Registration For Fall Classes

We're excited to announce that registration for this fall's adult education classes, women's ministry classes, men's ministry program and support groups is now open. You can CLICK HERE to see more about our classes and register online OR you can fill out a registration card in the church lobby. Here are our Fall 2010 offerings:

Adult Studies & Groups

• Daniel: Godly Living in a Wicked World
• Understanding Your Bible
• Nuts & Bolts (basics of the faith)
• Financial Peace University
• DivorceCare
• GriefShare
• SeniorCare
• CBC 101 Newcomer's Class

Women's Ministries

• Jeremiah, Part 1 (Precept)
• Revelation (Beth Moore)
• Becoming a Woman of Simplicity (Cynthia Heald)
• Breaking Free (Beth Moore)
• Epic: God’s Passionate Pursuit of a Prodigal People
• MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers)
• Teen MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers)

Men's Ministry

• CBC Men: God Built

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Fall Preview #1: SeniorCare

Over the next few weeks, we'll be telling you about all the wonderful classes and groups we have planned for this fall at Crossroads, including a few new ones. This time, we'd like to announce a new support group at CBC: SeniorCare. As the World War II and Korea generations get older, many children and grandchildren are having to make some tough choices when dealing with their elderly and/or sick parents. How do I deal with their estate, their living condition, their finances? How do I manage to keep it together while they seem to be falling apart? That's where SeniorCare hopes to step in. Here's more: 

SeniorCare 

This fall, on Tuesday evenings beginning Sept. 7 from 7-9, the CareNet ministry of Crossroads Bible Church in Double Oak (8101 FM 407) is hosting a SeniorCare Support Group to minister to those caring for aging, ailing family members. 

The format will include interactions with guest speakers and discussion leaders who are highly knowledgeable and experienced in a particular facet of senior care. Helpful materials will be handed out and small group discussions will allow members to share advice or just vent the frustrations of a stage of life “no one taught us about!” 

Sounds like what you’re looking for? Let us know! We're really excited to offer this new group and hope that it will help you as you seek to help your loved ones. To sign up for the group, fill out our Fall Registration form in the lobby or online at www.crossroadsbible.org. Contact Pastor Mike Messerli for more information about the group (972-355-3343).

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Field Report: Last Day at the Orphanage

Our Guatemala Team has checked in once again. Go HERE for the post. The team just wrapped up work at a local orphanage near Xela and are serving Brandon and Jenny Scott today and tomorrow by doing home repairs and other odds and ends. Here are a few pictures "straight from the field."

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Guatemala Team Blog: 'A Wonderful Experience'

The Guatemala team checked in again on their blog. This week the team has been serving at an orphanage. Here's an excerpt.

" It is the rainy season, and it usually rains in the afternoon.  So, in the afternoon we (the ladies) have craft time with the kids in the classrooms.  That has been a wonderful experience.  The kids have immediately attached themselves to us, and we have fallen in love with them.  There are quite a few special needs kids, and they are precious.  The crafts are a big hit, and we are also teaching them English (as requested by the lead teacher).  We have had interpreters, and through them we are able to incorporate the message of our wonderful Saviour to the kids.  The orphanage is run by a Christian group of women, so the kids are familiar with the gospel.  One of the teachers even commented on Phoebe's name as being from the Bible.  It has been a wonderful experience."

Read the rest on the Guatemala Team blog.

Ron Stewart and daughter Phoebe at D/FW Airport.

Dispatch from the Field: The Americans Have Landed!

