M-Note 4.20.2022

Thank you to everyone who worshiped with The Gathering this Easter. It was an incredible day to be together, celebrating Christ’s resurrection and talking about the purpose, possibility, and promise it brings to our life. If you missed the message or want to share it with someone that may need it, you can find it here. We had packed sanctuaries with over 2200 people worshiping with us in person and over 1000 families and individuals worshiping online. I loved seeing all your pictures posted online so thank you for sharing those. This weekend I will celebrate our Easter offering total, 100% of which goes to The Gathering’s local mission work. if you missed giving to the offering, you can still do so here.

Beginning this Sunday. I will start a new series called No Filter: See the Real You. A lot of us are asking questions about identity – who we are and what we really want our life to be about. God has a lot to say about who you really are and I am eager to unpack what scripture has to say about it. Our world often offers us an identity based on what we do, and how much we produce. But underneath all the hats you wear and roles you play is a deeper and more fundamental identity. We will talk about what that is because understanding it is crucial to living with authenticity and joy.

Easter is a season of transitions and new beginnings for all of us – and it is no different at church. We have some exciting news to share about two new pastors that will be joining our team this summer.
 
Sarah Stone is graduating from Duke Divinity School this May and will be joining our staff in August. Sarah interned at The Gathering BarChurch during her time as a student at Greenville College. She brings to our staff a passion for our culture of sharing the gospel with new generations and I cannot wait to have her gifts here at our church. Sarah will be serving at our McCausland and Clayton sites.
 
Tim Ziegler will be joining The Gathering in July as the new site pastor of our McCausland site. Tim has served the last 9 years as the lead pastor of Westside UMC in Ann Arbor, MI. He has 19 years of experience in various local church settings. He brings to The Gathering a passion for reaching new people and a deep belief that all are welcome in the church. Tim is a strategic thinker, a compelling preacher, and loves connecting with people and helping them grow in their faith. Tim is married to Lisa who is a teacher and will be teaching biology at North Kirkwood Middle School. They have three kids Mary (a first-year student at Wash U), Annie (10th grade), and Charlie (7th grade).
 
There is so much happening at The Gathering and I believe we are starting a new chapter in our ministry. This is a great time to reconnect to church and share the invitation with someone else. This weekend will be energizing and the first step in this new season of ministry. I can’t wait to see you.

Peace,

No Filter: See The Real You

Figuring out who you are is hard. We live in a world where others are constantly labeling us. Our identity is defined by our work, our roles in life, what others tell us about ourselves, and even what we think to ourselves when we look in the mirror. Often, this leads to a distorted self-image. But God has some things to say about who YOU REALLY are, and we think you’ll love what you see.

So grab your family and friends and join us for our new sermon series starting this Sunday.