February 2013
ManyofusremembertheoldcomputerformulaGI-GO,whichstoodfor“GarbageIn-GarbageOut”.Thatis,ifyouprogramyourcomputerwithgarbagesoftware(GarbageIn), don’t be surprised if you get garbage results (GarbageOut).Thisisaverylogicalformulawhichisunderstoodbyeventhesimplestofminds.Andyet,ifthatistrue,whichitis,thenwhycan’tourschooladministrators,educators,poli-ticians,andcivicleadersunderstandthisaswell?Inotherwords, ifwefeedourkidsgarbagetruths, thenwhyarewesurprisedwhenwe get garbage results in termsof behavior,speech,socialmores,andviolenceonthelevelthatwewitnessedrecentlyinNewton,CT? Oneof thebiggest liesweareteachingourkidsis thatweareonlyherebychance, thatallof life is justanelaborateaccident,and therefore,there isnorealmeaningtohumanexistenceandcertainlynotranscendentpurposetolife.Popscientist,CarlSagan,oncestatedthattheearthismerely“alonelyspeckinthegreatenvelopingcosmicdark.”Nobel-prize-winning-physicistStevenWeinberg,oncedeclaredthathumanexistenceis“pointless”or“justamore-or-lessfarcicaloutcomeofachainofaccidents.”Thiscosmicworldviewispresentlybeingcommunicatedinouruniversities,highschools,andmiddleschoolsasgospeltruth.Thesecularistviewoflifeassumesthat“ifitisn’tmatter,thenitdoesn’tmatter”.So,forgetaboutGod,theology,spiritual-ity,orbiblicalethics.Thosesubjectsareoffthetable.Thus,isitanywonderthatsomanyofthisgenerationareconfusedabouttheirpurposeinlife,unsureoftheirsexualidentity,andvoidofanysenseofuniversal,moralethics?Lifeisjustafarceafterall,“fullofsoundandfurybutsignifyingnothing”. Thatiswhatsomanymodernscientistwouldhaveusbelieve.Butwhat a strange departure from themost famous scientists in history asleadingthinkerssuchasGalileo,Kepler,Newton,andevenDarwinandEin-steinassumedthattheuniversehadtohavesomeintelligentdesignerbehinditall. Indeed,onlya foolcouldbelieve thatallof theamazinglycomplexorderthatwediscoverinnatureissimplytherebychance. Or,asEinsteinonceobserved,“themostincomprehensiblethingabouttheuniverseisthatitiscomprehensible”.Inotherwords,iftheuniversecameofrandomdisorder,thenhowdoweexplainalloftheorderisoutthere?Ormoretopoint,howcanwehaveanyconsciousunderstandingofit?
FEBRUARY2013
Sunday Services10:00 a.m.
Adult Sunday School9:00am
Sunday SchoolPK-12
10:30am
Choir Practice9am & 11:30am
Weekly ActivitiesLadies Bible Study
Tuesdays 12-2
Small Group @ Rivera’sTuesday 7pm
Men’s BreakfastWednesday 7am
Women’s StudyFriday 7pm
Youth GroupFriday 7pm
Prayer ServiceThursday 6pm
Second Union ChurchAve. Apolo esq. MiletoGuaynabo, PR 00969
787-720-4423www.secondunion.org
Garbage In: Garbage Out
Pastor Bob Zoba
February 2013
2Garbage In: Garbage Out
PastorRev. Robert Zoba
Youth PastorRicardo Jusino
PresidentLuis Alberto Rivera
Vice PresidentJohn Alberts
TreasurerStan Pinkerton
SecretaryAna Victoria Guzmán
WorshipElilda Gil
PropertyJan Gonzalez
Staff-Congregation RelationsDavid Virginia
PhilipGouldwrites,“inrecentyears…asmallgroupofscientistsandthinkershavedecidedtotryanovelapproachcombiningsciencewiththeology…..Theresulthasbeenthegrowingandincreasinglyinfluen-tial“IntelligentDesign”(ID)movement,amajorprojectoftheSeattle-basedDiscoveryInstitutewhichhasproduceda60-minutedocumentaryfilmentitled“ThePrivilegedPlanet”.Thisfilmasksifitispossiblethatthisimmense,symphonicsystemofatoms,fields,forces,stars,galaxies,andpeopleistheresultofachoice,apurposeorintention,ratherthansimplysomeinscrutableoutworkingofblindnecessityoraninexplicableaccident?Ifso,thenit’ssurelypossiblethattherecouldbeevidencetosuggestsuchapos-sibilityofintelligentdesign.Perhapswehavebeenstaringpast...asignalrevealingauniversesoskill-fullycraftedforlifeanddiscoverythatitseemstowhisperofanextra-terrestrialintelligenceimmeasurablymorevast,moreancient,andmoremagnificentthananythingwe’vebeenwillingtoexpectorimagine?’AsChristians,webelievethisiscertainlyplausible,logical,andBiblical.Ifyouagreewiththatperspec-tive,orwouldliketodeepenyourunderstandingofit,orwouldliketointerestsomeofyourskepticalfriendstoreconsiderthatperspective,thenpleaseattendtheupcomingpresentationofthisfilmatSecondUnionChurchonJanuary25that7pm.DavidDeakin,orresidentscientificinventor,willbepresentingthisfilmandfacilitatingourdiscussiontimethereafter.WeinviteyoutomarkthisonyourcalendarsothatyoucanexpandyourvisionofthecosmosanddeepenyourfaithinourIntelligentDesigner.
