News + Announcements https://www.holycrosstucson.com Tue, 19 Mar 2024 01:41:51 -0400 http://churchplantmedia.com/ Concerning COVID + In-person worship https://www.holycrosstucson.com/blog/post/covid-19-update-december https://www.holycrosstucson.com/blog/post/covid-19-update-december#comments Fri, 18 Dec 2020 13:00:00 -0500 https://www.holycrosstucson.com/blog/post/covid-19-update-december Hello Church, this is Pastor Pete

The present news regarding COVID-19 and the increase of positive cases in Pima County is something I don’t want to take lightly. This is a year we have all had to become more adaptive and better at using the “eraser end of our pencil”, so to speak. Yesterday, in my personal devotion and journaling time, I jotted down a list of positive qualities I’ve noticed emerge in many people close to me and in our church, as a result of this chronic pandemic. I wrote down: compassion, meekness, patience, surrender, sympathy, courage. Then, in the margin I simply wrote the name, Jesus. In God’s wisdom, he is using this painful season to bring about his good plans for his people—to draw us in and transform us into the likeness of Christ. No doubt he’s revealing qualities of our sinful nature, too, like: bitterness, anxiety, apathy, irritability, and worry. None of these characteristics are from the Lord and will one day be wiped out in the new creation. I long for that day. I’m sure you do, too.

For the present—let’s remember that sickness, and the threat of sickness, is often an instrument to remind us that God is our only true refuge and hope. I encourage you to not miss this important moment before us as a church and citizens of this world—God is highlighting the real brokenness of creation, the real triumph of Christ over all that is broken, and his real invitation to find rest in him.

Another real thing I’ve come to experience in the midst of this pandemic is the essential nature and function of our gathered worship. Our regular worship is essential, not simply a luxury or even another obligation to juggle in our lives. When we gather, we are not aiming to simply transfer doctrinal information or sing a few songs--but we are participating in a truly supernatural and transformational experience as God's brought-together people. Our worship is as essential as food—as water. There may be times of fasting but chronic withdrawal will leave us malnourished, weak, and depleted of spiritual vibrancy. 

SO HOW ARE YOU DOING?

This week, I encourage you to take personal inventory of how you are doing. If you are in a season of discouragement, worry, doubt, or crisis will you reach out to me personally? I will continue to encourage your elders to do their best to periodically check in with each of you but we also desire to hear how to best pray and care for you. Be authentic, be vulnerable, be honest about how you are doing. Worry, discouragement, and fatigue are common to us all. It is okay to not be okay. Remember, these bad things will not last and we need one another.

A simple way to reach out to us is to submit an online prayer request. We will review these everyday and respond personally. You can also email me directly or call/text my cell at (520) 401-9105.

REGARDING IN-PERSON GATHERINGS

Because of the essential nature of our gathered worship we will continue to provide the options of both in-person and online worship. We desire to enjoy our personal liberty to gather for worship yet strongly encourage each person to evaluate their own health risk during this time. We can minimize health-related risks on Sunday and at Life Groups but we cannot eliminate them completely. Stay home if you are not feeling well, assess your personal health risks and the risks of those close to you, and honor guidelines we’ve put in place when we gather—as many of you are already doing. If you are among the more vulnerable population, or plan to come in contact with someone who is, we strongly encourage you to stay home and enjoy our online worship option. This is a great option for many and there is no shame in utilizing it. We support you in your decision. Let your Life Group leader know if you are going to take a break from regular gatherings. The group desires to support you and pray for you. 

For the time-being we will provide both 9:00am and 10:45am services. We will re-evaluate the need for this as we get into a rhythm in the new year and adapt as circumstances warrant. Also, for now we will suspend the need to register each week for a service. Just show up.

Finally, in all of this, consider Jesus—who willingly suffered and died, diseased by our sin—was afflicted, killed, was buried, and is risen. The essence of faith is not the absence of painful seasons, but our trust in God’s ability to hold us up. Let this be a time to cry out to God in prayer, moving towards him and seeking his will and favor for our health, family, and neighbor. 

For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him. He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken. On God rests my salvation and my glory; my mighty rock, my refuge is God. Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us. Psalm 62:5-8

In Christ, Pastor Pete

]]>
Hello Church, this is Pastor Pete

The present news regarding COVID-19 and the increase of positive cases in Pima County is something I don’t want to take lightly. This is a year we have all had to become more adaptive and better at using the “eraser end of our pencil”, so to speak. Yesterday, in my personal devotion and journaling time, I jotted down a list of positive qualities I’ve noticed emerge in many people close to me and in our church, as a result of this chronic pandemic. I wrote down: compassion, meekness, patience, surrender, sympathy, courage. Then, in the margin I simply wrote the name, Jesus. In God’s wisdom, he is using this painful season to bring about his good plans for his people—to draw us in and transform us into the likeness of Christ. No doubt he’s revealing qualities of our sinful nature, too, like: bitterness, anxiety, apathy, irritability, and worry. None of these characteristics are from the Lord and will one day be wiped out in the new creation. I long for that day. I’m sure you do, too.

For the present—let’s remember that sickness, and the threat of sickness, is often an instrument to remind us that God is our only true refuge and hope. I encourage you to not miss this important moment before us as a church and citizens of this world—God is highlighting the real brokenness of creation, the real triumph of Christ over all that is broken, and his real invitation to find rest in him.

Another real thing I’ve come to experience in the midst of this pandemic is the essential nature and function of our gathered worship. Our regular worship is essential, not simply a luxury or even another obligation to juggle in our lives. When we gather, we are not aiming to simply transfer doctrinal information or sing a few songs--but we are participating in a truly supernatural and transformational experience as God's brought-together people. Our worship is as essential as food—as water. There may be times of fasting but chronic withdrawal will leave us malnourished, weak, and depleted of spiritual vibrancy. 

SO HOW ARE YOU DOING?

This week, I encourage you to take personal inventory of how you are doing. If you are in a season of discouragement, worry, doubt, or crisis will you reach out to me personally? I will continue to encourage your elders to do their best to periodically check in with each of you but we also desire to hear how to best pray and care for you. Be authentic, be vulnerable, be honest about how you are doing. Worry, discouragement, and fatigue are common to us all. It is okay to not be okay. Remember, these bad things will not last and we need one another.

A simple way to reach out to us is to submit an online prayer request. We will review these everyday and respond personally. You can also email me directly or call/text my cell at (520) 401-9105.

REGARDING IN-PERSON GATHERINGS

Because of the essential nature of our gathered worship we will continue to provide the options of both in-person and online worship. We desire to enjoy our personal liberty to gather for worship yet strongly encourage each person to evaluate their own health risk during this time. We can minimize health-related risks on Sunday and at Life Groups but we cannot eliminate them completely. Stay home if you are not feeling well, assess your personal health risks and the risks of those close to you, and honor guidelines we’ve put in place when we gather—as many of you are already doing. If you are among the more vulnerable population, or plan to come in contact with someone who is, we strongly encourage you to stay home and enjoy our online worship option. This is a great option for many and there is no shame in utilizing it. We support you in your decision. Let your Life Group leader know if you are going to take a break from regular gatherings. The group desires to support you and pray for you. 

For the time-being we will provide both 9:00am and 10:45am services. We will re-evaluate the need for this as we get into a rhythm in the new year and adapt as circumstances warrant. Also, for now we will suspend the need to register each week for a service. Just show up.

Finally, in all of this, consider Jesus—who willingly suffered and died, diseased by our sin—was afflicted, killed, was buried, and is risen. The essence of faith is not the absence of painful seasons, but our trust in God’s ability to hold us up. Let this be a time to cry out to God in prayer, moving towards him and seeking his will and favor for our health, family, and neighbor. 

For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him. He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken. On God rests my salvation and my glory; my mighty rock, my refuge is God. Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us. Psalm 62:5-8

In Christ, Pastor Pete

]]>
Good News For Holy Cross Kids https://www.holycrosstucson.com/blog/post/good-news-for-holy-cross-kids https://www.holycrosstucson.com/blog/post/good-news-for-holy-cross-kids#comments Wed, 09 Dec 2020 10:00:00 -0500 https://www.holycrosstucson.com/blog/post/good-news-for-holy-cross-kids Watch our 2 minute video about the good news coming to Holy Cross Kids. 

 

 

Help us reach our goal to open up all classrooms in the new year. We need 12 volunteers each week to provide loving and Christ-centered teaching for our kids on Sunday mornings. Consider signing up here or email our Kids Team Leader, Amanda MacBrayne to learn more. 

 

]]>
Watch our 2 minute video about the good news coming to Holy Cross Kids. 

 

 

Help us reach our goal to open up all classrooms in the new year. We need 12 volunteers each week to provide loving and Christ-centered teaching for our kids on Sunday mornings. Consider signing up here or email our Kids Team Leader, Amanda MacBrayne to learn more. 

 

]]>
Update for in-person worship services https://www.holycrosstucson.com/blog/post/update-on-in-person-worship https://www.holycrosstucson.com/blog/post/update-on-in-person-worship#comments Wed, 01 Jul 2020 16:00:00 -0400 https://www.holycrosstucson.com/blog/post/update-on-in-person-worship 3 Minute video update *transcript below*

Hello church,

No doubt, you know what it means to plan in pencil. Your family has likely made plans, and adjusted plans as a result of this ever-changing season. That is no different for our church family.

Your church leadership met last night and had an honest and good conversation about where we are with our in-person gatherings and have made the decision to transition back to online-only worship services for the month of July.

For many of you this might feel like a huge disappointment. And, I want you to know that I’m sad about this too because I have loved gathering with you for worship and there is simply no perfect substitute for it. But, we believe that this approach is faithful to God’s call on our lives, responsible to one another, honors our governing authorities - and seeks the welfare of our neighbor.

