Friday, March 2, 2018

"Announcements" for Friday, 2 March 2018 - Gateway Church of the Nazarene in Murrieta, California, United States

"Announcements" for Friday, 2 March 2018 - Gateway Church of the Nazarene in Murrieta, California, United States
GATEWAY E-News - 000
Gateway Church Family, Date: Friday, 2 March 2018
Membership Class - This Saturday 3/3/ at 10:30 AM, we are hosting a membership class for anyone interested in church membership. Pastor Kevin will be leading the class. If you are interested in attending just show up at church at 10:30 AM on Saturday.

Gateway family,
The Youth Ministries (Fusion Youth) of Gateway would like to invite you to share in a great Easter tradition with See's Candy. The Youth will be selling specialty See's Candy this Sunday at the Welcome Center and the Youth Center. You can place and pay for your order on Sunday and receive your order the week of March 18, 2018. All the proceeds will go to help support our Spring and Summer ministry opportunities like Retreats and Camp.
Be sure to stop by and place your order this Sunday March 5, 2018.
Thank you for your continued support for the Student Ministries here at Gateway.
***
"Devotion" Gateway Church of the Nazarene in Murrieta, California, United States
Recently I wrote an article for Today’s Pastor Magazine. This is a monthly magazine that equips pastors all across the United States. I wrote on the importance of living our lives in balance. Today, I modified the article to target our people here at Gateway Nazarene. I hope this article helps you live and operate in balance.
7 Ways To Live a Balanced Life
I’ve been a pastor for almost seven years, and one of the biggest struggles I’ve faced is staying balanced. Balance isn’t hard just for people in ministry; it’s hard for just about every human being.
During my first year of ministry, I hit the ground running. I worked every day for seven days a week and labored from sunup to sundown (and even after the sun went down). While I was thriving in ministry, other areas of my life began to suffer. My relationship with Christ was stagnant, my wife was craving for me to spend some time with her, my kids desperately wanted me to just have fun with them, my finances were struggling, and I began to experience some physical health problems from exhaustion.
While I’m not an expert at living in balance, I have learned some things over the years that have helped me become healthier and I would like to share these seven tips to help you live a more balanced life in ministry as well:
1. Spend time with God first and early.
The reality is that a relationship with God takes time. One of the biggest lessons I have learned is the importance of spending time with Him early each and every day. This time completely sets the tone for my day. I don’t want my day to begin without spending time alone with Him, so I seek Him first in the morning. I would challenge you to sacrifice sleep and get up early and spend time with Him in prayer and in His Word before the busyness of the day begins. Take the time to spend time with Him first and let Him direct your priorities for the day.
2. Go on a date with your spouse at least twice a month.
Our marriage to our spouse is vitally important! We must take the time to nurture our marriage. We must show our spouse how much we love them by taking them on a date often. It’s a good idea to put your date night on the calendar so it’s not forgotten. And a good suggestion would be to turn off your phone when going out on the date. And if finances are an issue, just a simple meal together at a restaurant is better than not going out at all.
3. Spend individual time with each of your kids.
I have three kids (two boys and one girl). Each one means the world to me. Part of my job as their parent is to spend individual time with each of them. I try to find their interests and then spend time participating in doing what they love. If they love a board game, I will play a game. If they like superheroes, I will watch a superhero movie. If they like playing doctor, I will volunteer to be the patient. I don’t want my kids to feel like they don’t mean the world to me. I want to intentionally invest time in each of their lives.
4. Take at least one day off a week.
We’re commanded to take a Sabbath and honor it. We need to take one day a week and just rest. We need a day where we focus on God, on our family, and maybe just catching up on more sleep. So many people are operating in exhaustion mode. One day of rest can work wonders in your life, so make sure you set aside one day a week to recuperate.
5. Have someone hold you accountable.
I once heard a great definition of a mentor:” Someone who has been where you want to go and is willing to help you get there.” It’s important for everyone to have a mentor and to have them ask the right questions. They need to ask the tough questions about our marriage, about our ministry, about our relationships, about our finances, etc. We need someone to hold us accountable to make sure we live in balance daily. Mentors can also help us if we lose balance to coach us back into balance. If you don’t have a mentor, ask God to bring someone into your life to help.
6. Operate off a calendar.
I love technology. I don’t love it because how cool it is; I love it because it keeps me organized. Technology has allowed me to become more organized. I operate daily off the calendar on my phone so I never miss a meeting. Every morning I look through my calendar to prepare for my day and what’s coming up. I would challenge you to live off a calendar as well. You have so many people pulling for your time that the best way to manage this is to put all your commitments on a master calendar and then let the calendar manage your time.
7. Set and live off a budget.
Many people today live in horrible financial balance. My wife and I have learned to live within our finances. Every pay period we operate on an agreed budget and we put money into savings to plan for an emergency. I want to challenge you and your spouse to set an agreed budget every time you get paid. This will help prevent overspending and will help with saving for an emergency. Living in healthy finances frees you up to not have to worry about money.
Copyright © 2018 Gateway Church of the Nazarene, All rights reserved.
This email is to let you know about what's happening at Gateway Church!
***
"Devotion" Gateway Church of the Nazarene in Murrieta, California, United States

