Crossroads United Methodist Church

03/01/2021

Luke 5:17-25 (NIV) One day Jesus was teaching, and Pharisees and teachers of the law were sitting there. They had come from every village of Galilee and from Judea and Jerusalem. And the power of the Lord was with Jesus to heal the sick. Some men came carrying a paralyzed man on a mat and tried to take him into the house to lay him before Jesus. When they could not find a way to do this because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and lowered him on his mat through the tiles into the middle of the crowd, right in front of Jesus. When Jesus saw their faith, he said, “Friend, your sins are forgiven.” The Pharisees and the teachers of the law began thinking to themselves, “Who is this fellow who speaks blasphemy? Who can forgive sins but God alone?” Jesus knew what they were thinking and asked, “Why are you thinking these things in your hearts? Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’? But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So he said to the paralyzed man, “I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.” Immediately he stood up in front of them, took what he had been lying on and went home praising God.

Morning Prayer: God, I am thankful for the gift of loving and caring community where we can come freely and without fear and without shame share our deepest hurts and the many things that burden our thoughts. Help me to step away from my pride and my sense that I should always have things together so that I can reach out to my community for help. There is no need for any one of us to suffer in silence. Help me to have courage to reach out for help when I need it, and help me to respond quickly when someone else needs my help.

Morning Focus: Today we are praying for those who are grieving someone they have lost.

02/28/2021

Matthew 8:5-13 (MSG) As Jesus entered the village of Capernaum, a Roman captain came up in a panic and said, “Master, my servant is sick. He can’t walk. He’s in terrible pain.” Jesus said “I’ll come and heal him. “ “Oh, no,” said the captain. “I don’t want to put you to all that trouble. Just give the order and my servant will be fine. I’m a man who takes orders and gives orders. I tell one soldier, ‘Go,’ and he goes; to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; to my slave, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”

Taken aback, Jesus said, “I’ve yet to come across this kind of simple trust in Israel, the very people who are supposed to know all about God and how God works. This man is the vanguard of many outsiders who will soon be coming from all directions—streaming in from the east, pouring in from the west, sitting down at God’s kingdom banquet alongside Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Then those who grew up ‘in the faith’ but had no faith will find themselves out in the cold, outsiders to grace and wondering what happened.” Then Jesus turned to the captain and said, “Go. What you believed could happen has happened.” At that moment his servant became well.

Morning Prayer: God, this story offers great hope. My heart is encouraged by Jesus’ quick response to one who came to him to request healing on behalf of his servant. Jesus responded immediately, “I’ll come and heal him.” Jesus wasn’t too busy with his own affairs to quickly respond with compassion to this plea for help and healing. He stopped and responded by offering himself to go and help the servant. This man must have been filled with absolute faith in Jesus to believe that one word from him would be enough to provide the healing relief needed. God, I want to have that kind of absolute faith. I offer the deepest yearnings and needs of my own heart to You to hold and heal in the way that You know best. May it be so.

Morning Focus: Gratitude Prayer: Name three things for which you are grateful today.

02/27/2021

Mark 5:34 He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease.”

Morning Prayer: God, no matter what our “dis-ease” may be, we know that through God’s Holy Spirit Jesus is always present with us to heal and comfort. Jesus longs to show his love to us all without favoring any person over another. God’s love is unconditional and unconditionally expansive and inclusive. Do not hesitate to ask God for healing in your life in any areas where it may be needed. Go in peace. May it be so.

Morning Focus: Art prayer: Draw or doodle your prayers today.

02/26/2021

Psalm 41:3 The Lord sustains them on their sickbed; in their illness you heal all their infirmities.

Morning Prayer: God, when I am sick I am at my most vulnerable and feel most alone. It is not just the physical ailment but also the emotional that goes along with it. What helps me through all of this is to know that I am not alone in it. You are with me, as close as my breath. I can breathe deeply and evenly and become reassured. I hear Your voice In the voices of friends that call to check on me; I feel Your love in their love. As I feel stronger I am continually reminded of how You care for me. I know there are so many others who feel as I do. Let me be mindful of their fears and reach out to offer assistance and love. May it be so.

Morning Focus: Today we pray for those who are sad or worried. Grant them peace.

02/25/2021

3 John 2 Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, just as it is well with your soul.

Morning Prayer: God, You have named me Your Beloved. Today I breathe in Your love, allowing myself to be filled with this gift of grace. As I move into my day I pray that all my words and actions reflect the love that is mine. In all of this I will say - all is well with my soul.

Morning Focus: Where does our food come from? Pray for those who grew and sold your food today.

02/24/2021

Isaiah 41:10 Do not fear, for I am with you, do not be afraid, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my victorious right hand.

