Monday, December 29, 2014

Sunday, December 21, 2014

English Ministry News and Notes 2014-12-21

"Good Christian Friends, Rejoice! with heart and soul and voice...." All are invited to join in on Christmas Caroling tomorrow, Monday, Dec. 22nd, starting from church at 1:00 P.M. We will be bringing the good news through song to homebound seniors and others. If you have suggestions for someone who would like a visit, please inform Charlie or Becky, so they can work on the schedule. Drivers will also be needed for the afternoon. This is an intergenerational event, and children are especially welcome, as they are sure to bring smiles to everyone. If you have an instrument (bells, horns, ukuleles, etc.) please bring them! We will end with a super soup supper, place TBD. Plan to come and bring a
friend!

Invite your friends to our annual Candlelight Service on Christmas Eve at 7pm. Service will be in English, Cantonese, and Mandarin. Refreshments will follow!

Thank you to our 2014 Poinsettia Donors

James Yu x 2
Linda woo x 2
Vikki Siu x 2
Mabel & C K Lee x 2
(in memory of parents )
Elsie Wan
Xiao Ying Zhu
Feng
David Wong family
Kwok Kuen Cheung
Theresa Ching
Donna Louie
Lin Kam Huey
Johnson Lim
Christine Wong ( 細 )
Daniel Leung
Jenny Fung
Ed & Arlene Lang
Adrienne & Richard Fong
Donna Chan
Ulander Pang
Ben Lang
Wailan Lei
Meina Ko
Fan Yu Fang Wu
Winnie Pon
Helen Chang
Lucy Zhou
Michelle Li
Helena & Leo Lin

Hymn Story: We Three Kings

This month, our Advent worship series has been, Follow the Star. We have explored the story of the Magi as told by the author of Matthew. Our reflection on this text has included prayer, a children’s pageant, proclamation, and also music. The most familiar hymn that recalls this story is We Three Kings, which can be found in the UM Hymnal. The following is some background on that famous hymn.
Pastor Brenda




Hymn Story: We Three Kings…article by Canon Keith Evans (edited)
Written by John Henry Hopkins [1820-1891] John was a gifted academic, artist and musician. He worked as a journalist before training for the priesthood at the General Theological Seminary in New York. As well as being an author, illustrator and designer he taught music at the Seminary. During this time he also edited the Episcopal Church Journal. Later he served as Rector of Christchurch, Williamsport, Pennsylvania.

Hopkins was a prominent clergyman and delivered the eulogy at the funeral of President Ulysses S. Grant in 1855.
It’s sometimes suggested that We Three Kings was written for a Christmas Pageant performed by the ordinands of the General Seminary in 1857. It’s more likely, however, that he wrote the Carol as a Christmas present for his nephews and nieces. It was a great hit with the family and the Carol very quickly gained popularity. It was first printed in his Carols, Hymns and Songs in 1863.

As well as writing the words Hopkins composed the rousing tune, Kings of Orient. The Carol celebrates the Epiphany, the arrival of the wise men with their gifts of symbolic meaning [Matthew 2.1-12]. However, the Gospel only tells us about the three gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh, it doesn’t record how many wise men there actually were. That is left to Christian tradition and folklore. In the Orthodox Church the number of Magi is usually thought to be twelve. In the western Church we think of three. We have even made them kings and given them names, Melchior, Caspar and Balthazar.

John Hopkins took the well known traditions surrounding the coming of the wise men. He even presents us with a theological interpretation of the meaning of the gifts. Gold is given to the newborn king. Frankincense is offered to God’s own Son. Myrrh speaks of the passion and death of the Saviour.

Sunday, December 14, 2014

English Ministry News and Notes 2014-12-14

Please stay and fellowship with our Homework Club Children and their family in the social hall following Service. It is always uplifting to see and hear the Christmas Story from the Children’s point of view. We are all blessed by their presence!
"Good Christian Friends, Rejoice! with heart and soul and voice...." All are invited to join in on Christmas Caroling on Monday, Dec. 22nd, starting from church at 1:00 P.M. We will be bringing the good news through song to homebound seniors and others. If you have suggestions for someone who would like a visit, please inform Charlie or Becky, so they can work on the schedule. Drivers will also be needed for the afternoon. This is an intergenerational event, and children are especially welcome, as they are sure to bring smiles to everyone. If you have an instrument (bells, horns, ukuleles, etc.) please bring them!
We will end with a super soup supper, place TBD. Plan to come and bring a friend! * Please note that kids under 18 need a permission slip unless their parent is driving them

Thinking about our Covenant Missionaries...Last opportunity for Christmas Card, Retirement Card, and Birthday Cards! If you haven’t signed the cards yet for Pastor Joseph and Marilyn Chan, please be sure to see Burt or Sylvia today.

