My dog would freak out whenever there was a thunderstorm.  Uncontrollable shaking and panting.  Nothing could calm him down.

Sure, the sound of the wind, lightning and driving rain could be terrifying but nothing bad ever happened to my dog.  Why didn’t the fact he survived, without harm, the first storm he experienced give him the assurance that there was nothing to worry about?

Why didn’t he know he was safe?

Why did she torture himself with needless worry?

This Sunday at the Gathering Church, we continue the series Free for Freedom: Removing Roadblocks from Life with God. Many people say that worry, fear and anxiety make it difficult if not impossible to know and enjoy God and God’s blessings.

Is it possible to change our habits of worry?

Do women worry more than men?

Would women worry less if the men in their lives worried more?

Is it possible to have more peace and joy in a world that really can hurt us?

How stressed are we, anyway?

Check out Psalm 27 which will be the passage for Sunday.

What would your life be like if you worried less and trusted God more?

Let’s not worry about it. Let’s do something about it.

This Sunday.

When evildoers come at me trying to eat me up—
it’s they, my foes and my enemies,
who stumble and fall!
If an army camps against me,
my heart won’t be afraid.
If war comes up against me,
I will continue to trust in this:

I have asked one thing from the Lord—
it’s all I seek—
to live in the Lord’s house all the days of my life,
seeing the Lord’s beauty
and constantly adoring his temple.

Because he will shelter me in his own dwelling
during troubling times;
he will hide me in a secret place in his own tent;
he will set me up high, safe on a rock.

Now my head is higher than the enemies surrounding me,
and I will offer sacrifices in God’s tent—
sacrifices with shouts of joy!
I will sing and praise the Lord.

Lord, listen to my voice when I cry out—
have mercy on me and answer me!

Come, my heart says, seek God’s face.
Lord, I do seek your face!

Please don’t hide it from me!
Don’t push your servant aside angrily—
you have been my help!
God who saves me,
don’t neglect me!
Don’t leave me all alone!

Even if my father and mother left me all alone,
the Lord would take me in.
Lord, teach me your way;
because of my opponents, lead me on a good path.

Don’t give me over to the desires of my enemies,
because false witnesses and violent accusers
have taken their stand against me.

But I have sure faith
that I will experience the Lord’s goodness
in the land of the living!

Hope in the Lord!
Be strong! Let your heart take courage!
Hope in the Lord!

-Psalm 27 (Common English Bible)

View the .pdf of Songs & Announcements.

In case you couldn’t stick around for our annual Vision Meeting yesterday, you can listen in here and download some of the material.  Feel free to follow up with questions, it is important to the leadership team that we get your input.  Also, feel free to contact each presenter about getting involved in using your gifts and passions in the church.

Download the powerpoint presentation.

Download the note sheet with contacts.

“Dad, our family never talked much about loss, right?”

Questions like this from your adult children don’t tend to make you feel good. And feeling good was pretty high on our family agenda.

“Loss?”  ”What loss?”  I thought.

Sure, we had moved a few times, lost a pet or two, and each kid had encountered various disappointments.

But, what’s the point of crying over spilled milk? Right?

This Sunday at the Gathering Church begins a new message series, Free for Freedom: Removing Roadblocks to Life with God.

Many of us want a fuller life with God. Others of us have been so numbed by the circumstances of our lives that we really don’t have much expectation about really experiencing God. All of us experience loss and disappointment that can quietly block us from finding joy, purpose and hope in God.

How do you handle loss? Ignore it? Shrug it off? Get motivated by it? Get resentful?

Emotional and spiritual health depend on how we deal with loss. And Christians in sometimes be the most dishonest people on the planet when it comes to loss.

This Sunday, Job, the expert on loss will teach us something. Check out his loss described in Job 19:1-27.  We’re not going to dig a pit of losses this Sunday.  Rather, we are going to allow God to do some road construction.

Actually, God calls that healing.

This Week’s Scripture Passage

Then Job responded: How long will you harass me and crush me with words?  These ten times you’ve humiliated me; shamelessly you insult me.  Have I really gone astray?  If so, my error remains hidden inside me.  If you look down on me and use my disgrace to criticize me, know then that God has wronged me and enclosed his net over me.

If I cry “Violence!” I’m not answered; I shout—but there is no justice.  He walled up my path so I can’t pass and put darkness on my trail, stripped my honor from me, removed the crown from my head, tore me down completely so that I’ll die, and uprooted my hope like a tree.  His anger burns against me; he considers me his enemy.  His troops come as one and construct their siege ramp[a] against me; they camp around my tent.

He has distanced my family from me; my acquaintances are also alienated from me.  My visitors have ceased; those who know me have forgotten me.  My guests and female servants think me a stranger; I’m a foreigner in their sight.  I call my servant, and he doesn’t answer; I myself must beg him.  My breath stinks to my wife; I am odious to my children.  Even the young despise me; I get up, and they rail against me.  All my closest friends despise me; the ones I have loved turn against me.

My bones cling to my skin and flesh; I have escaped by the skin of my teeth.  Pity me. Pity me. You’re my friends.  God’s hand has truly struck me.  Why do you pursue me like God does, always hungry for my flesh?

Oh, that my words were written down, inscribed on a scroll with an iron instrument and lead, forever engraved on stone.  But I know that my redeemer is alive and afterward he’ll rise upon the dust.  After my skin has been torn apart this way—then from my flesh I’ll see God,whom I’ll see myself—my eyes see, and not a stranger’s.  I am utterly dejected.

-Job 19:1-27 (Common English Bible)

View the .pdf of Songs & Announcements.

I was a freshman in college on my way for the first time to a meeting of Christian students. A friend had invited me. The previous weekend, he had attended a conference and had been impressed by the speaker. We were going up the stairs to the fourth floor meeting room and I remember silently hoping and praying that I would be someone who ended well.

This Sunday at the Gathering Church, the focus will be on ending well, but also on doing well as we experience more and more of life. In Jesus’ well-known Sermon on the Mount he closes his instruction on how to live well with a challenge to build one’s ‘house’ wisely (Matthew 7:24-29).

He knows that life will bring storms, storms that threaten our well-being. And he knows what we must do to be well-prepared.

Sometimes it is hard to be motivated to do anything about something that might happen. But, according to Jesus all of us are building something all the time.  But, do we know if we are building wisely?

What are we building?

What do we intend to build?

This Sunday.

This Week’s Scripture Passage

“Everybody who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise builder who built a house on bedrock.  The rain fell, the floods came, and the wind blew and beat against that house. It didn’t fall because it was firmly set on bedrock.  But everybody who hears these words of mine and doesn’t put them into practice will be like a fool who built a house on sand.  The rain fell, the floods came, and the wind blew and beat against that house. It fell and was completely destroyed.”

