At The Crossroads
April 2019 Newsletter from Crossroads UMC
Dear Church,
In Bishop Robert Schnase’s book Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations, he talks about the five things congregations do that help them flourish in ministry, discipleship, and growth. The first thing he mentions is Radical Hospitality. Radical hospitality helps congregations get in the mindset that they are always anticipating and inviting guests to be part of their worship and fellowship. It goes beyond saying hello to new people, and encourages members to take the next steps in order to really make newcomers feel welcome.
Imagine you’re having a guest to your house. Perhaps you’ll make sure the bathrooms are fully stocked with clean towels and toilet paper. Perhaps you’ll ensure the kitchen and living room look tidy and inviting and smell fresh and clean. We tend to go out of our way to make guests feel welcome and cherished so they’ll enjoy their time with us and want to return again soon.
This is how we should treat everyone who walks in our doors for worship, Bible study, and fellowship events. During the month of April, with everything from our Easter Egg Hunt to our Easter Worship Services to our Men’s BBQ, we can anticipate additional guests to join us at Crossroads UMC. Let’s go out of our way to make them feel especially welcomed. Our church already does a great job of being warm and friendly to those who walk through our doors, and I often hear how welcoming our church is to new people. This is one of the best things I can hear as a pastor. But I want to encourage us to continue offering that hospitality and take it one step further. Let’s look at some ways we can offer radical hospitality.
1. Nametags—we invite you to wear nametags every Sunday in April during worship. This allows us to better learn one another and allows guests to get to know us quicker and easier, without having to ask. Make sure guests get a nametag too!
2. Greetings—when we have greeting time during worship, be on the lookout for newcomers. Make sure to welcome guests first, and then greet those you already know.
3. Building relationships—take your greeting one step further than “hello, so glad you’re here!” Ask a guest if they’re new in town, or what brings them to Crossroads. Tell them your name and pay attention if they respond with their own. Show them our blue cards and invite them to fill one out so we can follow up with information about upcoming events.
4. Help them feel connected—help our newcomers feel comfortable in the building. Offer to show them where the coffee, restrooms, or nursery is located. Recommend a Sunday School class and show them where it is located.
5. Follow their cues—some people want to remain anonymous the first time they attend worship. If they decline your offers for further conversation, thank them for coming, and give them some space. If they seem interested in learning more, offer to share your favorite part of Crossroads UMC or take them to meet Pastor Julie after the service.
Peace,
Rev. Julie Schendel
UPCOMING EVENTS
Holy Week
Join us for wonderful worship experiences during Holy Week this year.
- April 14th Palm Sunday with a Procession of Palms at the 8:45am and 11:00am services. Come celebrate Christ's triumphal entry into Jerusalem.
- April 15th-18th Prayer Stations. Come to the Sanctuary during Holy Week to explore interactive prayer stations that will help you focus on the events of the week. These are self-guided stations that allow you to spend as much/little time as you like as you touch, taste, and feel your way through prayer and remember Jesus' last days before the crucifixion. Stations will be open Monday through Thursday 9:00am-2:00 pm and Tuesday and Wednesday 5:00pm-7:00pm.
- April 18th Maundy Thursday worship at 7:00pm. Come celebrate Holy Communion in a deep and meaningful way. We will remember Jesus' last night with his disciples.
- April 19th Good Friday at Philadelphia UMC at 7:00 pm. Rev. Alex McGinnis has invited us to join Philadelphia UMC for a Tenebrae service on Good Friday.
- April 21st Easter Worship:
*6:30am sunrise service. This is an informal and inspirational service on the front lawn.
*7:15am A delicious breakfast will be served following the sunrise service.
*8:45am and 11:00am Worship services.
*Sunday School at 10:00am.
Each service will feature interesting and inspiring acts of worship to draw you closer to Christ and his good news for us all.
Easter Lilies and Hydrangeas for Easter Sunday
Easter is right around the corner and the Worship Committee invites you to help decorate the Sanctuary by purchasing Easter lilies or hydrangeas in honor or memory of a loved one. You may order your flowers until Sunday, April 7th. The cost is $16.00 per plant. Be sure to complete and turn in the order form that will be in April 7th Sunday's bulletin.
Easter Egg Hunt
Candy Donations Needed
We are collecting candy for our Easter egg hunt on Wednesday, April 10th. Candy donations will be collected through April 8th. No chocolate please, as it tends to melt. You may leave your candy in the basket in the Narthex. We are also looking for volunteers to help with this event. See Ginger Peek for more information.
United Methodist Women Collecting for UMCOR
Prayer Stations Available During Holy Week
Crossroads Men's Club BBQ
Music Camp
CELEBRATIONS!
