Bethel Methodist Church, Bangalore

Bethel Tidings

21&2 2, Bethel Nagar 1st Main, Off Kodigehal l i Road, K.R.Puram

Hobl i , BANGALO RE - 560 036.

Website: bmcbangalore.org

Pastor: Rev. T. David Livingston

Cell: 99865 26450 E-mail: pastor.bmc@gmail.com

(For private circula�on only )

A BILINGUAL MONTHLY BULLETIN OF BETHEL METHODIST CHURCH

Volume 7-6 June 2013

You shall be

like a watered garden

Isaiah 58:11

Bethel Methodist Church, Bangalore 2

Irula VBS :1 - 5 May 2013

Bethel Methodist Church, Bangalore 3

Pastoral Letter

Dearly beloved members,

Gree�ngs to you in the name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ!

Welcome back to the church. Hope all of you enjoyed your summer

break and the trips to visit your beloved families at na�ve places. I shared the

joy of being in the family occasions of some of our members. The marriage of

Chaitanya and Jennifer on May 14, 2013 and the 50th wedding anniversary of

Rev. Gandhi Selwyn and Mrs. Ponrani Selwyn (Parents of Mrs. Gi4lin Clement

and Mrs. Sweetlin Frank) at Tirunelveli on May 27, 2013 are notable ones. I

was very happy to be with the Missions team that conducted VBS for Irula

and Gypsies and to have accompanied our Tamil congrega�on members for

the DRM camp at Tiruvallur, Chennai. Now be prepared to be ac�ve and hap-

py all through the ensuing new church year in BMC.

How many of us will choose to eat a ro9en apple if it is spiced with

salt, sweet and made completely palatable? None of us will do. Unless we are

a famine vic�m, dying for any stuff to gulp in, none of us will eat it however

tasty it is made to be. We know how to dis�nguish between good stuff and

bad and we select only good. Godly wisdom also has choices to make and

right things must be dis�nguished from wrong. Such wisdom must be learnt

and brought into our lives. Look at this verse:

“The LORD will guide you continually, And satisfy your soul in drought, And strengthen your bones; You shall be like a watered garden, And like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail.” Isa 58:11

You will be like a well-watered garden. This is the name God wants

to give to our character and a metaphor he wants to describe us with. If we

can close our eyes, scan through our life and evaluate the character we have

built, will we fit to this descrip�on? In the book of Proverbs we read that

“Wisdom calls.” It is a privilege and calling to live by godly wisdom and make

choices. God waters us well and makes us flourish with his wisdom. Book of

Proverbs is like dis�lled water. In simple words great universal truths and life

principles are wri9en in it for us to read and learn. We should become a gar-

den by receiving the waters of wisdom that comes from God. It begins with

fear of God.

Becoming godly wise is a process in human evolu�on. Through our life trails

and trials we must seek to steer ourselves to that ul�mate goal every day.

The Cross helps us in deciding at our cross roads and the Spirit encourages

our spirits to follow this goal as we work on every day. Grace accompanies us

to stand again and run through the right paths from the fallen pits. Our aD-

tude, ambi�on, behaviours need constant checking and altering and should

then be applied to all areas of life such as conscience, spirituality, business,

family, entertainment etc. In these lines many principles are taught to us in

Bethel Methodist Church, Bangalore 4

in the book of Proverbs. Let us heed to true wisdom, acquire them and evolve

to become a well-watered garden. What we are is God’s gi4 to the world.

What we become is our gi4 to God.

I appreciate all the children who have scored good marks and have passed

to join new classes in schools. Now some of our children who want to join

college have a big challenge before them i.e., to pay their fees. As we do eve-

ry year to support them, this year also let us help the deserving ones as much

as we can.

Grace be with you always.

Rev. David Livingston

ேபாதக� மட கிறி����� பி யமானவ�கேள, நம� க��த�� இர�சக�மாகிய இேய கிறி��வி!

நாம�தி" அ!பி! வா$���க. ேகாைட வி()ைறைய உ+க உறவின�க,ட! மகி$-சியாக ெசலவழி�� தி��பி1ள உ+கைள ஆலய�தி3� ம4ப51� வரேவ3கிேற!. நம� அ+க�தின�ைடய சில �(�ப ைவபவ+களி" கல7�ெகா8( நா9� மகி$-சி அைட7ேத!. ேம 14 ஆ� ேததி ெப+க< " நைடெப3ற ைச�த!யா – ெஜனிப� அவ�கள� தி�மண)�, ேம 27 ஆ� ேததி தி�ெந"ேவலியி" நைடெப3ற மைறதி� கா7தி ெச"வி! – தி�மதி ெபா!ரானி ெச"வி! (தி�மதி கிC�லி! கிளம!� ம34� தி�மதி �வ D�லி! பிரா!� ஆகிேயா ! ெப3ேறா�) அவ�கள� ஐ�பதாவ� ஆ8( தி�மண விழா ஆகியைவ �றிCபிட�த�கைவ. நம� மிஷன �Hவி! Iல� இ�ளா ம�களிைடேய நைடெப3ற வி()ைற ேவதாகம பளியிJ�, சீஷ��வ ஊழிய+களி! சா�பி" தி�வ< " நைடெப3ற )காமி" நம� சைபயின�ட! ப+�ெகா8டதிJ� என�� மி�க மகி$-சி. ெதாட�7� நம� தி�-சைபயி! அைன�� ஊழிய+களிJ� மகி$-சி1ட! இ7த Nதிய ஆ85" ெசய"பட தயாராேவா�. அHகிய ஒ� பழ�தி!ேம" உCேபா அ"ல� இனிCேபா தடவி அைத ந"ல� ேபா" கா�சியளி�க ெசPதா", ந�மி" எ�தைன ேப� அைத உ8ண வி��Nேவா�. நா� க(ைமயான பQச�தி" அவதிCப�( சாCபா�53� ஏ+கினாேலெயாழிய அைத உ8ண மா�ேடா�. ந!ைம தDைமையC ப��தறி7�, ந"லவ3ைறேய ேத�� ெசPேவா�. அCப5ேய ேதவ ஞான)� ந!ைம தDைமைய ப��தறிதைல� ெகா8ட�. இ7த ஞான�ைத நா� க34, அவ3ைற நம� வா$வி" ெசய"ப(�தேவ8(�. இ7த ேவத வா��ைதைய கவனி1+க:

