COGS Sheepskin-March 2012

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www.COGSonline.com

Chapel of the Good Shepherd 654 Church Lane, Yeadon PA 19050 610-626-2815
Email: Good_Shepherd@verizon.net

Pastor Rohan Hepkins The Chapel of the Good Shepherd 3/1/2012

Chapel of the Good Shepherd Prayer and Fellowship Opportunities ================================================================ Sanctuary Prayer Sundays, 8:00 AM Prepare your heart for worship. Gather in the sanctuary on Sunday mornings for prayer and meditation. Week Day Prayer 7:00-8:00 AM Begin your day with prayer. Meet in the Pastors study each week day morning for a time of prayer and encouragement. Come as you are able, leave when you must. Prayer and Study Wednesdays, 7:00 PM Each week church members and friends meet in the sanctuary for interactive study and prayer. If you are looking to join a Bible study group, why not come and give this one a try?!! Prayer Vigil Fridays, 9:00 PM This group meets the last Friday of every month. Hymn Sing Every Fifth Sunday, 7:00 Come make a joyful noise.
The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever. Isaiah 40:8 (NIV)

Prayer requests may be written on the cards provided, in the back of each church pew, and deposited in the boxes near the exits.

From the Pastors Desk A Season of Lent, Prayer & Diversity

Beloved, as the church calendar turns from Epiphany to Lent, there are certain things that will occur along the way. For us at the Chapel, the first of these hallmark observances leading up to Holy Week is Ash Wednesday, on February 22. At COGS, we have started a fast on that date that will last through Holy Week. We are asking all members to fast through the Holy Season. Instructions have been prepared and disseminated in the 2012 Church Calendar. So on that note, let me say a little something about Ash Wednesday. The Catholic Church )and also the Anglican and Episcopalian( usually makes this a big deal by going through a religious ritual of placing ashes in the sign of the cross on the forehead as a sign of piety and penance. Catholics are taught to give up or sacrifice something for Lent as a means of getting closer to God. As main stream Protestants, we usually look down on or are dismissive of such religious observances, calling it legalistic among other things. However, Im not sure that our Catholic brothers and sisters dont have something on us main stream evangelical Christians here. I dont believe that theres anything wrong with this observance if done in a spiritual way. In fact, it has its roots in the Jewish observance of sackcloth and ashes as a means of working out grace. God does not condemn the act, but rather condemns going through the motions of such observance without results )as expounded upon in Isaiah 58(. If we merely go through the motions of religious observances which can be true of anything from fasting to just singing a hymn in church such mechanical and perfunctory acts of penance may be disqualified as being rote and inauthentic in the sight of God. However, if we spiritually seize the moment in sincere personal gratitude to God for what the observance is truly intended, then it is blessed by God and can have great spiritual rewards and returns indeed. So Ash Wednesday is a significant part of the church calendar and not just for our Catholic and Anglican/Episcopal brethren. And so, we have in like manner, begun to observe it at COGS as a kick-off for Lent. Then on Friday, March 2, The Chapel will be hosting Yeadons Annual World Day of Prayer where all the Yeadon Churches come together in an ecumenical service of prayer and unity. Then, on Sunday, March 4, we will again be celebrating our Diversity Day at COGS. We have had 11 or more distinct nationalities represented at various times at the Chapel. We have traditionally set this date aside to observe this phenomenon by dressing in our indigenous outfits on this day, craft the message around diversity with a guest speaker, as well as provide something of praise in our various indigenous tongues. We will again be ministered unto in music by the young gospel group Simply Blessed. This will again be followed by a fellowship meal that has been aptly dubbed, A Taste Around the World. Now, how will this work in our fasting, you may ask? Well, this will be our one meal that day as we will be on a one meal a day fast until we reach our Holy Week where we will just be on a water fast until Good Friday. We ask that you follow the guidelines explained in the COGS Calendar. Notwithstanding, let us do all that we can to meet these calendar of events. It is going to be a busy but a rather exciting month with the confluence of all these events!! Hope to see you here at the Chapel, and if not, we ask that you continue to pray for us In the Lords Service Pastor Rohan

World Day of Prayer Friday, March 2 Malaysia Theme: Let Justice Prevail

Friday, March 2 - 7:30 PM Five Yeadon Churches will meet for a prayer service at COGS. Everyone is welcome! For more information call: 610-626-2815.

