Bethel Tidings A BILINGUAL MONTHLY BULLETIN OF BETHEL METHODIST CHURCH. Volume 8-3 March Take up the Cross and Follow me

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1 (For private circula on only ) Bethel Tidings A BILINGUAL MONTHLY BULLETIN OF BETHEL METHODIST CHURCH Volume 8-3 March 2014 Take up the Cross and Follow me 21&22, Bethel Nagar 1st Main, Off Kodigehalli Road, K.R.Puram Hobli, BANGALORE Website: bmcbangalore.org Bethel Methodist Church, Bangalore Pastor: Rev. T. David Livingston Cell: pastor.bmc@gmail.com

2 WSCS Mission trip to Raichur Bethel Methodist Church, Bangalore 2

3 Pastoral Letter Dearly beloved, Gree ngs to you in the matchless name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! March is going to be a great month as the Lenten season begins and this month will have a lot of focus on life revival and medita on about the Cross. Even as the children are preparing for their final exams, I encourage them to study well and pray more to Jesus for revival in their life. Amidst our regular work, let us remember that Jesus Christ our Lord has called us to follow him in a certain way unlike the ways of the world. Then He said to them all, "If anyone desires to come a er Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me. Luke 9:23 There is a difference between being just a believer and a disciple of Christ. The Believer believes in the finished work of Jesus and receives Christ into his/her life. But the disciple moves on from that point and proceeds further. A disciple decides to follow Jesus every day and pays the cost for following Him. One discovers toll booths on this way of the high calling. When Jesus said, take your Cross daily and follow me! what did he mean? Look at Jesus life. All the glory of his life and work had a clear focus on the Cross and finally converged in the path of Calvary. That was the heavenly path he followed and that led him to the final glories of resurrec on, exalta on and crowning. Jesus invited us to follow him with our Cross. This will feature Selfdenial, burden bearing, sacrifices, humility and difficult choices which may lead to disappoin ng situa ons with people and situa ons in the world and so on, all in a binding Commitment to Christ. Without the Cross, one cannot understand Jesus or relevantly relate to Him every day. Jesus and his victory on the Cross over Sin and Satan and has exchanged a lot of benefits for us and supplies us abundant grace, peace, healing and prosperity today. But receiving such benefits and following him with our Cross should go hand-in-hand. Otherwise, the blessings we receive will just be earthly and have no eternal value, while we would have deviated from the heavenly path and des na on at the end. The Cross gives relief from past sins by the finished work of Christ; at the same me, it gives a calling to be crucified with Christ everyday! Thanks to the Mission Team that went to Raichur under the leadership of Mrs. Angelin Isaac, the WSCS President; This was a memorable experience. The quiz programme conducted by Bro. Publius family was very interes ng and I encourage all the members to par cipate in this regular programme. Grace be with you, Rev. T. David Livingston Bethel Methodist Church, Bangalore 3

