Women’s Ministries September 2014 – May 2015

BIBLE STUDIES

  • Tuesdays, 9:30am @ Nancy Sampson’s home; led by Nancy Sampson. Gospel Love, World Harvest Mission (Serge).
  • Fridays, 9:30am @ Amy Stolnis’ home; led by Linda Neice. Extravagant Grace: God’s Glory Displayed in Our Weakness, Barbara Duguid. Childcare provided.
  • Sundays, 7:30pm @ Dorothy Carroll’s home; led by Dorothy Carroll. Philippians; with If You Want to Walk on Water, You’ve Got to Get Out of the Boat, John Ortberg.

14th DAY LADIES: FELLOWSHIP WITH A FOCUS

All Crossroads women are invited to enjoy these events, which are held on the 14th of every month and on a rotating basis highlight the following three areas:

  • Gals’ night out: Meet at 7pm at a local restaurant for an opportunity to decompress together from the day’s stressors!
  • Encouragement through testimony: Gather at one of our homes for snacks, coffee, and the chance to hear about what God is doing in one of our sisters’ lives.
  • Learning together: Come to the church these evenings to learn about and discuss Bible passages, today’s issues, and other practical matters of Christian living.

TOPICAL WORKSHOPS

Sometimes scheduled as 14th Day Ladies “Learning Together” events, these are evening workshops held at the church in which we’ll explore daily discipleship concerns, like managing your finances (March 14) or determining how to utilize today’s incredible technologies in a god-honoring way (November 1).

 

RETREAT

“Biblical Womanhood: Generation to Generation.” Susan Hunt, presenter. October 24-25 (7-9pm on the 24th and 9am-12pm on the 25th). Faith Church, Frederick, MD. Cost is $20, not including shared hotel costs for the evening of the 24th. Registration required. For more information, visit http://faithreformed.org/womens-conference-2014. If you’d like to attend, please contact Linda Neice (lindaneice@crossroadspca.net).

 

WOMEN’S MINISTRY CALENDAR

2014-2015

Sept. 14 (Sunday), 6:30pm: 2014-15 Women’s Ministry Kick-off at the Boys and Girls Club. Drinks and hors d’oeuvres provided. Come hear what we have planned for the coming school year!

Sept. 16 (Tuesday), 9:30am: Weekly Bible Study at Nancy Sampson’s home begins. Gospel Love, World Harvest Mission (Serge). Led by Nancy Sampson.

Sept. 19 (Friday), 9:30am: Weekly Bible Study at Amy Stolnis’ home begins. Extravagant Grace: God’s Glory Displayed in Our Weakness, Barbara Duguid. Led by Linda Neice.

Sept. 21 (Sunday), 7:30pm: Weekly Bible Study at Dorothy Carroll’s home begins. Philippians ; with If You Want to Walk on Water, You’ve Got to Get Out of the Boat, John Ortberg. Led by Dorothy Carroll.

Oct. 14 (Tuesday), 7:00pm: Meet at Giorgios in Montclair for dinner and/or dessert!

Oct. 24-25 (Friday-Saturday): Women’s Retreat in Frederick, MD. We’ll be staying together in a hotel and attending the “Biblical Womanhood: Generation to Generation” conference at Faith Church. Susan Hunt, presenter.

Nov. 1 (Saturday), 7:00pm: Workshop on “Technology & Godly Living” at the Boys and Girls Club. Led by Linda Neice.

Nov. 14 (Friday), 7:00pm: Enjoy a time of fellowship at Nancy Sampson’s home, while hearing one of your sisters share her testimony of God’s work in her life.

Nov. 23 (Sunday), 6:00pm: CROSSROADS’ PIE AND PRAISE (Thanksgiving celebration)

Dec. 14 (Sunday), 6:00pm: CROSSROADS’ COOKIES AND CAROLS (Christmas celebration)

Jan. 14 (Wednesday), 7:00pm: Meet at Giorgios in Montclair for dinner and/or dessert!

Jan. 18, 20 & 23: Women’s Spring Bible Studies begin. (Subject to change.)

Feb. 14 (Saturday), 7:00pm: Pizza and Game Night at the Boys and Girls Club! (Details TBD. Date subject to change.)

Mar. 14 (Saturday), 7:00pm: Workshop on “Tips to Managing Your Finances” at the Boys and Girls Club. Led by Amy Stolnis and Nancy Sampson.

Apr. 14 (Tuesday), 7:00pm: Meet at Giorgios in Montclair for dinner and/or dessert!