World Day of Prayer is a movement initiated and carried out by women in more than 170 countries and regions. It is a movement symbolized by an annual day of celebration--the first Friday of March--to which all people are welcome. It is a movement which brings together people of various races, cultures and traditions in closer fellowship, understanding and action throughout the year. Pray for Malaysia Malaysia is a good model of racial integration with its multiracial, multicultural and multi-religious community living in harmony with one another. This year's theme Let Justice Prevail was chosen prayerfully by a committee of Malaysian lay women. As Christians, let us continue to pray to the Almighty that this peaceful and harmonious atmosphere with justice, stability and religious freedom will prevail always. Vision 2020 is Malaysia's long term goal to become a developed nation, achieve a balanced growth and a high quality of life by 2020. Currently, the new concept for the nation is to build One Malaysia, People First, Performance Now. The One Malaysia concept is to ensure all races enjoy equal success. Where there is no vision, the people perish. Proverbs 29:18

Chapel of the Good Shepherd presents

CELEBRATION OF DIVERSITY Sunday, March 4, 2012

Worship - 11:00 AM Plan to join us in celebrating the good gifts God gives us through each other... Guest speakers Special music A Taste Around the World An international dinner follows the worship service. Call Joy Hepkins and ask what you can contribute. Our Congregation has members that represent 11 Countries to include: Algeria Eritera France Ghana Jamaica Liberia Nigeria Sierra Leone South Africa St. Vincent Uganda United States Zimbabwe

Womens Tea and Study

At 4:30 PM on Saturday, March 24th all women of the church are invited gather at the home of Joy Hepkins for tea and Bible study. This group meets on the fourth Saturday of each month to talk, share, pray and study Gods Word. Ladies, if you are not currently involved in a small group, we think youll enjoy this one. Hope to see you on March 24th. Bring a snack to share and a friend!

Come to Sunday School 9:30 AM Classes for everyone!

Financial Report
The last Leadership Team Meeting (LTM), formerly BOE Meeting, has convicted the Board of Elders to stress the fact that being faithful includes being committed. The entire congregation has responsibility for the success of the ministry at COGS. It is not ONLY the responsibility of the Board of Elders and other Leaders. If you are not Committed, you are not a believer or follower of Jesus Christ. If you need to ask what Commitment means, perhaps a serious spiritual and real world problem exists. Let us examine what commitment really means. Below are a few items that come to mind based on the teaching of Jesus Christ in the New Testament and also the serious problems that are confronting the church and the world today. 1. Raise your children in the way of the Lord. Let us ask ourselves Why our children are NOT in Sunday School or Church every Sunday? 2. Mothers and Fathers should Worship Together. Let us ask ourselves Why are there so few fathers and parents in church every Sunday? 3. Study the Word. Let us ask ourselves, Why are there so few adults in Sunday School and the Wednesday Evening Bible Study? 4. Pray Continually. Let us ask ourselves, Why are there so few people in attendance at the Sunday Morning Prayer. 5. Financially Support Your Church. Let us ask ourselves, Why is COGS financially falling short due to the collections and offerings each Sunday that we have pledged, only at 60% of the budget? 6. Evangelization and Fellowship. Let us ask ourselves, Why are there so few friends and families being introduced to the Gospel or the church? 7. Focus on the Lord. Let us ask ourselves, Why are most children, and adults, so committed to their cell phones and video devices rather than listening to the sermon? 8. Sing Praises to the Lord. Let us ask ourselves, Why is the Praise and Worship Team and Choir so few in number? 9. Be Hungry for the Word. Let us ask ourselves, Why is attendance so much higher when there is food to eat, but not when there is a spiritual message to hear? 10. Flee the Devil and his Evil ways. Let us ask ourselves, Why are you more involved in the entertainment industry such as TV, video games, gambling, sports and other worldly attractions than the Eternal Word of God? 11. Give to Caesar the things that are Caesars. Let us ask ourselves, Why do you cheat on your income tax, or speed limits, or government entitlements rather than contacting your government leaders about what is proper and brings conformity to Gods Laws? 12. Give to God the things that are Gods. Let us ask ourselves,Why is Gods Church at the bottom of your commitment list? The BOE is seriously concerned that we are losing this generation of children and believers. Where do we go from here? We are dropping the ball in EVERY spiritual and moral area. We NEED Christ. He came to save us from our sins. This He accomplished. We are throwing it away for a much lesser reward, eternal punishment and separation from God. And we wonder why we are not HAPPY or BLESSED? Give us a BREAK!! Can we tell the Pastor and BOE why what we are doing and practicing is the perfect way? We would LOVE to hear your understanding of the Gospel in light of these comments. Blessings and Salvation come in the Name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ ONLY, Administration and Worship Elder, Tom Bylina

