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CHRISTMAS ISSUE Monday Edition NEWSLETTER
December 24, 2012 |
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MERRY CHRISTMAS!
from Gospel Life Community
-Church Without Walls-
MALIGAYANG PASKO!
FELIZ NAVIDAD! |
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Greetings!
How significant Christmas must be for every Christian! God's gift to humanity - Jesus Christ, our Redeemer and Friend - is worth more than any treasure this world can ever offer. As you and your families celebrate, may God's love permeate every thought that comes to mind and every action taken. The love shared with others reflects one's intimacy with Jesus. God's blessings be on each one of you and your families. The Church Staff ______________________________________________________________________ |
The Gospel Is Not Just About Celebration
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Pastor John |
Pastor John's Good News Hour message yesterday about the topic above is part of a continuing series on "What the Gospel Is Not About." His sermon was delivered right after the Christmas presentation by the youth of Gospel Life. A short history of how Christmas came to be celebrated as it is in modern times gave evidence that its pagan origins can be discounted. It was in 1870 that Christmas was finally adopted as a legal holiday when Ulysses Grant was president. That the Old Covenant rites pointed to the promised Redeemer, the Messiah, is biblically documented (in Hebrews and elsewhere). Pastor John also reminded us that there are two rites in the New Testament that are for us to continue to observe: baptism which replaces the Old Testament circumcision, and the Lord's Supper which replaces passover. Christmas is about celebrating a Holy Person, Jesus, he said. By sending Jesus to earth, God saves His people, who are in need of a relationship with Him. All stories in the bible are about God who wants to be with us. ______________________________________________________________________ |
Casting Call
The Christmas program presented by the youth yesterday was a dramatic approach towards the creation of a nativity scene called the "Casting Call."
It was characterized by calling several "candidates" to audition for certain parts of the Nativity Scene. An abbreviated version due to time constraints, the following "auditioned" for the part: Aaron Alcaraz as the angel Gabriel, Joey Miranda as Joseph, Jack Charles for the three kings, and Grace Schaefer as Mary. They all showed natural talent for acting. When the casting was completed, they appeared on the Nativity Scene pictured above.
Several songs were interspersed through the play. The opening solo, "God Is With Me," was rendered by Jared Alano, accompanied on the guitar by his dad, Sam Alano. Aaron, and Jessica Alano also sang familiar Christmas songs while the audience joined in singing "O Come All Ye Faithful," "Silent Night," and "Emmanuel."
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| New Office Repainted
Several volunteers came out Saturday morning to help repaint Gospel Life's newly leased corporate offices at the Marukai shopping complex on Azusa Avenue.
Preliminary work to patch up rough areas on the walls, prep electrical outlets and switches, removal of the baseboards, etc. was done by Pastor John. When the actual repainting was done, besides the pastor and his wife Jessie, the following came to help: Nestor and Myrna Aguila, Tony Luciano, Tito Cabrera, Ding Dijamco, Pastor L J, Pastor Joannie, Conrad and Penny Miranda.
Approximately 15 gallons of paint was used. Two coats of the new paint was applied.
On Wednesday, the 26th, new carpet will be laid, and office furniture will be brought in beginning Thursday the 27th. All furniture from the modular building has been moved either to the back rooms of the new office site or to the Hanjin storage unit behind the church.
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Marketplace Ministry
Going Without Jesus
"...they were unaware of it." Luke 2:43
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. 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.
( 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 thank You today for being the Rock of my salvation. I thank You that my life can be built upon a strong foundation. Thank You for helping me to trust, to live, to take every breath based upon the foundation I have in You. Thank You for helping me to weather life's storms, to keep looking to You, and to be a thankful child...never a pouting brat.
I thank You that You are the one who strengthens me and keeps my feet steady on solid ground. Thank You for taking care of my family members, Lord, and for making sure that each one who accepts You will be committed to You and live a life that glorifies You and ministers to others.
Thank You, too, for giving me another Christmas season so I can be reminded of Your great love for me and for every man, woman and child for whom You also died, so as to save me from Adam's sin and to make my eternal destiny with You a certainty. In the blessed name of Jesus I pray, amen. |
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