May 14 (Thursday), 7:00pm: Enjoy a time of fellowship at Maria Dunn’s home, while hearing one of your sisters share her testimony of God’s work in her life.

Judges 3:12-30

Judges 3:12-30

 

12 And the people of Israel again did what was evil in the sight of the Lord, and the Lord strengthened Eglon the king of Moab against Israel, because they had done what was evil in the sight of the Lord. 13 He gathered to himself the Ammonites and the Amalekites, and went and defeated Israel. And they took possession of the city of palms. 14 And the people of Israel served Eglon the king of Moab eighteen years.

15 Then the people of Israel cried out to the Lord, and the Lord raised up for them a deliverer, Ehud, the son of Gera, the Benjaminite, a left-handed man. The people of Israel sent tribute by him to Eglon the king of Moab. 16 And Ehud made for himself a sword with two edges, a cubit in length, and he bound it on his right thigh under his clothes. 17 And he presented the tribute to Eglon king of Moab. Now Eglon was a very fat man. 18 And when Ehud had finished presenting the tribute, he sent away the people who carried the tribute. 19 But he himself turned back at the idols near Gilgal and said, “I have a secret message for you, O king.” And he commanded, “Silence.” And all his attendants went out from his presence. 20 And Ehud came to him as he was sitting alone in his cool roof chamber. And Ehud said, “I have a message from God for you.” And he arose from his seat. 21 And Ehud reached with his left hand, took the sword from his right thigh, and thrust it into his belly. 22 And the hilt also went in after the blade, and the fat closed over the blade, for he did not pull the sword out of his belly; and the dung came out. 23 Then Ehud went out into the porch and closed the doors of the roof chamber behind him and locked them.

24 When he had gone, the servants came, and when they saw that the doors of the roof chamber were locked, they thought, “Surely he is relieving himself in the closet of the cool chamber.” 25 And they waited till they were embarrassed. But when he still did not open the doors of the roof chamber, they took the key and opened them, and there lay their lord dead on the floor.

26 Ehud escaped while they delayed, and he passed beyond the idols and escaped to Seirah. 27 When he arrived, he sounded the trumpet in the hill country of Ephraim. Then the people of Israel went down with him from the hill country, and he was their leader.28 And he said to them, “Follow after me, for the Lord has given your enemies the Moabites into your hand.” So they went down after him and seized the fords of the Jordan against the Moabites and did not allow anyone to pass over. 29 And they killed at that time about 10,000 of the Moabites, all strong, able-bodied men; not a man escaped. 30 So Moab was subdued that day under the hand of Israel. And the land had rest for eighty years.

Prayer Focus for St. Lucia – Sunday, July 27

St. Lucia, Caribbean: Evangelically oriented churches have multiplied – as have divisions. Pray for true unity amid the increasing diversity so that churches can offer a united front for the gospel’s sake. The Fellowship of Gospel Preaching Churches is working to develop that unity in practical terms.www.operationworld.org

 St. Lucia

Prayer Focus for St. Kitts & Nevis – Sunday, July 20

St. Kitts& Nevis, Caribbean: There is no lack of churches or other ministries on these islands, but their impact is limited. Pray for the Holy Spirit to revive, empower and embolden believers for Kingdom effectiveness. Pray especially for ministries that draw together the diverse denominations, such as the Evangelical Association and Youth ImpactMinistries. www.operationworld.org

 

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Genesis 27

When Isaac was old and his eyes were dim so that he could not see, he called Esau his older son and said to him, “My son”; and he answered, “Here I am.” 2 He said, “Behold, I am old; I do not know the day of my death. 3 Now then, take your weapons, your quiver and your bow, and go out to the field and hunt game for me, 4 and prepare for me delicious food, such as I love, and bring it to me so that I may eat, that my soul may bless you before I die.”

5 Now Rebekah was listening when Isaac spoke to his son Esau. So when Esau went to the field to hunt for game and bring it, 6 Rebekah said to her son Jacob, “I heard your father speak to your brother Esau, 7 ‘Bring me game and prepare for me delicious food, that I may eat it and bless you before the LORD before I die.’ 8 Now therefore, my son, obey my voice as I command you. 9 Go to the flock and bring me two good young goats, so that I may prepare from them delicious food for your father, such as he loves. 10 And you shall bring it to your father to eat, so that he may bless you before he dies.” 11 But Jacob said to Rebekah his mother, “Behold, my brother Esau is a hairy man, and I am a smooth man. 12 Perhaps my father will feel me, and I shall seem to be mocking him and bring a curse upon myself and not a blessing.” 13 His mother said to him, “Let your curse be on me, my son; only obey my voice, and go, bring them to me.”

