In this E-pistle:

GOD’S GREAT GRACE – TEN YEARS IN JARDIM AMÉRICA
YOUR NAME FOR A CAUSE

Most of you know that ten Park people leave tomorrow for the Tenth Anniversary Celebration at IPJA, our sister church in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. Please keep Tina Cruzan, Joe Gioan, Dan Humphries, Jeff Lemley, Becky Teague, Gerrit vanHartogh, Alex Varkonda, Emma Varkonda, Jack Walker, and me in your prayers for safety in travel and openness to God throughout the trip. We go representing all of you as our brothers and sisters in Christ celebrate the amazing things God has done through his great grace. We will bring your well wishes and listen to stories and read faces as we seek God’s direction for the next phases of our partnership. I will be preaching two sermons in Portuguese – Thursday evening and Sunday morning. You will find English translations by clicking here. (more…)

Sermon Preached at Igreja Presbiteriana no Jardim América
May 7, 2006
Hebrews 12:1-2

1Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. 2Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Thank you. Thank you for sharing your lives, your homes, your meals, your joys and your sorrows with us. And thank God for ten years at IPJA. This weekend we have raised our Ebenezer with worship, praise, and thanksgiving. We have prayed, sung, and laughed together. Thank God for ten years at IPJA. (more…)

Sermon Preached at Igreja Presbiteriana no Jardim América
May 4, 2006
1 Samuel 7:7-13

7 When the Philistines heard that Israel had assembled at Mizpah, the rulers of the Philistines came up to attack them. And when the Israelites heard of it, they were afraid because of the Philistines. 8 They said to Samuel, “Do not stop crying out to the LORD our God for us, that he may rescue us from the hand of the Philistines.” 9 Then Samuel took a suckling lamb and offered it up as a whole burnt offering to the LORD. He cried out to the LORD on Israel’s behalf, and the LORD answered him.
10 While Samuel was sacrificing the burnt offering, the Philistines drew near to engage Israel in battle. But that day the LORD thundered with loud thunder against the Philistines and threw them into such a panic that they were routed before the Israelites. 11 The men of Israel rushed out of Mizpah and pursued the Philistines, slaughtering them along the way to a point below Beth Car.
12 Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen. He named it Ebenezer, saying, “Thus far has the LORD helped us.” 13 So the Philistines were subdued and did not invade Israelite territory again.
Throughout Samuel’s lifetime, the hand of the LORD was against the Philistines.

We say happy birthday, congratulations to you at IPJA as we commemorate ten years together. But more than anything else, we thank and praise God for the marvelous things he has done here in Jardim America. This is a time to remember and to look forward.

It is a joy and a privilege for those of us from Park Presbyterian Church to be here to celebrate with you and to bring the greetings and big hugs from all the members of Park Church.

So what has God done and how do we thank him? (more…)