Hello, Crossroads Family !
The week is speeding along, isn’t it ? Thank you to Bryan Townsend and to everyone who filled in and led our worship service last Sunday. I’ve heard lots of good things about how God was at work !
I had a wonderful weekend with the people of The Springs Church in Springfield helping to mark their annual World Missions Sunday. I look forward to sharing some parts of that special weekend with you this coming Sunday !
For the sermon this Sunday, we’re going to finish the short series of church-related messages we began earlier this month. We’ve taken a look at church eldership ; we’ve considered the importance of hospitality both in the church and as a requirement for elders ; and this Sunday we’ll consider some principles for generous giving in the Body of Christ. I appreciate the regular, faithful, and sometimes sacrificial giving that takes place at Crossroads. As we consider a significant increase in our church budget for next year (growing the pastor’s salary to a full-time level starting next September), it’s good for us to study again God’s instructions for the use of our money and material blessings. “Happily and Faithfully Handling God’s Money” will be the title of the sermon. I hope it will be, for you, a happy and helpful message. I look forward to being back with you !
Some prayer needs :
- David and Midge Prickett ask for prayers for their missionary friend Lawrence Doyle who serves, along with his wife. Lawrence is suffering from illness and desires healing so as to return to his work. Praise God that the Doyles’ support needs have been met !
- We rejoice that Catherine Moss’s surgery has gone well and that she is back home. Thank you for continuing to pray for Catherine.
- My granddaughter in Portland, Oregon, is not entirely out of the woods yet. She continues her stay in the NICU there. Thank you for your prayers for Jazzlyn, Dan & Betsy.
Coming up :
- Worship this Sunday at 10:00. Children’s Church during the sermon for 0-7 year-olds.
- Immerse tonight, 7 pm, at the church ! Everyone is invited !
- Men’s Recharge tomorrow night, 6:30-8:00, also at the church. All men are invited !
- Sunday, November 30 : Elders meeting immediately following worship. Thanks for praying.
In December :
- Sunday, December 7 : Bible Class for 8-13 year-olds. We will be decorating and painting ornaments, so please wear appropriate clothing. Thank you !
- Sunday, December 7 : Caroling and gift distribution at Nathan Richard Care Center. Let’s build a bridge to the residents and staff at Nathan Richard ! Please meet at the church at 3:30. All ages are invited ! We’ll have some food and fellowship at the church following the caroling. If you are able to bring some finger foods, please let Jenny Rives know. Thank you !
- Sunday, December 14 : Congregational Meeting following the worship service. The main agenda items will be (1) financial report ; (2) vote on 2026 church budget ; (3) vote on elder nominations (4) vote on changes in by-laws ; (5) prayer.
- Sunday, December 14 : Women’s Christmas dinner, 5 pm. There are sign-up sheets posted at the church. Please contact Erin Townsend if you have any questions.
- Wednesday, December 24 : Christmas Eve service at the church at 6:30 pm. Everyone is invited. Please be sure to invite family or friends who need worship and fellowship that evening. The service will last not more than an hour.
Finally …
Among the many things I’m thankful for is your openness to God’s Word and to His leading of us as a church. It’s a beautiful thing to belong to a Bible-based, loving church family that wants to grow in faith and in number. I’m thankful for you !
This has been a busy fall and a busy year ! As a part of my job at Nevada High School, I’ve been preparing and rehearsing for our fall musical called “The Marvelous Wonderettes.” We’ve been rehearsing all fall and pretty much every night for the past two weeks (plus a 4-hour rehearsal last Saturday morning). Please join us at the Performing Arts Center Thursday and Friday at 7 pm, and Saturday at 2 pm and 7 pm.
Thanks for your prayers for me during this busy time of juggling both areas of responsibility. For me, it’s a clear reminder of why we are desiring to make the pastor’s position a full-time one starting next year, both for myself and for a pastor who will come after me and who will likely have a family. Both jobs are full-time positions, and both are the types of jobs that just keep on growing in terms of demands. It’s becoming pretty difficult to do both well. While I do enjoy the piano, my calling in life is to church-planting, preaching, and discipleship. Thanks for understanding and for asking God to provide !
Paul concludes one of his passages on generous giving with this motivation for why we give : “Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift !” (2 Corinthians 9:15).
I look forward to seeing you soon !
— Tom
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