november sermon series: thank god - clover...
TRANSCRIPT
November 2012
Volume 41
Issue 11
Sermon Series 1
Thanksgiving Dinner
1
Live for Christ Pastor Karl
2
Live, Grow, Serve Courses
2
Grief Share’s Surviving the Holidays
3
Mother/Son Event
3
Women’s Ministry Event
3
Can You Cook A Turkey?
3
In Sympathy 3
WNL Taking a Break
3
Growth 4
Missions 5
Children’s Pursuit Ministry
6
Teens’ Collide Ministry
7
Calendar 8
Servant Teams 8
Christmas Musical
8
november sermon series: thank god
thanksgiving is more than we think
Thanksgiving is a time of celebration. Yet, it’s more than getting together with
family, overeating, watching football or ice-skating, and then picking through the
leftovers. Thanksgiving is more than what it’s become. It’s a time to express
thanks to God in a big way, not holding back our praises for what He’s done, He’s
doing, and will do in our lives.
11/18/12 / Psalm 118: Thanks for Nothing? / Karl Schad, Senior Minister
11/25/12 / Psalm 119: Thanks On Beyond Zebra… / Karl Schad, Senior Minister
(The Afterlife sermon series continues on November 4 and concludes on November 11.)
thanksgiving potluck dinner sunday, november 18 — 6:00 pm
On November 18, the Sunday before Thanksgiving, we will have our annual Thanksgiving Potluck Dinner. This is always a very special evening, with dinner beginning at 6:00 pm. The church provides the turkeys and when each family brings two dishes, a vegetable dish and either a salad or a dessert, we always have lots of great food! After the dinner we will have a very brief congregational meeting to approve new elder candidates and the 2013 budget. Of course, you can also expect some stories of how God has blessed His people. You do not want to miss this special night (no sign-up required).
In addition, do not forget that we take a “special” Thanksgiving offering on this Sunday morning. See Pastor Karl’s article for the goal and how it is to be used.
Sign up in the CROSSECTION for the course that is appropriate for you:
live for christ— 101 COURSE grow in christ— 201 COURSE
Sunday, November 11—8:30-9:30 am Sunday, November 4 —8:30-9:30 am
serve like christ— 301 COURSE
Sunday, December 2—8:30-9:30 am 2
TWO FACETS TO THANKS-GIVING / OFFERING GOAL: $35,000 As it is written: "He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor; his righteousness endures forever." Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God's people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. 2 Corinthians 9:9-12
There are two facets to Thanksgiving. There is the “Thanks” component. This is expressed through our songs and the testimonies given during our annual Gateway Thanksgiving Dinner. We look back at all God has done and with our words say...”I want to give you my thanks.”
Yet there is another side to Thanksgiving. You guessed it...it’s the ”Giving” component. This is expressed through a special offering we take each year. We look forward at all God wants to do and with our offering say...”I want to thank you with my giving.” Along with our regular needs, we are asking you to give $15,000 above and beyond to support three life-changing opportunities that will result in “overflowing expressions of thanks to God.”
Operation Secret Blessing It’s kind of secretive, but this is going to be BIG! You can help change the lives of 2 very special people. We
will reveal who they are after the performances of our Christmas Musical -- It’s A Wonderful Life.
Special Needs Cabin at High Hill Christian Camp Help HHCC obtain a matching grant as they build a new special needs cabin to make this Christ-centered
camp accessible to a whole new group of kids, teens, and adults.
Gateway Give What’s better than getting food to a family in need? Gateway mobilizes to shop and stock shelves at the
Circle of Concern food pantry in Valley Park on December 1st. -Live for Jesus, Pastor Karl
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To provide enough turkey for everyone at our Thanksgiving dinner, we need 15 turkeys. Would you be willing to cook a turkeyand make dressing for Sunday, November 18? Turkeys and dressing will be provided by the church; all you need to do is cook one, cut it up, and bring it that evening. If you could make gravy, that would be very helpful. Please contact the church office at [email protected] or (314) 821-2156 if you can help. NOTE: Turkeys will be available for pick-up Wednesday, November 14.
can you cook a turkey?
Have you or a friend recently lost a loved one, or are still struggling with grief from a past loss? GriefShare: Surviving the Holidays is a warm, encouraging and helpful event. Featuring video instruction and group discussion, it helps you deal with the intense pain of grief during the holiday season. Gateway will be offering this free event in the very near future (original Nov. 3 date is being rescheduled). Watch upcoming bulletins for details or contact Paula Reed at [email protected] to indicate your interest in this.
griefshare
wnl finishes mid-month Wednesday, November 14, will be our final Wednesday Night Life for 2012, so we can enjoy all the extra programs and events the Christmas season brings. The fellowship dinner and Bible study classes for all ages will begin again January 9, 2013. Watch future newsletters and bulletins for details on the courses being offered then.
mother and son sporting event
Mothers and Sons . . . It is time to RUMBLE with some sporty (indoor) competition. Hope you have signed up already for our Mother/Son sporting event, being held Friday, November 2, from 6:00-8:00 pm. If so, wear your tennis shoes, comfy clothes and get your game on! Dinner and dessert are provided. Questions? Email Sonja LaGarce at [email protected].