We do desire to resume in-person worship as soon as it is wise to do so.

I want to close with what I hope is an encouragement from God’s Word. Ephesians 5:15-16 says, “Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.” 

This word, evil, definitely refers to evil in a moral sense as in the days are wicked - but it can also refer to evil in a physical or natural sense - as if to say, “make the best use of the time, because the days are turbulent…the days are filled with all kinds of affliction and trouble.” 

That makes sense for us today. And we have a wonderful opportunity - even a command from the Lord - to make the best use of this time which he has given to us. We can waste it - or we can redeem it.

Lord willing, we will never be in a season like this again - instead of being reactive to what the day brings…we are called to proactively engage the day with gospel intentionality.

What an opportunity we have to use our online worship as a time to gather with family and a few friends to be sharpened in the gospel together.

If you go online, we will update resources for participating and even hosting home worship with others. As always, we will continue to navigate this season with prayer and discernment and will update you as soon as things change. 

We love you Holy Cross and we look forward to seeing you before too long.

-Pastor Pete

 

]]>
3 Minute video update *transcript below*

Hello church,

No doubt, you know what it means to plan in pencil. Your family has likely made plans, and adjusted plans as a result of this ever-changing season. That is no different for our church family.

Your church leadership met last night and had an honest and good conversation about where we are with our in-person gatherings and have made the decision to transition back to online-only worship services for the month of July.

For many of you this might feel like a huge disappointment. And, I want you to know that I’m sad about this too because I have loved gathering with you for worship and there is simply no perfect substitute for it. But, we believe that this approach is faithful to God’s call on our lives, responsible to one another, honors our governing authorities - and seeks the welfare of our neighbor.

We do desire to resume in-person worship as soon as it is wise to do so.

I want to close with what I hope is an encouragement from God’s Word. Ephesians 5:15-16 says, “Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.” 

This word, evil, definitely refers to evil in a moral sense as in the days are wicked - but it can also refer to evil in a physical or natural sense - as if to say, “make the best use of the time, because the days are turbulent…the days are filled with all kinds of affliction and trouble.” 

That makes sense for us today. And we have a wonderful opportunity - even a command from the Lord - to make the best use of this time which he has given to us. We can waste it - or we can redeem it.

Lord willing, we will never be in a season like this again - instead of being reactive to what the day brings…we are called to proactively engage the day with gospel intentionality.

What an opportunity we have to use our online worship as a time to gather with family and a few friends to be sharpened in the gospel together.

If you go online, we will update resources for participating and even hosting home worship with others. As always, we will continue to navigate this season with prayer and discernment and will update you as soon as things change. 

We love you Holy Cross and we look forward to seeing you before too long.

-Pastor Pete

 

]]>
What to do if you become sick (or have come into contact with someone who is) https://www.holycrosstucson.com/blog/post/sick https://www.holycrosstucson.com/blog/post/sick#comments Wed, 17 Jun 2020 18:00:00 -0400 https://www.holycrosstucson.com/blog/post/sick Why do we want to know if you have become sick?

First of all, so we can be praying for God's loving care to in the midst of your struggle. You are not alone and we are here for you.

Second, this is a clear way we can be proactively loving towards one another. We desire to do the best we can to operate safely and effectively as a church family. Knowing this real-time data helps us do this better. It will be beneficial and loving, while protecting your privacy, to inform people you have come in contact with that you have come down with COVID-19 symptoms.

What to do if you or someone you know have become sick

  • If you have recently become sick with flu-like symptoms (which may include fever, cough, difficulty breathing, and/or a temperature of 100.4˚or higher) or have had close contact with a person with COVID-19 symptoms, you should stay home and self-isolate until you have met CDC's criteria to discontinue home isolation. (see below)
  • If you develop symptoms while at a worship service or other ministry event at Holy Cross, please notify an elder or deacon immediately. We will safely arrange transportation to your home or a healthcare facility, if needed.
  • If you develop symptoms of COVID-19 or test positive for COVID-19 and have been in the church facility, or attended a church-related event within the past 14 days, please notify Peter Zimmer (Director of Family and Community) as soon as possible.

 

When to consider regathering with the church 

SCENARIO 1

"I came in contact with someone with COVID-19 or COVID-19 symptoms."

You can be with others after:

  • 14 days from the time of exposure
  • A confirmed negative test of the person who exposed you
  • It's important to remember that anyone who has close contact with someone with COVID-19 symptoms should stay home for 14 days after exposure, based on the time it takes to develop the illness. 

SCENARIO 2

"I think or know I had COVID-19, and I had symptoms."

You can be with others after:

  • 3 days with no fever and
  • Symptoms improved and
  • 10 days since symptoms first appeared

SCENARIO 3

"I tested positive for COVID-19 but had no symptoms."

You can be with others after:

  • 10 days have passed since test and
  • You continue to have no symptoms

SCENARIO 4

"I have a weakened immune system due to a health condition or medication."

  • People with conditions that weaken their immune system might need to stay home longer than 10 days.
  • Talk to a healthcare provider for more information. 
]]>
Why do we want to know if you have become sick?

First of all, so we can be praying for God's loving care to in the midst of your struggle. You are not alone and we are here for you.

Second, this is a clear way we can be proactively loving towards one another. We desire to do the best we can to operate safely and effectively as a church family. Knowing this real-time data helps us do this better. It will be beneficial and loving, while protecting your privacy, to inform people you have come in contact with that you have come down with COVID-19 symptoms.

What to do if you or someone you know have become sick

  • If you have recently become sick with flu-like symptoms (which may include fever, cough, difficulty breathing, and/or a temperature of 100.4˚or higher) or have had close contact with a person with COVID-19 symptoms, you should stay home and self-isolate until you have met CDC's criteria to discontinue home isolation. (see below)
  • If you develop symptoms while at a worship service or other ministry event at Holy Cross, please notify an elder or deacon immediately. We will safely arrange transportation to your home or a healthcare facility, if needed.
  • If you develop symptoms of COVID-19 or test positive for COVID-19 and have been in the church facility, or attended a church-related event within the past 14 days, please notify Peter Zimmer (Director of Family and Community) as soon as possible.

 

When to consider regathering with the church 

SCENARIO 1

"I came in contact with someone with COVID-19 or COVID-19 symptoms."

You can be with others after:

  • 14 days from the time of exposure
  • A confirmed negative test of the person who exposed you
  • It's important to remember that anyone who has close contact with someone with COVID-19 symptoms should stay home for 14 days after exposure, based on the time it takes to develop the illness. 

SCENARIO 2

"I think or know I had COVID-19, and I had symptoms."

You can be with others after:

  • 3 days with no fever and
  • Symptoms improved and
  • 10 days since symptoms first appeared

SCENARIO 3

"I tested positive for COVID-19 but had no symptoms."

You can be with others after:

  • 10 days have passed since test and
  • You continue to have no symptoms

SCENARIO 4

"I have a weakened immune system due to a health condition or medication."

  • People with conditions that weaken their immune system might need to stay home longer than 10 days.
  • Talk to a healthcare provider for more information. 
]]>
The Lord's Supper: A Tangible Sign https://www.holycrosstucson.com/blog/post/the-lords-supper-a-tangible-sign https://www.holycrosstucson.com/blog/post/the-lords-supper-a-tangible-sign#comments Wed, 03 Jun 2020 14:00:00 -0400 https://www.holycrosstucson.com/blog/post/the-lords-supper-a-tangible-sign Since the very earliest pages of scripture, the Lord has been giving his people visible and tangible signs of His faithfulness. Think about the clothing of animal skins that he provided to Adam and Eve to cover their nakedness (Genesis 3:21) – we are now able to look back and think of Christ, and the covering he has provided for our sinfulness.  Or consider the Passover lamb – the simple shedding of the blood of this lamb was sufficient to cover the Hebrew people and spare them from the wrath that fell on the Egyptian families (Exodus 12:13).  It’s as though the Lord knows that we are a people who are embodied – we are not “brains on a stick” as one teacher has said.  We need to not just hear God’s word.  We also need to get it into us through our other senses – we need to “taste and see that the Lord is good” (Psalm 34:8). 

For the last several weeks, we’ve been in exile – the Church has been scattered. And though the Lord hasn’t left us, we ache for the day when we can once again “taste” the Gospel that we have been hearing preached over the TV in our living rooms as we worship from our homes.

 

The Lord’s Supper

The Lord's Supper is a key part of worship at Holy Cross and for many weeks now, we have been unable to celebrate this solemn, yet joyful meal together. One of the key passages of scripture that discusses the Lords Supper is found in I Corinthians 11. There’s a phrase that jumps out to the reader in this chapter because of how often it is repeated – “When you come together.” This phrase is repeated 5 times just in verses 17-34. The Lord’s Supper is a meal that is shared with God’s people each time we “come together.” Often times when we celebrate the Lords Supper we sit quietly, maybe even close our eyes, and contemplate the death of Jesus for our sins, and we commune with the Lord as we remember. This is a good thing for us to do. But this meal is also a communion with one another as we see in I Corinthians 11. For the last several weeks, we’ve been in exile – the Church has been scattered. And though the Lord hasn’t left us, we ache for the day when we can once again “taste” the Gospel that we have been hearing preached over the TV in our living rooms as we worship from our homes.

Think back to the feasts in the Old Testament – they are meant to do at least 3 things and I would suggest that things are no different for us in the New Testament Church.  These feasts typically (1) directed God’s people to remember His faithfulness to them in the past; (2) pointed them forward to the ultimate fulfilment of his promises in the future; and (3) they served to sustain them and strengthen their faith in the present.  