4 ப தக மடல க ற ஸ த வ க க ள ப rயம னவ க ள, நமத ஆண டவர ம இரட சகர ம க ய இ யச க ற ஸ த வ ன ஈட இ ணயற ற ந மத த ல வ ழ த த க கள. இந த ம தம ந ம லந த க லத த ற க ள ப ர வச க க ற ம ; இந ந ட கள ல ச ல வ யக க ற த த ம, அத ன ம லம நம வ ழ க க ப த தழ ச ச அ டவ தக க ற த த ம த ய ன க க ற ம. நமத ப ள ளகள இற த ஆண ட த வ க ள ம ழ ம யற ச ய டன ம ஜபத த டன ம சந த க க உற ச கப பட த த க றன.நமத அன ற ட வ ழ வ ல, இ யச வ ன அ ழப ப உலக ந டம றக ளவ ட ம ற பட டத என ப த ந னவ ல க ள வ ம. ப ன ப அவ எல ல ரய ம ந க க ஒர வன என ப ன ன வர வ ர ம ப ன ல அவன தன னத த ன வற த த, தன ச ல வ ய அன த னம ம எட த த க க ண ட என னப ப ன பற றக கடவன ல க க 9:23 வ ச வ ச கள க க ம ச ஷர க க ம வற ப ட உண ட. வ ச வ ச, க ற ஸ த தனக க க ச ல வய ல ந ற வற ற ம ட த த த நம ப இ யச வ தன ச ந த இரட சகர க ஏற ற க க ள க ற ன. ச ஷ ன, அ தத த ட ந த அன த னம ம க ற ஸ த வ ல ந லத த வ ழ வதற க ன க ரயத த சல த த க ற ன. தன ச ல வ ய அன த னம ம எட த த க க ண ட என னப ப ன பற றக கடவன என ற இ யச க ற வத ன ப ர ள என ன? க ற ஸ த வ ன வ ழ க க ய ந ம ந க க ப ப த த ல, அவ கல வ r ச ல வக க ன தன ப த ய உண ந தவர ய அன த னம ம சயல பட ட. இந த ச ல வக க ன ப த ய இ யச நமக க வ ட க க ம அ ழப ப.இந த ப தய ல ச ய வற ப ப, ப ட, த ய கம, த ல வ என அ நக கட னம ன வ ழ க கச ச ழ ந லக ள ந ம சந த க க ந ந த ல ம க ற ஸ த வ ல ந ம இ ணந த ர ப ப ம. ச ல வய ன ற ந ம அன த னம ம க ற ஸ த வ ல ந லத த ர க க ம ட ய த. க ற ஸ த வ ன ச ல வ மரணத த ன ம லம ந ம அ நக ஆச வ தங க ளய ம பயன க ளய ம இன ற அந பவ க க ற ம, ஆன ல ந ம க ற ஸ த வ ன ச ல வப ப த ய ஏற ற க ள ள வ ட ட ல, நமத ஆச வ தங கள அ னத த ம ப ல க வ ழ வ ட ந ன ற வ ட ம, ந த த ய வ ழ வ ற க பயனற ற வகள க வ இர க க ம. பண கள ஐக க யம ச ப க த ர மத ஏஞ சல ன ஐசக அவ கள த ல மய ல நடந த ரய ச ச ம ஷனr பயணம ம கவ ம ச றப ப க அ மந தத. த ர பப ல யஸ அவ கள நடத த ய க ல ண ட வ ன -வ ட ப ட ட ப ர ய ஜனம க இர ந தத. த ட ந த இந த ப ட ட கள ல பங க பற உங க ள அ ழக க றன, தவ க ர ப உங க ள ட ர ப பத க ப தக. டவ ட ல வ ங ஸ டன Bethel Methodist Church, Bangalore 4

5 ஆச வ தம ன வ ழ வ - ட க ட ச லமன ப ஷ பர ஜ ச ற வ ம தல பrயவ வ ர நம க ட ம பத த ல அ னவர ம வ ர ம ப ப பட க க ம வத பக த சங க தப ப ஸ தகம. அத ல ம த தம உள ள 150 அத க ரங கள ல 90 அத க ரங க ள இயற ற யவ கள ன பய கள நமக க த தrக ன றன. த வ த 73 சங க தங க ளய ம, ஆச ப 12 சங க தங க ளய ம (அத க ரங கள 50, 73-83), ச ல ம ன 2 சங க தங க ளய ம (அத க ரங கள 72 & 127), ஏம ன (அத க ரம 88), ம ச (அத க ரம 90), மற ற ம ஏத த ன (அத க ரம 89) தல ஒர அத க ரத தய ம எழ த ய ள ளன. ம த தம உள ள 150 அத க ரங கள ல, சங க தம 23, 1, 91, 100 மற ற ம 121 ஆக ய அத க ரங கள நமக க ம கவ ம பrட சயம ன வ. இ வ அ நகர ல மனப ப டம பண ணப பட ட வ எனவ ம க றல ம. இங க 1 ஆம சங க தத தக க ற த த ந ம த ய ன ப ப ம. 1 ஆம சங க தம 6 வசனங க ளக க ண ட ள ளத. இவற ற ல ம தல ம ன ற வசனங கள (1-3) ந த ம னக க ற த த ம (Godly man) அட த த ம ன ற (4-6) வசனங கள த ன ம க க னக க ற த த ம (ungodly man) தள வ க நமக க க க ற க ன றன. 1.)ஆச வ தம ன வ ழ வ க க ன ந பந த னகள (வசனம 1 & 2) ப க க யம ன மன ஷன எப பட ப பட டவன ய இர ப ப ன என ப த ம தல இரண ட வசனங கள வ ளக க க க ற க ன றன. ஆச வ தம ன வ ழ க கக க ஐந த ந பந த னக ள இந த வசனங கள நமக க வ த க க ன றன. ந பந த ன-1: த ன ம க கன டய ஆ ல ச னய ல நடவ த ந பந த ன-2: ப வ கள டய வழ ய ல ந ல ல த ந பந த ன-3:பrய சக க ர உட க ர ம இடத த ல உட க ர த ந பந த ன-4:க த தர டய வதத த ல ப rயம ய ர ந பந த ன-5:இரவ ம பகல ம க த தர டய வதத த ல த ய னம ய ர ஆச வ தம ன (ப க க யம ன) வ ழ வ க க இந த ஐந த ந பந த னக ள ஏற ற க க ள ள தய ர ய இர க க ற ம? நம ம ந ம ஆர ய ந த ப ப ப ம. 2) ந த ம ன க க வர ம ஆச வ தங கள (வசனம 3 & 6) க த தர க க பயந த அவர டய ந பந த னக ள க டப ட த த வ ழ ம ந த ம ன ன வ ழ வ ல ந கழ ம ஐந த வ தம ன ஆச வ தங க ள இந த வசனங கள நமக க எட த த க க ற க ன றன. ஆச வ தம -1: அவன ந க க ல கள ஓரம ய நடப பட ட மரத தப ப ல இர ப ப ன ( வர ன ற ந லத த ந ற க ம வ ழ வ ) - த ட ச ச 14 ஆம பக கம Bethel Methodist Church, Bangalore 5

