SUNDAY
CONGREGATIONAL WORSHIP
EBCC
DELHI | DWARKA, NEW DELHI
09TH
MARCH 2014 | 11:00AM
GETTING STARTED: Preparation for today’s worship started long ago. Care-taker,
Mr. Ginsuan Haulai, rose early and started the physical arrangements. The early
birds reached the church premises as early as 10:00am. Steward Team from
Chirag-Savitri Area BYF took ushering and try their very best to make sure that
the worship service went smoothly without any hindrance.
For
the congregation to have a simultaneous worship, Elder Thiankhanmuan, Asst.
Secy, EBCC Delhi stood up at 11:00am, took to the stage and mentioned that our
Pastor, Nenglian Vualnam, went to the Church of Deeper Life Ministry at Shahdara
Area on ‘Pulpit Exchange Programme’ under the aegis of Delhi Pastors’ Prayer
Fellowship to preach the Gospel to the unbelievers in that area.
The
Elder himself read the scripture portion of Psalm 119:105 - “Your word is a lamp that gives light
wherever I walk”. He also spoke about the Lord’s kindness inspite of our
sins and unworthiness. God has brought us together once again. As we all have
points for thanksgiving, prayer requests, the whole congregation arose and had a
mass prayer, re-dedicating ourselves to the Lord, beseeching His wonderful
guidance, and upholding our Pastor in prayer on his venturing into the
unbelievers.
PRAISE AND WORSHIP:
As the mass prayer
slowly faded away, the Worship Team led the congregation in praising the Lord,
singing hymns and devotional songs which pervaded in us self-re-evaluation,
recollection of the Lord’s kindness. The Praise and worship was so effective
that even the layman retrospected about oneselves. Leader of the Worship Team, M
Thangsuanmung, uttered that even after we leave earth, we shall continue to
praise Him forever. Amen! Lord, we are eagerly waiting for that time when we gracefully
meet You in perfection in Your Holy Place!
OFFERTORY: Collection of the day’s offerings was
done. So are the singing of the hymns. Elder Thiankhanmuan dedicated the
offerings, received through various means, to the Lord. Gave thanks to Him and
prayed for more blessings to be showered upon us.
SUNDAY SCHOOL &
SERMON OF THE DAY:
Elder
Damsomthang, Chairman, EBCC Delhi took up the pulpit. He made his sermon which
is summed up as follows:
PERSONAL: He began his sermon with his feelings
of himself as an outdated Chairman in this fast changing world. He felt awkward
with the present day’s gadgets. He also mentioned how God chooses him inspite
of his shortcomings and weaknesses and went on asking the church members to
always uphold him in their prayers. He specifically mentioned that he is
suffering from acute teeth problems that flattened his cheek.
EBCC DELHI CHURCH
HISTORY: He
recounted the humble beginning of this church and how the Lord has blessed and led
this far. Today, the church has healthily expanded to the extent of becoming
two full congregational churches. He reiterated the standpoint of EBCC Church
and the purpose of its very existence:-
·
To
praise and worship the Lord
·
To
grow visibly and invisibly, in extending His kingdom
·
To
spread the Gospel – Evangelism
While we could
praise Him individually, the purpose of this church is to come together and
praise in way of congregation.
CHALLENGES: We each have the responsibility to
praise and worship Him. We all have roles to play and not just leave things upto
the different departments. We should continue to pray for the Committee Members
of the departments and also share our innovative ideas for the church growth.
At present, we are more than 1000 in strength whereas about only 300 members
attended the church services regularly. Where have other members gone astray?
How can we reach out to them? It’s our responsibility to mould men to praise
and serve the Lord and create an urge in them to praise Him. We have the
responsibility, not the authority for the same.
It
is our responsibility to groom people for leadership and prepare them for the
service of the Lord. He also appreciated the Worship Team and BCD Teachers for
volunteering themselves. It’s our duty to equip them, provide them with their
needs. It is heartening to learn that some church members willingly contributed
to the various needs of the church.
If
one has special talents let him volunteer for the Lord’s service. We endeavour
to arrange equipments for praising the Lord and also to equip/train man and
woman to use these equipments.
