20210912 English Bulletin

Vision: Building a Church after God's Own Heart SUNDAY 12th September 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 Foreword (12 September 2021) Call to Worship <Be Still in the Presence of the Lord> Adoration & Praise Prayer We are gathered to worship our risen saviour Jesus and to celebrate Family Sunday today. Family is a masterpiece of God’s Creation. It is ordained by God and constituted by marriage. We would like to call on brothers and sisters to value the importance of family relationship and family ministry in the church. We encourage everyone to actively engaged in building a healthy family. Let us focusing on God’s love, and praying for both parents and children to reflect God’s love in their family to build up one another. (From I John Ch. 3 and 4) WL: S ee how very much our Father loves us, for He calls us His children, and that is what we are! ALL: G od showed how much He loved us by sending His one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through Him. WL: D ear friends, since God loved us that much, we surely ought to love each other. ALL: N o one has ever seen God. But if we love each other, God lives in us, and His love is brought to full expression in us. Father God thank you for your perfect parenting – I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; shepherded and nurtured; disciplined and challenged so I can flourish in your purpose and plan for me and bear my Father’s image more fully still. Father God, thank you for your perfect example. I praise you because you show all parents how to love; to shepherd and nurture; discipline and challenge so their sons and daughters can flourish in this world as you have planned, and carry your presence to all they meet. Father God, bless all parents today – with wisdom, with patience, with courage – and above all with love for their children. Accepting them as they are, encouraging them to be all they can be, appreciating them as we want to be appreciated. In caring for children, we admit that we have made mistakes, we have put our own needs ahead of theirs, we have not always been kind, we have not always been the kind of parent we would like to be, that you have called us to be. Forgive us, and help us to be people who apologize, modelling repentance for our children. Sometimes the people we love the most can be the people with whom we have the most conflict, help us persevere in our love. Father God, bless all children today – with openness to correction, with eagerness to learn – and above all with love for their parents. 2

Father God, we thank you God for our family. We thank you God for your family – for the family you have given us by our birth, for the family you have bestowed by our rebirth. Father God, we thank you God for our family. We thank you God for your family – for the family you have given us by our birth, for the family you have bestowed by our rebirth. We pray for those for whom this day carries special challenges, and for the gifts of healing, forgiveness, and your peace where needed. Responsive Reading Father God, thank you for your love, you care for us more tenderly than any mother, you are the Great Caregiver. Help us to be aware of your love, your gaze upon us, encouraging us, sustaining us and directing us. We commit our family and church family unto your loving and mighty arms. In Jesus powerful name we pray, Amen. Psalm 122:1-9 The Lord’s Prayer Welcome/Notices Announcements Video Bishop’s Exhortation Offering 398 <All to Jesus I Surrender> Intercessory Prayer Scripture Reading Gen. 18:19; Psalms 128:1-6 Proclamation of the Word The Shaping of a Kingdom family Chorus of Response Benediction Ministry Roster 12/9/2021 Preacher Rev. James Kong Worship Leader Steven Yek Song Leader Jin Loong Wong Backup - Pianist Jiaxin Wong Keyboardist - Accompaniment - Cajon - Bible Reader - Multimedia Damian Seow Live Stream/PA Gerald Wong Ushers - Floral - HC Prep - Preacher Rev. James Kong Ministry Roster 19/9/2021 Song Leader Jin Loong Wong Worship Leader Steven Yek Pianist Jiaxin Wong Backup - Accompaniment - Keyboardist - Bible Reader - Cajon - Live Stream/PA Gerald Wong Multimedia Yew Fong Lim Floral - Ushers - HC Prep - 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 2. P ray for LCEC 2021 and English working worship Committee that they may work together to reach out to families, our 2.1 Pray for ongoing streaming work to young people, and our community. be effective, and glorifying God; Please pray for the search of suirtable new pastor for English Congregation. 2.2 Pray for wisdom to discern how to allow congregation to come back to 3. P ray for Annual Conference continue worship with limited seat capacity due to be faithful in leading all churches in to social distancing; Australia, that we may work together to bring the gospel to the those who are 2.3 Pray for the small groups, and lost, and discipled to be fisher of men fellowships continue to connect with and women. each other, and reach out to other; 4. P ray for Ken Hii (transferred to normal 2.4 Pray for God’s break through in ward), Clarence Yek (in rehab), Jimmy all that church is doing so that we Kong (Chemo & radiation therapy may experience renewal in the life of treatment), Mdm. Lu (Mrs. Kong’s mum, community and ministry. bed-ridden), Christina (Boon Koh’s sister, Canada), Flora (Singapore), Ben (USA) and Uncle Hii. Thank you all for upholding them in prayer. 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 5. P ray for our church family continue to 6. 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 Church Camp 2022 We welcome everyone who join our worship service. Dates: 07-10 January 2022 (Friday to Monday). Venue: May the peace of God be with you! If you are a new Philip Island Adventure Resort. Theme: “Growing a friend to the church, please introduce yourself. gospel-centred Family”. Speaker: Brett Ryan (CEO of Focus on the Family). Please scan the QR Code Restrictions to register. Closing Date for Early Bird Registration: 26/9/2021 Official Closing Date for Registration Major changes (among others) from 9.00PM, Monday (31/10/2021). Early Bird Registration Fees (13years 16 August 2021: - Lockdown extended to 23/9/2021 old and above $180; 13 years old and above - Curfew introduced from 9PM to 5AM - Permits (student)$140; 9-13 years old $110; 2-8 years old required for authorised work (applies from 11.59PM $80; Below 2 years old: Free. Person to contact: Rev. Tuesday 17 August 2021) - Exercise restricted to with James Kong 0413 953 238; Gabriel Ting: 0422 265 545; just one other person - All household members cannot Frederick Wong: 0423 032 818. (Refer Page 8) exercise together - Face masks to be worn - Religious broadcast limited to the same 5 people every time. Pastoral Needs Due to the extended lockdown to 23/9/2021 from Thursday 19 August 2021 and introduction of curfew If you have any pastoral needs, please do not (9PM-5AM) as well as tightening of the restrictions for hesitate to seek Rev. James Kong (0413 953 238), Ps. Melbourne, there will not be any physical worship Allan Quah (0402 675 219) or local preachers: Lina service at the church for the few Sunday (12/9. Lim, Chris Ting, or Joo Soo Lim. If you need the pastor 19/9). All services (9AM Chinese & 11AM English) to pray for you, do approach Rev. James Kong or Ps. will be live streamed (YouTube) from the church. All Allan Quah after the service. fellowships, small groups, and Sunday Schools will be conducted on the online platform until further notice. Family Devotion Please observe the restrictions, uphold, and care for our brothers & sisters in prayer and in love. Do keep We encourage families to start a regular family yourselves update-to-date of the latest government’s devotion each week. It is our main thing for our announcement on the COVID-19 situation in Victoria. church because we will grow stronger, closer, and We will keep you informed through Facebook Group more love for God and one another. Let us not Camberwell MC Online and WhatsApp groups waste this time of being together…. explore every regularly. opportunity to play, to read, to do something together, to pray and to sing together. Prayer Meeting Thursday (16/9) 7:30PM Prayer Meeting to be led by LP Chris Ting through ZOOM. Let us serve one another through prayer. 5

