THE CROSSING BLOG
Servants of the Kingdom
The Mission: to make disciples for the glory of God and the joy of his people. We at the Crossing desire for all of our Covenant Partners to see themselves as missionaries. Specifically that Jesus has sent us into the world and wants to use us in the lives of those around us everyday. This can be with family, friends, co-workers and anyone Jesus opens a door for a relationship.
With that, there are a few folks in our body that have been called by God to serve in various capacities both locally and abroad. We’ve recently highlighted some of the folks during some of our Sunday Gatherings. Here’s a recap, contact info and ways your can specifically pray for these missionaries.
Locally:
Karsten and Alex Sween – Serving with Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) as the Northern Colorado Director
Karsten & Alex have been coming to the Crossing since 2014. They have a heart for the gospel to be reached into the lives of coaches and players all across Northern Colorado. They are CrossFit fanatics have 2 kiddos with a 3rd due this summer.
You can email Karsten directly at ksween@fca.org and you can donate to them online at http://bit.ly/1AlYb2e
Check out their update from our Sunday Gathering
Here’s how you can pray for the Sween’s:
- Wisdom for Karsten as he leads his staff and fills positions for FCA in the area.
- Alex’s and baby’s health during pregnancy, she’s been battling migraines during the 2nd trimester.
- Relationships at their CrossFit gym, for an open door for the gospel.
Garrett Schlegel – Serving with The Navigators at CSU
Garrett has been coming to the Crossing since 2014 but has been involved more in various ways for much longer. Garrett is originally from Swink, CO and has a heart for making disciples who make disciples on the college campus. Garrett’s passions include black coffee and hunting.
You can reach Garrett directly at garrettnschlegel@gmail.com and you can give to him online at http://bit.ly/1ATkpKE
Jecka Walker – Serving with The Navigators at CSU
Jecka has been apart of the Crossing since 2012. She is in her second year on staff with the Navs. Jecka loves singing and anything outdoors! She has a heart for helping young women grow in their understanding of Jesus and his word.
You can reach Jecka directly at jeckawalker@gmail.com and you can give to her online at http://bit.ly/1E6KI18
Check out the update from Garrett & Jecka online. Here’s how you can pray for them and their ministry:
- Pray that God would raise up many generations of laborers to reach the lost on CSU’s campus. (Isaiah 61:1-4)
- Pray for Thomas, specifically his identity in Christ, submission to his lordship and that he would make disciples who make disciples.
- Pray for Jecka’s freshmen girls (The Holy Hooligans!) that they would grow in the knowledge and application of God’s word.
Abroad:
Zach & Kara Zegan – Serving with Josiah Venture in Czech Republic
Zach and Kara have been apart of the Crossing since before it began. Kara lived with Pastor Aaron and his family years back and has been influenced greatly by them. Pastor Aaron had the privilege of marrying Zach and Kara in 2011. Zach and Kara have a heart for engaging the lost and specifically helping the next generation in Eastern Europe embrace Jesus. You can learn more about Josiah Venture here.
You can reach the Zegan’s directly at zzegan@gmail.com and you can give to them online at http://bit.ly/1EaQqz7
Check out the video from their Sunday Gathering.
Here’s how you can pray for Zach and Kara:
- Jesus would provide an apartment close to those they are trying to reach and within their financial means
- Wisdom in time commitments and relationships as they have transitioned to Prague
- Language, Language, Language. Zach and Kara would understand and communicate well with those around them
Sunday's Gathering Feb.15th
Here is our weekly blog that we post in hopes of helping those coming to The Crossing’s Sunday Gathering to engage and prepare our hearts to worship King Jesus. We will highlight the Scripture that we will preach on as well as the songs we will be singing.
Here are a three simple ways to prepare your heart:
1) Read through and meditate on the text that will be preached that Sunday with your family or friends.
2) Sing, listen or read through some of the song lyrics that we will sing together and ask God to grow and strengthen our faith and understanding of Him through them.
3) Pray for God to reveal Himself to you and the The Crossing in powerful ways!
