Announcements for June 22, 2008

WELCOME!

CHRISTIAN SYMPATHY is expressed to May Cheung’s family. May’s brother Sui Po Cheung went to be with the Lord on June 11 in Hong Kong and May just left to attend her brother’s funeral. We pray for her safety in travel and that God’s love with enfold the family and give them peace.

CONGRATULATIONS to Carleen Woo and Alexander Lewandowski who were married yesterday. We also congratulate parents of the bride, Mary and Shey Woo. May this new family be bound together with God’s perfect love.

RELIEF DONATIONS Praise the Lord for the love of his people. As of June 15, we have collected almost $30,000 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. We appreciate the generosity of the congregation and community and urge you to keep the victims and relief workers in your prayers!

MAKING SENSE OF CHRISTIAN FAITH The last Sunday School class of Seeking to Understand the Christian Faith will meet next Sunday, 12:30 – 1:30 pm in Room 301. We will discuss how the Bible makes sense philosophically. Contact Garrett or see flyer on the bulletin board.

CHURCH PICNIC on Sunday, July 13 at Capital View Homewood Park in Kensington, MD. Worship for all congregations will be at 11 am followed by picnic lunch and fellowship. Bring your friends, but please sign up in the HMH so we can provide enough food.

WALK THRU THE OLD TESTAMENT Plan for a fun-filled and inspiring learning experience at the Simmer Retreat as we learn how the Old Testament is woven together as part of God’s plan for salvation. Reserve August 8-10, 2008 at Messiah College. Registration and brochure is available in the narthex and bulletin board.

EXTERIOR RENOVATION WORK The townhouse work will be completed this coming week and the next two months will be spent on church building restoration.

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.
• Mae Yaplee after suffering a fall
• 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.
• Faithful, humble and committed Board members seeking out the will of God for our church.

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 the missionaries we support. Keep them strong in the Father’s grace. Give them favor in the eyes of those they minister to. Help them be innocent as doves, yet wise as serpents. Take care of their financial needs and their children’s education. Make their ministries extremely fruitful and productive. And most of all, give them a deep abiding joy in you alone that they would constantly be overflowing with rivers of living water so that those around them would look at them and say, “Whatever it is you’ve got, I want it.”
• For wisdom for Search Committee as they evaluate a number of candidates for Associate Pastor and the needs of the church to find the one God has called to be our Associate Pastor
• Summer Retreat will provide teaching and encouragement for all
• That the exterior work on the church will finish 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:

• For the Holy Spirit to move us to respond in whatever way we can to glorify His kingdom. “And now, O Israel, what does the Lord your God ask of you but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to observe the Lord’s commands and decrees that I am giving you today for your own good?” . Dt 10:12-13
• For time to be still and hear God’s voice