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NEWSLETTER Monday Edition |
October 17, 2011 |
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Greetings!
One of the passages in the book of Proverbs states that where there is no vision, the people perish. Another version of the same verse says, "When people do not accept divine guidance, they run wild..." (Prov. 29:18 NLT)
It is important to have a vision of what we are destined to be. The series of sermons this month brought to us by the Holy Spirit through Pastor Joannie gives us more insight into the way we live our lives as we are led and driven by that destiny. (She has one more presentation on the subject next Sunday.)
Very often we kill that process with our fears. False thinking slips in to tell us, "I am not good enough," "I am not smart enough," "I don't know enough," or "Things never work out."
An important point to consider is that our Creator is truly an imaginative person to have considered all the intricacies of His creation. We, as human beings (not "human doings" as Pastor Hansel reminded us yesterday), must keep our vision and our destiny always in front of us so that we are not easily detracted by the naysayers who criticize and even ridicule anything they do not understand.
When we allow divine guidance to rule our lives, we are kept from running wild, and an innate awareness of our destiny will not allow us to unseat it from our thought processes, not even when we want to, because it is the Holy Spirit who is now in control.
Do not allow anyone else's misguided opinion tear down the goals you have as they relate to your destiny or negatively influence your thoughts for positive results.
The Church Staff |
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A Star is Born
 | | Dad congratulates Aaron (L) after the musical |
A good number from Gospel Life Community enjoyed the musical play, "Seussical the Musical," where Aaron Alcaraz, one of our musically inclined youth appeared as the lead character in the play.
Aaron sang, acted and danced all at the same time bringing the packed full San Gabriel Mission Playhouse to rounds of applause after each act.
The play was a production of the Theater Experience of Southern California. It incorporated elements from the best 15 Dr. Seuss books and includes the appearance of many of his famous characters. Aaron portrayed the adventures of Horton, the lead character in the play.
Aaron is the son of Irma and Medy Alcaraz, both active members of Gospel Life.
San Gabriel Mission Playhouse is a restored structure from the 1800s located at 320 S. Mission Drive in San Gabriel.
 | | The San Gabriel Mission Playhouse |
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OUR TREASURE CHEST
For the last several weeks many have left their gifts in our "treasure chest" which is conveniently ensconced against the back wall of the sanctuary. Each time, your gifts were to fulfill a specific need which is announced at the beginning of the service.
We'd like to thank all whose benevolence answers the prayers of those for whom the gifts are intended. The last two or three occasions were to help support the Gospel Life Church in Guimba, Nueva Ecija in the Philippines which was severely affected by the last two typhoons that came through, one of which was a category 3 typhoon. (From the Pacific Ocean they are called typhoons. They are called hurricanes when they originate from the Atlantic Ocean, and cyclones when they come from the Indian Ocean.)
As these gifts are over and above what you ordinarily give as your local offerings we thank the Lord that He blesses abundantly as you continue to give sacrificially and unselfishly to these extra calls for assistance.
Please do not forget to drop your offerings for our church's mortgage note into the "treasure chest" as well. Make sure to mark your gifts properly so they can be credited to the appropriate account you're contributing to.
"God blesses a cheerful giver." |
| SUCCESSFUL FIRST MEN'S BREAKFAST
There was a very good turnout for the first Men's Breakfast Meeting held on Saturday, October 14. The men came, and the food they brought was described as a "feast," not just a breakfast.
The men had an opportunity to praise and worship, and to listen to the Word delivered by Pastor Calvin, who was introduced by Leo. "The Men's Breakfast was a total success"! The Holy Spirit showed up in power and there was a spirit of worship and praise. It was more than a breakfast it was a feast. We praised, broke bread, fellowshiped, got The Word, and ended with the laying on of hand's through prayer, it was a great way to start a Saturday," he said.
Thank you, Leo Williams, for getting this started. We will get this rolling on a more regular basis. |
YOUTH KICKBALL GAME
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The Youth Group in front of their booth at the Walnut Family Festival |
Our young people (and young adults) had an afternoon of fun playing kickball at Suzanne Park on Sunday afternoon, October 16. Reports received indicated some sore muscles among the players at day's end.
