20211226 English Bulletin

Vision: Building a Church after God's Own Heart SUNDAY 26TH DECEMBER 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

ORDER OF WORSHIP FOURTH SUNDAY of Advent (26 December 2021) Silent Prayer <Be Still in the Presence of the Lord> Call to Worship Adoration & Praise Prayer Responsive Reading Psalm 90:1-17 The Lord’s Prayer Welcome/Notices Offering 406 <Take My Life and Let It Be> Intercessory Prayer Scripture Reading Matthew 2:13-23 Proclamation of the Word Crises of Christmas Chorus of Response Benediction Ministry Roster 26/12/2021 Preacher Rev Meng Tee Gan Worship Leader Chris Ting Song Leader Jin Loong Wong Backup Albert Wong Pianist Jiaxin Wong Keyboardist Venus Kang Accompaniment Oscar Ling Cajon Jonathan Liew Bible Reader Ming Zhe Lim Multimedia Wesley Chew Live Stream/PA Alister Chew & Andrew Zhang Ushers Cassandra & Josiah Tan Floral Florence Yao HC Prep - Preacher Rev James Kong Ministry Roster 2/1/2022 Song Leader Cheryl Chan Worship Leader Joo Soo Lim Pianist Venus Kang Backup Wesley Chew Accompaniment Kelly Chua Keyboardist - Bible Reader Verene Kang Cajon - Live Stream/PA Jonathan Liew & Jin Loong Wong Multimedia Yew Fong Lim Floral - Ushers Jacklyn & Jamilyn Wong HC Prep Cerene Quah 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. 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. P ray 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) and fellowships continue to connect with Ben (USA). Thank you all for upholding each other, and reach out to other; 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. P ray for LCEC 2022 and English working Committee that they may work together to reach out to families, our young people, and our community. 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 check vaccination status. If the ceremony is at a hospitality setting, vaccine requirements will apply. We welcome everyone who join our worship Workplaces exposed to a positive coronavirus case service. May the peace of God be with you! If you will no longer need to be deep cleaned, after are a new friend to the church, please introduce mounting international evidence that coronavirus yourself. is an airborne or droplet-borne disease and the Restrictions likelihood of becoming infected by touching a surface is very low risk. UPDATED PUBLIC HEALTH PROTECTIONS TO KEEP Gentle Reminder: The church strongly recommends VICTORIANS SAFE (Refer attachment on page10) all church attendees to check in with QR Code With more than 92 per cent of eligible Victorians as a loving gesture to enable us to keep track in double dose vaccinated, coronavirus restrictions the event of an outbreak. Furthermore, facemask are being updated to ensure Victorians enjoy more will need to be worn indoor together with frequent freedoms this festive season, keeping themselves washing of hands. and their families safe while the Omicron variant is monitored and investigated. Combined Prayer Meeting Thursday Minister for Health Martin Foley will today sign (30/12) 7:30PM pandemic orders under the new Public Health and Wellbeing Act, which will come into effect from 11.59pm 15th December 2021 and be in place until Prayer Meeting to be led by Rev. James Kong 12 January 2022. through Camberwell MC Online group on All Victorians who are eligible for a booster five Facebook. Let us come to count our blessings and give thanks. Let us continue to serve one another months after their second shot are urged to book through prayer. an appointment as soon as possible – especially those at higher risk of contracting the virus, such as Wedding healthcare workers. Ensuring children are protected from coronavirus Daniel & Leong Ha warmly invite all to join them is also vital, and parents are encouraged to get online to celebrate with them the wedding of their their kids vaccinated when the rollout for five to eldest daughter Sarah Zhong-Rong Ha to Isaiah 11-year-olds begins on 10 January 2022. John Smith on Monday 27/12/2021@10AM. Please As part of the orders, people under 18 will scan the QR Code to join or register online through no longer be required to show proof of their www.isaiahsarah.com/events. (Refer page 11) vaccination status at all venues, such as hospitality. Pastoral Needs The mandatory vaccination requirement will be removed for all customers in retail, except hair and If you have any pastoral needs, please do not beauty services, and will also be removed in real hesitate to seek Rev. James Kong (0413 953 238), estate, places of worship, weddings and funerals. Ps. Allan Quah (0402 675 219) or local preachers: Mask settings in retail remain unchanged. Lina Lim, Chris Ting, or Joo Soo Lim. If you need the Under the pandemic orders, restaurants, pastor to pray for you, do approach Rev. James cafes, bars and pubs are still only open to fully Kong or Ps. Allan Quah after the service. vaccinated patrons and staff. Workers are required to wear masks. Family Devotion Face masks no longer need to be worn at weddings, funerals, or ceremonial settings. If these We encourage families to start a regular family events are held at places of worship there will devotion each week. It is our main thing for our not be any vaccination requirements or limits on church because we will grow stronger, closer, and participants, nor any requirement for organisers to more love for God and one another. Let us not waste this time of being together…. explore every 5

