Encouragement & Updates

Encouragement & Updates

Crossroads Is All Online This Weekend, July 4-5
Outdoor Services On Pause This Week

Crossroads is not closed – we never have been – but this weekend all of our worship services will be online. We can’t wait to see you online this week for week 2 of our series, TOGETHER.

We have decided to pause our outdoor services this week due to the sharp increase in COVID-19 cases and Allegheny County Health Department’s orders to limit gatherings to less than 25 people. Although religious organizations are exempt from this order, we want to do our part to bless our community and love one another as the family of God. As 1 Corinthians 10:23-24 says, “’I have the right to do anything,’ you say—but not everything is beneficial. ‘I have the right to do anything’—but not everything is constructive. No one should seek their own good, but the good of others.” We freely choose to seek the good of our church family and the community because we know that the church is not a building or an event, it is a people.

We will re-evaluate the situation next week – as always – and hopefully be able to see you again in person soon.

JULY 4/5, 2020

Church Online Service

JUNE 27/28, 2020

Church Online Service

JUNE 25, 2020

Pastor Jonathan encourages us to be alert and thinking clearly so that we are not overcome by the enemy, but God.  

“Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.” (1 Peter 5:8-9)
JUNE 20/21, 2020

Church Online Service

JUNE 18, 2020

Pastor Rachel encourages us to be transformed by the constant love of Jesus so we are able to love ourselves and others well.

Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. (1 Peter 4:8)

JUNE 11, 2020

Pastor Shawn encourages us to share our stories when others wonder where we find our peace, which is rooted in Jesus.

“But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.”  (1 Peter 3:15)

 

JUNE 6/7, 2020

Church Online Service

 

JUNE 4, 2020

Pastor Christy talks about doing a spiritual check of our hearts, minds, and spirits by examining the words of Psalms 139:23-24:

“Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.  See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”

 

MAY 30/31, 2020

Church Online Service

 

MAY 23/24, 2020

Church Online Service

 

MAY 22, 2020

Pastor Jonathan talks about the story of St. Francis of Assisi.

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me bring love.
Where there is offense, let me bring pardon.
Where there is discord, let me bring union.
Where there is error, let me bring truth.
Where there is doubt, let me bring faith.
Where there is despair, let me bring hope.
Where there is darkness, let me bring your light.
Where there is sadness, let me bring joy.
O Master, let me not seek as much
to be consoled as to console,
to be understood as to understand,
to be loved as to love,
for it is in giving that one receives,
it is in self-forgetting that one finds,
it is in pardoning that one is pardoned,
it is in dying that one is raised to eternal life.

-Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi

 

MAY 22, 2020

Pastor Jonathan talks about the story of St. Francis of Assisi.

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me bring love.
Where there is offense, let me bring pardon.
Where there is discord, let me bring union.
Where there is error, let me bring truth.
Where there is doubt, let me bring faith.
Where there is despair, let me bring hope.
Where there is darkness, let me bring your light.
Where there is sadness, let me bring joy.
O Master, let me not seek as much
to be consoled as to console,
to be understood as to understand,
to be loved as to love,
for it is in giving that one receives,
it is in self-forgetting that one finds,
it is in pardoning that one is pardoned,
it is in dying that one is raised to eternal life.

-Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi

 

MAY 21, 2020

Pastor Dale talks about an interaction with Jesus and His disciples to help them understand who Jesus really is and how this understanding helps us interact with those around us who don’t know much about Jesus.

 

When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?”  They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”  “But what about you?”he asked. “Who do you say I am?”  Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” (Matthew 16:13-16) 
MAY 20, 2020

Pastor Rachel talks about choosing to walk the path less traveled – the path of Jesus – focusing not on the temporal things of life, but on the things of eternal value.

“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.  But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. (Matthew 7:13-14)

MAY 19, 2020

Pastor Shawn talks about being salt and light in the midst of darkness.

You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.  (Matthew 5:13-16)

MAY 18, 2020

Pastor Mike talks about living out our lives differently.

Since you call on a Father who judges each person’s work impartially, live out your time as foreigners here in reverent fear.  (1 Peter 1:17)

MAY 16/17, 2020

Church Online Service

MAY 14, 2020

Pastor Dale talks about not having to prove yourself to God to receive His unmerited favor.  When we reach out to Jesus, Jesus is ready to reach back.

