Take a moment to reflect with gratitude and thanksgiving before the holiday season ramps up. Plan to join us Wednesday evening (November 16th) at 6:45pm for this special service. Kids Too! & Youth Group will be offered per usual.

It's a popular tradition to serve at a food shelf or soup kitchen some time over the Thanksgiving holiday. We have an opportunity for you to help Wednseday, Nov 23. You can help set up, clean up, pass out food in the building, or help share food directly at the Bossen apartments. Sign-up here.

This Sunday we will take time to express our appreciation to Kristi and the Johnson family. This will be their final Sunday with us.

Kristi began serving as the Communication Coodinator in 2019 and transitioned to the Office & Communication Manager in 2020. She launched a new website and app to help keep us informed over the pandemic. She maintained our YouTube channel to support the transition to streaming. And for the last 5 years she has produced our Crosstown Connection Newsletter. Let us be praying for Kristi, Nathan, Elaina, and Josie as they journey into a new season.

Crosstown's pursuit of a new "Communication & Office Manager" is ongoing. We continue to invite you to make this a matter of prayer as we seek the Spirit's leading for a new person in this role. Realizing that we may not have a new person by the time of Kristi's departure, Crosstown's Elder Team and Lead Pastor is putting together a plan to cover our short-term needs. One specific need is for a person to serve in the office on Tuesdays. If you would be able to serve in communication or hospitality ministry, please contact Sam Buchanan or Pastor John.

We are so grateful for the trail that Kristi Johnson has blazed over the last years in pioneering this publication. Thank you, friend! Moving forward, we are happy to announce that Heather Polhemus will be serving as our editor on a temporary basis. Our current plan is to publish the "Connection" on alternating weeks. However, with Thanksgiving on November 24, the next edition of the newsletter will be on Thursday, December 1.

"Holy Spirit, you are welcome here! Come flood this place and fill the atmosphere!" At Crosstown, we desire to prepare our hearts to worship the Lord and to invite Him to be present and at work in this place. Whether you're sitting in the congregation or serving in a volunteer role that morning, you're all invited to join us at the front of the Sanctuary at 9:30am on Sunday mornings to cover the service in prayer.

It is our spiritual practice to take an annual offering for the needs of those in God's world who are experiencing disaster and hardship. As we join our gifts with those throughout the Evangelical Covenant Church, it is possible to make a dramatic impact. Click the newsletter image to read the fall update.

On this day, we will engage in an "ancient" practice of passing offering plates. We encourage you to give generously to those in great need as we serve as the hands and feet of Jesus!

If you were at the congregational meeting on October 30th, you heard some concerning information about our financial condition this year. In light of that information, Crosstown Commissions have prepared their 2023 proposed budgets, looking very carefully at every line and making strategic cuts where possible in an effort to make sure key ministries continue. The Finance Commission Elder will be presenting the combined commission budgets to the Elder Team for discussion and review this month.

Everyone involved is working diligently to make sure we’re stewarding your financial gifts the best way we know how. In the meantime, strong ministry continues.

We ask you to continue to give to Crosstown with a joyful heart. Thank you!

🚙 Extra Cars in the Parking Lot?

Crosstown has entered into a rental agreement that allows for 5 cars to be stored in our lot. These vehicles are owned by Jesse who rents them on TURO. His clients will rent online and then come to Crosstown to pick up their vehicle with a passcode. You can learn more about Jesse's vehicles here.

NENA is also now renting storage space in our garage.

An army came rappelling down to place the new Sanctuary roof on October 31st. Everything went very smoothly and no additonal work on the decking was required.

So far $4,815 has been donated for the project. If you would like to contribute to this capital project please indicate that in your memo line.

Advent this year is based on Luke 2:25-32 "Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: 'Sovereign Lord, as you have promised….My eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all nations.'"

Our Advent services will begin November 27th and run through January 8th (Epiphany Sunday). The goals are to share Jesus, the Goodness of God, with our community by creating space for both thoughtful anticipation and joyful celebration.

We are saddened to pass along the news that our Ethiopian friends have made the sad decision to conclude ministry as a congregation. We have known that our Bethel friends have been struggling since the June '22 departure of their pastor. We do thank God for the time that Bethel Ethiopian has been at Crosstown and the enlarged vision of Jesus' kingdom that they have brought to us!  

🥄 FMSC Nov 12th 🥄

9:00-10:45am OR 4:30-6:15pm

The whole congregation is invited to serve together and to invite a friend/ schoolmate/ neighbor/ coworker to join in the fun! You don't need to attend both shifts, but we wanted to give some flexibility in time. Pick which option works for you and RSVP to Polly.

On the first Sunday of each month, youth are invited to join the Youth Ministry team for a sweet treat outing after worship. We will meet at the front doors 5 minutes after worship ends and head over to a local coffee or donut shop. Youth Ministry will provide $10 per youth and we will catch up on life.

Transportation: Volunteers can transport students to the location but parents need to pick up students at 12:30 from the local shop. Location will be emailed to parents.

Man Camp

Nov (17)18-20

Men, we would be honored if you would join us at Covenant Pines for Man Camp. There are multiple date options and price options. Check out the flier for all the details.

Also use the discount code "CROSSTOWN50" to save $50!

Passion for Christ Compassion for People