Hello, Crossroads Family !

I’ve enjoyed time spent with you over the course of the past week !  I hope you’ve also enjoyed some of the good fellowship God is fostering among us, … and that you’ll find a way to plug in for encouragement and support this week.

We had meaningful discussions at Immerse last Wednesday night, and I hope you can join us this Wednesday (tomorrow), for continued application of God’s word to us in Psalms and Lamentations.  Please feel free to come even if you missed last week !  7:00 pm at the church.

I had a great time with about fifteen others of you at our first Easter cantata practice.  There is something about singing with people that builds a unique bond !  I hope you’ll join us this Sunday at 12:30, after the fellowship meal.  You’re welcome to join even if you missed last Sunday !  The music is beautiful, and our first-ever Crossroads Church Choir is doing a great job !

I had an opportunity with a few others Sunday evening to practice for the Bible Quiz coming up on March 28.  There was plenty of learning and laughter as we tried to figure out what we know and don’t know about the Gospel of Luke.  March 28 will be the big night, starting at 6:30.  Location still to be determined.  Everyone is invited to join the fun, even if you’re not competing on a team.

Beyond these things, our women’s Breakfast & Bible Study got off to a great start last Saturday and will meet again this Saturday morning, 8:00 at the church.  All women are welcome !  Men’s Recharge starts this week on Thursday with a discussion about gifts of the Spirit.  How has God gifted each of us to serve Him and each other ?  Men, you’ll be glad you came !  This Thursday, 6:30 pm, at the church.

Three things to remember about this coming Sunday :

1. Our 8-13 year-old Bible Class will meet during the sermon.
2. If you took a baby bottle to raise support for Nevada Birthright, your filled baby bottle is due back this Sunday.  Thank you for blessing moms and babies !  If you didn’t take a baby bottle but would like to make a gift to Nevada Birthright, you may give a gift of any amount to Kim Reedy.
3. As you know, a fellowship meal is planned for after the worship service.  Bring something to share if you’re able, but even if you’re not able, plan to stay for food and fellowship !  There will be plenty to share !  

I’ll have a full day of show choir this Saturday with our own Nevada Classic taking place at Nevada High School.  There are around 30 choirs performing throughout the day, some high school choirs and some middle school choirs.  Come on out if you’d like — I’d love to see you !  Cost is $15 for adults, $5 for seniors over 65 and for students.  Our varsity choir will perform at 5:30 pm.  You can find the schedule at showchoir.com.

Other prayer requests include these :

• Please pray for Erlinda Reichard who is suffering from a severe bout of double vision.  May the Lord bring relief and also direct doctors to the root of the problem.
• Angi Dahmer will have surgery on her foot this week on Thursday and then will need some recovery time.  Let’s pray for strength and provision for Angi and Shane.
• David and Midge Prickett have been under the weather.  May the Lord encourage and bring healing to David and Midge, and to others in our church family who have not been feeling well.
• Alex Lewis travels to the St Louis area for a job interview this Thursday.
• Diane Ray asks that we pray for those working in the front office at the Sheriff’s Department, for their spouses and families.  Thanks, Diane, for keeping us up to date with prayer needs in the Sheriff’s office !

Finally …

I was encouraged this morning by reading David’s prayer in Psalm 17.  In it, he asks God to hear (v. 1), to look (v. 2), to answer (v. 6), to show lovingkindness (v. 7), to keep David, to hide David in God’s shadow (v. 8), to confront the wicked (v. 13), and to deliver David’s soul (v. 13).  What a great prayer !  So often it’s that last request (the deliverance of our soul through challenges) that we need !

I was especially struck in this psalm by the repeated use of “my …” and “Your …” :

my cry
my prayer
my judgment
Your presence
Your eyes
my heart
my mouth
Your lips
my steps
Your paths
my feet
Your ear
my speech
Your lovingkindness
Your right hand
Your wings
my deadly enemies
my soul
Your sword
Your hand
Your treasure
Your face
Your likeness

It’s very personal, isn’t it ?  David and God.  You and God.  It’s this kind of “Real Life” Christianity that I’m trying to emphasize on Sunday mornings.  I hope it will be more and more like that for all of us !

