Once again we welcome you to FEA worship service. Let us worship the lord in the beauty of holiness. May His name be glorified today.
One Sunday morning in August last year, three policemen went to the home of Don Ossewaarde, a missionary from Illinois, as he was conducting his weekly Bible study in Russia. He was taken to the police station and charged him with conducting missionary activities in violation of a new law that took effect in July last year. He was subsequently taken to court, found guilty and sentenced to pay a fine of 40,000 rubles, which is over $600 US. Ossewaarde had now become about the 31st person to have been prosecuted under the new law.
However, the good news is that this law might now be getting a second look in the interest of the people of Russia. Ossewaarde appealed his case three times, and has now worked his way up to Russia’s Supreme Court, which is expected to issue a ruling within the next few weeks. He also appealed to the Constitutional Court, and if the judges accept the case, the consequences could be great. Ossewaarde’s case now becomes the first under the anti-missionary amendment to reach this level in the Russian courts, and the first to issue a challenge to the legislation itself.
According to the Religious Liberty Bulletin, President Putin agreed a few months ago that the unpopular law may need to be “adjusted to not put people in a difficult position.” That difficult position includes being charged for not using your church’s full name on your phone bills, allowing children on a playground within hearing distance of sermons, and distributing New Testaments on a train. These are all accusations that have been made against Protestants under the new law.
While we are still enjoying our freedom to worship God here in the U.S., let us remember to pray for those who do not have this privilege. Pray earnestly for victory in this court proceeding, that this yoke might be broken from the shoulders of our brothers and sisters in Russia. Amen!
SCHEDULE FOR THE WEEK
LUNCH HOUR HOTLINE/ WARFARE PRAYER
Wednesday, 12:00 noon- Lunch Hour Hotline
5:30 p.m. – Warfare Prayer
PRAISE & ADORATION PRACTICE
Friday, 6:30 p.m.
HOUR-OF-POWER PRAYER SESSION
Saturday, 7:00a.m. – 8:00a.m.
NEXT SUNDAY
Worship & Ministry Service, 9:00 a.m. (Communion)
Business Meeting, immediately following the morning service.
Kingdom Men’s Ministry Meeting, 6:00p.m.
FEA’s Annual Church Business Meeting is rescheduled for Sunday, February 5, 2017.
ABSENTEE BALLOTS ARE AVAILABLE IN CHURCH OFFICE
Qualifications for receiving an absentee ballot:
1.Sickness prior to and extending over the date of the Church Business Meeting and Election Officers.
2.Care of disabled relatives or sick children.
3.Work schedule falls on the date of such Meeting/Election.
4.Off-Island during the period of the Business Meeting.
Tithe Receipts available after service
King’s Daughters Soup Sale
The King’s Daughters will be having a soup sale immediately following the business meeting. Please proceed over to the annex to purchase a freshly prepared meal.
Other Activities
Faith Wesleyan Holiness Youth Department and the Wesleyan Women Missionary Society will be hosting their sixth annual “Cultural Night” celebration, on February 24, 2017 at 7:00p.m. This event will showcase the traditional culinary delicacies of many Caribbean Islands, for a minimal cost of $1.00-$3.00 per taste. For additional information, please call Sis. Jascinth Mernier (704) 968-7030.
Matthew- Part 3
Why is Matthew so important?
The apostle Matthew, a Jew himself, offered a decidedly Jewish perspective on the ministry of Jesus. He included more than fifty direct citations—and even more indirect allusions—from the Old Testament. This exceeds any of the other gospels and indicates that Matthew had the Jewish population in mind when he sat down to write. Matthew’s extensive connections between Jesus and the Old Testament provide ample prophetic evidence for Jesus’s ministry but also give contemporary readers a glimpse into how first-century readers approached the Old Testament with a Christ-centered mind-set.
In addition, Matthew’s gospel answers the question on the mind of every Jewish reader: “If Jesus is the King of the Jews, then where is God’s promised kingdom?” Matthew reveals that Jesus did offer the kingdom to Israel, but the offer was rejected (Matthew 4:17; 16:13–28; 21:42–43). God’s primary work in the world is now accomplished through the building of Christ’s church, after which Jesus will come again to earth and establish His kingdom—ruling the world from Israel.
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MEDIA MINISTRY
World Overcomers: WSTA 1340 AM station: Sundays at 12:30 p.m. & Tuesdays at 6:00 a.m.
•Website: http://www.wom.vi & Email: info@fea.vi
•On our Website you will find: Live Streaming, free copies of our audio message & radio broadcast.
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OVERCOMER: Living a Life of Victory!