1. Call To Pray
General call all Salvationist surround the world to pray for Victims of Human Trafficking which happening every years. Please pray for the victims and the Army works to preventing Human Trafficking, cares and concerns for victims.
2. Youth Fellowship
Date: 30/09/12; Time: 7.30pm; Venue: Corps Community Hall.
Programme: Home Movie, in-charge: Captain Tan.
Youth please take note and welcome to join us.
3. Cell Group (Split Cell)
Date: 05/10/12 (Fri); Time: 8.15pm; Venue: Please see your leader.
You are encouraged to come and join us.
Parable of the workers in the vineyard. (Matthew 20:1-16)
4. Senior Breakfast Fellowship
Date: 06/10/12 (Sat); Time: 8.00am; Venue: Sunshine, Farlim.
Please come and share our fellowship with one another.
5. Banana Leaf Ministry
Date: 13/10/12 (Sat); Time: 11.00am; Venue: Community Hall.
Volunteers is needed, please come and helps.
Sunday, September 30, 2012
Friday, September 28, 2012
Monday, September 24, 2012
Prayer Request
1. Please intercede for Soon Bee and Wei Lin newborn Baby, Ethen.
2. Please intercede for Ah Siong, Ah Peng & Families.
3. Please intercede for Yen Wong & family, Sam, Tian Seng.
4. Please intercede for Tong Sing, Iris, Yoke Peng, Tong Ming & Mum.
2. Please intercede for Ah Siong, Ah Peng & Families.
3. Please intercede for Yen Wong & family, Sam, Tian Seng.
4. Please intercede for Tong Sing, Iris, Yoke Peng, Tong Ming & Mum.
Announcements
1. Congratulation
Congratulation to Brother Soon Bee and Sister Wei Lin to their new born baby, Ethan Ong born on 18/09/12. Please continue to pray them.
2. Penang Open DayA sincere thanks to those who helps in our Open Day on 8th September 2012.
We truly appreciated your kind efforts and help.
3. Youth Fellowship
Date: 23/09/12; Time: 7.30pm; Venue: Corps Community Hall.
Worship: Captain Tan; Bible Message: William; Games: Joseph & Kenny. Youth please take note and welcome to join us.
4. Cell Group (Split)
Date: 05/10/12 (Fri); Time: 8.15pm; Venue: Please see your leader.
You are encouraged to come and join us.
Parable of the workers in the vineyard. (Matthew 20:1-16)
5. Lantern Festival Pot Bless BBQDate: 28/09/12 (Fri) Time: 6:00pm - 9:00pm Venue: Community Hall
Corps members are encourage to bring friends and family for this event.
Please bring along some food to share with each another.
6. Senior Breakfast Fellowship
Date: 06/10/12 (Sat); Time: 8.00am; Venue: Sunshine, Farlim.
Please come and share our fellowship with one another.
7. Banana Leaf Ministry
Date: 13/10/12 (Sat); Time: 11.00am; Venue: Community Hall.
Volunteers is needed, please come and helps.
Congratulation to Brother Soon Bee and Sister Wei Lin to their new born baby, Ethan Ong born on 18/09/12. Please continue to pray them.
2. Penang Open DayA sincere thanks to those who helps in our Open Day on 8th September 2012.
We truly appreciated your kind efforts and help.
3. Youth Fellowship
Date: 23/09/12; Time: 7.30pm; Venue: Corps Community Hall.
Worship: Captain Tan; Bible Message: William; Games: Joseph & Kenny. Youth please take note and welcome to join us.
4. Cell Group (Split)
Date: 05/10/12 (Fri); Time: 8.15pm; Venue: Please see your leader.
You are encouraged to come and join us.
Parable of the workers in the vineyard. (Matthew 20:1-16)
5. Lantern Festival Pot Bless BBQDate: 28/09/12 (Fri) Time: 6:00pm - 9:00pm Venue: Community Hall
Corps members are encourage to bring friends and family for this event.
Please bring along some food to share with each another.
6. Senior Breakfast Fellowship
Date: 06/10/12 (Sat); Time: 8.00am; Venue: Sunshine, Farlim.
Please come and share our fellowship with one another.
7. Banana Leaf Ministry
Date: 13/10/12 (Sat); Time: 11.00am; Venue: Community Hall.
Volunteers is needed, please come and helps.
Tuesday, September 18, 2012
Prayer Request
1. Please intercede for Youth Council in Ipoh & Major Pascoe.
2. Please intercede for CSM Tan, who on travel to overseas.
3. Please intercede for Mrs. Chin, Kok Keong & Family.
4. Please intercede for Uncle Ah How and Sister Blessy.
2. Please intercede for CSM Tan, who on travel to overseas.
3. Please intercede for Mrs. Chin, Kok Keong & Family.
4. Please intercede for Uncle Ah How and Sister Blessy.
Announcements
1. Appreciation
Thank you Lt. Colonels Bob & Wendy Lee for sharing the word of God as well in performing the installation of Capt Tan and Brenda of their additional new role in Penang.
2. Penang Open Day
A sincere thanks to those who helps in our Open Day last Saturday (8th September 2012).
We truly appreciated your kind efforts and help.
3. Cell Group (Combined)
Date: 21/09/12 (Fri); Time: 8.15pm; Venue: Children’s Home
You are encouraged to come and join us.
4. Malaysia Youth Council
Date: 16/09/12 (Sun) Time: 7:00pm - 10:00pm Venue: Ipoh Corps
All youth please register and contact Capt Tan for further information.
5. Lantern Festival Pot Bless BBQ
Date: 28/09/12 (Fri) Time: 6:00pm - 9:00pm Venue: Community Hall
Corps members are encourage to bring friends and family for this event.
Please bring along some food to share with each another.
6. Senior Breakfast Fellowship
Date: 06/10/12 (Sat); Time: 8.00am; Venue: Sunshine, Farlim.
Please come and share our fellowship with one another.
7. Banana Leaf Ministry
Date: 13/10/12 (Sat); Time: 11.00am; Venue: Community Hall.
Volunteers is needed, please come and helps.
Thank you Lt. Colonels Bob & Wendy Lee for sharing the word of God as well in performing the installation of Capt Tan and Brenda of their additional new role in Penang.
2. Penang Open Day
A sincere thanks to those who helps in our Open Day last Saturday (8th September 2012).
We truly appreciated your kind efforts and help.
3. Cell Group (Combined)
Date: 21/09/12 (Fri); Time: 8.15pm; Venue: Children’s Home
You are encouraged to come and join us.
4. Malaysia Youth Council
Date: 16/09/12 (Sun) Time: 7:00pm - 10:00pm Venue: Ipoh Corps
All youth please register and contact Capt Tan for further information.
5. Lantern Festival Pot Bless BBQ
Date: 28/09/12 (Fri) Time: 6:00pm - 9:00pm Venue: Community Hall
Corps members are encourage to bring friends and family for this event.
Please bring along some food to share with each another.
6. Senior Breakfast Fellowship
Date: 06/10/12 (Sat); Time: 8.00am; Venue: Sunshine, Farlim.
Please come and share our fellowship with one another.
7. Banana Leaf Ministry
Date: 13/10/12 (Sat); Time: 11.00am; Venue: Community Hall.
Volunteers is needed, please come and helps.
Sunday, September 9, 2012
Prayer Request
1. Please intercede for Youth Council in Ipoh & Major Pascoe.
2. Please intercede for general election for Malaysia.
3. Please intercede for Pong Hoe (Ah Boy), It Hoe & Family.
4. Please intercede for Chin Kheng, Ewe Kheng, Cindy, Eng Soon & Eng Heng.
2. Please intercede for general election for Malaysia.
3. Please intercede for Pong Hoe (Ah Boy), It Hoe & Family.
4. Please intercede for Chin Kheng, Ewe Kheng, Cindy, Eng Soon & Eng Heng.
Announcements
1. Appreciation
Thank you Major Raelton and Lynn Gibbs for their ministry and also support on our Penang Open Day.
2. Youth Fellowship
Youth fellowship will be cancelled for a break this week. All youth please take note.
