Greetings to you in the Name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!
I thank and praise God for the privilege to serve Him. I thank Him for watching over us all these years and helping us in growing both spiritually and in numbers. Praise the Lord for His continued blessings. Our regular worship services have been a great blessing to many. We are privileged to hear the word of God through our honorary Pastor and guest Preachers.
Apart from regular Sunday worship services, we had special services on Christmas, New Year Eve (Watch Night Service), 20th Anniversary, Palm Sunday, Good Friday, Easter, Thanksgiving, Mother’s Day and Father’s Day. On the scheduled Sundays, Sr. Honorary Pastor Rev. Dr. David Ravinder shared the God’s Word and spiritually encouraged us all through the year. We are also blessed to hear the Word of God through many of the guest preachers from India and around New Jersey. The guest preachers for the year 2017 included the following eminent servants of God: Rev. Dr. A. B. Joseph Kishore, Rev. Dr. Joe Payarda, Rev. Dr. Jessie Payarda, Pastor Moses Choudary, Dr. John Wesley, Dr. T. D. Prasanna Kumar, Bishop Daniel Kalyanapu, Rev. Emmanuel Paul, Rev. Joseph Theophilus, Rev. Stanley Joseph, Rev. Dr. David Mertz, Mrs. Udaya Pulipati, Bro. Sunil Robert Vuppula, Bro. Pravin Charles Dhara, Rev. Bhanumurthy, Pastor Deevanaiah, Bro. Devasahayam Dandala, Bishop Kishore Daroga, Rev. Dr. Samuel Mohanraj, Pastor Jayaraju Madey, Sis. Elizabeth Vallabhaneni, Rev. Philip Nethagani, Bro. Peter Samuel, Sis. Esther Rani, Rev. Babu Jayakumar Kola, Rev. John Francis, Bro. KY Ratnam. Our special meditation programs included the Cottage Prayer meetings during the 6 weeks of Lenten season. UECF participated in New Jersey, Virginia and Connecticut annual family conferences.
20th Anniversary Celebrations: I thank and praise God for UECF 20th anniversary celebrations held on October 28th and 29th. The theme of our anniversary was “REJOICE”. Rev. Dr. Joe Madhu Payarda and Rev. Dr. Jessie Veena Payarda brought the powerful Word and Bro. KY Ratnam helped us with special music. I want to praise God and thank all the Pastors, Evangelists, Missionaries, Bible Teachers who have ministered from the pulpit over the past twenty years. They are too many to thank individually. UECF has been blessed in so many wonderful ways, that it is difficult to name all of them. We can never forget the founding families’ vision and commitment to make UECF what it is today. God has honored their work. In particular we want to mention Bro. Alfred Bhaskar who is now with the Lord. As we celebrated the 20th Anniversary, a Souvenir was released with congratulatory letters from Servants of God and other eminent people. I thank all those who helped in bringing out this memorable souvenir. I thank Pastors, Executive Body and all the members for making this possible to celebrate UECF’s 20th Anniversary which coincides with the 500th Anniversary of Reformation Day. UECF started weekly Aradna TV outreach program with messages from our Pastor Rev. Dr. David Ravinder and special music by UECF Choir.
Missions/ Outreach Ministry:
UECF goal and purpose is to participate in the great commission given by our Lord Jesus in Mark 16:15 ‘Go ye into the all the world and preach the gospel to every creature’. UECF is supporting missionaries who are doing missionary service in spreading the Gospel of our Lord and savior JESUS CHRIST primarily in India where many people do not know Christ.
UECF supported Bro. Joseph Dawson, Lutheran Boarding Home, AEL Revival Outreach, Rev. G.C.R. Arun Rao, Bro. J. Prem Kumar, Blind & Prison Ministry(Followers of Christ Ministries), Partners India International, Love of Jesus Christ Ministries(Pileru), Physically and Mentally disabled ministry, Peace Proclamation Ministries, Poor Widows Ministry, Naya Jeevan, Sunshine Village Outreach, HIV Ministry, Village Ministry, Inter Varsity Christian Fellowship, Indian Mission support(Late Mr. Paul Rapaka), Orphanage in Hyderabad as part of missions support. Thanks for your prayerful financial support.
UECF is humbly following the word in Acts 1:8, ‘Ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem and all Judea and in Samaria and unto the uttermost parts of the earth’. We thank and praise the Lord for all those who have participated in this ministry in different caliber for the glory of GOD.
