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BODY OF CHRIST NEWSLETTER Return to Newsletter Index Page Highlights From this Issue Welcome to the first issue! Uplifting and Edifying One Another We of the San Leandro and San Francisco congregations of the Worldwide Church of God would like to welcome all to join in the inauguration of our first official newsletter. The members of the staff are excited to share in the importance of using our gifts to fulfill the will of God. And we have found a tool to spread the good news of Jesus Christ in our congregations and communities. The purpose of this newsletter is to spread the light and love of God to our communities, friends, and neighbors. It is a way of expressing our individual thoughts and feelings that are profitable to edifying and uplifting ourselves and others The real importance in our lives is our personal relationship with Jesus Christ, and in this importance, we are encouraged to nurture relationships with parents, children, relatives, and friends. We hope this newsletter is an avenue for our members to do just that-nurture one another We do not publish this newsletter out of personal motives, but because of the love of the One True God who is in us through Jesus Christ. We would like for all members to think of this as your newsletter. We are open to suggestions, comments, articles, and any other ideas that might come to mind. Jump aboard as we open a new chapter in church history! "Lights" of San Francisco As the sister congregation of the San Leandro church, I took the opportunity of finding out the latest updates in San Francisco. Below is an excerpt of the interview, which took place on August 7th, 2000, with Mr. Jun Caranto, the local church elder. Staff: What are the latest activities of the San Francisco congregation? JC: It's been quiet in San Francisco; not much is happening... baptism. . . having very encouraging messages especially from Michael (Delote, SF deacon), and with the new understanding of the New and Old Covenants. We have the ongoing cell group of Michael's that is still meeting every Wednesday... I've seen a lot of growth in the group, spilling over into the main church... because the members of that group are very active in the main church group. They are key members contributing to a lot of ministry... We just had the (Pepo) Lehmann & family attending there (SF) now. . . in the last couple of months. Staff: How do you see the congregation now - spiritually and in other aspects as well? JC: Well - spiritually, we are very much encouraged by the emphasis on faith in Christ alone, giving us salvation and that all our sins are forgiven. All we need to do is trust Him.. . I can see how we are now growing in grace and knowledge. And God is helping us to achieve that. I haven't received any negative comments in that regard. Staff: Being a local church elder, do you have any plans which you might have mentioned or discussed with our pastor? JC: One thing that came to my mind. . . now that we have this new understanding in Christ... maybe we can start discipleship classes. .. we can now concentrate on how to be more equipped servants of God. ... I had an experience last night talking to two missionaries... And I was so inspired to share. I was able to impart to them that nothing is more important....that there's nothing else we have to do for salvation but believe in Jesus Christ, and that there's only one Gospel.. . Paul said that if an angel comes to us with a different gospel, he will be eternally condemned. . . that's very serious. The only gospel that we have to believe in is that Christ died for our salvation and that everyone can have it (salvation) by believing in Him. Staff: Any closing thoughts or comments? JC: I think having this newsletter is a good exercise. And it's very encouraging to see people getting into it. We hope to participate... I think the newsletter is a great idea. It's another means to serving the church members... This is another medium where we can share the gospel and fellowship in writing as well - sharing our thoughts and our hearts with others. . . So I encourage everyone who is participating in this effort; and my prayers are with you. Look forward to seeing the first issue. WHAT'S HAPPENING IN WOMEN'S MINISTRY
The ladies in Women's Ministry are leaning how to develop their gifts that God has so graciously given them as they shape their responsibility to the church, their families and the community. They are using their talents to develop relationship building and unity among everyone in our congregations. Linda Stainthorp, one of the heads in forming Women's Ministry, says the ladies, ".... mostly want what God wants for us. (That is) to know each other from the heart," and that is one of Women's Ministry's most current and outspoken goals. The ministry group consists of 8 to 9 members from the San Leandro congregation. The small group is currently in a planning mode for commitment and growth of their members in the San Leandro and San Francisco areas. With the diversity we possess within our congregations, they welcome different experiences and new ideas from their members. They also encourage new members to join and share in this period of history and growth for our church. Some members who do not know much about the group may think that it is a separation of the men and women in the church. But, Women's Ministry is an avenue to develop strong bonds between the women and produce an overflow of support for the benefit of the whole congregation. It is a blessing that God is working within the small groups in our church to show His love and faithfulness that He has for us all. And Women's Ministry is a part of this blessing. Two or three years ago, we did not have the bond that we carry with us now. Small group meetings are a way to strengthen our love for one another. Our ladies in Women's Ministry have certainly grown from years ago and are moving forward to a bright future with activities such as fundraisers and community services to form outreach and spread the good news of Christ through their example. They are taking relationship building to a whole new level. Check out the outstanding ladies of Women's Ministry! Pastor's Corner
I am delighted with the launch of a new ministry I have been hoping to see begin for quite some time! The only thing really needed for a Newsletter was a team of people with the desire, time and skills to make it a reality. We were blessed with such a team from the SL Church. Hats off to Ruel Ongchangco, Monisha Peters and Nita Davis. I'm pleased also that Mary Lou Lacsamana has joined the team as the SF correspondent. We look for Malou to submit items about what's going on in SF, and to encourage SF members to contribute. I hope to begin to see articles about members and their lives and families as we develop the new communication vehicle. It's everyone's Newsletter! That's why I state clearly here that this is not the pastor's Newsletter. I'll contribute articles and anecdotes regularly, but I'm only planning to serve as sort of an Editor In Chief. I did not create, name or design the publication, and will not dictate it's contents. I'll advise at times, encourage the staff, and do some minor editing. But this is a vehicle of sharing for the membership, and we hope it may also impact in a positive way, others who come across it. What can you contribute to the Newsletter? Notice the lead column that contains the purposes the staff has in mind. I'll encourage them to boil this down to a succinct mission statement, and to formulate some goals and objectives for the Newsletter. I hail them for mentioning the name Jesus Christ three times in that article, and I believe He is pleased with the team for wanting to produce a Christ-centered publication. I thank the staff, and I'm sure they would appreciate our prayers! Q. God says in Isaiah, "To this man will I look, even he who is………… The Girl With the Pen We Never Walk Alone Where we walk with our creator we will never walk alone.
Answer: "Poor and of a contrite spirit and trembles at my word. " (Isa 66:2) Crafts LETS HAVE SOME FUN! You can create your own crafts at home and you may want to bring them to church so everyone can see your creation! Clay Critters Ingredients: Here's What to Do: Okay, Now What: TIPS: |