Crossroads Newsletter – Introduction and Name The Newsletter Contest

The exciting news is that Crossroads has sent out it’s first Newsletter this month, we hope this will be another good source of information and a great way for us to stay connected as a congregation.

Amanda Haney is our Editor and Shawn Riggle is the Technical Guru. They have already spent many hours working on the format and content ideas for the newsletter. They hope to focus on upcoming events and to highlight what’s going on in our Church Ministries, along with many other articles.

We are looking for a fancy name for our Newsletter, so put on your thinking caps and send recommendations to shawn.riggle@gmail.com. The winner will be awarded ice cream for 2 at Rita’s. Submissions should be sent before October 16, 2010.

Hopefully you have received the new Crossroads Newsletter by email, if you have not please email cindyriggle@crossroadspca.net to be added to our distribution list.

Yard Sale Fundraisers for the Crossroads Building Fund

Our 2 community yard sales were a great success, with many hands making light work, although there were some heavy furniture and boxes to carry! We raised over $1,100 for our Crossroads Building Fund from these events.

We would like to thank all those who cleared out their closets and donated items, and to all those who volunteered on the day.

Spaghetti Dinner – A Word of Thanks

Dear Church Family,

 Please accept my sincere thanks for your support and for all your help and generosity for the spaghetti dinner.  As God multiplied the fishes and loaves, so He used your service, donations and financial support to provide over $1300 for the expenses for Matt’s dog. 

Thank you for your kindness.

Your Sister in Christ,

Kimberly

Fall Bible Studies for Women

Fall Bible Studies 

Lake Ridge area
Christians often say “In Jesus’ name” to close their prayers. But is this truly a desire of the heart or a perfunctory “Yours Truly” to God? Bryan Chapell says we should begin our prayers in Jesus’ name–we should be Praying Backwards. In this practical and inspiring book, he shows readers that to truly pray in Jesus’ name is to reorder one’s priorities in prayer–and in life–away from oneself and toward Jesus and his kingdom. It is to pray believing in the power and the goodness of the One who hears, and thus to pray boldly, expectantly, and persistently. Readers seeking to transform their prayer lives will find wonderful direction in this book.
This study will meet on Thursdays, at 7:00pm beginning Oct. 7th. For more information contact Adrian Dobbels at 703-580-9454.

Manassas area
The book Respectable Sins: Confronting the Sins We Tolerate  and the discussion guide by author Jerry Bridges help us to evaluate how we regard the sins we tend to overlook.  They will help us work through anger, jealousy, pride, unthankfulness, judgmentalism, and more while looking to God for His grace and forgiveness.
This study  will meet on Tuesdays, 9:30am, at Nancy Sampson’s home beginning Sept. 21st. For more information please call Nancy at 703-791-2802.

Stafford/Quantico area
This Bible study will be meeting on Thursday afternoons at 1:30PM starting Sept. 23rd.  Our text for the fall will be God’s Love Alive in You by Kay Arthur and David Lawson.  The study will cover the books of 1,2,3 John, James and Philemon, highlighting God’s amazing love and revealing the secrets of nurturing our relationship with Him and with the people He brings into our lives. Childcare will be provided.  Please contact Christina Bartholomew at 252-622-6300 with any questions.

Highlight on Special Needs Ministry: Service Project to provide a service dog for Matthew Allen

About 1 year ago Pastor Sampson highlighted the special needs ministry at Crossroads Presbyterian Church, he brought to our attention that a service dog would be a blessing to Matthew Allen and his whole family as they live with his autism. 
 
At the age of 14, Matt has been in several dangerous situations because of his unpredictable behavior and desire to explore.  When he slips away, the police have been called on several occasions to help locate him.  His limited sense of danger has resulted in his running into moving traffic, climbing electrical towers, and visiting neighbor’s swimming pools.  Like any other boy his age, he loves to play outdoors, swing, and ride his scooter.  But because of his autism, he must have constant supervision.
 
Through the special needs ministry at Crossroads, many groups and individuals have come together to help raise money to get a service dog for Matt.  Since last October, God has provided $13,000 for this project. It has truly been amazing to see how God has blessed each effort.  In less than a year the funds have been raised!
 
The Allen’s will be working with 4 Paws for Ability.  It is a non-profit organization that trains service dogs for various disabilities.  They are training a service dog to meet Matt’s specific needs for safety and companionship.  This will help keep Matt safe because the dog will be trained to track Matt when he disappears.  Matt could also be tethered to his dog by wearing a vest connected to the dog’s harness.  Not only would this protect Matt, it also would help Matt learn to pace himself in public and potentially decrease his erratic behavior.  The dog would also be trained to help calm Matt down when he gets upset or has trouble with a change in his routine.
 
This process takes many months.  The Allens prepared a special video of a week in the life of Matthew so the trainers could see what he does, where he goes, and his special needs.  The next step involves the Allens traveling to Ohio for an intensive 2 week training program to practice working with the dog and training the dog to care for Matt.  With God’s blessing, Matt will have his dog by Christmas.
 
God has blessed the efforts of many to provide for Matthew.  It is a humbling experience to watch the hand of God as he moves to care for his children.  Our next step is to continue in prayer for this process and for Matt and to host a fundraiser to help with the travel and training costs.
 
Join the Crossroads family Saturday evening, September 25th for a Spaghetti Dinner and Harvest Silent Auction at Christus Victor Lutheran Church on Route 234.  Tickets will cost $10 each for adults and $6 each for children under 12.  A silent auction of hand-made items will be featured.  Please plan to attend and share your talents by donating items for the silent auction to support this worthy ministry.  Please consider donating homemade bread, cakes, pies, desserts, handmade jewelry, handcrafts, etc.  All proceeds from this go to the Mercy Ministry to help with the expenses for Matt’s dog.
 
Contact Kimberly Haney (kkahaney@gmail.com) with questions or to help.
 

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