Remembering God's Faithfulness

We are really good at remembering the work of Jesus during the Lord’s supper – in fact this is probably the primary way that most Christians think of the supper.  And this is a wonderful thing to contemplate.  The words “This is my body, which is for you.  Do this in remembrance of Me” are the very words of scripture (I Corinthians 11:24) – we ought to be remembering the death of our Lord as a sacrifice for us.  But the Lord’s supper is so much more.

Looking Forward To The Ultimate Fulfillment

If you’ve been around Holy Cross for very long, you’ve no doubt heard the phrase “Magnify God’s Glory, Live as God’s People, and Engage in God’s Mission.” When God calls a people to himself, he is adopting a family and now calls them to live together as one.  Families sit around the table to share a meal. What an amazing thing it is then that the Lord has made this very homey, common practice a part of His worship. When we take the Lord’s supper we get to share this meal, not only with the Lord, but also with one another. And so, when we take this simple meal, we should also be looking forward to that great day when we won’t be given a small thimble of wine and a little square of flat bread – we’ll get to sit down together at the Lords table together for “a feast of rich food, a feast of well-aged wine, of rich food full of marrow, of aged wine well refined” (Isaiah 25:6). What a day that will be.  As great as the Lords Supper is – and the Lord surely works in our hearts through it, we ought to leave the meal a little bit hungrier after we had it.  This meal is meant to give us a taste of what is to come – we ought to leave the Lords table hungering for more (at least for now!).

Being Strengthened In Faith

Finally and most importantly, Communion is a way that the Lord strengthens us while we wait for that great day promised in Isaiah 25. The most important thing that happens in the Lord’s Supper isn’t something that we do (remembering, repenting, meditating). The most important element of the supper is what God is doing in us and for us. We are primarily a recipient of God’s good gifts when  we take the supper. Looking back to I Corinthians 10, Paul tells us that the cup that we drink “is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ?”  And so, when we take the Lord’s Supper, we are not merely looking back on the goodness of God, nor are we only looking forward to the ultimate fulfilment of God’s promises – God has promised to meet us now! He has promised us that as surely as we taste the bread and wine and it nourishes our body, so surely are you united to Jesus through his Holy Spirit who is there to strengthen our faith and to sustain us until that great day when all of His people are finally joined together at the same table. 

As great as the Lords Supper is – and the Lord surely works in our hearts through it, we ought to leave the meal a little bit hungrier after we had it.  This meal is meant to give us a taste of what is to come – we ought to leave the Lords table hungering for more (at least for now!).

 

What a great day it will be when we are able to participate in this meal together again.  I would challenge us as we take the meal to think on these things. Think about the flow of our worship service. You began with a call to worship – the Lord himself invited you into His throne room. You then contemplated your own sin and all of the ways that you fall short of the glory of God. Immediately after this you hear that you are no longer under the condemnation of God because of the work of Jesus – and this is all before the sermon! Then we hear God’s word preached – we hear what God requires of us, we hear about how we have fallen short, and then we hear how Christ has met all of our needs through His life, death, and resurrection. God then, is so gracious that he shows us in a tangible, tactile way that he means what he said in the sermon and he invites you to sit around his table to share a meal. Something a family does. Then, once we’ve finished our meal, he sends us out with his blessing – assuring us that we belong to him.  What an amazing and gracious God we have.

Join us for our next Communion Service

June 7, June 14, June 21

4:30 - 5:10pm

register buttton

 

]]>
Since the very earliest pages of scripture, the Lord has been giving his people visible and tangible signs of His faithfulness. Think about the clothing of animal skins that he provided to Adam and Eve to cover their nakedness (Genesis 3:21) – we are now able to look back and think of Christ, and the covering he has provided for our sinfulness.  Or consider the Passover lamb – the simple shedding of the blood of this lamb was sufficient to cover the Hebrew people and spare them from the wrath that fell on the Egyptian families (Exodus 12:13).  It’s as though the Lord knows that we are a people who are embodied – we are not “brains on a stick” as one teacher has said.  We need to not just hear God’s word.  We also need to get it into us through our other senses – we need to “taste and see that the Lord is good” (Psalm 34:8). 

For the last several weeks, we’ve been in exile – the Church has been scattered. And though the Lord hasn’t left us, we ache for the day when we can once again “taste” the Gospel that we have been hearing preached over the TV in our living rooms as we worship from our homes.

 

The Lord’s Supper

The Lord's Supper is a key part of worship at Holy Cross and for many weeks now, we have been unable to celebrate this solemn, yet joyful meal together. One of the key passages of scripture that discusses the Lords Supper is found in I Corinthians 11. There’s a phrase that jumps out to the reader in this chapter because of how often it is repeated – “When you come together.” This phrase is repeated 5 times just in verses 17-34. The Lord’s Supper is a meal that is shared with God’s people each time we “come together.” Often times when we celebrate the Lords Supper we sit quietly, maybe even close our eyes, and contemplate the death of Jesus for our sins, and we commune with the Lord as we remember. This is a good thing for us to do. But this meal is also a communion with one another as we see in I Corinthians 11. For the last several weeks, we’ve been in exile – the Church has been scattered. And though the Lord hasn’t left us, we ache for the day when we can once again “taste” the Gospel that we have been hearing preached over the TV in our living rooms as we worship from our homes.

Think back to the feasts in the Old Testament – they are meant to do at least 3 things and I would suggest that things are no different for us in the New Testament Church.  These feasts typically (1) directed God’s people to remember His faithfulness to them in the past; (2) pointed them forward to the ultimate fulfilment of his promises in the future; and (3) they served to sustain them and strengthen their faith in the present.  

Remembering God's Faithfulness

We are really good at remembering the work of Jesus during the Lord’s supper – in fact this is probably the primary way that most Christians think of the supper.  And this is a wonderful thing to contemplate.  The words “This is my body, which is for you.  Do this in remembrance of Me” are the very words of scripture (I Corinthians 11:24) – we ought to be remembering the death of our Lord as a sacrifice for us.  But the Lord’s supper is so much more.

Looking Forward To The Ultimate Fulfillment

If you’ve been around Holy Cross for very long, you’ve no doubt heard the phrase “Magnify God’s Glory, Live as God’s People, and Engage in God’s Mission.” When God calls a people to himself, he is adopting a family and now calls them to live together as one.  Families sit around the table to share a meal. What an amazing thing it is then that the Lord has made this very homey, common practice a part of His worship. When we take the Lord’s supper we get to share this meal, not only with the Lord, but also with one another. And so, when we take this simple meal, we should also be looking forward to that great day when we won’t be given a small thimble of wine and a little square of flat bread – we’ll get to sit down together at the Lords table together for “a feast of rich food, a feast of well-aged wine, of rich food full of marrow, of aged wine well refined” (Isaiah 25:6). What a day that will be.  As great as the Lords Supper is – and the Lord surely works in our hearts through it, we ought to leave the meal a little bit hungrier after we had it.  This meal is meant to give us a taste of what is to come – we ought to leave the Lords table hungering for more (at least for now!).

Being Strengthened In Faith

Finally and most importantly, Communion is a way that the Lord strengthens us while we wait for that great day promised in Isaiah 25. The most important thing that happens in the Lord’s Supper isn’t something that we do (remembering, repenting, meditating). The most important element of the supper is what God is doing in us and for us. We are primarily a recipient of God’s good gifts when  we take the supper. Looking back to I Corinthians 10, Paul tells us that the cup that we drink “is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ?”  And so, when we take the Lord’s Supper, we are not merely looking back on the goodness of God, nor are we only looking forward to the ultimate fulfilment of God’s promises – God has promised to meet us now! He has promised us that as surely as we taste the bread and wine and it nourishes our body, so surely are you united to Jesus through his Holy Spirit who is there to strengthen our faith and to sustain us until that great day when all of His people are finally joined together at the same table. 

As great as the Lords Supper is – and the Lord surely works in our hearts through it, we ought to leave the meal a little bit hungrier after we had it.  This meal is meant to give us a taste of what is to come – we ought to leave the Lords table hungering for more (at least for now!).

 

What a great day it will be when we are able to participate in this meal together again.  I would challenge us as we take the meal to think on these things. Think about the flow of our worship service. You began with a call to worship – the Lord himself invited you into His throne room. You then contemplated your own sin and all of the ways that you fall short of the glory of God. Immediately after this you hear that you are no longer under the condemnation of God because of the work of Jesus – and this is all before the sermon! Then we hear God’s word preached – we hear what God requires of us, we hear about how we have fallen short, and then we hear how Christ has met all of our needs through His life, death, and resurrection. God then, is so gracious that he shows us in a tangible, tactile way that he means what he said in the sermon and he invites you to sit around his table to share a meal. Something a family does. Then, once we’ve finished our meal, he sends us out with his blessing – assuring us that we belong to him.  What an amazing and gracious God we have.

Join us for our next Communion Service

June 7, June 14, June 21

4:30 - 5:10pm

register buttton

 

]]>
Is church on a break? https://www.holycrosstucson.com/blog/post/same-mission https://www.holycrosstucson.com/blog/post/same-mission#comments Mon, 20 Apr 2020 13:00:00 -0400 https://www.holycrosstucson.com/blog/post/same-mission Is church on a break?

That's what it feels like right now. It's now been over a month since we've gathered for worship and other church-related activities. In a certain sense of what you and I might commonly think of church--yes, much is on a break. Consider all that we've postponed--Sunday worship gatherings, weekly Life Groups in homes, shared meals with others, meaningful fellowship with new and old friends, Magnify nights, and our cherished monthly prayer on the second Sundays. But, what if all those things are merely expressions of our identity, not the core of our identity? All these activities are not an end in themselves. They are strategies for living out our calling to magnify God's glory, live as God's people, and engage in God's mission. Our calling as God's redeemed people (the church) doesn't change even when our circumstances change. In fact, in order for our mission to stay the same, our strategies must change. 

