SEPTEMBER 2015

SEPTEMBER 2015

Sunday Services10:00 a.m.

Adult Sunday School9:00am

Sunday SchoolPK-12

10:30am

Choir PracticeSundays 12pm

BIBLE STUDIES

Ladies Bible StudyTuesdays noon-2pm

Small Group @ the Rivera’s

Tuesday 7pm

Men’s BreakfastWednesday 7am

Women’s StudyWednesday 7pm

Prayer ServiceThursday 7pm

Second Union ChurchAve. Apolo esq. MiletoGuaynabo, PR 00969

787-720-4423secondunion.org

Rev. Robert Zoba

Gustavo GonzalezYouth Leader

for more information see page 7

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SECOND UNION CHURCH

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So often headlines on Internet news pages list intriguing titles like “The main reason marriages end in divorce” or “the primary cause of colon cancer”, they act as teasers. Therefore, I was intrigued by an article I received from my good brother, Pastor Eli Maldondado, entitled, “The #1 Reason Churches Decline”. Just like many of those Internet headlines where the actual causes are rather mundane and commonsensical, the article on church decline was similarly common-sensical. It seems that the main causal factor for decline is the tendency for churches to the tendency to become inwardly focused. In other words, the ministries are only for the members. The budgetary funds are used almost exclusively to meet the needs of the members. The times of worship and worship styles are geared primarily for the members. Conflict takes place when members don’t get things their way. You get the picture.

The author, Thom Rainer, lists some common warning signs of inward-looking churches. Let’s see if we can detect any of these symptoms at 2UC. They include:

• There are very few attempts to minister to those in the community.• Church business meetings become arguments over preferences and desires.• Numbers of members in the congregation are openly critical of the pastor, other church staff, and lay leaders in the church.• Any change necessary to become a Great Commission church is met with anger and resistance.• The past becomes the hero.• Culture is seen as the enemy instead of an opportunity for believers to become salt and light.• Pastors and other leaders in the church become discouraged and withdraw from effective leadership.

In reviewing these symptoms in order, I am happy to observe that, thanks to our Outreach Com-mittee and the work of Don Julio, we have continued to be a church that is oriented toward reaching out to the needs of the community around us. We could certainly do a lot more, but I am very proud of how many people we reach in any given month, even though we are a relatively small congregation.

• Church business meetings become arguments over preferences and desires.In terms of our business meetings, I would say that they are rather harmonious affairs. In fact, they are so harmonious, they are sometimes downright boring. Still, important matters are discussed, and sometimes there is serious disagreement over those matters. But there is always a spirit of respect and affirmation from both sides. Rarely, if ever, are the motives of the other party ever called into question. Thus, we end up agreeing to disagree. And that’s a positive.

• Numbers of members in the congregation are openly critical of the pastor, other church staff, and lay leaders in the church.Criticism is always a factor in any church as it is often the result of folks who want to see the church achieve excellence and live up to its calling as the people of God. And 2UC in no exception. But we could probably all do a better job in the way we express our criticism. Iron sharpens iron, but too often we criticize in the form of behind the back gossip rather than up front constructive criticism. When that happens, the sharpening iron becomes a dagger in the back. Let’s work on that one.

• Any change necessary to become a Great Commission church is met with anger and resistance.In the area of openness to evangelizing, we could certainly improve. I am encouraged, however, by the excellent four-week course being offered by our own Gustavo Gonzalez on Gospelizing. If we become a Great Commission Church we will become a great church indeed. Let’s remember that we are the only “club” in the world that exists for the welfare of non-members. There is no better way to transform our-selves from being inward looking to outward looking than through evangelism of others.

The #1 Reason Churches Decline

Pastor Bob Zoba

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• The past becomes the hero.Even though we are celebrating our 50th Anniversary, I do not believe we are fixated on some long-lost, golden age. We certainly hope to celebrate one of those golden ages at our upcoming gala with the return of Pastor L’Anni Hill who vigorously led 2UC during a period of tremendous growth in numbers and in terms of the facility expansion. However, I don’t believe any of our members are fixated on the past. Instead, we are focused on the present and have great hope for the future.

