HealthyU on August 3

Stephen Peters, MD, FACC

“Heart Health and Disease Prevention”

Stephen R. Peters, MD is an Invasive Cardiologist practicing in Roseville, California.  He is board certified in Internal Medicine and Cardiology.  He graduated from Georgetown University School of Medicine.  His interests include preventive cardiology, critical care medicine and healing heart disease through nutrition.  While a partner in a traditional cardiology practice, he encourages his patients to explore healing with the use of mind-body techniques, acupuncture and nutrition.  Dr. Peters’ believes nobody truly heals from heart disease unless they address their emotional and spiritual health.  Dr. Peters’ is married with four children.  His office is in the medical office building on the Sutter Roseville Medical Center campus.

 

Dinner service begins at 6:30 p.m. followed by the presentation at 7:00 p.m.  Please note the new location: 1101-A National Drive (southwest corner of National and North Market).  Dinner will be catered by Happy Go Lucky Veggie Food Cart and “Au Lac Veggie.”

Please call 482-8123 for reservations. $10 per person.

 

Crossroads Moves into New Worship Center

July 25 was an exciting day at Natomas Crossroads.  It was the first day in our new worship center!  Weeks of work by contractors and many members finally come to fruition.  What had begun as an empty warehouse unoccupied for several years was transformed into a worship center ready to welcome guests and members alike.

Extensive work was required to prepare the warehouse to become a worship center.  Broken ceiling tiles had to be repaired.  Old electrical outlets had to be fixed.  The compressors in the air conditioning system had to be replaced so that everyone can stay comfortably cool in the summer and pleasantly warm in the winter.  A lobby was created with a fresh concrete walk leading from the sidewalk, new double doors, and a tile entry way.

The work continued inside with deep cleaning in the bathrooms and the repair or replacement of a number of fixtures.  Holes in the drywall had to be patched and textured, and then every wall received a coat of primer and paint.  Carpet was laid down over the old concrete floor and brand new baseboard added to tie it together.  Doors were upgraded to be compliant with the latest accessibility standards.  Several contractors and many workmen made the transformation possible.  But many members also donated hundreds of hours of their own time to help with the cleaning, painting, and other tasks.  The teamwork was outstanding!  The commpleted worship center is hardly recognizable to those who saw it in the dark and dingy beginning.

The new worship center features a number of different spaces for worship and other events.  Of course there is a large room for Saturday worship services with stage area in the front.  The is a stage up front and video screens for interactive media.  But the room also has a nursery in the back with large windows that allow parents the choice of taking their children into a quite room without being disconnected from worship.  The nursery is equiped with a rocking chair, swing seats, and a number of toys to keep the little ones occupied.  There are two additional rooms where the children will have their own programs during the weekly worship service.  The entry lobby will be able to perform double duty, also serving as a place for luncheons and smaller gatherings.  In the lobby you will also find refreshments such as coffee, juice, and cold water.

Two rooms are reserved for the free medical clinic.  One will serve as the nurse’s room where patients will be weighed, have their temperature taken, and blood pressure checked.  The other room will be the doctor’s exam room with a curtained area for each exam table.  The old break room has been revitalized and will be able to support the HealthyU program for better living.  It now has a new refrigerator and a fresh coat of polish on the floor.

Can’t We All Just Get Along

“A new command I give you: Love one another.  As I have loved you, so you must love one another.  By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”  John 13:34-35

This last Saturday was the first worship service in our new location.  In many ways it was the same as all of our previous “first” services.  But this was the first time we have been in a place that truly felt to me like a gift from God.  The building had not been rented in a long time and needed a lot of work.  There would be a lot of work to do before we could move in, but the more we prayed, the more it seemed clear that God was calling us to this particular location.

So the work began.  An expert had to be called in to bring the air conditioner back to life.  A glass contractor installed a new entry door.  Electricians were needed to bring power back to old sockets.  A carpet layer brought in his crew to cover the concrete floor.  The place was crawling with contractors and tradesmen for several weeks.

