20210919 English Bulletin

Vision: Building a Church after God's Own Heart SUNDAY 19th 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 Call to Worship Adoration & Praise (19 September 2021) Prayer Responsive Reading <Be Still in the Presence of the Lord> The Lord’s Prayer Welcome/Notices Psalm 36:1-12 Offering Intercessory Prayer 406 <Take My Life and Let It Be> Scripture Reading Isaiah 40:27-31 Proclamation of the Word Comfort and Strength for God’s People Chorus of Response Benediction Ministry Roster 19/9/2021 Preacher Rev. James Kong Worship Leader Steven Yek Song Leader Jin Loong Wong Backup - Pianist Jiaxin Wong Keyboardist - Accompaniment - Cajon - Bible Reader - Multimedia Yew Fong Lim Live Stream/PA Gerald Wong Ushers - Floral - HC Prep - Preacher LP Lina Lim Ministry Roster 26/9/2021 Song Leader Jin Loong Wong Worship Leader Rev. James Kong Pianist Jiaxin Wong Backup - Accompaniment - Keyboardist - Bible Reader - Cajon - Live Stream/PA Gerald Wong Multimedia Wesley Chew 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. Pray 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. Pray 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. Pray for Ken Hii (rehab), Clarence 2.4 Pray for God’s break through in Yek (rehab), Jimmy Kong (Chemo & all that church is doing so that we radiation therapy treatment), Mdm. may experience renewal in the life of Lu (Mrs. Kong’s mum), Christina (Boon community and ministry. 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 5 people every time. Due to the Pastoral Needs extended lockdown to 23/9/2021 from Thursday 19 August 2021 and introduction of curfew (9PM-5AM) If you have any pastoral needs, please do not as well as tightening of the restrictions for Melbourne, hesitate to seek Rev. James Kong (0413 953 238), Ps. there will not be any physical worship service at the Allan Quah (0402 675 219) or local preachers: Lina church for Sunday (19/9). All services (9AM Chinese Lim, Chris Ting, or Joo Soo Lim. If you need the pastor & 11AM English) will be live streamed (YouTube) from to pray for you, do approach Rev. James Kong or Ps. the church. All fellowships, small groups, and Sunday Allan Quah after the service. Schools will be conducted on the online platform until further notice. Please observe the restrictions, uphold, Family Devotion and care for our brothers & sisters in prayer and in love. Do keep yourselves update-to-date of the latest We encourage families to start a regular family government’s announcement on the COVID-19 devotion each week. It is our main thing for our situation in Victoria. We will keep you informed church because we will grow stronger, closer, and through Facebook Group Camberwell MC Online more love for God and one another. Let us not and WhatsApp groups regularly. waste this time of being together…. explore every opportunity to play, to read, to do something Prayer Meeting Thursday (23/9) 7:30PM together, to pray and to sing together. Prayer Meeting to be led by Sister Jing Jing Ngu through ZOOM. Let us serve one another through prayer. 5

All that’s going on around Camberwell Methodist Church COMMUNITY WATCH Holiday Children Character Camp Proverb Challenge and Personal Testimony Thank you to the families who have registered their Due to the inability to access the previous email children, but due to the ongoing COVID Restrictions address, please resend your submission to chookai@ and possible extensions, the organisers are unable gmail.com We also encourage you all to write your to conduct the program in a meaningful way, thus, personal testimony and send to the email address. we have to reluctantly postpone this event until further notice - when circumstances become safer to Prayer Letter from Board of Christian Social resume. Concerns (Aug-Sept) Christian Worship Module Please pray for the prayer points listed. To be taught by Rev. Shirley Ling (04/10 - 08/11 Every Board of Theological Education Monday Night 2.5 hours each session) offered by the Scholarship Fund Certificate in Christian Leadership & Ministry for young leaders. We strongly encourage the youths to enrol. Attached herewith the Newsletter from BoTESF. (Refer using the online form. (Please refer Page 10) page 11) 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 $7,866.50 (05/9-10/9/2021) 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 2021-09-19\" \"Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen.\" (Ephesians 3:20-21 – ESV) Soar like eagles. Dr. Lloyd John Ogilvie tells an old trapper who ran out of provisions during the middle of winter. Since he hadn't yet sold his furs, he was low on money, but he managed to scrape together $50. He arrived at the store and very carefully selected each item while checking the price. After a while, he had all the supplies his money would buy. He then noticed several stuffed animals and birds on a shelf, along with an eagle in a cage. It was alive. There was a price tag on the cage, $50. The trapper looked at his supplies and then back at the confined bird. he looked at the storekeeper and, in an upset voice, said, \"An eagle wasn't meant to be in a cage.\" The merchant replied, \"so, buy it, and you can do what you want with it.\" The trapper tried making a good decision. He needed the supplies, but his heart went out to the caged eagle. Sweeping aside the supplies, he put down the money and said, \"I'll take that bird.\" Once he was outside, the trapper opened the caged door, pushed the eagle out, and watched it began to fly. It circled around and around and then caught the updrafts with its wings and began to soar higher and higher. The trapper laughed and said, \"Go on, eagle - soar, soar away on your wings. Eagles have to soar. You are not for a cage.\" We, too, were not created to be in a cage that other people or we have built. But sometimes, we find ourselves there. Do you feel like somewhat being in a cage now? Who put you there? Jesus came to set you free from everything (John 8: 32 & 36) – the effects of the past, the struggles of the present, and the future fears. The truth will set you free – saving truth is revealed only from God \"by his Spirit\" (1 Cor 2:10). Believe and trust in Jesus. You and I have been given power through Jesus Christ to stabilize our lives. Turbulence, confusion, weariness, and discontent may overpower us. When you allow Jesus Christ to control your imagination, thought, life, and will, you then have the power you need in Christ to soar. Commit your choice; ask Jesus today for decisions you need to make. God wants you to soar. God will do for us not only more than we ask and desire in prayer but also even more than our imagination can perceive. Eph 3:20 promises conditioned and dependent on the degree of the Holy Spirit's presence, power, and grace operating in our lives. Take Jesus' hand as He helps you step out of the cage – mount up with wings, soar like eagles. (Isaiah 40:31) Lloyd John Ogilvie. Lord of the Loose Ends. Dallas: Word, Inc., 1991, pp.53-55, adapted. Praise: \"The Power of Your Love [with lyrics]\" – https://youtu.be/H9_0jiO5ZRM Prayer: Father God, as we praise and worship your Holy name, you are here dwelling within our praise. Lord Jesus, we confessed our sins that we have done in thoughts, words, and actions. Have mercy and forgive us, O Lord. Purify us with the precious blood of Jesus Christ and set us free. Lord, sanctify us by the truth; your word is truth. Lord, draw us near to your side. And as we wait, we'll rise like the eagle. We will soar with you as your Holy Spirit leads us on in the power of your love. Grow us to trust and obey your commands out of love for you. Father God, we claim victory to live a godly and holy life to the praise and honor of God. Protect and bless us, O God. 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

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