Shall I Attempt To Speak

Preparing For Worship: October 23rd, 2011

2011-10-21T23:16:00.001-07:00

Preparing For Worship: October 16th, 2011

2011-10-14T12:04:00.001-07:00

Just a few days until we are together again! Check out the links below to learn/practice the worship songs we'll be singing.

1) Eternal Praise
2) God Is Able
3) Surrender
4) Lord, I Give You My Heart
5) Forever Reign

Preparing For Worship: October 9th, 2011

2011-10-08T00:17:00.000-07:00

Anyone know what that stuff falling from the sky earlier this week was??? Weird huh?

Well whatever falls from the sky, we'll still be getting together three times this Sunday at Crossroads so plan to join us!

Here are the songs we'll be singing together so make sure you know 'em all 'cause you're gonna wanna SING with us; see ya Sunday!

1) See What A Morning
2) Because of This
3) God Is Able (**NEW SONG**)
4) Our God
5) Completely Done

Preparing For Worship: October 2nd, 2011

2011-09-30T14:11:00.000-07:00

It's another weekend at Crossroads! We're excited to have you join us for what we're hoping is a really cool morning of extended time in the Word and in worship singing. We'll be taking communion together, and remembering both the blood and body of Christ that was broken for us, and also the symbolism of coming to the Lord's table to feast with him as a result of Christ's sacrifice.

Check out the song list below and get ready to come and sing along!

1) Be Thou My Vision
2) Come Praise And Glorify
3) Be Unto Your Name
4) Lead Me To The Cross*
5) Jesus, Thank You*
6) How Deep The Father's Love For Us*
7) By This We Know Love*
8) Stronger

*partial songs we're gonna medley together

Preparing For Worship: September 25th, 2011

2011-09-23T16:43:00.000-07:00

Come worship with us this weekend at Crossroads as we study God's Word in John 9; the story of the blind man! Before you come, check out the links below so you can be ready to sing all the worship songs we'll be singing together this week. See ya Sunday!

1) Indescribable
2) Perfect Savior
3) For You Are The Lord
4) Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone)

Preparing For Worship: September 18th, 2011

2011-09-16T15:45:00.000-07:00

Can you hardly wait until this Sunday after last weekend??? Man, celebrating with CDs, T-shirts, and In-N-Out is always a highlight of our year!

But this Sunday is going to be just as cool because it's the weekly gathering of the body of Christ here at Crossroads! No gimmicks or giveaways this week (although we still have shirts and CDs), just fellowship, teaching, singing, giving, praying, and rejoicing that Christ is alive, and that he paid the ransom for our sinful souls to be washed clean forever!

Check out the songs below and practice them for the next day or two and come Sunday morning and let 'em rip!

1) Christ Is Risen
2) Forever Reign
3) Out Of The Depths
4) In Christ Alone
5) Jesus Messiah

Why not come to our 8:00am service this week?? In case you didn't hear us mention it in the video; we have plenty of open seats for you, and you'll make your 9:30 or 11:00 spot available for new visitors and families! C'mon, try it; you'll like it!!

See you Sunday!

Preparing For Worship: September 11th, 2011

2011-09-09T15:26:00.000-07:00

Happy 5th Anniversary Crossroads!

Come join the party this weekend as we proclaim God's amazing goodness and faithfulness! If you've been thinking about coming to visit Crossroads; this is the week to do it! In-N-Out on site, brand-new worship CD for free, Crossroads T-shirts for only $5; we're turning up the generosity because God has heaped so much of it on us in Christ, and in the amazing history of a little church plant called Crossroads.

Check out the video links below as you get ready to gather; get to know these songs well 'cause you'll want to sing with us!

1) Come Thou Found of Every Blessing
2) From The Inside Out
3) Before The Throne Of God Above*
4) Revelation Song*
5) The Stand*

*Featured on our new worship CD: The Saints All Sing. Available THIS SUNDAY for FREE!

Preparing For Worship: September 4th, 2011

2011-09-02T10:31:00.000-07:00

So I think everyone in SCV got back from Summer vacations last week! We had over 850 people come through Crossroads last weekend!! How many of you are heading back out of town for Labor Day?

For those of you who're staying around, don't miss this Sunday at Crossroads! Come be a part of what God's doing on a weekly basis; you'll be glad you did.

Here are the songs we're going to be singing together this Sunday; check them out and get familiar with them so you can sing loudly with the gathered church in just a few days...

1) Blessed Be Your Name
2) Come Praise And Glorify
3) How Great Is Your Faithfulness
4) You Alone Can Rescue
5) Marvelous Light

See you Sunday!

Preparing For Worship: August 28th, 2011

2011-08-26T15:40:00.000-07:00

Back to school time! For many of us, this signals the return to the routine of life we're tried to escape all Summer. Whether you dread falling back into that routine, or you find comfort in it, it'll be fun to have most of our Crossroads family all together again! Be sure to check out our setlist of worship songs this Sunday, especially the new one from Sovereign Grace!

1) Our God
2) Come Praise And Glorify (NEW!)
3) Jesus Paid It All
4) You Never Let Go
5) The Power Of The Cross

Preparing For Worship: August 21st, 2011

2011-08-19T10:01:00.000-07:00

One of my faithful worship blog viewers chided me for his feeling of unpreparedness last Sunday as a result of my failure to update the previous Friday while I was away; to which I offered him, and any of you who may share his sentiment, a hearty "I'm sorry!!"

So now that I'm back from vacations and conferences, we can really focus on being prepared for our corporate worship gathering each week!

Check out the links to the songs we'll be singing together this week and come be a part! This Sunday we'll be featuring a simplified acoustic feel, which a number of you have mentioned that you really enjoy every once in a while!

1) Because of This
2) God of This City
3) O Church Arise
4) How Great Is Our God
5) Glorious and Mighty

See you in a few days!

Preparing For Worship: July 24th, 2011

2011-07-22T12:19:00.000-07:00

Can you guys believe it's almost the end of July?? Summer's beginning its descent into the history books, but the heat waves seem like they're just arriving!

This week in our Decades Worship Series we look back at the 1990s. This is the first decade that I really remember well (I was just going to turn 7 when the 80s ended), and there was a lot going on with worship music. I'll talk a little more about the trends and the importance of what happened with worship in the 90s, but for now, check out the set below and take a little stroll down memory lane...see you Sunday!

Call To Worship
Eternal Praise
Be Thou My Vision

Decades Worship: The 1990s
The Heart Of Worship
I Could Sing Of Your Love Forever
Shout To The Lord

Closing Song
Completely Done

Preparing For Worship: July 17th, 2011

2011-07-15T11:56:00.000-07:00

Greetings! I hope you'll join us this week as we remember the 80s this week during our Decades Worship segment, and as we sit under the teaching of God's word from one of our elders, Darren Utley.

I know you're itching to know which songs we're doing from the 80s, so check out the set list below and get practicing!

Call To Worship
You Alone Can Rescue
Christ Is Risen

Decades Worship: The 1980s
Oh Lord, You're Beautiful (this song is still strong; check out this new recording!)
Awesome God (I won't make you try to sing those verses, just the chorus on this one)
Lord, I Lift Your Name On High (PETRA rocks this version!)

Closing Song
Revelation Song

Preparing For Worship: July 10th, 2011

2011-07-08T15:23:00.000-07:00

Happy Friday everyone! Maybe you're browsing the web killing the last couple hours before the end of the workday, or maybe you're getting ready for a wedding rehearsal (congrats tomorrow Amos and Jennica!). Either way, glad you found your way to the Crossroads worship blog! Come ready for a great morning worshiping with other Crossroaders, and ready for the powerful work of God in your life as we exalt Christ and submit to the Spirit!

Check out the songs we're gonna sing together, and especially listen to the section of songs for our "Decades Worship: The 1970s" segment! If you were alive then and went to church, odds are you'll remember these tunes; if you don't, enjoy learning about this interesting decade in the life of the Church.

Call To Worship
How Great Is Your Faithfulness
Glorious Day (Living He Loved Me)

Decades Worship: The 1970s
He Has Made Me Glad
Seek Ye First
Psalm 5
I Love You Lord

Closing Song
Out Of The Depths

Enjoy your preparation! See you Sunday!

Preparing For Worship: July 3rd, 2011

2011-07-01T11:18:00.000-07:00

We're looking forward to having you join us at Crossroads this Sunday for an amazing morning of worship with God's gathered church. When I put it that way, doesn't it sound so much better than say...going out of town for the holiday weekend? ;)

Check out this week's songs for worship below. Draw your attention especially to the two songs we'll be doing from the 1960s as part of our "Decades Worship" series over the month of July. This series is meant to remind us of the legacy modern worship, and to appreciate the songs and songwriters that have paved the way for worship music as we know it. If you were alive in the 60s, hopefully these tunes will ring familiar...if you weren't alive in the 60s (I wasn't born until 1983!), let's appreciate the history of the contemporary worship song, and how it began with songs like these!

Call To Worship
From The Inside Out
(I like doing this song as an opener because it is both confessional ["a thousand times I've failed; still your mercy remains..."] and declarative of God's glory. We adapt the style to add energy and dynamics that help bring the focus into worship.)

Decades Worship: The 1960s
I'm Gonna Sing, I'm Gonna Shout
(This song has stuck around, and can be found on a lot of kids worship projects. A simple gospel tune that declares God's praise, and our hope of eternity with him in heaven. You'll have to find the track titled "04. DaveRandy Im Gonna Sing" on the media player)
Reach Out To Jesus
(by Ralph Carmichael, one of the trailblazers of contemporary Christian music, performed by "The King," Elvis Presley!)

Worship Singing (during communion and close of the service)
Jesus Messiah
(a great song for communion, reminding us of the great exchange Paul talks about in 2 Corinthians when Christ became our sin that we might become his righteousness!)
Jesus Paid It All
(a hymn for the ages, with the addition of the ending chorus: O praise the one who paid my debt and raised this life up from the dead. A great way to end the service!)

Preparing For Worship: June 19th, 2011

2011-06-17T12:01:00.000-07:00

Happy Father's Day! Come join us at Crossroads this Sunday for our weekly worship gathering. Our special guest speaker, Dr. Keith Phillips, will be preaching from Luke 4 this Sunday so CLICK HERE to read the passage ahead of time. How responsible of you!

Click the song titles below to check out each of the worship songs we'll sing together so you can be a participater and not a partici-HATER! ;)

(Challenge: I (Paul) am in one of the following videos...see if you can find me...)

1) Mighty To Save
2) You Alone Can Rescue
3) Yes You Have
4) All I Have Is Christ
5) Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone)

See you Sunday!!

Preparing For Worship: June 12th, 2011

2011-06-10T13:53:00.000-07:00

Just a few more days and we'll see you at Crossroads for another amazing gathering of Christ's church to worship as one body!

What can you do between now and then? Read John's account of Jesus walking out to their boat on the sea of Galilee in John 6:16-21 (CLICK HERE to read it online).

Also, check out the setlist of worship songs below, and review them via the linked YouTube videos or other media. You'll want to be familiar with these tunes because Crossroads loves to SING. Check 'em out...

1) Because of This
2) I Have a Hope
3) We Trust Your Will
4) Out of the Depths (This is a NEW SONG for us!! Check it out!!)
5) Our God

Preparing for Worship: June 5th, 2011

2011-06-03T11:16:00.000-07:00

Hey Crossroaders! Summer's here! The weather this week hasn't exactly been very convincing of that fact, but like Todd said in the video, we'll be glad for weeks like this come August.

Come start your Summer off right, worshiping with the body of Christ at Crossroads. We'll be singing, hearing fantastic teaching, giving, and coming to the Lord's Table together as we are reminded of the amazing news of the gospel. Won't you come and encourage someone with your presence and a smile? There's probably someone that needs a hug from you this weekend and yes, it has to be from YOU.

Check out the set list for our corporate worship singing, and be ready!!!

1) This God He Is Our God
2) Before The Throne Of God Above
3) Jesus Thank You
4) You Never Let Go

Preparing For Worship: May 29th, 2011

2011-05-27T15:09:00.000-07:00

Happy Memorial Day everyone!

Sorry I left you blogless last weekend; my wife and I took off early Friday morning for our 5th Anniversary weekend away in Sonoma wine country. It was a gorgeous weekend in a gorgeous place with my gorgeous wife. It's amazing that five years has gone by since we got married. We had just been married one year when I first got a call from a stranger named Pastor Todd asking if I wanted to come lead worship in a cafeteria!

This Sunday we honor the service of those in the military to protect our country's freedom. We have a cool video with a bunch of pictures that y'all submitted of yourselves or family members that are/have been in the service. It's gonna be sweet!

Check out the song picks for this week:

1) Here I Am To Worship
2) Once Again
3) Yes You Have
4) Eternal Praise
5) In Christ Alone

Preparing for Worship: May 15th, 2011

2011-05-13T12:43:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone! Looking forward to a great weekend! Pray for the 40 or so guys that will be up at Forest Home Ojai on Retreat; the speaker is amazing, and I'm hoping for a time of strong relationship building.

For the rest of us, here's the songs you should practice as you prepare for Sunday morning. Also, if you weren't here last week for Mother's Day, you NEED to watch the video below that we made for the morning featuring some of our most brilliant Crossroads kids!

1) Come Thou Fount
2) Our God
3) We Will Remember
4) Be Thou My Vision
5) Marvelous Light

Preparing for Worship: May 8th, 2011

2011-05-06T16:49:00.000-07:00

Hey Worship Blog Readers! You know that you are the coolest, hip, happening, with-it, cutting-edge, dedicated, people at Crossroads right? At least that's what Pastor Todd said... ;)

Sunday's comin'! I know you're looking forward to it as much as I am, so check out which songs we'll be singing for our corporate worship session:
1) All Creatures Of Our God And King
2) The Father's Love
3) Forever Reign
4) Revelation Song
5) Give Us Clean Hands

What are you doing with the MOM in your life this Sunday??

Preparing for Worship: May 1st, 2011

2011-04-29T13:21:00.000-07:00

Hey guys! It's the week AFTER Easter! Let's continue the great things God did last week as we celebrated the resurrection of Christ from the dead. Are you ready to SING??? You're in for a fun morning as we tweak and re-tweak some familiar tunes...check out the list below and get pumped:

1) From The Inside Out
2) How Great Thou Art
3) Let Your Kingdom Come
4) You Alone Can Rescue
5) Jesus Messiah

See you Sunday!!

Preparing For Worship: April 24th, Easter Sunday!

2011-04-22T11:26:00.000-07:00

¹What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? ²By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it? ³Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? ⁴We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.

Romans 6:1-4

Happy Easter weekend everyone! It all starts this afternoon at 4:00pm with the first of three Good Friday services. Consider joining us at 4:00, 5:30, or 7:00 this evening; it's one of our most favorite services of the whole year!

Then Sunday morning, the stone is rolled away and we rejoice that the grave is indeed empty! We'll have our three normal service times on Sunday, so make sure to invite a friend or neighbor. We'll have overflow space set up in our Student Ministries room at the North Campus so don't let space keep you from bringing people!

I also wanted to remind you of the free download of "Resurrection Songs" that I released last year at this time. It's four tunes all centered on Christ rising from the dead! Visit www.lifeatcrossroads.org/resurrectionsongs

See you this weekend!

Preparing For Worship: April 17th, 2011

2011-04-15T11:32:00.000-07:00

Hey Guys! I'm stoked to be back with you this weekend; I hope you're excited to gather as well. I think the video blog tells you all the important info you need to know...except...

THE SONGS!!

Check them out:

1) This God He Is Our God
2) Blessed Be Your Name
3) You Alone Can Rescue (this is a NEW song, so be sure to watch!)
4) You Never Let Go
5) By This We Know Love

Preparing For Worship: April 10th, 2011

2011-04-08T11:34:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone! I'll miss worshiping with you this Sunday; please think of us and pray for us as we get away with our college/young adult group to Big Bear for the weekend. We always hear it said that "the children are the future of the church" but our young adults are the ones that are trying to make that transition amidst all kinds of oppression from the world and from our sinful nature. This age group is where many kids raised in the church walk away from their faith, so pray that God builds a strong community of faith and support within our young adults!

Here's the set of worship songs that Jon Meenk will be leading with the Crossroads band. Don't forget to warm up! (CLICK HERE if you want to watch and entertaining and informative warm up video)

1) Our God
2) How Great is Our God
3) From The Inside Out
4) Glorious Day (Living He Loved Me)
5) The Stand

Preparing For Worship: April 3rd, 2011

2011-04-02T16:07:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone! Are you ready for church this Sunday??? Pastor Todd begins a 5-week series on marriage called "Lost in the Garden" this Sunday so don't miss it!

Here's our worship singing set list so you can get practiced up. We got new speakers for our worship center so it's gonna sound amazing this week, so be ready to belt these tunes out with us:

1) Eternal Praise
2) Holy, Holy, Holy (check out this sweet 80s rendtion from Michael W. Smith!) ;)
3) Christ Is Risen
4) Forever Reign
5) Confession Song (we'll sing this together during communion)

See you Sunday!

Preparing For Worship: March 27th, 2011

2011-03-25T11:05:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone! Thanks for checking the worship blog so you can prepare for corporate worship! This Sunday we'll be in John chapter 5 where Jesus heals the lame man at the pool of Bethesda; read verses 1-18 in preparation for this Sunday's message. Remember, you don't have to depend on a pastor or sermon to understand God's word for yourself, so trust that the Holy Spirit will help you understand and reap benefit from studying on your own. We come together to sit under pastoral teaching so that we can collectively grow and mature as a united body that is seeking to honor Christ.

We'll also spend time responding to God's self revelation in worship singing, and if last night's rehearsal was any indication, this Sunday is going to be great! When we sing, we give honor and praise to God, and at the same time we are built up and encouraged by the great truths about God we're reciting! This week is especially chock-full of life-affecting realities. Just check out the set list: (as always, click the song titles to preview YouTube videos that will give you an idea of how they go!)

1) The Solid Rock
(Christ's grace and power are immovable and unshakable; we rest our hope firmly upon him!)

2) Psalm 62
(God is our refuge and strength; and he can never be defeated!)

3) Christ Is Risen From The Dead
(a new song we're learning for Easter, that gives us boldness as the new creation we've become because of Christ's death and resurrection)

4) Revelation Song
(a foretaste of beholding the risen Lamb in all his glory and worshiping him forever)

5) Stronger
(even though our sin and doubt abound, Jesus has conquered death and the grave and we need not fear)

That's what's going on this Sunday; hope to see you there!

-Paul

Preparing for Worship: March 20th, 2011

2011-03-18T16:30:00.000-07:00

Hey guys! Sorry there's no video this week; Pastor Todd was out on vacation celebrating his anniversary and we had to prioritize his time back in the office.

He's preaching from the last chunk of verses in John 4 this week (vv. 43-54) where Jesus encounters a wealthy official in Capernaum whose son is deathly ill. Jesus tells him that his son would be healed, and imagine this: the official took him at his word. How often are we afraid to do that with Jesus? We'll find out what characterized the official's response, and how we can learn to take Jesus at his word more seriously.

Check out the links for the songs below so you'll be ready to SIIIIIIIING and join the mighty chorus we'll become as we sing songs that declare our trust in who Jesus is and what he promises.

It's gonna be sweet...

1) I Have a Hope
2) We Trust Your Will
3) We Will Remember
4) At The Cross
5) Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone)

See you Sunday!

