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| NEWSLETTER
MONDAY EDITION JUNE 13, 2011
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| UPCOMING EVENTS | |
Small Group Fellowships
(Schedule on Back Page of Church Bulletin)
Tuesday, June 14 - Deadline for Lion's Den
School Application Form Submission
Thursday, June 16 - First Day of
Lion's Den School
Friday, June 17 - LOL (Living Out Loud)
7:00 to 9:00 p.m.
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Greetings!
Are you rooted in Christ's image? What does it mean?
Imagine a house plant with each leaf and flower receiving the nourishment it needs through the root system, up the stalk, and out to the very tips of the plant. Our lives are nourished by Christ in the same way. He brings calmness and peacefulness in the midst of anxiety. He gives us wisdom to handle financial and other pressures. He comforts us in times of burden, grief and sorrow. He supplies our every need!
What a wonderful Savior is Jesus, our Lord!
The Church Staff
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PROGRESS UNLIMITED
The Pastor's report on the status of Gospel Life's sister churches in the Philippines makes such an impact for us to realize that, indeed, there is no way we can limit the progress of God's work whether here or abroad when He decides that His story needs to be told among those who earnestly seek Him and look for Him!
Many times we question how in the world we can continue on with the numerous mission projects that we have, seeing that our resources are so limited. But wait, aren't we forgetting something? When a project or an opportunity to start one comes around, who is able to stop it when it is God who tells us in unmistakable ways to go ahead and watch Him do another miracle?
Pastor John showed us a ton of pictures that say more than thousands of words. We saw the enthusiastic members, who despite whatever local limitations they had, praised and worshiped just as passionately as we do, perhaps even more! We saw the pastors and lay ministers who were so hungry for instruction from the Word that they traveled hundreds of miles to attend the Pastors' Conference in Palawan.
We saw the places where they worshiped, some churches small, others a bit larger, some in makeshift structures until more permanent ones could be built. We saw the happy friendships made, the spirit-filled leaders and potential leaders, the bridges being built to establish future congregations.
We were impressed with events that appear to have materialized to facilitate other unexpected happenings.
Although all these were shown to us yesterday afternoon right after the fellowship lunch, the same theme of being a transformational community to our families, our friends, our neighborhood, our cities and our nation ran through the sermon that Pastor John delivered during the Good News Hour. (Listen to the sermon entitled "Kingdom Culture" at GL's website.) |
2 GRADS from ONE FAMILY
There's got to be joy in the Charles family! Riley just graduated from high school this morning, and Jack from the eighth grade. They are the children of our Randy and Tessa Charles and all of them are actively involved in church. Riley graduated from the International Polytechnic High School, which is part of the Cal-Poly complex in Pomona; and Jack, from the West Covina Christian Church. |
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JONAH, TOO!
And Jonah Alano, oldest son of Sam and Janice Alano,graduated from the eighth grade last week as well. Needless to say, their whole family is a vital part of Gospel Life Community and we congratulate them as a family for this milestone in Jonah's life.
Jonah graduated from the Southlands Christian School in Walnut.
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 FACULTY AWARD
One of ourtalented young men received the Faculty Honors award on Friday, June 12. Joey Miranda, a second year college student at the Pasadena City College, received a certificate of recognition for "Superior Service in Television."
This faculty award was given at a special ceremony by the Performing and Communication Arts Division, Television and Radio Department, of PCC.
Joey is pictured above with his mother, Alicia. Joey produced a short video, "Emmanuel," for Gospel Life's Christmas program last December, as well as another video co-produced with his cousin, Chris Seger, for the Nothing To Lose (N2L) Foundation. Chris is also enrolled at PCC for a degree in Television and Radio.
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HOW MUCH?
A perennial question that comes to the mind of church members, church goers or even occasional attendees is, "How much do I give to the church?" It is a loaded question.
Prayerful consideration of this matter is an individual exercise. We have to realize that our desire to give for the maintenance and sustenance of the church is a spiritual decision, and that is also true of every spending decision we make.
Paul, in his letter to the Corinthians, as he exhorted towards generous giving, said, "...they gave not only what they could afford but far more. And they did it of their own free will." (2 Corinthians 8:3 NLT)
In a recent seminar on stewardship and Family Finance Pastor John described some forms of giving: 1) Proportionate giving where a certain percentage of one's income is dedicated for charitable donations to the church; 2) Sacrificial giving where one would forego something in order to have the funds to give; and 3) Faith giving where one truly relies on God's abundance and miraculous provision so that one can give a substantial amount.
We urge you to consider these things as you plan ahead. Let's be channels of blessing to others. "He will make you rich in every way so that you can always give freely." (2 Corinthians 9:11b NCV) |
MARKETPLACE MINISTRY
God Has Need of Your Donkey
"Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me. If anyone says anything to you, tell him that the Lord needs them" (Matt 21:2-3). In Bible times, donkeys were a primary means for distributing goods and services. They represented commerce in the scriptures. Jesus told the disciples He had need of someone's donkey to ride into Jerusalem, the religious and spiritual center of their society. It would become known as Jesus' triumphal entry. A friend and I were attending a Christian business conference in Singapore. It was the night before I was to speak a second time when I was prompted to add a teaching segment on the above passage of scripture. I am sure the disciples must have been uneasy with their master's request to untie a perfect stranger's donkey and take it. After all, He was asking them to take what was the equivalent to a man's "truck." And men love their trucks! Jesus was illustrating that He wanted to use that man's donkey, or that which represented their work, to bring glory to the Father. The next morning a friend and I went to breakfast. While we were eating, a lady named Maggie joined us. Maggie was from Malaysia and was an intercessor for the conference. She fasted 40 days in preparation for the event. "So, Maggie, has the Lord spoken to you about this conference?" I said. "Oh yes," she said, very excitedly. On September 17 the Lord said that the Singapore business people needed to give their donkeys to the Lord." Angie and I looked at one another in amazement. God was confirming His Word to me from the night before. That day the focus of our conference became the need for the Singapore business people to "give their donkeys" to the Lord. Friend, have you ever dedicated your work life to the Lord? Today, why not commit your donkey to the Lord. He will use it to bring glory to Himself and fulfill your life more than you could ever imagine. (Today God Is First (TGIF) devotional message, Copyright by Os Hillman, Marketplace Leaders.) |
THE LION'S DEN
This is a final reminder for those who want to join the Lion's Den School of the Supernatural this summer. Tuesday, June 14, is the last day to submit your applications and accompanying fees. First day of school is this coming Thursday, June 16, at 6:30 p.m.
Please submit your paperwork to Pastor Hansel. You can download an application form and learn more about the school by visiting its website: www.thelionsdenschool.com. |
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http://gospellifecommunity.org
www.thelionsdenschool.com
gospellifecommunity@gmail.com
MAILING ADDRESS:
436 Crestwood Lane
Walnut, CA 91789
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MEDITATION
Dear God, I realize that in Jesus, I am a great big bundle of potential. I pray that You would fill me with Your wisdom and guide me in Your will. Let me keep my focus on You. Allow me to reach the potential You have planned for me.
Turn my thoughts to You and let me know what areas of my life You need to nourish. Let me trust in your faithfulness, and let me be thankful to You, in all things, always.
In Jesus' precious name I pray, amen. |
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