20211128 English Bulletin

Vision: Building a Church after God's Own Heart SUNDAY 28TH NOVEMBER WELCOME TO CAMBERWELL METHODIST CHURCH We are a faith community that is growing in our love for Jesus, who died for our sins, and is raised from the death. We are called to follow Jesus, and to make disciple of all nations. If you would like to know more about God, Jesus, or our church or the bible, please use [email protected] / Minister-in-Charge Rev. James Kong 0413 953 238 / English Pastor (Part Time) Ps. Allan Quah 0402 675 219 to Get in Touch. 58 Cooloongatta Road, Camberwell, VIC 3124 • Tel: (03) 9889 0702 • www.cmca-camberwell.org.au

Silent Prayer ORDER OF WORSHIP Call to Worship FIRST SUNDAY of Advent (28 November 2021) Adoration & Praise <B e Still in the Presence of the Lord> Prayer Responsive Reading Read: Isaiah 60:2-3 The Lord’s Prayer 2 See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but Welcome/Notices the LORD rises upon you and his glory appears over you. 3 Nations will come Offering to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn. Intercessory Prayer While lighting the First Advent Candle (purple), say, Scripture Reading We light this candle as a symbol of Christ our Hope. Proclamation May the light sent from God shine in the darkness of the Word to show us the way of salvation. Chorus of Response O come, O come, Emmanuel. Benediction Psalm 47:1-9 406 Take My Life and Let It Be 1 Cor. 10:23-33 Concerning True Freedom: Conscience and the Common Good Ministry Roster 28/11/2021 Preacher Ps Stephen Tan Worship Leader Chris Ting Song Leader Jin Loong Wong Backup Albert Wong Pianist Jia Xin Wong Keyboardist Venus Kang Accompaniment Oscar Ling Cajon Jonathan Liew Bible Reader Verene Kang Multimedia Yew Fong Lim Live Stream/PA Alister Chew & Gerald Wong Ushers Jacklyn & Jamilyn Wong Floral Evelyn Liaw HC Prep - Preacher Rev James Kong Ministry Roster 5/12/2021 Song Leader Cheryl Chan Worship Leader Daniel Ha Pianist Jason Ting Backup Zoe Ha Accompaniment Faith & Kelly Keyboardist - Bible Reader Sammi Chua Cajon - Live Stream/PA Jonathan Liew & Gerald Wong Multimedia Aaron Tiew Floral - Ushers Joyce & Joan Wong HC Prep Felicia Teng 2

“God looks for those whose hearts are prepared to be intercessors before Him ...Intercessors can be the only ones standing between an individual or a nation and God’s wrath.” Henry Blackaby Weekly Praying for the Church 1. Pray for coming back to church to 3. Pray for Annual Conference continue worship to be faithful in leading all churches in Australia, that we may work together to 2.1 Pray for ongoing streaming work to bring the gospel to the those who are be effective, and glorifying God; lost, and discipled to be fisher of men and women. 2.2 Pray for wisdom to discern how to allow congregation to come back to 4. Pray for Jimmy Kong (therapy worship with limited seat capacity due treatment), Ken Hii, Clarence Yek, Uncle to social distancing; Hii, Aunty Su King Ting, Mdm. Lu (Mrs. Kong’s mum), Christina (Boon Koh’s 2.3 Pray for the small groups, and sister, Canada), Flora (Singapore), fellowships continue to connect with Ben (USA) and LP Lina Lim (recovering each other, and reach out to other; from wrist surgery). Thank you all for upholding them in prayer. 2.4 Pray for God’s break through in all that church is doing so that we may experience renewal in the life of community and ministry. 2. Pray for LCEC 2021 and English working Committee that they may work together to reach out to families, our young people, and our community. Please pray for the search of suirtable new pastor for English Congregation. 3

