Sunday, August 25, 2013
Sunday, August 18, 2013
Videos for 8-18-2013
English Ministry News and Notes 8-18-13
*We Warmly Welcome Rev. Joseph & Marilyn Chan to CCUMC!
*Last Chance! Our wonderful Wednesday Fellowship Series on Nonviolence Communication NVC) will come to a close this Wednesday, Aug. 21st. You are warmly invited to participate. A simple dinner begins at 6:00 p.m. followed by a time of learning at 6:30 p.m.
*The Homework Club has successfully completed a 3rd summer of ministry. We give great thanks to God for the opportunity to touch the lives of 64 children and their families during this time. Please continue to pray for this growing ministry and please do give a word of encouragement and thanks to Christine Li the next time you see her!
*Children & Youth Sunday School Ministry - You are urged and encouraged to be a part of this vital ministry! We will gather on Saturday, Aug. 24th, from 9:00 - 11:00 a.m. Please RSVP with Pastor Emily if you have not yet done so. Sunday School resumes its regular schedule on Sept. 1st, Rally Day.
*Street Fest Sunday and Outreach Ministry - We will gather for a short bilingual ministry next Sunday, Aug. 25th, at 9:30 a.m. This will be followed by a time of preparation before flinging our doors open wide at noon. Please sign up to pitch in during fellowship hour today! We need all hands on deck!
*Please hold Jeffrey Lu in prayer as he prepares for baptism on Sept. 1st!
*Pastor Emily's Upcoming Renewal Leave - Please note that Pastor Emily will begin her 3 month renewal leave on Monday, Sept. 2nd. She will be away until Nov. 29th.
Convenant Relationships - Who, What, How?
Churches partner with a missionary when they enter into a Covenant Relationship.
This partnership is much more than a financial commitment. It is a dynamic relationship where the church and missionary pray for one another and communicate regularly. By deepening its own awareness of the struggles and triumphs of the missionary, the congregation participates in a work that is truly connectional. When you Covenant with one missionary, you are supporting the entire United Methodist missionary community on their behalf and in their name.
There are over 300 Global Ministries missionaries that are supported through Covenant Relationships serving in over 60 countries. There is a great need for more supporting churches to be involved in the Covenant Relationship program. If more churches partner with missionaries, Global Ministries will be able to send more missionaries out into the world to make disciples of Jesus Christ!
How to Establish a Covenant Relationship
- Establish a financial goal of $2,500 annually or $5 per church member per year.
- Contact your Conference Secretary of Global Ministries or The Advance office to obtain information about missionaries that are related to your annual conference.
- Complete the Covenant Relationship Acceptance Agreement Form attached to establish your partnership with a missionary.
- Submit form to The Advance office at The General Board of Global Ministries.
- Send financial support to your conference treasurer clearly designating the missionary's name or Advance number.
- Consider the missionary as an extension of your church staff by listing them in your church bulletin and prayerfully support the work of God's mission throughout the World.
After much discernment, discussion, and prayer, the Missions Ministry Team has felt the lead to establish 2 Covenant Relationships for the next quadrennium (2013-2016). One with Rev. Joseph and Marilyn Chan who serve in Cambodia, and one with Youth & Child Visionary Ministry (YCVM) in Uganda. Let us hold all of this in prayer as we pray, listen, and act together to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.
Sunday, August 11, 2013
English Ministry News and Notes 8-11-13
*Giving Appreciation - Each Sunday, rotating pairs faithfully count the offering and pledges given. Today, we lift these giving servants up: Helena & Elsie, Steve & Vince, Ed & Ben. We also give thanks for Frances and Kent for stepping in temporarily as we seek out longer term support.
*Celebrating Baptism & New Memberships - We celebrate the baptism of Victor Chan (Steve & Laura's grandchild) and welcome in active discipleship Musa Funtua next Sunday, Aug. 18th. Please keep them in your prayers during this week.
*We Welcome Rev. Joseph and Marilyn Chan - Next Sunday, we conclude our 7 week summer Sunday School series on Cambodia by welcoming UMC missionaries to CCUMC. They will present in Sunday School (at 9:30 a.m.) as well as in worship.
*Great Thanks - for all the prayer support and volunteers of Homework Club's Adventures in Faith! The program ended with a bang on Friday, Aug. 16th. We give great thanks to the following extraordinary folk: Donna, Becky, Adrienne, Richard, Jonathan, Gloria, Peggy, Laura, and Steve. In addition, we are so thankful to Christine Li and her amazing tutoring staff! Let's pray for the growth of the seeds we planted all summer long.
