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Got Life A newsletter about spiritual enrichment for the Body of Christ
A Monthly Newsletter Knowing The Time
What’s Going On The monthly calendar, birthdays and anniversaries, and Daniel’s Fast resource information. Page 3
Words From Our Ministries. Page 6
The Lite Side
Don’t Celebrate Your Haters, Pray for Them
However, sometime back I became rather put off by the phrase as I continued to see it constantly spewed across various social networking sites.
“I’m gonna shout right in front of my haters! You talked about me, but look at me now” Wow! Really?
I can’t help but start to laugh at how...well, childish that sounds. And I’m Then it hit me! Why do we celebrate not trying to point fingers, because I’ve people “hating” on us? It’s almost like we been guilty of being caught up in the My get this twisted kick out of people “hating Hater’s cult. on me”. Some people even use it as a But if we really think about it, means to make their wrong right. dancing in front of my haters is not the “See, everybody be hating on me. But Christ like behavior that God wants me to wait till I make it, then they gonna be display. sick! Yea!” Let me reword it to show you what we really are saying.
Nov/Dec
Church Information NLTC ministry staff, service information and statement of faith. Page 12
The Lite Side Biblical principles through humor Page 9
An address from the Senior Pastor. Page 2
How many times have we heard the phrase, or even said it, “My haters...”? Yep, I’m guilty too.
Nov/Dec ’11
“I’m going to shout right in front of all the people who have been jealous of me, and who have been backbiting and lying on me. I’m going to give them something to be jealous about, something to gossip about when I get my blessings! Nah!” Why, as a Christian, would I want my brother or sister in Christ to be jealous or continue to sin due to me being blessed? Does someone else’s jealousy towards my blessing make me happy? One day while thinking about a resent event, I realized I don’t want anyone to ever be envious or jealous of me. If they are jealous of my blessings, my calling, my anointing, my opportunities in life then they are missing out on the ones God has for them. continued on page 6
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IN OTHER WORDS My goodness, where did this year go! I guess where all the years before have gone. As I look back at 2011, there are moments that seem a distant memory. But other “months ago” events seem to have just happen a few weeks back. Truly, time is flying by. I can’t help but wonder how many times this year I have rushed the days or weeks so that “special hour” would hurry and come, only to say later, “man, I can’t believe it’s already over!”
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O Taste and See that the Lord is Good 1Peter 2:2 By Bishop Brenda K. Perry
Psalms 139:14, “I will praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made, marvelous are your works, and that my soul knows There were trips I couldn’t wait to take, very well.” How God forms us is annual festivals I looked forward to, the awesome. Romans 1:20 tells us that change of season, and those things I couldn’t God has shown His greatness, wait until they were over and done with. awesomeness, and power by the Now those minutes, hours, and days are gone things we see every day, and we take forever. I can’t ever recapture even one of it for granted. God gives us the those rushed minuets. natural so we can attain, or grasp, that which is spiritual. He does this It’s funny, because even now I have that because He wants us to grow in the feeling of, “I can’t wait until the holiday grace and knowledge of who He is. As season hurries up and get here!” But what will each of those minutes leading up to my we grow, we can become less anticipated moment bring? In their own way, dysfunctional, and become more they can be special. functional in the spiritual ream. In fact each one of these days leading up to the holiday season and the new year are moments I can use to do what I didn’t do the other 10 months of 2011. So before we rush the rest of the year away, what is it that we can get done in these last weeks of 2011 that we promised ourselves we would do? In other words, forget about waiting until the new year to make those horrible resolutions. How about looking at what you can still do in 2011. Do you need to adopt a healthier lifestyle, spend more time with your family, build up your relationship with God, visit that special person, research what school offers that area of discipline? Make use of the “now” time, and end this year well.