Crossroads members were also busy amongst and between the professional workers.  Every wall needed fresh paint.  The bathrooms needed some serious cleaning.  New furniture had to be assembled from flat-pack boxes.  Screens had to be hung for the video projectors and cabling for the sound system placed above the ceiling tiles.

I arrived on Friday evening with really only one task; hang several fire extinguishers on the walls in appropriate locations.  I had an idea about where they should all be, so that it wouldn’t be too far to get one and they would be in locations where it would be easy to install the hanging brackets.  I wasn’t in a particularly good mood after a long work week.  The last thing I wanted to do was talk with other people about where they thought the fire extinguishers should go.  I had my ideas and I just wanted to be left alone to put them where I thought best.  Then I found several locations moved for me, and discovered I had to go get new hardware after a couple problems with my mounting brackets.

Sometime between a run to the hardware store, and hanging my last extinguisher, I started to feel a spiritual conviction that I wasn’t loving my fellow church members that were also there working hard.  I tried to push the feeling away.  After all, I wasn’t swearing like many workmen are known to do.  I wasn’t throwing things at people that got too close.  I wanted to believe that I could keep my grumpy attitude to myself and still be “loving” on the outside.  But in the end I had to submit.  Jesus calls me to a higher standard.  Love is not just keeping a bad attitude from spilling out.  It is being, well, loving.  It’s hard work and I need more practice.

Free Medical Clinic on August 1

Our free medical clinic is available to anyone with no health insurance or who cannot afford treatment.  Are you worried a lingering sore throat might be strep throat?  Are you diabetic and need help getting your blood sugar under control?  Do you need a prescription refill to take to the pharmacy?  Our medical staff will see patients 5 years old and up, and can help you with these types of basic medical care.  Quality medical care is provided for people who need it.  Friendly volunteers will greet you and help with the medical history form.  All of our clinic staff maintain the strictest standards for keeping medical records confidential between you and the doctor that will treat you.  Spanish translation is also available when necessary.

This is a recurring event that happens the first Saturday of each month from 1:00 to 6:00 pm.  The next several events will be: Aug 1, Sep 5, and Oct 3.

[PhotoCredit:Apox]

Burdened Down

“Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:1-2

Last weekend I was able to take a mini vacation to Lake Tahoe for three days. I was looking forward to seeing a play with friends and family on Saturday night. Then I was planning to spend the next two days alone camping and hiking. I love to go hiking so this was a real treat for me. At the end of the last hike I took off my boots and put on my flip flops. But sandals sure don’t protect your feet very well. I must have stepped on something packing up the rest of my things and my left foot started getting sore. The next morning it was painful enough to have me limping and hobbling around the office whenever I needed to leave my desk.

I was on the way back to my desk from the restroom when someone I passed asked how I was doing. Without even thinking about it I replied that I was doing ok. She didn’t say anything, but I suppose that with a limp it must have been obvious that I was not fine at all. The scripture came into my mind that we are to carry each other’s burdens. So later in the day when someone else asked if I was ok, I replied that my foot was sore and gave the short story. He immediately launched into a story from when he was 19 and stepped on some driftwood at the beach. His foot got infected and he needed minor surgery to make it all better again. In a strange way it was encouraging that I wasn’t the only one with a bum foot from time to time. And if he could come through surgery just fine, then surely the worst was survivable for me too.

Later I looked up the scripture about sharing burdens. What I read was not exactly what I was thinking on the trip back from the restroom. I had been thinking that as a Christian and a church member, I am supposed to help fellow members when they need it. You know, take someone soup if they are sick. Take care of the yard once in a while for a senior citizen. My recollection told me the text would be about how I can’t enjoy community with my fellow Christians unless I actually open up about the challenges I face. That is true enough. But that isn’t what the scripture is about. I read it very carefully again and realized it is talking about helping a fellow believer when they face a sin issue in their life. It is about helping them deal with the burden of a sin they just can’t shake loose. What’s more, it’s about being willing to accept that help myself. Whoa. That is a lot of community. That is going to require more authenticity than I am used to having in my life.