3. Prayer Ministry
Date: 14/09/12 (Fri). Time: 8:15pm Venue: Community Hall
Please don’t hesitate to submit your prayer request that our prayer warriors could pray for you well.
4. Penang High Praise
Date: 16/09/12 (Sun) Time: 6:00pm - 10:00pm Venue: The Cathedral of the Holy Spirit
Congregation are encourage to join and fellowship with other Christians to pray for our country.
5. Malaysia Youth Council
Date: 16/09/12 (Sun) Time: 7:00pm - 10:00pm Venue: Ipoh Corps
All youth please register and contact Capt Tan for further information.
6. Lantern Festival Pot Bless BBQ
Date: 28/09/12 (Fri) Time: 6:00pm - 9:00pm Venue: Community Hall
Corps members are encourage to bring friends and family for this event.
Please bring along some food to share with each another.
7. Senior Breakfast Fellowship
Date: 06/10/12 (Sat); Time: 8.00am; Venue: Sunshine, Farlim.
Please come and share our fellowship with one another.
8. Banana Leaf Ministry
Date: 13/10/12 (Sat); Time: 11.00am; Venue: Community Hall.
Volunteers is needed, please come and helps.
Thank you Major Raelton and Lynn Gibbs for their ministry and also support on our Penang Open Day.
2. Youth Fellowship
Youth fellowship will be cancelled for a break this week. All youth please take note.
3. Prayer Ministry
Date: 14/09/12 (Fri). Time: 8:15pm Venue: Community Hall
Please don’t hesitate to submit your prayer request that our prayer warriors could pray for you well.
4. Penang High Praise
Date: 16/09/12 (Sun) Time: 6:00pm - 10:00pm Venue: The Cathedral of the Holy Spirit
Congregation are encourage to join and fellowship with other Christians to pray for our country.
5. Malaysia Youth Council
Date: 16/09/12 (Sun) Time: 7:00pm - 10:00pm Venue: Ipoh Corps
All youth please register and contact Capt Tan for further information.
6. Lantern Festival Pot Bless BBQ
Date: 28/09/12 (Fri) Time: 6:00pm - 9:00pm Venue: Community Hall
Corps members are encourage to bring friends and family for this event.
Please bring along some food to share with each another.
7. Senior Breakfast Fellowship
Date: 06/10/12 (Sat); Time: 8.00am; Venue: Sunshine, Farlim.
Please come and share our fellowship with one another.
8. Banana Leaf Ministry
Date: 13/10/12 (Sat); Time: 11.00am; Venue: Community Hall.
Volunteers is needed, please come and helps.
Tuesday, September 4, 2012
Sunday, September 2, 2012
Prayer Request
1. Please intercede for John Lee family who away for holiday in KL.
2. Please intercede for Penang Open Day & Majors Raelton & Lynn.
3. Please intercede for Hock Sun and family.
4. Please intercede for CSM Tan, Mrs Tan, Khye Lin Tan.
2. Please intercede for Penang Open Day & Majors Raelton & Lynn.
3. Please intercede for Hock Sun and family.
4. Please intercede for CSM Tan, Mrs Tan, Khye Lin Tan.
Announcements
1. Youth Worship
Date: 02/09/12 (Sun) Time: 7:30pm Venue: Corps Worship Hall
Worship: Cheh Ho Bible Message: CSM Tan; Bible Reading: Raymond Offering: Karsten
2. Corps Council Meeting
Date: 02/09/12 (Sun). Time: 12:30pm Venue: Corps Worship Hall.
All Corps Council members please stay back for the meeting.
3. Cell Group (Combined)
Date: 07/09/12 (Fri). Cell group will be cancelled for preparation for Penang Open Day.
Cell Group members please take note.
4. Penang Open Day
Date: 08/09/12 (Sat) Time: 8:30am - 2:00pm Venue: Children's Home
Please set up your stall(s) before 8.00am, and join the official opening at 8.30am. All stall holders please reminded that, this year we are using blue colour coupons, and do not accept cash, please exchange to coupons and scratch it with pen. Please do not open the sealed coupon tins.
5. Penang High Praise
Date: 16/09/12 (Sun) Time: 6:00pm - 10:00pm Venue: The Cathedral of the Holy Spirit
Congregation are encourage to join and fellowship with other Christians to pray for our country.
6. Malaysia Youth Council
Date: 16/09/12 (Sun) Time: 7:00pm - 10:00pm Venue: Ipoh Corps
All youth please register and contact Capt Tan for further information.
7. Lantern Festival Pot Bless BBQ
Date: 28/09/12 (Fri) Time: 6:00pm - 9:00pm Venue: Community Hall
Corps members are encourage to bring friends and family for this event.
Please bring along some food to share with each another.
Date: 02/09/12 (Sun) Time: 7:30pm Venue: Corps Worship Hall
Worship: Cheh Ho Bible Message: CSM Tan; Bible Reading: Raymond Offering: Karsten
2. Corps Council Meeting
Date: 02/09/12 (Sun). Time: 12:30pm Venue: Corps Worship Hall.
All Corps Council members please stay back for the meeting.
3. Cell Group (Combined)
Date: 07/09/12 (Fri). Cell group will be cancelled for preparation for Penang Open Day.
Cell Group members please take note.
4. Penang Open Day
Date: 08/09/12 (Sat) Time: 8:30am - 2:00pm Venue: Children's Home
Please set up your stall(s) before 8.00am, and join the official opening at 8.30am. All stall holders please reminded that, this year we are using blue colour coupons, and do not accept cash, please exchange to coupons and scratch it with pen. Please do not open the sealed coupon tins.
5. Penang High Praise
Date: 16/09/12 (Sun) Time: 6:00pm - 10:00pm Venue: The Cathedral of the Holy Spirit
Congregation are encourage to join and fellowship with other Christians to pray for our country.
6. Malaysia Youth Council
Date: 16/09/12 (Sun) Time: 7:00pm - 10:00pm Venue: Ipoh Corps
All youth please register and contact Capt Tan for further information.
7. Lantern Festival Pot Bless BBQ
Date: 28/09/12 (Fri) Time: 6:00pm - 9:00pm Venue: Community Hall
Corps members are encourage to bring friends and family for this event.
Please bring along some food to share with each another.
Friday, August 31, 2012
Thursday, August 30, 2012
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
Sunday, August 26, 2012
Prayer Request
1. Please intercede for Major Kamala and Lt Fiona who will be taking up their new appointment at Melaka and Ipoh.
2. Please intercede for Youth Council 16/09/2012 at Ipoh Corps.
3. Please intercede for Steven, Casey and Allison Foo
4. Please intercede for John, Shirley, Cheryl, Robin and Michelle Lee.
2. Please intercede for Youth Council 16/09/2012 at Ipoh Corps.
3. Please intercede for Steven, Casey and Allison Foo
4. Please intercede for John, Shirley, Cheryl, Robin and Michelle Lee.
Announcements
1. Youth Gathering
Date: 26/08/12 (Sun) Time: 7:30pm Venue: Community Hall
Youth please take note.
2. Corps Sport and Outing
Date: 31/08/12 (Fri) Time: 8:30am (Corps) Venue: Pulau Aman
Please contact Sis Jasinta/Capt Tan for more information. Fees: RM20 (include RM6.00 = ferry, RM15.00 = prawn noodle). Please bring along your own water bottle, insect repellant and etc.
3. Corps Council Meeting
Date: 02/09/12 (Sun). Time: 12:30pm Venue: Corps Worship Hall.
All Corps Council members please prepare and take note.
4. Cell Group (Combined)
Date: 07/09/12 (Fri). Cell group will be cancelled for preparation for Penang Open Day.
Cell Group members please take note.
5. Penang Open Day
Date: 08/09/12 (Sat) Time: 8:30am - 2:00pm Venue: Children's Home
Please return any unsold coupon back to Capt Brenda. Thanks.
6. Penang High Praise
Date: 16/09/12 (Sun) Time: 6:00pm - 10:00pm Venue: The Cathedral of the Holy Spirit
Congregation are encourage to join and fellowship with other Christians to pray for our country.
7. Malaysia Youth Council
Date: 16/09/12 (Sun) Time: 7:00pm - 10:00pm Venue: Ipoh Corps
All youth please register and contact Capt Tan for further information.
