Newsletter 2018/10/28

Newsletter for Church in Sydney   Nov. 18, 2018

 

 

Messages: Acts 24

Paul Before Felix at Caesarea

¹ And after five days the high priest Ananias came down with some elders and a spokesman, one Tertullus. They laid before the governor their case against Paul. ² And when he had been summoned, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying: “Since through you we enjoy much peace, and since by your foresight, most excellent Felix, reforms are being made for this nation, ³ in every way and everywhere we accept this with all gratitude. ⁴ But, to detain you no further, I beg you in your kindness to hear us briefly. ⁵ For we have found this man a plague, one who stirs up riots among all the Jews throughout the world and is a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes. ⁶ He even tried to profane the temple, but we seized him. ⁸ By examining him yourself you will be able to find out from him about everything of which we accuse him.” ⁹ The Jews also joined in the charge, affirming that all these things were so.

¹⁰ And when the governor had nodded to him to speak, Paul replied: “Knowing that for many years you have been a judge over this nation, I cheerfully make my defense. ¹¹ You can verify that it is not more than twelve days since I went up to worship in Jerusalem, ¹² and they did not find me disputing with anyone or stirring up a crowd, either in the temple or in the synagogues or in the city. ¹³ Neither can they prove to you what they now bring up against me. ¹⁴ But this I confess to you, that according to the Way, which they call a sect, I worship the God of our fathers, believing everything laid down by the Law and written in the Prophets, ¹⁵ having a hope in God, which these men themselves accept, that there will be a resurrection of both the just and the unjust. ¹⁶ So I always take pains to have a clear conscience toward both God and man. ¹⁷ Now after several years I came to bring alms to my nation and to present offerings. ¹⁸ While I was doing this, they found me purified in the temple, without any crowd or tumult. But some Jews from Asia— ¹⁹ they ought to be here before you and to make an accusation, should they have anything against me. ²⁰ Or else let these men themselves say what wrongdoing they found when I stood before the council, ²¹ other than this one thing that I cried out while standing among them: ‘It is with respect to the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial before you this day.'”

Paul Kept in Custody

²² But Felix, having a rather accurate knowledge of the Way, put them off, saying, “When Lysias the tribune comes down, I will decide your case.” ²³ Then he gave orders to the centurion that he should be kept in custody but have some liberty, and that none of his friends should be prevented from attending to his needs.

²⁴ After some days Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, and he sent for Paul and heard him speak about faith in Christ Jesus. ²⁵ And as he reasoned about righteousness and self-control and the coming judgment, Felix was alarmed and said, “Go away for the present. When I get an opportunity I will summon you.” ²⁶ At the same time he hoped that money would be given him by Paul. So he sent for him often and conversed with him. ²⁷ When two years had elapsed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus. And desiring to do the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul in prison. (Acts 24, ESV)

For I am not aware of anything against myself, but I am not thereby acquitted. It is the Lord who judges me. (1 Cor. 4:4)

⁷ But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. ⁸ We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; ⁹ persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; ¹⁰ always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. ¹¹ For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. (2 Cor. 4:7-11, ESV)

Message Next Week: Acts 25

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. Concerning the service of hymn singing, 2-3 hymns will be chosen before the meeting and there will be a practice every Lord’s Day afternoon. We welcome all to join the practice. If you have any suggestions, please fellowship with sister Lydia and brother Joe Zhou.
3. Next Lord’s Day we will have another fellowship about the food service to consider any improvement or even change to the service. May all the brothers and sisters seek and fellowship before the Lord together.
4. There is a gospel meeting of hymns on December 9. Brothers and sisters are welcome to form groups to prepare the hymns and testimonies. Please fellowship all the details with Brother Yulin Wang. The combined meeting (and the breakfast) on December will then be delayed from 2 to 9. On 2/12 we will have rehearsal in the afternoon.
5. The 2019 Gospel Calendars have arrived. You can purchase each copy for $6 (if you are willing, you can offer more in the Lord.) It is for every brother and sister to use at home or as a gift to the gospel friends.
6. This December brothers Thomas Wu, Vincent Tai and sister Sarah Wang will join the Vision Week and pursuing in Cleveland Ohio US. May the Lord bless them to know Him more, gain more of His riches, and become the blessings in our church life.

Church Meetings/Time/Place

Home Meetings

Chinese Speaking Young People: 19/11 Mon. 7:00pm, Richard & Flora (w/dinner)

@ Kingsgloove: 20/11 Tue. 10:30am, Shanwon Chow’s

@ Chatswood: 22/11 Thu. 8:00pm, Ming Pan

@ North Region: 24/11 Sat. 7:30pm, Patrick & Lily’s

Pursuing of Uni Students:

20/11 Tue. 7:00pm, Yulin’s (w/ dinner)

Sisters Meeting: 21/11 Wed. 10:00am, Megan’s

Prayer Meeting: 21/11 Wed. 7:45pm, Meeting Hall

Highschooler Meeting: 23/11 Fri, 7:30pm, Yulin’s

Pursuing for Ministering: 23/11, 8:00pm, David’s

Intercession:

1. May the Lord bless our gospel friends so that they can know how precious the Lord is and become willing to believe in Him.
2. Pray for the new believers (5 brothers: Yuan Liu, Yuan-Pei Zhao, Chao Ma, Lyon Yang and Jack Zhou as well as 13 sisters: Ariel Chen, Lu Gan, Lan-Xiu Zhang, Li-Fang Ge, Kelie Wei, Li-Yuan Xu, Jean Hu, MinFang Wu, XiuQing Chen, Heidi Li, Tracy Lin, Sophie, AnJie Lin. May the Lord establish them in the church life and bless their growth in life.
3. 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. Please pray for Brother Michael Lin (ear) and Sister Ah Seng Chow (Knee)

Serving This Week: (Nov. 18)

1. Message: Yulin Wang (Downstairs)

Thomas Wu (Upstairs)

2. Breaking Bread: Shanwon Chow & Patrick Li
3. Serving Bread & Cup: Patrick Li, Joe Zhou, Benchu Guo & Kevin Zhu
4. Food: Group 4
5. Cleaning: Chinese speaking young people
6. Children: Lian, Holly

Serving Next Week: (Nov. 25)

1. Message: Richard Chen & Yulin Wang (Downstairs)

David Tan (Upstairs)

2. Breaking Bread: Yulin Wang & Peter Zhang
3. Serving Bread & Cup: Peter Zhang, Michael Qiu, Ash Li & Chuan Ma
4. Food: Group 1
5. Cleaning: English speaking young people
6. Children: Lamee, Angela, Priscilla & Leonie

 

 

 

 

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