Brenda’s Bulletin

March 3, 2024 February Report

March 3, 2024 - 2:56 am - Posted by Brenda Matthews

Even with an extra day in the month, I missed writing during February, but that doesn’t mean there was nothing to write about!  

I love our weekly small group meetings!  I realized that our small group has never taken a photo together when one of the ladies sent me this photo because she thought the family cat “co-leading” was funny.  Each of us follows the daily devotional the church is using.  We’ve reflected on Mark and Joel and have just started in the Psalms.  I just guide our discussion to facilitate each one having an opportunity to share their insights from the Word that week.  There is great camaraderie, so the conversation flows freely and good questions are discussed.  As you pray for our growth in spiritual maturity, please pray for the salvation of Cecy (the source of some of those good questions).  

Our Ladies’ Group is extremely enjoyable because I thoroughly enjoy helping the ladies discover the truths of God’s Word and how to apply it to their lives.  I also teach the memory verse each week and lead the meeting when Isela needs a break.  The photo depicts a special occasion for review and fellowship.  Please pray for continued unity and for numerical and spiritual growth.

Yesterday we gathered for a Baby Shower.  Along with Willy, Isela and Lilian, we enjoyed celebrating the anticipation of the birth of Livier.  Please pray for the birth of a healthy little girl the end of this month or beginning of next month.  Please also pray for the restructuring of the Ladies’ Group during Isela’s maternity leave.

I’m thrilled to report that Level 1 has been offered to the church.  The material was divided into four sessions given in a class after the Sunday service.  Church attendance is up to 50-60 youth, adults and visitors so we were very pleased with about 35 people staying for the course each week.  A total of 46 people took at least one session of the course.  The entire course was also offered one Saturday.  The last class challenges the participants to prayerfully consider becoming active participants of El Faro (our name for membership).  One of the requirements to become an active participant of the El Faro church, apart from salvation and a commitment to the truths taught in the course, is baptism, so we have several people desiring to be baptized March 9th.  We plan to celebrate all those who completed the course and commit to being active participants on March 10th.  Please pray that these events will be joyous services that glorify God, that foster unity, that create an excited hunger for a deeper relationship with God and fellow believers, and that give witness to unbelievers who attend.

This month we were recipients of encouragement from our partner church in the US and from Vástago (the church that released Willy and his family to us).  Crossroads Bible Church sent a team that helped El Faro host two outreach events using a movie and Legos.  It was wonderful that the invited kids outnumbered the host kids and that several new families were contacted.  Three of the new kids came to church last Sunday.  Please pray for the Lord to provide lasting fruit from these ministries

Miguel, from Vástago, lead a workshop for the Sunday School teachers, shared with the youth, and wrote/directed a drama presented by him (right) and some of the youth last Sunday.  Click on the photo to watch it.  Praise God for the ministries of these churches and their example to El FaroPlease also pray for the Easter youth camp.

Enjoying time in nature is refreshing and seeing a new bird (a Lark Bunting beginning its molt to all-black breeding plumage) is exciting.  Jesus’ teaching using birds as an illustration provides a basis for trust.  “Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?”  “So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.”  (Matthew 6:26, 10:31 NIV)  Praise God with me for some new support, but please continue to pray for the Lord to provide for my financial support needs with TEAM.

With Easter nearing, may our hearts be full of joy and praise as we reflect on all that Christ accomplished for us on the cross and in His triumphal resurrection!  

Enjoy a happy and blessed Easter!

 

 

 

 

 

Brenda

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