In fact, Cross Roads believes that all of creation deserves to be loved. Nothing best epitomizes that love than the beauty of a rainbow. God’s love, exemplified in a rainbow, is a sign of the covenant that God made with every living being.

“God said, “This is the sign of the covenant that I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for all future generations: I have set my bow in the clouds, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and the earth. When I bring clouds over the earth and the bow is seen in the clouds, I will remember my covenant that is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh, and the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all flesh. When the bow is in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth.” ‭‭Genesis‬ ‭9‬:‭12‬-‭16‬ ‭NRSVUE‬‬

The covenant that God made with Noah was a promise that destruction would never be God’s means of addressing the issues prevalent in our world. We live in a world tormented by the sins of division, racism, homophobia, ableism, sexism, poverty, xenophobia, war, gun violence, and hatred. Unfortunately, the list could continue. Despite the destructive nature of these social and personal injustices, the rainbow is a promise that God would never return destruction for destruction. God’s answer will always be love. That love was embodied in the ministry and message of Jesus Christ. Jesus’ ministry and message affirmed women, celebrated children, healed the ill, advocated peace, forgave sin, ate with outcasts, spoke truth to power, feed the hungry, preached good news, formed friendships, reconciled enemies, wept with the mourning, empower eunuches, welcomed immigrants, and so much more. He initiated a love that made the rainbow more than a promise. In his life, death, and resurrection, his love made the rainbow a reality.

Enabled, equipped, and empowered by the Holy Spirit, Cross Roads continues the ministry of love as taught by Jesus. Through the Holy Spirit, Cross Roads invites all of creation to join our congregation in ministry and worship. We are a diverse community of people and pets. Our rainbow doors acknowledge our earnest efforts to be a congregation that hospitably welcomes those of every race, ethnicity, immigration status, language, age, physical or mental ability, gender identity, sexual orientation, political affiliation, socioeconomic class, marital status, faith history and those struggling with mental illnesses and addiction. As testified in scripture “in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith. As many of you as were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is no longer Jew or Greek; there is no longer slave or free; there is no longer male and female, for all of you are one in Christ Jesus.” Galatians‬ ‭3‬:‭26‬-‭28‬ ‭NRSVUE‬‬

#loveofgod #allarewelcome #crossroadsphx