Hello, Crossroads Family !
One of the reasons I enjoy reading biographies is because you can easily see how various seasons of life opened and closed over the course of a person’s existence. You’ve probably had a sense of that in your own life — one season opens and then it closes while another season opens. Sometimes it seems like we’re “stuck” in one season of life, but that’s not true. In the end, we’ll look back and better understand the changing seasons of our lives.
This morning I read a summary of the life of hymnwriter Charles Gabriel (1856-1932). He taught himself to play the organ and became a songwriter and music teacher. He married, but because of his frantic schedule traveling and teaching music, his marriage failed. He moved to California and later remarried. He worked at a church in San Francisco when one of his songs, “Send the Light,” became popular and propelled him to prominence in the hymn-writing community. He tried again to support himself by writing music, but he failed again. Finally, he settled in Chicago and found success in writing and publishing hymns. Today he’s in the Gospel Music Association’s Hall of Fame.
God has opened the door to a new season of life and ministry at Crossroads this year. We’ve been blessed by new people who’ve joined with us, by renewed enthusiasm in our own lives, and by some new ministry initiatives. As I visit with other pastors in Nevada, I sense there is something of a small revival taking place in our area. How long will this door stay open ? I don’t know. One of the keys to prolonging this good season will be to keep the lines of prayer open. I’d like to invite anyone interested in gathering with me at my house on Monday, the 9th, at 7 pm, to come for some corporate prayer. If you can’t make it, would you send me something on your heart that we can pray for ? “Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it” is a great challenge and promise from God given in Psalm 81.
One of the ways we’ll let the door close on this season is if we feel comfortable enough to just settle back into a routine — if we lose our love for personal and corporate growth and for new spiritual adventures. A sense of “All is well ; let’s take a break and not work so hard” will snuff out the fire God has lit and end a good season of ministry.
Some of the current needs at Crossroads that weigh on my mind are these :
Discipleship of men. We have a commitment to placing godly men on our church Elder Board, yet what are we doing specifically to train men in spiritual life and godliness ?
Ministry to and with young people. We have an excellent group of young people at Crossroads. I love seeing them every Sunday and visiting with them. How can we incorporate them more fully into the life of the church ?
Growth in our commitment to world missions (to our three missionaries and beyond) and to local outreach.
Anticipation of what to do with additional numerical growth at Crossroads.
You know that I’m a planner and like to have a plan ! Even though there are ideas percolating in my mind in all these four areas, I don’t have a sense yet of a clear plan. What’s God saying to you about these areas of life and ministry ? Thanks for joining me in prayer, as I believe you already are. I hope you’ll mark December 9th on your calendar for some prayer with a few others at my house, 628 W. Arch Street.
Two verses and the chorus from Charles Gabriel’s hymn, “Send the Light” :
There’s a call comes ringing o’er the restless wave, “Send the light ! Send the light !”
There are souls to rescue, there are souls to save, Send the light ! Send the light !
Let us not grow weary in the work of love, Send the light ! Send the light !
Let us gather jewels for a crown above, Send the light ! Send the light !
Send the light, the blessed gospel light !
Let it shine from shore to shore !
Send the light, the blessed gospel light,
Let it shine forevermore !
Reminders
Immerse this Wednesday, 7 pm.
Reading assignment : pp 271-288 (Deuteronomy 1-9). Everyone welcome !
Worship next Sunday morning, 10:00.
We’ll focus on “Nazarene” as one of the names of Jesus.
Women’s Cookie Exchange, this Sunday at 3 pm.
Contact Erin Townsend (ektownsend12@gmail.com) if you have questions or need information.
Congregational Meeting, December 15, following worship.
Everyone is welcome to stay for the meeting. Among other agenda items, we’ll vote on a church budget proposal and a nominee for the Crossroads Elder Team.
Christmas Eve Worship, December 24, 6 pm.
We’d love to have you, and your family or friends, join us for this special time of worship. We’ll finish no later than 7:00.
Finally …
Pray for teachers, administrators, and students as they push through the next three weeks with God’s help. (I hear the little cluster of bus riders gathering outside my window waiting for their bus ! It’s blessing to pray for them ! They’re kind of noisy, even though it’s still dark !)
Please pray for a friend of mine in the Hermann area who is working through a cancer issue.
Yesterday I was able to meet my long-time friend Dale Losch for lunch. We probably see each other two or three times a year. Dale and his wife Jerusha were missionary colleagues of ours in France. Dale and I were able to recall special seasons of life and ministry and pray for one another in the current stage of life we’re in. Some of you remember Dale and Jerusha from when they visited Crossroads during our YMCA days. Dale was formerly president of Crossworld Mission whose offices are in the Kansas City area. Take a look at Crossworld : www.crossworld.org.
Many thanks to Diane and Marvin Knoche who have hosted the Hymn Study Small Group this fall, and to Jenny Rives who has led it. We have one more session : Sunday evening, December 15, at 6:30. The two hymns for that evening will be “In the Bleak Midwinter” and “O Holy Night.” Everyone is welcome to come for the singing and reflection.
Two times last week I heard the question, “What is Advent ?” or “What is an Advent wreath ?” I’ll try to write up a little answer to those questions for this Sunday’s bulletin. I hope to see you Sunday if not before ! Send me a prayer request for December 9th if you can ! Thanks !
— Tom
Leave a Reply