Westside Gathering - Audio

The final word of our Words of Life series is "witness." When we consider all the words that have pointed us to the good life of the gospel it's not surprising Jesus would call us to let others know and invite them in! Explore this word, call, and impact (Acts 1:1-11) Our message notes can be found here http://www.gatheringcafe.com/thewestsidegathering/podcasts/WSGmsg20250601_DavidM.pdf

While our culture tends to describe love through or enjoyment, what kind of love can truly change a person and impact society - even dispel the many fears we live with? We explore how the New Testament describes love uniquely different. (1 John 4:7-21) Our message notes can be found here http://www.gatheringcafe.com/thewestsidegathering/podcasts/WSGmsg20250523_DavidM.pdf

Holiness is not a common word in our culture. Who aspires to be holy? Yet many would long to be called into something or grow into someone with meaning and purpose. Now you're getting at what the scripture calls holy. We'll unpack it through the ideas of wonder, calling and living. (1 Peter 1:13-2:3) Our message notes can be found here http://www.gatheringcafe.com/thewestsidegathering/podcasts/WSGmsg20250518_DavidM.pdf

Our message notes can be found here http://www.gatheringcafe.com/thewestsidegathering/podcasts/WSGmsg20250511_NathanW.pdf

Our message notes can be found here http://www.gatheringcafe.com/thewestsidegathering/podcasts/WSGmsg20250504_JohnW.pdf

Our message notes can be found here http://www.gatheringcafe.com/thewestsidegathering/podcasts/WSGmsg20250427_JohnW.pdf

Salvation is a big and common word in the Bible. We get to heart of what we're saved from and what we're saved for. (Titus 3:1-8) Our message notes can be found here http://www.gatheringcafe.com/thewestsidegathering/podcasts/WSGmsg20250427_DavidM.pdf

Resurrection was God breaking into history letting us know that the life Jesus promised us is available in the present, and his restored future is still on the horizon. (1 Corinthians 15:1-22) Our message notes can be found here http://www.gatheringcafe.com/thewestsidegathering/podcasts/WSGmsg20250420_DavidM.pdf

2 Cor. 5:16-21 Our message notes can be found here http://www.gatheringcafe.com/thewestsidegathering/podcasts/WSGmsg20250418_DavidM.pdf

As we celebrate Palm Sunday we can see the uniqueness of Jesus - he goes down before he goes up; he humbles himself before he's exalted. There's a promise in that path for you too, if you can see it. (Phil 2:1-11) Our message notes can be found here http://www.gatheringcafe.com/thewestsidegathering/podcasts/WSGmsg20250413_DavidM.pdf

Jesus modelled a contrarian downward mobility for us that doesn't just accomplish God's mission but shows us who God is. This season we're allowing the words of Philippians 1:27-2:11 to shape us as we walk towards the cross. Our message notes can be found here http://www.gatheringcafe.com/thewestsidegathering/podcasts/WSGmsg20250406_DavidM.pdf

How does one live a life worthy of the gospel (the way of Jesus meant to be lived in the world)? Join us as we immerse ourselves in Philippians 1:27-2:11 for three weeks leading up to Easter to help us contemplate and grow in this season. Our message notes can be found here http://www.gatheringcafe.com/thewestsidegathering/podcasts/WSGmsg20250330_DavidM.pdf

Fellowship is probably the most 'religious' sounding word in the church. Yet if get to the root of it, it helps us understand God's vision for our relationship with Him, His mission, and His church (each other). Our message notes can be found here http://www.gatheringcafe.com/thewestsidegathering/podcasts/WSGmsg20250323_DavidM.pdf

Grace, what a word - so many long to experience and live with. Listen as we explore its roots in the New Testament. (Eph. 2:4-10) Guest: Kenzo Mabiala Our message notes can be found here http://www.gatheringcafe.com/thewestsidegathering/podcasts/WSGmsg20250316_KenzoM.pdf

