Welcome to the Church of the Cross website and we encourage you to go from web to worshiping with us in person on Sunday Mornings at 9:30 am for the Traditional Service or The Encounter Worship Service at 12:00 pm.
We have a favorite saying here, “Welcome to Church of the Cross: it’s not our church its GOD’S church.” We are a group of believers who wish to follow God’s mission for us individually and as a Christian community. We do this through our relationship with Jesus Christ our Lord, that relationship being nurtured through prayer, word, worship and service together.
All are welcome to seek God’s grace, mercy, forgiveness and living presence at Church of the Cross. Come and see how the one true living Christ can renew your life, the life of your family, and heal the wounds we all get from life’s struggles.
“The Oxygen Sheriff”
There once was a well run rather quaint town in a plush green valley in a pleasant land not so far away. Those who dwelled there excelled in community fellowship and mutuality, doing so with ease birthed from decades upon decades of healthy traditions.
Upon the arrival of the quotidian holidays this mid-sized town’s population would increase markedly and at least twice per annum the permanent residents would have to adjust their oh so comfortable life patterns in order to accommodate this transient yet recurring influx of peopled congestion. But otherwise, there was, most times, an abiding comfort in the well-mannered and suitably spaced residences. It was the comfort that occurs when self-imposed distancing was not declared rude or stand offish, however true that may be.
This town was blessed with a Sheriff renowned for his strong character, which was upright in every way. Under the purview of this well-liked constabulary was a cadre of like-minded deputies who were able in assisting the town folk as the need arose. All was well in the green valley town until one crisp fall Tuesday, while making his routine walk around the main square, the Sheriff came upon a small bird laying lifeless on the pavement by the gazebo. Farther along his way he found several other fowl deceased and yet without visible harm. Upon further investigation and consultation with all of the deputies the Sheriff found the death of birds has become a widespread phenomenon. And, in addition all small animals and pets were not willing to be active.
The Sheriff widened his investigation and after a week of inquiries and consultations with several health and environmental agencies the startling conclusion was that oxygen in the town was decreasing at an alarming rate. “What could be causing this,” he said to the gathering of town leaders he had assembled in his office? After several such meetings and worsening conditions in the town Ms. Sunston the longtime librarian shared her conclusion which was found to be wholly accurate and sadly true.
“Well,” she said, “Oxygen has been flowing freely in our blessed town for so many years that we take its healing and life-giving presence for granted. I have observed a growing number of us and those living just outside of town have abundantly received oxygen. However, they are not willing to share it with others and are hording it for themselves.”
“That’s outrageous,” the Sheriff shouted uncharacteristically. “Why, don’t they know that Oxygen is freely given and freely received. It, it, its – not to be horded,” he shouted. “There is an abundance for all. If we share!”
READ- Philemon
Blessings in Christ- Pastor Tom