Cross Roads Presbyterian Church
Weekly E-Pistle

Hello Folks,

Just to let you know, with the Thanksgiving Holiday upon us, the church office will be closed on Thursday and Friday. It should also be noted that the church secretary, Martha Wintersgill, will be on vacation from Wednesday through Monday. Martha will return to the office on Tuesday morning. Ben and I will do our best to keep the office from imploding during her absence. :)
Rennie is also taking some additional holiday time. She will return on Tuesday, as well.

Associate Pastor Nominating Committee (APNC)
In case you haven't heard, Cross Roads know has an official Associate pastor Nominating Committee! At the Congregational Meeting held following worship last Sunday, The following people were elected to serve on the the APNC as at-large members:
Tom Cook, Beverly Duncan, Ron Fowler, Barb Metz, and Hannah Tuck.
They will join the following individuals who were elected to represent the Session, Trustees, and Deacons:
Jeff Schirm - Elder
Gayle Manculich - Deacon
Ray Robinson - Trustee
A sincere "Thank you" is in order for these eight individuals for volunteering to serve on the APNC.

We are also forming a APNC Prayer Committee. This group of people will keep our APNC, and the work that they do, in prayer during the search process. If you would like to be a part of this important team, please notify the office.

Thanksgiving Worship:
You are invited to gather at 10:00 AM on Thanksgiving Day, November 26, in our original church building, the Old Stone Church, for Thanksgiving Worship. The Old Stone Church is located at the corner of Strochein Road and Monroeville Boulevard. Parking is usually available in the PETCO parking lot. Worship is casual, and Communion will be served. Hope to see you there!

Sunday November 29, 2009
"Bring A Friend Sunday" and "Hanging of the Greens"
Sunday, November 29, 2009, marks a very special worship service in the life of Cross Roads Church. The First Sunday in Advent is Traditionally designated as the "Hanging of the Greens" service. Join us as we decorate the Sanctuary and sing our favorite carols to begin the season of Advent. We will light the advent Candle of Hope. Remember to invite a friend to join us as we welcome the Advent season to celebrate “Bring a Friend Sunday.”

Christian Education:
Christian Education for all ages begins at 9:15 am on Sunday morning.Christian Education for all ages begins at 9:15 am. Rennie Rhodes will lead the Seasons of the Spirit Bible Study, in the parlor. The theme is Sign of Things to Come, with the focus scripture being Luke 21:25-36.
The Faithworks Class meets in the Fellowship Hall. This week, Ben Libert will lead a discussion of Ellie Weisel's Night. The Childrens classes (2 yr.-old through grade 5) meet in the Sanctuary at 9:15 am for their opening excercises, and then disperse to their apppropriate classroom. Older children and youth are to go directly to their classroom.
In two weeks, Rev. Dr. Jim Davison, from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, will return to lead faithworks. His topic for those weeks is "The Soul of Scripture: Some Insights for Living in Today's World." Devember 6's title is "Embracing Mystery," and The title for December 13 is "Accepting Finitude."

Coming Attractions:
Gift of the Fourth Wise Man
Once again, Cross Roads is partnering with the East End Cooprative Ministries to provide gifts for individuals who would otherwise go without a Christmas gift this year. There are still a few remaining tags left on the board for our "Gift of the Fouth Wise Man" project in the office hallway. When you take a tag, please sign the square below it so that we know who took which gift tag. The tag you take can be udsed as the label for your gift. Please remember to wrap your gift. We will present our gifts during worship on December 6th.

Holiday Meals for Cross Roads Food Pantry
Cross Roads Food Pantry will distribute a holiday meal package to approximately 70 families on December 14th and 15th. You can help by taking a shopping list from the bulletin board at the side entrance (at the top of the steps on the office level), and purchasing the items for one of those families. The Food Pantry requests that all donations be in the food pantry no later than Sunday December 6.
Cross Roads Food Pantry Toy Distribution
The Cross Roads Food Pantry is also loooking for new or gently used toys for the children of the clients, ages infant through age 17. Any donations should remain unwrapped and be placed at the bottom of the stairwell going to the garage. Items will be received through December 13th.

Tree Trimming and Christmas caroling:
Discover the spirit of Christmas as we gather to decorate the Fellowship Hall Christmas Tree at 4:00 pm on Sunday December 6, 2009. After the tree is decorated, we will share a meal and then travel to share the love of Christ with some of our members trough Christmas Carols. Sign up for this event on the Current Happenings Board in the office hallway.

The staff at Cross Roads Presbyterian Church, wishes you and yours a very happy Thanksgiving!

See you soon!

In Christ,
Pastor Rob