Friday (January 20) Happy Birthday Jamie McColl!

Sunday (January 22) Worship

The Bible tells us that God is powerful, but it's not always easy to come to terms with a God who is all-powerful.  This Sunday Pastor Ron will conclude "What God Tells Us About Himself" by looking at what it really means for God to be all-powerful.   As we face uncertainties in life, it's important that we keep on focus on whom God really is.

Sunday (January 29) Service Project

We have the opportunity to serve food to the homeless with Bridge of Life Church.  There was a very powerful sense of unity as we all served together in November at the Stanford Settlement, and sang together at the nursing homes in December. Please don’t miss out on this chance to step out of the comfort zone in the safety of your church family!

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Sunday (January 15) Worship

"What God Tells Us About Himself" - As we look ahead to an uncertain future, it's important to look more closely at God.  This Sunday Pastor Ron will begin a two-part series of messages that will look at a few of the characteristics that God tells us about himself.   This week we will look at the faithfulness of God.

Note:  the Profession of faith of Jamie Hughes and the baptisms of her daughters will be postponed due to health issues. 

Sunday (January 29) Service Project

We have the opportunity to serve food to the homeless with Bridge of Life Church.  There was a very powerful sense of unity as we all served together in November at the Stanford Settlement, and sang together at the nursing homes in December. Please don’t miss out on this chance to step out of the comfort zone in the safety of your church family!

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Sunday (December 18) Worship
This coming Sunday will be a unique service.  Pastor Ron and Danielle Metzinger will be presenting "The Story of Christmas", presenting the story of the Messiah as told through the words of scripture.  The message will be composed of dramatic scripture readings.  If you've ever wanted to hear what the Bible really says about Jesus, this is your chance!

Sunday (December 18) Kidtown & Jr. Junction

It’s a VeggieTales Christmas movie morning!  Feel free to invite your friends!

Saturday (December 24) Christmas Eve Service

We will gather together for a Christmas Eve service in the home of Aaron, Amy and Peyton Wetzel.  This year we are going to worship together Saturday evening at 5:00 pm and stay warm and snug in our homes Sunday, Christmas morning. Feel free to bring a goodie to share.

Sunday (January 1) Worship in Song

New Year’s Day falls on a Sunday this year.  We would like to spend the first day of the year worshipping God in prayer and song- but in the early evening! Please plan on “coming to church” at 4:00 pm to the Galindo’s house and let’s worship our Creator in an evening of singing.  Pajamas are optional!

(January) Volunteer Appreciation Dinner

Let’s start the year the best way we know how- by saying thank you to all of you who make The Gathering a place where we want to do community!

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Sunday (December 11) Worship
Does it ever feel strange to base your beliefs on something like the Bible?   Many people today question whether the Bible should even be considered an authority for our lives.  This week Pastor Ron will conclude "'Kind of' Believing" by looking at the skepticism we may often feel towards the Bible.

Saturday (December 24) Christmas Eve Service

We will gather together for a Christmas Eve service in the Wetzel home at 331 Menard Circle, Sacramento 95835.  This year we are going to worship together Saturday evening at 5:00 and stay warm and snug in our homes Sunday, Christmas morning.

Sunday (January 1) Worship in Song

New Year’s Day falls on a Sunday this year.  We would like to spend the first day of the year worshipping God in prayer and song- but in the early evening! Please plan on “coming to church” at 4:00 pm to the Galindo’s home at 279 Ainger Circle, Sacramento 95835 and let’s worship our Creator in an evening of singing.  Pajamas are optional!

(January) Volunteer Appreciation Dinner

Let’s start the year the best way we know how- by saying thank you to all of you who make The Gathering a place where we want to do community!

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Sunday (December 4) Worship
If God is such a loving God, then why does he have to make such a big deal of our sin?  This Sunday Pastor Ron will continue our series "'Kind of' Belief", looking at our mixed feelings about the wrath of God.

Saturday (December 17) A Heart for the Hungry

The next food distribution for the only food closet in Natomas, A Heart for the Hungry, will be December 17.  If you have food donations, bring them to church and Kristine Galindo will deliver them to Gateway Fellowship before the 17^th. http://www.gatewayfellowship.net/heart-for-the-hungry/

Saturday (December 24) Christmas Eve Service

We will gather together for a Christmas Eve service in the home of Aaron, Amy and Peyton Wetzel.  This year we are going to worship together Saturday evening and stay warm and snug in our homes Sunday, Christmas morning.