Bethel Methodist Church, Bangalore 5

“க��த� நி�த�� உ�ைன நட�தி, மகா வற�சியான கால�களி உ� ஆ� மாைவ தி!"தியா#கி, உ� எ%�&கைள நிண�(ளதா#)வா�, ந* ந*�"பா+சலான ேதா�ட�ைத" ேபால,�, வ-றாத ந*.-ைற" ேபால,� இ!"பா0”. (ஏசாயா 58:11) நD நD�Cபா-சலான ேதா�ட�ைதC ேபால இ�CபாP. நம� �ணாதிசய� இCப5 இ��க ேதவ! வி��Nகிறா�. இUவாேற ேதவ! ந�ைம காண, விவ �க வி��Nகிறா�. நம� க8கைள ஒ� த�ண� I5, நம� வா$ைவ ஆP7� பா���, நம� �ண�ைத ப ேசாதைன ெசPதா", ேதவனி! இ7த வி�Cப�தி" நா� அைமேவாமா? பழெமாழிகளி! N�தக�தி" “ஞான� XCபி(கிற�” எ!4 வாசி�கிேறா� (பழ. 1:20)ேதவ ஞான��ட! ெத � ெசPவ� மிகC ெப ய பா�கியமா��. ேதவ! நம�� நD�Cபா-சி, அவ�ைடய ஞான�தினா" வ��தி�கCப8[கிறா�. பழெமாழிகளி! N�தக� ெதளி7த நDைரC ேபா!ற�. சகல ச�திய+கைள1�, வா$வி! ெகாைககைள1� ��கமாக�� எளிதாக�� வாசி�� க34�ெகாவத3ேக3ப இ� அைம7�ள�. ேதவ ஞான�தி! Iல� நா� நD�Cபா-சலான ேதா�டமாக மாற ேவ8(�. அ� ேதவ பய�திலி�7� ஆர�பமாகிற�. ேதவ ஞான�ைத அைடவ� மனித வள�-சியி! ஓ� ப�தியா��. நம� அ!றாட வா$�ைகC ேபாரா�ட+களி! Iல� அ7த உய ய )5வி3� ேநராP கட7� ெச"ல ேவ8(�. ேபாரா�ட+களி! ந(வி" ேதவ ஆவியானவ� நம�� உ4�ைணயாக இ�7� அ7த ேநா�க�தி3� ேநராP வழிநட��கிறா�. ேதவ கி�ைப1� வHவாதப5 ந�ைம கா�கிற�. நா� ெதாட�7� நம� ேநா�க�ைத1�, ெசய"பா�ைட1� ப ேசாதைன ெசP�, ேதவ9�� ஏ3ற விதமாP மா3றி, நம� வா$வி! ெதாழி", வ��தக�, �(�ப�, ஆவி�� ய வா$� எ! அைன�� ப�திகளிJ� அவ3ைற ெசயலா�க ேவ8(�. பழெமாழிகளி! N�தக� இத3ேக3ற பல ெகாைககைள நம��� க34�த�கிற�. ஆகேவ ெமPயான ேதவ ஞான�தி3� ெசவிசாP��, நD�CபாP-சலான ேதா�ட�ைதC ேபா" நா� மா4ேவாமாக. நா� உலகி3� ேதவனா" அளி�கCப�ட ஈ�. நா� ம4மல�-சி அைடவ�, ேதவ9�� நா� அளி��� ஈ�. பளி இ4தி� ேத�வி" சிறCபான மதிCெப8க,ட! ேத�-சி ெப34 அ(�த வ�Cபி3� ெச"லவி���� அைன�� பிைளக,��� எ! வா$���க. நம� பிைளக சில��� ேம3ப5Cபி3கான ெசல� மிகC ெப ய பார�. ம3ற ஆ8(கைளC ேபா!4 இCெபாH��, ேதைவ1ேளா��� நா� உதவி ெசPேவா�. ேதவ கி�ைப உ+க,ட! த+கியி�Cபதாக.

