WEEKEND UPDATE 032810

Hey guys, such a great weekend at Crossroads!  Here's just a few of the things I noticed:

• Several people made decisions Sunday to rededicate their lives to Christ and to be baptized!!!
• Second biggest crowd EVER at Crossroads.  We continue to GROW!!
• Tons of First Time Attenders on Sunday!!
• Recieved enough money in the Benevolence Offering to pay for spleen removal surgery for a Crossroads member!!!  Thank you for your generosity.
• Wrapped up CREED on Sunday.  Without a doubt, this series was a favorite of mine!  It was a challenging series to teach, but it's teaching that will stick.
• LOVE what happens each week in the Filling Station!  Elementary ministry at Crossroads rocks!  Although (lol) the blacklight-lit hallway with neon letters and stars hanging from the ceiling reminds me of the store where I used to buy bongs and Zig-Zag papers back in the day (WAY back in the day)!
• Highway 68 continues to grow thanks to everyone back there doing such a GREAT job.  Look for a HUUUUUUGE announcement about Highway 68 soon!!!
• Did I mention that I LOVED having Dunkin' Donuts in the lobby?  They're great!!
• Quotable Quote #1: "The church is not a helpful thing on my spiritual journey.  The church IS the journey!"
• Great to have Caleb up on the platform singing with Nic & Janna.  Cool!
• Quotable Quote #2: "The church is the flesh and blood witness to a life-transforming God!"
• Thanks to everyone who dug in and made the lobby rock on Sunday morning!
• Great to see attendance in the early service picking up!
• Quotable Quote #3:  "We ARE the Church...and YOU belong here!"

Yesterday was Palm Sunday, the day Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey to the shouts of "Hosanna! Hosanna!  Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!"  Today, events in the life of Jesus and those who walked with him included Jesus cleansing the temple and cursing the fig tree.  I encourage you to read about it in Matthew 21:12-19; Mark 11:11-18; and Luke 19:45-48.  As you read about Jesus cleansing the temple, think about this: God's Spirit no longer resides in the temple in Jerusalem.  Instead, He now lives in US.  You and I are the temple of the Holy Spirit.  Ask yourself if there is anything in your temple that needs cleansing.  Anything that should be driven from your life.  GREAT opportunity to put it into action.

Have a FANTASTIC week, and remember to INVITE BIG for our two Easter Services at Crossroads on Sunday!!  Peace.