Hello, Crossroads Family !
Last night seven from Crossroads gathered for a time of informal prayer. We enjoyed prayer, laughter, and even the shedding of a few tears. God ministered to us, and we trust He will also minister to the entire church family as a result.
Prayer gives a person renewed perspective !
- We saw, through prayer, that God has done wonderful things for us at Crossroads Church this past year.
- At the same time, we anticipate that He has even more to do ! One of our theme verses last night was Joshua 3:5, “Consecrate yourselves for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you.”
- Then, also, while realizing we have much for which to be thankful, we recognized that there are significant needs among the members of our church family. Will you take time today to pray for someone at Crossroads who needs a “breakthrough” answer to a need in their life ? Thank you ! Please especially remember today Michaela and Ryan Walker as they anticipate the arrival of the newest member of their family ! It’s a blessing to pray on behalf of another person !
Some Reminders :
Immerse tomorrow night, 7 pm.
The reading assignment is pp 288-304 (Deuteronomy 10-21). I hope you can be there !
Worship this Sunday, followed by Congregational Meeting
Worship at 10:00. We’ll continue our Advent series of sermons, worshiping the Lord by considering the meaning of another of His names. Everyone is welcome to attend the meeting afterwards. If you are a voting member at Crossroads, we especially need your presence to vote on a 2025 church budget proposal and on our two elder nominees, Shane Dahmer and Cris Rodriguez. Please be in prayer this week for the meeting on Sunday. Thank you !
Christmas Eve Service, December 24, 6 pm
Everyone is welcome for a special time of worship on Christmas Eve. We’ll begin at 6:00 and finish no later than 7:00.
Tom vacation, December 30-January 5
I’ll be taking some time off following worship on the 29th. The elders will fill in for me on Sunday, January 5. Thanks for praying for a week of renewal for me.
Finally …
- There are some good ideas being discussed for men’s ministry at Crossroads starting next year. I’m excited about that.
- We’ll have some holiday cards to sign for our missionaries the next couple Sundays. We’re grateful for the three missionaries God has allowed us to partner with.
- I’m thankful for all the ways our Crossroads family members serve : for those who bring food each Sunday ; for those who clean ; for our worship team and their leadership ; for children’s workers ; for greeters ; for those who pray and give. Thank you ! I thank God, too, for the ways you serve at your place of work and within your extended family !
The following section from Ron Rhodes’ book 40 Days Through Bible Prophecy encouraged me this morning to stay optimistic and hopeful. I hope it will encourage you too. Perhaps you’ll have time this week to read some of the accompanying Scripture passages and be renewed in hope !
Maintain Faith in God
- Blessed are those who trust — Jeremiah 17:7
- Don’t throw away your trust — Hebrews 10:35
- Faith grows from hearing God’s Word — Romans 10:17
- Faith is the certainty of what we do not see — Hebrews 11:1
- Live by faith, not sight — 2 Corinthians 5:7
- Small faith yields big results — Luke 17:5-6
- Trust in the Lord with a whole heart — Proverbs 3:5
Keep Your Hope Firm
- Maintain confident assurance — Hebrews 11:1
- Enjoy everlasting comfort and hope — 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17
- God’s plans involve hope — Jeremiah 29:11
- Hope in God — Psalms 39:7 ; 34:5 ; Lamentations 3:24
- Hope in God’s unfailing love — Psalm 33:18ff
- Hope in God’s Word — Romans 15:4
- Those who hope in the Lord renew their strength — Isaiah 40:31
Stay Optimistic
- Be confident — 2 Corinthians 5:6-7
- Be joyful always — 1 Thessalonians 5:16
- Be strong and take heart — Psalm 31:24
- Rejoice and be glad — Psalm 118:24
- Lift your eyes to the hills — Psalm 121:1
- Don’t fear bad news — Psalm 112:7-8
Do Not Worry
- God’s antidote to worry is to pray — Philippians 4:6-7
- Cast your anxiety upon God — 1 Peter 5:7
- Circumstances need not cause worry — Luke 8:22-25
- God consoles us — Psalm 94:19
- Jesus’ advice on anxiety — Matthew 6:25-34
Be Faithful to God No Matter What
- Be a faithful servant — Matthew 25:23
- Choose today whom you will serve — Joshua 24:15
- Be faithful in small matters — Luke 16:19
- The fruit of the Spirit includes faithfulness — Galatians 5:22
- God preserves the faithful — Psalm 31:23
- Keep a firm grip on everything taught to you — 2 Thessalonians 2:15
- Remain faithful — 2 Timothy 3:14
— Tom
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