People use the word FAITH all the time. It's in music, poems, and every life - maybe even before someone gets on a roller coaster. We explore why Faith is so central to following Jesus and why it leads to life and relationship with God (Galatians 3:23-4:7) Our message notes can be found here http://www.gatheringcafe.com/thewestsidegathering/podcasts/WSGmsg20250309_DavidM.pdf

Has the word CROSS become over familiar to you? In songs and phrases or maybe around your neck. Or maybe it's foreign to you, wondering what all the fuss is about with Christians? explore it with us and see what a window it is to the kind of life available in Jesus. (Phil. 2:1-11) Our message notes can be found here http://www.gatheringcafe.com/thewestsidegathering/podcasts/WSGmsg20250302_DavidM.pdf

The scriptures point to a qualitatively different kind of life that can only come through one source. Do we choose it? (John 6:25-59) Our message notes can be found here http://www.gatheringcafe.com/thewestsidegathering/podcasts/WSGmsg20250223_DavidM.pdf

Humans long for forgiveness yet struggle to give it and often receive it. We explore a gospel scene that gives us a picture of forgiveness characteristic of God's kingdom brought near in Jesus. (Luke 7:36-50) Our message notes can be found here http://www.gatheringcafe.com/thewestsidegathering/podcasts/WSGmsg20250216_DavidM.pdf

What does gospel mean to you? For some it's merely an adjective to describe something else, yet the earliest use of the word is more like an announcement. How big of an announcement must it have been to change the trajectory of history and millions of lives? (Mark 1:1-20) Our message notes can be found here http://www.gatheringcafe.com/thewestsidegathering/podcasts/WSGmsg20250209_DavidM.pdf

Jesus held the words of life, and as the New Testament was written, key words became windows into the life available in Jesus. This new series explores 15 Words of Life found in the New Testament. We kick of with one that's all over the story of the Bible - Righteousness (Matthew 3:13-17) Our message notes can be found here http://www.gatheringcafe.com/thewestsidegathering/podcasts/WSGmsg20250202_DavidM.pdf

Making Room for more among us and beyond us - holding in tension our commitment to discipleship, community and mission. (Heb. 11:1, John 6:50-51) // Launching 2 Gatherings at the end of March Our message notes can be found here http://www.gatheringcafe.com/thewestsidegathering/podcasts/WSGmsg20250126_DavidM.pdf

Becoming person who experiences God's presence and contemplates on his beauty will not happen without considering areas of our life that become obstacles to that. In a society obsessed with growth and personal introspection, have we considered allowing God to search us so we can grow towards the life he wants to offer us. (Psalm 139) Our message notes can be found here http://www.gatheringcafe.com/thewestsidegathering/podcasts/WSGmsg20250119_DavidM.pdf

Not Hidden (Psalm 139) Nathan Whatley Our message notes can be found here http://www.gatheringcafe.com/thewestsidegathering/podcasts/WSGmsg20250112_NathanW.pdf

If there was ONE THING that would influence and change you, would you do it? ONE practice that has the potential to infect your mind, heart and actions? While things aren't usually that simple, there is ONE PRACTICE that can call us into knowing God deeply. It also helps us avoid the busyness and get through the battles of life. (Psalm 27) Our message notes can be found here http://www.gatheringcafe.com/thewestsidegathering/podcasts/WSGmsg20250105_DavidM.pdf

It's incredible how the ordinary meets extraordinary at Christmas. Listen to our Christmas message to encourage and inspire you this Christmas and into next year. Our message notes can be found here http://www.gatheringcafe.com/thewestsidegathering/podcasts/WSGmsg20241223_DavidM.pdf

We often miss how grand God's vision to restore humanity is and his invitation to participate in it. Both Abraham in Genesis and Mary (Jesus' mother) hear God's voice. It raises their expectation and invites their participation. (Gen. 15:1-15; Luke 1:46-55; Heb. 11:8-12) Our message notes can be found here http://www.gatheringcafe.com/thewestsidegathering/podcasts/WSGmsg20241222_DavidM.pdf

Are you willing to be interrupted? We explore this advent theme in a tense gospel scene where some get bothered by an interruption, and others welcome it and discover delight! (Luke 13:10-17, 18-19) Our message notes can be found here http://www.gatheringcafe.com/thewestsidegathering/podcasts/WSGmsg20241215_DavidM.pdf

