Chinese Choir
Chinese Sermon
English Sermon
Monday, September 26, 2016
Sunday, September 25, 2016
English News and Notes 2016-9-25
- New Christian Ed Series - "From Membership to Discipleship": gather with others to explore, discuss, consider, and engage the invitation to (re)commit to following Jesus as a disciple. This 7 part series begins today and continues through Nov. 13th. Sessions begins promptly at 9:30 a.m. in the annex.
- World Communion Celebration Worship & Picnic - Next Sunday, Oct. 2nd, we head out to creation to celebrate our connection with brothers and sisters around the world. Worship will begin at 10:30 a.m. followed by a fellowship lunch. You are invited to bring: water/water bottle, camping chairs, picnic mats, fruit or dessert to share. Please let Frances know if you need transportation or can offer it.
- It's Not Too Late - Join in the transformative experience of our upcoming church retreat, Oct. 8th. Our facilitator/teacher is Sam Yun, a dynamic, fun, insightful pastor who will inspire us to consider where we are and the possibilities before us as a church. We will gather at Lake Park UMC.
- Are You In? Have you invited your friends and purchased your ticket/table yet for the upcoming Kumi Benefit Dinner happening on Oct. 21st?! If you have wonderful items that would be good for the Silent Auction, please connect with Donna Chan Chu. Get on it!
- Have You Heard? - Beginning with CCC, God has multiplied generosity and created abundance! Over the last month, $15,500 was donated from individuals to KCVS. This amount is being set aside to enable KCVS to bid for a new used school bus. Stay tuned!
What Is a Disciple?
by www. Intervarsity.org
I thought of two traditional descriptions that accurately reflect what a disciple is, but they do not fully define the profound quality of life made possible by reconnection with God. By looking at these definitions, however, perhaps we can see what lies beyond them.
I thought of two traditional descriptions that accurately reflect what a disciple is, but they do not fully define the profound quality of life made possible by reconnection with God. By looking at these definitions, however, perhaps we can see what lies beyond them.
1.
A disciple does certain things.
2.
A disciple understands certain
things.
A disciple
does certain things. This view of a disciple emphasizes discipline and
obedience. You demonstrate that you are a follower of Christ by trying to live as
He lived and by carrying out His commands. A disciple does “good things,” such
as quiet times, evangelism, involvement with other believers, and social justice
work. We feel deep concern for righteousness, whether personal or cultural.
A disciple
understands certain things. This view of a disciple emphasizes accurate
thinking and insight concerning God, people, salvation, and so on. The theory
is that if you think correctly about the important things, then the rest of your
life will assume the proper prospective. A disciple must understand that God is
both holy and loving; that people, though sinners, are made in the image of God;
that Christ’s death was the substitute payment for our sin; and that because of
Jesus’ payment, we are granted access to the heart of God.
This
view holds that we can acquire a substantial understanding of God’s redemptive
work, which enables us to correctly see Him and our position in Him. An
extension of this view is that we can also gain a substantial understanding of our
own lives, our personal history and family background. This understanding enables
us to make progress in our relationship with Christ. For instance, understanding
that your father’s past ridicule has hobbled your self-image helps you begin to
confidently give yourself to others.
The Dilemma of
Defining Relationship
The
dilemma with defining a disciple is that you are not defining a static object
that stands alone and possesses such and such properties. Rather, you are defining
a person who is in relationship with another person. A disciple is defined by
his or her relationship with God.
The
two traditional descriptions discussed above do reflect some of the work and
fruit of a disciple, but they are incomplete. A disciple should never be described
in terms of things, even if those things are behaviors and ideas. It is possible,
after all, to do right things and have accurate answers, and yet be very far away
from God. A disciple is best described not in terms of relationship with things,
but in terms of relationship with God
Himself.
God
desires our passionate love — this is the great appeal and command of the whole
of Scripture, and the endpoint of the Gospel. As a result, our definition of a
disciple should be no less.
Yes,
a disciple does and understands certain things. Yet far more fundamentally and
profoundly, a disciple loves a certain
Someone. A disciple is someone growing in adoration of and love for God,
and subsequently in love for other people. Such a person is other-centered
because his or her focus is on God.
If love for God is the definition of a disciple,
then how do we develop love for God and others? All the implications of our
strategy for “developing disciples” stem from the answer to that question. The
better we can answer it, the better we will be in helping others to mature in
Christ.Sunday, September 18, 2016
English Ministry News and Notes 2016-9-18
- Great Thanks to José Arcellana for opening the Word today! José Arcellana is a local lay servant and a member of Buena Vista UMC, where as Church and Society committee chair he helped bring into focus justice in Palestine and peace in the Holy Land as issues of faith that Christians are called to address and act upon. He first visited the Holy Land in 2007 as part of an interfaith group of peacemakers, and he returned in 2010 as part of the first pilgrimage from Buena Vista UMC. He has spoken on Palestine at various churches and conducted study sessions on the Kairos Palestine document from Palestinian Christian churches.