When Jesus finished these words, the crowds were amazed at his teaching because he was teaching them like someone with authority and not like their legal experts.

-Matthew 7:24-29 (Common English Bible)

View the .pdf of Songs & Announcements.

But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.

-Matthew 7:14

Disturbing words from Jesus unless you naturally think that you are special enough to be one of the few to find the narrow road.

What makes the road so narrow?

Correct beliefs?

Following the right rules?

A certain moral standard?

Active church habits?

Is it really so narrow?

This Sunday at the Gathering Church, these words from Jesus, along with some other warnings found in Matthew 7:13-23 will be the focus.  Jesus is in the home stretch of his most well-known teaching, the Sermon on the Mount. His purpose is to help people begin to experience the reality of God’s kingdom: God’s presence now – in ordinary life.

And as usual, the path is different from what we would normally think.  But do you think that it may be better than we could ever imagine?

Jesus called it life.

This Sunday.

This Week’s Scripture Passage

“Go in through the narrow gate. The gate that leads to destruction is broad and the road wide, so many people enter through it.  But the gate that leads to life is narrow and the road difficult, so few people find it.

“Watch out for false prophets. They come to you dressed like sheep, but inside they are vicious wolves.  You will know them by their fruit. Do people get bunches of grapes from thorny weeds, or do they get figs from thistles?  In the same way, every good tree produces good fruit, and every rotten tree produces bad fruit.  A good tree can’t produce bad fruit. And a rotten tree can’t produce good fruit.  Every tree that doesn’t produce good fruit is chopped down and thrown into the fire.  Therefore, you will know them by their fruit.

“Not everybody who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will get into the kingdom of heaven. Only those who do the will of my Father who is in heaven will enter.  On the Judgment Day, many people will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, didn’t we prophesy in your name and expel demons in your name and do lots of miracles in your name?’  Then I’ll tell them, ‘I’ve never known you. Get away from me, you people who do wrong.’”

-Matthew 7:13-23 (Common English Bible)

View the .pdf of Songs & Announcements.

Does it depend on the day? The weather?

Your response to these words of Jesus might tell you.

Ask and it will be given to you.

Seek and you shall find.

Knock and the door will be opened to you.

At times those words have inspired me with great faith, boldness and hope.

At other times the same words have mocked me.

Some people have actually lost their faith because of these words.

At the Gathering Church this Sunday we will discover why these words made absolute sense to the one who said them and the ones who first heard them. Found in Matthew 7:7-12, they occur in the home-stretch portion of the Sermon on the Mount, a summary of Jesus’ teaching about how to live well by experiencing God’s kingdom now.

The secret of understanding these promises from Jesus is found in understanding the ‘scale’ of your life.

How does God change the scale of everything?

Half-empty or half-full?

Or maybe, “Where did you get the glass?”

This Week’s Scripture Passage

“Ask, and you will receive. Search, and you will find. Knock, and the door will be opened to you.  For everyone who asks, receives. Whoever seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door is opened.

Who among you will give your children a stone when they ask for bread?   Or give them a snake when they ask for fish?   If you who are evil know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good things to those who ask him.”

-Matthew 7:7-12 (Common English Bible)

View the .pdf of Songs & Announcements.

In all seriousness, this Sunday we’ll celebrate our moms, and we’ll also spend some time in prayer for those whom Mothers’ Day is less than a cheerful occasion.

Join us as we continue in chapter seven of Matthew’s Gospel and “Jesus’ teaching on living well.”  After talk about money and worry, the lilies and the birds, Jesus digs in on one of the most common and slippery ailments to the human condition: judgment.

Think you don’t judge?  I bet you judge other people for being judgmental!

Join us as we investigate just what Jesus is teaching us about himself and life with him in his Kingdom!

This Week’s Scripture Passage

“Don’t judge, so that you won’t be judged.  You’ll receive the same judgment you give. Whatever you deal out will be dealt out to you.

Why do you see the splinter that’s in your brother’s or sister’s eye, but don’t notice the log in your own eye?  How can you say to your brother or sister, ‘Let me take the splinter out of your eye,’ when there’s a log in your eye?  You deceive yourself! First take the log out of your eye, and then you’ll see clearly to take the splinter out of your brother’s or sister’s eye.

Don’t give holy things to dogs, and don’t throw your pearls in front of pigs. They will stomp on the pearls, then turn around and attack you.

-Matthew 7:1-6 (Common English Bible)

View the .pdf of Songs & Announcements.

To tell someone to stop worrying.

At least it doesn’t work with me. I immediately think that whoever says that to me doesn’t really understand the situation. If they did they would start worrying with me. We would get busy trying to fix or control whatever was the source of the worry.

Yet, this is exactly the advice that Jesus gives about the necessities of life: food and clothing.

This Sunday at the Gathering Church the teaching of Jesus from Matthew 6:25-34 will be the focus as I continue the series, At Hand: Jesus’ Teaching on Living Well.

Did you know that Jesus was a funny guy? Not a silly guy, but definitely someone who uses humor to make his point. This passage is full of his humor.

You know how seriously Jesus takes the concerns that drive us crazy?  He laughs about them. He says, “Are you kidding me? Don’t you know that…”

Come learn the “that” this Sunday.

This Week’s Scripture Passage

“Therefore, I say to you, don’t worry about your life, what you’ll eat or what you’ll drink, or about your body, what you’ll wear. Isn’t life more than food and the body more than clothes?  Look at the birds in the sky. They don’t sow seed or harvest grain or gather crops into barns. Yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Aren’t you worth much more than they are?  Who among you by worrying can add a single moment to your life?  And why do you worry about clothes? Notice how the lilies in the field grow. They don’t wear themselves out with work, and they don’t spin cloth.   But I say to you that even Solomon in all of his splendor wasn’t dressed like one of these.  If God dresses grass in the field so beautifully, even though it’s alive today and tomorrow it’s thrown into the furnace, won’t God do much more for you, you people of weak faith?  Therefore, don’t worry and say, ‘What are we going to eat?’ or ‘What are we going to drink?’ or ‘What are we going to wear?’  Gentiles long for all these things. Your heavenly Father knows that you need them.  Instead, desire first and foremost God’s kingdom and God’s righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.   Therefore, stop worrying about tomorrow, because tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

-Matthew 6:25-34 (Common English Bible)

View the .pdf of Songs & Announcements.

I found out that you can be lying in the bed with three beautiful women and that won’t be enough.  You can have millions of dollars in the bank and carry enough cash to buy you anything your mind can imagine, and it won’t be enough.  You can walk into any restaurant in town and they put your name up at the tope of the list.  Or people can come up to you and call you Sir, and ask for your autograph, and everybody is wanting to be around you all the time, but that won’t be enough.”

