Considering Kingdom Groups

Brothers and Sisters,

September is a busy month isn't it? Driving to and from music classes, preparing to teach or take another semester's load of classes, trying to squeeze in enough family time to beat the 12 minute statistic... This time of year can easily become overwhelming. But it is also a good time to reflect on how we would like the rest of our year to be shaped. In the midst of all of our busyness, can I ask that we hit the pause button just for a few seconds to consider the role of kingdom groups in our lives? Our pastors/elders have been spending some time over the summer praying and reflecting upon where we have been and where we are going. One of our conclusions, was a confirmation that kingdom groups serve as one of the vital means for fellowship and spiritual growth. Our hope is that all of our members have a regular connection to their kingdom groups.

This is not to serve as a guilt trip in any way. I understand how difficult it can be, particularly as the assignments, lunch meetings, sports games etc pile up. Many of these things are good and beneficial things. In many ways we feel that we can do just fine with sermons, our individual devotional times, or even parachurch opportunities. And yet we also recognize that the Lord has called us to be the church. To weep and rejoice with one another. To pray and study God's Word together. Can I ask you to prayerfully consider making a commitment to regular participation in the lives of your kingdom group members this year? It would be a joy and blessing to have you join us. But please also understand that if you are not able to come regularly, that we love you just the same, and you are more than welcome to come as you are able. I look forward to this coming year!

In Christ,
Leo Hsu

Sewing Night

All are welcome to a sewing night, Friday September 10^th at 7.30 pm in the Fellowship Hall. Come with your projects or come to learn. Contact Terri Ryan for details. 754.5824.

Church Workday!

The Church Workday is Saturday September 11 from 8.00 am – 3.00 pm. Come for the morning, afternoon or stay all day. Lunch will be provided.

Dinners of Seven

Do you hate to eat alone? If so, sign up to attend the “Dinners of Seven” to be held on Friday evening, September 17^th. Sign-up sheets are on the back table Sunday morning. Sunday September 12^th is the last day to sign up for the 17^th. This is a great opportunity to meet others at Crossroads and make new friends!  Those who sign up will be divided into groups of seven or eight and will be contacted by their host the week of the dinner.

Youth Group

The youth group will be having its first gathered meeting this Sunday for youth, grades 6-10! It will be held from 6-8PM at the home of one of our parents. Please call Billy Boyce if you need details and directions: 314.406.8890.

Congregational Meeting

All members and regular attenders of Crossroads are invited to attend our congregational meeting Sunday, September 24th. We will be voting on the nomination listed below.

Nominated

John Choe has been nominated for the office of deacon. If you have any questions or concerns about this man, contact one of your pastors or clerk of session Mark Peck. We will be asking you to vote at the congregational meeting on the 13th of December absentee voting will be available, please contact the office for details: 314.644.0030 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Introduction to Crossroads Kingdom Group

Pastor Vander Maas, along with his wife Lisa, would like to invite visitors to Crossroads to join them in their home beginning Wednesday evenings September the 15, 22, 29, and October 6, 13, 20 to learn more about the ministry of Crossroads. This special six week Kingdom Group will not only have a fellowship and prayer component to it, but will help prepare those who are interested in membership. You are invited to join us for dinner at 6 pmfollowed by discussion from 7 to 8 pm. Children are welcome. Please call the office, 314.644.0030, to RSVPor email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Even if you feel it is too early to think about membership, please do join us in simply learning more about Crossroads. Also, even if you cannot join us for a 6pmmeal, please do still feel welcome to join us for prayer and discussion at 7pm.

Hikers!

We will be meeting on Saturday, September 18 @ 8 am at the Al Foster trail just off I-44 and Hwy 109.  We will meet at the Glencoe Trailhead and do as much of the 4.5-mile point-to-point trail.  To reach Glencoe Trailhead:  Exit I-44 at Eureka and go north 3 miles on MO 109 to Old State Road. Turn right and travel .1 mile on Old State Road to Washington Avenue; turn right again and follow Washington Avenue (which becomes Grand) 2 blocks to the trailhead. Let me know if you plan on joining us...we look forward to a cooler hike! Audrey  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Reimbursement requests

We know that on occasion people incur expenses on behalf of the church. In order to insure proper processes and to avoid delays in issuing checks, you must turn in a completed reimbursement form including your mailing address, a description of the expense, and a copy of the receipt in order to be reimbursed for these valid, approved expenses. Reimbursement forms are available outside the church office; an electronic version is available as well. Completed forms and receipts may be: a) hand-delivered to the church office during business hours, b) mailed to the church (2640 Oakview Terrace, St Louis MO 63143), c) scanned and emailed to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or d) dropped in the offering plate. Please do not hand receipts to pastors, deacons or elders and expect them to handle the reimbursement for you. If you have questions, or would like an electronic copy of the reimbursement form, please contact Mark Peck: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

October Book Club October 18, 2010 7 pm.

