Christmas is Here again!

Christmas is here again, it is a time to renew our faith and hope in the child of Bethlehem. It comes to my mind the first chapter of Luke gospel where we can learn that God's purposes and plans always have a fullfillment and there is not human power that can stop it. God is in control of everything in this world. You could ask me"Why there is so many evil in this world if he is in control? I can give you an answer:Even evil, wicked people oposing God are working for his eternal purposes even though they don't know it.
God works in perfect order, everything he does is a model of order and harmony, like in a puzzle game, he put every piece in its place.
Look:
He started giving us a prophetic hint about the Messiah and about the eternal struggle between Good and the evil as we read on Genesis 3: 15:
"And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; It shall bruise thy head and thou shalt bruise his heels"
Then we can read on the prophets in the Old Testament diverse prophecies pointing very clear to the person and Ministry of Jesus of Nazareth Like the one we find in the book of the prophet Isaiah 9: 6: "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government shall be upon his shoulders,and his name shall be called wonderful,counselor,the mighty God,The everlasting Father,The prince of peace"
Chapter 53: 1 - 6 of the same book has become a classic passage among bible readers of all ages where it is clearly stated Jesus' attonment and death, then, on chapter 61 we can read about jesus' mission and ministry and the fullfillment of this particular prophecy on
Luke chapter 4: 16 - 18
Now, when we read luke 1 and 2 we find the fullfillment of these ancient oracles about the birth of Jesus. God is implementing his plan and he starts by sending his angel to Zacariah the priest while he was ministring in the temple; The announcement of the birth of a child to him and his wife, Elizabeth surprised and amazed him.The name of the child is declared by the heavenly emissary, "John Shall be his name" he says to the atonished old priest who finds it hard to believe due to his age and the age of his wife. The angel gives him a signal, he won't be able to articulate a word until the delivery of the child. Elizabeth got pregnant and six months later, God continues working on his plan by sending angel Gabriel to bring an astounding new to Mary
We all know the story but what is really remarkable is that the angel communicates her the news about her cousin Elizabeth who had conceived a child, in this way, God is connecting both mothers in one purpose as both childs had already been connected since the very beginnings of creation in God's eternal decrees. That's why the child in Elizabeth's womb leaped when she heard Mary's salutation and it is very significant the fact that she refers to mary as:

"The mother of my lord"
How did Elizabeth know that? Trough the works and actions of the Holy Spirit should be the answer.Thirty years later both babies would work together in perfect partnership and harmony without competition both of them adopted a humble attitude to each other. Yes, God works in order and perfect harmony. So we as a church should work together to fullfill God's purposes on earth and that the kingdom may come.
HERE ARE SOME NEWS ABOUT OUR HISPANIC CONGREGATION IN FORT DODGE, IOWA, DURING THE MONTH OF DECEMBER 2008.







On Sunday, December 21, we had a Christmas party with the whole congregation, some of the people who have attended faithfully for at least 3 years were presented with a certificate of appreciation. on this picture Iam giving the certificate to the representative of the first family that attended our first service.

This is Horacio, the first man who came for a sunday service.
Horacio has been a faithful Christian since he made commitment to jesus four years ago in our congregation. he is from chiapas, Mexico, and never has failed in attending a service, and never has been late for a service. He has been pretty active bringing other people to the services.














This is Michael Matute, a very faithful young fellow in our congregation, he seldom misses a service and have been in the congregation for the last three years. he serves controlling our multimedia system.









Mitchell Batchman is American, He's been married to a lady from Honduras during ten years.he is able to speak spanish and has been involved in the proselitism of our Hispanic ministry, he gives away flyers in stores and restaurants spreading the news about our congregation. he is here receiving an appreciation certificate too.







Lydabell Batchman, Mitchell's wife is here receiving her award too. She's from hondura and a very active woman in our congregation.

This is Ninfa matute a very outstanding member of our congregation. Shes from Honduras and the head of a large family. She's here receiving her ceertificate
during our end of year christmas celebration.



Our end of year Christmas celebration.







There was a very happy atmosphere there.







We could share and got to know each other.

This is a video of our christmas end of year party.

Children of our congregation eating a christmas dinner.

children picking up their Christmas presents.



OUR VISION FOR THE YEAR 2009

By: Rev. Bien Acosta.

We are looking forward to the year 2009 with optimism. First of all, we are looking to stablish our Hispanic congregation as a church. There are some people experienced enough as to be elders and/or deacons.
We seek to train people in the reformed faith, trough Sunday school and bible studies every week.
Our contact with churches and missions across the border will start in January, when my wife and I will travel to Mexico on a Mission trip.
Our church is now adjusting its services time to the time schedule of First Presbyterian Church in Fort dodge in order to have our children attending to Sunday school classes.
On January 4th 2009 our Sunday services will start at 9:30 A.M. instead of 10:30.
We are actually advertising the church on a very agressive way our flyers are everywhere.
Actually, there are many people encouraged enough as to invite and bring others every sunday. My hopes are to confirm or baptize some of the actual attendants and make them church members.
We need to improve our social work, and organize it in a more suitable way so that we may have the better results of it.
We ask for your prayers and support so that we can continue with this vision.