I don’t know about you, but this is one of my favorite weeks of the year. There’s something special about the week between Christmas and New Year’s. With Christmas parties and events filling the month of December, I am ready for a break. We’ve celebrated with friends and family (and I’m all for the parties), but now there is no expectation for our time. We can slow down, spend time together, and reflect on all that’s happened over the last year.
This season reminds me that time can go faster than I’d like. But then, I take a step back and recognize all that has happened over the last year.
As a church, it’s a timely season to look back and take inventory of all that’s taken place. What has God been doing in our church and our community? How has God been faithful to us?
I hope this reflection on the second half of 2022 gives you encouragement for how God is at work within our church and pouring out into our community through us.
You can see our 2022 mid-year update here!
Things to Celebrate:
Sunday Mornings
Between gathering in person and online, more than 5,000 people participate in our weekly worship services. We continue to have the opportunity to help more people believe that Jesus is more every Sunday morning. Sunday mornings are also a time when our 50 Plus class meets, Crossing Students (high school and middle schoolers), and various classes for parents and others, like the Discovery Class for both adults and students. We’re so thankful to worship together regularly.
Daniel Sermon Series & Devotional Workbook
This fall, we studied the book of Daniel through our sermon series and accompanying devotional workbook. Daniel challenged us to consider how to live in a world that doesn’t share our faith. We ran out of workbooks the very first week we handed them out – that’s 3500 devotionals in the hands of people! How encouraging to think about the number of people in our community studying God’s word.
Stay tuned for our next sermon series—Esther: Life in the Gray.
The Old Testament book of Esther shares with us a complex story of characters seeking to faithfully follow God. Devotional workbooks will be available on January 22.
Summer Nights
In September, we gathered as a church in our courtyard for end-of-summer activities with food trucks, bounce houses, face painting, and games. We worshiped together and celebrated the baptisms of over 60 members of our church in the lake. The night was a beautiful way to get together with friends and celebrate what God is doing in the lives of our congregation.
Truth Over Tribe book release
This fall, we released a new book Truth Over Tribe: Pledging Allegiance to the Lamb, Not the Donkey or the Elephant by Crossing pastors Keith Simon and Patrick Miller. It’s the story of our church – an example of what happens when a community chooses truth over tribe in a culture that is divided by tribalism. After a year of hosting the Truth Over Tribe podcast, Keith and Patrick wrote this book to help dismantle tribalism and the common barriers that divide communities.
You can pick up a copy of Truth Over Tribe here. All proceeds go toward ministry at The Crossing.
What’s Ahead in 2023?
Small Groups starting in January
Small groups will be starting in January. One of the best ways to grow in your faith and build community in a big church like ours is to join a small group. Look for a Small Group Preview for more information about how to get connected.
We have small groups for adults over 30, adults in their twenties, college students, and high school and middle school students.
Worship Night with Sandra McCracken
Join us on Sunday, February 26 for a special night of music and worship with Sandra McCracken. We sing many of Sandra's songs on Sunday mornings and are excited to host her for this free event! So mark your calendars, invite a friend, and stay tuned for more information.
ForColumbia
Every year, our church joins other churches across Columbia to love and serve our neighbors in practical ways across our community. Save the date for the annual ForColumbia day of service on April 29, 2023. Volunteer registration will open up in March. Visit ForColumbia.com for more information.
Things to Pray For:
Update: Crossing Kids Volunteers
We asked, and you served! Thank you to all the volunteers who have committed to serving this past semester in Crossing Kids. We hope and pray this has been a wonderful experience for you and that this is a place you continue to see yourself serving!
If you don’t serve yet, consider getting involved in Crossing Kids. We still close classrooms regularly—even though we have the space, we need more volunteers. Would you serve this Spring?
Church Finances
Giving continues to lag behind our expenses through the end of 2022. It’s not surprising; we’ve had a hard year economically. Please join us in praying for, and considering how you can give, so that we won’t have to cut back on important ministry programs. God has given us unprecedented opportunities to help people develop a relationship with Jesus. We trust he will give us the necessary resources to continue.
Find out more about giving to The Crossing.
There is so much to be thankful for as we both reflect and look ahead to a new year. God is at work at The Crossing! It’s exciting to be part of a church that encourages people to grow and connect with others. If you’re looking for other ways to connect, I hope this encourages you to look for opportunities to plug in. Let’s be a church that actively praises God for all he is doing and invites people into our community.
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