TMG
Hello, Crossroads Family!
I was so pleased with the discussion at the end of last Sunday’s sermon on how we can trust God (as Joseph did while he was in prison in Egypt) and what are “next steps” to take while we trust and wait on Him. I was especially happy that discipleship is on our minds as we contemplate how to help our country and our culture which seem to be in so much trouble. Certainly, we should all vote, too, as we have opportunity, and I hope everyone at Crossroads will be registered and ready to vote in the November elections. Both are good “next steps.”
This coming Sunday we’ll take a break from the book of Genesis and focus on the Lord’s Supper and its meaning. Specifically, did Jesus pay it all? Or is there something you and I need to do in addition to faith in Christ in order to have a place in God’s eternal family? I hope you’ll join us Sunday morning at 10:00 at the Community Center. The sermon will also be posted on Facebook.
Thanks for everyone’s help with a little extra clean-up following last Sunday’s service! We’ll need to make that a regular habit! Thanks for willing hands and hearts!
Coming up at Crossroads…
MAMS group (Martha’s and Mary’s) will meet for the first time next Wednesday, September 7, at Michelle’s home, 602 N. Washington, at 7 pm. Let’s all be in prayer for this first meeting of MAMS.
A 6-part Bible study for Crossroads youth will begin Sunday, September 11, after the worship service, led by Jessica and Forrest. Meet at Jessica’s home, *contact us for location*. For high school students and older. Lunch will be provided.
I will be hosting a 6-part Home Group for all interested adults and youth Sunday evenings starting October 2. More information coming soon!
The Big Serve returns to Nevada this September 24-25. If you’re interested in being part of a team from Crossroads, please let me or Michelle know. This is a chance to reach out and have a presence in our community!
Missions Emphasis Sundays, October 9 & 16. We’ll have a special emphasis on worldwide and local missions on these two Sundays. Please pray for Heather Hall, Erlinda, and myself as we plan and seek God’s will for Crossroads’ future connections with missionaries.
Some final thoughts …
All these things happening at Crossroads are evidence of a vibrant, spiritually-growing church. It’s wonderful that we have three small-group opportunities for people to be a part of this fall. As you know, this is an important part of growing as disciples and of making other disciples — as we’ve said in the past, bringing people to an ever-deepening relationship with God and each other. I hope you’ll plan to connect with one or more of these small groups. Reach out and bring a friend!
Building a lasting church ministry requires intentionality on our part in connecting with people who need to know Christ and/or need a healthy church family. One way of doing that is through events like the Big Serve. I hope you’ll look at the Big Serve as more than just a nice “option” for spending part of a weekend in September. Rather, consider that this is “missions” work right here in our own backyard and a way to make connections. You don’t have to work the entire weekend ; let Michelle know a part of the weekend that you can be available for. I’m planning to serve on Sunday, the 25th.
As concerns missions, I’ve never regretted the decision Diana and I made 34 years ago to serve the Lord alongside Christians in another part of the world. God’s work is a worldwide work. He enlists people from different places to serve all over His world. Even if we aren’t called to go personally, we should take a practical and active part in the work. There is tremendous joy in giving to, in sending, and in praying for, missionaries … and in having a direct connection with lives being changed in other places!
I would also say that I’ve never regretted the call to be a pastor. It’s hard work; in fact, I’ve often heard it’s one of the hardest professions a person can do (and one of the loneliest). But it’s a joyful work with great rewards! To study the Bible, to teach others spiritual truth, to help others, to equip others, to pray regularly are all enriching parts of a pastor’s life. I’ve often felt young people are not encouraged enough to consider full-time ministry as a career option God may have for them. How would our culture change for the worse if young people stopped entering the ministry? Pray that God would raise up more workers … of all ages!
See you Sunday, Lord willing!
— Tom
Leave a Reply