Within the pages of the Bible is contained the definition of God’s love.  Chapter after chapter, verse by verse, we discover that God’s love is unlike any other.  His love is a pursuing love, one that is willing to lay down its life for a friend.  Without a beginning or an end it is said to be unconditional.  Radical in nature, God’s love is intended to reach out even to one’s enemies.  Encounter it and you will never be the same.  For God’s love transforms.  It heals brokenness and forgives mistakes.  God’s love – is like no other.

When’s the last time you experienced it?  When’s the last time you demonstrated it?  When it comes to God’s love, don’t just define it.  Live it.  Because a defined love is a lived love!

In the New Year people often make resolutions.  They identify things they want to change about their life, things they want to do differently.  Well, at Cross of Christ, we are making a resolution.  And it is to “Walk by FAITH” in the New Year.

FAITH, n., 1. confidence or trust in a person or thing, 2. belief that is not based on proof, 3. belief in God.

Walking by FAITH, v., 1. Faithfully pursuing Christ, Scripture, prayer, and worship on a consistent basis, 2. being Available, willing to give a necessary portion of time, talents, and treasures to be invested in others, 3. Intentionally building purposeful and meaningful relationships with others, being vulnerable and accountable, 4. having a Teachable spirit, responding to training and correction with an open heart, willing to be transformed, 5. demonstrating Hospitality, being welcoming, kind, and generous to others, both of the faith and not of the faith.

Join us as we learn more about what it means to “Walk by FAITH” in the New Year!

Whether or not we’ve played the part in the Christmas pageant, I think for most of us, the Christmas story is a familiar one.  But is that all it is?  For you, has the Christmas story become just that?  A story?  Or is it more than that?  We’re told that when Jesus was born, the Author entered His own story.  He stepped into the page, bringing with Him the story of heaven.  It’s why this is more than a Christmas story.  This is His story.  And as the Author of heaven and earth, He wants it to be our story.  Your story.  You see, God knows that when Christianity becomes something other than entering into and living the story of God, it becomes something other than Christianity.  It’s why the question we need to be asking ourselves is:  Which story are we living?  Is it His story?  Or our story?  Keep in mind that they’re not meant to be two separate stories.  God’s plan – His purpose – is that they be one, single story.  His story is meant to be your story.  Just as your story is meant to be His story. 

In the month of December you have multiple ways to be living out this story.  You can bring joy to kids new to foster care as we partner with Lutheran Family Services, providing gifts to children in foster care through the Angel Tree Project.  For more information please contact Monique Hjalmquist by email at kjnmaja@gmail.com or by phone at 720-425-9867.

You can live out the Christmas story by helping our kids provide others with clean drinking water.  On Sunday, December 11 our kids will be learning about Living Water in Kids’ Church as part of their Working With Hands lesson.  You can help them provide clean drinking water for others through The Water Project.  Simply be on the look for jugs on Sunday mornings to put your loose change in as we work our way toward buying a well.  To learn more, or to lend a helping hand, please contact Laura Felix by email at laura.felix@comcast.net or by phone at 720-374-1290.

You can also live out the Christmas story by gifting the elderly.  Help us bring smiles to the faces of Alzheimers’ residents.  On Friday, December 16, at 6:30 PM we will join some Daises to brighten their day and deliver small gifts.  Please donate: stationary, pens, stamps, lip balm, hand cream, body wash, scenery poster, lap quilt, large print calendar, or a large print word search.  For more information please contact Trudi Lappe by email at trudilappe@yahoo.com or by phone at 303-335-8995.

And you can live out the Christmas story by serving the homeless.  We will be partnering with THE NET, an outreach to the homeless, on Sunday, December 18 from 12:30-4:00 PM.  We could use men’s coats (new or gently used).  For more information please contact Laura Felix by email at laura.felix@comcast.net or by phone at 720-374-1290.

Also, plan on inviting your family, friends, neighbors, and co-workers to join us for Christmas Eve worship, Saturday, December 24, at 7:00 PM at the Southlands AMC Movie Theater.

Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good!  His faithful love endures forever. Give thanks to the Lord of lords.  His faithful love endures forever. Give thanks to Him who alone does mighty miracles.  His faithful love endures forever. Give thanks to Him who made the heavens so skillfully.  His faithful love endures forever. He remembered us in our weakness.  His faithful love endures forever. He saved us from our enemies.  His faithful love endures forever. He gives food to every living thing.  His faithful love endures forever. Give thanks to the God of heaven.  His faithful love endures forever. Psalm 136:1-5, 23-26 NLT

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!!!

Our teaching series for November is called Facing the Giants. It focuses on the story recorded for us in Numbers 13 & 14.  God had promised His people a land flowing with milk and honey.  When it came time to enter the land Moses sent twelve men to sneak into Canaan, check it out, and report back.  All twelve confirmed that it was indeed a land flowing with milk and honey and clusters of grapes so big it took two of them to carry it.  With news like that you might expect that the people would want to pack up and move in.  But only two men – Joshua and Caleb – agreed.  As for the other ten, all they could focus on were the giants – big, tall, scary looking giants.

What’s your giant?  We all have them.  Is it grief?  Depression?  Abandonment?  Unemployment?  Do you feel like a grasshopper standing next to your giant?  And is your giant keeping you from living the life God has planned for you?

Don’t you want to know what Joshua and Caleb saw that the others didn’t.  Because they saw the giants too.  And, yet, they weren’t afraid.  Why not?  Could it be that they saw more?  Could it be that instead of having a giant-focus they had a God-focus?  What are you looking at?  Who are you listening to?

Giants.

We all face them.  Yet we need not face them alone.

Our current series is called Making Room.  The purpose is to help us strengthen our relationships with God and others, as well as cultivate a healthy community with our neighbors.  As we all know, life in America is crazy busy.  It always seems like there is so much to do and so little time.  And instead of us managing our lives, its life that seems to be managing us.  Through this study we will look at what the Bible teaches about making room for life, family, neighbors, service, and just time to chill.

Now because we don’t simply want to “talk about” what this all means, we are putting together a list of service opportunities in our community, and in October, we would like to encourage every one in the church to participate in at least one as a way to love your neighbor.  Then at the end of the month we will post the stories for everyone to read how God is moving among us and making room for others in our lives.

So if there is an organization that you are passionate about, if there is someone you know in need, or if you have a need we can help with – please let us know.  And pray that God will use this time to teach us what it really means to love Him with our whole heart, soul, mind, and strength; and love our neighbors as ourselves.

This Sunday, September 11, 2011, we will be remembering the events that took place ten years ago on 9/11.  Do you remember where you were that day?  I was at the Seminary in St. Louis on my way to class when I heard.  I think that day will forever be etched in my mind.  Some say it was a different time then.  And in many ways I’d say they’re right.  It’s difficult to make sense of the events that transpired on 9/11.  And maybe it’s because as Paul says in 1 Corinthians 13:9, “Now our knowledge is partial and incomplete.”  Paul goes on to say that a day is coming, though, when we will fully understand.  But that day is not today.  So what do we do till  then?  Paul reminds us that we have three things to get us through these difficult times.  They are:  1.) Faith in Jesus.  2.) Hope for a better day.  And 3.)  Love.  And the greatest of these…is love!  That’s our mission – helping people of all ages intersect their lives with the love of Jesus!  Here.  Now.  At this time.  In this generation.

Join us at Red-Tailed Hawk Park (23701 E. Hinsdale Way, Aurora, CO 80016) every Sunday evening through the summer for E100.  Together we’ll experience these essential 100 readings (50 readings from the Old Testament & 50 readings from the New Testament) in a relaxed group setting.  You can arrive anytime after 5:00 PM for a picnic and fellowship (kids might like to play during this time).  Simply bring your picnic dinner or Subway sandwich and enjoy eating at the park.  And then at 6:00 PM discussion and events will begin.  All ages are encouraged to participate, and we promise to not go later than 7:30 PM.  For more information please contact our Learning Minister, Kimberly Benzel, by phone at 913-485-3722 or by email at kimberlybenzel@msn.com.

On Sunday, July 3, join us at Appaloosa Park (5575 S. De Gualle St., Aurora, CO 80016) from 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM as we worship at the park and then picnic afterwards in celebration of July 4th!  Bring a dish to share and drinks for you and your family.  There will be games and fun for everyone!  And as always, be encouraged to invite your friends and neighbors for this special celebration!