Our Speaker during Family Bible Hour was Mr Fares Marzone,  Director of the Italian Bible Institute. His message was based on Ephesians 2: 1-10 and answers the question --- Does Doctrine Matter? Below is a short summary of his message:

Verses 1 to 3 teaches us the Doctrine of Sin:

And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; Wherein in time past ye walked according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:  Among whom  also we all  had our conversation in times past in the lust of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.

Verses 4-9 teaches us the Doctrine of Salvation

But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:  That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves:  it is the gift of God:  Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Verse 10 teaches us the Doctrine of Sanctification and the Doctrine of Consecration

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. 

The full message, in context and with further details that answer the question of the importance of Doctrine, is available on DVD.  Please see Romy.

Mr Marzone was accompanied by 7 other guests; All were on their way to Emmaus Bible College to attend a conference.

A short video of the men introducing themselves

">

Mrs Eppie and a vase-ful of her lovely garden flowers

Baby Shower!

Last Saturday, a Baby Shower was held for Julie Miller.  Julie and her husband Bob are brand-new parents with the birth of their daughter Haley on April 8th.  The event was a success thanks to the hard work of Karen, Janice, Diane, and Danielle. Janice gave a short devotional based on Philippians 1: 9-11

And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgement; That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ;  Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God

Here are pictures of the enjoyable time had by all:

Our speaker during Family Bible Hour was Mr Ken Botton -- Adjunct Professor at Trinity International University in Deerfield, Illinois. Mr Botton's other ministries are: Manager of the  Military Chaplaincy Program for the Brethren Assemblies; and Associate Chaplain at O'Hare Airport. His message today was based on Genesis 37: 18-36 

...And it came to pass, when Joseph was come unto his brethren, that they stript Joseph out  of his coat, his coat of many colours that was on him; And they took him, and cast him into a pit:  and the pit was empty, there was no water in it...Then there passed by Midianites merchantmen; and they drew and lifted up Joseph out of the pit, and sold Joseph to the Ishmeelites for twenty pieces of silver:  and they brought Joseph into Egypt...And the Midianites sold him into Egypt unto Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh's, and captain of the guard.  

Parallels between Joseph & Jesus:

1. Joseph was sent from the Father, Jacob, to bring comfort to his brothers.  Jesus was also sent by God the Father to bring comfort to our souls
2. Joseph was hated without a cause when he told the truth about his dream. Jesus, the ultimate TRUTH, was also hated without a cause
3. Joseph was sold for 20 pieces of silver; Jesus was sold for 30 pieces of silver
4. The horrible events that happened to Joseph and to Jesus eventually worked out for the best.  Joseph saved his family 13 years later during a great famine. Jesus saves us for eternity through His death on the cross.

Lessons from the pit:  The pit is an analogy of life's circumstances.  Note the Joseph's faith was intact through his horrible circumstances:

1. When tossed into the pit, you've got nothing but what you take with you as you're going in.  Joseph had nothing but his faith in God.  Be certain that you have plenty of God to take with you.  No one knows when a pit may occur; thus, get ready for the pit NOW.
2. Meditate long and hard on the love and sovereignty of God while in the pit.  Know for certain that God loves you and has a purpose for your circumstances
3. When you're out of the pit, remember the lessons and be a BLESSING to others.

Bottom line --- what is Satan's worse, can mean God's BEST!

The full message by Mr Botton, in context, is available through DVD. Please see Romy.

Mr Ken Botton

A hearty welcome to our guests today: Reverend Marlon Roldan, Community Development Adviser of OMF International (Philippines).  His wife Yoyit, is a Professor at the University of the Philippines, and currently on a 1-year sabbatical.  Mrs Pat Bollman was also in town to visit her daughter Julie, Son-in-Law Bob, and brand-new granddaughter, Haley.  

Our speaker during Family Bible Hour was Mr Bill Coyle.  Mr Coyle's message was based on Titus 2.  The believers of Crete, through their daily lives, reflected the image of God  to the unbelievers surrounding them.  Paul categorized the believers into five groups (underlined in the Bible passage below) and listed the qualities that would reflect well on God for each of these groups. Paul may have also answered possible family issues that were asked of him.

But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine:  That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience.  The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things;  That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love  their children, To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.   Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded.  In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you.  Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own masters, and to please them well in all things; not answering again; Not purloining, but shewing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things. 

~ Titus 2: 1-10

The full message, in context, is available on DVD.
Please see Romy.

Our speaker during Family Bible Hour was Mr Steve Modrzejewski. Since today is Mother's Day, he chose to focus on Moses' mom, based on Exodus 1 and 2. There are several  important lessons we can learn as moms from these chapters. A couple of them would be: (a) God honors us when we honor Him during difficult times; (b) godly moms are to walk by faith.

And the king of Egypt spake to the Hebrew midwives...And he said, When ye do the office of a midwife to the Hebrew women...if it be a son, then ye shall kill him; but if it be a daughter, then she shall live.  But the midwifes feared God, and did not as the king of Egypt commanded them, but saved the men children alive...therefore God dealt well with the midwives: and the people multiplied, and waxed very mighty.  And it came to pass, because  the midwives feared God, that he made them houses.  ~ Exodus 1: 15-21

And there went a man of the house of Levi, and took to wife a daughter of Levi.  And the woman conceived, and bare a son:  and when she saw him that was a goodly child, she hid him three months. And when she could not longer hide him, she took for him an ark of bulrushes, and daubed it with slime and with pitch, and put the child therein; and she laid it in the flags by the river's brink.  And his sister stood afar off, to wit what would be done to him.  And the daughter of Pharaoh came down to wash herself at the river; and her maidens walked along by the river's side; and when she saw the ark among the flags, she sent her maid to fetch it...And the child grew, and she brought him unto Pharaoh's daughter, and he became her son.  And she called his name Moses:  and she said, Because I drew him out of the water. ~ Exodus 2: 1-10  

The full message, in context, is available on DVD.
Please see Romy.

Happy Mother's Day!!!  
Here are pictures of some of the special Moms in our congregation.

Our speaker during Family Bible Hour was Mr Steve Modrezejewski.  He continued his series on the life of David.  This time, based on several passages in the Old Testament, it was about David learning to wait on the Lord's timing.  Steve reminded us that it's not about us, but it's about God.  God's plan will always be fulfilled in His time, and in His way.

The following passage is an example of David doing things God's way, resulting in his success:

But when the Philistines heard that they had anointed David king over Israel, all the Philistines came up to seek David; and David heard of it, and went down to the hold.  The Philistines also came and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim.  And David inquired of the Lord, saying, Shall I go up to the Philistines?  wilt thou deliver them into mine hand?  And the Lord said unto David, Go up:  for I will doubtless deliver the Philistines into thine hand.  And David came to Baalperazim, and David smote them there, and said, The Lord hath broken forth upon mine enemies before me, as the breach of waters.  Therefore he called the name of that place Baalperazim.  And there they left their images, and David and his men burned them.

 ~ 2 Samuel 5: 17-21

The full message, in context, is available on DVD.
Please see Romy.


In celebration of Mr and Mrs Lee's 20th Wedding Anniversary, EVERYONE was invited to Lunch at Alexander's Restaurant.

Chang & Young Lee, with daughter Grace