*Sunday School Ministry Gathering - We will be kicking off a new year of learning and growing on Sept. 1st. We are in great need of support in this vital ministry with our children and youth. Please gather on Saturday, Aug. 24th, from 9:00 - 11:00 a.m. to explore and learn more about this ministry.
*Save the Date! Street Fest Sunday is Aug. 25th. A short worship will begin at 9:30 a.m. followed by a time of preparation. Doors will be flung open wide at noon. This is definitely an "all hands on deck" ministry opportunity.
*Celebrating Baptism & New Memberships - We celebrate the baptism of Victor Chan (Steve & Laura's grandchild) and welcome in active discipleship Musa Funtua next Sunday, Aug. 18th. Please keep them in your prayers during this week.
*We Welcome Rev. Joseph and Marilyn Chan - Next Sunday, we conclude our 7 week summer Sunday School series on Cambodia by welcoming UMC missionaries to CCUMC. They will present in Sunday School (at 9:30 a.m.) as well as in worship.
*Great Thanks - for all the prayer support and volunteers of Homework Club's Adventures in Faith! The program ended with a bang on Friday, Aug. 16th. We give great thanks to the following extraordinary folk: Donna, Becky, Adrienne, Richard, Jonathan, Gloria, Peggy, Laura, and Steve. In addition, we are so thankful to Christine Li and her amazing tutoring staff! Let's pray for the growth of the seeds we planted all summer long.
*Sunday School Ministry Gathering - We will be kicking off a new year of learning and growing on Sept. 1st. We are in great need of support in this vital ministry with our children and youth. Please gather on Saturday, Aug. 24th, from 9:00 - 11:00 a.m. to explore and learn more about this ministry.
*Save the Date! Street Fest Sunday is Aug. 25th. A short worship will begin at 9:30 a.m. followed by a time of preparation. Doors will be flung open wide at noon. This is definitely an "all hands on deck" ministry opportunity.
They Desire a Better Country by Paul Bellan-Boyer
This passage begins with a discourse answering an implied question: “What is faith?” And we hear a well-known answer, often quoted when speaking of faith: “the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen”.
There is no mistaking the importance of faith in Christian community, and it’s good to know what we mean when we use this powerful word. Yet there are two key things to be careful of in reading this passage.
First, “faith” is often invoked as an antidote to reality, belief in spite of the evidence. But this passage does not quite say that. It only says that we trust in, we look towards, and we set our hearts upon things which we know, but which are not yet in view.
There are plenty of things which are invisible whose existence we do not doubt. While 7/8s of an iceberg is under water, we understand that what is unseen is still there. We do not see the wind, but when we feel it on our cheek or hear it blowing through the trees, we know it is real. We cannot see beyond the horizon, but we believe that if we keep walking, we’ll get to a new country.
Faith is itself a mode of perception. Through “the eyes of faith,” we can see things not otherwise visible or clear.
It’s also important to understand the author of this letter to the Hebrews is not asking an abstract question or debating a point of philosophy. His people need to know what faith is because they are being tested, not by God to see how faithful they are, but by persecutions, public abuse inflicted upon them, their families, and friends in the gospel. Faith is not an object of academic interest – it is essential for survival.
Their persecutors aimed to make them submit, not to the faith-worthy and faithful God, but to the lesser gods of empire and culture in which these human outposts of good news were embedded. It might have worked. But there is this little thing called faith...
Faith is linked not to evidence, but to hope. Faith looks ahead to things which are not yet in view, but which are real, are known, and are hoped for with urgency.
Perhaps a more recent example may help both our faith and our sight. Looking at Montgomery, Alabama in 1954, not many people could see that bus segregation would soon be ending. But Rosa Parks and a mighty host set out in faith, because they desired a better country, a heavenly one – as seen in an integrated bus system.
In 1963 as Martin Luther King, Jr. stood on the steps of Lincoln’s Memorial and looked out over America, there wasn’t much proof that America would repent its sin of racial segregation. But his dream of an integrated and just America was not based on fact, but on faith. His faith in God’s transformative power was, to him and to many others, the assurance of the things they hoped for. He stepped forward in faith, because he and millions more desired a better country, a land well-watered by justice and righteousness.
