Pastor Paul Marzahn. dangerous. We were. treasures in the store and just went home.

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1 Pastor Paul Marzahn Christmas is on December 25th but for many Americans, the celebration begins the day after Thanksgiving. This day has been called, "Black Friday" and is now creeping into Thursday. Newspapers and websites boast of glad tidings with great joy at all the sales. You can celebrate Christmas with a big screen television, or an entire shelf of clothing at 50% off. Unbelievable deals and the bonus of losing a night of sleep while shopping away. I use to get up at 7:00am, then it became 5:00am, and then 3:00am, and then not going to sleep at all. I remember waiting in line with my daughters Bekah and Rachel with a cup of coffee and a pocketful of coupons. I would make my list of times and places where the deals were best. Sometimes we would divide and conquer; Deb would go with Bekah, and I would take Rachel so we could hit two different parts of the store at the same time. It was fun and adventurous. But one year I remember it was almost dangerous. We were pushed and shoved. Someone started a fight in the store. The lines were so long I finally left my treasures in the store and just went home. Somehow through the years I have come to appreciate the more simple things. Maybe it is because I was raised on the farm. Maybe it is because I am getting older. But lately, I have liked things more simple. When it comes to Christmas, the story is quite simple. It is about God becoming a part of humanity to share the Good News that He wants to be in relationship with us. It is about God using an average man (Joseph) and an average woman (Mary) to bring hope to the world. It is about God inviting average people (Shepherds) to the birthday party. It is about God proclaiming the good news with special messengers (Angels) so the world will know Emmanuel - God is with us. My hope and prayer for you this season is that you will simplify your Christmas. My prayer is that you will experience the love of Jesus Christ this Christmas and share His story of love with others.

2 Lakeville Campus CROSSROADS Church i s o n e c h u r c h, m a n y locations. The supporting campus is located at Glacier Way, Lakeville, MN Sunday worship services are at 9:00am and 10:30am. C h i l d r e n ' s M i n i s t r y, Confirmation class, and Adult Bible studies are running simultaneously with the service times. Throughout the week we offer various small groups and a mid-week discipling p r o g r a m c a l l e d C R O S S T R A I N I N G, a p r o g r a m d e s i g n e d f o r i n f a n t s t h r o u g h h i g h schoolers. Please join us on Wednesday nights for Community Meal (5:30p-6:20p) featuring home cooked meals. Cost is through a free-will donation. O f f i c e h o u r s a r e Monday-Friday 9:00am-3:00pm. CHILDREN Krissy and Sarah are excited that the Christmas season is upon us! We will be focusing on teaching the children about Jesus birth, the true reason for the season! The children will also continue practicing for the Crossroads Christmas Pageant that will be held on Wednesday, December 17th. This is such a wonderful and special experience for the children to be a part of. It s amazing to see their self-confidence grow and the feeling of belonging they develop among their peers! Please remember that rehearsals for the Christmas Pageant take place on Wednesday nights, during Crosstraining. We hope you will all encourage your children to take part in this CROSSROADS tradition! Important Dates: December 10th Dress Rehearsal for Christmas Pageant December 14th Kids Sing in Worship 9:00a & 10:00a December 17th Christmas Pageant 6:00p-8:00p December 24th Family Christmas Eve Service at 5:00pm