14 So he went and took them and brought them to his mother, and his mother prepared delicious food, such as his father loved. 15 Then Rebekah took the best garments of Esau her older son, which were with her in the house, and put them on Jacob her younger son. 16 And the skins of the young goats she put on his hands and on the smooth part of his neck. 17 And she put the delicious food and the bread, which she had prepared, into the hand of her son Jacob.

18 So he went in to his father and said, “My father.” And he said, “Here I am. Who are you, my son?” 19 Jacob said to his father, “I am Esau your firstborn. I have done as you told me; now sit up and eat of my game, that your soul may bless me.” 20 But Isaac said to his son, “How is it that you have found it so quickly, my son?” He answered, “Because the LORD your God granted me success.” 21 Then Isaac said to Jacob, “Please come near, that I may feel you, my son, to know whether you are really my son Esau or not.” 22 So Jacob went near to Isaac his father, who felt him and said, “The voice is Jacob’s voice, but the hands are the hands of Esau.” 23 And he did not recognize him, because his hands were hairy like his brother Esau’s hands. So he blessed him. 24 He said, “Are you really my son Esau?” He answered, “I am.” 25 Then he said, “Bring it near to me, that I may eat of my son’s game and bless you.” So he brought it near to him, and he ate; and he brought him wine, and he drank.

26 Then his father Isaac said to him, “Come near and kiss me, my son.” 27 So he came near and kissed him. And Isaac smelled the smell of his garments and blessed him and said,

 

“See, the smell of my son

is as the smell of a field that the LORD has blessed!

28 May God give you of the dew of heaven

and of the fatness of the earth

and plenty of grain and wine.

29 Let peoples serve you,

and nations bow down to you.

Be lord over your brothers,

and may your mother’s sons bow down to you.

Cursed be everyone who curses you,

and blessed be everyone who blesses you!”

Genesis 25:19-34

This is the genealogy of Isaac, Abraham’s son. Abraham begot Isaac. 20Isaac was forty years old when he took Rebekah as wife, the daughter of Bethuel the Syrian of Padan Aram, the sister of Laban the Syrian. 21Now Isaac pleaded with the LORD for his wife, because she was barren; and the LORD granted his plea, and Rebekah his wife conceived. 22But the children struggled together within her; and she said, “If all is well, why am I like this?” So she went to inquire of the LORD.

     23And the LORD said to her:

 

“Two nations are in your womb,

Two peoples shall be separated from your body;

One people shall be stronger than the other,

And the older shall serve the younger.”

 

24So when her days were fulfilled for her to give birth, indeed there were twins in her womb. 25And the first came out red. He was like a hairy garment all over; so they called his name Esau. 26Afterward his brother came out, and his hand took hold of Esau’s heel; so his name was called Jacob. Isaac was sixty years old when she bore them.

27So the boys grew. And Esau was a skillful hunter, a man of the field; but Jacob was a mild man, dwelling in tents. 28And Isaac loved Esau because he ate of his game, but Rebekah loved Jacob.

29Now Jacob cooked a stew; and Esau came in from the field, and he was weary. 30And Esau said to Jacob, “Please feed me with that same red stew, for I am weary.” Therefore his name was called Edom.

31But Jacob said, “Sell me your birthright as of this day.”

32And Esau said, “Look, I am about to die; so what is this birthright to me?”

33Then Jacob said, “Swear to me as of this day.”

So he swore to him, and sold his birthright to Jacob. 34And Jacob gave Esau bread and stew of lentils; then he ate and drank, arose, and went his way. Thus Esau despised his birthright.

New King James Version

Prayer Focus for St. Helena – Sunday, July 13

Challenges for Prayer

The isolation of the islands makes vibrant ministry and church life a huge challenge. Connection to the outside world and to Christian resources is limited. The small and more transient populations of Ascension and Tristan have even less evangelical presence and ministry, if any.

