‘Article 475 of the Moroccan Penal Code allows for the “kidnapper” of a minor to marry his victim to escape prosecution,’ news reports stated. ‘It has been used to justify a traditional practice of making a rapist marry his victim to preserve the honour of the woman’s family.’
For years, activists in that country have been calling for the cancellation of this particular article. ‘Amina was triply violated,’ said one, ‘by her rapist, by tradition and by the Moroccan law.’
It may be an extreme case, but this girl’s plight highlights the effect traditional practices can have on the pursuit of justice.
Jesus And Justice – a study by the Army’s International Social Justice Commission – looks at three ways Jesus confronted unjust traditional practices and attitudes of his day: by rejecting racism, by dignifying ‘second-class’ citizens and by putting his own reputation at risk.
Racism frequently rears its ugly head in British society, with some football players and fans as well as police officers recently under scrutiny for racist behaviour. In New Testament times, it was Samaritans who were the focus of such attitudes. So, when Jesus encountered a woman of that race by Jacob’s well (see John 4:1–42), both she and he were aware of the cultural rules.
Jesus, however, ignored convention by asking the woman for a drink. She, understandably, was as mystified by this as the disciples were when they returned from town. The end result of the exchange, though, was a woman no longer excluded from society. She was still the talk of the town – but instead of being rejected, her testimony was listened to and acted upon.
To consider: The disciples didn’t always get where Jesus was coming from. Would the Samaritan woman have been as open and honest with Jesus if his disciples had been present from the start?
Samaritans were again centre stage when Jesus told the story of the man attacked en route from Jerusalem to Jericho. In the parable of the good Samaritan (Luke 10:25–37) a member of an ‘inferior’ caste was lauded for his superior behaviour.
In a society where religious leaders were part of the upper classes and Samaritans were second-class citizens, Jesus turned the status quo upside down and reminded his listeners that God loves more than one ethnic group. He chooses all to follow him. As Jesus And Justice puts it: ‘Jesus was a cultural disrupter.’
To consider: What cultural restraints made the priest and the Levite in the parable of the good Samaritan walk on by? What, in Salvation Army culture, might cause us to fail to act on behalf of others?
And so we come to the issue of reputation. While we might not be surprised that Jesus spoke out about racism and the class system, what about the thought of him spending time with certain other ‘undesirables’ such as tax collectors and prostitutes? (See Matthew 9:9–13 and Luke 7:36–50.)
Tax officials in those days were often extortionists, collecting money in order to line their own pockets and those of the Roman occupying power. Prostitution was forbidden, with the stoning of guilty parties condoned. As far as the religious leaders were concerned, by associating with such members of society, Jesus had crossed the line of cultural decency.
His reputation seemingly was in tatters, but more important to him was the change in the lives of the ‘undesirables’ with whom he mixed. Matthew left his tax booth to follow Jesus; the woman who poured ointment on his feet was praised for her actions and her sins were forgiven.
To consider: Who are social pariahs today? Unethical bankers? Corrupt police? Those who incite riots? What would it mean for Salvationists to be ‘cultural disrupters’ in 2012?
When it came to challenging discriminating cultural practices, Jesus ‘lived right and righted wrongs’, says Jesus And Justice. Whatever kind of cultural injustice we confront – racism, class intolerance, reputation or, as in Amina Filali’s case, preservation of ‘honour’ – God calls us to do the same.
• Major Ruthven is Editor-in-Chief and Publishing Secretary, THQ
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
Challenging culture
Sunday, June 10, 2012
Prayer Request
2. Pray for our Corps Banana Leaf Ministries
3. Pray for Corps Family: Steven, Casey, Allison Foo
4. Pray for Corps Family: John, Shirley, Cheryl, Robin and Michele Lee
Announcements
Brother Norman (former Penang Corps Band Master) will be visiting Penang for a holiday for 3 days. He will be staying at City Bayview Hotel.
2. Cell Group
Date: 15/06/12 (Fri) Time: 8:15pm Venue: Community Hall
Please come and join us.
3. Banana Leaf Ministry
Date: 16/06/12 (Sat) Time: 11:00am Venue: Community Hall
Outreach programme to the Indian & needy community. Volunteers needed, please pray for this ministry.
4. Youth Fellowship
Date: 17/06/12 (Sun) Time: 7:30pm Venue: Corps Worship Hall
Worship Leader: Jihhan Bible Message: William Games: Joseph. All youth please take note.
5. Faith & Order Standing Commission
Date: 17/06/12 (Sun) Time: 8:00pm Venue: Tanjung Bunga
40 representative of Christian Leaders from World Wide will be coming to Penang for a week conference. A fund raising dinner organized by CCM Penang at RM1000.00 per table or RM100.oo per person. All Corps Council members are invited to join.
6. SAFE Fellowship 2012
Date: 14/07/12 (Sat) Time: 7:00pm Venue: Community Hall
Guest Speaker: Dr Goh Eng Leong (Cardiologist & Physician) & Lieut. Colonel Bob Lee (Chief Secretary). Please contact Mrs Tan for pot bless dinner.
7. Corps Sport and Outing
Date: 21/07/12 (Sat) Time: 3:00pm Venue: Penang Bowl
Event: Bowling. Please contact Sis Jasinta for more information.
Thursday, May 31, 2012
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
Sunday, May 27, 2012
Prayer Request
2. Pray for our Corps Ministries
3. Pray for Corps Family: Bro. Ang Chye Thiam and family
4. Pray for Corps Family: Bro Francis, Sis Maggie, Fernando Elias
Announcements
During school holidays, the youth ministry will also take a break for 3 Sunday. Youth please take note.
2. Cell Group
There won't be any cell group this coming Friday. You are encourage attend the Malaysia Family Camp held at YMCA, Penang.
3. Malaysia Family Camp
Date: 31/05 - 03/06/12 Venue: YMCA Camp Fees: RM230 Day Camp: RM110
Those who did not signed up, you are welcome to join the camp (without meals). Those who join the camp, please park your vehicle at Corps.
4. Sunday Worship Service
Date: 03/06/12 Venue: YMCA Time: 10:30am
Please take note that sunday service on this date will be held at YMCA, Penang. Please do join us.
5. Senior Citizen Breakfast
Date: 09/06/12 (Sat) Time: 8:00am Venue: Lorong Selamat
All seniors please take enote
6. Banana Leaf Ministry
Date: 16/06/12 (Sat) Time: 11:00am Venue: Community Hall
Volunteers needed, please pray for this ministry.
7. Faith & Order Standing Commission
Date: 17/06/12 (Sun) Time: 8:00pm Venue: Tanjung Bunga
40 representative of Christian Leaders from World Wide will be coming to Penang for a week conference. A fund raising dinner organized by CCM Penang at RM1000.00 per table or RM100.oo per person.
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
The exclusion zone
Some exclusion zones are necessary. Sometimes, though, we exclude others in an attempt to increase our own self-worth, or to make ourselves feel safer or more powerful. But this was not the way of Jesus.
Jesus And Justice – a study by the Army’s International Social Justice Commission – identifies a number of ways that Jesus ‘lived right and righted wrongs’. Here, we look at three of them.
First, Jesus showed compassion towards social outsiders. This is demonstrated in his interaction with lepers (see Matthew 8:1–3; Mark 1:40–44; Luke 17:11–19). Such people were segregated through no fault of their own, yet Jesus – understanding what life was like for them – chose to enter the exclusion zone others had placed around them.
Today, social exclusion can be based on a number of factors. These include health, educational ability, looks, sexual preference or economic status. ‘Social judgment parades with many faces,’ says Jesus And Justice. ‘The disfigured, the physically disabled, the mentally handicapped and even kids bullied in school playgrounds can be victims of injustice, without being guilty of anything but being themselves.’
To consider: Think of a time when you felt excluded from a situation. How did you feel about it? What about a time when you did the excluding – why did you do it and how did it make you feel?
Secondly, Jesus protested gender inequality. While females may not have been stigmatised to the extent that lepers were in his day, they were still considered second-class citizens.
