Sunday, June 17, 2012

CrossWay Church

Today we worshiped at CrossWay Church, 109 Davis Road, Valencia, PA 16059, 724.898.4600, www.crosswaychurch.org, Chris Gibbs, Lead Pastor.

Scripture – Joshua 24:14-15

“So fear the Lord and serve him wholeheartedly. Put away forever the idols your ancestors worshiped when they lived beyond the Euphrates River and in Egypt. Serve the Lord alone.

But if you refuse to serve the Lord, then choose today whom you will serve. Would you prefer the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates? Or will it be the gods of the Amorites in whose land you now live? But as for me and my family, we will serve the Lord.”


Bob’s thoughts:

We have passed this church a number of times and have looked forward to worshiping here. It is a great setting on top of a hill, a beacon to the community.

We came in just as the service was starting, along with quite a few other folks. This seems to be common with contemporary worship services. Once we were inside I had no way of knowing that I had passed the restrooms as they were immediately inside the entrance. There was directional signage indicating other areas, but it took a while to locate the men’s room. I noticed that even though the restroom seemed modern, neither had changing tables.

My grandchildren were trying to be louder than the congregation so we went to the nursery. While I was disappointed that I couldn’t hear the sermon there, I did have a delightful visit with the staff and children. I look forward to listening to the sermon online and perhaps getting to learn the purpose of the exercise equipment on the chancel.

They had my kind of cross with large spikes that spoke volumes sitting silently there off to one side.


Jan’s thoughts:

This church sits on top of a hill reached via a winding driveway. I wished we’d had time to look around at the view because it’s probably stunning.

The service was just beginning when we arrived with our grandtwins and their parents. We sang the opening songs, but the kids became fussy so we took them to the nursery. The ladies there were very welcoming and showed no hesitation whatsoever at having two more one-year-olds join them. I returned to the Sanctuary, but the pull was too strong for Bob and he stayed with the little ones.

The Sanctuary is light and pleasant with comfortable chairs. This is the first time I’ve seen a projection screen mounted and framed, and I thought it looked marvelous. There was a beautiful, rough-hewn cross in front standing (at a guess) maybe 6 feet high.

The music was terrific: energetic and well done. It made me realize again how much music can contribute to a worship experience.

As soon as the opening songs ended, the service began with “Cinderella” by Steven Curtis Chapman. Each portion of the song was enacted by an appropriate-aged girl and a man portraying her father. At the very end an older couple danced a few steps together, representing the couple who married. It was very well done and quite touching, and I noticed that mine were not the only damp eyes.

Following this was a clip from the movie “Courageous.” If you have not seen this movie, it’s from the same people who did the movie “Fireproof,” but the major characters are police officers (except for the one man who is their friend). I recommend the movie highly – both my thumbs are way up for this one – and it’s perfect for Father’s Day as it’s a call to men to be the spiritual leaders of their households and to follow Biblical standards in their personal lives and in their influence of others. The pastor used clips from the movie throughout his message.

The message, entitled “A Stronger Man,” focused on encouraging the men in the congregation to 1 – accept personal responsibility, 2 – guard the value of relationships, and 3 – live out the Resolution (which was based on the Resolution in the movie “Courageous”).

The pastor was open about some of the struggles he faced being raised by a single mom. He declared the Enemy meant it for ill, but God meant it for good and thus God has brought much good from his battles. Hearing him preach with such passion, in my opinion, God continues to use him. He spoke of the men who are currently fathers “fathering a generation,” and “turning to God as the Father to the fatherless.”

He included the women in the congregation as well, reminding them that they are helpers to the men and giving the women the opportunity to stand up and be proud of the men. He closed by giving the men the chance to come forward and sign a copy of the Resolution, sealing the deal.

It was an emotional time, and something I have not had the privilege of witnessing in a church in a good while. It was vulnerable passion for a God-given role that can influence others for generations to come. As I sat there I knew that this is a church that understands brokenness, and I sensed the strength that comes as a result. I believe that is something only God can create – strength in the broken places.

Today’s worship was a blessing, and I thank God for leading us here today.


Our prayer for this church:

Father, we pray that You will indeed use this church on the hill as a beacon to the surrounding community. We believe You honor a church that teaches the values found in the movie “Courageous,” and we pray for the men of this church as they step up to the challenge to be the men and leaders You have called them to be. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

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