weekend report

We usually celebrate communion the first Wednesday of each month, but, this weekend we had communion with the entire congregation - so amazing!

Our Setlist:

Pre-Worship: Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus
Pre-Worship: When It's All Said and Done
Video Welcome
Worship: Offering
Praise: For Who You Are - Hillsong
Worship: Lead Me To the Cross
Communion: Pastor Tim Armstrong
Special Music: Grace Flows Down
Worship during communion elements: Facedown
Congregation prays with Elders
Dismissal

To watch our services go to www.crossroadswired.com

To see what other ministries used in their services go to www.theworshipcommunity.com

wedding preparation = my life

Saturday morning we jumped out of bed and headed for Amish country. We got amazing deals on flowers at "Sunny Crest Farms" on Rt. 13.

It was time to fill the pots that will be used at our daughters wedding this summer. We just bought white flowers and lots of green so as to enhance a very natural setting.

It is SO different preparing for an outside wedding vs the simplicity of a church wedding. You have to plan WAY ahead for every single detail! I am not downplaying the preparation that goes into a church wedding but we are planning mulch, planting, barn painting, step building, dance floor in our field, ceremony site 'stone flooring' as well as considering 'what does the side of our house look like' from the view of the woods...exhausting. BUT - I am loving the planning! I am getting really excited for sure!!

Would you share any tips you can give us for our preparation?? Anything you wish you had done differently or anything specific to an Ohio outdoor wedding?

updated

(I am nearly done updating my blog. Change is good! I hope you like it.)

I was thinking about all the ways my job has changed over the past 14 years and one of my most favorite opportunities with my position here at Crossroads is that I get to dream about our future. I pray for the Lord's direction and begin the search exploring what might be a blessing to our congregation.

I search for new opportunities to bring in guests, or add things at Crossroads that help our congregation to become familiar with authors, musicians and teachers that help facilitate their maturity in Christ! This has been such a blessing and learning experience for me. Second only to the creation of our services and face time with our artists/musicians-vocalists/actors, this segment of my job is my favorite.

We have several new things 'in the works' that should really be a exciting for our congregation should the Lord work out the details. Please keep praying for our staff as we all work together to lead our congregation toward the Lord!

courage

Courage usually comes as a result of many mistakes made by those of us who attempt to work outside what is known and comfortable. What is known is safe and requires little.

Change can be resisted or embraced, faced bravely or avoided. Change requires courage.

Live courageously this week embracing opportunities that God brings to you. Opportunities to step out of consumerism, the regular, the everyday box we all call our lives.

Is there anything in your life that requires courage? Maybe there should be...

I long to wander

In the book I am reading the author says this, "there is nowhere lonelier than a million-dollar condominium in a vast metropolis." Such a contradiction to what you would think would be true. How can it be lonely surrounded by tons of people in a metropolis with a lot of money?

I have been talking to several young adults recently who really believe that at least for now, God is calling them to move. Simply to follow Jesus n0t sure where, not sure when. This intrigues me and as I talk to them I begin to wish I could wander. Just take off walking - just follow.

Where would I walk - where would I end up? Could this be pleasing to God? Why does it seem that God is much easier to find in the wilderness than He is in the midst of all of our mess, business and stuff? I wonder if He ever intended us to live this way, with so much, so self sufficient and so surrounded.

The closest I come to wandering is when I meet a need or give something unplanned or move from the regular. It's then I feel I have momentarily at least broken free from my metropolis and literally followed Him...

parties for girls

Saturday our daughter and her friends threw a Bridal Shower at our home for Naomi King. Our daughter is her maid of honor and all the brides maids came together to prepare way too much food, lots of laughs and gifts galore!

It has been such a privilege to watch all these Godly friends work together on project after project going all the way back to elementary school in sports, birthday parties, first dates, proms, class elections and graduation parties...now 3 of them get married this summer. Such great girlfriends!

weekend report

Church life does not get any better than this weekend. This weekend was just full of people loving on one another. It caught my eye wherever I went. I saw a friend in tears and saw others surround her and comfort her. I watched as two people who have both lost their mothers encouraged one another on this Mother's Day. I watched friends who were struggling with broken relationships - worship and encourage others despite their own loss. This is the church. This is Crossroads.

And then to top it off my friend, Michelle taught us today. She is so gifted and we were so blessed!

Our setlist:

Pre-Worship: Our God is In Control - Chapman
Pre-Worship: God Is True (Trust Me) - Chapman
Announcement Video: Crossroads Kids!
Praise: All Things Are Possible
Praise: Mighty To Save - Hillsong
Worship: Here In Your Presence/Wonderful, Beautiful...
Message: Scars - Michelle Armstrong
Story Video/Special: Questions - Chapman
Message continues: Scars
Special Music/Video conclusion: I Will Trust You - Chapman
Final comment and Prayer: Michelle

To watch our services tomorrow including all of our videos go to www.crossroadswired.com on Monday.

To see what other ministries used in their services go to www.theworshipcommunity.com