Preparing for Worship: March13th, 2011

2011-03-11T12:29:00.000-08:00

Hey guys! Hope you'll join us this weekend as we gather together to experience the greatness and glory of God as we worship him together through worship singing, parent & baby dedications, fellowshipping, giving, preaching, and all the other ways the Spirit would lead!

Here's the set of songs so you can get ready to sing them together with us!

1) This God He Is Our God
2) Perfect Savior
3) Be Thou My Vision
4) O Church Arise
5) God of this City

DON'T FORGET TO SET YOUR CLOCKS FORWARD THIS SATURDAY NIGHT!

See you Sunday morning!

Preparing for Worship: March 6th, 2011

2011-03-04T15:09:00.000-08:00

Hey guys! A really exciting week coming up at Crossroads, so watch the video above and click the song links below so you can practice all our worship tunes. Be ready for our Sunday morning gathering and come ready to participate! We got baptism and communion both going on this Sunday so come take part and receive these amazing manifestations of God's grace to us!

Worship Set:
1) Come Thou Fount (you can also hear the Crossroads version of this tune as part of a free download of our 2009 Worship CD available as a free download when you click HERE)
2) Because of This (I haven't made a video for this tune yet, but it's also available as a free download by clicking HERE)
3) Completely Done
4) Once Again
5) Jesus Paid It All (a really cool alternate version from Mars Hill Chuch)

Preparing for Worship: February 27th, 2011

2011-02-25T19:05:00.000-08:00

Can you hardly wait to gather this weekend?? We anticipate great things anytime we meet together to worship God and declare that Jesus is Lord. We prepare ourselves during the week so that we leave as much room for the Spirit to work in and through us as possible; rather than spending all morning learning the songs and trying to figure out where Pastor Todd is preaching from! ;)

So check out the video above to see where we're headed in the Scriptures, and click the links below to hear and learn the worship songs we'll be singing together this Sunday!

1) Everlasting God
2) How Great is Your Faithfulness
3) Alive in Christ
4) You Never Let Go
5) Healer

Preparing for Worship: February 13th, 2011

2011-02-11T09:37:00.000-08:00

Hey everybody! Looking forward to three action-packed services with y'all this weekend! You can beat the devil outta bed and come to our 8:00am service, or get a few extra Zzzs and come at 11:00am. The 9:30am service was packed out last week so if you're thinking of visiting or bringing friends, I'd say come to 1st or 3rd.

Check out our song set list so you can rehearse the songs at the office, at home, or in your car (if you're snazzy and can access YouTube on your phone and then plug it into your car stereo!).

1) Be Thou My Vision (a GREAT arrangement from the late Roby Duke; a must see!)
2) You Alone
3) You Never Let Go (New song for Crossroads! Check it out!)
4) Surrender

Our set's a little shorter this week since we'll be spending a few extra minutes enjoying an awesome recap video from our Haiti team's recent trip.

See you Sunday!

Preparing for Worship: February 6th, 2011

2011-02-04T11:48:00.000-08:00

Hey folks! What a great time we shared last weekend with Dave Dravecky! We made it through three services and had just enough seats. Some of our students are away at camp this weekend, and our Sunday morning Life Stage Groups are back in full swing during the 9:30am service so hopefully we'll have adequate space for all; invite a friend or neighbor!

We're learning a new song this week that's actually been around for quite some time, but this is the first time we're doing it at Crossroads. It's called "Revelation Song" by Jennie Lee Riddle, so be sure to click the song title in the set list below to see/hear it before you come so you'll know how it goes and you don't have to waste time learning it when you could be SINGING at the top of your lungs!

Here's what we'll be singing together:
1- "Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee" (I finally recorded the version we do at Crossroads)
2- "This God He Is Our God"
3- "Revelation Song" **NEW SONG**
4- "Jesus Thank You"
5- "Marvelous Light"

Preparing for Worship: January 30th, 2011

2011-01-28T11:16:00.000-08:00

This is it folks: our first 3-Service Sunday! We're kicking it off right with our special guest speaker: legendary pitcher and cancer survivor, Dave Dravecky!

Choose your service wisely: 8:00am, 9:30am, or 11:00am, and GET THERE EARLY, 'cause we're gonna fill up quick. Before you come, check out the links for the tunes we'll sing during our corporate worship:

-Blessed Be Your Name
-Come Thou Fount Of Every Blessing
-Our God
-Stronger
-The Stand

Warm up those vocal chords on Sunday morning (especially you 8:00 o'clockers!) and come ready to proclaim the greatness of God, and to give him praise for what he has done for us through Christ.

Remember, childcare is available for infant-17months at the 8:00am service, and our full infant-6th grade kids ministry is available at the 9:30 and 11:00 services.

See ya then!

Preparing for Worship: January 16th, 2011

2011-01-14T12:10:00.000-08:00

I hope you're planning to join us this Sunday as we gather together to corporately worship the Lord, and to be filled with his Spirit and truth. The countdown to our three-service launch continues as we explore part two of "Living Together," Pastor Todd's mini-series on the body of Christ.

Check out the video links below to familiarize yourself with the songs we'll be singing together:
-Psalm 62
-I Have A Hope
-In Christ Alone
-O Glorious Day
-From The Inside Out

Preparing For Worship: January 9th, 2011

2011-01-07T12:27:00.000-08:00

Looking forward to having you with us this weekend as we start a new series called "Life Together;" It will be an in-depth look at how we are to biblically live as the body of Christ. If you call Crossroads home, I encourage you to be here for the next few weeks as we talk about this important topic.

Be sure to check out the set list so you know all the tunes we'll be singing together this weekend!

1. All Creatures Of Our God And King
2. How Great Is Your Faithfulness
3. Forever Reign (NEW!)
4. Be Unto Your Name
5. Lead Me To The Cross

Just a couple more weeks of 2-services before we add our 3rd service on January 30th! So this weekend we'll see you at 9:00 or 10:30am.

New Song: "Forever Reign"

2011-01-06T15:01:00.000-08:00

Hey guys, I wanted to put this video up here so you could have a chance to listen to the new song we're learning this Sunday at Crossroads. It's from Hillsong and it's called "Forever Reign." Check out the video!

Preparing for Worship: January 2nd, 2011

2010-12-30T16:03:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year! Don't miss our very first Crossroads service of 2011; the body needs you!

Pastor Todd will be preaching on New Years Resolutions as we look at the life of Jonathan Edwards. We'll be singing songs of resolution all morning, so come and join us as we set our course for 2011!

Our song setlist includes:
Here I Am To Worship
All I Have Is Christ
At The Cross
The Power Of The Cross
I Give You My Heart

Practice the tunes with your family and come ready to sing along!

Preparing For Worship: December 19th, 2010

2010-12-17T14:21:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas! This Sunday we focus on celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ! The Savior foretold through Old Testament prophecies who would bear the sins of all mankind in his own body as he was crushed by God on a cross. The Savior who would rise again three days later, permanently defeating sin and death, and solidifying our hope of forgiveness and eternal life with God!

Won't you join us this Sunday to celebrate?? Wear a funky Christmas sweater, a colorful scarf, or even a Santa hat (we don't think Santa is an anagram for Satan!); something to add to the cheer and excitement of the morning!

Remember, we have THREE SERVICES this week, at 8:00am, 9:30am, and 11:00am. And also remember that the 8:00am service will ONLY have childcare for infant - Kindergarten (the 9:30 and 11:00 will have full Kids' Ministry through 6th grade). Whichever service you come to, get there early, as seats are going to fill up fast!!

Get started on practicing your Christmas Carols, 'cause we're singing them this Sunday! Here's the official set list with video links so you know which ones to rehearse in your shower or car:

-O Come All Ye Faithful (I just HAD to embed this video here 'cause it's THAT cool!)

-Joy To The World

-Carol Medley - just the first verses of: Good Christian Men Rejoice; Infant Holy, Infant Lowly; O Little Town Of Bethlehem; It Came Upon A Midnight Clear; Silent Night; and Away In A Manger.

-O Holy Night

-Go Tell It On The Mountain

Pastor Todd will be preaching a Christmas message from the book of Isaiah talking about the prophetic names ascribed to Jesus hundreds of years before his birth! It will really give us some amazing perspective on that sweet, little baby.

So don't miss this week! Let's celebrate together! See you Sunday!

Preparing For Worship: December 12th, 2010

2010-12-10T12:16:00.000-08:00

What a great time we shared last weekend at our Christmas Party! Thanks to all who came out, and to those who weren't able to be there: "what were you thinking???" :)

This Sunday is the final runner-up to Christmas Sunday here at Crossroads, so let's continue celebrating the culmination of history when Jesus Christ came to earth to fulfill the Father's plan of redemption!

Our setlist for this Sunday includes:
Holy, Holy, Holy
Angels We Have Heard On High
Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus (link redirects to free Christmas songs from Crossroads!
What Child Is This?
The Stand

See you Sunday!

Preparing For Worship: December 5th, 2010

2010-12-03T14:57:00.000-08:00

This Sunday is the Christmas Kickoff at Crossroads! We will be breaking out some Christmas carols to sing together during our corporate worship gathering, and then partying it up at the Valencia Ice Station for our Christmas Party! If you didn't sign up, you can still do so this Sunday morning at Crossroads; don't forget!!

Our set this week includes:
-Angels From The Realms Of Glory
(available as part of a free Holiday Hymns download from www.noisetrade.com/crossroads, where all "tip" proceeds will go towards our January Haiti trip)
-Hark The Herald Angels Sing
-Offering (with the Christmas verse!)
-Confession Song
-O Come, O Come Emmanuel
(also on the Holiday Hymns download from www.noisetrade.com/crossroads)

Remember to read John chapter 2 in preparation for Pastor Todd's message this week! See you then!

Preparing For Worship: November 28th, 2010

2010-11-24T16:09:00.000-08:00

Happy Thanksgiving!!

This Sunday's worship set includes:
-Come Thou Fount
-Glorious And Mighty
-It Is Well With My Soul
-Healer
-Jesus, Thank You

Preparing For Worship: November 21st, 2010

2010-11-20T14:23:00.000-08:00

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! Looking forward to getting together with you to celebrate God's faithfulness and goodness; something we're careful to be thankful for year 'round. As the world around us gives thanks to no one in particular, believers can confidently rejoice in God's sovereignty, and experience not only profound thanks, but profound trust for the future!

Pastor Todd and Pastor Ed will team up for a 2-part mini-series on God's sovereignty for the Thanksgiving week so DON'T MISS the next two weeks!

Singing-wise, here's our corporate worship set list:

Indescribable
Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee

Perfect Savior
We Will Remember

We Trust Your Will

See you Sunday!

Preparing for Worship: November 14th, 2010

2010-11-12T11:52:00.000-08:00

How is it that YouTube seems to pick the absolute WORST frame of the video to use as the title picture???

Our set this week includes:
"How Great Is Our God"
"All I Have Is Christ"
"This God He Is Our God"
"Glorious Day (Living He Loved Me)"
"Our God"

Preparing for Worship: October 31st, 2010

2010-10-29T11:29:00.000-07:00

Video Blog: 10.28.10

This passage in John is where we are fully introduced to the person, and purpose of Jesus Christ. John declares that Jesus didn't come just set some kind of moral example, or to simply teach us how to love better; he came to lay down his life for guilty, unrighteous sinners! A pure and spotless Lamb that would be sacrificed on the cross, and have his perfect blood shed as payment for all of our sin. What a sobering truth! Jesus did not die for some ideological reason; he was not a martyr. His death was always God's plan for our redemption, so we'll praise him for his wisdom and great sacrifice, and we'll praise Jesus for his great love and sacrifice for us!

Here's the songs we're singing this Sunday:
1) Alive in Christ
2) In Christ Alone
3) Jesus Paid it All
4) Jesus Messiah
5) The Stand

Warm up those vocal cords; we'll see you Sunday!

Preparing for Worship: October 24th, 2010

2010-10-22T09:50:00.000-07:00

This Sunday we're singing
1 - "For You Are The Lord"
2 - "Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee"
3 - "This God He Is Our God"
4 - "Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone)"
5 - "Glorious Day"

Hope to see you there!

Video Blog & New Song: 10.17.2010

2010-10-14T18:38:00.000-07:00

Check out the new song we'll sing this weekend!

The rest of our worship songs:
1) Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing
2) Our God
3) Glorious Day (see above!)
4) The Father's Love

You also won't want to miss our awesome video of pictures from our India Trip earlier this Summer! We'll be having Baby/Parent dedications during 1st service too, so consider coming to the 9:00am service to be a part.

Preparing for Worship: October 3rd, 2010

2010-10-01T14:39:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday to my mom this Sunday!

Join us for worship this week, and catch our "big" surprise...yep, "big."

Also, we're going to share communion together this week; remembering Christ's sacrifice and the promise of new life through his blood and promise. Don't miss this special time with the church family.

Here's the set list: start practicing in your shower and your car. Watch the YouTube clips if you're not sure how a tune goes! Be ready to sing on Sunday!

1) This God He Is Our God
2) How Great Is Your Faithfulness
3) We Trust Your Will
4) How Deep The Father's Love For Us
5) Exalted (Yahweh)

Preparing for Worship: September 26th, 2010

2010-09-24T15:04:00.000-07:00

Hey guys, looking forward to this Sunday! Excited to wrap up our series "There's An App For That" with the "Go" part of our mission statement. We'll be unveiling a brand new iServe card that you can use to get more info about specific ministries where you might serve at Crossroads!

Here's the set list for Sunday, including a new song we're learning this week by Tommy Walker!

1) I Have a Hope (also by Tommy Walker!)
2) This God He is Our God (new!)
3) Crown Him with Many Crowns (traditional hymn, contemporary style)
4) Confession Song (by Paul)
5) Let Your Kingdom Come (Sovereign Grace)

That's what's happening this week; see you Sunday!

Preparing For Worship: September 19th, 2010

2010-09-18T16:35:00.000-07:00

Worship Songs:
1) Holy is the Lord
2) Eternal Praise
3) All Creatures of Our God and King
4) Jesus Thank You
5) Surrender

Preparing for Worship: September 12th, 2010

2010-09-10T12:05:00.000-07:00

Happy Anniversary Crossroads! Wow, four years of amazing blessing and faithfulness from God! I've been here for the last three, and it's really amazing to see what God can do through ordinary people who just pursue faithfulness in what God's commanded for his church. I think that faithfulness can be summed up in the tag line of our church: "Know, Grow, and Go" from Colossians 1:28. We preach the word, we offer biblical corporate worship, we care for each other and meet each other's needs, and we reach out to the lost around us in our community and around the world!

I hope you're looking forward to joining us this weekend as we celebrate. Who can resist free In-N-Out made hot and fresh right here in our parking lot?? Burgers will be flying after both services so plan to join us, and here's what you can expect:

Worship Songs:
1) Better is One Day
2) Because of This
I chose these songs because Better is One Day is such a great paradigm shifter to help us rightly orient ourselves to our purpose for gathering together. Sometimes we come seeking our own entertainment and "warm, gushy" feelings; but we are gathering, in a sense, for God's entertainment! We're coming collectively into his presence to declare his greatness, and we need to remember that his heavenly realm is a far greater place to be, and we count ourselves privileged to be there. That's why we'll sing "Because of This" next; it reminds us of the reason we can come joyfully into God's presence: the cross!

3) How Great is Your Faithfulness
4) Completely Done
We're going to sing "How Great is Your Faithfulness" after we see a cool slide show of pictures from our last four years; a fitting response to seeing how our church has grown and been shaped by God. Then we'll sing Completely Done as a declaration of confidence for the Christian life, having seen God's great faithfulness in the past, and ultimately at the cross.

5) God of This City
This song will be the closer as Pastor Todd starts a three week series called "There's an App for That" this week, focusing on each of our core goals: Know, Grow, and Go. He'll be in Mark 2:13-17 this Sunday, so I'd recommend CLICKING HERE to read this passage beforehand.

That's what's going on! See you Sunday!

Preparing for Worship: September 5th, 2010

2010-09-03T14:06:00.000-07:00

Happy holiday weekend everyone! I'm curious as to how many of you are heading out of town this weekend, since we've been a packed house the last couple of Sundays. I think I'm learning that many Crossroaders are avid vacationers, so I'm guessing many will take advantage of the extra day off. If you're one of them, bring me back something nice!

I wanted to also say thank you to those of you who encouraged me last weekend, either in person, or through some other communication. I really felt loved and cared for, and prayers that were offered on my behalf were appreciated. I woke up Monday morning feeling a lot better. I had not wrestled with some of the hard things about death in quite some time. The last time I lost a loved one was when my grandma passed away; I was just about to start high school. I wasn't even very close to Jess' grandpa, but the realities of death, and the death of an unbeliever (we're pretty sure he was not a Christ-follower), had a very unexpected effect on me, so again, thank you so much! My wife has handled it very well, and her grandma is doing well also. I picked up Jess' dad from the airport yesterday, so we're glad he's here as well.

Here's the set list for Sunday, be sure to click on any of the song titles that you aren't familiar with so you can get an idea of how they go so you can be prepared to sing along!

1) Blessed Be Your Name
2) O Church Arise
3) Psalm 19 (May the words)
4) By This We Know Love
5) From the Inside Out

See you Sunday!

Preparing for Worship: August 29th, 2010

2010-08-27T16:41:00.000-07:00

Looking forward to worshiping with y'all this weekend! It's kind of amazing all the people that have walked through our doors the past couple Sundays! We're fast running out of room, so get to church early this week, and better yet, come to first service!!

I'm finding it easier not to be redundant and type out the same sentiment that I talk about in the video blog, so I'll just continue to post the set list with links so you can be sure you know the tunes. I'll also post the sermon text and link it to an online Bible so you can read the passage before Sunday so you can get the most out of Pastor Todd's sermon (it's like going back to college!)

Sunday's Worship Set:
1) "Let Your Kingdom Come"
2) "Jesus Messiah"
This set is for us to "refocus" the worship that we offer towards other things during the week like our jobs, our families, or ourselves (all good things, but sometimes they can take away from the Lord!)

3) "O Church Arise" (NEW SONG!! Check out the previous blog post!)
4) "Our God"
This set is a call to the church to engage in the spiritual warfare that rages around us as souls hang in the balance. The second song reminds us that the outcome of that battle is already certain because of the God we serve!

5) The Stand
We'll close with this tune as a response to the work that the Spirit will hopefully do in our hearts as Pastor Todd teaches and preaches God's word to us. He's preaching from Nehemiah 11 & 12 which you can read by clicking HERE. And he's talking about how to put ourselves in a position to receive true joy that is not dependent on circumstance or "happiness." Like the last part of "The Stand" says, we know true joy when we stand in awe of Christ and fully surrender our will and soul to him!

That's the plan, see you Sunday! COME EARLY or COME TO FIRST SERVICE!!

New Song: O Church Arise

2010-08-24T16:43:00.000-07:00

Hey Crossroaders!

We're going to be learning a great new song this week by Keith and Kristyn Getty called "O Church Arise!" This song comes right out of Ephesians 6 where the apostle Paul is talking about the armor of God. This song is an epic call to spiritual warfare where the souls of the lost hang in the balance!

Check out this video and the lyrics below:

O church arise, and put your armor on
Hear the call of Christ our captain
For now the weak can say that they are strong
In the strength that God has given
With shield of faith and belt of truth
We'll stand against the Devil's lies
An army bold, whose battle-cry is "Love!"
Reaching out to those in darkness

Our call to war, to love the captive soul
But to rage against the Captor
And with the sword that makes the wounded whole
We will fight with faith and valour
When faced with trials on every side
We know the outcome is secure
And Christ will have the prize for which he died
An inheritance of nations

So Spirit come put strength in every stride
Give grace for every hurdle
That we may run with faith to win the prize
Of a servant good and faithful
As saints of old still line the way
Retelling triumphs of His grace
We hear their calls and hunger for the day
When with Christ we stand in glory!