Manor Care Ministry to Seniors On the fourth Sunday of each month the COGS family conducts a worship service for the residents of Manor Care Yeadon. This ministry has consistently been a channel of Gods love to the residents who look forward to singing hymns, hearing a Gospel message and visiting with us. If you have a desire to be a part of this ministry, plan to join us on March 25th as we reach out to touch the hearts and hands of the Manor Care residents. Service time - 2:00 PM.

Missions Minutes
Last year, two of our beloved missionaries, Charles Hoppy Hopkins and Cecil Eugene Hawkins, were called home to be with the Lord. Both men dedicated their lives to ministry and demonstrated Gods love through their service. We invite you to join us as we honor these faithful men during a memorial service at COGS on Sunday, March 18th. More information will be provided during upcoming worship services. Remembering Our Friends... Charles Hoppy Hopkins went into the presence of the Lord on Sunday, March 13, 2011. He was a faithful servant of the Lord ministering the Word to truckers (many of whom have come to Christ) in the mission called Gods Trucking Ministry since 1995. This ministry was founded in 1990 by a truck driver named Reggie Pelletier who heeded Gods call to minister to truck drivers at the Truckers Inn in Jessup, Maryland. By 1998 Hoppy became Sr. Chaplain. Hoppy was a long-time COGS member and is survived by his brother, Bob. Gods Trucking Ministry 7541 Assateague Drive Jessup, MD 20794 (410) 799-0018

Cecil Eugene Hawkins was a missionary with Wycliffe Bible Translators since 1951. He and his wife June, served five terms overseas in Peru, Panama, and Colombia. Some of his reflections [from his collection of books entitled This and That, From Here and There] include experiences while working in remote areas to help reach Indigenous people who were without a written language, and therefore, without a Bible in their mother tongue. Cecil went to be with our Lord on March 31, 2011. He is survived by his wife, June and their five children, eight grandkids and four great-grandchildren. Mrs. Cecil Hawkins 308 N. Casa Grande Circle Duncanville, TX 75116

Zumba& Gospel Aerobics Class ! The Dance Like David Group! Beginners Class A Mind, Body & Soul Experience ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ JOIN US EVERY Monday6:00pm to 7:30pm Each 4 week Session ( Pre-Paid) Classes = $20.00 ($5.00 per week) or you can drop-in anytime at $6.00 per class

Classes are held weekly here at: The Chapel of the Good Shepherd 654 Church Lane Yeadon, Pa 19050 (Entrance on Cedar Ave) Hurry ! Tell your workout Buddy ! Don't Wait Sign up NOW ! Call: 610-864-4247 or Sign up when you arrive more details at: www.dancelikedavid.net
**Bring Water, a Towel, Exercise Mat Wear Comfortable Clothes & Supportive Shoes And Be Ready to Sweat

The Chapel of the Good Shepherd Philosophy of Ministry The Chapel of the Good Shepherd seeks, by the grace of God, to glorify God by: being a Covenant Community, dedicated to the Worship of God, committed to Following Jesus Christ as Lord in every area of life, and faithful in word and deed to the Biblical mandate to Proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ and to Make Disciples of All Peoples.