• Culture is seen as the enemy instead of an opportunity for believers to become salt and light.Second Union has never been a church that is afraid of dialoguing with our culture nor celebrating the good that is in it. However, at the same time, we must keep a critical distance from certain ungodly aspects of culture and seek to transform them from within as Jesus uses the metaphor of the mustard seed to encourage such embedded transformation. May we continue to do that for the next 50 years (or until the Lord returns). • Pastors and other leaders in the church become discouraged and withdraw from effective leadership.After eleven years of ministry, I am still here. If this were an overly discouraging environment, I would have left years ago. Instead, I am continually encouraged by so many in this congregation who make it a joy to be a pastor here. Of course, the most important person in that endeavor has been the original member of the pastoral reten-tion committee, i.e. Christie Curie. However, I am not only blessed every day by her encouragement, but by so many more here in our wonderful church family.

So, let us celebrate our strengths in terms of the above criteria while at the same time seeking to improve those areas where we need to continue to look outward and upward rather than inward. God has a great future for us. So too there is a whole world out there that needs to hear the Good News that we have come to know in Jesus Christ. Blessings!

Pastor Bob

PastorRev. Robert Zoba

PresidentDavid Román

Vice PresidentBrenda Ferrer

TreasurerStan Pinkerton

SecretaryAri Tester

WorshipMichael Strong

OutreachJulio Rivera

2015-2016 Second Union Church Council & Staff

PropertyChristopher Strong

Christian EducationNicole Delíz

Staff-Congregation Relationsjames Martínd

MembershipEze Ebube

FellowshipIrma Torres

NominatingHarry de la Cruz

Forward PlanningAnthony Cordero

Women’s Ministries Team LeaderAnita Rodriguez

Men’s Ministry Team LeaderJohn Alberts

Office ManagerMabel Varela

Minister of MusicLuis Manuel Tirado

Youth LeaderGustavo Gonzalez

Newsletter & Website EditorChristie Zoba

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Did You Know?

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Susan & Hector Pages send their love to 2UC friends. Their son Hector and Ni-cole recently relocated to Charleston, SC from Atlan-ta. Their grandson “Hec-ti” is now 10 months old and starting to walk. Susan & Hector will celebrate this new phase of the baby’s life when they visit over La-bor Day. Danielle is well, she keeps busy with a new job and lots of sports outings with her boyfriend Jim. Hector has just completed one year with Hai-fa General Contractors as their Project Manager. Susan is serv-ing as a Co-Chair for the Women’s Ministry Team of First Baptist Church of Delray Beach.

Rashel Krankovich writes that she recently traveled to Ajijic, Mexico with her parents for a mini vacation last week!

Jesse Sargent will be coming back to PR for a visit next Satur-day (Sept. 12th)?

Evelyn and John Alberts are on their fall grandchild tour. They are visiting Sara in Chicago for 3

weeks, Will in Connecticut for 2 weeks, with a visit to Nadine in between.

Silvette Candelaria is happy to announce that her dear daughter, Aidy, got accepted at the Communications De-partment of her universi-ty. Congrats Aidy!!!

David and Valerie Ban-derman stay in touch by commenting on Christie’s Reading Through the Bi-ble group on Facebook!

Claude Burgess recently joined Jane and the kids back in Indy. We sure will miss this very, very, very special family.

Bill Franki made a recent visit to Chicago.

Madelyn, Xavi and Raymond are pleased to share that Raymond is recovering well from his surgery! Very appreciative of every prayer for Raymond’s health. Mom Mad-elyn is also proud of Xavi’s debut singing a duet with her! Praise the Lord!

Joe Calcolli organized a spirit-ed panel discussion of PR’s debt crisis. Our own Brian Tester was one of the experts and provided us with a very animated and informative commentary. Thanks too to Tom Engfer for his great help.