Yet Jesus stood up for women and – more to the point – included them in his life. In Luke 10:38–42 we see him giving Mary and Martha his time and attention, relaxing in their home and holding candid conversations with them, and in Matthew 9:18–26 we see how he restored the life of a synagogue leader’s daughter and healed an older woman. No discrimination against the girl-child here and no concern for his own ritual purity when dealing with the stigma of a woman who had suffered bleeding for 12 years.
Then, in John 20:11–18, we see Jesus revealing the amazing fact of his resurrection to a woman – this in a culture that didn’t accept the testimony of females in a court of law. What was Jesus thinking by taking what some would see as a huge risk? He was righting a wrong.
While the place of women has improved in some societies, in others female babies are still abandoned or even killed because families prefer males. Elsewhere, girls are forced into marriage and childbearing at an early age. In some Christian churches women are still unable to take their place alongside men in ministry and even in the Army we don’t always get the gender balance right – especially in our boardrooms and executive councils.
To consider: What can we do to right wrongs for the women and girls we encounter?
Thirdly, Jesus embraced the excluded. One of the ways he did this was by his attitude towards children. In his day, children were kept in their place. ‘Beyond participation in their families,’ says Jesus And Justice, ‘children were socially insignificant. They were cultural nobodies. Their voices didn’t count.’
Jesus, however, was child-friendly (see Luke 18:15–17; Matthew 18:1–7). He urged his followers to protect children, to listen to what they had to say and to learn from them. The importance a culture places on schooling, healthy lifestyles and child protection issues is an indication of how it values these vulnerable members of society.
To consider: Do children truly have a voice in our homes, communities and churches? Or do we listen without really hearing?
Whether it was by interacting with outcasts, speaking out against inequality or highlighting the importance of young people, Jesus ignored social exclusion zones. He lived right and made life right with others. Our challenge is to follow his example.
• Major Ruthven is Editor-in-Chief and Publishing Secretary, THQ
Sunday, May 20, 2012
Prayer Request
2. Pray for our Corps Ministries
3. Pray for Corps Family: Chin Kheng, Ewe Kheng, Cindy, Eng Soon and Eng Heng
4. Pray for Corps Family: Sunny, Rachel, Elizabeth, Susan and John.
Announcements
We want to thank Major Ruth Pascoe for her ministries during her few days here in Penang.
2. Youth Practice & BBQ
Date: 20/05/12 (Sun); Time: 6.00pm; Venue: Corps Compound
Youth please take note.
3. Prayer Ministry
Date: 25/05/12 Time:8:00pm Venue: Corps Community Hall
Please join us and send your prayer request and we will pray for you.
4. Malaysia Family Camp
Date: 31/05 - 03/06/12 Venue: YMCA Camp Fees: RM230 Day Camp: RM110 Closing Date: 30 April 2012
Those who did not signed up, you are welcome to join the camp (without meals). Those who join the camp, please park your vehicle at Corps.
5. Senior Citizen Breakfast
Date: 09/06/12 (Sat) Time: 8:00am Venue: Lorong Selamat
All seniors please take enote
6. Banana Leaf Ministry
Date: 16/06/12 (Sat) Time: 11:00am Venue: Community Hall
Volunteers needed, please pray for this ministry.
7. Faith & Order Standing Commission
Date: 17/06/12 (Sun) Time: 8:00pm Venue: Tanjung Bunga
40 representative of Christian Leaders from World Wide will be coming to Penang for a week conference. A fund raising dinner organized by CCM Penang at RM1000.00 per table or RM100.oo per person.
Friday, May 18, 2012
Thursday, May 17, 2012
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Sunday, May 13, 2012
Prayer Request
2. Pray for Parent’s Day Celebration 19th May 2012.
3. Pray for CCM Combined Ascension Service.
4. Pray for Sister Rachel speedy recovery.
Announcements
Date: 13/05/12 (Sun) Time: 12:30pm Venue: Worship Hall
All committee please take note.
2. Youth Practice for Family Camp
Date: 13/05/12 (Sun); Time: 7.30pm; Venue: Community Hall.
Youth please take note.
3. Cell Group Meeting
There won't be any Cell Group meeting this week, please take note.
4. CCM Combined Ascension Meeting
Date: 17/05/12 (Thurs) Time: 8:00pm Venue: TSA Worship Hall
Our corps is the hosting Church, please come and support. Major Ruth Pascoe is the invited speaker for that day.
5. Parents Day Celebration
Date: 19/05/12 (Sat) Time: 7:00pm Venue: Community Hall
Cooking competition, all brothers, sisters and youth are welcome to take part.
Please contact Mrs Tan.
6. Malaysia Family Camp
Date: 31/05 - 03/06/12 Venue: YMCA Camp Fees: RM230 Day Camp: RM110 Closing Date: 30 April 2012
Those who did not signed up, you are welcome to join the camp (without meals). Those who join the camp, please park your vehicle at Corps.
7. Senior Citizen Breakfast
Date: 09/06/12 (Sat) Time: 8:00am Venue: Lorong Selamat
All seniors please take enote
8. Banana Leaf Ministry
Date: 16/06/12 (Sat) Time: 11:00am Venue: Community Hall
Volunteers needed, please pray for this ministry.
9. Faith & Order Standing Commission
Date: 17/06/12 (Sun) Time: 8:00pm Venue: Tanjung Bunga
40 representative of Christian Leaders from World Wide will be coming to Penang for a week conference. A fund raising dinner organized by CCM Penang at RM1000.00 per table or RM100.oo per person.
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
The undefeated
MANY people consider the eighth chapter of Romans as the pinnacle of the Bible. John Stott calls it ‘the best-known, best-loved chapter in the Bible’. (If you read only one Bible commentary, make it John Stott’s on Romans. Romans is Paul’s Mona Lisa, or Fifth Symphony or the drop kick that won the Rugby World Cup.)
As we conclude this series about being ‘chosen’, what can be written about Romans 8:31–37? Read these verses and be encouraged. Does the Bible ever exaggerate God’s goodness to us? No, it doesn’t!
Did you notice the verse about being chosen? ‘Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen?’ (v33, all quotations from New International Version).
This is something the Roman Christians needed to hear, just as we do. We should not picture the Roman Church as it is now, but as Romans 16 suggests: a gathering of a few households coming together in worship. As a group of God’s chosen people, they were at the end of their tether. They were being squeezed on all sides. So Paul verbalised the questions that must have been on their minds: ‘How do we respond? Who is the enemy? Where is God in this? What will the outcome be? Is there anything we can do?’
These questions find their answer in four words in verse 37 – ‘in all these things’. Regarding condemnation, it is safe to be dogmatic on this point; there is no condemnation, no separation from Jesus. We don’t have to live a life under condemnation. There is a cross, there is a saviour and there is salvation.
Condemnation is the stuff that burns itself onto the ‘hard drive’ of our minds. We condemn ourselves too easily. It is the volume of voices, reminding us of past failures and mistakes, trying to convince us that nothing we do will be good enough. However, whatever we confess, God will cover. Don’t take on yourself the condemnation that God has already put on Jesus. God corrects, but he does not condemn.
The danger of these verses is that we can be tempted to take them out of context. There are people who love to use this ‘no condemnation’ clause to excuse lifestyle behaviour: ‘There is “no condemnation”, so I can do what I like!’
No, we can’t! No charges can be brought against us if we are living according to the plan of God. The only way to escape punishment is to be ‘in Christ’.
There’s a lot of groaning in this chapter. You can almost hear it as you read the text. Creation groans (v22), humankind groans as we wait for what is to come (v23), the Holy Spirit groans on our behalf (v26). We hardly need reminding that we live in a fallen, broken world.
I am not trying to be oversimplistic or dismissive of individual circumstances, but I do believe God uses everything in our lives to bring about his purpose and victory. Without doubt, some of us are in the middle of big situations. And if we are not now, we have been or will be. The list is endless – the pain of relationships that have gone wrong; emotions that continually steal our peace; bitterness, worry, anxiety, which in themselves can be powerful enemies.
I don’t know what you are going through or how much it hurts, but the remedy is always praise because God inhabits the praises of his people. It’s time, then, to loosen your vocal chords and sing out the songs that will encourage you until victory comes. How about this one for starters? ‘In Christ alone my hope is found…’
We are not just conquerors; we are more than conquerors (v37). God does not promise that suffering won’t come, but that it won’t defeat us. This is not a ‘photo finish’ or victory from an offside goal, but a victory that is overwhelming. God does not call us to partial victory, because full victory will always be ours in Christ. In him there can be only decisive victories in your life and circumstances. We are more than conquerors! Christ plus one is always a majority. Do you believe this?
