New Guidelines for Church Gathering Starting May 23, 2021

 Good evening CrossRoads Family,

Things are changing rapidly on the COVID front lately! After considering the CDC’s new guidance the Elders have decided that beginning next Sunday May 23 masks will be optional for services and meetings at CrossRoads Church. This has been a very difficult season for us to navigate as a church family and I so appreciate your perseverance and support of one another. There are still those in our church family that may have to continue to wear masks for various reasons and we all will need to respect that and still give necessary space to those who need it. This will need to be a time of exercising wisdom for ourselves and compassion for others. 

We will continue to offer live-streaming on Facebook and YouTube for the duration. 

We love you and look forward to gathering with you all as we worship our Lord and Savior together as a family!

May grace and peace be multiplied to you,

Heath

New Guidelines for Church Gathering - May 7, 2021

Greetings CrossRoads Family,

In light of the replacement of the Governor's "Safer at Home Guidelines" with the "Universal Best Practices Guidelines" we are going to adjust a few of the ways that we are able to gather for worship on Sundays.

The first, and most notable, change to the Governor's guidelines is the removal of the attendance restrictions. This means that we are no longer limited to 50% capacity of our building and thus we have removed the ropes between the pews. 

This doesn't mean, however, that the need for masks and social distancing has been removed. We still need to give each other appropriate space to limit exposure. There are still a good many people, young and old, that have compromising health conditions and we need to continue to look out for one another and do our best to protect those who are vulnerable.

The Elders are asking that people who are comfortable, and have agreed beforehand, to sit together and thus create room for those who need more space. This should also create more space for those who wish to join us in person for worship.

The Elders are also asking that we all continue to wear masks when we gather inside. This is an easy way to communicate and exercise love towards one another. We are fully aware that there is disagreement about masks and their effectiveness but for the time being the Elders are going to continue to ask people to wear them inside the building.

We will continue to livestream our services on Facebook and YouTube for those who still wish to participate from home or are away from us. We will also continue utilizing only the offering box at the back of the sanctuary, the square, or giving via our website www.CrossRoadsOssipee.com. 

If you have any questions please feel free to reach out via phone or email.

In Christ,

Heath

CrossRoads Covid Update

Hey CrossRoads,

As much as I hate to write this, COVID has reached our family. As such, we will be quarantining at home on the mountain for at least the next two weeks. The Elders have also decided that it would be wise to suspend our public services for at least the next two weeks, this also includes the Christmas Eve service. Fortunately the Lord has blessed us with the technology to continue to livestream from our home and we will do so. You will see us at 9:37 am sharp Sunday morning on Facebook live as well as 6:30 pm Christmas Eve. Rest assured that our symptoms are light, so much so that we thought it was just allergies!

We love you all and look forward to being together again soon!

To God alone be the glory!

Heath

The Christmas We Didn't Expect - Our Advent Devotional for 2020

Here is Pastor John Piper with an introduction to our Advent devotional for this year. Please join us as we prepare our hearts for celebrating our Savior’s birth! Pastor Heath will be creating another Facebook group for everybody who would like to join in and share their thoughts and questions with the group. There is a link to purchase the book in the original post or you can order it on Amazon.

 

Covid Update - NH Mask Mandate

 Good evening CrossRoads Family,

As of tomorrow the state of New Hampshire will have a statewide mask mandate. This means that we must all wear masks in public places along with social distancing. It's no coincidence that we have been talking about submission to earthly authorities over the last few Sundays. For the duration of the mask mandate, in submission to the authorities put in place by the Father, the Elders of CrossRoads church will require the wearing of masks for everyone five years old and older visiting the church property. This is what we need to do in order to continue to meet in person as a church family. These are indeed trying times but God is still on the throne and this will pass.

We love you all and pray for your good health,

Heath

CrossRoads Return Plan Update

According to the Governor’s new emergency order we are allowed to welcome 50% of our building’s occupancy (which is 80 people in the sanctuary plus the fellowship hall) provided six feet of distance can be maintained. Cloth face coverings are recommended and youth programs are still suspended. The fellowship hall will still be available for overflow and we will still need to be strategic in our seating arrangement in the sanctuary.

