Good News from the House Our quarterly digital slideshow Volume 2: July-September 2021 Hello Family, It’s summertime! After spending the first fourteen years of my life, in tropical, sunny Guyana, SA, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that I absolutely bloom in the summer months. The more the sun shines brightly in the sky, the happier, more energized I feel. This is an example of how things are in our lives. We go from season to season, sometimes we are in a season of abundance and joy and sometimes we endure seasons of sadness and isolation but, glory to God no matter the season, Our Father is a present help. Our Father never leaves or forsakes us. As I flutter through the summer it is easy for me to remember that God is with me and that His light makes me shine wherever He leads me. I’m encouraging you to do the same. Shine bright in this season, glow with His goodness, share your testimony with those you encounter, let everyone around you know that He is good, all the time. As you read, our second volume of Good News from the House, I hope you are edified, uplifted and inspired by what you discover on each page. If it does all that for you- share it! YES! Share this volume with those who need some good news to help them shine their brightest this summer! Continue to bloom in His favor, Effua Oginga-McGougain Good News from the House Our quarterly digital slideshow Volume 1: July- September 2021 Highlights from this volume Every last one of our articles is spectacular and written with the aim to edify, uplift and empower you but below are a few highlights that should definitely keep your heart motivated and your brain buzzing with inspiration. Humanizing Jesus… pg 5 Creative Corner…..pg 10-11 Join the Celebrations...pgs 12-15 A poignant piece about the commonalities between us A wonderful showcase of art Yes , we are still in a pandemic and Jesus, written by our pieces created by our own but God is still blessing His guest writer, Monique Empathy….pg 7 A personal conversation with Leslie Wathan and a poem in people. You are invited to Hamler, from the Millennial honor of Suicide Prevention celebrate the various Perspective, To hear more God about loving others and having compassion written by month from Senior Pastor accomplishments of your family in from Monique, check her out Kwesi Oginga. Christ. Read and see what the on the sites provided. Tatu Oginga-Largie. Lord has done! Good News from the House 3 Our quarterly digital slideshow Volume 1: July- September 2021 The Pastors’ Hearts Points to Ponder with Pastor Oginga Perspectives with Pastor Doc God is watching over us and we are growing. God doesn’t ask for much. All He is You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. asking for is our faith. Our faith helps us to obey Him. We are able to see how He Matthew 5:14 responds to us when we seek Him, and when we call on Him. It generates a spirit of faithfulness to Him within us. I want to thank God for all of you and for the Pastor Kwesi Oginga oversaw the inaugural service of the House of The various ways in which you contribute to the House of Good News, Worship and Good News, Worship, and Prayer on August 20, 2017. I had the privilege Prayer. of being there as a board member and founding member. I attended also as a proud son-in-law and friend of Pastor Oginga and Lady Desiree. I was My gratitude to God for allowing us such great and genuine friendship, the right godly proud of the fact that he obeyed the clarion call of the gospel to open hand of worship and partnership that come to us from Drs. Allen and Loretta Hand of Trinity Community Missionary Baptist Church, NY. I thank God for our four up a house of worship. Four years later, I am the Pastor of this august flock elders and for all our intercessors. The 4am prayer sessions always yields of believers, and Pastor Oginga is now the Senior Pastor. I am honored testimonies; people are healed, delivered, surrendering their lives to Christ and and happy to work side by side with him and my family in ministry. prospering in various ways. I thank God for our Pastor the Rev. Doctor Stephen McGougain, and his wife, Effua and their son, Tahir. They are indeed a blessing The Lord has blessed us with several new members, new leadership, with a gift to the organizing and administration of our ministries. acquired allies, and new supporters to our community of faith. This is a season of newness and change. Thank God for Lady Desiree, my wife and inspiration. Her love and encouragement are behind this great ministry with which God is blessing all of us. While there is a sense of newness our commitment to the ministry of spreading the gospel and serving God's people has not changed. In fact, Welcome to our second issue of Good News from the House. I pray that you’ll we are more committed than ever to encouraging saints all over the globe enjoy it. I pray that it will inspire you to grow, develop and be even more confident to serve the Lord with mission, vision, and purpose. in your ministry here at the House of Good News, Worship and Prayer. Good News from the House 4 Our quarterly digital slideshow July-September 2021 Toddler Talk with Lady Desiree Monthly Scripture Focus Toddlers are children that range in age from 1-3 years old. Toddlers are very special. Last quarter,r we talked about talking to them in sentences and not July in baby talk. Today we will discuss ideas for introducing them to new things. Toddlers are naturally curious and quick learners. *Take them outside to play. Use your neighbourhood parks. Cast your anxieties unto the Lord, *Allow them to run around, make friends and get dirty. *Keep close eyes on them but give them the freedom to run, fall and get up. The slides and because He cares for you. jungle gyms strengthen their large motor skills. *Share different foods with them. 1 Peter: 5:7 *Introduce them to observing the weather and things around them. When it rains, snows or the sun is out get them outside to feel and experience what it feels like. *Spend time each day reading, ask them questions about the characters and theme of the