For the chosen of God, it is time to receive the victory that is ours in Christ. We will be undefeated, because ‘in all things’ God will have the last word.
• Major Herbert is Territorial Candidates Director
Monday, May 7, 2012
Prayer Request
2. Pray for Parent’s Day Celebration 19th May 2012.
3. Pray for Corps Family: Choon Eng, Jenny, Chris & Sheila, Scott & Chui Peeng Ooi.
4. Pray for Corps Family: Dave, Lilly & Daniel Clarke.
Announcements
Date: 06/05/12 (Sun) Time: 7:30pm Venue: Worship Hall
Worship: JiHan; Bible Message: Joseph Hue; Games: Capt Tan & William
Youth please take note.
2. CCM HQ General Secretary visit, Rev. Dr. Hermen Shastri
Date: 09/05/12 (Wed); Time: 7.30pm; Venue: Worship Hall.
CCM Penang Region have arranged for him to update us on the various developments in our country, particularly those that directly affects the Christian community
3. Prayer Ministry
Date: 11/05/12 (Fri) Time: 8:00pm Venue: Worship Hall
Please come and join us.
4. CCM Combined Ascension Meeting
Date: 17/05/12 (Thurs) Time: 8:00pm Venue: TSA Worship Hall
Our corps is the hosting Church, please come and support. Colonel Gillian Downer is the invited speaker for that day.
5. Dialog with Colonel
Date: 18/05/12 (Fri) Time: 8:30pm Venue: Corps Worship Hall
Colonel Gillian Downer would like to meet only Corps Council members to have a dialog session.
6. Parents Day Celebration
Date: 19/05/12 Time: 7:00pm Venue: Community Hall
Cooking competition, all brothers, sisters and youth are welcome to take part.
7. Malaysia Family Camp
Date: 31/05 - 03/06/12 Venue: YMCA Camp Fees: RM230 Day Camp: RM110 Closing Date: 30 April 2012
Being the host Corps, all brothers and sisters are encourage to join and also being a volunteer in helping in this Malaysia Family Camp.
Thursday, May 3, 2012
The unexpected chosen
As people crammed into St Paul’s Cathedral in January 2012 to celebrate John Stott’s life, time and again they heard about a humble Christian gentleman whose life was spent in encouraging people to develop the skill of ‘double listening’ – listening to the word of God and to the world in which they live. Stott has been described as ‘the most influential Anglican of the 20th century’.
Steve Jobs was the co-founder of Apple. President Barack Obama said of him: ‘The world has lost a visionary. He was bold enough to believe he could change the world, and talented enough to do it.’
‘World changers’ come in all sorts of unexpected ways. It is time to turn on your iPad or iTouch, or simply open your Bible to John 1:29–34, where we read about another person who forever changed the world in which he lived – and in which we live too – because he came as the unexpected Messiah.
We know this passage well. It is the pivotal moment in John the Baptist’s ministry, when he points people towards Jesus. I often wonder who John was speaking to. John’s Gospel helpfully defines time frames for us as ‘the next day’ (v29 all quotations from New International Version), but in this instance no group is identified as the hearers.
My sense is that, for now, anyone who reads this passage about Jesus is John’s audience. This is good news. The Messiah is no longer hidden – Jesus is on earth. When John the Baptist addressed Jesus as the ‘Lamb of God’, he was revealing at the beginning of the Gospel how it would all end.
The basis of John’s conviction came out of his own testimony: ‘I have seen and I testify’ (v34). The conclusion for John was that he was persuaded that Jesus was ‘God’s Chosen One’.
What did being ‘chosen’ mean for Jesus?
It meant a unique purpose (v29). Only God can deal with our sins! As the old gospel song reminds us, ‘What can wash away my sin? Nothing but the blood of Jesus’ (SASB 306). Our purpose is not to be the Saviour of the world, but to serve him. Make sure you know what God has called you to do, and then – like Jesus – surround yourself with a few people who believe in you and your calling.
It meant an empowering from the Holy Spirit (v32). God uses people to their limits, and these are pushed back through the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. This is the promise of God. I’ve met too many people who would win a gold medal as part of the Olympic excuse-making team. They look for reasons why things won’t happen, rather than trusting God for what can. What I do know is, we can’t change the world by watching television repeats!
It meant that Jesus was building upon what had already been (v33). John was known as the forerunner to Christ; he had prepared the way for the arrival of Jesus. The progression is clear: what started with a water baptism was now a spiritual one. I believe it is vital that we have a clear grasp of history, because it gives us a huge database to work from. The Salvation Army is full of people who care passionately about its future, while at the same time understanding where we have journeyed from as a Movement.
It meant that people would know who Jesus was and who he belonged to (v34). The Gospel writers graphically detail what this meant for Jesus. It is probably time to invent some new words to portray him, because they have all been used before.
As we think about ourselves, I’ll use an old word to describe us. We too are ‘chosen’. There may have been times in our lives when we knew that, at best, we were second choice. That’s not so in God’s Kingdom! We are all his first choice.
The challenge is to ensure that, as his choice, we know what our calling is and that we serve in a way that draws others to Jesus.
• Major Herbert is Territorial Candidates Director
Sunday, April 29, 2012
Prayer Request
2. Pray for Parent's Day Celebration @ 19 May 2012
3. Pray for Corps family: Freddy, Alice, Allyn and Daniel Cheong
4. Pray for Corps family: Kim Aun, Jasinta, Jonathan, Joshua Lim
Announcements
Date: 29/04/12 (Sun) Time: 7:30pm Venue: Worship Hall
Worship: William; Preaching: Soon Bee; Bible Reading: Brandon; Offering: Wei Jian.
Youth please take note.
2. Cell Group
Date: 04/05/12 (Fri) Time: 8:00pm Venue: Officer Quarters
Please come and join us.
3. SAFE Committee Meeting
Date: 06/05/12 (Sun) Time: 12:30pm Venue: Worship Hall
All committee member please take note.
4. CCM Combined Ascension Meeting
Date: 17/05/12 (Thurs) Time: 8:00pm Venue: TSA Worship Hall
Our corps is the hosting Church, please come and support. Colonel Gillian Downer is the invited speaker for that day.
5. Dialog with Colonel
Date: 18/05/12 (Fri) Time: 8:30pm Venue: Corps Worship Hall
Colonel Gillian Downer would like to meet only Corps Council members to have a dialog session.
6. Parents Day Celebration
Date: 19/05/12 Time: 7:00pm Venue: Community Hall
Cooking competition, all brothers, sisters and youth are welcome to take part.
7. Malaysia Family Camp
Date: 31/05 - 03/06/12 Venue: YMCA Camp Fees: RM230 Day Camp: RM110 Closing Date: 30 April 2012
Being the host Corps, all brothers and sisters are encourage to join and also being a volunteer in helping in this Malaysia Family Camp.
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
The unknown faithful
Amazement changes to apathy when I am bombarded with celebrity gossip. I have little interest in my own sense of fashion, so why do I need to know what famous people are wearing?
Apathy turns to awe when I turn to Scripture and carefully read its pages. It is so obvious that in my rush to get to the ‘good bits’ I miss the fact that the Bible story is full of people we know nothing about, yet who had a huge impact by working out their destiny under God – the unknown but faithful of God.
For example, look at Exodus 31:1–5. Who on earth – or in the Bible – is Bezalel? And how do we pronounce his name?
Almost a third of the Book of Exodus is dedicated to details about how the Tabernacle – Israel’s wilderness sanctuary – should be built. In particular, chapters 25 to 31 give the blueprint for the finer details. It is Bezalel who is given the responsibility of overseeing this work. He was the ‘Bob the builder’ of his day.
Bezalel means ‘in the shadow of God’, and he was God’s special choice for a particular purpose. His name is mentioned again only in the parallel chapter of Exodus 35. On this basis, it is possible to read the Bible yet never really notice anything about Bezalel; yet, in truth, without his work the Tabernacle would have been a plain, uncomfortable, easily forgotten building.
