The Gathering http://gatheringnow.org Wed, 01 Feb 2012 20:17:13 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3 The Gathering UMC no The Gathering http://gatheringnow.org/wp-content/plugins/powerpress/rss_default.jpg http://gatheringnow.org A Complicated Life: The Story Of David, Pt 2 // Rev. Matt Miofsky http://gatheringnow.org/2012/a-complicated-life-the-story-of-david-pt-2-rev-matt-miofsky/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=a-complicated-life-the-story-of-david-pt-2-rev-matt-miofsky http://gatheringnow.org/2012/a-complicated-life-the-story-of-david-pt-2-rev-matt-miofsky/#comments Sun, 29 Jan 2012 16:32:48 +0000 TheGathering http://gatheringnow.org/?p=1076 The path from here to there is messy. It often doesn’t go quite as planned. Our lives can get like that, sometimes – complicated and screwed-up. We tend to think that that somehow disqualifies us from God’s plan – that God only uses people who have their act together. But God lifts up unlikely people for a greater purpose, even if their flaws make for a messy journey along the way. This was true of King David, a deeply flawed man that God used in amazing ways. Join us as we look at what God did with David’s life, and discover what He can also do with ours.

]]> http://gatheringnow.org/2012/a-complicated-life-the-story-of-david-pt-2-rev-matt-miofsky/feed/ 0 A Complicated Life: The Story Of David, Pt 2 The path from here to there is messy. It often doesn't go quite as planned. Our lives can get like that, sometimes - complicated and screwed-up. We tend to think that that somehow disqualifies us from God's plan - that God only uses people who have their act together. But God lifts up unlikely people for a greater purpose, even if their flaws make for a messy journey along the way. This was true of King David, a deeply flawed man that God used in amazing ways. Join us as we look at what God did with David's life, and discover what He can also do with ours. The Gathering UMC no 37:23 A Complicated Life: The Story Of David, Pt 1 // Rev. Matt Miofsky http://gatheringnow.org/2012/a-complicated-life-the-story-of-david-pt-1-rev-matt-miofsky/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=a-complicated-life-the-story-of-david-pt-1-rev-matt-miofsky http://gatheringnow.org/2012/a-complicated-life-the-story-of-david-pt-1-rev-matt-miofsky/#comments Sun, 22 Jan 2012 20:04:47 +0000 TheGathering http://gatheringnow.org/?p=1060 The path from here to there is messy. It often doesn’t go quite as planned. Our lives can get like that, sometimes – complicated and screwed-up. We tend to think that that somehow disqualifies us from God’s plan – that God only uses people who have their act together. But God lifts up unlikely people for a greater purpose, even if their flaws make for a messy journey along the way. This was true of King David, a deeply flawed man that God used in amazing ways. Join us as we look at what God did with David’s life, and discover what He can also do with ours.

]]> http://gatheringnow.org/2012/a-complicated-life-the-story-of-david-pt-1-rev-matt-miofsky/feed/ 0 christian,gathering,jesus,methodist,miofsky,sermon,thegathering A Complicated Life: The Story Of David, Pt 1 The path from here to there is messy. It often doesn't go quite as planned. Our lives can get like that, sometimes - complicated and screwed-up. We tend to think that that somehow disqualifies us from God's plan - that God only uses people who have their act together. But God lifts up unlikely people for a greater purpose, even if their flaws make for a messy journey along the way. This was true of King David, a deeply flawed man that God used in amazing ways. Join us as we look at what God did with David's life, and discover what He can also do with ours. The Gathering UMC no 33:23 Starting Strong, Pt 2 | Philip + Nathanael // Rev. Matt Miofsky http://gatheringnow.org/2012/starting-strong-pt-2-philip-nathanael-rev-matt-miofsky/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=starting-strong-pt-2-philip-nathanael-rev-matt-miofsky http://gatheringnow.org/2012/starting-strong-pt-2-philip-nathanael-rev-matt-miofsky/#comments Sun, 15 Jan 2012 21:24:25 +0000 TheGathering http://gatheringnow.org/?p=1050 Most of us are ready to start 2012 with a blank slate. But scripture reminds us that parting of starting a new year off right is looking back at where we’ve been. Baptism is a ritual of new beginnings. In Part 2, we examine the critical error we often make in starting something new by allowing past experiences to define future possibilities.

