Announcements for September 7, 2008

Month of Prayer – September 7 – October 4 And foreigners who bind themselves to the LORD to serve him, to love the name of the LORD, and to worship him, all who keep the Sabbath without desecrating it and who hold fast to my covenant- these I will bring to my holy mountain and give them joy in my house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and sacrifices will be accepted on my altar; for my house will be called a house of prayer for all nations. Isaiah 56:6,7 Please use the enclosed prayer calendar throughout the month. May CCC become a house of prayer.

New Sunday School year begins today. Children should make switches to their new classrooms at 9:30 am.

Nursery – Room 202 Kindergarten (4s and 5s) – Room B4
Grades 1-2 – Room B3 Grades 3-4 – Room B1
Grades 5-6 – Room B2 Grades 7-9 – Room 303
Grades 10-12 – Room 302 College – Room 301

CONGREGATION MEETING TODAY at 12:45 in the sanctuary. The Official Board would like to hear any additional comments about the Associate Pastor search before it takes action on the Search Committee’s recommendation regarding Rev. Lai Fan Wong’s candidacy.

CONGRATULATIONS to Peter Chen and Lingling Duan who were married yesterday in Pittsburgh. Congratulations also to parents Greg and Luna Chen. We pray God will bless this new couple with abundant joy.

ENGLISH ASSOCIATE PASTOR CANDIDATE Luther Schrum will visit next weekend, September 12-14 as a formal candidate for Associate Pastor. Luther will share with the English Fellowship after the group joins the Cool Church Kids on Friday, 9/12 at 6:30 pm for dinner. All are invited to hear his testimony at a church-wide potluck lunch on Saturday, 9/13 at 12:30 pm and his preaching at the English Service on 9/14.

SMALL GROUP LEADERS RETREAT Bible study and fellowship group leaders are invited to attend a retreat next Saturday, September 13 from 9 am – 11:15 am in the HMH to share resources and ideas about strengthening CCC’s small group ministry. Anyone interested in this ministry is welcome to attend. Contact Mark Tso for details.

OFFICIAL BOARD HIGHLIGHTS At a special meeting of the Board on August 24, 2008 the following was decided:

Exterior renovation – approved change orders to original contract with WEI including window heads over the stained glass, restoring brownstone belt course, adding storm window to front round stained glass window, installing brick above 502 door (where termite damaged wood was removed), repair front steps to townhouse, repair fence, replace scupper and downspouts, add new cornerstone, and cover design costs for change orders and tower addition. Most of the work is to prevent future or further damage to the building or for safety. Cost is estimated to be $130,000.00.

Associate pastor position – Rev. Lai Fan Wong completed her interview weekend August 16 and 17 for consideration as Associate Pastor to serve the Chinese congregations. The Search Committee will make a recommendation to the Board today.

Mandarin Ministry Update (1) Pray for Greg and Luna Chen as they prepare to go overseas to firm up plans for missionary service. Greg and Luna will be back in DC in November. (2) The contact persons for Mandarin ministry are Zhengyu Feng (zhengyufeng@gmail.com) and Pastor Charles (ckcccdc@verizon.net). Please underpin the entire ministry team with prayers (Neh 8:10; Ps 81:8).

CANTONESE FELLOWSHIP ACTIVITIES Cantonese Fellowship will meet next Saturday, September 13 at 11:00 am in Room 303 and then join the church-wide potluck lunch in HMH. A one-day BUS TRIP to New York City on Saturday, September 27 is also 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.

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.

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.

ELDER CARE POSITION A couple in the church needs help in their home 3x per week (4 hours each time). Some English helpful. Call the church office if you can help meet this need.

BE CAREFUL IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD The Asian Liaison Unit of the DC Police Department notes an increase of robberies in our community and suggests following some common sense advice – carry a minimum cash amount, credit cards, IDs; walk in groups; be watchful of your surroundings.

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.

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 – Tow Moy, 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.
• Students returning to school – may God equip them with both intellectual and spiritual wisdom and protect them in their daily environment.
• Pray for Greg and Luna as they prepare 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 thinking about making a faith commitment to Jesus Christ.
• Pray for the Mandarin ministry and a smooth transition under 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 two Associate Pastor positions. 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 the small group ministry in the church – that individuals will be encouraged and strengthened in the Lord by the support of these groups

Pray for individual spiritual growth:

• See God’s glory and be satisfied in it. If there are things or people which satisfy you more than God, give Him permission to take them out of your life, so that nothing replaces Him as your greatest joy and delight. For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen. Romans 11:36.
• “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.” Matthew 4:19 Strive to live a missionary life, even if the location is your own backyard.