6 Why Does God Allow Evil and Suffering? (Adapted from Lee Strobel s Sermon, Compiled by - Mr Sam Selvin) On 26 th November, 2008, 10 heavily armed gunmen caused an unspeakable amount of grief and terror in the city of Mumbai. They attacked 12 different places, the most tragic being the attack on the Taj Mahal Hotel. It left 166 people dead and more than 300 injured. There are so many tragic stories, so much pain. Why? Why did God allow this. If you ask me point-blank, Why exactly did God allow the gunmen to spray the Taj Hotel with gunfire? the only answer I can honestly give consists of four words I do not know. I cannot stand in the shoes of God and give a complete answer to that question. I don t have God s mind. I don t see with God s eyes. First Corinthians 13:12 says, Now we see things imperfectly, like puzzling reflections in a mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity. All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely. But for us, let s focus on the big, overarching issue of why God generally allows suffering in our lives your life and mine. Even though we can t understand everything about it, we can understand some things. Let us consider these seven points: 1. God is not the creator of evil and suffering: Why didn t God merely create a world where tragedy and suffering didn t exist? The answer is: He did! Genesis 1:31 says: God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. But if God is not the author of tragedy or evil or death, where did they come from? When God decided to create human beings, he wanted us to experience love. But to give us the ability to love, God had to give us free will to decide whether to love or not to love. Why? Because love always involves a choice. So in order for us to experience love, God bestowed on us free will. But unfortunately, we humans have abused our free will by rejecting God and walking away from Him. And that has resulted in the introduction of two kinds of evil into the world: moral evil and natural evil. Moral evil is the immorality and pain and suffering and tragedy that come because we choose to be selfish, arrogant, uncaring, hateful and abusive. Romans 3:23 says All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. So much of the world s suffering results from the sinful action or inaction of us and others. For example, people look at a famine and wonder where God is, but the world produces enough food for each person to have 3,000 calories a day. It s our own irresponsibility and self-centeredness that prevents people from getting fed. The second kind of evil is called natural evil. These are things like wildfires, earthquakes, tornadoes and hurricanes that cause suffering for people. But these, too, are the indirect result of sin being allowed into the world. Nature began to revolt. The earth was cursed. Pain and death became part of the human experience. The Bible says it s because of sin that nature was corrupted and thorns and thistles entered the world. Romans 8:22 says, We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. In other words, nature longs for redemption to come and for things to be set right. That s the source of disorder and chaos. 2. Though suffering isn t good, God can use it to accomplish good: He does this by fulfilling His promise in Romans 8:28: And we know that in all Bethel Methodist Church, Bangalore 6

