CHURCH

Church On Fire

Priests & S.K.H. Tsang Shiu Tim Secondary School, Wo Che Estate. Ministers: All the people of Rev. Dale Hanson God

Phone: (852) 2694 9928 Fax: (852) 2695 0580 Office address: Flat R, 5/F, Kam Shan Bldg., 7, Road, Tai Wai Correspondence address: P. O. Box 1627, Shatin Central Post Office, Shatin, N. T. Email address: [email protected] Internet home page: http://www.shatinchurch.org.hk

The Fruitful Useful Sunday before Advent 22 nd November 2009 Joyful Life In Jesus

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welcome welcome everyone everyone welcome welcome everyone everyone Welcome Welcome Folder Folder which is downstairs on the Welcome Welcome Folder Folder BULLETIN & SERMON (MP3) AVAILABLE AT www.shatinchurch.org.hk newcomers newcomers today. Please make yoursel the room for parents with young children (Rm 4) is avai ask an usher if you want to know where thes you are invited to share service. the We We We run a

Church Secretary Joyce Lin 2694 9928

1 STC Bulletin 091122 22nd November 2009 Holy Communion

Greeting & Welcome Brent Hauser

Opening Praise Forever Jon Keelty Because of your Love Happy Day The Beauty of the Lord Jesus Shine, Jesus

Confession

Assurance of Forgiveness May Almighty God, who has promised forgiveness to all who turn to him in faith, pardon us and set us free from all our sins, strengthen us to do his will, and keep us in eternal life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Song For this Cause

Greeting of Peace

Reading 2 Corinthians 8:1-21 Pat Hanson

Declaration of Faith I Believe The Apostles’ Creed

Collection of Tithes and Offerings Lord I give you my heart (Communion assistants come forward: Paul F, Esther P, Armilyn L, Susie Y & Lori W )

Offertory Prayer

Thanksgiving Prayer

Disciples’ Prayer

Holy Communion I will wait in silence for you When I survey the wondrous cross

Post Communion Prayer

Blessing

Announcements

Intercessions Clarissa Gafoor

Sermon The Grace of Giving Dale Hanson

Thanksgiving

Dismissal Leader: Go in peace to love and serve the Lord. People: In the name of Christ. Amen.

Reprise

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MINISTRY CENTRE ––– UP UPDATEDATE FOR URGENT PRAYPRAYERER AND ACTION Moving on From Maranatha House

We reported several weeks ago that The Trustees of the Anglican Church in Hong Kong require us to stop using Maranatha House for ministry.

We thank God for all the good things that He has done through Maranatha House and all those who have shared in ministry there.

We invite people who have testimonies of the grace of God they have received through times at Maranatha House to email the church office [email protected] with their testimony so we can put together a book of thanksgiving. 300 words or less would be a good length for your testimony so we can include as many as possible.

We pray that before too long we will begin the purchase of a ministry centre to house the ministries from Maranatha and our current church office. We will use the season of Advent this year (the Sundays before Christmas, beginning on November 29 th ) as a special season of prayer and preparation. This will include a focus on responding to God’s call to achieve the goal of the ministry centre.

Information for prayer and action will be provided throughout the four Sundays of Advent.

SEARCH FOR A NEW PASPASOTROTR Continue to pray for wisdom in the search for a new pastor. So far there has only been one possible application. Pray for the right person to apply for the post. Pray for our committee who meet in the coming week as they consider the situation.

FINANCE UPDATE ––– OCTOCTOBEROBER 2009 We give thanks that from January to September we received HK$1.4 million in gifts and offering from Shatin church members. However we need to take note that this falls approximately HK$100,000 short of our expenditure for this period. We commit this to the prayers and response of everyone alongside the awareness of the increase in giving that we need to provide for our planned future ministry centre.

NOTE: Please do not bring any food, snacks, or drinks (except water) into the Church Hall or any classroom or ont o the school sport playground.

According to the school rules, Food & Drinks are only allowed in the

Covered Area downstairs.

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SPECIAL ARRANGEMENTS IN CHURCH TO MINIMMINIMISEISE FLU TRANSMISSION The flu pandemic is being well managed by Hong Kong and with more information, the recent concerns have eased a little. We have hand gel dispensers at the entrance to the hall, and we encourage you to use them. Masks are also available. Of course if you are feeling unwell, or have flu symptoms, please consider the welfare of those who will sit around you at church. CHILDRENS' HEALTH NOTICE We would ask parents to be extra careful. If your child displays any flu symptoms - we would ask you NOT to send them to Kingdom Kids or any other groups that week.