Our Guatemala team has checked in on their trip blog HERE. Follow the link to read the full post but here's a sampling:

"Hello All!
We made it, safe and sound, and what an adventure we have had!  First of all, thank you to everyone for your prayers!  They were felt and greatly appreciated.
Everything has gone well so far.  The flight was smooth for the first hour, mainly due to the fact that we sat at the terminal waiting for some storms to clear the area.  No problem; we'll wait on that.  We took off at 7pm and landed in Guatemala City at 10pm (Texas time.)  Customs was a breeze, and at the end of it all was Brandon's kind smile and warm hug!  After loading up the vans, we did what every American would do; we went to a Burger King!!  Delicioso!  Oh, one huge God-thing that happened:  Brandon told us that because of the heavy rain that was going on that evening, all flights were being diverted to Nicaragua and Honduras, but for Some Reason our flight wasn't diverted."

Go to the Guatemala Team blog.


The Team:

(in no order) — Ryan and Melissa Williams, Mike and Ruth McMaster, Duke White and Courtney White, Ron Stewart and Phoebe Stewart, Susan Myers, Randy Shuffield, and John Thomas.

News & Notes for August 5th

We have a number of things happening here at Crossroads this month and I wanted to highlight just a few.

1. Fall Course Registration Begins August 15 — The staff is putting the finishing touches on this year's list of fall classes and activities and we have a number of new additions to our Tuesday, Wednesday and Sunday adult education periods. A full list will be released to the congregation on Sunday. Registration begins Sunday, August 15th, in the church lobby and online soon after. Fall classes begin the week after Labor Day (Sept. 6) and end the week before Thanksgiving.

2. Bluegrass, Nostalgia, and Homemade Ice Cream on August 29 — Sound like a fun evening to you? Even if you're not a fan of bluegrass music, come on out to Crossroads on August 29th at 6:30pm to hear amazing musicianship by popular band Beatlegras and to enjoy fellowship and ice cream after the concert. Beatlegras is a local group that has added a unique twist to classic Beatles tunes, garnering them worldwide acclaim. In 2008, one British radio announcer dubbed George, Milo and Dave "The Fab Three" because he was impressed with their music. Hear a sample of their work on their website: www.beatlegras.com. General admission tickets for the concert cost $5 apiece and go on sale this Sunday in the CBC lobby. If you'd like to bring homemade ice cream to share, fill out a submission form on Sunday morning and drop it off at the ticket sales counter. We encourage you to come out and have fun with us on August 29th!

3. We have a blood drive scheduled for Saturday, August 28th, 8am-1pm here at the church. Sign-up at the Ministry Center desk (located between the main staircases) on Sunday. Blood from the drive is credited to a CBC account at Carter Blood Care.

4. Our Guatemala mission team leaves tomorrow for Central America and we invite you to follow their progress via a new blog: http://guatemalateam2010.blogspot.com. Internet access may be sketchy at times for the team but they promised to keep us informed whenever they could. So keep checking back!

Music Camp 2010 Registration Extended

Registration for our 2010 Music Camp for kids has been extended through Sunday afternoon, August 1st. Online registration runs through Friday at 5PM. Music Camp is a week-long program for children ages 3rd through 6th grades that teaches them biblical principles in the midst of learning a musical drama. All is not work for the kids, however, since they get to do fun activities like bowling, roller skating and watching a movie. Music Camp runs from 9am to 3pm each day and concludes with a Friday night program (7:00 start). The cost is $80 per child. Register HERE or contact the church office (972-355-3343).

Icing on the Cake: Sara Groves & the Art Show

Sunday night brought a stylish close to the 3rd Annual Art Show with a marvelous concert by Sara Groves and company. After a long, stressful drive from south-central Texas Sunday afternoon, Sara and friend Melody Olsen maintained enough energy and voice to sing and play for about two hours before a sizable crowd in the CBC auditorium. Both stayed for an hour after the concert to greet folks and sign autographs. Troy Groves accompanied his wife on percussion and Aaron Fabbrini played bass.

As Sara found out when she arrived, the 3rd Annual Art Show also concluded Sunday night and brought forth an array of art that impressed her. She played a song about truth and beauty, "Why It Matters," in honor of the show. Over 40 artists contributed 115 works to this year's show, most of whom were new to the show. There were photographs and drawings, paintings and collages, quilts, and items of wood turning, pottery, glass work, metal, stone and clay. Sara's songwriting and vocal art was like icing on a cake — the finishing touch.