My hope for us in these times...

My hope for all of us is that even though much about church is postponed, we don't forget the story into which we have been called. The story that reminds us that in Christ we are "...a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that [we] may proclaim the excellencies of him who called [us] out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once [we] were not a people, but now [we] are God's people; once [we] had not received mercy, but now [we] have received mercy" 1 Peter 2:9-10. We were made to worship, made for meaningful community, and made to proclaim the good news to others. The global pandemic doesn't change our identity and calling.

"My hope for all of us is that even though much about church is postponed, we don't forget the story into which we have been called"

Any change in culture--in our present case, pestilence and disease--opens up the potential to stray from our gospel convictions and to unknowingly settle into habits and practices that don’t flow out of our identity as God’s redeemed people.

In light of these challenges, we are exhorted to "stand firm and to hold to the traditions that were taught [to] us…" 2 Thessalonians 2:15, and to "be watchful, stand firm in the faith…" 1 Corinthians 16:13. This essentially involves the activity of remembering, believing, and resting on the truth of who God is, what he has done for us through the substitutionary work of Christ, and living in light of those realities.

A Strengthened Mission

What would it look like to continue to live out our mission as a church to magnify God’s glory, live as God’s people, and engage in God’s mission in these times? The form of our worship, the way we pursue meaningful fellowship, and the way we proclaim the gospel to others will look different in many senses—but our calling remains the same. 

We were made to worship, made for meaningful community, and made to proclaim the good news to others. The global pandemic doesn't change our identity and calling.

Let us not forget in these times the beautiful story to which we belong. "And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works" (Hebrews 10:24).

Below we describe our three ministry fronts and offer some tips and encouragements for how to live out our calling--in order to have our entire human experience defined, saturated, and sweetened by the humble, glorious, powerful, honest, gracious, and cheerful gospel reality.

1 - WE EXIST TO MAGNIFY GOD’S GLORY

We magnify God’s glory by resting in the gospel story and understanding how we fit into it. This story is the message about how we are rescued from God’s punishment for our sin and how we come to enjoy all that God intends for us. The gospel is the good news about what has been done by Jesus Christ to put right our relationship with God.

Honor the Sabbath / Home Worship

God has uniquely designed the church for true worshipers to experience, enjoy, and be edified by their common life in Christ—and nothing can adequately replace this experience on Sunday morning. Even though we are not meeting in person, we can continue to be reminded of the gospel story and engage in a weekly rhythm of worship and rest from our work—in our homes. 

  • Join us for weekly home worship by watching our virtual worship service online each week. Our worship service is available to view every Sunday morning by 9am.
  • Pick a regular time each Sunday to sit down together as a household and watch the service.
  • Be sure to check out our home worship resources online to access our weekly order of worship, printable activity pages for kids, and supplemental bible lessons for grades preschool - 5th grade.
  • Sing along with us at home, join us in prayer, and listen attentively as God’s word is preached.
  • After the service, find opportunities to talk with your spouse, children, Life Group, or a friend/family member about how the time of worship impacted you. 

Personal Bible study & Prayer

It’s alarming how little time and intention we give to pursuing loving union with Jesus Christ throughout our day. The adjusted rhythm of this season gives us ample opportunity to slow down to invest in our personal relationship with Jesus. Here are some suggested tips:

  • Silence: In silence we are still before the Lord in wordless prayer. This can be a daily time where we are patient before the Lord before or after a time of prayer or Bible study. It can be anywhere from 2 minutes to 20 minutes.
  • Scripture Study: Spend time reading small portions of the Bible, seeking to hear God’s voice and to know God’s thoughts and heart. You can follow along with our church as we begin a teaching series through the gospel of Mark, or work through a book of the Bible on your own. 
  • Journal regularly: Journaling helps us slow down our thoughts and become intentional in our prayer life. It helps us to pay closer attention to our emotions in order to listen to God, express sorrow for sin and ask for God’s forgiving love, pray for grace, express gratitude, and work through our struggles. 
  • Read a gospel-centered book: We need to soak our thoughts and habits with the grace of God. A great way to do this, in addition to Scripture reading, is by reading through a book that highlights the gospel-centered life. 
  • Daily Examen: This is a tool that helps us to reflect on the day in order to attend to the movements of God’s Spirit in our life and to discern his will. Set aside a daily time to ask the following questions: 1) Where am I experiencing feelings of joy and peace? 2) Where am I sensing connection with God? 3) Where am I experiencing sadness, apathy, and a sense of life draining out of me? 4) Where am I sensing disconnection from God? It serves as a way of casting our cares on God and seeking his provision in our life.

2 - WE EXIST TO LIVE AS GOD’S PEOPLE

Another essential ministry front is to live as God’s people. In all the biblical analogies of the church, it is implied that the relationship between a Christian and the church is one of unity, commitment, and love. Especially now, it may be incredibly difficult to imagine how we are to have meaningful friendship with others in the church, while practicing social distancing. We may be tempted in these times to sink into habits of self-reliance, self-sufficiency, self-protection, self-importance, and self-will. The gospel rescues us from a life focused on the self and binds us in relationship to others, in Christ.

Life Groups (virtual)

Being made in his image, we are meant to reflect his likeness by being in deep community with others. The main context for these regular relationships have been through Life Groups. Physical meetings have been suspended, but here is how they can look going forward:

  • Life Group leaders should schedule regular, weekly, video conferences for all who desire to join for the purpose of prayer, catching up, and discussion on the week’s previous sermon. 
  • A simple sermon 4-question discussion guide is available to interact deeper with the scripture.
  • If you are not currently in a Life Group, but desire to find a small group of people to interact with regularly and pray with, go to our Life Group page and fill out the interest form and a leader will follow up with you.
  • Share your pains and joys with your group and group leader so they can be praying for you and considering ways to support you in these tough times, as able.

Organic, meaningful connection with others

It is too easy in these times to feel isolated and disconnected. Many will experience increased emotional health struggles, loneliness, depression, and despair. We can do a lot to express our love and concern for one another. Here are some tips for connecting with others.

  • If you have someone on your heart that you’ve been thinking about, send a note in the mail, a text message, or give a call.
  • Plan a virtual game night or hang-out via video conference with a friend or family in the church whom you haven’t seen in a while. 
  • Call and pray for someone or just let them know you were thinking of them. 
  • Check in on a church member to see if they have any needs that they could share with the deacons or elders.

3 - WE EXIST TO ENGAGE IN GOD’S MISSION

The church stands right now with an incredible opportunity to bring good news to a hurting world. Possibly more than any time in our lifetime do we see more people looking for hope, peace, security, and rest. We believe that whatever role we play, and whatever mix of gifts we have, every follower of Jesus on earth is a missionary insomuch that everything a Christian is, says and does should be missional in its conscious participation in the mission of God. In an age of social distancing, our convictions remain the same but our forms must change. You may be wondering, "How do I bless my neighbor, share the gospel, and cultivate relationships with those who don’t know Jesus?" Here are some ways we can still engage in God’s mission in these adjusted times: 

Engage in the B.L.E.S.S Practices

B.L.E.S.S. is a simple tool that we use to help us think of ways to bless those around us.  

  • We BLESS others by thinking of simple or big ways to serve in tangible ways that enrich and bring wholeness to the lives of those around us. This can be our family, neighbor, co-worker, or even people at a distance. It can include economic relief or spiritual encouragement.
  • We LISTEN to others empathetically and actively by giving time to hear their struggles, thoughts, or prayers.
  • We EAT with others as we see our meal time not simply as a way to nourish our bodies, but to engage in soul-nourishing fellowship and opportunity to demonstrate the gospel. 
  • We SPEAK with gospel intentionality in our everyday conversations, in truth and in love. We speak to God in prayer. 
  • We SABBATH, regularly taking time to rest from our work, celbrate and enjoy God's gifts, and recreate together with our family. 

Support the ministry of the church

  • We encourage you to continue to give cheerfully and generously to the work of the church, as you are able. Our financial gifts are much more than a way to keep the lights on, so to speak--they are a sacrificial act of love for God, his people, and the ministry of the church. You can give at holycrossgive.com

Support local businesses

  • Consider ways to support local businesses in your neighborhood.
  • Be friendly and generous with your tips for baristas, to-go orders, and other workers you come in contact with. 

Seek the welfare of your neighbor

  • Holy Cross will continue to follow the best public information from our federal and state officials for how to limit the spread of the virus. The Christian response to the coronavirus ought not be one of fear, but love for the welfare of our neighbor. And what our neighbor needs right now is not our presence, but absence. 
  • The church remains the church whether gathered, or scattered. Our absence can make our presence that much sweeter when it happens. 

Be a Prayer Warrior

We list this last, not as an afterthought. It's at the end becuase it ties everything together. Without God our efforts are pointless and fruitless. But with God, all things are possible. We earnestly seek God's will and favor in our prayers.  

Finally, church, I want to encourage you that we all have a personal responsibility to soak our lives in prayer in order to be free from anxiety and fear. These are not normal times, but God is faithful, good, great, and gracious. Worship is essential to our flourishing. Spending time in prayer, contemplation, solitude with Jesus, and connection to his church is essential to who we are called to be. It has never been more important to send a little note to someone to let them know you care, to reach out by phone or zoom, or facetime; to share your needs, and burdens so that others can join you in prayer.

