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 2012 Pastor Rohan Hepkins The Chapel of the Good Shepherd 3/1/2012 COGS Sheepskin-March Chapel of the Good Shepherd 654 Church Lane, Yeadon PA 19050 610-626-2815 Email: [email protected] Visit: www.COGSonline.com 

COGS Sheep Skin Mar 2012

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2012

Pastor Rohan Hepkins

The Chapel of the Good Shepherd

3/1/2012

COGS Sheepskin-March 

Chapel of the Good Shepherd

654 Church Lane, Yeadon PA 19050

610-626-2815Email: [email protected]

Visit:www.COGSonline.com 

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Chapel of the Good ShepherdPrayer and Fellowship Opportunities

================================================================Sanctuary Prayer Sundays, 8:00 AM 

Prepare your heart for worship. Gather in the sanctuary onSunday mornings for prayer and meditation.

Week Day Prayer 7:00-8:00 AM Begin your day with prayer. Meet in the Pastor’s 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 aBible 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, 7:00Come 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.

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From the Pastor’s 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 theChapel, the first of these hallmark observances leading up to Holy Week is Ash Wednesday, on February 22. At COGS, we havestarted 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 ofpiety and penance. Catholics are taught to give up or sacrifice something for Lent as a means of getting closer to God. As main streamProtestants, we usually look down on –– or are dismissive of such religious observances, calling it legalistic among other things.However, I’m not sure that our Catholic brothers and sisters don’t have something on us main stream evangelical Christians here. Idon’t believe that there’s anything wrong with this observance if done in a spiritual way. In fact, it has its roots in the Jewish observanceof sackcloth and ashes as a means of working out grace. God does not condemn the act, but rather condemns “going through themotions 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 ofpenance may be disqualified as being rote and inauthentic in the sight of God. However, if we spiritually seize the moment in sincerepersonal gratitude to God for what the observance is truly intended, then it is blessed by God and can have great spiritual rewards andreturns indeed. So Ash Wednesday is a signif icant part of the church calendar  –– and not just for our Catholic and Anglican/Episcopalbrethren. 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 Yeadon’s Annual World Day of Prayer –– where all the Yeadon Churches cometogether in an ecumenical service of prayer and unity. Then, on Sunday, March 4, we will again be celebrating our Diversity Day atCOGS. We have had 11 or more distinct nationalities represented at various times at the Chapel. We have traditionally set this dateaside 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 theyoung gospel group –– “Simply Blessed.” This will again be followed by a fellowship meal that has been aptly dubbed, “A Taste Aroundthe 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 aday 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 guidelinesexplained in the COGS Calendar. Notwithstanding, let us do all that we can to meet these calendar of events. It is going to be a busybut 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 youcontinue to pray for us… 

In the Lord’s Service 

Pastor Rohan

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World Day of PrayerFriday, March 2

MalaysiaTheme: “Let Justice Prevail” 

World Day of Prayer is a movement initiated and carried out by women in more than 170 countries and regions. It is a movementsymbolized by an annual day of celebration--the first Friday of March--to which all people are welcome. It is a movement which bringstogether people of various races, cultures and traditions in closer fellowship, understanding and action throughout the year.

Pray for MalaysiaMalaysia is a good model of racial integration with its multiracial, multicultural and multi-religious community living in harmony withone 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 andreligious freedom will prevail always. Vision 2020 is Malaysia's long term goal to become a developed nation, achieve a balancedgrowth 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

Friday, March 2 - 7:30 PM

Five Yeadon Churches willmeet for a

prayer service at COGS.

Everyone is welcome!

For more information call:610-626-2815.

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Chapel of the Good Shepherdpresents

CELEBRATION OF DIVERSITYSunday, March 4, 2012 

Worship - 11:00 AM

Plan to join us in celebrating the good gifts Godgives us through each other...

Guest speakersSpecial music

“A Taste Around the World”

An international dinner followsthe worship service.

Call Joy Hepkins and ask what you can contribute.Our Congregation has members that represent 11 Countries to include:

Algeria Eritera FranceGhana Jamaica Liberia

Nigeria Sierra Leone South AfricaSt. Vincent Uganda United States

Zimbabwe

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Women’s Tea and Study

At 4:30 PM on Saturday, March 24th all women of the church are invited gather atthe home of Joy Hepkins for tea and Bible study. This group meets on the fourthSaturday of each month to talk, share, pray and study God’s Word. Ladies, if you

are not currently involved in a small group, we think you’ll 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!

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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 beingcommitted. 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 otherLeaders. 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 spiritualand 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 alsothe 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 havepledged, 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 thesermon?

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 tohear?

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, sportsand 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 ratherthan contacting your government leaders about what is proper and brings conformity to God’s Laws?  

12. Give to God the things that are God’s.  Let us ask ourselves,“Why” is God’s 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, eternalpunishment 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 weare 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

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Manor Care Ministry to Seniors

On the fourth Sunday of each month the COGS familyconducts a worship service for the residents of Manor Care Yeadon.

This ministry has consistently been a channel of God’s loveto 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 andhands of the Manor Care residents.

Service time - 2:00 PM.

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 Missions Minutes

Last year, two of our beloved missionaries, Charles “Hoppy” Hopkins and Cecil Eugene Hawkins, were called home to be withthe Lord. Both men dedicated their lives to ministry and demonstrated God’s 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. Moreinformation 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 theLord ministering the Word to truckers (many of whom have come to Christ) in the mission called “God’s Trucking Ministry”since 1995. This ministry was founded in 1990 by a truck driver named Reggie Pelletier who heeded God’s call to minister totruck drivers at the Truckers Inn in Jessup, Maryland. By 1998 Hoppy became Sr. Chaplain. Hoppy was a long-time COGSmember and is survived by his brother, Bob.

God’s Trucking Ministry 7541 Assateague DriveJessup, 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 Hawkins308 N. Casa Grande CircleDuncanville, TX 75116

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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 ComfortableClothes & Supportive

Shoes And Be Ready to Sweat

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