Week of Sunday, March 1st, 2020

In this week’s Update you will find information on the following (more details on each of these below):

  1. Evangelism Training Potluck and Discipleship Hour
  2. Anchor Fund Offering
  3. Lenten Reminders
  4. Youth News
  5. NEST Outreach Opportunity
  6. Wanting to be Baptized?

Evangelism Training Potluck and Discipleship Hour

Don’t forget! Tomorrow night is the kickoff for our Churchwide Evangelism Training, using the CCQ model of “Connect, Content, and Question.” We will start the night off with a potluck dinner at 6:00pm so please bring a dish to share. Childcare will be provided, and the dinner and teaching time will end by 7:45pm.

The Evangelism Training will continue in a special Discipleship Hour class open to all adults and youth, which begins this Sunday,  March 1st at 9:00am and will be offered every week during Lent!

Anchor Fund Offering

Our Diocese, the Diocese of Christ Our Hope, has created the “Anchor Fund,” and has asked that all of the congregations in the Diocese prayerfully consider how they can be a part of this offering.  Please take a few minutes to go to this page: https://www.adhope.org/anchorfund, which explains more about how the Anchor Fund will substantially strengthen the work of the Diocese to support churches in their growth. We will have a time to take up donations for the Anchor Fund on March 8th and 15th, so please be praying about how God would have you, as an individual or as a family, respond!

Lenten Reminders

The Lenten season has begun! Lent lasts for 40 days, and is a time of repentance and fasting, leading up to the celebration of Easter on April 12th. Make sure to check out the Lenten resources available in the Fellowship Hall to help you intentionally observe Lent through prayer, fasting, and giving. We are recommending the book Lent: The Journey from Ash Wednesday to Holy Week to use as a guide, and it is available in the Fellowship Hall to purchase for $10.

Also, just a reminder that we will have the special Evangelism Training Discipleship Hour class offered for all adults and youth during the five weeks of Lent. Please join us starting this Sunday at 9:00am in the main office space.

Please be ready for worship by 10:15am, as we will begin promptly with the Penitential Rite. If you arrive late, please enter quietly into the Sanctuary. Similar to the season of Advent, services during Lent will be more reverent and quiet as we reflect on our own sin and the suffering of Jesus, leading up to Good Friday.

Youth News

Youth parents please download the Group Me app on your smart phones in order to help streamline communication within the Youth Ministry! Also, save the date for the next Youth Group night, which will be this Sunday, March 1st , 6:00- 8:00pm at the Inman’s house. Contact David+  at revdavidwatts@gmail.com if you need the address.

Don’t forget that registration for Camp Booyah is open! Only 1 slot is left so now is the time to register! More information can be found on their website or you can contact David+ if you have any questions.

NEST Outreach Opportunity

We have a local mission opportunity coming up on the week of March 4th – 11th, to help Crossroads Church in ministering to the homeless through the Norfolk Emergency Shelter Team (NEST) program.  The homeless guests are picked up by buses and taken to area churches for a hot meal, housing for the night, a hot breakfast and a take-away lunch.  We can help by assembling the bag lunches at CtR each afternoon during March 4th-11th, 4:00 – 5:00pm and deliver them to Crossroads.

Please sign up through this link or on the paper lunch bags in Fellowship Hall if you and/or your family are able to help! Also, we will need funds to purchase the lunch foods and bags.  If you want to contribute to this outreach, send a check or money to CtR earmarked for NEST.  If you have any questions you can speak to Temple: 757-620-0740 or  t.richardson@cox.net .

Wanting to be Baptized?

We are planning to celebrate Baptisms on the second Sunday of Easter (April 19th). If you and/or your children are interested in being baptized, please contact Father Brian at revbriancampbell@gmail.com.


Almighty God, whose blessed Son was led by the Spirit to be tempted by Satan: Come quickly to help us who are assaulted by many temptations, and, as you know the weaknesses of each of us, let each one find you mighty to save; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

– Collect for The First Sunday in Lent (BCP 2019)

Week of Sunday, February 23rd, 2020

Hope you all are staying warm and enjoying watching the snow fall!

