Paul wrote this letter to the Philippians during an extremely difficult time for the church.  Read More

It can be hard and scary to find support in times of trouble. Aren’t we wanting someone that demonstrates wisdom and understanding, strategic planning and strength?  Read More

A really great kiss is hard to describe, but you know it when it happens. Jesus is the perfect embodiment of God, hard to describe, but impossible to miss.  Read More

This week’s sermon taught that God is a promise keeper. Yet, God’s trustworthiness is often demonstrated unexpectedly.  Read More

In an instant gratification society, one where I can have anything I want delivered to me anytime I demand it, I can FaceTime with anyone I want at any time and have Google answer any question I could possibly think of, waiting and patience doesn’t come easy.  Read More

In a world where it is all too easy to divide one another based on culture, wealth, religion, or political affiliation, Paul prays that the love we feel for one another would overflow.  Read More

Last September, 18 years old and ranked 73rd, Leila Fernandez upset defending champion Naomi Osaka in the U.S. Open. Fernandez professed, “From the very beginning, right before the match, I knew I was going to win.”  Read More

by Matt Miofsky It has been said that Christians are not allowed to stop hoping. In a chaotic, uncertain, and sometimes hopeless world, we are called to be confident that God is at work. Hope doesn’t ignore what is hard or gloss over the challenges of life. Rather, hope faces those challenges with the confident expectation that God is working all things together for our good. Hope allows us to fac...  Read More

This time of year explodes with sensual delight — holiday lights and colorful decorations, traditional songs and hymns, meals and treats being offered.   Read More

Each Advent season, we read the ancient text of Isaiah, which was written over 700 years before a baby was born in a manger.  Read More

The best (or worst, if you’re a scrooge) Christmas gifts come with instructions. Some assembly required. Set up and rules for game play.  Read More

Unsalvageable. Lost cause. Canceled. These human concepts carry no weight in the kingdom of God.  Read More

The good news of Christmas is that Jesus comes to bring us freedom.   Read More

By Matt Miofsky 1. It helps you be content. Gratitude helps cultivate contentment with what is already present in our life – materially, relationally, and spiritually. We live in a world where we are constantly told that we need more. I find it strange that one day after Thanksgiving, the day we are supposed to show we are grateful for what we have, we are told to go out and buy more! Gratitude fi...  Read More

By Matt Miofsky Christmas is a season of good news, and with December right around the corner, I thought it was fitting to remember why Jesus is good news for us. So here are… 5 Reminders of Good News for Today 1. You aren’t aloneOne of the names given to Jesus at his birth is Immanuel or “God with us”. Christmas is a reminder that we are never alone. Worshiping each Sunday with others (in person ...  Read More

The best things happen on the other side of risk. This story of the Israelites going into the promised land is just one of many examples of God calling God’s people to step out in faith.   Read More

by Matt Miofsky The Gathering has always been a church that is OPEN to new ministries that reach new people - to a future that looks different than our present. We could continue to do what we are currently doing, but we believe God is calling us to make specific investments in ministries focusing on new generations, invitation of new people, innovation, and care and transformation. I explained ea...  Read More

When we give God changes us, but our gifts are also used to impact others. When we open ourselves up to generosity the church is able to invite new people to experience the transformational love of Jesus. Doing this together multiples the power of our gifts exponentially!   Read More

by Matt Miofsky The author of Ecclesiastes writes, Also, one can be overpowered, but two together can put up resistance. A three-ply cord doesn't easily snap. (Eccl. 4.12) Tradition teaches that these words were written by King Solomon after a lifetime of learning lessons the hard way. One of those lessons is that isolation can kill us. We need other people – for strength, support, healing, and gr...  Read More

For a lot of us, growing in generosity feels impossible. We wonder how much we should give, and if the sum we can contribute will actually make a difference.   Read More

If you've been around a while you are probably familiar with The Literacy Project. In non-pandemic times this is our program where members of the congregation work one-on-one with kindergarten and first grade students as reading mentors.At this time, the pandemic is keeping us from sending mentors into the schools, but we are still able to support the teachers at our partner schools. Every month w...  Read More

Have You Arrived ❓  Saturday, my daughter Carly turned 16. For this milestone birthday, we celebrated by taking her and 5 friends out to a special dinner. We ate, laughed, blew out candles, and enjoyed cookie cake and ice cream. Reflecting that night, I couldn’t believe she was already 16. I remember when she was born, when she took her first steps, and when I could carry her on my shoulders. Now ...  Read More

This week we heard about two men who each had many possessions. One of them experienced a bit of abundant life with Jesus while the other missed out.   Read More

Intergenerational RelationshipsUs older people are fascinating to kids. We are the carriers of the answers to all their questions of “Why?”.  We are the tellers of amazing stories. We are the keepers of the boundaries that help them stay safe. We are the window into what being a grown up looks like.  For all those reasons and more, kids need spaces where they can lean into older trusted adults.Con...  Read More