Dear Church –

This past week we have been reading through Deuteronomy.  This book of the Bible is all about reminding us of God’s power and how He will supply us with everything we need.  The thing that hit me during my reading was how the Israelites were wondering around the desert for 40 YEARS.  I mean, that’s a very loooong time.  I’m 45 years old now and I feel like I have been around forever.  I can’t imagine what it was like wondering around the desert for 40 years.   

However, in a way, some days (weeks, months, years) we are all wondering around in our own personal deserts.  We get cranky, tempted, and wonder if God will really sustain us and take care of us.  How about you? Are you wondering around the desert?  If so, I encourage you to get with your community group (if you are not currently in a group, contact Dustin Copass and he will get you in one) and talk through your struggles and pray through them with people who really care about you. 

Tip for getting in the word daily:  We all have the same 168 hours each week. We make time for what is important to us.  If we are too busy to read the Bible each day, then we are too busy, period.  Please pray today and ask God how you can simplify your life to make time to read your Bible.

"I believe the Bible is the best gift God has ever given man. All the good from the Savior of the world is communicated to us through this book."  - Abraham Lincoln

See you all soon, 

Mike Nelson on behalf of the Leadership Council

This Sunday:

• Community Worship, 9:15 am
• KidStuf Family Worship, 11:19 am.  Virtue for March! Honesty – Choosing to be truthful in whatever you say and do.

Other Announcements:

FINANCIAL UPDATE from the Leadership Council:

As followers of Christ, we believe that we are stewards of God’s resources because He is the owner of all that we have.  Throughout scripture we are reminded of the importance of giving back a portion of what God has so generously provided by the giving of our tithes (10% of income) and offerings (in addition to the tithe).

Over the past few weeks we have brought information to the church family about the fact that we are running behind on our bills. We wanted to give you a little more detail about the numbers. We are behind (more than 30 days) on bills totaling $7,800. Based on the average of the tithes and offerings given over the past six months and the bills coming in (some are unexpected bills like furnace repairs and high utility bills in addition to our regular bills), over the next 30 days we foresee being another $9,000 behind.

In order to meet this shortfall, we are asking each of you to PRAY and SEEK God regarding this and ask Him what He would lead you to give towards this need, as a part of the Crosswinds family. Then, as II Cor. 9:7 encourages us, cheerfully give that amount on Sunday during the offering time; send it through the mail or through your bank. Thanks for your prayers and partnership!

GLO Students to Hear Dr. Plantinga

Jr. and Sr. High students will be heading to the Illinois Wesleyan campus to hear Dr. Plantinga who will be speaking at Hansen Student Center on Wednesday, March 24^th at 7:00 pm.  Students  and parents, please click here for details about the planned meeting time and place. Dr. Plantinga is an American philosopher, currently the John A. O’Brien Professor of Philosophy at the University of Notre Dame. He is the author of a number of books including God and Other Minds and The Nature of Necessity. Time Magazine has dubbed Dr. Plantinga as “America’s leading orthodox Protestant philosopher.”

No GLO on Wednesday, March 31^st

Due to it being the 5th Wednesday of the month, there will be no GLO Community Worship on Wednesday, March 31st.

Easter Celebration

April 4th is Easter Sunday.  Plan to worship together with your friends and entire family at 9:15 am for a special morning of Community and KidStuf Family Worship. Please note: there will be no children’s classes or childcare. There will also be no KidStuf at 11:19 am.  There will be an Easter Egg Hunt for children 5th grade and younger at the church following this special morning of worship.

The Journey Shack Closed Easter Sunday

In order for the team to worship with their family and friends on Easter Sunday, April 4^th, The Journey Shack will be closed.

Easter Candy Needed

If you would like to donate candy for the Easter Egg Hunt, please place your donations in the tub marked “Easter Candy” located in the back of the Sanctuary. (FYI - We have plenty of plastic eggs). Thank you!

Spring Cleaning/Work Day

We will be having an All-Church Work Day on Friday, April 9th   (6-9 pm) and Saturday, April 10th (9-3 pm). If you can lend a hand or two, please email . We will be spring cleaning, working outside and finishing the Jr. High classroom in the basement. All ages and skill levels are welcome and needed.

Books Still Available

You can still get your copy of the book Read Through the Bible in a Year . Cost is only $3. As we read through the Bible together as a church family in 2010, we are using this book as our reading guide. See Michele Nelson for your copy.

Lost and Found:

If you are missing something and think you may have left it at church, stop by the Lost and Found located in the foyer at the East entrance (Roosevelt Street). There is a variety of items waiting for their rightful owner.

Community News:

The American Passion Play: The American Passion Play of Bloomington has begun its 87^th season at the Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts. Remaining performance dates are March 20^th, 21^st and 27^th, all at 2:00 pm. This historically accurate play dramatizes Jesus’ entire ministry. The actors are non-professionals with a spiritual dedication to their parts. As performers, they share in a community of faith with the audience and give testimony to the contemporary power of Christ’s teachings. Crosswinds’ Stephan Siglar and Kent Swindle have roles in the play. All seats are $20.00 and are available by phone at (309) 829-3903 or (800) 354-9640. You can also get tickets by mail at The American Passion Play, Inc., PO Box 3354, Bloomington, IL 61702-3354.