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), 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 2019 included the following eminent servants of God: Rev. Joseph Theophilus, Rev. Stanley Joseph, Bro. Bharath Nuthalapati, Rev. Dr. A.B. Joseph Kishore, Rev. Devadanam Gummadi, Bishop Spurgeon Raju Pachigalla, Bro. Praveen Pagadala, Bro. Peter Samuel, Gollapalli, Bro. Franklin Sudhakar, Pastor John Moses Dussi, Bro. Ranganadh Bomidi, Rev. Dr. P. J. Stephen Paul, Pastor Gideon, Rev. Dr. Joseph Moses, Bro. Edgar Satuluri, Pastor Sandeep Vadagar, Bro. Josiah Srigiri, Bro. Sunil Robert Vuppula, Bro. Pravin Charles Dhara, Pastor Raj Punuru, Pastor Deevanaiah, Dr. Sundara Rao Tsappidi, Bro. Kiran Devabattula, Rev. William Williams III and Pastor Ravindra Bhaskar. 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.
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, 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, Physically and Mentally disabled ministry, Peace Proclamation Ministries, Poor Widows Ministry, Village Outreach, HIV Ministry, Village Ministry, UNICORPUS Elderly Care, Indian Mission support, 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.
5. We are glad that Sunday School Children,Youth and elderly ladies have started participating in worshipping the Lord.We thank the Lord for their enthusiasm and zeal praising God.
UECF started weekly Aradna TV outreach program with messages from our Pastor Rev. Dr. David Ravinder and special music by UECF Choir.
Thanks to Bro. Samuel Sudhakar Chilaka for leading the Music ministry and praise the Lord for other musicians: Bro. Josiah Srigiri, Sis. Suneela Ponnapalli, Olivia Davidson and Bro. K. Y. Ratnam, Singers, Sound Engineers and AV people who are committed to serve the Lord by exalting the Lord's Name.
Sunday School Ministry: We thank the Lord for UECF Sunday School Children for participating in all special occasions with their individual talents, Dramas, Choreographs and group dances and a successful VBS program. This year we had our first Christmas Quiz for all age groups of Sunday School. 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. We focused mostly on life applications through the word of God. We tried to create an atmosphere where kids can share their issues/challenges that they face on a daily basis and how we can rely on God's word to deal with those situations. Most of the youth kids entered high school this year, so we wanted to make sure we equip them spiritually as much as possible to help them handle the issues that can come up in high school. To that end, we organized our first youth retreat where the kids were challenged to examine their personal lives and how to prioritize career with their spiritual lives. We got good response from the kids and Lord willing we want to organize this event more consistently. Pastor Ravinder also organized a workshop focusing on baptism. Pastor educated kids on baptism - history, importance and significance of getting baptized. We got good feedback from the kids. Overall in the last year 4 of our youth got baptized. Praise God!
As a group God gave us the opportunity to participate in christian concerts as well as other outings. Lord willing we want to take the kids to outreach this year - something we were unable to do last year. 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. Our children participate in JBQ (Junior Bible Quiz) and TBQ (Teen Bible Quiz). Our Teens, in addition to attending regular meets in the quizzing season, also participated in the 27'th Gobblefest - a 2 day TBQ Tournament in Nov '2019 in Phoenixville, PA that was participated by teams from churches all over United States. Our teens will also be participating in the President's cup on February 1'st '2020 which will be completed by teams from churches in the East Coast. Our quizzers are preparing for the third and Final meets scheduled for Feb/March this year. Thanks to Mr. Ashok & Mrs. Esther Vellore for leading the Bible Quiz 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: It was indeed a blessing for all the believers who participated in the study of the Epistle to Galatians. Paul speaks of the one true gospel he has received and that no one should speak of any other Gospel, if they do so they are cursed. He is also surprised that they turned away from the true gospel. Paul also talks about the false brethren unawares brought in to spy out their liberty in Christ and that Paul was given responsibility to preach gospel to gentiles while Peter was to Jews. “We are Justified by Faith of Christ, not by works of Law”. Paul also declares that salvation is through faith and trust in Jesus Christ “Alone”, and cannot be obtained through the keeping of the Law. The we discussed about adoption, God sent his Son, to redeem us that are under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. This is a great privilege. As believers we should walk in the Spirit, and we will not fulfil the lust of the flesh. We further discussed about works of the flesh and fruit of the spirit and who we restore our brethren who slip away from faith. 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 2019, we had visited 50 families as part of our carol rounds and received prayerful gifts. Thanks to Mrs. Shanthi Bhaskar for her motivation and support for the one-day Charter Bus Christmas Caroling and Mr. Clement Myla for coordinating with Charter Bus management.
Family Retreat: We had our First Annual Family Retreat at Harvey Cedars Conference Center, Harvey Cedars, NJ. Thanks to Rev. Dr. David Ravinder for conducting special sessions for all the families and Mr. Clement Myla for coordinating with Retreat Center.
Picnic: Last year, we had an Annual Family picnic and another Summer 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: Thank God the UECF Women’s Fellowship. God is enabling us to grow in HIM step by step. God is honoring our desire to grow spiritually and do great things for HIM. 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 the fourth Friday of every month. The testimonies and brief meditations we share during prayer 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 for us to grow spiritually to be blessing in all capacities of our day to day life. God has been graciously answering every prayer petitions in His beautiful time.
- Women’s Prayer Conference
With an urge to grow every step and with a burden to pray for the various needs of the church all UECF families, sick and needy, especially children and youth, God enabled UECF women to start a prayer conference twice a day, M-F every week. We believe prayer changes us first and then things around us. God has been faithful in continuing these prayers.
- Women’s Retreat
UECF had a Women’s Retreat in the month of October, 2019. Speakers Sis. Santha Mondithoka and Sis. Mercy Runjala, shared a powerful message on the Theme “Walk by Faith, not by Sight” I Cor 5:7. We had a great time filled with encouraging testimonies, bible quiz, skit, great time of worship and a powerful and uplifting message. Women from other fellowships like UTCCNJ also participated and were blessed.
- Women’s Christmas
We had a fun filled UECF Women’s Christmas 2019 at Mrs. Evelyn Dundi’s residence. Mrs. Roselyn Ravula and Mrs. Udaya Pulipati shared the word of God on ‘Why did God chose Mary? and ‘Mary’s response to God’s call’. Mrs. Jaya Simon & Mrs. Grace Tsappidi shared greetings. UECF women actively participated through Skit (‘Melukuvaga Undudi’) and Choreos (‘Jagamula Nele Raju’). This year we had all the elderly women perform a skit too. We praise God for the joyful spirit. The offering of $1140.00 was given to the orphanage "Cherish Foundation”, Hyderabad.
- Mothers day
UECF, like every other year celebrated Mothers Day honoring mothers who are a beautiful example of God’s love. This year Mrs. Jyothi Nakka, Mrs. Padma Borugadda, Mrs.Rathna Kambham, Mrs. Sabitha Ravinder, Mrs. Prathibha Kadari, Mrs. Diana Hariyala and Mrs. Sunitha Saripalli shared reflections on Motherhood and encouraged all the mothers to lead the way as Women of Prayer and faith.
We thank the Lord for all the UECF women for the prayer support, fellowship, generosity, delicious cooking, and their service in maintaining the sanctuary & fellowship hall clean and for their love and faithfulness towards God and UECF Church in everything 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. Mrs. Sanjotha Rapaka as a Stewardship Coordinator has helped to reach out the visitors and thanks to Mr. Prabhakar Akula and Mr. Clarence Ponnapalli 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. William Williams III 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- Jan- 2020