Hello, Crossroads Family !
We’re looking forward to a wonderful celebration this Sunday of the Lord’s resurrection ! I hope you’ll plan to be there. We’ll have a special blessing from our Crossroads Easter Choir which will present the Easter cantata, “The Hope of the Cross.” Thanks to the choir for working so hard to prepare this message through music. The order of service this Sunday will be like this :
- Congregational Singing : Come early so you can be ready to join in all the Easter singing !
- Fellowship Break : A chance to love on each other and greet visitors.
- Easter Cantata : The Hope of the Cross
- Communion
Plan to come early. Make room for visitors and late-comers. As always, there will be food, coffee, and more to enjoy before and after the service. Our elders are available if you need someone to pray with or need counseling of some kind for a circumstance in your life.
Some other Easter worship opportunities :
- Some from the Crossroads worship team will be presenting Easter-themed music on the Nevada square this Saturday afternoon, 1:00-2:00. Join us if you’d like and are able !
- The Vernon County Ministerial Alliance will host a community-wide Good Friday service at Nevada Church of the Nazarene this Friday evening at 7:00. Steve Russ will be the speaker.
More …
Thanks again to all who made the Bible Quiz Night such a fun time ! Fellowship, learning, fun, and a focus on the ministry and life of Jesus. It was a chance to meet new people and to appreciate those we know already ! Thanks to Clayson, Tacy, and all the team who helped !
Coming up on the church calendar are our regular weekly / monthly events : Women’s Breakfast & Bible Study this Saturday, 8 am ; Immerse next Wednesday evening, 7 pm ; and Men’s Recharge is coming up Thursday evening, April 16, at 6:30.
A follow-up from last Sunday’s message : You could read a long way into Joshua chapter 1 and be blessed by it. I stopped at verse 7 with an emphasis on “Be strong and courageous.” But verse 8 is important as well, as we seek God’s vision for our future : “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success.” I hope you’re meditating on God’s Word throughout the week. It gives us light, and it cleanses us !
Take time to look at the Evangelical Free Church Central District’s website (efcacentral.org). The Evangelical Free Church is divided up into several geographical districts ; ours is the Central District which comprises E-Free churches in northern Arkansas, all of Missouri and Iowa, and the southeastern corner of South Dakota. The district’s offices are in the Des Moines area, and many district events are held in West Des Moines which is a pretty straight shot from Nevada. Currently, on the website you can read about the Annual District Conference (April 27-28) ; a pastors’ wives retreat in the southern half of the district (April 10-12) ; a crisis response effort in northeastern Arkansas (April -June) ; an upcoming training for how to recruit and retain volunteers (May 19) ; and more. You can also meet members of the district staff and find other E-Free churches in our district.
We give praise to God for the gracious work of healing for Kris Sisseck. Let’s continue to keep Kris, Jamie, and family in our prayers. Also Konner and Jaci who will be married May 2. Others in the church also need our prayers for physical and family needs. Thank you !Finally …
I came across this little verse in my Bible reading this morning :
Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence before God. (1 John 3:21)
I think we often live under a cloud of self-condemnation, and we can be quick to condemn others around us, too. I recognize that I am a guilty sinner, deserving of condemnation from a holy, righteous God. The only way I can read 1 John 3:21 without giving up hope entirely is that I know that through Jesus’ death and resurrection condemnation has been removed. “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Rom 8:1). I need to keep short accounts with God in regard to my failings and disobedience, but I’m grateful that Christ restores us to a position of righteousness before God. And each day we’re closer to being at home with Him !
I hope to see you this weekend ! He is risen !
— Tom
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