Football season and the start of Fall are linked forever in my mind. As a player in Junior High, a member of the marching band in High School or a Student season ticket holder in College, the first Kick-off for the first game was always exciting.
Now as a Pastor, the Fall season is also marked by the kick-off of our Ministry Season. First comes Back-to-School, then shortly after, the congregation ministries kick into high gear. This Fall, our 137th season, is no different with the Ministry Kick-Off planned for the weekend of September 9th.
What does the fall kick-off mean for you? Why am I writing this? This Fall, I and the staff are praying for each of you to jumpstart your faith walk. The seasons come and go, each with a different emphasis and the Fall season is about personal growth. School, work and faith all have a rhythm of new beginnings in the Fall. Will you have a new start? Will you have a personal kick-off to launch you to new places in your spiritual journey? Maybe this Fall will be a return to normalcy and the chaotic, sporadic schedule of the summer will give way to constancy this Fall?
Whatever it may be, we want to encourage you to join together with the family of faith at Cross as we join together as one body and live our life for Christ. As Disciples, no season is perfect and every season brings its challenges, but we cannot give up meeting together. Instead, we are called to spur one another on toward love and good deeds.
This Fall will also have a special opportunity as we join together to Build on Our Past and Be Faithful for the Future. This is the name of our Capital Campaign and the pledge season will conclude the same September 9th with our commitments. We have been inviting you to join us and pray for God’s good and gracious will for our congregation. This campaign is seeking to raise $3.5 million dollars while we seek God’s strength for healing and unity. It has been a long winding road, but God has truly been at work
Take a small step of faith this Fall as we kick-off the season together. Authentic Manhood, Mom2Mom, CrossKids, Community Groups and service opportunities all await! God is eager to work in you and through you this Fall.
In Christ,
Erik Gauss