All that’s going on around Camberwell Methodist Church COMMUNITY WATCH Moon Cake Festival High Tea Christian Worship Module We are now going for a fully on-line delivery To be taught by Rev. Shirley Ling (04/10 - 08/11 Every experience! So on the 18th September 2021 Saturday Monday Night 2.5 each session) offered by the (from 3pm), go to the Church websites: https:// Certificate in Christian Leadership & Ministry for young www.cmca-camberwell.org.au/ or https://www. leaders. We strongly encourage the youths to enrol. camberwellmethodistchurch.org.au to watch the using the online form. (Please refer Page 10) ‘On-line’ message on the Mid-Autumn Festival - A Christian Perspective, give us your feedback and Proverb Challenge then obtain instructions to receive (limited number) a delicious Mooncake gift box delivered to your home Due to the inability to access the previous email to enjoy. address, please resend your submission to chookai@ gmail.com We encourage you all to write your Holiday Children Character Camp testimonies and send to the email address. Thank you to the families who have registered their Prayer Letter from Board of Christian Social children, but due to the ongoing COVID Restrictions Concerns (Aug-Sept) and possible extensions, the organisers are unable to conduct the program in a meaningful way, thus, Please pray for the prayer points listed. we have to reluctantly postpone this event until further notice - when circumstances become safer to resume. Offering detail Description Abbreviations Bank reference Thank you once again for brothers Tithing TIT C9/E11 C9 TIT Paul WONG and sisters who faithfully support the ministry of the church through General GEN C9/E11 C9 GEN Paul WONG finance, prayers, and participation. May God bless you. Here is the Thanksgiving TKS C9/E11 C9 TKS Paul WONG bank detail for your reference: Account name: Chinese Methodist Mission MIS C9/E11 C9 MIS Paul WONG Church in Australia Camberwell; BANK: ANZ; BSB: 013 225; Account Theological student THE C9/E11 C9 THE Paul WONG Number: 4939 79025. Offering $10,299.17 (29/8-03/9/2021) 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 2021-09-12 For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility…… (Ephesians 2:14 ESV) Weariness Fatigue, weariness, exhaustion. All types of weariness creep into our lives – physical, emotional, mental, and even spiritual fatigue. Some days you may get weary of waiting. \"I am weary with my crying out; my throat is parched. My eyes grow dim with waiting for my God.\" (Psalm 69:3 – ESV) Weariness is a sign that you need to rest and refresh. If you don't, you could move quickly into the problem we call burnout. And you don't recover very soon from burnout. God's Word can refresh you. Stop several times a day, quit giving, and start receiving God's sustaining grace and strength when you take in His Word. Dwell on it and let it refresh you. The grace of God, given to each believer to accomplish God's will, is an energizing strength that flows from the risen Christ and operates through the Holy Spirit indwelling the believer. Choose a given line in Scripture such as \"Be still and know that I am God' or 'I have loved you with an everlasting love\"; relax, breathe deeply, and repeat the line slowly and reflectively. Take a moment and read Isaiah 40: 28-31. Ask yourself these questions: Is there sin to confess? Attitude to change? Promise to claim? Something to thank God? Listen to what Jesus said: \"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest\" (Matthew 11:28) Seek pastoral and prayer support, medical help if needed. Ultimately, Jesus is the one who can give you the rest you need. The more you try to carry everything alone, the more exhausted you'll be. The more you gave to Him in prayer, the stronger you'll feel. Try it. Everything to God in prayer - what have you got to lose? There are three steps in getting your prayers answered ––ask, believe, and see. God is faithful to us because He stays true to His promises. Amen! Praise: \"Great is Thy Faithfulness\" – https://youtu.be/0k1WhFtVp0o Prayer: Father God, I praise you; Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father. Great is Thy faithfulness, morning by morning, new mercies I see. All I have needed Thy hand hath provided, Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord unto us, your mercy and love. Lord, we thank you, strength for today, and bright hope for tomorrow. Father God, lead and direct our family, grow us into a lifestyle of abiding, as we remember that apart from you, we can do nothing of eternal value. In Jesus' mighty name, we pray, Amen! 7