Tuesday (December 27) Women’s Book Club

This is the last book club of the Grace Series.  We will be reading Unafraid: Mary.  This is an impacting book to read during the Advent season. Please join us for this last Book Club of 2011 Tuesday, December 27 at 6:30 at the North Natomas Library. For more information, contact Rebecca Wall at AuroraEva@sbcglobal.net. A basket of raffle prizes will be provided by Damascus Road Bookstore!

Sunday (January 1) Worship in Song

New Year’s Day falls on a Sunday this year.  We would like to spend the first day of the year worshipping God in prayer and song- but in the early evening! Please plan on “coming to church” at 4:00 pm to the Galindo’s house and let’s worship our Creator in an evening of singing.  Pajamas are optional!

(January) Volunteer Appreciation Dinner

Let’s start the year the best way we know how- by saying thank you to all of you who make The Gathering a place where we want to do community!

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Sunday (November 27) Thanksgiving “Family Worship”
Join us this Sunday for a special interactive Thanksgiving Family Worship.   This will give all of us a chance to participate together as we discover our reasons for thanks and create ways to express them to God. 

Saturday (December 24) Christmas Eve Service

We will gather together for a Christmas Eve service in the home of Aaron, Amy and Peyton Wetzel.  This year we are going to worship together Saturday evening and stay warm and snug in our homes Sunday, Christmas morning.

Sunday (January 1) Worship in Song

New Year’s Day falls on a Sunday this year.  We would like to spend the first day of the year worshipping God in prayer and song- but in the early evening! Please plan on “coming to church” at 4:00 pm to the Galindo’s house and let’s worship our Creator in an evening of singing.  Pajamas are optional!

(January) Volunteer Appreciation Dinner

Let’s start the year the best way we know how- by saying thank you to all of you who make worship happen every single Sunday morning! More details to follow soon.

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Sure, it's only one more day; but these pictures are so awesome!

Last Sunday, The Gathering "skipped" church to be The Church. We met at the Regal Cinema we call home, and then drove over to Stanford Settlement where we partnered with Bridge of Life Church to do some necessary cleaning and maintenance.

There's something so special about doing work together. As a church family, we all bonded over the various indoor and outdoor tasks. 

After the work was done, and the place looked nice and shiney, we surved burgers and hot dogs out of a truck. Seriously. BBQ in the bed of the truck with Scott (The Booyah) watching over. Good times. And we didn't just feed ourselves, we were able to feed regulars at Standford Settlement and Bridge of Life. 

See the full gallery on Posterous

If you want to tag and like pictures on Facebook, I posted them on my Facebook Page.

A discussion started over there about whether or not The Church should do more "Missional Sundays", if you want to join in, that would be great: Should Church skip church more often? (you may have to "Like" me to join in - I'm not sure though...but I'm likeable right?)

See you all tomorrow!

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Sunday (November 20) Worship

Many people might find it easier to imagine being a Christian if they hadn’t already seen what Christians tend to look like.  From the Crusades to the slavery and racism of the Bible Belt, many people have found too many examples of why they don’t want to join the team.  Maybe you personally have felt that way at times.  This Sunday Pastor Ron will lead us in a biblical perspective on this dilemma.

Sunday (November 20) Baptism

Come celebrate the baptism of Mabel Claire McColl!

Sunday (November 20) Operation Christmas Child

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Sunday (November 13) Operation Christmas Child boxes are due!

Don’t forget to bring your Operation Christmas Child boxes this Sunday for Raj to pick up.  There will also be a group of kids and adults assembling shoeboxes while serving at the Stanford Settlement this Sunday.

Sunday (November 13) Missional Sunday

Jesus said: "Truly I tell you, anyone who gives you a cup of water in my name because you belong to Christ will certainly not lose their reward." It’s difficult to serve. Finding the time and then the opportunity make it challenging to serve like Christ did. 

So this Sunday, we as a Church family in conjunction with Bridge of Life are going to the Stanford Settlement (http://stanfordsettlement.org/) to help support their mission instead of having our own service. Stanford Settlement's goal is to provide programs, services and opportunities that will enhance the lives of disadvantaged and disenfranchised individuals and families. 

We will meet at the Regal Cinema at our normal 10:00 am, have a prayer and then drive down to their location at:
450 West El Camino Avenue
Sacramento, California 95833

If you just want to show up at the Stanford Settlement please be there at 10:30. If you get lost, call Ron at 224-3191.

What to Bring? If you have rakes or other garden equipment, please feel free to bring it with you. We could also use some tarps to carry debris. 

Lunch will be provided-- Please bring a side dish to share.