Gateway Family, Monday, 19 February 2018
I was reflecting this morning on the power of words. The words that come out of our mouth can build up and they can tear down. They can encourage and they can discourage. I love what Ephesians 4:29 says regarding our words. It says, “Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.” Every time I read these words I am challenged by them. I want every word that comes out of my mouth to be pleasing to God.
I want to ask you to do a word inventory in your life. Are the words that you are speaking good and helpful? Or do your words show gossip, slander or abuse? Protect your words. Protect your words with your children, with your grandchildren, with your spouse, with your co-workers, with your class mates and with every person you encounter. People will remember the things that come out of your mouth. Use your words to advance the Kingdom of God. You are an ambassador of Christ. As an ambassador, you are a representative of Christ. May your words represent Christ in a great way!
I also want to challenge you to pray a simple prayer every morning. Most mornings I pray this prayer. I ask God the following, “God will you take every thought, word,action and deed today”. I daily seek to surrender every word to God. In order for my words to be protected, I need His help! I believe that God wants to help us all use our words for good.
I hope you have a great week this week and that you will daily use your words for good and not harm!!
God bless you!
Pastor Kevin
Copyright © 2018 Gateway Church of the Nazarene, All rights reserved.
***
"Devotional" Gateway Church of the Nazarene in Murrieta,
California, United States
GATEWAY E-News - 119
Gateway Church Family, Date: Tuesday, 13 February 2018
Getting honest with God:
I was reading Psalm 142 this morning and I was struck at David’s honesty. Below this piece today is Psalm 142. As you read, notice the honesty of David as he cries out to God. Notice the transparency as David prays.
I have a question for you today. Are you being honest with God? So many times, when we are struggling, we try to act like we are not. However, we cannot hide anything from God. God knows our struggles. God knows our pains. God knows are burdens.
I want to challenge you to evaluate your prayer life and make sure that you are being honest with God. God can handle your honesty. God can handle all of your problems. He is a big God that has more power than you can imagine in overcoming any obstacle that you face.
One of my favorite attributes about David was that he was honest in the Psalms. One minute he is praising God and the next he is crying out to God in pain and fear. David was honest with God! Look below and see his honesty first hand.
My hope is after you read this Psalm, that you would be assured that you too can be honest with God in every area of your life!
Psalm 142 - 1 I cry out to the Lord; I plead for the Lord’s mercy. 2 I pour out my complaints before him and tell him all my troubles. 3 When I am overwhelmed, you alone know the way I should turn. Wherever I go, my enemies have set traps for me. 4 I look for someone to come and help me, but no one gives me a passing thought! No one will help me; no one cares a bit what happens to me. 5 Then I pray to you, O Lord. I say, “You are my place of refuge. You are all I really want in life. 6 Hear my cry, for I am very low. Rescue me from my persecutors, for they are too strong for me. 7 Bring me out of prison so I can thank you. The godly will crowd around me, for you are good to me.”
***
"Announcements" Gateway Church of the Nazarene in Murrieta, California, United States
GATEWAY E-News - 120
Gateway Church Family, Date: Thursday, 15 February 2018
Faith-In-Motion - Faith in Motion is looking for a refrigerator and a trundle bed. Please let Donna Ellis (951-252-5041) know if you have one to donate. Your donations have been so helpful and appreciated!!
CHURCH DIRECTORY – Are you having trouble getting the new Church Directory on your cell phone, tablet or laptop and don’t like asking for help? #Me Too. Well you don’t have to ask, just walk up to one of the TEENS at the table in the foyer on Sunday the 18th and just hand them your device. You don’t even have to ask, they will know what you want. DONE! Mic Drop!
They will be available before first service, after first service and before second service on February 18th. Remember you must be in the directory to get the directory. In a hurry on Sunday? Just give us your name and email address and we will make that work…give the rest of the details later. We can also do your picture right there: but only if you like.
February is Alabaster Month – Alabaster Sunday is 2/18. Get those boxes filled and don’t forget to bring them with you this Alabaster Sunday.
Senior Adult Potluck – There will be a potluck dinner on Sunday, February 18th at 5:30 PM. The speaker will be Dr. Susan Carole, pastor of San Bernardino First Church. She will be speaking on “Empowering Grace: Invitation to Life.” Don’t miss this opportunity to hear this dynamic speaker. Sign up through your Sunday School Classes, your Welcome Card or just call the church office. Contact Pastor Bowman with questions.
EASTER CHOIR REHEARSAL - Easter choir rehearsal begins this Sunday evening, February 18th at 6:30 PM. Come join us! For more information contact either Rick Brummett at 702-769-2332 or Sara Brummett at 702-769-2422. Tell them the Italian Guy sent you.
FUSION INFOMATIONAL MEETING - There will be a parent/family potluck and information meeting today at 12:25 PM in the Student Center. Fusion Youth will provide the main dish (fried chicken) and you are asked to bring a side dish or a dessert. There will be child care for 5 and under.
***
"Pastor's Devotion" Gateway Church of the Nazarene in Murrieta, California, United States
GATEWAY E-News - 117
Gateway Church Family, Date: Tuesday, 6 February 2018
One of my favorite Scriptures is Joshua 1:9 which says, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” This single Scripture has gotten me through many challenging times.
One of the most challenging times of my life since following Christ happened in 2012. I was the associate pastor of a small church in Springfield, MO. The senior pastor had just resigned and the church board asked me if I would consider taking over as the senior pastor. I was terrified. I was uncertain. And most of all, I did not feel worthy of be a senior pastor. I remember praying one afternoon and God took me to Joshua 1:9. I was reminded in that moment that I did not have to be afraid. I was reminded that God would be with me!
I wonder if you are going through a difficult time in your life today. Are you carrying struggles? Are you carrying burdens? Are you carrying uncertainty? If so, please here the words again in Joshua 1:9, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” You serve a faithful God! He is with you now and will stay with you!
My hope today is that this Scripture would encourage you as you keep following Jesus!
Have a great day!
In Christ,
Pastor Kevin
***

No comments:

Post a Comment