Church of God of Prophecy Florida State Office
June - August 2014
SUNSHINE NEWS Inside This Issue: 1-3
State Overseer 4-5
Church News
Bishop R.F. Davis, State Overseer From the Overseers Desk,
It is so wonderful to be a servant of God. The blessings, the comfort and the true peace, a peace that passes all understanding are everyday present in the lives of Gods children. ! Yet, in today’s world, we see so many struggling for the most basic of God’s promises to them., why?! This morning as I was reading Gods word, a scripture found in Ephesians began speaking to my heart. It says: (Ephesians 3:16–21)!
Sunshine News
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Church of God of Prophecy Florida State Office
FLORIDA SUNSHINE NEWS JUNE - AUGUST 2014 Edition Volume 44 Issue 2 The Church of God of Prophecy! State Office! P.O. Box 783156! Winter Garden, FL 34778-3156!
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Florida Sunshine News (USPS 857600) is the official quarterly publication of the Church of God of Prophecy State Office located at 855 South Dillard Street in Winter Garden, Florida 34787. Periodicals postage paid in Winter Garden, Florida.! Send address changes to:! Florida Sunshine News P.O. Box 783156 Winter Garden, FL 34778!
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R.F. Davis Editor! Joe Dotson Assistant Editor!
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NEXT DEADLINE For all News Articles August 1, 2014! Send submissions to:
[email protected]
Sunshine News
June - August 2014
! 16 That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; 17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; 19 And to know the love of Christ, which passes knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fullness of God. 20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, 21 Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen. What powerful words. ! The Apostle Paul began this excerpt in saying “for this cause I bow to my knees”. His heart’s desire for Gods people was that they enjoy the fullness of peace, the fullness of HIS riches. Paul wanted God’s people to be strengthened in the inner man so they could be rooted and grounded in love.! Paul had, in a letter to the Corinthians, said: (2 Corinthians 1:20)! 20 For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us. It says clearly ‘YEA’ and “Amen – (so be it)”. Yet today it seems that so many of God’s children are truly struggling with distress, turmoil and hopelessness. ! Again, I ask why? ! I believe the answer can be found in how we’re maintaining our relationship with God. ! I am realizing more and more, that while all the promises of God are in Him “Yea and Amen”; to be a regular recipient of 2
Church of God of Prophecy Florida State Office
June - August 2014
them, ‘we need to pray’ and ‘we need to make our needs known’. ! And to be able to walk in them, ‘we need to keep and nurture our relationship with God’. This is done in prayer.! God wants to have an ongoing, everyday relationship with us. He delights in our desire to be with him. He literally welcomes us, against all failures, difficulties, and problems, to come to him. In Paul’s letter to the Hebrews, he instructs, saying; (Hebrews 4:16)! 16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. Just think about it. The scripture says, “Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think”.! What could this mean for us if we’ll schedule a time to come to Him every day? ! I have a great imagination and I think of a lot of wonderful things, but God is able to do things that go well beyond anything I am able to ”ASK OR THINK”. The scripture said, “able to do EXCEEDING, ABUNDANTLY, ABOVE all that we ask or think”.! This scripture concludes in saying, “according to the power that works in us”. And the power that works in us is a direct reflection of our prayers. ! I am praying that all across the state of Florida, our ministers experience a new release of power working in them, effectually unleashing the glory of God in their lives. I am praying that a revival of true peace, true hope, true victory and abounding love flow like a river thru their souls and the souls of their congregations.! There is no shortage of power in heaven. The promises are truly ours . . ..! Be encouraged and look to God, your strength will be rejuvenated; your joy will began to abound.! Never forget, He is able to:! Do EXCEEDINGLY AND ABUNDANTLY ABOVE ALL we are able to ASK OR THINK FOR THIS CAUSE I BOW MY KNEES!!!! Let your peace abound – let your hope abound – let your joy abound beyond anything you can imagine. Today is the day of our promise. Everyday is! It truly is time.!
