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Grapevine Newsletter of

Ebenezer Evangelical Church

“Who are you that fear mortal men,

the sons of men, who are but grass,

that you forget the Lord your Maker….?

Isaiah 51:12-13

August/September

2021

EBENEZER EVANGELICAL CHURCH

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Doctrinal Statement.

The church believes the fundamental truths of Christianity, as revealed in Holy Scripture,

including the following:

1 The unity of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit in the Godhead.

2 The sovereignty of God in creation, providence, revelation, redemption and final judgment.

3 The divine inspiration, infallibility and inerrancy of Holy Scripture as originally given,

and its supreme authority in all matters of faith and conduct.

4 The universal sinfulness and guilt of human nature since the fall, rendering man subject to

God’s wrath and condemnation.

5 The full deity of the Lord Jesus Christ the incarnate Son of God, His virgin birth and His

real and sinless humanity; His death on the cross; His bodily resurrection; His ascension; His present reign in heaven and on earth; and His intercession on behalf of the church.

6 Redemption from the guilt, penalty and power of sin only through the sacrificial and

atoning death, once and for all time, of our representative and substitute, Jesus Christ, the only mediator between God and man.

7 Justification as God’s act of undeserved mercy, in which the sinner is pardoned all his sins

and accepted as righteous in God’s sight, only because of the righteousness of Christ imputed

to him, this justification being received by faith alone.

8 The need for the Holy Spirit to make the work of Christ effective to the individual sinner,

granting him repentance toward God and faith in Jesus Christ.

9 The church as the body of Christ, both locally and worldwide, its members consisting of those only to have been born again through the work of the Holy Spirit.

10 The indwelling of the Holy Spirit in all those thus regenerated, producing in them an

increasing likeness to Christ in character and behaviour, and empowering them for their

witness in the world.

11 The future personal return of the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge all men, executing

God’s final just condemnation on the impenitent and receiving the redeemed to eternal glory.

A further explanation of the things we believe is set out in the 1646 Westminster

Confession of Faith

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A LETTER FROM THE MINISTER

Dear friends,

After being postponed for a year, a year full of doubt and uncertainty, the

Tokyo Olympics have finally happened. However difficult the long wait

has been for us as spectators, it has been much more difficult for the

competitors. Having prepared physically and mentally for this time last year,

they have had to maintain their focus and their discipline for another year.

Regardless of their sport, the preparations have probably felt like a marathon

for all the athletes. But what has kept them going has been the prospect of

finally getting to Tokyo.

And in some ways, that is what the Christian life is like. The writer to the

Hebrews exhorts us to: “run with perseverance the race marked out for us”

(Heb. 12: 1). Rather than being a race which is over in 10 seconds or even

10 years, it is one which continues week after week, month after month, year

after year – throughout the entire duration of our Christian lives – until at

last we finally get to heaven. And it is the glorious prospect of our final

destination that keeps us going in the meantime.

As we run, we are told to “fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of

our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning it’s

shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Heb.12: 2). It

was the prospect of all that awaited him on his return to the Father’s presence

that encouraged our Lord to keep going as he run his race.

And although our race is different in some respects from his, we can learn

from how Jesus ran his race. That is why we are told to “Consider him who

endured such opposition from sinful men”. So like Jesus, let us never lose

sight of the joy and the glory and the security and the many other blessings

that will be ours as we cross the finishing line, “so that we will not grow

weary and lose heart” (Heb. 12: 3).

Yours sincerely,

David.

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Amongst Ourselves

It must be the season for tea parties! Having enjoyed the one at the end of

May when we said farewell to the students we decided to hold another, one

Sunday afternoon in July. Being outside in the sunny weather and freer of

restrictions, we could enjoy each other’s company. The idea has caught on

with the Ladies, who have now met for fellowship firstly in Catherine’s

garden in Llanfairpwll and then Ann’s garden in Llanbedrgoch.

Some regular midweek activities have paused for the summer but in our

Sunday services David continues with 1 John in the mornings and 2

Chronicles in the evenings. We enjoyed fellowship with Simon Facer from

Capel Fron, Penrhyndeudraeth who took an evening service in June. We

have halted our Bible studies in Acts for the time being and are instead

having prayer meetings incorporating brief devotions from the Psalms. We

started with Psalm 23 followed by Psalm 51. We have been joined in our

prayer meetings by Richard and Barbara Davies (Marseille) and then Catrin

and James Trollope. Catrin and James have since moved here from Flint for

Catrin to take up her duties as the UCCF Staff Worker.

Weather and manpower permitting, we are now using the book table in the

town centre and some conversations have taken place as a result. From the

end of July JP and Fiona Earnest are leading a two week beach mission in

Tenby with the OAM and then in August UBM are planning to hold a four

week beach mission in Benllech. Fiona Earnest is due to take up a part-time

position as a representative with the Albanian Evangelical Mission (AEM)

from January next year.

