TMG
Tom’s Midweek Greeting
Crossroads Community Church
Nevada MO
November 19, 2020
Hello, Crossroads Family!
I had an email this week from a pastor friend who said, “I hope you are doing well as these COVID days drag on.”
It does seem like the COVID experience is dragging on, doesn’t it, and we need especially to pray for the three at Crossroads who have recently tested positive for the virus.
At the same time, it’s interesting to take note of things God is doing during these unusual times. While it may seem like, on the surface, that normal life has stopped and that God’s work has somehow been stymied, nevertheless, under the surface, His work goes on.
- Our finances at Crossroads are better than usual. Thank you for your giving! Let’s continue to pray and give generously so we can finish the year in the black!
- Our friend Joe Chenoweth had meetings this week with pastors in Kansas City as he seeks to minister to more churches through “Walk the Walls,” a church-building strategy he piloted with us here at Crossroads!
- Our friend Dale Losch, at Crossworld Mission, reports that giving and recruiting at their mission is up this year! (Dale has a new book out on generous giving called Giving Outside the Box : Generous Now. Rich Forever. Check it out at com.)
- We’ve had the joy of new visitors at recent worship services on Sunday morning.
- Our Worship Team has been leading us in strong, Spirit-led worship on Sunday mornings.
- We just finished a 10-week Monday night Bible Study series on God’s strength, a series that reached people at Crossroads and beyond.
- I had my first Zoom discipleship meeting yesterday with someone from the church, then another good time of discipleship and study last night with another in our church. Others at Crossroads also continue to be involved in discipleship.
I suspect you could add to that list your own evidences of God at work during these long days of COVID-19. Let’s trust Him. Though circumstances change, He never changes.
Going On at Crossroads…
Thanksgiving Meal:
We have a Thanksgiving meal (soup & sides) planned for this Sunday following the worship service. If you’re able and would like to bring something for meal, please contact Kim Reedy or Michaela Walker. Drinks and paper products will be provided. Please plan to stay after the service for some good fellowship and food!
Nominations:
If you have a suggestion for the open Elder position, please let someone on the Nominating Committee know before the end of this month.
Christmas Eve Service:
We’re planning a Christmas Eve service. In the past, this has been a good opportunity to invite friends and family. Mark your calendars for December 24 at 6:30 pm.
January Congregational Meeting:
January 10 is the date for our next Congregational Meeting. We’ll meet following the worship service for the purposes of electing someone to the Elder Board, and for approving a 2021 budget. If you have input you wish to give for the 2021 budget, please notify one of the elders. Thank you!
Elders Meeting
Our elders have a meeting scheduled for Sunday, December 6, following the worship service. Please pray for them in their deliberations and leading of the church family.
Thank you!
Grace Cottrill, Josh Hunt, Julie Kemper, Donna Rodriguez, and myself had the joy of helping last Saturday at the Nevada Grocery Grab. Thanks to these ladies and to Josh for your help!
Time Off:
I will be on vacation November 23-29. Shane McCasslin will preach in my place Sunday, November 29th. If you have a need next week, please contact one of the other church elders. Thank you!
I Will Not Be Afraid
These words from an old-time chorus were in our bulletin last Sunday:
I will not be afraid.
I will not be afraid.
I will look upward and travel onward, and will not be afraid.
Christians often quote Psalm 91 in times of trouble –
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, My God, in whom I trust!”
For it is He who delivers you from the snare of the trapper and from the deadly pestilence.
He will cover you with His pinions, and under His wings you may seek refuge; His faithfulness is a shield and bulwark.”
While we might not be able to say we won’t suffer some of the effects of this plague – even the Lord Jesus who is referred to in some of the latter verses of this psalm eventually suffered crucifixion – we can say with the writer, “I will not be afraid.” In fact, that’s the promise given in verses five and six of Psalm 91 –
You will not be afraid of the terror by night, or of the arrow that flies by day;
of the pestilence that stalks in darkness, or of the destruction that lays waste at noon.
We have every reason as followers of the Lord to live each season of life with confidence. He is in control; He sustains, guides, and directs all things.
I look forward to seeing you this Sunday!
Worship at 10:00, followed by Thanksgiving meal.
Sermon posted Saturday on the Crossroads Facebook page for those who can’t make it on Sunday.
Please pray for each other. Judi Edwards has sent out a recent prayer update. Take a look at it, and if you’re not on the prayer chain list, let Judi or me know!
— Tom
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