7 things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Notice that the verse doesn t say we all will see immediately or even in this life how God has caused good to emerge from a bad circumstance. Remember, we only see things dimly in this world. And notice that God doesn t make this promise to everyone. He makes the solemn pledge that he will take the bad circumstances that befall us and cause good to emerge if we re committed to following Him. The Old Testament gives us a great example in the story of Joseph, who went through terrible suffering, being sold into slavery by his brothers, unfairly accused of a crime and falsely imprisoned. Finally, after many years, he was put in a role of great authority where he could save the lives of his family and many others. This is what he said to his brothers in Genesis 50:20: You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. And if you re committed to God, He promises that He can and will take whatever pain you re experiencing and draw something good from it. 3. The day is coming when suffering will cease and God will judge evil: A lot of times you ll hear people say: If God has the power to eradicate evil and suffering, then why doesn t He do it? And the answer is that because He hasn t done it yet doesn t mean He won t do it. The Bible says that the story of this world isn t over yet. It says the day will come when sickness and pain will be eradicated and people will be held accountable for the evil they ve committed. Justice will be served in a perfect way. That day will come, but not yet. 4.Our suffering will pale in comparison to what God has in store for his followers: I certainly don t want to minimize pain and suffering, but it helps if we take a long-term perspective. Look at this verse, and remember they were written by the apostle Paul, who suffered through beatings and stoning and shipwrecks and imprisonments and rejection and hunger and thirst and homelessness and far more pain that most of us will ever have to endure. These are his words in II Cor 4:17: For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. It s like the story that British church leader Galvin Reid tells about meeting a young man who had fallen down a flight of stairs as a baby and shattered his back. He had been in and out of hospitals his whole life and yet he made the astounding comment that he thinks God is fair. Reid asked him, How old are you? The boy said, Seventeen. Reid asked, How many years have you spent in hospitals? The boy said, Thirteen years. The pastor said with astonishment, And you think that is fair? And the boy replied: Well, God has all eternity to make it up to me. I Cor 2:9 says No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him. That s absolutely amazing, isn t it? 5. We decide whether to turn bitter or turn to God for peace and courage: There are many examples of how the same suffering that causes one person to turn bitter, to reject God, to become hard and angry and sullen, can cause another person to turn to God, to become more gentle and more loving and more tender, willing to reach out to compassionately help other people who are in pain. We make the choice to either run away from God or to run to Him. But what happens if we run to Him? He offers us the two very things we need Bethel Methodist Church, Bangalore 7

8 when we re hurting: peace to deal with our present and courage to deal with our future. How? Because he has conquered the world! Through His own suffering and death, He has deprived this world of its ultimate power over you. Suffering doesn t have the last word anymore. Death doesn t have the last word anymore. God has the last word! 6. Does God care?: Maybe the question that bothers us the most is whether God cares? I think that the best way to answer this question is to look at Jesus. Did Jesus care? Just read the Gospels and you know that the answer is obvious. Of course Jesus cared! He spent most of the time healing the spiritually and physically sick. Like Philip Yancey says, Because of Jesus, we have the assurance that whatever disturbs us disturbs Gods more. Whatever grief we feel, God feels more. And whatever we long for, God longs for more. With this, we can understand God s character; maybe we just don t understand his ways. 7. God s answer to suffering: God s ultimate answer to suffering isn t an explanation; it s the incarnation. Suffering is a personal problem; it demands a personal response. And God isn t some distant, detached, and disinterested deity; He entered into our world and personally experienced our pain. Are you broken? He was broken. Are you despised? He was despised and rejected by men. Do you cry out that you can t take any more? He was a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. Did someone betray you? He was sold out. Are your most tender relationships broken? He loved and He was rejected. Now, let s go back to the Mumbai terror attacks. For all the things it leaves us confused about, one of the truths it clearly illustrates is that life is so fragile and short. These people were in a Hotel! They had no clue that this might be their last moments in this world. In this sin scarred world, we never know when death will come knocking. Often, we don t get any warning when a heart attack strikes, or when an airplane crashes. And so the question I m compelled to ask you is this Are you ready? First John 5:13 says These things I ve written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God in order that you may know that you have eternal life. How can we know for sure that we will go to Heaven? Salvation comes from knowing Christ personally and receiving His provision for your sin and your future. It comes from making him your Saviour, by asking Him to forgive your every sin, and by asking Him to lead your life. But it doesn t happen automatically. It doesn t come by attending a great church, or being baptized or taking communion, or hanging out with a bunch of Christians. It comes from deciding in your heart that you want to turn from your sin, to stop trusting in your own resources, and to accept the forgiveness and eternal life that Jesus purchased on the cross and is offering you as a free gift. That is how you gain God s peace and confidence. Wishes from congregation to all who celebrate Birthday and Wedding Anniversary this month May God Bless you! Bethel Methodist Church, Bangalore 8