The following text is the section of the Governor’s emergency order #52 concerning churches:

R. Places of Worship 

Effective immediately, in person religious services may resume in accordance with the following guidance and religious services taking place under this guidance shall be exempt from Emergency Order #16. This guidance applies to indoor and outdoor religious services, including weddings and funeral services.

The guidance below is intended to help protect the staff, attendees/congregation, and the surrounding community; this guidance can help mitigate, but not entirely eliminate, risk of COVID-19 transmission in a house of worship and surrounding community.

Review and follow the New Hampshire Universal Guidelines.
Review CDC’s Interim Guidance for Communities of Faith

Additional Guidance:

1. Places of worship are encouraged to continue conducting services online or through means that allow participants to remain in their homes. This is particularly important for people at higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19 who are still advised to avoid group gatherings for the protection of their own health and safety.

2. If possible, services should be held outdoors to avoid the increased risks of transmission in an enclosed building.

3. All places of worship shall limit building occupancy to 50 percent of the building’s maximum permitted occupancy level as documented in its occupancy permit on record with the municipal building department or other municipal record holder. However actual occupancy might need to be lower than 50% occupancy in order to comply with social distancing and other guidance contained in these Guidelines. For outdoor services, the maximum number of attendees shall be the highest number of attendees for which the social distancing requirements contained in this guidance can be met using the space available for the service.

4. The occupant count shall include all persons inside the place of worship, including attendees and staff.

5. To meet demand, leaders should consider hosting multiple services that are staggered and spaced apart to avoid one group leaving while another is arriving.

6. Staff should be actively screened each day according to the NH Universal Guidelines.

7. All attendees should be informed of the symptoms of COVID-19 before entering the worship facility (using signage and other forms of messaging). Risks include:
a. Person has any of the following symptoms of COVID-19:
i. Fever (feeling feverish or a document temperature of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or higher);
ii. Respiratory symptoms such as runny nose, nasal congestion, sore throat, cough, or shortness of breath;
iii. Whole body symptoms such as muscle aches, chills, and severe fatigue;
iv. Changes in the person’s sense of taste or smell?
b. Person has been in close contact with someone who is suspected or confirmed to have COVID-19 in the past 14 days? (note: healthcare workers caring for COVID-19 patients while wearing appropriate personal protective equipment can attend)
c. Person has traveled in the past 14 days either: i. Internationally (outside the U.S.);
ii. By cruise ship; or
iii. Domestically (within the U.S.) outside of NH, VT, or ME on public transportation (e.g., bus, train, plane, etc.)

8. Assign a dedicated staff member (i.e., a safety officer) who is tasked to monitor and improve compliance with social distancing and other protective policies, including education, hand hygiene and cloth face covering use.

9. To avoid having to turn people away at the entrances, it is recommended that places of worship develop a schedule of worship services, specifying days and times that members and attendees can sign up for in advance of the service (online or by phone).

10. Places of worship should develop a system and process that builds in social distancing at all times so that participants are separated by at least 6 feet of space when entering, kneeling/sitting/standing and participating in worship, and leaving the service.

11. Attendees who are not part of the same immediate household must be seated/positioned at least 6 feet apart..

12. Places of worship should develop a one-way flow of traffic utilizing a different entrance and exit for the facility. As people enter and arrive at their seat, there should be a process and space for people to get to their seat without coming in close contact with others.

13. When possible, places of worship shall allow enough spacing between people for them to move from their seats as needed (for participation in worship activities or to move to and from the restroom) without coming into close contact with others.

14. Where lines of people may form (e.g., entry, exit, receiving sacraments, veneration of religious objects, processionals) the floor should be clearly marked to delineate 6 feet distances between participants.

15. Shared cups, serving utensils, books of worship, or passing of plates must be avoided:
a. Donations, for example, should utilize a single drop-off receptacle for any collection of donations that might occur.
b. Communion and Eucharist, for example, should not involve a shared cup or passing of a plate between people. Having individual elements that are picked up by attendees upon entry to a facility is recommended.
c. Veneration of communal religious objects should occur without physical contact.