When Jesus came down from the mountainside, large crowds followed him.  A man with leprosy came and knelt before him and said, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.” Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,”he said. “Be clean!” Immediately he was cleansed of his leprosy.  Then Jesus said to him, “See that you don’t tell anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and offer the gift Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.”  (Matthew 8:1-4)
MAY 13, 2020

Pastor Rachel encourages us to consider the example of Jesus extending His mercy and grace to the adulterous woman in John 8.  During this pandemic, many are quick to cast blame on people for the handling of the virus, but we can focus on Jesus instead.

“Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground.  At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there.  Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?”  “No one, sir,” she said.  “Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.”  (John 8:7-11)

 

MAY 12, 2020
Pastor Shawn talks about Paul thanking God for His grace – not grace that is earned based on good works, but grace that is based on faith.
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
(John testified concerning him. He cried out, saying, “This is the one I spoke about when I said, ‘He who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’ ”) Out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given.  For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.  (John 1:14-18)
MAY 11, 2020

Pastor Mike talks about the posture of receiving the grace of God.

My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.  (James 1:19)

MAY 9/10, 2020

Church Online Service

 

MAY 7, 2020

Pastor Dale talks about God’s goodness and unfailing love in difficult circumstances.

We wait in hope for the Lord; he is our help and our shield.  In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name.  May your unfailing love be with us, Lord, even as we put our hope in you.  (Psalm 33:20-22)

 

MAY 6, 2020

Pastor Rachel talks about being in the middle – whether that is a difficult situation such as a quarantine, a tough decision, or something else.  Jesus is glorified in the middle where He is with us.

On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!”  After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord.  (John. 20:19-20)

MAY 5, 2020

Pastor Shawn talks about attempting to recreate his grandmother’s mac and cheese recipe and how it relates to tasting and seeing that the Lord is good through good memories.   

Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures through all generations. (Psalm 145:13)
MAY 4, 2020

Pastor Mike talks about tasting and seeing that the Lord is good by giving Him our time and attention and then letting God show us more of who He is.

Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him. (Psalm 34:8)

 

MAY 2/3, 2020

Church Online Service

 

MAY 1, 2020

Pastor Jonathan talks about keeping an eternal perspective of the hope that is to come for those who are in Christ Jesus – the final destination of being with God forever.  All current things will have passed away and all will be made new and well. 

And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”  (Revelation 21:3-4)

 

APRIL 30, 2020

Pastor Dale talks about glorifying God by putting our trust in Him through the story of Abraham.

My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?  Why are you so far from saving me, so far from my cries of anguish?  My God, I cry out by day, but you do not answer, by night, but I find no rest.  (Psalm 22:1-2)

 

 

APRIL 29, 2020

Pastor Rachel talks about the gravitational pull of God in our lives towards His glory and worship.

The trumpeters and musicians joined in unison to give praise and thanks to the Lord. Accompanied by trumpets, cymbals and other instruments, the singers raised their voices in praise to the Lord and sang: “He is good; his love endures forever.”  (2 Chronicles 5:13-14)

 

APRIL 28, 2020

Pastor Shawn discusses the story of the leper who returned to the source of his healing and transformation (Jesus) and how that relates to us in this season.

One of them, when he [the leper] saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice.  (Luke 17:15)

 

APRIL 27, 2020

Pastor Mike talks about taking the recognition and credit that we may have and giving it back to God for His glory.

Glorify the Lord with me; let us exalt his name together.  (Psalm 34:3)

 

APRIL 25/26, 2020

Church Online Service

APRIL 24, 2020

Pastor Jonathan talks about how in a time when we can’t be hospitable towards people with the same ease that we enjoyed before social distancing, we can be hospitable towards God by welcoming all aspects of the fullness of God in our lives.

I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.  For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed.  For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God.  (Romans 8:18)

APRIL 23, 2020

Pastor Dale shares that God will be with us to take us through turbulent periods with His control just as He did when Moses’ time to lead had come to an end and a new leader, Joshua, took the Israelites to the Promised Land.