A closer look at these verses will bring a clearer perspective on our own life.
This is not a random story. God says: ‘See I have chosen’ (Exodus 31:2 all quotations from New International Version). Everything starts with God. When we see what God sees, feel what he feels and do what he says, we gain a sense of our own ‘chosen-ness’. It is time once again to pick up our calling from God and run with it. It is time to fight, to fight for something that is higher, something that is important.
Our lives are too valuable, our calling too great, our God too good, for us to waste. God uses ordinary people by giving them an extraordinary calling.
God says: ‘I have filled him with the Spirit of God’ (31:3). I like the way the early Old Testament Scriptures, without question, credit God with the giving of all good gifts, skills and talents. It is God who made Bezalel a great craftsman. There is a huge amount of information in these chapters about the building project, but there comes a point when we need to work out the revelation from God and not just the information, as this takes us to another level.
Alongside the calling and the revelation come the gifts (31:3). Bezalel is given wisdom to grasp what is needed, understanding of the steps to take and the practical skills to ensure the task is completed. We have God’s provision to do all that he has called us to do. When the people of God use the gifts of God, the world will be changed.
The ministry of Bezalel reminds me that the Church is not about superstars. The Salvation Army is full of people who care, act and serve like Bezalel – who faithfully, without seeking the spotlight, serve God in their corps. It may be through the welcome given to visitors, the stacking of chairs at the end of the meeting, offering a meal to a homeless person or the mentoring of a young person as they develop in their faith. It is the miracle of God working through his people.
So then, God is not calling us to take up space on this earth to make a name for ourselves. We are called to change the world where we live.
What is your legacy for the future?
Why not compose a phrase, of not more than eight words, of what you want your epitaph to be? You may not ever make the headlines, but you can help to shape eternity.
• Major Herbert is Territorial Candidates Director
Sunday, April 22, 2012
Prayer Request
2. Pray for Corps family: Benjamin, William, Joseph, James, Eng Chai & Wei Jian for their coming SPM and PMR examination.
3. Pray for Corps family: Tian Seng, Ah Seong, Ah Peng & Lenny
4. Pray for Corps family: Davi & Keisha
Announcements
Thank you for those who joined in the walkathon and also raised fund for the project.
Official amount raise will be announce at the soonest.
2. Youth Special
Date: 22/04/12 (Sun) Time: 7:30pm Venue: Community Hall
Youth please take note.
3. Corps Council & Pastoral Care Council Meeting
Date: 22/04/12 (Sun) Time: 12:30pm Venue: Worship Hall
4. Prayer Meeting
Date: 25/04/2012 (Fri) Time: 8:00pm Venue: Community Hall
All brothers and sisters are welcome to join and submit prayer request.
5. CCM Combined Ascension Meeting
Date: 17/05/12 (Thurs) Time: 8:00pm Venue: TSA Worship Hall
Our corps is the hosting Church, please come and support. Colonel Gillian Downer is the invited speaker for that day.
6. Dialog with Colonel
Date: 18/05/12 (Fri) Time: 8:30pm Venue: Corps Worship Hall
Colonel Gillian Downer would like to meet only Corps Council members to have a dialog session.
7. Parents Day Celebration
Date: 19/05/12 Time: 7:00pm Venue: Community Hall
Cooking competition, all brothers, sisters and youth are welcome to take part.
8. Malaysia Family Camp
Date: 31/05 - 03/06/12 Venue: YMCA Camp Fees: RM230 Day Camp: RM110 Closing Date: 30 April 2012
Being the host Corps, all brothers and sisters are encourage to join and also being a volunteer in helping in this Malaysia Family Camp.
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
Dawn, on the first day of the week
They walk slowly, carrying the jars of spice with which they would anoint the body of their Lord, determined to complete the last office to the dead, which had been interrupted by the approach of the Sabbath.
This symbol of kindness would be their last act of loving devotion for the Master – the one they had believed to be the hope of Israel; but that was over now and all that remained was the slow, tortuous journey towards the garden where hope and love lay buried in the tomb.
They walked in silence, but even if their voices did not form the words, they still echoed in their minds refusing to be silenced: ‘What if we cannot move the stone? What if the guards bar our way or arrest us? What if, even now in Jerusalem’s early morning, the Temple police are rounding up the other disciples? What if some people came during the night and took away his body?’
So many unthinkable ‘what ifs’!
We can understand how they felt, can’t we? We all face questioning moments in our lives. In relation to health: What if the condition I have is more serious than I first thought? What if I lose my physical independence? In relation to employment: What if I lose my job? How will I manage? What if my savings don’t stretch to meet the bills? In respect of relationships: What about the future? What if I’m left alone? How will I face life then? How will I cope with the loneliness and isolation? Questions about ultimate realities: What if this life is all there is? Is death the final farewell to all I have known and loved?
Most alarming of all in the context of the Easter drama, we are compelled to face this question in relation to the life of Christ and ask as the apostle Paul did: ‘What if Christ has not been raised from death?’ (see 1 Corinthians 15:14). If that were the case then what a catalogue of despair follows as a consequence! Paul speaks for us all when he says, if Christ has not been raised from death –
• our preaching has no purpose (1 Corinthians 15:14)
• our witness is false (v15)
• our faith is futile and we are still in our sins (v17)
• our hope of eternal life is lost (v18).
Is it any wonder that, contemplating such a dreadful possibility, Paul says in verse 19: ‘If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied’ (New International Version)? What a world this would be if the presence of the living Christ were not a reality!
However, Paul doesn’t end his message there and neither can we. Though we are faced with a world that often rejects Christ and the values of his Kingdom and though we are often confronted with the doubts and uncertainties and ‘what ifs’ of a creation that awaits liberation from its bondage to decay (Romans 8:21), nevertheless we do not lose heart, for crashing down upon the granite cliffs of doubt and fear come the mighty waves of faith that declare ‘but now Christ!’
Over every fearful ‘what if’ is written large in letters of gold: ‘But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead’ (1 Corinthians 15:20). Across the centuries of sin and despair, this great shout of victory still rings out: ‘The Lord is risen indeed!’
The absolute certainty of the Resurrection and the presence of the living Saviour in their lives, have been the inspiration and hope for men and women throughout the centuries. In view of this, Paul says that we can stand firm, undisturbed, faithful in giving ourselves to the Lord, because over every ‘what if’ of life – the fears we face, our sin, our failure, our weakness, even the fear of death itself – we can confidently write: ‘But now, Christ is risen.’ Hallelujah!
Because he lives I can face tomorrow,
Because he lives all fear is gone;
Because I know he holds the future,
And life is worth the living just because he lives.
(William Gaither, Happiness And Harmony 7)
• Colonel Hinton is Chief Secretary, THQ
Sunday, April 15, 2012
Prayer Request
2. Pray for Corps family: Benjamin, William, Joseph, James, Eng Chai & Wei Jian for their coming SPM and PMR examination.
3. Pray for Corps family: Tong Sing, Iris, Yoke Peng, Tong Meng
4. Pray for Corps family: Soon Bee & Wei Lin
Announcements
Date: 15/04/12. Time: 7:30pm Venue: Community Hall
Youth please take note.
2. Officer's Business Consultation Meeting
Date: 16-19/04/12 Venue: Kuching, Sarawak. Please pray for our officers and take note that Officers will be away at this time.
3. Cell groups
Date: 20/04/2012 (Sat) Time: 8:00pm Venue: Bro Tan home.
All brothers and sisters are welcome to join.
4. Helping Hand Project
Date: 21/04/2012 (Sat) Time: 08:00am Venue: Youth Park
Our corps target to raise RM2000 for Education Programme for Day Care & Tuition of Children in Myammar.
5. CCM Combined Ascension Meeting
Date: 17/05/12 Time: 8:00pm Venue: TSA Worship Hall
Our corps is the hosting Church, please come and support. Colonel Gillian Downer is the invited speaker for that day.
6. Parents Day Celebration
Date: 19/05/12 Time: 7:00pm Venue: Community Hall
Cooking competition, all brothers, sisters and youth are welcome to take part.
7. Malaysia Family Camp
Date: 31/05 - 03/06/12 Venue: YMCA Camp Fees: RM230 Day Camp: RM110
Being the host Corps, all brothers and sisters are encourage to join and also being a volunteer in helping in this Malaysia Family Camp.
