What's In a Name?
A gate post is a structure that supports a gate.  In our case, "The Gate Post" is just a structure that supports SouthGate - a way for us to stay in touch and communicate what God is doing and saying among us.  This is a new venture for us in 2012.  Our plan is to send out "The Gate Post" weekly, reiterating what God spoke and did among us at our Sunday Celebration, and encouraging a response worthy of Him and His Kingdom.  We'll also share what's coming next.  Please read on and join us in the journey as we pursue God's heart together.
 
Living with Passion and Vision:  Follow Jesus
Last Sunday, January 1, Pastor Kevin shared a message about what it means to follow Jesus.  To review this message, and to consider some questions related to it, open the .pdf attached to this newsletter.  Let's all seek to follow Jesus more fully in the future than we have yet!  Spend some time on this, not only considering the good works that God has preparred in advance for you to do (Ephesians 2:10), but also how you can spur on others (Hebrews 10:24) to take hold of what God took hold of them for (Philippians 3:12).
 
I Corinthians 14:23 - Words From the LORD
1 Corinthians 14:23 instructs us, "Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said."  These two words were given at the end of the service last Sunday.
 
Mark Weaver read a word the LORD had given him the prior Thursday for SouthGate.  Click this link for a copy of the word.  www.SouthGatefc.com/word/01.01.12.
 
Jonathan Stahnke shared a word based on Deuteronomy 33:8-9 - "About Levi He said:  'Your Thummim and Urim belong to Your faithful servant.  You tested him at Massah; You contended with him at the waters of Meribah.  He said of  his father and mother, 'I have no regard for them.'  He did not recognize his brothers or acknowledge his own children, but he watched over Your word and guarded Your covenant.'"  Jonathan further related how Abraham was willing to sacrifice his son Isaac, while God the Father actually did sacrifice His only Son, Jesus.  Finally, Jonathan encouraged us to Give all to God so He can sanctify and bless it.
 
Please review these words and weigh them carefully before the LORD to discern His heart for you and SouthGate.
 
Living with Passion and Vision:  Love God
With the beginning of the new year, we want to encourage each one in our church to live with passion and vision in 2012.  Our new sermon series covers the four aspects of our vision:  Follow Jesus, Love God, Love People, Reach Out.  We continue this Sunday, January 8, as Pastor Gary shares on loving God with all of our heart, mind, soul, and strength.
 
His Little Feet at SouthGate!
The "His Little Feet" Children's Choir is coming to SouthGate Sunday, January 15th!  The choir consists of 14 precious orphans from Ethiopia and The Honduras.  His Little Feet is a ministry based in Windsor that promotes orphan care, child sponsorships, and adoption.  The choir travels to churches throughout the U.S. to be a voice for orphaned and vulnerable children worldwide.  We've been in partnership with His Little Feet founders Mike and Christa Hahn for many years.  Families from SouthGate will be providing host homes for the children and a lunch for the choir and staff after the Sunday service.  The choir will minister for the first half of the service.  Our children will stay in the sanctuary for the program, then go to their classes during the message the second half of the service.  For more information or to help with the lunch, please contact Kelly Blackwell at kel.blackwell@trip.net.
 
"Hebrews 300"
After our series on vision, we will be digging into the Book of Hebrews from God's holy and powerful Word.  To prepare for the study of Hebrews, Pastor Kevin is inviting the church to join him in memorizing Hebrews.  There are 300 verses in Hebrews, so we're calling the challenge, "Hebrews 300."  Anyone completing the challenge receives Richard Stearns' book The Hole in Our Gospel as a special gift.  Just let PK know you are joining him, recite Hebrews one chapter at a time to someone, and let him know when you are finished.

 
Prayer Opportunities

• Join us for Intergenerational Prayer Sunday morning from 9:15 - 9:45.  All ages are invited to come and join us as we seek God in prayer - in fact, that's the only way it will be intergenerational!
• Join us Thursday mornings from 6:30 - 7:30 as we pray for individuals in our church, the church body, our missionaries, and the nations.

 
SouthGate Asia Journey 2012 - January 17 - February 5
Elder Andy Jones and partner missionary Gabe Chartier, will be traveling to encouarge some of our church supported missionaries, observe their work first hand, and build connections with emerging local faith communities.  These connections will allow SouthGate to play the role God has for us in sharing His heart and reaching the nations.  This is the first trip; we expect that many others from SouthGate will go on similar trips to Asia in years to come.  There are opportunities to join in prayer, support the trip financially, and communicate with our missionaries.  Check in with Andy or Gabe, but do it soon... January 17 is coming fast!
 
Kerrie Roberts - Savior To Me
Check out this great song and video!  Love the heart to passionately worship Jesus!  www.youtube.com/watch
 
Upcoming Events

• Financial Peace University - Monday, January 9 @ 6:00 p.m.  Cost is $89 per person or couple.  Contact Dustin West ASAP at 970-215-8055 or at dustin.west5@aol.com.
• Tapestry (Women's Ministry) - Thursday, January 12 @ 9:00 a.m.
• Men's Meeting - Thursday, January 19 @ 7:00 p.m.