16. When possible, alcohol-based hand sanitizer should be made available at entrances and exits of the facility, in addition to within the place or worship for staff and attendees to use. Leaders of a religious ceremony, ritual or service must sanitize hands before and after the event.

17. Cleaning and disinfection of frequently touched surfaces, restrooms, objects and utensils should occur at the end of each service following guidance outlined by the CDC and highlighted in the NH Universal Guidelines.

18. The following activities are discouraged:
a. Close or physical contact with other attendees, staff, including handshakes, embraces, and kissing.
b. Nursery, childcare, and in-person youth education programs must remain closed.
c. Pre- or post-service communal gatherings (e.g., coffee hours or other food services) are not allowed. Places of worship running food pantries or other prepackaged food distribution may continue to do so. 

CrossRoads Returning to Worship - Covid-19 Plan - Starting June 7, 2020

CROSSROADS RETURNING TO WORSHIP – COVID-19 PLAN

CrossRoads Church is committed to safety and responsibility as we plan to return to regular weekly worship gatherings in our church building. The Elders, along with help and input from other leaders in our church family, have taken the necessary steps in compliance with New Hampshire’s Pandemic Return Plan: Phase 1, to return safely to corporate worship on Sunday June 7, 2020.

In order to reopen we put our own plan in place with protocols following the State’s suggested template.

It is imperative that all attendees adhere to requirements as mandated by the State of New Hampshire in order to return to church services under Phase 1. 

If you are feeling ill or are considered “high-risk” regarding your health we encourage you to stay home where you will be the most safe.

We do plan on continuing to stream the church services through Facebook Live. 

The items listed below are a best effort preventative plan and procedure to keep everyone free from COVID-19.

Social Distancing

Sunday Services will be limited to 40% of permitted capacity in the sanctuary while maintaining a minimum of 6-foot distance.

Sanctuary: 64 max

We will use limited seating in the Fellowship Hall as overflow with Closed Circuit TV if necessary.

The desire is to not refuse entrance to anyone but please understand that when capacity is reached, we cannot permit additional people.

Those living in the same house may sit together in one pew. Those not part of the same household must sit 6 feet apart.

Please refrain from hugs and handshakes.

Every other pew will be taped off to ensure safe distancing.

All attendees must wear a face covering or mask over their nose and mouth to participate in the service. Those who are unable to wear a mask or face covering due to a medical or disabling condition are exempt. We ask that 6-foot social distancing be observed.

CrossRoads church will not supply masks.

Anyone refusing to wear the face coverings or masks without a medical condition will not be allowed to enter the building.

For children between the ages of 2 and 5, face coverings or masks are left to the discretion of the parent. Children under the age of 2 should not wear a face mask per the CDC.

Children must remain with a parent at all times. Children that need to use the bathroom during service must be accompanied by a parent. The outdoor play area will be closed.

There can be no congregating in the building at the beginning or conclusion of the service. Please enter the building and go directly to available seats CLOSEST TO THE FRONT OF THE SANCTUARY. Dismissal from the church will start from the back row and toward the front of the sanctuary. Ushers will be in place to help with seating and dismissal.

Hygiene Protocol

Hand sanitizing stations are placed throughout the building. As you enter and exit a room, please utilize the sanitizer to reduce the transmission of viruses. If you have sensitivity to standard, alcohol-based sanitizers, please ensure you have CDC recommended sanitizer on your person.

Please be sure to wipe down surfaces touched in the restrooms including flush handles, toilet seats, and faucets after use.

Staffing & Operations

At the conclusion of service all conversations must take place outside of the church building while observing social distancing guidelines of 6 feet or more.

The church kitchen and amenities will be closed and unavailable.

All cups, coffee supplies, water and condiments will not be available.

All rooms except for the sanctuary and fellowship hall are closed and locked. Downstairs should be used for overflow seating only. We ask that people refrain from going downstairs unless it’s for seating for service.

If a child requires a diaper change or needs to be fed where it is not appropriate to do so in the sanctuary or fellowship hall, we kindly ask that you use the smaller “Quiet Nursery.”