9 WSCS Mission trip - Mrs. Angelin Isaac On 8 th of February, as part of a mission trip organized by WSCS of our church, few families from BMC led by our Pastor Rev. David Livingston travelled to Raichur. The team travelled in 3 cars and reached Raichur in the afternoon. We proceeded to St. Peter s (Missionary) School which is run by Shadrack Peter uncle and Gladys aunty. This school is located just after Moranpur which is 20 kms from Raichur. We were welcomed very warmly with lots of love by uncle and aunty. A yummy traditional lunch of Raichur was served to us. We started the ministry by having a program for the school children where few songs were taught. Pastor shared a thought to the children with the help of his friend Timmy (puppet). All children, along with the headmistress, teachers and school staff enjoyed the singing and the puppet show We continued the evening program by visiting a nearby village named Halu Venkatapura along with Pastor Daniel who works with Shadrack uncle and Gladys aunty. The first meeting was in a home of a local resident believer. The second meeting was in the village school where many villagers gathered and enjoyed the singing session and the puppet show by our Pastor. We spent the late evening with nearly 35 kids in the hostel within the school campus. Everyone in the campus continued the fellowship over a delicious biriyani that was sponsored by BMC team. Children loved the biriyani and many told that the best thing that they wanted was chicken for food. Bro. Atheejoe shared a story and the group discussion that followed brought out many surprising points. Many kids spoke in good English about their dream of becoming Software Engineer, Bio-tech scientist, Lecturer, Pastor, etc. It was not easily expected from children living in that so called remote area and we praised God for the ministry of St.Peter s (Missionary) School that has brought a transformation and a phenomenal growth in that young generation. We further strengthened their ambitions. We visited the hostels boys have one hostel but girls are staying in the school class rooms. The need to build a girls hostel is a concern there. We spent the late evening with nearly 35 kids in the hostel within the school campus. Everyone in the campus continued the fellowship over a delicious biriyani that was sponsored by BMC team. Children loved the biriyani and many told that the best thing that they wanted was chicken for food. Bro. Atheejoe shared a story and the group discussion that followed brought out many surprising points. Many kids spoke in good English about their dream of becoming Software Engineer, Bio-tech scientist, Lecturer, Pastor, etc. It was not easily expected from children living in that so called remote area and we praised God for the ministry of St.Peter s (Missionary) School that has brought a transformation and a phenomenal growth in that young generation. We further strengthened their ambitions. We visited the hostels boys have one hostel but girls are staying in the school class rooms. A need to build a girls hostel is a concern there. We rested for the night after a busy day. On the next day Sunday, we split into Continued in Page-12 Bethel Methodist Church, Bangalore 9

10 Prayer Diary Sunday: Compiled by Mrs. Anne F Sangeeth BARBADOS: Key Facts Barbados is a sovereign island country in the Lesser An lles. Barbados has a popula on of 277,821 people. Literacy rate is ranked close to 100% and all Barbadian ci zens are covered by na onal healthcare. Barbados is the only Caribbean island that was governed by only one colonial power, Great Britain. Its influence has given the country the nickname Li le England. The main religion is Chris anity. 74.6% of the people are Chris ans, 4.8% other religions and 20.6% are not specific. The Anglican Church has the most members. Other Chris an denomina ons include the Roman Catholic Church and Methodist Church. Altogether, there are more than 140 different sects and denomina ons. Other religious groups include the Hindus, Muslims, Jews and Baha is. Many Barbadian households consist of couples who are not legally married. This may reflect the island s history of slavery, which o en separated men from women and from their children. There is also a shortage of men on the island because many have le for other places.. The ethnic groups include 93% Black, 3.2% White, 2.6% mul racial, 1% East Indian and 0.2% other. Capital: Bridgetown, Official Language: English, Current Popula on: 150,039,000, Government: Unitary Parliamentary Cons tu onal Monarchy, Monarch: Queen Elizabeth II, Governor-General: Ellio Belgrave, Prime Minister: Freundel Stuart, Monetary Unit: Barbados Dollar 1. Pray for the Chris ans that they may grow in the Lord. 2. Pray that slavery in the country is completely abolished. 3. Pray for the churches in the country as there are very few. 4. Pray for the government and the leaders of the country. 5. Pray for all the ci zens that they may know the Lord. Monday: Praise and thank the Lord for the Bible Quiz & WSCS Sunday. Pray for the various commi ees and the missions that our church is suppor ng. Pray for our Pastor Rev. David Livingston & his family and for his ministries. KR Puram Area Fellowship & its members (Dennis, families of Ashok Doddanna, Atheejoe, Don Bosco, Jayant, Jeevan, Joseph Paul Abraham, Moses, Naveen Warren, Stephen Daniel, Swaroop, Peter) Hoodi Tamil Area Fellowship & its members (Sagadevan, families of Mary Rita, Stephen Babu, Jyothi, Franklin, Rani Jeypaul, Prabhu Paul, Saral Sarojini, Usha Reddy, Arul, Vino) Tuesday: Pray for our bishops Dr. Tarnath Sagar, Bangalore, Dr. Samuel Sunder Singh of Bareilly, Dr. Elia Pradeep Samuel of Bombay and Dr. M. V. Khis of Hyderabad. Pray for the various needs of our church. Praise God and con nue to pray for the health of Mrs. Rani Jeypaul & Mrs. Siromani Pauldurai. Bethel Nagar Area Fellowship & its members (families of Pastor, Anand, Ebenezer, Kalyan, Prabhu, Publius, Rajkumar, Sharon, Vijay Prakash, Paul Naveenraj, U am, Vivek, Sangeeth, Benjamin, Karuna Rajesh and David) Devasandra Tamil Area fellowship & its members (Balan, David, families of Anandaraj, Koilraj, Lydia, Philip, Rajupaul, Ruth, Suresh, Shekar, Wilson, Raniammal) WEDNESDAY: Pray for the BMC yearly planning meet for that is scheduled to happen in March Bethel Methodist Church, Bangalore 10

