Crosstown Connection

Crosstown Connection Nov 7-13

If my people, who are called by my name,

will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and

turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven

and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

II Chronicles 7:14

As the election returns continue to roll in, my heart has been saddened by the continuing and expanding polarization in our nation. In the face of such a challenge, the Holy Spirit calls us to "humble ourselves." Instead of focusing on the misdeeds of others, we are called to self-examination. I invite you to ponder the following: "What do I need to confess today? What part of our national division to I need to 'own?' Who do I hate? Who have I hurt? Who do I need to forgive?" God's pathway to national healing begins with an honest look at ourselves. -Pastor John

Shema Bible Project

What does the Bible mean when it says to love with all your HEART? Isn't loving with your heart obvious?

Mark 12:28-34

Learning Pods Have Started

It's been a joy to watch munchkins traipse back and forth in front of my office, laughing, frustrated, and together. The first week has obviously come with hiccups and adjustment but I am thankful to be apart of a congregation that is working to help a handful of families figure out how to balance work and online school. This is loving our neighbor as ourselves, recognizing the risk and moving forward to help anyway, as I would hope someone would do for me if I was in the same situation with little ones. - Kristi

Communication Survey Results

Thanks to the 31 people who completed the communication survey. Couple take-a-ways:

1) It's great to see over 100 people open the weekly newsletter and rank this medium number one for finding information.

2) I'm glad so many of you said you feel that you know where to find information when you need it.

3) From Sept to Oct we saw a three-fold increase in the utilization of the app. This coincides with a concerted effort to increase music, preaching, events, and devotional content on the app. The number one thing requested in the survey to be on the app was details about church events.

4) Moving forward it has become clear, over the last 12 months and with this survey, that the congregation and staff are no longer interested in utilizing facebook as a medium of connection or ministry. We will be "pausing" the Crosstown account. It no longer makes sense to allocate resources to an unutilized medium.

Download Crosstown's App from Google Play

Download Crosstown's App from Apple

Prayer Groups

We have a number of prayer groups meeting on Zoom. We are also looking at offering some different times and themes of prayer. How can you join these groups? Check out the prayer calendar on the Crosstown app. Here you can find dates, times, and Zoom links. Join a group any time, and yes, you can join with your video off :)

Friday Lunch Zoom Study- Nov 6

Join Kathy McGillivray for a discussion-oriented, inductive study of Philippians during the noon hour on three Fridays in November and two in December. Check the Crosstown app for the Zoom link and email Kathy at gilgal63@gmail.com with questions.

Bible Stories

Check out your Children's Ministry tab in the app. You can find Bible stories with Polly. These are great little story videos to share with your kids or grandkids. The videos even work to keep kids occupied in the check out line!

Forgiven Prince | Abraham & Sarah | Jonah

NENA responds to COVID-19 challenges

Special thanks to the Crosstown family who have volunteered time to support NENA's efforts to bring food to our Bossen neighbors. #loveyourneighborasyourself

Read more
www.longfellownokomismessen...

Volunteer with NENA to Help Pack Food or Distribute in Bossen

Baby Shower for Angie Kopylov- Nov 21

👶

Nov 21st we will celebrate the soon-to-arrive baby boy Kopylov. You can celebrate in person or on Zoom. The in person gathering will run Saturday, Nov 21st from 1:00-5:00 and you will receive more information about that after you RSVP your intention to attend in person. If you plan to attend virtually you also need to RSVP to receive the Zoom link. Click here to see Angie's registry.

RSVP to Attend Shower Virtually or In-Person

Address Update

We are working on updating address to prep for end-of-year giving statements. If you have moved recently, please make sure the office has your correct contact information since statements will need to be mailed this year.

Crosstown has been informed of the passing of Don Nelson on Oct 11, 2020. He was 99 years old. Don had also lost his wife, Joyce, earlier this year. He has been buried in Lakewood Cemetery. The family thanks Crosstown for our ministry to them while living at Park Shores Assisted Living.

Follow James on Facebook

Missions Feature

James Tang is a Covenant pastor from Sudan. His wife's name is Nyaluak Gai, but kindly answers to the English name Rachel. His weekly ministry in in East Africa takes him through wilderness and danger we can only imagine from movies. It is the love of Christ that compels him to travel overland (think of Jeeps, motorbikes and walking long distances) to remote villages where he spends days and nights encouraging, discipling younger leaders, and speaking in churches. It is rare to find a person such as James who is so dedicated to spreading the Gospel.

Advent Prep- Nov 13

We are putting together Advent packets for every member of the congregation. The goal is to come alongside you in this season whether you are worshiping at home or in the building. I am looking for a couple volunteers to come in and help put these together on Friday, Nov 13th anytime between 10:00-1:00. Please contact Kristi if you are interested in helping.

Giving Tree 🎄

Instead of purchasing gifts for families in need this year we will be collecting gift cards to stock the LNCS social workers. Our local school has identified 25 families in need and they are hoping to come alongside those families with $100 each for the holidays. Crosstown is one of the groups working to collect Target & Walmart gift cards in order to support these neighborhood families. The school will distribute these gift cards.

We are unable to accept any other kind of gift donation this year.

Sign-up to Donate a Gift Card- Raise your virtual hand ✋

Advent Event?

Are you planning an Advent event, activity, project? That's great, but please complete your event forms to communicate to the office by Nov 6th.

Thank You!

Event & Reservation Request

Events & Reservations at Crosstown

In Phase 4 larger groups are allowed to gather in the building. The commons and youth room are available for reservation and other rooms may be available with request. However, ALL events/ gatherings/ meetings need to complete a reservation form. Events for more than 25 people will require an additional pre-approval process.