CrossPoint Community News 11/01/2024

Brothers and Sisters in Christ, 

      On November 3, Fall Back. It’s Daylight Savings time – so set your clocks back before you go to bed and get an extra hour of sleep before you come to worship on November 3.
      On November 5th, Vote! Here are some reminders about our election (which a friend on Facebook said was from the National Association of Evangelicals):
       1) On election night, it is unlikely that we will know who won the presidential race, nor which party will have the majority in the Senate or the House of Representatives, as some states do not begin counting mail-in ballots until polls close. This is not a cause for concern or a sign of electoral fraud.
       2) Before, during and after the elections, we expect to see a spike in disinformation, AI-generated fake news, and attempts to deepen divisions and incite violence. If you hear something outrageous, consider that it may not be true. Seek information from reputable sources.
       3) Whatever the election outcomes, our calling as Christians remains the same: to bear witness to the good news of Jesus Christ by the sweet aroma of our lives, showing love to both our neighbors and our enemies.

     Also, on the weekend of November 9 and 10, the missions committee and I would like you to encourage you to attend CBCGL’s Mission Conference. Here’s the announcement from the Mission Deaconness – Shufen Chen.
     “The 2024 Missions Conference will be held from November 9 to November 10. We are honored to invite Rev. James Taylor, the president of Taiwan’s China Evangelical Theological Seminary, as our keynote speaker. This year’s theme is “Be a Shining Lamp.”
     Additionally, we have invited three missionaries—Pastor Shi Jianchuan, Pastor Zhou Lihua, and Minister Peter Wong—to share their experiences and testimonies in the mission field. We will provide a children’s program and translation services (Chinese to English) on Saturday. The poster includes a QR code for registration, and we encourage all brothers and sisters to sign up [so we can get a headcount for lunch on Saturday – You’ll be able to give a freewill donation for this meal.]

Schedule:
November 9 (Saturday)           November 10 (Sunday)
Time: 9:45 AM – 2:30 PM         Time: 9:45 AM – 12:30 PM”

*Please note that the activities on Sunday will be in Mandarin only, with no translation to English. Also, the CrossPoint Community service will be in the Fellowship Sanctuary on November 10th, with Dr. Paul Biswas (Founding Pastor of International Community Church, former missionary in Muslim dominated countries in South Asia).

       Also, my hope is that I will be able to connect with each of you, our members, in the coming months. I am once again aiming to set up meetings with you to see how you are doing, to see what you’re involved in, and how I can be praying for you specifically. So if you get an e-mail or text or message from me, you’re not in trouble. I am just working at getting to know and support you, the beloved members of CrossPoint Community.
       Also, thank you so much for the thoughtful card and the kind gift for me as your pastor. I appreciate your thoughtfulness and generosity.

Please continue to pray for the nations of Israel and Ukraine and South Sudan. Pray that the wars would end. Here is a suggested list of prayers if you are at a loss for words in how to pray: https://send.org/story/hh_pray_for_ukraine. And https://worldrelief.org/blog-prayer-for-israel-and-gaza/ Thank you for kneeling on behalf of the people of Ukraine and Russia, Israel and Gaza and Lebanon, Sudan and South Sudan, and taking a stand (or a knee in prayer) against the forces of darkness in this present age.