11 2014. Pray for the Irula outreach program in Hosur and the Whitefield outreach ministry. Pray that all our prayer cells (women as well as men) would be strengthened and that everyone would take ac ve part. Whitefield Area Fellowship & its members (John, Daniel, families of Alan Paul, Binu George, Christopher Vasa, Irwin, John Prashanth, Rajan Abraham, Sanjay Joel) Priyankanagar Tamil AF & its members(families of Inbaraj, Karunamurthy, Nithya, Paneerselvam, Rueben Gandhi, Swamidas, Suresh) ITPL Area Fellowship & its members (Families of Anban, Clement, Darwin, Franklin Koilpillai, John Manoah, Ronald, Sheldon) THURSDAY: Pray for the teens and the youth, and that our church would meet the needs of the youth. Pray for the English & Kannada VBS that is scheduled to happen in April. Pray for the Kannada Sunday School children and the teachers. Pray for Bethel Shaale for the children who a end and for Mr. Prabhu s family and Mr. Sangeeth who conduct the classes. Hoodi Area fellowship & its members (Frank Jeyakar, Ruth families of Arun, David Anand, David Jabez, Isaac Peterson, Kingsly Francis, Ranjan, Shibu, Tony, Vivek Bangera, Meryl Joseph, Franklin, Sheril) Kodigehalli Tamil AF& its members: (Families of George, Jeyamma, Joshua Devadas) FRIDAY: Pray for the construc on of Durai s house. Pray for the children as they will be preparing for the upcoming exams. Pray that we would grow spiritually in the Lord as a church and as individuals. Pray for all the area fellowships (English, Tamil and Telugu) of our church. Marathahalli Area Fellowship & its members (Families of Dinakar, Frank Santhosh, Himanshu, Praveen Paul, Sathiya, Selvin, Solomon, Sundar, Vadivel, Wilfred) Bethel Nagar Tamil AF & its members (Durai, Jus n S. Families of Pastor, Joseph, Huldah, Paul Durai, Vijay, Bernard, Das, Jonathan) SATURDAY: Mission: Together in Christ Together in Christ is a missionary organiza on founded in 2005 to reach the Deccan Plateau. In obedience to the Lord s command and the great commission, a few commi ed prayer warriors from different walks of life, churches and languages, with a burden for a common goal to pray and reach the lost ones with the gospel of Lord Jesus Christ, came together and founded Together in Christ. This ministry has laid its founda on on holiness & witnessing, preaching gospel & plan ng churches and prayerful life of its members, missionaries and partners in accordance to the Biblical teaching. People from various walks of life have come together to pray for and support this ministry. Vision Statement: Reach Deccan for Christ. Mission: Reach the unreached through Chris an literature, personal evangelism and gospel mee ngs. Delivering people from the bondage of evil forces. Plan ng of churches and training of believers through systema c teaching of the Word of God. Conduct Sunday schools and VBS and lead the children to Christ. Organise various social upli programs like free medical camps, etc. Bethel Methodist Church, Bangalore 11

12 Prayer Points: Praise God for the way this mission has brought many villages to the Lord in the Deccan region. Pray for the financial and other needs of the ministry. Pray for the missionaries and their families. Pray that the Lord will strengthen the staff and the volunteers of the ministry as they live busy lives outside Together in Christ. Please pray that this ministry would be a blessing to others, especially to the people in Deccan. POEM God is so good He puts me in the right mood He is not tough Nor is he rough He is my father And he leaves me never He is my saviour And my redeemer He teaches me what is right And helps me not to fight God is the king And to him I shall sing God cares for me And like him I do want to be. God is so good! - Ms Sharon Prabhakar (Sharon is the elder daughter of Sathiya Prabhakar & Anita; She studies in 7th Std.) WSCS Mission trip... two teams. One team attended the village service conducted by the Missionary Pastor Daniel, who works with uncle and aunty. BMC Missions Committee Chairman Mr. Atheejoe shared the Word of God in the service. As invited by Rev. James Jayakumar, pastor of Emmanuel Methodist Church in Raichur town, the next team attended the service there and our pastor shared the word of God. Rev. James Jeyakumar s family is doing a commendable service for the Lord and we could see his hard effort in raising funds and constructing a parsonage for the Church which was a long felt need. After the service both teams met at Rev. James Jayakumar s home. The team later visited the house our former member (BMC) Mr. Peter and enjoyed the delicious lunch prepared by Sudha akka. The couple is running a Christian hostel for the village children and dedicatedly working for their transformation and growth. The team started its journey to Bangalore on that warm Sunday afternoon. We praise God for enabling this Mission trip and his protection and guidance in the travel. Bethel Methodist Church, Bangalore 12

