Good Friday Invite – April 14 2017
ServiceTime : 7.45pm onwards
Lite food/refreshments follows @9.45pm
A non-Christian once directed her inquisitive question as to why Good Friday is called good although it is the day when Jesus Christ died? This is an engaging question that can be asked and answered for many of our non-Christian friends to give the truths of the Gospel.
Now to the answer: Although Christ’s death is the most excruciating death(comes from the Latin word – which literally means ‘out of the cross’), yet it is in no wise a helpless or a hopeless one. Christ himself said that just like a good shepherd, He is willing laying down His life for His sheep and that He has the power to lay it and to take it. Even as there are many reasons as to why Good Friday is really good, Let me give three brief reasons for consideration:
1. Christ’s death was an atoning death taking our sin and shame in our place. He carried our sins as the lamb of God who takes upon Him the sin of the world. Although He knew no sin, yet He became sin for us, so that in Him we can be made the righteousness of God.
Sunday Worship Service(With Baptisms)- September 2017
The word Baptize is the English form of a Greek word which means to immerse: to place something into something else. Thus, water baptism rightly and biblically ministrered is in similitude to Christ’s baptism which indeed is immersion(as we read in Mathew 3:16 – And Jesus, when he was baptized …went up straightway out of the water)
There is a cloud of misunderstanding around this ordinance of baptism in Christendom especially in its relationship to salvation. The bible is so clear that we are saved by grace through faith in what Christ did not of our works which includes the deed of obeying in water baptism. Having said that, Those who have receieved the gift of salvation always have a willingness and even an eagerness to obey in the waters of Baptism as a key signs of new life received in Christ. This is why we read from the words of Ethiopian Enuch in Acts 8:36 – “…See, here is water! What prevents me from being baptized?” to which Philip answers “…If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest…”
More importantly water baptism is an act of obedience to Christ command (Mathew 28:19) which is primarily an identification of our lives with Christ. This is what we understand in what the Scripture says in Romans 6:4 – “
We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.“
Hence, those dear ones whom the Lord has saved and added to the body of Christ are going to be baptised in identifying themselves with Christ acknowledging Him before His church and men as an act of obedience this Sunday God willing, on September 3. Baptisms will happen in Morning service(from 10:45am – note time change & early start time) which will be followed by lunch. So don’t miss to join us for these baptism celebrations along with the worship services on the Lord’s day.
“Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven” – Mathew 10:32
Special Youth Retreat 2016
Is it possible to be thousands of miles away from native land and yet feel at home? What is being home away from home?
Maybe, by living in Bay Area or by being able to have stores and restaurants that allow us to buy the same things or food that was at home does it? Or maybe, having friends who know us or who speak the same language makes us feel home. But, does it really?
It’s possible to have all of the above and still miss home. It’s also possible to not to have any of the above and yet be at rest and at home.
How is it so? Come! join us, to discover what is to come and be at home? Join us, for an afternoon and evening with the love of church family over a time of food(that you will like), fun(games and skit) and fellowship and see what’s the answer from God’s word is to be really at home. It’s possible to lay down all the labor and heavy burden that we unknowingly carry and miss to enjoy the rest that is promised. If you already have come to know the rest, are you truly living out of the rest promised without worry and weariness?
It’s our prayer and desire that all the youth(students) would truly enjoy the rest promised during the critical stage of life(while still young) and beyond. It’s possible to live our life bigger than what it is thought to be and be blessed and a blessing.
Baptism Preparation Classes
Baptism Preparation Classes help all those who have never witnessed for Christ in the waters of Baptism to know what Baptism actually is and answer questions about the same.
God willing, we would like to make available these classes the week following Resurrection Sunday(March 27). They will be held starting on March 31(Thursday) @7.45pm and all those who may be interested can contact any of the Church elders.
Coming to these classes does not mandate you to get baptized. In fact, we do desire that those that want to witness through water baptism truly ought to have been Born Again and there should be a genuine life change brought by the Gospel truths applied to their lives. It’s the work of God in His grace to lead anyone to His saving knowledge. We come along their side to witness the Work of God. Let’s briefly consider few truths about water Baptism.
- Water baptism outwardly demonstrates what has happened inwardly. Water baptism helps you to grasp the reality of the spiritual truth that the old “you” has died.
- Water baptism is a symbolic burial, by which the new Christian publicly declares they have died, and are now beginning a new life, in Christ.
- Baptize is the English form of a Greek word which means to immerse: to place something into something else.
- In Christian water baptism, the believer is put completely under water, then immediately raised out of the water.
- Water baptism is a statement of faith: my old life is behind me — I am a new person, with a new life.
- Water baptism is a sign of repentance — repentance means change inside out — a change so drastic that the old person is “buried.”
“See, here is water. What hinders me from being baptized?” – Acts 8:36
“If you believe with all your heart, you may.” – Acts 8:37
Hallelujah Family Festival 2015 Invite
Dear All,
Its that time of the year where we come together to celebrate our Annual “Hallelujah Family Festival” where we rejoice being part of the family of families(that’s God’s family in Christ) as we read
“So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God” – Ephesian 2:19
Our kids are bombarded, and are constantly being put under tremendous pressure “to conform to the world” and celebrate as every one around are doing so(even if it doesn’t make any sense.) The Scripture rightly calls us to not to be conformed to the world, but to be transformed by the renewing of the mind as we read in Romans 12:2 and show to the world how it not only possible to do the will of God, which is good and acceptable and better yet celebrate in doing so.
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” – Romans 12:2
This is the way we live our lives with a testimony true to the word and different from the world as we read
“There is a certain people scattered abroad and dispersed among the peoples in all the provinces of your kingdom. Their laws are different from those of every other people,…” – Esther 3:8
So join us and feel free to invite your friends as we will have special games, races for the kids along with Snack(hopefully BBQ etc.) a jumper for the little ones and also engaging games for Students, Women and Men.
See you all this Saturday – October 31 @2.30pm!
In Christ,
-Anil