-Deion Sanders in Power, Money, & Sex: How Success  Almost Ruined My Life

Perhaps no one can tell more vividly what “storing up treasures in heaven” can do to your life than those in our culture who are rapidly given such wealth (and in many cases see their wealth leave just as rapidly).

This week, Jesus gives us a few teachings, stories about our lives on earth and our expectation for the kingdom.  Each of these stories show two very different ways of living: there’s the “Tale of Two Treasures,” “The Tale of Two Eyes,” and the “Tale of Two Masters.”  Each calls us to ask which story we embody?

Come this Sunday, but don’t just expect a sermon bemoaning the horrors of money or things.  This isn’t a shake-down.  Rather, come to hear about Jesus’ vision for good living- eternal, abundant life.  Life primed to live well in the kingdom.  A life reaching out for God and his reign that is so close, so available, you might say that it’s within an arm’s reach.

This Week’s Scripture Passage

“Stop collecting treasures for your own benefit on earth, where moth and rust eat them and where thieves break in and steal them.  Instead, collect treasures for yourselves in heaven, where moth and rust don’t eat them and where thieves don’t break in and steal them.  Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

The eye is the lamp of the body. Therefore, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light.  But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how terrible that darkness will be!

No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be loyal to the one and have contempt for the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.

-Matthew 6:19-24 (Common English Bible)

View the .pdf of Songs & Announcements.

That’s the word that probably best describes Jesus.

Especially in the way he experienced God.

The way he talked to God was different. Like he knew God. Like they were close. Like he was talking ‘with’ God instead of ‘to’ God.

Jesus’ teaching on how to talk with God will be the focus this Sunday at the Gathering Church. In Matthew 6:5-18 Jesus gives us the model that has become known as The Lord’s Prayer.

The Jews were a praying people. Jesus’ disciples had grown up saying prayers all their life. But, the way Jesus prayed was so different that at one point they asked him to teach them to pray in the same way.

What made Jesus’ prayer so different?

It’s possible to pray his model prayer without it being different at all.

How can ordinary people like us talk with God like Jesus did?

Has anyone ever asked you to teach them how to pray?

This Sunday – At Hand: Jesus’ Teaching on Living Well.

This Week’s Scripture Passage

“When you pray, don’t be like hypocrites.  They love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners so that people will see them. I assure you, that’s the only reward they’ll get.  But when you pray, go to your room, shut the door, and pray to your Father who is present in that secret place. Your Father who sees what you do in secret will reward you.

‘When you pray, don’t pour out a flood of empty words, as the Gentiles do. They think that by saying many words they’ll be heard.  Don’t be like them, because your Father knows what you need before you ask.  Pray like this:

Our Father who is in heaven, uphold the holiness of your name.  Bring in your kingdom so that your will is done on earth as it’s done in heaven.  Give us the bread we need for today.  Forgive us for the ways we have wronged you, just as we also forgive those who have wronged us.  And don’t lead us into temptation, but rescue us from the evil one.’

If you forgive others their sins, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.  But if you don’t forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your sins.

-Matthew 6:5-15 (Common English Bible)

 

View the .pdf of Songs & Announcements.

Shortly after coming down it we saw a group of about twenty riders approaching – did I say approaching? – I meant flying towards us from the other direction.

They were headed toward the hill.

After they passed my friend said, “They probably don’t think we’re real men because we came down instead of up.”

Knowing that my sermon this Sunday was going to be about some stern warnings that Jesus issued concerning caring what others think, the comment struck me. But, before I had time to judge my friend for being so self-conscious I replied, “It would have been worse if we had been going up and they had flown by us.”

Appearances. Positioning. Posturing.

Why are the opinions of others so critical to us? What are things we do to make sure we look good?

What good things do we not do in order to avoid the risk of looking bad?

How stressed are we to keep it up?

At the Gathering Church this Sunday I will teach from Matthew 6:1-18 continuing the series, At Hand: Jesus’ Teaching on Living Well.

What happens when we’re free enough for God’s opinion to matter most?

This Sunday.

This Week’s Scripture Passage

“Be careful that you don’t practice your religion in front of people to draw their attention. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.

“Whenever you give to the poor, don’t blow your trumpet as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets so that they may get praise from people. I assure you, that’s the only reward they’ll get.  But when you give to the poor, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing so that you may give to the poor in secret. Your Father who sees what you do in secret will reward you.

“When you pray, don’t be like hypocrites. They love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners so that people will see them. I assure you, that’s the only reward they’ll get.  But when you pray, go to your room, shut the door, and pray to your Father who is present in that secret place. Your Father who sees what you do in secret will reward you.

“When you pray, don’t pour out a flood of empty words, as the Gentiles do. They think that by saying many words they’ll be heard.  Don’t be like them, because your Father knows what you need before you ask.  Pray like this:

Our Father who is in heaven, uphold the holiness of your name.  Bring in your kingdom so that your will is done on earth as it’s done in heaven.  Give us the bread we need for today.  Forgive us for the ways we have wronged you, just as we also forgive those who have wronged us.  And don’t lead us into temptation, but rescue us from the evil one.

“If you forgive others their sins, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.  But if you don’t forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your sins.

“And when you fast, don’t put on a sad face like the hypocrites. They distort their faces so people will know they are fasting. I assure you that they have their reward.  When you fast, brush your hair and wash your face.  Then you won’t look like you are fasting to people, but only to your Father who is present in that secret place. Your Father who sees in secret will reward you.”

-Matthew 6:1-18 (Common English Bible)

View the .pdf of Songs & Announcements.

Jesus expects the impossible.

How about if we just don’t hurt our enemies? Wouldn’t that be good enough?

I grew up in the South, so I don’t have any enemies. Just some people who are hard to be with, bless their heart.

This Sunday at the Gathering Church I teach from this famous passage found in the Sermon on the Mount, Matthew 5:43-48. Jesus is defining what goodness looks like in God’s kingdom which he says is at hand.

He expects that the transformation is so thorough in anyone who receives the kingdom of God that even enemies get loved.

Covered this Sunday:
- How to recognize an enemy.
- Sizes and shapes of enemies.
- How to stop making enemies.
- The Best Act of Love for an enemy.
- What’s so important about loving enemies?
- What happens when we do?

Someone who can’t stand you is going to be really glad that you came to the Gathering Church this Sunday.

This Week’s Scripture Passage

“You have heard that it was said, You must love your neighbor and hate your enemy.  But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who harass you so that you will be acting as children of your Father who is in heaven.  He makes the sun rise on both the evil and the good and sends rain on both the righteous and the unrighteous.  If you love only those who love you, what reward do you have?  Don’t even the tax collectors do the same?  And if you greet only your brothers and sisters, what more are you doing?  Don’t even the Gentiles do the same?  Therefore, just as your heavenly Father is complete in showing love to everyone, so also you must be complete.”

