A New Kind of Love

August 19th, 2020

Dear Crosswalkers,

As I reflect on ministry to families at Crosswalk during the pandemic, I see the shift in everyone’s lives, and have prayerfully taken steps to also shift family ministry as we journey through this time together. Student ministry at Crosswalk makes up 50% of our church family, and our team is making every effort to stay connected and invested in our families.

The shift for me personally has been a deeper dependence on God and His leading and not relying on what I am familiar with. My focus is on sharing resources to partner with parents, showing tangible ways to demonstrate to our kids and youth that they are loved and cared for by their church. This has led us to new ways of doing things by going back to some tried and true methods of showing love to families.

Thanks to technology, I’ve been using much of this time to research, learn and

develop a mindset of change being the new reality. In fact, with online access for those outside the neighborhood, we are reaching families in 6 states! I’m excited to share some of the ways our team has partnered with families these past months.

Weekly Zoom meetings with Children and Youth
Easter Egg Hunt-At-Home Delivery
Mother’s Day-At-Home Delivery
Father’s Day-At-Home Delivery
Very Best Summer Experience (in home Vacation Bible School led by parents - 14 families participated)
Back-2-School Blessing Boxes Delivery
Online Bingo, Bingo, Bingo – weekly and bi-weekly

Serving the Next Generation for Jesus,
Peggy Graves, Pastor to Families

In Memoriam: Ray Salter

It is with a mixture of sadness and joy that we announce the death of Ray Salter, who passed away yesterday at the age of 85. He passed away peacefully in his home from non-Covid health issues, with his wife Peggy at his side. Ray and Peggy joined Crosswalk Community Church in 1978 when the church was First Baptist Church of Sunnyvale, and Ray's servant heart was an important part of many church ministries. We will miss Ray very much, but take joy that he is now with the Lord whom he served so gladly.

"When I first came to our church in 1998, we were burdened with a $1.6 million debt, and and divided and demoralized congregation. Ray was a trusted leader in our Finance Ministry whose wisdom, faith, and dedication made it possible for us to climb out of that pit into financial and spiritual health. I could not have had an effective ministry here apart from the Lord providing trusted servants like Ray Salter. I praise the Lord for his life, and joyfully commit his spirit to God. Please pray for God's presence and comfort to be with Peggy as she mourns the loss of her husband." - Pastor John

Then I heard a voice from heaven say, “Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.” “Yes,” says the Spirit, “they will rest from their labor, for their deeds will follow them.” - Revelation 14:13 (NIV)

Contact us if you would like to send cards to his family.

August 30 Outdoor Church Services
We are excited to meet again as a church in our grassy quad area on Sunday, August 30. We will offer two IDENTICAL services at 9:00am and 10:30am, and will celebrate baptisms in both services using a lawn swimming pool. Let us know if you would like to express your faith in baptism. Contact Pastor Linda for more information.

To reserve a spot for yourself (and each person in your family), please REGISTER HERE. If one of our services fills up, no worries! There is a second service offered. And Yes, we will also offer our online service for those who are still worshiping from home.

By the way, this Sunday's message is called, The Majesty Comes to Us, and the Scripture lesson will be Isaiah 40:1-11. In this passage we hear good news from voices that proclaim the King is coming! How do we prepare the way for his coming? There are lesson here for us about how we can live with the consolation of the Lord even after enduring a time of suffering and loss.