Dec 2 Ghramm Cracker Crumbs

Dear Gateway West,

I haven't been doing any "crumbing" lately because I've been a bit preoccupied.  We've been working hard getting the Ghramm house ready for baby #5, who's coming in late January or early February.  Aaaaaahhhhh!  Sorry.  I was having a moment.

Not only have I been planning for a baby but I've also been doing some significant planning and strategizing for our church as we look to start 2012.  Over the last 3-4 months, God has directed me to make some changes in how we do "church."  I've been processing those proposed changes with our Elders and our Leadership Team.  They are on board!  For which I am very grateful!

So, what are those changes?  Ah, you're going to have to wait until January 8 for the big announcement.  We will then spend the rest of January laying out what all the changes will look like.  However, I believe it is very important for you to understand WHY we are making these changes before we actually make them.  So, I've decided to use our December teaching series to build a foundation in our thinking.

The teaching series in December and January (with breaks for Christmas and New Year's mornings) will be called Misseo Dei, which is Latin for "Mission of God."  The big changes we will make have to do with Gateway West being "on mission."  However, as we talk about being on mission for God as a church, we need to understand first how God is on mission.  That is actually the whole point of Christmas.

So, I invite you to join us Sunday for the beginning of a very important time in our church.  The next three Sundays are very key to understanding the direction and vision for our church in the upcoming months.  Would you commit to attending these services?

We usually celebrate communion together on the first Sunday of the month but for December, we have moved it to the 18th because it fits better with the teaching for that Sunday.

I'm excited about what God is doing but also what he is going to do in and through our church.  Please pray for our leadership and for our church as a whole.

Hope to see you Sunday!

Love ya!

Dan