story. Study this scripture, write it down, recite *Sing songs to them, toddlers enjoy songs and songs can be a speech and learning tool. it, memorize it. What does it mean to you? *As much as they play outside they must also be given the freedom to play inside What are you doing with your anxieties? *Start a routine with your toddlers and you will be amazed at how well they will respond. Place them in God’s hand! So long for now we'll talk more in our next newsletter! Good News from the House 5 Our quarterly digital slideshow July-September 2021 Temple Management Tips Humanizing Jesus Monique Hamler For most of my life, I felt as if Jesus was this big, mystical figure that I didn’t have access to or can measure up to. It wasn’t until recently, I was finally able to grasp hold of Him. When you begin to humanize Jesus, it brings a closeness that is undeniable. Humanizing Jesus doesn’t take away His divinity but it makes a connection with Him real and this journey with Him attainable. When I soaked in the fact that Jesus walked this earth and endured human emotions, I didn’t feel so alone in my own life experiences anymore. Take a look at some examples… ● Jesus wept at the death of His friend, Lazarus (John 11:35). That moment should help make grieving feel more acceptable. ● Remember when Jesus told His disciples that His soul felt exceedly sorrowful, even to death (Matthew 26:38), that should Remember waking up and taking a good help you to see that anxiety is a real ordeal. stretch when you were a kid? Here are some ● Jesus questioned religious leaders; that should help you see reasons why stretching is important. that challenging tradition is not always a bad thing (Mark 7 & 11:27-12:17) Stretching keeps your limbs loose and ● Jesus flipped tables at the temple (Matthew 21:12). The emotion flexible. Stretching improves postures and of anger and speaking out against wrongdoing is part of the journey strengthens muscles but most importantly ● When you realize Jesus isolated Himself to reconnect with His it feels good and is good for your body. Try father, you understand that retreat is necessary. (Mark 1:35) ● When you see that Jesus slept even during the worst storms, to add some opportunities for stretching you realize rest is essential. (Mark 4:35) as you go through the day! Cont’d on pg 9 Good News from the House 6 Our quarterly digital slideshow July-September 2021 Monthly Scripture Focus Money Matters August Saving is an important financial But those who trust in the Lord will decision. People save for many reasons. They may engage in long renew their strength. They will soar on term savings or short term savings. wings like eagles. They will run and not Whether you are saving up for a grow weary; they will walk and not faint. vacation or retirement, it is important that you get into the habit of setting Isaiah 40:31 a portion of your money aside for life’s unplanned expenses. If you do Study this scripture, write it down, recite it, not have one, create a savings memorize it. account and set up automatic transfer of a portion of your Feeling spiritually spent? Where are you paycheck each pay period.. placing your trust? Good News from the House 7 Our quarterly digital slideshow July-September 2021 Empathy Tatu Oginga-Largie As I laid in my bed my heart struggled with my discomfort with people. I asked God what do I need to do to be better? I’m not attached to anyone and my tolerance level is extremely low when it comes to dealing with people. God answered, “My children go through a lot and when they don’t have me in their corner to back them up, they break and crumble. When someone reacts differently from the “norm” or their life is not polished perfectly in the eyes of the public. We are quick to blame the DEVIL or say that person is influenced by demons.They are right- it’s satan, it’s the hurt, shame, guilt, pain, etc. that he has left for my child to deal with.” There’s a cause to every reaction and if we don’t have God in our corner, we become a roller- coaster of what satan has left behind for us. Empathy is not being offended when someone acts out of character. Empathy is not dismissing people when they act out toward you. Having empathy is understanding that we are all carrying a lot of satan servings (bitterness, guilt, shame, anger, etc.) so have compassion on the ones that do not know God. As God’s followers, we need to have compassion on the ones that don’t know Him because whatever servings they are carrying prevents them for seeing or hearing HIm. Jesus sat down with Judas up until Jesus’ death. He knew who Judas was. He did not give up on him. He could have turned His back or dodged him, but Jesus chose to sit with him and remind him of who he belongs to. cont’d on pg 8 Good News from the House 8 Our quarterly digital slideshow July-September 2021 Empathy con’t from pg 7 When His children turned their backs on Him and sent Him to His death, He could have said, “No, these are not my people, I’m done with them.” God comes for the heart and when Jesus was here He felt every serving satan left for His children to endure, brokenness, fear, shame, hurt, and the list goes on. He was not offended, He had empathy and Time Management Tip He said it clear as day when He spoke on the cross, “Father forgive Is there something you want to do but can them for they know not what they have done.” never find the time to do it? The truth is as My challenge to you as children of God, no matter who rubs you the humans we prioritize things and always wrong way, talks about your beliefs, talks about your children, the find the time to do things we care the most ones that don’t go to church and the list goes on and on. You don’t about. Set aside 30 minutes to invest in need to be offended. Check you feelings, submit them to me, doing the thing you can’t seem to find the remember who they belong to and ask our God to give you a heart of time to do and be consistent. For example, empathy. wake up at 5:30am every morning to spend Practice doing what our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ did when He time in the word. Add