Hello, Crossroads Family !
Thank you to everyone who made the Hot Dog Dinner outreach such a good time last Sunday ! We were blessed with good weather, good fellowship, and opportunities to rub shoulders with several who joined us from the community. Thanks to everyone who organized, contributed food, cooked, and facilitated interactions with people who came ! We also enjoyed a night of singing, Scripture, and prayer last night at the church. Thanks to all who organized and to those who came to sing praises and prayers to God. Immerse will resume next Wednesday night at 7:00.
A Need
We’re still looking for five people who are members of the church and who would be willing to serve on the Nominating Committee this fall. The job of the Nominating Committee is to seek God’s will concerning a nomination for a position on the Elder Board that will be open next year. The person nominated will be voted on at the congregational meeting December 14. In December, Forrest will finish his first term as elder and is eligible to be nominated for a second term. Please let one of the elders know if you would like to serve on the Committee. Thank you !
Men’s Recharge Tonight, 6:30
Looking forward to a great study tonight on the 9th commandment. Hope you’ll be there tonight, men !
Coming Up
- This Saturday : Women’s Breakfast and a Bible Study, 8 am, at the church.
- This Sunday
- Worship at 10:00.
- Children’s Church available for 0-7 year olds during the sermon.
- 8-13 year-old Bible Class during the sermon.
- Crossroads 101 membership class immediately following the worship service.
- NO Sunday Night Bible Study this week.
- Next week : Immerse — Wednesday, 7-8:15 pm. We’ll begin discussing the book of Jeremiah. This is a good time to jump in and join Immerse ! Contact Forrest if you need information or need a copy of the Immerse Bible.
Looking Ahead
Erin Reedy will be attending the EFCA Worship Leader Gathering next week at New Hope Church, an Evangelical Free Church in the Minneapolis area. Please pray for Erin, that she would be encouraged, make some great contacts with other EFCAers, and bring back some helps for worship ministry. Thank you !
Our elders will meet next on Sunday, October 26, following the worship service. If you have anything for the elders to include on their agenda, or if you have items to include on the church calendar, please let them know before the 26th. Thank you.
On Sunday, November 16, you’re invited to the church at 3 pm to create some small crafts and gift baskets for residents at Nathan Richard Health Care Center, right across the street from our church. Please speak to Jenny if you need more information. We’ll deliver the gifts to residents and do some caroling on Sunday, December 7.
The Crossroads women are having a Christmas Party for all women and their friends. Mark your calendar : Sunday, December 14, at 5 pm for celebrating the reason for the season together ! More details to come.
Please pray for Heather Hall and her family. Heather’s dad was hospitalized this week and is undergoing tests. Thank you !
Final Thoughts
I received this week, from a former missionary colleague, a review he had written of a book called The Local Church : What It Is And Why It Matters To Every Christian. Here are eight thoughts from that book he found significant. What’s your response to these eight thoughts about the church ?
1) The church is not a human project ; it is God’s project from start to finish.
2) Christ creates and commands the church.
3) Belonging to and participating in a church is not an option.
4) A churchless Christianity has no relation to Christ.
5) The local church is the primary institution where your relationship with God happens, where your relationship with the Christian family happens, and where you are assigned to do ministry and missions; rather than being an add-on or helpful addition to your Christian life, your local church is your spiritual headquarters, your home, and your place of work.
6) The local church nurtures God’s children, through preaching and teaching, counseling, pastoral care, ministries of mercy and service, and real authentic relationships.
7) The church is not to be equated with the kingdom, but is an outpost and embassy, born from and bearing its authority (Matt. 16:18-19), serving as a sign, an instrument, and a foretaste of God’s kingdom.
8) The church is the universal, international, and eschatological community of the new covenant between God and humanity, whom Christ creates and rules, whom the Spirit indwells and directs, through whom the Father is glorified, and to whom all Christians throughout history belong.
If you know Jesus Christ as your Savior, are at least 18 years old, and have been through the Crossroads 101 class, we would love for you to join Crossroads as a voting member, in addition to your current involvement. Please let one of the elders know if you’re interested. Voting members are involved in decision-making such as will take place at our December congregational meeting (election of an elder, by-laws changes, vote on a church budget for next year). We would love for you to participate in life at Crossroads in this way !
Finally, thank you so much for all the kind words, gifts, and cards I received last week for Pastor Appreciation. I’m thankful for the relationship we have ! I have one of the kindest congregations in America, I’m sure ! I’m thankful to serve with you in Christ’s church, and I’m grateful that you are willing to accept the ministry of a less-than-perfect pastor. Let’s continue to grow in love for, and obedience to, Christ in the coming year. Thank your prayers for my family in the loss of a pre-born grandbaby last week. Henry Decker Harms was the name that had been chosen for him, and was given to him, last week. Thanks for your prayers for Emma and Jason and all our family.
I hope to see you Sunday !
— Tom
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