Church of the cross Issue 225

Apri l 2016

Special Dates in April:

• Communion Sunday, April 3

• New Members Received April 3

• Women’s Conference, April 8 & 9

• Food Pantry Days, April 12 & 26

• REFIT, Tuesdays(6:30) & Saturdays (9:00)

I N S I D E T H I S I S S U E :

Note from Pastor Steve 2

Women’s Conference 3

Pray for General Conference 3

Birthdays 3

Creation Meeting 4

Discipleship Corner 4

REFIT 4

Crossover Youth 5

Praises 6

Operation Christmas Child 6

Finance 7

Congregational Notes 7

THE CROSSFIRE “Making Disciples of Jesus Christ for the Transformation of the World”

♦Joseph Born

Joe lives in Toledo, and has been married to his wife Joanne for 12 years. He has two sons, Steven & Jonathon. Joe is a package handler at UPS and he enjoys movies, train watching, hockey and spending time with his grandkids. ♦Joanne Born Joanne lives in Toledo and is married to Joe. She works as one of our custodians here at Church of the Cross. She has three sons, Steven, Jonathan and David (deceased). Joanne enjoys crocheting, watching comedies, gardening and spending time with her grandkids. ♦Linda Gfell

Linda lives in Toledo, is single and has two grown children, Tina and John. She has six grandchildren and one great grandchild. Linda collects butterflies, likes walking and spending time with her grandchildren.

♦Devon Montgomery

Devon lives in Toledo and works as a cook at My Little School. Her hobbies include reading, spending time with friends and listening to music. Devon is a caring person and has a great love for animals. ♦Pamela Pennington

Pam lives in Toledo and has three children, Robert, Breanne & Melissa. She works as a Hemodialysis Technician at Davita Dialysis. Pam enjoys watching football, going to movies and dinner, facebooking, shopping and spending time with her grandkids. Pam describes herself as a caring person. ♦Lisa Wagoner

Lisa is from Lambertville, MI. She is a self-employed massage therapist and has two grown children, Sara & Ryan. Lisa enjoys gardening, camping/hiking/kayaking, reading and spending time with her family and grandchildren.

On Sunday, April 3 the new member’s class participants will be accepted into membership at the 9:30 a.m. Worship Service. Please join in welcoming them to our church family.

Please join in welcoming our new members to Church of the Cross. There will be a reception for them following the 9:30 worship service on Sunday April 3.

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A M E S S A G E F R O M T T H E P A S T O R

Issue 225

Church Staff In Ministry with you… Lead Pastor Steve Judson

pastorsteve@cotcumc.com Director of Assimilation, Discipleship & Mission Jane Raab

jane@cotcumc.com Family Life Pastor Joe Pittenger

pastorjoe@cotcumc.com Administrative Assistant Lisa Gleason

office@cotcumc.com Visitation Pastor Chuck Albright

chuckalbright@ymail.com Traditional/Blended Worship Director Rich Dubler

office@cotcumc.com Keyboard Musician Donna Myers

office@cotcumc.com Contemporary Worship Leader Andrew Brammer

office@cotcumc.com Bell Choir Director Aaron Keaster

office@cotcumc.com Custodians Joanne Born Tita Wood

Dear Church of the Cross Family, After two pretty harsh winters, this year’s milder winter is over, officially at least, and spring is upon us. I believe every season has its advantages, but one of the things I like so much about spring is the way everything be-gins to become so beautiful as it grows. God’s creation puts on a great show this time of year. The buds on the trees begin to sprout. Flowers begin to bloom. The grass begins to grow.

Spring reminds me of the way God takes a human being, gives them new life in Christ, and then works with them to help them grow and blossom as they walk daily with Him. The Bible tells us we are a new creation in Christ. The Chris-tian life is a process where, if we allow Him to, God molds us and makes us into a precious instrument of His love, which then becomes a gift to others, as we show those around us the love that God has shown us. In the same way that God works in an individual, He also works in the Church. As Church of the Cross moves into a new season of the year, we will also move into a new season of ministry. In the midst of this transition, I am confident that God will take our church, build upon all the good that has already been done, and continue to guide us into all that He wants us to be. During April, I will be sharing a series of messages around finding freedom as Christians… specifically freedom from those nagging temptations, freedom from deep hidden hurts, freedom from anger and freedom from envy. I am very excited to take this time in God’s Word to seek what we all desire; freedom from the issues that keep us from experiencing the “joy of the Lord” in its greatest form. So here’s to April. May we embrace this first full month of spring, and may God rekindle in us the joy of the new life we find in Christ. May God bless you richly this spring! Sincerely Yours in Christ, Pastor Steve

