Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
The Greek-speaking Christians had a word for the Lord’s Supper. They called it Eucharist, which means “thanksgiving.” And no wonder, because the greatest gift of all is the gift of God’s Son, Jesus Christ.
Jesus has washed away all our sins and become one with us in such a way that he will never let us go. He has raised us with him in his resurrection and included us in the fellowship he has with the Father.
None of us deserves God’s favor, of course, but God loves us anyway. And because he loves us, he does not leave us in our sins. He not only forgives all our sins, but he also lives in us by the Holy Spirit and transforms us into people who do love him and love others. It’s something to remember as we face another week.
Elder, John and Beverly Ferlatte, of Smiths Falls ON, Canada are new grandparents! John wrote: “Bev and I are very happy to let you know that our son Jonathan and his wife Nikki are the proud parents of Alexandra Acadia Ferlatte born February 5 at 7:36 pm in the Civic Hospital in Ottawa. The pictures were taken by our daughter Elizabeth, who was visiting from Toronto.”
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Journey With the Master
Anthony Mullins of GCI Generations Ministries conducted a Journey With the Master intensive January 28-29 at Waynesburg University in Pennsylvania. GCI member Carrie Smith, resident director at the university, organized the event through the office of the campus chaplain. Several Waynesburg University freshmen participated. None have had prior contact with GCI. The opening night began with the question, “Who is Jesus?” and led to the conclusion that one’s unique identity is found in relationship with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Anthony administered several assessments to help each participant better understand their uniqueness. One of the participants wrote concerning the event: “All I can say is thank you for everything. Journey With the Master was a great experience!”
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Ghana
78 campers from across the West African sub-region and 46 GCI Ghana staff members enjoyed the 2010 Youth Educational Program (YEP) at the GCI Ghana facility near Accra December 19 through January 2.
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Programs included Christian living, Bible study, fireside chat, computer training, soccer, badminton, volleyball, softball, swimming, hiking, camp improvement (maintenance), obstacle course, and music appreciation.
Local and overseas benefactors, as well as camp alumni, provided help with funding and equipment. Twenty-seven needy campers (16 boys and 11 girls) received sponsorship from the Jon Whitney Foundation of the United States to participate.
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Eleven campers decided to walk with Christ and were baptized by Pastor Francis Ablordeppey and Pastor Jonathan Hammond. Pastor Ablordeppey is camp director.
Awards were presented to outstanding campers in several categories at a celebration banquet on January 1. The overall best camper awards were presented to Brian Mac Ocrah of the Kumasi church and Sandra Duah of Accra. Staff members were also presented with awards for their selfless service to the campers. The function was led by the Chairman of the Ecclesiastical Council and Head Pastor of the churches in Ghana, Pastor Emmanuel Okai.
Camper final comments included expressing their appreciation for making new friends and relating to people from far and near, learning biblical concepts, learning to play new sports, and accomplishing feats they never thought they could, such as swimming, hiking to the top of a hill and going through the rigors of the obstacle course.
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Grand Junction, Colorado, Perichoresis Conference
Dr. Baxter Kruger and Dr. Mike Feazell will be in Grand Junction, Colorado, Friday evening, May 13, and all day Saturday, May 14, to teach and share insights about our inclusion in Jesus’ relationship with the Father through the Holy Spirit. To reserve a spot, please call Grand Junction Pastor David Eddy at 970-210-5560 or email him at ajautosales1@gmail.com. Attendance is limited to the first 70 people who sign up.
Estonia Summer Camp
From Carl Fredrik Aas:
The application form for the August 2011 summer school project in Kallaste Estonia is attached. Several people have already informed me that they would like to come, but we still need six more young adults.
The summer school project has turned out to be a win-win situation. The youth of Kallaste as well as the young adults who come as teachers each year enjoy a unique experience they will always remember. If you are interested, please fill and return out the attached application form as soon as possible. Application For Summer Camp Estonia 2011 – Details for summer camp Estonia
Prayer Requests and Updates
Kayte Wolverton
From Monte Wolverton:
Kayte has been diagnosed with advanced ovarian/peritoneal cancer, stage 4. She has had two chemo treatments so far and is scheduled to have two more before her surgery. She will have exploratory abdominal surgery on March 28. The surgeon has said he won’t know exactly what will have to be done until he gets into the abdominal cavity. The chemo was done first in hopes of killing or shrinking as much of the cancer as possible, then the surgery will physically remove any cancer that is operable. After Kayte recovers from the surgery, she will start another round of chemo to kill any remaining cancer and hopefully achieve complete remission. She is responding well to the treatment so far and her cancer “numbers” are falling. But, the battle will be a long one, as the doctor has said she might have to be on chemo for as long as a year to achieve complete remission. Statistically speaking, remission from this type of cancer averages around five years, and then it might come back. Prayers for complete healing would be deeply appreciated.
Cards may be sent to:
18907 NE Cole Witter Rd.
Battle Ground, WA 98604
From Larry Hinkle:
We would appreciate your prayers for my grandson Coty. My wife and I are in Charlotte, North Carolina with him and his mom and dad, Christi and Richard, at a children’s hospital where he is in intensive care. Coty is a disabled child (now 16 years old), and has had a pretty rough life. He is in critical condition with respiratory distress syndrome which began as an onset of pneumonia. He has been under complete sedation for some ten days. His respiratory problems have affected his heart/blood pressure and his kidneys, resulting in the need for continuous renal dialysis. In addition to all this, he is suffering from an adeno virus as well as a strain of the flu.
Thankfully, he has made some improvement the last couple of days, and is being gradually weaned off of some medications and treatments, but he is still a long way from recovery. It is great to know that so many are praying for him. He is truly in the Lord’s loving and caring hands.
Cards may be sent to:
10141 NW 23rd St
Coral Springs, FL 33065-4845
Remember that prayer is the battleground where we fight the good fight of faith. Let’s encourage everyone to join together in prayer, for we belong to Christ, and by the Spirit it is in Christ that we pray. Prayer and other spiritual activities help keep our hearts in tune with God and remind us of who we are in Christ. He is our all in all, and in him we are eternally beloved of the Father and blessed to share his good news with others.
Love from my family to yours,
Joseph Tkach
