Purpose! Newsletter - October 2026

The Old Rugged Cross

On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross,

The emblem of suffering and shame,

And I love that old cross where the Dearest and Best

For a world of lost sinners was slain.

So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross,

Till my trophies at last I lay down;

I will cling to the old rugged cross,

And exchange it some day for a crown.

(George Bennard 1873-1958)

Victory In Jesus

I heard an old, old story how a Savior came from glory, How He gave His life on Calvary to save a wretch like me; I heard about His groaning, of His precious blood's atoning, Then I repented of my sins and won the victory

O victory in Jesus, my Savior, forever! He sought me and bought me with His redeeming blood; He loved me ere I knew Him, and all my love is due Him. He plunged me to victory beneath the cleansing flood.

(E.M Bartlett 1885-1941)

Jesus, Keep Me Near the Cross

Jesus, keep me near the cross, There a precious fountain, Free to all, a healing stream, Flows from Calvary's mountain.

In the cross, in the cross Be my glory ever, Till my raptured soul shall find Rest beyond the river.

(Fanny J. Crosby, 1820-1915)

At Calvary

Years I spent in vanity and pride, Caring not my Lord was crucified, Knowing not it was for me He died, on Calvary.

Mercy there was great, and grace was free; Pardon there was multiplied to me; There my burdened soul found liberty, at Calvary.

(William R. Newell 1868-1956)

At the Cross

Alas! And did my Savior bleed

And did my Sovereign die?

Would He devote that sacred head

For such a worm as I?

At the cross, at the cross

Where I first saw the light,

And the burden of my heart rolled away,

It was there by faith I received my sight,

And now I am happy all the day!

(Isaac Watts 1674-1748)

Burdens Are Lifted At Calvary

Days are filled with sorrow and care,

Hearts are lonely and drear;

Burdens are lifted at Calvary,

Jesus is very near.

Burdens are lifted at Calvary,

Calvary, Calvary;

Burdens are lifted at Calvary,

Jesus is very near.

(John M. Moore 1925-2017)

When I Survey The Wondrous Cross

When I survey the wondrous cross

on which the Prince of glory died,

my richest gain I count but loss,

and pour contempt on all my pride.

Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast

save in the death of Christ, my God!

All the vain things that charm me most,

I sacrifice them through his blood.

(Isaac Watts 1674-1748)

There’s Room At The Cross For You

The cross upon which Jesus died

Is a shelter in which we can hide

And its grace so free is sufficient for me

And deep is its fountain as wide as the sea

There's room at the cross for you

There's room at the cross for you

Tho' millions have come

There's still room for one

Yes there's room at the cross for you

(Ira F. Stanphill 1920-1993)

Kneel At The Cross

Kneel at the cross,

Christ will meet you there,

Come while He waits for you;

List to His voice,

Leave with Him your care

And begin life anew.

Kneel at the cross,

Leave every care;

Kneel at the cross,

Jesus will meet you there.

(Charles E. Moody 1891-1977)

I hope you enjoyed reading these songs and maybe humming or singing along if you know them. To some of you they will be new songs. But their message is that of the old, old story of Jesus and his love. Thank God for the Cross.

This is an article probably better left for Good Friday, but I’ve been thinking about it since August 26 at 10:30 pm when I first sat down to begin to write this article.

Of course you don’t hear songs like this on contemporary radio. On occasion I ask my wife to drive and I take the passenger seat. She always turns on our SiriusXM channel of contemporary Christian music. I listen. There are some good songs I hear, but none like these I am talking about, says biased old me. I’m talking about the lyrics, the words of the songs. I know the style of music is different, obviously, but I don’t find, with few exceptions, a message as clear and as powerful coming from that radio as I hear from these “Hymnal” songs I like to sing. Recently I have noticed that a few artists take their new song and add a line or two or even a verse, of one of the old songs. It immediately changes the tone of the song. The men and women who wrote those old songs were not artists pumping out songs for popularity and gain, hoping to make it on the weekly countdown of most popular songs, or be the winner at the big show in Nashville.

The people who wrote those songs were a different breed of song writers. They declared a clarion gospel message meant to bring souls to Christ, lead believers into worship of God, and at the same time declare a deep Biblical truth. That all makes a huge difference when those classic hymns are sung with an anointing inherent in the song and upon the singer who still dares to sing them.

Call me old fashioned. I won’t turn off the radio in the car when my wife turns it on. I am glad we can listen to a Christian contemporary song and that my daughter is listening to that, learning those songs, and even singing them. Better than the junk other parents allow their children to listen to. And there is a gospel witness written in to those songs. Though some is gospel lite. But I also am very happy to sing the old hymns and songs of the faith that I learned long ago. There is something special about them! Amen. -PJF-

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And now a word from Pastor Shirley…

Go-to Book

“Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” Philippians 4:6-8

I don’t know about anyone else, but sometimes (especially in rough times) my mind seems to want to wander to “not so pleasant” thoughts and replay things that should be left alone. This passage is a great reminder of what to do when these thoughts come up or are provoked to come up again. I have had to do this more times than I would like to admit recently.

The Bible truly is our “go-to book” for all areas of life. When we’re happy, sad, lonely, or afraid, the Word of God instructs us in what to do and how we should react.

In the process of making my requests known to God, I received peace that caused my heart and mind to settle so I could think on good things.

After doing this over and over and over again, I can wholeheartedly do what the Bible tells us to do in verse four of the same chapter in Philippians, “Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.” -SAF-

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We will be participating in revival services with Iglesia de Dios Visión Misionera, Iglesia de Dios Volviendo a Pentecostés, and Purpose! Ministries Inc.

These are the churches that share the same location with us.

October 30,31, 2026, 5:00 pm, and November 1, 2026, 11:00 am

Pastor PJ Flores will be preaching on Saturday. (En Español)

All services will be in Spanish. Join us for a Holy Spirit filled time!

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Purpose! Ministries Inc.

16605 Sunrise Lakes Blvd Suite 6

Clermont, FL 34714

Sundays 4:00 pm to 5:30 pm

Join us in person or live on Facebook.

Video also available on YouTube

Pastors PJ and Shirley Flores

     Purpose! Ministries

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