-Matthew 5:43-48 (Common English Bible)

View the .pdf of Songs & Announcements. ]]> http://www.allgather.org/home/2013/04/05/sunday-preview-apr-7/feed/ 0 http://www.allgather.org/home/2013/03/31/easter/ http://www.allgather.org/home/2013/03/31/easter/#comments Sun, 31 Mar 2013 23:54:48 +0000 Jeff Crawford http://www.allgather.org/home/?p=6473 Mark Acuff
Ephesians 2:1-10

It still occurs to me how odd it is.

That two thousand years later we would still be talking about Jesus of Nazareth.

I know that people still talk about and follow the teachings of founders of other world religions, but no other notable figure died such a shameful death so early in his career.

Why does the news of Jesus continue to go to new generations, to jump to other cultures? Why will people from so many different countries, languages and ethnic groups be celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ this Sunday?

Because the power that raised Jesus from the dead is still at work raising to life anyone who receives the good message.

We celebrate Easter at the Gathering Church this Sunday by looking at Ephesians 2:1-10. The writer, Paul tells people who had not been with Jesus, who had not witnessed his resurrection that God has “made them alive.”

How does the resurrection of Jesus matter to our lives today? How does God work to do good things in our lives? Why was the resurrection of Jesus just the beginning?

He is risen.

Celebrate Easter this Sunday.

This Week’s Scripture Passage

“At one time you were like a dead person because of the things you did wrong and your offenses against God.  You used to act like most people in our world do.  You followed the rule of a destructive spiritual power.  This is the spirit of disobedience to God’s will that is now at work in persons whose lives are characterized by disobedience.  At one time you were like those persons.  All of you used to do whatever felt good and whatever you thought you wanted so that you were children headed for punishment just like everyone else.

However, God is rich in mercy. He brought us to life with Christ while we were dead as a result of those things that we did wrong.  He did this because of the great love that he has for us.  You are saved by God’s grace!  And God raised us up and seated us in the heavens with Christ Jesus.  God did this to show future generations the greatness of his grace by the goodness that God has shown us in Christ Jesus.

You are saved by God’s grace because of your faith.  This salvation is God’s gift. It’s not something you possessed.  It’s not something you did that you can be proud of.   Instead, we are God’s accomplishment, created in Christ Jesus to do good things. God planned for these good things to be the way that we live our lives.”

-Ephesians 2:1-10 (Common English Bible)

View the .pdf of Songs & Announcements.

The chill ascends from feet to knees

The fever sings in mental wires.

If to be warmed, then I must freeze

And quake in frigid purgatorial fires

Of which the flame is roses, and the smoke is briars.

The dripping blood our only drink,

The bloody flesh our only food:

In spite of which we like to think

That we are sound, substantial flesh and blood-

Again, in spite of that, we call this Friday good.

-T.S. Eliot, East Coker

View the .pdf of Songs & Announcements.

It doesn’t matter when the first game started in this year’s tournament. March Madness didn’t begin until #14-seeded Harvard beat #3-seeded New Mexico. You can count on one hand the number of times that has happened.

Palm Sunday, this Sunday, is the Church’s version of March Madness. Okay, maybe it’s a stretch to connect sports to Jesus and Palm Sunday sometimes happens in April, but what is not a stretch is to understand what prompted a crowd to go crazy over what they were seeing.

The unexpected.

This Sunday at the Gathering Church Matthew 21:1-11 will be our guide to the event which Palm Sunday celebrates, Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem.

Why did the crowd go crazy over “this prophet from Nazareth in Galilee (an unseeded prophet in the scheme of things)?

What do we learn about Jesus from this that matters today?

What changes about life when we expect the unexpected work of God in our lives?

This Sunday at the Gathering Church.

This Week’s Scripture Passage

“When they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus gave two disciples a task.  He said to them, ‘Go into the village over there. As soon as you enter, you will find a donkey tied up and a colt with it. Untie them and bring them to me.  If anybody says anything to you, say that the Lord needs it.’ He sent them off right away.   Now this happened to fulfill what the prophet said,   Say to Daughter Zion, ‘Look, your king is coming to you, humble and riding on a donkey, and on a colt the donkey’s offspring.’

The disciples went and did just as Jesus had ordered them.  They brought the donkey and the colt and laid their clothes on them. Then he sat on them.

Now a large crowd spread their clothes on the road. Others cut palm branches off the trees and spread them on the road.  The crowds in front of him and behind him shouted, ‘Hosanna to the Son of David!  Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the Lord!  Hosanna in the highest!’  And when Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred up. ‘Who is this?’ they asked.  The crowds answered, ‘It’s the prophet Jesus from Nazareth in Galilee.’”

-Matthew 21:1-11 (Common English Bible)

View the .pdf of Songs & Announcements.

Marriage is like flies on a window.

The ones on the inside are trying to get out.

With that combination of humor and realism he had us. We knew we weren’t going to hear some sanctimonious, guilt-producing speech on marriage.

This Sunday at the Gathering Church I continue the study of Jesus’ teaching known as the Sermon on the Mount, Matthew 5:31-32. In this incredible summary of how Jesus imagines life with God he speaks very directly about divorce. Instead of ignoring real life he takes it head on because even though single, he knows that the best place and the hardest place to experience the glory of God’s kingdom is in marriage.

His words become another occasion to realize that Jesus is not intent on giving us new rules.

His goal is life.

This Sunday.

This Week’s Scripture Passage

“It was said, ‘Whoever divorces his wife must give her a divorce certificate.’ But I say to you that whoever divorces his wife except for sexual unfaithfulness forces her to commit adultery. And whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.”

-Matthew 5:31-32 (Common English Bible)

View the .pdf of Songs & Announcements.

He says that looking at a woman with lust is as bad as adultery. And he says that anyone who divorces except for infidelity commits adultery.

Really, Jesus?

I dare you to try that not-lusting thing in the 21st century. And Jesus, you must not understand marriage. How could you?

This Sunday at the Gathering Church I continue the series, At Hand: Jesus’ Teaching on Living Well. And we will discover that Jesus has an amazing way of connecting to realities that most threaten our good experience with life.

He’s not setting up new rules. He’s illustrating a principle that leads to what we need most – heart change.

This Sunday: Jesus for the 21st century.

This Week’s Scripture Passage

““You have heard that it was said, Don’t commit adultery.  But I say to you that every man who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery in his heart.  And if your right eye causes you to fall into sin, tear it out and throw it away. It’s better that you lose a part of your body than that your whole body be thrown into hell.  And if your right hand causes you to fall into sin, chop it off and throw it away. It’s better that you lose a part of your body than that your whole body go into hell.

-Matthew 5:27-30 (Common English Bible)

View the .pdf of Songs & Announcements.