Blessings,
Second Union ChurchCouncil & Staff
OutreachJulio Rivera
Christian EducationRisa Tobin
MembershipJeff Cherok
FellowshipTammy Tatum
NominatingEze Ebube
Forward PlanningRose de Jesus
Women’s MinistriesAnita Rodriguez
Office ManagerMabel Varela
Minister of MusicLuis Manuel Tirado
Notice:Semi-AnnualCongregationalMeeting
January27,2013ImmediatelyAftertheService
Allarewelcometothismeetingwherewewill be approving the annualbudget forthe2013fiscalyearaswellasattendingtootherbusiness.
If you are a member, your vote is veryvaluable,sopleasecomeandbeapartofthebodyofthechurch.
Wewillbeservingsandwichesandchipsforall.Ifyou’dliketocontributecookies,browniesor juice,wewouldbegratefultoreceiveit.
February 20133
Throughstunningcomputeranimation, interviewswith leadingscientists,andspectacular imagesofEarthandthecosmos,ThePrivilegedPlanetexploresastartlingconnectionbetweenourcapacitytosurviveandourabilitytoobserveandunderstandtheuniverse.Wenowknowthatarareandfinely-tunedarrayoffactorsmakesEarthsuitableforcomplexlife.
Isthiscorrelationmerelyacoincidence?
ManyscientistsandphilosophershaveclaimedthatEarthisanordinaryspeckofdustadrift,withoutpurposeorsignificance,inavastcosmicsea.Yetcurrentastronomicalevidenceseemstosuggestjusttheopposite.
Doesitpointtoadeepertruthaboutpurposeandintelligentdesignwithinthecosmos?Comejointhediscus-siononthispertinenttopicthisFriday,January25th.
Themoviewillbeginpromptlyat7pm.TheFellowshipCommitteewillbeprovidingsoftdrinksandpopcorn!Makethisafamilynight,adatenight,orjustcomeonyourown-youwon’tbedisappointed!
TheBigScreenat2UCMovieNight
Friday,January25th7:00p.m.
ThePrivilegedPlanet
Lenten Devotional
OurSecondUnionChurchLentenDevotionalisintheprocessofbeingcompiled thanks to thededi-cationandgenerosityofJohnAlberts.Eachyearadevotionalguide isprepared for themembersandfriendsof2UC.Ifyouwouldbeinterestedincon-tributing a short devotionalmessage, contact Johnand he will provide you with a Bible verse andguidelines.
This year’s devotional passageswill correspond totheBibleverseswearereadingasagroup.Thisis
suretobeasourceofgreatencouragementandinsight.Lookforyourcopy!
February 20133 Did You Know?
