Grapevine Newsletter of Ebenezer Evangelical Church “Who are you that fear mortal men, the sons of men, who are but grass, that you forget the Lord your Maker….? Isaiah 51:12-13 August/September 2021 EBENEZER EVANGELICAL CHURCH 1 Doctrinal Statement. The church believes the fundamental truths of Christianity, as revealed in Holy Scripture, including the following: 1 The unity of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit in the Godhead. 2 The sovereignty of God in creation, providence, revelation, redemption and final judgment. 3 The divine inspiration, infallibility and inerrancy of Holy Scripture as originally given, and its supreme authority in all matters of faith and conduct. 4 The universal sinfulness and guilt of human nature since the fall, rendering man subject to God’s wrath and condemnation. 5 The full deity of the Lord Jesus Christ the incarnate Son of God, His virgin birth and His real and sinless humanity; His death on the cross; His bodily resurrection; His ascension; His present reign in heaven and on earth; and His intercession on behalf of the church. 6 Redemption from the guilt, penalty and power of sin only through the sacrificial and atoning death, once and for all time, of our representative and substitute, Jesus Christ, the only mediator between God and man. 7 Justification as God’s act of undeserved mercy, in which the sinner is pardoned all his sins and accepted as righteous in God’s sight, only because of the righteousness of Christ imputed to him, this justification being received by faith alone. 8 The need for the Holy Spirit to make the work of Christ effective to the individual sinner, granting him repentance toward God and faith in Jesus Christ. 9 The church as the body of Christ, both locally and worldwide, its members consisting of those only to have been born again through the work of the Holy Spirit. 10 The indwelling of the Holy Spirit in all those thus regenerated, producing in them an increasing likeness to Christ in character and behaviour, and empowering them for their witness in the world. 11 The future personal return of the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge all men, executing God’s final just condemnation on the impenitent and receiving the redeemed to eternal glory. A further explanation of the things we believe is set out in the 1646 Westminster Confession of Faith 2 A LETTER FROM THE MINISTER Dear friends, After being postponed for a year, a year full of doubt and uncertainty, the Tokyo Olympics have finally happened. However difficult the long wait has been for us as spectators, it has been much more difficult for the competitors. Having prepared physically and mentally for this time last year, they have had to maintain their focus and their discipline for another year. Regardless of their sport, the preparations have probably felt like a marathon for all the athletes. But what has kept them going has been the prospect of finally getting to Tokyo. And in some ways, that is what the Christian life is like. The writer to the Hebrews exhorts us to: “run with perseverance the race marked out for us” (Heb. 12: 1). Rather than being a race which is over in 10 seconds or even 10 years, it is one which continues week after week, month after month, year after year – throughout the entire duration of our Christian lives – until at last we finally get to heaven. And it is the glorious prospect of our final destination that keeps us going in the meantime. As we run, we are told to “fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning it’s shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Heb.12: 2). It was the prospect of all that awaited him on his return to the Father’s presence that encouraged our Lord to keep going as he run his race. And although our race is different in some respects from his, we can learn from how Jesus ran his race. That is why we are told to “Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men”. So like Jesus, let us never lose sight of the joy and the glory and the security and the many other blessings that will be ours as we cross the finishing line, “so that we will not grow weary and lose heart” (Heb. 12: 3). Yours sincerely, David. 3 Amongst Ourselves It must be the season for tea parties! Having enjoyed the one at the end of May when we said farewell to the students we decided to hold another, one Sunday afternoon in July. Being outside in the sunny weather and freer of restrictions, we could enjoy each other’s company. The idea has caught on with the Ladies, who have now met for fellowship firstly in Catherine’s garden in Llanfairpwll and then Ann’s garden in Llanbedrgoch. Some regular midweek activities have paused for the summer but in our Sunday services David continues with 1 John in the mornings and 2 Chronicles in the evenings. We enjoyed fellowship with Simon Facer from Capel Fron, Penrhyndeudraeth who took an evening service in June. We have halted our Bible studies in Acts for the time being and are instead having prayer meetings incorporating brief devotions from the Psalms. We started with Psalm 23 followed by Psalm 51. We have been joined in our prayer meetings by Richard and Barbara Davies (Marseille) and then Catrin and James Trollope. Catrin and James have since moved here from Flint for Catrin to take up her duties as the UCCF Staff Worker. Weather and manpower permitting, we are now using the book table in the town centre and some conversations have taken place as a result. From the end of July JP and Fiona Earnest are leading a two week beach mission in Tenby with the OAM and then in August UBM are planning to hold a four week beach mission in Benllech. Fiona Earnest is due to take up a part-time position as a representative with the Albanian Evangelical Mission (AEM) from January next year. Sadly, we received news of Liz Storkey’s home call on 12th June. Liz had moved to Exeter together with her late husband Ted to be nearer their family. Liz was the church secretary for a period here as well as being involved with the work of the Wycliffe Bible Translators. Mair Griffiths from the ladies meeting has lost her husband John (father to Arfon). We recently heard that Barry Thorogood has passed away in his care home near Mold. Our sympathies go to all the families. Let’s also continue to pray for those who are unable to attend the church services at present. John P Gough 4 Daily Prayer Points Sunday: “…call the Sabbath a delight..” Isaiah 58:13 Even in these unusual times, pray that we will delight in the Lord’s day. Praise Him for feeding our souls, and pray that we can truly worship Him this day and learn more of Him. Monday: “Carry each other’s burdens…” Galatians 6:2 Pray that we can be aware of the difficulties others have at this time. Those with no access to the technology that so greatly helps most of us to stay in touch, need to be encouraged in other ways – by phone or by post. May the Lord show us who we can help and encourage. Tuesday: “For where two or three gather in my name, there I am with them.” Matthew 18:20 Pray that we may share true fellowship in Christ as we ‘gather’ to study and pray. May our minds be informed and our hearts warmed. Ask the Lord to help us to pray to him as our heavenly Father as He leads us by His Spirit. Wednesday: “But God’s word is not chained.” 2 Timothy 2:9 So many of what we consider great opportunities to witness are still cancelled this year, camps, conferences, Eisteddfod and many other meetings and festivals. Pray that the Lord will cause His word to be proclaimed even more, and reach even more hearts. Thursday: “…pray for kings and all those in authority..” 1 Timothy 2:2 Pray for our leaders that they be given the humility and wisdom to make good decisions to protect both our health and our economy. Pray for health workers who care for the Covid sufferers and those trying to care for those with other illnesses. Friday: “There is a hope that stands the test of time, That lifts my eyes beyond the beckoning grave….” Stuart Townend & Mark Edwards Some of us know someone who has had a recent bereavement, pray that we can speak comfort to the grieving families, and point them to a gracious Saviour. Saturday: “…the one who receives instruction in the word should share all good things with their instructor.” Galatians 6:6 One of the most important ‘good things’ we can share is to pray for our church officers. Particularly as they prepare for our meetings and try to apply ever changing regulations. Pray for wisdom and patience as it will be strange and difficult at times to get back to some sort of normal. Uphold them in prayer as they care for our bodies and souls. 5 Missionary Prayer Points August/September 2021 “Be still and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” Psalm 46:10 Sunday: Johnny and Ann McClean & family:UFM Bangkok Pray for the worsening Covid situation in Thailand.