July 2015 EQUIPPING CONGREGATION IN GOD S MISSION. Theme for the Month: Chosen people of God. Presbyter-in-charge: Rev. Sanjay Samuel Ayer

Transcription

1 July 2015 EQUIPPING CONGREGATION IN GOD S MISSION Theme for the Month: Chosen people of God Presbyter-in-charge: Rev. Sanjay Samuel Ayer

2 Chosen people of God The concept of being the 'chosen' or 'the people of God' has always been a debatable issue, as many have been claiming to be the exclusive 'chosen people or community of God'. The Bible is the story of the chosen people of God, but the coming of the Messiah has revealed that 'For God loved the world so much that he gave his only begotten Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not die but have eternal life' (GNB). The invitation of our Lord is for all, anyone and everyone have access to Him. The chosen people or community we are referring to is the community God chooses to use as His instruments in this world for different work, in different places, and for different purposes. We need to understand that we are all chosen for different purpose at different points of time and place. St. Paul talks of the concept of 'calling' - some are called as priests, some as elders, and some as evangelists - all called to be part of the larger plan of our Lord in building His Kingdom and to glorify Him. We also must understand that one plants, another waters, but the growth is from the Lord. We are all part of the chosen people of God, for we are 'chosen' to be instruments in the hands of God for building of His kingdom. Most often the attitude of fundamentalists is that, that we are the only 'chosen'! This attitude has fragmented the world and has caused division, violence, and hatred among the people. The purpose of being chosen is to spread the Gospel of the Messiah - the message of love and sacrifice and the values of the kingdom. We in the world are also challenged by the exclusiveness of our community, our church, or as a people. Let us understand this concept of being the 'chosen people of God' to go beyond exclusiveness, and be able to move and understand beyond the barriers which fragment and cause divisions. May the love and compassion of our Lord be experienced by us, and may we be willing instruments in His hands. May God bless you Rev. Sanjay Samuel Ayer Presbyter-in-Charge 1

3 Make Jesus 'Lord' of Your Life 'if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus...' you will be saved' Romans 10:9 NKJV There are two parts to being a Christian. First, you must accept Jesus as your Saviour. Second, and much more difficult, you must make Jesus your Lord 'the undisputed boss'! There is just enough ego in each of us to want to be in control, and that part of us must be crucified daily. Crucifixion is one of the most painful deaths you can experience because you die slowly and excruciatingly. As long as your ego has breath left in it, it will rise up and fight for control. When you make Jesus Lord of your life, you give up control in three areas: (1) Jesus, not you, decides where you will go. (2) Jesus, not you, decides the price you'll have to pay. (3) Jesus, not you, decides the person you'll become. Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it.' (St. Matthew 13:45 46 NKJV) Note the words 'all that he had'. If you want to know the cost of making Jesus Lord of your life, it will cost you all you have. This man valued the pearl so highly that he considered it worth any price he had to pay. So, here's the question: What value do you place on your relationship with Christ? This man believed that the return would be greater than the investment. Do you believe that? Salvation is free, but making Jesus Lord of your life demands that you surrender your all to Him. Are you ready for that? Are you willing? Stanley R. Chellappa Editor 2

4 List of Elected Pastorate Committee Members for the Biennium English Category Mrs. Connie Gilbert (Woman) Mr. Franklyn James Wg. Cdr. (retd) I. D. Soans Mr. Joshi Mark Premnath Mr. Heinzsten Raj Peter (below 35) Kannada Category Ms. Alexandrina Namrata (below 35) Mr. David Soans Mr. Gladson Maben Mrs. Sushma Annet Sadananda (Woman) Mr. Sebastian John Sesquicentennial work summary "Dearly beloved in Christ, 150th Year for Andrew's has been a momentous occasion for all of us, we have seen the church being re dedicated to His Glory yet again, this would not have been possible without your support and endeavor. Enclosed above is a summary of all the activates carried out in the last year. We thank you whole heartily and are proud to be part of the Congregation in God's Mission Sesquicentennary Celebrations started with the inauguration of the LOGO during St. Andrew s Day Worship Service on the 24th of November Rev. Samuel Ayer and Rev. Dr. David Joy unveiled the LOGO followed by a prayer seeking God s blessings on the Church in its plans for the celebrations through the year. 3

5 Details on expenditure 150 Day Expense Dinner and breakfast & Coffee for 150 years Celebration 194,579 Musical brass band by the Army 20,000 Garland Dry fruits & Mementos for Pastors and Elders 17,751 LED TV for the 150th year 10,000 Printing charges Order of Worship & Pledge Card 9, year Property Enhancements Lighting for inside and outside the church 1,568,000 Electrical re wiring and casing 1,482,500 Foot path paver works 920,859 Two wheeler parking extension 220,185 New carpet inside the Church 90,000 Cabling & electrical box installation 77,000 Wood for worn out parts of the windows 54,829 Landscaping / design and architecture cost 45,000 Bird bath and front porch gardening 42,500 Church entrance Curtain & Brass Rings 22,000 Church Door Mats 19, TH Year School and Church staff gift 156,028 Souvenir Mugs 103,675 Sunday school Gift for Children 75,595 Calendar for 150 years 59,775 Lapel pins 42,500 V B S Picnic for Kids 33,000 Tickets printing musical concert 10,820 Uniform for staff 6,593 Renovation Painting outside the church 765,628 Wood work inside the tower and circular windows 584,150 Aluminum scaffolding hire cost 235,594 Stain glass for tower and round windows 207,250 Inside church painting 170,080 Scaffolding external 70,000 New notice board 58,000 Hymn bookstand wood cost 38,000 Cantilever brass polish with extended rod 25,000 Painting work compound and inside the tower 17,644 Cane weaving works 17,125 Church bench repair and polish 13,000 Brass polish for all fixtures 10,000 Labor charges for carpenter 7,480 Sound systems rewiring & Servicing 6,155 Poor fund box 6,000 Cash received in FY Cash received in FY Total Receipts 1,224,351 6,119,869 7,344,220 4

