Dear Church Family,

This Sunday we all have the amazing opportunity to celebrate with seven young people, along with their families, as they are baptized as a symbol of their faith in Jesus Christ! One young man shared with me that he wanted to be baptized so that he “would have new memories.” As we talked a little more about what that meant, he said, “You know, memories are the things you think about all the time. I want to think about God things.” What would our community and world be like if we had all learned this before the age of 10?!?

The celebration of seven young lives, committing to Jesus in baptism, is the “WHY” behind so much of what we do at Crosswinds. Sadly, we know that 80 – 90% of all young people walk away from the church and their faith after high school. Some return. Some never do. What we want to see is a church that will blow the lid off that statistic because we know just how much God loves us. And because we know God’s transforming love at every age, in every classroom, and in every environment.

It would be so great if the transforming journey were easy! We often hope that transformation will happen because of proximity. We hope that if we go to church, take the kids with us, and have some Bibles around the house then somehow this will lead to life-change in us and our families. This is like hoping that some yogurt and carrots in the frig will lead to weight loss or that having extra checks in the checkbook means we have extra money in the bank!

Living lives that reflect Jesus doesn’t have to be painful and grueling; it does mean that we have to bring some intentionality to our lives. Romans 12:1 & 2 says it this way:

So here's what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life; your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You'll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity. God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you. (The Message)

In our everyday lives, all we do, we need to place it before God as an offering, fixing our attention on GOD and this will lead to maturity in Jesus!

All of us can do that. We can choose everyday to focus just a little more on God than we did yesterday. That’s what will bring change to our lives! This means we have to choose those things that focus us on God and His ways; things like reading through the Bible together, Kamp Kidstuf, Friday night FX events, prayer and fasting, giving our money. All these things help US to focus on who God is! Learning this focus, at every age, is what will lead to changed lives.

Earlier this summer, as we taught through Isaiah, we talked about prayer and fasting. We know that as we come together in agreement and in prayer and fasting that God WILL bring clarity, direction, and wisdom to us as a church.  So, beginning next week (Wednesday, Sept. 1st, from 6:30 –7:30 pm) we are going to meet together at the church to pray on a weekly basis. We know not everyone will be able to make it because there are lots of other things going on. Please join us when you can. If you can’t join us physically, stop and pray wherever you are. Pray for our church, for our kids, for our students, for our leaders, for our community. Please pray that God will bring wisdom and revelation to us.

I am so looking forward to celebrating together this Sunday (and sharing a great meal together afterwards!!). See you Sunday!

Shelley

On behalf of the Leadership Council

This Sunday:

• Community Worship, 9:15 am. Baptisms, Celebration Lunch
• Journey Shack will be closed
• No Classes for Nursery, Preschool, Klubhouse, Jr. & Sr.  High

Announcements:

Baptism Celebration Lunch 

Join us for lunch in the Fellowship Hall following Community Worship this Sunday as we celebrate the baptisms! Donations are requested. On the menu: grilled hot dogs, bratwurst, and hamburgers.

No Classes this Sunday, August 29th

So that everyone can be a part of the baptism service this Sunday, there will be no classes for nursery through 12th grade. 

Journey Shack Closed

Due to our great Food Ministry Team preparing the Celebration Lunch this Sunday, the Journey Shack will be closed.

Bible Study

If you are looking for a Bible study opportunity, A Heart Like His: Intimate Reflections on the Life of David will begin Tuesday, September 7^th, 6:30-8:30 pm. Cost for the workbook is $16. This is an 11-week study also by Beth Moore. Contact Lisa Brittingham at for more information or to sign-up for A Heart Like His. Contact Lisa for the location.

September FX

Friday, September 10th will be our monthly FX (Family eXperience). It all begins at 6:00 pm with dinner in the Fellowship Hall, event starts at 7:00 pm, and “After FX” is at 8:00 pm in the Fellowship Hall. Tickets are available this Sunday, August 29^th at the ticket counter in the hallway by the sanctuary. Be sure to invite your friends, family and neighbors!

Family Meeting

There will be a Family Meeting in the sanctuary immediately following Community Worship on Sunday, September 19th. Please plan to join us as the Leadership Council shares a few important updates.

Updated Directory Available

Pick up your copy of the recently updated Crosswinds Family Directory at the table in the back of the sanctuary on Sunday.

Community News:

Beth Moore Simulcast: Calvary United Methodist Church, Normal, is hosting a Beth Moore Simulcast on Saturday, September 18^th from 9:00-4:00 pm. Tickets are $25. If you are interested in attending, please pay Lisa Brittingham directly this Sunday, August 8^th. You can also contact Lisa at  or at 825-0474 with any questions.

Body and Soul: The Fall 2010 Schedule for Body and Soul will begin September 8^th and go to December 17^th. Body and Soul is an exercise program where faith and fitness come together. Weekly classes take place at Grace Church, Normal, on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday at 8:30 am. Cost varies depending on how many classes you take. Contact Dawn Hozian at 242–9153 or  with any questions or to register.