Rev. Jai Mahtani
216 Thornberry Drive
Pittsburgh PA 15235
Tel: (412) 371-2299
E-mail: jaimahtani@msn.com
"Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the
name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all
things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of
the world. Amen." Matt 28:19-20
November 2002
To:
Council & Congregation of Southwest Protestant Reformed Church,
PR congregations, denominational mission fields & contacts in eastern US
Dear friends and fellow saints,
Greetings in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ, the unspeakable gift of God for which we shall remain eternally thankful.
I decided to devote this edition of my newsletter to a few brief reflections on thanksgiving. Thanksgiving Day approaches quickly, and it is good to be reminded to give thanks to God in all things, at all times. A particular text of God's Word has come to mind repeatedly in recent days:
"Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labor of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation" (Hab. 3:17-18).
I hope to preach on this beautiful passage for our Thanksgiving Day service coming up. By the grace of God the Christian is able to say: "Yet will I rejoice in the LORD!" Come what may, there is sure reason to rejoice in the God of our salvation.
We cordially invite all of you, and especially those of you who are in the Pittsburgh area, to look at the flyer attached and consider attending our upcoming special services. Also, please note that as of January 1, 2003, all our morning worship services will begin at 9:30 A.M. This earlier meeting time should make it much easier to find parking when you join us for worship.
We are thankful to God for the blessings we continue to experience here in Pittsburgh. The core group is growing spiritually and numerically. We recently acquired a larger room adjacent to our present mission office that can accommodate the many children attending catechism classes. We continue to receive visitors at our worship services regularly. Sometimes I get as many as three calls in one day with enquiries regarding the PR Mission of Pittsburgh. We rejoice in this interest and we labor with a vision that a congregation will be established here in the Lord's time. Join us in giving thanks to God for the many open doors He gives us in missions.
By the time you receive this newsletter we will probably have concluded our Reformation Celebrations 2002 with Rev. Miersma. We are thankful for the growing numbers we have had over the last five years at our Reformation Celebrations. In fact, plans are already underway for our sixth Annual Reformation Celebrations, with Professor Engelsma. This annual event is another blessing for which we at the Pittsburgh Mission are thankful. Consider joining us November 1-3, 2003.
We press on in the labors of God's kingdom in spite of troubles and tribulations in this world. Yes, we live in perilous times. There are increasing acts of terror at home and abroad. We are concerned for ourselves and for our children. Rising apostasy and raging immorality bombard the churches. War looms on the horizon. Some of us have lost jobs and investments in recent months. The days ahead do not look rosy. Antichrist rises and the church of Jesus Christ must suffer. If we do not walk by faith, we will easily throw up our hands in utter despair. How crucial it is, then, for all of us to abide in the Lord, and to see all things in the light of God's Word. "Yet will I rejoice in the LORD!" Even if our thanksgiving tables are not full with the bounties of the earth, and even if pangs of terror and death must afflict us and our children in the days to come, the God of our salvation will bring all things to pass for our good.
What a gem we have in the first question and answer of the Heidelberg
Catechism, which reminds us that "all things must be subservient to (our)
salvation." May that comfort be enough to fill our hearts with thanks to the God, Who
loved us and bought us with the blood of His own Son.
In His love,
Rev. Jai Mahtani
Special Services
Thanksgiving Day Service
Thursday, November 28, 2002
9:30 A.M.
Christmas Day Service
Wednesday, December 25, 2002
9:30 A.M.
Old Year's Service
Tuesday, December 31, 2002
7:00 P.M.
New Year's Service
9:30 A.M.
All our Lord's Day worship services are held at Trinity Christian School. We meet in
the Library, which is located at the rear of the school, near the playground.
Please note that as of January 1, 2003, all our morning worship services will be at
9:30 A.M. instead of 11:00 A.M. The evening services will remain at 6:00 P.M.
All of our midweek meetings are held at our Mission Office/Resource Center, located at
2140 Ardmore Blvd., in the Thompson Bldg. We are on the second floor, Suite A. Please feel
free to stop by to look at our numerous books, tapes, and pamphlets.
If you would like more information on our weekly catechism classes and Bible studies,
or our monthly fellowship meetings for young adults and for ladies, feel free to call Rev.
Jai Mahtani, at 412-371-2299. He will be delighted to hear from you.
Finally, remember that we are on the radio every Sunday at 10:00 A.M. Tune in to the Reformed Witness Hour on 101.5 FM.