1. Celebrate God’s presence [Psalm 149:1, Luke 15:32]
2. Educate God’s people [Ephesians 4:11,12]
3. Demonstrate God’s purpose [Matthew 25:35].
When we celebrate during our worship service, we draw closer to God. When we draw closer, we hunger to know Him more. When we know Him more, we long to demonstrate His love to a lost and hurting world, and then we’re back to celebrating God’s presence again! The suggested design for this three-fold theme, is the Celtic knot called a Triquetra, or the Trinity knot, which flows beautifully and endlessly, around and around. God is continuing to change and mold our fellowship. We’re staying bound to the core principles and yet always looking for that right package and ribbon that ties God’s great gift together anew.
I hope to see you on Sunday when I preach the message, Trust in the Lord, from Proverbs 3:5,6. We will be baptizing again, this time at the 8:30 service, and we will all take part in the Lord’s Table.
Thank you for your great response for our San Diego City Fest Food Drive. It is amazing what God has done through His people at Gateway.
God be with you,
Pastor Mark
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( 3 / 40 )Gateway Church is in a wonderful position right now. We have come so far in our fifteen-year history, that we have much for which to thank the Lord. And yet, God still has things for us to accomplish! That’s why from Mother’s Day to Father’s Day, we are going to focus on our children’s ministry with a new promotion and building project called “Lids 4 Kids.” During this time, we are going to highlight the challenge of taking our ministry to children to the next level and beyond. A factor in accomplishing this task is installing ceilings (or lids) in the classrooms, purchasing equipment, and age appropriate furniture. All of this requires resources. In the brochure “Lids 4 Kids” available at our church Welcome Counter, you’ll discover the reasons and the rationale for this next challenge. We don’t want anything to hinder the teaching time of God’s precious children here at Gateway.
On Friday, Grow Children’s Ministry fourth and fifth graders and FUEL Middle School students and their families are invited to GAME NITE / BUNCO Event, this Friday at the church from 6:30-8:00. Younger siblings are welcome and will have separate activities. Parents are encouraged to attend! It is FUN and FREE!
This Sunday morning, we will be having a child & infant dedication time during our 10:15am service right before Pastor Sam’s message, Repacking your “kid” baggage. Please contact Jolie Brent; gatewaygrow@gmail.com if you desire to have a child dedicated to the Lord. My last Master Class is this Sunday from 9:00-10:00am in the Bistro. We will discover how to have a healthy attitude towards our parents, using God’s perspective. Pastor Sam’s message, Repacking my “parent” baggage is now online if anyone would like to listen to last week’s sermon: http://gateway.db2services.net/gatewayc ... ervice.mp3
Always remember, the Scripture says, “Honor your father and mother” in Exodus 20:12. We hope to do that this weekend as we ask God to apply His eternal truth to our lives. Reach out and tell a mother that you’re thankful for all she’s done for her children, and be thankful for your own mother and everything she may have done for you. If you are here on Sunday, there will be a special gift for every mother, so we hope to see you at Gateway! In Christ, Pastor Mark
Please read the following announcement for a practical way to help our neighbors in San Diego County starting this Sunday!
FOOD DRIVE ~ San Diego CityFest Season of Service
Gateway Church Collection (Lobby, RED BARREL)

Now thru Sunday May 23

Most Needed Food Items:
Canned meat & tuna
Dry cereal
Canned soups
Rice
Canned fruits & vegetables
Mac & cheese
Canned beans
Spaghetti
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( 3 / 35 )There has been a great change at our house in recent days. My daughter-in-law, Emily has had her mother come to stay with us to give support for the new baby, our grandson Isaac. All of a sudden, I find myself greatly outnumbered by women. For example, instead of the news and ESPN, I find the TV turned to the FOOD Network. It’s exciting! You can see people chop, dice, or puree. There is an occasional stir and pouring out of larger bowls into smaller bowls, but the most exciting section had to be the caramelizing of sugar on top of crème brulee! Hey guys, at least it had flame!
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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