July 12, 2009 -- Summer is here, there's no doubt about it, yet Sunday School and Church Services continue despite the heat.

In Sunday School, Pastor Scott has been taking us through the book of 1 Corinthians, which we have really enjoyed. It's been a real eye-opener. One Sunday he interrupted his lessons with a brief sketch of the prophet Jeremiah and his times. That interruption was due to one member's request yet we all profited by it. Do you have any questions you've always wondered about? Pastor Scott would love to know them, and again, we'd probably all profit from them.

If your attendance has been a bit of "hit or miss" lately, then you may not be aware of all that has transpired in the recent past few weeks. Let me bring you up to date and hopefully not forget to mention anything.

Five (5) teens were confirmed  after many weeks of classes. (With church members providing them lunch).

Over 40 people went to the V.A. Facility in Bonham, TX to honour our military Veterans.

Food and Clothing were given to families in need - (This is ongoing and also coming out of our budget).

Children went to camp (helped through the budget and individual gifts).

One of our youth (Clayton Brummett) is serving as a Camp Counselor.

The "Under The Bridge" ministry in Waco, TX. was assisted by a number of adults and children from our congregation (made possible with donations from CRPC individuals).

Youth and Adult sponsors (Marianne and Paige Brummett and Chelsea Alexander) served with 'Habitat For Humanity' in a disaster area in Iowa (Our budget helped with this).

A variety program was given at the V.A. Facility in Bonham. It was planned by and participated in by friends of CRPC as well as other communities.

The Fannin County Children's Center has received financial help from our budget.

Men from our congregation built a ramp for a 55 year old wheelchair person in Howe, TX. with materials funded by the CRPC Budget.

The Maua Hospital in Kenya, Africa received clothing, medical supplies and money from our budget as well as from other individuals.

The CRPC congregation has received New Members.

The "fund" that was set aside to help a family in Bonham, TX. has been successful in keeping the home from foreclosure as well as obtaining furniture. The mother was also enabled to receive a set of dentures. All of this was done with the help of our budget, individual donations and other participating churches.

During the months of March, April and May of 2009, separate donations to the New CRPC Building Fund totaled almost $6,000.00.

The access road to the new church property was completed.

Probably other items should be indicated in this list and I hope that I haven't omitted any.

You know, very often you can come to church and never really be aware of what's going on behind the scenes. You can hear an announcement of an activity but may not be aware of the planning, time, effort and expense involved. As you can see, the ministry of Crossroads Presbyterian Church is very widespread. This is awesome for a church of our small size.

So why do I bring this to your attention? YOU are needed to participate. Yes, everyone is busy - but I urge you to MAKE TIME for serving the Lord. Remember as well, that our Sunday Morning Offerings go for the Church Budget. You can see that whatever you give really counts. Giving of services and money is an "Act of Worship". How does your worship measure up??

In His Wonderous Love,

Flo Vance, Elder

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Being The Church

April 01, 2009 -- At a recent Annual Congregational Meeting, the various committee reports were given by the Elders. They showed that we are truly BEING THE CHURCH. Now, what does THAT mean? It means that we serve others and  thus are truly, "the Hands of Christ". The interesting thing to note is that much serving starts through individuals who touch others, who in turn touch still others (A.K.A. 'Pay it Forward'). Here are some examples about which to ponder, pray and praise:

Alice Reagan's son was in a terrible boating accident. Darla Theis was quick to respond. Alice's son was graciously spared and she then shared the need for funds for the rescue crew to which people responded.

Doug Brummett, who was recently stranded on a hunting trip, was helped out by Rick Chron.

Judy Garrison had a vehicle that needed towing. Flo Vance tried to help but had to call on Doug Brummett, who not only towed the car, but also saw to it that an honest mechanic got it to repair (as others had stated that the engine was no good).

Rick Spratt and his family saw that help was needed in transporting Angel Food Ministries food orders. They drive, pack the food, provide boxes and copy menus (all this began BEFORE they were even members of CRPC).

Rick then sensed a need for a Men's Fellowship Group. So that began and is ongoing each month -- with as many as 15 in attendance.

