CONGREGATIONAL WORSHIP PROGRAMME
Sunday
27 April 2014 | 11:00AM
Pastor V Nenglian conducted the worship service beginning with a passage from Psalms, gave thanks to the Lord asking Him for His guidance and dedicated the day’s programme. The Worship Team took over from there and led the congregation into a session of Praise and Worship.
Three songs were sung in succession, starting with ‘Tanglai Lumsuang Kei Di’n Khi’n,’ a song of dedication that beseechs the Lord’s guidance; ‘Jesu Muan A Lungdam Huai,’ a song that bears witness to how simple, sweet and peaceful life could be when one gives trust to the Lord Jesus, and finally ‘Tangtawn Gamnuam I Zotlai In’, a hauntingly melodious song with a spiritual perspective that sees no meaning or purpose in life without Jesus. With those songs still fresh in the mind, there followed a brief moment of personal dedication in prayer to the Lord for each members of the congregation there, after which Upa Thiankhanmuan asked for the Lord’s blessing of the offertories of the day.
Induction
Two families and three persons were initiated into the Congregation during an induction ceremony held by the Local Secretary. They inductees were:
- Mr. Zamkholet Guite s/o Letkhothang from EBCC Bungmual
- Ms. Grace Momoi d/o PS Kham
- V Thangthianmuang s/o V Khamkhopau from Mualkoi and family
- K. Pauzauan(?) and family-
- Niangngaihlun, wife
- Children: Esther Hoihbiakkim, Kapmuansang.
- JH Ginmung Guite s/o Rev Dr G.Khamkam and family (reinducted)-
- VL Roui, wife
- Children: Thangmuansiam, John Thanglungmuan, Kammuanthang and Vungthianniang
The Pastor welcomed each and every one of them into the Congregation with a prayer to the Lord on their behalves.
Child Dedication and Introduction of the Speaker
Mr. and Mrs. Pausianmung Hauzel brought their new-born baby to be dedicated to the Lord. The Pastor took a brief time to enlighten the congregation about the reasons behind the dedication of a child to the Lord, commenting that the reasons for which had often been overlooked and taken for granted. He clarified our doctrine of new-born babies not being baptised as conforming to the Holy Scripture, as they were not considered to have developed a fully functioning conscience yet, thus no accountability. He further explained that the Act of Dedication of a child Glorifies God, sets the child apart for Him and also serves to dedicate the custodians of the child to the Lord as well.
Mr. and Mrs. Pausianmung then brought forth their child to the Lord and the Pastor then blessed the child calling upon the Holy Trinity to look out for Baby Kimnunmawi, born on the 26th February 2014.
He then introduced the Speaker for the day, Evan. Khaikhuphang declaring that he was the Lord’s answer to our prayers for a Worker. He is the son of Upa Thawngen of Hiangmun. He matriculated in 2006, passed his Higher Secondary in 2008 and then studied in the Grace Bible College for 5 years. He applied to Headquarter’s advertisement for the post of Pastor and was one of the few candidates who went through. He is currently on ‘engagement’ from September of last year. He then summoned the Evangelist to deliver the Lord’s message with His blessing.
The Call for Ministry
Evan. Khaikhuphang introduced himself and shared his Testimony with the Congregation. He had accepted the Lord as his personal Lord and Saviour on 12th October, 2001 as he had come to realise that he could not partake in his parents’ Christianity or their beliefs. He said he had initially wanted to become a doctor but had received his Call for Ministry when told about the fate of his uncle, who was a Missionary and a Martyr for the Kingdom of God. He was deeply touched by this and decided to complete what his uncle had begun and thus set out to follow in his uncle’s footsteps. He went to the Grace Bible College for further studies and completed his studies after 5 years. He graduated in Theology in 2011 and completed his Master of Divinity in 2012.
He also shared one of the hardships he faced during his studies. His mother was so happy for him and had so wanted to be there on his graduation day but her untimely demise in 2010 had prevented that. He said that on his graduation day, tears of happiness and sadness were mingling in his cheeks.
The Message
The Evangelist based his preaching on a passage from the Gospel of Matthew 7:21-23. He discussed the two types of Christians that can be found in those verses.
Christian of Convention: This type of Christians do not put Jesus as the first, instead they based themselves on material things like the numbers of the Congregation believing in safety in numbers. They also believe that being born of Christian parents entitles them to partake in their parents’ belief, that faith can be inherited. They also put too much stock in their designation thinking it makes them privileged. But the Evangelist warned that it is only and only with the blood of Jesus that true salvation can be achieved. There is no other way. You cannot have a share in your parents’ beliefs; neither can you get privileged consideration because of your designation.
Christian in Conviction: The true believers that can be found in the aforementioned verses are the ones that truly believe in the Lord Jesus; accept Him as their Lord and Saviour and have a clear conviction of achieving Salvation through his Precious Blood shed on the Cross. Salvation is a mercy divinely bestowed upon mankind only to those who believe (Ephesians 2:8). Those are the ones that will have citizenship in the Kingdom of the Lord.
Thus, Christianity where Jesus was not put as the first and foremost is not a true Christian way of life and will be incomplete. The Evangelist then challenged the Congregation: Of the above-mentioned two, in which category of Christian do we fit in? It is time to have a self-introspection about our beliefs and the way we live a Christian life. He concluded that the only way we should measure our Christianity is through Jesus Christ, and only Jesus Christ!
Highlights and Announcements
Pastor Nenglian then took the stage and made a brief highlight of the upcoming Missionary Day programme which will include a Missions Orientation and Report as well as the celebration of Missionary Day. The guest speaker will be Rev Mr. & Mrs. T Paukhanmang. The Mission Committee will be making t-shirts to raise fund for the occasion and those interested are requested to give their names to the Mission Committee sitting in the porch. The price of the t-shirt will be Rs. 500. He also made a pictorial presentation of the t-shirt.
He then introduced Ms. Chiinpi, current Head of FMPB Arunachal Pradesh as well as Brother Summinthang of Jammu who could be present in the worship service of the day. He then welcomed Upa Khamzalam back and thanked God on his miraculous recovery from a life-threatening illness.
Closing and Benediction
The song of choice was ‘Tangthupha Thu Lamdang’ after which Upa Damsomthang closed the day’s worship service invoking the benediction.
Then, there followed a tea fellowship in the Church’s courtyard afterwards, even as some members of the Congregation were getting ready to attend the 4th Anniversary Celebration of Central Delhi EBCC.
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By Tuangoulal Phualte
Content Writer, Media Team
