Cross Point Chronicle | November 2027

When I was growing up on Laurel Branch, November meant a trip down to the cellar. Rows of canning jars lined the shelves: green beans, tomatoes, corn, apple butter. Each jar stood for a hot summer day in the garden and a long evening over a canner. Standing in that cellar, you didn’t have to wonder whether you’d been provided for. The proof was right there in front of you, along with some spiders.

November is our month to go down to the cellar of our hearts and count the jars. The psalmist said it this way: “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits” (Psalm 103:2). This month, take some time to look along those shelves and thank God for what He has done in your family and in our congregation. He has been faithful to us.

We are thankful for our veterans. On November 11 we pause to honor the men and women who have worn our nation’s uniform. Many of them sit beside us in the chairs. To every veteran in our church family, thank you. Your service and sacrifice bought freedoms the rest of us too easily take for granted.

We are thankful for our nation. She isn’t perfect, and she never has been. But America is truly the best experiment in government ever tried. We are blessed to live where we can worship freely, speak openly, and raise our families in peace. Let’s keep praying for her.

We are thankful for our volunteers and paid staff. That includes both our volunteers and our paid staff. Week in and week out, you set up and tear down, teach and greet, sing and serve, clean and cook, pray and plan. Much of it happens where no one sees it, but the Lord sees every bit. Cross Point thanks you for all you do to serve Him.

Lori and I are thankful for you. It is a gift to watch how you serve God. It is an even greater gift that you allow us to be your pastor and pastor’s wife. We don’t take that trust lightly, and we thank God for you every time we remember you.

As Thanksgiving Day comes on November 26, gather your family around the table and count the jars together. You’ll find the shelves are fuller than you thought.

Love,
Pastor Vondie and Lori

In a lot of the little country churches I knew growing up, somebody arrived long before anyone else on a cold Sunday morning. They unlocked the doors, turned on the heat, swept the steps, and set out the hymnals. By the time families came in from the cold, the sanctuary was warm and ready. Most folks never saw who did it. They just knew they were welcomed into a warm room where they could worship.

Cross Point has people like that. They serve every week, mostly behind the scenes, so that the rest of us can walk in and meet with God. October is Pastor Appreciation Month, but here at Cross Point, November is Staff Appreciation Month. On Sunday, November 8, we will take time to honor our paid staff. There will be baskets in the lobby for those who would like to leave cards, letters, and tokens of appreciation.

When the Apostle Paul closed his letter to the Romans, he didn’t just say “thanks, everybody.” He named his coworkers one by one, “Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus” (Romans 16:3), and on down the list. We want to do the same.

Thank you, Madison Mickey, for serving the youngest among us. You help our children learn that church is a place where they are loved and where Jesus is real.

Thank you, Brittany Ferguson, for helping keep our administrative office running. The calls, the calendars, and the countless details all pass through your hands, and you handle them with grace.

Thank you, Anna Clyburn, for keeping our online presence before the community and beyond. Because of you, Cross Point’s doors open well past the walls of our building.

Thank you, Matt Withrow, for keeping our sound and lights working properly. When everything runs smoothly, no one notices, and that is a sign of how faithfully you serve.

Thank you, Erin Hampton, for leading our entire worship team for most of this year. You have helped carry us into God’s presence week after week, and we are grateful.

Thank you, Kathy Gunther, for keeping our building in amazing condition. Every guest who walks through our doors sees the care you put into God’s house.

Each of you is a “helper in Christ Jesus.” You stoke the stove, sweep the steps, and make the room ready, and Cross Point is a warmer place because of you.

We love and appreciate YOU ALL!!

Back in the day, when a family needed a quilt, the women would gather for a quilting bee. One brought scraps from a worn-out Sunday dress, another a piece of a work shirt, another a bit of flour-sack calico. Some were quick with a needle, and some were better at threading needles for everybody else. No single square made the quilt. But when the last stitch was tied off, that family had something warm enough to carry them through the hardest winter.

That is a picture of Cross Point. Our church is a quilt pieced together by hundreds of hands. On Sunday, November 22, we will set aside time to honor all those who volunteer at Cross Point in so many ways.

Think about who it takes to make a single Sunday happen. There are greeters and ushers at the doors, and teachers in our classrooms. Nursery and children’s workers care for our little ones. Singers and musicians lead us in worship, and tech volunteers run the sound booth. Others serve as small group leaders, prayer warriors, and the folks who make sure there’s coffee in the pot. Behind them are those who cook meals for grieving families, visit the sick, decorate, and fix what’s broken. Then there are our volunteer leaders, who carry the extra weight of organizing, encouraging, and showing up when others can’t.

