JUNE 09
AFFLUENZA WARNING – BE ON YOUR GUARD!
For some years Western society has been in the grip of an epidemic far more widespread than swine flu. We see its symptoms everywhere – from collapsing banks to the MP’s expenses scandal and the huge levels of debt that we’re burdened by. This sickness has sometimes been called Affluenza – defined as the dissatisfaction, anxiety and overload caused by the relentless pursuit of more. It affects any culture that prides financial success a s its highest prize. In other words, it’s the disease of greed. Is it only bankers and politicians that fall prey to affluenza? I don’t think so. We’re all vulnerable. And it seems that it’s always been this way. After all, 2000 years ago Jesus warned people: “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man’s life does not consist of the abundance of his possessions.” (Luke 12:15). The cause of affluenza is buying into the myth that money and things can and should bring happiness. But far from guaranteeing happiness, making wealth your highest value can seriously damage your health. That’s not to say that it’s wrong to be well off, nor that there is any merit in being poor. The problem isn’t money itself, but how we relate to it. It's our attitude that needs watching, not our bank balance. Paul wrote to church leader Timothy: “Command those who are rich in this world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share” (1 Timothy 2:17-18). Most of us don’t think of ourselves as rich, but according to www.globalrichlist.com if your income is £12,000 a year, that puts you among the top 10% of the world’s richest people. The challenge is to let Jesus bring about a real change of heart, whereby our relationship with money is characterized by contentment, freedom, generosity and trust in Him. John Wesley famously preached: “Earn all you can, save all you can, give all you can”. Quite a different outlook to the “borrow all you can, spend all you can, hoard all you can” mindset that we’ve become used to. Is it really possible to change? Absolutely. “With God, all things are possible”. If you would like to step back and take a fresh look at your relationship with money (even if that relationship is a very distant one!) then why not come along to the next CAP Money Course starting 7th July? You’ll find details on the back cover.
SOME EVENTS TO ENJOY WITH FRIENDS . . . .
Fashion Show Wednesday 1 July -High
Street clothing at marked down prices in aid of CAP. This will be a fun evening with models exhibiting clothes that we can purchase and take away on the night. Tickets are £5 each which includes a drink on arrival. Drinks will be available to buy throughout the rest of the evening. You can buy your tickets from Dorothy or the info point—we hope to see you there with a friend or two.
York City Gospel Choir
York’s exciting Gospel music ensemble are holding their 2nd anniversary concert at the Gateway Centre on Sat 11th July 2009, 7.30pm. Drawing on the best musical talents from the many communities in and around York, the choir will perform a range of traditional and contemporary gospel songs. Tickets are £5.00, available at the Gateway Centre. For more information visit the choir website at www.ycgc.org.uk
CAP MONEY COURSE
CAP Money is a revolutionary money management course that will equip you with budgeting skills and a simple money management system that really works, so that you can start taking control of your finances. The course runs over three evenings, and features a 30-minute DVD presentation together with support from our own trained coaches. The course is suitable for everyone – Christians or not. Why not come and bring a friend?
You will find more details at www.capuk.org/yourchurch/capmoney.php The next CAP Money Course runs on Tuesdays 7th, 14th and 21st July at the Gateway Centre. You can get more information or register your interest at the information desk.
