Sunday Gathering

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All creatures of our God and King
Life up your voice and with us sing

O praise Him, Alleluia

Thou burning sun with golden beam
Thou silver moon with softer gleam

O praise Him, O praise Him
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia

Thou rushing wind that art so strong
Ye clouds that sail in Heaven along

O praise Him, Alleluia

Thou rising moon in praise rejoice
Ye lights of evening find a voice

O praise Him, O praise Him
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia

Let all things their Creator bless
And worship Him in humbleness

O praise Him, Alleluia

Praise, praise the Father, praise the Son
And praise the Spirit, three in one

O praise Him, O praise Him
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia

Praise, praise the Father, praise the Son
And praise the Spirit, three in one

O praise Him, O praise Him
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia

Our Call to Worship today comes from Psalm 100:1-2

"Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.

Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs."

Oh that I could see your face
How I’m longing for that day
Brighter sun of holy grace
Make my heart a holy place

Blessed are the poor who have nothing to own
Blessed are the mourners who are crying alone
Blessed are the guilty who have nowhere to go

For their hearts have a road to the kingdom of God
And their souls are the songs of the kingdom of God
And they will find a refuge for theirs is the kingdom of God

Beauty shining from your face
Always longed to see this place
Is there somewhere I can stay?
Even just a couple days?

Blessed are the poor who have nothing to own
Blessed are the mourners who are crying alone
Blessed are the guilty who have nowhere to go

For their hearts have a road to the kingdom of God
And their souls are the songs of the kingdom of God
And they will find a refuge for theirs is the kingdom of God

The Lord is our shepherd, we shall not want
In valley or pasture, we shall not want
Our cup runneth over and over
For now and forever
For now and forever

The Lord is our shepherd, we shall not want
In valley or pasture, we shall not want
Our cup runneth over and over
For now and forever
For now and forever
For now and forever
For now and forever

Blessed are the poor who have nothing to own
Blessed are the mourners who are crying alone
Blessed are the guilty who have nowhere to go

For their hearts have a road to the kingdom of God
And their souls are the songs of the kingdom of God
And they will find a refuge for theirs is the kingdom of God

Lord I come, I confess
Bowing here, I find my rest
Without You, I fall apart
You're the one that guides my heart

Lord, I need You, oh, I need You
Every hour, I need You
My one defense, my righteousness
Oh God, how I need You

Where sin runs deep, Your grace is more
Where grace is found is where You are
And where You are, Lord, I am free
Holiness is Christ in me

Lord, I need You, oh, I need You
Every hour, I need You
My one defense, my righteousness
Oh God, how I need You

So teach my song to rise to You
When temptation comes my way
And when I cannot stand, I'll fall on You
Jesus, You're my hope and stay

Lord, I need You, oh, I need You
Every hour, I need You
My one defense, my righteousness
Oh God, how I need You
You're my one defense, my righteousness
Oh God, how I need You

My one defense, my righteousness
Oh God, how I need You

Please join me in reading our Confession:

“Eternal God,

in whom we live and move and have our being, whose face is hidden from us by our sins,

and whose mercy we forget in the blindness of our hearts:

cleanse us from all our offenses,

and deliver us from proud thoughts and vain desires,

that with reverent and humble hearts we may draw near to you,

confessing our faults, confiding in your grace, and finding in you our refuge and strength; through Jesus Christ your Son.”

And now hear this Assurance from Ephesians 1:7:

"In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace."

At this time, we would like to take a few moments to pass the Peace of Christ. Please greet one another.

CONNECT CARDS

Whether you are new here, have questions about Gateway, are interested in signing up for a ministry, or simply need to update your contact information, we'd love to connect with you.

You'll find a 'Connect' card in the seat back in front of you. Simply fill it out and drop it in the black box at the back of the room on your way out.

PRAYER CARD

You'll also find a prayer card in the same location.

Fill out any prayer requests you have, and drop that off in the black box as well.

