August 25th, 2023
by Matt Miofsky
by Matt Miofsky
For many of us, we come to church each and every week, but still feel like we don’t know anyone. It is hard to connect with people on a Sunday morning. For others of us, we have friends outside of church, but no one to really talk about faith with. Having a group of friends that we can actually get to know and talk about our faith with can be valuable, especially if you have never tried it.
That is why CoreGroups are such an important part of our ministry today. CoreGroups are small groups that meet weekly to read scripture, talk about the sermon, share what is happening in life, support one another, and pray together. Over time, people in these groups end up becoming friends. Hundreds of people have shared with me the way their group has been there for them when crisis hit, supported them through seasons of struggle, and celebrated milestones with them. Many people have made some of their closest friends in CoreGroups.
What makes a CoreGroup special? It offers us something hard to find, a group of friends that we can actually talk about our faith with. It is for this reason that I always say, “if you do one thing in addition to worshiping at The Gathering, I hope it is a CoreGroup.” So if you aren’t in a group, this is your chance to give it a try.
The next few weeks is CoreGroup sign up season. If you have never tried a group, this is your chance to give it a try. If you used to be in a group, this is an opportunity to reconnect or try a new one. You don’t have to know anything about the Bible, and we aren’t going to put you on the spot to pray. Instead, this is a group of people to talk about faith with. Over time, you might be surprised that some of your most important friendships could come out of the simple decision to give a group a try.
So, I encourage all of you to download The Gathering App. Open it and click on Groups. There, you can check out all of the CoreGroups, when and where they meet, and the nature of the people in them. You can sign up for a group in the App or on the website and a leader will follow up with details. Pick a group or two and give them a try. If you are struggling to know which group is right for you, just reach out to your site pastor and they can help you find the right one. Charity Goodwin, our Pastor of Spiritual Formation and Groups, is also here to help you find the right group.
Small groups have changed my life, and I believe they can change yours as well. I hope you will sign up for one and give them a try. It may be the best decision you make to move your faith forward this fall.
Peace,
Matt
That is why CoreGroups are such an important part of our ministry today. CoreGroups are small groups that meet weekly to read scripture, talk about the sermon, share what is happening in life, support one another, and pray together. Over time, people in these groups end up becoming friends. Hundreds of people have shared with me the way their group has been there for them when crisis hit, supported them through seasons of struggle, and celebrated milestones with them. Many people have made some of their closest friends in CoreGroups.
What makes a CoreGroup special? It offers us something hard to find, a group of friends that we can actually talk about our faith with. It is for this reason that I always say, “if you do one thing in addition to worshiping at The Gathering, I hope it is a CoreGroup.” So if you aren’t in a group, this is your chance to give it a try.
The next few weeks is CoreGroup sign up season. If you have never tried a group, this is your chance to give it a try. If you used to be in a group, this is an opportunity to reconnect or try a new one. You don’t have to know anything about the Bible, and we aren’t going to put you on the spot to pray. Instead, this is a group of people to talk about faith with. Over time, you might be surprised that some of your most important friendships could come out of the simple decision to give a group a try.
So, I encourage all of you to download The Gathering App. Open it and click on Groups. There, you can check out all of the CoreGroups, when and where they meet, and the nature of the people in them. You can sign up for a group in the App or on the website and a leader will follow up with details. Pick a group or two and give them a try. If you are struggling to know which group is right for you, just reach out to your site pastor and they can help you find the right one. Charity Goodwin, our Pastor of Spiritual Formation and Groups, is also here to help you find the right group.
Small groups have changed my life, and I believe they can change yours as well. I hope you will sign up for one and give them a try. It may be the best decision you make to move your faith forward this fall.
Peace,
Matt
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2024
January
Clean Slate: Week 1 Discussion GuideStarting & Sustaining Change // M-Note 1.6.24Clean Slate: Week 2 Discussion GuideStarting Small, Dreaming Big // M-Note 1.13.24Clean Slate: Week 3 Discussion GuideTogether Towards Change...and Healthy Habits // M-Note 1.20.24Clean Slate: Week 4 Discussion GuideSlowing Down for God to Show Up // M-Note 1.27.24
February
More Isn't Always Better // M-Note 2.3.24Money Talks: Week 1 Discussion GuideAshes for Valentine's Day? // M-Note 2.10.24Money Talks: Week 2 Discussion GuideLenten Devotional 2024Money Talks: Week 3 Discussion GuideWhat's your legacy? // M-Note 2.17.24Strength in Numbers: Community in Ministry // M-Note 2.24.24Entourage Discussion Guide - Week One
March
Entourage Discussion Guide - Week TwoUpdates from Clayton and Easter Invitation // M-Note 3.2.24Twenty Students Confirmed Last Sunday // M-Note 3.9.24Entourage Discussion Guide - Week 3How serving at Easter can really make a difference // M-Note 3.16.24Entourage Discussion Guide - Week 4Can You Know Joy Without Pain? // M-Note 3.23.24Entourage Discussion Guide - Week 5It's time for EasterSTL at The Factory // M-Note 3.28.24
April
Easter Discussion GuideScreen Time: Troubleshooting our Relationship with Technology // M-Note 4.6.24Screen Time Discussion Guide - Week 1Springtime Reminders: Joy Comes with the Morning // M-Note 4.13.24Screen Time Discussion Guide - Week 2Shaping the Future at the UMC General Conference // M-Note 4.20.24Screen Time Discussion Guide - Week 3 General Conference Halftime Report// M-Note 4.27.24Screen Time Discussion Guide - Week 4
2023
January
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Explore - Week 1Explore - Week 2Explore - Week 3Explore - Week 4God is Leading Us Forward // M-Note 2.3.23SENT: Week 1 Discussion GuideSomething To Try This Weekend // M-Note 2.10.23SENT: Week 2 Discussion GuideWe're Doing Something Big! // M-Note 2.17.23SENT: Week 3 Discussion GuideLent Devotional Day 1Lent Devotional Day 2Lent Devotional Day 3SENT: Week 4 Discussion GuideLent Devotional Day 4Lent Devotional Day 5Lent Devotional Day 6Lent Devotional Day 7
March
Lent Devotional Day 8Lent Devotional Day 9Celebrating BEYOND // M-Note 3.3.2023Who Is Jesus: BONUS Discussion GuideLent Devotional Day 10Lent Devotional Day 11Lent Devotional Day 12Who Is Jesus: Week 1 Discussion GuideLent Devotional Day 13Lent Devotional Day 14Lent Devotional Day 15Lent Devotional Day 16Lent Devotional Day 17The Evening Service is BACK!!! // M-Note 3.10.23Lent Devotional Day 18Lent Devotional Day 19Who Is Jesus: Week 2 Discussion GuideLent Devotional Day 20Lent Devotional Day 21Lent Devotional Day 22Lent Devotional Day 23The Most Important Sunday of the Year // M-Note 3.17.23Who Is Jesus: Week 3 Discussion GuideLent Devotional Day 24Lent Devotional Day 25Lent Devotional Day 26Lent Devotional Day 27Lent Devotional Day 28Lent Devotional Day 29Lent Devotional Day 30The Power of Easter and Invitation // M-Note 3.24.23Lent Devotional Day 31Who Is Jesus: Week 4 Discussion GuideLent Devotional Day 32Lent Devotional Day 33Lent Devotional Day 34Lent Devotional Day 35Lent Devotional Day 36Lent Devotional Day 37
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