CrossRoads Connect Weekly

Advent Sermon Series

The season of Advent is a special time of year when everyone, whether they go to church or not, is immersed in Christmas music and the joy it brings. During Advent, we are focusing on Songs of the Season, and bringing attention to some of the original "Christmas" songs from Scripture. Each week a member of our teaching team has led us through different examples in the Bible where God was worshipped through song and how we can continue to praise Him today. So far, it has been a great series and we look forward to singing along with those in Scripture who recognize, rejoice in, and follow the one true King!

This Sunday, Pastor Denise Snyder speaks on Revelation 5:1-10 and the Revelation Song. This passage reminds us that Jesus alone is worthy to fulfill God’s plan of redemption. In a world often marked by despair and brokenness, this vision of Christ's victory assures us that God’s plan is secure, and His purposes will be accomplished.

We encourage you to prepare your hearts for the celebration of Christ's birth by visiting the Songs of the Season resource page. This page compiles a list of recommendations for both adults and children. Find a list of books, music playlists, and albums to start getting ready to praise King Jesus on His birthday.

Everyone is welcome to worship in person this Sunday at 9am, 11am or 6pm or join the livestream at one of the morning services. Visit the livestream page or the Sunday services page to find more info.

Compassion: Rwanda

In this years' CrossRoads Compassion campaign booklet, we have compiled updates from our Local and Global Partners, along with prayer items, stories, and more! We focus on our four partner areas; global partnerships in Uganda, Haiti, and Rwanda, and our local partnerships which include Hope Mission, Outreach Centre, and Central Alberta Youth Unlimited. God is doing amazing work in all of these areas and we hope it has been as impactful to you as it has been to us. If you haven't yet read the Compassion booklet, pick one up at any of the stands around the building, or read it online at 
crossroadschurch.ca/compassion.

Note: Every year on Christmas Eve, we take a special offering for our Compassion partners. We allocate 100% of all that is given towards the relief and community development efforts done through our trusted partners. We encourage you to pray for our partners and ask God how He would want you to participate in this special offering.

THIS SUNDAY, we highlight our Rwandan partnership with World Relief through a special cultural experience. Come by the Foyer to 'picture yourself' in Rwanda, dress up in traditional clothing, and pose in front of a Rwandan landscape! A few of our past Short Term Outreach team members will be around to talk so you can get a better understanding of what it is like in Rwanda. There will also be an African gift giveaway! Take home a gift by taking a photo op, filling out a short survey, or decorating a Rwandan colouring page.

Sunday, December 22, all day in the Foyer

Celebrate 2025 With Us! 

Celebrate New Year's Eve at CrossRoads this year for a night of fun and fellowship with our church family! We will have games & activities for all ages—bring your favourite board or card game for some friendly competition at one of the game tables. Enjoy a variety of delicious potluck desserts and appetizers and share your own to add to the feast. There will even be a countdown and balloon drop at 10pm so that we can all ring in the new year together!

Tuesday, December 31 at 6pm-10pm in the Youth Centre and Gym

Register at crossroadschurch.ca/register.

Celebrate Recovery

Celebrate Recovery is a time to connect with God and join with others to find God’s healing power. The CR program has 8 Recovery Principles that softens our hearts to be changed by God and helps us grow spiritually and provide freedom from our destructive behaviours. If you are ready to work on your hurts, habits and hang-ups in a safe place, and to experience transformation in your life with people who care, Celebrate Recovery is your place. Celebrate Recovery meets year-round every Friday night (even on holidays!). The night starts off with a shared meal at 6pm and moves into group gatherings at 7pm.

More details available at crossroadschurch.ca/celebraterecovery.

Winter Groups Kick-off

What better way to start out your new year than to join a group! We are excited to start the new year by highlighting a number of our mid-sized groups that are starting up this winter. Mid-sized groups are a great way to bridge the gap between a small group and the larger church body. So take this opportunity to get to know some of the groups we have available, grab a dessert (while they last), and talk with our group facilitators - we'd love to tell you more about our groups!

Sunday, January 12 after each service in the Gym

Want to have a sneak peek on the groups we have available? Visit the groups catalogue at crossroadschurch.ca/groupscatalogue.

Meal & Fellowship

Soup's On is a wonderful opportunity to get connected with new people; whether they are new to CrossRoads Church, or just new to you. So spread the word, invite friends, family, or strangers—maybe invite someone new you met during the service! After the 6pm service there's no soup, but instead we will have treats and lattes in the Café! The Café is closed until we re-open after the 6pm service. Pay on the registration or drop by and pay on the day (payment options listed on registration). Registration only available for morning services.