8. Lantern Festival Pot Bless BBQ
Date: 28/09/12 (Fri) Time: 6:00pm - 9:00pm Venue: Community Hall
Corps members are encourage to bring friends and family for this event.
Please bring along some food to share with each another.
Date: 26/08/12 (Sun) Time: 7:30pm Venue: Community Hall
Youth please take note.
2. Corps Sport and Outing
Date: 31/08/12 (Fri) Time: 8:30am (Corps) Venue: Pulau Aman
Please contact Sis Jasinta/Capt Tan for more information. Fees: RM20 (include RM6.00 = ferry, RM15.00 = prawn noodle). Please bring along your own water bottle, insect repellant and etc.
3. Corps Council Meeting
Date: 02/09/12 (Sun). Time: 12:30pm Venue: Corps Worship Hall.
All Corps Council members please prepare and take note.
4. Cell Group (Combined)
Date: 07/09/12 (Fri). Cell group will be cancelled for preparation for Penang Open Day.
Cell Group members please take note.
5. Penang Open Day
Date: 08/09/12 (Sat) Time: 8:30am - 2:00pm Venue: Children's Home
Please return any unsold coupon back to Capt Brenda. Thanks.
6. Penang High Praise
Date: 16/09/12 (Sun) Time: 6:00pm - 10:00pm Venue: The Cathedral of the Holy Spirit
Congregation are encourage to join and fellowship with other Christians to pray for our country.
7. Malaysia Youth Council
Date: 16/09/12 (Sun) Time: 7:00pm - 10:00pm Venue: Ipoh Corps
All youth please register and contact Capt Tan for further information.
8. Lantern Festival Pot Bless BBQ
Date: 28/09/12 (Fri) Time: 6:00pm - 9:00pm Venue: Community Hall
Corps members are encourage to bring friends and family for this event.
Please bring along some food to share with each another.
Sunday, August 12, 2012
Prayer Request
1. Please intercede for William, James, Joseph & Benjamin for SPM exam.
2. Please intercede for Khye Lin, Joshua, Michelle, Wei Jian and Eng Chai for their PMR exam.
3. Please intercede for Steven Chung's father family lost of their father.
4. Please intercede for Dave, Lily, Daniel Clarke & family.
5. Please intercede for Sunny, Rachel, Elizabeth, Susan & John.
2. Please intercede for Khye Lin, Joshua, Michelle, Wei Jian and Eng Chai for their PMR exam.
3. Please intercede for Steven Chung's father family lost of their father.
4. Please intercede for Dave, Lily, Daniel Clarke & family.
5. Please intercede for Sunny, Rachel, Elizabeth, Susan & John.
Announcements
1. Condolence
Steven Chung father passed away on 09/08/12 @ 10:30pm.
Funeral on 12/08/12. 3:00pm held at Mount Erskine.
2. Youth Fellowship
Date: 12/08/12 (Sun) Time: 7:30pm Venue: Worship Hall
Worship: Lt Fiona; Bible Message: Joseph Hue; Games: Capt. Tan and Jihhan.
3. Cell Group
Coming Friday cell group will be cancelled, as leaders are away for Local Officers Conference in Singapore.
4. Local Officer Conference
Date: 18-20/08/12 (Sat) Time: 11:00am Venue: William Booth College of Mission
Please do pray for all officer and local officers who will attend this conference in Singapore.
5. Corps Sport and Outing
Date: 31/08/12 (Fri) Venue: Pulau Aman
Please contact Sis Jasinta/Capt Tan for more information. The fees are RM6.00 = ferry, RM15.00 = food.
6. Corps Council Meeting (Postponed)
Date: 02/09/12 (Sat) Time: 12:30pm Venue: Corps Worship Hall
All corps council please take note.
7. Penang Open Day
Date: 08/09/12 (Sat) Time: 8:30am - 2pm Venue: Children's Home
Please return any unsold coupon back to Corps.
Steven Chung father passed away on 09/08/12 @ 10:30pm.
Funeral on 12/08/12. 3:00pm held at Mount Erskine.
2. Youth Fellowship
Date: 12/08/12 (Sun) Time: 7:30pm Venue: Worship Hall
Worship: Lt Fiona; Bible Message: Joseph Hue; Games: Capt. Tan and Jihhan.
3. Cell Group
Coming Friday cell group will be cancelled, as leaders are away for Local Officers Conference in Singapore.
4. Local Officer Conference
Date: 18-20/08/12 (Sat) Time: 11:00am Venue: William Booth College of Mission
Please do pray for all officer and local officers who will attend this conference in Singapore.
5. Corps Sport and Outing
Date: 31/08/12 (Fri) Venue: Pulau Aman
Please contact Sis Jasinta/Capt Tan for more information. The fees are RM6.00 = ferry, RM15.00 = food.
6. Corps Council Meeting (Postponed)
Date: 02/09/12 (Sat) Time: 12:30pm Venue: Corps Worship Hall
All corps council please take note.
7. Penang Open Day
Date: 08/09/12 (Sat) Time: 8:30am - 2pm Venue: Children's Home
Please return any unsold coupon back to Corps.
Sunday, August 5, 2012
Announcements
1. Youth Worship
Date: 05/08/12 (Sun) Time: 7:30pm Venue: Worship Hall
Worship: William; Bible Message: Capt Zane; Bible Reading: Eng Chai; Offering Yong Shen
2. Payer Ministry
Date: 10/08/12 (Fri) Time: 8:15pm Venue: Corps Community Hall
Please send your prayer request and join us to intercede.
3. Ladies Fellowship
Date: 11/08/12 (Sat) Time: 6:30pm Venue: Corps Community Hall
Ladies, please take note.
4. Corps Sport and Outing
Date: 31/08/12 (Fri) Venue: Pulau Aman
Please contact Sis Jasinta/Capt Tan for more information. The fees are RM6.00 = ferry, RM15.00 = food.
5. Open Day
Date: 08/09/12 (Sat) Time: 8:30am - 2pm Venue: Children's Home
Please return any unsold coupon back to Corps.
6. Banana Leaf Ministry
Date: 11/08/12 (Sat) Time: 11:00am Venue: Community Hall
Volunteers and helper are needed. Please contact Capt Tan for more information.
7. Corps Council Meeting
Date: 12/08/12 (Sat) Time: 12:30pm Venue: Corps Worship Hall
All corps council please take note.
8. Local Officer Conference
Date: 18-20/08/12 (Sat) Time: 11:00am Venue: William Booth College of Mission
Please do pray for all officer and local officers who will attend this conference in Singapore.
Date: 05/08/12 (Sun) Time: 7:30pm Venue: Worship Hall
Worship: William; Bible Message: Capt Zane; Bible Reading: Eng Chai; Offering Yong Shen
2. Payer Ministry
Date: 10/08/12 (Fri) Time: 8:15pm Venue: Corps Community Hall
Please send your prayer request and join us to intercede.
3. Ladies Fellowship
Date: 11/08/12 (Sat) Time: 6:30pm Venue: Corps Community Hall
Ladies, please take note.
4. Corps Sport and Outing
Date: 31/08/12 (Fri) Venue: Pulau Aman
Please contact Sis Jasinta/Capt Tan for more information. The fees are RM6.00 = ferry, RM15.00 = food.
5. Open Day
Date: 08/09/12 (Sat) Time: 8:30am - 2pm Venue: Children's Home
Please return any unsold coupon back to Corps.
6. Banana Leaf Ministry
Date: 11/08/12 (Sat) Time: 11:00am Venue: Community Hall
Volunteers and helper are needed. Please contact Capt Tan for more information.
7. Corps Council Meeting
Date: 12/08/12 (Sat) Time: 12:30pm Venue: Corps Worship Hall
All corps council please take note.
8. Local Officer Conference
Date: 18-20/08/12 (Sat) Time: 11:00am Venue: William Booth College of Mission
Please do pray for all officer and local officers who will attend this conference in Singapore.
