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, Mothers Day and Fathers Da. 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 2013 included the following eminent servants of God: Rev. Joseph Theophilus, Pastor Amoon Sharon, Rev. Dr. Isaac Simon, Rev. Timothy Kollabathula, Rev. David Scot, Rev. Immanuel Desai, Bro. Sunil Robert Vuppula, Bro. Ravindra Bhaskar, Rev. Dr. Samuel Mohanraj, Bro. Edward William Kuntam, Pator Ravi Prakash, Bro. Finney Prem Kumar, Bro. Vijay Benedict, Sis. Jayasudha Kapur, Rev. Dr. Devasahayam Dandala, Bro. Bob Nelson, Sis. Elizabeth Vallabhaneni, Bro. Ashish Pushkaran, Bro. Deevanaiah, Rev. Dr. Ranga Raju, Bro. Bhogi Santha Rao, Rev. Dr. Dasari Bhushanam, Rev. Dr. Akumarthi Daniel, Bro. Herford Urlica, Bishop Daniel Kalyanapu, Bro. Joe & Sis. Veena Payarda, Bro. John Moses, Rev. CA. Benjamin and Rev. DGM Vinod.
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’. In 2013 we were able to reach out to unsaved and unreached through witnessing, tract distribution and DVDs of Jesus film. In 2013 our Lord has given an opportunity to have 4 special Gospel/ Revival meetings, and some people accepted Christ as their personal Savior, we thank and praise the Lord for this. So many people have been touched by UECF music ministry, so many people testified that some of the songs have been encouraging to them and using our songs in other ministries. We thank and praise God for our musicians and singers. UECF is also fulfilling the mandate given in Acts Ch: 8
‘Ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem and all Judea and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth’. Based on the scripture Romans 1:16 ‘I am not ashamed of the gospel’. UECF wants to do more things in Outreach. We thank and praise the Lord for all those who have participated through giving, spending time and sacrifices made.
UECF is supporting missionaries who are doing missionary service for the spread of the Gospel primarily in India where many people do not know Christ. UECF supported Emmaus Ministries, Saviors Heartbeat Ministries, AEL Revival Forum, Rev. GCR Arun Rao, Bro. J. Prem Kumar, Pastor N. Sudhakar Rao, Bro. Sudheer Meriga, Bro. Joseph Dawson, Dr. Augustine Pagolu, Bro. Moshe Dayan, Lutheran Boarding Home, Partners India International, Peluru Church Planting, Followers of Christ Ministries, Bro. Boaz Kommuru, Leprosy and Orphanage in Tirupathi, Save a Child Ministry, Peace Proclamation Ministries, Faith Temple of Jesus Christ in Nunna, Krishna(Dt), Sis. Joy Ministry and Old Age support in Chittoor Duistrict as part of missions support. Thanks for your prayerful financial support. UECF participated in India Day parade and distributed tracts and Jesus DVD movies and also reached many people on Oak Tree Rd and visited and shared gospel to the old people in the nursing home on monthly basis.
Music Ministry: Praise time has been a vital part of our Sunday Worship Services. We had the opportunity to sing praises not only in English but also in the regional languages like Telugu and Hindi. I thank and praise God for giving UECF an opportunity to reach millions of people worldwide through our special programs in TV channels. God has given UECF choir an opportunity to lead the praise and worship in Virginia and TTCA, CT conferences. Thanks to the Praise Team and to Mr. Samuel Sudhakar Chilaka, Mr. Josiah Srigiri, Ms. Yuko Unehara, Mrs. Suneela Ponnapalli for using God given musical talents and Mr. Clarence Ponnapalli, Mr. Joshua Shaik, Mr. Praveen Charles, Mr. Prasad Mare and Mrs. Satya Srigiri for Photography/ Videography support.
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 Sunday School teaching staff Mrs. Emily Myla, Mr. Louis Dundi, Mrs. Kavitha Shaik, Mrs. Preethi Pilli, Mrs. Sunita Saripalli, Mrs. Evelyn Dundi, Mrs. Olives Rapaka, Mr. Charles Praveen, Mrs. Pavithra Charles and Mrs. Sushma Pitta for encouraging children to exhibit their talents and nurturing the children with the Word of God.
Youth and Junior Bible Quiz(JBQ) Ministry: We thank God for the opportunity to serve our fellowship in reaching and ministering to children and young people. Over the past one year, we have studied God's word through a curriculum that covers the basics of our faith, hall of fame from Hebrews and God's blue print for our lives from the book of Psalms. In addition to the weekly meetings, we are making a covenant to pray for each other every day and build each other up. This year, we are focusing on God's word for modern times. During Summer we were able to have an outing at iPlay America and enjoyed our time just hanging out and connecting with one another. We presented a Hindi song for Good Friday and a Telugu song during the Christmas seasons and it is our hope that while our youth continue to enjoy modern music, they also get a taste of Indian songs. We even wrote a skit and presented during Christmas. We often break into girls and boys groups and have games and group discussions on predefined topics.
