E SU 6 IS o: N
C O G I C - UK
LUTON N E W S L E T T E R website: www.cogic.co.uk
A S S E M B L Y
email: lnews@cogic.co.uk
July – Aug 2014
WHO WE ARE & WHAT WE DO IN LUTON
Inside:
*
Greetings from Elder H. Butler
*
Cover Story Bible Studies & Prayer Meeting Knowing You with Brother Michael Jarvis
*
Coming Soon Holy Convocation 2014
*
Plus more
The COGIC U
K Website
Access To
*
&BIBLE STUDIES
Our Free Newsletter
Psalm 27:4 – One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to inquire in his temple.
LNEWS
WELCOME
Issue No: 6 A bi-monthly newsletter
Greetings in the Name of Jesus. One of my favourite verses in the Bible is Colossians 3:16. – “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.”
Copyright © 2014 All material within this publication may not be used or copied in part or whole without permission. Enquiries should be directed to: COGIC UK HQ Address 127 Dunstable Road Luton LU1 1BW Telephone +44 1582 877 070 Website www.cogic.co.uk Email lnews@cogic.co.uk For Newsletter Enquiries, Feedback , Your Articles and Prayer Requests. General Enquiries office@cogic.co.uk Charity Registration Number: 1061869
IN THE NEXT ISSUE Cover Story
Youth Sunday “Young Man I write unto you because you are strong”
In Knowing You
Sister Mishka Chard Singer, musician and more
Remember to Pray For
Send us your prayer requests and we will place them in this section
This is my encouragement to you, the reader and your family. Let God’s word dwell in you richly. It’s amazing what God’s word can do. How was issue 5? Did you learn anything about Bishop Blake? Believe me by sitting through his teaching you gain so much more. Bishop Blake we thank you for taking the time out to contribute to LNEWS. We thank God for you and your wisdom. Every word you preach helps us to draw closer to God. In this issue our cover story is prayer meeting and bible study. Wednesday’s Prayer meeting & Bible Study is at 8:00pm and Thursday’s Prayer Meeting is at 11:00am. On a Wednesday night, which is my spiritual midweek recharge there is great teaching, life encouragement and intercessory prayer. Thursday morning Prayer provides a wonderful opportunity for those at home during the day. Be encouraged to attend Prayer Meeting. Our Cover Story provides insight.
2 2
GREETING YOU . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Greetings from Elder H. Butler
NEWS IN BRIEF . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 COVER STORY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Prayer Meeting & Bible Studies by Mother N. Sinclair.
TRIBUTE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
To Sister Jean Cyrus.
WHAT’S BEEN HAPPENING . . . . . . 5
Youth Convention 2014, Pentecost Praise .
COMING SOON . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Holy Convocation 2014
KNOWING YOU . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Brother Michael Jarvis
WHO IS JESUS? . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Evangelist Esther Blake
AUXILIARY SERVICES . . . . . . . . . 7
Women’s Department car boot sale and prayer breakfast
REMEMBER TO PRAY FOR . . . . . . . 7 ANYTHING TO CELEBRATE . . . . . . 7 CHURCH NOTICES . . . . . . . . . . . 8 SERVICE INFORMATION . . . . . . . . 8
In “Knowing You”
Brother Michael Jarvis
Our “Knowing You” features Brother Michael Jarvis. He’s not just a church van driver. Read his interview and his testimony for more. Did you attend our 60th National Youth Convention? If not Sister Shirley Myers gives a stirring account. Be blessed.