So, if I come to you some day and ask you to please pray for me, and please hold me accountable, would you please be kind? It’s hard to ask for help. And I promise to be kind when you come to me too.

[PhotoCredit:j3ku]

Natomas Crossroads is Now on Twitter

We’ve added just one more way to stay connected with the Natomas Crossroads community.  We are now on Twitter at @NatomasXroads.  If you’re already a Twitter user, be sure to follow us for the most up to date news and information about happenings at Natomas Crossroads Church.  If you’re not yet a part of the Twitter crowd, visit Twitter.com and see what the buzz is all about.  There’s also a short video below that might help you understand the Twitter phenomenon.

So, what are you waiting for?  Be one of the first to follow us on Twitter.

New Worship Center, July 25, God Willing!

That’s right.  In just one week we expect to be worshipping at our new location just around the corner from Skyline, where we currently meet.  Crews of volunteers have been working for weeks at 1101 National Drive, Suite A to prepare the new worship center.  A lot of work has already been done including: creating a new entry (on the south side of the building), adding walls, building a stage and remodeling the bathrooms.  No, it’s not Extreme Home Makeover, but the transformation is not less wonderful.

A lot had to be done to bring the building to code and prepare the facility for the church ministries.  But the new location has much to offer.  There is a full size kitchen for Healthy U demonstrations and potluck preparation.  We will have a large entry foyer for welcoming new visitors and meeting old friends.  The children’s ministry will have a large area for activities and worship.  There are several other benefits to our new location: there is a Sacramento bus stop right in front of the building, we have space dedicated solely for the use of the monthly free health clinic, and, of course, since it is our own center, there will be no scheduling conflicts with another church group.

We’re excited about the opportunity that God has given us with this new worship center.  There were times when we were not sure it was going to happen, but now that we are moving, we know that this is a gift for us to use to make an impact on the Natomas community.  Thank you to all who were jumped in to prepare the new center.  Even if you weren’t able to offer a hand in painting walls or building the stage, there is still a way that you can help prepare our new worship center.  You can buy a chair, or maybe two for the new center.  Click to learn more about the Second Chair campaign.

So be sure to tell all your friends and bring a neighbor or two to see our new center.  With prayer and support, we will be ready for worship on Saturday, July 25th at 10:30 a.m.  And don’t forget Bible study at 9:00 a.m.  Here’s a map to the new location:
View Larger Map

Friday Prayer on July 17

Is it possible to have too much prayer in your life?  We don’t know yet.  So far we haven’t prayed enough to run out of things to talk about with God!  This coming Friday evening we will meet together for a simple meal at 6:30pm, followed by prayer until about 8:00pm.  If you have never prayed in a group before, you are welcome to join us and just observe quietly.  If you have something personal that you want to pray about among friends, we will gladly join in praying with you and for you.  At Crossroads we are on a journey of learning what it means to pray to God and hear what He has to say to us.  Please consider coming along with us!

This is a recurring event that happens on the first and third Friday of each month at the Crossroads worship center.  The next several times: Jul 17, Aug 7, Aug 21.

[PhotoCredit:freefotouk]

A Belated Thank You

“One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice.  He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him — and he was a Samaritan.  Jesus asked, ‘Were not all ten cleansed?  Where are the other nine?  Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?’ ”  Luke 17:15-18 (NIV)

Last week I fell off my bicycle.  I had actually been expecting it for a while.  Up until recently I used my bicycle as my main transportation, riding it to work, to my college classes, to the grocery store, and even to the doctor’s office once.  While I ride less now, it is usually for longer distances and along roads where the motorists drive too fast and might not even see a bicyclist.  I always figured that sooner or later I would take a tumble trying to avoid a full-on collision with an automobile.  It didn’t happen quite that way.