*Please note that this weekend is the Women’s Retreat and there will not be a Discipleship Hour on Sunday. Also, our congregation will look a little different with many of our women away at the retreat. 🙂

In this week’s Update you will find information on the following (more details on each of these below):

  1. Anchor Fund Offering
  2. Lent Begins Wednesday
  3. Churchwide Evangelism Training on Friday
  4. Youth News
  5. NEST Outreach Opportunity
  6. Wanting to be Baptized?

Anchor Fund Offering

The Diocese that we belong to, the Diocese of Christ Our Hope, has created the “Anchor Fund,” and has asked that all of the congregations in the Diocese prayerfully consider how they can be a part of this offering.  Please take a few minutes to go to this page: https://www.adhope.org/anchorfund, which explains more about how the Anchor Fund will substantially strengthen the work of the Diocese to support churches in their growth. Check out the video and begin praying about how God would have you, as an individual or as a family, respond!

Lent Begins Wednesday

The Lenten season begins this week on February 26th with an Ash Wednesday service at 6:00pm. Lent lasts for 40 days, and is a time of repentance and fasting, leading up to the celebration of Easter on April 12th! Make sure to grab the Lenten resources available in the Fellowship Hall to help you intentionally observe Lent. The book Lent: The Journey from Ash Wednesday to Holy Week is also a great resource, and is available in the Fellowship Hall to purchase for $10.

Don’t forget: this is the last Sunday to bring in your palm crosses from last year’s Palm Sunday, since they will be burned and the ashes used during our Ash Wednesday service.

Churchwide Evangelism Training on Friday

Would you like to grow more comfortable in sharing the Good News of Christ?  Do you want your friends and family to know The Truth, but you don’t know how to tell them? Starting this Lent, CtR will begin using the CCQ course format of “Connect, Content, and Question” to grow into an intentionally evangelistic church.

Next Friday, February 28th, we will kick off the Evangelism Training with a potluck dinner and teaching time from 6:00pm – 7:45pm. Childcare will be provided. We are encouraging all Life Groups to not meet that week, but instead come together as a congregation. The Training will continue in a special Discipleship Hour class, starting March 1st and offered every week during Lent!

Youth News

Youth parents please download the Group Me app on your smart phones in order to help streamline communication within the Youth Ministry! Also, save the date for the next Youth Group night, which will be on Sunday, March 1st , 6:00- 8:00pm at the Inman’s house. Contact David+  at revdavidwatts@gmail.com if you need the address.

Don’t forget that registration for Camp Booyah is open! Only 4 slots are left so now is the time to register! More information can be found on their website or you can contact David+ if you have any questions.

NEST Outreach Opportunity

We have a local mission opportunity coming up on the week of March 4th – 11th, to help Crossroads Church in ministering to the homeless through the Norfolk Emergency Shelter Team (NEST) program.  The homeless guests are picked up by buses and taken to area churches for a hot meal, housing for the night, a hot breakfast and a take-away lunch.  We can help by assembling the bag lunches at CtR each afternoon during March 4th-11th, 4:00 – 5:00pm and deliver them to Crossroads.

Please sign up through this link or on the paper lunch bags in Fellowship Hall if you and/or your family are able to help! Also, we will need funds to purchase the lunch foods and bags.  If you want to contribute to this outreach, send a check or money to CtR earmarked for NEST.  If you have any questions you can speak to Temple: 757-620-0740 or  t.richardson@cox.net .

Wanting to be Baptized?

We are planning to celebrate Baptisms on the second Sunday of Easter (April 19th). If you and/or your children are interested in being baptized, please contact Father Brian at revbriancampbell@gmail.com.