He,
at times, gave certain illustrations, that consumed the attendants to smile.
THE SUNDAY SCHOOL: The Scripture portion for today’s class
is from Gospel Luke Chapter 1 & 2. The Congregation learned the Memory Verse,
Luke 1:14 “His birth will make you very happy, and many people will be glad.”
The speaker mentioned that he will focus more on the practical side of the
Biblical teachings.
·
So
many people had tried to write about the life of Jesus Christ, our Lord. Here
in this portion Dr. Luke told Theophilus the truth about the Gospel based on
various sources. The most trustworthy source is an inspiration from above. What we preached needs inspiration from Above.
Have they?
·
John,
The Baptists’ mother, Elizabeth, was barren for long. His father, Zechariah,
was a priest. In those days, childless parents were taken as being cursed by
God. Yet, John’s parents were chosen by the Lord. Have you been chosen by the Lord?
·
John
will become a great servant of the Lord, and he will make people ready for the
Lord. Does the Lord consider you as great, or is it just that you assumed yourself
to be great? Have you led people to the Lord’s feet?
·
When
Zechariah was told that John would be born of him, he doubted. Have we doubted
about God? God is never late.
·
Only
when Zechariah finished his tasks at the Temple, he left for home. His
dedication is challenging. Elizabeth, John’s mother, remained at home for five
months after conceiving. She just not loitered around gossiping. She is an
adorable lady. What about us?
·
Mary,
Jesus’ mother, was a Virgin but not without a sin. She needed a Saviour just
like one of us. But she was ready for the Lord. [Speaker also made note of
Jephthah seen in Judges chapter 11 emphasizing on importance of one’s availability
to the Lord.] Are we too available for the Lord? This is important. Mary
humbled herself and said to the Angel, “I
am the Lord’s servant, let it happen as you have said.” (Luke 1:38)
·
When
Mary visited Elizabeth, the baby moved within her with joy. How do we react
when we received a message from the Lord? Are we just observing other’s
mistakes while ignoring our own?
·
Christening
of John. It was strange that the name ‘John’ was not taken after any of his
relative’s. A name has its own significance. Abraham’s name was earlier
changed. Have your name/identity been
changed by the Lord? Zechariah was firmed to name him John. So was Elizabeth.
She stood by her husband. She experienced the same thing that her husband had.
As a family do we share the experiences we received from the Lord?
He mentioned
that he need not have to speak much about Chapter 2 as it was very often
preached at Christmas times by pastors. “When
Jesus was born an Angel from the Lord appeared to the shepherds with the
message. Don’t be afraid! I have good news for you, which will make everyone
very happy. This very day in King David’s hometown a Saviour was born for you.
He is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:10 &11) Suddenly many Angels came down
from heaven and praise the Lord, “Praise
God in Heaven! Peace on earth to everyone who pleases God.” (Luke 2:14)
This peace is the type of peace between
God and a sinner.
CONCLUSION: Rev.(Retd.) V. Thangsuan, Ex- Director,
Missions & Ministry, then took up the pulpit. Just when the fourth hymn was
sung, he thanksgiving and prayed as the worship service was coming to a close. He
came to New Delhi a week ago to take treatment for his infirmities here in
Delhi while putting up in his in-law’s. While the congregation dispersed, the
worship team continued with singing praises and hymns.
Later in the
day, the youth group, called BYF, practiced choir at the church basement while ‘Worship
Team Orientation’ program was held at the conference hall, simultaneously.
HIGHLIGHT FOR NEXT WORSHIP SERVICE:
Next worship
service will be held on 16th March, 2014, 11:00am at the same chapel
as usual. Pastor V. Nenglian will be delivering his sermon. He is a man of God
and used to take extensive preparations for His service. He prayerfully waited
upon the Lord for a soul reaching sermons. The church is eagerly waiting for
the next worship service.
___
~ Sumthanlian
Suantak,
Content Writer, Media Team,
EBCC Delhi.
Content Writer, Media Team,
EBCC Delhi.
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