OUR VISION To have a deep relationship with God, and to ...

1

OUR VISION To have a deep relationship with God, and to share the Gospel with enthusiasm, and to serve others and make

disciples in Christ’s name.

OUR MISSION Is to deepen & strengthen the Christian faith through the pursuit of Bible study, prayer and worship of the risen Christ, and by proclaiming the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ to witness through our ministries, and also encouraging one another in proclaiming Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord and leading others into

personal faith in Him.

Inside this

From the Committee’s

Desk

2-4

God’s Power Promise 4

From the Editor’s Desk 5-7

Kirthanaigalin Varalaru 8

Great Christians 9

9

10

Prayer Points 11

Kids Space 11

Greatest Is he who serves 12

Birthdays & Anniversary

Wishes

15

Volume 17 Issue 4 April 2014

“Jesus came and stood among them and

said, “Peace be with you.” (John 20:26 )

NEW ZEALAND TAMIL CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP (SERVING CHRIST – SERVING COMMUNITY)

2

Firstly we want to thank and praise the Lord Jesus Christ

for appointing the new committee members and say a big

thank you and a pat on the back to the former committee

members – Prabha, Mary and Rachael for their commit-

ment and hard work. We pray that the Lord will continue to use and

bless them in whatever they do for HIS glory. We had had a productive

meeting as new members of the committee where we were given our

designated roles and responsibilities. We will strive to serve the com-

mittee and the Almighty everlasting God, with His help, according to

His will.

Changes might be different, unfamiliar or difficult for people, however,

when it comes to serving God, He tells us in His word that He is with us

always and there is no need to worry or be intimidated. Joshua Ch 1: Vs

9 says “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not

be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord and your God is

with you wherever you go.”

As we are in the lent season, one of our friends, Margaret Rose, while

travelling by bus, put together this beautiful poem, which I would like

to share. It goes like this.....

THE ROSE ON THE CROSS

A tear fell gently down my face

I looked at the Rose so full of Grace,

A Rose so rare it was Divine,

The Light of the World came forth to shine.

The Rose was born in Bethlehem

And the Word of God, from him did stem

The Word made manifest to all

Who cared to seek the Heavenly call.

From the Committee ‘s Desk

3

The Rose spoke out with all its worth

To spread the Word, to save the earth

But by and by some thorns attached

And evil plans they did hatch

The Rose had blossomed

For over 3 years

Who was to know

It would end in tears

The thorns went out

To cause Him shame

But the Rose went forth

To heal the lame

All were healed throughout the land

Who believed the Word and took the stand

The Rose went forth with His ministry

The people came for miles to see

The Rose just went from strength to strength

His disciples followed the length and breadth

But the thorns soon gathered at His side

The Word of God they could not abide

His time was nigh to leave the earth

He who came of Royal Birth

The Rose now nailed upon the cross

The crowd that gathered sensed the loss

The thorns now sat upon His head

Digging deep until he bled

The thunder roared, the curtain rent

The darkness fell, from Heaven sent

From the Committee’s Desk ……

4

The Rose hung beaten, but bore the pain

The World would never be the same

He bore the sin for all mankind

How can we still be Oh! So blind

The Rose that came from Mary’s womb

Was now inside a Burial Tomb

3 days later the Bible shows

A Miracle happened, HE ROSE!

From the Committee’s Desk ...contd

“The name of the LORD is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and

are safe.” Proverbs 18:10

“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” Ro-

mans12:12

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we

will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” Galatians 6:9

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face tri-

als of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith

produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish it’s work so that you

may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” James 1:2-4

“Blessed are those who preserve under trial, because when they have

stood the test, they will receive the crown of life that God has prom-

ised to those who love him.” James 1:12

Bible –From the Hour of Power and the Crystal Cathedral)