“O God, who before the passion of your only-begotten Son revealed his glory upon the holy mountain; Grant that we, beholding by faith the light of his countenance, may be strengthened to bear our cross, and be changed into his likeness from glory to glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

– Collect for The Last Sunday of Epiphany, Transfiguration (BCP 2019)

Week of Sunday, February 16th, 2020

In this week’s Update you will find information on the following (more details on each of these below):

  1. Mission Sunday this Sunday!
  2. NEST Outreach Opportunity
  3. Youth Service Day on February 17th
  4. Preparing for Lent
  5. Church-wide Evangelism Training
  6. Wanting to be Baptized?
  7. Discipleship Hour Volunteers Needed

Mission Sunday this Sunday!

This Sunday is Mission Sunday, when we will hear more about the recent trip to Guatemala, as well as the hopes and plans for local and global mission efforts in 2020.

We will also be introducing the Diocese of Christ Our Hope’s “Anchor Fund,” which will substantially strengthen the work of the Diocese to support churches in their growth. Please check out this video and begin praying about how God would have you and your family respond: https://www.adhope.org/anchorfundchocolate bar from Guatemals

During Hospitality Hour, you will be able to purchase delicious Guatemalan chocolate which will directly support individuals in Guatemala. The chocolate bars are 3 for $12, or $5 each, cash only. Please plan to bring your money this Sunday to help support the Guatemalan church, and take home some yummy chocolate!

NEST Outreach Opportunity

We have a local mission opportunity coming up on the week of March 4th – 11th, to help Crossroads Church in ministering to the homeless through the Norfolk Emergency Shelter Team (NEST) program.  The homeless guests are picked up by buses and taken to area churches for a hot meal, housing for the night, a hot breakfast and a take-away lunch.  We can help by assembling the bag lunches at CtR each afternoon during March 4th-11th, 4:00 – 5:00pm and deliver them to Crossroads.

Please sign up through this link or on the paper lunch bags in Fellowship Hall if you and/or your family are able to help! Also, we will need funds to purchase the lunch foods and bags.  If you want to contribute to this outreach, send a check or money to CtR earmarked for NEST.  If you have any questions you can speak to Temple: 757-620-0740 or  t.richardson@cox.net .

Youth Service Day on February 17th

Coming up next Monday (President’s Day), the youth group is having a service outing at Five Loaves Food Pantry! Parents, please RSVP through the Evite that was sent last week, or let David+ know if you didn’t receive it.

Don’t forget that registration for Camp Booyah is open! Only 10 slots are left so now is the time to register! More information can be found on their website and you can contact David+ at revdavidwatts@gmail.com if you have any questions.

Preparing for Lent

The Lenten season begins on February 26th with an Ash Wednesday service at 6:00pm. Please (find and) gather your palm crosses from last year’s Palm Sunday, bring them to church by February 23rd, and place them in the baptismal font in the foyer. The palms will be burned on the 23rd, and the ashes from the burned palms will then be used at our Ash Wednesday service.

Church-wide Evangelism Training

Would you like to grow more comfortable in sharing the Good News of Christ?  Do you want your friends and family to know The Truth, but you don’t know how to tell them? Starting this Lent, CtR will begin using the CCQ course format of “Connect, Content, and Question” to grow into an intentionally evangelistic church.

On Friday, February 28th, we will kick off the Evangelism Training with a potluck dinner and teaching time from 6:00pm – 7:45pm. Childcare will be provided. We are encouraging all Life Groups to not meet that week, but instead come together as a congregation. The Training will continue in a special Discipleship Hour class offered every week during Lent, which will be led by David+ Watts and Justin Seligman!

Wanting to be Baptized?

We are planning to celebrate Baptisms on the second Sunday of Easter (April 19th). If you and/or your children are interested in being baptized, please contact Father Brian at revbriancampbell@gmail.com.

Discipleship Hour Volunteers Needed

There are several ministries at CtR that are looking for more volunteers who can serve on Sunday mornings. There is especially a need for Discipleship Hour childcare workers at this time. This does not involve teaching in the classrooms. If you are able to be a helper in the upper elementary or lower elementary classrooms, or the nursery from 9:00am – 10:00am on a Sunday, please let Jennifer Brown know at brownie7506@yahoo.com. Thank you!


