Church guide

Overwhelmed by Transition John 15:1-4 NLT - “I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more. You have already been pruned and purified by the message I have given you. Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me.” Transition is difficult. Transition is an unknown. The unknown can be scary because we don't know what dangers wait for us. In this scripture, Jesus is telling the disciples everything will be okay as long as they remain in Him. The disciples, though, find it challenging to remain in Him when He's not there instructing them in what to do. This is a scary transition for the disciples where there is no longer safety in staying with Jesus, but it instead presents many dangers. We worry about dangers when we're in transition. We try to prepare ourselves by asking questions. When looking for a new job, we ask, "will it be enough to support my family?" When looking for a new place to live, we ask, "will it be good enough to call it ‘home’ without making me broke?" Sometimes when making new friends, we ask, "will they really accept every part of me? Even the ugly parts that I don't like about myself?" When looking for new relationships, we ask, "will this next person accept me for who I am or will I have to settle for whomever I get?" Transition can be overwhelming, but it's important to take that first step knowing Jesus will be with us just as He was with His disciples. So this week let us take comfort in knowing Jesus is with us and whenever changes come He will us throughout the transition. Questions To Consider What was a time of transition for you? What challenges did it bring? What opportunities did it present? Why was transition difficult for the disciples? Why is it difficult for us now? How has Jesus brought peace during your times of transition? How can we allow Jesus to use us to bring that peace to others who are overwhelmed by transition? In Christ’s love and service, Mark Schlasner

Anger unchecked will infect every area of your life. Achieve mastery over anger now so it doesn't control your life any more. Pastor Paul shows us how in this installment of the OVERWHELMED series. https://youtu.be/-lVS7IhO5AE

God isn't looking for ability, He's looking for availability! If you are available then CROSSROADS CHURCH can use you in the following area: • THE GROCERY GIVEAWAY at Inver Grove Heights is always looking for volunteers to help with 8:30-10:30 am set-up and 2:00-4:00 pm clean up on the first Saturday of the month. Contact Dave Sanford at [email protected].

Pastors Deb and Paul Marzahn tackle anxiety in the latest message in CROSSROADS CHURCH's sermon series Overwhelmed. https://youtu.be/gkQUAzivYuc

Overwhelmed By Anger John 10:31-33 NLT - “Once again the people picked up stones to kill him. Jesus said, ‘At my Father’s direction I have done many good works. For which one are you going to stone me?’ They replied, ‘We’re stoning you not for any good work, but for blasphemy! You, a mere man, claim to be God.’” A person’s anger can run very deep. Anger’s history can reveal a lifelong struggle to overcome resentment, bitterness, and hostility. Anger is easy ... self-control is hard. There are a variety of causes for anger. Externally, we may become angry with others who tempt or entice us to do something morally wrong or against our better judgment. And we might get angry when someone lies or preys upon our vulnerability or weakness. Internally, we may become angry with ourselves for being gullible, buying into a lie, or participating in a sinful act—even though we knew it was wrong. We blame ourselves and often feel shame—living disgraced, dishonored, unworthy, or embarrassed in our own minds. God wants us to know there’s a better way to react. Anger is a thief. A thief of peace, joy, and time. In today’s Scripture, the people become angry at Jesus to the point of wanting to kill Him. Jesus demonstrates forgiveness and does not respond with anger back toward the crowd. When we’re assured of our relationship with God, we can take responsibility for our own actions including our anger. And when we accept God’s forgiveness for our sins and extend that same forgiveness toward others, anger has no power over us. May we release whatever anger we may be feeling this week. May we all demonstrate the love of Jesus when others are angry toward us. Questions To Consider: When have you witnessed someone who was angry? How did it make you feel? Are there certain things that trigger anger in you? What makes you most upset? When was the last time you were angry? What happened? When you are angry what helps you get over it? In Christ’s love and service, Pastor Paul Marzahn

Are you trapped by shame and not able to move forward? Allow guilt to point you back to the right path! https://youtu.be/kyNtp2b8q9k