I look forward to seeing you sometime this week and, Lord willing, this coming Sunday !

Strengthen the hands that are weak and the knees that are feeble, and make straight paths for your feet so that the limb which is lame may not be put out of joint, but rather healed.        — Hebrews 12:12

Tom

Hello, Crossroads Family !

Just a few notes as we reach the halfway point of this new week God has given us :

• There is a homeschool group using the church building this Friday evening.  Please try to avoid using the building this Friday evening.  Thank you !

• Both Immerse and our women’s Breakfast & Bible Study begin this week !  Immerse tonight, 7:00-8:15, at the church.  (Everyone welcome !)  Breakfast & Bible Study Saturday morning, 8:00-9:15, also at the church.  (All women welcome !)  If you have questions, reach out to Forrest for Immerse and Erin Townsend for BBS.

• We’ll begin our Easter cantata practices this Sunday afternoon, 12:30-1:30, at the church !  I hope you’ll consider joining us in helping to prepare a special Easter service !  We’ll have a lot of fun !  Practices will be on Sunday afternoons through the remainder of February and March.

• Clayson will have some details for us this Sunday morning about the Bible Quiz Night coming up in March.

• Men’s Recharge begins Thursday, February 19, 6:30-8:00 pm, at the church.  Men, we would love to have you join us for a good time of fellowship, food, and support as men who want to love and serve the Lord more !  We always have a great time.  

• Don’t forget that we’ll have a fellowship meal Sunday, February 22, following the worship service.  Sign up at the church this Sunday to bring some food to share !  Paper products will be provided.  This is a simple opportunity to have some extended fellowship and make connections we don’t always get to make on Sundays.  Hope you’ll plan to stay !  Cantata practice will follow for those interested.  Contact Bryan Townsend if you have a question about the meal.

• Baby bottle money for Nevada Birthright is due back to Kim Reedy by Sunday, February 22.  Thank you !  Also, the next 8-13 year-old Bible Class will be held Sunday, the 22nd, during the sermon.

• We had a good elders meeting last Sunday.  Bryan will give a short report this Sunday morning at the conclusion of worship.  We are in need of additional “helpers” for children’s church.  This is not someone who must prepare and give a lesson ; rather, we need someone who will be present, an extra set of hands, and who will love children !  Let Michaela know if you might be willing to serve in this way.  Thank you to all who serve !

• I’m so grateful that my granddaughter, Jazlyn, has been discharged from the hospital (after 110 days) and is now in her home with Betsy and Dan in Portland.  I’m grateful for your prayers !  We thank God that Linda Thompson underwent successful surgery yesterday.  Let’s pray for Linda as she heals, and for Kim, Dave, and family who are a support to her.

• Mark May 2 on your calendar, as we’re invited to the wedding reception for Konner Sisseck and Jaci Servos who will be married that day.  The reception is at 6:30 pm at 3 Cedars Event Center, 24327 East Old Town Road, in Nevada.  Please see the invitation at the church, as an RSVP is requested.

As some of you know, Jim Elliot is a missionary who was murdered in January 1956 (70 years ago) by the people he was trying to befriend with the Gospel in Ecuador.  One of the themes of his life was a statement he wrote while in college in 1949 :  “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.”  That’s a statement that resembles Jesus’ question, “What does it profit a man to gain the whole world yet lose his soul ?” (Mark 8:36), and also His command in Matthew 6:20 to store up treasure in heaven where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in and steal.  May the Lord make us willing today to give up what we can’t keep anyway (our lives) in order to gain what can’t be lost (God’s purposes ; God’s work ; the salvation of souls as we live out and share the Gospel).

I hope to see you tonight for Immerse or else this Sunday morning !