God’s Power Promises for YOU when you face Trials

5

From the Editor’s Desk

6

From the Editor’s Desk ……..Contd

7

From the Editor’s Desk ……..contd

And I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding. - Jeremiah 3:15

Great memories are indeed a treasure and you left us with great memo-

ries serving the Church and the communities. NZTCF family greatly ap-

preciates all your valuable guidance and support extended to us in all

these years. We sincerely acknowledge with gratitude to have such a

great Pastor, a faithful servant of God. May God bless you to have a

peaceful retired life and may your journey continue to glorify God in

every step you take …..God Bless you Pastor

Farewell to Rev. Max Scott

8

(A brief History about a renowned Tamil Lyric writer, composer and

a Powerful Preacher )

Vedanayagam Sastriar was born on the 7th of Sep-

tember, 1774, the first son of Mr. Devasahayam, a na-

tive of Tirunelveli. He lost his mother at a young age.

At the age of ten, he had a clear vision of the Cross and Christ,

an event which was to influence his entire life. In 1785, a Ger-

man Missionary, Rev. Schwartz visited Tirunelveli. He took Vednayagam

with him to Tanjore. At that time, Prince. Serfoji was also studying under

Rev. Schwartz. Vedanayagam went on to study Theology at the Lutheran

Seminary in Tharangambadi, now known as Tranquebar.

After completing his studies, Vedanayagam worked in the villages

around Tanjore. He worked as a teacher in a missionary school for a

short time. He began to write Christian lyrics and literature. He wrote

133 books and his most famous work is ‘Bethlehem Kuravan-

ji’. His well known songs include ‘Thandanai Thudhipome’,

‘Amen Alleluyah, Mahathuva Thambarabara’ and ‘Esuvaiye

Thudhi sei nee Maname.’

A turning point in his life came when his former classmate,

Prince Serfoji became king of Tanjore and appointed Veda-

nayagam as the official court poet. Vedanayagam was conferred various

titles such as ‘Gnanadeepa Kavirayar’, Veda Sastrigal and ‘Suvisesha Ka-

virayar’ which established him the King of Evangelical Poets.

Sastriar’s songs collection called the ‘Jebamalai’ which means ‘Garland

of Prayers’. His compositions glorify the Triune God and are character-

ized by high literary quality. He continued to glorify God and he spread

the Gospel as far as Ceylon in spite of personal tragedies and setbacks.

His songs are still being sung in Tamil churches and are peerless in their

richness and melody.

The present Sastriar name is Durairaj Vedanayagam Sastriar and he is

in God’s ministry for the last 56 years. His daughter Sarah

Martin and his son Clement Sastriar accepted God’s call to

do His ministry along with their father and God has richly

blessed them to preach & sing Tamil Christian lyric to contin-

ue to represent as seventh generation Tamil Christian Evangelic poets.

Kirthanaigalin Varalaru

9

Great Christians - Changing the World

Sadhu Sundar Singh was born in 1889 in Patiala (India).

His family was very religious and raised him up teaching Hindu-

ism and visiting temples regularly.

By the age of 7, he had memorized the Bhagvad Gita and by the

age of 16, he had mastered the Vedas and also the Quran. He attended

a school conducted by the missionaries for some time but he was not at

all interested in the Bible and resented it.

At the age of 14, suddenly his mother passed away. Sunder was very

close of his mother. He was shattered by the loss. He was undergoing a

major faith crisis in his life. He was looking for peace and truth. He was

very confused in his mind and was sad. He even thought about commit-

ting suicide. He was never convinced that Jesus and his teachings were

completely wrong and so he tore the Bible and would throw stones at

preachers.

(To be continued)

http://www.jeevanmarg.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/sadhu-sundar-singh-testimony.jpg

10

Kindly note the change of Address for our monthly meeting from

May 2014 to end of this year.

Lynfield Community church

No: 35, The Avenue, Lynfield, Auckland 1042.

PRAISE THE LORD!