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W O M E N ’ S C O N F E R E N C E

P R A Y F O R G E N E R A L C O N F E R E N C E

Sarah Hymes 4/4 Joe Pittenger 4/4 Gail Blair 4/6 Aaron Leow 4/7 James Leow 4/7 Patty Crozier 4/8 Angela Ryan 4/8 Deborah Brown 4/9 Connie Montez 4/9 Brian Norris 4/9 Dawn Schwabel 4/9 Laurie Huber 4/10 Jessica Schroeder 4/11 Arletha Taylor 4/14 Sherry Bogard 4/16 Eva Parker 4/18 Richard Coulter 4/19 Madisen Zaborowski 4/23 Diane Forquer 4/26

Lois McDonagh 4/27

Bonita Nungester 4/27

Keith Sheppard 4/27

Abigail Blair 4/29

Prayers for General Conference

Every four years the entire United Methodist Church meets in a general conference to determine policy, and, potentially, make changes in existing policy. Both laity and clergy are included in the delegate body and are elected by their respective annual conferences. This year’s general conference is May 10-20, 2016 in Portland, Oregon. Chris Steiner was elected to serve a s a delegate from the West Ohio Conference. Controversial debate is expected. Please be in prayer for this day and the decisions they will be making.

“His Glory”

God sends rainbows after showers arching ’cross the freshened skies. Every rainbow shows God’s glory. Every wonder tells his story. God sends Jesus down from heaven offering mercy, hope and life. On the cross he showed God’s glory. Every blessing tells his story. God sends me forth into this world sharing love that offers life. And I hope to show God’s glory In the way I tell his story. —MaryAnn Sundby

Join us for a Women’s Conference

C R E A T I O N M E E T I N G Dr. Jerry Bergman—Live! Persuaded by the Evidence

monographs. Meet Dr. Bergman and be fascinated by these true testimonies.

D I S C I P L E S H I P C O R N E R

Who wrote Hebrews? Clement of Rome, Barnabas, and the Apostle Paul all have been suggested. No author is named. The original King James version of the Bible titles the work, ”The Epistle of Paul, the Apostle of Hebrews”

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Bible book of the month: Hebrews

The book for April is Hebrews. The theme of Hebrews is the absolute supremacy and sufficiency of Jesus Christ as revealer and as mediator of God’s grace. The prologue (1:1-4) presents Christ at God’s full and final revelation, far surpassing the revelation given in the Old Testament.

Monday evening April 25 at 7:00 p.m. in the Gathering Area. True stories of faith, science, and the power of a Creator presented by Dr. Jerry Bergman based on his book of the same title. A unique collection of accounts from Christians –each sharing his personal journey to find the Biblical truth of a six-day creation! From scientist in the midst of complex research to youth ministers and more, see how each began at a

different point and place in his life to question the supposed truth of evolution and how faith and the actual evidence led to his embracing a creation-based, Biblical world-view. Dr. Bergman has nine earned degrees and has taught biology, genetics, chemistry, biochemistry, anthropology, geology and microbiology at the college level. He has over 600 publications in 12 languages as well a 20 books and

R E F I T

Have you heard about ReFIT?

Refit is a faith infused cardio dance class and fitness community. Our mission is to change people from the inside out by focusing on the heart not only as a muscle, but also as a soul. Here you will find

inspiring music, family-friendly moves, easy-to-follow instructors, laughter, friendship and a great workout. CLASSES: Tuesdays 6:30 p.m. & Saturdays 9:00 a.m. at Church of the Cross United Methodist Church at 1750 Eastgate Road, Toledo, OH 43614. For more

information see Jane Raab and also visit the REFIT Greater Toledo on Facebook. Check it out!

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C H I L D R E N & Y O U T H M I N I S T R I E S

Eggstravaganza was a great success this year! Thank you to everyone who prayed for and helped out with this event! This year we had the event on a Sunday morning, instead of a Satur-day, for the purpose of connecting people with our church family. We weren’t sure what our turnout would be, due to having it on a Sunday. We were very excited to have about 175 people in attendance, being mostly people who are not from our church! We invited people to stay and be apart of our 11:11 service, which we had

about 30 people do! Once again thank you to all who helped out in any way! Because of you this event was a great success!