— Tom

Hello, Crossroads Family,

Yesterday afternoon I enjoyed working on the lesson I’ll be teaching at the first men’s Recharge meeting for the year.  The lesson will be on spiritual gifts and, from a broader perspective, how spiritual gifts equip us for ministry.  (Men, I hope you’ll join us — February 19, 6:30-8:00 pm, at the church).  I’m re-working a lesson we did several years ago from Rick Warren’s Purpose-Driven Church.  I like these ten statements which are good reminders for all of us (men and women) concerning ministry :

1.  I’ve been created for ministry.            

2.  I’ve been saved for ministry.      

3.  I’ve been called to ministry.     My primary identity :  I am a minister / servant of Jesus Christ !

4.  I’ve been gifted for ministry.                                     

5.  I’ve been authorized for ministry.                            

6.  I’m commanded to minister.                                     

7.  I’m being equipped for ministry.                               

8.  The Church needs my ministry.                  

9.  I’m accountable for my ministry.                           

10.  I will be rewarded for my ministry.                         

All those statements are supported by Scripture which we’ll look at more closely on the 19th.  
“Ministry” is another way of saying “service.”  To minister is to serve.  God has equipped us to serve in different ways.  He has also given each of us a unique personality that affects the type of service / ministry we enjoy doing and do well.  

I think some of the best ministry in a church isn’t part of a church “program” but is organic service we initiate ourselves, either individually or with others.  You don’t have to wait to be asked to serve ; God is already calling you and giving you ideas !  

Recently, I was ministered to by someone shoveling the snow off my driveway (without my knowing it until it was done).  Three people from the church brought dinner to my house last Sunday evening, and we enjoyed a special time of fellowship.

One of the New Testament spiritual gifts is the gift of “exhortation” — what we might call “encouragement.”  It’s an important gift : we all need and enjoy encouragement !  Even if encouragement isn’t your gift, it’s easy to learn the habit of encouraging others.  After all, spiritual gifts are special abilities God gives some people to do especially well what all followers of Jesus should be doing anyway.  So even if encouragement isn’t your gift, it’s still something you can do as God prompts and helps you !  
I hope our worship service this Sunday morning will be an encouragement to you !  Mark Tice will preach in my place, as I will be arriving home late Saturday night or early Sunday morning from a show choir trip to Troy, Missouri.  Thanks for your prayers for Mark and for me.

Calendar(Don’t forget that you can access an up-to-date church calendar on the Crossroads website, http://www.nevadacrossroadschurch.org.)

Sunday, February 8

Worship at 10:00

Elders meeting following worship

Wednesday, February 11

Our first session of Immerse.  Everyone is welcome !  7:00-8:15 at the church.  Books and a reading schedule will be available at the church this Sunday.

Saturday, February 14

Breakfast & a Bible Study for all women !  There is a sign-up sheet at the church, or you may contact Erin Townsend to let her know you’re coming.  Saturday, the 14th, 8:00-9:15 am, at the church.

Sunday, February 15

Our first Easter cantata practice, 12:30-1:30 pm.  Grab a bite to eat, then join us for the start to this fun preparation for Easter !  Everyone is welcome who loves the Lord and loves to sing !  Contact Jessica if you have questions.  Practices will be 12:30-1:30 on Sunday afternoons through February and March.

Thursday, February 19

Men’s Recharge :  6:30-8:00 pm, at the church.  Come on out, men !  Always good fellowship, food, and spiritual nourishment !  Contact Cris Rodriguez if you have questions.  Thank you !

Sunday, February 22

Fellowship Meal following the worship service.  There is a sign-up sheet at the church for food to bring.  See Bryan Townsend for questions.  Thank you !

Sunday, February 22

Baby bottles with support money for Nevada Birthright are due back to Kim Reedy on the 22nd.  Thank you !

Don’t forget our Bible Quiz night on Saturday, March 28.  If you would like to sign up to be part of a team, there is a sign-up sheet at the church.  Or if you just want to know more, please contact Clayson !

