Announcements for June 15, 2008

RELIEF DONATIONS Today we will receive another special offering for relief work in Myanmar and China. Praise the Lord for the love of his people. As of June 1, we have collected $25,863 which was sent to Food for the Hungry, an organization which already has teams in place providing for the needs of those distressed by the cyclone in Myanmar and the earthquake in China. Please encourage friends and family to give as they are able to relieve the suffering in these two countries. Checks should be written to CCC and designated for relief work. Donations not earmarked for a specific country will be divided between relief efforts in China and Myanmar.

HAPPY FATHER’S DAY You are invited to a reception during lunch to honor our graduates and fathers today. We praise God for His love and goodness and for providing our earthly fathers to be examples of courage, faith, and love on earth.

SUNDAY SCHOOL FOR ADULTS A summer class for college students is being held on Sundays at 9:30 am in Room 303. See Michelle Wong or Bert Chee for details. The English Adult Sunday School will resume in July at 9:30 am in Room 102. Contact Peter Wong for details.

ENGLISH ASSOCIATE PASTOR Praise God for continuing to lead a number of pastoral applicants to CCC. Our search effort has resulted in a number of resumes for the English Associate Pastor position. The search committee is continuing the review. While there are no named official candidates at this stage as the application process is still ongoing, and resumes are still coming in, we are inviting a number of applicants to visit our church as guests over the summer months on a rolling basis. Please expect a number of guest speakers at the English service starting next week. Please continue to pray for God’s guidance, wisdom, patience, and obedience.

MAKING SENSE OF CHRISTIAN FAITH We are called to work out our salvation with fear and trembling (Philippians 2:12) and to give an answer to why we believe (1 Peter 3:15). The third Sunday School class of Seeking to Understand the Christian Faith will meet today, 12:30 – 1:30 pm in Room 301. We will discuss how the bible relates to science. Does Science support Christianity? Contact Garrett or see flyer on the bulletin board.

EXTERIOR RENOVATION WORK The formstone is off! Worcester Eisenbrandt is working steadily on paint removal, repairing the window frames, and pointing brickwork. Our townhouse windows will be rehung this week. They will continue restoration work for the next few months.

New Heart Ministries reached their target of raising $500,000 by 6/1. Praise God! They’ll be moving into their new building in August.  Don’t forget to register for the Skycroft Conference on 10/3-5 before 8/4 to get the Early Bird special! Please go to the website for more information: http://www.newheartmusic.org/Heartbeat/HB53/retreat2008_Back_v1.PDF

Prayers

Prayer and praise will be our power house: ‘“Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty.” We urge all believers to raise up the church in prayers, expecting God to move and act. Jesus says the harvest is already plentiful but we must pray (Mt 9:38).

Pray for brothers and sisters in Christ:

• Those in need of healing and others receiving medical treatments. Also remember family members who provide unending care and support.
• Pray for Lily Fan who is seeking God. A tumor is in her brain. Pray that her daughter in mainland China will get a visa as soon as possible
• Pastor Charles’ family members who are struggling with different medical conditions. May God give the family strength and grace to encourage each other.
• For our graduates – that they have courage to take on new challenges; that opportunities will present themselves where they can use the talents God has given them; that they will be a witness for God wherever they go.

Pray for needs of the church:

• That the Summer Program for children will be an avenue of reaching children for Christ
• For strengthening Bible study groups
• For wisdom for Search Committee as they evaluate candidates for Associate Pastor and the needs of the church to find the one God has called to be our Associate Pastor
• That the exterior work on the church will run smoothly
• That the church picnic will acquaint many in the community with our church and encourage fellowship among the congregation

Pray for individual spiritual growth:

God, help me overcome my old nature that constantly wants to do the very thing I know is wrong and causes war with my soul. By His son’s death on the cross, Holy Spirit help me confess my sins, known and unknown, and take control of my life. Holy Spirit, search my heart! Thank you for pardoning me. Search me ,O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. Ps 139:23-24