This week at Crossroads I 03.16.23

LENT SERIES  This Lenten series calls us to journey outside of our comfort zones and to embrace the unknown.  Following God can lead us to unexpected places which in turn builds our trust in God.  This week we will look at how Jesus overcame the temptation by refusing to put himself in a dangerous situation to test God’s faithfulness.   SCRIPTURE TEXTS   Matthew 4:5-7 HUDDLE/DISCUSSION QUESTIONS  What is one thing that stood out to you from this week’s message? Have you ever felt beaten down from constantly receiving bad news? Are you presently experiencing a prolonged season of spiritual attack?  When have you seen Scripture twisted or used out of context to validate someone’s opinion? How was the Scripture used incorrectly in these cases? What was the outcome? Has the pride of life ever led you to be dissatisfied with the many blessings and freedoms God has given you? Would you consider yourself able to discern the difference between Scripture and a half-truth? What are some tips you use to tell the difference? Have you ever asked God for a sign to lead you in an important decision? What sign did you ask for? How did God answer, or not answer, your request? WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW We pray for our beloved brother in Christ Daniel "Dan" Herron.  Dan passed away on March 15, 2023.  Dan was a devoted and faithful servant of Jesus Christ.  Dan was an ordained deacon in the Episcopal Church.  While serving at Crossroads Dan started the Griefshare care group at Crossroads.  Countless families have learned the power of God's healing while grieving through Dan's mentorship.  Dan also served as a mentor to Pastoral Intern Tim Perlick and provided wonderful support to Pastor Charles for caring ministries and the crucial feedback for our livestream worship.   A memorial of life celebration will be held at Transfiguration Episcopal Church in Apache Junction.  We will share more details as they become available.  O God of grace and glory, we remember before you our brother, Pastor David Wold. We thank you for giving him to us to know and to love as a companion in our pilgrimage on earth. In your boundless compassion, console us who mourn. Give us faith to see that death has been swallowed up in the victory of our Lord, Jesus Christ, so that we may live in confidence and hope until, by your call, we are gathered to our heavenly home in the company of all your saints; through Jesus Christ, our Saviour and Lord.” — Amen   “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him.” — John 3:16-17 LIVE MUSIC @ THE STATION COFFEE COMPANY MARCH 17 I 4:30PM - 7:30PM Join us as we host live music with the classic rock band High Ground.  This is a 3rd Friday event in Historic Downtown Florence. BLUE JEANS DRIVE  Over 100 Blue Jeans Donated!!! Last Sunday we collected blue jeans for the Women of Grace missional community to make quilts from worn jeans for our friends at Hope Women's Center in Coolidge and the Navajo Mission in Rock Point, AZ.  Thank you to everyone who donations their worn blue jeans.  If you forgot to bring yours, bring them this Sunday and leave them in the bin labeled "Blue Jeans" and one of the team members will collect them after the worship gathering.   CROSSROADS ORIENTATION  Do you ever look around Crossroads Church and wonder what’s next?  If so, then join us for our Crossroads Orientation Class.  This 60-minute orientation will allow you to learn more about Crossroads Church including our core values, the many ways to connect, covenant disciple (our form of membership) and more. Orientation will help you determine your best next step. REGISTER MEET GOD 2023 LENTEN SCHEDULE Journey together with us on this Lenten journey for time of meditation and blessing. Listed below is our Lent 2023 schedule: 3/22 - Soup Supper @ 6:30pm & Worship Gathering @ 7:00pm 3/29 - Soup Supper @ 6:30pm & Worship Gathering @ 7:00pm  Please use the link below to bring a soup dinner: MARCH 22 - SIGN UP MARCH 29 - SIGN UP ADULT VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED Children are disciples too! At Crossroads they learn about Jesus’ love for them and how they can share this love with others in their homes, school and community. We have an urgent need for adult volunteers to support KidsCity as teachers and substitute teachers.  If you can offer 1 hour a month on Sunday, we'd love to welcome you to our Crossroads KidsCity Team.  Please contact Nicole Crowder or Pastor Charles for more information.   CONFIRMATION STUDENT GATHERING WITH PASTOR   MARCH 30, 2023 I 6:30PM Confirmation ministry is a pastoral and discipleship ministry which helps students 7th-12th grade to identify more deeply with and understand the teachings of the Christian community and participate more fully in the mission of the church.  Confirmation students meet once a month.  Contact Pastor Charles if you would like your student to participate in this ministry or sign up using the link below:   SIGN UP SUNDAY APRIL 9, 2023 Jesus commands his followers to "go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and of the Holy Spirit." (Matthew 28:19). This is not a polite suggestion; it is a command from Jesus which he gives as his "last words" before his ascension into heaven! Baptism Sunday is a public event for the whole family of God to celebrate! If you would like more information concerning baptism or you are ready to be baptized or affirm your baptism, contact Pastor Charles.  BAPTISM SUNDAY MEET FRIENDS RSVP LOOKING FOR COMMUNITY AND CONNECTION?  3 WEEKS OF COMMUNITY ON MISSION   If you are new to Crossroads or curious about joining or starting a new community, this invitation is for you! We are launching our first ever Encounter: Community on Mission. We will spend three weeks together exploring what community looks like at Crossroads and how we experience and express the Kingdom of God through these relationships.  