Read his interview on page 6 Matthew 5:5
Anything to Celebrate Tell us and we will publish it
CONTENT
The Editorial Team © ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth LNEWS
S
incere Greetings to everyone in the Worthy name of Jesus our Saviour and Lord. Our Lord and Saviour is worthy to be thanked and praised. I Thank God for taking us through the first half of 2014 despite the ever growing conflict across the whole earth. Mankind is still marching down the road to a fateful end oblivious of the outcome, but for those of us who are true believers in the Lord Jesus Christ it is our duty and responsibility to pray earnestly for the unbeliever. I have a pressing conviction for early Sunday Morning Prayer in the church sanctuary. I must urge all readership that obedience to the will of God is the first and foremost option. The word of God teaches us that obedience is better than sacrifice. I have committed myself in obedience to God’s will to pray for one hour between 7.00am and 8.00am every first and third Sunday in the month, God has blessed this hour with faithful support, and an open invitation is extended to those who can at times join with me. There are some Sundays when I do this prayer alone and the presence of God is ever with me. Prayer is essential in the House of The Lord as often as possible, sincere prayers of the heart reaches heaven, lifts heavy burdens and opens doors. I urge each and every reader to pray sincerely to God Almighty, (be encouraged to pray even if you have NEVER done so) especially in the hour in which we live. May God bless you all abundantly
ELDER H. BUTLER NEWS IN BRIEF •
We regret to announce the passing of Sister Jean Cyrus on 15th June 2014, a big loss to our church family.
•
Sister Minnette Quinton has been elevated to a Missionary - May God bless and keep her in her new office.
•
Our annual three days’ (Night and Day) fasting will commence on Sunday 27th to Tuesday 29th July 2014.
•
Men’s fellowship are having a day trip to Bournemouth - See Brother Eddy King for more information.
•
The Women’s Department’s prayer breakfast and car boot sale were a success. Some photos on page 7.
•
Georgia Ells and Hakeem Williams from Luton Assembly won medals at the 60th National Young Peoples Convention.
Georgia Ells and Hakeem Williams From Our Assembly, Well done, both of you.
CAUTIOUS NOTE: THERE HAVE BEEN A NUMBER OF THEFTS FROM CARS AROUND CHURCH. PLEASE DO NOT LEAVE ANY VALUABLES DISPLAYED IN YOUR CARS, ESPECIALLY LOOSE CHANGE AND SATELLITE NAVIGATION SYSTEMS.
LNEWS
© ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
3
COVER STORY PRAYER MEETING AND BIBLE STUDIES BY MOTHER N. SINCLAIR
O
n Wednesday night of every week at 8.00pm we have Prayer Meeting and Bible Studies. Prayer is personal communication from us to God. This definition of prayer is very broad, with prayers of personal request and for others. There are prayers of petition, intercession, confession of sins, adoration, praise and thanksgiving. The very first thing the disciples asked of Jesus was to teach them how to pray, not how to teach or preach, but the determination in knowing how to pray (St Matthew chapter 6). Prayer Meeting is one of the most essential activity within the church framework, combined with Bible Study. In Bible Study, its a study to show ourselves approved, so that we can rightly defend the word of God. When we attend Prayer Meeting
and Bible Study we learn how to trust God to a higher level. Prayer is not made so that God can find out what we need, because Jesus tells us Our Father knows our need(s) before we even ask of him. (St Matthew 6 v 8). God wants us to pray and study his word because it expresses our trust in God. “Prayer Meeting and Bible Study are essential for building Christian values and recharging our battery in mid-week” Each Wednesday night we attend these meetings and listen to the teachings from our Bishop, our Pastor, when we pray God’s Kingdom is advanced. He allows us to be involved in activities that are eternally important and gives expression to our amazing significance as creatures
Tribute to Sister Jean Cyrus. On the 15th June 2014 we learnt of the passing of Sister Jean Cyrus. Whenever Sister Cyrus walked in the doors of the church her presence was always felt. Her warm, encouraging smile 4
made in God’s image. In prayer we give Glory to God our Father, knowing that are genuinely convinced of his wisdom, love goodness and power and that we come to him through Jesus Christ our Saviour. Prayer Meeting and Bible Study is where we get the sincere milk that helps us to maturity as Christians. The teachings and prayer are brilliant. A memorable teaching from our Bishop, was “How do you get to the other side, when there are obstacles in the way” (St Matthew 14 v 22 - 33) Prayer Meeting and Bible Study are essential for building Christian values and recharging our battery in mid-week. This is a biblical fact (Acts 2 v 42) “And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship and in breaking of bread and in PRAYERS.
was one of her trademarks. She was a friend to all around her and I don’t believe no was in her vocabulary when it came to the work of the Lord. There will never be another like her.