It is imperative that the church leadership be notified if an attendee or worker tests positive for COVID-19.

We encourage continued electronic giving. Use of the offering box in the sanctuary is also permitted.

Communion will be temporarily suspended until further notice.

Cleaning and Disinfecting

To meet following Sundays, the church must be cleaned and disinfected between each service and meeting. Cleaning must be consistent with the CDC guidelines.

All high contact surfaces must be thoroughly wiped down, to include doorknobs, light switches, bathrooms, microphones, shared instruments and more.

We ask for continued assistance with cleaning and disinfecting the church. Please contact John Aron to volunteer for cleaning.

The church must be disinfected well before Friday evening to ensure it is complete.

We wanted to put this plan in your hands as we all are responsible with following what has been outlined. If you have questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us crossroadsossipee@gmail.com.

Blessings,

CrossRoads Church Elders

NH Stay at Home 2.0 update - May 1, 2020

A Stay at Home 2.0 update from Pastor Heath.

Prayer Requests during Covid19 church at home

Hey CrossRoads Family,

 Other than the obvious weekly gathering of our church family, one of things that I miss the most during our time apart is the opportunity to pray with and for each other. Typically every Sunday morning we gather the prayers and offer them to our Heavenly Father together as a family as well as share them midweek in email form so that we can continue to pray with and for each other. I'm not sure that I'm clever enough to figure out how to do that same thing exactly that same way every week but I would like to offer a way that we can keep praying for specific needs within our church family.

So here is what I suggest:

If you have a prayer request that you are comfortable being shared with the whole world via our live stream just reply to this message or email me directly at heathk76@gmail.com and I will share it in our prayer time during our live stream service on Sunday. Simple, right? If there are any requests for prayer that are more private or that you don't want sent out to the whole world but that our church family could be praying for, you can just hit "reply all" on this email and we can all be praying as a smaller group. Again, you can always email me directly or call me, I'd be happy to pray with you!

We love you and miss you all,

Heath

Covid-19 Response, March 17, 2020

Good Morning Crossroads Family,

I am writing a message I never thought I would. The Governor of New Hampshire has recommended, along with the CDC that all scheduled gatherings of ten or more people should be suspended. With this in mind CrossRoads Church will be suspending all services and group meetings for at least the next two weeks. This includes all Bible studies, Youth Group, prayer meetings and Sunday morning services on March 22 and 29. By April 1 the Elders will reevaluate the situation and act accordingly.

2 Timothy 1:7 says, "for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control."

We are not suspending our gatherings out of fear because we know that if the Lord should take us by the Corona virus we will go to be with Him. We are not continuing our services out of power because the government cannot deny us our right to assembly. We are suspending our gatherings out of self-control by exercising wisdom and submission to governing authorities for the good of our church family and community as a whole.
It has always been our goal to make and mature disciples together as a family and if we must be apart we will do it together. During this difficult time we must go above and beyond to stay connected through phone calls, emails, texts, and messages.

Over the last few weeks CrossRoads Church has been using Facebook Live to share our sermons with anyone who has liked the CrossRoads Church Facebook page. I hope it has been a blessing. We are going to continue to provide this service at 9:37 Sunday mornings in hopes that all can still benefit from sound teaching and worship since we cannot be physically present together as a family.

Giving is also an important part of our worship and is necessary for our continued ministry, you can visit our website www.CrossRoadsOssipee.com and give online or mail your contributions to CrossRoads Church PO Box 576 West Ossipee, NH 03890.

Martin Luther Wrote:
You ought to think this way: "Very well, by God's decree, the enemy has sent us poison and deadly offal. Therefore, I shall ask God mercifully to protect us. Then I shall fumigate, help purify the air, administer medicine, and take it. I shall avoid places and persons where my presence is not needed in order not to become contaminated and thus perchance infect and pollute others, and so cause their death as a result of my negligence. If God should wish to take me, he will surely find me and I have done what he has expected of me and so I am not responsible for either my own death or the death of others. If my neighbor needs me, however, I shall not avoid place or person, but will go freely."

