the Chronicle The Pastor s Pen - Rev. Dr. Matthew A. Merrill In This Issue... LIVING NEW LIFE January

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1 LIVING NEW LIFE the Chronicle Crestwood Church January 2019 Richmond & Midlothian, Virginia The Pastor s Pen - Rev. Dr. Matthew A. Merrill Friends, As 2018 ends, we have a lot to celebrate. This year, God has widened our circle. Overall attendance is up more than 6% over But God doesn t add percentages to the church, He adds people, with names and great stories He s writing in their lives. How rich we are to have one another. The best part of my first 15 months here at Crestwood has been learning some of your stories with God - and I can t wait to hear more. As 2019 opens, we do so without The City. The City has been a tool we ve relied on to communicate with you, with mixed results. The company that makes The City will no longer be offering this service. During our transition away from The City, we remain dedicated to improving communications around the church. The first enhancement you will notice is a weekly . Each Thursday afternoon, you can expect an highlighting news and event information. This will be concisely written, so that you can read it on your phone, if that s what you desire. We hope to have links from the to more information about the news and events mentioned. In This Issue... P. 2 PrimeTimers P. 3 Egypt Mission Trip P. 4 Albania Mission Trip Fellowship P. 5 Feed My Starving Children P. 6 Trail Life P. 7 Parish News P. 8 January Highlights I need your help during this transition. Will you please let me, Rob, Cathy or Susie know what is working well, and what still needs to be improved? Your input is invaluable to helping us improve communications with you. Thank you for your prayers and support during my first full year with you. In Him,

2 Page 2 the Chronicle Crestwood - Loving and Leading People to the Life-Changing Jesus Rev. Dr. Matthew A. Merrill Senior Pastor Rev. Dr. Robert K. Burns Associate Pastor & Lead Pastor, Richmond Campus Josh Weeks Director, Family Ministries Margaret K. Webb (Peg) Director of Children s Ministries Kayte Keim Recreation Coordinator/ Youth Ministry Assistant Jennie O Neil Midlothian Campus Nursery Coordinator Chipper Via Richmond Campus Music Director Janice S. Baum Richmond Campus Organist Maura Brigham Midlothian Campus Accompanist & Early Worship Choir Director Morgan Hyde Sound Technician Susan L. Martin (Susie) Church Administrator & Executive Assistant Cathy D. Marshall Administrative Assistant Daniel Smith Financial Assistant William Cain Sexton, Midlothian Campus Editor s Note: Submissions due on the 15th of each month. Please send to: cathymarshall@crestwoodchurch.org Date / Time: Tuesday, January 15-11:00 a.m. Location: Richmond Campus, Boyd Hall Speaker: Brian Regrut (pictured below) Don t miss our first gathering of the new year as our own Brian Regrut comes to share from his personal mission experiences. Here is part of his story... In 1912 church leaders erected a brick building in the middle of an empty field in the Bronx to serve as a place where missionaries could stay in preparation for overseas departure and to decompress upon returning home. Thirty-four years later it became home for the son of an immigrant, his wife who had been orphaned at 10 and their three children, the youngest of whom was a dying threeweek old infant. The baby was Brian Regrut. Miraculously, God healed Brian and allowed him to grow up interacting with missionaries who had spent decades in India, Africa, the Far East and Egypt. He learned of other cultures from these missionaries and from the variety of permanent tenants of the Missionary Home including families from Greece and Ukraine, and college students from around the world. Through the years, he and his wife, Joan, along with their five children, brought the world into their home hosting internationals from Kazakhstan, Slovakia, Germany, France, Venezuela, Spain, Colombia, South Africa, The Netherlands, England and more. All this helped prepare Brian for his role as Crestwood s elder responsible for Global Missions. This past year he led a team to Haiti for a construction and dental mission; carried Crestwood s greetings to our sister church in Sadat City, Egypt; and joined the team that conducted Vacation Bible School and constructed a church building on the Navajo reservation in Arizona s high desert. This month he ll relate some of his adventures and talk about what God is doing through Crestwood around the World. RESERVATIONS: If you do not hear from your assigned caller, please contact Cathy Marshall at to make your lunch reservation.

