Advent #4: Expectation and Participation

It's incredible how the ordinary meets extraordinary at Christmas. Listen to our Christmas message to encourage and inspire you this Christmas and into next year. Our message notes can be found here http://www.gatheringcafe.com/thewestsidegathering/podcasts/WSGmsg20241223_DavidM.pdf

We often miss how grand God’s vision to restore humanity is and his invitation to participate in it. Both Abraham in Genesis and Mary (Jesus’ mother) hear God’s voice. It raises their expectation and invites their participation. (Gen. 15:1-15; Luke 1:46-55; Heb. 11:8-12) Our message notes can be found here http://www.gatheringcafe.com/thewestsidegathering/podcasts/WSGmsg20241222_DavidM.pdf

Are you willing to be interrupted? We explore this advent theme in a tense gospel scene where some get bothered by an interruption, and others welcome it and discover delight! (Luke 13:10-17, 18-19) Our message notes can be found here http://www.gatheringcafe.com/thewestsidegathering/podcasts/WSGmsg20241215_DavidM.pdf

Is there anything in your life that causes you to look down - physically or emotionally? What if Jesus wanted to change your posture and perspective so you can look up - at him, the world, his intended purpose for you? Listen as we encounter Jesus with a woman who was bent over for 18 years. (Luke 13:10-17) Our message notes can be found here http://www.gatheringcafe.com/thewestsidegathering/podcasts/WSGmsg20241208_DavidM.pdf

Some of the first non-jewish followers of Jesus were stargazers. God used that to lead them right to Jesus. What if this advent season we looked up a little more to anticipate all God longs to do in us and the world around us? (Matthew 2:1-12) Our message notes can be found here http://www.gatheringcafe.com/thewestsidegathering/podcasts/WSGmsg20241201_DavidM.pdf

Moving from a life of distractions to a more present - full - life isn't easy; We wrap up this series exploring - and baptizing - a few classic spiritual practices for our digitally distracted culture. (Luke 10:38-42) Our message notes can be found here http://www.gatheringcafe.com/thewestsidegathering/podcasts/WSGmsg20241124_DavidM.pdf

You are made for a purpose, yet so often we can miss fulfilling it we get distracted along the way. 1 Peter could've been written for 2024 - as he encourages Christ followers to be alert and disciplined in the middle of distractions so they don't miss fulfilling their purpose. Our message notes can be found here http://www.gatheringcafe.com/thewestsidegathering/podcasts/WSGmsg20241117_DavidM.pdf

One of the greatest gifts God has given us is our minds. Yet we live in a world full of constant distractions that stop us from using them! Followers of Jesus (become to anyone) are given strategy to fight the mind games. Our message notes can be found here http://www.gatheringcafe.com/thewestsidegathering/podcasts/WSGmsg20241110_DavidM.pdf

We live in a culture of constant distractions that prevents us from paying attention to things that matter - God, people, wisdom, and depth needed to live well. We kick off this new series with an awareness of our attention deficit and culture of distraction. We're all impacted, join us for the journey of growth. Our message notes can be found here http://www.gatheringcafe.com/thewestsidegathering/podcasts/WSGmsg20241103_DavidM.pdf

We welcome Trevor Seath, who directs and serves our association churches in Ontario. Our message notes can be found here http://www.gatheringcafe.com/thewestsidegathering/podcasts/WSGmsg20241027_TrevorS.pdf