March 2025 

Dear Beloved Congregation:

As we approach the sacred season of Lent, I find myself reflecting on the profound significance of this time in our faith journey. Lent is a period of preparation, a moment for us to pause and reflect on our relationship with God, ourselves, and one another. It invites us into a deeper understanding of the sacrifice Christ made for us and calls us to consider how we can walk more closely in His footsteps.

During these forty-days, we are encouraged to engage in practices that bring us closer to our Creator. Whether you decide to abstain from something, adopt a new spiritual discipline, or assist those in need, I invite you to approach these activities with an open heart and a willing spirit. Let us use this time to strip away distractions and focus on the essence of our faith, allowing God to transform us from the inside out.

Also, Lent is not just an individual journey; it is a communal one. Let us support one another through prayer, encouragement and acts of kindness. Together, we can create a space where everyone feels welcomed and loved, reflecting the heart of Christ.

I am reminded of the words from 1John 1:17: “But if we walk as he himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.” May this Lenten season be a time of deepening our fellowship with God and each other.

In closing, I encourage you to pray and seek God’s guidance as we enter this sacred time. May your hearts be open to His leading and may we all emerge from this season transformed and renewed, ready to celebrate the resurrection of our Lord on Easter Sunday.

With love and blessings,

Pastor Strother

Dear Beloved Congregation,

As we approach the Easter season, a time of profound celebration and reflection, I want to extend a heartfelt invitation to join us as we commemorate the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.

This Easter, let us remember that the empty tomb is not just a historical event, but a powerful symbol of the victory over death and the promise of new life that is available to all who believe. It is a reminder that no matter the challenges we face, hope remains steadfast, and our faith can guide us through any darkness.

This year, our Easter Sunday service will focus on the theme of "Renewal," exploring how Jesus' sacrifice allows us to shed old burdens and embrace a fresh start in our relationship with God and with one another.

Date: April 20th, 2025

Time: 10 am

We encourage you to invite friends and family to join us in celebrating this momentous occasion.

In the days leading up to Easter, let us take time to reflect on the meaning of the cross and the resurrection, to deepen our personal devotion, and to seek opportunities to share the love of Christ with our community. Please check out our website for Lent at www.crossroadspresbyterian.org.

May this Easter season bring you joy, peace, and a renewed sense of purpose.

With love and blessings, Pastor Strother Gross

On Palm Sunday, the palm branches symbolize victory, triumph and Jesus’ role as a kind/messiah, mirroring the biblical story of Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem where people laid palms in his path.

• Biblical Context: Palm commemorates Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem, where crowds greeted him with palm branches and should, “Hosanna!” (meaning “Save now” or “Lord, grant salvation”).

• Symbol of Victory: In ancient times, palm branches were used to signify victory and triumph, often given to leaders or heroes.

• Triumphal Entry: The people laying palms in Jesus’ path is a way of honoring him as a king or conqueror, foreshadowing his eventual role as savior.

• Christian Tradition: Many Christian denominations distribute palm branches during Palm Sunday services, and these palms are often blessed by clergy.

• Sacramental Significance - In some traditions, the blessed palms are considered sacramentals, objects that can covey grace, a nd are treated with respect.

• Disposal: After Palm Sunday, the palms are often collected and burned, and the ashes are used for Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent.

• Look below for the graphic of how to fold your palm into the shape of a cross!

Maundy Thursday is a solemn day which holds great significance in the Christian calendar, particularly during Holy Week. It is a day that commemorates Jesus Christ’s Last Supper with his disciples and reminds us of the importance of humility, selflessness and service to others.

Maundy Thursday is the Thursday before Easter, believed to be the day when Jesus celebrated his final Passover with his disciples. Most notably, that passover meal was when Jesus washed the feet of his disciples in an extraordinary display of humility. He then commanded them to do the same for each other.

What does Maundy Thursday Mean?

Christ’s “mandate” is commemorated - “maundy” being a shortened form of “madatum” (Latin) which means, “command.” It was on the Thursday of Christ’s final week before being crucified and resurrected that He said this commandment to his disciples. They had just shared what is now known as the Last Supper and he was washing their feet when he stated, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.” John 13:34

Here’s a more detailed explanation:

• The Last Supper: Maundy Thursday commemorates the Last Supper, where Jesus shared a meal with his disciples and established the sacrament of Holy Communion.

• The New Commandment: During the Last Supper, Jesus gave his disciples a new commandment, “Love one another as I have loved you.”

• Symbolism of Foot Washing: Jesus’ act of washing his disciples’ feet during theLast Supper symbolizes humility and service and is a reminder for Christians to serve others. At Crossroads, we do handwashing during our Maundy Thursday service instead of foot washing. We also serve communion.

• Maundy Money: In some traditions, particularly in the Church of England, Maundy Thursday is marked by a Royal Maundy Service, where the monarch distributes special coins called “Maundy Money” to those who have shown outstanding Christian service.