Sister you have laboured well, now rest in the arms of the Lord. © ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
LNEWS
WHAT’S BEEN HAPPENING & COMING SOON YOUTH CONVENTION 2014 BY SISTER SHIRLEY MYERS
60th NATIONAL YOUTH CONVENTION Breaking News! Hundreds of young people run riot in Dunstable Road in the Bury Park area of Luton. Now that’s what some people would like to read after the Bank Holiday Weekend. This is what happened, Hundreds of Youths Run Riot at a Church in Dunstable Road in the Bury Park area of Luton for Jesus Christ, this Bank Holiday Weekend. Children
as young as 3 years to 25 years some much older were singing and praising God, the noise would have been heard in heaven but outside everyone was going about doing their ‘own thing’ not knowing that they were being prayed for by these young children, teenagers and young adults. To be a witness come see and hear for your self what God has planned for your life. Come taste and see that The Lord is Good! ANNUAL NATIONAL HOLY CONVOCATION
An Insight Into PENTECOST PRAISE 2014
Friday 22nd – Monday 25th August 2014
Theme: Clothed in God’s Full Armour Are you clothed in God’s full armour? Christians are always facing spiritual warfare. Ephesians 6 reminds us: ‘We wrestle not against flesh and blood but against principalities and powers and spiritual wickedness in high places’ and therefore saints we must be clothed in God’s Full Armour. During this Holy Convocation we will be focusing on God’s Full Armour.
LNEWS
their prayer request known, with a response from the congregation. Some of the organisations work to help the homeless, prostitutes and drug addicts. A majority of the prayer request were for a call to the harvest because the labourers are few. It was an uplifting and informative evening. See you next year God willing. For more details of helping any of the organisations please contact: prayerforluton@gmail.com
Sunday morning will commence with our Dynamic ‘Morning Manna’ session taking a look at our convention theme. Be sure to come and feast on the Word of God (our heavenly manna) from our inspirational teachers. Sunday evening: will be Holy Communion Service. Come and hear God’s man for the hour, Bishop Alvin Blake as he breaks the Word of Life to us and leads us into the breaking of bread together. It is an experience not to be missed. Monday: will be our final day. We will commence with another invigorating ‘Morning Manna’ session followed by a worship session in the morning and another in the evening.
© ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
still provides healing today and we want to pray for healing and deliverance in our nation. There will be exhilarating praise, worship and preaching throughout. Whatever happens DO NOT MISS THIS CONVOCATION May God Bless you Richly. Pastor Fenty - (Chairman of the Holy Convocation Planning Committee) 5
COMING SOON – ANNUAL NATIONAL HOLY CONVOCATION
E
very year we host Pentecost Praise, where a number of the local churches come together to celebrate Pentecost. The church is always packed with people praising and worshipping God and the atmosphere is indescribable. Amongst the Christian organisations that attend are The Street Pastors and the Luton Town Centre Chaplaincy (LTCC) to name but a few. This year’s theme was “Prayer for Luton”. Various organisations had 1 minute, yes 1 minute to tell us about themselves and to make
Friday evening: We will open with a Dynamic ‘Prayer and Praise’ session with our National Praise and Worship leader (Evangelist Esther Blake) and National Mission’s President (Missionary Joan St. Louis) leading the session. Come and experience this powerful start to Holy Convocation as we are ushered into the presence of the Lord. Saturday evening: will be our official night with the community, Leading dignitaries and Church Leaders being welcomed. You can expect We are a church that beto engage in revitalising worship throughout the lieves that the redemptive work of Jesus on the cross session and powerful preaching.
