Grace Times

Vol. XVII/5 Grace Bible Church, C 930, Sector B Mahanagar, Lucknow, India January 2014

Pulpit Calendar January 2014

Morning Worship Services at 10
Are you aware God is present from the very beginning? Check-in at 9.45

from the pastor

My dear People, A new year is always anticipated in the hope that our life situation will somehow improve in the new year. Such a hope bases itself on the circumstances of ones life. If the circumstances are good, the year will be good. If the circumstances are bad, the year will be bad. This shows that we do not have a proactive attitude toward our lives. What characterized people in biblical times is their attitude toward the circumstances of their lives. They didnt allow their circumstances to determine the course of their lives. Yes, circumstances do affect us, but we need not be defeated by them. In the context of suffering persecution, our Lord said, In the world you will have tribulation; but, be of good cheer: I have overcome the world (Jn.16:33). Learning that, Paul wrote, I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want (Phil.4:12) and went on to say, I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (v.13). At the moment, I have no idea about my life after retirement. Not anxious about it, though. All my life, Ive lived without a plan because I cross bridges only when I get to them. I dont worry whether there will be a bridge or not, because I know that God will be there to enable the crossing. 2013 was an amazing year. Right after I had given up hope, God fulfilled my cherished dream for the year. What was started by Gods grace had to be finished by Gods grace. In Christ, all Gods promises are yes for us (2 Cor. 1:20). 2014 is going to be a year packed with grace. Love, Pastor Kuru

01 05 12 19 26

HOLY COMMUNION Rev John Thomas Raja Study: Book of Revelation Study: Book of Revelation Republic Day Service
If you miss attending morning worship, make sure you attend evening worship

Evening Hindi Services at 5.30

Check-in at 5.15

01 05 12 19 26 05 12 19 26

HOLY COMMUNION Rev John Thomas Raja Manish Joshi Shyam Babu Vijay Singh Shyam Babu Rev John Thomas Raja Shyam Babu Rev John Thomas Raja

Services at Allipur Grace Bible Church start at 11 a.m.

Sunday School resumes on January 12.

07 14 21 28

Prayer on Tuesdays at 6.30 Modwells Joshis Upadhyays Joshis

Fasting & Prayer: Fasting and prayer on Saturday 25th. Skip lunch and come fasting to the sanctuary for prayer from 6 to 7. Fasting and prayer will be held every Fourth Saturday of every month.

Income Jan-Dec 2012 General Offerings Donations Pledged Giving 2nd Mile Pledges Lent/Christmas offer. Hindi Services Designated collections Sunday School Grace Church in Village Medical Aid Fund GRAND TOTAL 9,60,815 25,223 1,84,571 670 66,00 10,000 1,38,490 1,94,674 25,308 3,88,281 94,700 18,970 29,085 Dec 2013 22,400 3,000 22,320 6,000 5,630 1,870

December 31, Jan-Dec 2013 1,70,574 17,300 4,18,760 93,100 22,605 38,146

2013 Budget 2012 1,75,000 25,000 4,00,000 86,000 19,000 25,000 +/-4,400 -7,700 +18,700 +7,100 +3,600 +13,000

12,225 9,52,272 17,700 17,42,682 8,90,000 +8,52,600 1,60,000 +7,92,000

Christian giving is a matter of stewardship: an acknowledgment of Gods ownership.

Tabitha recovered from fever. Pratibha and Shyam Babu (members of the village church and our Hindi congregation) waiting to have a baby. In China, Geetu and Gary also wanting to start their family. Yeshaiah got admission to the Grace Academy, Dehra Dun. Dorcas, Greg and the children have to go back soon. Bunny Phillips still looking for a job. St Pauls School in the village needs a steady supply of electricity. Sunday School Christmas Play was successfully staged at our sanctuary for the very first time. Sanctuary-cum-School hall built for Grace Bible Church, Allipur & St Pauls School Ajit Khan visiting family for a couple of weeks. Smita, Sujeet Sarwan, Sukriti and Sucheta coming to Lucknoe for a short holiday. Vibha and Manish Joshi returning from holiday with families in Dehra Dun. Sweata Lall and family returning from Hyderabad. Mary and James Pearce holidaying in Maharashtra. Ashish Khan, Rufus Raja, Fizza Phillips, Pooja and Amrit Modwell home for the holidays. Udayan Chakravarty travelling a lot in connection with work

a token of our gratitude an expression of love for God.

Tithing, giving 10% of all income to God, captures all the above moods of giving. But Christians are to go beyond the minimum. Excel in giving. Grace Bible Church exists for worship,

fellowship, nurture and mission.

Help your church to function, to fulfil its purpose and mission. Make a commitment to support the four purposes of your church. If you wish to do this, collect a pledge form from the pastor.

Birthdays in January 06 07 22 24 Supriya Lall Jayden Nag Kusum Prakash Fizza Phillips

For pastoral care contact

Rev J T Raja 995 639 9835 Raj Upadhyay 933 673 1141 James Pearce 896 064 2105 Pastor Kuru 4049392
gracebiblechurch.lucknowindia@gmail.com www.gracebiblechurchlucknow.org