Lacia Stogsdill asked Roxanne Jennings to help out with the "Care Committee". Roxanne organized this quickly and there is now a plan in place to meet each the needs of the Crossroads Family by other Family Members. (Be sure to let her know if you are aware of any needs).

Keith Kirkland made us aware of a Bonham family in desperate need. Both Lacia Stogsdill and Flo Vance (Outreach chairs) immediately got involved. A fund was set up and other churches and individuals responded. Foreclosure on the home was averted and funds were provided as well as various pieces of furniture. Needs still remain in which we still continue to work on.

Whenever art work was needed for the church bulletin or computer help, Jean Tykoski came to the rescue.

Denine Chron not only provided CRPC with new letterhead stationary, but she also led a drive to provide our returning soldiers with bed sheets.

Doris Dunn and Flo Vance led a multi-community Bible Study that was held in Tom Bean. Seventeen people, men and women, participated in that endeavor.

Marianne Brummett was asked to start a Women's Ministry. She had never done anything like this before, so her committee of Cindy Alexander, Kristi Spratt, Roxanne Jennings, Mairi Brown, Flo Vance and Judy Garrison met and began planning. That ministry will "bloom" this month.

Chelsea Alexander takes orders for Angel Food Ministries and also drives to McKinney at 5:30 a.m. once a month to pick up the food orders.

Rick Spratt, Darla Theis, and Pastor Scott Leslie are training the Youth Confirmation Class and CRPC folks are serving them lunch each week.

Richard Pate updates the church web site and is working with Patty Bartlow on the 'ArkALMIGHTY' project. Evidence that the web site is being used is noted by received emails thanking the church for the "past sermons" and for other information on the web site.

Recently, a refrigerator needed to be moved from a farm in Whitewright to a family in Bonham. Doug Brummett, along with his son Clayton, and a friend of Clayton's, went on very short notice to pick up and deliver the refrigerator.

Then there was Bill Brummett working on the culvert pipes for the access road to the new CRPC building site. He realized that the wrong pipes had been delivered, but to return them would have been impossible for him. Who came by "just at the right time" - with "the right equipment" to exchange the pipes for the correct ones? Rick Stogsdill!

Last, but not least, Cole Jennings has come to Flo Vance's rescue more than once for a myriad of church related projects.

Are all of these people "Elders"? Nope! Some are, but most are not. As you can see, we are all working together as "the Hands of Christ" in BEING THE CHURCH.

There is not a Sunday that passes without someone remarking about what they learned in Sunday School or how the Spirit of God moved them in church. How God is using Pastor Scott in our midst. We need to constantly hold him up in prayer as he juggles his many schedules & responsibilities.

In His Wonderful Name

Flo Vance, Elder

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Welcome to New Members

October 12, 2008 -- At a called meeting of the Session last Sunday, Ron and Judy Garrison were received as new members of our congregation by reaffirmation of faith. Please take a few moments to greet them and welcome them as "Official" members of our congregation!

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CRPC Continues to grow

September, 2008 -- If you were in church on September 21^st, you heard that we just celebrated our 125^th birthday and looked at the past. Pastor Scott then charged us to not only look to the past and the future, but to live in the present.

In the last update we shared the Children's Ministry. Now, what is our Youth Program all about? Well, in 1998 there were only 8 or 9 youths in the congregation. Today, the youth make up about 60% of the congregation as a whole!

Darla Theis, CRPC Youth Director, who was also an active Presbyterian Youth Group attendee in her younger years, has been able to expose our youth to various activities within Grace Presbytery. Many of those activities included Summer Camp Programs, Kid and Youth Quakes, Senior High Youth Conferences and various Mission Trips. many of the youth participate in church ministry programs such as: Angel Food Ministries, Church Under the Bridge, Meals on Wheels, Annual Church Garage and Bake Sale, and they also care for the church's adopted families.

Approval was given for the induction of "Youth Elders" within our church, thus giving them a seat on the governing body and a unique insight on the inner workings of the church. Darla Theis often quotes another Presbyterian Youth Director: "Kids are not the future of the church ... they ARE the church NOW!" We can see this as they participate in many ways, even in leading an entire "Youth Sunday".

