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Handbell Music Brings "Christ" Back To Christmas

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There was no easy answer when Mililani Fil-Am Baptist Church asked if it can be a blessing to its community this Christmas.  Some suggested wrapping gifts for the elderly and handing them to Ohana Care, a senior facility nearby, or simply inviting the community to its Christmas program. "How about playing the handbell during the Christmas parade?" remarked one mother.   The church had been blessed to assemble a dozen handbell players and played on many church occasions throughout the year.   But in a Christmas community parade?   High school marching bands, floats, bicycle riders, fancy cars, politicians.... why not add handbell music to the mix?   The Lyons Club in charge of the parade insisted that only one Santa Clause could be present in the parade.   That's not a problem for us... we represent JESUS!  This comment made us all understand that Christ has been demoted even in parades.  Now it's time to bring back "Christ" at Christmas!  Other congregations

Bible Verses About Christmas

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  How is it possible for someone to miss Christmas?  Is when you have the information, and you ignore it, is when you have access and you disregard it, it is when you have the opportunities and you turned your back from it.  When you miss the Christ in Christmas is when you miss it after all.    Here are bible verses to help enlighten your journey this Christmas Please Note: All Bible verses are drawn from the English Standard Version unless otherwise noted. John 3:16 "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life."   Zechariah 9:9 (NKJV) "Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your King is coming

John Knox

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From Christianity Today He was a minister of the Christian gospel who advocated violent revolution. He was considered one of the most powerful preachers of his day, but only two of the hundreds of sermons he preached were ever published. He is a key figure in the formation of modern Scotland, yet there is only one monument erected to him in Scotland, and his grave lies beneath a parking lot. John Knox was indeed a man of many paradoxes, a Hebrew Jeremiah set down on Scottish soil. In a relentless campaign of fiery oratory, he sought to destroy what he felt was idolatry and to purify Scotland's religion. Taking up the cause John Knox was born around 1514, at Haddington, a small town south of Edinburgh. Around 1529 he entered the University of St. Andrews and went on to study theology. He was ordained in 1536, but became a notary, then a tutor to the sons of local lairds (lower ranking Scottish nobility). Dramatic events were unfolding in Scotland during Knox's youth. Many were a

3 Circles - Sharing the Gospel

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3 CIRCLES A simple yet profound way to share the gospel.   Lead your church to learn the 3 circles.   Student's Manual Teacher's Trainer's Manual  LESSON 1 LESSON 2 LESSON 3 LESSON 4 LESSON 5 LESSON 6

Lets worship - Bong

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Cornerstone Chords   Same God chords   Broken Vessels (Amazing Grace)  - Backtrack. Chords RESPONSE SONG: I Offer my life - Don Moen Chord: D  O Praise The Name

We Make Things Better

Follow God's plan  Rom 12:2 Beyond control, Give to God 

A Spiritual Parent's Checklist

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  GROWING DEEPER AS A DISCIPLE As a spiritual parent, you desire to see a growing disciple.  Here are some realities you can check to measure the growth of your spiritual children.  This list was taken from coachingthrbible.com.   F.1:  I know I am forgiven.  [Psalms 103:8-13] What are your challenges in believing God will forgive you? Describe the feeling you have when you are forgiven. F.2:  I see the path to maturity in scripture.  [John 1:35-39, Matthew 4:19, John 15:5] What is the importance of maturity?  What does maturity look like? F.3:  I know how to get more power in my life.  [2 Timothy 1:7] What is the source of power in your life?  How do you obtain more of it? F.4:  I am able to apply scripture to my life.  [James 1:19-27] How have you gained understanding of the Bible?  What difficulties do you have applying Biblical principles? F.5:  I am able to constantly put Christ first in my life.  [Colossians 1:10-20] What is currently the first, most important driving force in yo

Evaluating an Event

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We plan for great events.  We pray for successful and life-changing events.  It is why we evaluate events so we can do better next time. Sure! Evaluation will point you to some critical things, but thsst should be ok because leaders are called to lead and learn to correct things so it will go well the next time around.   Here's a simple strategy of evaluating:  Good, Bad, Missing, and Confusing. After anything we do (event, retreat, mission trip, Sunday school, leader meeting, etc.), an individual or group gathers to discuss “What was… Good : What went well? What were the “wins”? What made this a success? Who did great? What did we do this time that made things better? Were there any helpful tweaks or inventions from necessity? Bad : What went wrong? What didn’t work? Did we try something that failed? Who didn’t do well Missing : Did we forget anything? In what ways or areas could we have done more? Confusing : What was our goal or purpose for doing this, and did we accomplish it?

