TMG
Hello, Crossroads Family!
The Saga of 621 Highland Avenue
Thanks for your prayers for our church and elders as we’ve been seeking an open door for the rental of the property on Highland Avenue. Here’s an update:
Our church elders met with one of the owners of the building last Friday afternoon with the intention of signing the lease we’ve been working on with them. We were surprised to learn that another one of the owners (who lives in Dallas) had concerns about the design for the kitchenette we hope to install in one of the side rooms (specifically, plumbing concerns). Our surprise was due to the fact that we thought we had come to an agreement concerning the kitchenette and its needs, but this second member of the ownership team had some new reservations.
As a result, we met with the city inspector this past week who took a look at the plumbing question and verified that, yes, if we wanted to install a sink in our kitchenette, the sink’s drain would have to be connected directly to the building’s sewer evacuation and not just to a floor drain in the room next door (where the HVAC equipment is). Lots of work and lots of cost.
So a question on the table now is: Do we want to sign a 5-year lease for a space where we would not have use of a kitchen sink on occasions when we eat together? (We could still have a refrigerator, microwave, and workspace — just not a place to clean up dishes.) We have since learned that we might have permission to use the “break room” down the hall (not part of our rental space, but a part of the building used by other tenants) which could potentially resolve some clean-up needs at times when food is part of what we’re doing.
This Sunday, as you know, we’re going to have a congregational meeting following the worship service. Everyone is invited to stay for the meeting. It’s going to be a good meeting, not overly long, but an opportunity for discussion and input. Please plan to attend, and between now and then please pray for God to give clarity, unity, and wisdom.
Thanks for your willingness to be involved; thanks for your flexibility and patience. This phase of the church’s life (since we left the YMCA) has been a long and slow one: several months at Riverside Cowboy Church; over two years now using temporary space at the Community Center. I’m thankful, as I know you are, for the ways God has provided. We have a lot to offer as a church — genuine love, authentic worship, good times of teaching and growing in Christ. (I’m especially excited about the “Immerse” small-group Bible program we’re planning for January — more information coming soon.) Yet, it’s hard to grow as a church and be in an extended state of transition. May God give us the wisdom and the “home” we need. In the meantime, thank you for investing in His work! Our desire is to lead people into an ever-deepening relationship with Him and with each other.
If it turns out that we can move into the building on Highland Avenue, there will be considerable work ahead of us early in the new year to make the space a functional home. Eventually, we will need to do things like clean the carpets; install some large screen TVs for use during worship; purchase a new keyboard; move our chairs and other belongings out of storage into the new building; set up a kitchenette; build a ramp for handicapped access; and other weekly needs like cleaning! I hope you’ll be ready, when the call comes, to consecrate some time to help!
Items on the agenda for this Sunday’s meeting:
- Prayer
- Financial Report
- Vote on 2024 Church Budget
- Nominating Committee Report
- Vote on Elder Nominee
- Information on Immerse
- Building Update
- Information for Christmas Eve
- Closing Prayer
We’re excited to announce that Ryan Walker is the nominee for Elder to replace Shane who is stepping down after two terms on the Elder Board. Please pray for Ryan and for the vote this Sunday on his nomination. We seek God’s leading for Ryan and for the church ! Thanks to the Nominating Committee for your work in this process!
I’m also excited that this Sunday we’ll welcome Alex and Emily Lewis as new members at Crossroads. We’ve been blessed by getting to know Alex, Emily, and Dean and are thrilled that they’re taking this step to join the voting membership at Crossroads. If you’re interested in being a voting member of the congregation, please let me or one of the other elders know. We’ll receive Alex, Emily, and Dean “officially” this Sunday at the close of worship (although please pray for them as Alex and Emily have been hit with Covid this week).
Take time to look up our new Children’s Ministry page on Facebook! It’s called “Jesus and Juice Boxes.” Thanks, Michaela, for setting up this page! Thanks to all who serve in our children’s and youth ministries! We love the example of teamwork and vision you give us! You remind us of the importance of young people in God’s family.
Schedule for Sunday, December 24th:
- Worship at 10:00 a.m. at the Community Center.
- Special Christmas Eve service at 6:00 p.m. at the Community Center.
There will be activities for children at both services. We’ll have some hot chocolate together in the evening. This is a good opportunity to invite friends and family! I look forward to celebrating Christ’s birth with you!
Thank You
Thank you for the kind and generous Christmas gift you gave me last Sunday morning. I’m blessed to be loved and cared for by all of you! You’ve taught me a lot, and you have blessed my family, too, through your love. Thank you!
Prayer for Our Missionaries
Below is a section of the Advent prayer calendar Jesse and Erica McCallister sent us — ways we can pray for them as they serve God in Berlin. You may remember that Jesse and Erica are originally from Eldorado Springs and serve in Berlin with Greater Europe Mission. I’ve included the part of their calendar for the coming week. Please remember our other missionaries in prayer, too: Tyrell and Rachel Shoemaker and family, serving in Chicago with Legacy Disciple ministry; and Colin Welch, serving in Paris with ReachGlobal. Some of you remember, too, Lawson and Shay Albey, from The Springs in Springfield who are now serving with ReachGlobal in Ankara, Turkey. Let’s keep them in our prayers too!
- December 14: Pray for the many people involved in the New Age movement in Berlin. Many people turn to New Age practices seeking healing, peace, and meaning as they battle loneliness and depression.
- December 15: Pray for a breakthrough among Islamic people groups in Berlin. Over 400,000 Muslims live here, and we pray they would encounter Jesus.
- December 16: Pray for opportunities to share the Gospel with people from Asia who have moved here for work or studies.
- December 17: Pray for the government in Germany and Berlin. Please pray for wisdom and guidance for the country and its leaders.
- December 18: Pray for those doing ministry in Berlin. Pray for strength and wisdom to persevere in ministry, and for protection and provision as they work to make Jesus known.
- December 19: Pray against loneliness and depression, especially during the long, dark winter months. Pray that people would find warmth, hope, and a sense of belonging in Christ and in the church communities of Berlin.
- December 20: Pray for those in Berlin with an Arab background. Berlin has the highest number of Arab peoples anywhere in Germany; however, there are only a few known Arab churches in Berlin.
I had a personal email from Jesse today; their family sends you their greetings and thanks for your support of their work!
I look forward to seeing you this Sunday morning for a good time of worship, fellowship, and teaching starting at 10:00!
— Tom
Leave a Reply