All that’s going on around Camberwell Methodist Church COMMUNITY WATCH opportunity to play, to read, to do something Family Discipleship Survey Form together, to pray and to sing together. We invite brothers and sisters to fill in the survey Personal Testimony form to help the church in planning the family discipleship ministry. Camberwell MC Online Group We encourage you to write your personal (On Facebook) testimony and send it to [email protected]. CCLM Module: Introduction to Christian One Day Seminar 2022 Theology Church Camp has been changed to One Day The purpose is to help participants to gain some Seminar “Transforming ourselves, Transforming basic and further understanding of the Christian our Families” on 08/01/2022 (Sat) at the church faith and its theology. Dates: 1st January to 7th (from 9AM to 4:30PM). Speaker: Brett Ryan. Lunch February 2022 (6 Monday evenings of 1.5 hours is provided. Participants need to register online each) by Rev. Michael Ting. Registration fee: $40. via link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FA Register by 2nd January 2022. (Refer to Page 8) IpQLSfXprXmK7lwvBMaYYRxWIl3HoRvLisRYC5Mxf lz875KMHi0kg/viewform or scan the QR Code to 1st Local Conference register. No registration fee is required. Closing Date of Registration: 24/12/2021. Please treasure the The First local Conference of Camberwell opportunity and register early. (Please refer page Methodist Church will be on 15/01/2022 (Saturday) 9) @10AM in the Church Annexe 1. We invite all members of the Local Conference (pastors, Use of church venue for followship stewards, retired pastors, local preachers) to attend, all committee chairpersons and fellowship Please book through picktime.com to avoid clash Chairperson shall submit reports to Choo Kai Kang of use. Please make sure all lights, air-conditioners, (LCEC Chairperson) before 10/01/2022. and other equipment are switched off, also making sure all doors are locked before leaving. 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: $10,664.35 (12/12-17/12/2021) 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

\"The God of Jacob\" Family Devotion 2021-12-26 Bible Reading of the Day: Put Not Your Trust in Princes - Psalm 146: 1-10 (ESV) 1 Praise the LORD! Praise the LORD, O my soul! 2 I will praise the LORD as long as I live; I will sing praises to my God while I have my being. 3 Put not your trust in princes, in a son of man, in whom there is no salvation. 4 When his breath departs, he returns to the earth; on that very day, his plans perish. 5 Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the LORD his God, 6 who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, who keeps faith forever; 7 who executes justice for the oppressed, who gives food to the hungry. The LORD sets the prisoners free; 8 the LORD opens the eyes of the blind. The LORD lifts up those who are bowed down; the LORD loves the righteous. 9 The LORD watches over the sojourners; he upholds the widow and the fatherless, but the way of the wicked he brings to ruin. 10 The LORD will reign forever, your God, O Zion, to all generations. Praise the LORD! Happy is he who has the God of Jacob for His help, whose hope is in the Lord his God. (v. 5). This tells us that God is all we need for today – and for tomorrow. When you know God, you have happiness, help, and hope: happiness is walking with Him, help for the burdens of the day, and hope for future concerns. What more could you want? Who is the God of Jacob? First, He is the Creator. Verse 6 says He is the One \"who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them; who keeps truth forever.\" Any God great enough, wise enough, and strong enough to create, sustain, and run this universe can take care of our problems today. Second, He is the Judge \"who executes justice for the oppressed\" (v. 7). God knows when you have been wrongly criticized. He knows when others have tried to make life difficult for you. Leave the judgment with Him. Don't waste your time and energy fighting battles that only God can fight for you. He's with all of His people, and He does what is right. Third, He is the Father. Verse 7 offers a picture of the Father feeding the hungry. God's Word always assures us of His provision. \"My God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus\" (Phil. 4:19). Fourth, He is the Redeemer. \"The Lord gives freedom to the prisoners. The Lord opens the eyes of the blind; the Lord loves the righteous\" (verses 7-8). Finally, He is the King. \"The Lord shall reign forever\" (v. 10). Sometimes you may feel like saying, \"I don't deserve to have a God like this.\" That's true, but He's the God of Jacob. Jacob stumbled and made mistakes, but God remained His God. The eternal God is our Refuge. – Warren Wiersbe's – A Daily Walk Through the Psalms, 2011, pg 368. Reflection: God is your greatest Refuge. But He doesn't simply shelter you; He provides for you and strengthens you. Is the God of Jacob your God? If so, call upon Him, and He will be your help, hope, and happiness. To Praise Him and Pray: Bless the Lord, O my Soul https://youtu.be/xGfbduLuZlo 7