Morning Prayer: Thank you God for this promise. Throughout scripture, You tell us not to fear again and again, patiently speaking the words as a gentle reminder not an exasperated command. There will be times today where my fear will manifest as resentment, anxiety, greed, paralysis, or unhealthy striving. May Your words, “do not fear” echo in my spirit, so that I can remember You are giving me strength. There will be times I recognize these emotions and patterns in those I encounter and do life with. May Your words, “do not fear” come to mind, so that I may be a presence of peace to those around me. I trust that You are by my side, constantly supporting me with Your unending strength. May it be so.

Morning Focus: Breath Prayer. Breathe in peace. Breathe out worry.

02/23/2021

Jeremiah 17:14 Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved; for you are my praise.

Morning Prayer: God, You are the God of healing. I am healed when I take time to be in Your presence or when I take time to be in Your Word. My soul is more at peace and I can move more calmly through my day if I start the day with You. Even when I am ill or when I am anxious, if I simply take time to be with You, I am reassured. Let me take pauses throughout the day when I am feeling overwhelmed or alone and be comforted by Your loving grace that is extended without reservation. When I am thus reassured I can turn it around and be Your loving presence to others. May it be so.

Morning Focus: Today we pray for kindness. May we always be kind to others.

02/22/2021

Mark 10:46-52 (NIV) Then they came to Jericho. As Jesus and his disciples, together with a large crowd, were leaving the city, a blind man, Bartimaeus (which means “son of Timaeus”), was sitting by the roadside begging. When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” So they allied to the blind man, “Cheer up! On your feet! He’s calling you.! Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus. “What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked him. The blind man said, “Rabbi, I want to see.” “Go, “said Jesus, “Your faith has healed you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road.

Morning Prayer: God, I like that Jesus asked the man in this story what he wanted from Jesus. Sometimes we come to you with a heart full of vague discontent and general malaise hoping you will magically make everything better. Jesus asked him a pointed question. “What do you want me to do for you?” When I feel overwhelmed, help me to find clarity about what I really need to set me on a course toward greater healing and wholeness. Help me to bring my focus down to what is most important and then do the work of partnering with you in my own healing, not expecting you to magically make my world better. Healing God, have mercy on me when my life overwhelms me. May I always keep my eyes on You. Amen.

Morning Focus: We pray for peace in our hearts, our homes, and the world.

02/21/2021

Matthew 8:1-4 When Jesus came down from the mountainside, large crowds followed him. A man with leprosy came and knelt before him and said, “Lord, If you’re willing, you can make me clean. Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said “Be clean!” immediately he was cleansed of his leprosy. Then Jesus said to him, “See that you don’t tell anyone. But go, sow yourself to the priest and offer the gift of Moses commanded, as testimony to them.”

Morning Prayer: God, on this day, I pray for an ever-deepening trust in You, a faith as strong as this man’s in the scripture. So often, I see the burdens and pains of life as mine to deal with alone. Sometimes I square my shoulders and push on, ready to rely on my own strength. Other times I recognize my weakness, but simply turn away in resignation or fear. The man in this story suffered from an incurable disease that repelled him from others, that left him untouchable and cast out. Yet he recognized Your incredible power and deep goodness in the person of Jesus and asked that Jesus do the impossible, because the man believed he could. He stepped up amongst the crowds who likely pulled back at the sight of him and asked, with total sincerity and vulnerability, for his deepest desire: healing. Jesus saw his trust and honored his courageous act. The depths of my love matter so much more to You, God, than any words I could speak or actions I could take. Remind me of this, again and again, so that I can experience the wholeness You promise. May it be so.

Morning Focus: Candle Prayer: Light a candle and say a silent prayer.

02/20/2021

Join us Sunday morning at 10am for the start of our Lenten series, Holy Vessels. This series is designed to help you recover and renew after the challenging year we've experienced. We will witness Jesus' solidarity with those who suffer and seek healing practices for mind, body and spirit, both personal and communal, creating beauty from that which feels broken.
https://www.crossroadsnova.org/watch-live

02/20/2021

Mark 1:14-15 (MSG) After John was arrested, Jesus went to Galilee preaching the Message of God: “Time’s up! God’s kingdom is here. Change your life and believe the Message.”

Morning Prayer: God, John said time’s up! God’s kingdom is here. I spend so much time trying to decipher what Your words mean and how they apply to me. Help me to quit trying to figure it out and just believe Your words as shown in the teachings of Jesus. Your words are the true testament of how we would conduct ourselves in this world. Be kind to each other. Love each other as You love us. Welcome Your Holy Spirit into our lives. I don’t want to spend time listening to people and things that don’t matter. Help me to have faith that Jesus, Your Son came to us to reveal the fullness of who You are with skin on. Time’s up! Help me to see that Your kingdom is here. Your kingdom is now. May Your words nurture my faith so that I may love You as You surely love me and all people. May it be so.