“God looks for those whose hearts are prepared to be intercessors before Him ...Intercessors can be the only ones standing between an individual or a nation and God’s wrath.” Henry Blackaby Weekly Praying for the Church 6. P ray for our church family continue to 7. P ray for spiritual awakening experience living God in each of these household at Camberwell Methodist 1.1 your plead with the Lord to be Church. We pray for deeper relationship merciful to us and graciously draw us among the family members, deeper back to Himself and His ways. Ask Him to relationship between husband and show us unfailing love and grant us His wife, and deeper relationship between salvation that we may rejoice in Him. parents and children. I cannot stress more than saying this is the time, God 1.2 restore us again, O God our is at work through and in our families. Saviour...Will you not revive us again, Let us not look else where but instead that your people may rejoice in you? look within our daily relationship and Show us your unfailing love, O Lord, and our family. God is right there with us. grant us your salvation (Psalm 85:4,6-7); Seek Him first and His kingdom, all these things shall be added to you. 1.3 Thank God that He is willing to give the Holy Spirit to those who ask. Cry out to Him for an outpouring and mighty working of the Holy Spirit in our day. 1.4 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him. (Luke 11:13) 4

All that’s going on around Camberwell Methodist Church COMMUNITY WATCH Welcome Prayer Meeting Thursday (02/12) 7:30PM We welcome everyone who join our worship Prayer Meeting to be led by Steven Yek through service. May the peace of God be with you! If you zoom. Let us serve one another through prayer. are a new friend to the church, please introduce yourself. Pastoral Needs Restrictions If you have any pastoral needs, please do not hesitate to seek Rev. James Kong (0413 953 238), Phase D of the National Plan: 90% of 12+ fully Ps. Allan Quah (0402 675 219) or local preachers: vaccinated from 11.59PM 18th November 2021 Lina Lim, Chris Ting, or Joo Soo Lim. If you need the pastor to pray for you, do approach Rev. James There will still be mask requirements, density limits Kong or Ps. Allan Quah after the service. and caps in place for weddings, funerals, places of worship and other settings if the vaccination Family Devotion status of attendees is not being checked. The usual exceptions will apply. We encourage families to start a regular family devotion each week. It is our main thing for our Masks in high-risk indoor settings or settings where church because we will grow stronger, closer, and there are low vaccination levels and where you more love for God and one another. Let us not cannot socially distance. waste this time of being together…. explore every opportunity to play, to read, to do something The church is open for in-person worship in the together, to pray and to sing together. church building. Attendees need to show Covid Vaccination Certificate, and we will continue with Personal Testimony online streaming. We encourage you to write your personal Note: We are one family in Christ, our Lord Jesus testimony and send it to [email protected]. accepts everyone. We sincerely hope everyone can come back to gather in the church building One Day Seminar to worship and fellowship. But due to the fully vaccinated Restrictions from the Victorian State 2022 Church Camp has been changed to One Government, those who are yet to be fully Day Seminar “Transforming ourselves, Transforming vaccinated will need to remain patient for a little our Families” on 08/01/2022 (Sat) at the church while longer, in the meantime, please join our (from 9AM to 4:30PM). Speaker: Brett Ryan. Lunch services through live streaming on YouTube. is provided. Participants need to register online via link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQL SfXprXmK7lwvBMaYYRxWIl3HoRvLisRYC5Mxflz875K MHi0kg/viewform or scan the QR Code to register. No registration fee is required. Closing Date of Registration: 24/12/2021. (Please refer page 8) 5