This article cannot list all of your names. It could never do justice to the hours you give or the love you pour into serving God through ministry at Cross Point. But here is the good news: the Lord keeps better records than we do. “For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labor of love, which you have shown toward his name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister” (Hebrews 6:10). Not one act of service has gone unnoticed in heaven.

So if you serve at Cross Point in any way, large or small, up front or behind the scenes, we hope you will be with us on November 22. We want to look you in the eye and say thank you. You are the squares in God’s quilt, and together you keep this church family warm.
If you’ve been thinking about joining in, there’s always room for one more square. Let us help you find your place to serve.

Thank you for all you do. Cross Point would not be Cross Point without you!

Looking for a way to say “Thank You” to our heroes?  Calfee Funeral Home and Cross Point Church are partnering together to show our appreciation to our veterans. You may pick up a stocking at the display in the lobby along with a list of suggested items.  Fill the stocking and return it to the church by December 2. The stockings will then be delivered to the Beckley VAMC where they will be given to patients at the hospital as well as out-patient clinics. Our goal is to stuff 100 stockings for veterans in our community to help spread some Christmas cheer and show our appreciation. Will you do your part to help us reach the goal?

Hello Cross Point family!  Our men’s ministry, Brothers of the Way, participated in Beckley Chili Night on October 3 in Uptown Beckley.  As you know, we had a chili cook-off at the church on September 13, and the congregation chose the recipe that would represent Cross Point at Chili Night.  The recipe chosen was submitted by Jeremy Watson.  A few of our men met at the church the day before Chili Night and made 10 gallons of Jeremy’s chili.

Several were able to make it to Chili Night to represent Cross Point and made many connections and had several meaningful conversations.  The great part is, we did not even have a spoonful of chili left out of 10 gallons!  We received great reviews and got many votes for “people’s choice”.  When the awards were announced, Cross Point Brothers of the Way won first place for Best Organization and third place overall for the “People’s Choice Award”.  It was a very successful endeavor for our first attempt at Beckley Chili Night.  I think we learned several things that will help us next year as well.  Thank you to all of those that came to help, we all had a great time!  As usual, our Cross Point family always shows up!

The next round of Wednesday Adult Small Groups kicks off on November 4, and we want you in one. The Fall Session Small Groups will last 6 weeks and end on December 16. Whether you were part of a group this summer or you’ve been waiting for the right time to jump in, this is your moment. The following Small Groups will be offered.

Women’s Study: Fear & Faith – Finding the Peace Your Heart Craves
Location: Wednesdays at 6:30 PM in the Room 107

Description: This study is just for the ladies! Failure, rejection, sickness, losing a loved one, being alone—the fears we carry are many and heavy. Fear can be a tyrant, a bully we can't hide from. It can paralyze our spirit, damage our relationships, and hinder our faith.  When we're struck with fear, where do we turn? Can God really be trusted? In five heartfelt sessions based on her book, Fear and Faith: Finding the Peace Your Heart Craves, speaker and author Trillia Newbell invites women to explore their fears and how those fears impact their relationships, self-esteem, peace of mind, and walk with God. Each session features real-life stories of women who are wrestling with fear due to tragic events, difficult circumstances, or deep anxiety about what may or may not happen. Trillia will walk through Scriptures that show God's love and strength when we are afraid and His faithfulness in times of trouble.

Whatever your fear, you will realize you are not alone, nor are you without hope. You have the One who can calm your fears, grow your faith, and give the peace your heart craves.


Men’s Study: Homerun with Wisdom
Location: Wednesdays at 6:30 PM in Room 106

Description: This study is just for the guys! Being a man in today's culture can be challenging. However, we have the tools to hit a home run in being the man God has called us to be. Guys, you will not want to miss this teaching featuring Darryl Strawberry.

Young at Heart
Location: Wednesdays at 2:00 PM in Room 107
Description: A special time just for our seniors!

As is our custom, we will not have our midweek services and activities on Wednesday November 25, the day prior to Thanksgiving.  This gives our families time to prepare for the Thanksgiving holiday.  

Here's an easy way to support our youth ministry—save your aluminum cans and bring them to church! Simply drop your cans in the recycling trash cans located in the gym by the carpet ball table. Every can makes a difference, and we're grateful for your support of our students!