Today we’re telling faith stories of Parks and King much the way Hebrews recalls Abel and Abraham. And that old letter-writer knew that the hope of heaven was not separate from the hope for a transformed earth. The trials of today are connected to the promised land just across the horizon. We step forward in faith not because we’re sure everything will work out in the next few days – but because we put our hope in God’s beautiful dream for creation.
There is no mistaking the importance of faith in Christian community, and it’s good to know what we mean when we use this powerful word. Yet there are two key things to be careful of in reading this passage.
First, “faith” is often invoked as an antidote to reality, belief in spite of the evidence. But this passage does not quite say that. It only says that we trust in, we look towards, and we set our hearts upon things which we know, but which are not yet in view.
There are plenty of things which are invisible whose existence we do not doubt. While 7/8s of an iceberg is under water, we understand that what is unseen is still there. We do not see the wind, but when we feel it on our cheek or hear it blowing through the trees, we know it is real. We cannot see beyond the horizon, but we believe that if we keep walking, we’ll get to a new country.
Faith is itself a mode of perception. Through “the eyes of faith,” we can see things not otherwise visible or clear.
It’s also important to understand the author of this letter to the Hebrews is not asking an abstract question or debating a point of philosophy. His people need to know what faith is because they are being tested, not by God to see how faithful they are, but by persecutions, public abuse inflicted upon them, their families, and friends in the gospel. Faith is not an object of academic interest – it is essential for survival.
Their persecutors aimed to make them submit, not to the faith-worthy and faithful God, but to the lesser gods of empire and culture in which these human outposts of good news were embedded. It might have worked. But there is this little thing called faith...
Faith is linked not to evidence, but to hope. Faith looks ahead to things which are not yet in view, but which are real, are known, and are hoped for with urgency.
Perhaps a more recent example may help both our faith and our sight. Looking at Montgomery, Alabama in 1954, not many people could see that bus segregation would soon be ending. But Rosa Parks and a mighty host set out in faith, because they desired a better country, a heavenly one – as seen in an integrated bus system.
In 1963 as Martin Luther King, Jr. stood on the steps of Lincoln’s Memorial and looked out over America, there wasn’t much proof that America would repent its sin of racial segregation. But his dream of an integrated and just America was not based on fact, but on faith. His faith in God’s transformative power was, to him and to many others, the assurance of the things they hoped for. He stepped forward in faith, because he and millions more desired a better country, a land well-watered by justice and righteousness.
Today we’re telling faith stories of Parks and King much the way Hebrews recalls Abel and Abraham. And that old letter-writer knew that the hope of heaven was not separate from the hope for a transformed earth. The trials of today are connected to the promised land just across the horizon. We step forward in faith not because we’re sure everything will work out in the next few days – but because we put our hope in God’s beautiful dream for creation.
Sunday, August 4, 2013
Videos for 8-4-2013
English Ministry News and Notes 8-4-13
*We Welcome Wendy & Thomas - As many of you know, Wendy and Thomas went on a mission trip through South America Mission (SAM) to Bolivia this summer. They just returned on July 26th. We rejoice with the ways they experienced and saw God at work and for the ways their own hearts have been changed. They will share a more in depth “report back” after worship for those who wish to hear more. Let us hold them in our prayers as they continue to integrate this important experience.
*Giving Thanks - Thus far, we have counted over $17,000 raised at the recent YCVM Benefit Dinner. This is wonderful and amazing news! We give great thanks for your generosity - of time, money, and effort! Let us hold Kumi Christian Visionary School continually in our prayers.
*Homework Club Summer Program Winds Down - We are entering our final two weeks of Homework Club and Adventures in Faith. Our last day is Aug. 16th. We invite volunteers for that day as we head to Crab Cove for a celebratory picnic! Please connect with Pastor Emily for more info.
*It's Not Too Late - There are 3 more sessions to our Wednesday Fellowship series and it's not too late to jump in. Our gathering begins with a simple meal at 6:00 p.m. with the workshop beginning at 6:30 p.m. Come for warm fellowship and amazing learning!
*LMUMC Food Pantry Work Day - Saturday, Aug. 10th.
*We Welcome You! Is God calling you to be baptized? To join this congregation as an active disciple? We will be celebrating baptism and membership reception on Sunday, Aug.18th. If you would like to know more, please connect with Pastor Emily
*Giving Thanks - Thus far, we have counted over $17,000 raised at the recent YCVM Benefit Dinner. This is wonderful and amazing news! We give great thanks for your generosity - of time, money, and effort! Let us hold Kumi Christian Visionary School continually in our prayers.