Preparing for Worship: August 22nd, 2010

2010-08-20T15:42:00.000-07:00

Hey guys, I'm going to leave you in the care of the video blog and the set list this week as I'm trying to finish up today's work and head down to the rehearsal dinner for my brother's wedding tomorrow! Pray that his wedding is God-honoring, and that it's a BLAST! See you Sunday!

Sunday's Set:
"Because of This" - Paul Hoover (from "Resurrection Songs" available for free by clicking HERE)
"At The Cross" - Hillsong
"How Great is Your Faithfulness" - Matt Redman
"Confession Song" - Paul Hoover (available for free download HERE)
"Give Us Clean Hands - Chris Tomlin

Preparing for Worship: August 15th, 2010

2010-08-13T10:08:00.000-07:00

Pastor Todd's sermon this week is ominously entitled "The Day of Confession." I think when most of us think of confession, we think of confessing our sin to the Lord, knowing that he is faithful to forgive us when we do. This is a vital connotation of confession, to be sure, but in addition to this sort, the Israelites also practice another sort of confession in Nehemiah 9. This other kind of confession is also immensely important, and it has to do with declaring who God is, and what he has done. It's a unified, public declaration of their belief in God, and the confidence that they have in him because of his great and mighty acts throughout their history.

I wanted us to mimic this confession of God's character and acts closely this week through the songs we're singing, so I've chosen songs this week that are heavily focused on reciting specific character traits of God, and allow those truths to fuel our spiritual and emotional response to him.

We're starting the service with the old hymn "How Great Thou Art" which consists of four meaty verses reciting God's greatness as expressed in his creation, the cross, and the second coming of Jesus. The chorus (or refrain as they used to be called) ties the verses together by crying out, not just from the lips, but from the very soul: how great Thou art!!

Then we're going to learn a new song called "How Great is Your Faithfulness" which sounds like a magical combination of "How Great Thou Art" and "Great is Thy Faithfulness" and aside from having different music and different lyrics, it sort of is! It's a tune from Matt Redman, and has a super singable chorus...well, why don't you check out the video below and you can see what I mean...

I think it's a great song, and it fits in well with the idea of confessing God's greatness in specific ways.

Then we'll take a few minutes to highlight some really exciting things coming up at Crossroads, including our 4th Anniversary Celebration happening on September 12th! As is becoming our anniversary tradition, we'll have the In-N-Out truck parked in the parking lot ready to serve up burgers all morning long, so if you've been in and out of Crossroads all summer, plan to be back for the 12th!!

Then we'll jump into another set that follows a similar format to the first one. Leading off with "How Great is Our God" which again, recites attributes of God found directly in Scripture. It's like singing God's own perfect word back to him so we can be confident in what we're singing! Sometimes singers/songwriters can write songs in an abstract or overly personal way that becomes ambiguous and unclear when sung by a gathered body of believers, but when we sing Scripture, we know that God will be rightly honored because in a sense, he authored the song himself! We'll follow that tune up with "We Will Remember" as we recount God's faithfulness in sustaining our life, comforting us in trial, and giving us new spiritual life through Christ.

I hope you'll be struck by how incredibly faithful God is after we sing these things; I know I was!

Pastor Todd will then come and teach us from Nehemiah 9 and we'll see how the Israelites confessed in response to revival workings that sprung forth from the power of the declared Word of God in their presence.

We'll respond to the teaching of the Word with "Glorious and Mighty."

So that's what's-a-happening this weekend at Crossroads. Really looking forward to seeing you there, and offering our corporate praise to the Lord through song, study of the Word, giving, prayer, and community!

Happy prep!

Preparing for Worship: August 8th, 2010

2010-08-06T16:05:00.000-07:00

Hello friends!

This is going to be a great weekend; I can feel it! This Summer has been full of vacations, and I think that many are finally back in Valencia, anxiously awaiting the start of school.

I hope to see all of you this weekend as we come together to obediently offer corporate worship to our God! I think it's great that there are so many ways that we're able to do this faithfully: singing together; studying God's Word together; giving of our money, skills and time; and seeking to encourage one another as the day of Christ's return approaches!

This Sunday has some exciting things in store, and around the Crossroads office, we've starting calling it "Announcement Sunday, with a few minutes left over for Worship and Teaching." Seriously, there is so much cool stuff coming up in the next few weeks that you need to know about. Ministry launches, exciting events and service opportunities all over the place, so I don't want to hear anything about you "not knowing how to get involved!"

I think we're going to have a good time worshiping through song this week, as some of our worship song arrangements actually tie into Pastor Todd's sermon this week. Pastor Todd will be preaching out of Nehemiah 7-8, where the Israelites gather to celebrate the completion of the wall by...listening to a scribe read out of the Law for several hours. (??????)

Seems like a funny way to say "hooray, we're finished building the wall!" This passage is really making a strong statement about the way that the Lord builds up his people. There is a strong emphasis on declaring his Word to the people, so that they understand his commands, and that they know him. God's Word must be the highest priority of his gathered people; not worship music, not lights or videos, not a really cool building. While all of those things are helpful and can God-honoring in their own rights, God desires us to KNOW HIM, and he has revealed everything he wants us to know about him in his Word.

Pastor Todd will be talking about this as he teaches from this passage, so we're changing up the music on some of the tunes we're doing, just to practically remind us that how we dress the words to the songs is of little lasting value; it's the content that matters more than the sound or style.

We'll start the morning with classic rock version of "The Solid Rock," the old hymn that helps give us a foundation for the morning, and really for our lives; that everything we are and do, is founded on what Christ has done for us. Then we'll sing the new tune we learned last week, "Our God," which is a country-crossover declaration of the awesome power and greatness of God that is meant to remind us that if our God is for us, who can be against us?

Then we'll have a couple of minutes to highlight some really important announcements for our Legacy class, Student Ministries, and Children's Ministry.

After a time for greeting, we'll sing a bit more with "All I Have is Christ" which we're going to do in a bluegrass style! Followed by a mellow blues rendition of "Before the Throne of God Above."

Then Pastor Todd will come and teach us, and we pray that God's Holy Spirit would be working mightily to illuminate our hearts to the power of the truth of Scripture, and teaching us to apply it in our lives that we might live in the light.

We'll finish with the song "Breathe," which we're doing in an ethereal, post-rock style, that reminds us that God's Word is to us as the very air we breathe in its importance.

Gotta cut this post a little short, time to run and get ready to setup for tonight's Kidz Kamp-In!

Preparing for Worship: August 1st, 2010

2010-07-30T17:05:00.000-07:00

Hey guys! Welcome back to the Worship Blog! I didn't post a "Preparing for Worship" the week I was in Kansas City and I bet you felt so under prepared, for which I apologize.

As I mentioned during the service last week, the time I spent at the National Worship Leader Conference was refreshing, encouraging, educating, and challenging. It was a great time for me to take off my leader "hat" for a few days, and to be led for a change. I'm thankful for the tireless ministry of worship leaders like Chris Tomlin, Matt Redman, Phil Wickham, Israel Houghton, and others that ministered to me while I was there. I have to battle the temptation to give in to my "music-snob" side that craves musical innovation and creativity above a sincere and humble heart, and sometimes I need to have a personal experience with some of those guys' songs in order for me to really understand the heart behind the tune, and how it could be a great expression of worship to God, even if it's not the most stimulating chord progression or instrumentation to my ear.

This Sunday we're excited to have our India team back safely home with us! We're anxious to hear about their trip and what they have to share with us about what God is doing in India through the ministry of our missionaries: Peter and Heather Malakar. We will have a short update on their trip, but we'll look forward to a full recap from the team at an upcoming Missions Night on August 22nd. Mark your calendars now, but more details will come your way soon.

Sunday's worship songs include "Praise to the Lord, the Almighty" at the beginning of the service. I've noticed myself creating a little tradition of starting our services with an upbeat, rousing tune to help us wake up and create some energy in the service, and so I want to change things up just to help keep things fresh, so I thought this hymn would be a good starter because it's still totally God focused and helps us shift our minds from all the things that fill it during the week.

Then we'll have a quick update from our India team, and then we're going to officially commission our new youth pastor, Ed Boness! Ed and his wife, Valerie are all moved in to their house, and ready to campaign a new vision for our youth ministry throughout the month of August. If you have student age kids, from grades 7-12, expect a call from Ed in the next month as he connects with the kids and families of Crossroads. He'll explain a bit about that after we pray for him.

Then we're going to learn this new song called "Our God" and it's one of those songs I mentioned earlier, that wasn't as musically stimulating to me at first, but as I heard the heart of Chris Tomlin in writing it, and understanding it a little better, it really affected my heart and I have grown to really like this tune!
Here's a video of how it goes:

Then we'll sing another song we know really well that also talks about God's might, but how he is "Mighty to Save" us from our sin even more incredibly than being mighty in physical strength!

Then Pastor Todd will preach from Nehemiah 6. It'll be good to have him back at the pulpit teaching us God's word, and helping us know how to apply it to our lives for God's glory. May we be Hearers AND Doers of the Word!

Then we'll celebrate communion together and sing "There is a Fountain" which we learned a few weeks ago; an old hymn that celebrates the symbol of Christ's blood that signifies his atoning death on the cross for our sins.

We'll close with "Eternal Praise" which looks forward to the day we'll worship God together, before his very throne!

That's what's going on, I gotta head out to a baseball game with the men of Crossroads! See you Sunday!

Preparing for Worship: July 18th

2010-07-16T16:14:00.000-07:00

Hey guys! So the boss is out of the country this week, and we have been totally partying it up at the church office while he's gone! You should definitely stop by the office during the week sometime and see how crazy it is! Or at least you could stop in and enjoy our A/C for a few minutes. Summer has finally decided to drop in, and with a vengeance!

This Sunday we're welcoming guest speaker Andy Bales to Crossroads, and it'll be great to hear from him and be encouraged and challenged from God's Word, and from real life examples from the Union Rescue Mission.

We're going to start the service with the songs "For You Are the Lord" and "Let Your Kingdom Come" as we seek to realign ourselves with God, and understand that He is the reason we gather, his will is what we seek when we gather, and he is also the means by which we gather, since Christ has given us access to the Father through his death and resurrection.

Since Pastor Todd's away, our elder, and worship band bass player, Steve Stark, will lead our corporate time of prayer, and extend an "official" welcome to our new visitors. He's going to give us an important and exciting update on our new Youth Pastor, and some cool things coming up in Children's Ministry. Then he'll dismiss to a quick greeting so you can run over to your friend and give 'em a bear hug before we dive into a "new" song that's really an old hymn called "There is a Fountain" which is an artistic ode to the symbol of Christ's substitutionary death on the cross for sin: his blood. While the lyrics might seem macabre at first, they really communicate a joyful and glorious truth: that because Christ shed his blood on our behalf, we can be forgiven of our sins! We'll follow that song with "Completely Done" as we triumphantly declare that Christ's offering of blood is a sacrifice that needs no repeating, EVER!

Then we'll welcome our guest, Andy Bales, to the stage to teach us. I've not had the pleasure of hearing Andy speak before (aside from short tidbits we've seen in Union Rescue Mission videos), so I'm excited to hear what God has put on his heart to communicate to us!

We'll close the service with the song "Exalted (Yahweh)" and then our other elder, and worship band guitar player, Wayne Dell, will close off the service with a few announcements and pray for our weekly offering.

So that's what's happening this week; can't wait to worship with you this Sunday! Happy prep!

Preparing for Worship: July 11th, 2010

2010-07-09T12:57:00.000-07:00

As you can see, we have a really cool weekend coming up at Crossroads! Sunday night is our annual church barbecue! Come by Northbridge Park in Valencia from 6-8pm and hang out with us!

Sunday morning we're going to be having a congregational vote to affirm the calling of Ed Boness to be our Student Ministries Pastor. If you've taken our membership class, we need you to be there to vote! If you're not a member, we still would love for you to participate in affirming Ed for this ministry, so be sure you're here this week!

The rest of the morning is going to be great, and I pray God will be honored by everything we do, say, and think during the service. We'll start off with a super upbeat set to help wake us up! "Better is One Day" is a helpful song of refocusing and refreshing as we realize that we are coming to worship the Lord together and be refreshed by being in his presence. Encountering the presence of God should always lead to an honest look into our own souls and an awareness of our sin; it's the light of God's holiness and righteousness illuminating the dark and sinful parts of our hearts, and it's a good thing! "Because of This" is an outright celebration of the fact that though we were born into slavery to sin and death, we've been made free and alive because Christ died and rose again!

Then Pastor Todd will lead us in prayer, and do the official welcome thing, and give a few instructions to visitors. Then we'll all participate in the vote to call Ed Boness as our student ministries pastor; have I mentioned that we need YOU there??

Then after a greeting time, we'll continue the singing! The old hymn "Jesus Paid it All" continues to examine the idea that our sins no longer count against us because Jesus paid the price in full for them on the cross. This is the theological idea of "justification." That God did not just say "oh well, I guess I'll forgive your sins" because his holiness demands that payment be made for those sins. He did not take that payment from us, because we could not make that payment sufficiently enough to satisfy his righteous standard, it would have required our utter and complete death and demise; we had no hope of heaven. But now, because of Christ's death in our place, we can trust that God is perfectly just in forgiving our sins because perfect payment has been made on our behalf! Our God is both a perfectly loving and perfectly just God.

It's this idea, coupled with Pastor Todd's sermon text, that helps us understand God's heart for justice in our world. Though injustice will inevitably exist because of the curse of sin, as God's children and ambassadors to a lost world, we are called to pursue justice and righteousness in all things. Nehemiah finds out about some injustices that are going on within his people, and he responds well to the situation (you'll have to come to hear how he does it!). How do we respond to the injustice around us? How do we respond when we hear about people suffering in other countries, or even in other cities? What do we do? We come to church and sing and pray to God that our lives would honor him, but in Micah 6:8 God lists his requirements for worship:

1) to do justly
2) to love mercy
3) to walk humbly with Him

Simple, and extremely difficult at the same time. That's why we're learning "You Have Shown Us" together this week. That we might be more aware of this in our own lives, and that we might learn how to carry this out in everything we do. If you guys have any thoughts to add to this, I'd love to hear them; click the comment button at the end of the post of you'd like to share...

Then Pastor Todd will come and teach us from Nehemiah 5, and you'd do well to CLICK HERE and prepare your hearts for the authoritative preaching of God's Word.

Then we'll close the service with "Glorious and Mighty" to remember that though injustice will always plague us in this life, that "over all the plans of the nations, Your judgments reign!"

That's what's going on this week at Crossroads, so hopefully we'll see you there, and you'll be ready to jump right in!

See you Sunday; happy prep!

New Song: You Have Shown Us

2010-07-07T13:08:00.000-07:00

Hey Crossroaders, I wanted to share this song with you that we'll be learning this week. It's called "You Have Shown Us" and it's a song that was born from the CompassionArt project.

It ties in really well with Pastor Todd's passage of Nehemiah 5, and the theme of social justice and living rightly because of the fear of the Lord. CLICK HERE to read the Scripture text and get a head start on preparing for Sunday's worship service.

Check out the simple but powerful lyrics that come from Micah 6:8

You have shown us O God what is good
You have shown us O Lord what You require
You have heard all our songs of how we long to worship You
Yet You've told us the offering You desire:

To do justly, to love mercy, to walk humbly with our God
You said to do justly, to love mercy, to walk humbly with You God

You have shown us the riches of Your love
You have shown us Your heart for those in need
Lord You're opening our ears to the cries of the poor
You have called us to be Your hands and feet

To the oppressed and the broken
To the widow and the orphan
Let the river of Your justice flow through us

Check out one of the writers, Martin Smith, singing the tune in this video:

Preparing For Worship: July 4th, 2010

2010-07-02T14:01:00.000-07:00

I am so glad to be back with you this weekend at Crossroads! I was away serving at the Resolved Conference in Palm Springs last weekend, and although it was a wonderful weekend of stellar preaching and gospel-saturated, moving worship singing, it was not my church family!

I'm blessed to have Dan lead you when I'm gone, and I'm thankful for the great job I hear he did.

This Sunday is the fourth of July! In case you missed the memo, we're only having ONE service this Sunday at 10:00am.

We're starting off with "Before the Throne of God Above" to help wake us up the the reality of the gospel, and what it means to have true freedom, not just from governments or nations, but from sin and death; as the song says "my soul is purchased by his blood, my life is hid with Christ on high..."

Then Pastor Todd will come and lead us in corporate prayer and welcome any Independence Day visitors we might have. Then we'll show a quick video recap of the two VBS programs we held last week at the URM and over in Newhall. I was able to be at the URM for two of the days, and what a wonderful, and exhausting time of ministry!

Next we'll sing a couple songs that remind us of the free gift of salvation that we have been given through Christ; a timely reminder in the wake of the VBS programs where several children gave their lives to Christ. "Alive in Christ" and the new song that Dan taught last week: "By This We Know Love."

These songs both touch on the sin that held us in bondage, and had indeed rendered us spiritually dead. Pastor Todd is preaching from Nehemiah 3-4 this week where the Jews encounter significant opposition to their efforts to rebuild the city. They continue to trust God, and pursue his will for them, despite the despair and hopelessness that they suffer. This is such an important truth about the Christian life, one where we daily fall short of God's holiness and struggle with sin, but are called to walk as children of the light, and be holy as God is holy. We encounter discouragement when we fall to sin and fail to eradicate it in our lives, but when we faithfully confess that sin, we are confident that God is faithful to forgive it because the cost has been paid by Christ's death on the cross! Our sin causes us to cling to the gospel more tightly!

Pastor Todd will come and preach God's word to us at this point. Something I've been realizing lately, is that no matter how many people hear God's word preached on a given Sunday, or how deeply they understand and interact with it, God is still honored and pleased when his truth is expounded, and that is reason enough to do it, and Pastor Todd is so faithful to do just that. I'm thankful for his commitment to the Scriptures. CLICK HERE to read Nehemiah 3-4 as you prepare.

Then we'll celebrate communion together and I'll share a song I shared a few months ago, and have been burdened to have us sing together since then. It's called "Confession Song" and really deals intimately with the struggle of feeling like sanctification isn't taking place quickly enough, and our sinful nature still rages within us. You can download the song from the Crossroads website by CLICKING HERE.

Then after communion, we'll revel in the fact that though "a thousand times I've failed, still Your mercy remains. And should I stumble again, I'm caught in Your grace!!!!!" with the song "From the Inside Out." I hope that in my own life, these songs and God's word will affect the way I live after participating in them with you all!

That's what's going on, happy preparation! See you Sunday for ONE Service at 10:00am.

New Song: "By This We Know Love"

2010-06-23T22:04:00.000-07:00

My keyboard player and friend, Dan Kush, is leading worship this week for me as I'm away at the Resolved Conference in Palm Springs. He'll be teaching this song so check out this great video and get acquainted with the words and the melody so you can belt it out right away when the body sings it together on Sunday!