Worship through the Word: Acts 20:1-16
Worship through Singing: God Alone Man of Sorrows To Christ the Ransomed Sinners Run When I Survey (The Wondrous Cross) The Church’s One Foundatio
Church Plant #1 Choice City Church
The Crossing’s first Church Plant is Choice City Church here in Fort Collins, CO. Check out their short little video about their Church.
http://vimeo.com/110668251
Sunday Gathering, Feb. 8th
Here is our weekly blog that we post in hopes of helping those coming to The Crossing’s Sunday Gathering to engage and prepare our hearts to worship King Jesus. We will highlight the Scripture that we will preach on as well as the songs we will be singing.
Here are a three simple ways to prepare your heart:
1) Read through and meditate on the text that will be preached that Sunday with your family or friends.
2) Sing, listen or read through some of the song lyrics that we will sing together and ask God to grow and strengthen our faith and understanding of Him through them.
3) Pray for God to reveal Himself to you and the The Crossing in powerful ways!
Worship through the Word: Acts 19:11-41
Worship through Singing: Come Praise and Glorify All Creatures of Our God & King Rejoice Not What My Hands Have Done Stronger
Sunday Gathering, Acts 19
Here is our weekly blog that we post in hopes of helping those coming to The Crossing’s Sunday Gathering to engage and prepare our hearts to worship King Jesus. We will highlight the Scripture that we will preach on as well as the songs we will be singing.
Here are a three simple ways to prepare your heart:
1) Read through and meditate on the text that will be preached that Sunday with your family or friends.
2) Sing, listen or read through some of the song lyrics that we will sing together and ask God to grow and strengthen our faith and understanding of Him through them.
3) Pray for God to reveal Himself to you and the The Crossing in powerful ways!
Worship through the Word: Acts 19:1-10
Worship through Singing: I Will Glory In My Redeemer All I Have is Christ O God Nothing But the Blood Our Great God
Sermon Recap, Jan. 25th
Last week, Aaron preached on being generous with the gifts that God has blessed us with. The Word tells us to focus our mind on the things above. Below is a great video which demonstrates how we are to think about and use our possessions.
Consider these questions with your families and life groups:
Do you see yourself as rich?
-What would you consider rich?
-Do others see you as rich?
Do you look at your riches as yours or as a steward of what the Lord has entrusted to you?
-For what has God blessed us with our riches?
-Besides riches, how are you stewarding your other gifts (time, skills, knowledge, etc…)?
Is your desire to accumulate riches harming others?
-How does a Christian use money that’s different than how non-believers use money?
Is your hope in money or in God?
-Jesus tells many parables that relate directly to trusting in God over money. Which one’s can you think of?
Here’s the money diagram from the sermon:
Last week’s sermon:
Sermon Recap, Jan. 18th
Here is the list of Spiritual Gifts mention in Scripture from Sundays Message.
Remember these are not comprehensive or exhaustive lists but good categories to think through. For instance the gift of teaching, what kind of teaching does Paul mean? Teaching Sunday Mornings or at Life Groups? What about our Journey Groups of 2-5 people or one on one Discipleship? How about as Father or Mother teaching their Children. Having the gift of teaching can take on several forms.
Use this list to dialog with others in the Crossing and in your Life Group: Spiritual Gifts Chart
Sunday Gathering, Jan. 18th
Here is our weekly blog that we post in hopes of helping those coming to The Crossing’s Sunday Gathering to engage and prepare our hearts to worship King Jesus. We will highlight the Scripture that we will preach on as well as the songs we will be singing.
Here are a three simple ways to prepare your heart:
1) Read through and meditate on the text that will be preached that Sunday with your family or friends.
2) Sing, listen or read through some of the song lyrics that we will sing together and ask God to grow and strengthen our faith and understanding of Him through them.
3) Pray for God to reveal Himself to you and the The Crossing in powerful ways!
Worship through the Word: Romans 12:1-21
Worship through Singing: I Will Glory In My Redeemer All I Have is Christ O God Nothing But the Blood Our Great God
Sunday Gathering, Jan. 11th
Here is our weekly blog that we post in hopes of helping those coming to The Crossing’s Sunday Gathering to engage and prepare our hearts to worship King Jesus. We will highlight the Scripture that we will preach on as well as the songs we will be singing.