“It is more blessed to give than to receive.” I love those words of Jesus. At Church of the Cross there is many opportunities to give. One of the ways you can give is through your time and talents in our children’s ministry. We have numerous kids, many of them new to our church, who need awesome, car-ing adults to help disciple them and to build their foundation of how they view God. If you’re interested in giving of your time and talents please contact me. Thanks!

Pastor Joe 419-382-6722

pastorjoe@cotcumc.com

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G O D ’ S A N S W E R S T O O U R P R A Y E R S

“Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things…” Thanking God for blessing our daughter’s baby shower Praises for successful vertebrae repair surgery and that no other damage occurred Praises for feeling better Praises for safe return from Canada PTL for 46 years of marriage Praise God for wonderful trip to Colorado Praise God that I’ve found out why I have been sick and that I am on the road to

recovery Praise God for all the joy I feel in life Praising God for our new healthy granddaughter Praise for the precious gift of seeing all the little kids sitting together as they sang

and praised God Praise the Lord that young lady got her driver's license Thanking God that he was with me in recent surgery The above praises were taken from requests at the altar, from emails or from Sunday connect cards.

O P E R A T I O N C H R I S T M A S C H I L D U P D A T E

From the new Church Relations Coordinator...It’s exciting to experience God working in this awesome ministry and we are thankful for your partnership...In an effort to help support you better as a Project Leader. I wanted to provide everyone with more information that we encourage you to share with your congregation. •To Date, (1993-2015) Grand total of over 135 million Shoe Boxes & 130 Receiving countries •Last Year(2015) Grand Total -

Over 11.2 Million Shoe Boxes & 109 Receiving Countries •Great Lakes Region Total—904,666 shoe boxes (4 Giving States: Ohio, Michigan, Indiana & West Virginia) •Northwest Ohio Total: 27,573 Shoe Boxes (Best Year Yet!) (12 Giving Counties) In addition to the Shoe Box, some children also receive the opportunity to learn more about Jesus and how to share their faith with others through a 12 lesson discipleship course. The Greatest Journey. Since 2010, 7.4 million children have

enrolled in the Great Journey, 5.2 million have graduated & 3.3 million have made decisions for Christ. I am looking forward to partnering more closely with each of you, thank you for being such blessing! Serving Christ Together, Holly Kidd, NO-OH Church Relations Coordinator

55 & Over Luncheon

The April 55 & Over Luncheon is scheduled for Wednesday, April 20 at 11:30 a.m. at Mi Hacienda (3302 Glanzman Rd. ) Sign up at the Adult Ministry Corner.

Crossfire Deadline

The deadline for the May edition of the Crossfire is April 15. Please submit articles via email at office@cotcumc.com or drop them off at the church office. Thank you for meeting this deadline.

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F I N A N C E S A T A G L A N C E F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 6 & Y E A R T O D A T E

C O N G R E G A T I O N A L N O T E S

Issue 225

Ugly Quilts

The Ugly Quilters will meet on Saturday, April 16 from 10:00-2:00 at the church. A light lunch will be provided. Please contact Dolly Ryan at 419-878-0447 if you are able to attend and for any questions.

Thank you for all the cards, visits, calls, prayers, meals and support you provided for me during my recent surgeries and hospitalizations. I truly appreciate all your love and support and hope to be back soon! Corky Suter

Consider Online Giving Life is busy! And that means you may not be at church every Sunday. We hope you won’t forget Church of the Cross even if you are not here every Sunday.

Online giving is a great way to continue your financial support of the mission and ministry programs at COTC, even though you may not be able to be here every week for worship.

To donate electronically using your debit or credit card or checking account transfer, please visit our website at www.cotcumc.com and click on the link that says “give.”

C O N G R E G A T I O N A L N O T E S

Phone: 555-555-5555 Fax: 555-555-5555 Email: someone@example.com

Church of the Cross

We’re on the Web: Www.cotcumc.com

Church of the Cross, UM

1750 Eastgate Rd.

Toledo, OH 43614

Address Service Requested Prepared Especially For:

Sunday Worship 8:00 AM The Chapel

9:30 AM The Gathering 11:11 AM 11:11@the Cross

Community Food Pantry

Every 2nd & 4th Tuesday 4:00 - 6:00 p.m. Community Meal - 4th Tuesday

Prayer Line Number#

419.382.6722 M-TH 8:30am-4:30pm

Editor: Lisa Gleason

Deadline for copy: 15th of each month. Editor reserves the right to edit for content and space.

1750 Eastgate Rd. Toledo, OH 43614

Church of the cross

Phone: 419-382-6722 Fax: 419-382-8712

Email: office@cotcumc.com

We’re on the Web! www.cotcumc.com