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| NEWSLETTER November 7, 2011 |
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| Month's Theme: |
Grace Lifestyle |
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HEADING INTO THE HOLIDAYS!
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Are we results oriented?
When we measure success in terms of what people produce, we can easily overlook the accomplishment of waiting on the Lord. In our fast-paced society, waiting is often seen as a passive acceptance of circumstances. Or worse, it is something we may do as a lot resort, after we've failed to achieve what we set out to do.
God's word tells us clearly to "wait for the Lord" (Psalm 27:14) and teaches us that He will bless us greatly when we do (Isaiah 64:4). This kind of waiting does not imply idleness or apathy, but rather a determined stillness - a quiet, expectant, steadfast, courageous, and diligent activity that takes place until we receive further instruction.
When we become impatient and take matters into our own hands, we risk stepping out of God's will and this may delay His blessings for us. The cost of this mistake may show up in our finances, our relationships and in lost opportunities.
However, when we wait for God's clear directions, we keep in step with Him. This waiting period He uses to prepare us for His will, to strengthen our faith and to sift our motives. Waiting is absolutely essential in living the Christian life, and in receiving the blessings He intends for us.
The Church Staff |
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CORE GROUP MEETING
Several items were taken up at the Core Group Meeting yesterday afternoon. Since several of you did not take the time to attend, we're putting in print the items brought up at the meeting.
First there will be a Thanksgiving Eve service on Wednesday, November 23 at 7:30 p.m. This will help many in doing the necessary things for the family celebration all day Thursday.
And because there will be this Thanksgiving Eve service on that Wednesday, and the Thanksgiving Day holiday on that Thursday, many felt it would be too much to also have our monthly fundraising dinner on that Tuesday of the same week. The majority voted to have our November Fund Raising Dinner on Tuesday, November 15 instead of November 29 as previously announced. That's next week, folks!
This is a combined celebration as a church group for our Church Anniversary and Thanksgiving. Please call Johnny Chua (909-228-2162) to make your reservations as soon as possible. This will be at the Asia Buffet located at the corner of Gale Ave. and Fullerton St. in the City of Industry. The new Food Teams appear to be working well. The collection of the $20 per family per month from among the team members will continue to the end of this year. At that time it will be reassessed if collection of these monies will continue to be made by each food team from among themselves, or whether all monies should go to a common pot. Our Ministry for the Homeless is being prepared again for the December and February feeding schedules that Gospel Life participates in. A committee of three will work together with Nancy Alano in anticipation of this event. Plans are also being made for our Sunday Christmas Program on December 25. There is no fellowship lunch on that day to allow our congregation to be with their respective families soon after the church service. A Ministry Fair will be held in January, either on the 8th or the 15th. This will allow our members to be exposed to the various ministries available in our church for them to evaluate and join. The next Men's Breakfast Meeting will be on Saturday, January 14, at 8 a.m. Watch for further details as we get closer to that date. Pastor Hansel also announced that there will be a Lion's Den Weekend on Friday and Saturday, January 27 - 28. It will begin on Friday evening and go on through all of Saturday. This mini-conference is a means to give those who may be thinking of joining the next Lion's Den school a flavor of what it's like to attend the regular ten-week program. |  |
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ESTHER MYAPE BURIED AT CYPRESS
One of our dear members, Mrs. Esther Jimenez Myape departed from this life on October 30. She was buried at the Everlasting Hope area of Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Cypress, CA on Friday, November 4. Officiating at the funeral service was Pastor Keith Mundt. The skies shed a moderately heavy rainfall during her burial.
Several family members and friends offered personal testimonies of their memories of "Mama Myape" after one of her granddaughters, Esther Myape Reyes, welcomed family and friends to the service and gave a moving eulogy.
The Brown Brothers rendered several choral renditions during the service and at the gravesite. Among the songs they sang were "The Lord is My Shepherd," "It is Well with My Soul," "Rock of Ages," and "My Lord Waits."
Viewing was held on Thursday, November 3, from 4-8 p.m. The memorial service was held at the Church of the Fathers in Forest Lawn, Cypress. She was 90.
Surviving her are her husband, Dr. Robert Myape, Sr., her daughter Irma Bibler, her sons Ernie Roy Myape and Robert Myape, two sisters, one brother, seven grandchildren and eleven great grandchildren.
Lunch was served after the funeral service at the Grace Garden Buffet restaurant, located across the campus of Forest Lawn. | |
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BIRTHDAY CELEBRANTS
Jared Alano and Pastor Romen Rivera both commemorated their birthdays with a cake during Fellowship Lunch this past Sunday. Pictured are the pair, in front of the table where their birthday cake and other treats were laid.
Jared is the son of Janice and Sam Alano. Pastor Romen and his wife, Linda, reside in San Diego and commute weekly to attend Sunday services at Gospel Life (Walnut). They continue their ministry at the Gospel Life (San Diego) every Saturday. | |
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LEAD MINISTERS RETURN FROM PHL
Pastors John and Jessie Tulio will arrive Thursday, November 10, from their missionary trip to the Philippines. They will have been away for about 6 weeks. We are all looking forward to the reports that they will bring back from their visits to various areas of the Philippines where Gospel Life's Global Outreach has a presence.
Pastor John will preach next Sunday on the "Grace Lifestyle" which Pastor LJ also spoke about last week. The series on this topic will be completed with Pastor Hansel's sermon on Sunday, November 20. | |
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MARKETPLACE MINISTRY
When Service Exceeds Devotion
"She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet listening to what he said" (Luke 10:39-40).
A story is told of a western missionary group that was sitting with a foreign visitor planning strategy for an upcoming evangelistic trip to his country. One man led in prayer, asking for God's help in planning their activities. The visitor was surprised how the meeting quickly moved to the planning phase after only a few minutes of focused prayer.
He turned to the leader and said, "You have taught us the scriptures well in our country. However, I've noticed when it comes to prayer you spend so little time in prayer listening and much time in planning." The western believers were convicted by his words.
Martha was Mary's older sister. Older sisters always think they know best. They tend to mother the younger siblings. So when Jesus came over to spend an evening at their home Martha wanted to prepare a special meal. She noticed Mary was spending all her time in the living room listening to Jesus. Martha finally felt compelled to appeal to Jesus about the situation.
"But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, 'Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!' 'Martha, Martha,' the Lord answered, 'you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her'" (Luke 10:40-42).
Jesus reveals a danger in this story that each of us must be aware of. When our concern for serving Jesus exceeds our need to be with Jesus, we are in danger of focusing on the lesser thing. The hardest thing to do for most workplace believers is to sit and listen. It is easier to do.
Today, begin to spend more time listening before you begin doing.
(Today God Is First (TGIF) devotional message, Copyright by Os Hillman, Marketplace Leaders.) | |
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MAILING ADDRESS:
436 Crestwood Lane
Walnut, CA 91789 |
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| MEDITATION |
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"Dear God, are there any areas in my life that have not come under the lordship of Christ? Is there any lack of understanding that will prevent me from being used fully by you?
"Please search me, and know my heart; try me, and know my anxieties; and straighten the crookedness in me. Please lead me in the way everlasting. I praise you and lift you up, for you are God Almighty. In Jesus' name I thank You. Amen. |
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