Prayer & Praise

• Thank you for your prayers for Alex & Emily Lewis.  Continue to pray for healing for Alex and for God’s provision for job needs for the Lewises.  Thank you !
• Thank you for praying for Jaci Servos and Konner Sisseck as they prepare their wedding May 2.
• Please continue to pray for God’s healing and guidance for Austin Forkner, Julie’s son, who has recently been injured in motocross competitions.
• A friend of Diane Ray’s is asking us to pray for Jerry Janes and Jerry’s wife.  Jerry is in the hospital with Covid, pneumonia, and heart issues.  Though you may not know Jerry and his wife, thank you for praying !
• We give thanks to God for the news that Erica and Jesse McCallister are expecting a baby in May.  Also, their daughter Aubrey recently followed the Lord in water baptism.
• Let’s be in prayer for those at Crossroads who are expecting babies : two due in May !
• Thank you for praying for the beginning of our Spring semester activities.  May God cause them to bless and grow people in a deeper relationship with Him and with each other.  Please continue to pray for a permanent home for our church.  Thank you !

I like this prayer of the missionary Jim Elliot, written in his journal in the late 1940s :  “God, I pray Thee, light these idle sicks of my life and may I burn up for Thee.  Consume my life, my God, for it is Thine.  I seek not a long life but a full one, like you, Lord Jesus.”  May this be true of us at Crossroads Church !

Also this from Daniel Partner’s book All Things Are Possible :  “The Christian faith is the faith of sinners, of those who have sinned and in whom sin still dwells.  That is why Jesus said, ‘I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance’ (Luke 5:32).  This is why the Christian life is a life of continued repentance of sin.  Not only so, it is a life of continual faith in Christ, thankfulness for His redemptive death, love to God who sent Him, and joyful expectation of the glorious day of redemption, when believers will be fully acquitted and sin abolished forever.”

Have a great rest of the week, and I hope to see you this Sunday morning !

— Tom  

Hello, Crossroads Family !

Thanks for your understanding and patience last Sunday with the need to cancel in-person worship.  I felt like God gave us a special blessing through worship and a sermon on Facebook !  Those videos are still available on the Crossroads Facebook page.  I hope you were blessed.  

There’s nothing like being together in person, and we’re planning on that this coming Sunday morning at 10:00.  I hope to see you there !  Children’s Church will be available during the sermon for those 0-7 years old, and the 8-13 year-olds Bible Class will also meet this Sunday during the sermon.

You know by now that there’s a lot going on at Crossroads and a lot about to happen once we turn the page from January to February.  I’m excited about it, and I hope you’ll find one or more ways of plugging in and helping us all grow in an ever-deepening relationship with God and with each other.  Let someone around you know about the good time we’re having at Crossroads.  

There will be sign-ups at the church this Sunday for these four upcoming activities :

• Immerse
• Women’s Breakfast & Bible Study
• Food to bring for a February 22nd fellowship meal
• Bible Quiz teams for the Bible Quiz Night

For these activities, we need to have a sense in advance of numbers of people, and in at least two of the activities books need to be ordered.  So please sign up or contact the person in charge (Immerse : Forrest Drury ; Women : Erin Townsend ; Fellowship Meal : Bryan Townsend ; Bible Quiz : Clayson Lyons).  Thank you !

Calendar

Here’s that calendar !  We would love — if you’re new to Crossroads or if it has been a while since you participated — that you would consider connecting this semester !

Immerse : Poets  —  Join us starting February 11 for Immerse: Poets, a 12-week group experience that reads the Bible like a book—without chapters and verses. This class is more like a book club than a Bible study, focused on reading large sections of Scripture and discussing them together as a community. Join us as we discover how God’s story invites us to live out our part in His plan.

Women’s Breakfast & Bible Study begins Saturday, February 14, 8:00-9:15.  In addition to great weekly fellowship with other women, the study this semester will be in the Gospel of Luke, using Lisa Harper’s book Luke : Gut-Level Compassion.

