Announcements for August 10, 2008

PROGRAM CHANGES TODAY Sunday School children will remain in worship today except for preschoolers who can be taken to the Nursery in Room 202. The kitchen is taking a break – no coffee hour today, but you are welcome to greet one another in the Hung Memorial Hall after worship.

SUMMER RETREAT Eighty folks from the English and Cantonese congregations are worshiping at Messiah College today to conclude the Summer Retreat, Walk Thru the Old Testament. We pray that they had an enriching experience of teaching, fellowship and time with God.

OFFICIAL BOARD HIGHLIGHTS At a special session last Sunday, August 3, 2008 the Official Board 1] adopted a policy related to hiring pastoral staff: The Chinese Community Church will seek and call any Christian with appropriate credentials to serve as our pastor regardless of sex, race and national origin; and 2] authorized the Search Committee to seek an Associate Pastor for English congregation and/or an Associate Pastor for the Chinese congregation. The Search Committee shall report to the Board as soon as an appropriate candidate is identified for calling decision and compensation package approval.

CONGRATULATIONS to Katherine Chen and Jiffy Seto, the proud new parents of a baby girl. We also offer our congratulations to grandparents, Wai and Doris Chen, and offer special prayers for Jiffy who is currently stationed in the Middle East.

SEARCH UPDATE The Search Committee is inviting Rev. Lai Fan Wong for a second visit on Aug 15-17. Thank you to all who have provided many helpful input on the search applicants to date. Given the general feedback from Rev. Wong’s previous visit, the second weekend will focus mainly on Cantonese and Mandarin ministries. She will give the sermon in both Cantonese and Mandarin services, will lead bible study sessions and meet with ministry teams during her stay.

The Committee has also invited Luther Schrum to visit as a formal candidate for English Associate Pastor on September 12-14 following his wedding and travels. Details on his candidate weekend will be made available in the coming weeks.

HELP NEEDEDOur GWU Bible Study group will help overseas students to settle into the area as they arrive to attend school this fall. You could help welcome these students and help them experience the love of Christ by providing the following assistance:

For more information or to volunteer, please contact: Zhengyu Feng or see him on Sundays after Mandarin worship. Many other opportunities to help exist, so if you can even spare a couple hours of time, let Zhengyu know of your availability.

SUNDAY LUNCH PROGRAM begins on September 7, 2008. If you can help cook lunch, please sign the schedule on the kitchen bulletin board.

APPRECIATION is expressed to the trio of John Chee (cello), Aaron Woo (guitar) and Merry Woo (violin) who provided the lovely offertory music last Sunday. We also appreciate Shirley and Walter Woo coordinating the Saturday morning English classes for adults. Typically, tutors and eager students are found in all corners of the church on Saturdays earnestly in study. English classes will be on summer recess for the rest of August and begin again on September 6, 2008 at 9 am.

EXTERIOR RENOVATION WORK Church building restoration continues – the brick pointing is completed and work has begun on repair and cleaning the stained glass windows. Details on the cornices, windows and door frames are under way as well as planning for window heads, scuppers and downspouts. Praise God for WEI’s excellent job and the beauty He has restored!

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 – Lili Fan, Ida Lee, King Lee, and others receiving medical treatments. Also remember family members who provide unending care and support.
• Pastor Charles’ family members (mother, brothers, niece and nephew) who are struggling with different medical conditions. May God give the family strength and grace to encourage each other.
• Those who are traveling, that wherever they are they will walk in the way of Christ and be his ambassadors.
• Pray for those preparing to go off to college in the next couple weeks.
• Pray for those making decisions about career paths and jobs.
• Pray for the new babies in CCC, that God’s protection, love, and guidance will bless their lives through eternity.

Pray for needs of the church:

• For God’s power to help us continue to serve in unity and love as one body in Christ despite differences of opinion. May we respect one another’s thinking and growth processes
• For the resources needed to bring glory to God through the beauty of the church building
• For wisdom for Search Committee as they tackle the task of filling two Associate Pastor positions. May God direct his perfect matches to our church.
• For the programs of the church to stay focused on evangelism and discipleship
• That the exterior work on the church will finish smoothly

Pray for individual spiritual growth:

• Living in unity with fellow believers could be the example that reaches the world for Christ. Be kind and loving to each other, and forgive each other just as God forgave you in Christ. Eph 4:32
• Do not owe people anything, except always owe love to each other, because the person who loves others has obeyed the law. Romans 13:8 People do not always hunger for bread, but sometimes they hunger to be somebody to somebody.