Morning Focus: Today we pray for those who are sick or hospitalized.

02/19/2021

Mark 1:9-11 (NRSV) In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him. And a voice came from heaven, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.”

Morning Prayer: God, the words spoken to Jesus are words to be savored. Who wouldn’t want to hear those affirming words? Certainly I would cherish hearing: “I am Your child; I am beloved and You, God, are pleased with me.” The thing is, I can hear those words if only I pause to take time to be with You, to sit in silence and listen for Your voice. If I am feeling unlovable or unworthy of Your love it is because of something I have done that makes me feel that way; I have gotten out of sync with Your intentions for me. For those times when I feel unlovable let me pause to be reminded that Your love is unconditional, unfailing and unending. Let me make the time to resync my actions with Your intentions. And above all, let me share Your love because all people are Your children and all are beloved. May it be so.

Morning Focus: Throughout today I will remind myself that I am a beloved child of God. God loves me and is pleased with me.

02/18/2021

Mark 8:34-38 (CEB) After calling the crowd together with his disciples, Jesus said to them, “All who want to come after me must say no to themselves, take up their cross, and follow me. All who want to save their lives will lose them. But all who lose their lives because of me and because of the good news will save them. Why would people gain the whole world but lose their lives? What will people give in exchange for their lives? Whoever is ashamed of me and my words in this unfaithful and sinful generation, the Human One will be ashamed of that person when he comes in the Father’s glory with the holy angels.”

Morning Prayer: God, I know no matter what I do, You will never be ashamed of me. I am never beyond Your grace and compassion. Yet, within this scripture I see a call to kingdom living. My ego says when I get angry I can carry a grudge against those who offend me, but Your love calls me to a higher path. There are times when I have seen people being so ugly toward one another. Dehumanizing words and actions have become normalized. Why is it normal for people to be living on the street, receiving no medical care, sleeping in the cold and going hungry? Why do we see this as sad, but not as unacceptable? Does Jesus teach us to care for only our own, but not for His own? How have I taken part in dehumanizing Your beloved children? Could taking up my cross be as simple as taking steps to ease their suffering, and as complex as examining the systems that allow people to live in such deep poverty? God, what is Your prayer for me? Teach me to take up my cross. May it be so.

Morning Focus: Today we pray for those who are lonely or alone.

02/17/2021

Mark 8:31-33 (NRSV) Then he began to teach them that the Son of Man must undergo great suffering, and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. He said all this quite openly. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. But turning and looking at his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind me, Satan! For you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things.”

Morning Prayer: God, I welcome Your presence on this day, the first day of Lent. Today is a day we are called to remember our humanity, the fact that we were born from the dust and will one day return to dust. Our lives ending in death is a rare universal guarantee for all people. You invite us to hold the tension between “both/and,” things that seem paradoxical but are both true. While we are called to remember our humanness and mortality, we are simultaneously invited to set our minds on eternity, on things divine, and on You. God, we have all experienced ways You act contrary to what we expect or ask for. When I am feeling fear or confusion, may I pause before critiquing or rebuking Your way and instead reset my thoughts to trust in Your unconditional love. May I intentionally hold tensions with grace throughout this season. May it be so.

Morning Focus: Today we pray for the beginning of our Lenten Journey. May it be a time of healing.

02/16/2021

Shenandoah University

Our own Mary Helen Nickelberry, at 101 years young, has gone viral! ❤️

"Everything has a time and place, and this is the time and place for me to have mine today and I am grateful." Mary Helen Nickelberry is 101! She got #vaccinated at our clinic on Friday! LFHD Valley Health

02/16/2021

Mark 8:27-30 (NRSV) Jesus went on with his disciples to the villages of Caesarea Philippi; and on the way he asked his disciples “Who do people say that I am?” And they answered him, “John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets.” He asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered him, “You are the Messiah.” And he sternly ordered them not to tell anyone about him.

Morning Prayer: God, what a statement of faith for Peter to be able to say with confidence that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah. This man, who had called them, befriended them, walked with them, was indeed the Messiah, sent to walk among us, know us - our joys and our sorrows, sent to teach us and lead us by example. Now it is my turn to say with absolute faith who Jesus is, and to take all that he has taught and incorporate it into my life. I pray that I now reflect Jesus so that others can see Jesus in me, in my words and in my actions. May it be so.

Morning Focus: In what I say and what I do today. I will reflect the love and grace of God, to offer others a glimpse of Jesus in me.