Saturday (November 19) Heart for the Hungry

(3rd Saturday this Month) is the next distribution! Common grocery items we need to collect in the next 2 weeks include: Rice, beans, peanut butter, jelly, canned tuna or chicken, pasta, canned yams, canned vegetables, canned fruit, cereal, oatmeal. The pantry has plenty of soup thanks to last month's donation from Campbell’s.  Check out the Gateway website to see how you can help by volunteering!

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Sunday (November 6) Worship

No one likes to be told what to do.   One of the "problems" with the gospel is that sooner or later you know the Bible is going to start imposing moral standards on you, curbing the lifestyle you'd really prefer to live.   It sure would seem easier for people to accept the gospel if it didn't have all this morality bundled with the grace, wouldn't it? 

Sunday (November 6) Daylight Savings Begins

Make sure to enjoy that extra hour of sleep this Sunday!

Sunday (November 6) Operation Christmas Child

This is a reminder that Raj will collect shoeboxes or money to buy gifts and shoeboxes on Sunday, November 13. If you would like more information or to print your own label, please visit http://www.samaritanspurse.org/index.php/OCC/Pack_A_Shoe_Box/

Sunday (November 13) Missional Sunday

There's something really powerful that happens when God's people serve others together.  Jesus said that whenever we offer a cup of cold water to someone in His name, it's like we are offering it to Him directly.   We are dedicating Sunday, Nov. 13 to doing exactly that.  We are teaming up with volunteers from our sister church Bridge of Life (you may know their pastor, David Lindner) to provide some badly needed maintenance for Stanford Settlement where Bridge of Life does ministry.   We will meet at the theatre at 10:00 am, pray and then head over to Stanford Settlement together. Next week we will include details as to what to wear and bring. Look for the "Side Dish" sign-up this Sunday.

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Sunday (October 30) Worship

No one likes to be told what to do.   One of the "problems" with the gospel is that sooner or later you know the Bible is going to start imposing moral standards on you, curbing the lifestyle you'd really prefer to live.   It sure would seem easier for people to accept the gospel if it didn't have all this morality bundled with the grace, wouldn't it? 

Sunday (October 30) Daylight Savings Begins

Make sure to enjoy that extra hour of sleep this Sunday!

Sunday (October 30) Operation Christmas Child

This is a reminder that Raj will collect shoeboxes or money to buy gifts and shoeboxes on Sunday, November 13. If you would like more information or to print your own label, please visit http://www.samaritanspurse.org/index.php/OCC/Pack_A_Shoe_Box/

Sunday (November 13) Missional Sunday

There's something really powerful that happens when God's people serve others together.  Jesus said that whenever we offer a cup of cold water to someone in His name, it's like we are offering it to Him directly.   We are dedicating Sunday, Nov. 13 to doing exactly that.  We are teaming up with volunteers from our sister church Bridge of Life (you may know their pastor, David Lindner) to provide some badly needed maintenance for Stanford Settlement where Bridge of Life does ministry.   We will meet at the theatre at 10:00 am, pray and then head over to Stanford Settlement together. Next week we will include details as to what to wear and bring. Look for the "Side Dish" sign-up this Sunday.

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Sunday (October 30) Worship

Sometimes it's hard to imagine how a loving God could allow so much suffering in life.  It can be hard to really trust a God who seems to be all right allowing catastrophes from earthquakes and tsunamis to abusive families and gang violence.  This week Pastor Ron will explore some of these concerns in part 2 of "'Kind of' Believing".

Sunday (October 30) Operation Christmas Child

This Sunday Raj Laffey will show us examples of gifts perfect for our Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes. Start collecting those shoeboxes or plastic boxes now!

Adventure Ministry

Check out www.gatheringchurch.org for photos of the beautiful backpacking trip to South Yuba River.  Who can find the caterpillar?

Sunday (November 13) Missional Sunday

There's something really powerful that happens when God's people serve others together.  Jesus said that whenever we offer a cup of cold water to someone in His name, it's like we are offering it to Him directly.   We are dedicating Sunday, Nov. 13 to doing exactly that.  We are teaming up with volunteers from our sister church Bridge of Life (you may know their pastor, David Lindner) to provide some badly needed maintenance for the community center where Bridge of Life does ministry.   More information will be present during announcements this Sunday.

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Good morning!

We were so excited about how well the recent Adventure Ministry event went that we simply couldn't wait till L@TG! We had to share!

Check these greate photos out! It's difficult to NOT be impressed at the works of God in an outdoors like this: 

See the full gallery on Posterous

If this has got your inner REI nerd going, or maybe you just need to escape your mental/physical cube, don't hesitate to email Kelly and Hal Holland via gathering.adventure@gmail.com.

