Worcester Lighthouse Mission - Coat Drive

The Missions Committee of Heritage Bible Chapel is offering another opportunity for you to serve the community of Pleasant Street, Worcester!

We will have a work day on Saturday October 1st from 9am-12 noon at Pleasant Street Baptist to organize a move of the free clothes "closet". If you'd like to come and need a ride there, contact Jennifer Frye to make arrangements. It will be fun work, especially for those of you born organized :-). Come use your gifts.

Warm winter coats (etc) needed! To help keep Worcester warm (or anyone else in need) we are having a coat drive. There will be a Coat Give-Away to be held at PSBC on October 15th 10am-noon. Coats of all sizes, hats, gloves, scarves, and boots will be collected up until October 14th (collection bin in the connector). If you don't need it, pass it along! If you'd like to join in on sharing Christ the day of the coat drive, let me know or just come on down.

Pray for the to Lord bless these ministries to the materially poor in our communities. May His name be glorified, and His people restored.

Literacy Class, Day of the Child (Bulgaria)

The 1st of June is celebrated as the ‘Day of the Child’ in Bulgaria. Parents and grandparents take their children out for treats and plan special events. They go to parks, cinemas, concerts, picnics, shops, buy presents, or just spend time together, congratulate the children and tell them how much they love and appreciate them.

Even children who are brought up in orphanages are taken out for a treat by their carers. There is however, a particular type - the very poor Roma kids - who almost never receive any praise, appreciation or treats, let alone on this occasion. As many of you know we work with some of these neglected boys and girls and we decided that for the 1st of June we will plan a special event for them.

So, we took them up to Vitosha Mountain which is a beautiful place only 30 min away from the centre of Sofia. We found a nice green area for picnic and games, arranged for 2 minibuses and 2 cars and went. The children loved it, although it was a bit of a job to teach them how to behave in such places, it was wonderful and it is all part of supporting, caring and loving them.

Update from Pastor Ngugi, Sword of the Spirit

Greetings in the precious name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

I trust that all is well with your soul. Myself, family and church are doing fine.

On preaching ministry, I continue wholeheartedly to tend the flock of the Lord by feeding them with unadulterated, fundamental Gospel of Jesus Christ. On my exposition of the sermon on the mount, three Sundays at a raw I have expounded Mathew 5:38-42 which focuses on Law and Retaliation.

The First Sermon I preached on: BEING IN-CHARGE OF THE SELF. The verses echoes a call on us to rule our own spirits and exercise a self government on our passions: Conquest of our own unruly feelings and emotions requires a more regular and persevering self-management: Withholding ourselves from revenge is a spiritual victory over our anger: By nature, there is a spirit in us which is turbulent, revengeful, and desirous of returning evil for evil: But when we are able to deny corrupt human nature its thirst for retaliation, this gives man a victory over himself: The spiritual result is that God's Grace triumphs and we manifest a noble, brave and strong spiritual character that invites God's blessings: God blesses our exemplifications of His grace when provoked to retaliate: This is because it is often His way to shame the party that did the wrong by overcoming the wrongdoer with believer's love, meekness and generosity: A Christian is not to be satisfied because he has won in a strife but in endeavoring to end conflict by mollifying the matter.

The second sermon I preached on: RESPONDING TO CONFLICTS WITH A SPIRITUAL CONSIDERATION. Jesus is refuting an error from Jewish teachers allowing individuals private revenge: There were statutes in Jewish law for use by their judges which the scribes had permitted to be used privately to settle personal quarrels and injuries, and often in a malicious ways: Christ forbade His followers from resisting attacks by way of private revenge for doing is being overcome by the same evil of his attacker: But public reparation by magistrates in sentencing an evil doer who has injured his fellow however, is not prohibited herein: Its private revenge where a victim take matters into his own hands and retaliate against the one who injured him that Christ forbade: The reason for this prohibition is to give room for the law of love to operate in a believers life: All believers are expected to seize the moment of distress and personal injury to show kindness to him that hates or injures them: However, God's will is not that this principle of grace should override and swallow up all other principles of justice: The requirements of justice and the demands of personal holiness are to be held in a balance by Christians.

Nevertheless, for the fact that they are believers, spiritual considerations should come into play and require Christ's followers to be men of different disposition from the rest of the world: They should be men of peace, meekness, enduring wrong, suffering loss, accepting hardship, full of compassion and operate by simple faith.