All that’s going on around Camberwell Methodist Church COMMUNITY WATCH Christmas “Pageant” Support for the Iranian Church for Christ An outdoor celebration of the birth of Christ Jesus. CMCA support in 2021 for the Iranian Church Come with your own designed PPE (Masks, face for Christ (formerly Persian Ministry) is $44,000.00. shields, safety glasses etc.) with a Christmas theme. CMCA AC contributes 50%, and the ASD will RSVP by 5 December 2021 Date & Time: 11 Dec. contribute the remaining 50%. Every church in the Saturday, 5:00 pm Location: Church Car Park, 58 Australia South District is responsible for $2,200.00. Cooloongatta Rd, Camberwell VIC 3124. Salvation At the moment, the shortfall is $19,000.00. Army’s Band will be joining. Please RSVP by the 5th Camberwell MC has transferred $5,000.00 for this Dec. Select the ‘Events’ tab and then click on the ministry this year. We encourage brothers and RSVP button. sisters to contribute freely to support this cross- cultural ministry. Please specific PM when you transfer online. Offering detail Thank you once again for brothers and sisters who faithfully support the ministry of the church through finance, prayers, and participation. May God bless you. Here is the bank detail for your reference: Account name: Chinese Methodist Church in Australia Camberwell; BANK: ANZ; BSB: 013 225; Account Number: 4939 79025. We have prepared an Offering Box in the Lobby for envelope offering. Offering $$9279.30 (14/11-19/11/2021) Description Abbreviations Bank reference Tithing TITHE C9/E11 C9 TITHE Paul WONG General GEN C9/E11 C9 GEN Paul WONG Thanksgiving TKS C9/E11 C9 TKS Paul WONG Mission MIS C9/E11 C9 MIS Paul WONG Theological student THE C9/E11 C9 THE Paul WONG Special SPE C9/E11 C9 SPE Paul WONG Others OTH C9/E11 C9 OTH Paul WONG Building fund C9/E11 C9 Camberwell mc Paul WONG, E11 Mercy mc Paul WONG….. 6

Family Devotion 2021-11-28 Wanting and Waiting \"Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed.\" (1 Peter 1:13 - NIV) To be self-controlled means to control your desires and appetites instead of letting them control you. \"Mom, please, please, please!\" Enrique clasped his hands together as if he were praying and rocked in front of his mother inside the discount store aisle. \"No, Enrique,\" she said. \"Your birthday is still two weeks away.\" \"But I want the Super Graphics Game System now!\" Enrique said. \"Can't you just get it for me now?\" Mum shook her head. \"What difference does it make?\" Enrique asked, an impatient edge entering his voice. \"It won't make any difference if you buy it for me now or later.\" \"Maybe not,\" Mom said, shrugging. \"But I think it could make a big difference.\" \"How?\" Enrique asked. \"Well, Enrique,\" Mom said, \"part of my job as your mother is to help you grow up to be a responsible young man. I want you to become a young man who knows how to control his desires and his appetites.\" \"What do you mean, appetites? I'm not even hungry! I just want a Super Graphics Game System!\" \"I know, and you want it now, don't you?\" \"Yes!\" \"But if I get you a Super Graphics Game System now, I'm not helping you learn how to wait for the things you want and how to learn self-control.\" \"Oh, come on, Mom, you're just trying to torture me!\" \"No,\" Mom said, laughing. \"I'm not trying to torture you; I'm trying to teach you self-control. I'm trying to teach you how to control your desires instead of letting them control you. That's a very important lesson to learn.\" Enrique rolled his eyes. \"Oh, man,\" he said. \"What if I promise you, I'll be really self-controlled from now on?\" Mom shrugged. \"Well, then, maybe I'd get you a Super Graphics Game System.\" \"Really?\" Mom smiled mischievously. \"For your birthday – in two weeks.\" Enrique sighed and shook his head. \"All right! You win. I'll wait.\" – Josh McDowell’s Family Devotions – A daily devotional for passing biblical verses to the next generation, 1997, pg 311. To Discuss: What are some of the things for which you, like Enrique, have a difficult time waiting? Do we always have to wait for the things we really want? Why or why not? What can we learn by waiting? To Pray: \"Father God, we know that you want us to be self-controlled. Help us to control our desires instead of letting our desires control us. And teach us to be holy because we know you are holy.\" 7

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