As we get older, we realize more and more the hopes, relationships, and lives we wanted are impossible. We decide it’s time to “live in the real world” and we stop dreaming and hoping. But what if the impossible was actually possible? There was once a man who did impossible things and made impossible promises. And he still offers to do the impossible for us today.

Episode Breakdown:
0:00 Welcome
3:00 “Impossibly Willing,” w/ Jon [Pt 1 of our new series]
26:00 A Giveaway & A Challenge

🔔  Don’t forget to subscribe to this podcast or the YouTube channel 😊  https://bit.ly/yourcrosscreek

Let us know you’re here! || Discussion Questions || Read Transcript || Ask a Question

For Kids: Crosscreek Website

▶ #forSalem JANUARY Opportunity: Pay it Backward! Treat someone in the drive-thru behind you! Hand the attendant a #forSalem card so let them know it’s because you believe God is for them, and that they matter! Get your cards here: https://www.yourcrosscreek.com/welcome/

▶ #SalemOregon #local Giveaways (Happening on Social Media later this week)
– Enter to win this week on Social Media: Valiant the Sandwich- https://www.valianteats.com/
– This week’s winner: Epilogue Kitchen- https://epilogue-kitchen.square.site/

▶ Suggested Readings:
Luke 4:16-21: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%204%3A16-21&version=NLT
John 9: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=john+9&version=NLT

▶ Additional Resources:
The Chosen’s Leper Scene: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VL8DThllZAY

▶ Music we listened to making this episode:
The Beatles- A Hard Day’s Night: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yjyj8qnqkYI
Weezer- Troublemaker: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0LSGvziX_6Y
Red Rocks- Breakthrough: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ni5_JGRrgs

▶ Donate to Crosscreek & keep a good thing goin’ 🙂

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

1. What personally stood out to you in this message and/or passage? Why do you think that is?
2. Jon said, “Sometimes it’s easier to accept that God is ABLE to do the impossible than that he is WILLING.” Do you agree or disagree, why? How do you think Romans 8:31-32 helps with this idea?
3. If Jesus were to say to you, “I am willing,” what impossible thing would you ask him to do? How can your group pray for you in this?

Darkness seems overwhelming until the tiniest light is lit. The darkness around us, and even in us, often feels overwhelming. But Christmas is the story of God’s light breaking through the darkness and bringing us more light than we could have ever imagined.

Episode Breakdown:
0:00 Intro & Welcome
2:30 Christmas at Home w/ the O’Connors
4:25 Unexpected [A Light in the Darkness, pt 1], w/ Jon
25:30 Noel, ft Donna, Michael & Aaron
29:30 Giveaway & Glove-Drive

🔔  Don’t forget to subscribe to this podcast or the YouTube channel 😊  https://bit.ly/yourcrosscreek

Let us know you’re here! || Discussion Questions || Read Transcript || Ask a Question

For Kids: Crosscreek Website

▶ #forSalem December Challenge: Church @ the Park Glove Drive
Collecting 50 pairs of Warm Winter Gloves (Gender Neutral) – heavy and warm, in NEW OR LIKE NEW Condition (“Like New” means CLEAN & NO rips, stains, holes, or fraying). Physical Location Drop-Off Details here. More info on Church @ the Park: https://www.church-at-the-park.org/

▶ Crosscreek’s Drive-In Christmas Party! December 19, 2020, 2pm: Info at www.yourcrosscreek.com/xmas/

▶ #SalemOregon #local Giveaways (Happening on Social Media later this week)
– Enter to win this week on Social Media: Noble Wave- https://www.enjoynoblewave.com/
– This week’s winner: French Press Coffee & Crepes- https://frenchpressroasters.com/

▶ Suggested Readings:
The Christmas Story: Luke 2 – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%202&version=NLT

▶ Music we listened to making this episode:
Robert Goulet, Christmas Waltz – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z2Vo4rNjObg
The Greatest Showman Cast, The Greatest Show- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NyVYXRD1Ans
MIchael W. Smith, All is Well- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mdlwrhxomfA

▶ Donate to Crosscreek & keep a good thing goin’ 🙂

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

1. This series is called “A Light in the Darkness” and this message is titled “Unexpected”. What would be your own theme/title for Christmas and why?
2. Read John 1:1-9 (read until verse 18 for extra credit). What stands out to you in John’s description of Jesus and his coming? Do you get any encouragement or insight from this passage?
3. Where do you see God’s light in your life right now? How can your group pray for you this week?

