Dear Friends at 5C:
As the infected number and death rate continue to climb each day, Americans live in a horror that no one would be able to imagine three months ago. In this difficult times, Christians around the world call upon God for His mercy over Coronavirus outbreak. We trust that our God with abundant love for His creatures will shorten the days of suffering for the sake of His people. On Sunday 3/29 we have 59 people worshiping together through Zoom. Though this approach may not be ideal, it does provide an essential support among church family in this special circumstance. Surprisingly our people fall in love with this new technology, I bet that we may continue to make use of Zoom even after all of Coronavirus scare is over.
Sunday message tackles with the issue of theodicy, when people ask about God in midst of fear and panic, believers should be equipped to answer their questions. God sends a strong message through coronavirus outbreak, it is a wake-up call for human race to repent and return to God. I encourage that our members will take this occasion rest in the Lord, enjoy a quality time with your family, and draw close to our Creator through prayers and meditations. As Good Friday is only ten days away, let us prepare our heart to receive God’s grace. During the last two Sundays, we saw some of unexpected visitors, Wesley and Jasmine with their adorable baby, and online visitors- Angel and her niece. Praise the Lord that we can see many happy faces as we are limited in movement by the government order. Please feel free to contact Pastor Chen or the church if we can be any of helps during this challenging times.
Ministry Update:
- Virtual prayer meetings at 7:30pm Monday and Thursday, which are led by Annie Shi-Mu and Anderson respectively.
- Pastor Chen’s virtual office hours, 10:00am-12:00pm every Wednesday and Friday.
- Chinese Sunday school (Annie Shi-Mu) and English Sunday (Rachel Ma)
- Pastor Ray will preach this Sunday 4/5. Look forward to his message!
- We are working to have a virtual communion this Sunday, and will send out instructions later this week.
- We plan to have a virtual Good Friday service (4/10) and Easter service (4/12).
Prayer Requests:
- Pray for Coronavirus outbreak in US and around the world.
- Pray for physical and spiritual well-being of our church members.
- Pray for church leadership handling the transition of on-going ministry.
- Pray for God’s provision for church families affected by the slowing-down of business.
- Pray for God’s protection for people who have to work outside home.
Please stay home and Keep social distance when you are out. May the Lord protect each one of us. Look forward to seeing you virtually on Sunday.
Blessings!
Jinchang
親愛的中岸教會朋友們:
隨著感染人數和死亡率每天不斷地攀升,美國人生活在一片恐怖之中,這在三個月前是沒有人能夠想像和預料到的。在這困難時期,世界各地的基督徒呼求上帝在冠狀病毒的爆發之中施予憐憫。我們相信,上帝對於祂的創造物,充滿愛心,並會因此縮短祂的子民受苦的時間。在上周日3月29日,我們有 59 個人通過 Zoom 一起崇拜。儘管這種方法可能並不理想,但在這種特殊的情況下,確實為教會大家庭提供了必要的支持。令人驚訝的是,我們許多人都非常喜欢這項新的方式,我相信,即使在冠狀病毒的恐慌結束之後,我們仍會繼續使用 Zoom。
星期天的講道涉及神義論的問題,當人們在恐懼和恐慌中,詢問有關上帝的事,信徒應該有預備回答他們的問題。上帝通過冠狀病毒爆發,向人類發出了強烈的信息,這是人類悔改並回歸上帝的警鐘。我鼓勵我們的成員藉此機會在主里安息,與您的家人共度一段美好的時光,並通過祈禱和冥想來親近我們的創造者。距離耶穌受難日只有十天,讓我們為接受上帝的恩典做好準備。在過去的兩個星期天,我們看到了一些意想不到的訪客:陳行軒和羅莉以及他們可愛的嬰兒,以及線上訪客- 楊倞和她的外甥女。讚美主,雖然政府命令限制了行動自由,但是我們還可以看到很多笑容。
如果在此充滿挑戰的時刻,教會能提供任何幫助,請隨時與陳牧師聯繫。
事工更新:
1. 線上禱告會於週一和週四晚間 7 點半舉行,將分別由裴師母和林恩深主持。
2. 陳牧師的在線辦公時間為每週三和週五的 10:00 am-12:00pm。
3. 中文主日學將由裴師母主持,英文主日學為馬若曦。
4. 本週日 4 月 5 日裴牧師將證道,非常期待!
5. 我們希望在耶穌受難日舉行在線聖餐,稍後將向大家通報詳情。
6. 4月10日將舉行耶穌受難日聚會,復活節崇拜將於 4 月 12 日舉行。
禱告需求
1. 為美國及世界各地的新冠肺炎的爆發
2. 為我們教會所有成員的身體及屬靈健康
3. 為教會領袖處理正在进行的事工过渡
4. 為因業務放緩所收影響的家庭祈禱上帝的供應
5. 為那些必須在外工作的人們祈禱上帝的保護
請待在家中,在外與人保持安全距離。願主保佑我們每一個人。
期待週日線上見。
主僕, 陳金昌
2020 年 3 月 31 日