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Board of Christian Social Concern 2021 August - September Prayer Points 14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:14-16 NIV 1. Pray for CMCA identity to be a beacon of light in our local community and our city: Pray for the church to get to know our local community, be more aware of their needs and reach out to their needs in Christ’s love. Pray for God to use each church to build bridges with the community and grow His kingdom. 2. Pray for breakthrough in evangelism: Pray God help us live out the theme ’Caring for the community to reach the Lost.’ Pray for eyes that look beyond the walls of the church, equip members for evangelism to walk out into the community and see what God wants us to see and do what he wants us to do, pray for boldness to share God’s love and proclaim His name to bring the Lost into His kingdom. 3. Pray for Global Covid Pandemic - for God to have mercy on us and crush this virus - wisdom for world government leaders to make wise decisions not based on politics but united with the goal to fight the virus - protection and extra measure of strength for the frontline workers and families - healing for the sick, comfort for those grieving over the loss of their loved ones - those who lost their jobs, businesses, suffer financial loss - those who are lonely, isolated, depressed, vulnerable, fractured relationships - for orderly vaccine roll-out and people more responsive to take up vaccination 4. Pray to be good stewards of God’s Creations: Pray for God’s mercy on our over- consumption and wasteful use of resources causing increase in air pollution, climate change, massive bushfires and severe floods. Ask God to help us value His creations, to be good stewards of the creations entrusted to us and live our purpose faithfully. Pray for wisdom for world leaders to be united in a determined effort making policies to protect the environment, to conserve and use resources wisely. 5. Pray for The Aborigines: Pray for God to break down our own unconscious prejudice towards other races. Pray God restore the dignity of the indigenous people of this Land, bring them healing and peace for their past hurts and pains. Pray for the government to listen to their needs with compassion, and come up with policies to support and help improve their quality of life, and have a positive impact on their social and emotional well-being. 6. Pray for Afghanistan: Pray for the people of Afghanistan who are frightened and need to know the Prince of Peace; a. Pray for our Christian brothers and sisters, for protection, peace and strength, and that they'll be a light in their community; b. For our Prime Minister Scott Morrison as he considers Australia’s response to the refugees needing a safe harbour; c. For our Australian soldiers as they coordinate Australia’s critical and dangerous evacuation mission; d. For the Taliban, that the Holy Spirit would work to bring about conviction in their hearts and minds; e. For those Australians who have served in Afghanistan over the past 20 years, many of whom returned home with physical and invisible scars and may be wondering why. 9

COURSE DESCRIPTION: Course: Christian Worship To look at Christian Worship Teacher: Rev Shirley Ling from biblical, theological, and historical point of view. To ASSIGNMENT explore spiritual formation in a. Class presentation. A 15-minutes presentation in worship through the order of class on assigned topics. service and church calendar b. To prepare an order of service with explanation. year. Due date for submission is 13 December 2021. GOALS: REFLECTION To help participants grow in their worship life Write half page reflection or insights on Christian worship and their worship ministry (if applicable) as gained through teachings, readings, and class discussions. they gain a better understanding of Christian To be submitted weekly before class. worship and appreciate spiritual formation in worship. RECOMMENDED TEXTBOOK Worship Like Jesus: A Guide for Every Follower, by CLASSES: 6 days of each 2.5 hrs Constance Cherry (Amazon $6.44) TIME: 2100 to 2330 (AEDT) Oct Ancient-Future Time: Forming Spirituality Through the Christian Year, by Robert Webber (Amazon Kindle 1800 to 2030 (AWST) $14.23) DATES: (Revised) REGISTRATION Mon 4 Oct 2021 https://forms.gle/RgySxgsBihPNsZB78 Mon 11 Oct 2021 Mon 18 Oct 2021 Mon 25 Oct 2021 Mon 1 Nov 2021 Mon 8 Nov 2021 ENQUIRY CONTACT: Rev. Alan Lau Phone: 0448259566 Email: [email protected] 10