Sadly, we received news of Liz Storkey’s home call on 12th June. Liz had

moved to Exeter together with her late husband Ted to be nearer their

family. Liz was the church secretary for a period here as well as being

involved with the work of the Wycliffe Bible Translators. Mair Griffiths

from the ladies meeting has lost her husband John (father to Arfon). We

recently heard that Barry Thorogood has passed away in his care home near

Mold. Our sympathies go to all the families.

Let’s also continue to pray for those who are unable to attend the church

services at present.

John P Gough

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Daily Prayer Points

Sunday: “…call the Sabbath a delight..” Isaiah 58:13 Even in these unusual times, pray that we will delight in the Lord’s day. Praise Him for feeding our souls, and pray that we can truly worship Him this day and learn more of Him. Monday: “Carry each other’s burdens…” Galatians 6:2 Pray that we can be aware of the difficulties others have at this time. Those with no access to the technology that so greatly helps most of us to stay in touch, need to be encouraged in other ways – by phone or by post. May the Lord show us who we can help and encourage. Tuesday: “For where two or three gather in my name, there I am with them.” Matthew 18:20 Pray that we may share true fellowship in Christ as we ‘gather’ to study and pray. May our minds be informed and our hearts warmed. Ask the Lord to help us to pray to him as our heavenly Father as He leads us by His Spirit. Wednesday: “But God’s word is not chained.” 2 Timothy 2:9 So many of what we consider great opportunities to witness are still cancelled this year, camps, conferences, Eisteddfod and many other meetings and festivals. Pray that the Lord will cause His word to be proclaimed even more, and reach even more hearts. Thursday: “…pray for kings and all those in authority..” 1 Timothy 2:2 Pray for our leaders that they be given the humility and wisdom to make good decisions to protect both our health and our economy. Pray for health workers who care for the Covid sufferers and those trying to care for those with other illnesses. Friday: “There is a hope that stands the test of time, That lifts my eyes beyond the beckoning grave….” Stuart Townend & Mark Edwards Some of us know someone who has had a recent bereavement, pray that we can speak comfort to the grieving families, and point them to a gracious Saviour. Saturday: “…the one who receives instruction in the word should share all good things with their instructor.” Galatians 6:6 One of the most important ‘good things’ we can share is to pray for our church officers. Particularly as they prepare for our meetings and try to apply ever changing regulations. Pray for wisdom and patience as it will be strange and difficult at times to get back to some sort of normal. Uphold them in prayer as they care for our bodies and souls.

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Missionary Prayer Points August/September 2021 “Be still and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be

exalted in the earth.” Psalm 46:10

Sunday: Johnny and Ann McClean & family:UFM Bangkok

Pray for the worsening Covid situation in Thailand. Give thanks that Johnny, Ann

and Matthew were given a vaccine for free. Pray for Johnny and Pramote as they

minister to New City Fellowship church. Pray that the family will have good rest

over the Summer.

Monday: Emmanuel and Esther Durand (In Cognin, Chambery, France).

Give thanks that the church AGM went well last month. Pray for the newly

elected elder and deacons. Pray for wisdom and unity as they proceed in

September to rewrite the church constitution. Pray for the children, Jean-Baptiste,

Maxime, Benjamin and Clemence.

Tuesday: UCCF, Bangor Christian Union Pray for Catrin as she settles into her

new role as UCCF staff worker for Bangor. Pray for the training at Kidlington

and Quinta, Oswestry this August. May she, Rory and Katy quickly be able to

build relationships with the students. Remember those Christians starting

University for the first time.

Pray for Heledd as moves to Dublin mid-August and Elin to Galway.

Wednesday: Albania. Geni and Niki Dolgani, Alma Pray for:

-men to be raised up in the church in Memaliaj who could share the burden of

preaching and teaching with Geni. -contact to be resumed with some of the young

people who haven't been back to the children's work since restrictions were lifted.

-a gospel worker for the town of Balsh.

Thursday: Richard and Barbara Davies in Marseille. Pray for the various

families they visit each week to share the gospel through Bible stories. Thank

God for a recent phone app which has been translated. Pray that it will reach

many. Remember them as they help practically with the homework club and DIY

tasks. Pray for new workers.

Friday: Slovakia. Baska Muchova Pray for Baska and her friend as they travel

this Summer. Pray for good health and protection. Thank the Lord that she will

be able to study a further year at Cornerstone.

Saturday: Africa: Beck is now back in Africa. Pray that she might benefit

greatly from the training received. Praise God that her language is improving.

Pray for all the people she meets from day to day.

Pray for David, Rebecca Beaton and children as they settle into a new area. Pray

for Rebecca as she meets with the women and David as he studies the scriptures

with a friend.

Catherine Davies

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The church ladies at one of their summer garden parties

We praise the Lord for the privilege of studying His word together these last six months with the help of the Holy Spirit. We have completed our study of 1 Samuel, begun in January 2020. Five ladies lead the studies regularly and an average of 20 or 21 ladies attend, with 23 present quite often.

We have been thankful for the Zoom meetings as they have allowed ladies who could not have physically attended in the past to join us. The downside is that a couple of our usual attendees have no access to the technology. Now that Covid restrictions allow it, we are having garden parties to end the term. Next term, God willing, we shall be studying the epistle to the Ephesians.