LotsoftravelforGeorgeandJoanMcMurray;Oc-toberweddingofGeorge, Jr. andAndreaRoder inSanFrancisco;December trips to Jacksonville, Fla.andthenMadison,Wisc.,thelatterforgraduationofhistorymajorAntonioRengel (grandson) from U.ofWisconsin.InMadisontheyexperiencedarealwinterstormwith16”ofsnowandbelow0tempera-tures.BacktowarmPuertoRicoonChristmasDayand preparations for a 3-Kings’Day visit from theRengelfamily--Robi,Patricia,Francisco,andTony.InJanuary2013ourBucarehouseisfullofdirtysheetsandmemoriesofgoodtimes.
Alana Rodriguez Ramos wasborn to happy parentsAngelaandCesarandbrotherCaleb?!Grandparents, Joe and ElildaRamos couldn’t be happier,andwesharewiththeminthiswonderfularrival!
JoeCalcolliwrites:OnNov. 29, 2012 I brokemyhip. Ispenttheentireholidayrecoveringfromhipreplacementsurgery.IreceivedthebiggestandbestgiftthatIcouldeveraskfor.Thegiftofafullrecov-ery.Thankyouforyourprayersandthoughts.IplantousemygifteverydayfortherestofmylifetobringglorytothenameoftheLord.
BillStowellhadasimilarholidayexperienceasJoeCalcolli,albeitwithdoublepneumonia?However,Bill finally busted out of the hospital andwas in-ductedas2UC’snewestmemberon January13th?WelcomeaboardWilliam!
JohnandTinaWoodruffwritethattheywentskiing,tobogganing,sleighridingandhadsnowballfightsoverNewYearsinVermontwiththeirdearfriends.
Sonlights in PuertoRico, the English-speaking Em-mausCommunity,willholdaWomen’sWalktoEm-maus, a 72hour spiritual retreat, beginningThurs-dayeveningMay2throughSundayeveningMay5,2013?
Atrip to Israel for theSecondUnionChurchcom-munityisbeingplannedforNovember?
Efraín (Pito)andJosseetteDrozcelebrate their21stweddinganniversaryon January21st,2013? Con-gratulationsyoutwo!
Our$23,000Novemberdeficitwastrimmedtosur-plus during themonth ofDecember thanks to thegenerosityof2UCanditsmanysupporters?
AlfredDelbreyisoneofthemostpopularprofessorsatInterAmericanUniversity?
Wehaveanewsmallgroup,BiblestudygoinginCondado?
David Deakin has a passion for combining scienceandtheScriptures?Hehasdonatedanumberofgreatvideosonthisthemeandwewillbeshowingone,ThePrivilegedPlanet,onFriday,January25th?
Edwin Perez, Von De-Loach,andRicardoJusino served as ourThree Kings for ourChristmasEveService?
MattGolleyisofficiallyengagedto Piper, Schoppe a childhoodsweetheartfromTexas?CongratsMatt!
BillHeffleycontinuestokeepoursound systemworkingatpeakperformance? (ThanksBill!)
Bill Heffley’s nephew, David, has successfully under-goneahearttransplantinIllinoisthisweekandsofarisdoingwell?PraiseGod!PleasecontinuetoprayforDavid.
BrendaGonzalezhashadacou-pleofhernewsstoriespickedupbythenationalnewsnetworks?
Omar Haedo still pops in andjoinstheMen’sBreakfast?Heandhis growing family are enjoyinglifeinthegreaterMiamiarea.
RashelKrankovichhascompletedherfirstsemesteratOhioUniversityandhopestocometoPRandgetwarmsometimesoon?PraythatshesteersclearofBambionthosewindyOhiocountryroads!
ChristopherandBeckyO’Mearamadeavisit to theirhomestateofOhio recently? Theyareenjoying theirnewlifeinVirginia!Wemissyou!
SusanPagesisstillworkinginthefilmindustryinFLandHectormakesavisittoPRatleastonceamonth?
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February 2013
4Did You Know?5
Dennis and Amarilis Gonzalezspent New Year’s Eve in TimesSquare? It was looking like theymightbestrandedinDayton,Ohioforthecelebrationbuttheweathercleared and they made it just intime!Theywereinafriend’s18thfloor apartment overlooking thefestivitesanddescendedtominglewiththecrowdsintimetoseetheballdrop!
DennisGonzalezisenrolledinthreeclassesatMIZPATheo-logicalCollege,he’splanningtoracehisclassicsportscarin5-6racesintheStateshe’stakinganonlinecourse,he’samember/captainof4tennisleagueteamsandhe’shelpingorganizethe2UCtriptoIsrael?Wow!Allthisisinadditiontohiscareer!Ashesays,“Godisincontrol!”