Prayer Request
1. Please intercede for William, James, Joseph & Benjamin for SPM exam.
2. Please intercede for Khye Lun, Wei Jian and Eng Chai for their PMR exam.
3. Please intercede for Steven Chung's father who's very ill in hospital.
4. Please intercede for Kim Aun, Jasinta, Jonathan, Joshua Lim
5. Please intercede for Choon Eng, Jenny, Scott and Chiu Peeng Ooi.
2. Please intercede for Khye Lun, Wei Jian and Eng Chai for their PMR exam.
3. Please intercede for Steven Chung's father who's very ill in hospital.
4. Please intercede for Kim Aun, Jasinta, Jonathan, Joshua Lim
5. Please intercede for Choon Eng, Jenny, Scott and Chiu Peeng Ooi.
Friday, August 3, 2012
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Sunday, July 29, 2012
Announcements
1. Youth Sport
Date: 29/07/12 (Sun) Time: 3:00pm Venue: Moon Gate 5.
All youth please take note.
2. Combined Cell Group
Date: 03/08/12 (Fri) Time: 8:15pm Venue: Corps Community Hall
Combined North and South region cell group at Corps. Please come and join us.
3. Corps Sport and Outing
Date: 31/08/12 (Fri) Venue: Pulau Aman
Please contact Sis Jasinta for more information. The fees are RM6.00 = ferry, RM15.00 = food.
4. Open Day Coupon
Brother and Sister are encouraged to help to sell the open day coupons and help to find sponsors for the stall. Please return unsold coupons before 05/08/12. Please contact Capt Brenda for more information. Open Day will be held on 08/09/2012 time: 8:30am-2:00pm.
5. Senior Breakfast Fellowship
Date: 04/08/12 (Sat) Time: 8:00am Venue: Corps Pay Terubong.
Please contact Capt Tan for more information.
6. Banana Leaf Ministry
Date: 11/08/12 (Sat) Time: 11:00am Venue: Community Hall
Volunteers and helper are needed. Please contact Capt Tan for more information.
7. Local Officer Conference
Date: 18-20/08/12 (Sat) Time: 11:00am Venue: William Booth College of Mission
Please do pray for all officer and local officers who will attend this conference in Singapore.
Date: 29/07/12 (Sun) Time: 3:00pm Venue: Moon Gate 5.
All youth please take note.
2. Combined Cell Group
Date: 03/08/12 (Fri) Time: 8:15pm Venue: Corps Community Hall
Combined North and South region cell group at Corps. Please come and join us.
3. Corps Sport and Outing
Date: 31/08/12 (Fri) Venue: Pulau Aman
Please contact Sis Jasinta for more information. The fees are RM6.00 = ferry, RM15.00 = food.
4. Open Day Coupon
Brother and Sister are encouraged to help to sell the open day coupons and help to find sponsors for the stall. Please return unsold coupons before 05/08/12. Please contact Capt Brenda for more information. Open Day will be held on 08/09/2012 time: 8:30am-2:00pm.
5. Senior Breakfast Fellowship
Date: 04/08/12 (Sat) Time: 8:00am Venue: Corps Pay Terubong.
Please contact Capt Tan for more information.
6. Banana Leaf Ministry
Date: 11/08/12 (Sat) Time: 11:00am Venue: Community Hall
Volunteers and helper are needed. Please contact Capt Tan for more information.
7. Local Officer Conference
Date: 18-20/08/12 (Sat) Time: 11:00am Venue: William Booth College of Mission
Please do pray for all officer and local officers who will attend this conference in Singapore.
Prayer Request
1. Please intercede for Chris and Sheila new born baby.
2. Please intercede for Penang Open Day 08/09/12.
3. Please intercede for Local Officers Conference in Singapore.
4. Please intercede for Colonel Gillian Downer for a good health.
2. Please intercede for Penang Open Day 08/09/12.
3. Please intercede for Local Officers Conference in Singapore.
4. Please intercede for Colonel Gillian Downer for a good health.
Saturday, July 28, 2012
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
The mind of Christ
STUDY PASSAGE 1 CORINTHIANS 2
WOULDN’T it be wonderful to have access to Albert Einstein’s brain? Imagine if his thoughts became your thoughts! It is 57 years since Einstein died and science and technology have come a long way since then. With today’s pool of knowledge and Einstein’s mental dexterity, what could you accomplish if his brain were at your disposal?
The scientific mind might not be your first choice. Perhaps you could make good use of the genius of filmmaker Steven Spielberg or musician Kate Bush. Imagine the journey through the creative process with that kind of barrier-free imagination! If you could link into those minds, what contribution would you make?
As much as we might love to examine the thoughts of these brilliant people, we have access to something far greater. 1 Corinthians 2:16 tells believers that ‘we have the mind of Christ’ (all quotations from New International Version).
This is a remarkable statement! How can a mere human know the thoughts of God?
In verse 6, Paul begins building up to the dramatic declaration of verse 16. The first thing he wants his readers to understand is that God’s wisdom and human wisdom are nothing alike. The world will call the wisdom of God ‘foolishness’ (1 Corinthians 1:21). Paul affirms that human wisdom – the wisdom of this age – is fleeting. Only what is true is eternal, and the wisdom of the age is not truth.
WHAT IS THE WISDOM OF OUR AGE? WHAT THINGS ARE WE TAUGHT BY SOCIETY THAT ARE NOT GODLY, LASTING TRUTHS?
The wisdom of God is the ‘mystery’ of God. That mystery is nothing less than God’s plan to provide salvation through Christ Jesus and includes the crucial fact that ‘we may approach God with freedom and confidence’ (Ephesians 3:12). While vague in the days of the Old Testament, the mystery became much clearer with the coming of Christ. The unbelievers did not understand. They could not comprehend God’s wisdom.
The mystery of salvation continues to unfold. There is a final piece to it. We are already saved from our lonely, wretched state as human beings and can enjoy fellowship with the Holy Spirit even as we walk this earth. We are already welcome to approach God boldly in prayer and worship. We already possess the hope of Heaven. But salvation will be complete when we share in the glory of God with, and through, Christ (Romans 8:17 and 18). That day is yet before us.
WHAT DOES SALVATION BRING TO US, NOW AND IN THE FUTURE? HOW CAN THIS IMPACT THE WAY WE LIVE?
The Holy Spirit of God knows the thoughts of God. This same Spirit is the companion and guide of every believer. Perhaps we have become too accustomed to the truth that the Spirit who dwells within is ‘not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God’ (1 Corinthians 2:12).
It is a spectacular thing to have been given God’s own Spirit. On our own we are flawed and feeble. But we possess the Spirit of God. Ponder the kind of power that comes with that.
The Spirit of God has been given to us so we might understand the wisdom and mystery of God that is ours to claim. Without the Spirit, we would be as the ‘rulers of this age’ (v8), who could not understand. The Holy Spirit speaks to our hearts and minds and teaches us. Most of us cannot access the Queen, yet we have daily access to the God of the Universe, who is our ‘private tutor’. Hallelujah!
This leads us to the glorious conclusion of this chapter: ‘We have the mind of Christ.’ Through the Holy Spirit, believers can actually think as God thinks. We can make appropriate ‘judgments about all things’ (v15) because we can discern what God would have us do. That is not to say we are never wrong! Sometimes we allow our own voices to crowd out God’s voice. But with the Holy Spirit living with us, we can know the mind of Christ.
Are we mindful of the thoughts of God? Do we allow his wisdom to control our lives?
FOR REFLECTION
Consider the questions in the first two paragraphs in relation to knowing the mind of Christ.
• Captain Reardon is Editor, Young Salvationist, USA National
WOULDN’T it be wonderful to have access to Albert Einstein’s brain? Imagine if his thoughts became your thoughts! It is 57 years since Einstein died and science and technology have come a long way since then. With today’s pool of knowledge and Einstein’s mental dexterity, what could you accomplish if his brain were at your disposal?
The scientific mind might not be your first choice. Perhaps you could make good use of the genius of filmmaker Steven Spielberg or musician Kate Bush. Imagine the journey through the creative process with that kind of barrier-free imagination! If you could link into those minds, what contribution would you make?
As much as we might love to examine the thoughts of these brilliant people, we have access to something far greater. 1 Corinthians 2:16 tells believers that ‘we have the mind of Christ’ (all quotations from New International Version).
This is a remarkable statement! How can a mere human know the thoughts of God?