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and compassion for the Mother to lead that newborn to the breast, and get them to suck to obtain the substance that will bring nutriment for growth. Likewise the body of Christ must have the word of God in us so that we are able to nurture new born babies in Jesus. II Timothy 2:15 reads, “Study to show thyself continue on page 4
A Cheerful Heart (Be Happy, Learn to Laugh) John 14:1-Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in me. Matt. 5:3-11 By Minister Isaac Bazile
When I look at the world and all of the tragedies seen in the news, and the current state of our nation’s economy, it’s very difficult to be a Christian, let alone have a cheerful God gracefully allowed me the heart. How can we find laughter in honor to see Naomi Renee Troncoso anything today, when our attitude come into this world. But what toward life is so negative? The caused me to be at awe, or amazed question has been asked, “What is with God, is how He designs us so happiness? How do we find it?” We that the baby needs its Mother, yet it can find it in the word of God. The can survive without her. However, for word of God encourages us not to let the child to receive its benefits, it our hearts be troubled in John 14:1. It would do well to stay with the Mother. is becoming more and more difficult God has design the mother in such a to be happy or have a cheerful heart, if way that in the long run the child will we determined happiness by what we be blessed greatly. It is very see day to day. A recent poll was discomforting and sometimes painful taken and the results tell us that 63% to the Mother, but still there are many of Americans believe that happiness is a worthy goal for life. Sixty-three benefits for the Mother and the baby. percent. If you want to discover a When we look in the spiritually formula, or the secret for happiness, realm and when it comes to bringing then I think you have to look at the forth new babies in the Lord, it beatitudes. It is here Jesus said, sometimes become discomforting and "Blessed" or to be congratulated or to inconvenient when feeding them in be happy and He gives us the formula the grace of the Lord. It takes skill
continue on page 4
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Looking Ahead Please mark your calendars for the upcoming events for November & December
NOVEMBER 3-5 Annual Staff Planning Retreat 8 Leadership Prayer 11 Veteran's Day 13 Deacon’s Holiday Dinner 24 Thanks Giving Day 25 Office Closed DECEMBER 4 Senior Connection Annual Christmas Dinner Fundraiser 10 Leadership Prayer & Staff Meeting 14 Church Celebration Pot Luck Dinner 23-26 Church office closed for Holiday 25 Christmas Day 31 New Year’s Service
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Birthdays & Anniversaries Monthly birthdays and anniversaries of NLTC members. If your birthday is not listed, email the church office.
Nov 1! !
Phelisia Shepard
Nov 4! !
Ray Dodd, Jr
Nov 10! !
Nicholas Sword
Nov 12 !!
Marrissa Davila
Nov 14! !
Kija Colemon
Nov 17! !
Dell Powell
Nov 20! !
LaNeil Alexander
Nov 21! !
Steve Stephens
Nov 23! !
Jasia Smith
Nov 27! !
Kevin Bates
Nov 30! !
Thomas Clark
Anniversaries LaNeil & Delesa Alexander Nov 3 Raymond & Capricious Wright Nov 4 Samuel & Margaret Darden Nov 17 Darnell & Gladys Simmons Nov 20
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Dec 3!
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Armsted Chambers, Sr
Dec 4!
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Madell King
Dec 6!
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Brian Conner
Dec 8!
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Larry White
Dec 10! !
Ruth Knox
Dec 10! !
Sonja Blouin
Dec 10! !
Phoebe Roquemore
Dec 11! !
DeLesa Alexander
Dec 11! !
Kristina Davila
Dec 12! !
Eldora Christian
Dec 13! !
Margeret Brown
Dec 15! !
Lela Chambers
Dec 18! !
Pam Clark
Dec 19! !
Danielle Hardiman
Dec 20! !
Floyd Patterson
Dec 23! !
Winifred O’Conner
Dec 28! !
Marva Coney
Dec 30! !
Clara Britton
Dec 31! !
Katie Alimon!
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Anniversaries Warren & Robbin Green Dec 13 Elmer & Catherine Powell Dec 23
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O Taste continued from page 2
approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” The Bible tells us to be able to give answers to all that desire the “hope” that lies within you. Nothing is as terribly bad as to think someone that has been saved for a long period of time, and not able to give what is needed to help bring growth in a new born. The Mother produces in the breast a substance that is called “colostrums.” This substance is very concentrated and full of nutrient, antibodies, and high protein. The milk of the mother is developed a few days later because there a need for “colostrums” to help move that which is call “meconium.” The first stool (poop) that the baby has is “meconium”. That’s the black and tar looking stuff. If this is not removed from the baby “jaundice” will set in. This is the yellow discoloration that babies get because they are not getting rid of “bilirubin” fast enough. “Bilirubin” is a substance found in the blood. The more the baby feeds, the more they peep and poop and release the “bilirubin.” Going under the phototherapy lights also helps them to get rid of this. If the problem isn’t taken care of it can eventually lead to irreversible brain damage.
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important it is to instill the Word of Life in a new born baby. We know in Psalm 138 that His Word is above His name, and Hebrew 4:12, “For the Word of God is quick (living) and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” There are many more scriptures that can be added in showing how the Word of God cleanses and sanctifies the spiritual person. Psalm 51:5, “Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin my mother conceived me.” Roman 3:23, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Sin is death, black, dark and no light or life can be found in it. So we that are spiritual, and save by God’s amazing grace, should have these spiritual “colostrums” in them to help put spiritual nutrient in that new soul. You can tell how the old man is being destroyed and leaving their life by their testimony, their desire for the Word, and the things of the Lord. They have set their face like a flint. Philippians tells us, “Forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”
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God to godliness. In verse one, chapter two, Peter exposes the hidden darks which takes the pure Word of God to destroy. Jesus said except you become like a child. Jesus and Peter did not tell us to become a child, or a new born baby, but to desire, hunger for the Word. Have that child like faith that will allow the power of the Word of God to take hold and destroy that which is not pure. No matter if you are a new born in Christ, or a mature Christian in him, we will never be able to stand against the wile and hand of the enemy. God’s word is light to my feet and a lamp to my path way; my rock that I stand upon, and my sword that defeats the enemy. Most of all, God’s word is where I have learned of who He is, and built my faith upon. God’s word is sweeter than the honey comb, and more precious than silver and gold.
Cheerful Heart continued from page 2
for happiness there in the very familiar opening words of His Sermon on the Mount.
The culture in which we live believes the way to happiness is a direct opposite to what Jesus presented in the Beatitudes in the opening introductory words of the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus says this is the way to happiness. But we look at the world today, and they have I Peter 2:2, “As newborn babes, taken the Beatitudes, and reversed This is a very deep and long study. desire the pure milk of the word that them. They've turned them wrong However, it is a subject that can give you may grow thereby.” When you light and spiritual insight of God’s read the scriptures above verse two we side out. holy word in showing how very see that Peter was exhorting saints of Continue on page 5 4
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Matthew, Chapter 5, verse 3, Jesus said, "Blessed or happy are the poor in spirit..." Is that what the world says today? No, the world says happy are those who are independent; those who are proud. Verse 4, "Happy are those who mourn..." That's not what we see in our world, is it? We say happiness comes from through laughter. Verse 5, "Blessed are the gentle or the meek..." We'd say, "Oh no, blessed are the tough-minded." Those who are firm. That's the standard of our society, is it not? Verse 6, "Happy are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness..." Humph! No, we wouldn't buy that happy are those who hunger and thirst after pleasure. That's where our world is. Verse 7, "Happy are the merciful..." Oh, no. We say happy are those who hold their ground. Blessed are the pure in heart? No, happiness comes to those who have all sorts of dreams, and all sorts of fantasies, and all sorts of evil imaginations. "Bless are the peacemakers..." Oh, no. We say blessed are those who refuse to give in when they're faced with conflict. That's the business standard; that's the world's standards. Verse 10, "Blessed, happy are those who are persecuted for righteousness sake..." Oh, no. Happy are those who fight back when someone deals unjustly with you or me. Nullam arcu leo, facilisis ut
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Verse 11, "Happy are those when men cast insults at you..." Oh, no. We want popularity. Happy are those who are popular. And everybody will speak a good word about them.
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Jealousy means there is hurt, unforgivness, bitterness, low self esteem, and the list goes on and on. So how could I celebrate or dance in the face of my brother or sister who is suffering with such Jesus is either wrong or our culture is wrong. And the problem weights? we have, Brothers and Sisters, is When a person is in a place that you and I, we are a product of where we would call them a this culture because there are so “hater”, they are in a dangerous many books that are written to place. They are spiritually support the standards of this vulnerable and open for offenses, culture. I say, that Jesus is always mistrust, rebellion and sin. right. When we look at it from this The bible helps us to learn how angle, getting excited and pointing to be happy in our hearts and in the proverbial finger at our hating life even though the world is brother or sister in Christ just finding other ways to be happy. seems unloving and caring. We must learn to laugh. The Bible teaches that a relaxed, happy Instead of celebrating those attitude actually lengthens a man's who “put their mouth” on you, or life, and uncontrolled negative are jealous of what God has or is emotions shorten a man's life. It is doing in your life, pray that they approaching life with a happy will loose focus of you and gain heart. Laughter is not a luxury. It sight of what God has purposed is essential for a balanced life and for them. healthy well being. According to A hater is simply a person who the Bible, a happy heart serves the no longer has sight of their rest of the body a continual feast. Laughter is better purpose so they enviously focus on yours. than taking steroids or popping pills. It provides a natural high And while that may make and a lasting lift for the entire some twisted individuals happy, body. Laughter lifts us most of us have to be moved to emotionally, physically and pray for that sort of person. spiritually. The next time you go to Be happy, learn to laugh. celebrate your hater, pray for them to regain focus of their purpose. Minister Isaac J. Bazile serves as director of the men’s ministry of NLTC
Mel A. Perry serves as Global Relations Director and Assistant Pastor of NLTC
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New Life Temple Ministries Words from our ministries
MINISTRY PAGE We are looking for ministry writers to represent ministries here at NLTC. Each month leaders or ministry members are welcomed to submit an article for the “ministry section” of Got Life. I f you would like more information about submitting articles, once or on a monthly bases, please email global_relations@newlifetemplechurch.c om
Outreach Ministry
RUNNING AHEAD OF GOD Genesis 16:1-2 reads “Now Sarai, Abram’s wife, had borne him no children. And she had an Egyptian maidservant whose name was Hagar. So Sarai said to Abram, “See now, the Lord restrained me from bearing children. Please, go into my maid; perhaps I shall obtain children by her.” And Abram heeded the voice of Sarai.”
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I once read an illustration that said, “A friend went to visit the great preacher Phillip Brooks and found him pacing the floor like a caged lion. His friend asked, what’s the trouble, Dr. Brooks?” He replied, “The trouble is that I’m in a hurry and God is not.” Abraham could have identified with those feelings. God had promised him a son but, from a human perspective, time was running out. In fact, with Abraham nearly 86 and Sarah 76 years old, most people would have said that time had already run out. Obviously God needed help. In the Ancient Near East, it was acceptable for a barren woman to give her maid as a substitute to bear children for her, so Sarah suggested Abraham take Hagar and let her bear his child. In his hurry, Abraham ran ahead of God and the consequences are still felt in the Middle East today. The Arab nations (descended from Ishmael, the son of the maid servant) and Israel (descended from Abraham's legitimate heir, Isaac) continues to be bitter enemies. I’m afraid many of us can also identify with the illustration. We often become anxious when the petitions we placed before God hasn’t materialized according to our time frame. Statistics tell us that that about 10%, or 27 million people, is taking
some type of anti-depression as a result of anxiety. Unfortunately, we too often exercise the world’s microwave type mentality. We seek fast food restaurants, shop for foods that can be quickly cooked in the microwave, and look for the express line in the stores. This same mentality we have brought into our walk with God. We expect drive through breakthroughs. At some point our anxiety says, “Help God out. If you do this, or if you do that, things will come together much faster.” Sounds familiar? God not only has a divine will, He also has an eternal timetable. Just as the apostle Paul reminded Christians that in "the fullness of time" God sent His Son (Gal. 4:4) and "in due time Christ died for the ungodly" (Rom.5:6), so God has a schedule for everything in our lives as well. We certainly don't want to lag behind God's agenda, but it's equally disastrous to run ahead of it. As you seek God's will for your life, seek His timetable as well. Don't let your impatience carry you ahead of God. To do the right thing at the wrong time makes the right thing the wrong thing. Wisdom says to keep in step with God's time as well as His will. Elder Johnson, Outreach Director
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There is Much Work To Be Done....
and We Need YOU!
gre o r P n I g n i uild Kingdom B
ss
Connect With A Ministry Today serve as a ministry worker or take part in the fellowship Men of the Tower, Ladies of the Light, Young People On Fire, Children With Purpose, Marriage, Music, Sunday School, Outreach, Maintenance, Hospitality, Audio/Video, Communications, Senior Connection (NLEC)
We need your help in completing the Kingdom Work Project
For more information on ministries, please call 713-991-5972 or email global_relations@newlifetemplechurch.com
Nov/Dec
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STAY CONNECTED
NLTCHouston
Blessed Holidays & Merry Christmas
NLTC - For family NLTCNews - For NLTC friends
NLTC Got Life
The NLTC
Holiday Family Enrichment Weeks November 21 - 26
www.livestream.com/ newlifetemplechurch Guest Writers Wanted
December 19 - 24 Enjoy your family during this holiday season. Week Day services are canceled during these weeks
If you would like to share a thought or an article with our readers, we invite you to contact us at global_relations@newliftemplechurch.com or 713-991-5972 for more information.
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Lite The d Si e
Up Comes “Who ” s i Th With
Recently I was hanging out with some girlfriends in Chicago. You know when ladies get together there is bound to be some crazy laughter. When we get together, there are no topics that are off the table, including Relationships. Now you have to know my girls Gigi and Shanida. They are PKs, who grew up in the church, and stayed in the church. And like me laughing, is what keeps them sane. So when they open their mouths to talk, if you don’t like to laugh, o’ well. As the 4 of use, my BFF included, moved about Chicago we exchanged stories about any and everything. Some how we got on the topic of church duds who like to be supper spiritual. And it was Shanida who had the story that Trinetia and I would talk about well after that day. My girl Shanida once went on a date with one of those deeply spiritual guys. I’m sure you have crossed paths with those kind of people. They border on the spooky side, yea that type. Just kidding. Now rule number one: if you are on a date, this is not the time to show how spiritually deep you are. Like for real dud! Anyway, the guy leans over to her and says, “Have you ever just sat and listened to the wind to hear what God is saying?” I don’t know what comes to your mind when you read this, but I’m thinking along the lines of Edgar Allen Poe’s The Raven. The guy was supper serious. But still that is like the date killer for real!