CherishLexvold,oneofourregularChildrenSermonspre-senters,spenttheholidayinRockford,Illinois?
RobValdés(a.k.a.Robbie!)isinItalyforamonth-longcourseonhistoryandarchitecture?Hewritesthathecansuccess-fullyorderapizzainItalian!RobertRamoswasintownlastweekandstoppedintochatwithPastorBob?HereportsthatLedysandthekidsaredo-inggreatandthatGabyisinthefinalroundofLasVoces!
AnnaMcGuire&hubbieDonJondrowvisited2UCfromthegreatstateofTexas?Yvette Valdés-Smith (Christie Zo-ba’s step-daughter) and husbandJakeareexpecting theirfirstchildat theendofMay!Theycouldn’tbehappier,norcouldChristie!
Daryle&KimParkerarebackfromChinaandvisited2UC togiveusanupdateoftheirministryinHar-bin,China?
EdwinPerezwillbe taking250ofhisemployees toParis,Francethisyearforaconference?
StanelyPinkertonspendsendlesshourscrunchingnumberssothatarefinancesbalanceout?(ThanksStan!)
JoeRamoswillbepresentinghisstudyoftheTrinitytotheMen’sBreakfastthisweek?
EdithPerezandourSundaySchoolprogramorganizedaJi-baritoChristmas presentation this year that featured all ofourSundaySchoolkids?Queprecioso!
OnThursday,January17th82peopleattendedthefirstsession of Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace Universityat2UC? This isawonderfulChristian-basedfinancialplanningprogram.DavidBandermanandhiswifeVal-erieFigueroahavedoneafabulousjobcoordinatingthisprogram.Thanksyoutwo-whatateam!
Almost$1,600wasreceivedatourChristmasEveSer-vice?DonJulioandOutreachdonatedthistoLaPosadadeVictoriaandtheBastaYamovementtoendviolence?
David&LauireYosthostedsome17statesiderelativesovertheholidaybreakandtheyalllovedPuertoRico?
Jeff&JoanneCherokorganizedourfirsteverprayerwalkthroughour neighborhood and almost 30 people par-ticipatedinprayer,paranda,andtestimonytoourneigh-bors?
LuisAlberto Rivera has completed hismosaicmaster-piecewhichwillsoonbeunveiledatthenewfacilityofPuertoRicoSupply?ThiswillbecomeanewnationaltreasureofPR.
RonaldRomanMelendezisgraduatedfromConcordiaUniversity in Chicago in December with a degree inTheater? Hehad the leading role in twoproductionsearlierthisyear-“JuliusCaesar”and“InTheSoundlessAwe”andjustfinishedtheroleofMercutioin“RomeoandJuliet.”ProudpapasEva&DavidandevenproudergrandmaSylviaattended thegraduation inChicago inmid-December (brrrr!). His older brotherGabriel hascompletedhisMastersdegreeinChemistryattheUni-versityofMichigan(GoBlue!)andisclosinginonthePh.D.GodhasblessedusGREATLY!!!
SecondUnionChurchwasblessedwithabrilliantper-formancebytheCarthageGospelMessengersonSun-day,January20?Agroupof50universitystudentsfromCarthageUniversity inWisconsinhighlightedourwor-shipservicewithlivelymusic.Itwasarealtreat!
February 20135
IrmaLallave,RosaTrinidad,PalomaDelLlano(deAymat!)andMabelValera arrived at church at 8am and peparedawonderfulPuertoRicanmealofChickenFricassée,rice,saladanddessertfortheperformers?Thanksoryourded-ication and sacrifice. TheOutreach committeewas alsotreated toameal -good thingscome to thosewhowait!Delicious!
FreddyBeckerputhistalentstoworkforthechurchbyre-finishingtheservingtableintheFellowshipHallandadd-ingwheels tomake it easier tomove around? We can’tthankyouenough,itlooksfabulous!Freddywasalsoseenpaintingthechainwhichpartitionsofftheparkingarea-wereallyappreciateyourattentiontodetailandyourwilling-nesstoserve!(FreddyisinthepictureabovehelpingoutonSundaymorning!