KNOWING YOU BROTHER MICHAEL JARVIS NOT JUST A CHURCH VAN DRIVER
LNEWS: Where were you born and raised? MJ: I was born and raised in Hackney London. LNEWS: How many siblings do you have? MJ: I have 4 brothers, two that are older and two that are younger than I am. I am the middle child. LNEWS: How long have you been a Christian? MJ: I have been a Christian since 1986. LNEWS: Do you remember your conversion? Describe briefly MJ: Yes I attended Wesleyan Holiness church as a toddler then left but years later I returned. I heard a message that spoke to me and I gave my heart to the Lord. LNEWS: Are you married with children? MJ: I am married to my lovely wife Pauline and we have three children, 1 daughter and 2 sons. LNEWS: How long have you been married? MJ: I have been married for 27 blessed years. LNEWS: What is your line of work? MJ: I am a tax collector. LNEWS: Are your family a part of the church with you? MJ: Yes praise God they all attend church. LNEWS: What has been your greatest achievement to date? MJ: My greatest achievement was to give my heart to the Lord and to get married. LNEWS: We know you are very musically gifted, what are two of your most treasured achievements? MJ: Singing with my brothers at the Royal Albert hall, we were competing to be Great Britain’s representative at the Eurovision song contest. Sadly we did not win but it was an achievement to get to the Royal Albert Hall. I was learning classical piano and studying for a musical theory test. My piano teacher told me that all his students scored 90% or more on the test, so no pressure! Thankfully I passed the test and scored 90%. LNEWS: You are part of the Music Department in the church what do you enjoy the most? MJ: I have semi-retired from the music department and I do more driving of the church mini bus, I thoroughly enjoy transporting the brethren safely. LNEWS: Do you come from a family of musicians? MJ: Yes all my brothers sing and one plays the bass and another keyboards and drums. LNEWS: What are your interests/ hobbies? MJ: Film soundtracks and story writing. LNEWS: What does serving God Almighty mean to you? MJ: Living by the Beatitudes, I believe Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount is the greatest instruction for all Christians. LNEWS: Please give us a line of daily encouragement? MJ: Blessed are the merciful for they shall obtain mercy.
MY TESTIMONY I was born in Hackney London and lived at Finsbury Park. For the first seven years of my life I attended the Wesleyan Holiness Church but when my family moved to Tottenham I stopped going to Church but something must have rubbed off on me because I just could not adapt to the unsaved way of life and believe me I tried. I stopped going to church for 17 years but eventually I went back and heard a message that spoke strongly to me and I gave my heart to the Lord and the Lord has blessed me ever since.
LNEWS: On a scale of 1-10 how did you enjoy this interview? Here are the 10 ratings:
1. Once and once only
6. I did as best as I could
2. Phew! Made it…
7. I am shy and overwhelmed
3. I am glad its over, I don’t like questions
8. I am incredibly shy but don’t mind
4. Wouldn’t do this in person
9. I love it, wouldn’t do it again though (not for a long time)
5. Very interesting look at my life
10. I love it, would do it again
MJ: 5 - Very interesting look at my life.
Thank you for your valued time Brother Michael Jarvis.. We are truly inspired 6
© ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
LNEWS
WHO IS JESUS? BY EVANGELIST ESTHER BLAKE
I
n our modern times there is an obsession with finding out as much as we can about our favourite celebrities, TV evangelists, Gospel artists and the like. We are inundated with glossy images, verbose profiles, reality television shows etc, all in an attempt to help us get to know whose who, what’s what and what’s not? But do we really know these people? Sometimes they merely portray an image of who they want to be and we fall for it. The sad reality is that many impressionable people try to emulate what they see and believe is true, not realising that what you see is not always what you get!
W
H
O
My Saviour
The Son of God
The Praise & Worship Ministry have embarked on a journey to get to know Jesus in a more meaningful way than we do at present. Throughout our Praise & Worship sessions during August we will be singing hymns and songs that focus on the person of Jesus Christ to help us in our quest. Jesus is knowable, and we want to know Him better, by meditating on Bible passages that bring clarity so we have the correct viewpoint of who Jesus is. We are assured in the Holy Scriptures that we do not have to send an astronaut into heaven or a deep sea diver down into the depth of the sea – No! The Word, that is Jesus, is very near. In
I S
J
E
The Truth
fact He is so near that all we need do is confess with our mouths and believe in our hearts that He is Lord and we shall be saved – Romans 10:8-10. Please invite your family and friends to share the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ during our Praise & Worship sessions on 3rd, 10th and 17th August at 11.00 am. It promises to be a season to remember with great singing and music as we are blessed of the Lord.
S
A way-maker
U
My Rock
S
Esther Blake Praise & Worship leader
AUXILIARY SERVICES WOMEN’S DEPARTMENT CAR BOOT SALE & PRAYER BREAKFAST CAR BOOT SALE
Remember to Pray For
Prayer changes things so please remember to pray for those on the list below. The LNEWS team always need your prayers. Sis. Gardener Bro. Trotman Deacon Hunter Sis. Jenny Wilson Derek Spalding Rhonlie Byam Bro. Joseph Toro Jacobson Shakeal Ellis The Payne Family The Francis Family The Cyrus Family Provide us with your prayer requests and we will publish it for you. You don’t have to give the full details just a name will do.