This Week’s Scripture Passage

“Again you have heard that it was said to those who lived long ago: Don’t make a false solemn pledge, but you should follow through on what you have pledged to the Lord.  But I say to you that you must not pledge at all. You must not pledge by heaven, because it’s God’s throne.  You must not pledge by the earth, because it’s God’s footstool. You must not pledge by Jerusalem, because it’s the city of the great king.  And you must not pledge by your head, because you can’t turn one hair white or black.  Let your yes mean yes, and your no mean no. Anything more than this comes from the evil one.

“You have heard that it was said, An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.  But I say to you that you must not oppose those who want to hurt you.  If people slap you on your right cheek, you must turn the left cheek to them as well.  When they wish to haul you to court and take your shirt, let them have your coat too.  When they force you to go one mile, go with them two.  Give to those who ask, and don’t refuse those who wish to borrow from you.

-Matthew 5:33-42 (Common English Bible)

View the .pdf of Songs & Announcements.

The response to the fire and the relief for the 16+ families involved has been overwhelming.  All Saints Church has been amazing in coordinating goods and supplies.  God has truly been faithful in spurring his people to be generous and compassionate.

Now what’s next?

Here is “Phase 2″ as described by Thomas Kortus:

Phase two involves setting up partners with each household affected by the fire. These partners will covenant to walk with the displaced households over the next three weeks in order to pray with them personally in their homes, see what they still need, assess financial need, and help them to access available services. All the residents have moved, but some in are greater need than others. We have many folks in the community who are making furniture available, but we need to know what each household still needs and we also need to work out the logistics to get the available furniture to them. Many of the households are only Spanish speaking, but not all.

Would you be willing to be a relief partner? 

 

Would your home group take on this important role for the next three weeks? 

He was yelling at his nine-year-old son for not paying attention during a youth basketball game. Jim’s face was red with rage, his eyes wide open. He looked like he wanted to strangle his kid.

What a jerk, I thought to myself.

Weeks later some circumstances brought Jim and me together and we became friends. Jim had shelved the faith he had been taught as a child, but now being a parent he had become curious about the possible relevance of God.

Months later Jim became convinced that the things taught about God and Jesus in the Bible were true. He came to realize that he needed the kind of life-change and direction that only Jesus could make happen, and pretty much like the first step in a Twelve Step Program, Jim surrendered the control of his life to the leadership of Christ.

Today Jim is not a perfect person, but without doubt he is a different person. He is known to be one of the most loving, and kind people one can meet. Step into his house and you will immediately sense that you are in a remarkable place of peace.

Interestingly, when Jesus invites people to experience God’s kingdom he indicates that the first change one will experience will have to do with anger, how one experiences and expresses anger.

At the Gathering Church this Sunday I continue the series, At Hand: Jesus’ Teaching on Living Well. From Matthew 5:21-27 in what is known as the Sermon on the Mount, we see Jesus get very practical right off the bat.

What is so damaging and deadly about anger? How is anger so easily disguised that we usually miss its causes and effects? Why does Jesus start with anger when he wants people to have the heart of God’s kingdom?

This Sunday.

This Week’s Scripture Passage

“You have heard that it was said to those who lived long ago, Don’t commit murder, and all who commit murder will be in danger of judgment.  But I say to you that everyone who is angry with their brother or sister will be in danger of judgment.  If they say to their brother or sister, ‘You idiot,’ they will be in danger of being condemned by the governing council.  And if they say, ‘You fool,’ they will be in danger of fiery hell.

Therefore, if you bring your gift to the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift at the altar and go. First make things right with your brother or sister and then come back and offer your gift.  Be sure to make friends quickly with your opponents while you are with them on the way to court. Otherwise, they will haul you before the judge, the judge will turn you over to the officer of the court, and you will be thrown into prison.  I say to you in all seriousness that you won’t get out of there until you’ve paid the very last penny.

-Matthew 5:21-26 (Common English Bible)

View the .pdf of Songs & Announcements.

I hear a statement that starts like that almost every week, sometimes several times in a week depending on what crowd I’m with.

It’s usually an explanation why that person doesn’t have anything to do with Christianity and why they have found spiritual meaning in something else. Some view Christianity as not just irrelevant, but actually toxic to their life experience. They are trying to recover from it. All it gave t hem was guilt and condemnation.

A great irony is that the only people Jesus thought were guilty of anything were the most religious people he knew, not the ones who had bailed out.

So, it’s not surprising that people thought that Jesus had come to reject the religion, including the Law and the commandments.

This Sunday I will be teaching a passage where Jesus describes what he thinks about the Law of God contained in what we call the Old Testament. He wants people to have the fullest experience with the love and purpose of God, and he wants their lives to be ‘good’ or ‘righteous’.

Check out Matthew 5:17-20 as I continue At Hand: Jesus’ Teaching on Living Well.Jesus imagines a transformation in the lives of people that could only be described as ‘good.’ He even promises it.

Is it possible to do church in such a way that most won’t reject their experience when they grow up?

Let’s see.

This Week’s Scripture Passage

“Don’t even begin to think that I have come to do away with the Law and the Prophets.  I haven’t come to do away with them but to fulfill them.  I say to you very seriously that as long as heaven and earth exist, neither the smallest letter nor even the smallest stroke of a pen will be erased from the Law until everything there becomes a reality.  Therefore, whoever ignores one of the least of these commands and teaches others to do the same will be called the lowest in the kingdom of heaven.  But whoever keeps these commands and teaches people to keep them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.  I say to you that unless your righteousness is greater than the righteousness of the legal experts and the Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

-Matthew 5:17-20 (Common English Bible)

View the .pdf of Songs & Announcements.

Isaiah 30:15-26

Download the Ash Wednesday songsheet and liturgy.

Excerpt from the Worship Sourcebook:

The aim of Ash Wednesday worship is threefold:

-to meditate on our mortality, sinfulness, and need of a savior; 

-to renew our commitment to daily repentance in the Lenten season and in all of life; 

-and to remember with confidence and gratitude that Christ has conquered death and sin. 

Ash Wednesday worship, then, is filled with gospel truth. It is a witness to the power and beauty of our union with Christ and to the daily dying and rising with Christ that this entails.

Make sure you get a FREE copy of the “Less is More” devotional to help you journey through Lent.  Available at the service:

Sing ahead.  Here are some of the songs we’ll sing together:

This Week’s Scripture Passage

 “You are the salt of the earth. But if salt loses its saltiness, how will it become salty again? It’s good for nothing except to be thrown away and trampled under people’s feet.  You are the light of the world. A city on top of a hill can’t be hidden.  Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a basket. Instead, they put it on top of a lampstand, and it shines on all who are in the house.  In the same way, let your light shine before people, so they can see the good things you do and praise your Father who is in heaven.

-Matthew 5:13-16 (Common English Bible)

View the .pdf of Songs & Announcements.