ThelmaRiveragetstheawardforthemostdeterminedflow-erarrangerintheworld?Inavaliantefforttoreachsomefoliagebehind the Lallavehome,Thelma lost her footingandfellonasteephill.Fortunatelyshewasfine.Shecre-ated some beautiful arrangements for the Sanctuary andcenterpieces for theFellowshipHallwith thosehard-wongreenery!ThankstoIrmaLallaveforbeingtheretosaveherandforalwaysprovidingsuchbeautifulflowers!
Did You Know?
Couples’ MinistryThe Couples’ Ministry met for a night of fel-lowship and great food at EastAsian Bistro inGuaynaboonFriday, January18th? Wehadagreattimesharingandgettingtoknowonean-other.
Don’t miss the upcoming Valentine’s activity.RumorhasitthatChefJoséAymatwillbeteach-ingthementomakeaspecialValentine’smealfor their sweethearts! Ladies, encourage yourhusbandstobeapartofthisevent,you’llbegladyoudid.
Tuesday Ladies’ Lunchtime Bible Study
Jointhewomenof2UCaswehavejustbegunanewBiblestudy.Wearereadinganddiscussingthebook,“ProdigalGod”,byTimothyKeller.Wemeetatnoonandshareameal.Pleasejoinus,allarewelcome.
Tuesday Evening Bible Study
WewillbeginourBiblestudygroupthisTuesday,January22ndat7:00pmatLuisAlbertoandLor-raineRivera’shomeinSanFrancisco.WewillbestudyingthebookofActsandtheonlyrequire-mentforallisthatyoureadthefirstchapter,takenotes,shareandbeontimeifpossible.Contactthechurchfordirections.
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February 2013
67
DuringthebeginningoftheChristmasseasonourchildrenandteacherswereinvolvedinmanyactivities.Firstthechildrenhadaspecial“BigSunday”wheretheyweregivenanexplanationonthemeaningofAdventalongwithaspecialCraftforthemtotakehomeandsharewiththeirfamilies.
On Sunday, December 16 our SundaySchoolchildrenpresentedasagifttoourcongregationtheirownversionof“ELVil-lancicoYaucano”.The children dressedin typical “Jibarito” costumes and didtheir interpretation of the typical andvery popular villancico as it was sungbyaninvitedchildsingerbroughtbyourownLuisTirado from theConservatoriodeMusica.Allofourchildrenages3to11participated.
On Friday January 4we celebrated ourtraditional “Happy Birthday Jesus” withallofourSundaySchoolChildren.Childrenwere treated togames, crafts,
snacks,cupcakes,popcorn,pizzaandaJumpingCastle.GoodiebagswerealsogiventorememberafunnightcelebratingthetruemeaningofChristmas!
AbigthankstoallofourSundaySchoolteachers!Withoutyou,wecouldn’thavesuchawonderfulChris-tianEducationprogramforourchildren.Wearegratefulforyourtime,effortandloveforallofthechildrenwhoattendSundaySchool!
Sunday School News
FromOurDailyBreadYou’re Necessary!
Thestoryhasbeentoldaboutaconductorwhowasrehearsinghisorchestra.Theorganwasgivingabeautifulmelody,thedrumswerethundering,thetrumpetswereblaring,andtheviolinsweresingingbeautifully.Buttheconductornoticedsomethingmissing—thepiccolo.Thepiccoloplayerhadgottendistractedandhopedhisinstrumentwouldn’tbemissed.Theconductorremindedhim:“Eachoneofusisnecessary.”
ThiswasessentiallythesamemessagePaulcommunicatedtotheCorinthianbelieversinhisfirstlettertothem(12:4-7).EveryChristianplaysanimportantroleinthebodyofChrist.PaulgavealistofgiftsoftheSpiritandcomparedtheirusetothefunctioningofthevariouspartsofthehumanbodyforthegoodofthewhole(vv.8-10).TheCorinthianbelieversmayhavehaddifferentculturalbackgrounds,gifts,andpersonalities,buttheywerefilledwiththesameSpiritandbelongedtothesamebodyofChrist.Paulmadespecialmentionofthepartsofthebodythatwereweakandobscure,andtaughtthatallbelieversplayanecessaryandsignificantrole.Noonepartwasmorenecessarythananyother.
