WOW Leadership Christmas Breakfast

Hi ladies,

For the past couple of years the leadership team has a tradition that we go to the Dutch Heritage for the all you can eat breakfast bar and then tour the gift shop upstairs.

It's always decorated so beautifully and we are tempted to buy everything in the store! We've been known to go to other shops and stop on the way home for lunch or dinner! Shopping can make you very hungry! LOL

Here's a few pics of our special day.


Love & Hugs,

October WOW Event with Jeanie Turner

Marcia checking out the spread.
Guest speaker, Jeanie Turner from One Way Out Ministries. Check out her website: http://onewayout.org/
Cindy, Marcia and Edie showing what you missed to eat!
Cindy, Jessica and Janet.


Cindy having a good time!


Hi Ladies!
We had such a good time last Tuesday. If you missed it, well you missed it!

We had sweet fellowship, really good food and our speaker Jeanie Turner with One Way Out ministries shared amazing testimonies of how God has used her for His Glory!

Hope you enjoyed the pictures above.

Next month will be our Christmas Celebration, on Tuesday, November 29th with yours truly sharing, "Have a Merry Heart!"

Hugs,

Fall Baby Shower!

Hi GCAG ladies!

We had a wonderful time yesterday as we hosted a baby shower for Patricia & Joshua as they celebrate their new addition to their family very soon.

Patricia has requested we celebrate in a Fall theme as that it her favorite time of year and our leadership team did a beautiful job doing just that.

See the pic's below of her special day!

See the cute little baby boy covered with Fall leaves! Welcome Jacob!

Fall her favorite time of year!

Pretty mama Patricia enjoying a piece of cake!

Love & Hugs,



P.S. I hope to see you at our WOW (Women of Worth) event this month with special guest speaker Jeannie Turner! You will be inspired and challenged by her ministry!

October WOW Event

Hi Ladies!

Just a reminder that we are having our October Event on Tuesday, October 25th at 6:30 pm with special guest ministry Jeanne Turner.

You will be blessed by her testimony and ministry as she reaches out to women in places you or I would probably never go into.

Please see the attached poster for more details!

Hope to see you there!

Love & Hugs,

September 20, 2011 WOW Event

Hi Ladies,

It's been a long hot summer and I don't know about you but I'm so ready for Fall!

It's been since June that we met for our monthly WOW event. We will meet again on Tuesday, September 20th with our own Dollie Megge! Our theme is "Who is in your suitcase?" Sounds interesting huh?

Dollie will be sharing a powerful testimony about her recent trip to Germany earlier this year of God's provision and healing in a scary situation! You'll want to hear this! Trust me!

We will begin with our usual fellowship time and share in a pot-luck meal.

So bring a dish and come out at 6:30 pm for this special time of just us girls!

Let's get back in the swing of it and be part of this group!

You are loved and appreciated!

Hugs,

Hope Tour this Saturday, Aug 6

WOW! LOL! I can't believe I just wrote that!

August is here and this weekend is our turn for the Hope Tour at Church of Hope in Sarasota! Saturday, August 6th. Registration begins at 8:30 am. Hope Tour is from 9:00 am - 3:00 pm. It's going to be wonderful! I encourage you to try and attend!

Worship...Workshops...Fellowsh​ip... Laughter...Tears...Connections​!

Workshops to include:
1. Ministering to Your Unsaved Husband
2. Running on Empty
3. From Pitiful to Powerful
4. Victory in the Wilderness
5. Mom, You’re Not Alone
6. Overcoming Fear
7. Getting Past Your Past: Life After Divorce
8. Signs, Wonders & Miracles Still Exist
9. Vantage Point
10. Desperate Housewives
11. Becoming a Woman of Influence
12. From Trash to Cash

Special sessions for Daughters by Design (ages 14-19)

Keynote ministry by Sandy van der Meulen and worship by Rebecca McInnis

Real Stories. Real answers. Real Hope.

$6 lunch available for purchase day of event.

Pass along to all the ladies you know within a 2 hour drive...It's gonna be GREAT!

It's our day, it's our season, so you don't want to miss it ladies!

Love,

Fall Breakaway 2011

Greeting Ladies,

Just wanted to let you know we have an awesome event coming in October with the Pen Florida Women's Ministries Department.

