CrossWay Community Church

The Christian Year is split into two cycles of anticipation, celebration, and proclamation. The first cycle is the Cycle of Light that begins in the darkness of Advent, celebrates the dawn of light at Christmas, and declares to the world: Christ has come!

This last few days at CrossWay have been eventful! On the 10th Day of Christmas we had a progressive dinner and today for Epiphany we went to 11 different homes for blessing.

We remember in these seasons that Christ meets us in the ordinary places of our lives. So we prayed for entryways, living rooms, kitchens, and, yes, bathrooms.

We ended each home blessing with the ancient tradition of chalking the doors: 20+C+M+B+25

The marking is the year and a Latin acronym which means: Christ bless this home.

What’s a nickname that you’ve been called before?

This morning we took a deeper look at the story of doubting Thomas. One of our leaders, Terry, shared this:

“Let’s drop this Doubting Thomas nickname. Did the other disciples believe Mary when she first said she’d seen Jesus near the tomb? No, they had to see Jesus for themselves. But Thomas won’t be satisfied with simple seeing Jesus  He needs to touch Jesus – no, more than just touch Jesus. He has to touch His wounds.
 
One of the songs we sing often has a line that causes my throat to tighten up until I can’t sing. It’s too holy and too precious for me to sing:
 
“In Your wounds I find, room for all of mine”
 
One of my favorite authors, Brennan Manning wrote, “Anyone God uses significantly is always deeply wounded… We are, each and every one of us, insignificant people whom God has called and graced to use in a significant way… On the last day, Jesus will look us over not for medals, diplomas, or honors, but for scars.”
 
Each of us has permanent scars. Many of our wounds were self inflicted… like one on my knee as a 10 year old, bicycling down the steepest hill in town. Some we received via an accident. Others, sadly, were inflicted on us intentionally. The older we get, the more scars we acquire from medical procedures. Each one has its own story. Jesus’s scars were made on our behalf, and there is an intimate connection between your scars and His.”
 
“When from grace I fell, Christ was lower still”

On the first Sunday of the month we have a special of family service! In December our kiddos painted this beautiful “stained glass” mural to celebrate the first three seasons of the church calendar!

The Christian Year is split into two cycles of anticipation, celebration, and proclamation. The first cycle is the Cycle of Light: Advent, The 12 Days of Christmas, and Epiphany.

Advent is the four Sundays before Christmastide begins where we anticipate the coming of Christ in the manger and his quick return in the New Heavens and New Earth. Over the 12 Days of Christmastide we celebrate the birth of Jesus and his infancy. And on Epiphany we remember the magi coming and join them in proclaiming to the world that Christ has come.

Each window captures a scene of the seasons. For Advent, Gabriel announcing to Mary the promised son; For Christmastide, Christ born in the mange; For Epiphany, and the wise men proclaiming: Joy to the world! The Lord has come!

Next Saturday, December 14th from 6pm-8pm is a bilingual church Christmas dinner. We’ll have good eats, special music, an encouraging Christmas message, crafts and family photos!

Yesterday was the first Sunday of Advent and our monthly family service! To prepare our hearts and sanctuary to celebrate the arrival of Christ our kids painted a mural for Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany! But to keep that Advent spirit you’re gonna have to wait to see the finished project until next Sunday.

Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.* We feast on the abundant food you provide; you let us drink from the river of your goodness.** Go, eat your food with gladness, and drink your w**e with a joyful heart, for God has already approved what you do.*** So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.****

* John 6:35
** Psalm 36:8
*** Ecclesiastes 9:7
**** 1 Corinthians 10:31

I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.

1 Timothy 2:1-4

Due to ongoing technical issues we have not been able to stream services the last few weeks. Attached is the sermon manuscript from this morning. If you’ve missed any sermons and you’d like to read them feel free to email me at [email protected]

- Pastor Tommy

drive.google.com

Due to technical reasons our workshop on Revelation will not be streamed tonight.