- Pilgrimage Orientation - You are warmly invited to consider being a part of next years Holy Land Pilgrimage. Jacinto will share some basic information to get you started in your discernment following fellowship hour in the Annex at 12:45 p.m. If you are interested but unable to attend, please sign the Interest Form. Thanks!
- Come On Out!- World Communion Celebration & Picnic will be held, Oct. 2nd at Crab Cove in Alameda. This is the last Sunday to sign up! We want you to come....and bring a friend! Bento lunches are $10 (please don't let cost stop you). Please see Frances.
- Please Pray - Silver of Kumi Christian Visionary School (KCVS) invites our prayers as the region suffers through a severe drought. He noted that many families have cut down to 1 meal a day as food has not been growing well and food prices soar. Additionally, another semester at KCVS begins this Monday, Sept. 19th.
- Are You a Disciple? Do You Want to Be? We will begin exploring these questions and more in earnest on Sunday, Sept. 25th as we start a new Adult Christian Education series. Every member of CCUMC is urged and encouraged to participate so that we might transform as a community. Grab a friend and neighbor and come on!
You Are Invited: AO Circuit Holy Land Pilgrimage, May 2017
Our circuit made up of 8 churches (including our own) is organizing a unique pilgrimage to Palestine/Israel next year. The purpose is to witness the land and reality of Jesus’ birth, to seek him out in the present, and to discern our possible call to be of service. A pilgrimage is distinct from a sightseeing tour for many reasons. Here is a teaser about pilgrimage in general:
Pilgrimage is a meaningful journey to a sacred place. It provides the opportunity to step out of the non-stop busyness of our lives, to seek a time of quiet and reflection. It gives us the chance to ‘walk through’ those issues that we have on our minds, whatever they might be. It is a time of simply ‘being’ rather than always ‘doing’.
Pilgrimage can also be a highly sociable activity, allowing us to enjoy the company of others we meet on the road. It gives us the chance re-energize mentally, physical and spiritually. And it allows us to connect anew with the wider world and reconnect with the natural world—as well as to refresh our faith or seek spiritual direction.
People go on pilgrimage for as many reasons as there are pilgrims. Often,
people go on pilgrimage when they are at a crossroads in their lives, when undergoing a change in their life’s direction or relationships. Others may be in search of a deeper spirituality, healing and forgiveness. Or it may be that pilgrimage marks a special birthday, retirement or other occasion for giving thanks. It’s also a great adventure with the chance to meet new people and see new places.
For Christians, the reasons for going on pilgrimage might be:
Pilgrimage can be a life-changing, transformational experience. A time of letting go of the old to let the new come in. Pilgrims don’t merely visit a place as tourists, they come away inspired and changed by it in some way. Going on pilgrimage may give us a new sense of awareness and wonder. Or result in a greater sense of our life’s purpose. Pilgrimage helps to illuminate the journey of life by helping us to focus on ‘what really matters’ and to rediscover the joy of giving and generosity. And to have a greater appreciation for life’s gifts.
Why might you go on a pilgrimage? What might you be seeking?
Pilgrimage is a meaningful journey to a sacred place. It provides the opportunity to step out of the non-stop busyness of our lives, to seek a time of quiet and reflection. It gives us the chance to ‘walk through’ those issues that we have on our minds, whatever they might be. It is a time of simply ‘being’ rather than always ‘doing’.
Pilgrimage can also be a highly sociable activity, allowing us to enjoy the company of others we meet on the road. It gives us the chance re-energize mentally, physical and spiritually. And it allows us to connect anew with the wider world and reconnect with the natural world—as well as to refresh our faith or seek spiritual direction.
People go on pilgrimage for as many reasons as there are pilgrims. Often,
people go on pilgrimage when they are at a crossroads in their lives, when undergoing a change in their life’s direction or relationships. Others may be in search of a deeper spirituality, healing and forgiveness. Or it may be that pilgrimage marks a special birthday, retirement or other occasion for giving thanks. It’s also a great adventure with the chance to meet new people and see new places.
For Christians, the reasons for going on pilgrimage might be:
- To set aside time for God and feel closer to God
- To discern God’s will and guidance at times of transition or difficulty
- To be strengthened in faith
Pilgrimage can be a life-changing, transformational experience. A time of letting go of the old to let the new come in. Pilgrims don’t merely visit a place as tourists, they come away inspired and changed by it in some way. Going on pilgrimage may give us a new sense of awareness and wonder. Or result in a greater sense of our life’s purpose. Pilgrimage helps to illuminate the journey of life by helping us to focus on ‘what really matters’ and to rediscover the joy of giving and generosity. And to have a greater appreciation for life’s gifts.
Why might you go on a pilgrimage? What might you be seeking?
Sunday, September 11, 2016
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