Check out the link above for details. If you register by July 31st you'll receive the Early Bird pricing and save lots of money!

http://www.gowomensministry.com

Hugs,

Wow was Wow!

Greetings Ladies,

We had an awesome evening Tuesday with our guest speaker Pastor Judi Cotignola. She was amazing and brought a powerful word on How Bright is your Star?

Several quotes from her were:

"We need less information and more revelation."

"More God and more power = More obedience!"

"The annointing comes with a price."

"Jesus was blamed, but was blameless."

"Relationship with people can be messy."

"Take off the garment of despair and put on the garment of praise."

"We have to let go of the ashes and mourning to get to the beauty."

So, if you missed it Tuesday night these were some highlights she shared with us.

Hugs,

Judi Cotignola WOW June Event!

Greetings Ladies!

My sweet and dear friend Judi Cotignola will be coming to share with us next week for our monthly WOW event on Tuesday,June 28 at 6:3o pm.

We will begin our evening with a pot-luck meal, so please sign up in the lobby for a food entree that we can share that night.

This will be our last meeting for a couple of months as we are taking a break. I hope that you will come and be a part of this evening.

You can RSVP through this blog or call the church office at 941-429-1939 to reserve your spot.

Looking forward to seeing you next week!

You are loved!

LaDonna Jones
WOW director

I will!

Dear Ladies,

There is a scripture that I remember our good friend and deceased church member, Gail Gaffron would say, "I will bless the Lord at all times and His praise will continually be on my lips."

Gail was ill in the later years that we knew her and she suffered tremendous pain throughout her body, but you never knew it. She would speak encouraging words and proclaim this scripture regardless of how she felt.

She was always a source of encouragement to my husband, Pastor Keith as well as to others she knew. She always listened to those that would go to her and they knew she could keep a confidence.

I was cleaning out a drawer the other day and came across a card she had given me. I have other precious keepsakes that she gave me while attending our church and seeing those items remind me of how special she was.

Another saying she'd say, "This too shall pass".

Most of us are going through "stuff" in our lives. God still deserves the glory and praise for all that He has done regardless if we think he is moving in our lives or not. Be assured He is moving.

Just because a negative diagnosis has been spoken over me... I remember her words of praise!

I believe that He is working all things out together for our good and yes, I will bless the Lord in the good times and in the bad and His praise will continually be on my lips.

Gail was truly was one of the wisest women I've ever known. She is missed dearly, and those of us that she invested in carry a piece of her in our hearts and lives today.

Like Gail, I encourage you to proclaim His promises in your situations and lives.

On another note: Don't forget our last WOW get together for the summer with Pastor Judi Cotignola! She comes from Palmetto. You will be blessed by her ministry.

She has a word to encourage you I guarantee it!

Love & Hugs,
LaDonna

Mentoring

Mentoring women is part of what I do as a leader. I've been mentoring the WOW (Women of Worth) leadership team for awhile now. It's exciting to see God raise up women in our church to be used for His glory.

It's part of the vision Pastor Keith and our church leadership is to raise up and send out. God's been doing that lately. We're so thankful to see this come to fruition in our ministry.

Jana & Peter Kozic are raising funds to go on the mission field. Ileana Reich has spoken recently at one of our sister churches in a nearby town. This past weekend Cindy Nelson had an opportunity to speak and minister to a group of ladies in Largo.

Some of our women went with Cindy to support her. She was a blessing and God used her to minister to those precious women.

God wants to use all of us in our sphere of influence. Not all of us are called to minister in front of an audience but He wants to use us where He places us "for such a time as this."

If we are faithful in the little things that He has placed before us then He'll bring the opportunities and promotion for greater things ahead.

He wants to know if we are trustworthy with what He's given us at hand to do.

I'm so proud of each lady on our leadership team and know that He desires to use each woman with the talents and skills He has blessed her with.


You are loved,
LaDonna Jones
WOW Director

Tina Blount

Dear Sweet friends,

My good friend Tina Blount will be coming to our church this month at Gulf Coast Assembly on Tuesday, April 26th to share at our monthly Women of Worth meeting. She is a talented speaker and author.

I would love for you to come and check her out. We meet for a pot-luck meal at 6:30 pm in the Life Center at 2800 Pan American Blvd. North Port.

If you'd like to come and meet with us that evening, please email me at LaDonna@gulfcoastag.net or call the church office at 941-423-1939 to reserve your spot.

