Crossing Community Church

Dr. John Master joined us as one of our speakers for our 2020 Worship Summit. His topic was "Why We Sing." Going through the Bible beginning with Cain & Abel's offerings, Dr. Master taught from several biblical examples of worship and how we can understand them for ourselves. 

To appraise something means to define its value or to evaluate its worth. So when we 'appraise' God we consider His qualities and promises and deeds and the only response is --  to praise Him. But consider this thought, CS Lewis suggests that the epitome, the consummation of praise is to share what is praiseworthy. That's what we do we come together in our church. We gather to share God's qualities, promises and deeds. We take praise to its ultimate level by sharing all that is wonderful and beautiful about God when we participate in corporate worship in our churches. 

Growing up in a home where religion was not prominent, Kelly Plexico was first introduced to Christ when she was 19 years old. Eventually she trusted Christ and states that she experienced peace for the first time. Kelly shares her story of how God has led her through obstacles and how the Holy Spirit has guided her in tangible ways during those times. Enjoy Kelly's story as she shares about relying on God through all seasons of life. 

This week, in preparation of our upcoming Worship Conference, Pastor Tim directs our attention to the origin of worship in our lives -- it only happens when we've experienced God in a personal and impactful manner. Worship is our response to the revelation of who God is, of His character or His deeds. It comes from the inside of us and overflows ourwardly through our words, attitudes, thoughts and actions. 

This week our guest speaker was Peter Berzin. Given that it was the first Sunday of 2020 Peter addressed the resolutions people typically make at the beginning of the year and asked us to consider making resolutions that would count more for eternity and benefit our spiritual life in the year to come. 

It's been said that the gospel is shallow enough for a child to play in, yet vast enough for an elephant to swim in. Too many of us have a limited understanding of the vastness of the gospel. It is more than our means to salvation, it is the means to our daily life in Christ. We need to daily remind ourselves of the grace God has bestowed on us and learn to live in that truth!

Immanuel, God is with us. We sing about it. We read about it. The angels proclaim -- and it's TRUE! We needed Jesus to come and take on flesh in order for Him to make a way back to God. At the same time, we need Jesus to be more than human! We need him to be God in flesh! The only way man can be redeemed to God was for God to come as man in the form of Jesus!

"Peace in our time!" has been proclaimed by many politicians but it has never been true. Peace has proven itself to be elusive and momentary, whether it is among nations, in our homes or in our hearts. Isaiah proclaimed that the child born to us would be called Prince of Peace and establish a peace that would be everlasting. 

As we continue our study of Isaiah 9:6 we come to the title of Everlasting Father. The passage points us toward more than meets the eye. Yes, it is speaking of a Father that will last forever, but it also speaks of the Father of Eternity -- the orignator of Eternity! There is so much in this title! So much to embrace and learn from and to grow into! 

This Sunday we were really excited to have the ladies from True Light Women's Recovery Ministry with us in our service. And it was especially great to have Nina Hershman, the Kensington House Manager for True Light, share her story of how watching the faith of others impacted her and lead her to place her faith in Christ herself. She shares a great story of addiction, recovery and faith!

Our Christmas sermons this year are focusing on Isaiah's prophecy of the coming Messiah from chapter 9, verse 6. Our focus this week was the title of Mighty God. Enjoy Pastor Tim's sermon on the inexplicable nature of the might and power of Jesus. 

Our Christmas sermons this year are focusing on Isaiah's prophecy of the coming Messiah from chapter 9, verse 6. This week Pastor Tim spoke on two of the titles for Jesus that Isaiah wrote about: Wonderful; Counselor. Jesus is most wonderful! And He is a marvelous Counselor. Enjoy this meditation on the nature and personality of our Lord. 

The last portion of James 5 is complicated and controversial. Does James intend for the reader to believe that God will heal every illness we bring before Him? Or is there another manner of being "sick" that James is writing about? Or, is there something else that James is addressing in this passage?

In chapter 5, James addresses the sin of the wealthy. Their sin was not that they were wealthy. It was what they did with their wealth. God blesses us so we can bless others. Who are you blessing with your wealth?

If ever there was a verse that gets misused and is misunderstood, it's James 4:11-12. Is it OK to judge other people? What does the Bible really say about this. Today we look at our passage in James but we also take in what the Jesus said in Matthew 7 as well as other passages to gain a deeper understanding of this most misunderstood topic. 

The bottom line to cheating on God is making ourselves the center of the universe -- instead of allowing God to occupy that space. As James continues to address man's desire to usurp God, he challenges the common mindset of mankind that everything should revolve around them. Meanwhile, scripture repeatedly points our attention to the fact that Christ is the center of everything!

James addresses the infidelity of his readers telling them that being 'friends with the world is being an enemy of God." Pastor Tim puts this verse in context as he demonstrates the ways we become friends with the world and forsake our relationship with God. In particular, he addresses all the activities we allow ourselves and our children to get involved with that take away from our devotion to God. 

James leaves no room for doubt or discussion -- conflict happens when we want things and don't get them. This happens between nations, tribes, political parties, spouses, parents & children, neighbors and in our churches. The answer doesn't lie in getting what we want but in loving others more than ourselves -- in being concerned for their needs more than mine. 

Why would understanding the marriage customs of ancient Israel be important to you and I today? Because those customs are an exact pattern for the manner that Jesus will return for His bride, the Church. He promised that he was going to prepare a place and that he would one day return to take his bride with Him. That is how the ancient Jewish groom was with his wife as well. Enjoy this great time in the Word with Dr. Jerry Schmoyer. 

The tongue is small but mighty and uncontrollable unless, that is, we draw on the "wisdom from above" and walk in the Spirit and allow God to form our words and our actions. This week, Pastor Tim taught from James 3 that it's only God's Spirit that can overcome the power of our words and transform our behavior to be more like Jesus.