Then Moses summoned Joshua and said to him in the presence of all Israel, “Be strong and courageous, for you must go with this people into the land that the Lord swore to their ancestors to give them, and you must divide it inheritance. The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”  (Deuteronomy 31:7-8)

APRIL 22, 2020

Pastor Rachel talks about running the race that is marked out for us – looking back to remember how God’s hand was with us and looking forward to the hope of Jesus.

Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. (Hebrews 12:1-3)

APRIL 21, 2020

Pastor Shawn talks about wanting to have some kind of control in the midst of our surrounding storm and circumstances.  Jesus can give inner peace when we place our trust in Him.

He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.  He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”  They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!”  (Mark 4:39-41)

APRIL 20, 2020

Pastor Mike shares about yielding control and submitting to God.

 

Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.  (James 4:10)

APRIL 18/19, 2020

Church Online Service

APRIL 17, 2020

Pastor Jonathan talks about how we can have confidence in what God is doing right now because of the resurrection.

I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:12-14)

APRIL 16, 2020

Pastor Dale talks about doing good in the opportunities that God places in front of us.

And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.  (Titus 3:8)

APRIL 15, 2020

Pastor Rachel discusses how God has ordered our steps even in the midst of quarantine periods.  This time is not unknown or unseen by God.  He is moving in the middle of it.

The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him; though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand.

(Psalm 37:23)

APRIL 14, 2020

Pastor Shawn encourages us to listen to the voice of God by quieting ourselves to listen for the whisper of God.

 

The Lord said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.”  Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind.  After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake.  After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire.  And after the fire came a gentle whisper.  (1 Kings 19:11-12)
APRIL 13, 2020

Pastor Mike talks about how we can lean in the strength of God through our relationships and how we can find the blessings of this season.

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.  Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. (Ephesians 6:10-11)

APRIL 11/12, 2020

Easter Church Online service

 

APRIL 10, 2020

Good Friday Church Online service

 

APRIL 9, 2020

Pastor Dale shares some thoughts on waiting based on the Bible story of Joseph as he experienced many unfortunate events.

But Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God?  You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.  So then, don’t be afraid. I will provide for you and your children.” And he reassured them and spoke kindly to them.   (Genesis 50:19-21)

APRIL 8, 2020

Pastor Rachel uses the example of the second criminal hanging next to Jesus on the cross to recognize his need for Jesus, as Messiah and his own King, and urges us to consider our own need for a personal King – Jesus.

One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!”  But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence?  We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

Luke 23:39

APRIL 7, 2020

Pastor Shawn talks about needing one thing – a real connection with Jesus, just as Mary did when Martha was frazzled with preparations.

As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”  “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”
(Luke 10:38-42)

A Message from Pastor Steve
I saw a report that TV broadcaster Chris Cuomo has COVID-19, and a doctor gave him some essential advice on how to beat it. It is advice that each of us needs to hear today, even if we don’t have the virus.
Chris felt terrible; he had a high fever, he was hurting and unable to move or sleep. He was just laying in bed.
Then a doctor told him to get up, stretch his body, even though it hurt. The doctor told him to take a deep breath and hold it, even though Chris didn’t think he could.
The doctor said, “I saw your X-rays, it’s in your lungs. You’ve got the right fear and you’ve got the wrong approach. You can’t wait it out. He said you have to fight… You’ve got to do the things that will beat this virus. You’ve got to breathe deep when it hurts…You’ve got to layer up, you’ve got to drink, take Tylenol, fight back.”
Chris said, “The virus is banking on you doing nothing….your indolence, as the doctors call it. It wants us passive, on our backs.”
Most of us do not have the virus, but it is still attacking us, isn’t it?  It is attacking our souls and spirits with anxiety, depression, fear, anger, and more. Those are tools the enemy is using against us; he wants us doing nothing — wants us passive, on our backs.
But we can’t just wait this out this virus, friends – we have to fight back. We’ve got to do the things that will beat it, even when they are uncomfortable.  Yes, we need to shelter at home, but that doesn’t mean to hunker down or cower in fear until this passes.
1 Timothy 6:12 says, Fight the good fight of the faith.
We are in a fight right now, but we have the power of the Holy Spirit available to us, and he will give us the power to do what it takes to beat this thing.
So, don’t be passive; FIGHT!
> If you are feeling lonely or depressed, reach out and call someone. Hear a voice. You might not feel like it, but do. it. anyway.  You have to fight! If you don’t know who to call, call the church office; we’ll connect you.
> If you are feeling anxious, reach out and help someone else. Make a “Thank you” sign to health workers. Make a mask to give away. Make a donation to a food bank. Make a difference. Reach out to an elderly neighbor. You might not feel up to it, but DO IT ANYWAY.
> Pray and ask for God’s wisdom. Read the Bible for a few minutes each day so you can hear from God.
> Every day, make a list of 15 things you are thankful for. There might be a lot wrong, but there are many more things that are right. Don’t take them for granted.
> If you are anxious about money, read Matthew 6:33, then make a list of 10 possible actions you could take. It doesn’t matter if you aren’t sure they will work – it will get you closer to a solution.
> Take a step to advance the Kingdom of God. Pray for your neighbors or coworkers to come to Christ. Invite someone to Easter worship.
Don’t do only what you feel like doing. You’ve got to fight! The virus wants us passive – God calls us to FIGHT.
Ephesians 6:10-17
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
APRIL 6, 2020

