This Week At Crossroads

Pastor's Corner MAUNDY THURSDAY, MARCH 28TH at 7pm This evening our Lenten observance comes to an end, and we gather with Christians around the world to celebrate the Three Days of Jesus’ death and resurrection. Tonight we remember Christ’s last meal with his disciples, but the central focus is his commandment that we live out the promise embodied in this meal. As Jesus washed his disciples’ feet, so we are called to give and receive love in humble service to one another. Formed into a new body in Christ through this holy meal, we are transformed by the mercy we have received and carry it into the world. Departing worship in solemn silence, we anticipate the coming days. GOOD FRIDAY, MARCH 29TH at 7pm Life and death stand side by side as we enter into Good Friday. In John’s passion account, Jesus reveals the power and glory of God, even as he is put on trial and sentenced to death. Standing with the disciples at the foot of the cross, we pray for the whole world in the ancient bidding prayer, as Christ’s death offers life to all. We gather in solemn devotion, but always with the promise that the tree around which we assemble is indeed a tree of life. We depart silently, and we anticipate the culmination of the Three Days. SATURDAY, MARCH 30TH: CHURCH PICNIC AT 11 & EASTER EGG HUNT AT 11:30 Make sure you join us for the Church Picnic on Saturday, March 30th. Please bring a side or dessert to share. The church will provide hamburgers, hotdogs, buns and chips. ALL Friends and family are welcome!  EASTER SUNDAY, MARCH 31ST at 9:15am Christ is risen! Jesus is alive, and God has swallowed up death forever. With Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome, we may feel astonished and confused, unsure of what to make of the empty tomb. But this is why we gather: to proclaim, witness, praise, and affirm the liberating reality of Christ’s death and resurrection. In word and feast, we celebrate God’s unending love, and depart to share this good news with all the world. Alleluia!     JOIN US IN-PERSON OR ONLINE Sunday at 9:15am  YOUTUBE CHANNEL CROSSROADS ON-DEMAND FACEBOOK LIVE NEW Hours/Days Pastor Kaila Office Hours  Pastor Kaila will be in the Church office from 12:30-3 every Monday and Wednesday 9:30-1 at The Station Coffee Co. To reach her please call or email her directly.  480-881-5695 karmbruster@iamcrossroads.org MEET GOD Click on the image to load the video message from ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton He has been raised; he is not here. —Mark 16:6 This year, journeying through Lent as well as the spring gatherings around our synod, I was heartened by the joy of our most basic calling: sharing the Good News.  At gatherings of conferences in Las Vegas, Tucson, Phoenix, Scottsdale, and Sedona, a portion of our time was dedicated to simple open mic sessions, introduced by conference deans, where leaders of our congregations and ministries proclaimed the wonders of God's work in their communities. The feedback we received was clear: we live in a world desperate to hear any kind of good news.  The Good News of Jesus Christ, which we celebrate this Holy Week, is a story of love, sacrifice, and triumph over death. It is the story that continues to revive hearts and instill hope. The empty tomb tells us that Christ is alive in our world. Similarly, our spring gatherings are a testament to the living and active body of Christ in our midst. Each story shared at our gatherings was a thread in the common mission of our synod that weaves us together. We heard of innovative programs taking root and long-held ministries finding new branches. Our congregations are busy feeding a hungry world with box lunches, youth programs, music ministries, and community outreach. We heard that our congregations are manifestations of the Gospel alive in our world—a world that is weary yet also ripe for the renewal that only Christ can give. The Good News we bear is not only of Christ's triumph but also of the daily resurrections we witness: reconciliations within communities, the comforting of those who grieve, and the acts of kindness that reflect God's love. In this Holy Week, as we walk from the somber reflections of the cross to jubilant alleluias, let us joyously carry with us the stories of transformation and redemption that we've heard and lived. I encourage you to communicate Jesus. Be simple and bold as you continue to share the Good News of Jesus—His life, His death, His resurrection—and also the good news of our congregations and ministries.  As we proclaim, “He is Risen,” may we also be mindful to look for the resurrection light in all corners of our weary world, to listen for the good news of Christ's peace and renewing grace, and to add our voices to the chorus. Risen Lord, as we journey through Holy Week into the joy of Easter morning, help us to be bearers of your Good News in all that we say and do. Strengthen our voices to share the stories of your transformative love and embolden our hearts to be messengers of hope to a world yearning for your renewal. In your holy name we pray. Amen. May the joy of the Risen Christ be with you this Easter and always, The Rev. Deborah K. Hutterer Bishop Grand Canyon Synod of the ELCA MEET FRIENDS Next Connection Night is April 3 Come join us for Connection Night on Wednesday, April 3rd at 6:30pm. We will be handing out the book Holy Moments authored by Matthew Kelly. It is a small but powerful tool that can help people change their lives for the better, forever. It teaches us how to be more Christ centered in our interactions with others on a day to day basis. In other words - to have more holy moments. The world is a bit of a mess. We ask ourselves "why? how did it get this way?" The simple answer is unholy moments. The book Holy Moments , once read, is unforgettable. It will change lives. As Paul says in 1 Corinthians 11 vs 1 "Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ" We want to provide people with a tool that will help them do just that. We will start discussing the book starting in May at the Connection Night. If you can't join us for Connection Night, we still have a book for you! See Pastor Kaila or Marge for questions!  MAKE LIFE BETTER Women of Grace is a service outreach of Crossroads Lutheran Church. We meet every Wednesday from 10am-1:30pm at The Station Coffee Co in Florence, AZ. We begin with a time of fellowship time and a short devotion. Then we get busy making quilts for the Hope Women’s Center in Coolidge, AZ, and for the Grace Lutheran Church in Phoenix, AZ. In addition to the quilts, we also make sleeping mats for the homeless made from recycled plastic grocery bags. We also serve lunch to 30-40 women on the 3rd Tuesday of every month at the Hope Women’s Center.    We welcome anyone to come and join us for all or part of our Wednesday gatherings. We always say that if you can tie your shoes or use scissors, we can put you to work!!!If   We appreciate any donation of used denim jeans of any color or khaki pants to use for quilts. Also cotton or flannel sheets for the backs of the quilts. Stains and rips don’t matter, either! Questions? Contact Jane Pagliari at jpag75@comcast.net Looking for a great way to give back? Check out our new sign up board. If you have any questions contact Pastor Kaila. Will YOU PARTNER WITH US?  If you have ever considered setting up a recurring gift, now is the perfect time! Crossroads has more opportunities than ever to engage in Kingdom movements locally and around the world. Would you consider being part of this work financially?  To give online simply go to our Crossroads website or use the GIVE TODAY button.  There you can give a one time gift or set up your profile and use the reoccurring gift option.  It only takes a couple minutes.  You can also mail your gift to us at: Crossroads Church  2769 E. Combs Road Box 4 San Tan Valley, AZ 85140.  GIVE TODAY Station Coffee Co. Happenings We are looking for volunteers to help host our livestream church service at the Coffee Shop. If you are interested please contact Pastor Kaila for more information or sign up on the sign up board at church. Copyright © 2023 Crossroads Church, All rights reserved. Our Mailing Address Is: 2769 E. Combs Road | Box 4 | San Tan Valley | AZ | 85143 Our Physical Address Is: 2769 E. Combs Road Building D I San Tan Valley I AZ I 85140 Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.