it to your To-Do list, walked this earth as a man. If you fall, get up, lean in close to your then start training yourself to be Heavenly Father and keep trying! successful by doing it! Good News from the House 9 Our quarterly digital slideshow July-September 2021 Let’s Humanize Jesus cont’d from pg 5 The sermon on the mount in Matthew 5-7 has become my favorite part of the bible, because to me the principles Jesus gave were not only for His followers but can be applied to just being a decent human being. Being content with who you are, not holding grudges, saying what you mean, loving and living graciously towards others, doing good from the heart not for attention, praying with authenticity, not criticizing others for their faults, treating others the way you want to be treated are just a few key teachings. I find it very intriguing that His trade was carpentry. Not only does He have the capability to build material things, He builds up people as well. Very befitting! To be honest and give my millennial perspective, it seems as if man has made this Christian walk more difficult than it needs to be. Once you accept Jesus into your life, the “kingdom of God” is inside of you. It is the air you breathe, your very being. When you grasp that concept, you move through life differently. Let’s break it down this way. When you’re in a relationship with someone you love, you naturally treat them with honor, respect and do your very best not to intentionally harm them. You’re not perfect, but your intention is to do right by them. That’s exactly what a relationship with God is. It’s not about checking off boxes of perfection but it’s about maneuvering through life in LOVE. We’ve become so fixated on an after life we don’t know for certain- instead of making Heaven on Earth. Focus on LIVING. Focus on the things you can control, the big stuff is for God to handle. You can change the world by first changing yourself and your mindset. Once you do that, you can tap into enhancing the lives of the people around you such as your neighbors & local community. Spread love to those around you and watch it become contagious. Jesus' main requirement is LOVE! He already gave that to you with no prerequisites. Now you do the same for others. Monique Hamler, The Millennial Perspective www.themillennialperspective.org @themillennial_perspective Good News from the House 10 Creativity Our quarterly digital slideshow Corner July-September 2021 Leslie Wathen What was your inspiration? I just wanted to do something for church. I wanted to make something to give back to the church. I used to do art and I have some drawing pieces too. I plan on doing this to help people who might feel better from having some art around. Good News from the House 11 Creativity Our quarterly digital slideshow Corner July-September 2021 God made this world round, it’s going to hold me up September is Suicide Prevention Month The past good I did will come back around non-stop I must sit through my storms, for soon I will celebrate I was created to accomplish, defeat is not my fate Senior Pastor Kwesi Oginga Why Should I end my life? What seems to be all hell, came to reveal my internal power The wisdom and patience I possess- is my breakthrough I have a special meaning, like a true diamond pressures And I will not cower come to polish me, in human life Struggles breed strength to set the captive free When winds stop their raging, all flying debris must cease Life does not remain the same I have a special meaning After war, there must come peace. The winds and rains not even the thunders and lightning The storms of life cannot blot me out Why then should I end my life? What is in me, is not asleep, it does not make me weak Should I be robbed of what’s to come? Once I listen I can rise above my doubt Getting this far took sacrifice Am I not built to overcome With time and experience, there’s no end to what I can be With just a little patience, there’s no limit to the joy I am destined to see. Good News from the House 12 Our quarterly digital slideshow July-September 2021 To Our New Members We are excited to continue growing in Monthly Scripture Focus the Lord with you! September God has not given us a spirit of fear but of power, and of love, and a sound mind. Donna Oti 2 Timothy 1:7 Study this scripture, write it down, recite it, memorize it. Who are you trusting with your mental health? Good News from the House 13 Our quarterly digital slideshow July-September 2021 Happy Birthday to you! Jayden McGougain (7/3) May you be abundantly blessed on your birthday and Justin Diaz (7/10) everyday! Enjoy! Jalen Oginga (7/21) Ayana Largie (7/26) Jaehlan Daniels (8/2) Elder Glynis Simpson (8/12) Raven Diaz (8/20) Shalton Largie (8/25) Melik Oginga (8/28) Donna Oti (9/26) Good News from the House 14 Our quarterly digital slideshow July- September 2021 CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR ELEVATION!! Melik Oginga- H.S graduate Justin Diaz- H.S graduate Ezinne Oti- M.S graduate Jayden McGougain- Elementary School graduate Tahir McGougain- Elementary School graduate Good News from the House 15 Our quarterly digital slideshow July-September 2021 Happy 4th Anniversary to the House of Good News, Worship and Prayer August 20, 2021 Celebrate what God has done and how He continues to seal us together as a family of believers! Good News from the House Our quarterly digital slideshow Volume 2:July-September 2021 Thanks to everyone who submitted work for our newsletter! Love what we are doing here at the House of Good News, Worship and Prayer? Spread the Word! Share our events and offerings with your friends and family. To be included in our text thread, please send your name and request to 917-292-9004 If you are eager to make a monetary donation to our ministry, please submit to Cashapp $Bertha1899 OR by check to HGNWP 12219 Centerhill Street SIlver Spring MD 20902 And finally we would love to hear from you, if you have some words you’d like to share please submit them to hgnwp2021@gmail.com. Our next issue comes out on October 1, 2021.
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