20220424 English Bulletin

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 disciples 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 / Assistant Pastor (English) 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 2nd Sunday of Easter & District Sunday Service Adoration & Praise (24 April 2022) Prayer <Be Still in the Presence of the Lord> Responsive Reading The Lord’s Prayer Psalm 58:1-11 Welcome/Notices Offering 406 <Take My Life and Let It Be> Intercessory Prayer 1 Thess. 4:1-12 Scripture Reading Proclamation A Life Pleasing to God of the Word Chorus of Response Benediction Ministry Roster 24/4/2022 Preacher LP Chris Ting Worship Leader Joo Soo Lim Song Leader Felicia Teng Backup Gladys Chandra Pianist Ing Soo Tiong Keyboardist - Accompaniment Simon Wong Cajon Bryan Law Bible Reader Kierren Kang Multimedia Wesley Chew Live Stream/PA David Ha/Andrew Zhang Ushers Cassandra & Josiah Tan Floral Mr & Mrs Yek HC Prep - Ministry Roster 1/5/2022 Preacher Rev. James Kong Worship Leader Daniel Ha Song Leader Cheryl Chan Backup Zoe Ha Pianist Venus Kang Keyboardist - Accompaniment Faith & Kelly Cajon - Bible Reader Sammi Chua Multimedia Aaron Tiew Live Stream/PA David Ha/Jonathan Liew Ushers Stephen Siew & Dominic Seow Floral - HC Prep Cerene Koo 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. P ray for coming back to church to 3. P ray 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 4.1 P ray for Philip Ting, Jimmy Kong, Rev. Y worship with limited seat capacity due C Liong, Ken Hii, Clarence Yek, Uncle to social distancing; Hii, Aunty Su King Ting, Mdm. Lu (Mrs. Kong’s mum), Cerene Koo’s mum, Ps. 2.3 Pray for the small groups, and Allan’s dad, Christina (Boon Koh’s sister, fellowships continue to connect with Canada), Flora (Singapore) and Ben each other, and reach out to other; (USA). 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 4.2 P ray for our brothers and sisters who may experience renewal in the life of contracted Covid and those in close community and ministry. contact. Let us continue to uphold them in prayer as well as showing our 2. P ray for LCEC 2022 and English Ministry care and support to them. Committee that they may work together to reach out to families, our 4.3 P ray for the situation between Russia young people, and our community. and Ukraine, may the war end and peace be restored. 4.4 P ray for the Australian Federal election on 21/5 that there will be godly leaders who seek after God’s own heart. 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 Family Devotion We welcome everyone who join our worship service. We encourage families to start a regular family devotion May the peace of God be with you! If you are a new each week. It is our main thing for our church because friend to the church, please introduce yourself and we will grow stronger, closer, and more love for God leave your contact details. and one another. Let us not waste this time of being together…. explore every opportunity to play, to read, to Gentle Reminder do something together, to pray and to sing together. The church strongly recommends facemask to be worn Friendship Evangelism Sunday’s Basketball indoor together with frequent washing of hands. If you session have any symptom, please go for testing and isolate until the test result returns negative. will be from 3-4pm at Boroondara Sports Complex, 271C Belmore Rd, Balwyn North VIC 3104 (Bring along Combined Missions Prayer Meeting a basketball) COVID safe protocols apply and children (28/04/2022)7.30PM under 10 years old must have parental supervision. Please contact Joseph on 0411 539 082 for more to be led by Rev. James Kong via Camberwell MC information. Online group on Facebook. We invite all brothers and sisters to attend. Use of church venue for followship Pastoral Needs Please book through picktime.com to avoid clash of use. Please make sure all lights, air-conditioners, and If you have any pastoral needs, please do not hesitate other equipment are switched off, all furniture to put to seek Rev. James Kong(0413 953 238), Ps. Allan back to the initial setting, and also making sure all doors Quah(0402 675 219) or local preachers: Lina Lim, Chris and windows are locked before leaving. Ting, or Joo Soo Lim. If you need the pastor to pray for you, do approach Rev. James Kong or Ps. Allan Quah after the service. 5

