October 2019 RECEIVING the OFFERINGS Offerings in Kind Will Be Received in Kind in the Church Office on Saturday 12Th October, 10.00 A.M Onwards
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OCT 2019 “EQUIPPING CONGREGATION IN GOD’S MISSION” HARVEST THANKSGIVING SERVICE Joint Worship Service at 9:00 a.m. on Sunday, 13th October 2019 RECEIVING THE OFFERINGS Offerings in kind will be received in kind in the Church Office on Saturday 12th October, 10.00 a.m onwards. PARKING: After the Church Parking is full, kindly use Tunbridge High School Grounds and Guardian Bank on Infantry Road to park your vehicles. Theme for the Month Peace with God: Justice for all Presbyter-in-charge: Rev. Dr. Dexter S. Maben Presbyter’s contact details: Email: [email protected], Mobile - 9632202617, Home - 080 25581110 Church office: (Weekdays: 9:30 am to 4:30 pm, Sunday’s: till 12:00 noon) No.27, Cubbon Road, Bangalore 560 001, Office phone - 080 25591874 Email - [email protected] Website - www.standrewschurch.org.in From the Presbyter’s Desk Peace with God: Justice for all “Since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God” (Romans 5:1) The month of October is an eventful one for us; as a church as we prepare to celebrate our Harvest Festival and as we commemorate the 150th Birth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi this year. October is also significant as we celebrate the Protestant Reformation, commemorating the nailing of the 95 theses by Martin Luther (1483-1546) on October 31, 1517 on the door of the Castle Church at Wittenberg, Germany. In addition, we are so glad that we will be celebrating the life and witness of our young people, as we join them in celebrating Youth Sunday. One of the key texts that drove the Reformation is Paul's letter to Romans. It is hard to believe that the same Bible that we have in our hands challenged the Church and its hierarchy, which symbolized authority, power and dominance. The application of Sola Scripture (Scripture alone) was originally intended to provide an 'alternative framework,' to the common people, as an alternative to derive authority from the church and its structural hierarchy. In one of the key passages in Romans 5:1-11, Paul underlines that Peace with God is the result of "justification", being set back into a right relationship with God. The Greek original for justification can also be translated as 'Justice.' Peace is a possibility in the present, for those who have been made right or justified before God. Justice and Peace go together. It is the shape of Christ's life, and for Paul, Christ's life gives shape to ours. The peace of which Paul speaks means something quite different from the absence of conflict. Paul's point of reference is the Cross. There he sees God revealed. There he also sees humanity revealed: love poured out. One of the foundational thoughts that emerged is that there can be peace only where there is justice. Both Peace and Justice cannot be separated, a thought echoed by the Psalmist when he says, “Steadfast love and faithfulness will meet; righteousness and peace will kiss each other” (Psalm 85:10). A similar thought is echoed by the Prophet Isaiah, “The effect of righteousness will be peace and the result of righteousness, quietness and trust forever” (Isaiah 32:17). Where there is domination, oppression, fear and hatred, there can be no peace. As Mahatma Gandhi rightly observes, “A eye for eye only ends up making the whole world blind.” Paul was positioning himself against powers that were so overwhelming 1 whether be it political, religious, cultural or social. The same experience was that of Martin Luther, and in his own way, Gandhi, against the colonial powers. We can be very sentimental or emotional about peace, but it is only in the celebration of Justice that we can find true Peace. As a people who have benefitted from the Reformation, we are called to affirm once again the Scripture and not in the hierarchy based purely on human authority. It is not easy, but we need to strive forward. In a way, there is a deep connection between thanksgiving and peace as Paul exhorts in Philippians 4:6-7. Let this be a cheerful month, but let it also help us to be partners in the celebration of Peace and Justice. Shalom! Rev. Dr. Dexter S. Maben REPORT – WOMEN'S FELLOWSHIP Women's Sunday Women's Sunday was celebrated in our church on the 8th of September 2019 on the Theme: 'Women as Bridges of Peace Network'. The members of our Women's Fellowship led the Praise and Worship. Familiar choruses related to the theme were sung. The message was shared by Mrs. Sophia Christabel at the Kannada Service, and Mrs. Latha Christie at the English Service. The members presented a Skit written and directed by Mrs. Sushma Sadananda, followed by a Special Song, 'Thank you Lord for Your Blessings on Me'. 