Our third and final summer concert will be Sunday evening, August 29th, when popular bluegrass band Beatlegras will bring their unique blend of music and nostalgia to the Crossroads auditorium. We'll have our second homemade ice cream contest after the concert, so get your selections ready! Sign-ups start soon. Tickets for Beatlegras cost $5 apiece and will go on sale in early August.

If that concert is as special as our first two, we're in for a real treat.

Music, Motors & More!

J-Force to the Rescue!
Even though Vacation Bible School is halfway over now, thoughts in the CBC Children's Ministries have already turned towards Music Camp, which is August 2-6 this year. Our program, "J-Force to the Rescue," teaches kids through songs, skits and small group Bible studies how to trust Jesus as our Savior and our friend. Registration begins this Sunday in the CBC cafe. Here are a few more details:

• August 2-6, 2010; 9am to 3pm each day
• For kids entering 3rd through 6th grades (must have turned 8 by 9/1/10)
• Tryouts for solo parts will take place THIS Sunday morning, 9-11am, in room L1 or L2 (off the lobby)
• There is an $80 cost per child
• Contact Elizabeth Bowen or Sandi Shipley for more information (972-355-3343)

CBC Riders Ride Again! 

The CBC Riders is a fun group of motorcycle enthusiasts and fans that gathers regularly for "rides on the town" or "on the region" for the sake of fellowship and encouragement. This Saturday morning, July 17th, they are once again planning a breakfast ride to Greenwood, TX. The group should be back by noon. If you're interested in joining them, on two wheels or four, meet at the church at 7:00AM. Contact Joe Engel for more ride information.

Sara Groves Ticket Information

Tickets for the July 25th Sara Groves concert at CBC cost $10 apiece and can be purchased here. Just bring your receipt to the door and you're in! Sara, a Minnesota resident, will have her band in tow as she swings through Texas and brings her blended mix of pop and acoustic styles to Crossroads. Her most recent album, "Fireflies & Songs," has garnered critical acclaim and was named "Best Album of 2009" by Christianity Today magazine. The honor is even more impressive considering her ninth studio album beat out new projects by Switchfoot, Steven Curtis Chapman and U2.

"When I'm done with a record, I try to let it go, knowing I have done everything I can do," Sara said after learning about the honor. "But at the same time, a record like this is my heart and soul parading around. It feels good to know that it is resonating.

"I know this gospel can square off with any complexity in our culture or relationships, and that brings me a great deal of joy, to look into every corner of life with this worldview."

The concert starts at 7:00pm at Crossroads Bible Church, 8101 FM 407 (Justin Rd.) in Double Oak, TX. For more information, call the church office at 972-355-3343.

Here's a video of the song "Twice as Good" from Fireflies & Songs:

Sara Groves - Twice As Good from Sara Groves Music on Vimeo.

Wednesday Night Fun

If you have ever attended our summer classes and dinners on Wednesday nights, then you know how much fun they are. So far, two weeks into the summer class schedule, we have had:

• Families and friends (old and new) gathered for a fellowship dinner of lasagna, tacos, brisket and other delectable eats, consumed over discussions ranging from "How's your week?" to "So what's going on in class tonight?" Our dinners start at 6pm each night. We've had over 100 people enjoying the fellowship each of the first two weeks.
• Over 200 folks attending our adult classes and children's ministries. This year we have photography, "Marriage Matters," creative writing, "Satisfy My Thirsty Soul," and "THUMBs Up!" for kids.
• Lots of hanging out after class to visit, ask questions, and just absorb the awesome material just taught.

Our summer classes run every Wednesday night through July 28th. Most classes end at 8:30, though some let out earlier and others run over a little. A special "thank you" goes out to all who have made Wednesday nights at Crossroads a big hit for the third year in a row!