New to CrossRoads? Head to our newcomers tables in the Café. We'd love to get to know you and answer questions you may have about CrossRoads.

Sunday, January 12, after each service in the Café/Gym

Cost is $5/person (ages 5 & under free).
Family of 4 or more (if over age of 5) is capped at $20.

Register at crossroadschurch.ca/register.

Alpha Starts Soon

Alpha provides a space to explore the Christian faith in a relaxed, community setting. The course is designed to be inclusive for anyone and everyone who is in the early stages of exploring faith and has a desire to learn about Jesus Christ. The first night of Alpha is a "Come & See" experience. If you're still unsure about Alpha, come check it out. It's a no pressure, no follow up, no charge opportunity to see if Alpha would be a good next step for you (and maybe a friend). This course runs for 11 weeks and includes a weekend retreat. Each Alpha night includes dinner and childcare if needed.

Starts Tuesday, January 14 at 6pm in the Chapel

Learn more at crossroadschurch.ca/alpha or sign up at crossroadschurch.ca/groupscatalogue.

Learn to be a Disciple

Most of us build our lives around our families, our jobs, our activities, and our friends. But how quickly do those things crumble in uncertain times and make us feel unsettled? The only firm foundation we have is when we build our lives on Jesus and His way. Then regardless of our feelings or circumstances, Jesus is the summit where our feet are. Foundations is a course designed to help us build our lives on Him and dig deeper into what it looks like to fully follow Jesus and how we can represent God to the world around us. We will immerse ourselves in the things of God, recognizing that what we do flows out of what we believe. 

Please note: Foundations now includes dinner and childcare!

Starts Tuesday, January 21 at 6pm in Room 205/207
Learn more at crossroadschurch.ca/foundations or sign up at crossroadschurch.ca/groupscatalogue.

From Joshua to 2 Kings

Looking for a winter group to nourish your spiritual growth? Join Pastor Denise in reading from Joshua to 2 Kings and gain new perspective on how the Scripture applies to our lives today. These Old Testament books take us through the history of God's people as they form the nation of Israel, choose leaders, and struggle to follow God the way they were meant to. But through it all, the narrative thread of God's faithfulness continues. God has promised to bless the whole world through His people, and we cling to that hope throughout these books! This 8 week group follows along with "Kingdoms: The Immerse Reading Bible". Purchase this book through the group when you sign up. Be fascinated by the Bible and it's relevance to today - if we let it, God's Word can change our entire lives!

Starts Wednesday, January 29 at 7pm in Room 205/207

Interested in joining this group? Sign up on the groups catalogue at crossroadschurch.ca/groups.

Grief Support Group

Are you overwhelmed by the heaviness in your heart? GriefShare is a friendly, caring group of people who will walk alongside you through one of life’s most difficult experiences. You don’t have to go through the grieving process alone. This class meets weekly and is of a limited size to ensure confidentiality and connection. Workbook available in class for $35 (cash only).

Session starts Thursday, January 16 at 10:30am in Room 108

Learn more or sign up at crossroadschurch.ca/hopegroups. 

Marriage Separation Support

Are you weighed down by the major life change that separation brings to your life? DivorceCare welcomes and guides people on the path of recovery after separation or divorce. This life-changing support group welcomes anyone who is healing after separation or divorce so that no one journeys alone. Go alongside caring people who understand the issues you face and receive practical counsel for decision-making and managing stress. Workbook available in class for $35 (cash only).

Session starts Monday, January 13 at 7pm in Room 108

Learn more or sign up at crossroadschurch.ca/hopegroups. 

Youth/Young Adult Updates

Sunday Youth resumes January 6 for Grades 7 & 8 during each service. Please start the service in the Sanctuary and head to the Youth Wing after worship and prayer. Week-night Youth groups will also restart the second week of January, each group's start date is listed below along with links so you can continue to be updated. 