Hugs,
LaDonna Jones
Women of Worth Director
Gulf Coast Assembly of God

Hope Tour 2011 - There is hope near you!

Hi Ladies,

Check out this video from Pen-Florida Women's Ministries Department for the Hope Tour this summer!

There is no charge for this event and it is only a one day conference.

I hope you'll be able to go!

Love & Hugs,
LaDonna

Free Compliments

This devotion really spoke to me this week. It's so important that we not tear one another down. It's been said, that the church is the only army that shoots it's wounded. How sad, but true! God help us!

People are hurting and going through so much in these challenging and difficult days.

I don't know about you, but I'd rather have words that bring a sweetness to my soul than words that tear me down.

Let's be better than the world and offer encouraging words to those we come in contact with!

Love & Hugs,
LaDonna


Our Daily Bread
March 21, 2011 — by David C. McCasland

Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the bones. —Proverbs 16:24

During a time of economic crisis and depressing news, two students at Purdue University decided to lift the spirits of people on campus with some encouraging words. For two hours every Wednesday afternoon, Cameron Brown and Brett Westcott stood along a busy walkway holding a large “Free Compliments” sign and saying nice things to everyone who passed by. “I like your red coat.” “Cool snow boots.” “Very nice smile.” Some students said they deliberately walked past “the compliment guys” every Wednesday just to hear a kind word.

I was struck by these two young men who looked at people with the goal of commending them, rather than finding fault or being critical. Is that how I, as a follower of Christ, view others each day?

Instead of being like the person who is focused on evil and whose speech is “like a burning fire” (Prov. 16:27), we can take a different approach, knowing that what we say begins deep inside us. “The heart of the wise teaches his mouth, and adds learning to his lips. Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the bones” (vv.23-24).

Kind words may be free, but they give a priceless lift of spirit. Why not encourage someone today?

The power in words can build up or tear down—
Create a big smile or produce a sad frown;
So in all your contacts with people each day,
Be sure to encourage in all that you say. —Fitzhugh


A gentle word of compliment falls lightly
but it carries great weight.

Five Minute Rule

When I was growing up my mom had devotions with my brother and I before we went to school everyday. I can so relate to this devotion this week.

Running late has always been a problem for me. I really don't know why...so this would be a real challenge for my mom. I'd be lucky to sit down and eat a bowl of cereal or a piece of toast as she'd literally run after me reading a Psalm as I was running out the door to catch the school bus!

Mom would read scripture and said a quick prayer over me. I'm so thankful she did!

Because of my mom's example I tried to do this as well with our girls as they were growing up and in school.

Today even though they are adult women I still pray over them everyday even though I don't see them like I did. God honors our prayers over our loved ones.

I hope you enjoy this devotion from Our Daily Bread.

Hugs,
LaDonna


I read about a 5-minute rule that a mother had for her children. They had to be ready for school and gather together 5 minutes before it was time to leave each day.
They would gather around Mom, and she would pray for each one by name, asking for the Lord’s blessing on their day. Then she’d give them a kiss and off they’d run. Even neighborhood kids would be included in the prayer circle if they happened to stop by. One of the children said many years later that she learned from this experience how crucial prayer is to her day.

The writer of Psalm 102 knew the importance of prayer. This psalm is labeled, “A prayer of the afflicted, when he is overwhelmed and pours out his complaint before the Lord.” He cried out, “Hear my prayer, O Lord . . . ; in the day that I call, answer me speedily” (vv.1-2). God looks down “from the height of His sanctuary; from heaven [He views] the earth” (v.19).

God cares for you and wants to hear from you. Whether you follow the 5-minute rule asking for blessings on the day, or need to spend more time crying out to Him in deep distress, talk to the Lord each day. Your example may have a big impact on your family or someone close to you.

The issue isn’t how much time
We spend with God in prayer,
But seeking Him throughout each day
And knowing that He’s there. —Sper
Prayer is an acknowledgment of our need for God.

1K Sisters Final FC.mov

Ladies,

Whose in your corner when the going gets tough?

Hope you enjoy this!

Hugs,
LaDonna

Our ladies Tea

We are so thrilled to host our annual WOW Tea on Saturday, March 19th at Gulf Coast Assembly of God in our Life center. Valerie is our guest speaker and she has a powerful word!

