TMG
Hello, Crossroads Family!
I hope you’ve had a good week! There is much for us to pray about, and many people to pray for. Would you please especially pray for the Nominating Committee in their work of seeking God’s will for a nominee to the Elder Board? Thank you!
I look forward to worship this Sunday morning at 10:00 at the Community Center! Sundays are a highlight of the week for me! I hope they are for you too!
In regards to last Sunday’s sermon, “How People Grow & Change,” a question was asked after the service, “Doesn’t God accept us the way we are?” Yes, of course He does! Yet, He also wants to make us better than we currently are! His goal, once you’ve come to faith in Christ, is to make you more like Christ, to make you the person you were meant to be without the sin that drags us down!
2 Corinthians 3:18 says we’re being transformed into Christ’s likeness. Romans 8:29 states that God predestined all believers to be conformed to the likeness of his Son. Author Jerry Bridges says, “Christlkeness is God’s goal for all who trust in Christ, and that should be our goal also.” Imagine that: Christlikeness!
Transformation may be the word we’re looking for. “Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Romans 12:2). How does God want to transform you? “What’s it like for the people who live on the other side of me?” is one way I’ve heard someone put the idea of identifying our need to grow and change. What does God want to make better about me?
That’s a good question for our church, too. What does God want to make better about us as a church? What’s one thing we could do better as a church in the coming year — even if it’s something very simple? I’d be interested to know your answer to that question. How can we obey Jesus better, and be transformed by Jesus more?
Coming Up
Thanksgiving Dinner
Everyone is invited to stay after the worship service this Sunday for a Thanksgiving dinner! Paperware and drinks will be provided.
Youth Group
Youth Group finishes its study series this Sunday evening, 6 pm, at my house, 628 W Arch Street. Come for study, then games and pizza.
Community Thanksgiving Service
Monday, November 21, 7 pm, at LifeWalk Church. Organized by the Nevada Ministerial Alliance.
Elders Meeting, December 4
Following the worship service.
Next Home Group, December 4
At my house, 6 – 7:30 pm. Everyone welcome!
Congregational Meeting, January 18
Please mark your calendar and plan to attend after the worship service. We’ll be voting on an elder candidate and on a 2023 church budget. Thank you!
What do you know, feel, do?
Someone who preaches asks the following three questions in their sermon preparation and delivery:
- What do I want people to know?
- What do I want people to feel?
- What do I want people to do?
Knowledge by itself is not transformational. We also need to have our hearts transformed. Without obedience (the “do” part), knowledge is relatively useless, too. As you listen to this Sunday’s sermon (from Genesis 48-49), ask yourself:
- What am I learning?
- What am I feeling?
- What does God want me to do?
Some Good Music at Cottey
The Cottey music students I’ve been accompanying this semester will have their recitals this Sunday at 3 pm, and Monday at 7 pm, in the Missouri Recital Hall at the Performing Arts Center on the Cottey campus. Admission is free, and the music will be very good. Come meet some of the students I’ve been able to get to know this semester, and enjoy an evening out with others!
– Tom
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