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
God’s purpose affirmed
LAST week we began a journey towards a holy place, using the one Jesus made to Jerusalem as our guide. This week we move on to read the rest of Luke chapter 19 and see the purpose of Jesus affirmed through teaching, testing and tears.
It might be helpful to use this study as a base to ponder on our own sense of God’s purpose for our lives.
PURPOSE AFFIRMED
In outlining his purpose throughout the journey Jesus took with his disciples, there were teaching, testing and tears.
Jesus taught about his Kingdom by declaration and demonstration. He warned of the consequences of ignoring God’s ways and introduced the truth that God’s purposes can turn human ideas upside down.
Jesus also spoke directly to the disciples about his death: ‘We are going up to Jerusalem, and everything that is written by the prophets about the Son of Man will be fulfilled. He will be handed over to the Gentiles. They will mock him, insult him and spit on him; they will flog him and kill him. On the third day he will rise again’ (Luke 18:31–33 all quotations New International Version).
Luke’s writing is clever. Where the disciples did not understand what Jesus was saying, Luke immediately records Jesus bringing sight to a blind beggar.
His Kingdom again challenges the norm. When people tried to silence the outcast, the beggar and the disabled, Jesus gave them dignity, honour and healing.
But even as Jesus was seemingly enjoying his moment of glory, trouble was brewing. Often there are times of testing, particularly when we are working out God’s purpose.
An 18-year-old man in our corps received a vision to begin a music school in Ghana. He began collecting musical instruments to ship over, and planned to go there last summer with his family to commence the work. Every room in his home was filled with donated clarinets, trumpets, cellos and drums! But the success of the project meant that costs began to rise. This resulted in his family sometimes eating less than a meal a day, over some months, in order to raise enough money. The vision was really tested.
Now – months after its launch – many children in Ghana have a new purpose, passion and proficiency because one young man and his family chose to persevere through the time of testing.
Luke 19:41 captures the triumphal entry, ending in tears. The preceding verses show the pain that burdened Jesus, as people misrepresented him. Some say that when Jesus wept over Jerusalem, he was prophesying the fall of the Temple. As he entered it, he shouted out in indignation: ‘It is written... “My house will be a house of prayer”; but you have made it “a den of robbers”.’
As we come close to God’s purposes, the things that touch his heart will touch ours and stir our emotions too.
This Easter, allow God to touch you deeply about the things of this world that disturb his heart. Be prepared to face the challenges ahead in order that his victory may be known.
FOR REFLECTION
• As we journey into Holy Week, consider when we hail Jesus as King through our worship. Do we go on to hail him as King through the way we represent him to the world?
• Do we recognise the way God has prepared a place in history for us today? Are we going to waste the days he has prepared for us by ignoring his purposes for this age?
• Do we represent Jesus by reaching out to the marginalised or do we keep ourselves with the crowd, waving banners, before going back to our comfortable lives and following the ways of the world?
• What teaching have you received that is going to help you know Jesus more passionately this Easter?
• What testing are you going through that may help reveal more of God’s purpose for you?
• What is Jesus ‘shouting’ to you this week? Is your temple (your body) a house of prayer, or does it resemble more the den of robbers, where God has given so much and you are not using it to his glory?
Today, cry out ‘Hosanna!’ – knowing that it means ‘He saves!’ Journey well!
• Captain Smith is corps officer at Southwark
Sunday, April 8, 2012
Prayer Request
2. Pray for Corps family: Ang Chye Thiam and Family
3. Pray for Corps family: Mrs Chin & Kok Keong
4. Pray for Corps family: Blessy, Yen Wong, Ah Hoe & Sam Ooi
Announcements
Date: 11/04/12 (Wed). Time: 8:00am Venue: Jubilee Hall (Badminton)
Please contact Sis Jasinta for more information.
1.1. Prayer Meeting
Date: 13/04/12 (Fri). Time: 8:00pm Venue: Corps
Please submit your prayers and come to prayer.
2. Senior Citizen's Breakfast
Date: 14/04/2012 (Sat) Time: 8:00am Venue: Paya Terubong
All brothers and sisters are welcome to join.
3. Banana Leaf Ministry
Date: 14/04/2012 (Sat) Time: 11:00am Venue: Corps Community Hall
Volunteers are needed. Thank you.
4. Helping Hand Project
Date: 21/04/2012 (Sat) Time: 08:00am Venue: Youth Park
Our corps target to raise RM2000 for Education Programme for Day Care & Tuition of Children in Myammar.
5. Officer's Business Consultation Meeting
Date: 16-19/04/12 Venue: Kuching, Sarawa. Please pray for our officers and take note that Officers will be away at this time.
6. CCM Combined Ascension Meeting
Date: 17/05/12 Time: 8:00pm Venue: TSA Worship Hall
Our corps is the hosting Church, please come and support. Colonel Gillian Downer is the invited speaker for that day.
7. Malaysia Family Camp
Date: 31/05 - 03/06/12 Venue: YMCA Camp Fees: RM230 Day Camp: RM110
Being the host Corps, all brothers and sisters are encourage to join and also being a volunteer in helping in this Malaysia Family Camp.
Friday, April 6, 2012
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
Preparation accomplished
A journey towards Easter – the first of two studies by Captain Catherine Smith
STUDY PASSAGE: LUKE 19:28–40
LENT is often thought of as a journey. In these last two weeks before Easter, allow the journey Jesus made to Jerusalem to mirror your own pilgrimage with him to a holy place.
In his journey, the preparation came from pilgrimage, prophecy and promise.
Jesus was on a pilgrimage to partake in the Passover, one of three Jewish pilgrim festivals. If they were able, people travelled with their families to Jerusalem to participate in this important feast.
Many today still keep the tradition of Passover; it is a meaningful journey through God’s story in humanity and our response to it. The significant symbolism and memories evoke a sense of God’s hand through history and, indeed, our place in it now through Jesus. Are there some simple ways you could recreate this in your family or corps?
Zechariah 9:9 exactly prophesies this moment in the journey of Jesus. Preparation had been made in the annals of history, as well as the time that Jesus was fulfilling the prophecy. This raises our faith and hope that Jesus will also fulfil his word in our lives.
On 18 March 2008 somebody from another church walked into our prayer room at Southwark. She had written a prophecy for our corps that contained these words: ‘There will be no more miscarriages. This time next year, you will be saying: “See what the Lord has done.”
She did not know I had lost two babies the year before, and that there were a number of pastoral situations creating great tension for the corps.
Throughout his earthly ministry Jesus emphasised God’s promises. As the disciples obeyed his instructions to find a donkey, they found the necessary provision (v32).
In our journey with Jesus we should remind ourselves of his promises, be obedient to his instructions and find that God has already made provision for his will to be accomplished.
• As you journey towards a holy place this Easter, would it help you to share in a family pilgrimage to somewhere or something special – taking time to reflect on God’s goodness to you through the years?
• Can you call to mind any word or prophecy that has been spoken over your life or corps? Can you rejoice in the way God has been working things out beyond what you could see?
• Over the next week, write one of God’s promises to you each day and think on that. Does God require any action on your part in order to see a fuller revelation of him at work?
PRAISE AUTHENTICATED
As people praised God, there was recognition and rejoicing. They recognised Jesus as someone amazing. They burst into praise for the miracles they had seen and hailed him as the coming king.
People were exuberant and loud in their praise. Some tried to quieten them, but Jesus was not prepared to do so. In a deeper sense than they realised, their words were true: the King had come, ushering in his Kingdom. The crowds, therefore, could not help but welcome him.
• As we recognise who Jesus is, do we find ourselves rejoicing?
• As we represent Jesus to our world, do people respond in the same way?
Remember, Jesus was ushering in his Kingdom – that glorious place spoken of in Revelation 21:3 and 4: ‘They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away’ (New International Version).
Does that promise not cause us to praise?
• This week, look out for Jesus all around you.
• Where will you recognise him and how will this cause you to rejoice?
The outcome of praise is to lift us to the presence of Jesus. Praise helps put all things into perspective, so that we can see with God’s viewpoint. The people in this Bible passage were caught up in the fascination of the procession of Jesus. They had a deeper journey to take into knowing his purpose.
