Week 5

Last Sunday was our fifth week of "The Gathering", where college aged-kids from all over the Roanoke and Botetourt areas came together, united through Christ for a time of fellowship, worship, growth in the word, and just plain fun!

This past week we hit up Lee Hi Lanes for 99 cent bowling (which actually turned out to be more like $5 bowling, but well worth it!) where the girls took on the guys and CLEARLY dominated…

Speaking of dominated, during the chubby bunny competition at “The Gathering” this past Sunday, Matt Chapin packed TWELVE marshmallows into his mouth while still being about to spit out the phrase. Impressive!
We also got to hear the rapping skills of Larry Gunter Jr and Abby Redick as they shared with us their song, “How You Smellin’?” Inspired by 2 Corinthians 2:14-16, it talks about being the aroma of Christ – “I spray a little on and I smell like LIFE!”

Our worship was stripped down to an acoustic set again this week and we got to hear from Quigg Lawrence about a topic that may not be the most popular for a group of students our age – “giving.” Quigg shared on the importance of giving our first fruits too the Lord and doing it with a joyful heart. Even though most of us are poor college kids, we can still bring glory and honor to the Lord through giving back to Him what he has entrusted to us (God doesn’t NEED our money, its his anyways!) – not only through our money, but through our time, service, whatever it may be! We looked at examples throughout scripture where others brought joy to the name of the Lord through their selfless giving. In Mark 12, a widow gave all that she had, two small copper coins while many rich people threw in large amounts. Jesus told his disciples, "I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on." Jesus found favor in this widow because she gave with a joyful heart, trusting the Lord with all that she had.

I pray that this week and into the future we can apply this to our own lives – our we giving to the Lord with a joyful heart, or just so we can check it off of our list? Are we giving the Lord the firstfruits of all we receive, or only when it is convenient for us? May we pray for pure and selfless hearts as we serve Christ in this way.

I am so thankful for each of you and for all that the Lord is doing this summer. May we grow closer to one another as we grow closer to Christ. I cant wait to see you all this Sunday at 8:00pm for our 6th week of “The Gathering”! Even if you have never been before – feel free to come and worship together with us! As believers, we cant go through this journey alone – Christ has given us each other to encourage one another! Let’s take advantaged of this summer as a sweet time of fellowship and growth. Blessings to you all!

“I thank my God every time I remember you.” -Phillipians 1:3

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Week 4

We’ve just rounded our fourth week this summer of “The Gathering”, a ministry dedicated to uniting college students from all over the Roanoke area. These four weeks have flown by, because you know what they say, “time flies when you’re havin’ fun!” …and that’s exactly what has happened. We’ve encountered many experiences together so far including bowling nights, a movie night, a sick bonfire, a hike up to Sharptop to take part in the world’s greatest golfing range, dance parties, games, small groups, incredible speakers and teachers (Todd Meyer, Josh Goodman, and Susan Fast), and authentic worship.

This week’s service was stripped down to an acoustic set, a great word from the Lord, and small group discussions based on Susan’s teaching. For me, her message about the story of the prodigal son hit me pretty hard. The whole idea was that the two sons (the younger one who asked for his inheritance and ran off to a world of self-centeredness, and the older one who stayed and focused on works and earning favor) completely missed the importance of having a relationship with the Father for who he was, not what he could give.
How many times do we focus on what blessings God can give us rather than worshiping Him for who he is? Of course, He wants the best for us, but that doesn’t mean that we get whatever we want. Worshiping anything or anyone except God is idolatry. In the bridge of a song called, “Clear the Stage” by Ross King says…

Anything I put before my God is an idol.
Anything I want with all my heart is an idol.
Anything I can't stop thinking of is an idol.
Anything that I give all my love is an idol.
We must not worship something that's not even worth it.
Clear the stage and make some space for the one who deserves it.

Susan posed four questions for us:

1. Do you relate more with the older or younger son?
2. Has something in your life become an ultimate love for you (something you are constantly seeking)?
3. Is Jesus your goal or just a means to your end?
4. What is the most beautiful thing about God to you?

Take this week to re-evaluate your walk with the Lord. What is your focus? Where are you fixing your eyes? “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” Hebrews 12:1-3

We’re all from different areas. Some of us are in college. Some of us are just graduating high school. Some of us are out of college, or not in college. We may live in Roanoke, or are just here for the summer. All in all, we gather together as one body to put aside our differences and worship the true God, Son, and Spirit.

I can’t wait to see all of you @ Church of the Holy Spirit next Sunday evening @ 8pm! Invite your friends and anyone you know. Let’s continue to be encouraged this summer by being a part of “The Gathering”.