THE COMPANY YOU KEEP WILL DETERMINE THE TROUBLE

YOU MEET. "MAKE NO FRIENDSHIP WITH AN ANGRY MAN;

AND WITH A FURIOUS MAN THOU SHALT NOT GO: LEST

THOU LEARN HIS WAYS, AND GET A SNARE TO THY

SOUL." -PROVERBS 22:24-25

Watch your Thought By...Teena Joseph

11

THE PRAYER POINTS

Pray that child abuse, violence in families will cease

Pray for people seeking jobs and work permits and for new

immigrants

Pray for our countries that they will see the Light and will

abandon witchcraft, corruption & ungodly influences.

Pray for world leaders and political parties.

Pray for Tear Fund, World Vision, Scripture Union, Gideon In-

ternational, Bibles in School, Chennai Mission Charitable Trust

(CMCT)

Pray for Aid organizations, Red Cross volunteers and for their

families.

Pray for Churches and their leaders to speak the truth and

spread the Gospel of Christ to the people who are searching

for truth.

Pray for Missionaries and their families, for their faith.

Pray for NZTCF family and those who are sick and need com-

fort & Prayers

Have you ever thrown a stone into a pool and watched the rip-

ples? They become larger and larger until they reach the edge.

Jesus said that the good news of his victory would spread out

like that across the world. Read Acts1:8 how Jesus told his dis-

ciples to take his good news everywhere. Then without looking

at your Bible try to work out what the jumbled words are in this

sentence: The disciples were to start preaching in SELURJAME and

g o o u t t o t h e S N E D F O H E T H A R T E .

Paul’s victory over an earthquake Have you ever seen pictures on

television or in a film showing an earthquake? How frightening it

must be when the ground shakes and the buildings begin to fall

down! Paul was once in prison in Philippi when there was an earth-

quake. Read in Acts 16:25-31 what happened. Prayer Lord Jesus,

help people who live in earthquake areas not to be afraid.

(Adapted from Bible Trail for Boys and girls IBRA)

Kids Space Jesus’ victory for the whole world

12

Whoever desires to become great among you, let him be

your servant. Matthew 20:26

A non-commissioned officer was directing the repairs of a military

building during the American Revolution. He was barking orders to

the soldiers under his command, trying to get them to raise a heavy

wooden beam. As the men struggled in vain to lift the beam into

place, a man who was passing by stopped to ask the one in charge

why he wasn’t helping the men. With all the pomp of an emperor the

soldier responded. “Sir I am a corporal.” “ You are, are you.?” Replied

the passer-by, “I was not aware of that. “Then taking off his hat and

bowing, he said, “I ask your pardon, Corporal. “Then the stranger

walked over and strained with the soldiers to lift the heavy beam. Af-

ter the job was finished, he turned and said. “Mr Corporal, when you

have another such job, and have not enough men, send for your Com-

mander in Chief, and I will come and help you a second time.” The

corporal was thunderstruck. The person speaking to him was General

Washington! God measures greatness by service. The Lord, Jesus has

set an example for though He was God and worthy of all honor. He

“did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom

for many.” (Matthew 20:28) To be great in God’s sight, we must serve

– Harry Bosch

True greatness is not attained by giving orders, but by serving.

(Adapted from Following Jesus to the Cross – Reflections

From Our Daily Bread)

Greatest Is He Who Serves

Give praises to others while they are here; they won’t

need it in the hereafter.

The lowly carpenter of Nazareth was the mighty archi-

tect of the universe

“The church is made of believers like you and me, gathered together

in worship, prayer, and fellowship, in both good times and bad.”

13

RECIPE CORNER ….Tina Joseph

CUTLETS (WITH LEFTOVER VEGETABLES)

INGREDIENTS:

2 POTATOES, BOILED, PEELED AND MASHED

1 CUP LEFTOVER BOILED OR COOKED VEGETABLES

2-3 SLICES BREAD

1/2 TSP.GINGER-GARLIC PASTE

OIL TO SHALLOW FRY

1/2 TSP. CORNFLOUR

2 GREEN CHILIES

SALT TO TASTE

SERVE HOT WITH CHILLED COKE, TEA OR MILKSHAKE. SERVE WITH

TOMATO SAUCE.