Congratulations!
ongoing ministries
Men's Club Breakfast
Rockdale Emergency Relief
We collect food donations for Rockdale Emergency Relief on the first Sunday of each month. On Sunday, April 7th, you may leave your donations in the cart in the Narthex.
Items needed this month are:
Canned Chili Canned Pork and Beans
Bagged or Boxed Grits Dessert Mixes
Dry Beans Jelly
CLEO's
"CLEO" (Christian Ladies Eating Out) will meet at Milano's on Tuesday, April 2nd at 12:00pm.
Happy Hearts
Retired and inspired members of the church will gather at O'Charley's. Join us Friday, April 5th at 11:30am.
Exploring Arts
United Methodist Women
Wednesday Night Supper
The Walton Gang Breakfast
The Piecemakers Quilters
Youth Group
The Youth Group meets every Wednesday, 5:30-7:15pm . All Youth 6th-12th grades are invited!
Kid's Club
Every Wednesday at 5:30pm-7:15pm. Kid's Club has fun, games, refreshments, choir and learning the Bible in a fun way! All kids Kindergarten through 5th grade are welcome!
Promise Keepers Breakfast
April Worship Volunteers
April 7
8:45am
Scripture: David Copple
Holy Communion: Grady & Roxanne Dukes, Artis Spencer
Audio: John Schaal
Video: Brandon Thomas
11:00am
Scripture: Charlene Hutson
Acolyte: Lily Moon
Holy Communion: Bobby & Sherri Hanson, Brenda Edwards
Audio: Fred Watson
Video: Jennifer Edwards
April 14
8:45am
Scripture: Joel Crissman
Audio: John Schaal
Video: David Elder
11:00am
Scripture: Julian Harwell
Acolyte: Sadie Moon
Audio: Fred Watson
Video: Sandra Rodrick
April 21
8:45am
Scripture: Cindy Watts
Audio: John Schaal
Video: Brandon Thomas
11:00am
Scripture: Pat Harwell
Acolyte: Evan Boyd, Mayce Page
Audio: Reggie Charles
Video: Fred Watson
April 28
8:45am
Scripture: Artis Spencer
Audio: John Schaal
Video: David Elder
11:00am
Scripture: Sandra Rodrick
Acolyte: Marley Compton
Audio: Reggie Charles
Video: Fred Watson
May 5
Scripture: Pat Harwell
Holy Communion: Joel & Nancy Crissman, Nancy Jackson
Audio: John Schaal
Video:Brandon Thomas
Scripture: David Hammonds
Acolyte: Ben Helton
Holy Communion: Bobby & Sally Barfield, Paul Wine
Audio: Susan Smith
Video: Jennifer Edwards
Crossroads Shut-In List
Many of you have asked about our church members and friends who can no longer make it to Sunday Services and other fellowship events. Below is a current list with contact information if you would like to reach out to them. We ask that you keep them all in your prayers and thoughts. If you would like to add someone to the list, please contact the church office.
Nora Pelowski
1358 Manchester Dr
Bristol Village - Room 230
Conyers, GA 30012
770-760-8269
Effe Ashong
1500 Callaway Loop
Conyers, GA 30012
770-760-1075
Donna Peek
131 Vickery Dr.
Central, SC 29631
Martha Bryant
2592 Abbey Ridge Road
Conyers GA 30094
770-483-4648
Mattie Lou Hammonds
1239 Milstead Avenue
Conyers GA 30012
770-483-7162
Happy Birthday! April 2019
Ray Coble, 4/01
Eugenia Shaw, 4/02
Mary Kathryn Hunt, 4/03
Rob Brown, 4/04
Evan Boyd, 4/07
Brian Luke, 4/08
Sharon Roberts, 4/08
Alexis Nation, 4/10
Sally Barfield, 4/12
Roxanne Dukes, 4/13
Lenae Rose, 4/13
Heather Carroll, 4/15
Jennifer Edwards, 4/17
Andrew Smith, 4/19
Kathy Edwards, 4/22
Lynne Fincher, 4/26
Alex Carey, 4/28
Sarah Carey, 4/28
May 2019 Newsletter Deadline
The deadline to get information into the May 2019 Newsletter is Monday, April 29th. Submit all articles, information, and pictures to admin@crossroadsumc.net or call 770-388-7438. If you wish to receive a mailed copy of the church's monthly newsletter, please contact the church office at admin@crossroadsumc.net or 770-388-7438.
Crossroads United Methodist Church
Office Hours
Monday - Thursday
9:00AM - 2:00PM
Email: admin@crossroadsumc.net
Website: www.crossroadsumc.net
Location: 2460 State Highway 138, Conyers, GA, United States
Phone: 770-388-7438
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Crossroads-UMC-Conyers/227593134052091