JBQ Ministries. About a dozen kids continue to be a part of JBQ ministry. The two teams made it to the State finals during April and while team II comprising Ivan, Immanuel, Evelyn and Risabh finished fourth, the girls team comprising Likitha, Hannah, Saniya and Tabitha finished as winners. A fantastic achievement considering this is only our second year with this ministry. This year too, both our teams are on our way to the State Finals. We are thankful to the support of the Ravoories, Bolleddus, Mares, Yeddus, Dharas, Kambhams and Vellores for their commitment and passion to raise their children in the word of God. We thank UECF support as we go out and bring glory to God through our interest in this competition. The kids are taught every Sunday between 4-6 on not just facts relating to the Bible but how to cheer and support each other. It is also a joy to see them learn to pray for each other. Thanks to Mr. Sunil Robert and Mrs. Prafulla Vuppula for initiating this program and coaching our children.
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 and Mr. Kanthi Paul Rapaka for coordinating.
Bible Study: UECF monthly Bible Study has been a blessing to many of the members. Thanks to the efforts of Mr. Josiah Srigiri and Mrs. Satya Srigiri for taking lead in conducting the Bible Study. After studying Biblical doctrines in 2012, believers had a burden 2013 to study about power and work of the Holy Spirit and about the early Church. On an average 10 believers met together to discuss about the Early Church from the Book of Acts covering Chapters 1 to 12. Initially a study on the coming of the Holy Spirit God as promised by our Lord Jesus Christ was done followed by the Acts of Apostles. The following were the topics studied.
THE COMING OF PENTECOST ( ACTS 1-2 )
Acts 1 - The Lord Jesus Ascends to Heaven
Acts 2 – The Coming of the Holy Spirit
TRIUMPH AND TESTING ( ACTS 3-5 )
The Lame Man is Healed
Opposition from Satan
A MARTYR AND A MISSIONARY ( ACTS 6-8 )
The Work, Speech, and Death of Stephen
The Gospel Travels to Samaria and Africa
TWO KEY CONVERSIONS ( ACTS 9-10 )
Saul Believes in Christ
The House of Cornelius
GROWING PAINS ( ACTS 11-12 )
Jerusalem and Antioch
Persecution at Jerusalem.
Christmas Carols: As we do every year, we participated in Carol rounds during the Christmas season. In the year 2013, we had visited 50 families as part of our carol rounds and received prayerful gifts.
Picnic: Last year, we had an Annual Family picnic at Possum town Park, Piscataway. 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, dedicated to glorifying God by bringing women into a more intimate relationship with Jesus as Lord and Savior through the use of the gifts of the Holy Spirit, Prayer and praise, meditation, study of the scriptures and loving fellowship.
Women’s monthly prayer is held on every fourth Friday of the month. In the year 2013, along with many other topics on ‘Women of the Bible’, ‘Power of Prayer’, we have been meditating on ‘The Power of a Woman’s Words’. Thanks to Mrs. Udaya Pulipati, Mrs. Susan Bushi, Mrs. Jayashree Borugadda, Mrs. Komala Vellore, Mrs. Grace Tsappidi, Mrs. Nissie Manorama Nicodemus, Mrs. Satya Srigiri and Mrs. Shanthi Chilaka for sharing the Word of God in our monthly prayer. We had a fun filled 2013 UECF Women’s Christmas at Mrs. Olives Rapaka’s residence. Thanks to Mrs. Nirmala Paul for sharing the Word of God during Women’s Christmas and Mrs. Olives Rapaka for hosting. The offerings of which have been given to an orphanage "Cherish Foundation, Hyderabad" and St. Ann's home for the aged, Kazipet. As a sign of celebrating God’s Blessing, UECF women have joyfully celebrated Baby Showers for Mrs. Preethi Pilli, Mrs. Harathi Devabattula, Mrs. Magdalene Peyyala, Mrs. Sushma Pitta & Mrs. Chrisma Prabandhapu. Heartfelt thanks to all the women for their consistent guidance, support and encouragement. Thanks to Mrs. Kavitha Shaik for leading the Fellowship Hour and Women's Ministry.
Men’s Prayer Fellowship: The monthly Men's prayer meeting ministry is based on the verse Luke 18:1 "Men ought always to pray, and not to faint". Every 3rd Friday of the month UECF men corporately pray together as a Church. This time is designated for the men of UECF to come together and pray with one accord for the UECF ministries, families, missionaries, persecuted missionaries and the Church, and for the salvation of family members, and for the needs of the people. Apart from praying we encourage each other with the word of God based on King Solomons proverb ''IRON SHARPENS THE IRON". This invitation to pray together is open to any and all men who feel a sense that the Holy Spirit is leading to do this. Our prayer also relates to spiritual revival and all things considered, this should be seen more as an opportunity and privilege to pray together
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. Sunil Pagadala as a Stewardship Coordinator has helped to reach out the visitors by preparing colorful flyers on all occasions, also thanks to Mr. Vamsi Ghanta and Mr. Sunil Pagadala 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. Peter Sanfilippo and Board of Trustees of Reformed Church for their continued support.
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 27- Jan- 2013