ALPHA COURSE ––– DAY AAWAYWAY TODAY There will be no Alpha downstairs today, as the Holy Spirit Day Away is taking place today from 10.30 - 4.30. Please pray that the Lord will minister to each of the guests and touch their hearts and open their eyes. Please pray for anointing, empowering and protection for the Alpha Team. Next week, the Alpha Course will take place as usual with lunch downstairs at 12 p.m.

PARENTS WITH YOUNG CCHILDRENHILDREN We are delighted that so many families with young children are part of our worshipping community. During the service we make classroom 4 available for parents and young children under the age of two to use; the service is relayed through loudspeaker and there is at least one person available to help you with the care of your child. We hope this allows a parent to hear what is going on and have some help in caring for their child during the service. This is not as such a “crèche”, as we ask one parent to remain with your child, but we hope it will help us all to benefit as much as possible from our experience of worship at Shatin Anglican Church.

PRAYER & PRAISE MEETMEETINGINGINGING On Friday December 4th we meet at 7.45pm at the Home of Loving Faithfulness to pray together. Travel directions are available from their web site or please contact Dale as there will be some seats available in cars driving out there.

BAPTISM We are planning our next baptism service for Sunday December 27th. If you have been thinking about baptism please contact Dale. [email protected] If you are a disciple of Jesus and have not yet been baptized why wait any longer? 4 STC Bulletin 091122 SERMON ONON----LINELINE We are pleased to say that sermons have now been uploaded to our web site up to and including last weeks visit by Mr. Anil Stephen. http://www.shatinchurch.org.hk/sermons/

CHURCH CAMP PHOTOS The photos of the STC Church Camp 2009 are now ready for view on the church's website. Please download you favourite photos at your own convenience. For those who would like to have the photos on photographic paper, please ask Edwin Cho of the Video Ministry for print arrangements next Sunday.

CHEQUE DONATION M J Kulp (Mary Jo Kulp?), please kindly contact the church office on 2694 9928 or [email protected] as the beneficiary name of your US$ Cheque is not correct. Many thanks for your generous donation.

NEW ROSTER For all volunteer, please kindly pick up the new roster at the back of the hall.

KINGDOM KIDS The programme on Sundays start at 10:00am with Worship in the hall before we go downstairs to G02. The children meet in one large group on the 2nd and 4th Sundays of each month and in Small Groups on the 1st and 3rd Sundays. We need to know the ages of your children for small group allocation and your contact details (for obvious reasons).

Do please pray with us for God's covering on all involved in the children's ministry. We would like the children (and everyone) to enjoy what it means to be truly surrendered to God in every part of themselves and to live the life that God has prepared for them.

If you have any queries, please contact any of the Kingdom Kids leaders, our names are on the back of the bulletin.

In His Majesty's Service The Kingdom Kids Team

REVELATION WARRIORS Revelation Warriors is the Sunday Youth Program for 11-14 year old youths at Shatin Church. It is geared toward preparing youths for full participation in the Church community in worship & service. If you are 11 – 14 years old, come and join the RW’s Sunday group meetings. Every 1 st Sunday of the month we meet the whole morning starting at 10 a.m. The second Sunday, we serve as ushers followed by a group meeting. The third Sunday we join the service, and the fourth Sunday, we have a group meeting. What do we do in RW’s? Praise & Worship…Ice

5 STC Bulletin 091122 breakers…Games…Refreshments…Bible Study…Testimonies…Sharing…Prayer

SOLID ROCK SOLID ROCK FOR YOUTH MEETS EVERY SATURDASATURDAYYYY Solid Rock at Maranatha House . The details are: Hired Buses: Leave Chik Wan Street, Tai Wai near the KCR at 4:00 and 5:00 pm Youth Band, please take the 4 pm bus for practice Return: We will return to Shatin at around 9:00 pm Bring: Money for McDonalds (or whatever) with your friends afterwards (This is up to your parents.) Age Limit: Everyone age 11 to 18 (or still in high school) is welcome Please visit~ http://solidrock.hk

OASIS YOUNG ADULTS MEETING ~ “THURSDAY AT CHURCHURCH”CH”

Oasis is Shatin Anglican Church’s Young Adults’ ministry. All are welcome, we’d love to have your input to make Oasis the best to serve you and help you grow. Call Karl on 9834 8593 or Patrick on 6735 3131 for more information.

PHILIPPINES FELLOWSHIP We are studying the book "The Purpose Driven Life" by Rick Warren. The book is based on God's word helping us to discover the answers to life's most important question; What on earth am I here for? The book will help us to know (through the Spirit) God's purpose for our life, and how all the pieces of our life fit together in God's big picture.