YOUNG ADULTS (Gr. 12 - Age 25) Starts Monday, January 7, at 7-11pm | Follow on Instagram: @‌cryoungadult @crgrade12

SR. HIGH YOUTH (Gr. 9-11) Starts Wednesday, January 8, at 7-9pm | Join the What'sApp group at Sr. High Students Chat / Parents Chat

JR. HIGH YOUTH (Gr. 7-8) Starts Thursday, January 9, at 7-8:30pm | Join the What'sApp group at Jr. High Students Chat / Parents Chat 

Marriage Retreat

The Marriage Enrichment Weekend is a special and unique time away for you and your spouse to escape daily life and dedicate 48 hours to focus on your relationship. Learn from a team of married couples as they present on various topics, God's biblical principles, and their real-life experiences. This weekend provides an opportunity to spend quality time together at a beautiful retreat center and dedicate time to learn different techniques for a healthy marriage. Register you and your spouse to explore and strengthen your marriage.

January 17-19 at Sanctum Retreat Center near Caroline
Cost: $350 per couple

Limited spots left! Register by January 9 at crossroadschurch.ca/register.

Special Adult Sunday

Bring Your Adult are special Sunday services for children ages 3 to Grade 6 where kids get to bring their parents (or other special adult) to Sunday school once a year. It’s an opportunity for personal and familial spiritual growth that deepens family bonds, and centers God as the cornerstone of your home.

Bring Your Adult is on Sundays during each service (9am, 11am, & 6pm) in your child's classroom.

Upcoming Events:
Jan 12 – Grade 2 – Devotions with Pastor Priscila
Jan 26 – Age 4 – Family Blessings with Pastor Tammy
Feb 23 – Grade 4 – My Church with Pastor Priscila

Find all dates at crossroadschurch.ca/bringyouradult.

Drivers Needed

We are thrilled to announce a unique serving opportunity and a chance to make a difference in our community! We are looking for a few enthusiastic male volunteers to help drive special guests to and from Celebrate Recovery on Friday nights. The commitment would be for one Friday evening a month. This is a wonderful way to share your kindness and support those seeking healing and transformation.

If you're interested in joining this impactful ministry, please reach out to Dwight Steen at (403) 357-2287. Let’s come together to extend a helping hand and brighten someone’s journey. Thank you for your willingness to serve!

Open On Sundays! 

The Café is open on Sundays only through the new year! Tuesday hours will continue starting January 7. If you are looking for a comfortable atmosphere to catch up with friends, or simply enjoy a cup of coffee, come to the Café! This is a great space to hang out, read your bible, or even have a business meeting. Specialty hot and cold drinks, cookies & muffins and other baked treats are available. Ask about the punch cards — every 7th specialty beverage is free! 

Café Hours:
Every Sunday: 8:30-9:05am & 10:30-11:10am (before the 9am service and between the 9 & 11am services).
Starts January 7 on Tuesdays: 8:30am - 3:00pm

Giving - Info Update

It's almost tax receipt time! Has your mailing address, name, or email address changed during the past year? If so, please let our finance department know of the change so that they can prepare your 2024 tax receipt properly. Canada Revenue Agency requires us to put mailing addresses on every tax receipt no matter how those receipts are sent out.

To update your information, please send an email to finance@crossroadschurch.ca. 

Supporting CrossRoads

To give to the ministry at CrossRoads and those we support, we encourage you to choose either of these options:

ONLINE BANKING: please contact finance@crossroadschurch.ca for your payee account number. 

E-TRANSFER: please use giving@crossroadschurch.ca as the recipient. In the notes section of the e-transfer, specify where you would like the giving designated to: General, Missions or Building. If no designation is made, it will be allocated to the General Fund. To receive a year-end donation receipt, please also include your address in the notes section.

Other giving options can be found at crossroadschurch.ca/giving.

If You're New, Welcome!

If you have recently moved to Central Alberta or are newer to CrossRoads, we would love to get to know you! We can help you plug in, find friendship and connect in the CrossRoads community. Our Pastor of Community Life, Jordan Cavanaugh, would love to connect with you—email Jordan at jordanc@crossroadschurch.ca and tell him a little about yourself and your family.

You can also visit crossroadschurch.ca/welcome for a quick intro, or text 'welcome' to 1-833-313-1305 to start a conversation. So glad to have you with us!

Know What's Happening

Stay connected to the stories and day-to-day happenings at CrossRoads in these simple ways:

WEBSITE - crossroadschurch.ca

WEEKLY TEXT UPDATES
Text: Updates to 1-833-460-1788 to subscribe (standard message rates apply).

WEEKLY EMAIL
Sign up here: Yes, send me email!

How Can We Pray For You?

Following each service, prayer team members are ready to pray with you. If you join us in person, prayer is available in the Sanctuary. If you're watching online, let us know your prayer request by sharing it here. Someone will then follow-up with you to pray together.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." - Philippians 4:6