The Third Sermon I preached on: WHEN IT IS RIGHT TO CHALLENGE THE WRONG-DOER. In Mathew 18, Christ gave a model of settling offenses among believers: This implies that Christ was not rigidly against pursuit of justice when circumstances warrant so: Under certain circumstances, it would be a Christian bounden duty to seek the protection and help o the officers of the law: Law enforcers are one of God's means for preserving law and order in our communities: God's law given to the Israelites Judges was for the guidance and use designed to protect the weak from the strong: Remitting its demanded penalties was meant to secure justice and to serve as deterrent measures to the evil doers: It also prevented judges from inflicting too severe a punishment upon those guilty of injuring others: As such, we deduce that any law governing the well-being of the community is just, merciful and beneficent.

If inflicting of punishment on those convicted of crimes would make this world a much safer place to live in, then a christian has a duty to contribute to this well-being and safety: There are times when ignoring of wrongs done to us or ignoring injuries inflicted upon those who depend on us for justice would obviously be a failure on our part to perform our social duty towards public safety and justice: We must also not neglect the rights of vulnerable ones who depend on us for justice, by turning loose on society, those who would imperil the security: Even though as Christians we may forgive an offense against ourselves, we have responsibility to our neighbors: But even with these cases where duty requires us Christians to take legal action against one who has injured us or our depend ants, this must be done without any malice and should always come as our last resort: As Christians we mus be aware that it is extremely difficult to handle pitch without the fouling of our garments.

These and more were the highlights of these wonderful 5 verses of the sermon on the mount.

I sincerely thank you for your continued prayers, support, love and encouragement as I preach the Glorious Gospel here in Kenya. My prayers are ever with God for you that all His promises may come to pass in your life for doing what pleases Him.
With much love.

Pastor Francis Ngugi
Nairobi/Kenya

May Report from Straight Ahead Ministries

Dear Family and Friends,

From time to time, Straight Ahead schedules special speakers to share the Good News of Jesus Christ with incarcerated youth. This week we welcome Ryan Morton, from England, who won the Bronze medal for Weightlifting at the 2011 British Masters Championship. Ryan is traveling throughout New England with speaking engagements in thirteen youth lock-up facilities over the course of six days. In addition to demonstrating proper lifting techniques and holding facility-wide Dead Lift competitions, he is also sharing how his faith in Jesus Christ transformed his life, and he offers the teenagers an opportunity to trust Christ for themselves.

I was with Ryan on Monday at a lock-up facility south of Boston. Twelve boys, aged 12-16, and three staff were present. After sharing a bit about how he got involved in competitive weight lifting and his personal achievements in the sport, he changed directions and began to talk about the greatest weightlifter who ever lived. “I can Dead Lift close to 600 pounds and some of my mates can do even more. But none of us can compete with the greatest weightlifter of all time, Jesus Christ. Jesus lifted the weight of the sins of the entire world and placed them on himself. He lifted the weight of the sins of everyone in this room so that by believing in Him you can have your sins forgiven and receive eternal life.”

The Bible says “our griefs He Himself bore, and our sorrows He carried…He Himself bore the sin of many, and interceded for the transgressors” (Isaiah 53:4, 12). I will be thankful throughout eternity to Jesus for lifting my sin onto His shoulders and bearing the weight of its penalty so that I might live.

As summer approaches we enter into another season of fundraising. We are honored when anyone gives to the work we are doing for we know that finances are tight for many people. We are so grateful for those who do give and hope that you see the eternal investment your money makes in the lives of juvenile offenders through our direct ministry to the kids and through the ministry of special speakers like Ryan Morton.

- Dan and Jodi Mesher
Straight Ahead Ministries

News from Pastor Geraldo, Belo Horizonte Brazil

"By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed about seven days” Hebrews 11:30 Good evening dear friends, Again we had a weekend so blessed in our church. On Friday evangelism in 7 square was wonderful, many people professed Jesus Christ as Savior. Hallelujah! On Saturday morning a breakfast with women, and it was very special. The sister Aldinha shared the Word of God and was very uplifting. Yesterday in Sunday School, the Charles Hamilton continued with the study about "sataniologia" and once again it was so enlightening. In Worship, praise, supper and the music spoke very special to our hearts. The message I shared on Hebrews 11:30. I talked about walls that we build into our lifes that requires obedience to the Word of God to them totter, see below. I also shared about the walls that the enemy build to prevent our walk with God. If God will not destroy, He will makes us jump the wall as in Psalm 18:29 "For by thee I have run through a troop; and by my God have I leaped over a wall” Already available to special music and message on our site: I think if you take a time and watch, you will be very well built. Sending some photos of our final semana.http: / / www.ggwobrasil.org A bigger hug, Pastor Geraldo, Elaine, Isac, Joel and Natã.