I’ve never liked the Beatitudes.

The ‘Blessed’ statements in what is known as the Sermon on the Mount are considered some of Jesus’ most radical and meaningful teaching.

You know –
Blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth.

The poor in spirit, those who mourn, those who are persecuted and spit upon.

Jesus, they are so negative.

Come on, who are you mad at? Did you get picked last for the backyard football game?

And I’m going to teach these on Super Bowl Sunday?

Yes, I’ve just begun a new message series, At Hand: Jesus’ Teaching on Living Well, beginning with Matthew 5:1-12 this week.

Jesus had just announced that the availability of God’s kingdom was now open. And he begins by describing who is well off and prepared to receive it.

Why did Jesus start with these ‘blessings’?

Do they represent a new To Do List for people who want to be good?

Does God like us best when we’re miserable?

What’s the good news about the Beatitudes?

I’ve yet to meet anyone who doesn’t want to be ‘blessed.’

Let’s follow Jesus up to the mountain to see what he has to say.

This Sunday.

This Week’s Scripture Passage

Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up a mountain. He sat down and his disciples came to him.  He taught them, saying:

“Happy are people who are hopeless, because the kingdom of heaven is theirs.

Happy are people who grieve, because they will be made glad.

Happy are people who are humble, because they will inherit the earth.

Happy are people who are hungry and thirsty for righteousness, because they will be fed until they are full.

Happy are people who show mercy, because they will receive mercy.

Happy are people who have pure hearts, because they will see God.

Happy are people who make peace, because they will be called God’s children.

Happy are people whose lives are harassed because they are righteous, because the kingdom of heaven is theirs.

Happy are you when people insult you and harass you and speak all kinds of bad and false things about you, all because of me.  Be full of joy and be glad, because you have a great reward in heaven. In the same way, people harassed the prophets who came before you.

-Matthew 5:1-12 (Common English Bible)

View the .pdf of Songs & Announcements.

Mark 4:1-9

This Sunday at the Gathering Church we welcome a very special guest speaker, Makoto Fujimura.  Mr. Fujimura is in town for the opening of an exhibition at Duke Chapel centered around T.S. Eliot’s Four Quartets.

For more on Mako visit his personal website, his organization’s website, or the event website for the Duke event.  Here is a also press release for this event.  Below is a video from his previous visit to Durham and Duke.

Makoto Fujimura visits Duke University (2011) from Pilar Timpane on Vimeo.

This Week’s Scripture Passage

Jesus began to teach beside the lake again. Such a large crowd gathered that he climbed into a boat there on the lake. He sat in the boat while the whole crowd was nearby on the shore.  He said many things to them in parables. While teaching them, he said,

“Listen to this! A farmer went out to scatter seed.  As he was scattering seed, some fell on the path; and the birds came and ate it.  Other seed fell on rocky ground where the soil was shallow. They sprouted immediately because the soil wasn’t deep.  When the sun came up, it scorched the plants; and they dried up because they had no roots.  Other seed fell among thorny plants. The thorny plants grew and choked the seeds, and they produced nothing.  Other seed fell into good soil and bore fruit. Upon growing and increasing, the seed produced in one case a yield of thirty to one, in another case a yield of sixty to one, and in another case a yield of one hundred to one.”  He said, “Whoever has ears to listen should pay attention!”

-Mark 4:1-9 (Common English Bible)

View the .pdf of Songs & Announcements.

“Thy kingdom come …”

I wonder how many times I prayed that when I was growing up and didn’t have a clue about what I was asking.

My assumption was that it would come later or whenever that might happen.  I assumed it referred to the end of the world or the return of Christ, or certainly something different from anything relevant to my daily life.

I had no idea that there was a now component to that prayer; that the Kingdom of God had already broken into the present.  I certainly had no idea that what Jesus talked about more than anything was the Kingdom of God.  I thought that it was a different place at a far off time.

This Sunday at the Gathering Church I begin a new message series, At Hand: Jesus’ Teaching for Living Well, a study of the Sermon on the Mount, Matthew 5-7.  To introduce it, I will give the background from Matthew 4:23-25.  When Jesus announces the gospel, the ‘good news’ is usually described as the “good news of the kingdom.”

What is life like if we live under the leadership, authority, and power of the King?  Jesus gives us a pretty clear picture of that life.   What if we were growing into that life more and more?

At Hand – this Sunday.

This Week’s Scripture Passage

Jesus traveled throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues. He announced the good news of the kingdom and healed every disease and sickness among the people.  News about him spread throughout Syria. People brought to him all those who had various kinds of diseases, those in pain, those possessed by demons, those with epilepsy, and those who were paralyzed, and he healed them.  Large crowds followed him from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea, and from the areas beyond the Jordan River.

-Matthew 4:23-25 (Common English Bible)

View the .pdf of Songs & Announcements.

Colossians 1:24-29

Mark Acuff

“Actually,” he said, “a legend in the train industry lives right in our neighborhood.”

“What has he done?” I asked.

“He’s an older guy that could retire but he still keeps working. He’s the person who developed the standard system that allows us to coordinate over two million pieces of equipment on the tracks. If something breaks down in Rocky Mount, after fixing it a mechanic in a matter of seconds can find out everything he needs to know in order to bill somebody for his work.”

“This man made that possible.”

I always enjoy hearing about people who have made a significant contribution in their work or community. There’s a story and a focus about their life that inspires others.

This Sunday at the Gathering Church I will teach about the focus of the apostle Paul as he describes it in Colossians 1:24-29. His example both inspires and challenges us to know what story is being written by our lives.

How is it that ordinary people become part of a story that changes eternity.

This Sunday.

This Week’s Scripture Passage

Now I’m happy to be suffering for you.  I’m completing what is missing from Christ’s sufferings with my own body. I’m doing this for the sake of his body, which is the church.  I became a servant of the church by God’s commission, which was given to me for you, in order to complete God’s word.  I’m completing it with a secret plan that has been hidden for ages and generations but which has now been revealed to his holy people.  God wanted to make the glorious riches of this secret plan known among the Gentiles, which is Christ living in you, the hope of glory.  This is what we preach as we warn and teach every person with all wisdom so that we might present each one mature in Christ.  I work hard and struggle for this goal with his energy, which works in me powerfully.

-Colossians 1:24-29 (Common English Bible)

View the .pdf of Songs & Announcements.

Psalm 37:1-8

Mark Acuff

At the beginning of a New Year it is a good exercise to consider what verbs you want to most characterize your life.

What are some of yours?

Focus? Exercise? Believe? Love? Learn? Lose Wight? Lead? Change – like to a different job, different car, different house?

I like to begin each year by looking at a Psalm, a passage that will help me identify God-type verbs.