Gateway’s Women’s Ministry is sponsoring a meal making day on Tuesday, November 6 at 6:00 pm. Simple meals will be put together and frozen for use when people from the church are in need of a meal. Come to help prepare meals for a worthy cause and also to fellowship with and enjoy the company of other Gateway women.
meal making
Silas Reed was born at 6:25 am on September 27, weighing 8 lbs, 11 oz, 21” long, to proud new parents, Nick and Jessica. Paula Reed is the proud new grandma. Welcome, little Silas!
welcome baby
Young at Heart (Gateway seniors 55+) will depart from the church at 10:30 am on Saturday, November 3, for Steelville, MO. We will stop in Sullivan for a home-cooked meal and see a Patriotic Music Show at the Meramec Music Theatre. Our April trip was so memorable, we had to go back!
yah trip
in christian sympathy Our heartfelt sympathy is extended to the following people who have lost a loved one recently: Jenni Biggs (aunt); Marlin Ferguson (brother); John Finnegan (father); Tom Harland (grandmother); Cathy Harland (grandmother); Mona Harper (mother); Kimberly Haverly (grandfather); Carrie Imhoff (aunt); Jessica Klinker-fuss (fiancé); Pat Vincent (uncle).
FALL BACK! Remember to set your clocks back 1 hour on Saturday night, November 3.
daylight saving time ends november 4
Healing Heart Counseling Center is available to assist individuals, couples, groups and families to face and overcome life’s greatest challenges and changes.
Contact the center at 314.821.1120 and begin to heal by tending to your heart (calls are strictly confidential; sliding fee scale used).
monthly growth and giving
Worship Sunday School General Fund Special Gifts Missions Bldg/DY2M Fund Total
09/30/12 605 255
$16,194.89 $—
$77.00 $5,087.00
$21,358.89
10/07/12 537 233
$21,470.00 $—
$14.50 $1,232.23
$22,071.73
10/14/12 575 273
$16,417.84 $—
$9.00 $1,060.00
$17,482.84
BAPTISMS
Paula Keoughan
Kathy Boeger
Aletheia Phelan
TRANSFERS
Mary Beth Rindhal
Any of our pastors are available to speak with you about your relation-ship with Jesus Christ. Please call the church office at (314) 821-2156 to speak with one.
“For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever BELIEVES in him will not perish, but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)
“REPENT, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord…” (Acts 3:19)
“If you CONFESS with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, then you will be saved.“ (Romans 10:9)
“Repent and BE BAPTIZED, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins.” (Acts 2:38)
What on earth am I here for? That’s a question we’ve all asked ourselves at one time. The answer is to worship God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength. He created you and longs to have a relationship with you. God made a way for us to find forgiveness, peace, and meaning through His Son, Jesus Christ. We will never find or fulfill our purpose in this life until we let Jesus rescue us from our sin and become the leader of our life. So how do we do that?
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10/21/12 541 323
$15,765.37 $—
$10.35 $732.00
$16,507.72
10/28/12 570 269
$20,939.02 $50.00 $25.00
$1,455.00 $22,569.02
5
november mission opportunities October 21-November 11 – Operation Christmas Child. You are encouraged to fill a shoebox with gifts for a boy or girl age 2-4, 5-9, or 10-14. Gifts may include small, age-appropriate toys and/or toiletries that fit in a shoebox; family photos and personal messages are also encouraged. Please include $7 or more to cover shipping or make your donation online. Envelopes, shoeboxes, labels, and all necessary information are available in the hallway at the Missions table. Grab a shoebox now and start filling it. The shoeboxes must be returned unwrapped to the church no later than November 11 so they can be packed up and delivered to a local Samaritan’s Purse drop-off site. This is a great opportunity for whole families (including small children) to work together to make another child’s Christmas bright and meaningful. Last year Gateway donated 75 shoeboxes. Let’s try for 100 this year!
