Generosity Meets Gratitude // M-Note 11.8.2025

I want to thank everyone who participated in Much Given. Much Expected. by turning in a commitment card last Sunday. It was a powerful moment for me as I watched so many of you come forward to offer your commitment and pray for the future ministry of our church. I am deeply grateful. If you missed it, please fill out a card online or turn in a physical card Sunday in worship by dropping it in the offering basket. We will announce the results of the initiative on Sunday November 23 and begin giving our new gifts then. If you want to mail a card, send it to our office at 1034 S. Brentwood Blvd., Suite 300, St. Louis, MO 63117. Your commitments are going to shape the future of The Gathering, and I am honored to be the pastor of such a generous church.
 
Consistent with our theme of wanting to be a generous church, we want to do something to alleviate the severe shortage of food in local foodbanks. With the temporary halt to SNAP, the government shutdown, and the general rise in costs, food banks cannot keep up with demand. We are asking everyone to buy extra food and bring that food on Sunday, November 23, to any site. After worship, we will load up a large truck and deliver all of the food to the St. Louis Area Foodbank so that it can be available to people for the holidays. Before you buy, look over their list of most needed items.
 
Tomorrow morning, The Gathering Metro East will have its third preview worship service at 10am at Dogwood Social House in O’Fallon, IL. I hope that if you live in the metro east, you will make every effort to be there to support Pastor Morgan and all those who are working so hard to see this community come to life. If you have friends in the metro east, please, please invite them! We would love to introduce them to a different kind of church. If you have questions or want to serve, reach out to Pastor Morgan. She would love to connect with you.
 
Finally, this weekend we are starting a new series called Three Weeks of Thanks. We are talking all about the spiritual practice of gratitude. I call gratitude spiritual penicillin because it helps address so many of the things we struggle with— anxiety, busyness, anger, selfishness, grief, transitions, and more. Gratitude grounds us in what we have, who we have around us, and the gift of life that is available to us every day. As we enter a season focused on giving thanks, join us in worship to give yourself space to discover what habits of gratitude might look like for you. This is a great season to invite a friend, as well. We all know so many people who might need to slow down and focus on thanksgiving.
 
I love this church and appreciate every one of you. Have a fantastic weekend, and I will see you Sunday.
 
Peace,
Matt

P.S. Some of you have tax considerations surrounding your giving or may want to give non-cash gifts like stocks, mutual funds or other assets. If you have any questions about any aspect of your giving, please contact Dave Dietrich, and we can help you.