20211219 English Bulletin

Vision: Building a Church after God's Own Heart SUNDAY 19TH 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 Silent Prayer FOURTH SUNDAY of Advent (19 December 2021) Call to Worship <Be Still in the Presence of the Lord> Adoration & Praise Light the First and Second Advent Candles (purple), then light the Third Advent Prayer Candle (pink). Responsive Reading Read: Isaiah 9:6-7 The Lord’s Prayer 6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his Welcome/Notices shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Offering Father, Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of his government and peace there will Intercessory Prayer be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and Scripture Reading upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of Proclamation the LORD Almighty will accomplish this. of the Word While lighting the Fourth Advent Candle (purple), say, Chorus of Response We light this candle as a symbol of the Prince of Peace. May the visitation of your Benediction Holy Spirit, O God, make us ready for the coming of Jesus, our hope our joy. O come, O come, Emmanuel. Isaiah 40:1-14 398 <All to Jesus I Surrender> Galatians 6:11-18 Cross-centred Life Ministry Roster 19/12/2021 Preacher LP Joo Soo Lim Worship Leader Jimmy Kong Song Leader Jennifer Yap Backup Diana Kong Pianist Jason Ting Keyboardist Dennis Yong Accompaniment Joseph Fung & Steven Yek Cajon David Chieng Bible Reader Adam Tiong Multimedia Yew Fong Lim Live Stream/PA Bryan Law & Andrew Zhang Ushers Jonathan & Danielle Ting Floral - HC Prep - Preacher Rev Meng Tee Gan Ministry Roster 26/12/2021 Song Leader Jin Loong Wong Worship Leader Chris Ting Pianist Jiaxin Wong Backup Albert Wong Accompaniment Oscar Ling Keyboardist Venus Kang Bible Reader Ming Zhe Lim Cajon Jonathan Liew Live Stream/PA Alister Chew & Andrew Zhang Multimedia Wesley Chew Floral Florence Yao Ushers Cassandra & Josiah Tan 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. 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 likelihood of becoming infected by touching a Restrictions surface is very low risk. Gentle Reminder: The church strongly recommends UPDATED PUBLIC HEALTH PROTECTIONS TO KEEP all church attendees to check in with QR Code VICTORIANS SAFE (Refer attachment on page10) as a loving gesture to enable us to keep track in With more than 92 per cent of eligible Victorians the event of an outbreak. Furthermore, facemask double dose vaccinated, coronavirus restrictions will need to be worn indoor together with frequent are being updated to ensure Victorians enjoy more washing of hands. freedoms this festive season, keeping themselves and their families safe while the Omicron variant is Christmas Day (25/12 Saturday) Worship monitored and investigated. Service Minister for Health Martin Foley will today sign pandemic orders under the new Public Health and Christmas Day Combined Worship Service will start Wellbeing Act, which will come into effect from at 10AM, and there will be baptism. 11.59pm 15th December 2021 and be in place until 12 January 2022. Prayer Meeting Thursday (23/12) 7:30PM All Victorians who are eligible for a booster five months after their second shot are urged to book Prayer Meeting to be led by LP Chris Ting through an appointment as soon as possible – especially zoom. Let us serve one another through prayer. those at higher risk of contracting the virus, such as healthcare workers. Wedding Ensuring children are protected from coronavirus is also vital, and parents are encouraged to get Daniel & Leong Ha warmly invite all to join them their kids vaccinated when the rollout for five to online to celebrate with them the wedding of their 11-year-olds begins on 10 January 2022. eldest daughter Sarah Zhong-Rong Ha to Isaiah As part of the orders, people under 18 will John Smith on Monday 27/12/2021@10AM. Please no longer be required to show proof of their scan the QR Code to join or register online through vaccination status at all venues, such as hospitality. www.isaiahsarah.com/events. (Refer page 11) The mandatory vaccination requirement will be removed for all customers in retail, except hair and Pastoral Needs beauty services, and will also be removed in real estate, places of worship, weddings and funerals. If you have any pastoral needs, please do not Mask settings in retail remain unchanged. hesitate to seek Rev. James Kong (0413 953 238), Under the pandemic orders, restaurants, Ps. Allan Quah (0402 675 219) or local preachers: cafes, bars and pubs are still only open to fully Lina Lim, Chris Ting, or Joo Soo Lim. If you need the vaccinated patrons and staff. Workers are required pastor to pray for you, do approach Rev. James to wear masks. Kong or Ps. Allan Quah after the service. Face masks no longer need to be worn at weddings, funerals, or ceremonial settings. If these Family Devotion events are held at places of worship there will not be any vaccination requirements or limits on We encourage families to start a regular family participants, nor any requirement for organisers to devotion each week. It is our main thing for our church because we will grow stronger, closer, and 5

