I am excited about being back with everyone this Sunday night, as well as welcoming any new folks. The new location at United Church is working out well.
One of the good things about starting something new is that you are forced to ask some very basic questions about purpose. That is, unless you merely want to install what you have always known. We have all had some great experiences with God and with church, but we want to be open to God’s leadership for some fresh ways to serve people with the love of Christ. So, we will ask some very basic questions about purpose.
For instance, “What’s the point of our efforts?” The Apostle Paul had a great answer to that question, which he states in Colossians 1:28,29. I’m not going to give it away, but let’s say this, he said that the point was so incredible that he worked with enormous effort to pursue it with every bit of energy that God would give him. Must be pretty important, then. I’ll give you a clue – it has something to do with the welfare of people. Great things happening in the lives of others are the results. And it has something to do with Christ.
To focus our vision and hopes we will look at his statement in detail on Sunday night.
Also, I’m glad to announce that this Sunday we will receive our first ‘offering.’ People have been asking how they can give to The Gathering Church. Well, we are now official and can accept charitable donations. So, we are beginning our ‘Start-Up Fund’ this week. You may give by attending and putting your contribution in a special box that will be there. Or, you may send it to The Gathering Church at 103 Hogan Ridge Court, Chapel Hill, NC 27516.
So, this new thing is developing one step at a time. I had a great time explaining The Gathering Church to a key leader in town over lunch the other day. It was fun describing the ministry of Jesus, his ability to connect with people who found religion irrelevant. This person was encouraging and began to make suggestions about connecting in a meaningful way.
May we truly be able to follow Jesus into the lives of others.