|
|
|
|
|
NEWSLETTER
Monday Edition - February 14, 2011 |
|
Greetings!
Happy Valentine's Day! Although most if not everyone knows the traditional story about the origin of Valentine's Day, let's be clear that we are not in any way glorifying that event. Rather, we'd like to use this as a reminder that the greatest and most extravagant love gift came from God in the form of His only Son Jesus who died for all our sins and that, by believing in Him and accepting Him as our Savior and Lord, we are declared righteous in His presence.
What love, what selfless sacrifice, indeed, in order to redeem us from our wretchedness! Christ's righteousness covers us when we believe, and in God's eyes we then appear as though we have never sinned. All of that is forgiven and cast into the depths of the sea, never to be remembered anymore.
In His love, God provides each believer his or her physical and spiritual needs, as well as the material and social. All we need to do is to ask so that our faith and reliance on Him continues to grow and thus, His love flows through us to those around us.
The Church Staff
|
|
|
Stop! In the Name of Love...
Seminar followed by dinner
We paused and stopped yesterday to participate in a well-attended Marriage Enrichment Seminar conducted by Pastor John. In sum, it was all about love: how couples can maintain the spark between them while learning how to deal with the ordinary as well as the sublime vicissitudes of married life.
A booklet was provided for each couple with the details of the seminar content. There were approximately 50 people in attendance.
The group proceeded to the Marie Callender's restaurant in West Covina where they had dinner and a fun-filled fellowship. M |
BENEVOLENCE
God Loves a Cheerful Giver
Do we plan the way we give in support of our church? Or do we give at the spur of the moment? Planned giving is a much better way of allocating the amount we decide to donate for the smooth operation of our church and to fulfill its obligations as well as its projects. Do you realize that if every person in our church who already gives regularly for its support forgoes, let's say, one Number 2 order at the In and Out burger stand each week and gives that amount on top of what that person is already giving to the church, that we can more easily meet our budget? It is a matter of planning to give just a little bit more, and doing it consistently, and everyone participating in this exercise of faith that will help sustain our church's programs. The apostle Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 9:6-11a, 13, 15: "Remember this -- a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop. You must each make up your own mind as to how much you should give. Don't give reluctantly or in response to pressure. For God loves the person who gives cheerfully. And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others. "As the Scriptures say, 'Godly people give generously to the poor. Their good deeds will never be forgotten.' For God is the one who gives seed to the farmer and then bread to eat. In the same way, he will give you many opportunities to do good, and he will produce a great harvest of generosity in you. "Yes, you will be enriched so that you can give even more generously...You will be glorifying God through your generous gifts. For your generosity to them will prove that you are obedient to the Good News of Christ... Thank God for his Son -- a gift too wonderful for words!" |
|
Youth "Encounter" Plus
Intimacy and Intimidation
That is, indeed, what the Youth praise, worship, workshop, etc. event is called. And it is going to be this coming Saturday, February 19, beginning at 6:30 p.m.
Prior to that perhaps about 3 hours earlier, they will start with a fun filled gathering with barbecueing, grilling, playing including electronic games and just having some good, clean fun together.
This is primarily for the middle and high school aged youth and young adults, and also for the young at heart.
In view of this event, the regular youth small group fellowship on Friday evening, the 18th, will not take place.
|
|
Workshops and Classes
See Our Busy Schedule
February 20, Sunday, 2:00 p.m. - Family Spiritual Growth Workshop
February 26, Saturday, 9:30 a.m. - Ministry Class (Soteriology)
February 27, Sunday, 2:00 p.m. - Parenting Workshop
March 12, Saturday, 9:30 a.m. - Ministry Class (Homiletics)
March 13, Sunday, 2:00 p.m. - Family Finance Workshop
March 20, Sunday, 2:00 p.m. - Teenagers Workshop
March 26, Saturday, 9:30 a.m. - Ministry Class (Homiletics)
March 27, Sunday, 2:00 p.m. - Youth/Collegiate Workshop
|
|
Marketplace Ministry
Do You Know Who You Are?
"Continue your love to those who know you, your righteousness to the upright in heart" (Ps 36:10). Someone once said, "Success is when those who know you the best are those who love you the most." Years ago a self-assessment tool was developed by Joseph Luft and Harry Ingram called the Johari window. The Johari Window helps us realize where we are in our ability to know who we are and for others to know who we are. Real transparency in communication takes place when those we associate with us know who we are after we discover who we really are. See if you can identify what category you might fall among these four: Transparent Life The transparent life is the life we should desire. I know who I am and others know me. There is nothing hidden. I have come to know who I am as an individual and basically people get what they see in me. Bull-In-The-China Shop This person is blinded to the things that others recognize about him. The solution to becoming a transparent person is to get feedback from those around us about the blind spots in our personality. We must ask for the feedback and be willing to respond to their input. Aloof/Hidden Secrets This person lives in a secret world. They don't allow others to know about themselves. They know themselves but are fearful of letting others know. Those around them do not know them either. What do others really know about you? Have you allowed yourself to get close enough to others to share who you really are inside? Hidden Potential This is a combination of Bull-In-A-China Shop and Aloof/Hidden Secrets. It is the saddest of all conditions. These people don't know themselves and others don't know them either. This means both parties have to invest the energy to communicate and get feedback from one another. How about you? Why not take a step to find out who you really are in the eyes of others. It could change your life. (Today God Is First (TGIF) devotional message, Copyright by Os Hillman, Marketplace Leaders)
|
|
The Center of His Perfect Will
"Father, thank You for our prayer warriors. How grateful we are that You take interest in everyone of Your children and that You hear each of us when we call You. Bless us with Your peace and joy, and a deeper intimacy with You each and every day. Remind us, Father, that every moment spent in prayer before You has eternal implications, and we are so thankful for all our prayer partners who serve with us in our mission to lead others to get to know You, Jesus, as their Savior. Keep us, O Lord, in the center of Your perfect will. We praise You for your extravagant love and goodness towards us. Thank you for what You will accomplish in our lives for the sake of the Kingdom. Help us to trust You every step of the way as we live for Your honor and glory. In Jesus' name, Amen." |
|
|
|
|
|