13 BMC News round up WSCS Sunday The women of our church as part of WSCS conducted the service on 16 th February. The English service was led by Mrs. Sheila Dhinakar. The worship time was led by women and it helped the church to confess that I will never be the same again - as we worship the Lord. There was a special tableau performed by women. The tableau brought forth the different issues faced by women in the world with statistics. It was also enacted in a mime. The tableau ended with a challenge to women inside church who know Christ to go out into the world and help women outside the church overcome the sin and dangers of the world and lead them to Christ. The guest speaker for the day was Mrs. Helen Rajan, Convener, Christian Education Department of CSI, Karnataka Central Diocese. She delivered a powerful message from the Lord that women in any situation be it a home maker like Jochebad or a person rejected by Society like the Samaritan woman or a busy working woman like Lydia should do God s work. She emphasized that women should open their hearts, their purses and their homes to do God s work. The church had banners that explained different issues faced by women and also scriptural references for the stages of life. Thus, the Women s Sunday service was a meaningful time for the whole church. பண கள ஞ ய ற ப ப ரவr 16, நமத த ர ச ச பய ல பண கள ஞ ய ற அன சrக கப பட டத. த ர மத ர ண அவ கள ஆர த ன ய ம ன ன ன ற நடத த ன கள. பண கள ம ன ன ன ற த த வழ ப ட வ ள ய ச றப ப க நடத த ன. க ற ஸ த வ அற ய த பண கள டம க ணப பட ம அ நக ப ரச ச னக ள பற ற த ர ச ச பய ல இர க க ம பண கள அற ந த அவ க ள சந த த த, அரவ னத த, அவ கள க க க ஜப த த க ற ஸ த வ பற ற க ற வண ட ம என ற சய த ய பண கள ச றப ப ன ந டகம க நட த த க ட ட ன. ச ப ப தகrன ம னவ த ர மத ஜய டவ ட ச றப ப சய த ய பக ந த. ச ம ச ன ன த ய ர அட ப ப டய க வத த ம ன ற கள வ க ள பற ற ச ந த ன சய யப பட டத. ச ம ச ன ன பற ற ப ள ள ய வள க க கற ப க க வண ட க த தrடத த ல வண ட க ண ட த ப ல அ ணத த பண கள ம ஜப க க வண ட ம. மற ற ம தவன டய ந மம என ன என ற அற ந த அவ ர த த க கவ ம வண ட ம என ற சய த அ ணத த பண கள க க ம ஒர நல ல சவ ல க அ மந தத. க ல உணவ ற க ப ப ன, கணவன -ம னவ, பற ற -ப ள ளகள, வயத ன பற ற ஆக ய rன உறவ க ளப பற ற ப த க கப பட டத. இ த த ர.க ளமன ட, த ர,ஐசக, த ர.ப ர ங ள ன க ய ல ப ள ள, த ர.அத த ஜ மற ற ம த ர.ர ஜ க ம ஆக ய நடத த ன. அ தத த ட ந த கள வ நரத த ல, ச ப மக கள ன பல வற கள வ கள க க இவ கள பத ல அள த தன. Bethel Methodist Church, Bangalore 13