Is there anything in your life that causes you to look down - physically or emotionally? What if Jesus wanted to change your posture and perspective so you can look up - at him, the world, his intended purpose for you? Listen as we encounter Jesus with a woman who was bent over for 18 years. (Luke 13:10-17) Our message notes can be found here http://www.gatheringcafe.com/thewestsidegathering/podcasts/WSGmsg20241208_DavidM.pdf

Moving from a life of distractions to a more present - full - life isn't easy; We wrap up this series exploring - and baptizing - a few classic spiritual practices for our digitally distracted culture. (Luke 10:38-42) Our message notes can be found here http://www.gatheringcafe.com/thewestsidegathering/podcasts/WSGmsg20241124_DavidM.pdf

You are made for a purpose, yet so often we can miss fulfilling it we get distracted along the way. 1 Peter could've been written for 2024 - as he encourages Christ followers to be alert and disciplined in the middle of distractions so they don't miss fulfilling their purpose. Our message notes can be found here http://www.gatheringcafe.com/thewestsidegathering/podcasts/WSGmsg20241117_DavidM.pdf

One of the greatest gifts God has given us is our minds. Yet we live in a world full of constant distractions that stop us from using them! Followers of Jesus (become to anyone) are given strategy to fight the mind games. Our message notes can be found here http://www.gatheringcafe.com/thewestsidegathering/podcasts/WSGmsg20241110_DavidM.pdf

Some of the first non-jewish followers of Jesus were stargazers. God used that to lead them right to Jesus. What if this advent season we looked up a little more to anticipate all God longs to do in us and the world around us? (Matthew 2:1-12) Our message notes can be found here http://www.gatheringcafe.com/thewestsidegathering/podcasts/WSGmsg20241201_DavidM.pdf

We live in a culture of constant distractions that prevents us from paying attention to things that matter - God, people, wisdom, and depth needed to live well. We kick off this new series with an awareness of our attention deficit and culture of distraction. We're all impacted, join us for the journey of growth. Our message notes can be found here http://www.gatheringcafe.com/thewestsidegathering/podcasts/WSGmsg20241103_DavidM.pdf

We welcome Trevor Seath, who directs and serves our association churches in Ontario. Our message notes can be found here http://www.gatheringcafe.com/thewestsidegathering/podcasts/WSGmsg20241027_TrevorS.pdf

Is there any benefit or rewards to the practice of thanksgiving? We explore some signs tied to a life of faith along with the posture and practice of thanksgiving. Our message notes can be found here http://www.gatheringcafe.com/thewestsidegathering/podcasts/WSGmsg20241020_DavidM.pdf

Life is qualitatively different for the grateful. More than a feeling, it's an action. In fact, the call to thanksgiving through out the scriptures changes your life in ways our modern world longs for. Our message notes can be found here http://www.gatheringcafe.com/thewestsidegathering/podcasts/WSGmsg20241013_DavidM.pdf

The last supper Jesus spends with his disciples helps us wrap up our series calling us to MAKE ROOM for Jesus, each other and those beyond us (Matthew 26:17-29) Our message notes can be found here http://www.gatheringcafe.com/thewestsidegathering/podcasts/WSGmsg20241006_DavidM.pdf

Those who first followed Jesus immediately had a sense that what they discovered in him and the community he created could not be kept to themselves. (John 1:43-51) Our message notes can be found here http://www.gatheringcafe.com/thewestsidegathering/podcasts/WSGmsg20240929_DavidM.pdf

If the church is designed by God to be a family that reflects Jesus in life and mission there must be a sense of community below the surface. One early church example gives a glimpse of the tangible ways Christians made room for each other. How are you making room for who the scriptures call your "brothers and sisters?" (3 John 1-8) Our message notes can be found here http://www.gatheringcafe.com/thewestsidegathering/podcasts/WSGmsg20240922_DavidM.pdf