ேபாதக� — ேடவி� லிவி�<ட�

Bethel Methodist Church, Bangalore 6

ேதவ� த=த ஞான�

ஆ இ�... இவ,ைடயதா? என�� ேவ8டா� எ!4 ம4ப51� அவ,ைடய த�5" அ7த சாCபா�ைட த�5வி�டா அவ,ைடய ேதாழி ஜாதா. இ� அவ இத3� )! ேவைல பா��த பளியி" நட7த ஒ� ச�பவ�. அ+� மதிய� சாCபா�( ேவைளயி" எ"லா ஆசி ய�க,� ஒ!றாக அம�7� ஒ�வ��ெகா�வ� அவ� அவ�க,ைடய சாCபா�ைட ம3றவ�க,ட! பகி�7�, �சி��, ரசி�� சாCபி(வா�க. ஆனா" யா�� இவ,ைடய சாCபா�ைட ம�(� சாCபிடமா"�டா�க. ஏெனனி" அதி" ஒ� ைவ1� இ��கா�.ஏெனனி" அவ,�� சைம��� ெத யா�. வ D�(�� வி�7தாளிக வ7தா" வ7தவ�கதா! சைம�� சாCபிட ேவ8(�. சில ேநர�தி" வ D�( உ ைமயாள ! ெப8ைண அைழ�� ைவ�� சைமCபா. ம3ற சில சமய+களி" சைமய" �ெபஷ" N�தக�ைதC பா��� சைமCபா. ஏனேவ சைமயலி" �சி இ��கா�. யாராJ� சாCபிட )5யா�. அவ! ம�(� ேவ4 வழியி!றி வயி3ைற நிரCNவத3காக எCப5ேயா சாCபி�( வி(வா!. அவ ேவைல பா��த பளியி" யா�� இவ உணைவ சாCபிட மா�டா�க. அவ�க,ைடய சாCபா�( ேநர�தி" ேபனா N�தக�ேதா( அம�7� யா� யா� எ!ன சைம�தா�கேளா அ7த சைமய" )ைறைய ேக�( எHதி�ெகாவா. அவ,ைடய உணைவ யா���� ப மாற மா�டா. அ!4 அவ N�தக�ைதC பா��� Nதிய உண� ஒ!ைற தயா �தா. அ� ைவயாக இ���� என எ8ணி எ"ேலா���� ப மாறினா. அUவள�தா!! ஜாதா��� உண� பி5�கவி"ைல எ!றா" அைத ெமௗனமாக ஒ��கியி�7தி��கலா�! ஆனா" அவேளா ெப ய ச�த��ட! இ� இவ,ைடயதா? என�� ேவ8டா� எ!4 ம4ப51� அவ,ைடய த�5" அ7த சாCபா�ைட த�5வி�டா. அவ,ைடய உள� உைட7த�. க8ண�தி" க8ணD� த��பிய�. ேவதைனேயா( வ D�(�� வ7த அவ Nல�பி Nல�பி அHதா. அCெபாH� அவ,ைடய க8களி" பைழய இேய அைழ�கிறா� இத$ ப�ட�. திற7� வாசி�க ஆர�பி�தா. எ!ன ஆ-ச ய�! அதி" ெப8க ப�தியி" �ெட"லா தினகர! அவ�க இேத விஷய�ைத� �றி�� எHதியி�7தா�க. அவ�க,��� சைம�க� ெத யா�. அவ�க அ�கா ய�தி3காக உபவாச� இ�7� ெஜபி�தா�க. ேதவ! அவ�க சைமயைல ஆசீ�வதி�தா�. அ(�த I!4 நா�க இவ,� உபவாசி�� ெஜபி�தா. க8களி" ஆ, இ� இவ,ைடயதா? என�� ேவ8டா�.. எ!ற கா�சி ேதா!றி ேதா!றி மைறய க8ணD�ட! ம8றா5னா. “க��தாேவ என��

Bethel Methodist Church, Bangalore 7

சைம�க க34� தா��. நா! சைம��� ஒUெவா� சைமயலிJ� ஒ� தனி �சிைய� தா��. எ!9ைடய சைமயைல1� அைனவ�� வி��பி சாCபி(�ப5 �சி மி�7�தாக மா34�. காணா`� க"யாண�தி" த8ணDைர திரா�ைச ரசமாக மா3றி, அ� உ8ைமயான ரசமாக மா3றின Dேர, அேத விதமாக நா! சைம��� சைமயைல1� ஆசீ�வதி1�” என ெஜபி�தா. அத! பிற� ஒUெவா� நா,� சைம���)! “ேதவேன நா! சைம��C ேபாகிேற!, எ! ப�க�தி" இ�7� சைம�க க34� தா+க” எ!4 மனதி" ெஜபி��வி�( சைம�க ஆர�பி�தா. க��த� ெஜப�ைத� ேக�டா�. சைம�க க34� த7தா�. இ!4 அவ,ைடய சைமயைல பல�� வி��பி சாCபி(கிறா�க. நD+க பா�� ��, ேட�5 ��, aCப� ��... எ!4 பல�� பலவிதமாக பாரா�(கிறா�க. இCNக$ ெமPேயா ெபாPேயா ெத யா�, ஆனா" ஒ!4 ம�(� ெமP, எ7த ஜாதா, ஆ இ� ...இவ,ைடயதா? என�� ேவ8டா� எ!4 ெசா!னாேளா, அவேள இ!4 இவ,�� ேபா! ெசP� இ7த சைமய" எCப5 ெசPய ேவ8(�? அ7த சைமய" எCப5 ெசPய ேவ8(�? எ!4 ேக�கிறா!! இ7த கி�ைபைய த7தவ� ேதவ!தாேன, எ! நாம�தி" எைத ேக�டாJ� த�ேவ! எ!4 ெசா"லியி��கிறாேர! அCNற� ஏ! நம�� வ��த�, ேவதைன? எ� �ைறேவா, அ� நிைறவா��ப5 ேக�ேபா�, ெப34�ெகாேவா�.

- ெதாட��.

