Dear Family of The Gate,
“We’ve never done it that way before.” Usually these words speak a polite rebuke to a potential change in a church.
Today these words accurately describe many areas of our lives. We’ve never not been able to eat out. We’ve never not had school. We’ve never not been allowed to show up for work. We’ve never not been able to go the gym. We’ve never not been able to come to worship. We’ve never done so many things this way before.
Hebrews 10 says “let us not give up meeting together as is the habit of some, but let us encourage one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”
The Gate Leadership is going to meet on Thursday to develop a plan for our life together in Christ while restrictions on large gatherings are in place. We will let you know on Friday what the plan is for the church. However, we want to let you know that, for this weekend and the 29th, we will be partnering with our sister congregation, St. Paul.
Pastors are offering Private Confession and Absolution on Saturday 5 to 7 p.m. and Sunday 7 a.m.-noon. If you’ve never experienced Private Confession and Absolution, I encourage you to do so. Luther wrote: “when I encourage you to go to confession, I am simply encouraging you to be a Christian.” The Lord’s Supper will also be available for those who would like to receive it at that time.
Please sign up at this link:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1PWarVJ4-31bTaw7P7yHeHCypSB0NLQ-iwzfERAqH3Lo/edit?usp=sharing
If you have a need that we can help you with in these days, please do not hesitate to reach out and ask. We are the body of Christ; we are one. We truly are "in this together" and not just for now. Forever.
In Him and on behalf of the Pastors and Leadership of The Gate,
Rev. Duncan McLellan
We believe that men, women, and children are rescued from the effects of sin purely by the undeserved mercy of God; and that through faith–a relationship of dependence upon Jesus that God Himself gives us–forgiveness and more become ours. Lastly, God’s Word stands over us as ultimate. In it He gives us the rule and norm for all belief and through it makes us aware of sin, fills us with faith in Jesus, and guides us in faith-filled living.
Our Core Values answer the “why” question? Why are we doing this? Because we want to make disciples who reflect the character, life, and mission of Jesus. As we look at the Gospels we see Jesus dwelling in three different relationships: with the Father (worship), with the disciples (connect) and with the world (serve).
We were created to reflect the life, character, and mission of Jesus. To have compassion like he had compassion. To heal like he healed. To love, care, and speak with authority into peoples’ lives like he did.
