What this reinforces, of course for me, is that men and women are different. We have different interests different concerns and different perspectives on life. And that is exactly what I will be covering in my 9AM – 10AM Master Class this Sunday in the Bistro as we take a look at Repacking my “spouse” baggage. How do men and women get along in marriage? What is marriage anyway? Why can it be so incredibly challenging, yet one of the most fulfilling relationships life has to offer? I am almost embarrassed to tell you that everything I know about marriage can be put into 50 minutes, but it is true. The principles are simple, the applications can be challenging. But if we get this marriage thing right, from God’s perspective, at the core of our being there is a place of peace, tranquility, and comfort. Then we can go out and change the world. God would have nothing less for us.
If you are around the age of 30, you may want to attend a THREE-O 80’s party! What a fun way to get connected to others at Gateway. Here is their information: Attention thirty year olds plus or minus some years!! Join THREE-O, Gateway's new fellowship ministry THIS FRIDAY NIGHT for 80's Night at church from 6-8pm. Bring a friend! This is a great environment to get to make new connections. There will be a costume contest for the best 80's outfit and awesome trivia (don't worry, you don't have to be an 80's expert to win). Bring an appetizer or dessert if you can. Childcare is provided upon request. Please E-mail Jamie Swope at jamie4jc@yahoo.com to RSVP.
Pray for the women of all ages who will be gathering at 11am on Saturday for “Decorating Your Heart,” a delicious brunch, uplifting messages and satisfying fellowship. Any men who would like to help with food service and general assistance during this event, please contact Steve Lilyquist at (619) 985 7118.
And of course, we would love to see you at our two dynamic worship services, 8:30am Blended/Traditional and 10:15am Contemporary. Don Howell and Lori Powell pray about and plan worship services that help prepare our hearts for God to do His work. Come ready to hear Pastor Sam’s fourth message, Repacking your “parent” baggage, as the Lord continues to lighten our baggage with His truth!
It is a privilege being your pastor, and I pray that God would bless you! Pastor Mark
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( 3.1 / 29 )When musing about today’s words of encouragement, I thought first of writing about the rain, how April showers bring May flowers and that God always brings in our lives sunshine and joy, but also challenges and clouds. But then I also realized that today starts the NFL Draft, and I pondered spinning a tale reaching half the population, talking about how every year there needs to be a new influx of talent and personalities for a team to be victorious, spinning off into thoughts of how church can be the same, and how new people can bring new skills, energy, resources and fun to our fellowship. All of these thoughts have been eclipsed by one seven pound bundle of joy. This week, for Jan and me, is about baby Isaac Jonathan Jappe has arrived and has come home to be with us. And it seems like everything I read or see or touch has something to do with being a granddad. For instance, this morning’s Proverb (13:22a) struck me, “A good man leaves an inheritance for his children’s children.” How I desire to be a good man and give my grandson a head start in life. My Old Testament reading in Joshua had this verse, “But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” Joshua 24:15b
I want serving the Lord to be a hallmark of everything we do in our home. In times like these, we really do find out what is most important. It always should be our God, our family. Keep pressing on as we make Gateway Church the best place for children and their families.
In Christ,
Pastor Mark
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( 3 / 6 )April 15, 2010
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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( 3 / 6 )April 1, 2010
The memories of this day from my childhood are so vivid for me. Every year without fail, my mother would present hot steaming syrup to my father, as if it were a freshly brewed cup of coffee. As he grimaced in disgust, my mother would exclaim, “April Fools!” and roaring laughter was heard ‘round the block.
Today in the office, our delightful administrative assistant Kelli Stevers, shared with me a favorite April Fools’ joke she once told her small group of teen girls, that the Dakotas decided to merge. No longer would there be North and South Dakota, just one big plain state. “O my, what do we do? There will only be 49 states!” Gullible young ladies had to be reminded it was April Fools’ Day.
What this day is, unofficially, of course, is National Atheists’ Day. The reason? Because the Bible says, “The fool has said in his heart, there is no God.” (Psalm 14:1) One would be a fool to say there is no God, for indeed, He is all around us as confirmed by the complexity of our world, the moral compass in our hearts, and the revelation of Scripture confirmed by the prophecies, the greatest of which is the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus.
So here we are on the Thursday before Easter, just four days away from the biggest piece of evidence, the resurrection, displaying God’s loving personality, and His divine attributes! And we would all be fools not to share this news with others. Pray for, invite, and bring a friend. This Easter, come on time, park further, sit closer, and have a heart ready to receive God’s Word for you! In Christ, Pastor Mark
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( 3.3 / 7 )If we were to step back in time 2000 years ago, we would be eight days away from the crucifixion, hopefully walking with Jesus to Jerusalem. His eyes were looking straight ahead, His heart was getting ready for His impending death, but His spirit was determined and strong. It seemed like nothing could stop Him.
But on His way through the town called Jericho, Jesus saw a very interesting sight indeed. Because of the crowd, a man of short stature was straining to see Him, while perched on the limb of a sycamore tree. Jesus stopped and said to this man, "Zacchaeus, hurry down. Today is my day to be a guest in your home."
If we have the heart of Jesus, we will not overlook anyone either. We will not look past them, we will not look right through them, with a blank stare, but instead, out hearts would be looking for the people God puts in our path. This happened to Jan and me this week. Marlo Hunter’s Uncle Denny passed away recently, and she graciously asked me to lead his service. While meeting with the family before and after the memorial, I got to meet one of God’s precious angels. Her name is Katelyn, just a few months old, and a child with downs syndrome, but one who God and family have absolutely come to love. And if you had the chance to spend time with her, you would come to know why, because God sees value in every single life.
You don’t have to get straight As, play in the NBA, or start a new business to count for God. Let’s all make sure we don’t just walk by a Zacchaeus or Katelyn God puts in our path. Ask for Jesus’ eyes. “God, help us to see people as You see them and to stop and speak a word of witness.”
In Christ,
Pastor Mark
Important dates to mark on your calendar:
Sunday, April 4: Easter!
Sunday, April 18: Church Picnic, following the 2nd service at Woodglen Vista Park, Santee
Remember to read The Weekly Edition of the Good News Globe written by Linda Lilyquist here: http://www.gatewaychurchonline.com/medi ... ng_six.pdf
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