Hello, Crossroads Family,
These are full days for many of us ! I’m thankful for God’s grace and faithfulness. Thankful, too, for the fellowship I have with all of you in many different ways during the week. Christian fellowship is a gift. There is an ability to relate on a deep level or on a light, superficial level any time a brother and sister in Christ meet or take time to communicate with each other. Your part in that is a blessing to me and may be an overlooked way by which you’re blessing others in the church. Thank you !
We’ll have an opportunity for some special fellowship this Saturday evening with our Bible Quiz ! The fun will start at 6 pm at First Baptist Church on Highland Ave in Nevada. I hope you’ll be there whether you’re part of a team or just want to watch and enjoy the fun ! Thanks to Clayson for organizing and for inviting other churches to join us !
Of course, we want especially to be praying today for the Sisseck family, particularly for Kris. May God provide for all needs — physical, spiritual, mental, emotional, for loss of work time, and more — during these days of finding and treating the sources of Kris’ incident this week. Thanks for your prayers.
As others in the Crossroads family come to your mind, pray for them too. Many are in need of prayer ! Ephesians 1:15-19 and Colossians 1:9-12 are good model prayers to use in praying for people ; or take a minute to think of the things you’re asking for yourself — many of those needs are the same needs of the people around you !
Reminders :
This Sunday : Worship at 10 am. As of now, we will have use of the bathrooms in the building. So no worries and hope to see you Sunday morning ! Children’s Church will be available for 0-7 year-olds if you are a parent and are interested ; also, the 8-13 year-olds Bible class will meet during the sermon.
Cantata Practices : Easter Choir members, we’ll practice this Sunday at our usual time, 12:30-1:30, and again Wednesday, April 1, 5:30-7:00 pm, at the church.
Women’s Breakfast & A Bible Study : This Saturday morning, 8-9:15, at the church.
Immerse : Next Wednesday, April 1, 7 pm, at the church.
Easter : Easter worship will feature our Crossroads Easter Choir singing “The Hope of the Cross” in place of the sermon. We’ll also worship the Lord around the Communion table. I hope you’ll come for a very special time. We’re not planning a breakfast this year, but there will be plenty of refreshments, as usual, so come early and enjoy some extra fellowship.
Elders Meeting : Sunday, April 12, following the worship service. We’ll have our usual monthly meeting, then follow with a study on the subject of Church Membership, and also lunch together. Thanks to everyone for your prayers for our Elder Board.Finally …
This set of Bible verses provides an interesting perspective on Easter and the events leading up to it :
- God … calls you into His own kingdom and glory. (1 Thess 2:12)
- Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight ….” (John 18:36)
- Waiting till His enemies are made His footstool. (Hebrews 10:13)
- The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever ! (Rev 11:15)
- You have made us kings and priests to our God ; and we shall reign on the earth. (Rev 5:10)
- I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was committed to them … and they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. (Rev 20:4)
- The righteous will shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. (Matt 13:43)
- Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. (Luke 12:32)
- I bestow upon you a kingdom, just as My Father bestowed one upon Me, that you may eat and drink at My table in My kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel. (Luke 22:29-30).
- Your kingdom come. (Matthew 6:10).
I texted as many of you as I could earlier this week about a worthwhile podcast on the subject of the final weeks of Jesus’ life. It’s a discussion between two Bible professors and is helpful in understanding those final days. It will bless you if you have a chance to listen. The podcast is called “Bible and Theology Matters,” and the host is Dr. Paul Weaver of Dallas Theological Seminary. Look for the episode from March 19 called “The Passover & Last Supper Explained.”
Interestingly, I learned this week that the choir director I had as a high school student at Rock Bridge High School in Columbia, passed away last weekend. He brought a smile and joy to the classroom ; and he trusted me, during my junior and senior years, to accompany the school’s two choirs. He was a man of God, and frequently our concerts included sacred pieces, including the Hallelujah chorus and other pieces from Handel’s Messiah. Those were challenging and fun days of music. One of our choirs wore tuxedos and black dresses at concert time, and I remember he showed up once in a black tuxedo with a bright yellow vest. Looked a little like a bumblebee, but he made people smile, including me. I’m grateful for the confidence he had in me as a young person.
I pray God will bless the remainder of our week, and I hope to see you Sunday !
— Tom
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