Presbyter-in-charge: Rev. Jessie Ranjan

Transcription

1 EQUIPPING CONGREGATION IN GOD S MISSION SEP 2017 Theme for the Month Lord Jesus the Great Teacher, our Guru! Presbyter-in-charge: Rev. Jessie Ranjan

2 Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, Greetings to you in the precious name of our Lord Jesus the Great Teacher, our Guru! Teachers' Day is celebrated throughout our country to commemorate the life and vision of Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, the second President of our Nation. He was a great philosopher, a renowned diplomat, and a great teacher. According to Dr. Radhakrishnan, 'teachers should be the best minds in the country'. When some of his students requested him to allow them to celebrate his birthday on the 5th of September, Dr. Radhakrishnan said, 'instead of celebrating my birthday separately, it would be my proud privilege if September 5th is observed as Teachers' day'. Thus, the birthday of Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, came to be celebrated as Teachers Day. When our Nation celebrates Teachers Day, the Almanac of the Church of South India also calls us to remember the contributions teachers make in the life of our families, schools, and in our society. This month's first Sunday urges us to sit at the feet of our Lord Jesus, to learn the values of life and the values of the Kingdom of God. Jesus our Great Teacher has taught us the basic thing that we need - the fear of God as the beginning of wisdom. In today's world, as teachers and parents who are the first teachers in a child's life, face a big challenge to bring the children into this truth and lead them to God who is the source of all wisdom and knowledge. When this basic truth is deviated in our families, all other problems, surface. When we forget to depend upon God, and lean more on some of the modern technologies that distance us from God, we land up in difficult situations, and we also face dealing with relationship problems. We forget to understand and accept the contributions made by other members in human history. We fail to acknowledge and respect others, thereby create a huge gap between men and women, and get into strained relationships. We are not able to resolve our conflicts with one another and the gap between the young and old widen day by day. 1

3 The Themes from the Almanac for the Month make us understand that relationships are so important. We need to learn to understand the contributions made by women who are mothers and sisters as the persons who can influence us with so many things. It is also important that we honour the Senior Citizens as they bring their fruitful life and rich experience. We need to 'sit at the feet of Jesus' where we learn and get enlightened to be in a safe place for a safer life. May we as a faithful community, make a pledge that we have the heart to learn wherever it is needed, teach one another the gospel values within our own families and community so that we will be able to make an impact on those whom we interact with. May our Lord Jesus, the Greatest Guru, bless and guide us to be good examples in all that we learn and practice. Rev. Jessie Ranjan Presbyter-in-Charge Dedication of Baptism Tank 2 1

4 Baptism is a gift from God. In Baptism, we take part in the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. It also conveys that we die to sin and raise to new life in Him. Baptism by immersion signifies that we participate in the death and resurrection of our Lord; Baptism by sprinkling of water reminds us of the Old Testament practice where the priest sprinkled on the people the blood of the sacrificed animal as an atonement between God who is holy, and people who are sinful; Baptism by pouring of water signifies that God pours His Spirit on all people as He has promised through His prophets. We belong to one God our Creator, we have one Christ our Saviour, we are anointed by one Spirit the Comforter, we belong to one Church, and we have one Baptism. The Church of South India accepts all the above practices along with infant and adult Baptism, provided it is one Baptism in any believer's life. Initiated by our Pastorate Committee, one of the families of our church came forward to sponsor to build a Baptism Tank in the place where we had a small water tank. This Baptism Tank can be used for those who intend to undergo immersion Baptism, particularly from our Mission Field. We thank God for the family that came forward in providing this facility. Rev. Jessie Ranjan Mission and Evangelism Report We celebrated God's amazing faithfulness as a congregation by dedicating the month of August 2017 for the Mission and Evangelism Activities of our church. The theme of the month was 'Church in Mission'. Our Pastor Rev. Jessie st Ranjan delivered a very meaningful message on the 1 Sunday, emphasizing God's Great Commission to His disciples, and how it is so relevant for us today to continue in this calling and be partners in His Mission. Throughout the month, the focus was on the Mission Activities of our church. Breakfast Sales were organised every Sunday by the different Wings of our church to raise Funds. We thank and praise God for your involvement. 13

5 On the fourth Sunday of the month, a unique 'Mission Festival' was organized. Mr. Sampath Nayak our Evangelist and the children from Tubegere Mission Field Sunday School participated during our Worship Service. It was a blessing to hear them sing and recite Bible verses. Special Regional Stalls organized by our members, where traditional articles and food items were on sale, was a great success. This indeed helped us understand and respect each other's culture, and become aware of our 'Oneness in Christ and His Mission'. The total amount realized through Sales during the month is around Rs. 1 lakh. This could be achieved only through the cooperation and generous contribution from all the Wings of the church. We are very grateful to each one of you, and especially to our Pastor, Rev. Jessie Ranjan, for her guidance and presence at every stage. We place on record our appreciation, and thank you all for your whole-hearted support, prayers, encouragement, and involvement in the Mission Activities of our church. Gladson Maben Convener Mission & Evangelism Committee Are you an Urban Missionary? Missionary work in India pioneered well in the last fifty years growing and expanding very fast. With it came challenges as the social, political, and economic situation changes. New issues emerge as we learn to meet the growing challenges. Urbanization in India is very rapid around 459 cities with population of more than 100,000, including 45 with more than a million people each. The elites, middle class, migrants and the marginalised are common in all cities. Did you know 35% of India will be Youth population by 2020? There are nearly 150 mega people groups with a population of more than one million. Several of them are strategic in their regions and politically influential. Some of the politically powerful people groups. They predominantly form the Urban population. Most mission agencies in India are working in the rural areas among people groups who have not had a chance to hear about Jesus Christ. The Urban groups are often over looked as not being responsive simply for the reason of very little effort in contextually communicating the good news or providing an environment of appropriate integration among the established Christ followers. 14