Overwhelmed By Guilt “Go and get your husband,” Jesus told her. “I don’t have a husband,” the woman replied. Jesus said, “You’re right! You don’t have a husband—for you have had five husbands, and you aren’t even married to the man you’re living with now. You certainly spoke the truth!” ‭John‬ ‭4:16-18‬ ‭NLT‬‬ Guilt is a complex topic because it involves both subjective elements (opinions or preferences) and objective elements (facts and truth). Subjectively, feelings of guilt are a universal phenomenon. We approach guilt in a variety of ways through religious confession, psychological therapy, self help, and so on. As human beings, we want to erase our personal experiences of guilt and regret. As God’s image-bearers, we feel overwhelmed with guilt whenever we are aware we have disappointed God. Scripture alludes to guilty feelings in many places, especially in the Psalms. In today’s reading from John, Jesus confronts a woman about her adultery. She confesses it to Jesus after He encounters her at a well during the middle of the day. She acknowledges her sin of having been intimate with several men. It is not stated as “guilt,” but we can conclude the feeling is guilt because she is coming to get water at an uncomfortably hot time of day when others would typically not be around to stare and point at her. Feelings of guilt are an acknowledged reality. We must admit our objective guilt is far more important than our subjective experience of it. In the first place, guilty feelings do not always correspond to our actual, guilty situation. Many of us are plagued by guilt because we think we have broken God’s law even when we haven’t, and there are others who are actually guilty of violating God's commands are not bothered in their violations. Repeated indulgence in sin can deaden one’s conscience to the point where it is all too easy to call good evil and evil good (Isaiah 5:20). In the final analysis, true guilt results from us violating the objective standards of God. Guilty feelings help us become aware of violating God’s standards. Whether we “feel” guilty or not, all of us have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God (Rom. 3:23). Let us take time today to repent of our sin and acknowledge the truth that God forgives us. Let us ask the Holy Spirit to make us hate sin so our conscience will be stricken with disgust and sorrow each time we violate God’s law. May we all strive to imitate the holiness of Jesus and hate sin just as God does. In Christ’s love and service, Pastor Paul Marzahn

Jesus' disciples, family, and friends all had reasons to be overwhelmed with doubt and fear when He was crucified and not yet resurrected. Following their story, Pastor Paul is able to show us how God takes away our fear and doubt as we continue with the new series Overwhelmed. https://youtu.be/NRnEBHV389M

Just days after the crucifixion, those who knew Jesus were under nearly unbearable amounts of stress as they dealt with the fear, worry, and anxiety of losing their spiritual leader, trying to honor Jesus' by preparing His body for burial, and figuring out what is next. The Disciples could relate to feeling overwhelmed by life's circumstances, but when the God of Easter Sunday is on your side things tend to get interesting. Listen as Pastors Deb and Paul begin the new series OVERWHELMED. https://youtu.be/nMg5jpbpk2I

https://youtu.be/jZbZ3R58jC8 The first Holy Week had life changing consequences even for an unbelieving Roman soldier. See the story of Easter through the eyes of The Centurion.

The Centurion “When the Roman officer overseeing the execution saw what had happened, he worshiped God and said, ‘Surely this man was innocent.’” ‭‭Luke‬ ‭23:47‬ ‭NLT‬‬ A Pastor and colleague of mine by the name of Sean Gladding is great at picking apart Scripture. We both are students at Asbury Seminary and love to look at the Bible in unique ways. For the last ten years at CROSSROADS, we have celebrated Palm to Passion Sunday in a unique way with a dramatic approach. We have looked at the story of Jesus through the eyes of John, Peter, Judas, Mary & Lazarus, and a variety of other Biblical characters. We have also looked at the Story with a modern twist like we did two years ago as a CNN news report. But in examining the last week of Jesus life rarely do we hear the story from an “outsider’s perspective.” My friend Pastor Sean wrote a drama for his church looking at Jesus through the eyes of the Centurion mentioned briefly in the Bible. We have adapted his drama to share at CROSSROADS this Sunday and again next Wednesday the 17th as a dinner theater production. The Centurion mentioned in Scripture was probably versed in the Hebrew culture but did not truly understand its intricacies. He was unfamiliar with the true nature of the Messiah and probably confused by this radical religious culture that refused the hospitality of Rome. After all they brought in new roads, aqueducts & water, and money & trade. Their technology and building techniques improved their lives so why were they so hostile? The Centurion helps us understand Jesus was so profoundly unique even an outsider could see He was the Son of God. What was it like to have been in Jerusalem for Passover as part of an occupying foreign army? What would it be like to have a vague sense of the faith of the people around you, but not really understand it? What was it like to live unquestioning of your own cultural narrative until one dying man turned everything you believed upside down? We will explore these questions and more as we hear the story of Jesus through the eyes of The Centurion. Come see The Centurion drama during service this Sunday and invite your friends to come to the dinner theater performance this Wednesday (tickets on sale on our FB events page). May we all take the time to see and hear the Story with a perspective we haven’t before. In Christ’s love and service, Pastor Paul

https://youtu.be/0lR3NcvAZbI How many of us truly seek the Kingdom of God as our first priority? Most of the time we seek our own wants and desires, and then worry about how we're going to make it to the next month, the next week, or even the next day. Jesus teaches us worry doesn’t take away tomorrow’s trouble but rather takes away today’s peace. Pastor Paul shows us the importance of living for the Kingdom of God so we can live a life of peace.