News from Columbia

Dear Brothers and Sisters, Friends and Supporters:

We understand that we have been silent these days, but in our minds, hearts and daily prayers, we have been present with you.

The situation with health gets stirred up by surprise; all of a sudden, Leonel’s blood pressure escalated out of control. There was no reasonable explanation for this, which forced him to seek emergency medical care. We had never experienced this particular situation before, and it showed us how very fragile the human being can be.

Once his blood pressure was under control with the prescribed medication CABERGOLINA, without being advised to do so by the doctor and due to the high cost it involved, Leonel discontinued taking it for over 4 months. The doctor had not advised him that he was to take this medication on a permanent basis.

During the emergency and because the blood pressure was so out of control, Leonel was sent to an ENDOCRINOLOGIST who ordered a particular CAT Scan. They were not able to do it because of his inability to breathe easily while laying on his back. This difficulty manifested itself after the last surgery of the larynx. The doctor then decided to order another, shorter test. According to the Endocrinologist, Leonel’s condition had worsened due to discontinuing the treatment, causing a critical risk for his life and health. He was ordered to resume the treatment immediately which is CABERGOLINA (PROLASTAT 0.5. MLG.), three times per week.

The Macroadenoma, producer of prolactin, had elevated the levels of said hormone in his organism which was causing dangerously high blood pressure. It was also producing head aches, nausea and imbalance among other things. We praise God that the levels of Prolactin in the blood returned to normal as soon as he reinitiated the medical treatment. Symptoms disappeared completely. GOD’S MERCY AND GOODNESS WAS WITH US ONCE AGAIN. At this point, the Prolactin levels are just about normal.

The ENDOCRINOLOGIST is against surgery of the hipofisis because he understands it would be a high risk surgery which would have side effects and could potentially worsen his quality of life in the future. He says he’ll have to take the medicine for the rest of his life. We praise God that now the government began to pay for this medication through the mandatory health plan. GOD’S MERCY AND PROVISON HAS BEEN MADE A REALITY.

On the other hand, after the second surgery of the larynx, besides having lost the sense of smell and ending up with some respiratory problems, a polyp has surfaced again on the left vocal chord. The specialist believes Leonel should be submitted to surgery again, which he says will not be traumatic. At the moment I receive the news about my third surgery of the larynx, will be on May 4 at noon. 12:00.

Next Thursday, March 24th, Bélgica and Leonel will go to Mitú (Vaupés) with another couple who are church leaders. They will return on Tuesday the 29th. This mission trip is with the goal of giving pastoral care to our beloved son in the faith, FABIO CANO. A theological formation course will be conducted for the leaders and future pastors in the villages of Tierra Grata, Tapurucuara and Puerto Lleras (Quererari river) in the jungles of the Vaupes. They will also conduct the marriage ceremony of 3 couples who are potential leaders in Mitu.

Upon their return, they will receive in our church an itinerant preacher during the first 3 days of April, after which Leonel will go to Bogota for his third surgery of the larynx. One month later he will undergo a variatric surgery (gastric band) due to being overweight. This will happen in May after having returned from the Missions Conference at the Spanish River Church in Florida.
We trust God that after these surgeries Leonel’s health will improve notoriously and his quality of life will be much better. GOD IS GOOD AND FULL OF MERCY AND GRACE. It is our desire to continue working for the Lord as long as we remain on the earth.

We thank God for what he is doing in our lives and the work in Colombia. Our churches are REFORMED, which made it absolutely necessary to distinguish ourselves from the extremes of the powerful charismatic movement, preachers of a false gospel of prosperity, as well as from the proliferate sects in Colombia which under the appearance of Christians, negate Christ as Savior. The number of churches now preaching zealously the undiluted GOSPEL OF CHRIST, is growing all over the country, and God has given us the privilege of participating in this process. PRAISE BE TO GOD FOR THIS.

We have 7 planted, fully functioning churches, 5 in the process of being planted, which gives us 12 places to preach the WORD OF GOD. At this point we are also focused on the Republic of PANAMA, for the formation and development of leaders. God has blessed this effort greatly under the leadership of our missionary pastors: Luis Javier Gil and Fabio Guillermo Cano, who were trained in our Villavicencio church. Thank you for praying for us and for your financial support. All of you have been instruments used by God to plant and see fruit. May the Lord repay you abundantly for your faithful support.

