Dear familia,

As I read Serena’s last e-mail to her Hospitality Team, I was moved by her recollection of some holy moments in the life of our flourishing community. I asked her permission to share a few highlights as we pause and thank God for bringing us this far!

Serena writes: “We did a whole year of in-person services, minus some Zoom services at the beginning of the year because of a Covid surge. This is something to be celebrated! We have added so many cool aspects and people to the services. Amy and Abe taught us that we can use the chair movers to move the signs and totes; we now have a staffed play space; we’ve danced in the sanctuary; turned the communion table into a feast; Nicola, Sandy, and Meleca preached their first sermons; we celebrated baptisms; prayed blessings over familia members when they moved; and somewhere along the way YOU became a part of our familia. But our church is more than Sunday services at Missiongathering Church, so much has happened this year. Who I am and Where I am in December 2022 is not Who I was and Where I was in December 2021. You have enriched my life, grown me, and helped me along my journey of re-membering with your presence, grace, patience, forgiveness, smiles, hugs, todo.”

I pray that Serena’s words encourage your soul in your advent-ing, in your waiting. As we look forward, may we also look back and see all the ways in which we have grown, and evolved in this space! And we pray that this faith familia continues to be fertile soil for your flourishing.

This upcoming Sunday is our last in-person service of the year and last Advent Sunday. Pastor Bobby will bring the word and Younger People’s Church will teach us a bit of their advent journey with Amy and some painted rocks!

Christmas and New Year’s

We will not be having a Christmas Day Sunday Service. May you have a Feliz Navidad with friends, framily, and familia that surrounds you. Jenn and Serena will lead us on a New Year’s Eve Hike on Saturday, Dec 31 at 10:00 am if you need to get out and about for some fresh air! Our New Year’s Day service will be online via our Zoom Living Rooms just like last year (10:30 am PST). You may find the Zoom link here on our Events page on the website.

We’re hoping these very intentional rhythms of rest and restoration invite each of us into more opportunities to be more present as witnesses to Light and Life in this season.

Year-end Giving

We want to thank all of you who have been able to give of your presence, your time, your talents, and finances all year to make this church familia the beloved community moved by the Spirit to follow the life, love, and justice of Jesus. As we say every Sunday, if you are able to give generously, joyfully, and sacrificially, you may do so on the GIVE page on our website.

Is Your Church Center Profile Up To Date?

It’s the end of the year, and we want to ensure we have your correct contact information when we send out the 2022 donation receipts. Please visit thechurchwehopefor.churchcenter.com/me and make sure we have your current email and physical mailing address.  Thanks!!

Thank you familia for giving of your heart and your selves in this journey of advent,

Gracia y paz,
Inés