Here are a three simple ways to prepare your heart:
1) Read through and meditate on the text that will be preached that Sunday with your family or friends.
2) Sing, listen or read through some of the song lyrics that we will sing together and ask God to grow and strengthen our faith and understanding of Him through them.
3) Pray for God to reveal Himself to you and the The Crossing in powerful ways!
Worship through the Word: Mark 8:27-30,
Worship through Singing:
I Will Glory In My Redeemer
All I Have is Christ
O God
Nothing But the Blood
Our Great God
Sermon Recap, 1 Thessalonians 2:1-12
Warm up question:Can you think of ministries that share the gospel but not their lives?
Can you think of ministries that share their lives but not the gospel? -In your experience, why is having both so crucial to authentic gospel ministry?
Scripture Text questions:
What are some of the charges that Paul’s opponents have brought forth, verses 3 & 5?
How does Paul defend these accusations, verses 4, 7-12?
Where do we see evidence in this passage of Paul’s authentic love for the Thessalonians, verses 7-9, 12?
Application Questions:
Who would you like to share more of your life with this year with the hopes of an opportunity to share the gospel?
How can we as a life group organize our formal and informal meeting times to accommodate living life with these people? (Meals, Hobbies, Listening, Questions) – Gather/Scatter events
Who can we pray for as a group for an open door to proclaim the gospel? (cf – Col. 4:2-3)
Sunday Gathering, January 4th
Here is our weekly blog that we post in hopes of helping those coming to The Crossing’s Sunday Gathering to engage and prepare our hearts to worship King Jesus. We will highlight the Scripture that we will preach on as well as the songs we will be singing.
Here are a three simple ways to prepare your heart:
1) Read through and meditate on the text that will be preached that Sunday with your family or friends.
2) Sing, listen or read through some of the song lyrics that we will sing together and ask God to grow and strengthen our faith and understanding of Him through them.
3) Pray for God to reveal Himself to you and the The Crossing in powerful ways!
Worship through the Word: 1 Thessalonians 2:1-12
Worship through Singing: Wonderful Cross Man of Sorrows Cornerstone Jesus, Firm Foundation
Jesus is Love, John 3:16
John 3:16 is the Gospel, the Good News—-The Greatest news ever! Listen to how one explained it:
“For God – the greatest Lover
So loved – the greatest generosity
The world – the greatest tragedy
That he gave – the greatest sacrifice
His only Son – the greatest gift
That whoever – the greatest openness
Believes – the greatest simplicity
In him – the greatest attraction
Should not perish – the greatest rescue
But – the greatest difference
Have – the greatest treasure
Eternal life – the greatest experience.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RfJIu10hZmQ
Sunday Gathering, Dec. 21st
Here is our weekly blog that we post in hopes of helping those coming to The Crossing’s Sunday Gathering to engage and prepare our hearts to worship King Jesus. We will highlight the Scripture that we will preach on as well as the songs we will be singing.
Here are a three simple ways to prepare your heart:
1) Read through and meditate on the text that will be preached that Sunday with your family or friends.
2) Sing, listen or read through some of the song lyrics that we will sing together and ask God to grow and strengthen our faith and understanding of Him through them.
3) Pray for God to reveal Himself to you and the The Crossing in powerful ways!
Worship through the Word: Advent: Jesus is Love, John 3:16
Worship through Singing: Oh Holy Night Oh Come Oh Come Emmanuel Come Though Long Expected Jesus Joy to the World Praise for the Incarnation
Advent Resource from Paul Tripp
If you’re like me, you don’t have time nor the discipline to read an advent devotional everyday during this season. I found this great little 4 part devotional from Paul Tripp that I would like to pass along. It’s designed to have two readings (w/ scripture!) before Christmas, along with one on Christmas Eve and one on Christmas Day. I’ve outlined the devotional below and you can get it online, in addition to some of his other resources on Advent at http://www.paultripp.com/advent
1. Advent: The Need – Genesis 6
2. Advent: The Promise – Isaiah 59
3. Advent: The Announcement – Luke 2
4. Advent: The Plan – Isaiah 53
Sunday Gathering, Dec. 14th
Here is our weekly blog that we post in hopes of helping those coming to The Crossing’s Sunday Gathering to engage and prepare our hearts to worship King Jesus. We will highlight the Scripture that we will preach on as well as the songs we will be singing.
