Cross points

Merry Christmas! Jeffrey C. Hayes

MONTHLY NEWSLETTER OF CALVARY BAPTIST CHURCH

JANUARY 2017

Jim Burnett Reflects on His Decision to Join Calvary Webster defines the word “join” as: bring together so as to make continuous; to bring into close association or relationship with; to meet and merge with; to become a part or member of; to come into the company of; to participate with in an act or activity… Well, I believe all of these Webster ideas are definitely a part of why I have asked to JOIN the family of faith called Calvary. Other thoughts and words come to mind also like: belonging, family, peace, brothers and sisters, hope, comradery, fellowship, togetherness, Agape’, challenged by, sharpened by, included, commitment, worship, singing, preaching, studying, preparing….well you have probably guessed that I love words… and I love their multitude of meanings.

As Pastor Jeff shared with us several weeks ago from Malachi; “Always bring your best in worship of God.” I felt God speaking to me in confirmation with what he had been saying to me for the last several months. So Calvary I come to be a part of this fellowship; to be a part of the body of Christ and the mission He has called us to on the corner of Haywood and Baker; or wherever he sends or plants us!

“Blest Be the tie that binds, our hearts in Christian love, the fellowship of kindred minds, is like to that above.”

Your brother in Christ, Jim Burnett

Sunday Worship January 1

Kate Hurley in Concert

January 8

Matthew 3

Tommy Rutledge, Preaching

January 15

John 1:29-42; 1 Corinthians 1:1-9

January 22

Matthew 4:12-23; 1 Corinthians 1:10-18

January 29

State of the Church Dialogue

Potluck Lunch

January 10 6:30 Deacon Meeting

January 16 6:00 Leadership Team Meeting

January Meetings

State of the Church Dialogue and Potluck Lunch Each January Pastor Jeff delivers a “State of the Church” sermon detailing some of the accomplishments and defi-ciencies we have experienced in the past year, as well as hopes for the future. This year, in collaboration with the Leadership Team, the annual state of the church message will take the form of a church dialogue—much like a town hall meeting. We invite you to worship on January 29th in the Candler Center. During that time, we will engage in a discussion about the current state of Calvary. Bring your cares, concerns, hopes, questions, and dreams. After wor-ship we will enjoy a potluck lunch. Please bring a dish (or two!) (or three!!) to share!! Meat will be provided.

Merry Christmas! Yes, I realize this is the January edition of Crosspoints, but judging by the calendar you are reading this article before December 25th. Second, as we learned in our study of the Christian year, Christmas is not just a day but an entire season lasting until Epiphany! That means you have permission to say “Merry Christmas” until January 6th! Yet, after the actual day of Christmas passes many of us feel like the season is over. There is always that sort of holiday letdown as the melancholy feeling sinks in and everything returns to normal. Certainly that is the feeling in the world, but it should not be the feeling for Christians. Christmas is a revolutionary time when God turns “normal” upside down by his entrance into the world. Something has changed with the birth of Christ and for us to forget that—just because Christmas day has passed—circumvents the entire event. How have the seasons of Advent and Christmas changed you this year? Or have they changed you at all? What lessons will you take from these seasons into the new year? It would be easy for us to pack up Christmas and let it lie dormant in the attic until next December. But that’s not its purpose. Just as the Christ child came to change the world, we, too, as followers of Jesus should be changed by every encounter we have with Jesus. How has that happened for you this year? And how will you exhibit that change in the coming year? May the birth of Christ provide a new birth within you to live in, with, and through Jesus.

Calvary Folks at the OCC Processing Center on December 9th

KATE HURLEY IN CONCERT JANUARY 1ST

Kate Hurley is an author, musician, worship leader, certified life coach, and music teacher. She teaches piano lessons, beginning guitar lessons, songwriting lessons, and voice lessons. Her musical career has spanned fourteen years playing and teaching everywhere from castles in Germany to slum villages in India and audiences of 30,000 plus. Her favorite instruments are piano, guitar, and the hammered dulcimer. Kate has written a book titled Cupid is a Procrastinator: Making Sense of the Unexpected Single Life. It is about the joys and frustrations of being single longer than she expected.

Originally from Colorado, Kate has spent time all over the world. Recently she moved to Asheville to continue her music career and be closer to family.