COURSE DESCRIPTION: Course: Introduction to Christian Theology Do you desire for you and your Teacher: Rev. Michael Ting church to stand on rock-solid theological doctrine? ASSIGNMENT … The Bible, theology, method, Write a book review of 2,000 words on Part 2 of Knowing God/Trinity, Jesus/Christ, God. ‘Behold Your God!’ (pages 83-198) Humanity, Sin, Salvation/Gospel, Holy Spirit, • 1,300 words on the highlight and importance of the The Church, The section of the book. Future/Eschatology, Mission/Evangelism … • 350 words on what impacted you as a Christian, from the section of the book. GOALS: To gain some basic and further understanding of the • Another 350 words on what you think you need to Christian faith and its theology. teach to your church/Christians around you today. CLASSES: 6 days of each 2.5 hrs REFLECTION Write a simple and straight forward reflection of your TIME: 2100 to 2330 learning in class for about 500 words. What you find it helpful and applicable to your life as a Christian. (AEDT) RECOMMENDED TEXTBOOK Knowing God: With Study Guide 1800 to 2030 (AWST) By J. I. Packer, Published by Hodder & Stoughton, 2005 (ebook version, 2011) DATES: Koorong $22.99 Koorong ebook $13.99 Mon 3 January 2022 REGISTRATION Mon 10 January 2022 https://forms.gle/6FsriBimpy1E5MHf6 Mon 17 January 2022 Mon 24 January 2022 Mon 31 January 2022 Mon 7 February 2022 ENQUIRY CONTACT: Rev. Alan Lau Phone: 0407515103 Email: [email protected] 8

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Wednesday, 15 December 2021 UPDATED PUBLIC HEALTH PROTECTIONS TO KEEP VICTORIANS SAFE With more than 92 per cent of eligible Victorians double dose vaccinated, coronavirus restrictions are being updated to ensure Victorians enjoy more freedoms this festive season, keeping themselves and their families safe while the Omicron variant is monitored and investigated. Minister for Health Martin Foley will today sign pandemic orders under the new Public Health and Wellbeing Act, which will come into effect from 11.59pm tonight and be in place until 12 January 2022. The Minister has made the decision to sign the pandemic orders after considering advice from the Chief Health Officer (CHO) that there continues to be a serious risk to public health from the global pandemic, and that restrictions continue to be necessary to protect Victorians and the healthcare system. In particular, the CHO has highlighted the need to gather more information about the Omicron variant of concern before considering further changes to protective measures – such as mask requirements. All Victorians who are eligible for a booster five months after their second shot are urged to book an appointment as soon as possible – especially those at higher risk of contracting the virus, such as healthcare workers. Ensuring children are protected from coronavirus is also vital, and parents are encouraged to get their kids vaccinated when the rollout for five to 11-year-olds begins on 10 January 2022. As part of the orders, people under 18 will no longer be required to show proof of their vaccination status at all venues, such as hospitality. The mandatory vaccination requirement will be removed for all customers in retail, except hair and beauty services, and will also be removed in real estate, places of worship, weddings and funerals. Mask settings in retail remain unchanged. Under the pandemic orders, restaurants, cafes, bars and pubs are still only open to fully vaccinated patrons and staff. Workers are required to wear masks. Face masks no longer need to be worn at weddings, funerals, or ceremonial settings. If these events are held at places of worship there will not be any vaccination requirements or limits on participants, nor any requirement for organisers to check vaccination status. If the ceremony is at a hospitality setting, vaccine requirements will apply. Workplaces exposed to a positive coronavirus case will no longer need to be deep cleaned, after mounting international evidence that coronavirus is an airborne or droplet-borne disease and the likelihood of becoming infected by touching a surface is very low risk. In addition, tour and transport operators, gyms and creative arts premises such as theatres and cinemas will not need to clean equipment between uses. Workplaces will still need to maintain CovidSafe plans. Elective surgery rules are also being updated, with rural and regional health services able to resume up to 75 per cent of normal elective surgery activity. Media contact: Harry Adam 0448 505 876 | [email protected] 10

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