Newsletter 2017/3/19

Lord’s Day Message: Eph.3:1-13

¹  For this reason I, Paul, a prisoner for Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles– ²  assuming that you have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace that was given to me for you, ³  how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I have written briefly. ⁴  When you read this, you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ, ⁵  which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit. ⁶  This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.

⁷  Of this gospel I was made a minister according to the gift of God’s grace, which was given me by the working of his power. ⁸  To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, ⁹  and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things, ¹⁰  so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places.

¹¹  This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord, ¹²  in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him. ¹³  So I ask you not to lose heart over what I am suffering for you, which is your glory.

Message Outline: Paul – a minister of the gospel – the glory of the saints

• Regarding Paul

1. A prisoner for Christ Jesus
2. Having insight into the mystery of Christ
3. Being made a minister of the gospel
4. Being the very least of all the saints, yet receiving the grace to preach the unsearchable riches of Christ
5. Bringing to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery in God
6. What he has suffered is the glory of the saints

• Regarding the Church

1. the mystery of Christ – the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel
2. To make known the manifold wisdom of God to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places
3. Needs ministers like Paul

a. To preach the gospel

b. To pursue and constituted with the riches in Christ

c. To teach the unsearchable riches of Christ and the plan of the mystery of God to the saints

d.To strengthen the faith of the saints even in the difficulties

Application and Discussion

1. Paul said that he had insight into the mystery of Christ, yet he also said he is the very least of all the saints. From these descriptions, you think what kind of a person Paul is? If we are willing to serve in the church, what kind of revelation we can receive from these two descriptions?
2. When Paul wrote this epistle he was in prison. From this section of scripture, how did he encourage the saints not to lose heart and even say that what he has suffered is their glory?

Message Next Week: Eph.3:14-21

Church Meetings/Time/Place

Home Meeting/Chinese Speaking Young People:

20/3 Mon., 7:30pm,  Richard & Flora’s, (Dinner @ 7pm)

Pursuing of Uni Students: 21/3 Tue. 7:30pm, Yulin’s

Sisters Meeting: 22/3 Wed. 10:00am, Anne’s

Prayer Meeting: 22/3 Wed. 8:00pm, David Tan’s (Combined)

Pursuing of Words: 24/3  Fri. 8pm, David’s

Young People Meeting/Home meeting for Adults：

25/3 Sat. 7:30pm, Olsen & Likun’s (Gospel group)

Joe & Lili’s (YP & other adults)

Announcements:

1. We welcome all the new ones who are joining us today. May God bless you and lead you into this family of God.
2. Today after the meeting there is a baptism for sister XiaChun Li. May all the brothers and sisters come to join the testimony and give our sister support and blessing in prayer.
3. On March 28-30 the senior group plans to have a camp near The Entrance. If any senior brothers, sisters or friends are interested to join, please contact Brother Benchu Guo.
4. This year the Collaroy conference will be held on April 14-17. Brothers Michael Samulak and Benjamin Sheu will be the speakers and they will cover the book of Jonah. This year all the brothers and sisters, young people and adults, can all join together.

The invitation card is ready for us to pick up and use it. The cost of the conference is $350 for adults and $300 for children (the real cost is $415.80/adult, $331.80/child for hotel room; and $327.60/adult, $315.00/child for cabin). The difference may be made up by offering. However, if anyone has financial difficulty, please fellowship with Brother Richard Chen or Yulin Wang that the cost can be waived in portion or in full amount. Please do not lost the chance to have Lord’s blessing just because of the financial need. (The minimum number for the camp is about 100.)

The registration forms are already prepared and please register with Sister Hannah Cui. The deadline is March 29. For details please contact Sister Hannah Cui or Brother Yulin Wang.

5. On April 23 there will be an English speaking gospel meeting. We welcome the brothers and sisters to invite friends to join.
6. On July 9-15 the church plans to join the Chinese speaking conference in Cleveland, USA. If any brothers and sisters are interested, please register with Brother Yulin Wang.

<Reminder>

1. During the meeting, please turn off your mobile phone or put the volume on silence and not to walk around or to wonder/talk too laud in the kitchen.
2. When you prepare the love feast for Lord’s Day lunch, please do not prepare any food containing nuts as someone may have food allergy.

Please refrain from bringing uncooked food for the love feast so we may lighten the work for the serving ones in the kitchen.

Intercession:

1. May the Lord bless the gospel friends among us that they can know how precious the Lord is and are willing to believe in Him.
2. Pray for the new believers (15 brothers and sisters in 2016). May the Lord establish them in the church life and bless their growth in life.
3. May the Lord bless the Collaroy conference so that the brothers and sisters can desire to participate and joyfully receive the supply of God’s word and love of brothers and sisters.
4. Pray for the brothers and sisters or their relatives who are weak in body or spirit. May the Lord care for them and give them sufficient grace.
5. Please give thanks to the Lord that Sister Lena had delivered a son, Oliver. May the Lord care for her recovery and bless the growth of Oliver.

Serving This Week: (Mar. 19)

1. Message: Yulin Wang & Richard Chen
2. Serving before Meeting: Ju-Qing Cui & Mei-Ting Liu
3. Breaking the Bread: Yulin Wang & Richard Cui
4. Serving Bread and Cup: Olsen Yu, Richard Cui, Patrick Li & Sean Dong
5. Cleaning: Sam & Hannah Family, Tina & Fiona Jiang, Patrick & Lily Family, Baolei
6. Kitchen: Anne & Likun
7. Children: Supervisor –Lydia

Singing – Fiona & Angela

Teachers – Vasya & Lian (&Grace)

 

Serving Next Week: (Mar. 26)

1. Message: Yulin Wang & Raymond Yang
2. Serving before Meeting: Joyce & Chris
3. Breaking the Bread: Shanwon Chow & Patrick Li
4. Serving Bread and Cup: Richard Huang, John Ji, Jason Wang & Benchu Guo
5. Cleaning: Raymond & Lucy Family, Thomas & Lena, Joyce & Chris, Joe & Lili Family, Michael & Mandy Family, Margaret Yang
6. Kitchen: Pauline & Lisa
7. Children: Supervisor –Lily

Singing – Nelson & Jono

Teachers – Betty, Berry & Jerry

 

2017 Church Activities

1. Collaroy Conf. (Apr.14-17)
2. Mother’s Day / Special lunch (May 14)
3. US Visit and training (July 9-15)
4. English speaking Gospel Meeting (Aug.)
5. Church conference (Sep.30-Oct.2)
6. Gospel Meeting with Hymns (Dec. 3)
7. US church conference (YP) (Dec.)