3 the Chronicle Page 3 Join us for a Mission Trip to (Crestwood covenant partners are eligible for an $900 subsidy) Estimated cost includes airfare from Richmond, lodging, meals, local transportation, venue admission fees, insurance and visa Lodging in Cairo will be at the Evangelical Seminary (single or double rooms with private bath); In Sadat City we will stay in homes of church members. If you are interested in participating, or want more information, contact Brian Regrut ASAP. brianregrut@crestwoodchurch.org; Tuesday, March 26 Depart Richmond Wednesday Arrive Cairo and lodge at the Evangelical Seminary Thursday Tour seminary; travel to Sadat City for Prayer Meeting, disburse to church member homes for dinner Friday Church retreat during the day; youth meetings in the evening Saturday Tour of nearby monastery and visits to church members Sunday Rest Day with Church service and communion in the evening Monday Tour Sadat City and visit Christianowned manufacturing facility; travel to Cairo for evening Prayer Meeting and Tea at an ancient market Tuesday Camel Ride and Pyramid visit; lunch on the Nile and visits to Coptic museum and churches Wednesday Tour famed Cairo Museum Thursday, April 4 Rest and shopping before departing for airport and overnight travel home

4 Page 4 the Chronicle 21 new believers baptized in July 2018! Albania Mission Trip June 27 - July 7, 2017 Join us as we partner in ministry with the Evangelical Church of Bilisht, Albania as they celebrate their 25th anniversary with 25 weeks of special ministry efforts. We anticipate ministry with children, teenagers and adults, sharing faith stories and reaching out into the community. As you can see from the photo above, dynamic ministry is happening in this once hardened Communist nation. If you have interest or questions, contact Rob Burns - rob@crestwoodrva.org. The cost per person will be $1,650. Fellowship Ministry The Fellowship Committee would like to thank the many people who helped with Wednesday Night Dinners, Sunday Morning Coffee Hour, and special events this fall. We are now looking forward to the winter/spring season. Wednesday Night Dinners begin again on Wednesday, January 9th. Dinner is served from 5:30 to 6:15 p.m. It is an opportunity to study God s Word in Christian community while enjoying a delicious meal together. What a treat! Of course the amazing dinners take many hands to prepare, serve, and clean up. We need cooks to plan and prepare the meals. Along with our experienced cooks, we would love to have some new cooks in the kitchen. If you have never been a cook, do not worry. The Fellowship Committee can help with planning for a large group, shopping, and preparation. Servers are also needed each Wednesday from 5:25 to 6:15 p.m. In addition, we need people to clean dishes and put away items. Desserts can be made at home and brought before dinner. Meal preparation is a wonderful way to show love to our congregation and we do have a great time in the kitchen! If you would like to help, please call or Chris Payne ( / clgpayne@gmail.com) or use the link to sign up on Sign-Up Genius ( wednesday3). For those who worship at the Midlothian Campus, we also have the opportunity to help with Coffee Hour. On Sunday morning, coffee and refreshments are served following both services. If you are available to help with coffee set up and refreshments, Chris Payne (clgpayne@gmail.com) or Bill VanBenschoten (bvanbenschoten@gmail.com). We are particularly in need of someone who is able to clean up after the eleven o clock service. What a joy it is to share fellowship with our brothers and sisters in Christ!

5 the Chronicle Page 5 Crestwood Church Feed My Starving Children MobilePack March 9, 2019 Needed: 1200 Volunteers (Volunteer Registration begins February 1, 2019) $56,000 (For giving options: crestwoodrva.org/fmsc)

6 Page 6 the Chronicle Trail Life Troop 1200 Fireside Chat Trail Life USA is a Church-Based, Christ-Centered, Boy-Focused mentoring and discipleship journey that speaks to the heart of a boy. Established on timeless values derived from the Bible and set in the context of outdoor adventure, boys from Kindergarten through 12th grade are engaged in a Troop setting by male mentors where they are challenged to grow in character, understand their purpose, serve their community, and develop practical leadership skills to carry out the mission for whom they were created. Troop 1200 was chartered on September 11, 2018 at Crestwood. The troop began with boys between kindergarten and the fourth grade. As of now we are blessed with 9 registered Trailmen & 8 registered leaders. The K-1 st graders are in the Fox Patrol and the 2 nd and 3 rd graders are in the Hawk Patrol. Thus far we don t have any Mountain Lions, who would be in the 4 th grade. Canyon C. William M. Thomas D. Carter V. Jackson H. Owen H. Grayson K. Luke V. Christian V. Our troop leadership is as follows: Troopmaster Jon Crain Treasurer T. J. Hughes Committee Chair Rob McCann Advancement Chris Dorer Chaplain & Charter Org. Rep. Matt Merrill Ranger David Keim Secretary Bennie Good Registered Adult Ann Good So far most of the troop members have met most of the joining requirements (learning the oath, handshake & sign). They meet twice a month on the 1 st and 3 rd Monday nights at 6:30. In November and December the themes were flag etiquette and hobbies. The highlight of December was building and launching model rockets. Each month has a Hit the Trail event to take the boys outside or on a service project. The two such events for the troop have been the Operation Christmas Child packing party and the model rocket launching. If you know someone who would like to join the troop, contact benniegood@gmail.com to receive an invitation. And you are always welcome to come by on 1 st and 3 rd Monday nights at the church s Midlothian address to visit the troop in action!

