Announcements for September 14, 2008

WELCOME TO THE PULPIT Luther Schrum, a candidate for Associate Pastor for the English congregation. He recently obtained a Master of Divinity from Columbia Biblical Seminary in Columbia, South Carolina. For the past 3 years, he has served in the Chinese Christian Church of Columbia, as a youth leader, part of the English leadership team, Sunday School teacher, as well as preaching from the pulpit from time to time. His focus of ministry there has been on discipleship.

After college, Luther went to Niger in West Africa to serve as a missionary with S.I.M.. He was called to seminarian training during his time in Africa and returned to the US to enter CBS.

Luther was newly married to Jessica Lee in mid-August. Jessica, is also a recent graduate from seminary, and was actively involved in youth ministry at the Chinese Christian Church of Columbia.

OFFICIAL BOARD DECISION: The Board voted unanimously on 9/7/08 to extend an offer to Rev. Lai Fan Wong as an Associate Pastor of CCC, with primary focus on the Chinese ministries and under the leadership of the Senior Pastor. Praise God for leading the committee, board and congregation to come together before God to seek Him and be willing spirits to build His kingdom. Please continue to pray for Rev. Wong as she seeks God’s guidance for her place in ministry.

CONDOLENCES are expressed to the Yee family. May God’s peace be with the family.

FRIDAY NIGHT BIBLE STUDY will move its weekly meeting to the church beginning Friday, September 19, 2008. Although Bible study normally starts at 7:30 pm, our first night at the new location will start at 6:30 pm with carryout dinner. Come join us if you don’t already belong to a Bible study group. Contact Joe or Victoria for details.

NEW MEMBERS will be received on November 23 at the Joint Thanksgiving Sunday Worship Service. Those who are interested in joining the CCC family of faith through baptism, affirmation of faith or transfer, should contact Pastor Charles as soon as possible so that membership classes can be arranged.

“ENTERTAIMENT 2009” books are available from Ruth Wong (703-938-6868). A copy costs $25 and will benefit the Building Fund. Please contact Ruth Wong after church service.

CANTONESE FELLOWSHIP BUS TRIP to New York City on Saturday, September 27 is scheduled. The bus will leave from Wheaton Plaza at 6:30 am and leave New York Chinatown at 7:00 pm to return to D.C. Cost is $30 per person. Space is limited so reserve your seat with Monica Wong or Pui Han Lee as soon as possible. All are welcome.

TIDINGS, the church’s newsletter, will be published at the end of the month. Please forward articles, information or news events to linda@cccdc.com by September 17.

HELP NEEDED Our GWU Bible Study group is helping overseas students to settle into the area. If you could assist with things like shopping or inviting them to church, please contact Zhengyu Feng: zhengyufeng@gmail.com or after Mandarin worship for details. Many opportunities to help exist, so if you have some free time, let Zhengyu know of your availability.

SUPPORT CHINATOWN SERVICE CENTER BY SHOPPING! Macy’s celebrates a national day to recognize local non-profit organizations including the Chinatown Service Center (CSC). By purchasing a shopping pass, you can support the continued community outreach effort of the CSC, while enjoying a day full of discounts, entertainment, and a chance to win a $500 gift card on Saturday, September 20, 2008 at any Macy’s store nationwide. Please purchase $5 Shop for A Saving Passes from May Cheung or at the CSC office or contact Lisa Ma at 202-898-0061 for further information.

Month of Prayer – September 7 – October 4
If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. John 15:7 This week our prayer theme is Mission and Outreach. Let us approach God in boldness and obedience as we consider how to reach lost souls.

Pray for brothers and sisters in Christ:

• Those in need of healing – Tow Moy in the hospital, Lili Fan, Ida Lee, King Lee, Pastor Charles’ family members (mother, brothers, niece, and nephew), and others receiving medical treatments. Pray also for their family members.
• Pray for Chinatown Service Center as they tend to the needs of the community.
• Pray for Greg and Luna as they started off for service in China, that the road will be clearly marked and free of obstacles.
• Pray for the missionaries we support – that their faith be constant and courageous as they win souls for Jesus.
• Pray for those who welcome and assist all the new, incoming students.
• Pray that CCC will commit herself to pray for both local and world missions.
• Pray for the Mandarin ministry and a smooth transition to new leadership.

Pray for needs of the church:

• For the Nominating Committee’s task – that members will pray earnestly about serving God in a leadership position in the church.
• For the resources needed to bring glory to God through the beauty of the church building and the program needs therein.
• For wisdom for Search Committee as they tackle the task of filling the Associate Pastor position. May God lead us to discern his perfect will.
• For the complicated decisions to be made – may God’s spirit of unity and love direct the discussions and outcome.

Pray for individual spiritual growth:

• Lord, in Acts 1:8.you didn’t say, “You shall be my witnesses in Jerusalem, or Judea or Samaria or the remotest parts of the earth” as if I have choice. Nor did you say, “You will be my witnesses first in Jerusalem, then in Judea then Samaria then the remotest parts of the earth” as if I should gradually grow into it. You said, “In Jerusalem, and Judea and Samaria and the remotest parts of the earth.” Help me to see how my life must impact those immediately around me, other people groups and the nations as well. Show me how I can support missionaries.
• Lord, cause me to share my faith with those you bring into my life. Help me to see them as hungry and wanting to hear, not closed or disinterested. And give me insight into what words will cause them to be hungry for more of you. Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. Be wise in the way you act to outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Col 4: 4,5