"By This We Know Love"
by Judah Groveman
Copyright 2009 Sovereign Grace Praise

God of all creation, Lord of heaven's light
Descended into evil's darkest night
Infinitely holy; Your perfections know no end
Selflessly You died my rightful death

By this we know love: that He laid down His life
God's very own Son came from heaven to die
Suspended He hung as He shed His own blood
What grace in His pardon; by this we know love

Forsaken Man of Sorrows, hated by all men
You willingly surrendered for my sin
Scornfully derided, yet in silence stumbling on
Bearing wrath for all that I've done wrong!

Preparing for Worship: June 20th, 2010

2010-06-18T14:44:00.000-07:00

Happy Father's Day! It's another great "secular" holiday that has so much more meaning for Christ-followers. We are certainly thankful for the dads in our lives, and it's wonderful to show them the appreciation they deserve, but what a great reminder that our dads here are meant to help us understand the heavenly Father, who is God over all.

Some have dads that epitomize love, consistency, patience, and strength in our minds; while some have dads that seem to epitomize the very opposites of those things. What a stronghold of truth to know and trust that our heavenly Father is PERFECT in all things, and that he cares PERFECTLY for his children, and LOVES to pour out good and PERFECT gifts on those that seek after him. Sometimes our idea of "good and perfect" doesn't always match up with the Lord's, but we know that nothing exists outside of God's sovereignty, and we rest in that.

This week Pastor Todd and his family left for vacation in Maui! They'll be enjoying Father's Day on the beach drinking fruit punch from a pineapple. At least the weather in Valencia has been really nice too; we won't feel too cheated!

That means we have a guest speaker this week. His name is Bob King, and he's one of the pastors of the Sojourners ministry at Grace Community Church in Sun Valley. Sojourners is an all-ages ministry group with a specific focus in Old Testament Studies. Bob will be bringing us a special Father's Day message entitled "Like Father, Like Son...Really?" which you don't want to miss!

Musically, we have our flautist, Jim Morris, joining us this Sunday which is always fun, and we're breaking in a new electric guitarist, Brian Baker. We're going to sing "Come Thou Fount" as an opener and an invitation to the Spirit to help us bring glory to God. Then we'll focus on our Father's Day theme and sing "The Father's Love."

Then one of our elders, Darren Utley, will lead in a time of welcome and greeting, and he'll also be giving us an exciting announcement/update for our Youth Ministries. Basically we have a strong candidate for the position who will be coming to Crossroads on the 27th, and will be teaching in our Youth Group meeting during 2nd service that day. Then Darren will have us all say a quick hello to our fellow Crossroaders, and then we'll be back to singing about our heavenly Father with "How Deep the Father's Love for Us" and "I Give You My Heart" which will be a fitting response as we commit our hearts and lives to honor and glorify the Father who adopted us into his heavenly household from the slums of death!

Then Darren will introduce our guest speaker and Bob King who will come and proclaim God's Word to us. I'm honestly not sure of which scriptures he'll be using in his message, so I can't link to any specific passage, but I found a great video clip of CJ Mahaney talking about God as Father which I recommend you check out by CLICKING HERE.

We'll close with the simple tune "You Alone" as we remind ourselves and each other that only God is truly Father over all, and good above everything!

That's what's happening this Sunday, so BE THERE or I will sprinkle jelly beans on your lawn!

Preparing for Worship: June 6th, 2010

2010-06-04T15:00:00.000-07:00

Alright, this is going to be short and sweet. I spent all night at Disneyland last night with my wife's high school as a chaperon for "Grad Night." I have that "stayed up all night" gross feeling so I need to go and take a shower and a nap!

This Sunday is Promotion Sunday for our Children's Ministries classes, ages Kindergarten through 6th grade will all be promoted to their new grade level and classroom. You can find out where their new room is at the check-in desk in the front lobby. We're going to be rocking the bounce house all morning long too!

We're going to be commissioning some folks from Crossroads as they go out on Summer missions trips to: India, Haiti, Thailand, and Uganda! We'll pray for them that God would do a mighty work in each of their lives and that he'd use them and their teams to bring glory to his name all around the globe.

Here's what the morning is gonna look like: We'll start with "Indescribable" and then Todd will come lead in prayer and welcome new visitors and what not. Then we'll learn "Because of This" which is one of the songs I wrote for Resurrection Sunday this year and is available as part of a free (donate if you want) downloadable EP called "Resurrection Songs" that you can find by CLICKING HERE. Check it out!

Then we'll go right into "Offering" which is a great tune reminding us of how we come before God, and the awe and reverence that needs to characterize us as we do so.

Then Pastor Todd kicks off our new study in Nehemiah by setting up the historical context of the book and giving us a general introduction as we dive in to chapter 1. CLICK HERE to check out chapter 1 of this book as we embark on a new part of our journey through the Scriptures.

Then we'll celebrate communion together and sing through "Jesus Thank You" as we remember the death of Christ on our behalf.

We'll finish up with a song of new life and victory through Christ aptly titled "Alive in Christ."

That's what's happening; don't miss it! Happy prepping.

New Song: Because of This

2010-06-03T13:20:00.000-07:00

I'm excited for us to learn one of the songs I wrote to celebrate the Resurrection at Easter this year! It's called "Because of This" and it focuses on the resurrection of Christ as the reason we can be free from sin and death.

If you have not downloaded the free "Resurrection Songs" EP from the Crossroads website, please CLICK HERE. It's the second song, and the download comes with a digital lyric booklet that you can access right on your computer once it's downloaded!

Hope that's easy enough, and that you have a chance to listen to the tune and get a handle on it so you can sing it easily and confidently on Sunday!

Leave me a comment if you have any trouble. Thanks!

Preparing for Worship: May 30, 2010

2010-05-28T16:08:00.000-07:00

Pastor Todd and I posted our fourth "This Sunday @ Crossroads" video blog this week, and I don't think we really expected it to be so hard to come up with ideas for our videos, so we just decided to be honest about it and ask for help. If you haven't watched it yet, please CLICK HERE. It's a good thing we don't have to come up with new ideas each and every week for our worship services! We'd be in trouble really quick.

This Sunday is still notable however, because we are going to finish our expositional study through the book of Ephesians. Pastor Todd has been so faithful to study and prepare sermons each week that help us understand the heart of this letter from a loving pastor to a faithful church. Through this time each week, the Spirit has helped us understand the nature of the new life we've been given when we surrender to the Lordship of Christ. He's helped us to pursue love and unity within the body of Christ; the church for which Jesus laid down his life. He's taught us that day in and day out we're in a spiritual battle, and the importance of dressing ourselves spiritually.

So we're sad to end this valuable study, but we're excited to move ahead to our next study in the book of Nehemiah called "Arise and Build." So come hear the apostle Paul's final thoughts to his beloved church at Ephesus!

As for the rest of the morning, it's gonna be familiar to ya, so prepare yourself to come and contribute. Ask the Spirit to guide you as you engage in conversation, as you sing, pray, study, and give, that through your participation others might be built up in love, and God might be honored!

We're going to start with the song "Here I am to Worship" which might seem like we're stating the obvious to God: "Hey God, we've come to church this morning to worship." I've found that sometimes you need to remind yourself of the purpose of whatever you're doing in order to really do it well and with the right motivation. Why do we worship God?? Because he's "altogether lovely" and "altogether worthy" are good reasons to start. It's an older tune these days, but the truth is still just as real. AND you should know it by heart by now! ;-)

We'll roll right into the hymn "Praise to the Lord, the Almighty" which is one of my all-time favorite hymns because it is just chock-full-to-the-brim-and-even-overflowing-a-little with rich doctrine and truth about God. Truth that, when it cuts to your heart and soul, is enough to weather any storm and persevere any trial. "SURELY his goodness and mercy here DAILY attend thee!!!"

Todd comes up to do his usual prayer and welcome shtick and I thought it'd be fun to have all you blog readers mess with him a little during this time (I'll do it too). Wouldn't it be funny if we were all like a little too excited for his "routine" welcome and instructions to visitors? Like if we all got up on the edges of our seats and opened our eyes real big like we had no idea what he was going to say, and that any moment he might choose one of us to receive $10,000? It has to be subtle, but if enough of us do it, I think it could freak him out a little. Leave me a comment at the end of the blog if you're IN. And if you don't want to, then FINE!

After a quick greeting, we'll sing some more as we learn the new song I posted yesterday "Exalted (Yahweh)" from Chris Tomlin. This is a cool tune that is right outta Scripture, and the way it builds up in intensity as it goes into the bridge is truly a superb musical moment; thank God for the marriage of words of truth and music! Then we'll take a scene out of Revelation where all the ruling elders of the world throw their crowns down at the feet of Jesus and cry holy, holy, holy with "We Fall Down."

Then Pastor Todd will come and share the "series finale" of Ephesians. As I expressed in the video blog, I closed the door on a significant chapter of my life this week as I watched the final episode of LOST. I think the writers of that show were tremendous storytellers, and though there were mysteries left unsolved, the finale was very satisfying to me. I hope Todd's sermon measures up! CLICK HERE to read Paul's final words to his friends in Ephesus.

We'll respond with one closing song, which is actually just going to be the same song we learned and sung earlier: "Exalted (Yahweh)" so you'll really have a chance to learn this one and belt it out with everyone!

That's what's happening this weekend at Crossroads so I hope you're not going away for the holiday weekend; we need ya! Happy prep!

New Song: Exalted (Yahweh)

2010-05-27T14:27:00.000-07:00

Hey guys, we're going to learn a really great song from Chris Tomlin this Sunday, so I wanted to post a video of the song with the words so that you know how it goes and can come prepared to sing it loud and strong on Sunday!

Check it out:

Preparing for Worship: May 23, 2010

2010-05-21T15:14:00.000-07:00

How to prepare for this Sunday:

1) Wake up early Sunday morning and stretch

2) Eat a small warm-up food like a banana or an apple

3) Wear your pants with the elastic waistband

4) Bring your coffee travel mug to reduce trash and refill trips

5) Bring a bib

This Sunday is one of our favorites of the year. We call it "P3: Preaching, Praise, and Pancakes," and we're excited to share it with you! We'll be serving hot, fresh, fluffy pancakes all morning long (starting around 8:30) so come ready to partake.

I can't think of a better way to either start or finish a morning of corporate worship, so don't forget to prepare for the rest of the morning:

Starting with a two-song, refocus-our-worship-gone-astray-throughout-the-week set with the tunes "Nothing but the Blood" and "That's Why We Praise Him." An old hymn focused on the sacrificial death of Christ symbolized by his blood, followed by a contemporary response to Christ's life, death, and resurrection!

Then Pastor Todd will come lead us in prayer for the morning, and he'll give the usual welcome to visitors and give us a few seconds to run around a greet people with a hug and a handshake.

We'll pick the music back up as we sing from the Psalms about the love of God enduring "Forever," then focusing in on that love displayed through the death of Christ to make us his sons and daughters with "The Father's Love," and right into the infinite power of that love to break the powers of sin and death with "Stronger."

Pastor Todd's gonna bring us God's Word from Ephesians 6:13-18 which you can read by CLICKING HERE. It's the passage about the armor of God, and if you've already watched our "This Sunday @ Crossroads" video blog, you heard Pastor Todd and I talk about the importance of taking the time to dress ourselves spiritually for the battle that rages all around us! You also heard me say that the worship songs we lift to God in praise are actually helping to fortify that armor as it reinforces the truth of scripture in bite-size melodies and choruses that can come back to us quickly in times of need. If you haven't watched the video blog yet, just CLICK HERE.

We'll bookend the sermon with the song "Friend of God" as we realize that God has provided this armor to us because we are no longer at enmity with him! We put on the armor to combat the spiritual enemies that surround us (pride, lust, the world, Satan, etc.), but what a glorious truth that we no longer are enemies of the all-powerful and victorious God! We are not his enemies, but his friends! He has brought us into his household as adopted sons and daughters even!

So that's what's happening this Sunday. It's a BIG week, so don't miss it! Prepare to come eat, praise, and study God's Word with us together, and you'll be blessed! Happy prep!

Preparing for Worship: May 16th, 2010

2010-05-14T13:47:00.000-07:00

Another Sunday gathering is almost upon us! Sometimes the week feels long enough between Sunday services that I wish we had another service in the middle of the week, and other weeks it seems like I barely put my guitar away and then I have to take it back out for rehearsal the next week!

This has been one of those whirlwind weeks filled with meetings, video projects, recording, and "Etc." It was especially busy for our Ministry Assistant, Rachel, whose grandmother passed away the previous week; and she was taking care of a number of things for the memorial service this past Thursday, which she said went very well.

It's been a week of trial and triumphs, of pain and of praise, and I love the way that the body of Christ comes together to share in all of the above with each other. I often remember a cutesy saying from a magnet my mom had on our fridge that said: "friendship doubles our happiness and divides our sorrow." What an important biblical concept! The body of Christ is called to rejoice in each other's joys and cry with those who are hurting; may Crossroads be a place of that kind of community!!

We'll lead off with two really great tunes that loudly proclaim our new life in Christ because of his atoning death on the cross: "Alive in Christ" and "Jesus Paid it All." The new life we have in Christ is the whole reason we are able to gather and offer a pleasing sacrifice of worship to God at all. Without Christ's blood we are DEAD in our sins, and to quote Pirates of the Caribbean: "Dead men tell no tales." Nor do they offer due praise to almighty God! So take this chance to live out that new life you've been given and come sing and worship with us!

We'll take a few moments to do our usual housekeeping stuff: welcoming everyone, especially visitors (we LOVE visitors!); committing our time to God for his glory and our edification; and saying a quick greeting to one another.

Then we'll sing a couple of tunes that help prepare us for the topic of the sermon text for the morning. "Let God Arise" is a song that comes from the book of Psalms and focuses on the invincible might of God; that when he arises, his enemies are scattered and he reigns forever! Then we take that thought and apply it to the day and age we live by understanding that God rules over nations, and states, and cities. That Valencia is God's city, and he has a perfect plan for this city that will glorify his great name. "God of This City" sings confidently that greater things are still to be done in our city to lift high the name of our Lord!

Then Pastor Todd will come and teach us from God's Word; from the apostle Paul's letter to the Ephesian church. He's talking about the battle that rages all around us; the nature of that battle and how we can prepare ourselves to stand firm in the strength of the Lord. CLICK HERE to read the text we'll be studying this week and allowing the Spirit to apply to our lives in ways that honor and please him.

Then we'll land the plane with a song of victory from Psalm 62 entitled appropriately..."Psalm 62" that we can take with us and remind ourselves that God is our everlasting, never-failing fortress in time of spiritual warfare.

So that's what's going on this week; hope to see you there! Happy preparation!

Preparing for Worship: May 9, 2010

2010-05-07T15:28:00.000-07:00

I love celebrating holidays on Sundays because I think holidays mean so much more in the context of God's sovereignty. I mean even the word "holiday" is a derivative of the phrase "holy day" which dates back to the 10 commandments telling us to remember the Sabbath and keep it holy. Crazy huh?

So Mother's day is always the second Sunday in May, and celebrating and appreciating moms as a wonderful gift from God is so appropriate. Families and mothers alike get the chance to reflect on God's goodness displayed in the person of "Mom."

For some, Mother's Day is a sad reminder of moms who've passed away, or a would-be mom who's had difficulty conceiving. We certainly don't mean to stir up painful emotions or memories, but again, we understand the gift of mothers and motherhood in the context of the sovereignty of God. We understand and give thanks for God's perfect plan at work in each of us and our families and we grieve with those who grieve at this time of the year!

I thought we'd change up our worship band a little for the special occasion, and so I've put together a "boys only" group for Mother's day to serve all the gals and mothers of Crossroads. We're strapping on a bunch of acoustic guitars and changing up the sound of some of our well-known songs and we hope it's a blessing to you, and most importantly, to the heart of God.

Pastor Todd and I have started something new that we hope you'll find helpful: a "This Sunday @ Crossroads" video blog that you can find on the Crossroads home page. CLICK HERE to watch the video and find out what to expect this Sunday.

Okay, welcome back. So here's a snapshot of the morning:

We'll begin with a couple of songs to jump start our worship time together: "The Father's Love" and "Eternal Praise," which are both great songs to get us focused on the Lord and on the hope of eternity with him that we've been given through Christ.

Then Pastor Todd will come pray and welcome everyone, and then we'll have a quick plug for an upcoming Women's Fellowship event that I believe is called "Tasty Treats and Testimonies." That definitely sounds like a name for a women's event. I would love to listen to an announcement for a Women's activity that's called something like "Cage Fight" or "Armageddon Ball." I suppose we'd have to even it out with a Men's event along the lines of "Candles of Care" or "Flowers and Feelings." Hmmm, those are some pretty good titles; I think I should email them to Beth Moore for her next DVD series... ;)

After a quick greeting, we'll continue our time of worship-through-song with a couple of songs that really teach us about the personal and intimate relationship we're intended to have with Christ. "Perfect Savior" is about how Christ was the perfect fit for every need we had as lost, hopeless sinners, and how he died the death we deserved. "Draw Me Close" reminds us that our relationship with Christ, as any relationship does, involves experiencing and feeling his presence in our lives through the Spirit. It's a song that teaches us to trust that his strong and loving presence surrounds us always.

Then Pastor Todd will preach a special Mother's Day message from Luke 10 (CLICK HERE to read the passage) that will speak to mothers (and anyone!) who feel like they're invisible sometimes to the people they love. We need to remember that our work and efforts are seen and appreciated by the one who sees everything: God. That our work is not for those around us, but for him.

We'll close up our time with the tune "Glorious and Mighty" securing the knowledge of God's omnipresence and his careful eye into our minds with a soaring melody of God's greatness.

That's what's going on; prepare well! See you Sunday!

Video Blog: May 9, 2010 - Mother's Day!

2010-05-05T16:01:00.001-07:00

Preparing For Worship: May 2, 2010

2010-04-30T11:44:00.001-07:00

"Worship is the gift of participating by the power of the Spirit in the incarnate Son's communion with the Father." ~ James Torrance

This quote is a great summation of understanding the role that each member of the Trinity plays in our redemption and our worship. How amazing that Christ's redemptive work for us on the cross is done, but that even now he sits at the right hand of the Father forever proclaiming us as justified! "My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin, but if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ, the righteous." 1 Jn 2:1

The Spirit is alive in the hearts of the redeemed and on a daily basis directs us in righteousness, convicts us of sin, illumines the truth of Scripture, and helps us know how to apply it to our lives. In the corporate worship setting, he molds our hearts together in biblical unity, and gifts us to encourage each other in the Lord. It is a privilege to be a part of the supernatural sculpting and crafting of the body of Christ by the Spirit, and I hope it's a privilege for you as well.

It's with this view of the Spirit's power and work that we'll invite his active presence and submit ourselves to his leading and purpose by singing "Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing" which asks the Spirit to:
-tune our hearts to sing of God's grace
-teach us the melodious sonnets of the angels
-lead us safely to our heavenly home
-bind our wandering hearts to God
-seal our hearts for the courts of heaven above!

That's a pretty hefty list! I think of the lists that my wife will leave for me, and in comparison I have it EASY. As you practice this tune in preparation for Sunday, consider what the Spirit may want to do in your heart and ask him to go to town!

Then Pastor Todd will come and echo that song's sentiment as we pray for our morning that God would be honored by our time and that he'd teach us and mold us a little more into the image of his Son.

Next we'll sing the new song I posted earlier this week called "Eternal Praise" and go right into "How Great is Our God." Check out the video for Eternal Praise so you can practice it and be able to sing it with us Sunday; plus I made the video myself!

