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Happy New Year from Gospel Life Community
-Church Without Walls
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NEWSLETTER New Year's Edition December 31, 2012 |
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Greetings!
Each one of you is turning a new leaf, figuratively and literally, when the New Year comes in just a few minutes. Some places around the world have already had their New Year celebrations. But what does this mean to you? Another New Year's resolution? A cartoon depicts New Year's resolutions as a list of things to do in the first twenty-four hours of the New Year, the obvious message being that after 24 hours most resolutions are broken.
2013 is a new beginning for Gospel Life Commuity. Though we see a bunch of physical and procedural changes as the new year begins, nothing is really new:
"I am writing you a new command but one we have had from the beginning. I ask that we love one another." 2 John 1:5 (NIV)
That verse is our "new beginning." It is the central theme in Gospel Life's being a loving community. And as each one nurtures the capacity to love one's self as well as others, let's not forget that this is not just an inbound process, directed towards other members of our own church community, but most especially to those outside of our communiy who do not know yet that Jesus Christ died for them, too.
Our prayer is for a happy, prosperous, productive, redemptive and blessed New Year for each and everyone of you, for each of your families, and for all those whose lives you will touch this coming year!
The Church Staff
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A Short History of New Year's Day Celebration
The Romans dedicated New Year's Day to Janus, the god of gates, doors, and beginnings for whom the first month of the year (January) is also named. After Julius Caesar reformed the calendar in 46 BC and was subsequently murdered, the Roman Senate voted to deify him on the 1st January 42 BC in honor of his life and his institution of the new rationalized calendar. The month originally owes its name to the deity Janus, who had two faces, one looking forward and the other looking backward. This suggests that New Year's celebrations may have been founded on pagan traditions. Some have suggested this occurred in 153 BC, when it was stipulated that the two annual consuls (after whose names the years were identified) entered into office on that day, though no consensus exists on the matter.Dates in March, coinciding with the spring equinox, or commemorating the Annunciation of Jesus, along with a variety of Christian feast dates were used throughout the Middle Ages, though calendars often continued to display the months in columns running from January to DecemberAmong the 7th century pagans of Flanders and the Netherlands, it was the custom to exchange gifts at the New Year. This was a pagan custom deplored by Saint Eligius (died 659 or 660), who warned the Flemings and Dutchmen, "(Do not) make vetulas, [little figures of the Old Woman], little deer or iotticos or set tables [for the house-elf] at night or exchange New Year gifts or supply superfluous drinks [another Yule custom]." The quote is from the vita of Eligius written by his companion, Ouen.Most countries in Western Europe officially adopted January 1 as New Year's Day somewhat before they adopted the Gregorian calendar. In England, the Feast of the Annunciation on March 25, was the first day of the new year until the adoption of the Gregorian calendar in 1752. The March 25 date was known as Annunciation Style; the January 1 date was known as Circumcision Style,because this was the date of the Feast of the Circumcision, considered to be the eighth day of Christ's life, counting from December 25 when his birth is celebrated. This day was christened as the beginning of the New Year by Pope Gregory as he designed the Liturgical Calendar. (This information is derived verbatim from Wikipedia. |
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Update
The process of moving Gospel Life's corporate and church offices to the new location continues. Last week the walls were repainted and new carpeting was laid. Office furniture and supplies have mostly been moved in. Several of you have volunteered to help do these things.
At present the offices, conference room, the common hall and the reception area are being configured with the available furniture and other decorative items. Work to properly arrange and figure out how the storage rooms, bathroom, and kitchen areas will be furnished with all the available furniture and fixtures continues to go on. Those who are able to help are gratefully acknowleged. Please let us know so we can let you know just when these time frames are.
The new offices are located on 1414 S. Azusa Avenue, Suites 20-21, in West Covina, zip 91791.
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Sermon Series
 The continuing series of sermons on the subject "What the Gospel Is Not About" was further developed on Saturday evening's message that "The Gospel Is Not About Church Buildings." Pastor John gave a brief history of when church buildings began to be built. For about the first 200 years of church history, Christians met in homes rather than in buildings specifically constructed for Christians to meet. Although churches as we now know them are quite commonplace, evangelism is not about filling church buildings with people but rather a means to transform communities where ever an assembly of believers is present. He further explained that the Great Commission (in Matthew 28) is meant to restore the Kingdom to the apostolic church that it once was. To understand this is to be able to change our focus towards a transforming church work which must be done outside the four walls of the traditional church. Pastor John used the illustations of salt, light, and yeast to demonstrate why it is important for Christians to in the world to transform it, rather than being apart from the world where we would be ineffective in reaching those who are not believers. He made reference to the "seven mountains" that need to be influenced by Christians who are within those industries. Our strategy must include praying for people in the seven mountains, encouraging and supporting Christians in the seven mountains and to support the ministries within these categories. The church must undergo a paradigm shift in exercising the Great Commission to demonstrate Jesus Christ's power, His ministry and the principles He espoused. He also repeated that the church must be engaged in "spiritual warfare," promoting a Christ-centered lifestyle. He challenged the congregation to pray for the church leadership as our church enters "a new season" and to be committed to use our spiritual gifts especially in the marketplace, sharing Christ in our workplaces. Pastor John also reminded the small group fellowships to continue being the means of equipping its members to become a more loving community and to start more small groups for all our congregants to become a member of. Last Saturday evening's meeting is a first for Gospel Life Community. This will continue forward in subsequent weeks and months. Let us know if you have conflicts with the Saturday evening schedule. ___________________________________________________________________________ |
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Office Address: 1414 S. Azusa Ave., Suites 20-21, W. Covina, CA 91791
Church Address: 18901 E. Amar Rd., Walnut, CA 91789
MAILING ADDRESS: 436 Crestwood Lane, Walnut, CA 91789
Telephone: (626) 965-4300
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| Meditation |
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Dear God, I want to feel your presence in my life in a greater way. On this New Year, thank You for making me want more of You, to draw closer to You. I want to keep my priorities straight, to have my sight focused on You and my life to revolve around You. I know You can do these things for me.
Thank You for allowing me to balance my life--my work, church, family, friends, ministry time, and devotional time with You. Thank You for wisdom and strength to do what is right in all that I must do. And I thank you, God, for guiding me and blessing me in so many ways, and for working in me to do Your good will. In Jesus' name I pray and praise you. Amen. |
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