Our Youth, through Grace Presbytery, are making connections with many others from other churches throughout the North Texas area. Friendships are formed during the activities and continue on afterward. Always keep our Youth and Darla in your prayers.

Recently, during the morning sermon, our pastor encouraged us to attend Sunday School. Pastor Scott has been leading us in a great study of I Timothy. There is such a good discussion along with much freedom of questioning. Do come and join in and enjoy coffee and a snack as well.

Regarding the New Building; We hope that you have taken the time to look at the proposed plans and have made any additional suggestions that you may have. You've also had another 'silent reminder' in the bulletin to jog your thinking and hopefully help you to realign your priorities.

You also need to know that during the month of August and September 2008, the Building Fund grew by $3,012.00 to make the current total of $136,007.00.

In closing, here's a quote from Tom Motley's testimony, "none of us are here by accident at CRPC. It is a privilege for us to give our time and money to the work of this church. Our time and money are God's gifts in the first place, and we are expected to be generous and do good things with both".

God Bless Each One of You,
(for the entire Building Finance Committee)
Flo Vance

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CRPC Grows in More Ways than One

June, 2008 -- Have you noticed how little space there is in church on Sundays? Praise God from whom all blessings flow!! Church attendance is increasing and many children, youth, and adults are involved in learning, growing and service.

We have recently hired a Director of Children's Ministries who compliments the Youth Ministries Director. For the first time there is a "Children's Church" and other Children's Activities during the month.

Sunday School attendance has grown to such a proportion that the "Church Office" is now spread around the building so that class space could be provided.

This year TWO of our youth (Chelsea Alexander and Clayton Brummett) went on a Mission Trip and other young'uns are attending camp, with some attending for the first time.

We have been truly blessed with a Pastor who has unique qualifications. His rich background makes him "tickle" and "stretch" the intellect, but more than that, his love of the Lord and the Scriptures just shines through him. What teaching and preaching - WOW! Haven't we been blessed!!

Various ministries of the church continue on a regular basis and as we hear of needs, we endeavor to help out in as many ways as possible.

Our church is also now an official site for Angel Food Ministries. That is both an internal ministry as well as an outreach to the community.

For the first time, we now have an official connection with a Missionary couple in Costa Rica. We will give more information about them at a later date. Can you imagine...Our impact is not just here locally, but around the world.

How can all this be happening at Crossroads Presbyterian Church? Simply because we, as a "People of God", have obeyed His Word and want to glorify Him.

Can you remember when a handful of people met together to share His love and Word? They were faithful in prayer. They worked and they gave their means. They had a vision! God blessed them and growth took place.

Now we have another vision, and this requires much prayer, work and giving of our means. We need a larger facility! Land has been donated for this purpose and the session recently approved the creation of a Building Finance Committee to work with the Building Committee.

The Building Committee has given us surveys for our input and they are now presently working on building plans. This is exciting!

The new Building Finance Committee has also begun to work. You've seen the "Building Fund" envelopes in the church sanctuary for the designated giving. Soon a graph will be available for us to visually see where we are step-by-step in getting to our goal.

We will not be having a bazaar or other typical fund raisers as is usually done elsewhere, nor will we be asking you to write a pledge. What we are asking is for you to firstly pray and then give as God lays this on your heart. Think of what King David said when wanting to build an altar to God: "Shall I give to the Lord that which cost me nothing" (II Samuel 24:24).

In the next weeks and months, we will hear testimonies from people we know as they share their experiences with God. There will be periodic reminders of what it is that God wants of each of us. It is our prayer that individually and collectively, we will "first give ourselves to God and then to the Church" (II Corinthians 8:17). May we be challenged and encouraged in our commitment to him.

Please remember that all funds for the new building are "over and above" the giving to our present church budget. We still need to pay bills, salaries, and keep the tremendous programs functioning.

May God bless us as we endeavor to bring Glory to Him and see what He wants to do in and through us.