Sunday, April 1, 2012
Prayer Request
2. Pray for Corps family: Hock Sun and Family
3. Pray for Corps family: Seow Hwee, Loo Thoe & Khye Lin
4. Pray for Corps family: Pong Hoe (Ah Boy) and It Hoe
Announcements
Date: 01/04/12 (Sun). Tin: 7:30pm Venue Worship Hall
Worship: Soon Bee Preaching: Lt. Fiona Bible Reading: Eng Chai Offering: Soon Kean.
2. Good Friday Service
Date: 06/04/12 (Fri). Time: 8:00pm Venue: Corps Worship Hall
Please prepare your heart to join and in remembrance of our Lord.
3. Senior Citizen's Breakfast
Date: 14/04/2012 (Sat) Time: 8:00am Venue: Paya Terubong
All brothers and sisters are welcome to join.
4. Banana Leaf Ministry
Date: 14/04/2012 (Sat) Time: 11:00am Venue: Corps Community Hall
Volunteers are needed. Thank you.
5. Corps Sport and Outing (Helping Project)
Date: 21/04/2012 (Sat) Time: 08:00am Venue: Youth Park
Our corps target to raise RM2000 for Education Programme for Day Care & Tuition of Children in Myammar.
7. Officer's Business Consultation Meeting
Date: 16-19/04/12 Venue: Kuching, Sarawa. Please pray for our officers and take note that Officers will be away at this time.
8. CCM Combined Ascension Meeting
Date: 17/05/12 Time: 8:00pm Venue: TSA Worship Hall
Our corps is the hosting Church, please come and support. Colonel Gillian Downer is the invited speaker for that day.
9. Malaysia Family Camp
Date: 31/05 - 03/06/12 Venue: YMCA Camp Fees: RM230 Day Camp: RM110
Being the host Corps, all brothers and sisters are encourage to join and also being a volunteer in helping in this Malaysia Family Camp.
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Sunday, March 25, 2012
Prayer Request
2. Pray for Corps family: Francis, Maggie and Fernando Ellias
3. Pray for Corps family: Steven, Casey and Allison Foo
4. Pray for Corps family: John, Shirley, Cheryl, Robin and Michelle
Announcements
Date: 25/03/12 (Sun). Tin: 7:30pm Venue Community Hall
Programme: Youth Special Person-in-charge: Captain Tan
2. Good Friday Service
Date: 06/04/12 (Fri). Time: 8:00pm Venue: Corps Worship Hall
Please prepare your heart to join and in remembrance of our Lord.
3. Senior Citizen's Breakfast
Date: 14/04/2012 (Sat) Time: 8:00am Venue: Paya Terubong
All brothers and sisters are welcome to join.
4. Banana Leaf Ministry
Date: 14/04/2012 (Sat) Time: 11:00am Venue: Corps Community Hall
Volunteers are needed. Thank you.
5. Malaysia Family Camp
Date: 31/05 - 03/06/12 Venue: YMCA Camp Fees: RM230 Day Camp: RM110
Being the host Corps, all brothers and sisters are encourage to join and also being a volunteer in helping in this Malaysia Family Camp.
Thursday, March 22, 2012
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Sunday, March 18, 2012
Prayer Request
2. Pray for Corps family: Chin Kheng, Ewe Kheng, Cindy, Eng Soon, Eng Heng
4. Pray for Corps family: Sunny, Rachel, Elizabeth, Susan and John
5. Pray for Corps family: Ang Chai Thiam and Family
Announcements
Special thanks to those who help up in the collections. The result will be announced at later date.
2. Youth Ministry
Date: 18/03/12 (Sun).
There will be no youth meeting. Please take note
3. CCM AGM Meeting
Date: 24/03/12 (Sat). Time: 8:00pm Venue: Methodist Church. Please pray for the new election and new leadership.
4. Corps Council Meeting
Date: 25/03/12 (Sun) Time: 12:30pm Venue: Corps Worship Hall
All Corps Council members please take note,
5. Good Friday Service
Date: 06/04/12 (Fri). Time: 8:00pm Venue: Corps Worship Hall
Please prepare your heart to join and in remembrance of our Lord.
6. Senior Citizen's Breakfast
Date: 14/04/2012 (Sat) Time: 8:00am Venue: Paya Terubong
All brothers and sisters are welcome to join.
7. Banana Leaf Ministry
Date: 14/04/2012 (Sat) Time: 11:00am Venue: Corps Community Hall
Volunteers are needed. Thank you.
8. Malaysia Family Camp
Date: 31/05 - 03/06/12 Venue: YMCA Camp Fees: RM230 Day Camp: RM110
Being the host Corps, all brothers and sisters are encourage to join and also being a volunteer in helping in this Malaysia Family Camp.
Friday, March 16, 2012
Sunday, March 11, 2012
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Gracious Spirit, dwell with me
EXODUS 25:8
I LISTENED recently to a programme on Radio 4 that was concerned with the end of the world. Apparently there is a belief that 21 December 2012 is the date on which all that we know will come to an end.
It seems that humans have an innate desire to know the mind of God – to pin him down.
In Thailand every building, from the grandest hotel to the smallest shanty dwelling, had a spirit house on its roof or in its grounds. They come in a variety of sizes but take basically the same form and are there to house the spirits who have been displaced by the building of the hotel, office or house. The new landowner is obliged to provide a new home for the spirits that previously lived on the site.
You may think such a practice primitive, superstitious or ridiculous, but the Thai people are not the only ones who have constructed dwelling places for their gods.
Looking at the book of Exodus, chapter 25, we see the beginning of the lengthy and detailed instructions that God gave to Moses for the building of the tabernacle: ‘Let them make a sanctuary for me, and I will dwell among them’ (v8 all quotations from New International Version unless stated otherwise).
The instructions God gave were specific and elaborate. First, for the Ark of the Covenant, which would house the stone tablets; then for its cover, the mercy seat, and on through the other items of furniture to the tabernacle itself, the priests and their garments.
But why was it all necessary?
In his explanatory notes on verse 8, John Wesley wrote that the sanctuary was intended as a place of public and solemn worship, and amplifies God’s word ‘that I may dwell among them. Not by my essence, which is everywhere, but by my grace and glorious operations.’
This sanctuary was to assist the people of Israel on their journey – literally (it was portable) and spiritually, because it would focus their minds on God. There had been nothing like this before – nowhere to go to worship God, nothing visible to remind them of his presence.
God’s purpose was not to limit himself with any suggestion that he could be contained or was no longer omnipresent, but to enable his chosen people to have confidence that he was there with them as they journeyed. The people of Israel would no longer have to repeat the question, ‘Is God still with us?’, because they could ‘see’ and know.
Hebrews 11:1 states: ‘Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.’
Despite the fact that we are a people of faith, we still like to see. We look for evidence of God, we want to be reminded of his presence; it helps us, as it helped the Israelites to go forward. And would we still be on our journey if the evidence were not found?
God reveals himself. He keeps his promises. He has promised his presence – there is no need to doubt or to demand proof.
The Ark of the Covenant has long since disappeared. It may have been recovered, it may be held in a church in Ethiopia – no one knows for sure. The old covenant has been superseded by the new. Where can God be found now?
God’s eternal plan has been to live among his people. The Message paraphrases John 1:14: ‘The Word became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighbourhood.’
God is where you are. God is where I am.
Leviticus 26:11–13 reveals the reward that the people of Israel could expect for their
obedience. God says: ‘I will put my dwelling-place among you, and I will not abhor you. I will walk among you and be your God, and you will be my people. I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt so that you would no longer be slaves to the Egyptians; I broke the bars of your yoke and enabled you to walk with heads held high.’
It’s not necessary to go to a particular place at a particular time to experience the presence of God. He lives among his people. Immanuel – God is with us!
• Major Woodhouse is corps officer at Thornton Heath
Sunday, February 19, 2012
Announcements
Date: 19/02/12 (Sun) Time: 7:30pm. Venue: Corps Worship Hall
Praise & Worship: Jihhan, Preaching: Capt Tan, Bible Reading: William, Offering: Soon Kean.
2. Study on Jesus Parabbles
Date: 19/02/12 (Sun). Time: 12:30pm Venue: Corps Worship Hall
A study on Jesus parables for cell group leaders, also open for people who are interested to study.