“Almighty God, through the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, you revealed the way of eternal life to every race and nation: Pour out this gift anew, that by the preaching of the Gospel your salvation may reach to the ends of the earth; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

– Collect for The Second to Last Sunday of Epiphany, World Mission Sunday (BCP 2019)

 0

Week of Sunday, February 9th, 2020

In this week’s Update you will find information on the following (more details on each of these below):

  1. Preparing for Lent
  2. Church-wide Evangelism Training
  3. Wanting to be Baptized?
  4. Discipleship Hour Volunteers Needed
  5. Youth Ministry Events
  6. Mission Sunday: February 16th
  7. NEST Outreach Opportunity

Preparing for Lent

The Lenten season begins on February 26th with an Ash Wednesday service at 6:00pm. Please (find and) gather your palm crosses from last year’s Palm Sunday, bring them to church by February 23rd, and place them in the baptismal font in the foyer. The palms will be burned on the 23rd, and the ashes from the burned palms will then be used at our Ash Wednesday service.

Church-wide Evangelism Training

Would you like to grow more comfortable in sharing the Good News of Christ?  Do you want your friends and family to know The Truth, but you don’t know how to tell them? Starting this Lent, CtR will begin using the CCQ course format of “Connect, Content, and Question” to grow into an intentionally evangelistic church.

On Friday, February 28th, we will kick off the Evangelism Training with a potluck dinner and teaching time from 6:00pm – 7:45pm. Childcare will be provided. We are encouraging all Life Groups to not meet that week, but instead come together as a congregation. The Training will continue in a special Discipleship Hour class offered every week during Lent, which will be led by David+ Watts and Justin Seligman!

Wanting to be Baptized?

We are planning to celebrate Baptisms on the second Sunday of Easter (April 19th). If you and/or your children are interested in being baptized, please contact Father Brian at revbriancampbell@gmail.com.

Discipleship Hour Volunteers Needed

There are several ministries at CtR that are looking for more volunteers who can serve on Sunday mornings. There is especially a need for Discipleship Hour childcare workers at this time. This does not involve teaching in the classrooms. If you are able to be a helper in the upper elementary or lower elementary classrooms, or the nursery from 9:00am – 10:00am on a Sunday, please let Jennifer Brown know at brownie7506@yahoo.com. Thank you!

Youth Ministry Events

Registration for Camp Booyah is open! Only 17 slots are left so now is the time to register! More information can be found on their website and you can contact David+ at revdavidwatts@gmail.com if you have any questions.

Also, the youth group will be meeting at church on February 16th and then have a service outing at Five Loaves the following Monday, President’s Day. Parents, please RSVP through the Evite that was sent last week. Or let David+ know if you didn’t receive it!

Mission Sunday: February 16th

Mark your calendars for “Mission Sunday” on February 16th! We will hear more about the recent Guatemala Trip, as well as the hopes and plans for our local and global mission efforts in 2020.

We will also have a special “treat” of getting to purchase gourmet Guatemalan chocolate that will directly support individuals that CtR-Guatemala Church is working with. The chocolate bars are 3 for $12, or $5 each, cash only. Please plan to bring your money on February 16th to help support the Guatemalan church, and take home some delicious chocolate!

NEST Outreach Opportunity

We have the opportunity to help Crossroads Church with a ministry to homeless through the Norfolk Emergency Shelter Team (NEST) program the week of March 4th – 11th.  The homeless guests are picked up by buses and taken to area churches for a hot meal, housing for the night, a hot breakfast and a take-away lunch.  We can help by assembling the bag lunches at CtR each afternoon during March 4th-11th and deliver them to Crossroads. Please sign up in Fellowship Hall if you and/or your family are able to help! Also, we will need funds to purchase the lunch foods and bags.  If you want to contribute to this outreach, send a check or money to CtR earmarked for NEST.  If you have any questions you can speak to Temple –  t.richardson@cox.net .


O Lord, our heavenly Father, keep your household the Church continually in your true religion, that we who trust in the hope of your heavenly grace may always be defended by your mighty power; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever. Amen.

– Collect for The Fifth Sunday of Epiphany (BCP 2019)