At The Crossroads
April 2015 Newsletter from Crossroads UMC
The Pastor's Page
Breaking for Spring
This year most of the school spring breaks start the Friday before Easter. Darn. Our main holiday is competing with a vacation season. I don’t like those odds for Easter Sunday attendance. Of course, this doesn’t happen every year since the school calendar is fairly static, but the church calendar for this holiday season moves around.
You may remember that modern Easter dates are calculated by the moon cycle rather than setting a strict calendar date. In the western Christian churches we calculate Easter by setting it on the first Sunday after the first full moon after March 21st. This was decided by a decree in the 16th century. It was more difficult before then when we had to wait to predict what Sunday would follow the first full moon after the first day of Spring (vernal equinox). So for us today, the holiday can occur anywhere between March 22 and April 25. This is a unique bit of trivia that reminds us of our ancient ancestors’ ways of thinking.
Our ancestors were always looking up to God. They saw the movement of the seasons as a revelation of God’s glory. While we don’t worship the objects of nature itself, we admire God’s handiwork. I like to think that the light of the full moon before Easter is wonderfully symbolic. Jesus is our light in the darkness of night. Since we are usually several days into spring for Easter, we notice there is more light during the daytime. God is light and it is good.
Whether you are taking a vacation or staycation here in Georgia, I hope you’ll break for Spring’s message to us. The message is that there is a new light to follow. The light of hope in the resurrection. The light shining forth in the darkness of death. The light showing the way and the truth.
Church wide News
2015 Walk With Angels
Congratulations to the 2015 Crossroads Walk With Angels Team!
Awards for our Team:
"First Walkers over the Finish Line" in 1 hour and 48 minutes - Jennifer Edward and Howard Rowe
"Youngest Walker" - Madison Hammonds
"Most Contributions", 2nd Place with $1495.40 - Jennifer Edwards
"Most Contributions Team", 2nd place with $6219.00 - CUMC
"Best All-Round Team" - CUMC
"Best Volunteers at Event" - CUMC
Confirmands 2015
Welcome to the CUMC Family:
3012 Pommell Court
Conyers, GA 30012
Bill, Tanya, and Mary Kathryn Hunt
2820 Terrace Ridge
Conyers, GA 30012
Susan Smith Receives Award
Our very own member, Susan Smith, was recently given the "Laura H. Barnes Honorary School Social Worker Award" from Rockdale County Public Schools. Susan was chosen by RCPS social workers because of her contributions behind the scenes in her work as the RCPS Student Support Coordinator and former STARS Program coordinator, .
The award was also given in celebration of March as school social worker appreciation month and school social work week in the first week of March. This year's theme is "Social Work, Leading the Way for Change."
Church wide Events
Holy Week Worship Services
Maundy Thursday, April 2nd, 7:00pm
Come and celebrate Holy Communion in a deep and meaningful way. We will remember Jesus’ last night with his disciples this evening.
Good Friday, April 3rd, 7:00pm
“Am I guilty?” a dramatic worship service featuring music and monologues that draw us to the circumstances around Jesus’ crucifixion.
Easter Morning April 5th 7:00am, 8:30am, and 11:00am
The 7:00am sunrise service is informal and inspirational. Bring a lawn chair and gather in front of the church. A hearty and holy breakfast served following the service.
The 8:30am and 11:00am services will feature a special Easter message and Holy Communion. The annual Easter Egg hunt and family activities follows the 11:00 worship service.
Easter Egg Hunt on Easter Sunday April 5
The 2015 Easter Egg Hunt will be held on Easter Sunday, April 5, directly following the 11:00AM worship service. The Egg Hunt is designed for 5th grade and younger. Bring your whole family though! There will be a self shoot opportunity for family pictures with a beautiful background. We promise to have you out in time for that delicious Easter lunch with your families.
Contact Leigh Martin to volunteer or with any questions at leighsmartin@gmail.com.
Wednesday Night Supper April 15 6:00PM
Jody Thompson is an actor/comedian/magician from the Conyers area. You may recognize him from the most recent Ga Lottery Commercial as the guy in the hottub!
Jody Thompson will be here to share his comedy act with us.
Menu
Ham
Black Eyed Peas
Macaroni and Cheese
Fried Okra
Candied Yams
Cornbread
Tossed Salad
Ice Tea and Lemonade
Banana Pudding
$7 for adults, $5 for children
RSVP by Monday, April 13th, at the link below or on Sundays with your bulletin insert.
https://crossroadsumc.wufoo.com/forms/wednesday-night-supper-april-15-600pm/
Open Volleyball Play starting April 19 at 5:00PM
Join us on Sundays 5:00-7:00pm for Co-ed Volleyball on the Crossroads UMC “beach”. Our beach volleyball court is located between the sanctuary and the school. All skill levels welcome. Come and learn the game and enjoy some great sports fellowship. Contact: Rev. Zack at zack.martin@crossroadsumc.net or David Elder at delder47@aol.com.
Spring BBQ Saturday April 25th 11AM-3PM
It's that time of year again to restock your freezer full of Brunswick Stew and BBQ!