I am praying for you. As your pastor, I'm so proud of the ways you are navigating these tough times in faith. I pray that we will look back on this time and see that it was a unique time in our lives, our church, and our families, where our greatest energy was spent on the worship of God and expression of love for one another. 

Glory to God, 

Pastor Pete

]]>
Is church on a break?

That's what it feels like right now. It's now been over a month since we've gathered for worship and other church-related activities. In a certain sense of what you and I might commonly think of church--yes, much is on a break. Consider all that we've postponed--Sunday worship gatherings, weekly Life Groups in homes, shared meals with others, meaningful fellowship with new and old friends, Magnify nights, and our cherished monthly prayer on the second Sundays. But, what if all those things are merely expressions of our identity, not the core of our identity? All these activities are not an end in themselves. They are strategies for living out our calling to magnify God's glory, live as God's people, and engage in God's mission. Our calling as God's redeemed people (the church) doesn't change even when our circumstances change. In fact, in order for our mission to stay the same, our strategies must change. 

My hope for us in these times...

My hope for all of us is that even though much about church is postponed, we don't forget the story into which we have been called. The story that reminds us that in Christ we are "...a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that [we] may proclaim the excellencies of him who called [us] out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once [we] were not a people, but now [we] are God's people; once [we] had not received mercy, but now [we] have received mercy" 1 Peter 2:9-10. We were made to worship, made for meaningful community, and made to proclaim the good news to others. The global pandemic doesn't change our identity and calling.

"My hope for all of us is that even though much about church is postponed, we don't forget the story into which we have been called"

Any change in culture--in our present case, pestilence and disease--opens up the potential to stray from our gospel convictions and to unknowingly settle into habits and practices that don’t flow out of our identity as God’s redeemed people.

In light of these challenges, we are exhorted to "stand firm and to hold to the traditions that were taught [to] us…" 2 Thessalonians 2:15, and to "be watchful, stand firm in the faith…" 1 Corinthians 16:13. This essentially involves the activity of remembering, believing, and resting on the truth of who God is, what he has done for us through the substitutionary work of Christ, and living in light of those realities.

A Strengthened Mission

What would it look like to continue to live out our mission as a church to magnify God’s glory, live as God’s people, and engage in God’s mission in these times? The form of our worship, the way we pursue meaningful fellowship, and the way we proclaim the gospel to others will look different in many senses—but our calling remains the same. 

We were made to worship, made for meaningful community, and made to proclaim the good news to others. The global pandemic doesn't change our identity and calling.

Let us not forget in these times the beautiful story to which we belong. "And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works" (Hebrews 10:24).

Below we describe our three ministry fronts and offer some tips and encouragements for how to live out our calling--in order to have our entire human experience defined, saturated, and sweetened by the humble, glorious, powerful, honest, gracious, and cheerful gospel reality.

1 - WE EXIST TO MAGNIFY GOD’S GLORY

We magnify God’s glory by resting in the gospel story and understanding how we fit into it. This story is the message about how we are rescued from God’s punishment for our sin and how we come to enjoy all that God intends for us. The gospel is the good news about what has been done by Jesus Christ to put right our relationship with God.

Honor the Sabbath / Home Worship

God has uniquely designed the church for true worshipers to experience, enjoy, and be edified by their common life in Christ—and nothing can adequately replace this experience on Sunday morning. Even though we are not meeting in person, we can continue to be reminded of the gospel story and engage in a weekly rhythm of worship and rest from our work—in our homes. 

  • Join us for weekly home worship by watching our virtual worship service online each week. Our worship service is available to view every Sunday morning by 9am.
  • Pick a regular time each Sunday to sit down together as a household and watch the service.
  • Be sure to check out our home worship resources online to access our weekly order of worship, printable activity pages for kids, and supplemental bible lessons for grades preschool - 5th grade.
  • Sing along with us at home, join us in prayer, and listen attentively as God’s word is preached.
  • After the service, find opportunities to talk with your spouse, children, Life Group, or a friend/family member about how the time of worship impacted you. 

Personal Bible study & Prayer

It’s alarming how little time and intention we give to pursuing loving union with Jesus Christ throughout our day. The adjusted rhythm of this season gives us ample opportunity to slow down to invest in our personal relationship with Jesus. Here are some suggested tips:

  • Silence: In silence we are still before the Lord in wordless prayer. This can be a daily time where we are patient before the Lord before or after a time of prayer or Bible study. It can be anywhere from 2 minutes to 20 minutes.
  • Scripture Study: Spend time reading small portions of the Bible, seeking to hear God’s voice and to know God’s thoughts and heart. You can follow along with our church as we begin a teaching series through the gospel of Mark, or work through a book of the Bible on your own. 
  • Journal regularly: Journaling helps us slow down our thoughts and become intentional in our prayer life. It helps us to pay closer attention to our emotions in order to listen to God, express sorrow for sin and ask for God’s forgiving love, pray for grace, express gratitude, and work through our struggles. 
  • Read a gospel-centered book: We need to soak our thoughts and habits with the grace of God. A great way to do this, in addition to Scripture reading, is by reading through a book that highlights the gospel-centered life. 
  • Daily Examen: This is a tool that helps us to reflect on the day in order to attend to the movements of God’s Spirit in our life and to discern his will. Set aside a daily time to ask the following questions: 1) Where am I experiencing feelings of joy and peace? 2) Where am I sensing connection with God? 3) Where am I experiencing sadness, apathy, and a sense of life draining out of me? 4) Where am I sensing disconnection from God? It serves as a way of casting our cares on God and seeking his provision in our life.

2 - WE EXIST TO LIVE AS GOD’S PEOPLE

Another essential ministry front is to live as God’s people. In all the biblical analogies of the church, it is implied that the relationship between a Christian and the church is one of unity, commitment, and love. Especially now, it may be incredibly difficult to imagine how we are to have meaningful friendship with others in the church, while practicing social distancing. We may be tempted in these times to sink into habits of self-reliance, self-sufficiency, self-protection, self-importance, and self-will. The gospel rescues us from a life focused on the self and binds us in relationship to others, in Christ.

Life Groups (virtual)

Being made in his image, we are meant to reflect his likeness by being in deep community with others. The main context for these regular relationships have been through Life Groups. Physical meetings have been suspended, but here is how they can look going forward:

  • Life Group leaders should schedule regular, weekly, video conferences for all who desire to join for the purpose of prayer, catching up, and discussion on the week’s previous sermon. 
  • A simple sermon 4-question discussion guide is available to interact deeper with the scripture.
  • If you are not currently in a Life Group, but desire to find a small group of people to interact with regularly and pray with, go to our Life Group page and fill out the interest form and a leader will follow up with you.
  • Share your pains and joys with your group and group leader so they can be praying for you and considering ways to support you in these tough times, as able.

Organic, meaningful connection with others

It is too easy in these times to feel isolated and disconnected. Many will experience increased emotional health struggles, loneliness, depression, and despair. We can do a lot to express our love and concern for one another. Here are some tips for connecting with others.

  • If you have someone on your heart that you’ve been thinking about, send a note in the mail, a text message, or give a call.
  • Plan a virtual game night or hang-out via video conference with a friend or family in the church whom you haven’t seen in a while. 
  • Call and pray for someone or just let them know you were thinking of them. 
  • Check in on a church member to see if they have any needs that they could share with the deacons or elders.

3 - WE EXIST TO ENGAGE IN GOD’S MISSION

The church stands right now with an incredible opportunity to bring good news to a hurting world. Possibly more than any time in our lifetime do we see more people looking for hope, peace, security, and rest. We believe that whatever role we play, and whatever mix of gifts we have, every follower of Jesus on earth is a missionary insomuch that everything a Christian is, says and does should be missional in its conscious participation in the mission of God. In an age of social distancing, our convictions remain the same but our forms must change. You may be wondering, "How do I bless my neighbor, share the gospel, and cultivate relationships with those who don’t know Jesus?" Here are some ways we can still engage in God’s mission in these adjusted times: 

Engage in the B.L.E.S.S Practices

B.L.E.S.S. is a simple tool that we use to help us think of ways to bless those around us.  

  • We BLESS others by thinking of simple or big ways to serve in tangible ways that enrich and bring wholeness to the lives of those around us. This can be our family, neighbor, co-worker, or even people at a distance. It can include economic relief or spiritual encouragement.
  • We LISTEN to others empathetically and actively by giving time to hear their struggles, thoughts, or prayers.
  • We EAT with others as we see our meal time not simply as a way to nourish our bodies, but to engage in soul-nourishing fellowship and opportunity to demonstrate the gospel. 
  • We SPEAK with gospel intentionality in our everyday conversations, in truth and in love. We speak to God in prayer. 
  • We SABBATH, regularly taking time to rest from our work, celbrate and enjoy God's gifts, and recreate together with our family. 

Support the ministry of the church

  • We encourage you to continue to give cheerfully and generously to the work of the church, as you are able. Our financial gifts are much more than a way to keep the lights on, so to speak--they are a sacrificial act of love for God, his people, and the ministry of the church. You can give at holycrossgive.com

Support local businesses

  • Consider ways to support local businesses in your neighborhood.
  • Be friendly and generous with your tips for baristas, to-go orders, and other workers you come in contact with. 

Seek the welfare of your neighbor

  • Holy Cross will continue to follow the best public information from our federal and state officials for how to limit the spread of the virus. The Christian response to the coronavirus ought not be one of fear, but love for the welfare of our neighbor. And what our neighbor needs right now is not our presence, but absence. 
  • The church remains the church whether gathered, or scattered. Our absence can make our presence that much sweeter when it happens. 