After three weeks, you will be part of something new God is doing through the communities that have naturally developed.  We are really excited about this hands on way to explore and create missional community that invites others to also experience the Kingdom through us.  Let’s do this, together! REGISTER HERE SHARE YOUR STORY! God is doing amazing things at Crossroads, but we are most in awe of the fact that individual lives are being forever changed. Whether you've been a part of Crossroads from day one or just joined us recently, we would love to hear your story. Please take a minute to share with us your unique story. Share Now MAKE LIFE BETTER HELP CROSSROADS RECEIVE $250.00 GRANTS FOR MINI PROJECTS Support the work of Crossroads while taking part in meaningful service, education and fundraising events for Crossroads.  Catherine O'Neal will provide the resources you need to get started and register the event. Once approved you will receive a Thrivent Action Team Kit and $250 gift card in seed money for the project.  The possibilities are endless.  Bring friends together to donate to our Barefoot Sunday with seed money.  Or host a Hymns and Hops event as the proceeds support one of our ministry partners.  Contact Catherine O'Neal to register for Thrivent and a Thrivent Action Team Today!  LEARN MORE DIVORCECARE Mondays at 6:00PM Facilitators: Rachel Evans & Tim Sersig Divorce Care is life-changing support groups welcome people and guide them on the path of recovery after separation or divorce.  The cost of the workshop is $20.00. Scholarships are available.  REGISTER GRIEF SHARE Tuesdays at 6:30pm Facilitators: Dani Miller GriefShare is a friendly, caring group of people who will walk alongside you through one of life’s most difficult experiences. You don’t have to go through the grieving process alone.  The cost of the workbook is $20.00.  Scholarships are available.  REGISTER WE'RE MAKING A DIFFERENCE At Crossroads, we believe that one way we can worship God is by being generous with our finances. To give online sampling go to our Crossroads website or use the GIVE TODAY button.  We encourage you to set up your profile and use the reoccurring gift option.  It will only take a couple minutes enter your information.  You can also mail your gift to us at: Crossroads Church 2769 E. Combs Road Box 4 San Tan Valley, AZ 85140.  GIVE TODAY CROSSROADS AT A GLANCE March 18            Higher Ground Band @ 5:00pm - 7:00pm (The Station Coffee) March 19           Worship Celebration @ 9:15am (Crossroads Church)  March 20           Divorce Care @ 6:00PM (Crossroads Church)  March 21           Grief Share @ 6:30pm (Crossroads Church) March 22            Lent Soup Supper @ 6:30pm (Crossroads Church)                            Lent Worship Gathering @ 7:00pm (Crossroads Church) March 26            Worship Celebration @ 9:15am (Crossroads Church)                            Crossroads Orientation @ 10:30am (Crossroads Church)  March 27            Divorce Care @ 6:00PM (Crossroads Church)  March 28            Grief Share @ 6:30pm (Crossroads Church) March 29            Lent Soup Supper @ 6:30pm (Crossroads Church)                            Lent Worship Gathering @ 7:00pm (Crossroads Church)  March 30            Student Confirmation Meeting @ 6:30pm (Crossroads Church) April 2                 Palm Sunday Celebration @ 9:15am (Crossroads Church)                            FORM @ 6:00pm (Agape Ministry House 7165 E. Thistle Ave.) April 3                Divorce Care @ 6:00PM (Crossroads Church)  April 4                ASU Agape Campus Ministry @ 10:30am (ASU Poly Union)                            Grief Share @ 6:30pm (Crossroads Church) April 6                Maundy Thursday Worship @ 7:00pm (Crossroads Church) April 7                Good Friday Worship Gathering @ 7:00pm (Crossroads Church) April 8                Crossroads All Church Picnic @ 11:00am (Empire Park) April 9                Easter Sunday Worship @ 9:15am (Crossroads Church)    PRAYER WALL There are many ways to offer and receive prayer at Crossroads.  Send your prayer request to Crossroads Prays.  Go to the Prayer Station during worship service and light a candle. Receive confidential prayer with a  A Prayer Team member.  THIS WEEK'S PRAYER & PRAISE: Herron family at the passing of Dan  Shaun C. recovery from ablation  Nicole C. discover of new treatment options Alexis T. answer from neurological examination  Scott Sandstrom family at his passing  Kathy Larson (Mavis' Mother) in hospice care  Gilbert Family at the loss of Terri's brother Tommy continued healing from his surgery  Maya Rose gallbladder surgery Victims of toxic train wreck in Ohio Family of Tyre Nichols  Juan Gonzales continued healing from surgery Central Arizona Lutheran Church  John Wells for continued healing  Debbie Wells as she continues to care for John Aaron Mathis family as they grief Aaron's passing Terrell P. for reconciliation with his family and life transitions Laura D. discernment for God's path as she journeys forward in faith  Praise God for blessings through The Station Coffee Company Norma as she continues with challenging health issues   Donya healing as she battles cancer  All members of the Armed Forces Ukraine and all people across the world affected by aggression & war  All those affected by gun violence The Crossroads Livestream worship starts at 9:10am every Sunday.  Worship right alongside your friends at Crossroads each Sunday. FACEBOOK LIVE YOUTUBE CHANNEL CROSSROADS ON-DEMAND Copyright © 2023 Crossroads Church, All rights reserved. Our Mailing Address Is: 2769 E. Combs Road | Box 4 | San Tan Valley | AZ | 85143 Our Physical Address Is: 2769 E. Combs Road Building D I San Tan Valley I AZ I 85140 Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.