சா�சி

க��த�ைடய ெப தான கி�ைபயா" இ7த வ�ட� எ+க பளியி" ப�தா� வ�CN ேத�� எHதிய 114 மாணவ�க,� ேத�-சி ெபற ேதவ! கி�ைப ெசPதா�. ஞான�தி" �ைற�ள மாணவ�க பல� இ�7தன�. வ D�5" அவ�க,ைடய ப5Cபி3�, உதவி ெசPவத3�, ெசா"லி� ெகா(Cபதி3� யா�ேம இ"லாத மாணவ�க,� இ�7தா�க. இவ�க ஒUெவா�வ��காக�� அ9தின)� நா! ெஜபிCேப!. அதி" ஒ� ெப8ணி3� வ�னநிதி எ!4 ெபய�. அவ,�� பய+கரமான உட"நிைல பிர-சைன. எ�தைனேயா ம�7�க!, மா�திைரகளி! விைளவாக பளியிJ� b+கி�ெகா8ேட இ�Cபா. எHCபி எHCபி பாட�ைதC N���ேவா�. c34�� I!4 அ"ல� நா!� மதிCெப8கதா! வா+�வா. அவ,ைடய நிைலைமைய நிைன�� அவ,�காக பார��ட! ெஜபிCேப!, ேமJ� எ!9ைடய பாட�தி" c34�� c4 சதவ Dத� ேத�-சி ெபற ேவ8(� எ!4� அதிக ஆைச. எ"லாவ3ைற1� மனதி" ைவ�� ெஜபி�ேத!, ேதவ! ெஜப�தி3� பதி" த7தா�. ஆலய�திJ� அேநக� ெஜபி�தா�க. ெஜபி�த அைனவ���� ந!றி. மகிைமயான கா ய�ைத ெசPத ேதவாதி ேதவ9�� ந!றிக பல ேகா5. -தி�மதி ஆஷா ராd பா"

Bethel Methodist Church, Bangalore 8

A COMPILATION OF EARLY MISSION WORK IN INDIA This issue focuses on early mission work in south Tamil Nadu. The following months, we will

focus on mission work in this and other regions of our country.

Mission work in earlier centuries (1700s -1800s)

in the Tirunelveli (South TN) area - Part I

By Mrs. Ajji Alan

“S�ll other seed fell on good soil. It came up, grew and produced a crop,

some mul�plying thirty, some sixty, some a hundred �mes." Mark 4:8

The mission of spreading Chris�anity among the Tirunelveli district was a

con�nuous effort by Missionary Socie�es in the West – SPCK, CMS, SPG. The mission-

aries sent by these socie�es were like seed that fell on good ground that yielded

good fruits. They came to the Tirunelveli district with the mission of spreading the

gospel and many ended their lives here.

Though the Dutch mission in Tirunelveli was a passing phase, the Danish

missionaries Bartholomaus Ziegenbalg and Heinrich Plutschau began a new revolu-

�on in the history of Chris�anity in South India. They arrived at Tranquebar

(Tharangambadi) located about 150 miles south of Madras and later reached out to

places like Trichy, Thanjavur, Cuddalore, NagapaDnam, Madras and then to Tirunel-

veli.

In 1778, Chris6an Frederick Schwartz, the first German missionary through

the Society for the Promo�on of Chris�an Knowledge (S.P.C.K) moved to Palaya-

mko9ai from Tanjavore, a chief town of Tirunelveli.

It was during his first visit that Schwartz met a Maratha Brahmin

widow named Kohila a9ached to a Tanjore royal family whom he had met in Tanja-

vur. She accepted Christ through an English officer named Henry Ly9leton who saved

her from sa�, an act where the woman has to be thrown into her husband’s funeral

pyre. A4er the death of Ly9leton, Schwartz bap�zed her and gave her the Chris�an

name of Clarinda.

The missionaries transformed a few and they in turn inspired many locals

towards the Chris�an faith. Clarinda was one such who was highly commi9ed to

spreading the Chris�an faith among the ignorant and illiterate. With the help of Ra-

yappan, from a high caste family from Tanjavore, she ran the local school and erect-

ed a small stone church that stands to this day. The church was dedicated by

Schwartz and he named it as “Clarinda’s Church.” The Church is a very sacred site in

the district of Tirunelveli despite the tradi�onal casteism and racism. Clarinda be-

came known as the Mother of the Palayamo9ai congrega�on. On the request of Cla-

rinda for a full-fledged and trained pastor-teacher to assist her congrega�on, in 1783

Schwartz le4 behind one of his most trusted Indian friends, Satyanathan Pillai, from

Tanjavore. In 1790 Sathyanathan Pillai was ordained as the very first Tamil evangeli-

cal missionary. To assist him, Schwatz elected a brilliant youth named Vedanayakam

Pillai from Tirunelveli and educated him in Tanjavore and in due course, he became

the most renowned Tamil scholar-writer /poet / lyricist who le4 over 500 lyrics and

133 books.

Bethel Methodist Church, Bangalore 9

Schwartz due to his poor health sent another German missionary named

Joseph Daniel Jaenicke to the Tirunelveli district to monitor the mission work. He

involved himself in “gospel tours” in and around towns namely Nazareth, Jerusalem,

and Samaria where he would preach the gospel. Schwatz was one of the greatest of

all Tranquebar missionaries. While in India, he learned Tamil, Telugu, Sanskrit, Per-

sian, Hindustani, Marathi, and Portuguese, and he assisted in the transla�on of the

Bible into Tamil. His leadership in raising disciples and establishing the churches in

and around the Tirunelveli area bought many mul�tudes into the new Chris�an faith.