Ed & Irma Candia’s daughter Lauren will be married on October 3rd in Houston, TX. Pastor Bob and Chris-tie will be attending.

Ohio, All-State quarterback Jared Adams is helping Ramon Chinea in coaching his pee-wee football team?

Mayra Chipi is very happy that her Philadelphia Ea-gles are showing great promise in the pre-season.

Colleen Comer has been working on a new Amazon-produced movie called Mad Dogs?

Brenda Ferrer will soon be back from her annual cross-country swing!

Pastor Bob & Christie spent time in Northern Michigan with Chrst-ie’s mom and were able to vis-it son Robbie in his new digs in Chicago. And they had lunch with friends from Pastor’s previous church in Berwyn just outside of the city!

Joellen Ramos has found a job in FL and is getting settled in the Sunshine State.

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Grace Soto is thinking about starting a singles ministry at 2UC.

Steve & Loida Spivak made a trip to Turkey this summer. This is their second time in as many years.

Audrey Wilcox is back on the island for the month of September. Alleluia!

We were hoping that reports of malaria on the island would bring back Dr. David Yost, but it hasn’t happened yet;-( (We are glad that the malaria has been detained, but we are sad that Dr. David was not called to the res-cue.) We do however understand he and Laurie will be back at the end of September!!! Laurie is teaching kin-dergarten in Pinetop, AZ and has some ador-able students!

Juan Gonzalez was visiting the island in August and gave us the exciting news that his daughter, Brenda Gonza-lez, will be moving to Denver where she has taken a job reporting! And Eddalis and Fernando have had another baby - that makes three! Con-gratulations!

Ed Krueger & Janette Quiles are now mister and misses? What a beautiful bride and groom they were!!!

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Did You Know?

Joanne Gonzalez Matow writes, “We are now a family of four. Car-melina Rosaura Matos Gonzales was born healthy, Praise God, on Thursday, July 23, 2015 at 11:15 am. She weighed 6 lbs. 10 oz. and was 19 inches long. Carmelina has received her first check up at the pediatrician and she is healthy, strong and growing well. Amen. Rosabella has been filling her role well as a big sister and both Mom and Dad are adjusting, with Lolo and Lola’s Joanne’s parents) help, to the new family dynamic. Thank you for all the constant prayers and blessings each of you showered us with. God has been

with us each step of the way. All praise and glory to Him!

Laurie Foster has been working on a movie this summer with Adam Sandler.

Debbie & Carlos Garcia were recently in Port Charlotte, FL visiting Scott Woodward?

Rob Grosek tied the knot with Angie on Cape Cod, MA last month. Congrats to you both!!!

Suzie Heard has been transferred to the Carolinas ;-(

Luis Alberto Rivera is overseeing the production of a mas-sive mosaic in celebration of our 50th anniversary. Every-one is invited to be a part of this great work of art.

Anita Rodriguez has enjoyed a wonderful month with Joa-quin as he gets a vacation for the whole month of August.

Omar Haedo writes: Omar Andres - is now in 1st year of College. And Ignacio Daniel is a freshman in high school. Liza and I have our hands full with the little ones!Omar also writes: My Mom went to be with The Lord this past summer and it’s been tough. But we cling to His promise and therefore have hope in Him.

After many years, Lcdo. David Román, our distinguished council president, has relocated his law offices to Miramar.

Raquel Robles Seely and children will soon be back for a visit.

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2Upcoming Events

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Upcoming Events

How fluent are you in ‘Gospel’? Do you converse about the Gospel with ease? with Conviction? or with fear and trembling? Do you look forward to discussing the life of Jesus with believers and non-believers, or do you hope and pray you won’t be put on the spot?

Our Youth Leader, Gustavo Gonzalez, will be lead-ing a four-week crash course on the Gospel - the good news of Jesus Christ, and how to share that good news with others.

Some of the things covered include:

Making the Gospel a conversation and NOT a presentation.Strategies to use in your conversation to make sure you don’t leave out key principles.Dealing with responses to your conversation.Preparing yourself to share God’s word.