Be a Prayer Warrior

We list this last, not as an afterthought. It's at the end becuase it ties everything together. Without God our efforts are pointless and fruitless. But with God, all things are possible. We earnestly seek God's will and favor in our prayers.  

Finally, church, I want to encourage you that we all have a personal responsibility to soak our lives in prayer in order to be free from anxiety and fear. These are not normal times, but God is faithful, good, great, and gracious. Worship is essential to our flourishing. Spending time in prayer, contemplation, solitude with Jesus, and connection to his church is essential to who we are called to be. It has never been more important to send a little note to someone to let them know you care, to reach out by phone or zoom, or facetime; to share your needs, and burdens so that others can join you in prayer.

I am praying for you. As your pastor, I'm so proud of the ways you are navigating these tough times in faith. I pray that we will look back on this time and see that it was a unique time in our lives, our church, and our families, where our greatest energy was spent on the worship of God and expression of love for one another. 

Glory to God, 

Pastor Pete

]]>
Support Our Medical Professionals https://www.holycrosstucson.com/blog/post/support-a-medical-professional https://www.holycrosstucson.com/blog/post/support-a-medical-professional#comments Wed, 08 Apr 2020 14:00:00 -0400 https://www.holycrosstucson.com/blog/post/support-a-medical-professional

GOAL REACHED!!!

THANK YOU HOLY CROSS

Initial goal: 230 shields | Sponsored: 230 (100%)

face shield donation banner230

Our medical professionals are in great need of protective gear, in particular face shields. Our church has several doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals scattered throughout the city. One member is a floor supervisor in the Intensive Care Unit at UMC Banner in Tucson. We have assembled and are delivering dozens of face shields to UMC Banner to express our support and love to all our medical professionals. 

face shield

We had hoped this would be an opportunity for our church to personally assemble and deliver these shields--an oppportunity for hands on expression of sacrificial love. However, out a concern for the welfare of others and to minimize social interaction, we decided not to make this opportunity available. 

BUT - you can still be involved in this expression of support to our medical professionals, while supporting the needs of others at Holy Cross.

Here's how:

  • Our Deacon Fund is used specifically to help in the financial and physical needs of people in our church. This includes rent, utilities, groceries, auto repairs, and many other needs. Our deacons need resources more than ever.
  • You can sponsor a face shield to a medical professional in need by making a donation to our deacon fund. 
  • Holy Cross is providing the face shields, but you can engage in this great opportunity while knowing that you are blessing those in need in our church and in our city. 
  • Below you can see what different donations sponsor. (We are happy to receive any donation in any amount).

face shields2

 

button_make an online donation

 

]]>

GOAL REACHED!!!

THANK YOU HOLY CROSS

Initial goal: 230 shields | Sponsored: 230 (100%)

face shield donation banner230

Our medical professionals are in great need of protective gear, in particular face shields. Our church has several doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals scattered throughout the city. One member is a floor supervisor in the Intensive Care Unit at UMC Banner in Tucson. We have assembled and are delivering dozens of face shields to UMC Banner to express our support and love to all our medical professionals. 

face shield

We had hoped this would be an opportunity for our church to personally assemble and deliver these shields--an oppportunity for hands on expression of sacrificial love. However, out a concern for the welfare of others and to minimize social interaction, we decided not to make this opportunity available. 

BUT - you can still be involved in this expression of support to our medical professionals, while supporting the needs of others at Holy Cross.

Here's how:

  • Our Deacon Fund is used specifically to help in the financial and physical needs of people in our church. This includes rent, utilities, groceries, auto repairs, and many other needs. Our deacons need resources more than ever.
  • You can sponsor a face shield to a medical professional in need by making a donation to our deacon fund. 
  • Holy Cross is providing the face shields, but you can engage in this great opportunity while knowing that you are blessing those in need in our church and in our city. 
  • Below you can see what different donations sponsor. (We are happy to receive any donation in any amount).

face shields2

 

button_make an online donation

 

]]>
Update On Sunday Service Preparations https://www.holycrosstucson.com/blog/post/update-on-ministry- https://www.holycrosstucson.com/blog/post/update-on-ministry-#comments Sat, 14 Mar 2020 18:00:00 -0400 https://www.holycrosstucson.com/blog/post/update-on-ministry- Hello again Holy Cross Family, 

Earlier this week we posted a letter online explaining our church's response to the coronavirus outbreak. In that letter we mentioned that we would be updating you with any adjustments to our ministry activities. As of this morning, we have decided to suspend our worship services for tomorrow, March 15th.

First, let me tell you why we’ve come to this decision:

We want to be clear that this decision is not based on fear - but rather out of an abundance of concern for the welfare of our neighbor. We are learning new things everyday about this virus. And the best way to suppress the spread of this disease is through social distancing when it comes to large crowds. This is a practical way to love those who are most vulnerable to complications from this virus. Neglecting the wisdom of government officials and healthcare professionals not only puts many at risk, but creates the potential for overcrowded hospitals and intensive care units in the days to come.

We are not suspending services as a response to fear or paranoia - rather out of an abundance of love for others.

Life Groups:

You may be wondering if this applies to our Life Group gatherings as well. For now, we encourage you to continue to meet in these small gospel communities. They can be a vital avenue of gospel encouragement and rich fellowship yet likely pose a far less danger to the exponential spread of the virus. Even so, if you are feeling ill please stay home and rest. If you are uncomfortable attending a Life Group please don't feel burdened to attend. Let your Life Group leader know how they can be praying for you. As a reminder, this coming week our Life Groups are observing their scheduled Spring Break hiatus.

Second, I’ll explain what happens next:

Tomorrow around 10am, we will be uploading an audio version of our worship through singing and the preaching of God’s Word. We hope you will stop by our website to be ministered to in this way.

If Holy Cross is your church home, you can expect that your elders and deacons will be praying for you by name. If you would like to contact us for anything at all, please email info@holycrosstucson.com. These emails will be directed to our core leadership team and we will follow up. This may be a great option for those restricted to their home in need of prayer, groceries, or encouragement.

As of now, we will take one week at a time and continue to assess how to respond.

Stay Informed

The best way to keep informed of any adjustments to ministry activities is through our “News & Announcement” page on our website. You can also sign up to receive emails from our church regarding important announcements like this one. 

For now, please be encouraged through God's Word. We find encouragement in a somewhat ironic passage, Hebrews 10:23-24, which states:

"Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near."

I told you it was ironic! The gathering of God’s people for worship is central to our identity as rescued people. The writer of Hebrews encourages the church to not neglect the meeting for worship even at a time when they were forced underground by persecution.

How can we be faithful to Scripture in this time? For starters, not having our worship service should not cause us to think of Sunday as a second Saturday - but as a day of intentional worship. It is a time for rest from our labors and express acts of worship, mercy, joy, and mission. We encourage you to set aside time with your family to seek God's will and favor in prayer, to read Scripture, and express acts of mercy and compassion to others who need it.  

We also encourage you to gather with others throughout the week; to eat together, pray together, and remind one another that our hope does not come from our health or circumstances but from the reality that we belong to God. We encourage you to be the church. Keep your eyes and ears open to the burdens of others and use your time, talents, and treasures to aid in the welfare of your neighbor. If this season reminds us of anything it ought to be that the church is not confined within the four walls of our building. The church is God's rescued people, showing and telling to the world the excellencies of His mercy, in Jesus Christ. We have countless reasons, church, to be joyful. 

Remember this: We may be separated from one another for a season but we are never separated from the love of God. 

We will keep you informed. We will be praying for you. And I long for the day we gather once again to praise God’s name together under one roof. 

God bless,

Pastor Pete

]]>
Hello again Holy Cross Family, 

Earlier this week we posted a letter online explaining our church's response to the coronavirus outbreak. In that letter we mentioned that we would be updating you with any adjustments to our ministry activities. As of this morning, we have decided to suspend our worship services for tomorrow, March 15th.

First, let me tell you why we’ve come to this decision:

We want to be clear that this decision is not based on fear - but rather out of an abundance of concern for the welfare of our neighbor. We are learning new things everyday about this virus. And the best way to suppress the spread of this disease is through social distancing when it comes to large crowds. This is a practical way to love those who are most vulnerable to complications from this virus. Neglecting the wisdom of government officials and healthcare professionals not only puts many at risk, but creates the potential for overcrowded hospitals and intensive care units in the days to come.

We are not suspending services as a response to fear or paranoia - rather out of an abundance of love for others.

Life Groups:

You may be wondering if this applies to our Life Group gatherings as well. For now, we encourage you to continue to meet in these small gospel communities. They can be a vital avenue of gospel encouragement and rich fellowship yet likely pose a far less danger to the exponential spread of the virus. Even so, if you are feeling ill please stay home and rest. If you are uncomfortable attending a Life Group please don't feel burdened to attend. Let your Life Group leader know how they can be praying for you. As a reminder, this coming week our Life Groups are observing their scheduled Spring Break hiatus.

Second, I’ll explain what happens next:

Tomorrow around 10am, we will be uploading an audio version of our worship through singing and the preaching of God’s Word. We hope you will stop by our website to be ministered to in this way.

If Holy Cross is your church home, you can expect that your elders and deacons will be praying for you by name. If you would like to contact us for anything at all, please email info@holycrosstucson.com. These emails will be directed to our core leadership team and we will follow up. This may be a great option for those restricted to their home in need of prayer, groceries, or encouragement.

As of now, we will take one week at a time and continue to assess how to respond.

Stay Informed

The best way to keep informed of any adjustments to ministry activities is through our “News & Announcement” page on our website. You can also sign up to receive emails from our church regarding important announcements like this one. 

For now, please be encouraged through God's Word. We find encouragement in a somewhat ironic passage, Hebrews 10:23-24, which states:

"Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near."