 

Pastor Mike encourages us to turn our perspective from ourselves to serving others.

You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.  For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”   (Galatians 5:13-14)

APRIL 5, 2020

 

April 4/5 Church Online service

APRIL 4, 2020

 

Pastor Christy discusses how it is easy to revert to old habits or hangups in times of stress, but instead, we can go to our Eternal Hope, Jesus Christ.

But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.
(Jeremiah 17:7-8)

APRIL 3, 2020

 

Pastor Jonathan talks about being honest with God about how we feel through this pandemic. God meets us wherever we are emotionally.

As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for You, my God. (Psalm 42:1)

APRIL 2, 2020

 

Pastor Dale encourages us to consider other people in the Bible who have also experienced tough times when faith in God was vital.

The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid? (Psalm 27:1-2)

APRIL 1, 2020

 

Pastor Rachel encourages us to keep our eyes on Jesus instead of the circumstances as we allow Him to lead us.

Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake.  When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear.  But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”  (Matthew 14:25-27)

 

March 31, 2020

 

Pastor Shawn encourages us to intentionally silence ourselves before God and be the servant who listens for His voice!

Therefore let all the faithful pray to you while you may be found; surely the rising of the mighty waters will not reach them.  You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.  I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.  (Psalm 32:6-8)

 

March 30, 2020

 

Pastor Mike talks about learning how to follow God not just as an overall lifestyle, but actually following His leading moment by moment in all of the things that we set out to do.

In all the travels of the Israelites, whenever the cloud lifted from above the tabernacle, they would set out; but if the cloud did not lift, they did not set out – until the day it lifted.  (Exodus 40:36) 

March 28/29, 2020

 

March 28/29 Church Online service

 

March 28, 2020

 

Pastor Christy encourages us to praise God for how big He is in the middle of the storm and our broken plans.

Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.  They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

(Lamentations 3:22-23)

March 27, 2020

 

Pastor Jonathan talks about getting away from a “me-centered” existence to expand our worldview and be more resilient as a church.

See, I am doing a new thing!  Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? (Isaiah 43:19)

March 26, 2020

 

Pastor Dale shares a psalm from David’s heart during a time of great distress.  The same God who comforted David many years ago is the same God who is faithful to comfort us.

Lord, hear my prayer, listen to my cry for mercy; in your faithfulness and righteousness come to my relief.
(Psalm 143:1)
March 25, 2020

 

Pastor Rachel brings a great word on living in peace during a time of uncertainty for us, but not for God!

And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.  (Philippians 4:7)

March 24, 2020

 

Pastor Shawn offers encouragement and prayer for a time when routines are broken.

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
(Isaiah 41:10)

March 23, 2020

 

Pastor Mike delivers a great word of encouragement and prayer today!

Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. (Hebrews 10:23)

A Message from Pastor Steve

It’s hard to believe that it’s been only 10 days since schools closed and normal life started shutting down. It seems like forever, and no one can say when it will end.  That can cause powerful emotions to swirl. When they do, I have found practicing 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 to be a great anchor that re-centers me.