]]> http://gatheringnow.org/2012/starting-strong-pt-2-philip-nathanael-rev-matt-miofsky/feed/ 0 Starting Strong Most of us are ready to start 2012 with a blank slate. But scripture reminds us that parting of starting a new year off right is looking back at where we’ve been. Baptism is a ritual of new beginnings. In Part 2, we examine the critical error we often make in starting something new by allowing past experiences to define future possibilities. The Gathering UMC no 25:56 Starting Strong, Pt 1 | Jesus’ Baptism // Rev. Matt Miofsky http://gatheringnow.org/2012/starting-strong-pt-1-jesus-baptism-rev-matt-miofsky/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=starting-strong-pt-1-jesus-baptism-rev-matt-miofsky http://gatheringnow.org/2012/starting-strong-pt-1-jesus-baptism-rev-matt-miofsky/#comments Sun, 08 Jan 2012 21:20:30 +0000 TheGathering http://gatheringnow.org/?p=1048 Most of us are ready to start 2012 with a blank slate. But scripture reminds us that parting of starting a new year off right is looking back at where we’ve been. Baptism is a ritual of new beginnings. In Part 1, we talk about the how Jesus baptism sheds light on how we ought to start a new year.

]]> http://gatheringnow.org/2012/starting-strong-pt-1-jesus-baptism-rev-matt-miofsky/feed/ 0 Starting Strong Most of us are ready to start 2012 with a blank slate. But scripture reminds us that parting of starting a new year off right is looking back at where we’ve been. Baptism is a ritual of new beginnings. In Part 1, we talk about the how Jesus baptism sheds light on how we ought to start a new year. The Gathering UMC no 29:53 Christmas Eve Offering http://gatheringnow.org/2012/christmas-eve-offering/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=christmas-eve-offering http://gatheringnow.org/2012/christmas-eve-offering/#comments Tue, 03 Jan 2012 05:23:34 +0000 skozel http://gatheringnow.org/?p=968 Dear Gathering Community,

It is not often that I write a special letter to the whole congregation, but this week is different. I could not wait to share this news. We just finished processing our Christmas Eve offering and it totaled over $110,000! That is nearly 50% higher than last year and is an amazing testament to the generosity of our church and our potential to impact others through missions. Just as last year, this offering will be divided between our projects at Kingdom House and safe water projects in Mozambique. Because of some designated giving, about $65,000 will go to fund wells next year in Mozambique and nearly $45,000 will support our Family Center at Kingdom House. You can learn more about the projects by watching this video…

As I said in our newsletter earlier in the week, Christmas Eve was a celebration of “firsts” at The Gathering. The first time we had over 1250 in worship, the first time we worshipped at our new Clayton site, the first time I preached five times in one day, and now the first time we have ever collected over $100,000 in a single day’s worship. I cannot express through words how proud I am of our congregation. By celebrating Christmas differently, our worship of God will result in lives being saved, families finding hope, and kids being nurtured and supported. This is better than a few more gifts under the tree. It is a way of celebrating that is counter-cultural, and worthy of the Jesus we follow, serve and worship. Thank you Gathering. God is using you in powerful ways and I look forward to that impact growing in 2012.

Peace+
Matt Miofsky

]]> http://gatheringnow.org/2012/christmas-eve-offering/feed/ 0 New Year’s Day 2012 // Rev. Linda Gastreich http://gatheringnow.org/2012/new-years-day-2012-rev-linda-gastreich/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=new-years-day-2012-rev-linda-gastreich http://gatheringnow.org/2012/new-years-day-2012-rev-linda-gastreich/#comments Sun, 01 Jan 2012 21:15:25 +0000 TheGathering http://gatheringnow.org/?p=1046 A meditation on the magi and their decision to go home another way, and how they can serve as an example for the paths that we follow, the choices that we make, and the legacies we leave behind.

]]> http://gatheringnow.org/2012/new-years-day-2012-rev-linda-gastreich/feed/ 0 New Year's Day 2012 A meditation on the magi and their decision to go home another way, and how they can serve as an example for the paths that we follow, the choices that we make, and the legacies we leave behind. The Gathering UMC no 14:48 Merry Christmas http://gatheringnow.org/2011/merry-christmas/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=merry-christmas http://gatheringnow.org/2011/merry-christmas/#comments Thu, 29 Dec 2011 20:30:38 +0000 skozel http://gatheringnow.org/?p=953 Christmas Eve worship at The Gathering this year held many firsts for me, and is one that I will remember for a long time. It was the first time we worshipped at our Clayton site (2 & 11 pm). It is the first time we have ever had to set up chairs in the entryway and narthex at McCausland (4 pm). It is the first time I have preached 5 times in one day (and I was energized at the end). It was the first time many of you joined us for Christmas Eve (especially since we had an early one this year). It is the first time we have topped 1250 people in worship (the number was near 1300). While I do not yet have a final count on the offering, I have a feeling another first is coming in that area too. I will share that news next week. Most importantly, it is the first time that some of you have really paid attention to what God might be doing in your life. It was, by all accounts, memorable for me.