June at a Glance
MON
1 Gateway Community Choir 7.30
TUE
2 Alpha 2 7.15
WED
3 Gateway Toddlers 9.30-11.00 Midweek Meet 7.30 College Curve 7.30 9.30
THUR
4 Gateway Kidz Club 6.15-7.15
FRI
5 Oasis Café 10.00 – 12.00 Curve 7.30-9.30
SAT
6
SUN
7 Worship 10.30 (Plus Connect) Oasis Mystery Coach Tour leaving 1.30 from Acomb Working Men’s Club Fit for Life 4-6 pm
8 Gateway Community Choir 7.30
9
Alpha 2 7.15
10 Gateway Toddlers 9.30-11.00 College Curve 7.30 9.30
11 Gateway Kidz Club 6.15-7.15
12 Oasis Café 10.00 – 12.00 Curve 7.30-9.30
13
14 Worship 10.30 Fit for Life 4-6 pm
15 Gateway Community Choir 7.30
16
17 Gateway Toddlers 9.30-11.00 College Curve 7.30 9.30
18 Gateway Kidz Club 6.15-7.15
19 Oasis Café 10.00 – 12.00 Curve 7.30-9.30
20
21 Acomb Summer Fest 11.00 The Green Fit for Life 4-6 pm
22 Gateway Community Choir 7.30
23
24 Gateway Toddlers 9.30-11.00 College Curve 7.30 9.30
25 Gateway Kidz Club 6.15-7.15
26 Oasis Café 10.00 – 12.00 Curve 7.30-9.30
27
28 Worship 10.30
Fit for Life 4-6 pm
29 Gateway Community Choir 7.30
30
1 Gateway Toddlers 9.30-11.00 College Curve 7.30 9.30 Fashion Show Gateway 7.30
2
3 Oasis Café 10.00 – 12.00 Curve 7.30-9.30
4
5 Worship 10.30 Fit for Life 4-6 pm
Midweek Meeting – 3 June
- This year is seeing some significant changes in our staffing structure and in how we are financing our work. At this meeting we’ll communicate these changes, why we are making them, and how they are impacting our budget. There will be some time for questions and, most importantly, to pray! We’d like all church members to make it a priority to be there. If you are waiting for an opportunity to come on Connect then you are also very welcome to come along to this meeting. Please note that our Midweek Meeting in July with be on the 15th.
Connect
If you have started coming along to Gateway recently and you’d like to find out more about how you can get involved, then we’d like to invite you to ‘Connect’. ‘Connect’ is a short introduction to Gateway Church. We will explain our vision and values, how things work, and outline the ministries you can serve in. It’s also an opportunity for you to ask any questions. The next ‘Connect’ is on Sunday 7 June, 10.30-12.30am at the Gateway Centre. Please email (office@gatewaychurch.co.uk) or phone the office (01904 781983) to let us know if you would like to come.
Acomb Summerfest Sunday 21 June 11.00 Acomb Green
We are planning to meet with other local churches on the Green for a celebration. Archbishop Sentamu will be speaking and Godfrey Birtill will be leading worship. There will be a BBQ and Games afterwards.
Global Day of Prayer
Today Sunday 31st May is the Global Day of Prayer, when millions of people around the world gather to pray for their nations and communities. The prayer event in York is in York Minster from 6.30 -8.30pm. Before that, churches from around York are gathering to pray on the City Walls. If you would like to join in, churches from the Acomb area are being directed to the section of wall between Lendal Bridge and Micklegate Bar. We are asked to be in place at 5.30, ready to to start praying at 5.45 when the Minster bells stop ringing. Prayer is in three 5 minute periods - face IN (pray for city), face OUT (pray for our communities, nation and world), face UP (pray for God's Spirit on His Church)
Yorkshire 3 Peaks . . . . . . .
Kirsty, Phil, Katie and Ben are walking the Yorkshire 3 Peaks for CAP on 20th June... it's 26 miles in total and will take approx 12 hrs. ‘We'd really love it if the church could support us in raising money for the amazing ministry that is CAP. People can sponsor us online at www.justgiving.com/gateway3peaks or using one of the sponsorship forms available on the welcome desk.’
Sunday Morning Talks Go ONLINE!
From June you will be able to download each Sunday's talk free from www.gatewaychurch.co.uk. If you are able to do this rather than ordering a CD, please do. CDs will still be available to order from the Information Point.
ALPHA Equip & Training
July 4 at St Michael-le-belfrey. Cost will be £5 and includes lunch, more details to follow.
The Gateway Christian Centre Front Street, Acomb, York, Y024 3BN 01904 781983 office@gatewaychurch.co.uk http://www.gatewaychurch.co.uk