TMG
Tom’s Midweek Greeting
Crossroads Community Church
Nevada MO
January 20, 2021
Hello, Church Family!
Momentum – Not too late to be a part!
I am so excited about our new 6-week home group series called “Momentum”! We’ll meet for the first time this Sunday evening at 6:00 at my house. It’s not too late to be part of the group and to profit from the series. After having previewed the videos, all I can say is, “Wow!” You will not leave unchanged.
“Momentum” is a study based on the Beatitudes, found in Matthew 5. You probably remember that these words of Jesus are part of the Sermon on the Mount and consist of a series of sayings starting with the word “Blessed.” “Blessed are the pure in heart,” for example.
What does a blessed life look like? Do you want to know more of God’s blessing? The Beatitudes do more than just describe a blessed life; they give us a road map for pursuing it. We’ll also discover that some of God’s best blessings are hidden in places you might not expect to find them.
What a great start to the year this study could be for you and me! Look ahead on your calendar – it would be helpful if those participating could commit to being present on at least four of the six Sunday evenings. Then, plan to join us this Sunday evening at 6:00 at my house, 628 W. Arch Street! Feel free to come in through the garage door on Spring Street. We should finish around 7:15.
Baby Bottle Boomerang starts this Sunday
We have an opportunity to help Birthright of Nevada through their Baby Bottle Boomerang program starting this coming Sunday. Please consider taking one of the baby bottles that will be available, then – at home, at your place of work, or anywhere – see if you can get that baby bottle filled up with loose change. This actually turns out to be a significant financial support to the ministry of Birthright in Nevada. Our baby bottles will be due back February 21. If you aren’t at church this Sunday but would like to have a baby bottle to fill, please let Kim Reedy know (417-448-9396). Kim is coordinating this effort for us. Thank you!
Crossroads Connection this Sunday after worship
Crossroads Connection is our monthly hang-out-with-each-other-after-church event. I hope you’ll join us this Sunday. Bring your own lunch and drink; a delicious dessert will be provided. At Crossroads Connection we have time to visit, discuss informally needs and activities at Crossroads, and it’s an opportunity for ministry teams to meet following the meal. Stay for some simple fellowship and an extra blessing this Sunday!
Worship this Sunday, 10:00 a.m.
As part of our worship this Sunday, our sermon will continue in the series, “Building a Community.” One of the important, and sometimes overlooked, parts of building a strong and healthy church community is fellowship. Last Sunday we came in through the front door of fellowship, defining what it is. This Sunday we’re going to come in through the back door in order to better understand fellowship. We’ll be in Matthew 18:15-22, a passage sometimes referred to as “church discipline.” Yet, many church members have never seen this process, instituted by the Lord Jesus, function well. One of the reasons may be a lack of real fellowship in the church. May God grow us this Sunday and be blessed by our worship and study!
Seven Ways to Encourage Someone Without Lying
The following was part of a blog written by Dr. Terry Powell, professor at Columbia International University where Diana and I went to seminary. You can read the full article, and more of Dr. Powell’s writings, at www.penetratingthedarkness.com. How do you encourage someone who is down or going through a hard time? That’s a part of real fellowship, too, isn’t it? Here are some suggestions:
- Admit that what they say is true. “That really does sound awful. If I were in your place, I would be feeling down too.” When we affirm someone’s story, we’re not only showing them that we’ve been listening, but also that we understand. We validate their struggles and recognize that their problems are real and difficult.
- Tell them you wish you could take it away. “I really wish there was something I could do to make you feel better. I wish you weren’t in these circumstances. I’d really like to be able to take it away from you.”
- Tell them you love them. Sounds obvious; they should know you love them, right? Still, this three-word phrase is never wasted.
- Remind them it won’t always be this way. “It’s awful right now, but it won’t last forever. Things will change.” Nothing in life stays the same. This can be an encouragement when suffering seems eternal and time crawls by.
- Remind them that there is hope for the future. “It’s so hard right now, but this is not the end of your story. There’s still hope, either now or in eternity.”
- Offer them Jesus. “I’m sorry, I can’t do anything for you except to offer you Jesus. He is good and gentle and kind. He understands you and can meet all your needs if you will let Him.”
- Pray. The eloquence of the prayer is of no importance; simply sitting down with someone and bringing them before God without fear is a gift. The person may not remember, or even believe in prayer, but it will be an encouragement all the same.
May God uphold and bless any in our congregation who need encouragement today!
Let’s join together this Sunday for good worship and fellowship! I look forward to seeing you there! If you’re unable to attend Sunday morning at the Y, the sermon will be posted on the Crossroads Facebook page by Saturday evening!
— Tom
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