Remember,JesushasgivenyouasignificantparttoplayandwilluseyoutobuildupHispeople.
AsamemberofthebodyofChrist,youareanecessarypartofthewhole!
February 20137 8In Fond Memory of Marina
WearealldevastatedbythesuddenlossofourdearsisterinChrist,MarinaMcCormack.Shewasadearfriendtosomanyandshehadsuchaservant’sheart.Sheandherhusband,Eduardo,andtheirchildren,Daniel,Andrés,andNataliahaveattendedSecondUnionChurchforthepasttwelveyears.Marinacontributedtoourchurchfamilyinsomanyways.Shewasaconstantandac-tivememberoftheWomen’sGuildandWomen’sMinistriesteam,shefaithfullyattendedSundayservicesandtheWomen’sBiblestudies.Sheservedonthechurchcouncil,shehasbeenanactivepartofourflowerministry,sheprovidedhome-bakedmealstopeoplereturningfromhospitalstays,shesangsomanytimesduringworshipservice,shewastheunparalleledVBSsnackcoordinator,shecraftedforhoursandhoursforourChristmasBazaarwhereshealsoservedfaithfullyandprovidedcountlessbakedgoodies. Shewasamemberofthe
EmmausCommunity,Thelistgoesonandon.ShewasatreasuretoSecondUnion,anditwillnotbethesamewithouther.
ThereareseveralwordsthatpeopleusefrequentlytodescribeMarina’schar-acter,shewaswise,shewasgenerousandshealwaysputothersfirst.Shewasatrueservant.Shelovedtogiveandtoshareandtosupportthosearoundher.Sheopenedherhousetomanyandwasquicktoofferprovisiontoanywhomightbeinneed.Shewasthepillarofherfamilyandanexampletousall.Aboveall,MarinalovedJesus,andthereisnodoubtthatsheisinHisarms.Ourheartfeltcondolencesgoouttoherhusband,Eduardoandtoherthreechildren:Daniel,AndrésandNa-
talia.Mayweprovidecomfort and supportandencouragement toyou.
Wemiss you,Marina!Weloveyou!
February 2013
A special note from Christie Zoba:
Marinawasmydear,dear, friend,andtherearen’twordsenoughtoex-presshowmuchIammissingher.IstruggleknowingthatIcan’tpickupthephoneandcallherforadviceorjusttochat.HernameisonalmostallofmyemaillistsandIhatethethoughtofnotbeingabletolistentoherstoriesandanecdotesaroundtheBIblestudytables.ShehadsuchagreatwayofexplainingBiblicaltruthstoeveryone,andshewassohappytoshareherperspectivewithsomeonewhowasseekingguidance.Shelovedgivinggifts,andshewasalwayssocarefultochoosejusttheright
somethingsheknewyou’dlove.AnyofyouthathavebeenapartoftheEmmausCommunityknowthatshewasthebestgiverofAgapegiftsever!Shewenttosuchlengthstocomeupwithsomethingtopleaseevery-one.Ifyouwereeverinneedofmeals,youcanbesurethatMarinaprovidedsome.Butourrelationshipwasevenmorespecial,becausewesharedsomuchtogether.Wemetregularlyforlunch,andBobandIsharedmanymealswithsheandEduardo.Iwasblessedtoknowhowmuchshelovedherchildren-intheiraccom-plishmentsandintheirchallenges.Shewassuchasupportiveandunconditionallylovingwifeandmother.Sheprayedferventlyforthem-aswellasforhersistersandbrother,herparentsandforEduardo’sfamily.Ofcourse,herconstantprayerwasforherchildrenandforthemtoknowJesuswiththeassurancethatsheandEduardoknew.
ImetMarinafourteenyearsagowhenIwasinvitedtoparticipateinaBible study inawoman’shome. ThiswasaGod-incidence,becauseI didn’t knowanyof thewomenas theydidn’t attendSecondUnionChurchatthetime.Butweformedanincrediblebondwhichtiesthatcannotbebroken-evenbydeath-becausethegluethatheldourrela-tionshipstogetherwasJesusChrist.IknowIwriteonbehalfoftheoth-erswhoformedthisspecialbond:IrmaCandia,KaranCastells,MarjorieVernon,andTeresaTruesdale.SheinspiredusbyherloveforJesusandhercommitmenttothatwhichsheknewtobetrue.Oneofherfavoriteverseswas2ndTimothy1:12“forIknowwhomIhavebelievedandampersuadedthatHeisabletokeepwhatIhavecommittedtoHimuntilthatDay.”