We have selected the book: In the Sanctuary of Outcasts: A Memoir by Neil White. Andrew referenced it in one of his sermons, he and Lisa both read and enjoyed it. It is the story of a journalist and magazine publisher who was caught moving money around. He was sentenced to serve 18 months in a federal prison, but the prison was no ordinary prison. The beautiful, isolated colony in Carville, Louisiana, was also home to the last people in the continental United States disfigured by leprosy. Hidden away for decades, this small circle of outcasts had forged a tenacious, clandestine community, a fortress to repel the cruelty of the outside world. We will meet to discuss the book on Monday, October 18 in the Church Lounge at 7 pm. Email Audrey at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it if you plan on attending!

The Nursery Team is in need of more volunteers.

Without additional assistance, we are unable to offer supervised nursery for both infants and toddlers each Sunday. If you would be willing to assist in serving as a nursery worker or as a nursery team member, please contact Kristin Groeneveld at 314-427-6961 or at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Fall Women's Kick-off!

All Crossroads women are invited to brunch on Saturday, September 25th, 9:00 a.m. at Aimee B's in St. Charles.  Come to enjoy good fellowship, and learn about Bible studies, peer mentor groups, and upcoming events.  Contact: Renee Dunn ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ) to RSVP.

Baby Shower

Please join us for a baby shower for Lindsey Mitchell celebrating the upcoming arrival of their daughter! It will be on Sunday, September 19th from 2:30-4:30pm at Alison Esbeck’s home (7421 Canterbury Ave. Maplewood, MO 63143.) If you have any questions or to RSVP please contact Lori Kothe at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Lindsey is registered at Babies “R” Us, Target, and Cotton Babies. Used or secondhand gifts are also welcome!

KIDS SUNDAY SCHOOL STARTS SUNDAY

The fall term of children's Sunday school starts this Sunday, the 12th.  The children will gather in the sanctuary at 9:15 for songs and memory verses and from there will be dismissed to their classrooms.  We look forward to the start of the new school year together.  Don't to forget to pick your children up by 10:15.

Through A Child's Eyes:
Leading Our Kids Through the Old Testament

This semester Crossroads is offering an adult Sunday school focused upon enabling and encouraging and parents to lead their children through the biblical story.  Adults will follow the same curriculum schedule as the children's Sunday school, discussing the stories and themes our children are focusing on, but with the intent of working together to investigate ways in which we might reinforce God's truth to our children at home.  This class will be team taught by members of our children's ministry team, Ian Hard, Billy Boyce, and Mark Ryan. Please join us in the church lounge, Sunday mornings, 9:15-10:00am, starting September 12.

A new Kingdom Group

is starting up this coming week on Monday nights in Maplewood from 6:30-8:30.  If you are interested in hearing more about it or attending, please contact Doug and Lori Kothe at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or Joe and Kristen Groeneveld at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Women's Fall Morning Bible Study

Weekly bible study held at the Maplewood site in the morning and studying the book: "Through His Eyes" by Jerram Barrs, exploring the question "What does God think about women, and how does he treat them?”  Courtney Dey and Audrey Woita will be leading this study on Tuesday mornings at 10:00 a.m., beginning September 21st.

Childcare workers needed

Paid childcare workers are needed on Tuesday mornings during Bible study.  If you're interested, or know of a good candidate, please contact Courtney Dey ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ).

Evening study for women:

starting Monday, Sept 13th, we'll meet at Becka Hard's home at 7:00 p.m. for prayer and discussion of Jerram Barrs' "Through His Eyes." Contact Melynda Boyce ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , 314-406-1016) for more details and if you will need a copy of the book ($14).  The study will last 10 weeks, ending November 22nd.

Need Counseling?

Wellspring Christian Counseling is offering counseling services at Crossroads. Currently, there are three counselors available along with three interns. The interns are available at a discounted rate. The first two are our very own, Jason Cochran and "Yancie", the third is Ms. Sandy Kallaos. The licensed counselors are Leslie Peacock, Jeanette Brown, and Janet Burns. Please contact (636) 449-1252 for more information.

East and West Ladies - PMG Coffee Talk!

Fall groups are forming!  Thursday, September 16 at 7:30pm is our fall Peer Mentoring Coffee Talk.  Hosted by Katie Gamble at 6830 Marquette Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63139.  Light refreshments and great discussion planned.  For details or to RSVP, please call 314-646-7635 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it - and check out our new brochures on the information table.  Hope to see you there!

Olivette Parties in the Park!!

Friday, Sept. 24 @ Stacy Park. This is a great opportunity for our church community to be involved and interact with the Olivette community! We're looking for some volunteers to help with the event or you can just come and enjoy the evening. If you would like to volunteer, please contact Rick Whitlock at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Either way, come with family, friends, and kingdom groups and enjoy an evening full of pony rides, inflatable games, Wii games, and a movie! Everything is 100% FREE!

In Need?

Contact our Deacons: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , or call the church office.

Prayer Families

The prayer families for this week are Leo and Nicci Hsu, Ian and Rebecca Hard, Tim Han and Josh and Sarah Hager.

Weekly Emails

If you would like to recieve our weekly emails, please send your email address to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Building Use

if you have a request to use the Maplewood building, please fill out one of the request forms (attached to the Friday email) and email it to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .