Holy Spirit Fellowship's
Monthly Newsletter
February 2010
Inside:
Pictures
and more!
What Holy Spirit Fellowship Means to Me
Special Guest: Florenciani
A Poem: Just Do It!!!
Pastor’s Corner
“The Greatest of These”
For many of us, the apostle Paul’s writing to the Corinthians in Chapter 13 has set the standard for Christians as to what love looks and feels like. Most of you have heard it read at weddings and holy unions, as well. Sometimes there’s a chuckle when we hear things like, “love does not demand its own way.”
When we get to the final lines and compare our feeble attempts at loving with “love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things and endures all things,” we’re left feeling like its impossible to ever measure up to this standard. Yet, somewhere deep inside, we know that its true and we keep trying.
St. Francis of Assisi also reminds us in his prayer to “seek rather to love than to be loved.” That’s a challenge, as well. But it, too, rings true in our hearts. It seems that when we put others’ needs before our own, in some mysterious and generous way, ours are met. I suppose that’s the way our benevolent parent designed it so that it would real and impossible to mimic.
As we celebrate St. Valentine’s Day this month, I trust that you’ll find someone to thank for the way they’ve blessed your life with their love. Perhaps the Message Bible translates Paul’s words succinctly when it uses these words in the opening verse of the chapter-- “If I speak with human eloquence and angelic ecstasy but don't love, I'm nothing but the creaking of a rusty gate.” Hopefully the later won’t describe our attempts at loving. (smile)
With grateful love,
Pastor Duane
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Carol Welch and her beloved Taylor
What Holy Spirit Fellowship Means To Me
I have always been grateful that God hears even the most soft whisperings and desires of my heart. His timing is always perfect and at least for me many of the ways He reaches out is through friends. I had dropped out of church the end of 2006 and I wasn’t exactly looking for a new church when I received an email from our choir director Linda in the summer of 2007, she was inviting all those that were interested to join the choir and begin practicing for Christmas. Once again God was reaching out, He knew that from the time I was old enough to talk that I loved to sing. It started with “Jesus Loves Me”, taught to me by my grandmother. You see God heard those soft whisperings and desires of my heart, he knew I longed to be part of a choir again and He knew that invitation would bring me back to church and closer to Him. So at least at the beginning Holy Spirit Fellowship meant being a member of the choir.
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As I stayed and later became a member I found so much more. Our pastor, Pastor Duane, has a way of making me feel like anything is possible. That God loves me for who I am, His child. It is amazing having a pastor that truly is a reflection of God’s love. He sees past the imperfections to who I am in Christ. That type of love is so freeing and has allowed me to begin growing into a stronger walk with God. Pastor Eric encourages me to step out of my comfort zone and worship God with all of my being. The first time he prayed with me I knew that God had once again heard the whisperings of my heart, the ones that needed reassurance that God really does love me. Holy Spirit Fellowship means being loved just as I am and being encouraged to be the best I can be in Christ.
Still there is something very special about the music at Holy Spirit Fellowship. We are small in numbers and yet I know that I have heard angels joining in during praise and worship on many occasions. In all of my years in churches I had never experienced that sound. I have heard them during choir practice, when the words of our hearts are joined as one in song and praise. The joy and smiles on the faces of Jerry and Linda as they lead the choir, and we actually hit the right notes in a really tough song, have brought me more joy then either of them know. Holy Spirit Fellowship means joy that comes with singing with the angels (and Jerry and Linda).
Holy Spirit Fellowship means that a small group really can make a difference when they are following how the Holy Spirit leads. That God’s reflection’s come in all sizes and colors like a patchwork quilt. A single piece by itself may be beautiful but if you take that single piece and join it with other pieces, all held together with the handiwork of God the whole becomes even more beautiful and so much stronger because they are stitched together by God’s love. Each piece as it is added then encourages others to hold fast to the promises of God, and to shine brightly so that others can find their way to the quilt.
With love and a grateful heart,
Carol Welch
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Florenciani
Born in the South Bronx to an Italian father and Puerto Rican mother, Florenciani (floor-en-cha-nee) spent his early days honing his craft singing in church. As a teenager with an aspiration to become a Pop singer, he established a club act and recorded the single Living Without Love, which became a minor hit.
The New York native's background in theater also afforded him an acting career, starring in the Off-Broadway hits With Me But Not My Wife and Boys, and most recently director Jerry Craig cast him in the world premiere production of Red Ribbon, the musical, here in Los Angeles.
Upon moving to Hollywood, Florenciani rediscovered his Gospel roots at the Metropolitan Community Church and has emerged as a Contemporary Christian Artist.
Although he never married, he was almost engaged to actor David Thomas Crowe, whose life was cut short by a heart attack in 2008. Since then, he has resurfaced to share his music - and his story, to assist in the healing of people's lives.
Florenciani will be sharing his gift of music at the Saturday Evening Worship Celebration on February 13th at 6:00 p.m.
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A poem written by Jackie Dixon of North Long Beach Christian Church for Holy Spirit Fellowship's
Ministry Training Center's class "Art As Spiritual Practice" taught by Rev. Dr. Joanne Coleman.
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Carol Welch as Mary.
Holy Spirit Fellowship and North Long Beach Christian Church's 2009 Christmas Program
Joy!
Pastor Eric Buter as the narrator.
The choir.
Music Directors Linda Tarbutton and Jerry Gideon.
Pastors Duane Moret and Eric Buter consecrating.
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January 30, 2010
A first in all two thousand-plus years of Christian history.
"Play That Funky Music, White Boy" is performed as Special Music at Holy Spirit Fellowship's Worship Celebration with the message following; "Preach That Funky Sermon, Pastor."
"Pastor Eric and the Pastorettes"
(left to right)
Monica Spangenberg
Linda Tarbutton
Pastor Eric Buter
Carol Welch
Bicky Weikel
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Schedule of Services
"Worship Celebration"
Saturdays at 6:00 P.M.
Meeting at North Long Beach Christian Church
1115 East Market Street, Long Beach, CA 90805
Office also at this location.
(562) 428-5037
"Vespers"
Sundays at 5:00 P.M.
Meeting at Universal Mind Science Church
3212 E. 8th St., Long Beach, CA
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You are loved unconditionally!
Happy Valentine's Day
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