This Sunday at the Gathering Church I will teach from Psalm 37:1-8. It has some great verbs. But, it starts out with a negative one: ‘don’t fret.’

How did God know that for many of us our starting place is worry, stressing, or just plain frustration?

The alternative verbs are good, really good.

How can we choose good verbs?

This Sunday.

This Week’s Scripture Passage

Don’t get upset over evildoers; don’t be jealous of those who do wrong, because they will fade fast, like grass; they will wither like green vegetables.

Trust the Lord and do good; live in the land, and farm faithfulness.

Enjoy the Lord, and he will give what your heart asks.

Commit your way to the Lord!

Trust him! He will act and will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, your justice like high noon.

Be still before the Lord, and wait for him.
Don’t get upset when someone gets ahead—someone who invents evil schemes.

Let go of anger and leave rage behind!  Don’t get upset—it will only lead to evil.

-Psalm 37:1-8  (Common English Bible)

View the .pdf of Songs & Announcements.

Luke 2:21-38

Mark Acuff

Have you also known people who in the midst of the most crushing blows somehow manage to have grace and strength?

I’ve been both kind of people at different times.

But, I know which person I would prefer to be.

This Sunday, the last one of 2012 the Gathering Church will have a special service as we look at some of the first experiences people had with the new-born Jesus. Check out Luke 2:21-38 in the Sunday Preview below.

Two people, Simeon and Anna saw something in Jesus that others could not see. How is it possible to have the capacity to see what God is doing? How can our perspective change when nothing else around us changes?

This Sunday.

This Week’s Scripture Passage

When eight days had passed, Jesus’ parents circumcised him and gave him the name Jesus.  This was the name given to him by the angel before he was conceived.  When the time came for their ritual cleansing, in accordance with the Law from Moses, they brought Jesus up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord.  (It’s written in the Law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male will be dedicated to the Lord.”)  They offered a sacrifice in keeping with what’s stated in the Law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.

A man named Simeon was in Jerusalem. He was righteous and devout. He eagerly anticipated the restoration of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested on him.  The Holy Spirit revealed to him that he wouldn’t die before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.  Led by the Spirit, he went into the temple area. Meanwhile, Jesus’ parents brought the child to the temple so that they could do what was customary under the Law.  Simeon took Jesus in his arms and praised God. He said, “Now, master, let your servant go in peace according to your word, because my eyes have seen your salvation.  You prepared this salvation in the presence of all peoples.  It’s a light for revelation to the Gentiles and a glory for your people Israel.”

His father and mother were amazed by what was said about him.  Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “This boy is assigned to be the cause of the falling and rising of many in Israel and to be a sign that generates opposition so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your innermost being too.”

There was also a prophet, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, who belonged to the tribe of Asher. She was very old. After she married, she lived with her husband for seven years.  She was now an 84-year-old widow. She never left the temple area but worshipped God with fasting and prayer night and day.  She approached at that very moment and began to praise God and to speak about Jesus to everyone who was looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.

-Luke 2:21-38  (Common English Bible)

View the .pdf of Songs & Announcements.

Luke 2:1-8

Mark Acuff

We’ll gather together at 5:30pm at Creekside Elementary to sing, hear the Christmas story read from Luke’s gospel, share Communion, and light candles.  A special offering will be taken up to benefit our local partner in ministry, World Relief Durham.  WR works with immigration, refugee hospitality, and against human trafficking.  See their video below for more information:

World Relief Christmas 2012 from World Relief on Vimeo.

View the .pdf of Songs & Announcements.

This Week’s Scripture Passage

In those days Caesar Augustus declared that everyone throughout the empire should be enrolled in the tax lists.  This first enrollment occurred when Quirinius governed Syria.  Everyone went to their own cities to be enrolled.  Since Joseph belonged to David’s house and family line, he went up from the city of Nazareth in Galilee to David’s city, called Bethlehem, in Judea.  He went to be enrolled together with Mary, who was promised to him in marriage and who was pregnant.

While they were there, the time came for Mary to have her baby.  She gave birth to her firstborn child, a son, wrapped him snugly, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the guestroom.

-Luke 2:1-7  (Common English Bible)

View the .pdf of Songs & Announcements.

Luke 1:68-79

Naphtaly Mattah – Founder, Gethsemane Garden Christian Centre

This Week’s Scripture Passage

“Bless the Lord God of Israel because he has come to help and has delivered his people.  He has raised up a mighty savior for us in his servant David’s house, just as he said through the mouths of his holy prophets long ago.  He has brought salvation from our enemies and from the power of all those who hate us.  He has shown the mercy promised to our ancestors, and remembered his holy covenant, the solemn pledge he made to our ancestor Abraham.  He has granted that we would be rescued from the power of our enemies so that we could serve him without fear, in holiness and righteousness in God’s eyes, for as long as we live.

You, child, will be called a prophet of the Most High, for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way.  You will tell his people how to be saved through the forgiveness of their sins.  Because of our God’s deep compassion, the dawn from heaven will break upon us, to give light to those who are sitting in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide us on the path of peace.”

-Luke 1:68-79  (Common English Bible)

Join us in welcoming the founder of Gethsemane Garden Christian Centre in Kenya, Naphtaly Mattah.  Naphtaly and Bill Lineberger will share some of their experiences in serving and loving some of the “least of these” and invite us to participate in God’s work of renewal.  Here is a two year old video that’ll give you a brief introduction to GGCC:

View the .pdf of Songs & Announcements.

Mark Acuff

Mary, the mother-to-be of Jesus delivers one of the most inspiring pieces of poetry when she realizes that God is doing something incredible in her life, something incredible even for the whole world.

She begins what we now refer to as The Magnificat by describing it as God being mindful of her, literally, ‘looking on her.’

I have occasionally asked people to describe how relevant God is in their life. One person quickly replied, “On a scale one to ten? Point five. Just in case God really exists.”

“How relevant is your dad in your life?”, I asked.

“My dad? I call him twice a day. “Sammy, baby, how ya doing?’”

In the same discussion another said, “God is about a five in my life.”

Later I turned the question around. “How relevant do you think you are to God?”

The more God-relevant friend instantly replied.

“That’s easy. Zero! Why would God ever think of me.”

The biggest spiritual discovery that anyone can ever make is to discover that God is mindful of them.

This Sunday at the Gathering Church we will learn more about that discovery through Mary’s experience in Luke 1:46-56. The kids of the church will help us learn by presenting their Christmas music. Want to keep your heart soft and open? Watch and listen to kids sing.

Join us for the Gathering Kids’ Christmas Program!

View the .pdf of Songs & Announcements.

Isaiah 9:2-7

Mark Acuff

Our president is incredible! He’s the best leader ever!

Our Congress and Senate are amazing! They make the best decisions and the best laws.

We couldn’t be better led. I hope my kid grows up to be a politician.