Then Pastor Todd will continue to teach from his mini-series "The Haustafel" as we steadily plow through the remainder of Ephesians. He's on part four this week and it's the section that addresses slaves and their masters. Since slavery is illegal in our day and age, many have found it helpful to apply the principles taught here to the employee/employer relationship. CLICK HERE to read the passage this week and ask Pastor Todd why the Bible never condemns slavery...

After the sermon we'll share the Lord's Supper together, remembering the sacrifice of Christ on the cross; how he offered us a new covenant in his blood! This is sort of a solemn and meditative portion of the service, but it's also very meaningful as we consider that he was put to death for the sins of each of us. During communion we'll sing "Once Again" to help us connect heart and mind as we thank Christ for the cross.

We'll close with "The Stand" recalling our new life and freedom because of the cross, and we'll commit to stand, arms high and heart abandoned, in awe of the one who gave it all for us. Announcements and a prayer of blessing as we give our tithes and offerings and we'll call it a day! That's what's going on, so happy prep!

New Song: "Eternal Praise" by Enfield

2010-04-28T13:28:00.000-07:00

I'm excited to teach this tune to you this week from the band Enfield with whom I have had the privilege of playing at the Resolved Conference for the past two years. The song was written by my friends Ryan Foglesong and David Zimmer specifically for the album "O For That Day" which is an entire album of songs devoted to the theme of heaven. The album has been a blessing to me and many others as it has helped cultivate in us a desire for the sinless perfection and joy that we'll experience when we either go to be with the Lord through death or he comes again in glory.

Here are the lyrics:

What joyful thoughts doth heaven bring;
where righteous ones will worship Thee?
No sadness, fear, or suffering;
but joyful cries to the King of Kings!
What sacrifice the Father made:
to crush the Son who bore our shame,
Yet raised him up that glorious day
to give us hope and a holy name!

O praise the Lamb for sinners slain;
who wrote, with blood, our eternal praise!
Let the nations of the earth proclaim:
Hallelujah!

"O praise the name of Jesus"
our song forever shall be.
Let the anthem of salvation
be the song that we shall sing.

What deepened wounds have saved our souls;
what blood that washed our sins of old!
What precious hands have ransomed men
and brought us to Himself again!
What hope is in our heavenly home,
where we will bow at our Father's throne,
And walk with Him on streets of gold
and kiss the Christ we long to hold!

Behold the city of the King: hallelujah!
His glory is the air we breath: hallelujah!

Since there were only partial clips of us playing this tune at Resolved, I recorded a simple video to help you learn the tune. Check it out!

Preparing for Worship: April 25, 2010

2010-04-23T08:46:00.000-07:00

Another Sunday is around the corner and it's another opportunity to bring our offering of worship to the Lord with the community at Crossroads. As we do so, it's also an opportunity to reap wonderful benefits: being refreshed by the fellowship of believers, being reminded of Christ and the gospel through the songs we sing and the scriptures we study, encountering the Holy Spirit in a unique way as he works in both the heart of the individual and the heart of the congregation as a whole.

We shared a spectacular time together last weekend as we hosted The Children of the World. My wife and I chose a child to sponsor after their concert last Sunday night, and each time I walk by the fridge and see her picture I am reminded of the command of Jesus to look after widows and orphans, and how so much of the world lives in extreme poverty. I appreciate the message of World Help (the sponsoring agency of the Children of the World): Just start with one. The problem of poverty and not enough clean water is a daunting mountain, but it can only be climbed one step at a time.

I hope that events like that and our times together each weekend are causing growth in each of our lives. We must beware of complacency that would relegate the corporate gathering of the body of Christ to "just another activity." I'm praying hard today that the Spirit would stretch us and grow us because we are faithful to meet for prayer, praise, and preaching (also: pancakes next month on the 23rd...). Let's strive together to make each time we're together a profitable one through prayer and preparation...

so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.
-Ephesians 4:14-16

This week we're going to start with "Enough" and "For You Are The Lord" (sorry I don't have a link for that song!) that are great tunes to help us shake off the distractions and the sleepiness and put the Lord in focus. I've mentioned before that this opening portion of the service is usually referred to as the "Call to Worship" but I like to think of it more as a "Refocus" of our worship which tends to slip away from Christ and onto ourselves or other things in life. We are always worshiping something, so the ever-present task is to keep that worship directed towards the one who is worthy of all praise!

We'll take a few moments to corporately ask God's blessing on our time as we offer it for his glory. I know that sometimes this part can feel programmatic and "liturgical" (same thing, same way, same time, every time), but I really think it's the most appropriate time to do it since we've taken some time to really settle our minds in to worship. We need God's Spirit to be active within each of us during this time otherwise we're just putting on a show. It's the Spirit that does the real work through the various aspects we participate in together. This part of the service is a fundamental exercise in submitting to God's authority and the Spirit's power, so pray hard!

Then we'll get to greet each other and welcome visitors (DON'T skimp on that second part!!), but again, in the Spirit we're greeting with purpose: affirming each others' faithfulness in being there, encouraging participation and unity, and offering a loving smile or hug.

Next we'll jump into a few more songs: "In Christ Alone" and "God of This City" that will help prepare us for a time of individual and corporate prayer for the folks we wrote down on our "Strive for Five" cards. If you've still got that card somewhere at home, try and bring it with you for this time. If you don't know what "Strive for Five" is, it's a church wide exercise in prayer and witness to unbelieving family and friends. You can pick up a card where you fill in the names of five people in your life that you will commit to pray for and share Christ's love with. We'll take a minute for silent personal prayer, and then a couple more minutes to pray together as a few of our folks lead us from the front. We'll lead right into the tune "Let Your Kingdom Come" as an appropriate closer to this time.

Then Pastor Todd will come and preach God's Word through the apostle Paul's letter to the Ephesians, and specifically to the "children" of the household in Ephesians 6:1-4. CLICK HERE to read this passage as you prepare for worship. Todd's sermon is the third part of a mini-series called "The Haustafel" which is the German word for "House Table" as the apostle Paul takes a proverbial look around the table at each household member and instructs them in their God honoring roles. CLICK HERE to listen to part 1, and CLICK HERE to listen to part 2.

We'll respond in song with the tune "You Alone" as we remember that we walk in roles not simply for effective household management, but as an offering of worship to God who ALONE is father, and good, and Savior!

SO that's what's happening on Sunday morning; looking forward to a super morning together, and allowing the Spirit to grow us so we're not just a social club, but a living, growing body that grows more and more into the fullness of Christ!

Happy prepping!

Preparing for Worship: April 16th, 2010

2010-04-16T11:02:00.000-07:00

"...the songs we use in worship should, when taken together, join that which is deeply individual to that which is deeply shared. They should unite the "I" with the "We." If we follow the example of the Psalms, we will help individual experience of God energize the worship of the community, even as corporate worship helps individuals to experience God more profoundly."
-Dr. Mark D. Roberts

One of the cool things about the corporate worship experience is the unique blend of personal and "communal" perspective. On one hand, every believer that walks in the door has the 100% presence of the Holy Spirit within them, and as they sing praise, thanksgiving, confession, and the gospel, it can be a highly personal time as they respond in their own ways to God and to the atoning death of Christ in their place.

On the other hand, the presence of the Holy Spirit can be manifested in other ways when the group of local believers that together make up the body of Christ are gathered! I've said before that when the worship band rehearses prior to Sunday, often times we are rehearsing a set of songs, but when the body of Christ offers those songs as their communal declaration they become something much more that both honors God and builds up those who take part!

I'd encourage you to consider this balance of personal/corporate this coming Sunday. Consider how your participation in the service through singing, giving, and diligently studying not only builds you up and honors God, but also is an act of edification to those around you. I feel like Pastor Todd and I are the greatest recipients of this since we get to see all of you as you face us. It's amazing how each and every person's facial expressions, body language, and countenance can add (or take away!) to the combined energy of the service. It can be compared to a sports team getting pumped up for a match as they get together in a huddle and remind themselves what is at stake, and to do their very best.

And that's the end of Worship Class 101 for this week! :)

This weekend we're really excited to have the Children of the World with us! If you don't know these kids, you are in for a treat. They are an international children's choir with kids from all over the world. They travel around and help raise awareness for international needs and ministry opportunities. They'll be sharing a song during our service as a "teaser" for their full concert which they'll be sharing with us Sunday night at 6:00pm.

So our service this week will start with the tune "Everlasting God" as an energetic call to worship based on Isaiah 40. Notice the use of the word "We" in this tune as opposed to "I," we wait on the Lord corporately in addition to individually.

After this tune, we will worship as Pastor Todd prays and welcomes everyone, and as we say a warm "top o' the mornin' to ya!" to friends and visitors.

Next, the Children of the World will come and give us a taste of what's to come during their evening concert; it's gonna be so rad! One of the kids will also give their testimony to give us all a perspective on how life is so different (and honestly, so much harder!) in other parts of the world. This is a great opportunity to worship by giving thanks for the huMUNgous blessing it is to live in America, and to be able to work and support our families.

After this, we'll jump back into singing, with a hymn that reminds us that our God is a glorious and almighty King over ALL the nations: "Your Great Name We Praise." We'll transition right into the Delirious tune "Majesty" to highlight what a tremendous privilege we have to stand before the holy King, "empty handed, but alive in Your hands!" I hope these tunes will be a powerful reminder of the gospel, and the forgiveness we've been offered through the death of Christ.

Then Pastor Todd will come and preach part two of "The Haustafel" from the last few verses of Ephesians 5 as we continue our way through this theological treasure house!

In case you missed last week, "The Haustafel" is German for "the house-table." The term was applied to this passage of scripture by Martin Luther as he reflected on the apostle Paul's instruction to each "member of the house." He gives the picture of the apostle going around the dinner table, if you will, to each person, instructing them on their appropriate roles. Check out Pt. 1 by CLICKING HERE. You can listen and get caught up for Pt. 2. CLICK HERE to read this week's scripture passage as you prepare to receive the Spirit's illumination and application of this passage to your life.

Then we'll respond with two songs to help us process the text and the message. "I Surrender All" reminds us that we carry out our roles in family not to "have a good marriage" or "avoid conflict in the house" but because we submit to CHRIST! Then we'll sing "Jesus, Thank You" which is a vivid reminder of Christ's own submission to the will of the Father; becoming obedient unto death so that lost souls might be won to new life!

So that's what's happening this weekend; looking forward to sharing it with you in just a few days! Click on the song titles of any tunes you aren't familiar with to hear how they go. Happy prep!

Preparing for Worship: April 11th, 2010

2010-04-09T10:51:00.000-07:00

Well Easter 2010 is in the history books, and what a great weekend it was at Crossroads! We had five services over the course of the weekend, and for our three Sunday morning services we saw over 700 people come to celebrate the resurrection of the Savior! I've heard of one man giving his life to the Lord just a day or two later after coming to visit Crossroads on Easter Sunday! I'm thankful for the sweet spirit that God's placed in the hearts of the people of our church.

This Sunday we're back to our "normal" routine of things and personally, I'm thankful! Celebrating big holidays like Easter and Christmas are AMAZING, but there's nothing like worshiping with the family I know and love each and every week. There is definitely something to be said for consistency and the body is incomplete when it's members are missing; so don't miss! :)

This Sunday we are going to start out our time with two awesome songs about God's power and majesty. The first, "Glorious and Mighty" is a celebration of God's sovereignty, and the anticipation of his glorious return for his church. "Before the Throne of God Above" is a proclamation of our right standing with the righteous Creator of the universe, and though Satan tempt us with guilt and doubt, or physical death take us, we are "one with himself [and] cannot die!!"

Then, after Todd prays for the morning and welcomes any visitors, etc. we'll get to hear from Crossroads Missionaries Peter and Heather Malakar who are visiting the US with a very cool purpose...

We'll have a few moments to say hi to those sitting around ya, and maybe meet someone new, and then we'll jump into some more songs about the greatness of God. "How Great Thou Art" reflects on God's power displayed in his handiwork across the universe, and "Mighty to Save" parallels that power with his power to rescue us, and defeat the power of sin!

Savior, he can move the mountains; my God is mighty to save!

Then Pastor Todd will come and preach from the book of Ephesians as we cross some very close to home (quite literally) terrain. Paul is talking to each member of the household, and teaching them the roles that God would have them uphold in their home. CLICK HERE to check out this important teaching from God's Word. The ideas that we have biblical roles can be offensive to some people, as it can portray an inequality in relationship, but this is not what the apostle Paul is trying to say! Come Sunday and hear the real story...

Then we'll respond to the truth of the Word with the song "The Stand." This is a new tune we did on Good Friday, and it's a powerful reminder of how God created the whole world, sent his Son to die, and sent his Spirit to live in us, so that our souls could "stand." Remember, before Christ, we were all dead in our sins, so when we are made alive in Christ, our souls can really stand for the first time, pure, cleansed, and justified before a holy God! The bridge of the song says "so I'll stand with arms high, and heart abandoned, in awe of the One who gave it all. I'll stand, my soul, Lord, to You surrendered; all I am is Yours!!"

Be sure to check out that video if you're not that familiar with the tune. It's definitely one you'll want to be singing at the top of your lungs with the Crossroads family on Sunday!

So that's what's going on this weekend. Pray for the group of our men that will be away on retreat, that God will speak to them and teach them in all wisdom and truth; and that they'll come back stronger leaders in their homes and in our church!

See you Sunday; happy prep!

"Youse Guys"

2010-04-07T12:32:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone, my apologies for not posting a Preparing for Worship blog last Friday. IT'S NOT MY FAULT THIS TIME! The Blogger website was experiencing technical difficulties and I could not post any new material!

I think we had a great weekend together remembering Christ's death and resurrection together; and I think God was honored by the time we spent reflecting on the cross, and what it means to have new life in Christ.

I wanted to share a quote from a book I'm reading that reveals an interesting perspective on the plurality of the local church; meaning that we are not just a bunch of individuals, but together we are one collective body...

This quote is from a book called "Why Church Matters: Worship, Ministry, and Mission in Practice" by Jonathan R. Wilson. He's talking about the corporate witness of the church community to the community in which it exists:

"I begin with the importance of community not because it is the first or most important part of the commission that Jesus gave, though both may be argued. Rather I begin with community because this aspect is the most neglected and least recognized. When Jesus commissions his disciples, he commissions them as a whole, not as individuals...

This plurality of commissioning and indeed of the new Testament is obscured for us today by the limitations of contemporary English. In the English that we use today, we have no clear second person plural. "You" refers both to a singular "you" and a plural "you." Now, having grown up in the southern United States, I am quite familiar with the possibilities of "y'all." And I've also heard "youse" and "youse guys." But none of those colloquialisms will ever be sufficiently recognized to help us recover the you-plural...

This limitation is extremely unfortunate, because most of the New Testament passages that are addressed to "you" are plural in the original Greek...

[The King James Bible uses the word "ye" for the plural "you"]

Consider the following verses:

'But seek ye first the kingdom of God and all these things shall be added...' (Matt. 6:33)

'Go ye therefore, and teach all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.' (Matt. 28:19)

'And ye are witnesses of these things.' (Luke 24:48)

'But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you, and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.' (Acts 1:8)

These promises and commands of Jesus are given to "you plural" -the community that is the people of God...

...the very nature of the gospel requires community for witness by living out the practices and language of the gospel. Reconciliation, forgiveness, restoration, praise, thanksgiving, and so much more have their beginnings in God's gracious act in Jesus Christ. But as human beings are called into Christ, none of these actions can be contained in a relationship merely between God and the individual. In every part of the Old Testament and New Testament, the call of any individual is to and for the community."

So what do you ("youse guys") think?

Preparing for Worship: March 28th, 2010

2010-03-26T15:11:00.000-07:00

What a crazy couple of weeks coming up here at Crossroads! I'm so excited for all the really cool stuff going on!

Tomorrow night we have "Crossroads LIVE" featuring comedian Carlos Oscar! Two shows at 6:00pm and 7:45pm with the proceeds going to our Haiti fund to continue helping with relief efforts over there. If you didn't buy tickets shame on you! Maybe if you're really quiet you can sneak in the back for one of the shows. I have some buddies coming to help me open both shows with some rockin music to get the energy up. You don't want to miss it!

Then next week we celebrate the resurrection of our savior from the dead! A friend shared a quote from Phillip Yancey regarding the risen Jesus:

"In many respects I find an unresurrected Jesus easier to accept. Easter makes him dangerous. Because of Easter I have to listen to his extravagant claims and can no longer pick and choose from his sayings. Moreover, Easter means he must be loose out there somewhere."

Wow! Convicting words to be sure! We're going to be having a total of FIVE services this Easter: two services around the big cross on Good Friday, and three services on Easter Sunday! I'm looking forward to some really great times reflecting on Christ's death and resurrection; especially as we sing some really great worship tunes that wrap these truths into song.

Good Friday services are at 6:00pm and 7:30pm, and then our Easter services are at 8:00am, 9:30am, and 11:00am. Heck, you should just come to all five!

So this Sunday we want to gather again, as a group of ruined sinners who've been bought and cleaned by the blood of Christ. The gathered church is one of the most unique groups on the planet, and we need each and every part of the "body" to be there to worship as fully as we can!

Here's what you can do to prepare:

We're going to start with the new song we learned last week: "Let Your Kingdom Come," so make sure you've listened to it a few times, and are familiar with the words and the tune. Then we'll sing "The Father's Love" as a celebration of the truth that we have been brought into the glorious household of God, and we are now a part of his kingdom come here on earth. I think most of you know it by now, but click on the song title and let it's truth excite your heart to come and sing it with fellow heirs with Christ!

Then we have a few minutes to welcome visitors and greet each other, and we'll also get to see a cool recap video from our Mexico team that got back last week from building a house for a needy family down there. Use this time to get excited for what the Lord might call YOU to in a short term missions trip or something similar. Also use this time as an opportunity to give thanks for the IMMENSE blessings we have living in the United States, and in Valencia. We are a rich, rich, filthy rich people, and how often we find ourselves greedily wanting more!

Then we'll sing "Crown Him With Many Crowns," an old hymn of coronation honoring Jesus as the name above all names, and recounting his life, death, and resurrection for our salvation. Let it remind you of the Lord you serve, who is truly the King of all Kings, and as such, deserves our full adoration and praise!

We'll continue the theme of Christ as King by singing the song "You Are My King." Think through the unbelievable truth that the King of the universe became a humble man, and died a horrific death on a cross for our sins, and has sent his Spirit to reside in each and every one of us that has put our trust in Christ.

Then Pastor Todd will preach from God's Word; from the apostle Paul's letter to the Ephesian church; continuing his series called "Sovereign Grace." His passage this week is Ephesians 5:18-21, and it's all about living a Spirit-filled life. It's the second half of his mini-series called "The Wise Walk" so don't miss it! Read the passage by CLICKING HERE so you know the terrain, and ask the Spirit to teach you, and direct you to how you can glorify God by living out these commands.

Then we'll finish up with a song that is all about living in the Spirit: "Breathe." This song compares the Spirit to the air we breathe and the daily bread that sustains us; basically saying that he is absolutely essential to our life as Christians! Think about how you can live a life that is even more surrendered to his leading and convicting every day. Let this song motivate your heart to gospel-centered emotions that will remind you of this desire.

That's what's going on, and I hope those tips are helpful in your preparation to gather and worship the King of Kings and Lord of Lords! Happy Prep!

New Downloads Section...

2010-03-24T16:17:00.000-07:00

on the Crossroads website!

I had a couple of random things floating around that I thought I should put somewhere that's easy to get to, so I set up a page to download various recordings and things I do every now and again.

There's only two items there now, but I'll let you know when I add more.