All that’s going on around Camberwell Methodist Church COMMUNITY WATCH more love for God and one another. Let us not Use of church venue for followship waste this time of being together…. explore every opportunity to play, to read, to do something Please book through picktime.com to avoid clash together, to pray and to sing together. of use. Please make sure all lights, air-conditioners, and other equipment are switched off, also Personal Testimony making sure all doors are locked before leaving. We encourage you to write your personal Family Discipleship Survey Form testimony and send it to [email protected]. We invite brothers and sisters to fill in the survey One Day Seminar 2022 form to help the church in planning the family discipleship ministry. Camberwell MC Online Group Church Camp has been changed to One Day (On Facebook) Seminar “Transforming ourselves, Transforming our Families” on 08/01/2022 (Sat) at the church CCLM Module: Introduction to Christian (from 9AM to 4:30PM). Speaker: Brett Ryan. Lunch Theology is provided. Participants need to register online via link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FA The purpose is to help participants to gain some IpQLSfXprXmK7lwvBMaYYRxWIl3HoRvLisRYC5Mxf basic and further understanding of the Christian lz875KMHi0kg/viewform or scan the QR Code to faith and its theology. Dates: 1st January to 7th register. No registration fee is required. Closing Date February 2022 (6 Monday evenings of 1.5 hours of Registration: 24/12/2021. Please treasure the each) by Rev. Michael Ting. Registration fee: $40. opportunity and register early. (Please refer page Register by 2nd January 2022. (Refer to Page 8) 9) Ministry Roster 25/12/21 Combined Bilingual Christmas Service@10AM Preacher Michael Fung Interpreter: LP Dennis Wong Worship Leader Pianist Daniel Ha Song Leader 许忠立/刘立仪/Cheryl Chen/ Jenny Chiu Multimedia 李维甄 陈丁勇/范惠光/黄青敏/Jamilyn Wong/Jacklyn Wong/Danielle Ting Floral 陈丕进 Ushers 蔡琼婉 Live Stream/PA 黄庆宏/许忠立 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: $7,954.00 (5/12-10/12/2021) 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

\"God's Thoughts\" Family Devotion 2021-12-19 Bible Reading of the Day: Psalm 139: 17-18 – \"How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! If I would count them, they are more than the sand. I awake, and I am still with you.\" A.W. Tozer used to say, \"The only real world is the Bible world.\" Nothing is more unsure than the world, for it is passing away. But the will and Word of God will abide forever (Mark 13:31). As we consider the character of God's thoughts, we will want to do His will. God's thoughts are personal (v. 17). They concern you and me. He makes the individual and then plans for him. He knows all about us. Amazingly, the sovereignty of God is the basis for our freedom. If He were not on the throne, this world would be run by chance. But the psalmist tells us that life is not a gamble. God put your substance together and ordained your genetic structure (verses 3-14). We must use what He has given us for His glory. And our obedience to His will reaches beyond this life, for our future is wrapped up in God's plan for us – Jeremiah 29: 11. God's thoughts are precious (v. 17). Precious means \"weighty, valuable.\" His thoughts toward us are unique and tailor-made, making them valuable. When we accept God's plan for us and exercise believing faith, then He can work out His perfect will in our lives. Remember, His thoughts are deep (Psalm 92:5); they are higher than ours (Isaiah 55:8). God's thoughts are practical. Paul said, \"None of these things [tribulations] move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God\" (Acts 20:24). Paul was living to do one thing – finish his course. As we run the race of life, following God's thoughts leads to fulfillment, courage, and strength to continue. God's thoughts are vast and inexhaustible. \"How great is the sum of them\" (v.17). People who don't want to do the will of God live their lives in a little bucket of water. But when we accept His will for our lives, we launch out on an ocean of possibility. God said to Abraham, \"You walk before Me and do My will, and I am going to give you horizons like you've never seen before\" (Gen 15:5). If you want to be a stagnant Christian, reject the will of God. You will not grow, and you will miss what He has for you. He wants to do great things in your life. God's thoughts are unfailing (v. 18). He works out His plans even while we sleep. Adam went to sleep, and God gave him a wife. Abraham went to sleep, and God worked out His covenant to him. God already has revealed things about our daily living to us by His Spirit in the Scriptures. – Warren Wiersbe's – A Daily Walk Through the Psalms, 2011, pg 355-56. Reflection: Are you discouraged by events in your life or weary of the day's routine? Think God's thoughts by reading His Word and obey His thoughts by doing His will. He will work in your life. He will open horizons of blessing and keep you along your pilgrimage. God's thoughts about you are more than mere \"thoughts.\" They include His purposes and His care. As you meditate on His thoughts, renew your commitment to know and do His will for your life. To Praise Him and Pray: \"When I Look into your holiness – the reason I live is to Worship You\" https://youtu.be/o2ab-1Pixcg 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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