So, please come along to our meeting every Sunday at Maranatha and study together about God's purpose toward our lives. If you have the book with you then please bring it with you too.

Nov 22 Meeting at Maranatha House (with Lee) Nov 29 Meeting at Maranatha House Dec 6 No Meeting (Free Sunday) Dec 13 Christmas Party Dec 20 Meeting at Maranatha House Dec 27 Meeting at Maranatha House

DAYTIME WOMEN’S GROUP MEETS ON THURSDAY MOMORNINGRNING A Daytime Women’s Group meets on Thursday mornings. If you might be interested in joining us, please email Pat Hanson for further details. [email protected] 6 STC Bulletin 091122 LADIES’ FELLOWSHIP LADIES’ BIBLE STUDY GROUP

The *ladies Bible study* meets every Monday at 8:00 pm in the clubhouse at Monte Vista Estate in . (Exit B at station.)

We will be studying Philippians and Colossians-*Experiencing the Joy of Knowing Christ*:

- insights into how you can find purpose for living and motivation for ministry - ideas to find a new level of passion in your relationship with Christ

Peer into the heart of Paul who overcame tremendous challenges and changed the world.

Hope to see you there. Call Janet at 9325 7220 or email [email protected] for more information.

MEN’S FELLOWSHIP MEN’S MONDAY Time 7:55 to 9:30 Place: Monte Vista Estate Clubhouse, THX Theater, 9 Sha On Street, Ma On Shan. Contact Brent Hauser at 9633 1665 or [email protected]

Monday Night Session Schedule Nov 23 Session 8: Making a healthy break with mom Nov 30 Session 9: The all alone wound Dec 7 Session 10: Three Cheers for Mentors – Monte Vista Club House Dec 14 NIGHT OUT: TBD Dec 21 Christmas Break ~ No Meeting Dec 28 Christmas Break ~ No Meeting Jan 4 2010 NIGHT OUT: TBD

SUNDAY THEMES Sunday November 29 th – “Family Service” All Age. Advent Sunday – theme “Looking in the mirror, sermons in a bathroom! James 1 verses 17 to 25

Sunday December 6 th Morning Worship “Hope and Judgement – walking in the light” Isaiah 2 verses 1 to 5

Sunday December 13th Holy Communion “Don’t miss God’s moment of opportunity” Isaiah 7 verses 1 to 15

Sunday December 20 th Morning Worship – CHILDRENS NATIVITY

Friday December 25 th Christmas Day Holy Communion “Turn on the light” Luke 2 verses 1 to 20 7 STC Bulletin 091122

Sunday December 27 th BAPTISMS “Choose this day whom you will serve” Joshua 24 verses 14 to 18

Sunday January 3rd Morning Worship “Taking hold of God’s promises” Deuteronomy 1 verses 1 to 8

OUR GIVING WE SUPPORT --- Please pray for the people and organisations we support with Our Giving: (from October 2009 onwards) 1) Generation Ministries (Asian Children) 2) Clarissa Gafoor (Crossroads) 3) Christian Action (Domestic Helpers Program) 4) Christian Action (Chung King Mansions Service Centre) 5) Youth With A Mission (Sports Services International) 6) Karl & Amy Udy (Campus Crusade for Christ) 7) Shatin International Giving Fund 8) African Enterprise 9) Lifeway Bible Church Inc 10) Dancalan Christian Fellowship 11) Carlos Choi (with St. Stephen’s Society in Cebu) 12) Christian Solidarity Worldwide 13) Carol Schrecker (Romanian Gypsies) 14) Misha Del Favero (Dancalan, Philippines) 15) Entheos – Craig Gibbon

We give away 15% of all offerings to ministries outside of Shatin Church.

PLANNED GIVING f you are attending Shatin Church, we encourage you to join in “Planned Giving” (where you receive a number for I anonymity and can give by bank transfer or monthly envelope). Those who register for planned giving receive tax receipts at the end of the financial year. If you wish to give to the Lord through the Church Planned Giving Scheme, the forms are on the Welcome Table downstairs. For more information please email the Church Treasurer, Kenneth Au on [email protected] or call 9257 1675. Cheques should be written to "Shatin Anglican Church” . Planned Giving is tax deductible. Thank you!

8 STC Bulletin 091122 FROM CARLOS CHOI

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NO PARKING Please note that No Parking is allowed in the school grounds! Thank you!

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11 STC Bulletin 091122 PRAYER FOR THE SUNDASUNDAYY BEFORE ADVENT

God the Father, help us to hear the call of Christ the King and to follow in his service, whose kingdom has no end; for he reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, one glory.