IamconfidentthatMarinaisinthearmsofourSavior,andassadasIamthatsheisnolongerphysicallyheretosharewith,Iknowthatsheisaprayeraway.And I am persuaded that our friendshipwhichwasborninChristwillneverdie.
9 In Fond Memory of Marina
February 2013
102UC November in Israel
IfatriptotheHolyLandissomethingyouhavedreamedofdoing,nowisthetimetomakethatdreamareality.AgroupfromSecondUnionChurchwillbetravelingtoIsraelinthefirstpartofNovemberfora14-dayexpertly-guidedtripwhichpromisestobeunforgettable.Ifyouareinterestedinthisamazingopportunityyoumustmakea$300depositbyJanuary31st.Infor-mationconcerningthetripisbelow.Foranyadditionalquestions,pleaseseePastorBoborDennisGonzalez.
*Approximatedate:November5th-19th,2013 *Approximatecostlandportion:$2,600perperson *Approximatecostairportion:$1,300perperson
Someofthesitesweplantoseependingthefinalitinerary:
•Cesarea-Herod’scastle,romanaqueductandportHaifa-gardensofBaha’i•Megiddo-hillofArmageddonmentionedintheRevela-tionastheplaceofthefinalbattle•MountandchurchoftheSermonoftheBeatitudes•SeaofGalileecrossbyboat•Capernaum- where Jesus’ ministry was centered andhometoSimonPeter•MountoftheTransfiguration(MountTabor)•Cana-whereJesus’firstmiraclewasperformed•JordanRiver-where Jesusandmanyotherswerebap-tized•Qumran-wheretheDeadSeaScrollswerediscovered•Jericho-where the Israelitesentered into thePromisedLand•MountoftheTemptations-whereSatantemptedJesus•ScopesMountain-forabeautifulviewofJerusalem•Domeof theRock-whereAbrahamwasgoing tosac-rifice Isaac, locationofHerod’s templeandnowsacredMoslem temple.The thirdmost holy site of Islam afterMeccaandMedina•Westernwall&tunnel•ViaDolorosa-Jesus’walktohiscrucifixion•BethesdaPool-whereJesushelpedtheparalyticman
•Golgotha-whereJesuswascrucified•Christ’stomb-rockexcavationwhereJesuswaslain•MasadaNationalParkHerod’simpenetrablecastlewherethelastIsraelitesbat-tled10,000Romansoldierstothedeath.Cablecartakesyouup.•DeadSea- lowestpointonearth.Water is super saltywherenoonecandrown.Greatmineraltreatments.•Gethsemane-AreawhereJesussweatedbloodawaitinghisfinalhours•LastSupperroom-whereitisbelievedthatJesushadtheLastSupperwithhisapostles•AkelDoma-fieldofbloodwhereJudasdied•Caiaphas’house-whereJesuswastakenafterhisarrest•Dungeon-whereJesuswasincarcerated•YadVashemHolocaustmuseum-movingtributetothe6millionJewsthatdiedintheHolocaust•IsraelMuseum-ascalemodelofJerusalematthetimeofJesusofapprox.100feetby100feet•ChurchoftheNativity-oldestchurchofcontinuoususeintheworld.BelievedtobewhereChristwasborn.•Jerusalem Archaelogical Park- Temple Mount excava-tions•ArchivesofHolocaustvictims
AdditionalDetails:
WewillbestayinginhotelsinvariousareasofIsraelinGalileeandJerusalem.Wewillbetraveling byprivatebustoallthesites. WewillhaveabusdriverandalocalEnglish-speakingguidethatwillaccompanyustothesites. PastorBobwillexplainthetheologicalChristianimportanceandwillrelatethesitetotheBiblical verses. Wewillhaveanumberofpre-tripreunionstoexplaintherouteandrelatetotheBiblical importance Wewillneedadepositof$300andpassporttostartthevisaprocess Datesforfuturereunionswillbeinformedforallthatwishtoattend