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The Practices of Passionate Spirituality

Passionate Spirituality – who doesn’t want it? Consider how important it is to Starbucks and Teavana. They have recently begun a campaign where with every cup of coffee you get a “Steep Your Soul” quote. They write that the “Steep your Soul” quotes “invite you to take a few moments to pause and reflect each day. Your own personal steep time.” Then, on the other side of your Quad-Half-Calf-2%-Caramel-Macchiato you get a quote to help you steep you soul. One cup quotes Oprah Winfrey: Know what sparks the light in you. Then use that light to illuminate the world.DSC03006

I mention all that to make the point that the general population who have common sense (that would exclude those who prefer Dunkin Donuts) are also interested in spirituality. Here’s the thing. Not that I don’t like Oprah but who made her the authority on spirituality? She could teach me endless things about how to run a company or host a talk show but when it comes to spirituality I am going to the Bible.

pentecost_2So what exactly is spirituality according to the Bible? Well, as Jesus said, “God is Spirit”. Further, after Jesus rose physically from the dead he sent God the Holy Spirit (Acts 2). The Holy Spirit is essential to true human flourishing or true Spirituality (note the capital “S”). He comes as the gift to all those that trust that Jesus’ death saves. He comes as the guide for all those longing for a renewed human life of true and passionate Spirituality.

What about passion? What does that have to do with Spirituality? Well, to put it simply – if you have Spirituality then you have passion (or desire or longing or loving or whatever you want to call it). The two go together like coffee and cream. Jesus said, “Where your treasure is there your heart will be also.” If my passion is not for the kingdom of God then my longing will be for some alternate kingdom, some other vision of human flourishing.

Alright, granting you want to be passionately Spiritual, and not just in some bland pluralist “sparks the light” blah blah blah sort of way but the Jesus-Christ-True-to-Reality sort of way,  then you want to know how to go about it. Here’s the kick – it doesn’t just happen. In the Old and New Testament God again and again commends practices and habits that help to develop passionate Spirituality. Gathering with others for regular worship, singing songs together about the Kingdom of God, praying alone and with others, listening to the voice of God in Scripture, being still before God in recognition of his majesty, and others are examples of practices that help to further passionate Spirituality. The Scriptures even commend wise creativity with respect to these practices. For example, Jesus went to synagogue week-in-and-week-out yet this was never commanded (Luke 4:16).

Warning: these practices are not to be honed in order to force God to do stuff for you. These practices are not to be trotted out as reasons for people to notice you. These practices are not to be done the same way by everybody at all times and places.

The idea is that just as a trellis gives guidance for the vine so too Spiritual practices give structure to the truly passionate life in Christ. Rooted in Jesus through faith we can grow more and more into those who truly long for the Kingdom of God on earth as it is in heaven.

Prayer Focus for Rwanda – Sunday, July 6

Challenges for Prayer

The religious scene of Rwanda has been reshaped by the 1990s. A country in which 80% call themselves Christian, yet allowed and perpetrated such atrocities, might have been Christianized, but it clearly was not converted. Pray for:

a) The Catholic Church, which lost much credibility by failing to adequately oppose evil and speak against the ethnic hatred that led to the massacres. Many righteous Catholics, including priests and nuns, laid down their lives to protect others. But others failed to intervene or even connived with the perpetrators. As a result, many defected away from Catholicism out of disillusion. Pray that such nominalism and compromise might never happen again and that genuine renewal will transform the Catholic Church; signs that Catholics are seeking renewal are encouraging.

b) Evangelicals grew rapidly in the aftermath due to very active evangelism, aid programmes, ministry to the hurt and traumatized and a message of hope for all regardless of tribe. The East African Revival of the 1930s began in Rwanda. Pray for a new revival to break out, one that places tribalism and revenge at the foot of the cross and is characterized by repentance and reconciliation. Some evangelical groups seem concerned only with numerical growth rather than discipleship and transformation.

c) Muslims also increased significantly in the last 15 years – unsurprisingly for similar reasons as evangelicals. Aggressive mosque building, aid and education programmes, a universal message that transcends ethnicity as well as the moral high ground for playing a less active role in the genocide have seen Muslim numbers increase to possibly over 5% of the population, although this number is disputed. There is negligible Christian outreach to Muslims, and churches have little idea how to do so; pray for a loving witness by believers.

Thousands of spiritual leaders were murdered or fled and have not been replaced. The remaining often despair of being able to cope with the desperate physical, social, psychological and spiritual damage done. Less than 10% of evangelical pastors have any formal theological training. Several theological colleges have a born-again presence, including the Rwanda Institute of Evangelical Theology (the encouraging result of the merger of two colleges), an Anglican college and a Pentecostal college. All face challenges. Some pastors train and study in Uganda or Kenya. A number of other programmes, including TEE and modular training, are also being utilized. Poverty often prevents pastors from getting the training they need and long for. There is a dearth of good Bible study aids, and the government’s decision to rapidly transition from French to English as the language of education will impact training for some years. Pray that God may raise up godly men and women fitted for Rwanda’s hour of need. Pray also for financial provision for both students and schools.

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