I Love My Bible Teacher

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I would never be where I am without the bible teachers that influenced my life.  As a teenager growing up, I could have been in a lot of messed-up places.  But my Dad knew that I got to be in a very special place to have a good childhood - church!  At church, I grew up loving God and His Word because I have wonderful bible teachers who volunteered and opened the word to me.  My first time was with Kuya Noel who opened the word during Youth Sunday School. I learned from him to carry my bible all the time and more importantly, I learned where to find things in the Bible.  30 years later, I am a product of more than dozens of bible teachers.  Even today, I seat and learn and listen.   I just want to say, I love you Bible Teachers - keep up the good work.  Tonight, Zoom Call Meeting ID: 834 0056 9169 Passcode: 115904 May 19, 2022; 6:30pm - 8:00pm  Join Pastor Bong in the  Bible Teacher's Hangout with OBI Students Topic: Why I Love My Bible Teachers

Isn't she lovely? Mother's Day

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A Tribute To Mothers Karoke - Low Key (Acc. Guitar)  Karoke - Low Key ((Acc. Piano)  Karoke - Full Version (with 2 Interludes) Isn't she lovely? Isn't she wonderful? Isn't she precious? Such a beautiful soul I never thought That I would be A son of someone as lovely as she Isn't she lovely? She's my mom Isn't she pretty? Truly the angels' best Boy, I'm so happy I have been heaven-blessed I can't believe What God has done I might be the luckiest son But isn't she lovely? She's my mom Isn't she lovely? Isn't she wonderful? Isn't she precious? Such a beautiful soul I can't believe I get to be A son of someone as lovely as she Isn't she lovely? She's my mom Isn't she lovely? She's my mom

Joshua Generation

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Joshua:  The Man Whom God Listened To Joshua 9-10  God gives us His grace and there's nothing you can do to earn his favor. Why did God do a second-look to Joshua?   You are a generation that can change this world, not because of how great you are,  but by obedience and sacrifice God will hold still your enemies and let you finish His work Go and make disciples of all nations!  YOUTH PROJECT A ministry of hope and love

Songs That Will Delight Your Heart

 Here are 25 songs we will work on this quarter (April - June 2022).  If you are a worship leader, please suggest your songs and also use these songs for this quarter.  We will train and focus our practices on these songs.    Glorious Day Youtube Chords  This is Amazing Grace Youtube Chords Lion and the Lamb Youtube Chords   Way Maker Youtube Chords   Forever  Youtube Chords

Praise and Worship - 03-20-2022

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One powerful way for Instrumentalist to gain confidence up in the stage is to play along Karaoke Video worship songs.  I have utilized this in many ways especially when I am playing with new instrumentalist.   A PDF of the chord for each song is very helpful for players.   Sometimes I put a lead sheet that has notation on it.  I include a YouTube (YT) so that those not familiar with the songs can practice on their own.    For this set, Song # 1 is played live.   Song # 2 and Song # 3 are played along.  By doing this, instrumentalist get to play according to the tempo, dynamics and they sound fuller.  This is very helpful when you are missing a percussionist, keyboardist or lead guitar.    I am very grateful for the many brothers and sisters who had made their work available over the internet.   Enjoy your worship to the Lord.   ======= There's Joy in the House of the Lord (A)    Pdf      YT The Power of Your Love  Lead Sheet     Pdf    YT Play along with the Video below:   Broken

God is our refuge and our strength

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  I'm sure you've been troubled before?  It's a feeling of restlessness where you pace up and down.  Your mind is bogged with so many critical memories and some of them of nagging suggestions of what could or what could have been.  I am so tired.   Consider these words... .............. If I had only known the last time would be the last time I would've put off all the things I had to do I would've stayed a little longer, held on a little tighter Now what I'd give for one more day with you 'Cause there's a wound here in my heart where something's missing And they tell me that it's gonna heal with time (From Mercy Me's Scars in Heaven )   ............... When you know that all you did may have been nothing at all,  you trust in God that somehow it was something. Lord teach me to let go of things I embraced so dearly They are better off in Your hands Your word said it's guaranteed (From Pastor Bong's heart vault) This is where this pass

Identity: Your Choices

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You are what you choose.   Your identity shows by what you chose.   Junk food or healthy food?  Lie about your sick day or take an honest vacation?  Speed beyond the limit or stay within the boundary?  You are known by what you chose.   In Matthew 4:18-22, Jesus called his first four disciples.   It was not a cold call for sure.  They've had interactions in the past. Here's a thought you have to remember.  When God keeps on moving in your life, He eventually expects a definite response.   Jesus stepped up and first called Peter, then his brother Andrew.  In the next segment, he called the brothers, James and John of Zebedee.   All four left the nets, their families and followed Jesus.   You can argue all you want on what these men were thinking when they forsook their livelihood and followed the Messiah - but one thing is for sure, who saw how who they really were by the choice that they made that day.    What kind of a person are you?  What choices are you making?   Sooner or