Dear Gathering,
I am taking a moment during my time away to write to you. I love my work at the church, so I do not naturally take a lot of time off. But, these last few weeks have given me a chance to rest, connect with my family, and reflect on the incredible work that lies ahead for The Gathering. I have enjoyed the chance to participate in worship and experience how powerful Get Up has been. If you haven’t had a chance to listen to this sermon series based on Pastor Charity’s book, I encourage you to catch up here.
As summer progresses, unfortunately, so has COVID, especially as the Delta variant spreads. The science is clear - vaccinations work. But, many people still are not vaccinated, especially in Missouri. If you have not yet gotten vaccinated, I urge you to do so. If you are uncertain, I encourage you to read, research, and talk to your doctor and others that are both knowledgeable and trustworthy. Be careful where you are getting your information, especially online.
We know that COVID is an ever-changing reality. Beginning Monday, both St Louis County and St. Louis City will be reissuing a mask mandate for indoor public places. Many of you are wondering what this means for church. This weekend, our current practices will continue to be in place (you can review them here). We require unvaccinated people to wear masks and encourage others to wear a mask if they are more comfortable doing so. Communion servers and those working with children will also be wearing masks. Next week, our leaders (lay and staff) will be reviewing The Gathering’s safety protocols. As we have since the beginning of the pandemic, we will be evaluating and changing our practices in light of the science and public health requirements. We will communicate any changes next week after we meet.
Lastly, beginning in August not only will we be starting a new sermon series on the Book of Revelation called (Fire & Brimstone), but we will also be launching additional service times. Starting August 1, Clayton and McCausland hold worship at both 9 and 10:30 am. Webster will continue to worship at 10 am. All services will include a full Kids Ministry. Not only will this provide more room for us to invite new people and welcome back folks who are ready to worship in-person, but it will also allow all of us more choices for when we worship. And as always, online worship will continue to be available.
I miss you all. Thank you for being such an incredible church. As we prepare for a new series and new services in August, I really hope you will invite someone to check out our church. I strongly believe we are on the cusp of a new season at The Gathering. There are so many people who are looking for a new start in their own lives. Jesus is in the business of new starts, so there is no better time than now to invite someone to try out church. I look forward to being back soon. Enjoy your weekend, and I will see you in worship.
Peace,
I am taking a moment during my time away to write to you. I love my work at the church, so I do not naturally take a lot of time off. But, these last few weeks have given me a chance to rest, connect with my family, and reflect on the incredible work that lies ahead for The Gathering. I have enjoyed the chance to participate in worship and experience how powerful Get Up has been. If you haven’t had a chance to listen to this sermon series based on Pastor Charity’s book, I encourage you to catch up here.
As summer progresses, unfortunately, so has COVID, especially as the Delta variant spreads. The science is clear - vaccinations work. But, many people still are not vaccinated, especially in Missouri. If you have not yet gotten vaccinated, I urge you to do so. If you are uncertain, I encourage you to read, research, and talk to your doctor and others that are both knowledgeable and trustworthy. Be careful where you are getting your information, especially online.
We know that COVID is an ever-changing reality. Beginning Monday, both St Louis County and St. Louis City will be reissuing a mask mandate for indoor public places. Many of you are wondering what this means for church. This weekend, our current practices will continue to be in place (you can review them here). We require unvaccinated people to wear masks and encourage others to wear a mask if they are more comfortable doing so. Communion servers and those working with children will also be wearing masks. Next week, our leaders (lay and staff) will be reviewing The Gathering’s safety protocols. As we have since the beginning of the pandemic, we will be evaluating and changing our practices in light of the science and public health requirements. We will communicate any changes next week after we meet.
Lastly, beginning in August not only will we be starting a new sermon series on the Book of Revelation called (Fire & Brimstone), but we will also be launching additional service times. Starting August 1, Clayton and McCausland hold worship at both 9 and 10:30 am. Webster will continue to worship at 10 am. All services will include a full Kids Ministry. Not only will this provide more room for us to invite new people and welcome back folks who are ready to worship in-person, but it will also allow all of us more choices for when we worship. And as always, online worship will continue to be available.
I miss you all. Thank you for being such an incredible church. As we prepare for a new series and new services in August, I really hope you will invite someone to check out our church. I strongly believe we are on the cusp of a new season at The Gathering. There are so many people who are looking for a new start in their own lives. Jesus is in the business of new starts, so there is no better time than now to invite someone to try out church. I look forward to being back soon. Enjoy your weekend, and I will see you in worship.
Peace,
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Archive
2022
January
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March
M-Note 3.1.22Lenten Devotional // Day 1Lenten Devotional // Day 2Luke: The Gospel For Rebels Week 5Lenten Devotional // Day 3Lenten Devotional // Day 4Lenten Devotional // First SundayLenten Devotional // Day 5Lenten Devotional // Day 6Lenten Devotional // Day 7Lenten Devotional // Day 8Lenten Devotional // Day 9Following Jesus: Some Assembly Required – Week 1Lenten Devotional // Day 10Some Assembly RequiredLenten Devotional // Second SundayLenten Devotional // Day 11Lenten Devotional // Day 12Lenten Devotional // Day 13Lenten Devotional // Day 14Following Jesus: Some Assembly Required – Week 2Lenten Devotional // Day 15Lenten Devotional // Day 16M-Note 3.20.22Lenten Devotional // Third SundayLenten Devotional // Day 17Lenten Devotional // Day 185 Benefits to Embracing Your Uncertainty of GodLenten Devotional // Day 19Lenten Devotional // Day 20M-Note 3.24.2022Lenten Devotional // Day 21Following Jesus: Some Assembly Required – Week 3Lenten Devotional // Day 22Lenten Devotional // Fourth SundayLenten Devotional // Day 23Lenten Devotional // Day 24Lenten Devotional // Day 25Lenten Devotional // Day 26
April
Following Jesus: Some Assembly Required – Week 4M-Note 4.1.2022Lenten Devotional // Day 273 Implications of God's Humanity on YoursLenten Devotional // Day 28Lenten Devotional // Fifth SundayLenten Devotional // Day 29Lenten Devotional // Day 30Lenten Devotional // Day 31Lenten Devotional // Day 32Following Jesus: Some Assembly Required – Week 53 Misunderstandings of Easter that Impact YouLenten Devotional // Day 33Lenten Devotional // Day 34Lenten Devotional // Palm SundayLenten Devotional // Day 35Lenten Devotional // Day 36Lenten Devotional // Day 37M-Note 4.14.2022Lenten Devotional // Day 38 Maundy ThusdayLenten Devotional // Day 39 Good FridayLenten Devotional // Day 40 Holy SaturdayLenten Devotional // EasterMysterious You: How your union with God makes you divineM-Note 4.20.2022No Filter: See The Real You – Week 14 Ways Embracing Your Sin Serves the WorldM-Note 4.28.2022No Filter: See The Real You – Week 2
May
3 Reasons You Should Embrace Your WeirdnessM-Note 5.5.22No Filter: See The Real You – Week 3Identify Your Purpose and Empower Your FutureM-Note 5.12.22No Filter: See The Real You – Week 4Confidently Approach Life as a Second ChanceLearning to Enjoy LIFE by Eliminating DistractionsUncomplicating the “God” Question to Simplify Spirituality
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