1) The arrangement I did of "The Lord's Prayer"

2) "Confession Song"

Check out the page if you're interested...

Go to www.lifeatcrossroads.org

Click on "Worship"

Scroll down to the bottom of the page where it says "Click here for other downloads"

Enjoy!

Or just CLICK HERE.

Preparing for Worship: March 21, 2010

2010-03-19T11:04:00.000-07:00

Exciting news today blog readers! I've uploaded and released a 4-song collection of worship songs that are all focused on the resurrection of Jesus! It's a project I've been working on for the last five months or so, and I'm excited to offer it as a free download over on the Crossroads website! I'm asking that anyone who downloads it just consider making a small donation which will go to our missions fund, and specifically, will help fund our upcoming missions trip to India.

CLICK HERE to go to the download page.

I'm excited for this Sunday! We get to share baptisms together! This is always a cool time when Christ followers obediently follow Christ's example and command. We baptize them as an outward symbol of what the Spirit has done in their hearts: that they have been buried with Christ, and are raised with him to newness of life. They have died to their sin, and are raised up in the righteousness of Christ!

We're starting off with two tunes that remind us of the immutable (unchanging) God we serve; that he's the same God who parted the Red Sea; the same God who caused the sun to stand still in the sky; the same God who raised Christ from the dead! "Unchanging" and "The Solid Rock" are a stronghold in times of uncertainty and doubt, and they're a joy to belt out together at the tops of our lungs!

Then we'll have a time of baptisms, and I think we have seven people scheduled to get baptized this week, so we'll probably divide them over the two services, but either way, you'll get to share in at least three baptisms whichever service you come to! This is a great opportunity to encourage those who get baptized, 'cause it's usually a pretty significant time for them, and to share with them that the body of Christ loves them, cares about them, and shares this joy with them is a wonderful way to worship!

Then we'll sing our new song (I always try to post them on the blog BEFORE we sing them, like HERE) "Let Your Kingdom Come," followed by "May The Words (Psalm 19)" as we head toward our time in the word. These songs both deal with the state of our hearts as we live life in the light of Christ. We want our thoughts, words, and actions to always be pleasing to God, and that means we must value the things he values. This is how we follow the command Paul gives in our passage this week to "understand the will of God." We die to ourselves, submit our will and desires to him, and pursue righteousness (the things God declares as right).

Pastor Todd will come and preach to us from Ephesians 5:15-18, part one of a two-part mini-series he's calling "The Wise Walk." CLICK HERE to read this week's passage, and prepare your heart to be receptive to the Spirit as he helps you apply these commands to your life.

Then we'll respond with "From the Inside Out" which is an honest cry to God that we really CAN'T always walk wisely without his Spirit's work in our lives! He is the one who convicts us of sin so we might quickly confess and be restored; he prompts us to do those good works that God has prepared for us that we might walk in them; he gives us the words to say when we share our faith, or when we need to encourage or confront another believer. Our life in Christ is a LIFE LIVED in the Spirit.

How much of your life is lived in the Spirit? How often do you find yourself acting in ways you know aren't pleasing to God? Living in the Spirit is characterized by submission, humility, and love for others. He will fill in the details, but we need to be willing vessels!

So that's what's going on this Sunday. See you there; and happy prep!

New Song: Let Your Kingdom Come

2010-03-17T14:13:00.001-07:00

Hey everyone,

I'm sorry I didn't post a Preparing For Worship blog last Friday! I've been waging a war with Spring in my sinuses, and last Friday the lack of airflow was cutting off the oxygen to my brain, so I took a sick day and started a strict regimen of Advil Allergy Sinus.

SO yeah, this week, Pastor Todd will be preaching from Ephesians 5:15-18 where the apostle Paul talks about how to walk with wisdom in the light of life. He says to "understand what the will of the Lord is..." and I kept thinking about the line in The Lord's Prayer where Jesus prays "Thy will be done."

Knowing what the will of the Lord is for your life is a spiritual wisdom that comes with prayer and submission. We can't know God's will if we are so determined to fulfill our own!

This song is called "Let Your Kingdom Come" and it is about God's will for man to be saved from sin through faith in Jesus. There is plenty we may never know about God's perfect will, but we know that he has called us to be vessels to share the good news of the gospel with the lost, and this song reflects that!

It's by Bob Kauflin from Sovereign Grace Ministries.

Check out the lyrics and then sing along with the video underneath!

Let Your Kingdom Come

Your glorious cause O God

Engages our hearts

May Jesus Christ be known

Wherever we are

We ask not for ourselves

But for Your renown

The cross has saved us so we pray

Your kingdom come!

Let Your kingdom come

Let Your will be done

So that everyone might know Your name!

Let Your song be heard

Everywhere on earth

'Till Your sovereign work on earth is done!

Let Your kingdom come!

Give us Your strength O God

And courage to speak

Perform Your wondrous deeds

Through those who are weak

Lord use us as You want

Whatever the test

By grace we'll preach Your gospel

'Till our dying breath

"Confession Song" Lyrics

2010-03-10T15:46:00.000-08:00

I've had a few of you ask me to post the lyrics to a song I shared a few weeks ago. As I explained to those who asked, I do intend to record this song for you to download and have, but until then, here are the lyrics. This song was a different experience for me, as songwriting is usually a more structured and intellectual exercise.

The Spirit had really been teaching me and showing me kindness in the process of (what seemed like) numerous instances of confessing and repenting for my "pet" sins that I seem to perpetually struggle with. The song was really my prayer of confession and thanksgiving for the powerful truth of the gospel.

As I realized that I truly had NO hope of attaining perfect, sinless righteousness in my own strength, I in essence threw up my hands and told the Lord "I have NOTHING!"

The Holy Spirit gently and graciously affirmed that I indeed had nothing to offer God in this sense; but that by understanding that I had nothing, I had everything. The chorus of the song is the reminder of the solid rock of a foundation that I find myself falling on when I am brought to the end of myself: Christ's atoning death on the cross.

Confession Song

Lord I fail you.
How often, Lord, I fail you.
How often, Lord, my sin intrudes
on my fellowship with you.
I confess Lord.
In sorrow, I confess Lord.
Mindful of how much I fall short
of your righteous holiness.

For you are true perfection
and I do not deserve your mercy.
For sin you do despise Lord
and it wells up inside of my heart!

My one and only hope;
my plea and my defense
is your Son's atoning death!
He gave me life
with his last breath,
and when you look on me
you see his righteousness.

Take my sin Lord.
Renew me from within Lord.
Help me turn from things
that grieve your heart
and delight in you alone!
I repent Lord.
I mourn my sin
and I repent Lord.
Change my heart and
change my ways Lord
so I learn to walk in light.

For in my weakness
I cannot defeat sin alone or triumph.
But in my weakness you are strong;
your Spirit resides within me.

And I'm forgiven!
Yes I'm forgiven!
When I'm faithful to confess
Lord, you are faithful to forgive!

By Paul Hoover, copyright 2010 Porterhouse Music

Preparing for Worship: March 7th, 2010

2010-03-05T14:58:00.000-08:00

What a week! I've spent some time with some great people, had some wonderfully authentic conversations, and received some gracious and loving counsel as well! I'm really thankful for the body of Christ. Ministering to one another is one of the greatest purposes of the church but sadly is often neglected.

This Sunday we get to gather again and offer corporate confession, thanksgiving, supplication, and praise to God. We also try and cultivate relationship with one another within Crossroads, but is this really possible during the 10-15 seconds you see someone during our greeting time??

Our Sunday morning worship services are primarily about corporate worship; when the whole body gets together to do the thing we were created for: dialog with the Lord, expressing our prayers and praises to him, and seeking his word for us through His Word. The Spirit works in our hearts and minds to help discern how we can apply God's truth to our individual lives, but we seek to grow in the knowledge of God as a whole.

Our Life Stage groups is one way we try to facilitate the cultivation of relationships here at Crossroads. Age-based groups that share appropriate teaching and discussion really helps relate people one to another. From there, it's our hope and desire that you'll take those relationships outside of Crossroads and into your own homes, or softball games, or other recreational activities where you can really share the day-to-day of life with each other.

So if you haven't been to a Life Stage group yet, you should at least find out more about them. Here's the basic info:

-Foundation: Students in grades 7-12

-YAM (Yound Adult Ministry): College and "Career" age

-Young Marrieds: Couples married less than five years (generally...)

-Family Matters: Couples or individuals with kids in school (pre k - high school generally...)

-Legacy: Couples or individuals who've raised their families and want to pour themselves into establishing their legacy for future generations

For more information on any of these groups, leave me a comment, or email info@lifeatcrossroads.org.

This Sunday...

"Hallelujah (Your Love is Amazing)" is the tune that we'll sing to bring us in, and to focus us on the reason that God sent his Son: his great love for us while we were yet sinners. I think sometimes we can get into the routine of knowing God loves us. Sometimes we might even think we are just that lovable! The fact is, that when we were straight up ENEMIES of God because of our sin, he STILL loved us. Loved us so much that he desired to repair the relationship we had screwed up in the Garden of Eden. Loved us so much that he had his Son, Jesus, put on humanity, and then be rejected, despised, and tortured before he was put to a criminal's death.

All for us. While we were yet sinners. Because of HIS great love.

So then we'll pray on that, and be reminded in our minds and in the deepest part of our souls. Todd will give a quick welcome to visitors, and then we'll go on the hunt to do the same. I've always thought it'd be kind of fun to have a competition with my friends to see who could find and welcome the most visitors the fastest...just a thought...

Next we'll sing "He Lives" which is that old hymn that we've given a little bit of a blues twist to! CLICK HERE to check out a samples from our Worship Band CD ("He Lives" is about 3/4 down the page). The CDs are free, so if you don't have one, be sure to pick one up from the ministry table this Sunday. Then we're going to learn a new song that really fits with the passage from Ephesians that Pastor Todd is preaching from this week. It's called "Alive in Christ" and it's a song that was written by my good friends Ryan Foglesong and David Zimmer. I play with them at the Resolved Conference, and you can check out the video by clicking the song title. I'll teach it to us, and then we'll all sing it together and just GO FOR IT.

Then Pastor Todd will come and preach from the apostle Paul's letter to the Ephesian church. We're working our way through the book, and it's amazing to see how much rich theology we've covered up to now. The first half of the book really describes our salvation, and who we have become in Christ, and the second half is helping us figure out how to live that out in a way that honors God! It might be a good time to take 20 minutes and read from the beginning of the book up to where we are this Sunday, chapter 5:8-14 which you should ALSO read. In fact, I think that's such a good idea, that I'm NOT going to put a weblink for the sermon text! HA! Now you HAVE to actually read your own Bible! I'm so sneaky.

At the close of Todd's sermon, we'll share a time of remembering Christ's death by taking communion together. We'll sing "Jesus Paid it All" while we take the bread and the cup, and then we'll all eat together after the song. If you're not familiar with communion, or if you are not a Christian, it's totally fine to let the plates go by. The Bible says to not take communion unworthily, and it's not like it's a 5-star meal you're missing out on; it's a small wafer cracker and a tiny sip of grape juice.

Then we'll close our time together by responding to the apostle Paul's declaration and command to "live in the light" by singing of the "Marvelous Light" that God has called us into from the darkness of our spiritual death in sin.

So that's the deal for this week. I hope you're looking forward to it as much as I am! Happy Prep!

Preparing for Worship: February 28th, 2010

2010-02-26T14:52:00.000-08:00

I'm thankful for the many encouraging words I heard back regarding worshiping with my friend Dan last week at Crossroads! It's so great to know that when I won't be here, that I can be confident that there will be biblical, joyful, genuine worship singing taking place. Thanks again to Dan for his leadership.

This week I'm back and rested after a lovely weekend away. I'm looking forward to our time together, and I hope you are too. Here's what's going on this weekend so you can prepare to come and be a part.

We'll start with the fun and easy "Friend of God," which is always a good tune to wake up and get in the groove for the morning. Ya know, with this tune I've wrestled with the theme being about how WE are God's friends, like it's bragging about ourselves and how great we are or something, so I just wanted to point out that we sing it not because of how great it makes us, but because of how in awe we are that we could actually ever be called friends of Almighty God! So yeah, it's simple, but it's profound; I like how the bridge of the song says it: "God Almighty, Lord of glory, You have called me friend!"

We'll then have the chance to worship through some announcements and opportunities coming up at Crossroads. How do we worship through announcements? As we hear of upcoming opportunities to serve or build community, we listen for the Spirit's guidance and illumination of how we can edify and build up the body of Christ, whether it be by participating in, or praying for said events. Allow your heart to be moved for those in pain, such as those still suffering in Haiti, or when we minister at the Union Rescue Mission; pray for outreach events, or Bible studies, that God might build His church through His Spirit to bring glory to His name; etc.

Then we'll sing the old hymn "How Great Thou Art" which talks about how all creation declares God's glory, and how His glory was perfectly displayed in His Son and through His death on the cross! We'll go from that into a song about the cross "This is Love." In our culture today, "love" is fickle. It's based only on romantic feelings, and there's so little depth to it. The Bible tells us that God so LOVED the world that He gave His only Son. True love is sacrificial; it's HARD. Christ didn't have the easiest time going to the cross. He prayed in the garden that His Father might accomplish His plan another way, but was obedient unto death.

Then Pastor Todd will come and preach from Ephesians five, as we continue our series: Sovereign Grace. The passage is Ephesians 5:1-7 which you can read by CLICKING HERE. It's about living as imitators of God as a child imitates his father. It's a super-convicting passage, and I need the Spirit to teach me to follow its truth and apply it to my own life more so every day. You might not need the same thing (yeah right, we ALL do), but prepare your heart through prayer that the Spirit might teach you to be an imitator of God even better upon hearing this truth preached.

We'll respond with the tune "Majesty(Here I Am)" that recognizes that our hearts are wicked, and that only the Holy Spirit enables us to put it off and put on the new man which we've been reborn into through Christ's death for us on the cross. The line "empty handed but alive in Your hand" is such a good way to remember this truth as we connect our heart and mind and take in God's Word most fully.

We'll close with "Take My Life" (an old hymn with a little bit of a twist on the melody, and a new chorus) as a prayer of commitment to daily sacrifice ourselves to God's glory and submit to His perfect will for our lives.

So that's what's going on; happy prep! Leave a comment if you like! See you Sunday.

Preparing for Worship: February 21st, 2010

2010-02-18T13:52:00.000-08:00

Well I'm headed outta town with my wife and some friends tomorrow, so I wanted to update the blog with what's going on this weekend so you can prepare for worship.

My friend Dan Kush will be leading in worship this Sunday in my absence. Dan is a passionate brother who loves the Lord, who has lots of experience leading worship singing, and who will be a blessing to have at Crossroads, as he and his wife, Arlene, have attended a Pastor's Coffee, and are confident that this is where the Lord has called them for this season of their lives.

Pastor Todd continues preaching from the book of Ephesians as we learn how to live by the Spirit. Todd even mentioned that he wasn't sure he could preach this passage any more straightforwardly than the apostle Paul lays it out for the Ephesians! CLICK HERE to read this "how-to" on living the Christian life as you prepare for the Spirit to teach and enable YOU to live this life!

We'll kick off the morning with the song "Beautiful One" as we refocus our eyes on the glory, majesty, and of course, beauty, of the God that has redeemed us from sin through His Son.

We'll take a few moments to worship by ask God's blessing and guidance through His Spirit, as we seek to honor him in our time together. Then we'll talk about a few things that are going on in various ministries at Crossroads; specifically an update on our Haiti Relief fund, and our upcoming family outreach event: "Crossroads Live!"

We'll continue worshiping in song as we reflect on the glory and holiness of God. "Glorious and Mighty," "Be Unto Your Name," and "Holy, Holy, Holy" will all honor God through the words we sing, and will minister to each of us as we are reminded of who God is, and what that means for us! Those truths become our motivation and empowerment for living the life the apostle Paul describes in our sermon passage. Because God is almighty and glorious, he demands obedience and worship. Because God is holy and righteous, His own character required that he punish sin with His wrath. Because God is merciful and loving, He gave His Son to be punished in our place that we might be set free from death in sin!

Pastor Todd will then come and preach to us, and if you didn't do it before, you're going to forget if you don't CLICK HERE to read the passage right now, so don't put it off!

After the sermon, Dan will lead in "All I Have is Christ" which is one of my favorite new tunes; and which I will be missing singing with you! It's a perfect sum up of the morning, and of the sermon, as Paul ends the passage by explaining our motivation to live the way he's described: "forgiving one another as God, in Christ, forgave you." So we'll sing about that wonderful forgiveness that God offers us IN CHRIST!

That's the deal for this week. I'll be back with you the following week, so BE GOOD! :)

Happy prep!

Preparing for Worship: February 14th, 2010

2010-02-12T13:10:00.000-08:00

How great that Valentine's Day falls on a Sunday this year!

How better to celebrate romantic love, than by praising and worshiping the One who created it and gave it to us??

I promise we won't go overboard with that though; I won't break out any of those "worship" songs that make it sound like Jesus is our boyfriend. I think having only one word for "love" in English makes it confusing when we think about how we are supposed to "love" Jesus. We tend to differentiate the types by saying we are "in love" when we mean the romantic, couple type of love, but sometimes even that phrase pops (or idea) up in worship tunes such as Matt Redman's tune "Let My Words Be Few" (Redman actually says he wishes he hadn't used that phrase in an interview HERE). "SO I'LL LET MY WORDS BE FEW: JESUS I AM SO IN LOVE WITH YOU"

The love we're supposed to have for our God/Jesus/Holy Spirit is a much more complex type of love that involves fear, awe, obedience, and sacrifice, in addition to those "warm fuzzies" you get sometimes (especially while singing worship songs!).

So yeah, we'll keep it biblical and rounded by placing God's glory, and not our feelings of love, as the highest priority. I'll save the phrase "in love" exclusively for my wife. :)

Glad we got that out of the way!

We're going to start our morning with "Ancient of Days" as we fulfill the very lyrics in the chorus by declaring God's glory and bowing at His throne in worship! If you don't have room to bow down where you are standing on Sunday, just be sure you have the attitude as one who bows! Or heck, just make your way to the aisle and bow down there; just be careful no one trips over ya!

Pastor Todd will come after that first tune and lead us all in prayer together, and then share some great ministry and outreach opportunities with us that are coming up really soon, so be sure you're at church on time so you can catch the vision for our Blanket Blessings ministry, and for Crossroads LIVE coming in April.

After those opportunities, we'll sing some more as we celebrate not just our love for God, but HIS love that captured us, and His grace that set us free when we sing: "Be Glorified." The bridge of that songs asks God to be glorified in US, and as John Piper says: "God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him!" What better way to be satisfied in God than to have our hearts formed, our minds transformed, and our wills conformed to HIS good and perfect will?? I agree, so we'll ask that He do those things by singing "Take My Life (Holiness)."

Then Pastor Todd will come and continue teaching us God's Word from the apostle Paul's letter to the Ephesians. Specifically chapter four, verses 17 - 24. CLICK HERE to read the passage and prepare your own heart and mind to be changed by the truth of God's Word applied to your life by the Spirit of God that lives within you. It's about putting off the old self, and putting on the new self that God created to share in righteousness and holiness ("set-apartness").

