Serving (at Easter) is Powerful // M-Note 3.28.2026

In February, we did a series on the power of serving. Let’s be real, most of us like the idea of serving, but making the time to actually do it is a lot harder! We easily get consumed with our own schedules, tasks and to-do lists. Our lives are plenty busy, so often service is forgotten. Yet, when we serve, several important things happen. We contribute to something bigger than ourselves, we positively impact the lives of others, and we get outside of our own lives giving us fresh energy and perspective. Serving matters to others but is also good for us.

After the series, several of you asked me how you can get involved. One small step that you can take is to serve on a Sunday morning, and Easter Sunday is the PERFECT time to try.

As most of you know, we will be celebrating Easter at The Factory this year with two worship times, 9am and 10:45am. We also will have an Easter service at our Metro East site in Illinois at 10am. All the details are found here. If you haven’t done it, I hope you will text a friend this invite, post on Facebook or lnstagram, or grab some cards this weekend and invite someone to join you.

Also, you may not know but we need about 200 people to make Easter as hospitable and welcoming to new people as we can. Serving on Easter does all the things I named above. It helps us to accomplish something that we can only do together, it helps new people connect with God in new (and often life-changing) ways, and it is fun. Plus you will get a cool new Gathering t-shirt! Please consider serving. I would be so grateful. There are many simple ways to serve. You can see the options and sign up for either The Factory OR Metro East.  I can’t wait to serve alongside you as we celebrate in a way worthy of the hope that Jesus offers us.  

Don’t forget that next week is Holy Week and we have two special worship opportunities. On Maundy Thursday we remember the last meal that Jesus shared with his disciples through an interactive and contemplative worship open house at our Clayton site. On Good Friday, we remember the crucifixion of Jesus through a powerful evening worship at 7pm at our McCausland site. I hope this service takes on even greater meaning for you in light of our current series on the cross. Both of these Holy Week worship services are an important part of preparing for the hope and joy we will celebrate on Easter and I hope you will be a part of them.

Have a great weekend, and I will see you this Sunday as I finish our series on Why Did Jesus Have to Die? This final week may be the most meaningful one to me, and I can’t wait to share it with you.

Peace,

Matt

P.S. After nearly 12 years, my former assistant Amy Sanders stepped down to accept another job with the United Methodist Publishing House. I am so grateful for Amy and our long partnership in ministry. I am also thrilled to announce that Samantha Smith is my new Executive Assistant. Some of you know Samantha because she has been on our staff for awhile, most recently on our communications team. She is now shifting over to work directly with me, and I am so glad to have her in this new role. You can still contact Samantha at her same email.