12 The Annual Report was read by Mrs. Mirium L. S Sadhu, Secretary, WF. Our Women's Fellowship would like to record our thanks to our Presbyter Rev. Dr. Dexter S. Maben and the members of the Pastorate Committee, the Office Staff and the Support Staff. A special word of thanks to Mr. Anish Kotian, Master Roshan Noah and Mr. Samuel Vijayakumar, for making our songs sounds pleasant by accompanying us with their wonderful music. Art & Craft The 21st September being a Third Saturday, we decided to make some Eco- friendly Handmade Paper Bags and contribute our bit in helping preserve the environment from Plastic Hazards. Civil Area Zonal Meet The CSI KCD Civil Area Zonal Meeting was organised on the 28th of September 2019, at 4pm, in our church. Around 150 women from the Civil Area Women's Fellowships participated. Mrs. Mirium Sadhu, on behalf of the Andrew's Family, welcomed the members and the Office Bearers of KCD Women's Fellowship, followed by the Opening Prayer. Our Guest Speaker Mrs. Latha Samuel spoke on the theme Peace in the Family, in line with the theme given for Women's Sunday, 'Women as Bridges of Peace Network'. Our Women's Fellowship members rendered a Special Song in Kannada, 'Jeevadindeddavane'. They also led the 'Praise and Worship' at the start of the Service. The Closing Prayer was offered by Mrs. Sheila Ebenezer, followed by the Benediction by Mrs. Latha Samuel. All the ladies had a fruitful time of fellowship. Mrs. Mirium L. S Sadhu, Secretary, Women’s Fellowship CARE FOR THE ELDERLY – REPORT Photograph taken after the Kannada Worship Service 13 Photograph taken after the English Worship Service Introduction of the New Ministry for the Elders of the Church was proposed by our Pastor Rev. Dr. Dexter S. Maben in the Pastorate Committee Meeting held on Friday, the 26th of July 2019, and all the committee members unanimously approved this proposal. Mr. David Soans was chosen as the Convener of this Ministry. In the same meeting, the convener for the Care for the Elderly Ministry proposed to have A One day Retreat for the elderly at ECC, Whitefield on the 15th of August 2019, which was approved by the Pastorate Committee. The one day retreat was held as proposed with the theme 'One family, in Christ' with 43 members of our church, in attendance. The report of which, is already published in the last month's Newsletter. There was a lively discussion on how to take forward the activities of the Care for the Elderly so that, the needs of the elders could be met. Here are some of the Feedback and suggestions that were brought forward during the retreat: Have more fellowship gatherings for elders. Form a WhatsApp group to share prayer needs. Have a separate Financial 'Head of Account' to manage Care for the Elderly related initiatives. Area leaders to keep in touch with the elders in their respective areas. Have more volunteers in the committe Pastoral care and attention. This committee has been formed for the Care of the Elderly and we invite more members to join. Care for the Elderly is a Care-Giving Ministry, true to the words as in 1 Peter, 5: 2 "Care for the flock that God has entrusted to you. Watch over it willingly” We seek your prayerful and wholehearted support - to take this Ministry forward for the benefit of the Elderly of our Congregation. Mr. David Soans, Convener - Care for the Elderly 14 UPDATED AREA LEADERS LIST Area Leaders Areas Mr. Chethan Abhinendra Kumar - J P Nagar / Jayanagar / Hanumantha Nagar / Banashankari / 9845443869 P a dm an a bh a N ag a r a Mr. Kiran Kotian - 98459 53487 Ittimadu / Kamakya / Mysore Road / Raja Rajeshwari Nagar Mr. Daniel Pramodan - 98802 56971 Lingarajapuram / Kariyana Palya / Oil Mill Road / Kacharakanahalli Dr. Flemingson - 9448512502 / Karmchand Layout / Campus Crusade Mr. David Soans J - 9480065725 Mr. Jayaseelan. P - 9844441700 Cox Town / Hutchions Road / Clarence Shool / ITC / Thomas town / Maruthi Seva Nagar / Jai Bharathi Nagar Infantry Road / Shivajinagar / CSI Hospital / Ulsoor / Lavelle Road / Mr. Manoj Noronha - 9731729141 Mosque Road (Frazer Town) Mrs. Alexandrina Namratha - 9591765455 J al a v a y u V ih ar / K a m m an n ah al li / HBR Layout /Kalyan Nagar / D G Mr. Gladson Maben - 9845345820 H al li / A r a bic College / Nagawara Mr. Ivan Shiri - 9686296089 Mr. Clement Reginald - 9035009438 H e nn ur B an de / Kothunur / BDS Garden / Byarathi Mr. Billy Graham - 9008080937 Mr. Neil Anchan - 9731880808 S a nj a y N a gar / Nagashetti Halli / KodigeHalli / Sahakar Nagar / Mr. Jeeva Peter - 9980688744 Y e la h an k a / Chikkajala Mr. Anoop Justin - 9886102158 R T N ag a r / S u lt a n a Palya / K B Sandara / Dinnur Ganga Nagar Mr.