3 CROSSROADS Christmas Happenings DEC. 5th - OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD - Join us at the Operation Christmas Child warehouse as we box presents to be shipped around the world. (Details on church website.) DEC. 17th - SIMPLY CHRISTMAS PROGRAM. - Children and Youth acting out the traditional Christmas story. Supper provided. Tickets available at no cost. DEC 21st - BLUE CHRISTMAS - Minneapolis Campus - Historic Wesley Center East Grant Street. Meet us in Minneapolis or ride the bus downtown. 4:00 - Bus departs from Lakeville Campus. 4:30 - Bus departs from IGH Campus 5:00 - Candlelight Worship 6:00 - Supper at Wesley 7:00- Lights Display at Lake Phalen 8:30 - Bus returns home DEC. 24th - SIMPLY CHRISTMAS - CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICES 3:00 - Inver Grove Heights Campus - Historic Chapel 5:00 - Lakeville Campus - Candlelight and Communion 10:00 - Lakeville Campus - Candlelight and Communion Our Christmas Eve offering will be going to our Outreach Designated Fund to help with important projects like our Grocery Giveaway and Community Meals. If you would like to make a special contribution this year to help others, feel free to use one of the offering envelopes provided or mark Outreach Designated Fund on your regular offering envelope. We hope you enjoy the Sunday Worship services and special events this Christmas season that help us focus on Jesus. May you and your family be blessed.

4 Minneapolis Campus CROSSROADS Church is one church, many locations. Our Recovery Campus is located at the historic Wesley Church at 101 East Grant St. Mpls, MN Sunday worship service is at 5:00pm. An Adult Bible study is offered at 4:00pm and a dinner meal is served after worship at 6:00pm. George Gipson - Campus Pastor Dave Boeltl - Worship Leader This year, our Minneapolis campus is hosting the Blue Christmas Eve service. The holidays can be a difficult time for many people, especially with the loss of loved ones. For those interested, we will hold a special service at our Minneapolis campus. Bus transportation is available. Meet at the Lakeville campus before 4:00p, we will stop at IGH, then head to Minneapolis to enjoy the service, a home cooked meal, and tour of Christmas lights and return to the Lakeville campus by 9:00pm. No cost for the evening but a free will offering will be taken.to make reservations, go to the website EVENTS page or contact lrand@crossroadschurch.org

5 Keanu Krech- Youth Director Crossroads Welcomes New Staff Right in Time for the Holidays! Keanu grew up in South St. Paul with his mom, dad, 17 year-old brother and eight year-old sister. He is a junior at the University of Northwestern, studying Pastoral Ministry. He enjoys many things, such as hanging out with his friends, playing guitar, and having fun! Keanu has played in worship bands, led many small groups of all ages, and has been a camp leader. He interned at Hastings United Methodist Church where he was in charge of directing a student-led worship service known as Overflow. Growing up he rarely went to church. When he was in ninth grade, he blew up his face with some various firework powders, and he had first, second, and third degree burns on his face and neck. The doctors told him it was a miracle that he did not die, and that he would heal completely from the burns. When he was in 10th grade, he heard the phrase, even Satan believes in God. He realized that he was living his life nowhere near how God would want him to, and that if he would have died from the burns, he would not be in heaven. He began to ask many questions and received many unfulfilling answers, so his parents got in contact with the youth pastor of a church in Hastings, MN. That summer he gave his life to Christ at a summer camp. I would not be where I am today, or even have a relationship with Christ, if it wasn t for my youth pastor. I understand the importance and the impact of this position. I have a burning passion for God and introducing youth to Christ. I am honored to be a part of the Crossroads team. Monica Nelson- Office Administrator Monica grew up in Woodbury, MN with her parents, Meg and Randy. She has three sisters, two of which are in college and the other a second grade teacher in Sioux Falls, SD. Monica went to school at Winona State University and graduated with a degree in Psychology and a minor in Business Administration. Throughout college she worked with adults with disabilities as well as traveled to Uganda, Africa for a summer. Upon graduating from college Monica traveled back to Uganda, Africa for six months and worked with an organization fighting against child sacrifice. Also while there she worked with children in various villages sharing the good news of the Gospel and showing them Christ s love. Monica then worked as a behavioral therapist for children with Autism and eventually became the Office Manager at the Minnesota Autism Center. She has been involved in ministry, leading bible studies and small groups for many years. Monica is excited to use the gifts God has blessed her with to serve everyone here at Crossroads Church. However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me the task of testifying to the good news of God s grace. -Acts 20:24