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My mother didn’t allow us to watch scary movies. But for some reason the thought of a guy saying he sits around listening to the wind to see what God is saying, just makes me want to hid under the covers until the boogie man is gone. Uh, dud that’s what the Bible is for. LOL! We laughed the whole day about that one. To be honest, Trinetia and I laughed for days about it. Poor guy! This brings to mind an even more recent conversation I was having with a couple of girlfriends over breakfast at one of my favorite Saturday breakfast hangouts. One of the ladies asked what is with all of these new churchy phrases? To be honest I have no idea how or who comes up with these spiritual church clichés. For some reason we create these terms that we hear one person say while they are preaching, and we make them the new catch phrase. It’s like if I say them I will catch something anointed and it will oooz all over me. But what do they all really mean? My friend asked what does the “Oil” mean? “I keep seeing it on twitter, the ‘oil’”. Because I’m a silly person, I just laughed. Now seriously, what does “the oil” mean? For some reason just saying “the anointing” has become to hard, so we have now termed it “the oil”. “That sister has the oil! Shama!” Yea, I’m sure a few of you reading this just chuckled, against your will. The number one modern church spiritual phrase of the 21st century is, “taking me in” or “took me in”. I’m cracking up just thinking about it. “That sister had the oil all over her! That song just took me in! My Gawd!” Why do you need a song to “take you in”? I mean really. We get caught up in saying things that sound ubber spiritual,
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but may not actually be biblically sound. Yep, Ive done it too! When I think of it, this may be part of the problem in our modern Sunday services. We need the right song to take us in. When in fact,we should have come to church already entering into the presence of God. Is the richness of my morning devotion, or personal time with God, predicated on the right song taking me in? I do believe there are times when we will hear a song and it will minister to us and excite us to just stay in the presence of God. Or while spending time with God we will play some songs of worship as we continue to minister unto God. But we should experience more of God taking us in than a song or a person taking us in. When we have a relationship with God, He will take “us in” in our sleep. You can be in the bathroom and He will take you there! My point? No matter how supper spiritual we want to come across as, no matter how many church clichés we use, the depth of our relationship with God 1. is based on your realness and time with Him 2. does not mean we have to be churchy when we are out enjoying friends 3. should not spook others out. In truth, church clichés will always be with us. And no, they are not necessarily wrong to use, though they don’t always make sense. But if you use them, give them a break every now and then. And no, I really don’t want to know about your wind ministry, lol. On a serious note, though. God can use anything to speak to us. He can use the sound of a train, the rustling of the trees, the rush of the wind or the stillness of a moment. Just make sure you know the proper time to share that with others. A first date probably is not the right time.
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The purpose of New Life Temple Church is to instill the faith of Jesus Christ into the lives of all people, bringing them into spiritual perfection with a spirit of excellence.
Weekly Service Schedule
NLTC Ministry Leaders
Bishop Brenda K. Perry, Senior Pastor pastor@newlifetemplechurch.com
Sunday Sunday School! !
Pastor Steve Stephens, Associate Pastor Sunday Worship ! sstep72508@sbcglobal.net
Pastor Elmer Powell, Associate Pastor elmerpowell@sbcglobal.net
Donna Ross-Powell, Administrator
Statement of Faith
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9:00am
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10:00am
Wednesday Pastoral Bible Study!
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7:30pm
Young People On Fire! !
7:30pm
donna.ross@newlifetemplechurch.com
Karen Watson, Financial Manager
Thursday
Mel A. Perry, Global Relations Director
Music Ministry! !
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7:30pm
global_relations@newlifetemplechurch.com
Deacons Roy & Veronica Seivwright, Head Deacons rs5587@att.com Pastor Elmer & Cathy Powell, Marriage Min. elmerpowell@sbcglobal.net Minister Isaac Bazile, Men of the Tower lawfalcon@aol.com
Saturday!
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Intercessory Prayer!
We believe this one true God, who revealed Himself as Father in Creation, as Son in redemption, and as Holy Ghost in regeneration. We believe that - in Him (Jesus) dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily. For it pleased the Father that in Him should all fullness dwell. We believe in the death, burial and resurrection.
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We believe in one eternal God; infinite in power, holy in nature, attributes and purpose, as well as omniscient and omnipresent.
9:00am
*Senior Connection Monday - Friday 10:00am - 2:00pm for all seniors 60+
We believe in being born again of waterby immersion in the name of the Lord “Jesus� Christ for the remission of sins, and in Spirit baptism of the Holy Ghost speaking in other tongues as the Spirit gives utterance. We believe in divine healing, communion and foot washing.
Donna Stephens, Ladies of the Light dmstep2003@yahoo.com
We believe in presenting our bodies a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable unto God.
Towanna Thompson, Perfecting Light Ministry towanna10@sbcglobal.net Elder Edna Johnson, Outreach ednajohn60@comcast.net New Life Temple Church 4828 Almeda Genoa
Houston, TX 77048
We believe in expressions of praise with lifted hands, hand clapping, playing of musical instruments, voice of praise and dancing.
713.991.5972
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