“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
> Rejoice – make a conscious choice to celebrate God’s presence and goodness, even when circumstances are not enjoyable. Sing a worship song, read a praise Psalm aloud.
> Pray continually — it is better than worrying continually. Have an ongoing, honest conversation with God all day long. Start now.
> Give thanks – not FOR every circumstance but IN every circumstance, including this one. Thank God aloud for his good gifts even in the midst of so much you want to change. They’re there… don’t overlook them; appreciate them.
Rejoice, pray, thank. God is telling us how to stand when all else shakes. It is not a formula to make everything the way we want it to be. I can’t control what is going on, but I can choose to anchor in the midst of it, and so let God’s peace find me.
March 22, 2020

 

March 21/22 Church Online is here!

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.  Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.  Each day has enough trouble of its own. (Matthew 6:33-34)

March 21, 2020

 

Join Pastor Christy for a time of encouragement and prayer!

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. (Hebrews 13:8)

March 20, 2020

I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.  (Ephesians 3:16-19)

 

 

 

Join Pastor Jonathan for a time of encouragement and prayer today!

March 19, 2020

 

Hear a time of encouragement and prayer with Pastor Dale!

The Lord will keep you from all harm – he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore. (Psalm 121:7-8)

March 18, 2020

 

Your Crossroads Church Leadership Team is praying for YOU, for our communities, our church, and our world!  Join them in a time of prayer together through our 24/7 Prayer Kickoff!  Sign up for a prayer slot and get prayer prompts at xr.church/pray

March 17, 2020

Jesus said, “Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?” (Matthew 6:26)
Exhale– you’re in loving hands. You will be tomorrow, too.

March 16, 2020

Psalm 46:1-2 reminds us why we don’t need to fear today:
“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,”

The mountains are not falling, but when it seems like they are, remember the reason we don’t fear: God is present with us. Always. And he is not just keeping us company, he is our help.

March 15, 2020

Worship may look a little different than usual this weekend, but God is with us and working through His Church!  Join us for Church Online today!

 

March 13, 2020

Dear Crossroads Church family,

As you’ve probably heard, our government officials have asked organization to avoid large public gatherings in order to slow the community transmission of CO-VID19. So, after prayer and consideration, our church’s leaders have decided that Crossroads Church will worship only online. We will not be gathering physically at any of our 5 campus locations. So instead, you can join us as we livestream the service Saturday at 5:30 or Sunday at 10:00 or 11:30am. You can watch the livestream on our website or on Facebook.

Understand that we did not make this decision based on fear. Because we know that God has not given us a spirit of fear (2 Timothy 1:7). Instead, we made this decision based on love for our community. We love our neighbors and our area. We want to do anything we can to help, especially those who are most vulnerable. By not gathering physically, that’s just what we’re doing.

But we must make sure that our social distancing does not become spiritual distancing. So, I’m encouraging you to do these things:

First, gather with family and friends to watch the livestream worship this weekend and to participate. You might even invite someone to join you online.

Also, connect as a small group. Some small groups will choose to meet physically and some online, and we’ll be sending group leaders information on how you can meet online.

Thirdly, pray. Pray as a family, as a small group, and as individuals because I believe God wants to speak to us in significant ways during this time.

And of course, stay in touch with Crossroads through our social media and our website. We’ll be posting messages and encouragements over this next couple weeks that you won’t want to miss.

There’s no reason to fear – God is with us. Remember, we serve a Waymaker, a Miracle-worker, a Promise-keeper, a Light-in-the-darkness. God is with us. He’s our protector and shield. Pay attention to the needs of others. Let compassion rise within you over these next few weeks. Be aware and ready to be God’s instrument of love and peace to the people around you.

See you online this weekend!

Pastor Steve and the Directional Leadership Team

March 12, 2020

Dear Crossroads Church family,

Crossroads’ staff is monitoring updates from the Centers for Disease Control about the coronavirus (COVID-19), and we are totally committed to offering a safe and healthy environment for worship.