November 18-December 2 – Gateway is hosting an Angel Tree again this year. There will be a Christmas tree in the Crossection, with angel tags provided by the Salvation Army. Each tag will contain the first name, gender, age, and sizes of a child. If you would like to give a Christmas gift to a local child who would otherwise not receive one, take a tag, or two. Buy something for the child but do not wrap it. Attach the angel and return it to Gateway by December 2. Help make Christmas brighter for children around our city. The presents will be picked up from Gateway by the Salvation Army the week of December 3-7.
November 4 Canned goods (i.e. soup, meat, vegetables, fruit) November 11 Toiletries (for men, women, and children) November 18 Dry Goods (i.e. spaghetti, rice, flour, etc.) November 25 Paper Goods (i.e. paper towels, toilet paper, Ziploc bags)
Donated items are collected at the missions’ table in the front hallway.
bread basket
Gateway will purchase $25 gift cards again for this year’s Gateway GIVE mission and distribute them the Sunday after Thanksgiving.
Individuals and families who pick up gift cards will go shopping to restock Circle of Concern’s pantry shelves; items purchased will then be dropped off by those same families/individuals at Circle of Concern in Valley Park on Saturday, December 1, between 9:00 am-noon. This is a mission opportunity for the whole family, allowing you to share God’s love in a very tangible way with others. Hope you will join us!
it’s gateway give time again!
Shiloh Mission Trip: Nineteen Gateway volunteers spent the September 28-30 weekend at Shiloh Children’s Ranch to help
with repairs, cleaning, building, etc. The team accomplished a lot and enjoyed great fellowship time together.
High Hill Work Day: Around 30 volunteers spent Saturday, October 20, at High Hill Camp, cleaning, repairing, building, and getting the camp ready for winter. Great job!
you made a difference
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During the month of November, our thoughts turn to giving thanks. We just wanted to give heartfelt thanks for the many, many people who work in the Children’s department.
Did you know that our Children’s Ministry is averaging 118 students on a Sunday morning? That
includes kids from birth through 5th grade. Can you imagine how many teachers and helpers we need to teach all these kids how to love God and act like Jesus? On any given Sunday
morning, we need about 40 workers in the preschool and elementary grades and an-other 8 or 9 people to help take care of our babies and toddlers.
We offer Bible study for all children through the 5th grade during all three worship services. Our objective is not only to train Gateway kids in the way of the Lord, but also to keep them safe and secure and feeling loved. To do this, it is neces-sary to have at least 2 adults for every class. Many times we use parents or teenagers to help because we do not have the 2 adults required for a class. Some of the children’s workers will serve one month and then be off a month.
Some serve from September through May and take a break for the summer. But most serve continuously throughout the year. What a terrific group of
teachers and helpers we have for Gateway’s kids!
If you would like to join this elite group of Christian workers, please contact Shari Borders at [email protected] or 314-821-2156. And the next time you see a worker in a yellow apron, blue or red vest, thank them for their service! If you would like to know who our teachers are, just check the posters in the hallway by the entrance to our preschool and/or elementary area.
a time for thanksgiving
Parents: Do you need an afternoon to yourself to relax or do some power shopping for Christmas? If so, your
kids (4 years old – 5th grade) are invited to an afternoon filled with food, fun, service projects, and the
opportunity to make gifts for family members on Sunday, December 2! In order to properly prepare,
pre-registration by Sunday, November 25, and a $6 fee will be necessary to provide the craft projects. Two or
more children attending from one family will only pay $5 each. Registration forms will be available on the
parent take-home papers beginning November 4. Hope to see you there!
children’s christmas party sunday, december 2
12:30—4:00 pm
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collide student ministry — november 2012 from josh
November. What a great month we have planned for your students at Gateway Christian Church. We will be in a series for Wednesday night called Collide Out. This is where we take the Love, Mercy, Compassion, and Grace of Jesus and push it Out into the city, state, or world. A lot of times we take a close look at Christian organizations that help people in Jesus’ name; however, this month we are looking at two global crises around the world.
Poverty and Hunger are the two subjects our students will be looking at during November. Poverty is just the jumping off point for people who die or are sick and unable to get help in every country. The average amount of money a person lives on around the world is $1.28. Hunger-related illness kills 1,000 people every 2 hours around the world.
We will have a guest speaker, David Peterka, talking about his testimony and travels around the world on $1.25. David started an organization called When The Saints. You can learn more about this ministry at www.whenthesaints.com. We are excited to have him come be part of our Collide Out series.
To follow up on Collide Out, we will be hosting a 30 Hour Famine where our students will experience the hunger and poverty people go through in other countries. The famine will start on Friday, November 16, in the morning and go through school, then through the night here at Gateway, until noon on Saturday, the 17th. During the famine, while we are experiencing hunger and poverty, we will be packing meals to send to Haitian people who are in desperate need of even one meal. Parents are welcome to come see and hear what we did at 12:00 on that Saturday.
