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NEWSLETTER Wednesday Edition December 21, 2011
KING OF KINGS: THE PERFECT GIFT |
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CHRISTMAS PROGRAM
Sunday, December 25, 10:00 a.m.
Gospel Life Community
First Sunday Format: Don't Be Late!!! |
Dear (Contact First Name),
There are four days before it's Christmas! How quickly the months roll by! And here we are towards the end of another year asking ourselves, "Am I better off this year than I was last year?" The better question, perhaps, to ask ourselves is, "Am I a better person this year than I was last year because Jesus is in my life?"
Last week we mentioned something about the "seasons" of our spiritual life. Seasons are never the same, never in balance. In our mundane lives it seems we are never able to find the point of perfect equipoise between work, rest, play, and family.
"Seasons don't call for balance. They call for rhythm. Each requires a pace and a motion for moving through it that best matches that season's demands, its limits, its opportunities...The rhythm of winter is waiting. The rhythm of spring, preparing. Summer, enjoying. Fall, gathering. Better yet, as we move in rhythm with each season, we find Christ in the midst of each. Best of all, He finds us. He walks with us. He speaks to us. He loves us. For everything there is a season." (Mark Buchanan, "Spiritual rhythm," August, 2010. Zondervan)
And in this Christmas season, let's find a renewal in understanding God's great love for us that He gave us the greatest gift all - Jesus Christ our Savior, Redeemer and Friend!
MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!
The Church Staff |
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LAST OF THE SERIES
The Christmas Message: "The Perfect Gift"
Pastor John Tulio's four-part evangelistic series concludes with his message on Christmas Sunday, entitled "The Perfect Gift." This is the fourth of the series, "King of Kings," so appropriate for this Christmas holiday season. The sermon on Sunday follows a short Christmas program. The First Sunday program format will be followed this coming Sunday. We encourage you to be here at 10:00 a.m. so you won't miss out on any part of the day's program. |
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CHRISTMAS DINNER FELLOWSHIP
Unexpected Turn-out Heart Warming
Our planned "non-event," the December monthly fund-raising dinner fellowship, was a success, based on the fact there wasn't going to be one at all this month due to the "busy-ness" of the holiday season.
Several of our members decided they'd go ahead and have a small gathering for those who could come, and the idea blossomed into a full-blown event just like our previous monthly dinners. Sixty people turned out for the dinner, besting last month's attendance. The show of affinity for this monthly event is heartwarming, to say the least, and at best it indicates that most of us enjoy the fellowship while at the same time raising funds for certain church projects.
Thanks, Johnny and Nellie Chua for your persistence. The sit-down dinner consisted of an appetizer, 12 entree courses, and 2 desserts served at our tables. What a spread!
This fund raiser will benefit the recent victims of typhoon "Sendong" (international name is typhoon "Washi") and subsequent flooding in the Philippines.
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NO LUNCH
 Go Home for the Holiday!
Lunch WILL NOT be served at the Fellowship Hall after the church service this coming Sunday. Most everyone is going to be home with family and friends for their Christmas dinner. However, there will be lunch after the church service next Sunday, New Year's Day. Each of the four groups in charge of lunch will bring fruit, a main dish, and dessert. |
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MARKETPLACE MINISTRY
Living for a Cause Greater Than Yourself
"He who is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and He will reward him for what he has done." - Proverbs 19:17
If you were God and you wanted to send one of your servants to help the less fortunate in the world, how would you train your servant for this task? Our ways are not God's ways. We find an interesting story in the case of Brigid, a woman born in the early 400's in Ireland.
Brigid was born from a sexual encounter between an Irish king and one of his slaves. She was raised as a slave girl within the king's household and was required to perform hard work on the king's farm. From the beginning, Brigid took notice of the plight of the less fortunate. She would give the butter from the king's kitchen to working boys. She once gave the king's sword to a passing leper-an act about which the king was enraged. The king tried to marry her off, but to no avail. One day, Brigid fled the king's house and committed herself to belonging only to Christ.
Brigid sought other women who also wanted to belong only to Christ. Seven of them organized a community of nuns that became known as the settlement of Kildare, a place where many thatch-roofed dwellings were built, and where artist studios, workshops, guest chambers, a library, and a church evolved. These and other settlements became little industries all to themselves, producing some of the greatest craftsmanship in all of Europe. Many of the poor had their lives bettered because of Brigid's ministry to them.
Brigid became a traveling evangelist, helping the poor and preaching the gospel. When she died in 453, it is estimated 13,000 people had escaped from slavery and poverty to Christian service and industry. Her name became synonymous with the plight of the poor. She was a woman who turned a life of slavery and defeat into a life lived for a cause greater than herself. She became a nationally known figure among her people, and the Irish people still recognize her each February 1.
God has called each of us to live for a cause greater than ourselves. If God asked you what you had done for the poor, what would you say? Jesus had a special place in His heart for the poor. Ask God how you might use your gifts and talents to improve the plight of the poor in your community.
(Today God Is First (TGIF) devotional message, Copyright by Os Hillman, Marketplace Leaders)
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END-OF-YEAR GIVING
Must Follow IRS Guidelines
This is a reminder that donations given to non-profit charitable organizations in the year end must follow guidelines specified by the Internal Revenue Service. In accordance with the IRS law, if you want to receive giving credit for 2011, we must receive your check in our office or in the Sunday, December 25 offering. All checks received by mail with a postmark no later than December 31 will be reflected in our 2011 reports. Checks received in the January 1 offering cannot be credited for 2011, regardless of the date or notation on the check.
Please be guided accordingly. |
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CHURCH GREETERS' SCHEDULE
December 25 - Linda & Danny Santos
January 1 - Penny & Conrad Miranda
January 8 - Vonnie & Tito Cabrera
January 15 - Eunice Alinsod
January 22 - Lelit & Tony Luciano
January 29 - Ruby & Ding Dijamco |
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COMING UP
Wednesday, December 21, 7:30 p.m. - Intercessors' Meeting
Fellowship Hall
Sunday, December 25, 10 a.m. - Christmas Program
"The Perfect Gift," Pastor John Tulio
NO FELLOWSHIP LUNCH ON SUNDAY, DECEMBER 25
Sunday, January 1, 2012 - Core Group Meeting
Vision Casting
Join a Small Group Fellowship or Bible Study Group
at the beginning of this coming year.
It's worth it! |
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MAILING ADDRESS:
436 Crestwood Lane
Walnut, CA 91789
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| MEDITATION | | |
"Oh God, How mighty are your works in all the earth! I want to thank You for the times You have made Your presence felt in a mighty way.
"Thank You for pricking the hearts of mankind that we might seek you with all we are and that we might experience a mighty revival among believers and a great awakening among those who have yet to believe and accept you as their God.
Thank you for allowing Christmas to be a reminder to us of who You really are.
"I praise you, Lord, and want to bless you with my life. I love you. Amen. |
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