Worship and Prayer

Our time of worship and prayer was extremely powerful this week. God is blessing the Gathering and we are growing together. We were excited to welcome Rod and Teresa Koop and Andrew and Dixie Mitchell. Both couples bring a wealth of experience, insight and leadership. It was great to have them!

The Gathering continued through the Book of Haggai and touched on the three issues facing the Israelites at the time-disinterest (in building) discouragement (in building and building and building) and lastly, dissatisfaction (with more of the same.) Haven't we all been here? Haggai encouraged the people to worship by laying the first stone of the temple. He encouraged the people to be strong, stand firm and work for the glory of this latter temple will be greater than the former. And he encouraged them to live holy lives. In the midst of all of these directives, God promises to be with them and to bless them.

We concluded with an intentional point of prayer of protection over each couple. God's presence was very real and our time together was marked by the prophetic. God is with the Gathering as we build something new. He has promised to bless us corporately and individually and He is doing it!

Everyone has a story to share...so let's do it this Saturday. Hope you can come!

Join us this Saturday night at 7 pm.

The Richeys
Worship and The Word then...
The Baked Potato in Studio City Following
Directions coming soon

Be Strong

We love The Gathering!

Here are just a few of the highlights from Saturday's gathering and readings from Haggai 2:1-9 and Psalm 33. We learned that the encouraging prophet, Haggai framed three messages to the Israelites and we've touched on the first two. The first message was for the disinterested-"Build the Temple!" our call to worship. The second was for the discouraged, "Be Strong and Work," for God's glory will be greater in the new temple and in YOU. In short, the best is yet to come.

For those of us who are feeling discouraged, God says press on and stick it out. Perhaps we are facing a mountain to large to overcome, God is saying this is not a mountain, but a molehill. Maybe we feel backed up against a wall (or a mountain for that matter), God says, I will make a way. But, you have to need me. You have to want me. I will be there!

May We Be Strong and Worship
* He will provide the strength we need
* He will provide the way we need
* He will provide the glory that gives him glory!

This Saturday
7pm at the Richeys
Haggai 2:10-14
Dessert as always

Prayer: The Sprague family and those involved in the accident and The Donai Family.

Laying The First Stone

Worship, that is what we are called to. Worship in our homes, worship through our actions, worship in our relationships, and worship as we gather together. It is our prime directive in life-Worshipping God for who He is and what He has done. The Gathering has decided that everything we do and all that we want to become begins with worship.

As we read through the book of Haggai this month, we see how God's people chose to avoid His call to worship by building their own homes rather than the Temple of God. Nothing prospered in their lives. Times were tough, there was never enough. Scarcity in all areas permeated their lives. Do you sometimes feel like no matter how hard you try that relationship is still a struggle? or perhaps you are not seeing blessing in your finances or creativity. Is there growth you want to see, but despite all of your efforts, progress is at a snails pace? The Israelites were feeling this way until they obeyed the word of God, to rebuild the temple, a command they were given 16 years earlier.

Finally, they listened. They chose to obey and put God first. The first step was to rebuild the temple. And an amazing thing happened. From the moment they, "laid to first stone" God said, I will bless you. No more fruitless vines, no more dry land, no more bags of money filled with holes. Blessing ensued.

We have laid the first stone. God wants to bless the Gathering. We are a people of worship so as we go through this week, may we remember He is worthy of praise and our number one priority.

This Week at the Gathering:
* 7pm at the Richeys
* Worship, Discussion of Haggai continues and what's ahead
* Activities for the kids
* Dessert and Coffee

Mark your Calendars
Caleb Quaye, September 6th!
Invite your friends