For this, Schwartz is called as the ‘father of Tamil Chris6anity’.

In 1797, Sathyanathan Pillai along with David Sundaranandam, a local con-

vert and disciple, organized one of India's earliest modern "mass movements" of

preaching the gospel where thousands turned to the new Chris�an faith. Both of

them worked day and night for nearly 16 days and converted a whole village

“Mudalur”. They also built a small church but unfortunately it was burnt by the non-

Chris�ans in 1803. Later at the same place, a church was built with brick and mortar

in 1816 (which was renewed and extended by Rev. Norman in 1883). This provoked

the landlords, who troubled the new believers by destroying their houses, prayer-

schools and burning their books. To protect these believers from them, David

Sundaranandam established the first Chris�an refuge village - Mudalur to protect the

new converts. Apart from this, voluntary “self-help” socie�es were also formed with-

in each village to care for the needy, those fleeing their homes, the sick, poor, wid-

ows, and orphans. Following Mudalur, se9lements came up in other places such as

Bethlehem, Nazareth, Jerusalem, Samaria, Galilee, Megnanapuram, Sawyerpuram,

Anandapuram, Dohnavur.

A4er Schwartz and Jaenicke's death, James Hough, a military chaplain took

over the missionary work of the SPCK and became the Government Chaplain in Tiru-

nelveli in 1816. He opened schools, using his own funds to erect small buildings, hire

schoolmasters from Thanjavur, and buy books from Tranquebar. By 1819, with help

from the Society for the Promo�on of Chris�an Knowledge (S.P.C.K.) and the Church

Mission Society (C.M.S.), 15 Tamil schools were serving 551 students and two English

schools were teaching 59 students. He was interested in village ministry and wrote to

the CMS asking for a missionary.

As numbers of Chris�ans doubled, missionaries began to arrive. They helped

to build schools, prin�ng presses, colleges and seminaries for training leaders and

hospitals followed. And the transformed Chris�an communi�es of the Tirunelveli

district became so numerous, prosperous, and strong that in the long run they

helped to transform the local culture and society.

“I tell you the truth, unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground dies, it re-

mains only a single seed,. But if it dies, it produces many seeds” John 12:24

Ajji and Alan worship in BMC and are a part of the Whitefield area fellow-

ship. They involve in outreach and other ac�vi�es of the church.

Bethel Methodist Church, Bangalore 10

Prayer Diary Compiled by Mrs. Anne Sangeeth Rao

This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to His will,

He hears us. I John 5:14

Sunday:Sunday:Sunday:Sunday:

ALBANIA: KEY FACTS

Albania, officially known as the Republic of Albania, is a country in South Eastern Eu-

rope. Tirana is the Capital and largest city, official language is Albaniana. Cons�tu�on-

ally Albania is a secular country, and as such, “neutral in ques�on of belief and con-

science”. The most common religions prac�ced are Islam and Chris�anity. In 1967,

religious prac�ces were officially banned in Albania, making the country the first and

only cons�tu�onally atheist state to ever exist. A4er the fall of state communism, in

1991 religious ac�vi�es resumed. According to census in 2011 56.7% Islam, 10.03%

Roman Catholic, 6.75% Albanian Orthodox, 5.49% Unaffiliated, 2.5% Atheist, 2.09%

Bektashi, 0.14% Protestant/Evangelical. Most of the Chris�ans in Albania are Ortho-

dox Chris�ans.

Ethnic groups: 95% Albanian, 3%-6% Greek, and 2% others (Aromanian, Macedonian

etc.)

Government: Unitary parliamentary republic

President: Bujar Nishani

Prime Minister: Sali Berisha

Speaker of the Parliament: Jozefina Topall

1. Pray that the few Chris�ans in Albania show the true God to the secular country.

2. Pray that the orthodox Chris�ans also know the true God and serve the Lord in

truth.

3. Pray for the government and the leaders of the country.

4. Pray for the economy of the country as most of the people migrate to other coun-

tries for opportuni�es due to bad economy in Albania.

5. Pray for the farmers as agriculture is a very significant sector in this country.

Monday:Monday:Monday:Monday:

• Praise God for the good results of the children of our church in their exams.

• Pray for all the families that are travelling back home after the summer vacation.

• Pray for the Annual Family Camp 2013.

• KR puram Area fellowship & its members( Dennis, families of Ashok Doddan-na, Atheejoe, Don Bosco, Jayant, Jeevan, Joseph Paul Abraham, Moses, Naveen Warren Stephen Daniel, Swaroop, Peter)

• Hoodi Tamil Area fellowship & its members: (Sagadevan, families of Mary Rita, Stephen Babu, Jyothi, Franklin, Rani Jeypaul, Prabhu Paul, Saral Sarojini, Usha Reddy, Arul, Vino)

Tuesday:Tuesday:Tuesday:Tuesday:

• Praise God for the new-borns of the church. • Let’s pray for our Pastor Rev. David Livingston and his family.

• Let’s pray for Bethel Shaale – for the children who come and for Mrs. & Mr. Peter

who conduct the classes

Bethel Methodist Church, Bangalore 11

• Bethel nagar Area fellowship & its members (families of Pastor, Anand, Ebenezer, Kalyan, Prabhu, Publius, Rajkumar, Sharon, Vijay Prakash, Paul Naveenraj, Uttam)

• Devasandra Tamil Area fellowship & its members (Balan, David, families of

Anandaraj, Koilraj, Lydia, Philip , Rajupaul, Ruth, Suresh, Shekar, Wilson)

• ITPL Area Fellowship and its members (Families of Anban, Clement, Darwin,

Franklin Koilpillai, Jabez, John Manoah, Ronald, Sheldon)

Wednesday:Wednesday:Wednesday:Wednesday:

• Pray for the various committees of the Church.