3. Voter Education Seminar
Date: 19/02/12 (Sun). Time: 2:00-4:30pm (register at 1:30pm)
Venue: Church of the Assumption (3 Farquhar Street, Penang)
Learn How To:
- protect the secrecy of your vote
- exercise your rights as a voter
- contribute towards a free and fair elections
- many other useful info
4. Penang Flag Day
Date: 10th & 17th March 2012 (both Saturday) Time: 7:30am Venue: TSA Children's Home
Please pray for the fund raising and also sign up as volunteer for the street collection.
5. Visit of Programme Secretary
Date: 11th - 13th March 2012
Major Raelton and Lynn Gibbs will be visiting Penang.
6. World Day of Prayer
Date: 16/03/2012 (Fri) Time: 8:00pm Venue: Trinity Methodist Church.
All are welcome.
Prayer Request
2. Pray for Penang Flag Day on 10 & 17th March 2012
3. Pray for Corps family: Blessy, Ah How, Sam Ooi & Tian Seng
4. Pray for Corps family: Chris and Shiela Lee
5. Pray for Corps family: Tong Seng, Iris and Yoke Peng.
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Partners in mission
IN my present role, you would expect me to be an enthusiastic advocate of the Self-Denial Appeal. And indeed I am, for it provides the resources that enable The Salvation Army to continue to proclaim the good news about Jesus. The very survival of some territories depends on this worldwide giving.
The projects it funds strengthen and support the Army’s spiritual mission – as well as increasing our organisational capacity – especially in new and developing territories. Recent projects include new corps halls and community centres, corps cadet camps, music schools, adult evangelism training and anti-trafficking projects.
Self-denial and giving are nothing new. In fact, we have evidence in our study passage that Paul spent some ten years raising funds from the Gentile churches for missionary efforts and famine relief in support of the Judaean believers. The situation in Palestine was fuelled by overpopulation, food shortages and crippling taxation on an already unstable financial market. The appeal lasted till AD 57, when Paul – with representatives from contributing Gentile churches – took the funds to Jerusalem.
In verse 3 Paul uses the example of the Macedonian Christians, who – though poor and persecuted – overflowed in love, joy and generosity in giving to this cause: ‘They gave as much as they were able’ (New International Version). They did not concentrate on their own needs or desires, but on others. Indeed, they begged Paul for the chance to give.
Motivating Christians to give is difficult enough in good economic times, let alone when finances are stretched! Yet we see in this example, at a time of extreme hardship, that – after first giving themselves to the Lord – the Macedonian churches felt compelled to help the ongoing mission of Christ. Their response was the privilege of sharing what little they could spare with those who were struggling.
Despite today’s economic woes, we still live in one of the wealthiest countries in the world. Compared with many people in developing countries, we are blessed.
So what can we learn from Corinth’s role in this fundraising effort? Not only were they the first church to give, but also the first to have the desire to do so. Interestingly, Paul makes no direct appeal for money; his approach is to provide the Church with challenges and incentives. In so doing, he also challenges us as we consider our response to self-denial.
• He motivates us by comparing attitudes, not money. The joyful, eager and heartfelt attitude of the Macedonian churches is presented to the Corinthians, not the sum of their contribution. How does our attitude compare? Are we joyful, eager and sincere in our giving to resource Christ’s mission?
• He challenges us to be selfless. Paul did not benefit in any way from the church collection. What is our motivation for giving?
• Paul’s fellow Christians required the basic necessities of life – a worthy cause. The Self-Denial Appeal is also a worthy cause! By giving, we become partners in the worldwide mission.
• Paul points out that generous giving is an act of divine grace (v1). It is only as God enables that we are able to give. Spend time in prayer, thanking God for his providence and abundant blessings. What are we doing in response?
• Paul’s relief fund served as a visible expression of the interdependence of believers worldwide. Through self-denial, we are involved in the ongoing mission of the Army and fellow Salvationists throughout the world.
• We demonstrate the unity of the gospel (see Galatians 3:28).
Paul tells the Corinthians: ‘Right now you have plenty and can help those who are in need. Later, they will have plenty and can share with you when you need it. In this way, things will be equal’ (v14 New Living Translation).
We may still be wealthy materially, but in terms of church membership in the West we are in decline and under real attack from an increasingly secularist society. The territories where Salvation Army numbers are growing are those whose mission we are supporting from our abundance today. Could it be that very soon they will be supporting us from their abundance? One day the UKT may need officer reinforcement!
Let us be open to God’s will. May it also be said of us: ‘They gave as much as they were able.’
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Prayer Request
2. Pray for Penang Flag Day on 11 & 18th March 2012
3. Pray for Eng Wong, Hock Sun and Majors Kamala their save traveling.
4. Pray for Corps family: Bro Seow Hwee, Sis Loo Thoe & Khye Lin
5. Pray for Corps family: Chew Pong Hoe & It Hoe families.
Announcements
Date: 12/02/12 (Sun) Time: 7:30pm. Venue: Corps Worship Hall
Person-in-charge: Lt Fiona. All youth please take note.
2. Cell Group
Date: 17/02/12 (Fri). Time: 8:00pm Venue: Bro Tan Home
Please come and join us.
3. Voter Education Seminar
Date: 19/02/12 (Sun). Time: 2:00-4:30pm (register at 1:30pm)
Venue: Church of the Assumption (3 Farquhar Street, Penang)
Learn How To:
- protect the secrecy of your vote
- exercise your rights as a voter
- contribute towards a free and fair elections
- many other useful info
4. Penang Flag Day
Date: 11th & 18th March 2012 (both Satruday) Time: 7:30am Venue: TSA Children's Home
Please pray for the fund raising and also sign up as volunteer for the street collection.
5. Visit of Programme Secretary
Date: 11th - 13th March 2012
Major Raelton and Lynn Gibbs will be visiting Penang.
Sunday, February 5, 2012
Prayer Request
2. Pray for Penang Flag Day on 3rd & 17th March 2012
3. Pray for Corps family: Bro Steven, Casey & Allison Foo
4. Pray for Corps family: Bro John, Shirley, Cheryl, Robin and Michelle.
Announcements
Date: 5/02/12 (Sun) - All youth please take note. Youth sport and Outing at 7:00pm.
Please meet at the Corps.
2. Corps Sport & Outing
Date: 07/02/12 (Sat). Time: 7:30am Venue: Ayer Itam Dam
Please meet at Ayer Itam Dam. Thank you.
3. Senior Citizen's Breakfast Fellowship
Date: 11/02/12 (Sat). Time: 8am Venue: Paya Terubong
Please contact Captain Tan for more information and transportation if needed.
4. Banana Leaf Ministry
Date: 11/02/12 (Sat). Time: 11am Venue: Community Hall
Volunteers are needed and help in this ministry.
5. Penang Flag Day
Date: 3th & 13th March 2012 (both Satruday)
Please pray for the fund raising and also sign up as volunteer for the street collection.
6. Children's Bible
Anyone who has Children's Bible and wanted to bless our Junior Soldiers, please contact Captain Brenda.
Thursday, February 2, 2012
Round and round!
By Captain Tan Guat Hai.
Chinese people love things round or circular for the character has the same pronunciation as the word “fate”. Our dining table is round-shaped, so are our Mooncakes during the winter solstice. We also enjoy the round-shaped dumplings. All these rounded items symbolize “reunion”, which to the Chinese means that there is no gap or separation.
There is a saying that comes from the Chinese people of old: “When the ‘moon is full’, people gather in unity – as a family circle where there is no gap.” It signifies completeness. From past history, people have already learnt this principle. For a home to be complete, it must be united. The people of old have also learnt from the full moon that a family needs to bond together and unite. Therefore, reunion meals further remind us that as a family, we should let go of all hatred and grievances, and sit together for a meal without any sense of disconnection, for the purpose of mutual acceptance and reconciliation. As we face each other around the table in this way, only then we will attain a true sense of unity.