 

▶ Soundtrack thanks from this episode 🙂
Hip Hop Christmas & B Canon and Variation by Twin Musicom is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/     Artist: http://www.twinmusicom.org/

There is a darkness in the world that we seem powerless to remove. Almost all belief systems offer a solution to this darkness. Christmas, however, is God’s unique and lasting answer to the darkness in the world and the darkness we find in ourselves.

Episode Breakdown:
0:00 Intro, Welcome, Giveaway
3:00 Christmas at Home w/ the Liudahl Sioda Fam
5:00 The Solution [A Light in the Darkness, pt 2], w/ Jon
32:00 O Come O Come Emmanuel, ft Aaron
33:00 Christmas Party & Glove-Drive

🔔  Don’t forget to subscribe to this podcast or the YouTube channel 😊  https://bit.ly/yourcrosscreek

Let us know you’re here! || Discussion Questions || Read Transcript || Ask a Question

For Kids: Crosscreek Website

▶ #forSalem December Challenge: Church @ the Park Glove Drive
Collecting 50 pairs of Warm Winter Gloves (Gender Neutral) – heavy and warm, in NEW OR LIKE NEW Condition (“Like New” means CLEAN & NO rips, stains, holes, or fraying). Drop-Off by December 23, 2020, location request here. More info on Church @ the Park: https://www.church-at-the-park.org/.

▶ Crosscreek’s Drive-In Christmas Party! December 19, 2020, 2pm: Info at www.yourcrosscreek.com/drivein/

▶ #SalemOregon #local Giveaways (Happening on Social Media later this week)
– Enter to win this week on Social Media: Konditorei- https://gerryfrankskonditorei.com/
– This week’s winner: Noble Wave- https://www.enjoynoblewave.com/

▶ Suggested Readings:
The Christmas Story: Luke 2 – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%202&version=NLT

▶ Music we listened to making this episode:
Lauren Daigle- O come, O come, Emmanuel: https://youtu.be/HGw0QK6ICZA
Musicality- From Now On (Cover from “The Greatest Showman”): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ruCl8X-xWPA
Joy Williams- Here With Us: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eOyHuYGE1Mg

▶ Donate to Crosscreek & keep a good thing goin’ 🙂

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

1. What was your reaction to the description of sin in this message? Why do you think that is?
2. Read John 3:16-21. What stands out to you in terms of what Jesus offers you/us?
3. What questions/barriers are there for you in following and responding to the light of Jesus? How can your group pray for you in this?

▶ Soundtrack thanks from this episode 🙂 
Hip Hop Christmas & B Canon and Variation by Twin Musicom is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/     Artist: http://www.twinmusicom.org/

Happiness often seems like a fleeting dream that is just out of reach, especially now. But God actually wants us to be happy. Though it might seem a bit counterintuitive, he’s shown us how to achieve lasting happiness. Let’s discover together faith that works and how to be happy when the world is falling apart. 

Episode Breakdown:
0:00 Welcome
1:30 Wisdom in the Craziness w/ Jon
25:30 Giveaway deets!

