Christmas music and ads for the Christmas holidays have been rampant in the media even before the Thanksgiving holiday. There has been a definite secularization of Christmas so that, perhaps, for most the true meaning of Christmas is lost in gifts and wrappers and spending and partying.

As Christians we bemoan the fact that even public displays of the Nativity Scene and similar religious representations of Christmas are being banned and demonized by those who would have the separation of church and state interpreted into the narrowest sense.

Let's not lose sight of what Christmas is all about: the birth of Jesus as a human being, who saved us and redeemed us for an eternity  we cannot even imagine. That's what it's all about.

The Church Staff

More than 30 people attended last night's monthly Fellowship Dinner at the the Mandarin Bay Restaurant in Rowland Heights. 

The food was plentiful, delicious and the selection and variety was just great.  Thanks, Johnny and Nellie Chua, for always making sure we get the best deal from the restaurants we go to for our monthly dinners.

We had several "guests" present coming from our small groups, or others who have not been to our monthly dinners for a while because of conflicts in schedule.

Of course, we had Pastors John and Jessie with us for the first time in months, since they are back from the Philippines for their holiday break.

The best thing is that we are able to really enjoy ourselves, to bond even more, and to benefit from the camaraderie that's inevitably present on these occasions.  Plus, funds are generated for use in a variety of small or large projects that Gospel Life has.

Let's all look forward to not missing the next one!

Pastor John Tulio

Pastor John will conduct another evangelistic series in the month of December.  We look forward to this.  He said the series of sermons he plans to give during the Good News Hour beginning Sunday, December 9, will be about "What the Gospel Is Not."

Invite your friends and family members to hear this series. We're pretty sure neither you nor they will be disappointed. We will provide you with each sermon topic soon. But plan to be there.

Granny Gert's Cabin in Lake Arrowhead is the setting for the coming Young Adult Winter Retreat, January 3-5.

Pastor L J et al have been preparing the program for this event and everything is in place.  Total cost for each participant is $120.  For details please talk to Pastor L J or email deviantgeneration@gmail.com.

To facilitate changing your old addresses, phone numbers and other data for our new Church Directory, there will be a sheet provided at the foyer to write down those changes.  We'd like to see our directory updated with your new information so we don't end up with phone numbers that have been changed or email addresses that don't work anymore, or home addresses that are obsolete.

You may also email your new information to us at gospellifecommunity@gmail.com.

Gospel Life will prepare food and serve the homeless in our community this coming Sunday, December 2, in cooperation with other local area churches.

As many volunteers as are able to come will be needed.  The venue is at the St Christopher Church on Glendora Avenue in West Covina, and this will start at approximately 5 p.m.

Please inquire from Nancy Alano or Lelit Luciano regarding details. All donations for this event are appreciated.

This 13-week winter program is sponsored by the East San Gabriel Valley Coalition for the Homeless.  It includes night shelters with showers, food and a bed to sleep on for those who need a place to stay, especially on cold winter nights.

Going Without Jesus

 

"...they were unaware of it." Luke 2:43

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Mary and Joseph traveled to Jerusalem for the Feast of the Passover. Jesus was 12 years old. They were evidently very distracted by the excitement and business of the Feast. In fact, Mary and Joseph began their return trip to Nazareth only to realize well into the trip that Jesus was not with them. It would be three days before they would be reunited with their 12-year-old son. It caused quite a scare in Mary and Joseph, and they reprimanded Jesus for "wandering" off.

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As a parent, I find this story truly amazing. How can parents of the Son of God not know their son is not in their presence? Yet this story illustrates how each of us can become so busy that we continue to operate not realizing that Jesus is no longer with us. Obviously, there was very little fellowship taking place between Jesus and His parents during the trip.

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Are you experiencing daily, even moment-by-moment, fellowship with Jesus? If not, you will wake up one day and realize Jesus is not with you in your endeavors. It may, like Mary and Joseph, create a certain fear in you that you may have lost a very important relationship. Doing business without Jesus' presence leaves us powerless and prone to live in fear.

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Jesus said He would never leave or forsake His children. However, we can walk away from His fellowship by refusing to be with Him. Do not let this happen to you. He longs to have daily fellowship with you because He loves you. 
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(Today God Is First (TGIF) devotional message, Copyright by Os Hillman, Marketplace Leaders.)

CHURCH GREETERS' SCHEDULE

December 2 - Vonnie & Tito Cabrera

December 9 - Penny & Conrad Miranda

December 16 - Eunice Alinsod

December 23 - Lelit & tony Luciano

December 29 - Ruby & Ding Dijamco

January 5 - Linda & Danny Santos

GREETING CARDS 

There are a few thousand beautiful greeting cards available for your use, for any and all occasions. These cards have beautiful Philippine scenery on the front cover and you can write your own greetings inside.

Please let us know if you can use a pack or several packs (there are 12 cards to a pack, and four different sceneries). Donations are welcome.