Crossroads Covenant Church

Crossroads Covenant Church Christ is our Life; Community is our Lifeblood; Compassion is our Life Purpose...

12/30/2019

Questions for personal or small group reflection. Read 1 Corinthians 2: 6-16.
1. Life is comprised of seasons which naturally include transition. Each of these transitions requires us to make decisions (big and small) with regards to our future. What is your typical process for making difficult decisions.
2. In 1 Corinthians 2, Paul encourages us to be discerning, and to appeal to the "mind of Christ" that we possess when we are in Christ. How have you typically appealed to the "mind of Christ" when you make significant decisions?
3. Our human nature can often be an impediment in living into our spirit nature in Christ. We were encouraged to consider areas in our lives where we might deny physical appetites (fasting, freezing discretionary spending, abstaining from entertainment or social media, etc.) in order to help us discern the voice of God in the midst of all of the world's other voices. Are there any areas where you might consider denying your 'flesh' in order to listen for the Spirit? If so, what?
4. One way that we encounter the voice of God is through other people who possess this 'mind of Christ.' Are there people in your life that you appeal to for this kind of wisdom? IF so, what is it about them that makes them such a meaningful resource? Are you that type of resource for someone else? If so, how did that relationship emerge and how do you manage the words you share with that person?

12/16/2019

After 16 years of faithfully serving the Skagit Valley, Crossroads Covenant Church has decided to conclude its ministry. The last service will be held on January 12th, 2020 at 10AM. As a church we are grateful to have worked alongside so many amazing people, churches, and organizations in serving the Skagit Valley.
Crossroads en Espanol will continue to meet at 12PM at the current location until they move to Bethany Covenant Church in Mount Vernon. More information to come on the date of that move. The Early Learning Center will experience no interruption in its operation.

12/16/2019

Sermon reflection questions for small group or personal reflection. Read Luke 1: 46-56.
1. It is almost human nature to read Mary's Song and assume or expect it to be speaking to her vindication. Mary speaks to how God uses humble things/ people like herself to fulfill his purposes. How does this passage change if we don't, primarily, perceive it to be about Mary's own experience. What is Mary is referring to all humble people and things? What if Mary is actually also foretelling the ministry of Jesus, the humble servant of Phil. 2: 5-11? How does this change your reading of this song?
2. Mary says that her spirit rejoices in God her savior. Her joy is not rooted in her circumstances, or the privilege of bearing Christ. Rather, her joy is rooted in what God has done, is doing, and will do. Ultimately, she is rejoicing in the very character of the God who saves. Often, our joy is connected to circumstances. How might our experience of joy look different if it were more rooted in the character of God? How might this influence our experience of joy in life's hard times?
3. Mary acknowledges that she will be called "blessed" because of her role in Jesus' life. Jesus, in Luke 11: 27-28, gives further insight into what it is that leads to Mary's 'blessed-ness.' In doing this, Jesus gives us direction as to how we might experience some of the joy that Mary experiences. What does applying Jesus' advice of Luke 11:28 look like for you in this season of life?

12/03/2019

Questions for small group or personal reflection:
1. As we get into the Advent season what is something that helps build a sense of eagerness or anticipation with regards to celebrating God's incarnation in Christ?
2. In Romans 5:2-3, Paul implores us to "rejoice in the hope of Glory," and also to "rejoice in our suffering." This second one is difficult. Can you think of a time when an experience of suffering moved you to a place of greater dependence upon God? Can you think of a time when an experience of suffering made God feel distant to you? Is there anything to which you attribute the difference in those experiences?
3. In Romans 5 we read that Suffering produces perseverence; perseverence, character; and character, hope. Paul isn't simply saying, "what doesn't kill you makes you stronger," but rather the character he refers to is our transformation into the image and likeness of Christ. Where/ How would you like to see Christ moving in your life to develop more of his character in you?

11/04/2019

Each week we try and provide sermon reflection questions to be used by small groups or for personal reflection. This Sunday we talked about "singleness" and looked at Paul's words in 1 Corinthians 7: 7-9, 32-35.
1. In the Bible we have some pretty compelling examples of individuals who lived their lives as single people (Paul, Jesus). Why do you think it is that we, almost without exception, tend to hold marriage as the ideal situation for people? ]
2. In 1 Corinthians 7, Paul states that it is his desire for people to live with "undivided devotion" to God. How might being single help in moving towards "undivided devotion?" How might being married help us in moving towards "undivided devotion?"
3. In Luke 9: 23 Jesus says, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me." What does this denying oneself, dying to oneself (Gal. 2:20) look like for you? Are there ways this uniquely plays out for you as a single person? Are there ways this uniquely plays out for you as a married person?