This is available to all members and friends! There is no fee!

What an opportunity!!

For the first time in over a decade, Women’s Ministry is bringing in a guest speaker as a part of our year-long 50th anniversary celebration!

Author, Bible study leader and speaker, Laurie Cole, from Houston, Texas will be addressing the theme of Disciple-ship and asking the question, “Are You a Disciple?”

In order to determine the answer to this question, and whether or not you should attend this conference, you might want to thoughtfully and prayerfuller consider the following:

Does your life show that you are devoted to Christ and His teachings?

Would others describe your life as exemplifying the fruit of the spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, good-ness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control?

Do you regularly lead others to Christ?

If you answered yes to each of these questions, then we will ask you to lead the next conference! But if you didn’t, then sign up today.

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2UC Women’s Ministry Mid-week Mini Retreat

A “Come With Me” mini-retreat was held at Starbucks during the month of August for the women of Second Union. Starbucks was ‘filled to the brim’, but we managed to carve out a little corner and spend time reading and reflecting on passages from God’s word.

Women’s Ministry6

I have a great appreciation for the women at Second Union. Here we have women from every walk of life, at every stage of life, from everywhere. All of them have come together at 2UC to worship and grow in knowledge of the Lord. And none are closer to my heart than those serving on the Women’s Ministry team. These women have answered the call to serve and lead other women, to pray for them, to look for ways to bring the word of God closer, to shine a light on the hurting, and help stand in the gap. Their hearts are breaking for a vast assortment of issues (poverty, hungry children and teens, abuse victims of any age, to name a few) but underneath it all we are united by the fact that Jesus has called us to disciple others.

One way we do this is through Bi-ble study. We currently are hosting two different sessions, Tuesday noon and Wednesday evening, with the same goal, to equip women with the word of God to lead and serve. The Tuesday class is working on a book from our conference speaker, Laurie Cole, called There is a Sea-son. This book speaks to our hearts about finding and keeping our con-tentment with God.

The Wednesday evening class is beginning the book of Nehemiah using video insights and discussion questions from IF:Equip. This class will be examining how we can be like Nehemiah to trust and rely on God to help restore and rebuild areas of our lives and community.

If you are interesting in serving, there are many opportunities available. Ask us about working on the Back-pack program or tutoring our Backpack kids. We also have work to do for the Christmas Bazaar, an annual event that requires many hands with many levels of involvement for the purpose of raising money to help women and children-oriented missions. If you feel called to help with the WM team speak to any of the team members, and we will be happy to bring you on board!

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First I want to thank those that were able to attend our Christian Education meeting. Second Union Church is blessed to have all those who are willing and able to take time to teach the word of God. We are also grateful for those who are able to return teaching as most of the children are familiar and comfortable seeing their past teachers again. We are also excited for our new teachers as the children get to experience new teaching methods and see our church members being involved sharing Gods word. Our goal is that they too will want to reach many with the word of God through His love.

I want everyone to be aware of the new changes as there were a few who were unable to make it to our last meeting. We have three classes; Pre-K & K, 1st – 3rd, and 4th -6th grade, this will help us rotate teachers easier and allow the children’s class sizes to be bigger as every Sunday fluctuates with how many children attend Sunday school. Each class room will have a box full of items for the children to choose from if they studied their scripture verse during the week and are able to completely say it on Sunday. For example, Sunday, September 6th they will be given the verse Pastor Bob preaches on and the following Sunday they will have to recite it. The teacher should asked who knows the verse and only those who know it should recite it (probably as close to the teacher so the other kids that don’t really know it don’t try to cheat). This is new this year so hopefully and pray-fully it will motivate the students to learn scriptures on their own.