I told you it was ironic! The gathering of God’s people for worship is central to our identity as rescued people. The writer of Hebrews encourages the church to not neglect the meeting for worship even at a time when they were forced underground by persecution.

How can we be faithful to Scripture in this time? For starters, not having our worship service should not cause us to think of Sunday as a second Saturday - but as a day of intentional worship. It is a time for rest from our labors and express acts of worship, mercy, joy, and mission. We encourage you to set aside time with your family to seek God's will and favor in prayer, to read Scripture, and express acts of mercy and compassion to others who need it.  

We also encourage you to gather with others throughout the week; to eat together, pray together, and remind one another that our hope does not come from our health or circumstances but from the reality that we belong to God. We encourage you to be the church. Keep your eyes and ears open to the burdens of others and use your time, talents, and treasures to aid in the welfare of your neighbor. If this season reminds us of anything it ought to be that the church is not confined within the four walls of our building. The church is God's rescued people, showing and telling to the world the excellencies of His mercy, in Jesus Christ. We have countless reasons, church, to be joyful. 

Remember this: We may be separated from one another for a season but we are never separated from the love of God. 

We will keep you informed. We will be praying for you. And I long for the day we gather once again to praise God’s name together under one roof. 

God bless,

Pastor Pete

]]>
A letter to our church regarding the coronavirus https://www.holycrosstucson.com/blog/post/a-letter-to-our-church-regarding-the-coronavirus https://www.holycrosstucson.com/blog/post/a-letter-to-our-church-regarding-the-coronavirus#comments Wed, 11 Mar 2020 20:00:00 -0400 https://www.holycrosstucson.com/blog/post/a-letter-to-our-church-regarding-the-coronavirus Dear Holy Cross Family, 

Your leaders at Holy Cross desire to lean into the global conversation surrounding the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. There is so much to be said, but we believe a starting place for us would be to consider how this pandemic provides the opportunity to move towards God in faith and towards others in love as we seek the welfare of our church, city, and world. In this announcement we will outline ways in which we hope to lead us all to trust God and do our part to suppress the spread of the virus in our community.

Dependency, Not Self-sufficiency

As of this writing, 9 people have tested positive for the coronavirus in Arizona, 1 being right here in Pima County. 32 tests are still pending in the state. While Arizona is not facing the number of cases seen in other states, state officials do expect to see an increase in cases in our state and city. For many, the likely reaction to the growing news of its spread and severity may be best described as anxiety, fear, and worry. We know that God’s love is not a guarantee of comfort or health in this life but may it never be said that God’s people are led more by fear than faith. Worry is never our friend. Rather than worry, Jesus invites his church to trust in our Heavenly Father who knows us, loves us, and will not abandon us. (Matthew 6:33-34). We are also instructed to “…not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God” (Philippians 4:6). 

Worry is common to us all. But let us not give into the delusion of self-sufficiency. We often think that the value of our life depends on accomplishing our plans and the ability to control our circumstances. Sickness, and the threat of sickness, is often an instrument to remind us that we are completely dependant on God with every breath. Instead of being afraid of getting sick, we should be more afraid of finding our strength in our own self-sufficiency, apart from God. God invites us to remember his assurance that he is in our midst, he knows our struggles, and is powerful enough to bring about his good plans for us.

Consider Jesus--who willingly suffered and died, diseased by our sin--was afflicted, killed, buried, and is risen. The essence of faith is not the absence of worry, but our trust in God’s ability to hold us up. Because he took our fear and triumphed over death in the resurrection we can take our anxious and worried heart to him and find comfort.

Let this be a time to bring our prayers to God, moving towards him and seeking his will and favor for our health, family, and neighbor.

Outward-focused, selfless love

Jesus’ church, historically, has been a champion for the care of the sick, hurting, and marginalized among us. 

It is too easy to forget the call to love our neighbor in times like these—leading to the practice of thinking only of the self and asking “What’s the risk to me”? Some may be of the perspective that the hype is overblown and we shouldn't adjust our lives. Either way, the spread of the coronavirus creates abundant opportunity to share the love and care of Christ in the midst of so much fear and uncertainty. Jesus stepped into our sickness, sin, and death. So, too, we are called to show compassion and selfless love to those in our community. We must not only consider our own interests but look beyond ourselves to the interests of others. This happens as we lay down our rights for the good of others.

How can we do this? One way is to be more vigilant than normal. It’s common to come to church with mild respiratory symptoms like a mild cough or congestion, especially among young children. This is usually not a big deal. It’s encouraging to see reports that young children are not as vulnerable to this disease. However, asymptomatic and mild symptoms experienced by young children may still pose a serious threat to the most vulnerable—people over 60, those with lung and/or heart disease, pregnant women, young infants, and medically fragile people. A way to love your neighbor (and practical public-health wisdom) is to be more attentive and vigilant if you, or a member of your family, are experiencing even mild respiratory symptoms—and to stay home if that’s the case.

Practical measures

As with most things, there is both a pastoral and practical response. We encourage all to review our long-standing “well-child” policy at Holy Cross, found below. We encourage adults to also abide by this same policy.

Well-Child Policy

This states that if your child has experienced an illness or symptoms related to a contagious illness within the past 24 hours then they should avoid coming to worship and other church-related gatherings. These symptoms may include: 

  • Fever
  • Persistent cough
  • Runny nose
  • Pink eye
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Extreme irritability or exhaustion
  • Or any others symptoms related to any contagious illness

We are also increasing the frequency of our cleaning and sanitizing of the toys and surfaces in our kids' rooms and common areas. Cleanings will now happen between and after worship services. Appropriate items will be laundered and items that cannot be cleaned will be removed from the classrooms for the time-being.

We encourage you to utilize the resources available to us all. Consider the recommendations from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention which include suggestions for practical hygiene. 

For now, all events are going on as planned. We will continue to evaluate current preparations for all ministry activities as a way to limit or suppress the spread of the virus. We will continue to be advised by health-care professionals within our church and keep a close watch on the progress and spread of the disease in our city. Any changes to our normal church activities will be communicated via email and posted on our website. If you’d like to get our email updates, please sign up here. 

*UPDATE*

The following temporary adjustments to our worship services will go into effect starting March 15, 2020.

Our elders & deacons are ready to care for your spiritual needs and alleviate any physical burdens as best as we are able.

And finally—take heart. Remain prayerful for those affected by this pandemic, healthcare professionals, local and government officials around the world, and others stewarding their gifts to aid in the welfare of others. Because of Jesus' Lordship over all creation and his love for his church, these things are certain: The bad things will not last. God’s good will never be taken from us. And the best things are always yet to come.

In Christ’s gracious care,

-Pastor Pete & the Elders of Holy Cross

]]>
Dear Holy Cross Family, 

Your leaders at Holy Cross desire to lean into the global conversation surrounding the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. There is so much to be said, but we believe a starting place for us would be to consider how this pandemic provides the opportunity to move towards God in faith and towards others in love as we seek the welfare of our church, city, and world. In this announcement we will outline ways in which we hope to lead us all to trust God and do our part to suppress the spread of the virus in our community.

Dependency, Not Self-sufficiency

As of this writing, 9 people have tested positive for the coronavirus in Arizona, 1 being right here in Pima County. 32 tests are still pending in the state. While Arizona is not facing the number of cases seen in other states, state officials do expect to see an increase in cases in our state and city. For many, the likely reaction to the growing news of its spread and severity may be best described as anxiety, fear, and worry. We know that God’s love is not a guarantee of comfort or health in this life but may it never be said that God’s people are led more by fear than faith. Worry is never our friend. Rather than worry, Jesus invites his church to trust in our Heavenly Father who knows us, loves us, and will not abandon us. (Matthew 6:33-34). We are also instructed to “…not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God” (Philippians 4:6). 

Worry is common to us all. But let us not give into the delusion of self-sufficiency. We often think that the value of our life depends on accomplishing our plans and the ability to control our circumstances. Sickness, and the threat of sickness, is often an instrument to remind us that we are completely dependant on God with every breath. Instead of being afraid of getting sick, we should be more afraid of finding our strength in our own self-sufficiency, apart from God. God invites us to remember his assurance that he is in our midst, he knows our struggles, and is powerful enough to bring about his good plans for us.

Consider Jesus--who willingly suffered and died, diseased by our sin--was afflicted, killed, buried, and is risen. The essence of faith is not the absence of worry, but our trust in God’s ability to hold us up. Because he took our fear and triumphed over death in the resurrection we can take our anxious and worried heart to him and find comfort.

Let this be a time to bring our prayers to God, moving towards him and seeking his will and favor for our health, family, and neighbor.

Outward-focused, selfless love

Jesus’ church, historically, has been a champion for the care of the sick, hurting, and marginalized among us. 

It is too easy to forget the call to love our neighbor in times like these—leading to the practice of thinking only of the self and asking “What’s the risk to me”? Some may be of the perspective that the hype is overblown and we shouldn't adjust our lives. Either way, the spread of the coronavirus creates abundant opportunity to share the love and care of Christ in the midst of so much fear and uncertainty. Jesus stepped into our sickness, sin, and death. So, too, we are called to show compassion and selfless love to those in our community. We must not only consider our own interests but look beyond ourselves to the interests of others. This happens as we lay down our rights for the good of others.

How can we do this? One way is to be more vigilant than normal. It’s common to come to church with mild respiratory symptoms like a mild cough or congestion, especially among young children. This is usually not a big deal. It’s encouraging to see reports that young children are not as vulnerable to this disease. However, asymptomatic and mild symptoms experienced by young children may still pose a serious threat to the most vulnerable—people over 60, those with lung and/or heart disease, pregnant women, young infants, and medically fragile people. A way to love your neighbor (and practical public-health wisdom) is to be more attentive and vigilant if you, or a member of your family, are experiencing even mild respiratory symptoms—and to stay home if that’s the case.