Candlelight Service will begin at 7pm on Christmas Eve, Wednesday, December 24th. Please invite your friends and family for a most meaningful celebration of the birth of Jesus. Service will be conducted in English, Mandarin, and Cantonese. A time of refreshments and sharing will follow.

Children's Christmas Pageant

In the past two weeks, Children who attend the Homework Club have been learning the story of the birth of Jesus through music and drama. On behalf of the members of Chinese Community United Methodist Church, I would like to thank the parents and caregivers of the children who are with us this morning. May all God’s joy and peace be with you this Christmas and always.

Pastor Brenda Walker


Characters
Angels…….........Aaron Tse, Darren Zou, Brianna Ly, Jacky Chen, Chloe Lee
Shepherds.........Jia Qiao Wu, Andy Wu, Kevin Huang
Joseph……........Raymond Situ
Mary……........…Sophia Chen

Production Team
Costumes………………………Jane Yin, Brenda Wong, Arlene Lang
Rehearsal Accompanist………Jonathan Snoek
Music Director …………………Aeri Lee
Rehearsal Assistants………….Becky Wong, Meina Ko
Program………………………...Peggy Woon
Hospitality………………………CCUMC Youth, Becky and Al Wong

Special Thanks to
Christine Li, Director of the Homework Club and her staff

Monday, December 8, 2014

Sunday, December 7, 2014

English Ministry News and Notes 2014-12-5

On Sunday, December 14 the 11:00 EM Worship will feature a Children’s Christmas Play. In the next two weeks, children who attend the Homework Club will learn about the story of the birth of Jesus through music and drama. You are encouraged to attend this special worship where the children will sing Christmas carols and act out the parts of the Christmas story from the Bible.

There are several ways that you can help make this a meaningful experience for the children and the families who will be invited to worship with us.

1. Serve as an assistant during one of our rehearsals. We plan to rehearse on Dec. 10 and 11 at 2:00.
2. Play the piano during one of our rehearsals.
3. Help with costuming.
4. Help with hospitality. We are inviting families to stay after worship for simple, light refreshments.
5. Plan to attend the service and be a welcoming presence for our guests.

If you would like to help with this special worship, please connect with Pastor Brenda

"Good Christian Friends, Rejoice! with heart and soul and voice...." All are invited to join in on Christmas Caroling on Monday, Dec. 22nd, starting from church at 1:00 P.M. We will be bringing the good news through song to homebound seniors and others. If you have suggestions for someone who would like a visit, please inform Charlie or Becky, so they can work on the schedule. Drivers will also be needed for the afternoon. This is an intergenerational event, and children are especially welcome, as they are sure to bring smiles to everyone. If you have an instrument (bells, horns, ukuleles, etc.) please bring them! We will end with a super soup supper, place TBD. Plan to come and bring a friend!

Christmas Poinsettias! An annual CCUMC tradition is decorating the sanctuary with poinsettias for Christmas Sunday and Christmas eve. If you would like to order a poinsettia ($10.00 each), please connect with Laura or Helena (the plants can be taken home on Sunday, December 28th). Today is the last day to place your order!

Follow the Star, by Janice S Ramkissoon

Used with permission from the link: http://articles.faithwriters.com

The voice of an Angel;
The womb of a virgin;
The hay in the stable;
A life in a manger.

All started in a manger,
Prophecy now fulfilled.
Wise men travel from a far,
Bearing gifts for a king.

Shepherds were told,
And they too believed.
Follow the star,
You too will believe.

He was born to die,
A sacrifice for my sins.

His life spent:
Ministering to hearts;
He thought of me,
As He hung from that tree.

"Father forgive them..."
Yes, that was for me.
He cried out for peace,
And now I am free.

Started in a manger,
Ended on a tree.
The in-between bears witness,
So others can believe.

HE ROSE - VICTORIOUSLY:

He's alive! He lives in me;
He paid the price, He sacrificed.
Yes, salvation is free,
It is the Christmas story.

Yes, Salvation is free,
It's the Easter story.
Salvation is free,
It's for you and for me.

Follow the STAR
And you won't get lost.
Salvation is Free!
To God be the Glory.

Wednesday, December 3, 2014

Monday, December 1, 2014