Have you noticed that on a regular basis you run across people who feel a sense of hopelessness? Crowded by circumstances and conflict, some of their own making and some they could do nothing about, a sense of desperation or even “giving up” overtakes them. Life can get that way sometime, and to deny it is to be untruthful or at best, unrealistic. Scripture is jam packed with hope for those who have given in to the feeling of hopelessness! I think of the story of the widow and her son that was going to use her last little bit to bake a small last meal and then “die”, but God interceded in a great way. Turn the pages back a few pages and you have the Hebrew with their back against the Red Sea and no boat while the greatest military might of the day pursued them, yet God opened the Sea for safe passage and then destroyed their Egyptian pursuers. Or turn ahead in Scripture when Mary and Martha mourn the loss of Lazarus and weep at his tomb, only to have Jesus show up and raise the dead, stinking remains of his friend to life again! And so many other stories, not to mention the death and resurrection of Jesus Himself! Why do I share this today? You have a hope—a hope planted within you from the very mind of God, and that hope is empowered and secured by the inexhaustible omnipotence of the creator and sustainer of all that is! Why do I share this today? Because as you encounter the hopeless, be reminded whatever they face, “He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.” (1 John 4:4) Give them Jesus, and give them hope!

Youth Bible Study: Tonight we are meeting at the Mills’ home for our Bible Study! We will begin at 7 and will be finished by 8…we know you are back in school so there is homework to be done!

Mom and dad, if your teen needs a ride, please let us know. We will work with you to provide transportation. Thanks!

Location Change: Things appear to be on schedule for beginning our services at the new facility on Sunday, September 6. The plan is for the walls to be painted tomorrow, and carpet to go in the beginning of next week. That means WE NEED YOUR HELP THIS WEEKEND! We have much cleaning to do and preparation for the carpet, so please lend a hand this weekend.  Also, continue to pray as we seek to raise some financial support for this endeavor, and a great big “thank you” to all those who are helping prepare the new facility!

Continuing this week to share some lyrics from some of the great songs of our day, though I share a song we sing from time to time that is a re-work of a grand old hymn. I so enjoy our music in our services and I am so thankful to all of the musicians who serve in leading our worship. We are blessed!

Come Ye Sinners, Poor and Needy

Come ye sinners, poor and needy
Weak and wounded, sick and sore
Jesus ready stands to save you
Full of pity, love, and power

Come ye thirsty, come and welcome
God's free bounty glorify
True belief and true repentance
Every grace that brings you nigh

I will arise and go to Jesus
He will embrace me in His arms
In the arms of my dear Savior
Oh, there are ten thousand charms

Come ye weary, heavy-laden
Lost and ruined by the fall
If you tarry until you're better
You will never come at all

Youth Bible Study: Tonight we are meeting at the Capps home for a time of celebration! Some will be heading off to college in the next few days, and the rest back to school, so we are having a pool party complete with food and fun! Tonight we will begin at 6 o’clock…if you can’t be there right at 6, that’s okay, come when you can. Mrs. Capps really wants to see all of the kids again, so hope you can make it!
I look forward to seeing you – and meeting one of your friends! Mom and dad, if your teen needs a ride, please let us know. We will work with you to provide transportation.Thanks!

Location Change: We are seeing great progress at our new location! The demolition is complete, walls are going in, lights and doors are being moved! Any time that you can help out would be greatly appreciated. There is someone there most of the day and well into the evening. Pray as we seek to raise some financial support for this endeavor, and a great big “thank you” to all those who are helping prepare the new facility!

Continuing to share some lyrics from some of the great songs of our day, this week I share a song we’ve sung a couple of times recently in our services at CrossBridge. I so enjoy our music in our services. This past Sunday we sang a couple of favorite hymns, “How Great Thou Art” and “It Is Well”, but we also sang some great, upbeat songs written by some passionate contemporary song writers. God is so good!!!

This is Our God

Location Change: Work is fully underway at our new location! A great deal of demolition has already taken place, but there is still more to do and lots of clean up. Any time that you can help out would be greatly appreciated. There is someone there most of the day and well into the evening. Tonight, in fact, many of our youth went after Bible study to take down a wall and pick up some trash! Pray as we seek to raise some financial support for this endeavor, and a great big “thank you” to all those who are helping prepare the new facility!