• Praise God for the elections that took place peacefully.

• Pray for our Irula outreach program in Hosur.

• Pray that all our prayer cells (women as well as men) would be strengthened.

• Whitefield Area Fellowship & its members (John, Daniel, families of Alan Paul, Binu George, Christopher Vasa, Irwin, John Prashanth, Rajan Abraham, Sanjay Joel)

• Priyankanagar Tamil AF & its members( Families of Inbaraj, Karunamurthy, Nithya, Paneerselvam, Rueban Gandhi, Swamidas, Suresh)

Thursday:Thursday:Thursday:Thursday:

• Praise God for Whitefield area outreach program.

• Pray for the team which regularly visits them on Sunday afternoons. Pray that peo-ple who could speak in Kannada and Hindi would be available to share the word of God.

• Pray for the Sunday School that is going to reopen on June 02, 2013.

• Pray for the little ones who are going to start schooling from this year.

• Hoodi Area fellowship & its members (Frank Jeyakar, families of Arun, David Anand, David Jabez, Isaac Peterson, Kingsly Francis, Ranjan, Shibu, Tony, Vivek Bangera)

• Kodigehalli Tamil AF& its members: Families of George, Jeyamma , Jashua Devadas)

Friday:Friday:Friday:Friday:

• Praise God and pray for the newly married couples in the church.

• Pray for Mrs. Jeyamma's family and the comfort & salvation of her family. Mrs. Jeyamma, who got baptised in Oct 2012 was from a Hindu family and stood for Christ. She passed away in May 2013.

• Pray that the new government would not hinder the ministry of the church & the proclamation of the gospel of Christ.

• Marathahalli Area Fellowship & its members (Families of Ashok, Clement, Deo, Frank Santhosh, Himanshu, Praveen Paul, Sathiya, Selvin, Sundar, Vadivel, Wilfred)

• Bethel nagar Tamil AF & its members( Durai, Justin S. Families of Pastor, Jo-

seph, Huldah, Paul Durai, Vijay, Bernard, Das, Jonathan)

Saturday: Saturday: Saturday: Saturday:

Mission: UESI (Union of Evangelical Students of India)

Website: h9p://uesi.in

Bethel Methodist Church, Bangalore 12

On a Friday evening, a group of college students met at Poonamallee High Road,

Madras in the home of Prof H Enoch. This con�nued week a4er week, growing in

number and in spirit. Almost at the same �me, two other groups from CMC, Vellore

and GCT, Coimbatore used to meet in their colleges for prayer. These 3 groups met at

a retreat in Katpadi near Vellore and their union gave birth to UESI in 1954 with the

fourfold aims of (i) Evangelism (ii) Fellowship (iii) Tes�mony and (iv) Mission. Today,

there are more than 200 staff working for the Lord spread across all the states of our

country.

Vision of UESI

Transformed students impac�ng the campuses and na�on as disciples of the Lord

Jesus Christ.

Mission of UESI

UESI seeks to evangelise post-matric students in India, nurture them as disciples of

the Lord Jesus Christ, that they may serve the Church and Society.

• Praise God for the various conferences, camps, retreats and the Bible Studies that

are conducted by UESI.

• Pray that this ministry would reach the unreached students and colleges of India.

• Pray that the Lord would guide the students of UESI so that they may serve the Lord in their youth.

• Pray for the Bible studies that are conducted in colleges and hostels so that there

won’t be any hindrances.

• Pray for the wisdom and knowledge of the leaders so that the ministry would ex-pand for the glory of God.

• Pray for their upcoming workshops and Bible Study cells.

இல வழிபா@க( - ஜ*� மாத�

ப)தி /

ஒ!�கிைண"

பாள�

நா( (ேநர�:

மாைல

6:00—7:15) இட� / இல�

ேவதபாட

தைலவ�

ஹூ5, தி�மதி.

ேம ேராசலி!

9 ஆ� ேததி தி�மதி. ேம g�டா தி�.ேஜாசC

23 ஆ� ேததி தி�மதி. ேம g�டா

ேதவச7திரா

தி�.ேகாயி"ராd

9 ஆ� ேததி தி�. வி"ச! தி�

ெஷ"ட! 23 ஆ� ேததி தி�. ஆன7தராd

ெகா5ேகஹளி

தி�மதி சசிகலா

9 ஆ� ேததி தி�மதி சசிகலா தி� ேஜப� /

தி� அ!ப! 23 ஆ� ேததி தி�மதி சசிகலா

பி ய+காநக� தி�

iப! கா7தி

9 ஆ� ேததி தி� iப! கா7தி தி� 7த�

23 ஆ� ேததி தி� iப! கா7தி

ேவதபாட� தயா CN - ேபாதக� ேடவி� லிவி+�ட!

Bethel Methodist Church, Bangalore 13

Testimony - God taught me - Ms. Tabitha

In this year I learnt many new things about God from the Bible in our

Church. I will try to put all the things I learnt in prac�ce and ask God to help me to do

it well. Here I would like to share some of the important things I have learnt in the

Sunday School and the VBS.