Elen Walters

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Former Ebenezer church secretary Liz Storkey went to be with the

Lord on June 12th. She is seen here with her husband Ted who

predeceased her. They left Bangor in 2012 to retire to Exeter.

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Ours and the Hebrew Calendar

The Alexandrian Calendar was based on the Ancient Egyptian calendar.

Egyptians were the first to calculate time. They divided the year into 12

months, according to their knowledge of the stars. Each of the 12 months

was 30 days long, and they added five more days, which they called the

'small month' to the year. Therefore, their year became 365 days long. This

calendar is still used as a liturgical calendar by the Coptic Orthodox Church.

The Pharaoh, Ptolemy III in his ‘Decree of Canopus’ in 238 BC, tried to

introduce an extra day every 4 years to negate the reduction of a ¼ day/year.

But this was opposed by the Egyptian priests.

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Julius Cesar, based on the calculations of Greek mathematicians and

Astronomers that officially introduced this change in 46 BC to formulate

what is now known as the Julian Calendar. This then became the official

Roman Calendar. Parts of the Eastern and Oriental Orthodox Churches still

use this as their liturgical calendar.

The actual length of the year is 365.24219 days, rather than the 365.25 days

that the Julian Calendar had determined. This seems a minor drift, but over

the years it accumulates. By 1582, when Gregory XIII became the Pope in

Rome, there was a 11-day drift in the start of the year. He instituted another

change by adding 11 days to that year and integrated the further corrections

required, for instance by not having a leap year every century, but have one

every millennium. This latest and current calendar of the West is known as

the Gregorian Calendar.

These days, atomic clocks are used to make minor adjustments to our day.

Currently, an average Earth Day is actually about 0.002 seconds longer than

24 hours. The difference grows to one second in about 1.5 years.

Occasionally a ‘leap second’ is added to our day to ensure our clocks reflect

the Earth's rotation speed as accurately as possible. However, the Earth’s

rotation around the sun is slowing down. There is a planned ‘leap second’

for 30th June 2021, however, due to this slowing down, it may not now be

needed. We may know if this is the case by the time this article is published.

The Jewish Calendar follows a lunisolar calendar, rather than our solar

calendar. The first day of the religious year starts at the start of the 1st lunar

phase of the new moon. A complete rotation of the moon about the earth

takes 27.322 days. But the earth will have moved in that time. A lunisolar

month lasts 29 – 30 days. So, the start of new year and the end of the

previous year can vary up to 29.5 days compared to a solar calendar. It is

possible for the length of the year to vary by 59.5 days from the longest to

the shortest year. It takes a bit of getting used to by those of us who have

attuned ourselves to a fixed length of year. However, once you are used to

it, it holds several advantages over a solar year.

The mean average between the variations is fixed and easily determined.

You do not need to be an astronomer or own an atomic clock. All you need

is to be able to identify the first new moon is Spring, and you are away. The

start of your year will never vary more than 15 days off the mean.

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The position of the moon relative to the earth does affect our weather. I don’t

know if a study has ever been made, but I would not be surprised that if you

followed the lunisolar calendar to determine when you sow and harvest, that

you will find that you have done so at the best possible time for that year.

This is such a robust system, that despite its antiquity [it goes back to at least

the Exodus], it is the system many countries still use. It self-adjusts over

time for all the inconveniences such as the earth’s rotation slowing. I am not

saying that we should change back to this system, we are probably too used

to our own to change now, but we should realise how effective it is, in that

there has never been a need to change it, contrary to our solar calendar.

Lyn Davies

Welcome back to Bangor to James and Catrin Trollope, both former students at the university. Catrin starts her new job as UCCF staff worker in August where she will be supporting the Christian Unions in both Bangor and Glyndwr University in Wrexham. If you would like to support her either go to www.uccf.uk/our-team/catrin-trollope or contact her in person.

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Details of all the services can be found in the weekly church

newsletter.

EBENEZER EVANGELICAL CHURCH

ST. PAUL’S TERRACE, BANGOR LL57 1NS

www.ebenezerbangor.org.uk

……………………………

OFFICERS

Elders

David Finnie (Minister) Dkjfinnie@aol.com (01248) 362334

John Gough jnlzgough99@btinternet.com 352433

Deacons

Michael Walters mikewalters@hotmail.com 362320

Wyn Thomas w.thomas@bangor.ac.uk 351347

REGULAR MEETINGS

SUNDAY 10.30am Morning Service. Junior Church (ages 4-10) during sermon. 6.00pm Evening Service The Lord’s Supper 1st Sun. evening & 3rd Sun. morning.

TUESDAY 7.30pm Prayer Meeting/ Bible Study Fellowship Groups*

Treasurer: Michael Walters mikewalters@hotmail.com 470681

YouthClubLeader: Fiona Earnest fionaearnest@yahoo.co.uk 362334

Grapevine Editor: MichaelWalters mikewalters@hotmail.com 470681

Notice Sheet Editor: Wyn Williams. 853269

Registered Charity No. 1160857