Old Age Home Ministry: The nursing home ministry has become an integral part of UECF evangelism. Because of UECF Nursing Home evangelism, people who are touched by God through worship and by the Word of God got saved at CareOne Nursing home and now they are spending their eternity with the Lord. It’s good to see more and more UECF representation at the CareOne Nursing Home. We thank the Lord for all the families joining at CareOne Nursing home worship service on every third Saturday of the month at 10:30 AM. In glorifying our Lord Children are also participating in the worship service by singing special songs. We also thank all those speakers who are bringing the Word of God and also we thank all the Musicians and Singers who are participating in the worship service.
The highlights of the Nursing Home Ministry:
1. The residents of CareOne Nursing Home are tremendously blessed, in fact the residents request us to come again soon.
2. The CareOne Nursing Home staff were also blessed with our music, singing and the Word of God.
3. The Nursing Home Ministry has become a great encouragement and inspiration to UECF families participating in worship service.
In conclusion we are spreading the love and message of Jesus Christ in nursing home, providing support and encouragement to the inmates of CareOne by regular monthly visits by UECF.
Music Ministry: We thank and Praise the lord for UECF music Ministry which is a vital part of our Worship Service every Sunday. UECF music Ministry is based on four key factors.
1. Adoration of God's power and majesty. 2. We praise and worship the Lord in response to God's goodness towards us. 3. Our worship is an expression of our love towards God.
4. Our worship is all about Jesus.
Highlights of Music Ministry: 1. The music ministry of UECF has been a blessing to so many people around the world.
2. The music ministry is a blessing to so many people in USA also.
3. The UECF choir is highly appreciated by well known musicians as one of the top Telugu choirs in USA.
4. UECF music ministry has become a blessing to so many local people as well as the local Churches too.
Thanks to Bro. Samuel Sudhakar Chilaka for leading the Music ministry and praise the Lord for other musicians: Bro. Josiah Srigiri, Sis. Suneela Ponnapalli and Yuko Unehara, Singers, Sound Engineers and AV people who are committed to serve the Lord by exalting the Lord's Name. Special thanks to Bro. KY Ratnam, Dr. Daniel Prabhakar, Bro. John Libni Bathuka for leading the 20th Anniversary celebrations.
Sunday School Ministry: We thank the Lord for UECF Sunday School Children for participating in all special occasions with their individual talents, Dramas and group dances and a successful VBS program. Thanks to Mrs. Emily Myla and the Sunday’s School staff for their efforts to nurture our children in Word of God.
Youth Ministry: God has blessed us with a good year of youth ministry. On an average we have a good group of youth coming to our fellowship. Following up on successful completion of the series based on “Not a Fan Student Edition: What does it really mean to follow Jesus?” book by Kyle Idleman., by the grace of God we have started another series called "The Way I'm Wired". This series will help youth discover how they are wired and how they can cooperate with God to live the life they were meant to live. Thought-provoking lessons guide youth through relevant content prior to students engaging with one another. Lord willing, we are also still planning to go on a one day outreaches during the spring/early summer to give our youth a taste of short term missions. Please continue to pray that we will reach to our youth on a consistent basis, being that conduit in anyway we can to support or in some cases being a supplement program for enriching their spiritual lives. Thanks to Mr. Vivek Sandela for leading and Mr. Clarence Ponnapalli for helping youth as well.
Bible Quiz(BQ) Ministry: Our children and Youth continued to grow in the knowledge of God and develop their faith. In addition to JBQ (Junior Bible Quiz), UECF has extended Youth services with the participation of TBQ (Teen Bible Quiz) for the first time this season (2017-2018). Thanks to Mr. Sunil Robert & Mrs. Prafulla Vuppula for their guidance, Mr. Ashok & Mrs. Esther Vellore for leading the JBQ ministry and Mr. Ruben Kambham, Mrs. Rathna Kambham and Mr. Ashok Vellore leading the TBQ ministry.
Married Couple’s Ministry: The Married Couple’s meeting usually held on the 4th Saturday of every month in various homes that are pre-decided. Couples discussed and debated on various topics that are very practical and tried to use the Bible as a guiding tool. Thanks to Rev. Dr. David Ravinder & Mrs. Sarita Ravinder for leading this ministry. Thanks to Mrs. Asha Chakravarthy for coordinating.
Bible Study: Bible Study: Rev.1:3, - "Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand".
It was indeed a blessing to all the believers who participated in the study of the book of Revelation.
