Emerge JV/EmergePrayer focused generation! We see a student ministry that is fervently praying. This month we will be teaching students all about prayer. They will be discovering the truths from their Life Journals and be challenged to pray fervently for their generation. We know that prayer changes everything!

Crossing KidsFor the month of April, Crossing Kids (babies through 5th grade) will be focusing on how young kids and children can strengthen their relationship with God. Preschoolers will learn that Jesus wants to be their friend forever. For elementary age kids we will focus on prayer and teach them that when we talk to God through prayer, He is always listening.

Scholarships Needed!We are in desperate need of scholarships for students to attend Acquire the Fire and Summer Camp. You could be a part of changing a student’s life by giving them an opportunity to encounter God through these special events! Contact Pastor Tom at tfox@crossingonline.org today!

Crossing Family and Guests,

Thank you for joining us today. We have been in a series called “Momentum.” It is our deepest desire that each of you gain momentum in your life by taking hold of God’s promises. This week we will be focusing on one of the most important principles in God’s word: When you give to Him of the first “fruits” He will bless the rest. What does this mean for your life? It means that giving to God can actually bring blessing for your life! We hope that you will leave today walking in God’s blessing. If this is your first time visiting we pray that you will leave encouraged knowing God has a great plan for your life.

Sincerely,Pastor Greg and Tamara Dumas

Interested in Volunteering?

www.crossingonline.org/serve

Want to join a LifeGroup?

visit a leader in the 26.2 Café

Office Hours

Monday - Friday 8.30am - 5pm

Baby Dedications Upcoming opportunities to dedicate your child are May 8th and 9th 2010. A special Mother’s Brunch will be held May 8th to provide fellowship, encouragement and more information on what will happen during Baby Dedication. To register, please pick up a registration form from the Crossing Central or see a Crossing Kids Staff member. These forms must be turned in by April 25th. For questions or for more information, please contact Tiffany Ogborn at (813) 626-0783 ext. 151 or togborn@crossingonline.org.

Elementary CampCrossing Kids’ elementary camp is June 27-30 at the Tampa Bay Baptist Conference Center in North Tampa. The theme this year is “True Hero….worship in spirit and in truth.” It’s open to kids who have completed 2nd-5th grade. We have just a few spots left open for 2nd and 3rd graders. If you are interested in sending your child to camp, please contact Kim Gore at 626-0783, ext. 123 or kgore@crossingonline.org.

TobyMac and Beckah Shae in concert Friday, April 30th Tickets will be available this weekend at Crossing Central. We are only equipped to accept cash. There are a limited number of tickets available, so come early to get yours! Limit 5 tickets per person. Also, please consider purchasing a ticket for a student who does not yet know Christ. This will be a great, fun environment for them to hear the gospel.

Reverb: 20 SomethingsAre you 18-29 years old? The Crossing Church is launching an amazing ministry that will impact your life and the Kingdom of God in our area. Make plans to join us at the 7pm service and to attend our Late Night Event following the service on Saturday, April 24th. Be a part of this experience and learn more about what God is doing in our midst.

For more announcements: www.crossingonline.org/announcements

The 26.2 Spiritual Race is intricately designed with you in mind! Through the different 26.2 Experiences, you can learn more about The Crossing and its leadership, become involved in a LifeGroup, and understand more about your spiritual gifts. We encourage everyone to join in the race! Register for all the 26.2 Experiences at:

www.crossingonline.org. The next experience dates are:•Warm-Up: June 13, registration closes June 6•Starting Line: May 22 or 23, registration closes May 16•Mile One: June 26, registration closes June 20•Pass it On: May 1, registration closes April 25•The Prize: May 14th & 15th, registration Closes May 2nd

Crossing CaféBeginning the first weekend in May, we will be making some changes and additions to our Café, which has been providing coffee and doughnuts during weekend services. Our Saturday night meal offering will remain the same but on Sundays, DaSilva’s Coffee will be operating the café and offering a more extensive menu which will include premium coffees, lattes, doughnuts, and assorted pastries. Be sure to visit our new café in May!

Joshua 6:15-20 (NIV)

WELCOME TO THE CROSSING CHURCHSaturday, April 24

Sunday, April 25

Momentum: How to Maintain Momentum

Joshua Chapters 5-6 Lead Pastor: Greg Dumas

Jericho represented the first portion of the firstfruits of a new and bountiful land = The first portion of their provision

Jericho represented Israel’s Tithe to the Lord = The first portion of their provision

Jesus was sacrificed as God’s first portion (firstfruits and Tihe), so that we could be redeemed = The first portion of their provision

SCRIPTURE

OBSERVATION

15 On the seventh day, they got up at daybreak and marched around the city seven times in the same manner, except that on that day they circled the city seven times. 16 The seventh time around, when the priests sounded the trumpet blast, Joshua commanded the people, “Shout! For the LORD has given you the city! 17 The city and all that is in it are to be devoted to the LORD. Only Rahab the prostitute and all who are with her in her house shall be spared, because she hid the spies we sent. 18 But keep away from the devoted things, so that you will not bring about your own destruction by taking any of them. Otherwise you will make the camp of Israel liable to destruction and bring trouble on it. 19 “All the silver and gold and the articles of bronze and iron are sacred to the LORD and must go into his treasury.” 20 When the trumpets sounded, the people shouted, and at the sound of the trumpet, when the people gave a loud shout, the wall collapsed; so every man charged straight in, and they took the city.

Lord, thank for giving us all things. Thank you for teaching us the principle of honoring you first with all that we have and all that we are. I want to give to you. I want to give you my first and my best. I want you to know that I trust you to redeem everything I am and everything I have based on your great and mighty power. You are my portion and my blessing and in you I am secure, in the world and in eternity.

The Principle of the Firstfruits (Matthew 16:25)

The First of the Firstfruits (Exodus 23:19; Proverbs 3:9-10) The Principle of the Tithe

APPLICATION

PRAYER

Leviticus 27:30; 1 Corinthians 16:1-2; Malachi 3:8-9; 2 Corinthians 9:6-8

The Principle of Sacrafice and/or Redemption

Exodus 13:2, 12-13; John 1:29; Romans 5:8, 8:29

LIFEGROUPS

Use the following as a resource for your LifeGroup to go deeper with this week’s

message. We hope this helps you as you “do life together”.

Opener:

Pastor Tim told us last week, the importance of our testimony. Let’s live that out. Have

some in the group share about a time when they “gave” and really experienced the

blessing of the verse, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Acts 20:35

A couple of people who understand and live out the principle of the tithe, share: a.) How

did you start tithing? b.) How you have lived a blessed life since starting to tithe.

Digging Deeper:

One definition of firstfruits is: “the first crops that God’s people would collect from their

fields and give to God.” This was a sign that everything the land produced belonged to

God. It also demonstrates that God, not possessions has first place in our lives and that

our resources belong to Him.

Discuss how this relates to us in the present:

What are our “crops” today?

Then, as now, it is difficult and expensive to offer God our best (i.e. the first part of what

we earn). However, when we do, we will live a blessed life. “Honor the Lord with your

wealth, with the firstfruits of your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing,

and your vats will brim over with new wine.” Proverbs 3:9-10 Discuss how giving to God

first helps us conquer greed; properly manage God’s resources; opens us up to receive

God’s special blessings.

Application:

We should give of our firstfruits, not only in the area of finances but also with our time

and our talents. Our giving of our resources shows our real priorities. Prayerfully

consider how you can give God the honor of having first claim of your money, time and

talents. Using the space below, write down how you are, or could give God first place in

these areas. Pray about these areas during the week and share with your leader or with

the group next week any new commitments in these areas.