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NEWSLETTER MONDAY EDITION
February 6, 2012 |
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Does Grace Surprise You?
You've heard about grace numerous times, explained in different ways, offered as the only means by which salvation comes to you from our God through Jesus Christ.
The reality is this: grace is so powerful! It is the solution to just about everything. In situations of tough human relationships, grace can allow healing. But it is even more extraordinarily powerful when one person is willing to go first. Just like Christ did, when "while we were still sinners, Christ died for the ungodly."
Jesus did it first. Grace goes first. It says, "I will not wait, I'm not just going to meet you in the middle. I will go first." And that's a very powerful thing!
The Church Staff
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 PASTORS GO ON MISSIONARY JOURNEY Gospel Life's Senior Pastors John and Jessie Tulio are going back to the Philippines to continue their nurturing mission to our churches there. Additionally, they are developing a company of believers to form the core group of Gospel Life in the MetroManila area. Jon J Tulio, who heads the Nothing to Lose Foundation, his wife Marsha and two sons are also heading back to their home base in the Philippines to continue their ministry there. Jon J spoke yesterday during the First Sunday service to briefly tell us of the work that they do there with young people, mostly college kids, and to give encouragement to us who also do our brand of expanding the kingdom culture in our community. He said that we need to continue to cultivate the spirit of community to not isolate ourselves but to go out and become an impacting force to those around us. Jon J indicated this is what they do as they work with the young people in the Philippines: to share that love and community with a "kingdom" flavor to it. They will all be taking the flight out of LAX tomorrow, Tuesday. Pastor John and his wife will be based for now in the Metro Manila area. Jon J's family will again be based in Bacolod City, in the southern Philippines. |  |
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Another First Sunday Has Gone By
 | | Jessica sings as her brother Jayson strums the guitar. |
It's doesn't seem like two First Sundays have gone by this year so far. Yesterday was one of them.
To those who haven't developed the habit of attending the Praise and Worship service each Sunday at 10 a.m., we'd like to invite you again to join us. Tremendous personal joy and blessings are derived from everyone's experience at this time of devotion. It seems like the more you attend, the more you feel how intimate you become with the Holy Spirit, with Jesus our Lord and with God Almighty!
Pastor Hansel leads out with passion and with purpose every First Sunday! He always encourages us to give our all to Jesus.
Jessica Alano sang a beautiful song for us yesterday. Her brother Jayson accompanied her with his guitar. It's so good to see our youth growing with such dedication and ability.
As mentioned in the previous article above, Jon J talked to us for a little while. We recognize his family's devotion to the cause, getting away from the conveniences of home here in the U.S. and casting their lot with those to whom they minister abroad.
BABY DEDICATION
 | | Ezra Adem Pasco-Mineros |
We also had a baby dedication for Ezra Adem Pasco-Mineros, whose parents are Myrah Pasco and Nelson Mineros. Pastor John officiated in this part of yesterday's service. First, the charge to the parents was given, following which the Covenant of the Parents was read out and to which the parents responded in agreement. A Prayer of Dedication for the child concluded this event. Ezra was born on August 20, 2011. The proud grandparents are Ademir and Kay Pasco.
The communion service highlighted our day yesterday. Our missionaries were then asked to come to the area just below the pulpit. The congregation surrounded them and earnest prayers and prophesying over them by several pastors and church members were pronounced. Many more stayed thereafter to continue singing praise songs and to be ministered to by our Prayer Team. | |
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MARKETPLACE MINISTRY
God Gives Us a Desire for Our Work
You shall call, and I will answer You; You shall desire the work of Your hands (Job 14:15 NKJV).
Did you know that God has already pre-wired you for the work He created you to do? We all have things inside of us that excite us when we think about it. God is the source of this passion. However, our career path may require many stepping stones before we reach the work that we were ultimately created for. The psalmist says "All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be" (Ps 139:16).
When the ark of the covenant was to be designed to contain the sacred ten commandments, God prepared a man to perform the important work.
"Then the LORD said to Moses, 'See, I have chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, ability and knowledge in all kinds of crafts -- to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, to cut and set stones, to work in wood, and to engage in all kinds of craftsmanship'" (Ex 31:1-6).
We do not know much about Bezalel, but you can be sure he had many jobs leading up to this most important assignment. He was also the first man mentioned in all of scripture to be "filled with the spirit of God."
When your work is empowered by the Spirit of God you will be hand-picked for some of the most important assignments. He says the skilled worker will even serve before kings (Prov. 22:9). God will see to it that your skills will be used for His ultimate purposes. This is the call of God for each of us -- to be fulfilled in our work and to use our work to fulfill His purposes on the earth.
He seals the hand of every man, that all men may know His work (Job 37:7 NKJV).
(Today God Is First (TGIF) devotional message, Copyright by Os Hillman, Marketplace Leaders.)
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OUR MONTHLY DINNER
Many of you have indicated your preference to have our monthly fund-raising dinner fellowship on the third Tuesday of this month (February 21) rather than on the second Tuesday, which is Valentine's Day.
Therefore, we will plan to have this month's fund-raiser on Tuesday the 21st. We will be going to the Asia Buffett in West Covina this time around.
Please call in your reservations to Johnny Chua at (909) 228-2162. | |
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| MEDITATION |
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"Dear Lord, thank You for helping me become a '5-Star' Christian. I want to follow the example Jesus gave to serve others with excellence.
"Thank You for giving me the right attitude toward the people in my life and to show genuine concern for others.
"May you be glorified in all I think, say, and do. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen." |
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