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Church of God of Prophecy Florida State Office
June - August 2014
Church News Apopka, Pastor Chuck House Saturday May 3, 2014 - Our first Lady’s Day at APOPKA COGOP (our theme was “In his Presence”) was a great success with Evangelist Sylvia Kollaian, from the Kissimmee COGOP. The ladies of the church dressed as they did in those days, displaying their Indian Sarees with their beautiful colors, and Sister Betty Platt did a magnificent job of decorating the sanctuary to look like a king’s palace with materials of beautiful gold and blue colors, she also set a feast and we sat around the table with pillows and with golden goblets and plates for a time of food and fellowship with each other, and with Sister Sylvia’s message it created an atmosphere that made the story of Esther come alive. The spirit of the LORD was in the house, it was such a beautiful time in the presence of the LORD. Pictures of the event can be seen on the Apopka COGOP Facebook. WOW! What a GREAT DAY in the LORD!! !
! Miami #1, Pastor Noward Dean !
The Miami No. 1 church held its Annual Family and Friends Day on February 2, 2014 with approximately 190 persons in attendance. The theme for the day was “God’s Favor Preserves the Family”. Our Fundraising day program was coordinated by the Family Ministries department, with co-leaders Preston and Marion Pratt. The mistress of ceremony was Sis. Marilyn Valle, and the guest speaker was Dr. Rex Major, of Nassau, Bahamas. We were blessed with poetry, dance, singing, and a profound message. We give God all of the glory for what he has done. In April, we had our annual prayer breakfast with 92 in attendance. We worshipped in prayer, word, and song. The speaker was Bro. Preston Pratt, Jr whose message was about “Strengthening your prayer with J.O.Y.”. When starting your prayer, first acknowledge Jesus, then pray for others, and lastly pray for yourself. We also thank God for our children in elementary and middle school who began an instrumental band coordinated by Sis. Shericka Morris. Our band and musicians play their instruments in support of our Sunday morning worship services. We praise God for His blessings. !
Sunshine News
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Church of God of Prophecy Florida State Office
June - August 2014
Miami Centreville, Pastor Vincent Ramsay
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Feb 7, 2014 – Sis Shaw held her annual pre Valentines Day dinner where proceeds will benefit the annual financial drive program held in November.!
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March 3rd-7th , 2014 – Friends and Family week. During this week all members of the Centerville Church of God of Prophecy were given specific nights to raise money for the annual Friends and Family day program and were given the opportunity to invite friends and family to celebrate with us.!
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March 9th, 2014 - Annual Friends and Family Day Program. This program was a success with many different churches in attendance with support both spiritually and also financially. The speaker of the hour was Bro Joshua Caley and we were also presented with a praise dance from the Youth Dept. from Centerville “Break Every Chain”. !
! April 18, 2014 – Good Friday Services were held at 10:30am! !
April 20, 2014 - Easter Services Held at 3:00pm. Our Youth Department stood their ground presenting a skit on Jesus Resurrection and also a praise dance was performed by Centerville praise dance team the D.O.Cs. A special message was presented by Sis. Bullock on the real meaning of Easter.!
! Palm Harbor, Crossroads Chapel, Pastor Scott Creasy !
We are celebrating victory as the Lord continues to add to our fellowship. In April we baptized 25 and added 10 members to the church. Those members, including children and family, represent close to 30 new people. This season has yielded some of our best regular Sunday attendances ever. Our Easter attendance was 213. We have raised over 17k for our new roofs. Pray for us as we navigate these new levels in ministry. We are looking for a great camping season, an awesome General Assembly and another excellent Men’s Conference this summer Aug. 22nd and 23rd. Hot Shot Camp’s registration looks to have doubled June 21st-23rd. May this be your best year ever! Be Blessed!!
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Winter Garden Southside, Pastor JV Sullivan In February, the Connect Group had a Progressive Dinner with 18 attending. Special guests, the Walkers, ministered in song on a Sunday morning. In March, our youth attended the Mission Arise Youth Conference in Tampa. Special guest, Marron Dwah Cassell, Ambassador of Music for Liberia, Africa, ministered in song during a morning service. In April, 75, including visitors from other churches, participated in our Good Friday Service moderated by Gary & Claudette Watson. One hundred sixty-two were in attendance on Easter Sunday. A special Easter program was presented by the children. Eddie Jenkins, Representative of Gideons International, was guest speaker in a Sunday morning service. In May, 3 were baptized. Several went to Family Fest. Our Katherine Speid, representing the State, won the Talent Search Finale in Praise Dance for her age group. Three saved in March & April. Praise God! !
I am available for Revivals, Sunday speaking and Ladies Night Out. Give me a call, Y’all! 912-467-8188 Sis. Kay Osban, State Evangelist Sunshine News
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