They can get you all the info you need to enjoy The Gathering's Adventure Ministry's next excursion.

bless you all!

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Sunday (October 23) Worship

Have you ever tried to have a spiritual conversation with a friend who thinks we're narrow for insisting that our gospel is the only way to heaven?   On some days we ourselves may feel discomfort with the implications of passages like John 14:6.  This Sunday Pastor Ron will begin a new series "'Kind of' Belief" looking at some of the assumptions that can make it difficult for us or our friends to genuinely embrace the gospel.

(Note:  This could be a great sermon to share with people in your circle, either by inviting them or by discussing with them afterwards.   Pray about what God might want to do through you during these weeks).

Sunday (October 23) KidTown

This Sunday join Johnny Stratosphere as we travel right out of this world exploring big questions like, "Is God Real?" Grab your Bible, your MAP book, some money for Stella, and a friend. See you Sunday!

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book club flier.pdf Download this file

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Saturday (October 15-16) 1- Night Backpacking along the Yuba River

Sunday (October 16) Worship

We have the honor of having Pastor Stan Plooy preach to us this Sunday. Come and wish him well as he moves on to the next adventure to which God has called him.

Tuesday (September 18) Book Club- 6:30-8:30 PM

We will be reading and discussing a book a month. Please join us in a relaxed, welcoming and non-threatening environment to experience what God may be saying to us through these encounters. Come as you are, leave different.

This week we are discussing "Unshaken: Ruth" (The Lineage of Grace Series #3) in the Community Meeting Room at the North Natomas Library.

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Sunday (October 9) Worship

We have the special treat of having Eric Dirksen from Christ Church of Davis as our guest pastor.  Pastor Ron and Eric are good friends from their CRC connection and Ron secretly envies Eric because he gets to write an article where he reviews beer! For more information about Eric, visit http://www.christchurchdavis.org/

Saturday (October 15) 1- Night Backpacking along the Yuba River

Why not? It’s in our own backyard, let’s get to know it!

Date/Time: Saturday, October 15 (8:00am) - Sunday, October 16 return by 4:00.

This hike is open to all ages; we have a 1 year old all the way through, uhhh, older J attending. You can do it! Adventure leaders have equipment to lend.

Contact Hal and Kelly Holland at gathering.adventure@gmail.com

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Sunday (October 2) Worship

There's a big difference between being strong and merely being brittle.  This week Pastor Ron will conclude "Top Hypocrites of the Bible" by looking at that difference.

 
Don't forget to "turn something off" and spend time with God.

Earn KidTown Kash: 1) Complete your MAP book 2) Know your Memory Max  3) Bring a friend.

GABBIT may go home with you this week if you bring a completed MAP book.
Bring money to support our Compassion child, Stella.  See you Sunday!

Wednesday (October 5) Adventure Ministry Monthly Potluck

Interested in learning more about Adventure Ministry? Then come to our monthly potlucks! The intent of these monthly small group meetings is to: build a local adventure community, expand our awareness through inspirational reading, and, as needed, to plan logistic for up-coming adventures.

►When: The first Wednesday of the month, from 6:00 – 8:00pm

►Where: The meetings will be held at Kelly & Hal’s home ~ 2331 Hernando Road, Sacramento, in the Arden neighborhood.

Please email us for more information at gathering.adventure@gmail.com !

Saturday (October 15) 1- Night Backpacking along the Yuba River

Why not? It’s in our own backyard, let’s get to know it!

Date/Time: Saturday, October 15 (8:00am) - Sunday, October 16 return by 4:00.

This hike is open to all. Adventure leaders have equipment to lend. Contact Hal and Kelly Holland at gathering.adventure@gmail.com

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Sunday (September 25) Worship

Most of us never choose to become hypocrites, but if we're honest we can see that we still seem to slowly slip in that direction.  This week Pastor Ron will present our second "Top Hypocrite of the Bible" as we look at how that gradual change can happen and what God offers us in our struggles with hypocrisy. 

As always, earn cash just for showing up, knowing your Memory Max, and bringing a friend.

What's a GABBIT? Come this week and find out! You might be the lucky one to take it home. See you Sunday!

Tuesday (September 27) Too Busy Not to Pray

The Tuesday night Women’s Group will start a new study on September 27 by reading and discussing Too Busy Not to Pray by Bill Hybels.  We are meeting at Trish’s home.  For more information, contact Elizabeth Toney at blueeyestoney@sbcglobal.net

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