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| March 21, 2011 | NEWSLETTER
Monday Edition |
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Greetings!
Accepting the Good News is a life-changing event. Once changed we share the gospel with those who do not believe.
Our prayer must be for us to receive that empowerment through the Holy Spirit so that we can encourage and teach not only the believer but also those who have limited or no knowledge of the Good News that Jesus died for all of the sins of humanity, past, present and future, and that everyone who believes that fact and accepts Him will be the beneficiary of eternal salvation through faith alone, and by His grace alone.
The Church Staff
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The Art of Preaching
The second session of the Ministry Class in Homiletics will be held this coming Saturday morning, March 26, at 9:30 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall.
It is a class not only for those who preach or are planning to become preachers. It is truly for anyone who wants to witness to others about his faith. The principles that apply to one's oral discourse are the same ones that one uses in communicating with others one-on-one.
A third session will be held on April 9, Saturday at the same time and place. |
 | PASTORS' CONFERENCE |
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At the Irawan Church
Fifteen pastors and lay leaders in Gospel Life's affiliated churches in the Philippines will attend the Pastors' Conference at the Palawan Church in Irawan from May 12 - 16. Our lead ministers Pastor John and Jessie Tulio, and Pastor Hansel Orzame, minister for nurture, will lead out in the conference.
These ministers will be coming from distant areas in Cebu, Davao, Nueva Ecija and other places. In order to help facilitate the Philippine pastors/ministers travel to Palawan, there's a need to help defray their travel costs. It is estimated that the transportation expenses will be approximately $150 per person. Food and lodging will be provided in the Irawan Church campus.
We will need sponsors who will help foot this bill for our Global Outreach program. Fifteen sponsors donating $150 each will cover the above travel costs for those ministers/pastors in the Philippines. Please get in touch with our pastor's wife if you are signing up for a full or partial sponsorship.
Donations for this purpose will need to be submitted by Sunday, April 17, at the latest. Pastors John and Jessie will be leaving for the Philippines shortly after that date.
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| JAPAN DISASTER RELIEF
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United Outreach Effort
Plans are being finalized for Gospel Life Community - Church Without Walls - to participate in a united outreach effort to do a disaster relief fund drive for the victims of the recent earthquake and tsunami in Japan.
Among the local organizations who will be cooperating in this effort other than Gospel Life are the Filipino American Chamber of Commerce of San Gabriel Valley (FACCSGV), the Asia Pacific Islander American Public Affairs Association, the San Gabriel Valley Japanese Community Center, and the Chinese American Association of Walnut (CAAW). Johnny Chua, president of both the FACCSGV and the CAAW, is coordinating this drive.
A drive-thru or a drive-by is being proposed where the donating public can just come by, drop their donations into a provided container, while our local group can help man a tent set up for this occasion down by our church driveway near E. Amar Road outside of the wrought iron gate. We will most likely hold this event on Saturday, April 2. More specific plans, date and time will be announced later.
All donations should be made out to Gospel Life Community. These donations will be endorsed to the San Gabriel Valley Japanese Community Center who, in turn, will send it over to the Nanka Miyagi Kenjin Kai. The funds are intended for the devastated areas of the Miyagi Prefecture. |
| BIBLE STUDY GROUPS |
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Do You Belong to One?
We have at present ten (10) active Bible Study Groups or Small Group Fellowships that are conducting Bible studies at different locations on different weekdays.
It is our hope that every one of you out there will belong to one of these groups if you do not. There is tremendous blessing in becoming a member of at least one of these groups. This is where one can be comfortable and relaxed in a safe environment.
There may be those of you who may want to start a group of your own led by someone who is familiar with the small group structure and principle. If this is your desire, please let someone among the church staff know and we'll help you get started.
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| DEVOTIONAL |
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But God untied the death ropes and raised him up. Death was no match for him. Acts 2:24 (MSG)
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"Each time we face a "God, what's the plan here" moment, we can know that we're also nearing the "but God" moment, where we'll see our story unfolding for God's glory and for his good plans for us."
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In moments of despair, confusion, or darkness, it's only natural to wonder if God is paying attention. In honesty, sometimes you want to ask, "Hey, God is there any kind of plan here?" Or, "God, do you realize what's about to happen-to me?"
That's when we need to cling to a "but God" faith, where we believe things may look bad, but God is working it for good. "But God untied the death ropes and raised him up."
Sometimes our deliverance comes immediately after the "but God;" sometimes it is years before we see the end of the sentence that God is writing with our lives.
But that doesn't mean God has abandoned our story.
God uses the time before "but God" to develop in us a certainty in his sovereignty and grace.
We may be hard pressed on every side, but God keeps us from being crush; perplexed, but God lifts us from the pits of despair; persecuted, but God stands by our side; struck down, but God makes us indestructible by filling us with his incorruptible Spirit. (2 Corinthians 4)
Each time we face a "God, what's the plan here" moment, we can know that we're also nearing the "but God" moment, where we'll see our story unfolding for God's glory and for his good plans for us. (Jeremiah 29; Romans 8:28)
As we wait, Jesus changes us. We no longer see the need to know how we'll be delivered. We come to know that, no matter how the story ends, it includes the phrase, "but God is our Deliverer." (2 Samuel 22:2)
This devotional is by Jon Walker, editor of the Daily Hope Devotionals and author of Costly Grace. Rick Warren says, "I believe Costly Grace may be one of the most important books published during this time of economic uncertainty and world turmoil."
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| COMING UP
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March 26, Saturday, 9:30 a.m. - Ministry Class (Homiletics)
April 2, Saturday - Japan Disaster Relief Fund Drive
April 9, Saturday, 9:30 a.m. - Ministry Class (Homiletics)
April 10, Sunday, 2:00 p.m. - Core Group Meeting
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| "Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits at God's right hand in the place of honor and power. Let heaven fill your thoughts. Do not think only about things down here on earth. For you died when Christ died, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. And when Christ, who is your real life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory." Colossians 3: 1-4 (NLT)
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