God, our refuge and strength, bring near the day when wars shall cease and poverty and pain shall end, that earth may know the peace of heaven through Jesus Christ our Lord.

We pray for the peace of the world, praying that much good will come out of President Obama’s recent visit to China. Pray too for peace in the Middle East, especially in the light of the proposed Israeli settlements in east Jerusalem.

Pray for Hong Kong, remembering the people most affected by the cold weather, including the sick and the elderly. Pray for Pearl Chan, for complete healing as she has returned to hospital last week. Pray for the healing and life giving ministry of all God’s church, including Shatin Anglican Church: [Luke 4:18] "The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, [Luke 4:19] to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor."

Continue to pray for the future ministry centre; pray for the ministries of “Solid Rock” and the Philippines Fellowship who are most affected by the move from Maranatha House. Pray too for our children’s ministry and all the preparations for the Christmas Nativity.

UNCLASSIFIED Unclassified – these items have been placed by members of Shatin Anglican Church but their inclusion does not mean they are endorsed by Shatin Anglican Church in any way.

LOOKING FOR WORK Hi, this is Misha Del Favero. Some of you already know me, but for those of you who don't know me, I'm 19 years old and currently living in Dancalan, Philippines. I will be coming back to HK for the month of December, and I'm looking for work, preferably a full-time job. I have experience in teaching English, being a receptionist, doing household chores, baby-sitting, and am willing to learn and try anything new. :) I can understand Chinese and also some Tagalog. If you know of any jobs available, please contact me at [email protected] , or contact my family at [email protected] . Thank you very much, and God bless you! Peace be with you always!

12 STC Bulletin 091122 REFRIGERATOR NEEDNEEDEDEDEDED If you have a refrigerator which can be donated, please contact Alicia Nuarin on 9181 1414. Thank you.

MINIREGION SPORTS MIMINISTRYNISTRY CONFERENCE The Christian community is getting ready for the East Asian Games!

Topics: 1. Sports ministry development in Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan 2. New opportunities with International Sports Coalition 3. Sports ministry with East Asian games

Special guests: Andy Lim and Lyn Mackay from International Sports Coalition Date: Thursday, December 3 Time: 10 am – 4 pm Place: YMCA Wu Kai Sha campsite in Ma On Shan, Shatin, Hong Kong After the conference, please stay for free time and sports from 4 to 6 pm! Language: & English

Attendance is free, but please register before November 25, so that we can reserve lunch for you. Registrations by phone: 852-2602 5800 (Miss So) or by email [email protected] .

Organized by International Sports Coalition.

SERMON NOTES [2 Cor 8:1] And now, brothers, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. [2 Cor 8:2] Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. [2 Cor 8:3] For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, [2 Cor 8:4] they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints. [2 Cor 8:5] And they did not do as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us in keeping with God's will. [2 Cor 8:6] So we urged Titus, since he had earlier made a beginning, to bring also to completion this act of grace on your part. [2 Cor 8:7] But just as you excel in everything--in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us --see that you also excel in this grace of giving. [2 Cor 8:8] I am not commanding you, but I want to test the sincerity of your love by comparing it with the earnestness of others. [2 Cor 8:9] For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich. [2 Cor 8:10] And here is my advice about what is best for you in this matter: Last year you were the first not only to give but also to have the desire to do so. [2 Cor 8:11] Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness to do it may be matched by your completion of it, according to your means. [2 Cor 8:12] For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have.

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[2 Cor 8:13] Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality. [2 Cor 8:14] At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need. Then there will be equality, [2 Cor 8:15] as it is written: "He who gathered much did not have too much, and he who gathered little did not have too little." [2 Cor 8:16] I thank God, who put into the heart of Titus the same concern I have for you. [2 Cor 8:17] For Titus not only welcomed our appeal, but he is coming to you with much enthusiasm and on his own initiative. [2 Cor 8:18] And we are sending along with him the brother who is praised by all the churches for his service to the gospel. [2 Cor 8:19] What is more, he was chosen by the churches to accompany us as we carry the offering , which we administer in order to honor the Lord himself and to show our eagerness to help. [2 Cor 8:20] We want to avoid any criticism of the way we administer this liberal gift. [2 Cor 8:21] For we are taking pains to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord but also in the eyes of men. [2 Cor 8:22] In addition, we are sending with them our brother who has often proved to us in many ways that he is zealous, and now even more so because of his great confidence in you.

1 ______is what motivates us not the “carrot” or the “stick”

2 We are never more like Jesus than when we ______

3 ______and giving as natural to the Christian as swimming to a fish!

4 Grace does not mean ______

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