Thank you for helping our youth!
Pastor Rob & Youth Team

"My house will be known as a house of prayer." – Matthew 21:13

Spring reminds us that God makes all things new. As the world comes alive again after this harsh winter, Touch Life is believing for fresh beginnings, restored hope, and hearts awakened to Jesus.

We are reaching for the lost with renewed passion and concern in this new season. Touch LIFE (Lifting Individuals For Eternity) is a prayer ministry dedicated to interceding for lost people to come to know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. This faithful group of prayer warriors meets on the first Sunday of each month at 8:30 AM in Room 105 to lift up those who need to encounter the saving grace of Jesus. Whether you're a seasoned intercessor or just learning to pray, you're welcome to join us. There's no greater privilege than partnering with God to see lives transformed by the gospel.

Next Meeting: November 1

Come be part of a ministry that has eternal impact. Your prayers matter, and together we can storm the gates of heaven on behalf of the lost in our community and beyond.

Did you know Cross Point has a team of people dedicated to praying for urgent needs?

The Prayer Warriors Team is a dedicated group of believers committed to interceding for urgent needs within our church family and community. This vital ministry ensures that prayer requests receive immediate and focused attention from faithful prayer partners.

How to Submit an Urgent Prayer Request
We make it easy for you to request prayer when you need it most:

Call the Church Office or Submit a Prayer Request Online
Phone: (304) 252-6684
Office Hours: Monday - Thursday, 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM

What Happens Next?
Once we receive your prayer request, we will place it on the prayer chain as quickly as possible, and our Prayer Warriors Team will begin lifting your need to the Lord.

Confidentiality
All prayer requests are kept strictly confidential and shared only with members of the Prayer
Warriors Team who have covenanted to maintain confidentiality.

Purpose
The Prayer Warriors Team is a dedicated group of believers committed to interceding for urgent needs within our church family and community. This vital ministry ensures that prayer requests receive immediate and focused attention from faithful prayer partners.

What We Do

• Receive and pray for urgent prayer needs as they arise
• Lift up individuals, families, and situations requiring immediate spiritual support
• Stand in the gap through intercessory prayer for our church body
• Respond quickly to time-sensitive prayer requests

Commitment Prayer Warriors agree to:

1. Pray faithfully for requests as they are received
2. Maintain strict confidentiality regarding all prayer needs
3. Remain available for urgent requests that may come outside normal hours
4. Treat this ministry as a sacred privilege and responsibility

How It Works

1. Prayer requests are submitted to the church office
2. Urgent needs are sent to all Prayer Warriors via their preferred contact method
3. Team members pray for the need as soon as possible
4. Confidentiality is maintained at all times

Join the Team
If you feel called to this ministry of intercession, you can sign up here:

Need a ride to church? Cross Point offers a van ministry to help you get here for Sunday and Wednesday services!

Our van provides pickup service within Beckley city limits. If you need transportation, contact the church office to receive the driver's contact information and schedule.

How It Works:
Contact the church office at (304) 252-6684 to receive the scheduled driver's contact information. Once you have it, please reach out to them directly to arrange your pickup:

• For Sunday services: Contact the driver by 7:00 PM on Saturday
• For Wednesday services: Contact the driver by 7:00 PM on Tuesday

These deadlines help our drivers plan their routes efficiently and ensure everyone gets picked up on time.

Important Information:

• Service is currently limited to Beckley due to driver availability
• Children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult (18 or older)
• Our vans do not have child safety seats—riders must provide any necessary car seats

Don't let transportation be a barrier to worshiping with us!

Each month we will include attendance and financial information from the most recently completed month. Due to the timeframe of newsletter publication, this information will most often be a month behind. Church partners can obtain a copy of the most recent church financials by picking up a financial report in the wall hanger by the financial office or by contacting the church office.

September Sunday In-Person Attendance:
9/06 – 351
9/13 – 410
9/20 – 470 (Friend Day)
9/27 – 389
Average in-person attendance: 405

September Sunday Online Viewership:
9/06 –84
9/13 – 71
9/20 –76
9/27 – 108
Average online viewership: 85

General Giving:  $47,082.69
Building Fund:  $37,254.81
Faith Promise:  $615.00
Youth Designated:  $2,600.00
Children Desig.:  $610.90
Rental Property Income:  $1,850.00
Interest Income BF:  $45.83
Interest Income Sav.:  $92.89
Other:  $338.43
Total Giving:  $90,905.55