Every first Sunday of each month, Mabel will take the children right after Children Sermon to the music room to practice singing for 10 minutes as we have them scheduled for December to sing. We have chosen the first Sunday since its communion Sunday and service runs longer. The children will then go to their classes so that the teachers can teach their lessons. Since Pastor Bobs scripture verse can change at times it was easier just giving them the scrip-ture verse to memorize for that week. Our main goal is to teach the Ten Commandments and the importance of each one, Lords prayer (memorized) and the purpose of prayer and how to pray confidently. Each class will have a file box, there will be file folders for each month with the lesson. You will also have the information on each child for that class so that you can be aware if any have special learning needs (since Mabel has the kids for the first 10 minutes on the first Sunday this gives the teachers time to review the student’s information). You will also be able to access the closet to get the supplies needed for the lessons. The teaches can review ahead of time if they want to teach what’s in their folder and if they like to add their own lesson to their way of teaching but to stay with what is being taught that month. For example, if September is Prayer (why we pray, how we pray, praying for others not just our families and praying in class out loud) then all the classes will focus the whole month on prayer. In Christ, Eudalia Gonzalez, Christian Ed Coordinator

Christian Education

www.lacucarachaextralarge.com For tickets

Impact 2UC Youth! & Young Lives PR Fundraiser

Help support these two great orga-nizations and enjoy an evening of

laughter and fun!

Tickets are available online or at the door!

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8Making a Difference: A 2UC Story

Several months ago, Debbie Vargas, approached the Women’s Ministry team with a desire that God had placed on her heart. After hearing about the need for donations of food for the Backpack Program, she was thinking about talking to some of her co-workers and encouraging them to bring in some canned goods - a mini-food drive. Of course, she was encouraged to do so, and so she took this idea to her workplace, the IRS! Her supervisors not only

agreed, but they loved the idea and rath-er than limiting it to just her division, they encouraged her to manage a full-fledged food drive for the entire office.

This took a good deal of organization, planning and determination as Debbie needed to get the word out, set

up collection areas and encourage participation. She was really sur-prised at the tremendous response she received. Almost everyone in her office wanted to participate, and they even developed something of a competition between the different divisions! Some of the areas took the drive a step further and contributed backpacks and school supplies! Debbie writes, “I am overwhelmed by God’s goodness!”

The result of Debbie’s initiative was two van loads of food!! - enough to fill our empty shelves and more importantly enough to keep our backpacks filled with food for our Backpack stu-dents.

To the right is an article that Debbie’s boss wrote about her! Imagine the witness to God’s grace that this has been in her workplace. Debbie wasn’t go-ing around quoting scripture from the Bible at the office, she was the Bible at the office.

This all began with a simple desire to help and an idea, and this resulted in bringing honor and glory to God.

What about you? Do you have an idea that with a little en-couragement might become a ministry? Let us know!

If you are interested in following Debbie’s example and organizing a food drive in your office, neighbor-hood, or school, please see Christie Zoba or contact her at zoba129@gmail.com or 787-717-4001.

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Maybe you can do the same in your office, school or neighborhood? Here are a few guidelines for starting a food drive. Of course, maybe God has placed a desire to help in another way: volunteering your time to help tutor our Backpack students, spending time at a home for the elderly, preparing food for those in our congregation who are in need. There is no doubt that God is expecting something of you!

KEY STEPS TO RUN A SUCCESSFUL FOOD DRIVE IN YOUR ORGANIZATION, SCHOOL OR NEIGHBORHOOD

1. ORGANIZE:

• Determine the dates, locations and length of your food drive

• Decide if you want to set a goal for the amount of food raised during your food drive. Goals help motivate participants to give more!

• Appoint food drive coordinators for each area if necessary (i.e. if you are doing it in a neighborhood, you might have a coordinator and drop-off location on each street, or if it’s in a school, you could have a coordinator for each grade, or if it’s in an office, you could have a coordinator for each division)

• Create promotional materials to spread the word about your food drive, such as posters, content for your intranet/internal newsletter, a Facebook page, email blasts, etc.

2. COMMUNICATE:

• Inform potential contributors about the food drive.

• Put up posters, send emails, and spread the word about your initiative!