 Don’t forget to subscribe to this podcast or the YouTube channel  https://bit.ly/yourcrosscreek

Let us know you’re here! || Discussion Questions || Read Transcript || Ask a Question

For Kids: Crosscreek Website

#SalemOregon #local Giveaways: – Enter to win this week on Social Media- Top Drawer Boutique
– This week’s winner- B2 Taphouse

▶ Suggested Bible Readings:
Related Passage: 1 Peter 1:6-9
This Week’s Challenge: James 1:2-18
Bible Reading Tips (PDF)

▶ Music we listened to making this episode:
Michael W. Smith- Ashton
Lindsey Stirling- Gavi’s Song
Ram Jam- Black Betty

▶ Donate to Crosscreek & keep a good thing goin’ 🙂

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

1. What from this week’s message do you agree with /disagree with /wonder about /question? Why?
2. Read James 1:2-18 as a group. Make some observations together. What stands out to you? What seems challenging for you?
3. What might be keeping you in survival mode and holding you back from thriving? How can your group pray for you in this?

We all think we know what will make us happy. We also think we know what will make everyone else happy… if they would only listen or see the truth. Unfortunately this attitude often creates more conflict than happiness. Maybe happiness doesn’t come from fighting for our own happiness.

Episode Breakdown:
0:00 Breaking News
1:40 You First with Jon
25:00 Giveaways for Days

🔔  Don’t forget to subscribe to this podcast or the YouTube channel 😊  https://bit.ly/yourcrosscreek

Let us know you’re here! || Discussion Questions || Read Transcript || Ask a Question

For Kids: Crosscreek Website

Get your #forSalem encouragement cards: https://bit.ly/wlcmccc

▶ 3 Questions Phone Background

#SalemOregon #local Giveaways:
Gilgamesh this week.
Next week: Every Child Oregon Comment on Social Media all week, and we donate $5 per comment!

▶ Suggested Readings:
Related Passage: Colossians 3
Andy Stanley Election 2020 Article

▶ Music we listened to making this episode:
Thompson Twins: Hold Me Now
Eddie and Alex Van Halen: Respect the Wind
Lauren Daigle: You Say

▶ Donate to Crosscreek & keep a good thing goin’ 🙂

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

1. Honesty time- how does “choosing to make ourselves second” REALLY strike you? Dig deeper- why do you think that is?
2. Read Philippians 2:3-8 as a group. What challenges you? How do you think this relates to this week’s theme of making ourselves second?
3. What changes do you need to make in your life as a result of this message and what are the barriers you see in doing this? How can your group pray for you this week?

When the world is falling apart the way we usually respond (complaining, blaming, fighting) usually only creates more problems. Maybe it’s time to try something else. Something that has been available to us all along. Something that isn’t simply “the least we can do,” but actually the most powerful force for good in the world. It also just happens to be the most reliable path to happiness.

Episode Breakdown:
0:00 Studio Arrival
1:30 Happy Little Prayers w/ Jon
27:30 Behind the Scenes

🔔  Don’t forget to subscribe to this podcast or the YouTube channel 😊  https://bit.ly/yourcrosscreek

Let us know you’re here! || Discussion Questions || Read Transcript || Ask a Question

For Kids: Crosscreek Website

▶ #forSalem November Challenge: United Way Pajama Drive

▶ #SalemOregon #local Giveaways (Happening on Social Media later this week)
– Enter to win this week on Social Media- Geppetto’s Italian https://www.facebook.com/geppettossalem/
– This week’s winner- Every Child Oregon! $290 donated thanks to you! https://www.everychildoregon.org

▶ Suggested Readings:
Acts 4 (disciples praying in hardship)

▶ Music we listened to making this episode:
Jimmy Eat World: Pain- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uaP6KgwbOvo
Michael Jackson: Why You Wanna Trip on Me- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C2FUzoy-UCg
Josh Baldwin/Bethel: Surrounded- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PlBiE4dXT2I

▶ Donate to Crosscreek & keep a good thing goin’ 🙂

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

1. What do you think about prayer? What personal questions / stories do you have about it?
2. Read Psalm 86. What stands out to you as it relates to prayer?
3. As Jon said in the message, share a couple of things going on in your life right now. You might have to fight through the awkwardness, but spend some time specifically praying for one another in your group.