Hello, Crossroads Family !
There’s lots of opportunity for learning and lots of good worship going on at Crossroads right now ! It’s an exciting fall, and I’m grateful for you. It’s amazing to me that, even in a small church, how many moving parts there are, and how many people’s participation is needed. Thanks for all you do ! Thanks for your generous giving — our finances are currently in a good place, although we want to keep in mind our goal of moving to a full-time pastor’s salary next year in September. That will require a significant commitment from each of us ! Thanks for praying and giving toward that important goal for the future of our church !
Our Sunday night Bible Study got off to a good start this past Sunday with an introduction to the book of Psalms. We also spent time discussing how the psalms really are about, and for, Jesus ! Dietrich Bonhoeffer, German Lutheran pastor of the 1930s, reached the conclusion that the book of Psalms is “the prayer book of Jesus Christ in the truest sense of the word.” That causes us to read the psalms in a new light !
As we said Sunday morning, however, we don’t want to just be learners of God’s Word. We don’t want to be people who simply know the Bible, or who know things about the Bible ; we want to be people who put God’s Word into practice. “Receive the word implanted,” writes the Apostle James (1:21). “Prove yourselves doers of the word and not merely hearers” (1:22).
Our elders had a good meeting after the worship service on Sunday. Thank you for your prayers on our behalf. We set Sunday, December 14, as the date for our year-end congregational meeting. We would love for everyone to mark that date on your calendar and plan to attend. At that meeting, we’ll have some by-laws amendments to vote on ; a 2026 budget proposal ; and we’ll have an election for the office of elder. Would you like to serve on this year’s Nominating Committee ? The Nominating Committee has the task of seeking a nominee for election to next year’s Elder Board, If you are a member at Crossroads and would like to serve on that committee, or if you know someone else who is a member and would serve well on the Nominating Committee, please let one of the elders know. Thank you ! Cris will have a report on our elders meeting at the conclusion of this Sunday’s worship service.
Prophecy will be part of the theme of this coming Sunday’s message. We’ll get back into the book of Daniel and the amazing prophecies God gives there concerning the world’s future ! As I listened to a portion of the news conference today between President Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu concerning a peace plan for Gaza and Israel, I wondered how all the prophecies concerning Israel will affect the efforts of these world leaders and others. Joel 3:1-3 is an interesting prophecy that says one day God will enter into judgment with the nations who divided up His land. The prophet Zechariah also indicates that the Lord Jesus will return to earth only after the people of Israel come to a place of repentance and receive their Messiah (Zechariah 12:10-11). These are two interesting prophecies that may be in play with what we see happening in the world today. Let’s be in prayer. God will be true to His Word !
I’m planning on leading a church membership course Sunday, October 19, following the worship service. If you’re new — or if you’re interested in joining Crossroads as a member — please join us ! The main thing accomplished by membership at Crossroads is that it qualifies you to vote on matters such as will arise at our December congregational meeting. This membership course (sometimes called “Crossroads 101”) allows you to get to know us better and allows us to know you better. If you’re interested in being part of the class on October 19, it would be helpful to me if you would let me know in advance. Thank you ! We’ll have a good time !
Calendar
Immerse tomorrow evening, 7 pm
Everyone is invited and welcome ! Try to read as much as you can of Isaiah 43:14 – 66:24 (pp. 132-174 in the Immerse Bible).
Breakfast & Bible Study — Saturday, Oct 4, 8 am
All women are invited for a good time of study and fellowship !
Sunday Night Bible Study — Sunday, 6 pm
“How to Read and Understand the Psalms.” We’ll be taking a look at the praise psalms this week ! Would love to have you join us !
Hot Dog Dinner Outreach — Sunday, October 12, at Walton Pool parking lot, following worship
Come for fun and to rub shoulders with people from Nevada ! If you can, please sign up at the church to bring buns, meat, cookies, chips, or drinks. See Julie Kemper if you need more information. Thank you !
Evening of Worship — Wednesday, October 15, 7 pm
Instead of Immerse on October 15, we’ll enjoy a time of worship at the church. Please plan to join us and be refreshed in the Lord.
Men’s Recharge — Thursday, October 16, 6:30 pm
Men, we’ll look at the 9th commandment on October 16, “You shall not bear false witness.” How can we help each other with this struggle ?
8-13 year-olds Bible Class — Sunday, October 19
The next class for 8-13 year-olds will be October 19th during the sermon. Future dates for the class are November 9, and December 7.
Membership Class — Sunday, October 19, following worship.
For anyone interested in learning more about Crossroads and our journey in bringing people into an ever-deepening relationship with God and with each other !
Wedding reception for Kylee Vestal and Dominick Goodwin — November 1, 5:30-10:00 pm
Everyone at Crossroads is invited to celebrate Kylee and Dominick’s marriage at the reception at the Enchanted Prairie Farm.
Prayer Needs
- Please continue to pray for Kim Reedy’s mother, Linda. We thank God that she is recovering well from knee-replacement surgery. Please pray, too, for Kim’s brother Sean in Arkansas. Sean has been diagnosed with a serious illness and needs care and encouragement. Thank you !
- Heather Hall has had some serious car trouble recently. Please pray for God’s provision for Heather.
- We’re grateful for healing for Alex Lewis. Continue to pray for Alex’s health and in particular for his injured finger.
- Pray for Shane Dahmer as he takes exams for a new position he has applied for.
- Did you know that at least four in our Crossroads family are coaches ? Please pray for Ryan Walker, Jessica Baker, Forrest Drury, and Bryan Townsend who are all busy with coaching responsibilities this fall. May they bless and live out the Gospel in front of their players
- Let’s be sure to pray for our college students — Blaiz Pace, Rachel DeWeese, Zeke Lyons, Evan Rea.
Sunday sermons can be found on the Crossroads Facebook page, but new policies at FB allow them to stay up for only three weeks. Let your friends know we’re there ! We’ve also begun listing Sunday’s songs in the comments section of the page in case you’d like to listen to a song we sang on Sunday later in the week !
Finally, there is an up-to-date church calendar on the Crossroads website, Crossroads Community Church – Nevada Missouri Church
“Open my eyes that I may behold wonderful things from Your law !” — Psalm 119:18
Have a great week !
— Tom
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