Anything to Celebrate Birthdays/Anniversaries July Sis. Susan Haynes - 6th Andre Wilson - 8th July Sis. Dorinda Jacobs - 13th Bro. Jason Morrison- 17th Sis. Pauline Segbefia - 19th Andrew Nelson - 22nd July Rhonesha Byam - 23rd Mother C. Thomas - 25th Sis. Jessica Francis-Chambers - 26th Sis. Sinead Montrose - 29th Evangelist Marvalyn Chambers - 30th
As you can see from the photos below the Women’s Department car boot sale and prayer breakfast were a success. Amongst the items on offer at the car boot sale were Sister Veleta’s hats and I’m sure I saw what looked like designer wear going for a bargain. As for the prayer breakfast all I can say is people were fed temporally and definitely spiritually. All who attended were asked to submit a special prayer request on cards provided.
PRAYER BREAKFAST
August Sis. Donna Beckford-Smith - 7th Evangelist Esther Blake - 18th
Bro. & Sis. Jacobs - 18th Mother A. Blake - 23rd Birthdays, Anniversaries, Engagements, Baby Births, Graduations, Promotions, etc. We want to celebrate with you and thank God for you. Let us know and we will publish it.
Just a thought
LNEWS
© ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Treat others the way you wish to be treated 7
CHURCH NOTICES Local Meetings:
Start Time
Friday 11th July 2014
Men’s Fellowship
8:00pm
Friday 4th July 2014
Tarrying Service
10:00pm
Saturday 12th July 2014
Women’s Fellowship
8:00am
Friday 18th July 2014
Tarrying Service
8:00pm
Friday 25th July 2014
Men’s Fellowship
8:00pm
Sunday 27th - Tuesday 29th July 2014
Three days’fasting (Day and Night)
TBA
Friday 8th August 2014
Men’s Fellowship - Day trip to Bournemouth
TBA
Friday 7th August 2014
Tarrying Service
10:00pm
Saturday 9th August 2014
Women’s Fellowship
8:00am
Friday 22th August 2014
Men’s Fellowship
8:00pm
Friday 21st August 2014
Tarrying Service
10:00pm
M E N ’ S F E L L O W S H I P - D AY T R I P T O B O U R N E M O U T H Friday 8th August 2014 - See Brother Eddy King for more information National Meetings: Thursday 10th - Sunday 13th July 2014
London North District Convention - Superintendent Folkes
Friday 18th - Sunday 20th July 2014
Wood street’s Annual Assembly Meeting - Superintendent Wallace
Saturday 19th July 2014
Aston, Birmingham’s Annual Assembly Meeting - Pastor Henry
Saturday 2nd August 2014
Bible School Graduation - Evangelist Edwards
Tuesday 5th - Thursday 7th August 2014
Ministers’ Retreat
Friday 22nd - Monday 25th August 2014
Annual Holy Convocation
SE RV I C E I N FO RMAT I O N
Service Times
Start
Finish
Prayer Meeting (Every 1st & 3rd Sunday of the Month) Sunday School Morning Service
7:00am 10:00am 11:00am
8:00am 10:50am 1:00pm
New Believers’ & Discipleship Classes Evening Service
5.00pm 6:00pm
6.00pm 8:00pm
Wednesdays
Prayer Meeting & Bible Studies
8:00pm
9:30pm
Thursdays
Prayer Meeting
11:00am
1:00pm
Fridays
Youth Meeting Men’s Fellowship (Every 2nd and 4th Friday of the Month)
8:00pm 8:00pm
9:30pm 9:30pm
Saturdays
Women’s Fellowship (Every 2nd Saturday of the Month)
8:00am
10:00am
Sundays
Which Sunday is Which First Sunday
Communion Sunday
Second Sunday
Sisters’ Sunday
Third Sunday Fourth Sunday Fifth Sunday
Pastors’ and Elders’ Sunday Deacons’ Sunday Youth Sunday
All the above services/meetings are subject to change - See church secretary for further details