After the sermon, we'll connect that knowledge to our hearts as we respond to God through song. The first tune after the sermon, I'm going to ask that you just let me share with you, and not sing with me (yet, maybe in the future!). It's a song I wrote just last week as I was contemplating the process of confessing our sins to the Lord. Being first grieved at our falling short of God's standards, and hating our sin so that we are eager to repent. Then we remember that we have the firm promise of Christ's blood shed for us so that we know that when God looks on us, he sees not our wretched sinfulness, but Christ's righteousness! And finally, we rejoice in our sure forgiveness, knowing that when we are faithful to confess our sins, He is righteous and just to forgive them (1 John 1:9)

So yeah, it's a song I wrote called "Confession Song" (I know, it's a VERY creative title!) and I hope that the Spirit will use it to both convict us and encourage us as we continue to strive DAILY to put off the old self and put on the new self as we confess our sins and seek after God.

We'll finish the morning by singing together about the reason we can even hope to have success in putting on the new self: God's grace. We'll sing "Grace Unmeasured" which reminds us that grace has paid for our sins, helps us do what is right, and will eventually lead us to our reward in heaven!

So that's what's going on this week! Hope to see you there, ready to worship, ready to encourage a brother or sister in the faith, and ready to watch the Spirit do his mighty work in our midst! Pray for God's will to be done!

See you there; happy prep!

Preparing for Worship: February 7th, 2010

2010-02-05T14:26:00.000-08:00

Hey guys, sorry I didn't post last Friday to help you all prepare for last Sunday! I was out renting cellos, and helping pianos get brought in to our worship center, and putting our great cellist, Meghan Zeikle, up in our guest room.

I hope you guys enjoyed our special "Winter Cello-bration" last weekend, and that it helped to keep our ears and hearts fresh to all kinds of beautiful musical expression to aid in our corporate worship! I had a great time playing that big beast of a piano, and it's always a pleasure for me to worship with Meghan, as we have ministered together since our college days at Master's College in the Chorale, and for the last two summers at the Resolved Conference.

We will have another Cello-bration in the future, and for those of you that weren't able to be there this past week, you'll have another chance to worship with us with piano/cello accompaniment.

So we set our sights on this coming Sunday, and prepare to pick up where we left off last week in our study of Ephesians. Pastor Todd is preaching from chapter four, verses 13-16. CLICK HERE to read this week's passage about growing up in Christ as his body.

Since it's the first Sunday of the month, we'll also remember Christ's death for us as we take communion together after Pastor Todd's sermon.

Now onto the singing! We're gonna start the morning with a good waker-upper song: "Marvelous Light" which reminds us why we are there together, to worship the God who called us out of darkness and into light through the cross. We, who once were fatherless strangers with no hope have been given new life in Christ. Sin has lost its power; death has lost its sting! From the grave You've risen victoriously!

Pastor Todd will jump up for a few minutes of welcome and announcement stuff and we can worship together through prayer, welcoming visitors and greeting and encouraging friends we already know! We'll also see a quick video for the upcoming Financial Peace University class at Crossroads.

We'll start up the music again as we engage in revelation/response with God as He's revealed himself through His Word, and His Son. We'll sing of his great love for us in "The Father's Love" and contemplate our new life as sons and daughters, and the desire for clean hands and a pure heart; that we might seek God and seek Him alone in "Give Us Clean Hands."

Pastor Todd will preach the Word to us, and lovingly encourage and exhort us to grow up in spiritual maturity so as to not be tossed to and fro, but to speak the truth IN LOVE to one another so as to build up the body of Christ. Again, be sure you check out the passage of scripture, so you're prepared to glean the truth God would have you learn and apply to your life.

We'll respond to the Spirit's teaching by celebrating communion together after Todd's message, and singing "Jesus Messiah" which quotes 2 Corinthians: He became sin, WHO KNEW NO SIN, that WE might become HIS righteousness! It is absolutely astounding that we have inherited the PERFECT righteousness of Christ because of our faith in what He did on the cross!!!

We'll end our time together with the song "Stronger" that I hope will go with us as we leave the church "building" to BE the church in the world around us; that God is stronger than sin and darkness, and that through us, his name will be lifted higher and higher above all names in the universe!

Phew!

So yeah, that's what's-a-happening. Hope to see you there, ready to go! Happy prepping.

Preparing for Worship: January 24th, 2010

2010-01-22T13:53:00.001-08:00

Hey everyone; I hope you are enjoying the rain more than I am. I can only truly enjoy the rain when I am inside by the fire with my wife and a hot cup of coffee. Once I have to go out INTO the rain, it's not quite as enjoyable.

I suppose this week of non-stop rain is completely unusual though, and I should remember that we suffer from droughts almost every year from the normal California LACK of rain.

So with that fresh perspective in mind, let's look at what's going on at Crossroads this Sunday!

Try this: click HERE to check out our Order of Worship directly from our Online Planning Center!

This is what Pastor Todd and I craft during the week as we consider the sermon text/theme, any special announcements or videos we are showing, and all the songs we'll sing together.

Pastor Todd has invited Pastor Jeff Noe of Oak Hill Bible Church in Castaic to come and preach God's Word to us this week. Pastor Todd likes to try and bring in guest speakers semi-frequently because as he says: "it gives people a break from me!"

Whether you need a break from Pastor Todd or not; why not let him know how thankful you are for his constant care and ministry to the body here at Crossroads? He spends a LOT of hours studying and preparing to preach and teach us on Sunday mornings, but he also spends a LOT of hours on the phone with people and meeting with people in his office as he shepherds and cares for people on a personal and individual basis. Whether he is up on the stage preaching, or stacking chairs in the worship center (we are both Pros at this), he loves Crossroads, and more importantly he loves the PEOPLE of Crossroads. So make sure he knows that you appreciate him whether you catch him after church, shoot him an email (tsmith@lifeatcrossroads.org), or call him at the church office (661-775-9502).

So yeah, Pastor Todd is giving everyone a break from his preaching this week as Jeff comes and teaches us from the Old Testament book of 1 Samuel. He's preaching from all of chapter 27 (it's short), and the choice of text may seem strange to you, so CLICK HERE to read it and prepare for what God will teach you from this "road less travelled" text.

We'll kick off our morning with a pair of songs that express our joyful confidence in the never-changing, never-failing character of God with "Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee" and "Everlasting God."

From there, Pastor Todd will come and pray, welcome everyone, and introduce a short promo video for the next Financial Peace University course we're offering at Crossroads starting on February 11th. CLICK HERE to go to our calendar page for more information on being a part of this life changing class.

After a short greeting time to shake a few hands and give a few hugs, we'll take it up a notch as we sing and teach each other to be joyful and excited about the hope that we have because of Christ's death and resurrection by singing "I Have a Hope." The funny thing about us humans is that we need to constantly be reminded of this hope because we have such tendency to forget it and to doubt it. We will help ourselves in the area of doubt by singing "Completely Done"(follow the directions for a FREE download of this great song!) which reminds us that the work of the cross is not dependent on how perfect we can become (since we CAN'T become perfect), but that Jesus completed the work of redemption once and for all, and it cannot be added to or undone by any thing or anyone!!

Pastor Jeff will come and preach from 1 Samuel at this point in our meeting, and he will help us realize when we are falling into spiritual depression due to doubting God, and how we can fight spiritual discouragement in the face of difficulty in life. Have you ever experienced this? If you answered "No" then you're LYING!! This is going to be a timely and helpful message, so don't miss it!

We'll respond with a song that is straight from a key passage of scripture that relates to this idea: "Psalm 62" where David confronts his own soul, and commands it to find rest and shelter in God alone amidst the trials and temptations of the world. May it become stuck in all our heads this week as we seek to apply the message to our lives outside the walls of Crossroads!

That's what's going on so check out all the songs, and read up on the biblical text. See you Sunday!

Preparing for Worship: January 17th, 2010

2010-01-15T14:10:00.000-08:00

Well last Sunday was yet another "first" for Crossroads, as Pastor Todd led in singing! After our opening set, he led our people in a rousing rendition of "Happy Birthday" in celebration of my, not 18th as he "guessed," but 27th birthday. What a cool church family! THANK YOU!

I'm sure most of you have heard by now of the catastrophic earthquake that shook the country of Haiti earlier this week. What grace we were shown in that our short-term missions team returned from there just two days before the quake! Still, we mourn the destruction and havoc that has turned the country on its head. Even before the quake, Haiti was in shambles; weak, corrupted government; extreme poverty (Haiti is among the poorest countries in the world!); and a deep, deep need for the love of the Savior both in the knowledge of the gospel, and through his people as we reach out to meet their needs.

We are going to take a special offering on Sunday for the relief efforts that are being mobilized to get medical supplies and other necessities to the Haitian people. Please consider giving sacrificially to help bless these people who, for the small percentage that have jobs, live on about $2 a day, and who are even more in need now.

As you prepare to come and worship God with the body at Crossroads, here's what we'll be sharing together Sunday morning.

We'll start with joyful singing to help get us all on the same page. This is an important time in the service, as we all come in with different things on our minds, some having had great weeks, some having had terrible weeks, some dealing with great trial, etc. The beginning of the service is where we remind ourselves of the God that we serve, and that as we worship him corporately, we seek his will to be done both in our lives as individuals, and as a local body of believers. In many churches over the years, it's been called the "Call to Worship." I think that's an okay term to use but I prefer to think of it as a "Refocusing of Worship."

Every Sunday, we sing songs filled with truth about God, and we sit under teaching about God, and what he has to say to us. We leave with our thoughts and lives focused on him; living out our worship as a lifestyle.

Throughout the week, our minds are pushed and pulled in every direction, and we often lose focus on God. We still may have our "quiet times" or remember to pray before meals, but so often life just gets so busy that our "worship" refocused on our jobs, or our families, or our _____ (fill in the blank with the things you find take your mind off of God; the Bible calls these things IDOLS!!).

When we come together as a corporate body we often need a bit of a "Spiritual Realignment" so that our minds might be renewed by the Spirit to recognize the supremacy of God in Christ in all things!

So DON'T BE LATE!! Church starts at 9:00 and 10:30, and we need YOU, as a vital part of God's body, to be there with us!

Okay, now that we got that out of the way...

We'll "refocus" our worship together back to the One to whom it rightfully belongs as we share music and melody together with "Holy is the Lord" and "Praise to the Lord, the Almighty."

We have our yearly financial update as we reflect on God's goodness and faithfulness displayed in the faithful giving of his people! We'll talk about the budget for the coming year, and thank God together for blessing Crossroads so immensely. We'll also talk about our "iServe" program and how to get involved in ministry at Crossroads. We'll finish with a few minutes focused on Haiti, and how we can get involved to be God's hands and feet there in the coming weeks as they recover from the disaster. Also, our team that was just there will be sharing a recap of the trip on Sunday, the 31st, for which they will supply the details on Sunday morning.

After a few minutes to greet and encourage each other, we'll resume corporate singing that helps us remember God's sovereignty even in light of the events in Haiti: "We Will Remember" and the old hymn "Great is Thy Faithfulness."

Pastor Todd will share his message from Ephesians 4:1-6 where the Apostle Paul calls us to live worthy of the calling we've received as children of God in Christ. The Spirit who dwells in us enables us to live with humility, gentleness, and patience. He calls the church to live in unity with peace, recalling the truth that we all serve the same One God as a part of One Body and One Faith and Baptism. READ (CLICK HERE) the passage Todd's preaching from, and ask the Spirit to teach YOU how to live in this way that none of us are truly capable of apart from Him!

At the end of his message, Todd will invite us to do something NOW about Haiti, and give towards relief efforts there. Will will be setting up more ways to help in the coming weeks, but instead of just waiting around, we thought we should give towards efforts that are already being mobilized.

We'll close with the new song we learned a few weeks ago called "All I Have is Christ." I thought this would be a good way to close, because this perspective is so foreign to us in America: that ALL we have is Christ, and that we're HAPPY about that??? To us, Christ is often something we list (consciously or unconsciously) among other "stuff" that we have that gives us joy and security in life: family, spouse, house, car, etc.

The people in Haiti truly have next to NOTHING. In a sense, they are in the best position to understand that Christ is ALL we need, and that which we should want the most!

"Hallelujah! ALL I have is CHRIST!"

That's what's happening Sunday, see you then!

Preparing for Worship: January 10th, 2010

2010-01-08T14:01:00.000-08:00

I received lots of positive feedback from doing a more acoustic, "unplugged" vibe this past Sunday during our worship singing; thank you! That was a planned for a while beforehand, but it ended up being part of God's perfect plan.

Friday evening I came down with a dreaded stomach flu; something that prior to last weekend, I can't ever really remember having, which made it worse. I spent all of Friday night waking up every hour as my body wrenched itself of all water. I spent Saturday sleeping and recovering but by Sunday morning I was still really weak so a mellow worship set while I sat on a stool was an example of God's kindness to me! :)

I also really enjoyed teaching you our new song "All I Have is Christ" and everyone seemed grateful for its truth and power. Looking forward to incorporating that song again often in the coming weeks!

So I feel almost 100% percent again, and am excited to worship with you guys again this weekend!

Here's what's happening:

We'll call our souls to worship with an old faithful: "Open the Eyes of my Heart" and corporately ask God to allow us to experience himself high and lifted up, shining in the light of his glory! Next we'll obediently and joyfully ascribe to the Lord glory and strength (Psalm 29:1) by singing the hymn "To God be the Glory."

Pastor Todd will lead us in prayer for the morning, that it would be done in the power of the Spirit, through the blood of Christ, for the glory of the Father. Then we have a bittersweet portion of morning to share together.

The Penberthy family (Jon, our 1st-6th grade coordinator; his wife Kerri; and their 4 girls) have received the call to a youth pastor position in Washington! We want to take some time as a church to pray for them, and commission them to the work the Lord's calling them to. We'll miss them!

Then we'll have a chance to meet Jon's replacement: Kari Pendleton (who knew there were so many ways to spell that first name??). She'll share her heart for children's ministry with us, and give us a face to go with the name. She's already been very active in our kids ministry by coordinating and directing our kids Christmas program.

Next we'll have a short group announcement for our Life Stage Groups that will be launching/resuming next Sunday, January 17th. Some of these ministries have already been established, but they are moving their meeting time to Sunday morning at our North campus to expand our "Church" experience. Corporate worship is a good and necessary part of the life of the believer, but it's not intensely personal, and you can't minister very much to your brothers and sisters in the Lord just by singing with them and listening to a sermon with them.

These groups will help make our church a little smaller (when do ever hear THAT as a desire of a church?? It SHOULD be!). They are structured to general age demographics, and for more information, you can check out the "Ministries" page of our website. (Click HERE to go there)

Then we'll have a short greeting time, and jump back into worship singing as we continue to reflect on God's glory with "Glorious and Mighty" and then meditate on the profound truth that a glorious and mighty God, whose judgments reign over all nations, would exercise his Kingship not by sentencing us to our just punishment for sin, but by substituting his Son in our place: "You Are My King." What a King he is!

Pastor Todd will then preach God's Word from Paul's letter to the Ephesians. Click HERE to read this week's passage where Paul prays for the Ephesian church. Come with soft hearts, ready to apply God's unchanging word to your own life for his glory!

We'll respond with "From the Inside Out" as we process and internalize what it means to be strengthened in the "inner being" Paul talks about in his prayer.

That's what's happening; see you Sunday!

New Song: "All I Have is Christ"

2009-12-29T10:37:00.000-08:00

Hey guys, we're learning a new song this week from Sovereign Grace ministries called "All I Have is Christ." The lyrics are honest and God-glorifying, and the melody is beautiful and soul stirring.

Here are the lyrics, and a video is below:

I once was lost in darkest night

Yet thought I new the way

The sin that brought this joy in life

Had led me to the grave

I had no hope that You would own

A rebel to Your will

And if You had not loved me first

I would refuse You still!

But as I ran my hell-bound race

Indifferent to the cost

You looked upon my helpless state

And led me to the cross

And I beheld God's love displayed

You suffered in my place

You bore the wrath reserved for me

Now all I know is grace!

Hallelujah! All I have is Christ!

Hallelujah! Jesus is my life!

Now Lord I would be Yours alone

And live so all might see

The strength to follow Your commands

Could never come from me

O Father use my ransomed life

In any way You choose

And let my song forever be

"My only boast is You!"

Preparing For Worship: December 20th, 2009

2009-12-18T10:44:00.001-08:00

It's the most wonderful time of the year!

I can't believe 2009 is almost in the history books, and once again, we are poised to celebrate the birth of Christ. How time flies!

This is a year of firsts yet again at Crossroads, and we're excited to celebrate! It's the first Sunday that we will have THREE services! Yes, count them, THREE! This is just a special change for this Sunday, seeing that it's "Christmas Sunday." The times for our three services are 8:00am, 9:30am, and 11:00am, so you have three chances to join us for worship and celebration!

The second "first" is that it's the first time that we will have a CHOIR! The Crossroads Christmas Choir has been hard at work for the past seven weeks preparing to help lead worship with the worship band, and also preparing a special piece of their own for your enjoyment!

Our 8:00am service is for the "most godly" of you (as Pastor Todd would say), since it's the earliest, and most selfless service to attend (selfless because it opens up more seats in the 2nd and 3rd services). We'll be doing it a little bit "candle light" style as we sing carols, and celebrate the birth of the Savior.

The 9:30 and 11:00am services will be identical, and will also feature a short musical presentation from our Kids ministry featuring all of our Crossroads kids called "Come To The Manger!"

Here's what's in store:

All three services will start with a pair of carols: "Angels We Have Heard on High" and "Joy To The World." High energy, joy-filled carols that call us to celebrate the reality of God made man to live among us!

Then we'll celebrate the outreach that is taking place as I type this down at the Union Rescue Mission, with a short slide show presentation.

Pastor Todd will come up and welcome everyone and pray for the morning, and then during the second and third services, we'll enjoy "Come To The Manger" presented by our 1st-6th grade kids.

Todd will come back up and dismiss us to a short welcome and greeting time. There are sure to be visitors and visiting family, so use this time to minister to someone who may be there for the first time!

We'll pick up our carol-singing again after that with the first and last verses of "O Holy Night" as we let the majesty and wonder of the night affect us, and hopefully cause us to see the manger with fresh eyes and soft hearts.

The choir will then share their song with us entitled "Hope Has Come" which is a great tune from Sovereign Grace Ministries, which by-the-way has a good Christmas album called "Savior: Celebrating the Mystery of God Become Man" (Click the title to check it out at the Sovereign Grace store).

Then Pastor Todd will come and preach the final message in our Christmas 2009 series called "Looking For Something More?" from Luke 2.

We'll sing one more song together after the sermon "Go Tell It On The Mountain" which is a great way to close our meeting, and take the joy of Christ's birth out into the world.

Lots of really cool stuff happening, so prepare your hearts and minds, and come rejoice in the hope of the Savior with us!

See you there!

Preparing For Worship: December 13th, 2009

2009-12-11T11:21:00.000-08:00

Once again, I fell off the blogging wagon, and failed to help you prepare for the last two weeks! My apologies!

This Sunday we go full force towards the celebration of the Savior's birth; I've been thinking of the phrase "savoring the Savior" as I plan and remind myself of the wondrous gift we were given in the babe in the manger.

Pastor Todd will continue his sermon series called "Looking For Something More" leading up to next Sunday, the 20th. This week he's talking about Joy, and unpacking the text of 1 John 1:1-4. CLICK HERE to read through the text as you prepare to come worship together with the saints.

