365 times the phrase "Fear not" appears in the Bible. Wow! That could mean every day we are told to not be afraid. How's that working for you? For me, I would say that 365 days a year, I have some kind of fear rise up within me. I need to hear the words, "Fear not" at least once, and sometimes even more, every day.
What's interesting is only 8% of what you and I fear ever comes to reality. Fear is a natural response to a threat or imminent danger. Sometimes fear is a good thing; it can keep us alive and well. But it's those perceived fears, the ones that never materialize, that lead to anxiety and ill health.
Starting this Sunday, and for the next five weeks, we are going to look at some of our perceived fears and see how God's unwavering hope can help us be less anxious and afraid. How can we fear less and be more hope full? Unwavering hope is the antidote to our fears.
More than just a Sunday morning series, this is an every day journey. There is an opportunity to be in a small group that will be reading the book
Unafraid
by Adam Hamilton and learning together how we can fear less and be hope full. You can sign up
here.
Every day there are practical and inspirational resources available through morning emails, and noontime and evening texts that will help us face our fears with hope. You can sign up for the emails
here
. To receive the texts, text crossroads to 41411.
In a world with so many fears all around us, and then on top of that our own personal fears that we carry, we need hope.
You may have heard the story of how Christie Kaplan is helping a 14 year girl, Lexie, find hope by donating one of her kidneys. We will be sharing that story of hope as our 167+ SERVE story this week.
We will also pray for the 10 students that will be attending the Confirmation Retreat this weekend. They are the hope for the world's future.
Hope is all around us; we just need to practice it so that we truly fear less and actually become more hope full.
I pray that you can be a part of this journey to discovering God's hope at work in you and the world, beginning this Sunday.
During Linger Longer, we will be creating posters of hope and gratitude that will be shared with Lexi and Christie. Your words of encouragement will help to keep hope alive.
Check out below some of the hope-full ways to grow to greater wholeness in 2020.
I am looking forward to seeing you soon,
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Confirmation Retreat
This weekend, the following students and their families will be on the Confirmation Retreat at Mar-Lu-Ridge Retreat Center in Jefferson, MD.
Please hold them in prayer for a meaningful time as they separate from the everyday for connection with God, each other, nature, and their
whole, innate selves.
Josh Derrow (and parents Sue and Tony)
Jacob Engle (and dad Scott)
Kamryn Gresko and Kyle Gresko (and parents Steve and Kim)
Luke Howard (and parents Bob and Susie)
Nicole Murck (and mom Jeanne)
Claire Rossi and Hanna Rossi (and parents Ed and Tracy)
Grace Stickley and Luke Stickley (and parents Tracy and Wes)
Leaders:
Erin Videgar-Laird
Cathy Norman
Kylie Kosko
Ron Meister
Andy Andersen
David Michel
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Small Groups Forming for New Message Series
There is an opportunity to be in a small group that will be reading the book
Unafraid
by Adam Hamilton and learning together how we can fear less and be hope full.
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Women's Bible Study - New book
Tuesdays, 9:30-11:00am
"The Story" by Randy Frazee, an in-depth, ten week, chronological discussion of the New Testament. Childcare available with activities coordinated with each week's topic.
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Introduction to Cultivating Compassion Training
Sunday, January 12, 3:00-4:30pm
This class introduces the basic concepts and offers a course overview of Compassion Cultivation Training© (CCT), an eight-week program designed at Stanford University to develop the qualities of compassion, empathy, and kindness for oneself and for others.
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Nature and Art Soul Work Retreat
Saturday, January 18, 10:00am-4:00pm
We will renew our energy, quiet our minds and reconnect to our sense of wonder. We will learn new ways of calming and centering ourselves including mindful meditation inside and out in nature.
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Living Mindfully with Life's Challenges Workshop
January 19th, 3:30-5:30 pm
Focus: Gratitude and Compassion
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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Open Mic Night
January 24th, 6:30-8:30 pm
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, January 28, 7:00-8:30pm
LGTBQ+ adults, youth, parents, families and allies are invited to attend monthly meetings of the newly formed Loudoun chapter of PFLAG.
Break out groups (LGTBQ+ adults, LGTBQ+ youth, and parents/allies) available.
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Love in Action Family Valentine Retreat
Saturday, February 15, 10:30am-2:00pm
This intergenerational retreat will help everyone in the family learn and experience ways to experience God's unconditional love, wisdom and forgiveness. We will discover the true meaning of Valentine's Day to apply in our family all year long!
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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 am this Sunday!
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Intersect for Students (Middle and High School)
Middle Schoolers will meet in the Discipleship Room and High Schoolers will meet in the Ryan Chape
l at 10am this Sunday.
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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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