(Signed)
Flo Vance, Doris Dunn, Lawanna Durbin, Tom & Kay Motley, Gary Duncan, Keith Kirkland, and Mike Picou

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Pastor David A. Sharp Retires from CRPC

December 2006 -- Pastor David A. Sharp, who preached his first sermon to only a handful of people on September 29, 1996 has officially retired as minister of the Crossroads Presbyterian Church after 10 years of service as of December 24, 2006. During the ensuing ten years he has not only been our pastor, teacher, counselor, spiritual guide and prophet, he has also been, and will remain, a dear friend and comforter. As Christ's faithful follower, David has perceived that now is the time for him to retire from the call as an active Minister of the Word and Sacrament to enjoy a time of leisure and new pursuits - a time of rest and recreation - and hopefully a time of much happiness and fun.

On September 30, 2007 Rev. David A. Sharp was unanimously elected as Pastor Emeritus to the Crossroads Presbyterian Church. David served this congregation for ten years and shared with us God's good word of hope, love and grace. To honor his commitment to us, the Session voted to elect him as Pastor Emeritus to the Crossroads Presbyterian Church.

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MEET YOUR NEW ELDERS IN THE CLASS OF 2008 AND OUR FIRST EVER YOUTH ELDER - ELECTED FOR A TWO YEAR TERM!

KAMRY JENKINS — Youth Elder Elect was born in Plano, Texas on July 2, 1990 and is now 16 years old and taking Driver’s Ed.  She is a popular 10th grader at Melissa High School.  Sports are “her thing” as she has run track and cross country, played volley ball and basketball and is now a cheer- leader.  She serves as the Assistant Trainer for the Melissa Athletic Department where she tapes ankles and runs on the field when players are injured.  She is an “A-B” Honor Roll student.  Her club activities include FCA and FFA where she will be showing rabbits.  She has been involved in Grace Presbytery Camping since she was 6 years old.   Last year she served at Camp Gilmont as “Counselor In Training” and in 2006 she will become a fully qualified camp counselor.  She attended last years Senior High Youth Conference at Austin College.  Kamry was baptized at the First Presbyterian Church in Richardson when a baby.  She became a professing Christian at CRPC.

JONATHAN BRUMMETT — Having served as an elder from 2002 through 2004 and being off of the session for the mandated year — Jonathan returns to active status in the class of 2008.  He was born in McKinney on February 28, 1972.  He is 34 years old.  Immediately upon graduation from Trenton High School he enlisted in the Air Force where he served our country for four years.  The best decision he ever made in his life was to marry Lisa Copeland on January 14, 1995.  They now have three children — Dylan, Lindsey and Lainey.  He moved to Australia in 1995 with the Boeing Corporation where he was in Security.  He and his family lived there for 6 years returning to America in 2001.  He has been with the Boeing Company for over 10 years and today continues to work in Security and Logistics with some Finance.  He and Lisa are building a new home on the corner of 160 and CR 534.  His spare time is spent playing with his children —attending their games and going to dinner and a movie with beautiful Lisa.  Jonathan was baptized as a baby at the CRPC and Professed his Faith in Jesus Christ at age 13.

MARIANNE BRUMMETT — was first elected as an elder at the CRPC in the class of 2001.  During part of her term she served as Clerk of the Session and Congregation.  Marianne called Sherman home as she was born there on 12/6/68 (yep — that makes her 38).  Her high school diploma is from Sherman High.  Her entire professional experience has been in the medical field (since 1987).  She studied Physical Therapy—EMT and is a Certified Medical Technician.  She married Doug Brummett on November 17, 1990 and two children are part of their family—Clayton and Paige.  From 1990 through 1992 she and Doug lived in Australia where Clayton was born (a natural born boomerang).  She professed her faith in Jesus Christ and was baptized in June of 1986.  At CRPC she has sung — played instruments — taught and “cut the grass”.   Did you know her hobbies were sewing and quilting?  Both of her parents (Judy and Richard Pate) are retired school teachers.  Marianne inherited “Coach's” athletic skills as she was a hurdler, basketball and volleyball player.  Recently she has been invited on hunting trips, which are Doug’s passion.  She joined the CRPC in 1987.
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