3. COLLECT, PROMOTE, MOTIVATE

• Collect food during your food drive. Consider where and ways to store the food collected (plastic bins, boxes, etc)

• Ways to motivate participation:

• Competitions work well to motivate individuals. Consider setting up teams to challenge each other.

• Provide incentive for individuals to give: allow them to “dress down” if they donate, or give them a ribbon to wear in school, or tie a ribbon to their tree in a neighborhood! Be creative!

• To promote the most needed food items, have theme days or weeks‐ Tuna Tuesdays, Canned fruit Fridays,

4. INFORM AND CELEBRATE

Once your food drive is complete, coordinate a drop-off or pick-up with the Backpack program.

• Announce the amount of food collected for those in need. • Thank everyone for participating in this successful initiative!!

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I know so many people who love to read! There is nothing like sitting down with a great book - when you get to the end, you wish there was already a sequel! You get to know the characters and you get a sense of connection as the stories unfold. I know that there are times when I get so engrossed in a book that I literally can’t put it down! How many people do you know that have read all seven of the volumes of Harry Potter? (and have seen the movies, too!) How about the sixteen volumes in the Left Behind series? Or the Lord of the Rings trilogy?

But what about when it comes to reading the Bible - literally in its entirety - from Genesis to Revela-tion?

Have you sensed the conviction of the Holy Spirit to read God’s Word? I hope you have, because you probably read and quote verses again and again that point to the power of the Word, about seeking God, and about growing in Christ. You may have even studied topics in the Bible or specific books of the Bible, and that is excellent, but have you read the whole Bible? Is it challenging? YES!! Is it rewarding? YES!! Does it have the power to change your life? YES!! Can you do it? YES - through the power of the Holy Spirit!

I attempted to read through the Bible in a year several times. I found a reading plan, I got a journal - I was fired up! I think the first time, I didn’t even make it through Genesis, before giving up. In subse-quent efforts, I might have made it a little further, but I would get bogged down and lose my enthusi-asm. I don’t remember when, but I do remember reading in the book of Deuteronomy about vows and how seriously God takes the vows that we make.

Deuteronomy 23:21-32 If you make a vow to the Lord your God, you shall not delay fulfilling it, for the Lord your God will surely require it of you, and you will be guilty of sin. But if you refrain from vowing, you will not be guilty of sin. You shall be careful to do what has passed your lips, for you have voluntarily vowed to the Lord your God what you have promised with your mouth.

After reading that passage, it was clear to me that the decision I had made to read through the Bible was more than a goal, it was a vow. I realized that I had ‘vowed’ to read through the Bible, yet I hadn’t taken the vow seriously. I also realized I couldn’t do it on my own - I needed to rely on the Holy Spirit to encourage and motivate me. And not only that, but I needed revelation and guidance from the Holy Spirit, because the Bible isn’t an easy read.

John 14:26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.

That year, I was successful and I completed the entire Bible. It was certainly a challenge, and there were many days when, I got behind, but I would set aside time to catch up, I would pray for divine in-tervention and encouragement, and I fulfilled my vow. That was many years ago. Now I read through the Bible every year using different plans and different strategies. Personally I have found that reading through the Bible chronologically is very satisfying and easier to dig in to. This year we began reading both the New and Old Testaments at the same time. Reading with a partner, my husband!, is truly a blessing, as we can discuss passages that I struggle with together. One year, I read leading questions prior to my daily reading, and this helped make it something of a scavenger hunt! This year, I am ‘journaling’ in a sense through daily posts on a Facebook group page (thanks to the encouragement of David Banderman!), and this has truly revolutionized my reading as I have included the reading of commentaries in addition to the daily readings.

But you know what is the ‘coolest’ thing? I have now read through the Bible in a year for the last eight or nine years, and every single time I read, the Holy Spirit reveals new things to me. How amazing is God?

Reading Through the Bible: Day 246

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This year we are reading through the Bible chronologically. Ezekiel has been one of the more challenging books for me. I’m including recent post from our Facebook page.