In the meantime, until we can meet again, wash your hands, and love your neighbors even if it means keeping your distance.

Trusting in Christ and missing all of you,
Heath

Family Christmas Activities Day - December 21, 2019

Come join us on Saturday, December 21st at 10am for a free holiday creating, crafting and treat making and eating morning together!

CrossRoads Ladies' SOAP Party! - December 14, 2019

You are cordially invited to a SOAP party at CrossRoads Church on December 14th at 6pm!

The Art of Soap Making Shannon will teach us to make handmade soaps. Take yours home to keep or share as a Christmas gift for someone special!

Learn to SOAP the Scriptures Heather will share this great (and easy!) study method for allowing God’s Word to cleanse our minds and hearts.

Please let us know if you can make it so we'll have plenty of supplies on hand! We can't wait to spend the evening with you!

Harvest Festival 2019 - October 19

Come join us for an old-fashioned harvest festival with games, crafts, pumpkin carving, and marshmallows around the campfire.Family friendly costumes welcome!

Living Proof Live Simulcast 2019 - September 28th

Ladies, I (Heather) would love to invite you to my home on Saturday, September 28th for Beth Moore's Simulcast event. A light breakfast will be provided, but please bring a dish to share for lunch! Experience the powerful biblical teaching of best-selling author Beth Moore at a Living Proof Simulcast Event!

*Experience a unique message - no two are the same

*Invest in a day that will encourage, challenge, and change you

 *Hear a unique message specially prepared for you

 *Worship with Dove Award-winning worship leader Travis Cottrell

 *Laugh, pray, and study Scripture with a women from all walks of life

 *Leave with a renewed sense of calling, purpose and love for Christ

 The Simulcast is an all day event starting at 10:00am and finishing around 5:15 pm. You are welcome to come for some or all of it! Registration is $20 (just bring it with you). Come and enjoy a day filled with wonderful worship, great biblical teaching, laughter, maybe a few tears, and meeting new friends. We pray that you will join us and bring a friend with you. You'll love it! If you have any questions, give me a call or shoot me a text at 603.662.4072.

The Humor, Heart and Hymns of Brad White, Sunday September 22nd at 6pm

Plan to come and be blessed! Brad White is coming to Crossroads Church Sunday evening, September 22nd at 6 pm.

There is no admission fee for this event. A free will offering will be taken.

Check out the facebook event if you would like to RSVP and share with your facebook friends.

Water Around the World VBS, August 12-16, 2019

August 12-16
From 6-7:30pm

All families are invited, children's activities for preschool through grades 6, but refreshments and gathering for all!

 Please join our family at Crossroads for a wet and wild week of learning more about the water all around the world and how water is a gift to each of us.

There will be water games, water experiments, crafts, water themed snacks, bible, giant slip and slide. Make sure to wear a bathing suit on Monday and Thursday!

 Over the week we will work together to earn money to provide a well for a community in need!

Visit our Facebook event page if you'd like to RSVP!

Family Christmas Festivities, December 15th at 10am

Come join our church family for a morning of ornament making, cookie decorating, and family fun! All ages welcome!

Facebook Event Page: https://www.facebook.com/events/470341823455537/

More Than a Babe in the Straw, December 15th at 6pm

Celebrate the birth of Christ as we tell the Christmas story through drama and music. Free admission; refreshments to follow. Join us and begin a new family tradition!

Feel free to use the facebook event page to invite your friends! https://www.facebook.com/events/262660694418246/?active_tab=about

Operation Christmas Child Shoebox Packing Party

It's a Packing Party! Put your thinking caps on, gather your contributions, and join us on Saturday evening, October 27th, for an evening of fun, fellowship and hot cocoa... and PACKING! Together, we can bless kids across the globe. Save the date!

The Ladies' Craft Night Continues

We had a great time visiting and crafting together last month! We decided to continue having these Ladies' Craft Nights on a regular basis. You can bring whatever you would like to work on, come looking for inspiration to learn a new craft, or just come to hang out and visit!

We will meet on the second Friday of the month from 6-8pm at CrossRoads Church.

Packing up for the night