In Exodus 12: 3-4, it is recorded: Tell the whole community of Israel that on the tenth day of this month each man is to take a lamb for his family, one for each household. If any household is too small for a whole lamb, they must share one with their nearest neighbor, having taken into account the number of people there are. You are to determine the amount of lamb needed in accordance with what each person will eat. Before facing a tremendous challenge, God wanted the Israelites to be united as a family, joining their hearts to confront the challenge ahead of them. In actual fact, it is the same for the Chinese reunion meal!
God wants us to join our hearts and face the challenges together that might arise in the coming year. Unity is strength!
It seems difficult for young people in this day and age to know how to treasure the importance of family. They always seem to feel that parents are restricting, nagging, controlling, and they would rather believe and even trust in strangers or friends, instead of parents and family members. We have to understand that not every parent is apt at expressing themselves. Usually parents mean well, but they might have used the wrong method or words, causing the children to receive the incorrect message that may have made them think their parents were interfering and meddlesome. We are unable to choose our parents, just as they cannot choose us. It is not by chance that we are brought together as a family, for it is in the providence of God. Therefore we need to have acceptance and reconciliation within our family circle to enjoy full unity before God. It is hoped that rebellious young people, after experiencing many trials and hardships, will finally wake up to the importance of their family. How much sense does it make to waste time going on a wild goose chase, before this principle is discovered?
A mother gives a great amount of her time, attention and effort into the preparation of this special traditional meal. This shows how much she values her family’s togetherness for the Chinese New Year reunion dinner!As Chinese New Year comes round again, may our celebrations remind us that as a family - parents, brothers and sisters – we should be united and in harmony, not only with each other, but with God. It is God Who completes our circle, bringing to it full unity.
Wishing you a blessed Chinese New Year! May you each have a great reunion with your family by giving God His rightful place when you meet and every day in your lives!
Sunday, January 29, 2012
Prayer Request
2. Pray for Corps family: Major Kamla and Lieut Fiona Loh
3. Pray for Corps family: Bro Ang Chai Thiam & Family
4. Pray for Corps family: Bro Francis, Sis Maggie and Fernando
Announcements
Date: 29/01/12 (Sun) - There won't be any youth fellowship this evening
2. Spiritual Development Workshop
Date: 04/02/12 (Sat). Time: 9am-5pm Venue: Worship Hall
Major Ruth Pascoe will be coming by the Corps invitation to conduct Spiritual Development Workshop. A fees of RM10.00 will be charge for the lunch.
3. Senior Citizen's Breakfast Fellowship
Date: 11/02/12 (Sat). Time: 8am Venue: Paya Terubong
Please contact Captain Tan for more information and transportation if needed.
4. Banana Leaf Ministry
Date: 11/02/12 (Sat). Time: 11am Venue: Community Hall
Volunteers are needed and help in this ministry.
5. Penang Flag Day
Date: March 2012.
Please pray for the fund raising and also sign up as volunteer for the street collection.
6. Children's Bible
Anyone who has Children's Bible and wanted to bless our Junior Soldiers, please contact Captain Brenda.
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Sunday, January 15, 2012
Announcement
Date: 15/01/12 (Sun) Time: 7:30pm Venue: Corp Worship Hall
Praise & Worship: Joseph, Short Talk: Soon Bee, Games: Jihhan and Soon Bee
2. Reunion Dinner
Date: 28/01/12 (Sat) Time: 7:00pm Venue: Community Hall
Potbless steamboat, please bring some food to share with others. Captain Tan will be speaking on the topic of "Dragon".
3. Ang Bao Sunday
Date: 29/01/12 (Sun). A special collection will be forwarded to candidates fund, encourage for officership.
4. Spiritual Development Workshop
Date: 04/02/12 (Sat). Time: 9am-5pm Venue: Worship Hall
Major Ruth Pascoe will be coming by the Corps invitation to conduct Spiritual Development Workshop. A fees of RM10.00 will be charge for the lunch.
5. Senior Citizen's Breakfast Fellowship
Date: 11/02/12 (Sat). Time: 8am Venue: Paya Terubong
Please contact Captain Tan for more information and transportation if needed.
6. Banana Leaf Ministry
Date: 11/02/12 (Sat). Time: 11am Venue: Community Hall
Volunteers are needed and help in this ministry.
7. Penang Flag Day
Date: March 2012.
Please pray for the fund raising and also sign up as volunteer for the street collection.
Prayer Request
2. Pray for Corps family: Freddy, Alice, Ailyn, Daniel Cheong
3. Pray for Corps family: Kim Aun, Jasinta, Jonathan, Joshua Lim
4. Pray for Corps family: Choon Eng, Jenny, Scott, Chui Peeng, Chris and Sheila Lee.
Friday, January 13, 2012
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Sunday, January 8, 2012
Prayer Request
2. Pray for Corps family: Bro Tian Seng, Sis Blessy, Ah Heng & Wah Hee
3. Pray for Corps family: Bro Tong Seng, Sis Iris, Yoke Peng, Bro Tong Meng & Family
4. Pray for Corps family: Jack Karthigesh, Uges and Steven Chung
Announcements
Date: 08/01/12 (Sun) Time: 7:30pm Venue: Corp Worship Hall
Praise & Worship: William, Bible Message: Bro Tan, Bible Reading: Raymond and Offering: Benjamin
2. Prayer Ministry
Date: 13/01/12 (Fri) Time: 8:15pm Venue: Corps Worship Hall
Please send us your prayer request and come join us in this ministry.
3. Reunion Dinner
Date: 28/01/12 (Sat) Time: 7:00pm Venue: Community Hall
Potbless steamboat, please bring some food to share with others. Captain Tan will be speaking on that evening.
4. Ang Bao Sunday
Date: 29/01/12 (Sun). A special collection will be forwarded to candidates fund, encourage for officership.
5. Spiritual Development Workshop
Date: 04/02/12 (Sat). Time: 9am-5pm Venue: Worship Hall
Major Ruth Pascoe will be coming by the Corps invitation to conduct Spiritual Development Workshop.
6. Senior Citizen's Breakfast Fellowship
Date: 11/02/12 (Sat). Time: 8am Venue: Paya Terubong
Please contact Captain Tan for more information and transportation if needed.
7. Banana Leaf Ministry
Date: 11/02/12 (Sat). Time: 11am Venue: Community Hall
Volunteers are needed and help in this ministry.
Sunday, December 11, 2011
Prayer Request
2. Pray for Corps family: Bro Ang Chai Thiam & Family
3. Pray for Corps family: Francis, Maggie and Fernando Elias
4. Pray for Corps family: Steven, Casey and Allison Foo
Announcements
Date: 14/12/11 (Wed) Time: 8:00pm Venue: Corp Worship Hall
We encourage all who are able to join and come for practice.
2. Christmas Caroling
Date: 17/12/11 (Wed) Time: 7:30pm Venue: Gama Supermarket
Please come and join us.
3. General Call All Salvationist to Pray
Date: Every Thursday Time: 7:30am - 8:30am Venue: At your own place or location.
General is calling all Salvationist around the world in a 24 hour prayer meeting. Pray for the Salvation Army works around the world.
4. Penang Christmas Open House
Date: 18/12/11 (Sun) Time: 7:00pm Venue: Auto City, BM
All are welcome. Dinner will be provided.
Friday, December 9, 2011
Monday, December 5, 2011
Prayer Request
2. Pray for Corps family: Lily, Dave and Daniel Clarke
3. Pray for Corps family: Chin Kheng, Ewe Kheng, Cindy, Eng Son and Eng Heng.
4. Pray for Corps family: Sunny, Rachel, Elizabeth, Susan and John
Announcements
There will be no cell group and prayer ministry in the month of December.
All are encourage to participate in Christmas caroling.
2. Band Practice
Date: 07/12/11 (Wed) Time: 8:00pm Venue: Corp Worship Hall
We encourage all who are able to join and come for practice.
3. General Call All Salvationist to Pray
Date: Every Thursday Time: 7:30am - 8:30am Venue: At your own place or location.
General is calling all Salvationist around the world in a 24 hour prayer meeting. Pray for the Salvation Army works around the world.
4. Penang Christmas Open House
Date: 18/12/11 (Sun) Time: 7:00pm Venue: Auto City, BM
All are welcome. Dinner will be provided.
5. Banana Leaf Ministry
Date: 10/12/11 (Sun) Time: 11:00am Venue: Community Hall
Please pray and come to help on this ministry.
