I am encouraged by the commitment and passion of co-workers. I am honored to walk with you through life and have the privilege of pointing you to our Savior.
2. I thank God for the time I have had to research, write, and work on my thesis in the past couple of years. I have been in the Doctor of Ministry program at Gordon-Conwell, and I aim to complete an initial draft of my thesis by the end of this month.
3. I thank God for his patience and persistence with me. He has reminded me again and again that He delights to draw near. He is with us. He wants us to draw near to him, live lives of dependence on him, and receive his blessings through our obedient lives. His ways are best, and he is doing what is best for us, even walking with us through our pains and problems.
4. I thank God for the opportunity to join him in what he is doing. He invites us to a life of adventure as we walk with him day by day. We can be agents of advancing the kingdom of God as we live for him, through him, and because of him.
One more thing to note: Taking time to give thanks is also something that matters for our prayers. Before Jesus performed the miracle of the feeding of the 5000, he took the loaves and gave thanks. Before Jesus handed out the bread to his disciples at the last supper, he gave thanks. Someone has written: “Prayer without thanksgiving is like a bird without wings: such a prayer cannot rise to heaven; [It] can find no acceptance with God.” We can take time to recount all the good that God has done while we pray, recognizing our dependence on him alone. We’ll take time to do this in the coming weekly prayer meeting – which you are invited and encouraged to attend!
This Week (Nov. 19 – Nov. 25):
1. Tonight, on Nov. 19, 2021, we will have Friday Night Bible Study. Join us at 7:30 as we take time to sing, share and study together “Confidence in the midst of Uncertainty” from the life of Abraham in Genesis 15. 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. On Saturday, Nov. 20, at 10 am, you are invited to help us clean up and set up a couple of the remaining rooms still used as storage since the most recent renovation project. We’ll be cleaning, moving, sorting, and throwing out the trash to get the spaces (A-201B and the Sound Room in the old English Sanctuary) ready for regular use. Hope you can join us. We will even work out getting lunch together – so bring $5-$10 for food!
3. CrossPoint Community Sunday School and YAs Sunday School – on Nov. 21 – is meeting in-person / and 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)
4. This Sunday, Nov. 21, Minister Jeremy MacDonald will be preaching. Pray for him! Join us for in-person worship!
a. Text: Philippians 3:1-11
b. Title: Fellowship with Christ
c. Live stream via Youtube: https://www.cbcgl.org/resources/live-stream/
5. This coming Wednesday, Nov. 24, at 7:45 pm, you are invited, encouraged, and requested to join our weekly prayer meeting. We’ll spend time praising and thanking God – just taking the whole night to give thanks! The link is found below in the section on prayer.
Administration / Events
6. 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 only for no contact sports, e. g. pong-pong, badminton, etc., and otherwise pre-approved activities.
7. We invite you to join our Alpha Tuesday Online Course for Adults and Youth this coming Tuesday, Nov. 9, 2021, 7:30 pm – 8:30 pm. #AlphaCourse for adults and youth is a chance to explore life and the Christian faith in a friendly, open, and informal online environment. Join us for a great conversation with others who are exploring life and faith; no strings attached.
Sept. 28, 2021 – Dec. 14, 2021, 7:30pm – 8:30pm (1 hour – EST).
Here is the Zoom Meeting Info:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82080695483?pwd=L1hpeXcvZDRBK0MranRyNGZTaWM1dz09
Meeting ID: 820 8069 5483
Password: 233191
Contact: Marina Lam
E-mail: alpha.cbcgl@gmail.com
8. Join us for Thanksgiving Lunch! To help us know how many people are coming, we are asking people to sign up in advance, so we have enough food. To sign up, please use the following link: https://forms.office.com/r/rP5UzF59A4
To sign-up to help out/serve, please use the following link as well (make sure you sign-up above as well): https://forms.office.com/r/7A9p4sbnFs
9. All other announcements can be found here (in our CrossPoint Community bulletin).
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