10/15/2019

Questions to consider within your small group or personal devotions. These questions accompany the sermon preached on 10/13, found on our website.
1. When God says that within marriage "two become one flesh" how would you say you understand that? What does that mean and how do you experience it in your marriage, or marriages you have witnessed?
2. A part of Jesus' point with regards to divorce is that it isn't as simple as legally dissolving a marriage. Rather, when two come together a part of them is changed (we used an illustration of yellow and blue becoming green) and therefore we're not really able to return to the way "things were." Would you agree with this? If this is true, how might it inform some of the hurt that so frequently accompanies divorce?
3. Joe suggested that the "one flesh-ed-ness" of marriage would indicate that marriage ought to be the highest relational priority in our lives (even above that of parenting). What challenges do you experience, or have you seen, in making marriage this kind of priority? What could you or others do to ensure marriage is the top priority?
4. Finally, it was suggested that the "leaving and cleaving" of marriage isn't a one time thing that happens at our weddings, but requires us to abandon some of the expectations we bring into marriage and/or the expectations we project onto the marriages of others. Have you seen/ experienced this?

10/01/2019

For those of you using the sermons as a basis for small group or devotional reflection, here are some potential questions:

1. Regardless of where we are in life, each of us have “jobs.” We might be retired, staying at home, in the midst of our career, or a student, but each of these represent the season of work that we are in. On Sunday, we talked about two potential dangers with work:
a. Seeing our work as simply being toil
b. Allowing ourselves to be identified by our work (or absence of work)
Have you ever found yourself identifying with either of these two categories? If so, when, and how did that make you feel?

2. In Genesis 2: 15 we see the notion of work being introduced to Adam. This happens prior to Adam and Eve’s rebellion and subsequent fall. This would seem to suggest that work is a part of God’s good creation and not merely something to be endured as a product of sin. Does this jibe with how you think about work?

3. On Sunday we considered an example of Martin Luther’s in which he suggests that each of us participates in the care of creation through our work. The example Luther used was of a young milk maid; this seemingly insignificant role provides sustenance for her family, a commodity to be traded, a resource to others in the community, etc. When you think of your work, how do you see yourself participating in the care of creation in this way?

4. How might thinking of our work in the ways that we discussed effect your experience of anxiety, frustration, or being consumed by your work?

09/23/2019

As we begin the year I know some of the small groups have decided to talk through the sermons together. I'll be posting sermon reflection questions each week for either you or your group to use. As always, don't feel you need to answer all/ any of these, rather use them as a means of facilitating conversation/ thought. Blessings,
1. Have you ever brought the full weight of your abilities/ gifts to bear on a problem, but have been able to get any traction or movement? How did that make you feel? What did you do?
2. In 1 Corinthians 2: 1-5 Paul speaks of how when he first came to the church at Corinth he didn't come with "wise or persuasive words," but rather came in "fear, weakness, and trembling." Yet, Paul established this vibrant church that was a critical outpost in the formative years of Christianity. How is this possible? Do you think Paul was really being honest? If it wasn't Paul, then what happened?
3. At the end of the service we were encouraged to identify one area (at least) in life where we are "out of ideas" as to how to move forward. We were encouraged to ask the indwelling presence of Christ to engage these difficult spaces on our behalf. Were you able to identify an area that you are praying for that? Have you done this in the past? If so, did it change your experience at all?

We wanted to share with you...CROP HUNGER WALK on Sept 29th, at 2:00 PM starting at the Christian School in Mount Vernon...
09/18/2019

We wanted to share with you...CROP HUNGER WALK on Sept 29th, at 2:00 PM starting at the Christian School in Mount Vernon (701 Blackburn). CROP raises money for the worlds most needy. Also 25% of any funds raised will go to Skagit Food Banks. The 3.4 mile walk through downtown is an easy and fun way to help us feed the hungry. Register at www.CROPHUNGERWALK.ORG/Mountvernonwa

Check out the sermons page on our website to catch up (or listen again) to the conclusion of our 'Forward' series and th...
09/14/2019

Check out the sermons page on our website to catch up (or listen again) to the conclusion of our 'Forward' series and the introduction to 'What? Really! Matters...'.

Hi church! We know a lot of folks will be out of town this long holiday weekend (Pastor Joe, Allison and the kids will ...
08/29/2019

Hi church! We know a lot of folks will be out of town this long holiday weekend (Pastor Joe, Allison and the kids will be at the Covenant Family Camp☺️) but if you're in town, we'd love for you to join us for worship on Sunday morning. Pastor Bernd Strom will be wrapping up our 'Forward' series. If you want a little head start on the sermon text...read through and reflect on Jude 24 and 25. Be safe and have fun - see you soon!

Address

351 Pease Road
Burlington, WA
98233

Opening Hours

Monday 9:30am - 1pm
Tuesday 9:30am - 1pm
Wednesday 9:30am - 1pm
Thursday 9:30am - 1pm
Friday 9:30am - 1pm

Telephone

+13607075424

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