June Bulletin

Dear Gathering Place Family...

Our new series begins this week.  We are looking at the seven “I AM” passages of Jesus.  The words of Jesus can bring comfort and also challenge our preconceived ideas about life.  We will look at his words as we sort through the current situation in life where we are shut down, but still, need to grow in our wisdom and knowledge of Jesus.  I hope you will take time each Sunday to join us.

Social Media Connection #GPfamilyfun

Through our social media (Instagram, Twitter and Facebook) we are doing a second round of weekly challenges.  Each Friday a new challenge is posted and at the end of six weeks, we will be again choosing a random winner for a gift card for some family fun.  The first round was won by Jenny Smith and her boys.  We would love to have you all participate – you do not have to be young or have kids. 

Just take a few minutes and post your photo.  Make sure to tag @GPfoursquare and also use the hashtag #GPfamilyfun so others can look at your post. 

Ice Cream Social — Socially Distant

June 14th we will be having an ice cream social together, but separate.  At our Des Moines campus from 5-6:30pm you can pull up, be served an ice cream treat or popsicle, and eat in your car or just grab and go. 

Your pastoral staff will be serving you and we hope you can all make it so we can see your faces and though we cannot touch, we want to connect in the ways that we can.  Please add this to your calendar and come out so we can show you we love you in a simple but real way.

Opening Safely—Phase 2

Finally, I have been asked by several people when we will be opening up.  Although during “Phase 2” of the opening of Washington they have allowed churches to reopen, we are not in a position to do so.  This is not an easy decision for me to make, but at this time we are not able to follow and abide by the guidelines put forth.  Until we are able to actually gather as we usually do I am in favor of waiting a while longer.  This is not out of a lack of desire to be with you, but from a place of a shepherd. I am believing that it is truly my passion to see the local church together but to also look like our church. 

PLEASE know that this is a well thought out and processed decision.  It was not made from a place of fear but from the heart of a pastor who is passionate about doing this correctly.  I understand if you are second-guessing me, but I also know that there are no experts in this, and on the other side it is my hope you have discovered you genuinely enjoy gathering as a church.  The time will come when we can again gather and it will resemble “Gathering Place” as we know it when we do. 

I want to encourage you all to tune in each Sunday to watch our service on Facebook and Youtube.  As restrictions are lifted I would encourage you to invite a friend or neighbor to watch with you – maybe even enjoy some bagels or donuts and coffee and spend some time afterward praying for our church family.  Missed a Sunday?

Just in case you missed this last week's message you can find it here.  Also, we have been posting weekly devotions for families to engage with during the week. You can download the devotions for a simple way to connect with God daily.