*Homework Club Summer Program Winds Down - We are entering our final two weeks of Homework Club and Adventures in Faith. Our last day is Aug. 16th. We invite volunteers for that day as we head to Crab Cove for a celebratory picnic! Please connect with Pastor Emily for more info.
*It's Not Too Late - There are 3 more sessions to our Wednesday Fellowship series and it's not too late to jump in. Our gathering begins with a simple meal at 6:00 p.m. with the workshop beginning at 6:30 p.m. Come for warm fellowship and amazing learning!
*LMUMC Food Pantry Work Day - Saturday, Aug. 10th.
*We Welcome You! Is God calling you to be baptized? To join this congregation as an active disciple? We will be celebrating baptism and membership reception on Sunday, Aug.18th. If you would like to know more, please connect with Pastor Emily
Work Your Way Down the Ladder by Rev. Keith Krell
In Lewis Carroll’s famous book, Through the Looking Glass, Alice steps through the mirror in the living room to find a world on the opposite side where everything is backwards: Alice wants to go forward, but every time she moves, she ends up back where she started; she tries to go left and ends up right; up is down and fast is slow. Similarly, Christianity is a kind of looking glass world where everything works on principles opposite to those of the world around us. To be blessed, be a blessing to others. To receive love, give love. To be honored, first be humble. To truly live, die to yourself. To gain the unseen, let go of the seen. To receive, first give. To save your life, lose it. To lead, be a servant. To be first, be last.
In Philippians 2:5–11, Paul will explain that the way up is down. That’s right: Down is up, up is down. The way to be great is to go lower. The way up is down. The logical flow of Philippians has been building up to this great truth. After addressing the church as a unified whole (1:1–2), Paul offers a prayer for them to achieve this unity (1:3–11). He then gives his own life as a model (1:12–26; cf. 4:9) and urges the church to live lives of humility and unity without (1:27–30) and within the church (2:1–4). Finally, Paul arrives at a crescendo and turns his attention to the powerful example of Christ Himself in 2:5–11. This is one of the most important passages in the entire Bible. Many scholars believe that this is the best passage in the Bible to defend and explain that Jesus Christ is God. In these verses, Paul issues two commitments to living an upside-down life.
To read the full devotion, visit: https://bible.org/seriespage/work-your-way-downladder-philippians-25-11
In Philippians 2:5–11, Paul will explain that the way up is down. That’s right: Down is up, up is down. The way to be great is to go lower. The way up is down. The logical flow of Philippians has been building up to this great truth. After addressing the church as a unified whole (1:1–2), Paul offers a prayer for them to achieve this unity (1:3–11). He then gives his own life as a model (1:12–26; cf. 4:9) and urges the church to live lives of humility and unity without (1:27–30) and within the church (2:1–4). Finally, Paul arrives at a crescendo and turns his attention to the powerful example of Christ Himself in 2:5–11. This is one of the most important passages in the entire Bible. Many scholars believe that this is the best passage in the Bible to defend and explain that Jesus Christ is God. In these verses, Paul issues two commitments to living an upside-down life.
- Imitate Christ’s model of humility (2:5-8). The way that you can imitate Christ’s example is by giving up your “rights.” Paul begins this section with a command to “Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus.” To “have this attitude” means “to develop an attitude based upon careful thought.” Paul is inviting you to rethink your attitude based upon Christ’s attitudes (2:6) and actions (2:7–8). Mark Twain once said, “Few things are harder to put up with than the annoyance of a good example.” I think we’ve all felt this way from time to time. Obviously, living up to the attitude of Christ is not easy. It’s a pursuit that humbles every believer to dust; nevertheless, we are commanded to pursue this lofty goal. How is your attitude today? Does it line up with Jesus Christ or with your natural tendencies and inclinations?
- Appropriate Christ’s lordship of creation (2:9–11). True biblical humility occurs when one recognizes the greatness of Jesus Christ. Paul explains: “For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus EVERY KNEE WILL BOW, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (2:9–11). The phrase “for this reason” shows a cause-effect relationship between Christ’s self-humbling (2:8) and His exaltation (2:9). First, there was the cradle, then the cross, and then the crown.
To read the full devotion, visit: https://bible.org/seriespage/work-your-way-downladder-philippians-25-11
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