In the VBS, I learnt that there will be choices in life to choose from and as a

child of God I should make good choices in life. I should give first priority to God in all

situa�ons that I am placed in. All others get second priority. Also I learnt that serving

the Lord whole heartedly all the �me leads to a joyous life.

I studied about Rahab. Although she was a sinner she found the favour of

God in her life by her ac�ons and became a member of God’s family. Through her

life, I learnt to be bold and stand firm for God.

In the Sunday School, I studied about King Ahab who wanted to grab a vine-

yard that belonged to an ordinary man in Jezreel. Atlast he and his wife Queen Jeze-

bel were punished by God. I learnt that as God’s child we should never be greedy and

become a grabber of others’ things. To overcome greediness, we should give to oth-

ers in need as much as we can.

I also learnt from the Good Samaritan parable that we need to love our

neighbors who are in need. That is the way to experience a quality life in God.

I learnt about the life of Jesus how he underwent the trials in Pilate’s court before he

was crucified on the Cross. Through that I learnt how to face injus�ce in life as a child

of God. Also I learnt that I should be able to love my enemies also.

I praise God for helping me to learn many things from our Church and I thank all my

teachers and uncles who taught me.

(Tabitha is the daughter of our Pastor David Livingstone. She is studying seventh standard. We

appreciate her sharing the VBS experiences here)

Announcements from Pastor

• Child Born

Praise God for the baby boy born to Jabez and Merjulah on May 2, 2013.

• Wedding

Praise God for the marriage of Chaitanya Vamsi with Jennifer Vinolia C/o Mr. Joseph

Mohanraj and Mrs. Juliet Joseph on May 14, 2013 at the St.John’s CSI Church, Banga-

lore.

• Telugu Fellowship

Telugu Fellowship gathers on all third Saturdays in the homes of members. Contact

Bro. Anandh MK (9742088088).

Bethel Methodist Church, Bangalore 14

Testimony - My provider - Mrs. Kamila Prabhu

I was working for a company as technical writer. I was on bond for a cer-tain period. The company was a consultant company. So I had to work with differ-ent clients at their locations.

I was just waiting for my bond period to expire so that I can start looking out for a new job. I was looking for a new job near to Whitefield or outer ring road to reduce my travelling. Whenever I got an interview call, I would first ask “Where is the office location?” Based on that, I would attend interviews.

Although I attended few interviews there was no success. Then I decided to take up interviews/job even if I had to travel far. There was no success in this also. Disappointment and frustration was growing day by day. I almost gave up my job search. At this juncture, I saw in one of the Bethel Tiding’s cover page “Be still and know that I am God” Psalm 46:10. The verse was very straight-forward and I decided to leave everything to Him because I knew He will do eve-rything at His appointed time.

My manager wanted me to work on an internal project (my company’s internal project). This project was a new exposure to me, which enabled me to learn a new tool. After this, I had to work in clients’ places for their project. Each project was different on its own and it gave me opportunity to learn many new things. As days progressed, I slowly realized the Lord was preparing me for a new job without my knowledge as these were things which I had lacked initially when I was attending the interviews. Then I understood that I had to go through the disappointments for I had a learning phase behind me.

As the project at the client place was nearing completion stage, I again started looking for a new job. I got a job offer from a company that was located quite far away. I was in a dilemma whether to accept or reject the offer as I got something after a long time. After giving enough thought, I declined the offer. There was anxiety within me whether I took a correct decision in rejecting the offer.

After one month, I got a call from another company. To my surprise, the company’s location was as I desired. The interview went well and I got the offer letter. One of my concerns was getting relieved from my company. The company had a notice period of two months, but I was supposed to join the new company within a month. As per my company rule, if I don’t serve my notice, I had an op-tion to buy-out the notice period only if my senior manager approved.

Before I drafted my resignation, I prayed ‘Lord please enable my relieving without any obstacles’. The Lord did wonders for me. I was relived within a month and I did not have to pay even for one month’s notice period. “If God is for us, who can be against us?” Romans 8:31. My friends and colleagues told me that I was lucky to get relived without any hurdles even without paying any money.

Yes! Indeed I am lucky as the living God has chosen me, though I am unworthy and undeserving. I thank the Almighty for all that he has done. I give him all glo-ry.

Bethel Methodist Church, Bangalore 15

Irula VBS report - Mr. Atheejoe Nargunam & team

Foremost we would like to thank and praise God for His blessings in

the VBS at Irula field and Gypsy Colony.

The Theme of the VBS was "Kalakalaama". Following were the focus for each

day. Day 1 : God the Creator, Day 2 : God the Protector, Day 3 : God Loves

Day 4 : God the Healer, Day 5 : The Resurrected God.

We had about 130 children in the program, who were divided into 4

classes. The children were taught many new songs & verses and we had pup-

pet shows and skit. In addition to The word, we also focused on health, hy-

giene, education and career. The last day ended with Love Feast.

After the final day programme, each participant was given a gift pack

with the following items - 1 notebook, pencil, rubber, 2 bathing soaps, 1

washing soap, tooth paste, tooth brush, comb, bottle of oil and shampoo sa-

chet.

In addition to the Irula field, God also enabled us to minister to chil-

dren and adults in the Gypsy colony on the first day. There were about 100

children and adults who attended the session there.