All that’s going on around Camberwell Methodist Church COMMUNITY WATCH Book Club Survey on serving in ministry If you like to join any of our book club for a deeper We invite brothers and sisters to serve in the church study, please contact the person coordinating for each according to their talents, gifts and willingness, and the book club. (Refer Page 10-11) church will arrange relevant training. Please fill out the survey form, you can also use the QR Code. (See page Children Sunday School 9) Break from 10/4 until 24/4 and resume on 01/5/2022. 2nd LCEC Meeting 2nd LCEC Meeting will be held on 07/5 (Saturday) 9AM in the Annexe. Reports from the stewards should be sent to Rev. James Kong, Choo-Kai Kang (Chairperson) and Star Guo (Secretary) before 2/5. 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: Offering: Offering: $3,743.00(10/04-14/04/2022) 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

Devotion Week 24th April 2022 Theme: In Times of Suffering Psalm 149:4–6 This song of celebration, Psalm 149, is like a rallying cry, urging all of God's people to praise the Lord regardless of their circumstances. That includes times when people aren't naturally inclined to boast on God. Praise the Lord in Times of Suffering 4 For the LORD takes pleasure in his people; he adorns the humble with salvation. 5 Let the godly exult in glory; let them sing for joy on their beds. 6 Let the high praises of God be in their throats and two-edged swords in their hands (Psalm 149:4-6) It might be helpful to begin verse 4 with \"Because\" instead of \"For.\" It helps to separate verse 4 from the preceding section. This also helps clarify the psalmist's meaning as the song turns to discuss times of suffering. While difficult circumstances are inevitable in life, the Lord always takes pleasure in His people. In other words, suffering is not the result of God's displeasure. Ever. I notice two statements in verse 4 regarding the way God views those who are afflicted with suffering: 1. He takes pleasure in His people. The Hebrew term is ratzah, meaning \"to accept favourably, be pleased with, satisfied with.\" So often the one who is set aside feels completely unloved and useless—even rejected. He isn't contributing a thing because he can't. Not able to produce, he begins to feel as though he is nothing but a drag, a weary responsibility. That is why suffering is usually a praiseless grind! But this verse says quite the opposite! It says that God \"accepts us favourably\"—He is \"pleased with us\" even when we are laid aside and totally unproductive. That fact alone should encourage each one who is afflicted with pain and sidelined because of illness. You may be in a hospital room or alone at home. Take heart! God continues to love you and He looks upon you with favour, even though you cannot produce anything at this present time. 2. He beautifies His people. To be technical about it, the verse says that God \"will beautify the afflicted ones with salvation\" (deliverance). This is so true. The Hebrew term rendered \"beautified\" means \"to make beautiful, to glorify, adorn.\" I believe it has two meanings in this context. The first is literal. When deliverance comes, when healing occurs, when the sunshine of hope splashes across the once-dismal room of the sufferer, beauty returns. The long facial lines of stress begin to fade, the light returns to the eyes, the whole countenance is lifted. God beautifies them! 7

In a broader, nonliteral sense, however, I want to suggest that God brings glory to many who live long years with affliction. Some of the most beautiful people I have known are people whose lives have been scarred by disease, pain, and paralysis. Stationed upon their bed or limited to a chair, these \"beautiful sufferers\" have a radiance that shines like the quiet, faithful beam from a lighthouse across troubled waters. Often I go to minister to them, but I soon discover that the beauty of their lives ministers to me! Their attitude toward suffering prompts me to give praise to God. Reflection: Where are you at? Do you realize God will beautify and glorify His suffering saints with the ultimate deliverance: eternity with Him in a place where there is no suffering, no pain, no illness, no death, and no tears? Contemplate these truths. Prayer From Living the Psalms by Charles R. Swindoll, copyright © 2012. 8