We are very grateful for Kate’s leadership in worship throughout December. Kate will be sharing her gifts with us one last time in a worship concert on January 1st at 11:00AM.

Pastor’s Bible Study Following our study of the seasons this past Fall, many of you have expressed interest in learning more about the Christian year. To that end, each week in the Pas-tor’s Bible Study, we will focus on the upcoming Sunday, its meaning, and the Scripture that Pastor Jeff will preach from the pulpit. This is your opportunity to help create the sermon! Pastor’s Bible Study will resume on January 11th with a discussion on John 1:29-42 and 1 Corinthians 1:1-9; the Second Sunday after the Epiph-any (January 15). This is sure to be lots of fun! Come join us!

Wednesday Night Fellowship on

January 18th

Dinner at 5:30 When the calendar turns January 1, many people make resolutions to eat better and exercise. Certainly there is biblical instruction for taking care of our bodies. As we get older this is even more important. Our Wednesday Fellowship for January will focus on exercises that are appropriate for older adults. This will take place at the Western North Carolina Baptist Home located at 213 Richmond Hill Drive. At 5:30 a dinner of grilled cheese and tomato soup will be provided, followed by instruction from fitness expert Millie Brown. Dress comfortably and come enjoy the fun! [Reservations for dinner must be made in the church office by January 11th.]

The results of Pastor Jeff’s D.Min. project are available by

request. This includes all surveys, evaluations, and interviews.

Please see Jeff or call the church office if you would like a copy. The final report, including all research,

will not be available until February 1

st.

January is the first month of the year in the Julian and Gregorian calendars and the first month to have the

length of 31 days. It was named the first month in 1622, with January 1st being named New Year’s Day. Prior to that time, March 25 was the first day of the new year. It is, on average, the coldest month of the year within most of the Northern Hemisphere (where it is the second month of winter) and the warmest month of the year within most of the Southern Hemisphere (where it is the second month of summer). In the Southern hemisphere, January is the sea-sonal equivalent of July in the Northern hemisphere and vice versa. January (in Latin, Ianuarius) is named after the Latin word for door (ianua) since January is the door to the year.

Do not remember the former things, or consider the things of old. I am about to do a new thing;

now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness

and rivers in the desert. ~Isaiah 43:18-19

{Answer is on calendar page}

{Answers are on calendar page}

January 29th is National Puzzle Day! Try These Riddles: 1. What kind of tree can you carry in your hand? 2. What can travel around the world while staying in a corner? 3. What has a head and tail, but no body? 4. What has an eye but can not see? 5. What gets wetter and wetter the more it dries? 6. Paul’s height is six feet, he’s an assistant at a butcher’s shop and wears a

size 9 shoe. What does he weigh? 7. What kind of room has no doors or windows?

Congratulations to Dylan Welborn

We want to congratulate Dylan on receiving a life saving award and also for Rookie Fireman of the year in Colfax, NC. Dylan is the Grandson of

Edna Welborn and Nephew of Deb Welborn. O E N Y J F R H E G W P D S M

Y F Q O X N R X M H X P X N A

V W C K I S O A I N V J X E E

N T D U H T U R C Y F E Y T R

Y A D A I L A R T S U A Z T D

S N O W M A N N U H D S I I A

N F W J E E R P R S P C L M E

O R O K A Q E L R E I O P Y V

W E S W K R N A L C B G L B A

F E H R B I E Y L A Q I V E H

L Z T O U Y W E P B B Z H V I

A E W G W R E S O L U T I O N

K L N E D R A Z Z I L B O Z I

E E N G N I I K S F C Q I O R

P T W L B M B X W S P U Y T F

Servant Leader Results: Deacons Linda Farlow—Chairperson Peggy Brown—Vice Chairperson Annette Perkins—Secretary

Jack Brown John Buckner Bruce Farlow Bert Ingle Glenn Jervis Tom Mattox Joan McCook

Leadership Team Doley Bell Lin Berrier Frank Richardson Dan Bradshaw—Moderator Lennie Thornton—Treasurer Jennie Dalton—Clerk Linda Farlow—Deacon Chairperson

2017 Budget The 2017 Budget passed with an 87% approval of those present and voting on December 11th.