I was riding in Old Sacramento when it happened.  It was a silly mistake really.  I was riding parallel to some railroad tracks set into concrete.  I tried to cross over the tracks and didn’t take a strong enough angle between my tires and the tracks.  My front tire got caught against the rail and the bike went down from under me.  I went over the handle bars and my feet instinctively tried to run.  I just couldn’t run fast enough to get my feet under me and eventually I took a roll and came to rest on my hands and knees.

The palms on both my hands were scrapped up a little but I was feeling ok.  I got the chain back on the front gear and climbed back on my bicycle.  Then I rode the rest of the way to the store where I was headed and cleaned up in their bathroom the best I could.  I found what I had come to buy and returned home without any more incidents; my hands a little sore and my palms a little bloody but in otherwise good shape for flying off a bike.  Even at Friday evening prayer at Crossroads that night I didn’t think about it much, except to tell the story like some sort of hero.

It wasn’t until late that night, nearly ten hours after it happened that I stopped to think about the reality of my experience that day.  I could have landed a little different and broken an arm, or both arms.  I could have rattled my head inside my bike helmet and seen two of everything for a while.  I could have messed up my hands badly enough to make working at a computer, my livelihood, painful.  I could have broken the bike and had to walk home several miles.  A lot of things could have gone badly that afternoon.

It was during that realization of what could have been that I remembered I hadn’t talked to God about it.  So I got out of bed and got down on my knees to thank Him.  I should have shared with my friends at church how much God had done for me that day.  I should have prayed immediately after it happened to thank God for guardian angels.  I suppose it is good that I at least remembered to give thanks on the same day I was blessed.  I wonder how much more God would be able to bless me if I was quicker to give thanks and share His blessings with people around me.  Definitely something worth meditating about for a while.

[PhotoCredit:Marcin Wichary]

My Wandering Eyes

“Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart.  But as for me, my feet had almost slipped; I had nearly lost my foothold.  For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.”  Psalms 73:1-3 (NIV)

There are times in life when it seems that people who do not follow God have the advantage over those doing their best to follow His commands.  I can remember only a few years ago when I very much wanted to live in a house instead of my tiny little apartment.  My place was frigid in the winter and blazing in the summer.  It was so small I couldn’t have a party unless half the people sat on my bed and the other half on my couch.  The real estate market was on fire and I couldn’t see how I would never be able to afford a home.

From time to time I would pray to God and blame Him for my situation.  There I was paying tithe off the top of my income, covering my expenses, and then saving every last dollar for a down payment.  Homes kept increasing in value and every month I got further and further behind in my goal to purchase a home.  I could look around at my coworkers and see that they had all bought a nice home, and none of them even knew what a tithe meant.  Why did I have to be faithful and miss out when so many others seemed to be ignoring God but getting along in life so much better than me?

 That mindset is a very dangerous place to be.  When things are going well, I look up to heaven and praise God for what He is doing.  When things are bad, I look up and ask God to please help me make it through the pain.  Surely trouble is right around the corner when I let my eyes wander and settle on the guy next door.  I start feeling sorry for myself and questioning whether following God is really making my life any better at all.  I forget all the blessings He has given me in the past, and all the painful situations we have survived together.  Instead, I start wishing I could be, well, less godly.

What I learn reading this scripture to the end of the chapter, is that God takes a much longer view than I do.  He says to me, don’t worry, in the end the godless will see their luxury collapse around them and they will have no where to turn.  In the meantime I have more to learn about praising God in the good times and coming to Him broken and in pain during the bad times.  So there it is, the lesson that keeps coming around again and again.  I still have more to learn about keeping my eyes on Jesus.

[PhotoCredit:Seven_Null7 & Amber Rhea]