Men’s Recharge (a monthly gathering for fellowship and growth for men) begins on Thursday, February 19, at the church, 6:30-8:00 pm.  Over the course of 2026, we’ll study several disciplines all Christian men should be practicing.  And we’ll develop some action plans for making these good habits realities in our lives.  “Practice what you preach” will be the theme.

Fellowship Meal — We’re planning to eat together following worship on Sunday, February 22, and we’re asking everyone to bring food to share.  Bryan Townsend is helping us organize and will have a sign-up at church this Sunday with ideas for food to bring.  In an effort to keep the room from being too crowded, we’re not going to set up tables for the meal.  We’ll eat on our laps, picnic style, so keep that in mind when you think of food you want to bring.  Thank you ! 

Baby Bottle Boomerang — The baby bottles filled with change to support Birthright of Nevada are due back to Kim Reedy by Sunday, February 22.  Thank you !

Bible Quiz Night — Our Bible Quiz will be a night for the entire church to enjoy, whether you’ll be competing on a team or just rooting others on !  Snacks, fellowship, and interaction with some friends and teams from other area churches.  Saturday evening, March 28.  Please sign up to be on a team or let Clayson know !

Easter Cantata — We have enough interest and volunteers to begin planning a special cantata for Easter Sunday !  We’ve ordered books and will need to start practicing soon since Easter is a lot closer than you think !  If you’re interested in joining this Easter choir but haven’t yet let Jessica know, please reach out to her soon and let her know you’ll be a part.  There’s room for you, and (best of all) no auditions needed !    It’s going to be a lot of fun !  Be listening for information about practice times.  Thank you !

In addition to all this, please know that your 2025 Giving Statement will be available at the church this Sunday.  Be sure to pick yours up, and if you’re not there this Sunday we’ll drop yours in the mail to you.

Personal Thoughts

These few days of school being closed have reminded me that leaving the high school and beginning full-time at Crossroads later this year will be an adjustment for me.  I’m grateful for the extra time I’ve had this week, but it’s hard to change routines, isn’t it ?  One of the best things about being a full-time pastor will be to have again sufficient time to think and study in preparation for preaching and times of counsel with others.  That’s something I need badly but have been short on due to a busy school schedule.  I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to return to full-time ministry, later this year, Lord willing !

Some ways that God blesses me are through the one-on-one or small-group meetings I get to have with some of you each week.  It’s a source of energy and keeps me focused.  We need personal accountability and times to learn from others, don’t we ?  I hope you’re finding that kind of spiritual interaction too.  What’s a creative way you could connect with someone in the church this week or next ?  

Our elders have committed to two significant additions to their schedule this year.  One is to build stronger ties as a team by sharing a meal together occasionally.  A second is to meet once a quarter for a study session.  At our next meeting we’re going to discuss some possible topics for our four study sessions in 2026.  Here are some ideas I’m hoping to propose :

— Church Membership.

This has already been a topic of discussion, so we now want to take time to explore it more fully.  What is church membership ?  Where does the idea come from ?  The Bible ?  Elsewhere ?  How does the Evangelical Free Church typically approach church membership ?  

— Men & Women in Ministry

Occasionally, someone new to Crossroads asks a question about our practices concerning men’s and women’s roles in ministry.  This would be a worthwhile discussion.

— Spiritual Gifts

What does the Evangelical Free Church, and what do we, believe about spiritual gifts as outlined in the Bible ?  Can we be better at helping people use their gifts ?

— Small Group ministry.  (Home Groups, Life Groups, … etc.)

You know my feeling that a healthy future for Crossroads depends on these kinds of small groups, meeting most likely in homes, facilitating deep relationships and allowing all members of the church to serve, provide accountability, and grow.

— Three other possible study topics on my mind :  What is the purpose and role of water baptism ?  What is the Evangelical Free Church of America ?  What is biblical eldership ?