The prophet Isaiah imagined people saying such things about a leader. The season of Advent begins with a prophecy about such a leader.

This Sunday at the Gathering Church we begin to focus on the coming of Christ, The Advent of Our King, by looking at Isaiah 9:2-7. You will recognize the passage. In it we will discover some of the most important lessons about life. Such as:

Unless God acts we are stuck.

Christ comes with what we most need.

My preparation for this Sunday has surprised me once again about the power of the promise in this passage. I hope you’ll be surprised too.

This Sunday.

This Week’s Scripture Passage

The people walking in darkness have seen a great light.  On those living in a pitch-dark land, light has dawned.  You have made the nation great; you have increased its joy.  They rejoiced before you as with joy at the harvest, as those who divide plunder rejoice.  As on the day of Midian, you’ve shattered the yoke that burdened them, the staff on their shoulders, and the rod of their oppressor.  Because every boot of the thundering warriors, and every garment rolled in blood will be burned, fuel for the fire.

A child is born to us, a son is given to us, and authority will be on his shoulders.  He will be named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.

There will be vast authority and endless peace for David’s throne and for his kingdom, establishing and sustaining it with justice and righteousness now and forever.  The zeal of the Lord of heavenly forces will do this.

-Isaiah 9:2-7  (Common English Bible)

View the .pdf of Songs & Announcements.

Luke 17:11-19

Chris Breslin

Why is it that a holiday whose core value should penetrate our everyday, not just a season or a day, is given such short shrift?

Then to make matters more complicated…

Every once in a while a book comes around that you can’t get around.  Surprises to everyone.  Christian book publisher, Zondervan was shocked that a little book by megachurch pastor Rick Warren might sell more than 30 million copies.  In 2002, you couldn’t go anywhere without someone talking about the Purpose-Driven Life.  Similarly in 2007, with a tiny self published book of trinitarian fiction called The Shack.  When something becomes a sensation, we do well to pay attention to what desire it speaks to.  So even as Thanksgiving’s stock is at an all-time low, a little book called One Thousand Gifts comes along and has begun to cultivate thanksgiving for thousands of readers.

This Sunday, we’ll dive into a scripture story where Jesus encounters the spectrum of thanks and unthanks.  We’ll also start thinking on what it means and how its done: living eucharistic lives, built on experiencing and acknowledging the good gifts of God.

This Week’s Scripture Passage:

On the way to Jerusalem, Jesus traveled along the border between Samaria and Galilee.  As he entered a village, ten men with skin diseases approached him. Keeping their distance from him, they raised their voices and said, “Jesus, Master, show us mercy!”

When Jesus saw them, he said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” As they left, they were cleansed.  One of them, when he saw that he had been healed, returned and praised God with a loud voice.  He fell on his face at Jesus’ feet and thanked him. He was a Samaritan.

Jesus replied, “Weren’t ten cleansed? Where are the other nine?  No one returned to praise God except this foreigner?”  Then Jesus said to him, “Get up and go. Your faith has healed you.”

-Luke 17:11-19  (Common English Bible)

View the .pdf of Songs & Announcements.

2 Corinthians 9:6-15

Mark Acuff

It was a record. The money spent in the presidential election far exceeded anything spent before. Some Super Pacs were spending a million dollars a week on advertising. The losing party was shocked that it lost. It may have had the largest donors.

Yet, the power structures didn’t change. Same president, same Congress, same Senate as far as control. Critics of campaign spending were quick to say that all of that money changed nothing.

What power does money have?

This Sunday at the Gathering Church I will complete a message series, Surprising a Deficit World with Generous Living. Check out 2 Corinthians 9:6-15.

You might be surprised to find out that money does have a lot of power. It actually has the power to reverse the root disconnect between people and God. Even though the love of money is the root of all evil the generous use of money can be the cause of a great harvest of grace, goodness and gratitude.

Want to learn how not to worry about money? How to freely enjoy God’s power with money?

This Sunday.

This Week’s Scripture Passage:

What I mean is this: the one who sows a small number of seeds will also reap a small crop, and the one who sows a generous amount of seeds will also reap a generous crop.  Everyone should give whatever they have decided in their heart. They shouldn’t give with hesitation or because of pressure. God loves a cheerful giver.  God has the power to provide you with more than enough of every kind of grace. That way, you will have everything you need always and in everything to provide more than enough for every kind of good work.

As it is written, He scattered everywhere; he gave to the needy; his righteousness remains forever.  The one who supplies seed for planting and bread for eating will supply and multiply your seed and will increase your crop, which is righteousness.  You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous in every way. Such generosity produces thanksgiving to God through us.  Your ministry of this service to God’s people isn’t only fully meeting their needs but it is also multiplying in many expressions of thanksgiving to God.  They will give honor to God for your obedience to your confession of Christ’s gospel. They will do this because this service provides evidence of your obedience, and because of your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone.  They will also pray for you, and they will care deeply for you because of the outstanding grace that God has given to you.  

Thank God for his gift that words can’t describe!

2 Corinthians 9:6-15  (Common English Bible)

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2 Corinthians 8:1-9

Mark Acuff

Now that the election is over and half the nation is relieved or happy and the other half is upset or mad we get to look forward to falling off an economic cliff at the end of the year.

Happy New Year.

You get killed when you fall off a cliff.

Unless you have wings.

This Sunday at the Gathering Church I begin a two-week message series about money – our personal economy. Those who have experienced the love and joy of Christ look really different from the rest of society when it comes to money. They have the same needs as everyone else, face the same opportunities and challenges, but their experience is different.

Somehow when it comes to cliffs they have wings.

This series, Surprising a Deficit World with Generous Living will focus on 2 Corinthians 8, 9 beginning this week with 8:1-9.

How can something that brings us so much stress be transformed into an occasion for incredible grace and joy?

Let’s learn how to fly. It beats falling.

This Week’s Scripture Passage:

Brothers and sisters, we want to let you know about the grace of God that was given to the churches of Macedonia.  While they were being tested by many problems, their extra amount of happiness and their extreme poverty resulted in a surplus of rich generosity.  I assure you that they gave what they could afford and even more than they could afford, and they did it voluntarily.  They urgently begged us for the privilege of sharing in this service for the saints.  They even exceeded our expectations, because they gave themselves to the Lord first and to us, consistent with God’s will.  As a result, we challenged Titus to finish this work of grace with you the way he had started it.

Be the best in this work of grace in the same way that you are the best in everything, such as faith, speech, knowledge, total commitment, and the love we inspired in you.  I’m not giving an order, but by mentioning the commitment of others, I’m trying to prove the authenticity of your love also.  You know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Although he was rich, he became poor for our sakes, so that you could become rich through his poverty.

2 Corinthians 8:1-9  (Common English Bible)

View the .pdf of Songs & Announcements.