We would like to thank each and every one of our church members who prayed for this program and supported us in various ways. Special thanks to our Pastor, Rev. David Livingston, for His guidance and being a part of this ministry - the children would never forget Timmy and His stories. Thanks to Mr. Jeyaseelan, Karnataka State Secretary of IEM for being

with us all the 4 days and helping and guiding us in the entire ministry and the Management and missionaries at the Outreach Training Institute, for their wonderful hospitality. The VBS sessions would have been difficult without Mrs. Anthonyamma, the teacher and Mr. Ramappa, the caretaker of our Day care center in the field. We specially thank Mr. Sheldon, Mr. Clement, Mr. David Anand, Mr. Frank, Mr. Meril, Mr. David Jabez, Mr. Arun, Mercy Aunty, Ruth and little Jey-

den and Jathniel for being a part of this ministry. We would once again like to thank God for His wondrous ways during the program. We could see the inquisitiveness among the children to know more about God, their thirst to come up in life and lead a life like us. There are many incidents which remain afresh in our minds and we remain thankful to God for using us in this ministry and we are filled with the Burden to DO MORE for the Development of this community. We pray that God would use our church in this ministry and one day,

we would see these children transformed and come up in all aspects of their life and these villages would stand as a testimony to the Living God. With Prayers, Irula VBS Team (Isaac, Angelin, Jenitta & Atheejoe)

Bethel Methodist Church, Bangalore 16

Wishes from congregation to all who celebrate Birthday and Wishes from congregation to all who celebrate Birthday and

Wedding Anniversary this month May God Bless you!Wedding Anniversary this month May God Bless you!

இ�மாத�தி பிற=த நா( ம-I� தி!மண நா( காJ� இ�மாத�தி பிற=த நா( ம-I� தி!மண நா( காJ�

அைனவைரL� சைபயி� சா�பாக வாM� கிேறா�. க��த� அைனவைரL� சைபயி� சா�பாக வாM� கிேறா�. க��த�

உ�கைள ஆச�ீவதி"பாராக!உ�கைள ஆச�ீவதி"பாராக!

The Scholar - A parable

A4er his death, the soul of a German scholar entered into the world of spir-

its. From a distance he saw the indescribable glory of heaven and the unending joy

of those who dwell there. He was overwhelmed by what he saw, but his intellect

and his scep�cism stood in his way and blocked his entrance to the realm of bliss. So

he began to argue with himself: There can be no doubt that I see all this, but how

can I be sure that it is real and not just a subconscious illusion? Let me apply the

cri�cal tests of science, logic, and philosophy; then we will see whether this appar-

ent heaven really exists.

Now, the angels who dwelt in that place knew his thoughts and approached

him, and one addressed him: Your intellect has warped your en�re being. If you

want to see the world of the spirit, you must look with spiritual eyes. You must apply

spiritual insight, not the ra�onal exercise of logic. Your science deals with material

reality. In this realm, however, you can only apply the wisdom that arises from love

and reverence. It is a pity that you do not take to heart the words of the Master:

“Unless you change completely and become like a li9le child, you shall not enter the

heavenly realm.”

Clearly you long to see spiritual truth. If you didn’t – if your life and

thoughts were only evil – you would not even see heaven from afar, as you do now.

But un�l you �re of your folly and turn around, you will con�nue to wander the

world, banging your philosophical head against reality. Only then will you gain true

insight and be able to turn with joy to the light of God.

In a certain sense, all of space and �me is spiritual. God’s presence per-

vades everything. Thus all people live in the spiritual world. Each of us is a spiritual

being clothed in a mortal body. But there is another level of reality where our spirits

go and dwell a4er physical death. This can be understood as a kind of misty twilight

between the glorious light of heavenly bliss and the frigidity and darkness of death.

Already in this life we set the course that determines where we shall enter into the

world beyond death. From there, we either turn joyfully toward the light, or rebel-

liously toward the darkness.

(This is an excerpt from the book “Wisdom of the Sadhu - Teachings of Sadhu Sundar

Singh)

Bethel Methodist Church, Bangalore 17

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Bethel Methodist Church, Bangalore 18

Regular & Special Programs - Jun, Jul & Aug - 2

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Whitefield

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Whitefield

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Bethel Methodist Church, Bangalore 19

Annual Family Camp Annual Family Camp Annual Family Camp Annual Family Camp ----2013201320132013 A time to relish in God’s presence as a family

♦ Songs & Skits

♦ Medita�ons

♦ Talent �me

♦ Family fun

♦ And More!!

Sessions for kids, youth and

families

When 26 - 28, July 2013

Where Ecumenical Chris�an Centre, Whitefield Don’t miss this opportunity!

Register online h9p://www.bmcbangalore.org/register.aspx RSVP Wilfred @ 9945 833 883

Bro. Sam K John

Kingdom Friends Network

Bro. Philip Cherian

forma�ons

Bethel Methodist Church, Bangalore 20

Pulpit Calendar

Theme: Theme: Theme: Theme: Well watered garden, Isaiah 58:11

Editorial Team: Pastor, Asha, Selvin, Hannah, Wilfred & Arun

Date Time Speaker Title

2-Jun-13 7:00 am (Tamil) Rev. Stanley Jeyaseelan

The Ant 9:30 am (English) Pastor

9-Jun-13 7:00 am (Tamil) Pastor

Good Medicine 9:30 am (English) Rev. David Nathaniel (DS)

16-Jun-13 7:00 am (Tamil) Guest Speaker

False Balance 9:30 am (English) Pastor

23-Jun-13 7:00 am (Tamil) Pastor Jewel in a

swine’s snout 9:30 am (English) Pastor

30-Jun-13 7:00 am (Tamil) Pastor

9:30 am (English) Mr John Manoah Tree of Life

Every Sunday - Contemporary Worship Service in English at 6.00 PM

Humour