Hello, Crossroads Family!
I appreciate your open hearts and minds to last Sunday’s sermon as we discussed plans for the future at Crossroads and how those plans might be funded. If you missed the sermon, I hope you’ll take time to listen on the Crossroads Facebook page. Also, there was a good response to some additional “connecting” ideas for this summer. Thank you. I look forward to sharing more in this TMG.
Some good passages to read about tithing in the Old Testament are these:
- Leviticus 27:30-34
- Numbers 18
- Deuteronomy 14:22-29
- Deuteronomy 15:19-23
- Deuteronomy 26:1-15
There are more than these, and sometimes it can seem difficult to fit all the pieces of the puzzle together concerning Old Testament giving. Some of the specifics are open to interpretation, but one reliable Bible teacher has calculated that all of the required giving to God, over a 7-year period (since the Jewish calendar was built around 7-year periods of time), was probably about 25% of a person’s annual income. That’s more than we customarily think about when we think of tithing (10%).
In addition, of course, sacrifices of animals and crops were offered for sins; the debts people owed to you were to be forgiven every seven years; and you were not to harvest your fields all the way to the corners so the poor could glean around the edges. On top of all that, you could also offer to God freewill, or thank, offerings simply as a demonstration of your love for, and commitment to, the Lord.
The New Testament seems to speak more of our attitude in giving and reasons why we give to God rather than specific amounts. We give to God for these reasons, among others : out of thanks for His great giving to us; out of thanks for those who brought the Good News to us; and out of a desire to fulfill our mission in the world. Thank you for your thoughtful and generous giving to Crossroads over these past years! It is part of why God is blessing and growing us and giving us a vision for the future!
Reminders & Calendar
Worship this Sunday, May 25, at 10:00. Come early and join a few others for prayer!
Sunday, June 1:
- Worship at 10:00.
- 8-13 year-olds Bible study during the sermon.
- Elders meeting following worship.
- Sunday night home group, 6 pm, at the home of KJ and Alexandra Nelson.
Thursday, June 12: Gospel Night at Bushwhacker Days. Sign up if you can help serve in the concession stand. We hope to rub shoulders with many in the community by serving in this way.
Thursday, June 19: Men’s Recharge, 6:30-8:00 pm.
Friday, June 20: Summer of Sisterhood — all women invited to a “Drive-In Movie” at Erin Reedy’s home.
Saturday, June 21: Women’s Breakfast at 54 Cafe, 8 am.
Sunday, June 29: Church picnic at Radio Springs Park following worship. (More details coming along with sign-ups for food.)
Monday, June 30: 24 Hours of Prayer, beginning at 6 am. More information coming along with the opportunity for all of us to sign up for one or more slots of time as we pray as a church for 24 hours straight.
Sunday Night Home Group
During the month of June, I’ll lead a home group for those needing or wanting some extra connection with the church family. It will be an informal time of sharing & prayer, hopefully some singing, and also a 5-week study on Israel and the Jews : their history ; their place in God’s plan for the world ; the issue of antisemitism ; the 400 “silent” years between the Old and New Testaments. In Psalm 122 we’re told to pray for the peace of Jerusalem. Let’s find out why ! We’ll meet on June 1 at the home of KJ and Alexandra Nelson. Many of you are starting to get to know the Nelsons and their four kids ! I hope you’ll take advantage of this opportunity to grow in relationship with God and with each other.
24 Hours of Prayer
I’m really excited about our upcoming 24 Hours of Prayer! You may remember that we had a day of Fasting & Prayer back in January ; this will be another opportunity to bring our needs and the needs of those around us to the Lord in prayer. Prayer is an act of faith. Jesus sometimes told people it would be done “according to their faith.” Let’s put faith in action by engaging in a 24-hour continuous offering of prayer by the entire church. Catherine Moss will be providing some helps and subjects for prayer. We’ll make available a sign-up sheet where you can take one or more time slots during those 24 hours from 6 am on June 30 ’til 6 am on July 1. Thanks for being willing!
I hope to see you this Sunday morning! Have a good rest of the week! Please pray for Grace Smotrilla as she is flying out of KCI tomorrow to spend the weekend with her family in New Hampshire! She would appreciate your prayers! Please continue to pray for Julie Forkner’s parents, LJ and Judy, recovering from the loss of their home due to the recent tornado and a fire. Thank you!
— Tom
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