In 1848, Joseph Brackett wrote a song for worship that lifts up the virtue of a simple life. Over the years it has become one of America's most popular all-purpose melodies. The song begins, 'tis a gift to be simple, 'tis a gift to be free.
Life in 1848 was vastly different from our lives in 2020. And yet the the truth remains, simplicity is a gift. This Sunday, we will be talking about the blessings of living a more simple life.
Next Wednesday begins the season of Lent. I hope you can come by Crossroads between 6am and 9pm to be marked with ashes and spend a few moments in silence as we begin this important season of spiritual growth. The Lenten series is,
Let Go and Live Joyfully
.
I have already been both challenged and blessed as I have been praying about the things I need to let go of in order to live more joyfully. If you are interested in being part of a small group, the groups will be reading,
The Little Book of Letting Go - Cleanse Your Mind, Lift Your Spirit, and Replenish Your Soul.
You can sign up
here
.
Even if you are not in a small group, the book will be helpful for you to read during this season.
Every act of service is an act of worship. That is why during our Linger Longer time at the conclusion of worship, there is an an opportunity to serve. This week we will serve our brothers and sisters living on the streets of DC by putting together packets of hand warmers.
Beyond Sunday, every day there are practical and inspirational resources available through morning emails, noontime and evening texts that will help us face our fears and anxieties with renewed hope. You can sign up for the emails
here
.
To receive the texts, text crossroads to 41411.
Check out below some of the hope-full ways to gather and grow to greater wholeness beyond just Sunday mornings.
I am looking forward to seeing you soon,
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Open Mic Night- February 21st- Tonight!
6:30-8:30pm
This event is open to poets, storytellers, musicians, dancers, and anyone else who would like to perform, participate, or just watch and listen to support their friends, family, and community.
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PFLAG
Tuesday, February 25th, 7:00-8:30pm
The Loudoun Chapter of PFLAG welcomes you to monthly community group meetings for LGBTQ+ adults, youth (ages 12-19), parents, families and all allies of LGBTQ+. Break out groups available.
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Ash Wednesday- February 26th
The Crossroads sanctuary will be open from 6:00am through 9:00pm on Wednesday, February 26th for a time of prayer, reflection and to receive ashes. Stop in anytime that works for you!
Look for a special email next week with all of the Lenten offerings that will be available to the community.
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Safety and Security Team
Crossroads is forming a Safety and Security Team to explore what other churches are doing and best practices to consider. Although we have several safety measures in effect, we know there are always things to improve. If you have an interest in collaborating with others to look at potential risks and how to improve safety for our Crossroads community please email
Lesa Kestler
or check the box on the Connection Card this Sunday in worship.
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Backpacks Needed for Haitian Children
Mark Denicore, part of the Crossroads family, is traveling to Haiti March 8-14
th
on behalf of Changing Latitudes, a 501c3 founded by Mark.
In preparation for the trip, Changing Latitudes is collecting gently used backpacks. Donated backpacks can be brought to the church office any time during the week or before worship on Sundays through March 1
st
.
Gently used not new backpacks are requested
.
Additional information about Changing Latitudes can be found
here
.
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Small Groups- The Little Book of Letting Go
Over the next five weeks we will have the opportunity to be part of a small group experience where will take a closer look at the book,
The Little Book of Letting Go - Cleanse Your Mind, Lift Your Spirit, and Replenish Your Soul
by Hugh Prather.
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Living Mindfully with Life's Challenges Workshop
Sunday, February 23rd, 3:30-5:30 pm
Whether you have a stressful job and commute or are in a transition such as a divorce, a health challenge, grief, change of jobs, caretaking for aging parents or caring for children with special needs...mindfulness meditation is a resource that can make a tremendous difference in your life.
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Women's Spring Soul Renewal Retreat
Saturday - Sunday, March 21-22
Come and enjoy the awakening of Spring in fellowship with women of all ages and backgrounds. We will experience time in nature, experiential meditations, soulful story sharing, crafting, a labyrinth journey inward, and bonfire.
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Women's Rite of Passage
The Women's Passage Retreat is designed especially for women. It offers a time of soul work as we separate from the ordinary and step into a time of inner and outer exploration and adventure.
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REACH Workcamp Mission Trip- Hurricane Relief in NC
June 21-27
Calling all students and adults (rising 6th graders and up):
Transform your summer through service! Join us in serving low-income, elderly, and vulnerable homeowners affected by recent hurricanes through home repair worksite projects and building positive relationships with the neighbors.
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Uganda Mission Trip
Anticipated dates: August 18 - September 2
Join a team for two weeks in Uganda, participating in a 5 day camp, visiting students’ homes, visiting the vocational and nursing schools and gathering for a reunion of more than 40 students, many of whom have graduated from vocational schools and university.
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Adult Groups
Women's Bible Study meets Tuesday mornings from 9:30-11 am.
Men's Tuesday morning small group with coffee meets from 6:15-7:30 am.
Learn more here.
Pub Theology meets every other Monday from 8-9:30 pm.
Women, Wisdom, and Wine meets 2nd Wednesday of the month from 7-9 pm.
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Nature and Soul Events & Community Gatherings
Check out these amazing Nature and Soul Events:
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Imagine Well Being
Cultivating wholeness in body, mind and soul!
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Crossroads Kids (Nursery - 5th Grade)
Children will meet in their classrooms at 10:00 am this Sunday!
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Intersect for Students (Middle and High School)
This Sunday, Middle Schoolers will be gathering in Discipleship Room and
High Schoolers will be in the Ryan Chapel at 10:00 am.
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Quick and Easy Daily Spiritual Resources
- GOTGo App - Download from your app store by searching Crossroads GOTGo
- Daily Texts - Text crossroads to 41411 to receive inspirational texts each day
- Daily Reflection on Scripture - Sign up here
- Sunday Message Podcast- Subscribe at iTunes or on the GOTGo app
- Kirk Martin, Celebrate Calm- Helpful resource for parents. Click here for more info.
- Facebook - facebook.com/crossroadsnova
- Instagram - instagram.com/crossroadsnova
- Website - crossroadsnova.org
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703-729-5100 / www.crossroadsnova.org
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