She is a precious sister and you'll be blessed by her testimony.

Please invite your neighbors, friends and co-workers!

Be sure and sign up in the lobby this Sunday!

Hugs,
LaDonna

Quiet Influence Demonstrated

Hi Ladies,

Last week was a very trying week personally for me. I received a diagnosis that was not good and was confirmed by my doctor.

The day of our WOW event, I ended up in the hospital. Probably in God's mercy He was protecting me as I was in no mind-set to speak that night.

God has shown himself faithful to me and has used our beautiful ladies to show quiet influence through words of encouragement, hugs and meals delivered to our home.

Quiet Influence is our theme for this year with our National office of the Assemblies of God. You ladies have prayed and been His hands and feet to me and our family.

I'd worked hard on a sermon that night, but hopefully will be able to share it in the future. The year isn't over yet!

Thank you so much to our leadership team that stepped up to the plate and covered that night. I didn't worry as our ladies are able and capable.

I appreciate you all and am thankful for each of you!

I am believing for healing in my body and know that God is faithful to complete that good thing He has begun in me.

Philippians 1:6 (New International Version, ©2010)

"Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus."


Let's continue to be that Quiet Influence with those that we come in contact with showing His love in our sphere of influence.

Love & Hugs,
LaDonna

Your season is about to change

Friday turned out to be a very good day for me. Sometimes you go through seasons in your life when you wonder if God is there. If he hears or is concerned about what you are going through.

Some of the women at Gulf Coast are in the bible study by Beth Moore, Esther: It's tough being a woman. We're learning that in the book of Esther God isn't mentioned, but he is there working behind the scenes in the lives of his beloved, the Jewish people.

I've been going through some health issues and had to have an MRI of my brain a week ago. Praise God I received a good report on Friday. Thank you Lord! There are still issues but I know that God is the healer and he is touching my body.

When you don't feel well and it's hard to function doing certain task that you are so accustomed to doing you think about quitting or backing off from responsibilities. God brought confirmation through two telephone calls after the initial call from my doctor. This so encouraged me that despite what is going on in the physical and natural God still has a plan and purpose to use me for His glory.

In my heart I knew quitting was not an option, but it was tempting. God has opened doors of opportunities for me to be in places of influence and to minister His love and encourage those I come in contact with.

Pastor Keith preached today how the seasons that we've been in are about to change.

I thought to myself recently, but if only God had a word for me... I could get through this. He does... it's called the bible! I've been standing on His Word quoting scripture and standing on them even when I didn't feel or see anything change.

Pastor Keith also said, when you go through the flood or the fire you keep walking.

Yes, I've had my times of weeping but praise God joy does come in the morning.

One of my favorite scriptures lately has been out of the message bible, Romans 8:28

Meanwhile, the moment we get tired in the waiting, God's Spirit is right alongside helping us along. If we don't know how or what to pray, it doesn't matter. He does our praying in and for us, making prayer out of our wordless sighs, our aching groans. He knows us far better than we know ourselves, knows our pregnant condition, and keeps us present before God. That's why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good.

If we don't tire in the waiting, God is working in our lives working things out for our good.

Be encouraged even in the silence and the dry seasons because He promises our season is going to change!

Hugs,
LaDonna

February Event 2011

Still Standing

Ileana Reich spoke this past Tuesday at Women of Worth and gave 7 points & illustrated them. Point (7).

Stand in it based on 1 Peter 5: 8-10.1 (New International Version, ©2011)

8 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.

9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

10 And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.

We are called to stand firm in our faith. Praise God He will restore and make us strong, firm and steadfast!

I'm still standing!

Hugs,
LaDonna

Thank you WOW Leadership!

Hi Ladies!

Today I took some time off to go have a pedicure and I ended up getting the Herbal Escape Deluxe pedicure. It felt really good on my feet.

I've been experiencing a horrible burning sensation in my right foot for a couple of months and it's going up to my knee. I got the Peppermint herbal treatment with massage. I can't tell you how good it felt! It cooled me down and it felt wonderful not to have the uncomfortable burning feeling for awhile.

This isn't a really good picture, but my toes came out really pretty and I'm happy with them.

So, thank you to the Women of Worth leadership team for my good looking toes! The leadership team blessed me back in October with a gift certificate at a local spa.