I want to thank all of you that volunteered and served at one of the services this Christmas Eve. I know that meant juggling schedules a bit, but I thank you. What is cool is every year the people who serve tell me that volunteering at one of our worship services is one of the most meaningful things they could do on this night. I also want to thank everyone who came to one of our worship services and brought friends and family. It is an honor that The Gathering is a church you want to invite others you love to experience. If any of you are reading this for the first time, I am glad that you worshiped with us. I have been praying for you this week, especially that Christmas Eve may be a turning point in your journey. For all of you, I want to invite you back.

I hope that as 2011 closes, and a new year begins, you will join me for worship regularly. We have a chance, through this church, to create something lasting and meaningful in St. Louis. As we grow, and invite others, our power to shape and bring positive change to the city increases. In the new year, I will begin a series called A Complicated Life: The Story of David. It is about how God used King David for great purposes, despite his flaws and shortcomings. I am confident that God can also use each of us, no matter what baggage we may be carrying. Thank you again for your commitment to our church and I look forward to seeing you in January.

Peace+
Matt Miofsky

]]> http://gatheringnow.org/2011/merry-christmas/feed/ 0 Christmas 2011 // Rev. Linda Gastreich http://gatheringnow.org/2011/christmas-2011-rev-linda-gastreich/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=christmas-2011-rev-linda-gastreich http://gatheringnow.org/2011/christmas-2011-rev-linda-gastreich/#comments Sun, 25 Dec 2011 21:10:40 +0000 TheGathering http://gatheringnow.org/?p=1044 An introduction to Anna and Simeon, and a meditation on the Christmas message of hope, light, and promise.

]]> http://gatheringnow.org/2011/christmas-2011-rev-linda-gastreich/feed/ 0 Christmas Day 2011 An introduction to Anna and Simeon, and a meditation on the Christmas message of hope, light, and promise. The Gathering UMC no 19:13 Christmas Dismantled, Pt 5 | Christmas Eve // Rev. Matt Miofsky http://gatheringnow.org/2011/christmas-dismantled-pt-5-christmas-eve-rev-matt-miofsky/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=christmas-dismantled-pt-5-christmas-eve-rev-matt-miofsky http://gatheringnow.org/2011/christmas-dismantled-pt-5-christmas-eve-rev-matt-miofsky/#comments Sat, 24 Dec 2011 18:05:02 +0000 TheGathering http://gatheringnow.org/?p=1023 It’s not about the gifts, or the tree, or the stockings. It’s not about Santa, or the eggnog, or the food. Because hiding underneath all of the trimmings and tinsel is the true story of Christmas – the one that changed the world. Join us as we dismantle the distractions of the holiday season, revisit the story of Christ’s birth, and find new meaning in God’s greatest gift.

]]> http://gatheringnow.org/2011/christmas-dismantled-pt-5-christmas-eve-rev-matt-miofsky/feed/ 0 It’s not about the gifts, or the tree, or the stockings. It’s not about Santa, or the eggnog, or the food. Because hiding underneath all of the trimmings and tinsel is the true story of Christmas – the one that changed the world. It’s not about the gifts, or the tree, or the stockings. It’s not about Santa, or the eggnog, or the food. Because hiding underneath all of the trimmings and tinsel is the true story of Christmas – the one that changed the world. Join us as we dismantle the distractions of the holiday season, revisit the story of Christ’s birth, and find new meaning in God’s greatest gift. The Gathering UMC no 21:38 UPCOMING SERIES // A Complicated Life: The Story of David http://gatheringnow.org/2011/upcoming-series-a-complicated-life-the-story-of-david/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=upcoming-series-a-complicated-life-the-story-of-david http://gatheringnow.org/2011/upcoming-series-a-complicated-life-the-story-of-david/#comments Tue, 20 Dec 2011 00:28:28 +0000 skozel http://gatheringnow.org/?p=909

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The path from here to there is messy. It often doesn’t go quite as planned. Our lives can get like that, sometimes – complicated and screwed-up. We tend to think that that somehow disqualifies us from God’s plan – that God only uses people who have their act together. But God lifts up unlikely people for a greater purpose, even if their flaws make for a messy journey along the way. This was true of King David, a deeply flawed man that God used in amazing ways. Join us as we look at what God did with David’s life, and discover what He can also do with ours.

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