DAY 246

Ezekiel 20-21

Ezekiel has been prophesying for a little over two years. Once again he points to the consistent and flagrant re-bellion of the Israelites. Particular focus is placed on their choice to worship idols (golden calves) on the moun-taintops rather than worshiping the one true God in His holy temple and their flagrant disregard of the Sabbath.

I think these are two areas that we all are challenged with today - and if they were so important to God then, there’s no doubt they are just as important to Him today.

We cannot fool ourselves into thinking there is a God of the Old Testament and a God of the New Testament. He is the same, He will never change. Sin is serious business - and in His amazing mercy, God has provided a way for us to be washed clean through the blood of Jesus, but we cannot take it lightly.

Romans 3:21 But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— 22 the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith.

YOUNG LIVES OF PR

Young Lives of PR is the branch of Young Life that reaches out to teenage girls who are pregnant and/or who have babies. The fo-cus of this ministry is to show these young women the love of Jesus by developing car-ing relationships with them and earning the right to talk to them about Christ. Maria Cris-tina Santiago is the director of Young Lives in Puerto Rico. She is the wife of Pastor Jona-thon Ocasio of Mar Azul.

Maria Cristina recently took this group of mom with their children to a camp in New

York. This was an amazing experience and the first time that these girls had ever left the island.

Maria Cristina writes: We laughed, cried, danced (a lot), sang, faced our fears, acted silly, but the most exciting thing of all was that in the midst of all of this activity we heard truths about Jesus. Truths that changed their lives and awoke beautiful things in each of the girls.

All of this was possible, in part, thanks to your help. In faith, you are a participant in that which God desires to do in the lives of these young women and their children. For this, and for much more . . .. ¡GRACIAS!

If you would be interested in supporting this ministry, please speak with Christie Zoba or Anita Rodriguez for ways you can help by providing meals, babysitting during Club meetings, donating food and needed items or contributing financially.

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In Memoriam: Rev. Martha McCracken

The Rev. Martha L. McCracken, 67, of Jersey Shore, went to be with her Lord with her loving family by her side, Monday, Aug. 31, 2015, at Williamsport Regional Medical Center. Born Dec. 18, 1947, in William-sport, she was the daughter to the late Wesley E. McCracken Sr. and the former Dorothy M. Botts.

Martha was a graduate of the New Brunswick Theological Seminary. She served as pastor of Grace Lutheran Church in San Juan, Puerto Rico for many years. She had served as the President of Lutheran Advocates for Maritime Missions, was a Lutheran Denominational Representative on the board of the N. American Maritime Ministry Administration, and was on the board of directors of Seafarers International House.

A memorial service will be held 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 19, 2015, at St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church, 229 South Broad St., Jersey Shore. Visitation will be held noon until the time of services at church. The Rev.

Dr. Kerry Aucker will officiate. Memorial contributions in Martha’s name may be made to St. Michaels Lutheran Church at 1877 St. Michaels Road, Cogan Station, PA 17728.

Chaplin Jesse Sargent writes:Rev Martha McCracken (Lutheran) along with Fr.David Howell (Episcopal, St John Divine Cathedral, Santurce) started the Seafarer Ministry many years ago at Pier #10. Martha was the Pastor of Grace Lutheran for many years and only got half salary most of those years and an apartment in Condado. Rev. Martha McCracken, Rev. Idalia Negron, Pastor Bob Zoba and Father Demis comprised the board that governed the Seafarer Ministry. Martha was also the Lutheran National Representative to the North American Mariners Association a global Seafarer organization headquartered in NY/NJ with Governing Board in England. Martha worked tirelessly for donations to help Seafarers with gifts on Holidays. Martha never got the compensation she deserved until she moved to the States last November and took a job in a Lutheran Church there. Her brother bought her a new car, probably the first decent vehicle she owned for the last 30 years. She used to drive an old mini-van than she operated on a wing and a prayer. Rev. Martha McCracken is one of my life’s hero’s and warrior in Christ’s army against evil. Martha was a High School Principal in the States before becoming a Lutheran Pastor in Puerto Rico. She loved PR and Rev. Idalia told me it broke her heart when she had to leave. Martha’s Mother, God rest her soul, used to come visit her at Christmas time up into her 90’s every year and was an absolute delight to be around. She was feisty and bumped heads with Martha concerning most everything. The proverbial apple did not fall far from the tree as Martha was a very strong, never back up person especially concerning the Bible and our Lord Jesus Christ. Reminds me of another strong warrior for Christ, PB another of my life’s heroes and mentors. Rev. Martha McCracken worked diligently and tirelessly to raise money, get permits and funding from the government of PR to build a retirement, care giving tower for the elderly people on the island. She ran into a rode block at every turn and was spurned by her congregation as a result of the time taken to try and get this project completed. Martha played the piano beautifully and I will forever remember her directing and playing the music for our Christmas choir that included PB and myself. Martha was a gifted speaker, singer and musician. She played at St John’s Episcopal Cathedral most Sundays in addition to preaching the sermon, directing and sing-ing at Grace Lutheran.

