Crossroads Church E-News November 23rd 2025

 

From Pastor Tim
This Sunday, the Story of Esther
This Sunday morning our worship team will help us to look in the Lord’s direction
as we sing to Him. We also plan this Sunday morning to continue our sermon
series, “Learning from Life Stories.” In this series we are looking at the
biographies of some biblical characters with a particular focus on what we can
learn about God through these life stories. This Sunday we are giving attention to
the story of a young woman named Esther. Esther’s story really tells us much
about God. Though His name is never explicitly mentioned in the book of Esther,
His presence is evident on every page. Personally, I am humbled and challenged by
her story. I find her courage, and her willingness to resolve the question about
which kingdom she would prioritize, to be disarming. Would she prioritize the
kingdom of this world, or the kingdom of God? She was a young woman –
probably in her late teens or early 20’s, wrestling through that “TWO worlds
question.” Though Esther lived 2500 years ago, her story has all kinds of relevant
application in our contemporary context. I want to encourage all of us to read
chapter 4 of the Book of Esther before Sunday. It is the centerpiece of the story.

Worship and Prayer Night on Sunday evening, November 23, at 6 PM!
We invite you to join others from Crossroads for an evening of worship and prayer
on Sunday evening, November 23. In the Bible and in history, God has
demonstrated His readiness to move in response to the deliberate and earnest
prayer of his people. The LORD met with us in an unmistakable way on October 5
at our last worship and prayer night. We have once again invited as a guest
worship leader, Matt Hoage. Matt is a friend of mine who lives in the Eau Claire
area. He has served as a worship pastor or worship director in several churches. I
am planning to facilitate the prayer time on Sunday evening beginning at 6 PM.
We believe the LORD is going to meet with us on Sunday evening, November 23,
in Worship and Prayer Night.
What is Ahead in Coming Weeks at Crossroads?
Ann and I want the Crossroads Church family to know what a privilege it has been
to share life together with you through this fall season. We want to express our
love for you and our gratitude for you. We have valued your partnership in the
gospel!
Crossroads church is currently growing. You have a faithful leadership team. You
have a youth pastor who loves Jesus and who loves you. You have a diverse search
team that is serving prayerfully, diligently, and thoughtfully. Pray for the seven
members of the search team. Their desire is to stay in step with the leading of the
Lord in this important search for Crossroads next Lead Pastor.

Beginning in December, the leadership of Chippewa Valley Bible Church has
graciously offered to share some of their team with the Crossroads family twice a
month to help with the Sunday morning preaching ministry at Crossroads. This is a
generous expression of unity and shared commitment to Jesus. The tentative plan is
that Pastor Andrew would preach about twice a month on Sunday mornings during
the parenthesis until a new lead pastor is identified, and gospel partners outside of
Crossroads would help with two Sunday. The Lord is good, and He is at work. He
is surely present with the Crossroads family during this interim.