Pastor Paul Marzahn speaking Saturday, April 6th at Men’s Conference at Berean Baptist. Any guys who want to go Message Pastor Paul and he will meet you there.

Women’s Gathering Saturday, April 6th. CROSSROADS own Grace Dietz speaking. Join in the fun at North Central University!

https://youtu.be/PyYcxzj8mAk How serious was Jesus when He said, "pick up your cross and follow me?" Pastor Paul preaches how Walking With The Cross is the lifestyle for every Christian.

https://youtu.be/ZARqeiXjKa4 Pastor Deb & Paul preach about the parallels between Saint Patrick and Jesus and the lessons we learn from their lives.

Communion is more than just bread and juice. Pastor Paul preaches on how Jesus changed everything at The Last Supper. https://youtu.be/2g-EXSYDPL8

WALKING TO THE CROSS - Ash Wednesday Psalm 51:1 - "Have mercy upon me, O God, According to Your lovingkindness; According to the multitude of Your tender mercies, Blot out my transgressions." As I was praying this morning and asking forgiveness for the of sin in my life, I reflected on Psalm 51. When David wrote this Psalm I know it was the confessions of his personal struggles. Yet, it seems to have been written specifically for anyone who is truly repentant of their sin. It never ceases to amaze me that God anticipates every struggle we humans have. We have those same old sins that just keep showing up in our life like dogs that get into the trash bags left on the curb every Thursday morning before the garbage truck. I call these sins "Signature Sins." These sins seem to cling to us and we need to continually go to God for strength to battle them. I have to constantly remind myself of what King David wrote in Psalms 51. Keep in mind, David is the only man in Scripture described as "a man after God's own heart" (Acts 13:22). However, he was also a man guilty of terrible sin - sin he was painfully aware of: adultery, murder, bloodshed, etc. In fact, David had broken every single commandment. Guess what? So have you, and so have I. We are a church full of sinners. That is why Jesus walked to the cross and died on it. So our sins could be forgiven. Questions To Consider: - Have you ever worshipped an idol? We can idolize money, comfort, achievement, recognition, self-importance, affluence, sports, leisure activities, security.... many things are idols. Is there anyone who has not bowed down to one of these things at least once? - Have you ever spoken God's name casually, flippantly, disrespectfully, or without the reverence He deserves? As one church member put it - Have you ever had to buy Pastor Paul a "Caribou Card?" - Have you ever failed to set aside appropriate time to worship, to rest, and to give God the time He deserves from us? Have you skipped Sunday morning to sleep in, watch a sporting event, or even go shopping? - Have you ever stretched the truth? Lead someone to believe something and not correct them? - Have you ever let your eyes wander? Maybe you haven't committed adultery, but have you ever thought about it? Prayer for the day: Gracious and loving God, you know exactly how sin affects us. Jesus taught how sin saturates every aspect of our behavior. Your teaching convicts us and reminds us we need You to forgive us when we fall short. When we approach You it changes the basis of our plea for forgiveness. We come to You today like King David did and we seek true repentance. Repentance that means more than we are sorry. We want to make an intentional effort to turn away from our sins. Help us this Lenten season to carry our cross and follow you. Help us to make decisions to turn toward you and away from sin. In Jesus name, Amen. WORSHIP TONIGHT - 6:30 This Wednesday (today) is ASH WEDNESDAY and we are holding a special Worship Service at 6:30 p.m in LKV and 7 PM in IGH. It is called ASH WEDNESDAY because persons will be asked to reflect on confessing their sins and as a reminder of their repentance they will receive ashes in the form of a cross on their foreheads. Crosstraining and COLLIDE are not cancelled. Children and Youth are encouraged to attend the service with their group or with their parents. Childcare will be available for the younger children. Supper is provided at 5:30 in LKV and 6:30 in IGH for those who come early. Snack and fellowship will follow after the service.

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