Exciting Events Coming to CrossBridge!

August 21 –This Sunday we will be enjoying lunch together following the morning service! Bring some friends and be a part of all God is doing in these exciting days at CrossBridge!

September 11 – Special class being offered to assist families, including our church family, of troops heading home from their deployments. Learn the issues our returning warriors face upon coming home, signs to look for, and how to truly welcome them home! Details to come.

September 30 – October 1 – Courageous Father’s Weekend Calling all men to live “COURAGEOUS” lives! Friday evening we will go see the movie “Courageous” (by the film makers who brought us “Facing the Giants” and “Fireproof”) and enjoy dinner together. Saturday, we’ll spend time in the word and being challenged in our lives as godly, loving, leading men. Clear your calendar now!

October 7-9 - Women of Joy Conference in San Antonio



Not everyone is an early riser. I’m certainly not! But the plan is that tomorrow morning I will get up a great deal earlier than normal for a Saturday. Presuming nothing changes, I will be one of many arriving in Hempstead for the “Watermelon Run for the Fallen” by 6:30 AM. As the sun rises against the grey-blue sky of southeast Texas, so too will the heat and humidity our part of the world is so well known for in the dog days of summer.

Now don’t misunderstand, I’m not complaining, and you won’t hear me complain tomorrow if you happen to be at this great event. Rather, the pace of my heart already seems to be picking up a bit in anticipation of what tomorrow is all about. You see, no matter how early, or how hot, or how long this event is, it’s not about me. This is not an event designed around my comfort or preferences. Those whom this event is for have zero interest in what songs I think should be sung, what words I would choose to have spoken, or who I would prefer step up to the microphone. No, this event isn’t about me, it’s about remembering those who gave their lives – the ultimate sacrifice – so that I could have the privilege and honor and freedom of living in the greatest country in the world. So as the names of the fallen are read, and as we walk that 5k lined with signs with the names of each one to see, I’ll be thinking about what they gave up for me, not about what I’m giving up for them.

Strange though, because come Sunday, all across our great country people will head off to churches in every city, town and village. Complaints will abound! The services will be too early and too late, the messages to deep and too simple. For some folks, the buildings will be too cold while for others it will simply be too hot. Some folks will complain the music was too loud or long while others will complain that the hymns are out of date with our times. “Christians” will declare the church doesn’t meet their families needs and decry there are just too many ministries that the church has going on. Nearly everyone in attendance will take notice of who isn’t in church on Sunday. All of this happens as though what happens on Sunday that we call “worship” is somehow about us. How sad and strange this is to me. But who cares about me, what must the Lord think? Sunday isn’t about me, it’s about Him! It’s about the risen Lord, the Alpha and the Omega, the Savior, Redeemer, Bright and Morning Star, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords! We call it the “Lord’s Day”, but we treat as though it were somehow ours. We act like everything should revolve around our preferences, tastes and comforts.

Anyone besides me see a correlation here between these next two days that I write about? Sunday, when I go to church, and while I’m at church, and when I leave church, I want to be thinking about what the Lord gave up for me, not what I’m giving up for Him. It’s all about worshipping Him anyway…isn’t it?

See you Sunday!


REVIVE Youth Bible Study: Wednesdays @ 7PM. A few are now headed off to college, but a great group remains…and we’ve been growing! Don’t miss a single week! And this Sunday we will have a Bible study just for our students at 9:00 am!

Men’s Bible Study – Sunday Mornings @ 9AM. Men, join as go through this discipleship program on Sundays! It’s a great study, so come on guys, take the lead and get your week started right in the Word! The men’s group is growing and we are discussing roles of leadership in the church. Guys, don’t miss out on this! You can be part of building something great, or just watch. Who wants to just watch when you can be part of the story!

Ladies Bible Study - This Sunday our ladies begin a brand new study. CrossBridge ladies, take advantage of this opportunity to grow in your walk and in your fellowship with one another! Sunday mornings at 9:00 is a great time for the ladies to join together in prayer, Bible study and fellowship. Be a part of what is happening at CrossBridge!

Pray for our Church Family in the Military:
Gordon Schultz, U.S. Navy, Norfolk, VA on the USS George H.W. Bush
Sean Weda, U.S. Marines, Afghanistan
Brian Tiner (brother of Trena Dowell), U.S. Air Force, Dyess AFB, Abilene, TX

Adopted Family Update: Recently our church adopted a family from Tennessee that is here in the Houston area, likeley for up to a year, awaiting a double lung transplant for their one-year old daughter. Follow the link for an update on the situation. Please join is in prayer and support for this wonderful young family.
http://crossbridgechurch....us/adopted_family

Music: Do you sing or play an instrument? We want you to serve the Lord with your talent at CrossBridge. Please contact Kyle Mathis so he can incorporate you in the worship services. Also, be sure to thank all of the great folks involved in our music ministry for the hours and dedication they give to help our church. How privileged we are to have such wonderful music each Sunday.

Be in Prayer:
John Brooks, health
Cherie Urech’s mother, health
Cat’s son
Calvin & Tina Jamerson, health issues
Brenda Capps’ mother
CrossBridge students

Be a part of the excitement Sunday at 10:00 am at CrossBridge! Invite someone to be your guest this Sunday!

Have a Great Day!

Pastor