Weekly Update | July 7, 2022
Weekly Newsletter 07/07/2022
Peace be to you dear church and friends!
As you may have noticed, last week we began memorizing a very important Psalm, a Psalm of repentance! We’ll be memorizing it for the next few weeks. Why? Our goal is that as we memorize it, we’ll be saturated with an understanding of true repentance. Sin is the worst and strongest enemy of people; it destroys relationships with the living God, destroys relationships with people, brings suffering and pain to the soul, and most importantly, is the reason for punishment.
Believers, those who have realized their sin and confessed it, understanding the substitutionary sacrifice of Jesus as the only way to salvation, still sin. If this is so, then repentance is something that also must continue in the life of a believer (Matt. 6:12; 1 John 1:7).
Aleksey Prokopenko makes a few important observations about true repentance in Psalm 51:
- – It doesn’t reject admonishments
- – It doesn’t justify itself by circumstances
- – It doesn’t move the blame onto others
- – It doesn’t focus on others’ mistakes to weaken its own guilt
- – It doesn’t consider its punishment as unjust
- – It doesn’t suppress its own guilt
- – It doesn’t refuse to right what was wronged
True, biblical repentance is tied to a deep understanding of not only one’s own sin, but also sinfulness, God’s holiness, and forgiving grace.
Learning the new segment of Psalm 51, check your understanding of repentance, and most importantly, your practice of repentance.
Small ad: if you are interested in a deeper look into repentance, look into our bookstore and get this book (Russian only) by Aleksey Prokopenko, Библейское покаяние: Псалом 50.
Afghan ministry opportunity
What: Dear church, we are having a privilege and joy to participate in school supplies drive for Afghan families that will be held throughout the month of July.
Afghan-American church will distribute backpacks during the back-to-school event they organize in Freemont the first week of August.
Goal: 2000 backpacks needed to bless approximately 500 Afghan families with the love and good news of Jesus.
How: We are looking for individuals, families, small groups, Sunday School classes etc to pledge to fill backpacks for the Afghan community. Do NOT bring backpacks as they will be bought in bulk, only supplies to help fill them!
Here is the link with the list of supplies needed per backpack: https://mcusercontent.com/f152490d7d0f8b0e444a3233a/files/90859353-f91c-dc1e-8e5b-8ed87fcb198b/Backpack_Drive_2022.docx
You are welcome to add a personal touch such as kid’s drawing, a card, Christian story for kids.
The link to the pledge sign up form: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/17r9W5Ep4ZdYx713DhNAVYVNxQaTU57te_ePrpUoqcFI/edit?usp=sharing
Where: In the hallway of our GFC church there will be boxes with the sign “School supplies drive for Afghans” on the table.
Please bring the supplies in separate plastic bags/ziplock bags per each backpack and put them in the box.
When: On Sundays after Russian service till the beginning of English service. Last day July 31st.
Pray: Please pray that every family/child who will receive the backpack will have a revelation from the Holy Spirit what is the length and width and height and depth of God’s love in Christ Jesus! Ephesians 3:14-21
Continue supporting the churches working among the people who have suffered from the war in Ukraine: https://gfchurch.com/ukraine/
The Scripture memory text – Psalm 51:4-6
4 Against you, you only, have I sinned
and done what is evil in your sight,
so that you may be justified in your words
and blameless in your judgment.
5 Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity,
and in sin did my mother conceive me.
6 Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being,
and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart.
Below are the services and meetings for this weekend:
Today, Thursday (7:00 PM) – Prayer service in cafeteria
Sunday services:
- – Worship Service in Russian at 9:00 AM
- – Worship Service in English at 11:15 AM
- – Family Evening Service at 6:00 PM – (followed by a mid-year meeting for church members) Please bring fruits or sweets to the table for our fellowship afterwards.
On behalf of the elders of GFC