In verse 6, Paul begins building up to the dramatic declaration of verse 16. The first thing he wants his readers to understand is that God’s wisdom and human wisdom are nothing alike. The world will call the wisdom of God ‘foolishness’ (1 Corinthians 1:21). Paul affirms that human wisdom – the wisdom of this age – is fleeting. Only what is true is eternal, and the wisdom of the age is not truth.
WHAT IS THE WISDOM OF OUR AGE? WHAT THINGS ARE WE TAUGHT BY SOCIETY THAT ARE NOT GODLY, LASTING TRUTHS?
The wisdom of God is the ‘mystery’ of God. That mystery is nothing less than God’s plan to provide salvation through Christ Jesus and includes the crucial fact that ‘we may approach God with freedom and confidence’ (Ephesians 3:12). While vague in the days of the Old Testament, the mystery became much clearer with the coming of Christ. The unbelievers did not understand. They could not comprehend God’s wisdom.
The mystery of salvation continues to unfold. There is a final piece to it. We are already saved from our lonely, wretched state as human beings and can enjoy fellowship with the Holy Spirit even as we walk this earth. We are already welcome to approach God boldly in prayer and worship. We already possess the hope of Heaven. But salvation will be complete when we share in the glory of God with, and through, Christ (Romans 8:17 and 18). That day is yet before us.
WHAT DOES SALVATION BRING TO US, NOW AND IN THE FUTURE? HOW CAN THIS IMPACT THE WAY WE LIVE?
The Holy Spirit of God knows the thoughts of God. This same Spirit is the companion and guide of every believer. Perhaps we have become too accustomed to the truth that the Spirit who dwells within is ‘not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God’ (1 Corinthians 2:12).
It is a spectacular thing to have been given God’s own Spirit. On our own we are flawed and feeble. But we possess the Spirit of God. Ponder the kind of power that comes with that.
The Spirit of God has been given to us so we might understand the wisdom and mystery of God that is ours to claim. Without the Spirit, we would be as the ‘rulers of this age’ (v8), who could not understand. The Holy Spirit speaks to our hearts and minds and teaches us. Most of us cannot access the Queen, yet we have daily access to the God of the Universe, who is our ‘private tutor’. Hallelujah!
This leads us to the glorious conclusion of this chapter: ‘We have the mind of Christ.’ Through the Holy Spirit, believers can actually think as God thinks. We can make appropriate ‘judgments about all things’ (v15) because we can discern what God would have us do. That is not to say we are never wrong! Sometimes we allow our own voices to crowd out God’s voice. But with the Holy Spirit living with us, we can know the mind of Christ.
Are we mindful of the thoughts of God? Do we allow his wisdom to control our lives?
FOR REFLECTION
Consider the questions in the first two paragraphs in relation to knowing the mind of Christ.
• Captain Reardon is Editor, Young Salvationist, USA National
Sunday, July 22, 2012
Prayer Request
1. Please intercede for Steven Chung's father who is now critical due to illness.
2. Please intercede for Dave & LIly Clarke for speedy recovery.
3. Please intercede for Jenny, Scott, Chris and Shiela.
4. Please intercede for Jasinta's family who on travel.
2. Please intercede for Dave & LIly Clarke for speedy recovery.
3. Please intercede for Jenny, Scott, Chris and Shiela.
4. Please intercede for Jasinta's family who on travel.
Announcements
1. Youth Fellowship
Date: 22/07/12 (Sun) Time: 7:30pm Venue: Corps Worship Hall
Worship: Jihhan, Bible Sharing: Soon Bee, Games: Lt Fiona.
All youth please take note.
2. Prayer Ministry
Date: 27/07/12 (Fri) Time: 8:15pm Venue: Corps Community Hall
Please share your prayer request and join us.
3. Corps Sport and Outing (Postponed from 21/07/12)
Date: 28/07/12 (Sat) Time: 3:00pm Venue: Penang Bowl
Event: Bowling. Please contact Sis Jasinta for more information.
4. Corps Council Meeting (Budget 2013)
Date: 29/07/12 (Sun) Time: 12:30pm Venue: Corps Worship Hall
All corps council members, please take note.
5. Open Day Coupon
Brother and Sister are encouraged to help to sell the open day coupons and help to find sponsors for the stall. Please return unsold coupons before 05/08/12. Please contact Capt Brenda for more information. Open Day will be held on 08/09/2012 time: 8:30am-2:00pm.
6. Senior Breakfast Fellowship
Date: 04/08/12 (Sat) Time: 8:00am Venue: Corps Pay Terubong.
Please contact Capt Tan for more information.
7. Corps Council Meeting (Budget 2013)
Date: 11/08/12 (Sat) Time: 11:00am Venue: Corps Community Hall
Volunteers and helper are needed, please contact Capt Tan for more information.
Date: 22/07/12 (Sun) Time: 7:30pm Venue: Corps Worship Hall
Worship: Jihhan, Bible Sharing: Soon Bee, Games: Lt Fiona.
All youth please take note.
2. Prayer Ministry
Date: 27/07/12 (Fri) Time: 8:15pm Venue: Corps Community Hall
Please share your prayer request and join us.
3. Corps Sport and Outing (Postponed from 21/07/12)
Date: 28/07/12 (Sat) Time: 3:00pm Venue: Penang Bowl
Event: Bowling. Please contact Sis Jasinta for more information.
4. Corps Council Meeting (Budget 2013)
Date: 29/07/12 (Sun) Time: 12:30pm Venue: Corps Worship Hall
All corps council members, please take note.
5. Open Day Coupon
Brother and Sister are encouraged to help to sell the open day coupons and help to find sponsors for the stall. Please return unsold coupons before 05/08/12. Please contact Capt Brenda for more information. Open Day will be held on 08/09/2012 time: 8:30am-2:00pm.
6. Senior Breakfast Fellowship
Date: 04/08/12 (Sat) Time: 8:00am Venue: Corps Pay Terubong.
Please contact Capt Tan for more information.
7. Corps Council Meeting (Budget 2013)
Date: 11/08/12 (Sat) Time: 11:00am Venue: Corps Community Hall
Volunteers and helper are needed, please contact Capt Tan for more information.
Friday, July 20, 2012
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
Turning
HOW many decisions have you made today? What to have for breakfast, for example, or what to wear – these are some of the decisions we face every day. Many are seemingly unimportant ones that have little consequence – although have you ever chosen the wrong pair of shoes to wear on a day out?
Yet we face some decisions that we know are very important. We weigh up the consequences and move forward with caution.
One Bible character who raises our awareness of decisions and their consequences is Jonah. The story of this reluctant prophet is often thought of as a children’s tale, but it has so much to challenge all of us.
‘Jonah son of Amittai, the prophet from Gath Hepher’ (2 Kings 14:25) was called by the Lord to ‘Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it’ (Jonah 1:2 all quotations from New International Version). The Lord told Jonah that he was to do this because the wickedness of the city had come up before him.
Faced with this mission, Jonah made the decision to run ‘away from the Lord’ (1:3) and headed in the opposite direction – setting sail from Joppa to Tarshish.
Why did he do this? What was it that made Jonah decide he should not follow God, but instead go in the opposite direction? Was it fear – fear of going to this great, wicked city, fear of what the people of Nineveh might do to him upon hearing the message from God? Or was it because he did not want God to show mercy to the Ninevites?
We read later that this last reason actually was the cause of his flight, for Jonah knew that the Lord was ‘a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love’ (Jonah 4:2).
The consequences of Jonah’s decision unravelled in all manner of twists and turns. On the boat towards Tarshish, Jonah must have turned green when he had to admit his story and was thrown into the sea (1:9–15). Although rough for Jonah, this was a good decision by the sailors because when the sea turned calm they turned to the Lord (v16).
Finding himself inside the belly of a ‘huge fish’ for three days and nights, Jonah turned to God in prayer (2:1–10), crying in distress, remembering the holiness of God and committing himself to sacrificial giving. On deciding to ‘make good’, Jonah turned from disobedience to obedience and went God’s way (3:3).
