TMG
Tom’s Midweek Greeting
Crossroads Community Church
Nevada MO
Hello, Crossroads Family!
I look forward to our getting together for worship this coming Sunday morning at 10:00 at the Y! I hope you’ll be there. These have been good Sundays, recently, of encouragement and challenge. I’m thankful for our body of believers and the ways you support each other! I’m grateful to our worship teams who are leading us in meaningful worship. I encourage you to join us this Sunday if you’re in the area. You’ll be glad you did! Our sermon this Sunday is called “The Second Most Important Question in Life,” from 1 John 5:13, and Luke 8. I believe God is going to bless and strengthen us through His Word. (Sermons are posted on the Crossroads Facebook page for those unable to be at church on Sunday mornings.)
Happenings at Crossroads
Nevada Summer Lunch Program: We could still use some helpers for the Nevada Grab ‘n’ Go lunch program on Fridays in July and August. Specifically, we need some help on Friday, July 24. The commitment involves being at Pine Street Baptist Church from 11:00 – 12:30 to pass out lunches provided by the YMCA. It’s an easy way to serve and bless people in our Nevada community. Please let Heather know if you can help … or sign up at church this Sunday. Thanks to everyone who has been serving!
Grad Party Invitation : Adi, Asa, Lee, and Stacey Wilson want to make sure all at Crossroads know they’re invited to Adi’s Grad Party this Sunday, 2-5 pm, at the Vernon County Fairgrounds Centennial Hall. No gifts are necessary. Congratulations again to all our graduates! Adi, Konner, and Esther (Nevada High School) ; Melody (Northwestern University) ; and Elena (Colorado Mesa University).
Rea Family on Break: The kids and I are taking some vacation time July 20-29, but Sunday worship will continue with a couple of special Sundays. Shane McCasslin will preach in my place on Sunday, July 26. Shane is a friend to our church and has filled the pulpit on a number of different occasions in the past. Jerry Carlin will preach on Sunday, August 2. Jerry was the Senior Pastor for 25 years at The Springs Church in Springfield, Missouri ; now Jerry is serving the Evangelical Free Church Central District as a coach for Church Health. Jerry and his wife Donna are long-time friends of mine and have been with us at Crossroads in the past. If you have a need while I’m away, please contact one of the other elders. Thank you!
On Observing the Sabbath
In last Sunday’s sermon on “Why Were They Able?” we touched briefly on the subject of observing the Sabbath. We said that one of the reasons the Israelites gave so readily and were able to construct the beautiful Tabernacle used for worshiping God was because they were rested. The entire story in Exodus 35-36 starts out with a reminder of the importance of Sabbath. I think the concept of Sabbath is both fascinating and important. It really pre-dates the Law, going all the way back to God’s example in creation itself. I recently heard a good sermon on the Sabbath that I think will help you in your exploration of this subject. I’ve put the links below. It’s a sermon by Dr. Erwin Lutzer of the Moody Church in Chicago, a part of his “Running to Win” radio program. I encourage you to take a listen. The sermon is in two parts, each part being about twenty minutes long.
Dr. Lutzer touches on a lot of issues and questions related to the idea of Sabbath, including …
- … our relationship to the Old Testament Law – its application to we who are living in an era of grace.
- … our need for personal holiness. Grace is emphasized a lot in our churches, but holiness less so.
- … why the Church meets on Sunday rather than Saturday.
- … Eric Liddell’s story of refusing to run in a trial heat at the 1924 Olympics in Paris because the race was run on a Sunday. (This is the story captured in the movie “Chariots of Fire.”) Was Eric Liddell right to do that ?
- … the need for us not only to attend church regularly but to be regularly involved in a small group where we can interact, pray for each other, minister to each other, and bear each others burdens. We need more small groups meeting regularly as a part of life at Crossroads. Interested?
I know you’ll find this sermon thought-provoking. Take some time to listen.
What Sunday Should Mean to You, part 1
What Sunday Should Mean to You, part 2
May God grow us and give us hearts to love Him this week!
— Tom
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