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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 21st,
you heard that we just celebrated our
125th
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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