The people of Nineveh heard the message and turned from their wicked ways (3:5–9). They donned sackcloth and fasted, calling ‘urgently on God’ (v8). God’s anger and wrath for the people of Nineveh turned into love and forgiveness when he saw ‘how they turned from their evil ways’ (3:10).
Jonah struggled with the outcome of his journey. He was not happy that God had forgiven the people of Nineveh. We leave Jonah in an uncomfortable place, where he is finding it hard to deal with the consequences of his actions (see chapter 4).
Jonah had learnt that God’s ways are not our ways (Isaiah 55:8 and 9). He also learnt that we cannot escape God or flee from his Spirit or presence (Psalm 139:7).
Jonah’s journey echoes the truth that God’s plans are ‘to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future’ (Jeremiah 29:11).
Every day, no matter what you do,
Will be the result of decisions made by you.
Like what time you get up in the morning, or go to bed at night,
Whether you travel to the left or turn to the right,
If you say yes, or if you say no,
Whatever you decide is the way you’ll go.
And reading the letters you get in the mail
Creates another decision trail.
Each daily decision, made in joy or strife,
Helps form the foundation of your life.
(Robert Saehloff)
I do not know what decisions you are facing in your life, but I know the God who is with you through every twist and turn. Proverbs 3:5 and 6 tells us: ‘Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.’
I pray that we, as God’s people, will be bold enough to obey, follow and trust as we walk through life with him.
by Captain Mann is corps officer at Greenock
Yet we face some decisions that we know are very important. We weigh up the consequences and move forward with caution.
One Bible character who raises our awareness of decisions and their consequences is Jonah. The story of this reluctant prophet is often thought of as a children’s tale, but it has so much to challenge all of us.
‘Jonah son of Amittai, the prophet from Gath Hepher’ (2 Kings 14:25) was called by the Lord to ‘Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it’ (Jonah 1:2 all quotations from New International Version). The Lord told Jonah that he was to do this because the wickedness of the city had come up before him.
Faced with this mission, Jonah made the decision to run ‘away from the Lord’ (1:3) and headed in the opposite direction – setting sail from Joppa to Tarshish.
Why did he do this? What was it that made Jonah decide he should not follow God, but instead go in the opposite direction? Was it fear – fear of going to this great, wicked city, fear of what the people of Nineveh might do to him upon hearing the message from God? Or was it because he did not want God to show mercy to the Ninevites?
We read later that this last reason actually was the cause of his flight, for Jonah knew that the Lord was ‘a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love’ (Jonah 4:2).
The consequences of Jonah’s decision unravelled in all manner of twists and turns. On the boat towards Tarshish, Jonah must have turned green when he had to admit his story and was thrown into the sea (1:9–15). Although rough for Jonah, this was a good decision by the sailors because when the sea turned calm they turned to the Lord (v16).
Finding himself inside the belly of a ‘huge fish’ for three days and nights, Jonah turned to God in prayer (2:1–10), crying in distress, remembering the holiness of God and committing himself to sacrificial giving. On deciding to ‘make good’, Jonah turned from disobedience to obedience and went God’s way (3:3).
The people of Nineveh heard the message and turned from their wicked ways (3:5–9). They donned sackcloth and fasted, calling ‘urgently on God’ (v8). God’s anger and wrath for the people of Nineveh turned into love and forgiveness when he saw ‘how they turned from their evil ways’ (3:10).
Jonah struggled with the outcome of his journey. He was not happy that God had forgiven the people of Nineveh. We leave Jonah in an uncomfortable place, where he is finding it hard to deal with the consequences of his actions (see chapter 4).
Jonah had learnt that God’s ways are not our ways (Isaiah 55:8 and 9). He also learnt that we cannot escape God or flee from his Spirit or presence (Psalm 139:7).
Jonah’s journey echoes the truth that God’s plans are ‘to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future’ (Jeremiah 29:11).
Every day, no matter what you do,
Will be the result of decisions made by you.
Like what time you get up in the morning, or go to bed at night,
Whether you travel to the left or turn to the right,
If you say yes, or if you say no,
Whatever you decide is the way you’ll go.
And reading the letters you get in the mail
Creates another decision trail.
Each daily decision, made in joy or strife,
Helps form the foundation of your life.
(Robert Saehloff)
I do not know what decisions you are facing in your life, but I know the God who is with you through every twist and turn. Proverbs 3:5 and 6 tells us: ‘Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.’
I pray that we, as God’s people, will be bold enough to obey, follow and trust as we walk through life with him.
by Captain Mann is corps officer at Greenock
Sunday, July 15, 2012
Prayer Request
1. Please intercede for Corps Sport and Outing 21/07/2012
2. Please intercede for Penang CFM High Praise 16/09/2012
3. Please intercede for Corps Family: Devi, Kaseh & family.
4. Please intercede for Corps Family: Freddy, Alice, Ailyn and Daniel Chong
2. Please intercede for Penang CFM High Praise 16/09/2012
3. Please intercede for Corps Family: Devi, Kaseh & family.
4. Please intercede for Corps Family: Freddy, Alice, Ailyn and Daniel Chong
Announcements
1. Change of Appointment
Effective Date: 13th Sept 2012
Major Kamala - Team Leader for Melaka & Batang Melaka Corps
Lieut Fiona - Asst. Corps Officer, Ipoh Corps & Asst Superintendence Ipoh Boy's Home
Captain Brenda - Penang Children's Home Superintendence
Captain Tan - Team Leader for Penang
2. Youth Worship
Date: 15/07/12 (Sun) Time: 7:30pm Venue: Corps Worship Hall
All youth please take note.
3. Cell Group
Date: 20/07/12 (Fri) Time: 8:15pm Venue: Please contact your leaders.
Please come and join us.
4. Corps Sport and Outing
Date: 21/07/12 (Sat) Time: 3:00pm Venue: Penang Bowl
Event: Bowling. Please contact Capt Tan for more information.
5. Corps Council Meeting (Budget 2013)
Date: 22/07/12 (Sun) Time: 12:30pm Venue: Corps Worship Hall
All corps council members, please take note.
6. Open Day Coupon
Brother and Sister are encouraged to help to sell the open day coupons. Please contact Capt Brenda for more information. Open Day will be held on 08/09/2012 time: 8:30am-2:00pm.
Effective Date: 13th Sept 2012
Major Kamala - Team Leader for Melaka & Batang Melaka Corps
Lieut Fiona - Asst. Corps Officer, Ipoh Corps & Asst Superintendence Ipoh Boy's Home
Captain Brenda - Penang Children's Home Superintendence
Captain Tan - Team Leader for Penang
2. Youth Worship
Date: 15/07/12 (Sun) Time: 7:30pm Venue: Corps Worship Hall
All youth please take note.
3. Cell Group
Date: 20/07/12 (Fri) Time: 8:15pm Venue: Please contact your leaders.
Please come and join us.
4. Corps Sport and Outing
Date: 21/07/12 (Sat) Time: 3:00pm Venue: Penang Bowl
Event: Bowling. Please contact Capt Tan for more information.
5. Corps Council Meeting (Budget 2013)
Date: 22/07/12 (Sun) Time: 12:30pm Venue: Corps Worship Hall
All corps council members, please take note.
6. Open Day Coupon
Brother and Sister are encouraged to help to sell the open day coupons. Please contact Capt Brenda for more information. Open Day will be held on 08/09/2012 time: 8:30am-2:00pm.
Saturday, July 7, 2012
Prayer Request
1. Please intercede for SAFE Fellowship 14/07/12.
2. Please intercede for Dave Clarke who is in Hospital on bike accident.
3. Please intercede for Corps Family: Blessy, Yen Wong, Ah How.
4. Please intercede for Corps Family: Tian Seng, Lenny, Ah Seong & family, Ah Peng & family.
2. Please intercede for Dave Clarke who is in Hospital on bike accident.
3. Please intercede for Corps Family: Blessy, Yen Wong, Ah How.
4. Please intercede for Corps Family: Tian Seng, Lenny, Ah Seong & family, Ah Peng & family.
Announcements
1. Change of Appointment
Effective Date: 13th Sept 2012
Major Kamala - Team Leader for Melaka & Batang Melaka Corps
Lieut Fiona - Asst. Corps Officer, Ipoh Corps & Asst Superintendence Ipoh Boy's Home
Captain Brenda - Penang Children's Home Superintendence
Captain Tan - Team Leader for Penang
2. Youth Outing
Date: 08/07/12 (Sun) Time: 6:00pm Venue: Meet at Corps
All youth please take note.