November will be nothing short of amazing, as we seek to be Jesus’ hands and feet for those in need.
~ Josh
teen tweet Hi, my name is Amy. I am 13, and in 7th grade at Parkway Central Middle School. One of the things God is teaching me is that He should be number one in my life. He should be my top priority. So often I forget the world does not revolve around me. I get caught up in my busy schedule and make excuses for not spending time with God. He doesn’t want my Bible to sit on a shelf until next Sunday; He doesn’t want me to go call my friend instead of praying. He wants to be my focus. Recently, I was in the Shine dinner theater. That was a really amazing experience with a great message. It taught me that things aren’t all about us. God should be the top priority in my life. Also, I am trying to trust God with my life. What He wants me to do, I’ll do. In Collide, we are in the series Awakening. It is about people in the Bible responding to God’s calling. God has amazing plans for me if I trust Him. God has been teaching me to make Him top priority, and He’ll make everything work out.
~ Amy Morgan
SHINE Dinner Theatre was great - thank you, students and parents, for all of your hard work! And now,... it is time to start on Christmas! Our Christmas program is similar to last year's takeoff on "It's a Wonderful Life." A full rehearsal schedule will be available shortly.
shine news
gateway — november 2012
Nov. 4 8:30 C. Harland 9:45 W. Cowan, K. Kendrick, F. Kremer, C. Morgan J. Sterling 11:00 B. Clark, D. & L. Hayes
Wed., Nov. 7 J. Cedeño, M. Jaegers, S. Jaegers Nov. 11 8:30 C. Harland 9:45 J. & K. Bell, C. Morgan, S. & J. Primm 11:00 E. Pratt, V. Roeslein, L. Ryan
Wed., Nov. 14 J. Harris, A. Hill, A. Maupin Nov. 18 8:30 C. Harland 9:45 E. Brame, S. Craighead, C. Morgan, S. Putnam, T. Shon 11:00 C. Finnegan, B. LaGarce, J. Lyons Nov. 25 8:30 C. Harland 9:45 E. Feinstein, S. Holmes, C. Morgan, R. Phelan, V. Schnose 11:00 K. Barnard, B. Clark, J. Vallieres
november nursery workers
november chair teams
Nov 04: Team 1—Jim Haverly Nov 11: Team 2—Alan Putnam Nov 18: Team 3—Steve Keroff Nov 25: Team 4—Mike Holly
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Presented by the Choirs
and Players of
Gateway Christian Church:
“It’s A Wonderful Life – Twisted
(And Then Some)”
Thursday and Friday,
December 13 & 14
@ 7:00 pm
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
1
Band Practice 6:00 pm
Choir Musical Practice
7:00 pm
2
Mother/Son Sporting Event
6:00 pm
3 YAH Excursion 10:30 am
Chair Set-Up Team 1
4
S.U.B.M.I.T. 8:30 am Grow In Christ
201 Course 8:30 am Men’s Basketball 6:30 pm
5
6
Staff Meeting 11:00 am
Women’s Ministry Meal
Making 6:00 pm
7
YAH Core Meeting 9:30 am
Wednesday Night Life 5:30-8:00 pm
8
Band Practice 6:00 pm
9
10
Chair Set-Up Team 2
11 S.U.B.M.I.T. 8:30 am
Live for Christ 101 Course 8:30 am
SHINE Lunch & Rehearsal 12:30 pm
Men’s Basketball 6:30 pm
12
Creation Meeting 6:00 pm
13
Women’s Daytime Bible Study 9:30 am
Staff Meeting
11:00 am
14
Wednesday Night Life 5:30-8:00 pm
15
Band Practice 6:00 pm
Choir Musical Practice
7:00 pm
16
17
Chair Set-Up Team 3
18
Gateway Family Thanksgiving Potluck
Dinner 6:00 pm
19
Women’s Ministry Meeting 6:30 pm
20
Staff Meeting 11:00 am
21
22
Happy Thanksgiving! (church offices
closed)
23
(church offices closed)
24
Chair Set-Up Team 4
25 Gateway GIVE Gift Cards
Distributed
SHINE Lunch & Rehearsal 12:30 pm
Men’s Basketball 6:30 pm
26
Elders’ Meeting 7:00 pm
27
Women’s Daytime Bible Study 9:30 am
Staff Meeting
11:00 am
28
Choir Musical Practice 7:00 pm
29
Band Practice 6:00 pm
Choir & SHINE Musical
Practice 7:00 pm
30
DEC 1
Collide 30-Hour Famine
Gateway GIVE
gateway’s
christmas
musical
Set Your Clocks Back One Hour Tonight!
Daylight Saving Time Ends