METHOD:

ADD ALL INGREDIENTS TO THE POTATOES. ADD THE BREAD IN A

DRY MIXIE TO GET FINE BREAD CRUMBS. KEEP ASIDE. MASH THE PO-

TATO MIXTURE WELL. IF TOO SOGGY ADD 1-2 TSP. CORNFLOUR. MIX

BREAD CRUMBS WITH CORNFLOUR. SHAPE THE MIXTURE INTO PAT-

TIES OF DESIRED SHAPE. ROLL IN THE CRUMBS. HEAT OIL IN A PAN

AND ADD CUTLETS. DEEP FRY THEM. WHEN BROWNED FLIP OVER TO

FRY OTHER SIDE. THEN REMOVE AND SERVE HOT.

Because Christ lives,

Death is not tragedy but triumph

14

How can you help in bringing the untold millions

outside God's fold into HIS Kingdom ???

Pray (Matthew 9.38) Give (11 Cor 9.7) Go (Matt 28.19)

If you wish to give toward the ministry of this fellowship you can pay as a contri-

bution or set up an Automatic Payment to our fellowship account no: 12-3011-

0740948-00. If you would like to a tax receipt at the end of the year, please use

your name as reference. Thank you.

Go ahead get your hands dirty, Using our talents for the LORD can

be hard work, but the blessings are well worth it. Learn how to dis-

cover, develop and exercise your spiritual gifts.

15

1st May Joseph Prince

8th May Shobhana Dawson

9th May Samuel Roberts

12th May Solomon Raj

14th

May Denvor Joseph

18th

May Vernic Cartina

21st

May Kamal Antony

25th

May Shyamala Abraham

25th

May Raj Dawson

26th

May Anush Pandian

28th

May Ruth Augustine

28th

May Jerald Thomas

29th

May David Johanas

Birthday Wishes

26th

May Rajkumar & Nirmala Moses

Wedding Anniversary

May the LORD bless you from Zion all the days of your life –

Psalm 128:5

16

Home Cell Prayer meet-

ing:

Date : 09/05/2014

Time & Venue:

To be announced

Pulse Meeting :

Date : 10/05/2014

Time & Venue : 6.30 pm

To be announced

Rest Home visit:

Date : 03/05/2014

Time : 3.30 to 4.00 pm

Venue : Glen Burn Rest

Home, 33-41 Astley Ave,

New Lynn

Waitakere Hospital

Visit:

Date : 04/05/2014

(First Sunday)

Time : 9.15am

Venue : Waitakere @

Main Reception

Fasting Prayer:

Date : 15/05/2014

(3rd Friday)

Time & Venue: To be

announced

Prison Visit :

Date : 12/05/2014

(2nd Monday )

Venue : 5.45 pm Auck-

land Prison

Nztcf Monthly Calendar

Pray

&

Participate

New Zealand Tamil Christian Fellowship

P O Box 48022

Blockhouse Bay

Auckland 0644

For your articles to be published, and

your feedback about the Newsletter

Contact

Alfred Luther , Cecil Jebamony

Philip Dhinakar R J Godwin

Melody D’Cruz

Email : [email protected]

NZTCF

SERVING CHRIST - SERVING COMMUNITY

We are on the Web

http://nztcf.wordpress.com

You are invited to NZTCF worship Service

At 06.45 p.m. on Saturday 26th April, 2014

Venue: St. Margaret’s, Church, 102 Hillsborough Road. Auckland.

Bring along your family, friends and be blessed

OUR VISION To have a deep relationship with God, and to ...

Documents

Transcript of OUR VISION To have a deep relationship with God, and to ...