On another note: don't forget our Women's event this month. We'll meet next Tuesday, January 25 at 6:30 pm for a time of fellowship. Please bring a pot-luck dish that we can share.

Our speaker is: Ileana Reich and she will bring the word that God has placed in her heart. It's going to be a wonderful evening!

Hope to see you there! Please sign up GCAG ladies in the lobby! Thanks!

Hugs,
LaDonna

Commitment: Taking it to the next level

Today during Pastor's sermon it got me thinking about something he mentioned. He said, "Commitment is fleeting and so hard to come by." "People are committed when it's easy and something they want to do". "Your level of commitment is tested when you are struggling and things are harder."

You know, those statements are so true! On a personal note, today I didn't feel well at all and could have stayed home easily, but I knew that it was important that I be there. Just because I'm a musician doesn't mean my being there is more important than anyone else. You know I'm deathly ill or on vacation if I don't show for a church service.

You have to remember I've not always been in ministry, but I was brought up to be at my home church when there were church services. You never wondered if you were going to church on Sunday's or Wednesday's at my house. It was never a question.

As Chef Emeril says, "Let's take it to the next level" We're gonna give it a little BAM! I hope in this new year you'll step up to the plate and take your commitment to the next level with him through every area of your lives.

Don't forget our monthly event on Tuesday, January 25 at 6:30 pm with speaker: Ileana Reich. Our theme is "Moving Forward" and we're taking it to the next level!

Love & Hugs,

LaDonna

Behind The Scenes January 12, 2011 — by David C. McCasland

Okay, I'm trying to catch up on my bible reading and a little behind....already in this new year! I read this today and just loved it! I'm a musician and director of our music department at church. Sometimes dealing with sound men can be a challenge. In fact, we've clashed and butted heads on an occasion or two. I loved this entry for yesterday, Jan 12th.

I'm sure you've been in church and heard some awful sound come from the sound system and everyone looks back at the guys running sound. It is a thankless job at times. I do try to remember to thank them for doing an excellent job every week.

Hope you enjoy this entry and next time you see your sound men....thank them for a job well done. They could probably use the encouragement once in awhile!

Hugs,

LaDonna

WOW Director

Recently I attended a memorial service for a gifted musician whose life had touched many people. The tribute to this Christian woman included video and audio clips, photos, instrumentalists, and speakers. After everyone had left the church, I stopped to thank the technicians whose flawless work at the control board had contributed so much to this moving tribute. “No one noticed what you did,” I told them. “That’s the way we like it,” they replied.

In Matthew 6, Jesus told His disciples to give (vv.1-4), pray (vv.5-6), and fast (vv.16-18) in order to please God, not to gain praise from people. “When you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place” (v.6). Whether giving, praying, or fasting, Jesus said, “Your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly” (vv.4,6,18).

Something within us makes us want to be seen and recognized for our good deeds. While there’s nothing wrong with encouragement and appreciation, a desire for praise can undermine our service because it shifts the focus from others to ourselves. When there is no public “thank you,” we may feel slighted. But even when we serve God in secret, He sees it all.

The service that we do for God
May go unpraised by men;
But when we stand before the Lord,
He will reward us then. —Sper

It is better to earn recognition without getting it than to get recognition without earning it.

In Loving Memory of Mallory Ann Conway

Mallory Ann Conway was born April 30, 1991 passed away January 3, 2011

The Lord answers, "Can a woman forget the baby she nurses?
Can she feel no kindness for the child to which she gave birth?
Even if she could forget her children,
I will not forget you." Isaiah 49:15

She will always be remembered and never "Forgotten."

One of my hobbies....tablescapes

Hi Ladies,

One of my favorite things to do is create seasonal tablescapes. I'd never done it before until seeing it on the Food channel and just fell in love with creating them.

When we first began having our WOW meetings it brought me such pleasure in creating tablescapes for our monthly meetings. Since then, I've delegated that job on to capable women on our leadership team that are so talented and do an amazing job every month in making our tables and room so beautiful for you that attend.

We look forward to this new year and all that God has in store for our church and you Women of Worth!

Make your plans to come as Ileana Reich shares a word from the Lord this month, January 25th at 6:30 pm in the Life Center. Bring a dish to feed eight that we share for our mealtime together.

Hope to see you there! Sign up in the lobby

Hugs,
LaDonna