Sunday Gathering

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Lord I've got the world upon my shoulders
But you've been saying "Child, put it down"
I prayed and prayed that you would take my burden
But you keep saying "Child, put it down"

Maybe I'm addicted to the worry
Maybe I'm a slave to holding on
Help me put it down
Help me put it down

I've heard it said: the Gospel is rest
Oh, how I need it
Say it again
'til I believe it
Oh, how I need it
Oh, how I need it

Lord you took the world upon your shoulders
Now all I have to do is put it down
I'm living like some weary beast of burden
And you keep saying, "Child, put it down"

Well, maybe I've been trying to be the hero
Fighting wars that you've already won
Help me put it down
Help me put it down

Oh how I need
That peace that passes understanding
How I need it
Oh, how I need it
That peace that passes understanding
How I need it
Oh, how I need it

Our call to worship this morning comes from Psalm 118.

"Let us begin this day by rejoicing! The Lord has done such wonderful things for us. Let us be glad! The day before us is uncertain. We know not what we will encounter on our way.

Wherever we go, we go forth as people of the living God, And we go forth to touch the lives of all with his healing touch. Let us begin this day with rejoicing!

And return to our homes with gladness!"

Under the night sky, full of stars
Away from all the city lights and empty charms
Searching for a place, for something pure and true
Led me here to the narrow path to You

I'm leaving it all for the glory of Your love, Your name
I give You all I've got to give until that day
Take the cross and follow You wherever You may go
You're my all in all

I was entangled, in the world
And then I found You my treasure, precious pearl
Now every kingdom, every dream, I count the cost
Compared to You, Lord, I count them all as loss

I'm leaving it all for the glory of Your love, Your name
I give You all I've got to give until that day
Take the cross and follow You wherever You may go
You're my all in all

All in all
All in all (whoa-whoa-oh-whoa-whoa)
All in all (whoa-whoa-oh-whoa-whoa)
(Whoa-oh-whoa-oh-oh-oh-oh)
All in all (whoa-oh-oh-oh)

Your love is all that I want today
And I surrender all I am now for the sake of Your love
To follow You wherever You may go
Lord, I surrender all

Oh-oh-whoa-uh-whoa-uh-whoa (all in all)
Oh-oh-whoa-uh-whoa-uh-whoa (all in all)
Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh, oh-oh, oh-oh- oh-oh
You're my all in all

All of your ways are peace
All of your ways are peace
Though we are pressed on ev'ry side
We trust that you are peace

All of your words are true
All of your words are true
Though we have heard so many lies
We trust your words are true

All of your ways are just
All of your ways are just
Though we may say it through our tears
We trust that you are just

All of your ways are peace
All of your ways are peace
All of your ways are peace
All of your ways are peace

Matt: "The church is the family of God, the Body of Christ, and the Temple of the Holy Spirit. We are all called to make Christ known and to share in the renewing of his world. Now, you are called to work as a pastor, priest, and teacher to take your share in the councils of this Church.

"As a pastor, it will be your task to proclaim by word and deed the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and to fashion your life in accordance with its precepts. You are to love and serve the people among whom you work, caring alike for young and old, strong and weak, rich and poor. You are to preach, to declare God's forgiveness, to pronounce God's blessing, to share in the administration of Holy Baptism, and in the celebration of Christ's Communion.

"In all that you do, you are to nourish Christ's people from the riches of his grace, to strengthen them to glorify God in this life and the life to come.

"Do you believe that you are called to this role?"

Brian: "Yes"

Matt: "Will you be diligent in the study of Scripture and in seeking the knowledge of such things as may make you a stronger and more able minister of Christ?"

Brian: "I will"

Matt: "Will you do your best to pattern your life and that of your family in accordance with the teachings of Christ?"

Brian: "I will"

Matt: "Will you persevere in prayer, both in public and private, asking God's grace, both for yourself and others, offering all your labors to God, through the mediation of Christ, and in the sanctification of the Holy Spirit?"

Brian: "I will."

Matt: "Do you now in the presence of the Church commit yourself to this responsibility?"

Brian: "I do."

Matt: "May the Lord who has given you the will to do these things give you the grace and power to perform them."

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

Foundations and Elementary are dismissed.

SHOWCASE NIGHT

The Artist Fellowship is hosting a special Showcase Night on Sunday, March 29, at 6:30pm at The Gateway Church. Come and enjoy a curated evening of original music, poetry, and visual art created by local artists!

Artists who would like to share a piece must sign up in advance to be included in the program. Or if you plan to attend and support the artists, please RSVP so we know you’re coming. The event is free and open to all. You can find a link to sign up as an artist or audience member on our website at thegatewaychurch.com.

Contact Allie Crummy at allie@thegatewaychurch.com with questions.

VOLUNTEERING

We’re currently in need of a few more volunteers on Sunday mornings to keep things running smoothly. And in particular, we want to highlight opportunities in our kids' ministry.

If you’re able to serve once a month, we’d love to hear from you! Please contact our Gateway Kids Director, Jenna Hintz, if you’re interested in serving or have questions! You can also visit the 'Volunteer' page on our website to learn more.

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 1:7-8

"In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding,"

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.

---

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.

Our Scripture today comes from John 18, Verses 15-18 and 25-27:

"Simon Peter and another disciple were following Jesus. Because this disciple was known to the high priest, he went with Jesus into the high priest’s courtyard, but Peter had to wait outside at the door. The other disciple, who was known to the high priest, came back, spoke to the servant girl on duty there and brought Peter in.

“You aren’t one of this man’s disciples too, are you?” she asked Peter.

He replied, “I am not.”

It was cold, and the servants and officials stood around a fire they had made to keep warm. Peter also was standing with them, warming himself."

"Meanwhile, Simon Peter was still standing there warming himself. So they asked him, “You aren’t one of his disciples too, are you?”

He denied it, saying, “I am not.”

One of the high priest’s servants, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, challenged him, “Didn’t I see you with him in the garden?” Again Peter denied it, and at that moment a rooster began to crow."

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

How deep the Father's love for us
How vast beyond all measure
That He should give His only Son
To make a wretch His treasure
How great the pain of searing loss
The Father turns His face away
As wounds which mar the Chosen One
Bring many sons to glory

Behold the Man upon a cross
My sin upon His shoulders
Ashamed I hear my mocking voice
Call out among the scoffers
It was my sin that held Him there
Until it was accomplished
His dying breath has brought me life
I know that it is finished

I will not boast in anything
No gifts no power no wisdom
But I will boast in Jesus Christ
His death and resurrection
Why should I gain from His reward
I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart
His wounds have paid my ransom

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

"As you go out into the world, seek the presence of the Risen Christ in each other and in all of Creation. May God give you joyful courage to follow the command of Jesus: “Feed my lambs.” “Tend my sheep.” “Feed my sheep.”