While doing my morning devotions today, I came to this place in Psalm 84, verse 10 that always cheers my heart. “For a day in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness.” This is especially meaningful to me since I have been hearing my wife sing this portion of Scripture since we first met. Her dear friend, Judy Stiles, put a tune to these words in 1975, and at the age of nineteen, Janet recorded it on an album with her. Even more than the emotional attachment I have with these verses, I have a theological one. I would rather be a servant in God’s Kingdom than do anything else in the world!
With all the challenges of life, we can sometimes forget that “church” is supposed to be a delight. That’s why we make no apologies for having a good time at Gateway. This Sunday is going to be a blast! I will be leading the Master Class discussion from 9-10 in the Gateway Bistro. We will take time to explore the Scripture and application from Pastor Sam’s message of the previous week, Repacking my “personal” baggage, then I will attend one of our rousing worship services as Sam continues in his five week sermon series and helps us unpack our emotional baggage. Afterwards, our annual church picnic begins! We’ll eat great food provided by everyone, pot-luck picnic style, rock climbing, games, the Jumpitz www.jumpitz.com will be there. One of their members, our own homegrown Christina Hambrick Caster, will be playing the part of Emily. Last, but not least, we’ll be watching a Wheelchair Basketball Exhibition Game with champion player Samuel Nehemiah and friends. You can read more about this world-class champion here: http://champsheart.com/index.html. Sunday will be a super day; I hope to see you then!
All you golfers, mark your calendars for Monday, May 17th, for Gateway’s Annual Golf Tournament to raise funds for our World Changers Summer Mission Trip to Salt Lake City in mid July. In my opinion, there is no more enjoyable way to raise money for missions than spend the day in play, golfing for God. At the following link you can read testimonies from people who have been ministered to by youth and their adult sponsors giving up their summer vacations to do hard manual labor on houses for the poor: http://www.world-changers.net/site/c.jj ... ngers.htm.
As the Scripture says, the joy of the Lord is our strength, but let me leave you with more verses of this beautiful psalm, “For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless. O Lord Almighty, blessed is the one who trusts in you.” Psalm 84:11,12
In Christ,
Pastor Mark
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Do you have a love for Christ, an easy smile, warm handshake, and a desire to make everyone feel welcome? If so, you may want to be a part of our Welcome Team Ministry: Meeters, Greeters & Seaters. There will be a brief meeting in the Bistro this Sunday after the 2nd service. Click the following link to find out more!
http://www.gatewaychurchonline.com/mini ... 20Seaters/
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AWANA Talent Show & Spaghetti Dinner this Saturday night @ 6pm in the Gateway Church auditorium. Tickets on sale at the door, $6.00. Proceeds benefit our AWANA Teen Leadership Camp.
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