Rev. Martha McCracken made the world in which she lived a better place and proved that one person can make a difference in people’s lives.

Martha was my friend, mentor and Christian Sister and I will forever miss her smile and her strength.

Blessings, Chaplain Jesse D. Sargent

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Wednesday Evenings at the home of Anita Rodriguez in Rio Pieddras Heights (10 minutes from church)

7pm

As we read through the fascinating book of Nehemiah, we consider specific passages focusing on the following:

If you believe this is true, what does this mean about • God • You • the World

for more information, contact Anita Rodriguez at anita00926@aol.com

Bible Studies

TuesdaysFellowship Hall

@ 2UC

noon-2

bring your own lunch!!

(Or you may purchase a lunch for $8 from Anita, but you must contact her: ani-ta00926@aol.com)

The Bible

Verse by VerseSunday mornings at 9 Wednesdays at 7am

SEPTEMBER2015

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WE WANT YOUCALLING ALL 2UC ALUMS!

As we celebrate the 50th Jubilee Anniversary of the found-ing of Second Union Church, we are calling all who have attended Second Union Church and have been a part of our history.

On Saturday, November 7th, 2015, we will be holding a Gala Banquet to commemorate this great event, and we encourage you to join us!

This dinner and reception will be held at the Interconti-nental Hotel in Isla Verde, and it promises to be a won-derful, entertaining eventing. Tickets are only $50.

If you are coming from afar and would like to spend the weekend with a host family, we have several who have volunteered (including the Zoba’s!) to provide a room and transportation, but you must get your reservations in early! We are also able to help you with hotel reserva-tions if needed. Contact Christie Zoba at 787-717-4001 or zoba129@gmail.com. As of right now, some 3.5 and 4 star hotels are offering rooms at $120 per night.

If you aren’t able to attend, we would be thrilled i f you could be a part of our special celebration by sharing your Second Union Church memories with us in writing. We would love to be able to share them with the 2UC family during the event. Pictures of mem-bers and activities are encouraged! You can send them to zoba129@gmail.com or to the church office: 2109 Mileto St. • Urb. Alto Apolo • Guaynabo • PR 00969.

Pray About It

Do you feel like your prayer lift could use a boost? At times, I feel as if my prayers are more of a suggested ‘to-do list’ for God, rather than a heartfelt pouring out of my heart to Him. I recently listed to a Max Lu-cado sermon and he suggested an approach to prayer which was just the thing I needed.

Find a promise of God, and build your prayer around it. Pray the promise instead of the problem. Have you ever done that?

Max Lucado starts his prayers with “You said” statements such as “You said there was no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” “You said that all things work together for good for those who love You, and are called according to Your purpose. and I’m going to stand on that promise.” “You said that no weapon forged against me shall prosper.” “You said that you would be my Shepherd.”

This does not imply that God has forgotten, but it helps us to turn our mind and heart toward God and it helps us stand on His Word.

“Remember your word to your servant, for you have given me hope. My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life” (Psalm 119:49–50).

Why not give it a try?!16