Prayer requests:

1. Theological and pastoral formation in Mitu (Vaupés), March 24-29, 2011.
2. Conferences in Panama from March 18-23. Pray for Pastor Javier Gil and Pastor David Green who are conducting these conferences.
3. Meeting with the Reformed Bethany Presbyter from July 28-31, 2011. Bruce McDowell and Mateo Dubocq as speakers.
4. Second national convention for the pastors of the Reformation in Villavicencio from Jan. 31-Feb. 3, 2012.
5. That God may totally heal Leonel’s larynx. That the surgeries be blessed by the Lord and turn out well. That Leonel may continue to preach and help plant more biblical churches in Colombia where God opens doors.
6. For the construction of the church building for the Reformed Betania Church “God’s Vineyard” in Villavicencio.
7. For the visit of a team from the Heritage Church to our church in Villavicencio during early this year.
8. For plans for a visit from the Maranatha Church, a work in Villavicencio.
9. For the conference for Church Planters in Boca Ratón (Florida), April 30- May 3, 2011.
10. That God may provide a good computer for Leonel. It is a vital tool for him and the one he had is totally out of commission.
11. For resources to build an adequate recording studio for the radio programming which is a mighty tool in the city of Villavicencio and surrounding cities where it is heard.

May the Lord continue to bless you richly. We pray for you daily, full of gratitude and love.

Greetings from Kenya

I convey my love and greetings to you.

The Lord continues to be gracious to me, family and the church.
A fortnight ago I baptized seven souls and yesterday I had a 33 year old man accept Christ in the church.

I have zealously been preaching the authentoic Word, doing an exposition from the sermon on the Mount in Mathew Chapters 5-7 in our Sunday morning services. On January 16th, I preached on: FAITH AND PRACTICE from Matt. 5:17-20: Jesus was correcting the various religious corruptions in the law out of the twisted rebbinic interpretations: Jesus had come to the earth with an express purpose of fulfilling and accomplishing all the righteousness God had demanded by the law: The Jews had reduced the law demands to mere performance of legal ceremonies without moral commitment, a kind of antinomianism that is even evident in Christainity today: Jesus made a demand that external ceremonies must correspond with internal persuasions.

On January 23rd, I preached on: RAISING THE STANDARD OF RIGHTEOUSNESS from Matt. 5:21. Herein I expounded on the Scribes and Pharisees standard of righteousness, borrowing heavily from Mathew 23, and showed its defectiveness: It was an outward show of ceremonies that made no conscience of vices such as impure thoughts, covetousness, hatred, jealousy, slander and had coldness of heart towards God: Their religious actions and practices proceeded from unsound principles of self-interest rather than the pursuit for the glory of God.

On January 30th, I preached on THE SIN OF HEART MURDER from Matt. 5:21-22. Jesus introduced a radical approach to worship that demanded a level of righteousness that was personal, perfect and having perpetual obedience in thought, word and deed: He picked on the Law against murder to illustrate this principle: He demonstrated that its true import prohibited not only the overt act of murder, but every evil working in the heart and mind which harbours seeds that could lead to murder: Such eveil workings of the heart include injust anger, hatred, contempt, deamining language, etc: God abhores all inward motions of evil in the heart in forms of thoughts, affections and attitudes with the same degree He abhores the overt act of murder: From this we realize that there is a sin called Heart Murder.

On February 13th, I preached on GETTING READY FOR WORSHIP (by repairing the damaged relationships) from Matt. 5:23-26. Jesus went further to show that internal vices of the heart do hinder our worship: Peaceful and harmonious co-existence with fellow believers is mandatory for worshippers: We do think we can do well with God without mending fences with our fellow believers: But irony of the mater is that God is much the Father of the offended believer as He is yours, and He cannot receive you while you continue casting a stumbling block in the way of your fellow believers: We need to acknowledge and confess our offences to one another and seek reconciliation so as to acquire God's approval and be admissible to His worship: Jesus borrowed from secular judicial practices to show the heavy cost of disregarding reconciliation: While there is still time and chance, we need to come to an amicable agreement between ourselves: But if we delay or refuse to reconcile, our case can be taken to the law by the aggrieved:But once you appear before the judge, the matter would pass out of your control and be subject to the decision of the court, whose business is to give strict justice and have it impartially enforced:This will involve costly litigation and procure imprisonment for the guilty.

On Mid-week Thursday Services I started a series of exposition of Psalms, with a goal of providing balanced spiritual diet between the Old and New Testaments.
I sincerely thank you for your continued Prayers, Support, Love and Encouragement to me as I preach the gospel of Christ here in Kenya.
With much love I remain.

Pastor Francis Ngugi
Nairobi/Kenya