CINNAMON GARDENS BAPTIST CHURCH
CGBC NEWS
November - December 2004
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Mary: The baby is announced My dear friends in Christ, We are soon approaching Christmas. In the Christmas story there are different characters. Each of these characters helps us to prepare ourselves for Christmas. Shall we revisit the Manger and study the character of Mary and see what we can learn from her? Mary was a virgin, pledged to be married to a man named Joseph. The marriage had not yet taken place, the wedding feast had not yet been held, and the couple had not yet lived together in the common marriage relationship. One day the Angel Gabriel appeared to Mary and told her that she was greatly favored by the Lord, chosen by Him to become the mother of the Messiah, the Son of God. Perplexed, she asked, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?” Mary did not suffer from a lack of faith. She just couldn’t understand. Then the angel told her about the Incarnation. Her reply, “Be it unto me according to thy word,” shows Mary’s absolute submission to the will of God in her life. This was not easy for Mary. But she placed herself-her body, her soul, her reputation and her future- at the disposal of God. What about you and me? Are we willing to say these same words to God, “Behold the handmaid of the Lord, Let it happen as You say” This should be our attitude too. If we are willing to have this attitude, then God can revisit us during this Christmas and then this Christmas season will be a meaningful one for you and me. We wish all of you a Christmas that’s meaningful filled with God’s riches blessings for a Blessed and Peaceful New Year! Pastor and family | |
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Pastor Rev. Heshan de Silva 120, Dharmapala Mw, Tel 2695153 Mobile :0722-248425
Secretary Mrs. Ruby Weerasinghe 96/18, Kottanuwatte Rd Nugegoda Tel :4-722057 (Office) Tel : 4-300664
Treasurer Mr. Nihal Perera 132/3A, StanleyTillekeratne Mw Nugegoda Tel : 2852785 |
Church Family NewsWelcome We had the pleasure of welcoming a number of our overseas members: Jayampathy Silva from Australia (who preached a wonderful sermon), Vinodh & Suchcharitha Gunasekera & children from the USA, and Ranjith & Ruth Ameresekere and Gamini Ameresekere from the UK. We have no doubt that they had a happy time of fellowship and reunion with family and friends. It was a joy to have them worship with us. Welcome to the BMS Action Team – Emma, Sarah, Naomi & Hannah. They are a delightful team and are enjoying themselves despite the less than perfect weather which has prevailed over the past few weeks. They will spend 6 months in Sri Lanka and we wish them every blessing during their stay here. We know their contribution will enrich us and trust they too will be richer for this experience. Welcome also to Dinali and little Kavi who are here on a long holiday, and we look forward to seeing Ranil who will be joining them in mid December. We wish them and all the family a very happy time of love and fellowship during the festive season. Sick We praise and thank God for the speedy recovery of Vernon Weerasinge after his recent mild stroke. While thanking you for your prayers he requests your continued prayer support. Bereavements Jem Algama who was worshipping with us for a long period of time was called home and we extend our sympathies to all her family. Florence Susan Jayasinghe, mother of Lakshman & Jacintha, Keerthi & Chitra, Sarath & Delilah and Virangani & Trevor was called home in Australia. We extend our sympathies and prayers to all in these families who mourn the loss of their loved ones. |
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The annual “Talent Sale” of the WF will be held on Sunday 5th December after trilingual worship which will commence at 8.30 am.. You too will have an opportunity to participate this year. All you have to do is to invest your annual subscription fee of Rs.100/= and produce something according to your talent. You can sell your products at the sale. All proceeds will go to the Women's Fellowship. We will also be having a “Nearly New Stall” for which we would appreciate your generous contributions. Please contact Mrs. Sunil Perera or Mrs. Devika Ukwatte for further details. We look forward to your co-operation as always.
Baptist World Alliance Women’s Department Leadership Conference
The Women’s Department of the Baptist World Alliance will hold the Women’s Leadership Conference (prior to the BWA congress) from 27-31st July 2005 in Birmingham England. In addition to airfare, visa etc you will need to pay U$$ 150/- as registration fees. If you are interested in attending this conference, please contact Mrs. Ranjani de Alwis, President Women’s Fellowship as early as possible, before 15th December, 2000 Gift Sunday
This w ill be on Sunday the 12th December 2004 and this will be at the beginning of the Service so that the members of the Sinhala Tamil congregation also can participate. This year we propose to give the gifts we collect to the children (Under 18 years) in the Dehiathakandiya mission point and also to the kids in the Peliyagoda area where there is a worshipper in our Church who is helping the children with their studies .Items such as soap, powder, toothpaste and toothbrushes, combs, and all items of stationery for use in school would be welcome. There is also a need for small items of furniture for use in the classroom and if you wish to contribute towards it or have any spare furniture you could give please speak to the Pastor.
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FeaturesON TIMEMemory Verse: Galatians 4:4: But when the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth His Son, made of a woman, made under the law. God is always on time. How impatient we become when our prayers are not answered; when things do not work out as we think they should; when Christ does not return and remove us from our troubles. But we must learn the difficult lesson that God is always on time. God was on time in sending His Son to Bethlehem’s manger. How long it must have seemed to those who waited. The first promise had been given in Eden’s garden soon after the fall. The prophets added their voices one after another, yet Christ did not come. Then, right on time – when the fullness of the time was come – Christ was born. God will be right on time in the return of Christ. Men of God unfold the prophetic Scriptures and show that His coming must be soon. Signs of His coming multiply. The world rushes on toward midnight and the sound of the Bridegroom is almost audible. But not quite – the time has not yet arrived. Scoffers point to hopes in other times that have not materialized, but even they are signs that morning is near. Still, Christ has not come. Never fear.! When God’s hour arrives, we will know it !. God is right on time in His working in our lives. Everything is moving according to His plan. This is hard to accept when His plan does not match with our plans. But God knows best and He is working out His will in a way designed to make us more like Jesus. And those who wait in faith will not be disappointed. Quoted from the Daily Walk Devotional Guide by Dr.Jack Van Impe HE GOES BEFORE Read John 10:1-11 John 10:4 –“ When he brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them and his sheep follow him because they know his voice.” Becausewe are weak, helpless sheep, not wise enough to find our own way, we need to trust our lives to the unerring guidance of the Good Shepherd. He reaches out the safe path for us, and what is more, He goes on ahead! As someone has so beautifully remarked,”Christ is in all the tomorrows that we will have to journey through. We may be sure, therefore, that all is safe farther ahead where He is leading.”O that we with the poet might exclaim, “Keep Thou my feet; I do not ask to see the distance scene – one step enough for me!”. As His trusting sheep we have one thing to do: FOLLOW HIM! He never makes a misstep, never wavers in His perfect guidance. “Then wherefore should I doubt my Shepherd’s voice or falter more? Not mine to choose the path, but mine to know He goes before!” A missionary was once called upon to pass through some very unfamiliar territory in the middle of the night. As he went through the darkness with his guide going on ahead, he looked down at his feet and could see no road. The guide turned so frequently that the missionary feared the way had been missed. In his anxiety he finally cried, “Where is the way”? The native who was leading turned around and said, “I am the way”. There is no beaten path here; just follow me step by step, and you will reach the end of the journey safely.” The missionary did as he was told and soon arrived at his destination. Today let us concentrate less upon the obscure road we are asked to tread, and fix our eyes upon our Guide – who is THE WAY – and by faith follow Him! H.G.B. I was not ever thus, nor prayed that Thou should lead me on. I love to choose and see my path; but now – lead Thou me on! Thought – The hidden things of God are not discovered until we are treading the path of absolute obedience.
Quoted from Our Daily Bread – Dec.1970
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