6 Painting works 5

7 Electrical works 6

8 Lighting enhancements - interior and exterior 7

9 Wood and glass work 8

10 Pipe organ enhancements Class inspection Others... 95

11 Happenings during the Month of June 2015 Mr. Anup Poudel S/o Mrs. & Mr. E. K. Narayan Sharma with Miss. Nireeksha Stanley Karode D/o Mrs. & Mr. Stanley Solomon Karode th on 11 June 2015 Mr. Sanjay Samuel S/o Mrs. & Mr. Sunil Samuel with Miss. Suvidha.S D/o Mrs. & Mr. Vinod.S th on 28 June 2015 Mrs. Felicia Sumangala John Mother of Mr. John Vincent, Mr. John Sebastian & Mrs. Ivy Jeremiah and Grace Bangera on 3rd June 2015 aged 97yrs Academic Scholarship Academic Scholarships would be granted to students from Nursery to Post Graduation courses. This scholarship is for economically deserving families of St. Andrew's Church. Application forms can be collected from the Church office. Wings of the Church and their Activities Saturday 04th July 2015 Women's Fellowship Bible Study (1st Saturday of every month) Saturday 18th July 2015 House Visits and Visit to Old Age Homes (3rd Saturday of every month) 4:30 PM 4:30 PM We invite Ladies of our Congregation to join the Fellowship. Kindly note: Women's Fellowship organises Breakfast Sale every 1st Sunday of the Month after the Worship Service. Your Donations / Sponsorship always welcome Every Sunday after the Worship Service Youth Fellowship Bible Study for the month: Theme: Characters of the Bible Every Saturday Praise and Worship Practice 11:30 AM 4:00 PM Other activities: Leading "Praise and Worship" during the English Morning Worship Services. Conducting Sunday Evening Worship Service every 2nd Sunday of the Month. Weekly Prayer Fellowship Join in Praying for the Church and its members, every Tuesday between 6:00 and 7:00 pm in the Church. Individual prayer requests received from congregation members will be prayed for. 10

12 Calendar for the Month of July 2015 *5th July 1st Sunday Old Testament Epistle Gospel Evening Service 12th July 2nd Sunday Old Testament Epistle Gospel Evening Service Theme - Stewardship: Transparency and Accountability 6th Sunday in Pentecost Stewardship Sunday Preacher: Rev. Sanjay Samuel Ayer Celebrants: Rev. Sanjay Samuel Ayer and Rev. Dr. Allan Palanna Joint Worship Service *(Holy Communion Service) Exodus 36: Philippians 04: St. Luke 19: Mrs. Sushma Annet Sadananda Wg. Cdr. (retd) I. D. Soans Mr. Gladson Maben (K) Preacher: Dr. John Vasumithra Rev. Dr. Allan Palanna Rev. Dr. Christopher Doraisingh Exodus 03: II Timothy 02: Kannada English Mrs. Jessie Shiri Mr. Timothy Franklyn St. John 12: Dr. John Vasumithra (E) Mrs. Vimalakshi Soans (K) Conducted by the Youth Fellowship Kannada *(Holy Communion Service) Old Testament Epistle Rev. Dr. David Joy Isaiah 49: Ephesians 05: English Dr. Pauline Flemingson Miss. Sarah Rao Gospel St. Matthew 05: Mrs. Daisy Richards (E ) Mrs. Reena Anoop (K) Preacher: Rev. Sanjay Samuel Ayer *(Holy Communion Service) 9:30 a.m. 6:15 p.m. 8:15 a.m. 9:30 a.m. 6:15 p.m. Theme - Ordained Ministry: Marked by the Wounds of Christ 9th Sunday in Pentecost Old Testament Epistle Rev. Sanjay Samuel Ayer Rev. Sanjay Samuel Ayer 1 Samuel 22: Galatians 6: Gospel St. John 21: Evening Service 8:15 a.m. Theme - People of God: Salt and Light 8th Sunday in Pentecost Rev. Sanjay Samuel 26th July 4th Sunday 6:15 p.m. Theme - Theological Education: Knowing and Doing Faith 7th Sunday in Pentecost Theological Education Sunday *19th July 3rd Sunday *Evening Service 9:00 a.m. Kannada English Mrs. Soorya Asir Dr. Thilagam Meialagan Mrs. Smitha Peter (E ) Mrs. Reema Kunder (K) Bible Study Mr. D. Ebenezer Jeevaraj Note: Kindly keep the Church office informed in advance about inability to be present for Scripture passage reading as scheduled. 8:15 a.m. 9:30 a.m. 4:30 p.m. 6:15 p.m.