A couple of weeks ago they went on a bowling tourney which was enjoyed by all participants.
Under the guidance of Pastor L J Dijamco, the youth also participated in the Walnut Family Festival last week by setting up a game booth at the festival grounds for paintball shooting. They were able to raise a significant amount to be used for youth activities.
The picture above was taken by Abby Almonte. She submitted a bunch of other pictures taken of the youth booth activities. Abby is the daughter of Grace Veluz, one of our nurse health professionals. |
MORE ITEMS FOR OUR NEWSLETTER
We've asked before, but we'll ask again. Please send us news items about you, your ministry groups, small group fellowships, Bible study groups, children's classes, social functions, and even those happening with you outside of Gospel Life's activities.
Send us pictures if you want them published (editor's choice) or tell us your stories of witnessing, miracles in your life both natural and supernatural, favorite recipes you may want to share, or whatever else that may be of interest to our church family.
Doesn't it thrill you to read about what makes one tick? Or what God has done for you? Share your experiences with us. We'd love to hear about them and put them in print as long as they are fit to print. |
| MARKETPLACE MINISTRY
Empowering Others
"I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father" (John 14:12).
The CEO was excited that he'd found the right man to be general manager of his growing enterprise. He had all the training, the right skill set, and great people skills. The CEO gave him all authority to fulfill his role. However, after six months the CEO had to fire him. It seems the general manager refused to use the empowerment given him to accomplish his tasks.
Great leaders, mentors, and managers must empower others to fulfill the mission of any organization. Jesus invested time and energy developing leaders. Only at the point at which they could properly manage the resource did Jesus empower them. The teacher who offers empowerment too early sets up followers for failure. On the other hand, the leader who fails to empower capable people creates frustration.
Part two of good empowerment is engaging your follower to use his/her authority entrusted to them to fulfill their mission.
Jesus imparted to his followers a balance of both of these concepts. Peter was not ready for leadership before the crucifixion. He failed to use the empowerment given to him by Jesus. It required a failure in Peter's life before he matured in his leadership. However, once Peter began to appropriate from Jesus what He had imparted to him he became a powerful and effective leader.
Jesus told his disciples they would be able to not only do what He had done, but they would do even greater things than He did.
This is a key attribute of a leader who wants to empower others to advance their mission.
(Today God Is First (TGIF) devotional message, Copyright by Os Hillman, Marketplace Leaders.) |
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Bible Study Groups
Monday
Fellowship Hall, 7:30 p.m. - Ernie & Ruth Jordan (626) 667-7345
Alano Residence, 7:30 p.m. - Mik & Joannie Alano (626) 964-8464
Tuesday
Linda Santos' Office, 12 noon - Linda Santos (626) 622-5770
Thursday
Alcaraz Residence, 7:30 p.m. - Medy & Irma Alcaraz (323) 255-2112
Friday
Linda Santos' Office, 9:30 a.m. - Linda Santos (626) 622-5770
Fellowship Hall, 7:30 p.m. - Tony & Lelit Luciano (909) 468-1406
Modular Classroom, 7:30 p.m. - Ruby & Ding Dijamco - (626) 919-1360
Pasco Residence, 7:30 p.m. - Ademir & Kay Pasco - (818) 243-2606
Cabrera Residence, 7:30 p.m. - Tito & Vonnie Cabrera - (626) 917-6422
(An Intercessors' Meeting is held each Wednesday evening at 7:30 p.m.
at the Fellowship Hall.)
We urge all to participate in any one or more of the Small Group Fellowships or Bible Study Groups above. You will surely receive blessings you never knew existed. If you want to start one of your own or if you would like to host one but would like for someone else to lead in the Bible study, please let us know.
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| MEDITATION | | |
"Oh God, most gracious heavenly Father, thank You for indeed blessing me, and for enlarging my territory. Thank You for Your promise that Your hand will be with me, and that You will keep me away from evil.
"I want to thank you, too, because You are the One who keeps me from causing pain to You, my loved ones, my church family, to those who stand in need of your love, mercy, and salvation--or to myself. To You be the glory, Oh lovely and loving One. Thank You in Jesus' name, amen." |
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