谢恩堂崇拜侍奉意愿调查表 Camberwell Methodist church Serving Volunteering Form 羅馬書 12：1 記載著「所以弟兄們，我以神的慈悲勸你們, 將身體獻上, 當作活祭, 是聖潔的，是神所 喜悅的 ；你們如此 事奉乃是理所當然的。」神所喜悅的不僅限於我們金錢財物上的奉獻 ，祂更希 望我們做全人的奉獻。您願意用神賜給您的才能來服事祂嗎? 若您願意擺上一點時間精力歸主所用, 請您勾選下列事工( 可複選 ），當神的家需要您時 ，同工會再與你連絡，同时提供相关的训练。願 神賜福予您! “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship” Romans 12:1. What pleases God is not limited to our financial and material offerings, but He also wants us to give our whole beings. Are you willing to use the talents and gifts God has given you to serve Him? if you are willing to devote a little time and energy to serve the Lord, please tick the following ministries (you can tick more than ONE), and when God's family needs you, the co-workers will contact you again. Relevant training will be provided. May God bless you. 姓名（Name）___________________ Email:___________________________ Tel: ________________ 参与崇拜 （Sunday service attended): □9AM □11AM □Other 侍奉岗位 Serving Posts （请打勾 Please put a tick） □主日招待员 (usher) □主日献花 (Floral Offering) □多媒体 (Multimedia) □音响 (PA) □现场直播 (Livestream) □备圣餐者 (Preparing Holy Communion) □陪谈员（欢迎与接待）（职责：认识新朋友，介绍教会和团契，带领他们去多认识人，融入教会 和团契）(Counsellor (Welcoming): (duties: introduce new friends to the church & fellowship, bring them to know more people, helping them to integrate into the church & fellowship)) □诗班 (Choir) □领唱 (Song Leader) □助唱 (Backup singer) □司琴 (Pianist) □鼓手 (Drummer/ Cajun) □吉他手 (Guitarist) □低音吉他手 (Bass Guitarist) □其他乐器：请注明 (Other musical instrument：Please list down)_______________________________ □其他 (Others) 9

Christian Book Discussion Club 阅读小组 Christian book discussion club is a group of people who meet to discuss a book and grow together in truth and in knowledge in a practical way. Marriage: 6 Gospel Commitments Every Couple Needs to Make When you say “I do,” you begin the journey of a lifetime― and you have dreams of that journey being perfect. But it won’t take long for expectations of the perfect marriage to fade away in the struggles of everyday life. A long-term, vibrant marriage needs to be grounded in something sturdier than romance―it needs the life-changing power of the gospel. In this rebranded edition of What Did You Expect? Popular author and pastor Paul David Tripp encourages couples to make six biblical commitments to the Lord and to one another. These commitments, which include a lifestyle of confession and forgiveness, building trust, and appreciating differences, will equip couples to cultivate thriving, joy- filled marriages built on Christ. Contact: Daniel and Leong Ha Requirements: In English Suitable for couple Parenting with words of grace How you speak to your kids today will impact your relationship with them tomorrow. As a parent, your words are powerful. What you say and how you say it has the potential to either invite your children into deeper relationship with you or push them away. What's more, in a very real sense, your words represent--or misrepresent--God's words to his children-- meaning they have the power to shape how your children view their heavenly Father. Offering practical guidance for grace-filled communication in the midst of the craziness of everyday life, this accessible guide will help you speak in ways that reflect the grace God has shown to you in the gospel. Contact: Daniel and Leong Ha Requirements: In English Suitable for couple 10

Flourishing Your Garden - 'Fragrance of a Godly Woman' This is a 10-week discipleship course to help a woman recognize her worth in Christ and to explore her identity as a child of God, a disciple of Christ, a wife and a mother. The book presents 10 core beliefs based on Biblically based Truths and real-life testimonies of women whose lives were transformed. The course runs on a small group basis meeting via zoom once a week for 10 weeks. *Encourage you to join us to discover God's special purpose for your Life. + The Steps to Freedom in Christ This hands-on guide contains a spiritual inventory to help you identify and break free from condemning thoughts, compulsive behaviors, personal conflicts, spiritual struggle, and any type of personal or spiritual bondage. Experience daily victory over sin and doubt and reclaim the promise of freedom that Christ offers to all who call on him. Contact: Lina Lim, Jing Jing Ngu, Kim Sia Requirements: In English or Chinese Suitable for women Boyhood and Beyond Boys who are on the road to becoming men of honour, courage, and faith will greatly benefit from the heartfelt encouragement and sound advice offered in Boyhood and Beyond. Wisdom and common sense are gleaned from short chapters covering topics such as authority, inventiveness, and honesty as well as learning to overcome things like fear, laziness, and temptation. Boyhood and Beyond motivates boys to build their lives on a foundation of strong moral principles. Most importantly, these chapters will encourage boys to become the men God wants them to be as they develop a relationship with Him. This is a \"life\" book designed to be read and lived out in a boy's life, thus becoming one of his building blocks to godly character and, ultimately, manhood. There are discussion questions at the end of each chapter. Ages 10-18. Contact: Joo Soo Lim Requirements: In English Suitable for father and son together 11