Thursday, February 6, 2014

Sunday Worship Service, February 2, 2014

Time 11.00 AM 
EBCC Delhi, Dwarka
Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion,
which cannot be shaken but endures forever.
2 As the mountains surround Jerusalem,
so the Lord surrounds his people
both now and forevermore.3 The scepter of the wicked will not remain
over the land allotted to the righteous,
for then the righteous might use
their hands to do evil.4 Lord, do good to those who are good,
to those who are upright in heart.
5 But those who turn to crooked ways
the Lord will banish with the evildoers.Peace be on Israel.

The Pastor opened the worship service in prayer. Worship in hymns followed. Sunday offering collected in the meantime was dedicated by Upa Khamgoupau.
Normally no one wants to miss the first worship service of the month. As instructed in 1 Timothy 2, the pastor prayed for each member of the Church as they rose to receive divine blessing.
Upa Thiankhanmuan, Assistant Secretary to TBSUC handed over Baptismal Certificates to the following:-
(i) Ms H. Nemthianmawi d/o H. Thangsiam 
(ii)Ms Doihthianching d/o Vanlallian Valte
(iii) Mr Thangsonmung Tosing s/o T. Chinkhokam.
Reading out 1 Samuel 1:24-25 pastor performed dedication of infant Mr Joshua Lianmuanlal Valte s/o Singkhanlun Valte of Mohamedpur.
Sermon: Growing in faith is the precondition for ‘His will being done on earth’. Doing God’s will hinges on faith in Him without which work in the service of God merely defines a person as a moralist. As stated in the scripture, faith as a grain of mustard seed has the potential to shift the location of a mulberry tree (St. Luke 17:5-6) or of a hill (Mark 4:31).
Two questions follow from such discourse - (i) why is there a need for the faith to grow; and (ii) how to enable the faith to grow? faithlessness is something that may happen. But the one who loses faith deserves to bear a heavy burden. It would be in his interest to be sunk down in the depths of the sea with a heavy lead fastened in his neck. The reasons necessitating growth in faith: (i) to have the power to forgive and have the right kind of bonding with others; and (ii) to be able to perform miracles. This is evident from the episode in the life of Jesus as found in St. Matthew 23 wherein Jesus was encountered with a painful truth;  on his return from the Mount of Transfiguration He came to know from a man with his ailing child by his side that his disciples are not able to perform miracles. Hence the reproach- O Thou whose faith are retarded. Mere belief is not enough. Belief+ Faith is the ingredient for a saving faith. The need to grow in faith for a greater service to God cannot be over emphasized.
In a nut shell, we as Christians need the right kind of environment (the scientific equivalent of soil); obedience (the scientific equivalent of water); and the Love for God (the scientific equivalent of Sun) for growing in faith.
Thereafter the pastor briefly reminded the concerned members about the inter-departmental joint fellowship scheduled to be held on Saturday, the 8th February, 2014; and the briefing session for members and Media Team and BYF Fellowship right after the worship service ends.
The worship service concluded with blessing from Upa Thiankhanmuan through benediction. Audio version of the sermon is accessible through this link- a khangtou ginna-sermon

By- L/Upa Lianpu Tonsing
In-charge, Media Team
http://ebccdelhi.org/activities/latest-news/437-congregation-worship-february-02-2014.html
Hymns sung during the service:
(i) Jesu Mi'n Manpha Kisuan In;
(ii) Tou Jesu Neih Kei Adi'n Ahun;
(iii) Ka Aw Bildoh in Toupa Aw; and
(iv) Ka Damlai Na Ka Zoh Chiang.
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