3. Prayer Ministry
Date: 13/07/12 (Fri) Time: 8:15pm Venue: Community Hall
Please share your prayer concerns and join us.
4. 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.
5. Corps Sport and Outing
Date: 21/07/12 (Sat) Time: 3:00pm Venue: Penang Bowl
Event: Bowling. Please contact Sis Jasinta for more information.
6. Corps Council Meeting (Budget 2013)
Date: 22/07/12 (Sun) Time: 12:30pm Venue: Corps Worship Hall
All corps council members, please take note.
7. Open Day Coupon
Brother and Sister are encouraged to help to sell the open day coupons. Please contact Capt Brenda for more information. Open Day will be held on 08/09/2012 time: 8:30am-2:00pm.
Effective Date: 13th Sept 2012
Major Kamala - Team Leader for Melaka & Batang Melaka Corps
Lieut Fiona - Asst. Corps Officer, Ipoh Corps & Asst Superintendence Ipoh Boy's Home
Captain Brenda - Penang Children's Home Superintendence
Captain Tan - Team Leader for Penang
2. Youth Outing
Date: 08/07/12 (Sun) Time: 6:00pm Venue: Meet at Corps
All youth please take note.
3. Prayer Ministry
Date: 13/07/12 (Fri) Time: 8:15pm Venue: Community Hall
Please share your prayer concerns and join us.
4. 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.
5. Corps Sport and Outing
Date: 21/07/12 (Sat) Time: 3:00pm Venue: Penang Bowl
Event: Bowling. Please contact Sis Jasinta for more information.
6. Corps Council Meeting (Budget 2013)
Date: 22/07/12 (Sun) Time: 12:30pm Venue: Corps Worship Hall
All corps council members, please take note.
7. Open Day Coupon
Brother and Sister are encouraged to help to sell the open day coupons. Please contact Capt Brenda for more information. Open Day will be held on 08/09/2012 time: 8:30am-2:00pm.
Wednesday, July 4, 2012
Confronting the powerful
‘WHERE two or three or more humans are together, there is power,’ writes Australian author and pastor Rowland Croucher. ‘Power is not evil in itself. But power is often abused when in the hands of selfish humans.’
Having previously considered some of the ways people are excluded and the cultural factors that influence attitudes, we now turn to this issue of power.
‘As followers of Jesus,’ says the Army’s International Social Justice Commission study Jesus And Justice, ‘our vision for a more just world is dependent on two primary “delivery systems”: social order and spiritual transformation.’
In Luke 19:1–10 we read that Jesus invited himself to the home of a tax collector named Zacchaeus, where he challenged this powerful man’s unjust behaviour. We noted last week that tax officials were considered undesirables because of their reputation for getting rich at the expense of others and for collaborating with the hated Romans.
Yet as a result of this meeting, Zacchaeus’s life was changed. Not only did he share his wealth and make restitution for his wrongdoing, he and his ‘house’ found salvation (v9). Jesus inviting himself to the house of a ‘sinner’ led to social revolution in a community and spiritual transformation for a number of people.
To consider: To what extent is the Church prepared to challenge unjust behaviour on the part of powerful individuals or institutions?
Jesus also confronted those who claimed religious power; in his day this was the Pharisees and scribes. They were the religious elite, enforcing not just the religious Law but the laws of the state as well. Jesus’ teaching, his popularity with the rank-and-file and his criticism of these leaders naturally led to conflict.
In Luke 6:1–11 we read that the Pharisees challenged Jesus and his disciples about picking grain and eating it on the Sabbath. Then, on another Sabbath, Jesus healed a man’s hand, deliberately provoking the religious powerbrokers. These were the leaders who would rather see rules obeyed than hungry people fed and the disadvantaged restored to fullness of life.
‘According to Jesus, some religious matters – such as justice, mercy and faith – are more important than others,’ says Jesus And Justice. ‘Religion that majors on minors is oppressive.’
To consider: Where should we look for our sources of religious authority? How can we protect ourselves from abuses of religious power? Who has the responsibility of keeping religious leaders accountable?
Then there is the issue of political power.
‘No political system is perfect,’ notes Jesus And Justice. ‘Many Islamic republics institute religious oppression. Some monarchies and dictatorships are intolerant to religious diversity. Marxism and communism remove social space for God and replace it with atheism. Even democratic societies are pressed with the evolving will of the people and their perpetually changing beliefs and preferred behaviours.’
In Mark 12:13–17 we see hypocritical leaders trying to trick Jesus into choosing between God and the State, to which he responded: ‘Give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s.’ Jesus’ followers are to fulfil their obligations to both God and State.
But where governments fail to act justly, neglecting the vulnerable members of society, how should God’s people respond?
Again we find our directive from Scripture, where we see Jesus confronting James and John about their request for prestige and position (Matthew 20:20–28). This episode demonstrates how far off the mark they and the rest of the disciples are about the nature of the coming Kingdom, and it gives Jesus the opportunity to remind them what true power really looks like. While others might be tyrannical rulers who ‘lord it over’ their subjects, Jesus said: ‘Not so with you’ (v26). True power is about serving, not being served.
To consider: How do we hold our political leaders accountable? How do we apply the ‘Not so with you’ principle to our own lives and that of our church communities?
Where there are two or three, or more, of us humans together, power will always be an issue. But, as Jesus And Justice reminds us, we have an example in Jesus who ‘lived right and righted wrongs’. As his followers we have the mandate and the means to do the same: ‘To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly’ with our God (Micah 6:8).
Major Ruthven is Editor-in-Chief and Publishing Secretary, THQ
Having previously considered some of the ways people are excluded and the cultural factors that influence attitudes, we now turn to this issue of power.
‘As followers of Jesus,’ says the Army’s International Social Justice Commission study Jesus And Justice, ‘our vision for a more just world is dependent on two primary “delivery systems”: social order and spiritual transformation.’
In Luke 19:1–10 we read that Jesus invited himself to the home of a tax collector named Zacchaeus, where he challenged this powerful man’s unjust behaviour. We noted last week that tax officials were considered undesirables because of their reputation for getting rich at the expense of others and for collaborating with the hated Romans.
Yet as a result of this meeting, Zacchaeus’s life was changed. Not only did he share his wealth and make restitution for his wrongdoing, he and his ‘house’ found salvation (v9). Jesus inviting himself to the house of a ‘sinner’ led to social revolution in a community and spiritual transformation for a number of people.
To consider: To what extent is the Church prepared to challenge unjust behaviour on the part of powerful individuals or institutions?
Jesus also confronted those who claimed religious power; in his day this was the Pharisees and scribes. They were the religious elite, enforcing not just the religious Law but the laws of the state as well. Jesus’ teaching, his popularity with the rank-and-file and his criticism of these leaders naturally led to conflict.
In Luke 6:1–11 we read that the Pharisees challenged Jesus and his disciples about picking grain and eating it on the Sabbath. Then, on another Sabbath, Jesus healed a man’s hand, deliberately provoking the religious powerbrokers. These were the leaders who would rather see rules obeyed than hungry people fed and the disadvantaged restored to fullness of life.
‘According to Jesus, some religious matters – such as justice, mercy and faith – are more important than others,’ says Jesus And Justice. ‘Religion that majors on minors is oppressive.’
To consider: Where should we look for our sources of religious authority? How can we protect ourselves from abuses of religious power? Who has the responsibility of keeping religious leaders accountable?
Then there is the issue of political power.
‘No political system is perfect,’ notes Jesus And Justice. ‘Many Islamic republics institute religious oppression. Some monarchies and dictatorships are intolerant to religious diversity. Marxism and communism remove social space for God and replace it with atheism. Even democratic societies are pressed with the evolving will of the people and their perpetually changing beliefs and preferred behaviours.’
In Mark 12:13–17 we see hypocritical leaders trying to trick Jesus into choosing between God and the State, to which he responded: ‘Give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s.’ Jesus’ followers are to fulfil their obligations to both God and State.