We have a great group of Christmas carols to sing together this week, and we're going to start it off with "Hark the Herald Angels Sing." (the video's a really fun cover by Weezer!) Now, this may be something akin to when you first found out that Santa wasn't entirely real, but I can't, in good conscience, lead us in carols that talk about the angels without mentioning that the Bible never tells us that angels sing. It's true; when Christ was born, angels didn't span the night sky with songs and carols. They did spread the news that he'd been born, but Scripture tells us they "told" it, and didn't necessarily "sing" it.

That being said, Scripture doesn't tell us that angels DON'T sing, so we just need to be aware that our beloved carols are taking a bit of artistic license when we talk about angels singing.

We'll see one more video about the Union Rescue Mission as we gear up for our big outreach project there next month, and Pastor Todd will welcome everyone and lead us in prayer for the morning.

Then we'll sing "Angels From the Realms of Glory" which recounts the journey of the angels to the shepherds to tell them of Christ's birth, and to bid them to come and worship him. There are a number of YouTube videos that show this song, but I recorded my own that's closer to what we'll actually sing on Sunday, so enjoy! We'll finish off that set with "What Child is This?" as an intro to Pastor Todd's sermon.

I like the way those two songs fit together, because when the Jewish people were waiting and anticipating the birth of the Messiah, they would have been expecting something very different than a barn and a manger filled with hay. I think sometimes in our own lives, we expect God to look very different than what he really is, and when we come to worship him and respond to his own revelation of himself, we are forced to evaluate our own views and expectations. Coming to worship and really thinking through who we believe God is, is an important process as we come to know him and understand him better.

After Pastor Todd's message, we will sing "The First Noel." This is yet another carol about the proclamation of Christ's birth by the angels to the shepherds. As we respond to God's Word, and the joy that is to be found in proclaiming the gospel, we will more closely relate to the joy of that first Christmas when the angels shouted the good news.

We'll close with the song that Candace and I sang during communion last week: "Jesus Thank You" as we put in perspective that Jesus was born to go to the cross for our sins. His life is an example and a model for us, but more importantly, it was a life that perfectly satisfied the righteous standards of God, and was subsequently sacrificed for us. This is the true joy of Christmas, not just that Christ CAME, but WHY he came; to set us free from the curse of sin, and reconcile us to a restored relationship with the Father!

So that's what's going on; happy prep!

Preparing For Worship November 22nd, 2009

2009-11-20T14:18:00.000-08:00

I'm looking forward to celebrating Thanksgiving Sunday together with all of you this week!

I'm in the middle of a very busy Friday, so I'll make this quick:

We're starting with two tunes: "God of Wonders" into the new song we learned last week: "The Father's Love"

I really love contrasting the idea of God as almighty, sovereign, Creator God; and loving, compassionate, Father God. I think these two songs will help us to appreciate the idea that "every good and perfect gift comes from the Father," when we understand that he is the master over everything, but he still looks with care and concern at our needs, and is so faithful to provide.

Then we'll sing "Good to Me" and then remember that even though God is good in so many ways to each of us, he was good to all of us in the most powerful way possible: by sending Jesus to die our death on the cross by singing "Once Again."

Pastor Todd will come and preach after that, and he's taking a break from Ephesians and giving a special Thanksgiving message. Next week he'll start a short series that will take us through Christmas called "Looking for Something More?"

We'll respond in song with "Forever" which reminds us that in all things, though everything else may pass away, God's love endures forever. Then we'll close with "We Will Remember" and commit to trusting in God's past faithfulness as a guarantee that he will continue to be faithful in all of our lives; that we might always have reason to be thankful.

Really Cool Devotional Guide

2009-11-19T11:27:00.001-08:00

Check out this link to a digital version of "Breathe," a cool devotional tool from Mosaic church.

Time For Honesty! :)

2009-11-17T11:22:00.000-08:00

I came across this interesting article entitled "Top 10 Pet Peeves About Worship Leaders." It's one of those articles that is helpful for a couple of reasons:

1) It helps me to remember that there are little things that I do that may be counterproductive to leading worship, and it helps when these things are pointed out as not-helpful.

2) It helps me to remember that you definitely can't please everyone

So, which of these do I do? Which of them really annoy you? Which of them are actually helpful to you? Any others you'd care to add to the list?? Click on the "comments" link at the bottom of the post to leave your thoughts.

Top 10 Pet Peeves About Worship Leaders (with examples)

Asking the Congregation to do Something (21 responses)
>> Makes us shake hands with the people around us.
>> When a worship leader tells you to lift up your hands, it takes a meaningful personal action and turns it into a obligatory command.
>> Talks like they’re at a high school pep rally, “Let me hear ya!”
>> Asks how everyone is doing. We’re not at a concert, so we’re not going to scream.
>> Tells you what to do and how to worship… to the point where it makes you feel guilty if you don’t conform yourself to her/his understanding of what worship is.
>> I hate it when worship leaders script the worship too much by telling people what to do. I’ve had worship leaders completely distract me from God when they start telling me what to do.
Mini-Sermons & Talking (20 responses)
>> Talks between every song.
>> I am distracted when worship leaders start talking about anything that is not directions on what we are about to do.
>> When they repeat the same catch-phrases every week.
>> Breathy speaking between songs.
>> Sermonettes are annoying if too long or common
>> You can tell a mile away when a worship leader is “sharing” because he feels obligated to. It’s always a cheesy or over emotional blurb. When God’s really laid something on a worship leader’s heart, it’s cool. But even then, say it in less than 45 seconds! Don’t meander on for 3 minutes.
Not Focusing on God (17 responses)
>> Forget that the audience of worship is God and start making it a performance for those sitting in front of them.
>> When they perform rather than worship themselves.
>> Showing zero emotion, standing still, focusing too much on perfection.
>> Worship leaders who seem really wrapped up in being “cool.”
>> Sometimes you can tell they’re being fake and/or showy.
>> I hate it when the music guy/gal asks the crowd to praise God but soaks it up like they are Bono and the crowd is really praising them.
>> I hate it when worship leaders don’t lead people.
Unprofessional (14 responses)
>> Starts service late.
>> Typos on the screen.
>> Talks to the praise band while leading worship instead of using hand signals to tell them what to do.
>> When the leader changes the key of the song and does not tell the rest of the team.
>> Goes out of order or adds another song in the middle of the set
>> When the leader and/or band member turns away from the people to mess with their gear.
>> When the production team on stage are laughing, joking, and gesturing behind the worship leader to the soundboard guys in the transition between worship and the message.
Singing (11 responses)
>> Can’t sing very well.
>> Doesn’t know the lyrics.
>> When worship leaders run words together.
>> When they put their own little spin on simple, common words.
>> Repeating the same line in a song 3.6 million times. There’s the Spirit’s leading and then there’s just plain losing people.
>> Our old church’s leader would sing so high that no one could sing along. She provided no harmony for us to pick up. It was to showcase her own voice.
Appearance (9 responses)
>> Sing with their eyes closed.
>> When singers act like they are really bored up there.
>> Wears crotch hugging jeans.
>> Looks or sounds seductive.
>> One of our young worship leaders had a really big hicky on his neck a couple of weeks ago.
Prayer (8 responses)
>> Inauthentic prayer – too scripted or so random that it doesn’t make sense, or rushed/dragged out to make the prayer fit the interlude.
>> Prays the words of the songs.
>> When they can’t talk or pray appropriately between songs.
Bad Transitions (5 responses)
>> Transitions between songs take long time.
>> Allows uncomfortable dead time between songs.
>> When they pray essentially the same prayer at a transition moment.
>> Using the song name as an introduction/transition - “You know I was thinking about how much God has done for me…it really is ‘Amazing Grace’ isn’t it?”
Lifestyle (4 responses)
>> When he’s obviously ungodly during practice and throughout life, but turns into a saint on Sunday morning.
>> I hate to see a person who is suppose to be leading worship acting like a jerk before service and then getting up on stage acting like nothing ever happened.
>> As a Pastor, I hate it when the music guy/gal is lazy apart from their 30 minute set on Sundays.
Catering to the Congregation (4 responses)
>> When they hold back because they are obviously conscious of what the congregation and/or pastor will think.
>> I hate it when worship leaders/pastors play to people who think the worship somehow revolves around what they like and what makes them feel good when it has absolutely nothing to do with our preferences or likes.
>> Has to risk being a cheerleader because the people that claim to love God exhibit no sense of joy when singing about Him.

For the full article, CLICK HERE.

Preparing For Worship November 15th, 2009

2009-11-13T14:27:00.000-08:00

Happy 2nd Friday everyone! If you didn't have Wednesday off for Veterans' Day, then I suppose this is just your 1st Friday of the week; poor you!

I hope you are all looking forward to coming together to worship our great God this Sunday. I hope that it is a culmination of the relationship and communion that you've shared with God this entire week. That's certainly the goal...

But how much of our life is spent aiming for the goal...and consistently falling short? Do you ever come to the end of a week and look back and wonder where it all went? You ask yourself how there is so much you weren't able to get done, and why you spent so little time with the Lord. I have been there many times, disappointed that the only time I could really get away to be with the Lord was when I was stuck in traffic on a long drive, remembering how my mornings got swept up in chores and errands, and my evenings went who-knows-where.

These types of weeks are a part of life, and we won't always be able to spend lots of time in God's Word, and in really focused prayer. The good news is that we can still worship, and bring glory to God's name by living our lives in the power of His Spirit. The fact that God-very-God resides no longer in a tabernacle, nor does He sit around in the worship center at Crossroads. The Spirit of the all-powerful, living God dwells in the new temple...each of us! This should drastically affect the way we live. However, too often we dismiss it, and forget about it! I am in the midst of rethinking the presence of the Spirit in my life, and how I can better acknowledge Him and live by His strength. To help me, I've just started Francis Chan's new book "Forgotten God: Reversing Our Tragic Neglect of the Holy Spirit." (Click the title to check out the book on Amazon.com). Check it out, I think this is a tragic reality in the church (the church as a whole, not just Crossroads), and we need to do something about it!

Anyway, I suppose I'll end my sermon there, and let Todd do the real preaching on Sunday. He'll be preaching from Ephesians 2:17-22 and finish up chapter two. Be sure you've read the passage, and are ready to study it together with us!

As always, we'll sing together and express our responses to God through lyrics and music. We'll start by acknowledging our dependence on the Spirit to be among us, and to direct us and empower our worship: "Come Thou Fount." Then we turn to the Psalms where David declares the beauty and perfection of being in the courts of the Lord, and proclaims that "Better Is One Day" in his courts than thousands at any other great place.

We have a short video to encourage us to be a part of Crossroads' ministry to the Union Rescue Mission this Christmas. Let's worship God by responding with love to the needs of those at the URM, and being involved in whatever ways we can. Tim Campbell will fill us in on the opportunities. Mark off the days on your calendar: Friday and Saturday, December 18th and 19th.

We'll continue singing as we learn the new song I posted earlier this week: "The Father's Love." Dwelling on how God brought us back to a right relationship with him, and has made us part of his household, will point our brains in the right direction to fully soak up the truth of the sermon text! We'll sing "Draw Me Close" right before Pastor Todd comes up, but hopefully we will sing it a little differently, understanding that we don't have to continually ask God to "draw us close" because HE ALREADY HAS! I think the Spirit will remind us of this truth very powerfully.

Then Todd will come and preach God's Word to us. I want to remind us all to not just be consumers, but to interact with the preaching. Prepare your heart and mind (remember, you have the same Spirit of God as Pastor Todd does in you to teach you and help you understand His Word)! Then as Todd preaches, seek the Spirit's conviction and encouragement in your life. If you disagree with something Todd says, tell him! We as leadership would love to talk about anything you hear (whether in a sermon, song, video, etc.) that raises a red flag in your mind or seems to be different than what God's Word says! So CLICK HERE to read Ephesians 2:17-22.

We'll respond to the message with "Marvelous Light" that focuses on the new life we have, having formerly been strangers with no hope!

That's what's going on this Sunday; see you then!

New Song: The Father's Love

2009-11-10T09:46:00.000-08:00

And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God...
-Ephesians 2:17-19

CLICK HERE to listen to this new song we'll sing together this weekend.

How has the sinner been forgiven
How has the rebel been made clean
Or blinded eyes been made to see
How have the orphans been adopted
Who hated Your love and ran from grace
Despised and rejected all Your ways

How wonderful the Father’s love
The Father’s love for us
That He would send His only Son
To come and rescue us
He has saved us, called us blameless
Guides us now and will sustain us
Oh how wonderful the Father’s love

Your mercy floods our lives with kindness
Your grace has colored all we see
And You have promised not to leave
You freely give Your Spirit to us
So we can be sure we’re sons of God
And rest in the hope of what’s to come

Though sufferings may fill our lives
We’re confident we’re heirs with Christ
And so we cry, “Abba, Father”

Preparing For Worship: November 8th, 2009

2009-11-05T14:47:00.000-08:00

I have had one person mention my lack of blogging to me over the past two weeks; and he doesn't even go to our church! If you normally read Friday's "Preparing For Worship" posts, then I'm sorry I've left you hanging the past two weeks! The month of October was jam packed with great ministry opportunities, and blogging always got pushed right off the list!

Over the last month or so, I was privileged to be able to lead worship over at Grace Brethren School in Simi Valley (where our youth director Stephen Barshaw teaches); and also over at Santa Clarita Christian School for their respective "Spiritual Emphasis Weeks." I also was honored to return to The Master's College chapel to lead worship there on the day that Pastor Todd spoke. Yes, it's true: Pastor Todd spoke at The Master's College! What's the world coming to?? :)

So things are returning to normal speed this month (the "lull" before the holidays), and I'm glad to finally be back at the blog again, helping my family at Crossroads to prepare for worship each week!

This week we'll be starting the service with two songs "How Great Thou Art" and "Blessed Be Your Name." These two songs really help illustrate the proper worship experience:

Step 1) We understand who God is, as revealed in his Word and through his Spirit alive in us (How Great THOU Art)

Step 2) We respond with worship (awe, surrender, thanksgiving, joy, conviction and repentance, etc.) ("my heart will choose to say: 'Lord, blessed be Your name!'")

The idea of this worship experience doesn't only take place in church on a Sunday morning, and as we grow older, and are exposed to the wide breadth of the character of God, we can, in effect, respond to that every minute of every day. As the apostle Paul said: whether you eat or drink, do it unto the glory of God! As we eat, and remember that God is our provider and sustainer, we eat with thankfulness and trust, and as a result, we worship with every bite (so to speak).

We have a few special things to communicate this week, which we'll take time to do after the first two tunes.

1) Pastor Todd will give us an update of what's going on in our Children's Ministry

-let's continue the idea of responding to God's character here: as Pastor Todd tells us what is happening in our Children's Ministry, we have the chance to thank God for providing faithful teachers for our various classes. We can be thankful that each week, committed volunteers are showing the love of Jesus to every child that's there, and teaching them about God. We respond with gratefulness to God for these people, and rejoice that God has a plan for each of our precious children to bring glory to his name!

2) We'll see another short video about "Operation Christmas Child"

-as we are made aware of the need these kids have all over the world, we have the opportunity to be moved by compassion to take action and participate in obedience to "care for the widows and the orphans" (basically, those who are in need). Obedience is a proper response of worship to God.

We'll take a few moments to say good morning to each other, and welcome visitors, showing the love of Christ to others through a warm smile and a friendly handshake. Ask how someone's week was, and be prepared to honestly say how yours was too! If it turns in to a longer conversation than the greeting time, remember to follow up after service, or walk out into the lobby area! I won't be offended, and neither will God! The body is supposed to encourage and edify each other, and if you have the opportunity to have a real conversation with somebody, don't cut it short for time's sake!

We'll sing two more songs before the sermon: "Before The Throne of God Above" and "Surrender," which again outlines our experience of Proclamation and Response. We remind ourselves of our great High Priest (Christ) who pleads our case before the Father, crediting his perfect righteousness to our accounts. Then we respond by "laying down our rights" and "giving up our pride" and surrendering all to God's sovereign will to be used by him.

Pastor Todd will then come teach us from Ephesians 2:11-16 (CLICK HERE TO READ IT). This passage is all about what Christ accomplished in our salvation: breaking down the wall between the Jew and the Gentile, and between man and God. He's appropriately titled his sermon "Tear Down This Wall." The sermon time is a time rich with opportunity to respond to God. We may think that since we sit and listen for 40 minutes, we don't have any opportunities to worship, but as we listen actively, process, and think through ideas, and then respond by changing our lives appropriately, we honor God. Pastor Todd is just as much a worship leader as I am.

Corporately, we'll respond together to the message by singing two final songs: "Completely Done" and "I Have a Hope" which both celebrate the reality of our salvation: done and secure. We don't have to fear being separated from God any longer, and this should evoke in us joy, hope, thanksgiving, and awe for God's great love and mercy shown to us through Christ.

So that's what's going on this Sunday; hope this helps!

PS. You can get a free download of "Completely Done" from Sovereign Grace by clicking HERE.

Preparing For Worship: October 11th, 2009

2009-10-09T12:19:00.000-07:00

I'm looking forward, as always, to the opportunity to worship with all of you as we lift our voices in song, bow our heads in prayer, submit to the power and authority of God's Word, and seek the Holy Spirit's guidance and application of it to our lives!

Before I give you all the goods for this Sunday, I wanted to make you aware that I've posted a recording on the Crossroads homepage that I did just yesterday (Thursday). It's a recording of "The Lord's Prayer" that I did during church a number of months ago. It's an old...I mean "classic" arrangement of the text by Albert Hay Malotte, and a number of people have asked me if I would ever record it. I'm thinking this is mostly because I absolutely BOTCHED IT UP during second service, and they want to hear what it is SUPPOSED to sound like. :) Anyway, I recorded it and added some background vocals that give it a similar feel to Jeff Buckley's version of "Hallelujah." So, enjoy! CLICK HERE to go to the page...but come back!

This Sunday Pastor Todd jumps back in to the first chapter of Ephesians as we wrestle with the centuries-old tension between God's sovereign choice in election, and man's free will. Calvinists and Arminians have debated and argued for hundreds of years over this, but Pastor Todd will finally settle the debate THIS WEEK!

Just kidding. Our human minds will probably never be able to fully reconcile God's sovereign predestination with our free will to choose Christ in salvation. But guess what folks; the Bible teaches both, so somehow, even if it's in the mind of God alone, the two work together. So come, ready to think through, and wrestle with this very significant doctrine.

We're starting with the hymn "Immortal, Invisible God, Only Wise" with a great chorus written by one of my worship leading heroes: Bob Kauflin. Then we have a few announcements and a greeting time.

We'll sing "Holy Is The Lord" and "Grace Unmeasured" as we focus in on what God's sovereign grace means for us in election to salvation, and receiving the Holy Spirit. "Grace Unmeasured" is shaping up to be a really powerful "theme song" of sorts for this series in Ephesians, so hopefully you like it since I'll probably be using it a lot! :)

Todd will come preach from chapter one, verses 11-14, which you should read by CLICKING HERE. Let the text stew in your brain and in your heart for a while, and ask the Spirit to teach you and make the truth of God clear to you, and to apply it in a practical way.

We'll respond "to the praise of his glorious grace" by singing our new song "Glorious and Mighty" together, which I think will be a good way for us to respond; instead of trying to completely figure God out and put it all into nice little categories and acronyms, we'll throw our hands up in surrender and just proclaim that God is too "glorious and mighty" for us to fully comprehend!

We'll close with the tune "Stronger" which brings that truth home to our hearts when we realize that the mighty God we serve conquered and payed for our sin once and for all!

So that's what's going on; see you Sunday!

PS. The video link for "Stronger is from a youth service in Norway! COOL!