Here is what we’re doing to maximize safety:

PERSONAL CONTACT – No Handshakes / Hugs
You will see our friendly greeters and staff with hands in their pockets, and we eliminated the greeting time during the service. We’re not shaking your hand BECAUSE we care about you.

GIVING
We encourage you to give your offering electronically, either through our app or online. Just go to xr.church/give. Instead of passing the offering baskets during services, we will have conveniently placed baskets where you can give your offering.

CLEANING
Our awesome Facility Care teams are hard at work, refreshing rooms, sanitizing bathrooms and surfaces, and disinfecting our spaces. We are increasing our regular cleaning routine to provide the safest environment for our children and our guests.

FEELING SICK?
If you’re feeling sick or a member of a population who is at higher risk, we encourage you to worship online from home. You can join the North Fayette (Sunday @ 10:15 & 11:30am on YouTube or Facebook) or Boyce Road (Sunday @ 11:15am on Facebook) livestreams. Soon we will have video options for all campuses.

If you are exposed to, have symptoms of, or are being treated for the coronavirus, self-quarantine is the God-honoring step to take to avoid infecting others.

We will operate in faith, and we also will take responsible precautions.

Please pray for our region and for the world, especially for those who are directly impacted by this virus. For many, this virus is a source of fear and anxiety. As followers of Jesus, we know that God has given us a spirit of love and not fear (“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” – 2 Timothy 1:7). We pray that you will sense God’s peace.

We will keep you updated via email, social media, and this webpage.

Trusting God with you,
Pastor Steve and the Directional Leadership Team

March 6, 2020

Dear Crossroads Church family,

I’m writing this on Week 1, day 5 of our Jesus-Shaped Life journey. I’m eager to see what God is going to do in the lives of our church during this season. Growing in faith is a daily process, so let’s keep pursuing Him.

It is also a season of anxiety in our nation due to the COVID-19 virus. Everyone needs to respond as they feel they should, though for what it is worth, I have not changed my plans or activities at this point. I just returned by plane from a conference where I was in the same room with 5,000 other people for a couple of days. (I’m feeling fine.)

We don’t know of cases in our area at this point. As a church, we are worshipping as usual right now. We have made a few small changes: we are not doing the welcome and greeting moment in the service, and we won’t have greeters shake hands at the door. Our Communion servers also use hand sanitizer right before they serve. We’ll take further steps if the situation changes.

(Of course, if you are ill, don’t come to worship – try the Live feed on Facebook or YouTube at 11:30am.)

So, here’s my approach right now:

…be informed but not obsessed.
News about the virus is everywhere. I want to know the latest information, but I won’t allow it to dominate my thinking.

…take sensible precautions.
I am following recommendations to wash my hands frequently and to avoid touching my face. I discovered that I touch my face without realizing it, so I am trying to keep something in my hands at all times because “free hands can be roaming hands.”

…pray, not panic.
Fear is the opposite of faith, and we don’t make good decisions when we are afraid. God is in control.

Another Christian leader posted these Scriptures to pray during this uncertain time. In case they are helpful to you, here they are:

Psalm 57:1: “Be gracious to me, O God, be gracious to me, for my soul takes refuge in You; and in the shadow of Your wings I will take refuge until destruction passes by.”

Psalm 91:5-6, 9-10: “You will not be afraid of the terror by night, or of the arrow that flies by day; or of the pestilence that stalks in darkness, or of the destruction that lays waste at noon. For you have made the Lord, my refuge, even the Most High, your dwelling place. No evil will befall you, nor will any plague come near your tent.”

Psalm 5:11: “But let all who take refuge in You be glad, let them ever sing for joy; and may You shelter them, that those who love Your name may exult in You.”

Psalm 34:4: “I sought the Lord, and He answered me, and delivered me from all my fears.”

Exodus 15:26: “And He said, ‘If you will give earnest heed to the voice of the Lord your God, and do what is right in His sight, and give ear to His commandments, and keep all His statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you which I have put on the Egyptians; for I, the Lord, am your healer.'”

Psalm 56:3: “When I am afraid, I will put my trust in You.”

Philippians 4:6-7: “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Psalm 46:1: “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”

And, like the other illnesses that have come before, this, too, shall pass.

Marked by grace,
Steve