6 What is our response to this call?? Are you a Urban Missionary at your school, college, work place, society, apartment complex. We need to influence the whole of the Indian Society as salt and light. Christians are called to be actively involved in sharing the gospel, the good news. Paul in his letter in Romans 1:16 writes "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes" Are you willing to share His word in the Urban setting you live in? As christians we are invited to be Urban Missionaries in all the seven mind molders / areas of influence in a society: Arts, Business, Community, Media, Education, Family and Government. Where are you a mind molder? How are you a Urban Missionary? We aren't called to fill the pews with members; we are called to fill the world with His disciples - Stacy L. Sanchez Paul Abraham Supporting Mission through Celebration of Diversity 5 1

7 Online Fund Transfers Members can scan the QR Code using any QR Code App to get the details of the Church Account for Online remittance of funds to the account. Kindly ensure that you communicate the details to the Church Office. Name on the Account St. Andrew's Church Bank Name Vijaya Bank Account Number IFSC Code VIJB MICR Code Branch Address No. 23/24, Infantry Road, Bangalore HAPPENINGS DURING THE MONTH OF AUGUST 2017 V. Luke Anish Samuel Son of Mr. & Mrs. S. Vinoth Kumar on 13th August 2017 Andrew Erwin Peter Son of Mr. & Mrs. Erwin Martin Peter on 13th August 2017 OBITUARY Mr. P. Edwin Prabakar (aged 80 yrs) H/O Late Mrs. Ivy Prabakar Passed on to be with the Lord on the 04th of August 2017 Mrs. Sita Savari Rayan (aged 92 yrs) M/O Mrs. Renuka Jayakumar Passed on to be with the Lord on the 12th of August 2017 Calendar for the first Sunday in October 2017 *1st October 1st Sunday Preacher: Rev. Dr. Dexter Maben Celebrants: Rev. Jessie Ranjan & Rev. Dr. Dexter Maben Laity Sunday Theme - Witness of the People of God 17th Sunday after Pentecost Joint Worship Service* (Holy Communion Service) Old Testament Daniel 03: Mrs. Rose Walters Epistle Acts 18: Mr. Cris Benjamin Gospel St. Luke 10: Mr. Christhasharan Theodore (K) Evening Service Preacher: Dr. John Vasumithra 9:00 a.m. 16

8 *3rd September 1st Sunday Preacher: Dr. Daniel Prabhakar Thejus Celebrants: Rev. Jessie Ranjan & Rev. Dr. Allan Palanna Joint Worship Service* (Holy Communion Service) Old Testament Proverbs 08: Mrs. Nalini Lawrence Epistle Acts 08: Miss. Sarah Rao Gospel St. Mark 06: Mrs. Malini Soans (K) Evening Service Preacher: Dr. John Vasumithra 10th September 2nd Sunday Mrs. Jessie Hebbal Kannada 8:15 a.m. Mrs. Jessie Hebbal English Old Testament Esther 04: Dr. Helen P. Samuel Epistle Galatians 03: Mrs. Surya Richardson Gospel St. Luke 18: Mrs. Jessy Noronha Mrs. Leena Jayakumar (K) Evening Service Conducted by the Youth *17th September 3rd Sunday 24th September 4th Sunday Calendar for the Month of September 2017 Preacher: Rev. Dr. Allan Palanna Celebrants: Rev. Jessie Ranjan & Rev. Dr. Allan Palanna Rev. Dr. Allan Palanna Education Sunday Theme - Teachers: Agents of Liberation 13th Sunday after Pentecost Women's Sunday Theme - Women, Assume Your Royal Position in the Kingdom 14th Sunday after Pentecost Theme - Peace and Conflict Resolution 15th Sunday after Pentecost Kannada *(Holy Communion Service) English Old Testament Genesis 13: Mrs. Rebecca Rajeeva Epistle Acts 06: Mrs. Smitha Heinzsten Gospel St. Matthew 20: Mr. Joash Soans Mrs. Vimalakshi Soans (K) *Evening Service Preacher & Celebrant: Rev. Jessie Ranjan *(Holy Communion Service) Senior Citizen s Sunday Theme - Fruitfulness of the Elderly 16th Sunday after Pentecost 9:00 a.m. 9:30 a.m. 8:15 a.m. 9:30 a.m. Rev. Jessie Ranjan Kannada 8:15 a.m. Rev. Dr. David Joy English Old Testament Genesis 17: Dr. Kamala Gemson Epistle Philemon 8-22 Dr. Stafford Cripps 9:30 a.m. Gospel St. Matthew 07: Mr. Henry Knight Mrs. Chandrakanthi Bangera (K) *Breakfast is arranged for the Senior Citizens who are above 70 years, after both the Kannada and English Worship Services. Evening Service There will be a brief talk on Health Issues by Dr. Sunil Christopher and Dr. Mrs. Vandana Sunil, during fellowship over breakfast. Preacher: Mrs. Prema Edward Note: Kindly keep the Church office informed in advance about your inability to be present for the Scripture passage reading as scheduled.