HIKING CLUB

This summer, we started a Gateway Hiking Club to get outside together and enjoy the beauty of central Iowa. Because it was so much fun, we decided to schedule a few autumn hikes, too! It's open to everyone—no experience is necessary, and no special gear is required. If you haven't already, sign up for updates on our website. We'll announce our next hike soon!

We are going to enter into a time of giving. If you would like to give at this time, there are a couple of ways available to you:

- Visit our website at thegatewaychurch.com to give online.

- Or you can grab an envelope and drop it in the black offering box at the back of the room.

Please join me in reading our generosity liturgy.

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Holy Father, there is nothing I have that You have not given me.

All I have and am belong to You, bought with the blood of Jesus.

To spend everything on myself, and to give without sacrifice,

is the way of the world that You cannot abide.

But generosity is the way of those who call Christ their Lord;

who love Him with free hearts and serve Him with renewed minds.

Who withstand the delusion of riches that chokes the word;

Whose hearts are in your kingdom and not in the systems of the world.

I am determined to increase in generosity until it can be said that there is no needy person among us.

I am determined to be trustworthy with such a little thing as money that You may trust me with true riches.

Above all, I am determined to be generous because You, Father, are generous.

It is the delight of Your daughters and sons to share Your traits, and to show what You are like to all the world.

Please stand with me for the reading of God's Word. Today's reading comes from Acts 4:32-37

"All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had. With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all that there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need.

Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means “son of encouragement”), sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles’ feet."

This is the word of the Lord
(All: Thanks be to God)
You may be seated

Communion is available in the baskets at the end of each row. Contains juice and wafer (gluten-free option available).

O God of earth and altar
Bow down and hear our cry
Our earthly rulers falter
Our people drift and die
The walls of gold entomb us
The swords of scorn divide
Take not thy thunder from us
But take away our pride

O God of star and marrow
Of throne and crown and skin
Release us from each Pharaoh
That's o'er and that's within
The pit of greed deceives us
Makes enemies of kin
Wage war on what enslaves us
Bring vict'ry to our sin

Make us one as You are one
Holy Father, Spirit, Son
In our lives Your will be done
In our world Your Kingdom come
Oh our Lion, oh our Lamb
Bring Your healing, bring Your plan
You said You would and we believe it

O God of storm and shadow
You've calmed the seas before
Deliv'r us from this battle
Now safely to the shore
The waves have risen higher
Beyond our reach of faith
Through darkest deep, through fire
Your promise makes a way

You said You would and we believe it
You said You would and we believe it

O God of our tomorrow
The author of our days
Come meet us in our sorrow
And resurrect our praise
Bind up the brokenhearted
Transfigure our dismay
You'll finish what You've started
And wipe our tears away

You said You would and we believe it
You said You would and we believe it

Oh Lord my God when I in awesome wonder
Consider all the worlds thy hands have made
I see the stars I hear the rolling thunder
Thy power throughout the universe displayed

Then sings my soul my savior God to thee
How great thou art how great thou art
Then sings my soul my savior God to thee
How great thou art how great thou art

And when I think that God His son not sparing
Sent him to die I scarce can take it in
That on the cross my burden gladly bearing
He bled and died to take away my sin

Then sings my soul my savior God to thee
How great thou art how great thou art
Then sings my soul my savior God to thee
How great thou art how great thou art

Then Christ shall come with shouts of acclamation
And take me home what joy shall fill my heart
Then I shall bow with humble adoration
And then proclaim my God how great thou art

Then sings my soul my savior God to thee
How great thou art how great thou art
Then sings my soul my savior God to thee
How great thou art how great thou art

Then sings my soul my savior God to thee
How great thou art how great thou art
Then sings my soul my savior God to thee
How great thou art how great thou art

How great thou art how great Thou art

And now, hear this Benediction:

"May the God who made us of one heart and one soul bring us together in unity and peace.

May His great grace rest upon our lives, and His power boldly testify to the love of Jesus through our hands.

As you go, may you hold lightly to what is yours, open generously to those in need, and live as sons and daughters of encouragement in a broken world.

And may the Lord bless you and keep you, make His face shine upon you, and grant you a community where no one walks alone.

Amen."