Last year we covered Rev. Chapter 16 through 22. Starting from detailed study of 7 vials, the 7 dooms, the 4 Alleluias, the marriage of the lamb, the second coming of Christ in glory the battle of Armageddon. The seven new things- the new heaven, the new earth, the new people, the new Jerusalem, the new temple, the new light, the new Paradise and its river of the water of life. The last message of the Bible, the last promise and the last prayer of the Bible. Thanks to Bro. Josiah & Sis. Satya Srigiri for leading this ministry.
Christmas Carols: As we do every year, we participated in Carol rounds during the Christmas season. In the year 2017, we had visited 56 families as part of our carol rounds and received prayerful gifts.
Picnic: Last year, we had an Annual Family picnic at Roosevelt Park. Rev. Dr. David Ravinder shared the word of God during our picnic time. Many families have actively participated in various items of the picnic.
Fellowship Hour: Many of our members have volunteered to host Fellowship Coffee hour after each Sunday service while celebrating their Birthdays and Anniversaries. I thank all the congregation members for keeping the sanctuary and the fellowship hall clean and neat after the usage.
Women’s Prayer Fellowship: UECF Women’s Fellowship is dedicated to glorify and honor God by encouraging one another to grow in the Lord through fervent Prayer, worship, Bible Study, testimonies and loving fellowship.
Monthly Prayer: UECF Women’s prayer is held on every fourth Friday of every month. Thanks to Mrs.Satya Srigiri & Mrs. Preethi Pilli for strengthening us with the word of God in our monthly prayer. The testimonies and brief meditations we share during this time have been a significant source of encouragement. This prayer has been a blessing to each of us who attend. We share our prayer needs and encourage each other through word and prayer so that we grow as a believer, wife, mother, friend and as a better person. God through His immense grace has been amazingly answering the prayer petitions in His time. Last year, we had an opportunity to have this prayer at the Myla’s.
Women’s Christmas: We had a fun filled UECF Women’s Christmas 2017 at Mrs. Emily Myla’s residence. We had a brief meditation on the “Lineage of Grace – Tamar, Rahab, Bathshebha, Ruth & Mary”. Thanks to Mrs. Grace Tsappidi, Mrs. Roselyn Ravola, Mrs. Komala Vellore, Mrs. Vijaya Simon & Mrs. Nirmala Gummadi for sharing and Mrs. Emily Myla for hosting. The offering of $803.00 has been given to an orphanage "Cherish Foundation, Hyderabad" and Old age home, Warangal.
Baby Showers: As a sign of celebrating God’s Blessing, UECF women have come together to joyfully celebrate the baby shower for Mrs. Diana Hariyala & Mrs. Anju Mentay. Thanks to all the UECF women.
Thanks to Mrs. Kavitha Shaik for leading and the UECF women for their fellowship, generosity, tireless cooking, and service to maintain the sanctuary and fellowship hall clean and for their love and faithfulness towards God and the UECF Church in every little thing they do.
Men’s Prayer Fellowship: Men's Prayer group meets every last Friday of the month at 8:00 PM in the church. This ministry is based on the Scripture: As Iron sharpens iron, so over man sharpens another. Proverbs 27:17. Men are involved in praying for UECF families and relatives for spiritual needs, financial needs and for God's protection over the children. We thank and praise the Lord for answering so many of our prayer requests. We thank all those who are participating in the Men's prayer group meeting with a grateful heart.
UECF.NET: The presence of UECF is known all over the world through this web site. Many visitors have attended our worship services and testified that they came to know about UECF through the website. Some such visitors started attending regularly.
Many guests have visited us and worshipped with us during regular Sunday worship and other Special services. Mr. Ruben Kambham as a Stewardship Coordinator has helped to reach out the visitors and Mr. Mr. Sunil Pagadala for preparing colorful flyers on all occasions, also thanks to Mr. Prabhakar Akula and Mr. Sunil Mentay for auditing the UECF finances.
I am thankful to the Executive Committee Mr. Samuel Sudhakar Chilaka(Vice President), Mr. Anand Devi(Treasurer) and Mr. Joshua Shaik(Secretary) for providing their continual cooperation and support. I also thank the Board of Trustees and Pastorate Committee, Coordinators and all the members of UECF for their cooperation. I express my thanks to our Pastor Rev. Dr. David Ravinder for ministering to us. Thanks to Rev. Dr. David Mertz and FUMC Westfield leadership for welcoming and supporting UECF worship services.
I am extremely happy to inform you that the Lord has blessed UECF ministry with wonderful messages by Pastors and other eminent Servants of God, Praise and Worship, Offerings, Children activities and Bible Studies and Outreach and our Lord’s name was glorified.
In Him,
Joshua(Phani) Pilli 25- Feb- 2018