Practical measures

As with most things, there is both a pastoral and practical response. We encourage all to review our long-standing “well-child” policy at Holy Cross, found below. We encourage adults to also abide by this same policy.

Well-Child Policy

This states that if your child has experienced an illness or symptoms related to a contagious illness within the past 24 hours then they should avoid coming to worship and other church-related gatherings. These symptoms may include: 

  • Fever
  • Persistent cough
  • Runny nose
  • Pink eye
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Extreme irritability or exhaustion
  • Or any others symptoms related to any contagious illness

We are also increasing the frequency of our cleaning and sanitizing of the toys and surfaces in our kids' rooms and common areas. Cleanings will now happen between and after worship services. Appropriate items will be laundered and items that cannot be cleaned will be removed from the classrooms for the time-being.

We encourage you to utilize the resources available to us all. Consider the recommendations from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention which include suggestions for practical hygiene. 

For now, all events are going on as planned. We will continue to evaluate current preparations for all ministry activities as a way to limit or suppress the spread of the virus. We will continue to be advised by health-care professionals within our church and keep a close watch on the progress and spread of the disease in our city. Any changes to our normal church activities will be communicated via email and posted on our website. If you’d like to get our email updates, please sign up here. 

*UPDATE*

The following temporary adjustments to our worship services will go into effect starting March 15, 2020.

Our elders & deacons are ready to care for your spiritual needs and alleviate any physical burdens as best as we are able.

And finally—take heart. Remain prayerful for those affected by this pandemic, healthcare professionals, local and government officials around the world, and others stewarding their gifts to aid in the welfare of others. Because of Jesus' Lordship over all creation and his love for his church, these things are certain: The bad things will not last. God’s good will never be taken from us. And the best things are always yet to come.

In Christ’s gracious care,

-Pastor Pete & the Elders of Holy Cross

]]>
Speaking Truth In A Distracted Age https://www.holycrosstucson.com/blog/post/speaking-truth-in-a-distracted-age https://www.holycrosstucson.com/blog/post/speaking-truth-in-a-distracted-age#comments Thu, 02 Jan 2020 10:00:00 -0500 https://www.holycrosstucson.com/blog/post/speaking-truth-in-a-distracted-age

What if we are so accustomed to thinking about our beliefs in terms of personal preferences, like sports teams or our favorite brands, that when we try to share the gospel with someone, neither of us are actually thinking about the existence and loving lordship of a loving God who died on the cross for our sins? - Alan Noble


So begins Alan Noble's book Disruptive Witness: Speaking Truth in a Distracted Age. He makes the case that as Christianity has come to be seen in our culture as one viable choices among many, the key criteria for evaluating it is not whether its claims are objectively true. Rather, "the real criteria for the validity of a belief system is how quantifiably beneficial it is to us, personally." Therefore individuals use what they like about Christianity and simultaneously use contradictory ideas from other stories without feeling any need to harmonize them into a cohesive whole. Moreover, we (for we Christians don't stand outside wider cultural trends) spend less and less time in meditation about meaning in favor of immediately gratifying activities that resist reflection and meditation.

"The constant distraction of our culture shields us from the kind of deep, honest reflection needed to ask why we exist and what is true." I see this distraction in my own life when I go to pull up the Bible app on my iPad only to tap over to Twitter and get caught up with the latest political controversy. My contemplative quiet time has just been hijacked by the latest hot take. Instead of re-grounding myself in the the story of Creation, Fall, Redemption, Restoration, I am distracted by the tyranny of the urgent.  And I am not alone; Noble's book is filled with concrete examples that flesh out this idea. He speaks of Christians posting verses on social media as a way of evangelizing or at least boldly signaling what they believe. But to their secular friends 'the images are indistinguishable from all the other random content we quickly share and forget on social media. The gospel appears thin, superficial, and inconsequential--just another image vying for our time.' 

What we need then is something to cut through the error of relativism and the noise of distraction, something that helps us communicate the truth of the gospel both to unbelievers and our own souls.

 

What We Need

What we need then is something to cut through the error of relativism and the noise of distraction, something that helps us communicate the truth of the gospel both to unbelievers and our own souls. "The challenge for Christians in our time is to speak of the gospel in a way that unsettles listeners, that conveys the transcendence of God, that provokes contemplation and reflection, and that reveals the stark givenness of reality." He suggests personal, church, and cultural practices to achieve this objective. For example, he suggests cutting down on filler distractions and reflecting on the gifts of God; this is a message I deeply need to hear. I am a slave of so-called productivity, often with the rationalization of "redeeming the time." I can't drive a mile around the corner to the grocery store without putting on my audiobook. But who am I redeeming the time for? As Noble points out, "How on earth can we redeem redeem each moment for [God] if we are so absorbed by the next thing that we forget he exists at all?"

Disruptive Witness is generally stronger at diagnosing our culture's ills than curing them. At times I found myself frustrated, desiring more satisfying answers (just fix it!) to the wonderful issues Noble raises. But he refuses to give easy answers to complex questions. He recognizes that there are many obstacles preventing us from communicating the gospel effectively and that we often don't even acknowledge those obstacles, which only results in talking past each other.  If you are looking for a book that has the perfect strategy for bringing all your secular friends to Christ, this is not the book for you. Noble recognizes that such a strategy doesn't exist.

With that in mind, this book is more about preparing the ground for a proverbial sowing of the Word than it is reaping a harvest of souls. But for the reader who wants to explore why and how we need to till that hard ground,  there is much to be gained here.

Tim Sinclair lives in NW Tucson with his wife, Hannah. He has a burden to not only see the Bible faithfully taught but to increasingly apply the Bible's teachings in the context of the church community and mission to the world. Tim serves Holy Cross Church as a Ruling Elder and currently works as a financial advisor where he enjoys helping people build and implement financial plans that help them reach their goals.

]]>

What if we are so accustomed to thinking about our beliefs in terms of personal preferences, like sports teams or our favorite brands, that when we try to share the gospel with someone, neither of us are actually thinking about the existence and loving lordship of a loving God who died on the cross for our sins? - Alan Noble


So begins Alan Noble's book Disruptive Witness: Speaking Truth in a Distracted Age. He makes the case that as Christianity has come to be seen in our culture as one viable choices among many, the key criteria for evaluating it is not whether its claims are objectively true. Rather, "the real criteria for the validity of a belief system is how quantifiably beneficial it is to us, personally." Therefore individuals use what they like about Christianity and simultaneously use contradictory ideas from other stories without feeling any need to harmonize them into a cohesive whole. Moreover, we (for we Christians don't stand outside wider cultural trends) spend less and less time in meditation about meaning in favor of immediately gratifying activities that resist reflection and meditation.

"The constant distraction of our culture shields us from the kind of deep, honest reflection needed to ask why we exist and what is true." I see this distraction in my own life when I go to pull up the Bible app on my iPad only to tap over to Twitter and get caught up with the latest political controversy. My contemplative quiet time has just been hijacked by the latest hot take. Instead of re-grounding myself in the the story of Creation, Fall, Redemption, Restoration, I am distracted by the tyranny of the urgent.  And I am not alone; Noble's book is filled with concrete examples that flesh out this idea. He speaks of Christians posting verses on social media as a way of evangelizing or at least boldly signaling what they believe. But to their secular friends 'the images are indistinguishable from all the other random content we quickly share and forget on social media. The gospel appears thin, superficial, and inconsequential--just another image vying for our time.' 

What we need then is something to cut through the error of relativism and the noise of distraction, something that helps us communicate the truth of the gospel both to unbelievers and our own souls.

 

What We Need

What we need then is something to cut through the error of relativism and the noise of distraction, something that helps us communicate the truth of the gospel both to unbelievers and our own souls. "The challenge for Christians in our time is to speak of the gospel in a way that unsettles listeners, that conveys the transcendence of God, that provokes contemplation and reflection, and that reveals the stark givenness of reality." He suggests personal, church, and cultural practices to achieve this objective. For example, he suggests cutting down on filler distractions and reflecting on the gifts of God; this is a message I deeply need to hear. I am a slave of so-called productivity, often with the rationalization of "redeeming the time." I can't drive a mile around the corner to the grocery store without putting on my audiobook. But who am I redeeming the time for? As Noble points out, "How on earth can we redeem redeem each moment for [God] if we are so absorbed by the next thing that we forget he exists at all?"

Disruptive Witness is generally stronger at diagnosing our culture's ills than curing them. At times I found myself frustrated, desiring more satisfying answers (just fix it!) to the wonderful issues Noble raises. But he refuses to give easy answers to complex questions. He recognizes that there are many obstacles preventing us from communicating the gospel effectively and that we often don't even acknowledge those obstacles, which only results in talking past each other.  If you are looking for a book that has the perfect strategy for bringing all your secular friends to Christ, this is not the book for you. Noble recognizes that such a strategy doesn't exist.

With that in mind, this book is more about preparing the ground for a proverbial sowing of the Word than it is reaping a harvest of souls. But for the reader who wants to explore why and how we need to till that hard ground,  there is much to be gained here.

Tim Sinclair lives in NW Tucson with his wife, Hannah. He has a burden to not only see the Bible faithfully taught but to increasingly apply the Bible's teachings in the context of the church community and mission to the world. Tim serves Holy Cross Church as a Ruling Elder and currently works as a financial advisor where he enjoys helping people build and implement financial plans that help them reach their goals.

]]>