Weekly Email 7.08.21

What a beautiful and HOT summer we have already been having.  I hope that you have enjoyed time near the water with family and friends. I know that this summer still feels strained and a bit different, but the pace of life is starting to feel familiar again.  It is my hope and prayer that you will have a refreshing summer and that you will continue to be a part of our weekend services as you are available.  

This weekend (July 11) our sanctuary will be changing again.  You will find chairs set as they were prior to Covid, but we will also have tables in the back for a while.  Please have grace on those that choose to wear masks.  While all people have opinions we are called to live in unity with one another (Ephesians 4.1-6) and other ideas and opinions may be just as valid.  Our goal is still to create a place where people can discover God in an environment of love, acceptance and forgiveness.  We will continue to live stream services and invite you to join us online, but we want to encourage you to again be a part of in-person worship.

Service on the lawn will be July 25th at the Des Moines (2038 S 222nd St, Des Moines) campus.  Service will start at 10 AM and we will provide chairs, shade canopies as well as plenty of water to help people stay cool.  After the service that day, we invite all of you to stay for a picnic.  Feel free to bring a lunch for yourself and your family.  The church will provide drinks and ice cream treats for dessert.  This will be a wonderful way to reconnect with people – many that you may not have seen in a long time.  Please consider being a part of this wonderful family friendly time together.  We want to reconnect with you and this will be an excellent opportunity to do that.  Feel free to invite a friend or neighbor as we worship outside in the fresh air.  Looking for an opportunity to serve, please contact Jeff as we always need a team to help us set-up and tear down after this service.  

Looking for ways to reconnect or get to know people at Gathering Place?  Come support the GP softball team.  Tuesday nights at Russell Road Park in Kent.  Check with Daphne Campbell-Hennig for details on game times.  We would love to have you come out and encourage our players.  Bring your own lawn chairs.

You are valued.  You are loved. You matter to us!

Jeff Espeseth

Lead Pastor, Gathering Place