But where governments fail to act justly, neglecting the vulnerable members of society, how should God’s people respond?
Again we find our directive from Scripture, where we see Jesus confronting James and John about their request for prestige and position (Matthew 20:20–28). This episode demonstrates how far off the mark they and the rest of the disciples are about the nature of the coming Kingdom, and it gives Jesus the opportunity to remind them what true power really looks like. While others might be tyrannical rulers who ‘lord it over’ their subjects, Jesus said: ‘Not so with you’ (v26). True power is about serving, not being served.
To consider: How do we hold our political leaders accountable? How do we apply the ‘Not so with you’ principle to our own lives and that of our church communities?
Where there are two or three, or more, of us humans together, power will always be an issue. But, as Jesus And Justice reminds us, we have an example in Jesus who ‘lived right and righted wrongs’. As his followers we have the mandate and the means to do the same: ‘To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly’ with our God (Micah 6:8).
Major Ruthven is Editor-in-Chief and Publishing Secretary, THQ
Sunday, July 1, 2012
Announcements
1. Youth Special
Date: 01/07/12 (Sun) Time: 7:30pm Venue: Corps Community Hall
Praise & Worship: William Person-In-Charge: Captain Tan
2. THQ Finance Department Visit
Date: 02-03/07/12 (Mon-Tue). The THQ Finance team will visiting Penang to understand more about Penang TSA ministry.
3. Combined Cell Group
Date: 06/07/12 (Fri) Time: 8:15pm Venue: Community Hall
Please come and join us.
4. 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.
5. Corps Sport and Outing
Date: 21/07/12 (Sat) Time: 3:00pm Venue: Penang Bowl
Event: Bowling. Please contact Sis Jasinta for more information.
6. Corps Council Meeting (Budget 2013)
Date: 22/07/12 (Sun) Time: 12:30pm Venue: Corps Worship Hall
All corps council members, please take note.
7. Open Day Coupon
Brother and Sister are encouraged to help to sell the open day coupons. Please contact Capt Brenda for more information. Open Day will be held on 08/09/2012 time: 8:30am-2:00pm.
Date: 01/07/12 (Sun) Time: 7:30pm Venue: Corps Community Hall
Praise & Worship: William Person-In-Charge: Captain Tan
2. THQ Finance Department Visit
Date: 02-03/07/12 (Mon-Tue). The THQ Finance team will visiting Penang to understand more about Penang TSA ministry.
3. Combined Cell Group
Date: 06/07/12 (Fri) Time: 8:15pm Venue: Community Hall
Please come and join us.
4. 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.
5. Corps Sport and Outing
Date: 21/07/12 (Sat) Time: 3:00pm Venue: Penang Bowl
Event: Bowling. Please contact Sis Jasinta for more information.
6. Corps Council Meeting (Budget 2013)
Date: 22/07/12 (Sun) Time: 12:30pm Venue: Corps Worship Hall
All corps council members, please take note.
7. Open Day Coupon
Brother and Sister are encouraged to help to sell the open day coupons. Please contact Capt Brenda for more information. Open Day will be held on 08/09/2012 time: 8:30am-2:00pm.
Prayer Request
1. Pray for SAFE Fellowship on 14/07/2012.
2. Pray for our Youth Council 16/09/2012 at Ipoh
3. Pray for Corps Family: Tong Sing, Iris & Yoke Peng
4. Pray for Corps Family: Soon Bee & Wei Lin
2. Pray for our Youth Council 16/09/2012 at Ipoh
3. Pray for Corps Family: Tong Sing, Iris & Yoke Peng
4. Pray for Corps Family: Soon Bee & Wei Lin
Thursday, June 28, 2012
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
Thursday, June 21, 2012
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
Monday, June 18, 2012
Sunday, June 17, 2012
Prayer Request
1. Pray for SAFE Fellowship on 14/07/2012.
2. Pray for our Corps Cell Group ministry
3. Pray for Corps Family: Hock Sun and Family
4. Pray for Corps Family: Seow Hwee, Loo Thoe & Kyhe Lin Tan.
2. Pray for our Corps Cell Group ministry
3. Pray for Corps Family: Hock Sun and Family
4. Pray for Corps Family: Seow Hwee, Loo Thoe & Kyhe Lin Tan.
Announcements
1. Youth Fellowship
There will be no youth fellowship this evening as the boys has a function at PISA.
2. Prayer Ministry
Date: 22/07/12 (Fri) Time: 8:15pm Venue: Community Hall
Please share with us your prayer request and join us.
3. Faith & Order Standing Commission
Date: 17/06/12 (Sun) Time: 7:00pm Venue: Rainbow Paradise Beach Resort, Tanjung Bunga
40 representative of Christian Leaders from World Wide will be coming to Penang for a week conference. Any corps members wish to attend, please contact Capt Tan.
4. 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.
5. Corps Sport and Outing
Date: 21/07/12 (Sat) Time: 3:00pm Venue: Penang Bowl
Event: Bowling. Please contact Sis Jasinta for more information.
There will be no youth fellowship this evening as the boys has a function at PISA.
2. Prayer Ministry
Date: 22/07/12 (Fri) Time: 8:15pm Venue: Community Hall
Please share with us your prayer request and join us.
3. Faith & Order Standing Commission
Date: 17/06/12 (Sun) Time: 7:00pm Venue: Rainbow Paradise Beach Resort, Tanjung Bunga
40 representative of Christian Leaders from World Wide will be coming to Penang for a week conference. Any corps members wish to attend, please contact Capt Tan.
4. 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.
5. Corps Sport and Outing
Date: 21/07/12 (Sat) Time: 3:00pm Venue: Penang Bowl
Event: Bowling. Please contact Sis Jasinta for more information.
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
Challenging culture
IN March this year a 16-year-old Moroccan girl, Amina Filali, committed suicide after reportedly being forced by a judge’s ruling to marry her rapist. Subjected to further abuse following the marriage, she killed herself.
‘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
Sunday, June 10, 2012
Prayer Request
1. Pray for Southern Thailand flooding situation.
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
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
1. Brother Norman's Visit
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.
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
1. Pray for Malaysia Family Camp 31st May to 3rd June 2012.
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
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
1. Youth Fellowship
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.
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
FOLLOWING a tsunami in March 2011, an exclusion zone was declared around the damaged Fukushima nuclear plant in Japan. Everyone within a 20km (about twelve miles) radius of the site was ordered to leave. Not all were happy about this – particularly older residents, who had lived in the area all their lives – yet it was too dangerous for them to stay. The exclusion zone was put in place to protect them and to this day they have not been allowed back permanently.
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
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
1. Pray for Malaysia Family Camp 31st May to 3rd June 2012.
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.
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
1. Appreciation to Major Ruth Pascoe
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.
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
1. Pray for Bro Victor Teh who is in Hospital
2. Pray for Parent’s Day Celebration 19th May 2012.
3. Pray for CCM Combined Ascension Service.
4. Pray for Sister Rachel speedy recovery.
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
1. Open Day Committee Meeting
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.
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
1. Pray for Malaysian Family Camp 2012.
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.
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
1. Youth Worship
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.
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
I’VE been thinking about people whose lives have made a big impact on others, sometimes called ‘world changers’. Individuals such as John Stott and Steve Jobs, who died within a few weeks of each other in the second part of 2011.
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
1. Pray for CCM Combined Meeting @ 17 May 2012
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
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
1. Youth Worship
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.
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
I AM constantly amazed by how small the Army world is. Family and friendship links are part of Salvationist DNA! Frequent travel around the UKT strengthens this perception. Very early in this appointment it taught me to be careful when using sermon illustrations based on Salvationists, because someone in the congregation would be able to identify the anonymous person spoken about!
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
1. Pray for Corps members spiritual experiencing with God
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
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
1. Helping Hand Project
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.
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
A GROUP of women make their way anxiously out of the gate, towards the garden not far from the city wall. The last vestiges of night seem to cling to them, seeping into their minds and numbing their emotions.
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
1. Pray for Major Raelton's grandson Alexi
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
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
1. Youth Fellowship
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.
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
STUDY PASSAGE: LUKE 19:41–48
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
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