BELIEFS & MEETINGS
Note from the
Treasurer
Be a Cheerful Giver (Part 2)
L
uke 6:38 Jesus tells us: “Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be poured into your lap.” This does not mean that God will always financially bless those who give but, if we make Him a priority, He will take care of us. “For it pleased those from Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor among the saints who are in Jerusalem” (Romans 15:26). The money Paul collected was usually earmarked for the poor saints in Jerusalem. These were people who stayed in Jerusalem and developed the foundation of the church. Many lived in poverty after abandoning homes and farms to learn more about Jesus. Ultimately, this is what our offering should go towards: equipping the saints and spreading the Gospel. If our gift is not being used to build up God’s Kingdom or spreading the love of God to humanity, we need to rethink why we are giving. God’s gifts are meant not only to bless us, but for us to bless others (1 Peter 4:10). To give grudgingly - or not at all - is a sign of a heart issue that we value money, comfort and security more than the Kingdom of God. It is only when we learn to give ourselves to Christ that we can cheerfully give to support His purpose. Make up your mind today to be a cheerful giver from now on, and see the miracle of what God will do in the area of your finances.
Sandra Dawodu Please note that you can give to ECC through the website at www.ecc.org.uk or via mobile apps: Acct No 18844979 Sort Code 60 05 16
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WEEKLY MEETINGS
Sunday services Celebration service
9.00am to 10.45am
with classes for Children & Youth
Celebration service
11.15am to 1.00pm
with classes for Children & Youth
Japanese service
2.30pm to 4.30pm in Auditorium
Polish service
2.30pm to 4.30pm
Evening service
in Foyer
6.30pm to 8.00pm
See page 23 for details
Mondays
Prayer meetings
Tuesdays
10.00am & 6.00pm
Prayer meetings
Wednesdays
10.00am & 7.30pm
Prayer meetings 10.00am & 6.00pm Little Stars’ Parents & Tots Term-time only 10.00am to 12.00pm Wednesday Afternoon Fellowship 2.00pm to 3.30pm
Thursdays
Prayer meetings 10.00am & 6.00pm Equippers: Life skills 7.00pm to 9.30pm
Fridays
Registration required
Prayer meetings 10.00am & 6.00pm Equippers: Ministry skills 7.00pm to 9.30pm Registration required
All-night Prayer 10.00pm to 5.00am
Saturdays
Last Friday of the month
Local Lighthouse Evangelism 11.00am to 1.00pm
FINANCE THANK YOU
FOR YOUR FAITHFUL GIVING TO GOD’S WORK J UL 2019 AUG 2019 Tithes & Offerings £34,817.31 £39,191.49 Building Fund £1,061.00 £1,473.50 Standing Orders £23,055.70 £32,567.19
GRAPEVINE magazine • Issue 100 • OCT/NOV 2019
WHAT WE BELIEVE 1. THE BIBLE: We believe the Bible, as originally
given, to be without error, the fully inspired and infallible Word of God and the supreme and final authority in all matters of faith and conduct. 2. THE TRINITY: We believe that the Godhead exists co-equally and co-eternally in three Persons, Father, Son and Holy Spirit and that these Three are one God, sovereign in creation, providence and redemption. 3. THE SAVIOUR: We believe in the true and proper deity of our Lord Jesus Christ, in His virgin birth, in His real and complete humanity, in His sinless life, in His authoritative teaching, in His substitutionary and atoning sacrifice through His shed blood, in His bodily resurrection, in His ascension to the right hand of the Father, in His heavenly intercession and His second advent to receive His Church. 4. THE HOLY SPIRIT: We believe in the deity of the Holy Spirit Who proceeds from the Father and the Son and the necessity of His work in conviction of sin, repentance, regeneration and sanctification, and that the believer is also promised an enduement of power as the gift of Christ through the baptism in the Holy Spirit with signs following. Through this enduement the believer is empowered for fuller participation in the ministry of the Church, its worship, evangelism and service. 5. MANKIND: We believe in the universal sinfulness of all mankind since the Fall, rendering man subject to God's wrath and condemnation. 6. SALVATION: We believe in the necessity for salvation of repentance towards God and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ by which the sinner is pardoned and accepted as righteous in God's sight. This justification is imputed by the grace of God because of the atoning work of Christ, is received by faith alone and is evidenced by the Fruit of the Spirit and a holy life. 7. THE CHURCH: We believe in the spiritual unity and the priesthood of all believers in Christ and that these comprise the universal Church, the Body of Christ. 8. THE MINISTRY: We believe in the ministries that Christ has set in His Church, namely, apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers, and in the present operation of the manifold Gifts of the Holy Spirit according to the New Testament. 9. THE ORDINANCES: We believe in the baptism of believers in water in obedience to the command of Christ and the commemoration of Christ's death by the observance of the Lord's Supper until His return. 10. THE COMMISSION: We believe that the Gospel embraces the needs of the whole man and that the Church is therefore commissioned to preach the Gospel to the world and to fulfil a ministry of healing and deliverance to the spiritual and physical needs of mankind. 11. THE COMING KING: We believe in the personal, physical and visible return of the Lord Jesus Christ to reign in power and glory. 12. THE FUTURE STATE: We believe in the resurrection of the dead and in the final judgment of the world, the eternal conscious bliss of the righteous and the eternal conscious punishment of the wicked.