I’m grateful for our elders’ willingness to study and grow.  I’m sure the entire church will be impacted by our four studies, whether they be on these subjects or others.  Thanks for your prayers for our Crossroads elders !

——-

I’ve found that in addition to reading and meditating on God’s Word, I need a pretty regular diet of good Christian books in order to walk joyfully and serve well.  I don’t read quickly, and ordinarily I have three or four books going at a time, so I make slow progress.  But I’m thankful for the teachings of Christian men and women who took the time to write !  Here are some books I’ve started this new year :

— Daily Light on the Daily Path, compiled by the Samuel Bagster family

This book is a simple compilation of Scriptures for morning and evening for each day of the year.  Each morning or evening’s reading takes less than a minute to read.  The theme of each compilation isn’t given ; it simply becomes evident as you read it.  I don’t have any idea who the Samuel Bagster family is, but they did an amazing job in finding beautiful threads of uplifting themes in the Bible.  They speak profoundly to the heart upon rising and just before going to sleep.

— Prayer, Praise & Promises : A Daily Walk Through the Psalms, by Warren Wiersbe

You know I love the psalms, and I’ve been reading Warren Wiersbe (1929-2019) as long as I’ve been in ministry.  One of the best books of his I have in the library is Preaching & Teaching With Imagination.  I love the love way Wiersbe finds things in the Word I often miss.

— All Things Are Possible :  Meditations on Biblical Prayers for God’s Help, by Daniel Partner

I got hooked on Daniel Partner’s little devotional books by reading one he wrote for Advent.  The entries are short but always profound.  This one is specifically a compilation of prayers for “HELP !” that are found in the Bible.  Partner is from Oregon where some of my kids live, so although I don’t know him, I can imagine him (and them !) there.

— 40 Questions About Angels, Demons, and Spiritual Warfare, by John R. Gilhooly

I heard this professor speak on this topic on a podcast recently, and it was one of the best discussions I’ve heard on the subject.  I was grateful for his willingness to admit that there’s a lot about angels and demons we’re really not told in the Bible.  And he makes the assertion that some of what we call spiritual warfare is not really from the Bible but from culture and popular opinion.  I’m excited to make more progress in this book.

Finally, yesterday I did also pick up, for a re-read, Elisabeth Elliot’s story of her husband Jim called Shadow of the Almighty.  Jim Elliot and four other missionaries were killed 70 years ago this month attempting to bring the Gospel to people living in the jungles of Ecuador.  

In the introduction to that book, Elisabeth Elliot raises a question as to whether or not we have heroes today.  It gave me a chance to ask myself, “Do I have any heroes ?  Who are they, or who were they ?”  My dad is one who comes to mind.  I didn’t appreciate him as I should have while he was alive.  Now that he’s gone (and I’ve learned more about life myself), I see that he was not only a great model but truly a hero.  I would also say my kids have been my heroes.  They’ve joyfully and willingly gone through a lot in their life and, for what it’s worth, have stuck by their old dad through thick and thin ! 

I’ve been blessed by many mentors — maybe the word “hero” is too strong, but certainly people whose influence changed me.  I’m grateful, and I hope it will be an encouragement to you, as you influence people around you, to not grow weary in loving and serving others. 

“Therefore, remain steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain” (1 Cor 15:58).

I hope to see you this Sunday !

— Tom

Hello, Crossroads Family !

We had a good elders meeting last Sunday following the worship service !  We’re grateful for your prayers for all of us on the Elder Team.  It’s good to have Bryan and Tommie joining us on that team.  I’ve shared a few notes below from our meeting, and Forrest will give us a report this coming Sunday morning at the end of the worship service.

It looks like the church schedule is set in regards to ongoing activities for the spring semester :

Immerse

Everyone is invited to the start of the new session of Immerse.  We’ll begin Wednesday, February 11, 7:00-8:15, at the church.  This semester’s session will be in the poetical books of the Bible (Job, Psalms, etc) and will last twelve weeks.  Good times of midweek connection and encouragement !  If you need more information, please speak to Forrest.

