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Greetings!
The Bible has many instances in which moves of God were thwarted because of people making decisions contrary to His will. We probably experience the same in our lives at some point or another. When we allow God to lead us, the collaborative effect is that we see things begin to multiply and generate momentum, but when we stop doing what He shows us to do, we usually spell the beginning of the end for whatever it is He's leading us into. If we can only equip our generation and the next with an understanding of what we already have by inheritance from being children of God, we are assured to see things take place that we haven't seen. Instead of a people that only sit and wait for our end to come, we will begin living a life like it's only just begun!
Think of the possibilities!
The Church Staff |
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Junior Cabrera & Jayson Alano play their guitars while singing to us. |
Did You Come Yesterday?
Yesterday was First Sunday. You all know that. But many of you "forgot" to come. Are you turned off when there's not the usual preaching during the good news hour? Or doesn't it appeal to you when our children and our adult congregants share their experiences and testimonies about how
the Lord works in their lives, or how real miracles have made an impact on them? Or when they share their gifts and talents with us?
We got an update from
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Pastor L J |
Pastor Hansel about the "Shot through the Heart" events that
happened over the weekend on Friday and Saturday. We were told how along with the fun they had with the Nerf Tournaments they also learned about purity and authenticity in relationships as well as enriching these relationships.
Martin Cabrera, Jr. and Jayson Alano played their guitars as they sang a song for us (did you all hear the lyrics?). And Pastor L.J. Dijamco gave us a short, encouraging talk on how our missionary spirit should always be front and foremost for us.
Our Communion Service was a joyous experience for everyone, as it has always been, because of the symbols of Jesus' body and His blood that we eat and drink in remembrance of His death on the cross for ALL our sins, past, present and future; and of His resurrection which reminds us that we are already seated with Him in the heavenly realm. |
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 MEN'S BREAKFAST
ON SATURDAY
Our Men's Breakfast Meeting is on Saturday, March 10, at 8:30 a.m.
Please do not forget. Set your alarm clocks a little earlier for that day so we can be enjoying the sumptuous breakfast that you will bring by the appointed time.
All our younger men/older boys are welcome. Let's look forward to our bonding time together! |
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PERSONAL LIFE MISSION
This is our theme for the month of March. It will include, among other things, our personal dreams, of which Pastor Hansel will speak about at our Good News Hour next Sunday. Pastor Joannie will speak on the vision for the family on the third Sunday and Pastor Tony will talk on sharing in the marketplace on the last Sunday of the month.
Make it a point to mark these important topics on your weekend calendars. You may not want to miss any of these. |
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This is what you look like as a "core group." |
CORE GROUP MEETING
When we mentioned in last Wednesday's newsletter for all of you to attend yesterday's Core Group Meeting and to not forget about it, we really meant it!
Well, a bunch of you must have forgotten because you weren't there with several of us who, although near
the age of Alzheimer's, managed to be there anyway. But some of our younger members were there who lead us out in many of our activities. Several of their younger peers must have forgotten, too. We hope they are not inheriting the Alzheimer's gene from their parents. ;-)
Pastor Joannie led out in our meeting. Our forthcoming Easter Sunday program was discussed and suggestions were made to encourage our people to bring their family members and friends. Natalie Orzame is in charge of the presentation on that Sunday, April 8. A few more men are needed for the Easter choir. The four lunch groups will work together on our Fellowship Lunch on Easter.
A short reminder about the Men's Breakfast Meeting was made for this coming Saturday, March 10.
Pastor L J made an appeal to all parents to prepare in advance so their children can attend the Jesus Culture event at the Nokia Theater in Los Angeles some time in August. The fee for the three-day rally is $85. He also gave a heads up on a plan to begin a meeting for young adults on the second Sunday afternoon of every month as an outreach for that age group. A Youth Retreat in the early part of 2013 is being planned, likewise.
Mention was made of planning early for participation in the October 13 Walnut Family Festival. The adult and youth groups will likely operate separate booths during the festival.
Pastor Hansel reported to us that Vim Santos (Danny & Linda Santos' daughter) is leading out in 10 small groups in Northern California using our Keys to the Kingdom book. Pastor Joannie said that Vim was requesting for more Leader's Guides! Let's pray for Vim and for all of those who are studying the Bible with her because the Holy Spirit has led her to do this.
Let's pray for all our existing bible study groups so that they will continue to grow and multiply. These grow when we invite a friend or two to these small group fellowships.
Attention, everyone: Please be at the next Core Group Meeting. It is an open meeting, although we'd expect all those in leadership positions to be there, as well as all who are involved in any of the church ministries or who are members of the small group fellowships. |
 FELLOWSHIP HALL HAS NEW LOOK
Our fellowship lunch hall has taken a "new look" since members of Tony Luciano's bible study group repainted the walls of the hall with an off-white paint last Saturday. Part of this new look is the table rearrangement into three straight neat rows running the length of the room. A service shelf was also installed on the wall overhead of the kitchen sink. The serving areas for the desert by the entry door and by the water vendor on the other side of the hall were slightly rearranged and redecorated. |
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ANOTHER WEBSITE ICON
A new icon was added by our webmaster, Pastor Tony, to our church's website, to make it easier for our members and other visitors to make electronic donations to Gospel Life Community by way of PayPal.
The new "Donate" icon is located towards the left bottom area of Gospel Life's homepage and may be used if one has his or her own PayPal account OR when the remittance is by credit card. Thank you for using this convenient way of sending your donations. |
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MARKETPLACE MINISTRY
Unexplainable Power
"I tell you the truth, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony." - John 3:11
When was the last time God did something in your work life that can only be explained as God? Was it yesterday? Was it just last week? A month ago? A year ago? The answer to this question may mean several things. If it has been some time since you saw God's activity in such a way that you know it was His hand, you may not be trusting to a level that requires faith.
You may not be risking enough for God to show Himself. The converts in the early Church changed the world they lived in because of what they saw and heard. It was the power of the gospel that changed lives, not what they learned from mere teaching. This power drew people to Christ. Things happened that could not be explained as anything other than the activity of God.
Is that the kind of faith you are experiencing in your life? Many of us live a wholesome, moral life, but those we associate with do not see this activity as anything that cannot also be achieved by themselves. That is why many are not drawn to our lives. God's power is not evident.
The Lord has been challenging me to trust Him at levels I have never trusted before. This level of trust has placed me in a vulnerable position. However, the blessing of this relationship is that I see the activity of God as never before, and those close to me see it as well. It builds their faith and draws others to investigate.
Sometimes the activity of God comes in unusual ways. God often sets up scenes that appear to be negative on the front end, but God has orchestrated these events for His glory.
-Without Pharaoh's pursuit of Israel at the Red Sea, there is no miraculous deliverance.
-Without Lazarus's death, there is no rising to life.
-Without Goliath, there is no underdog story.
-Without Peter stepping out of the boat, there is no miracle on the water.
-Without Judas' betrayal, there is no resurrection.
God wants to show Himself in ways you and I cannot imagine. Let God demonstrate His power in your workplace today. Then, you will see "all men drawn unto Me."
(Today God Is First (TGIF) devotional message, Copyright by Os Hillman, Marketplace Leaders)
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| MEDITATION |
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"Dear God, I commit my life afresh to you, to follow the paths You have carved for me. Thank You for helping me to live a life according to your will, your plan, your Word.
"Thank You for opening the doors You want for me to walk through, and for closing the doors You do not want me to enter. I come to You thankful for guidance through this day, and every day to come.
"Thank you for hearing my prayer. In Jesus' name. Amen." |
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