$8 per plate, pound, or quart
MENU
Pork, Stew, Slaw, Chips, Pickles, and Bread
CPR and First Aid Training Sunday, April 26 from 1PM - 4PM
Course includes adult, child and infant CPR and basic first aid. Designed to meet the needs of a diverse audience, training covers a range of topics for youth through seniors.
Date:
Sunday, Apr. 26, 2015
Time:
1:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Cost:
$20.00 per person
Crossroads Kids
Kid's Club underway
We have been having fun at Kid’s Club these past three weeks! We have been learning about the “ Books of the Bible”. Some of the fun games we have played are: Scoot Volleyball, Cup Pyramid Relays, and Hedbands. The kids have also enjoyed pizza, and chicken nuggets along with lots of fun fellowship! Next Wednesday our lesson will be on books of the bible: the new testament. I am looking forward to more learning, fellowship, and fun! Ms. Ginger
Crossroads Youth
Spiritual Life Retreat
Our youth had such a great time at SLR this year! Our speaker, Jasmine Smothers, taught us all about our "Road Trip" through life. Speed bumps, flat tires, and pot holes are sure to come, but with God, we are sure to make it there! One of the images she used over and over again, was that in order to have a successful road trip, we need to pack Fruit Snacks. By fruit snacks, she means the fruits of the spirit: Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self-Control. This weekend was packed with fun activities, awesome music, great worship, and fellowship.
Our youth are growing closer to God here at Crossroads, and that has a lot to do with the support that they receive from our congregation. Thank you for praying for these youth, and supporting them. We want to especially thank those that donated scholarships so that our youth could participate in such a wonderful event!!! -Rachel
Emma participating in a drama during Worship!
Maddie posing with "YSF" the duck
Zack and Rachel (and Maddie) enjoying the Glisson Falls
Clayton enjoying the music in the front row!
Chloe attempting to cross a stream
Youth Breakfast
CUMC Youth meet for breakfast every Thursday morning at Chick-Fil-A in Conyers (138) at 7:00AM before school.
April Dates: 2,16,23,30
Crossroads Seniors and Adults
Marriage Enrichment Group Sunday, April 12, 5:00PM in the Sanctuary
Men's and Women's Walk for Pathway East Emmaus April 16-19
Please be in prayer for this weekend retreat at Camp Westminster!
Book donations are needed for this event. Gently used spiritual, selfhelp/guidance, and devotional books are all welcome. Please place these books in the bin provided in the communication center by April 12th.
Thank you for your support, encouragement, and prayers!
CLEO Tuesday, April 7 at 12:00PM
UMM Monthly Meeting Sunday April 12th at 7AM
Exploring Arts Group Wednesday, April 8 at 10:30AM
Contact Mary Jane Lea at maryjanelea@gmail.com for more information on this group!
Promise Keepers Breakfast
UMW Tuesday, April 14 at 6:00PM
Visit www.unitedmethodistwomen.org for more information.
The Piecemakers
Men's Breakfast
Sunday Servants
April 5, Easter Sunday
8:30AM
Announcements: Grady Dukes
Scripture: Rosie Bucknor
Communion Servers: Julian and Pat Harwell, and Gwen Carroll
11:00AM
Announcements: Jim Miller
Scripture: Susan Smith
Acolytes: Grant Preiss and Chloe Boyd
Communion Servers: Marty and Stephanie Boyd, and Sandra Rodrick
April 12
8:30AM
Announcements: Artis Spencer
Scripture: Bruce Carey
11:00AM
Announcements: Bill Edwards
Scripture: Tim Willis
Acolytes: Jacob Burg and Hannah Hanson
April 19
8:30AM
Announcements: Julian Harwell
Scripture: Joel Crissman
11:00AM
Announcements: Brenda Edwards
Scripture: Brian Luke
Acolytes: Emily Page and Dawson Hammonds
April 26
8:30AM
Announcements: Jay Howe
Scripture: Joyce Howe
11:00AM
Announcements: Diane Reagan
Scripture: Susan Brinson
Acolytes: Mallory Hammonds and Evan Boyd
Happy Birthday! April 2015
04/02 David Meese Jr
04/02 Eugenia Shaw
04/03 Mary Kathryn Hunt
04/04 Rob Brown
04/07 Evan Boyd
04/08 Sharon Roberts
04/08 Brian Luke
04/09 Thomas David Smith
04/10 Alexis Nation
04/12 Sally Barfield
04/13 Roxanne Dukes
04/13 Lenae Rose
04/15 Elizabeth Meadows
04/15 Heather Carroll
04/17 Jennifer Edwards
04/18 Bob Hinkle
04/18 Helen Lombard
04/19 Matthew Munger
04/19 Andrew Smith
04/22 Kathy Edwards
04/24 Sara Gilreath
04/25 Elizabeth DeFloria
04/26 Lynne Fincher
04/28 Alex Carey
04/28 Sarah Carey
May 2015 Newsletter Deadline
The deadline to get information into the May 2015 Newsletter is Monday, April 20th by 2PM. Please submit all articles, information, and pictures to secretary@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 secretary@crossroadsumc.net or 770-388-7438.
Crossroads United Methodist Church
Office Hours
Monday - Friday
9:00AM - 2:00PM
Email: secretary@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