Women’s Breakfast & A Bible Study

Women, you’re invited to sign up now for this semester’s Saturday morning studies which will begin February 14, 8-9:15 am, at the church.  A sign-up sheet is at the church, or you may contact Erin Townsend (ektownsend12@gmail.com).  The group will follow a study of the Gospel of Luke called Luke : Gut-level Compassion, by Lisa Harper.  (Don’t forget there is a women’s fellowship breakfast this Saturday, the 17th, at 54 Cafe at 8 am for anyone interested.)

Men’s Recharge

Men, our second year of Recharge begins Thursday, February 19, 6:30-8:00 pm, at the church.  This year’s theme is “Practice What We Preach.”  We’lI look at practical action steps we can take for living out what we believe.  Good fellowship, accountability, and personal growth for all men !  Hope you’ll join us ! 

8-13 Year-olds Bible Class

The upcoming dates for the 8-13 year-olds Bible class are February 1 & 22, March 15 & 29, and April 19.

More …

24-Hour Prayer Vigil

Our 24-hour prayer vigil is coming up !  We’ll be praying as a church continuously for 24 hours starting at 6 am on Monday, January 19th.  If you haven’t signed up for a 1-hour time slot, please sign up at the church or reach out to Catherine Moss.  Catherine will have available for you a set of prayer requests and help for spending an hour in prayer.  There’s still room for you !  Let Catherine know if you have any questions !

Easter Cantata ?

Are you interested in joining others in preparing a cantata for Easter ?  We have a cantata in mind made up of seven contemporary, worshipful songs for Easter !  If you’re interested, please let Jessica know soon so we can gauge the level of interest and work out a schedule for practices.  (You can also let me know by responding to this email if you’d like.)  Singing together is a great way to get to know a small group of people !  In addition, this would be a wonderful way to bless others and yourself through a special Easter service !  Don’t be bashful !  We can use you !

Fellowship Meal

We’ll have a fellowship meal after the worship service on Sunday, February 22.  Please mark your calendar !  We’ve haven’t eaten all together in a while !  More information coming on what you can bring.   

Bible Quiz Night

Have you signed up yet to be part of a team for the Bible Quiz on Saturday, March 28 ?  We’ll be competing in teams of three against each other and against teams from two or three other area churches !  Let’s have fun and grow in our love for God’s Word !  Quiz questions will be from the Gospel of Luke.  You can sign up at the church, or you can contact Clayson.  There’s still time !   

A few notes from the Elders meeting …

• We’ll be meeting on the second Sunday of each month.  If you have something that needs to be addressed by the elders, please keep the second Sunday in mind.

• Among our goals as a team :

• Help guide the church in reaching the goal of paying a full-time pastor’s salary as the first step in moving towards a home of our own.

• Begin to meet with some of the current ministry teams in an effort to help them fulfill their goals.

• Schedule a quarterly study session for the elders on topics that concern the local church.

• Implement some practical steps to help us be better shepherds of the church and to better facilitate relationship-building.

• We discussed some of the needs among members of the church and prayed for them.

This Sunday, January 18 

I’ll be preaching on the subject of prayer in preparation for our 24-hour prayer vigil and as part of my series on Real Life Christianity.  The text will be Genesis 32:1 – 33:17 which includes a prayer of Jacob which we’ll look at more closely (32:9-12).

Personal

Thank you for your prayers and understanding during this busy season of show choir at the high school.  Thanks, too, for your prayers for my granddaughter, Jazlyn, in Portland.  She is making slow but steady progress, although a date for discharge from the hospital is still uncertain.  Of particuar concern at this stage is a condition related to underdeveloped retinas in her eyes.  Treatment and progress for this are among the things that need to take place before she can go home.  Thanks for your prayers for Jazlyn and her parents, Dan and Betsy.

“All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

I hope you have a great week and, Lord willing, we’ll see each other this Sunday morning !

— Tom