14 ஆச வ தம -2: அவன தன க லத த ல தன கன யத தர ம மரத தப ப ல இர ப ப ன (கன தர ம வ ழ வ ) ஆச வ தம -3: அவன இ லய த ர த ர க க ற மரத தப ப ல இர ப ப ன (பச மய ன, சழ ப ப ன வ ழ வ ) ஆச வ தம -4: அவன சய வ தல ல ம வ ய க க ம ( ஜயம ன வ ழ வ ) ஆச வ தம -5: அவன வழ ய க த த அற ந த ர க க ற (ப த க ப ப ன வ ழ வ ) ந த ம ன க க வர ம ஆச வ தங க ள ந ம அற ந த வ ஞ ச க க ற ம? 3) த ன ம க கன க க வர ம ச பங கள (வசனம 4 6) ஆண டவ ர அற ய த மற ற ம ஆண டவ ரப பற ற க க ள ள த த ன ம க கன க க வர ம ந ன க ச பங க ளக க ற த த இந த வசனங கள நமக க க ற க ன றன. ச பம -1: க ற ற பறக கட க க ம பத றப ப ல இர ப ப ன (ந லயற ற வ ழ வ ) ச பம -2: ஆண டவர க க ம ன ந ய யத த ப ப ல ந லந ற க ம ட ய த. (பயம ந றந த வ ழ வ ) ச பம -3: ந த ம ன கள ன ச பய ல ந லந ற க ம ட ய த (மக மயற ற வ ழ வ ) ச பம -4: த ன ம க கன ன வழ ய அழ ய ம (ப த க ப பற ற வ ழ வ ) த ன ம க கத த ல ர ந த வ லக ச பங கள க க தப ப க க வ ர ம ப க ற ம? ம தல ம சங க தம ந த ம ன க க ம த ன ம க கன க க ம உள ள வற ப ட டய ம, ம ற ய அவ கள க க க டக கப ப க ம ஆச வ தத தய ம ச பத தய ம தள வ ய நமக க எட த த க க ற க றத. ந த ம ன ய வ ழ ந த ஆச வ தம ன வ ழ வ ச தந தrத த க க ள ள தவன த ம நமக க உதவ சய வ ர க. ஆ மன Announcements Lenten Special Services: Special services will be held every Friday at 7:30 pm during the Lenten period. Request the congrega on to par cipate New Borns: A boy baby to Vivek and Esther on February 9, 2014 A boy baby to Praveen and Jhansi Rani on February 2, 2014 Twin boy babies to David Jabez and KamalaShree on February 18, 2014 Bap sm. May God bless Bro. Moses Pranay Prakash who was bap zed at BMC on February 16, 2014 Bethel Methodist Church, Bangalore 14

15 ம ச ந கழ ச ச அட டவ ன பக த ஐக க யம - ந கழ ச ச அட டவ ன இம ம தத த ல ப றந த ந ள மற ற ம த ர மண ந ள க ண ம அ னவ ரய ம ச பய ன ச ப க வ ழ த த க ற ம. க த த உங க ள ஆச வத ப ப ர க! Bethel Methodist Church, Bangalore 15

16 Bible Studies - March 2014 Bethel Methodist Church, Bangalore 16

17 Bible Studies - March 2014 Prayer meetings - March 2014 Bethel Methodist Church, Bangalore 17

18 Whitefield Outreach - Mar 2014 (Coord. - Atheejoe, Missions dept.) Regular & Special Programs - Mar, Apr. & May Bethel Methodist Church, Bangalore 18

19 WSCS Sunday VBS-2014 Songs, Dance, Fun & Learning ers our Pray Solicit y ipation & Partic 7 13 A pril Interested Teachers & Volunteer s Contact Mrs. Giftl in Contacts for Transport routes Marathahalli, BEML, Whitefield & Kodigehalli - Mrs Hannah Selvin ( ) ORR, AECS Layout & Hoodi - Mrs. Anita Sathiya ( ) KR Puram, TC Palya, Devasandra, SEA Arch. - Mrs. Juliet Jyothi ( ) Bethel Methodist Church, Bangalore 19

20 Pulpit Calendar Theme: Come, Take up the Cross & Follow me Date Time Speaker Topic 2-Mar-14 7:00 am (Tamil) Rev. Stanley Jeyaseelan 9:30 am (English) Pastor Welcome to Calvary 5-Mar-14 7:30 pm (Bilingual) Pastor Ash Wednesday 9-Mar-14 9:30 am (English) Pastor 7:00 am (Tamil) Mr A G Rajan Diversion from Calvary 16-Mar Mar Mar-14 7:00 am (Tamil) Pastor 9:30 am (English) Rev Jayawanth 7:00 am (Tamil) Pastor 9:30 am (English) Pastor Durairaj 7:00 am (Tamil) Mr Selvaraj 9:30 am (English) Pastor The Cross Band Less Travelled Path Take up the Power Lenten Special Services (Bilingual) - Every Friday at 7:30 pm Quotations It is to the Cross that the Chris an is challenged to follow his Master: No path of redemp on can make a detour around it - Hans Urs von Balthasar Before we can begin to see the cross as something done for us, we have to see it as something done by us - John R.W. Sto Life is wasted if we do not grasp the glory of the cross, cherish it for the treasure that it is, and cleave to it as the highest price of every pleasure and the deepest comfort in every pain. What was once foolishness to us - a crucified God - must become our wisdom and our power and our only boast in this world - John Piper Any discussion of how pain and suffering fit into God s scheme ul mately leads back to the cross - Philip Yancey Editorial Team: Anne, Rosaline Prabhu, Hannah, Selvin, Wilfred & Pastor Bethel Methodist Church, Bangalore 20