Here are a three simple ways to prepare your heart:
1) Read through and meditate on the text that will be preached that Sunday with your family or friends.
2) Sing, listen or read through some of the song lyrics that we will sing together and ask God to grow and strengthen our faith and understanding of Him through them.
3) Pray for God to reveal Himself to you and the The Crossing in powerful ways!
Worship through the Word: Advent: Jesus is Joy, Isaiah 9:1-7
Worship through Singing: Hark the Herald Angels Sing Oh, Come All Ye Faithful God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen All Glory Be To Christ Praise for the Incarnation
Last Weeks Sermon:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=03aYMQHwcDw&list=PLH33iQCOlZbcpZygfxW8qIDnZNYwiK7MD
Christmas Eve Gathering
On December 24th at 5:30pm we will come together to worship the Incarnation of Jesus! Please join us and bring a friend if you are in town. We will have a short devotional message, read scripture, pray but mostly we will sing of this epic event! Our Gathering will be about an hour from 5:30pm-6:30pm so that you can make all of the other Christmas Eve engagements.
Sunday Gathering, Dec. 7th Advent
Here is our weekly blog that we post in hopes of helping those coming to The Crossing’s Sunday Gathering to engage and prepare our hearts to worship King Jesus. We will highlight the Scripture that we will preach on as well as the songs we will be singing.
Here are a three simple ways to prepare your heart:
1) Read through and meditate on the text that will be preached that Sunday with your family or friends.
2) Sing, listen or read through some of the song lyrics that we will sing together and ask God to grow and strengthen our faith and understanding of Him through them.
3) Pray for God to reveal Himself to you and the The Crossing in powerful ways!
Worship through the Word: Advent: Jesus is Peace, Luke 2:14
Worship through Singing: All Glory be to Christ Our King Oh Come Oh Come Emmanuel The First Noel How Deep the Father’s love for us What Child is this When love Came down to Earth
Last Weeks Sermon:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3E2mpEyuKo&list=UUOcXw3M2AEot6bZFSsR0S9A
Advent 2014 Resources
This weekend we kicked off the Advent of Jesus Christ!
The word Advent means “coming” or “arrival.” From November 30th-December 25th we will focus our Gatherings around the celebration of the Birth of Jesus Christ, his first Advent, with anticipation of His Second Advent as the conquering King.
Here is a free resource on Advent called, “Good News of Great Joy,” from John Piper and Desiring God. It is a great tool to help us keep Jesus at the heart of the Christmas Season.
www.desiringgod.org/books/good-news-of-great-joy
Matthew 1:1-17, The Genealogy of Hope
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9JDYb5eaPfg&feature=em-upload_owner
Sunday Gathering, Nov. 30th Advent
Here is our weekly blog that we post in hopes of helping those coming to The Crossing’s Sunday Gathering to engage and prepare our hearts to worship King Jesus. We will highlight the Scripture that we will preach on as well as the songs we will be singing.
Here are a three simple ways to prepare your heart:
1) Read through and meditate on the text that will be preached that Sunday with your family or friends.
2) Sing, listen or read through some of the song lyrics that we will sing together and ask God to grow and strengthen our faith and understanding of Him through them.
3) Pray for God to reveal Himself to you and the The Crossing in powerful ways!
Worship through the Word: Advent: Jesus is Hope, Matthew 1:1-17
Worship through Singing: Holy, Holy, Holy (God with us) O Come all ye faithful God with us Come Thou long expected Jesus Not what my hands have done Behold Our God
Last Weeks Sermon:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3E2mpEyuKo&list=UUOcXw3M2AEot6bZFSsR0S9A