7 the Chronicle Page 7 Parish News 01 Aron Ntezinyayo 01 Ngongoro Gaharure 01 Cecelia Mtamwishimlo 01 Sadock Ngendakumana 01 Neema Ngenitakumana 01 Emerine Gaharure 01 Eugene Habimana 01 Janeti Habimana 01 Mapendo Valeriya 01 Toyi Mtamwishimlo 01 Bukuru Mtamwishimlo 01 Ciza Odeta 01 Erick Valeriya * 01 Maria Gaharure * 03 Iris Philebaum 03 Synthia Niyhungeko * 03 Julianna Dudding * 04 Chipper Via 05 Marjorie Williams 06 Aaron Hill 06 Antoinette Ntirandekura 06 Josh Moody 06 Paige Moody 06 Jackson Hughes * 08 Jeremy Scorzelli 08 Gerald Mbonimana 10 Lee Hall 11 Edith Matze 11 Eli Denton * 14 Ann Welch 15 Heather Anderson 15 Michelle Dellicompagni 15 Elijah Scorzelli * 16 Emery Wilkerson 16 Grace Merrill 16 Sarah Crespo 16 Ryan Brinkley 17 Amy Allessie 18 Jon Crain 18 Chikezie Emeruem 18 Amanda Beck 18 Trey Ashby 19 Josh Pace 20 Bennie Good 20 Tori Smith 20 Cameron Martin * 22 Holly Rowland 22 Elsie MacIver * 24 Ryan Barto 25 Judy Neff 25 Abby Fines 25 Jeremiah Millacci * 26 Steve Cross 26 Barbara Dougherty 26 Kolbey Durrette 27 Anna Beth Kozusko 28 Beth Harlan 29 Denise Cole 30 John Pearman 30 Bredford Gregg * 31 Judy Herr 31 Mackenzie Campbell * child / youth Hospitalized / Elsewhere: Joanne Peters, Morningside (Parham & Skipwith) Christian Sympathy: Sympathy of the congregation is extended to: Kit Tyler on the death of his mother. Active Military: Stephen Johnson, Ft. Benning, GA (son of Mary Johnson) John Kennedy, Virginia Beach, VA (son of John & Betty Kennedy) Navy Lt. Ruth Cook, Newport, RI (granddaughter of Priscilla Cook) Air Force Lt. Samantha Cook, F.E. Warren AFB, WY (granddaughter of Priscilla Cook) Air Force 2nd Lt. William Cook, III, Columbus AFB, MS (grandson of Priscilla Cook) Brian Swenk, Ft. Story, VA (son of Rob & Trisha Barton) Happy Birthday to... Chipper Via, January 4 Staff Anniversary... Matt Shelton, January 31, 2016 Richmond Campus Nursery Schedule January Bonnie Dorwin Emerine Ndiragakura Gerry Nixon Judy West 20 Cathy Davenport Madelaine Hiniye 27 Catherine Earnest Rozine Hafashimana

8 Page 8 the Chronicle Richmond Campus Sunday Morning Schedule Worship, 10:30 a.m. Sunday School, 9:15 a.m. Date Time Event 06 10:30 Worship & Communion Midlothian Campus Sunday Morning Schedule Worship, 8:30 & 11:00 a.m. Sunday School, 9:45 a.m :00 PrimeTimers 21 Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday - Offices Closed Date Time Event 06 8:30 & 11:00 Worship & Communion 09 10:00 Women s Bible Study Resumes 5:30p Wednesday Crestwood Resumes 13 9:35 & 12:05 Crestwood in 10 5:00 Winter Social 21 Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday - Offices Closed On January 6, we are beginning a sermon series called In the Meantime. It s all about what you can do, when you are stuck in a difficult circumstance that s not likely to change anytime soon. If you re stuck in an office with a terrible boss, but can t afford to make a career move...or you have been diagnosed with a chronic illness... or you have a difficult family relationship that s not getting better what can you do, when there is nothing you can do? That s coming this month.