What do you do when you discover you long for something that matters but you have no room in your life for it? We start a new series highlighting some essentials we have opportunity to make room - in the middle of our busy complex lives - starting with the invitation to immerse ourselves in the life and person of Jesus (Eph. 3:14-21). Our message notes can be found here http://www.gatheringcafe.com/thewestsidegathering/podcasts/WSGmsg20240915_DavidM.pdf

Nathan invites us to consider our calling and capacity this fall in getting in the game (aka ministry). Eph 4:1-16 Our message notes can be found here http://www.gatheringcafe.com/thewestsidegathering/podcasts/WSGmsg20240908_NathanW.pdf

How are we to live according to the higher standard which Christ has laid upon us as Christians? In this sermon we look at how exactly the gospel both frees us and empowers us to live lives set apart from the ways of the world, for the sake of the world. Our message notes can be found here http://www.gatheringcafe.com/thewestsidegathering/podcasts/WSGmsg20240825_KersaintSJ.pdf

Nathan Whatley explores the well known parable of the prodigal son from Luke 15 and invites us to ask the question: "Where do we fit in the story?"  Our message notes can be found here http://www.gatheringcafe.com/thewestsidegathering/podcasts/WSGmsg20240818_NathanW.pdf

We'll explore the profound impact of actively following Jesus in our daily lives. We'll see how intentional spiritual practices not only shape our hearts but also have the power to transform our communities. Discover what it looks like to truly embody the teachings of Jesus and witness the ripple effect it can have on our lives and the world around us. Our message notes can be found here http://www.gatheringcafe.com/thewestsidegathering/podcasts/WSGmsg20240811_DariaN.pdf

Join us as Kelly dives into Daniel 3, exploring the theme of idolatry and examining how God's people face challenges in worshipping the gods of this world. We'll delve into the question of the heart and consider how we might have made room for other things instead of devoting ourselves to worshipping God. Our message notes can be found here http://www.gatheringcafe.com/thewestsidegathering/podcasts/WSGmsg20240804_KellyO.pdf

Join us as Kelly dives into Daniel 3, exploring the theme of idolatry and examining how God's people face challenges in worshipping the gods of this world. We'll delve into the question of the heart and consider how we might have made room for other things instead of devoting ourselves to worshipping God. Our message notes can be found here http://www.gatheringcafe.com/thewestsidegathering/podcasts/WSGmsg20240802_KellyO.pdf

Psalm 127, one of the Psalms of Ascents, warns us to avoid vanity by participating in God's work and reaping the fruitfulness of it. Producing fruit that aligns with God's creative, sustaining, and redeeming work, however, poses a challenge to our sinful tendency to follow worldly patterns. This message is meant to encourage the church in godly fruitfulness. Our message notes can be found here http://www.gatheringcafe.com/thewestsidegathering/podcasts/WSGmsg20240721_JohnW.pdf

Many people have been painfully labelled in their lives. Through the testimony of Thomas we will see where labels come from, how not to do it as a church and how Jesus removes our labels. Our message notes can be found here http://www.gatheringcafe.com/thewestsidegathering/podcasts/WSGmsg20240714_DanielD.pdf

In this message we dive into the Gospel of John where Jesus heals a man in an unexpected way. In the same way God is calling us, the Church, to look to Him and what He wants to do in and through us beyond what we are looking for. Our message notes can be found here http://www.gatheringcafe.com/thewestsidegathering/podcasts/WSGmsg20240707_DavidMirck.pdf

Our phones, shoes and even coffee shops have branding that crafts a story that shapes us. Did you know Jesus gave his followers a brand that would shape them? Knowing and living this brand could change everything."  Our message notes can be found here http://www.gatheringcafe.com/thewestsidegathering/podcasts/WSGmsg20240623_ChrisM.pdf

When Jesus encounters the woman at the well, her life is disrupted and unexpectedly experiences a transformation. We will take a closer look at John 4:4-26 and study closer what Jesus' love causes in us. Our message notes can be found here http://www.gatheringcafe.com/thewestsidegathering/podcasts/WSGmsg20240616_DavidM.pdf