Prayer Request

1. Pray for Penang Open Day on 3rd Sept 2011.

2. Pray for Bro Steven Chung's father who is in hospital.

3. Pray for CFM meeting with Chief Minister of Penang on 02/02/2011 at noon.

4. Pray for Senior Citizen Fellowship on 13 Aug 2011.

5. Pray for Corps Sport and Outing.

6. Pray for Penang Children's Home

Announcements

1. Youth Fellowship
Date: 31 July Time: 7:30pm Venue: Corps
Worship Leader: Bro Sam Sharing: Capt. Tan
Bible Reading: William Offering collection: Loo Soon Kean

2. Cell Group
Date: 5 Aug 2011 Time: 8:15pm Venue: Worship Hall
All are welcome.

3. Senior Citizen Fellowship
Date: 13 Aug 2011 Time: 8:00am Venue: Abu Siti Lane
All are welcome to join us for this fellowship.

4. Corps Sports & Outing
Date: 13 Aug 2011 Time: 3:00pm Venue: Penang Bowl
Please inform Sister Jasinta for more information and your attendance.

5. Ladies Fellowship
Date: 6 Aug 2011 Time: 8:00pm Venue: Corps
Ladies please take note.

5. Open Day Committee Meeting
Date: 14 Aug 2011 Time: 12:30pm Venue: Corps Worship Hall
Stall holders meeting will be announce later. All committee please take note.
Stall sponsors, please notify the committee as soon as possible to finalize all stall list.

6. Open Day Ticket
To whom still holding the Open Day Ticket, please try to sell it at the soonest and return the remaining ticket by 14 Aug 2011.

7. Flower Offering 2012
Kindly see Bro Francis for your kind flower offering for the year 2012.

8. One Ringgit Per Month
Encourage brothers and sister to give one ringgit a month for Corps Social Ministry.
You can even extend the invitation to your family and friends.

Stations of the cross

Lieut-Colonel Ivor Telfer reflects on passengers and prayer

I BELIEVE it was Bishop Tom Wright who used the phrase ‘colonising earth with the presence of Heaven’. The more I ponder the bishop’s words, the more I am challenged to wonder how any such colonisation might take place and what part I might have to play in that process.

Most days of my life my ministry as an officer, presently appointed to Territorial Headquarters, takes me by train from my village in Kent to the Elephant and Castle in South London. Slowly but surely ‘the 6.48’ is becoming my personal mission field.

It might be assumed that my journey provides little opportunity for witnessing, given the well-known reserve of English commuters and their traditional reluctance to chat on their way to work!

It’s true that conversations aren’t plentiful as noses are buried in books and newspapers, but I have sensed the Holy Spirit ‘nudging’ me to breach the boundaries of silence in order to put Bishop Wright’s words into practice. My reasoning is that if I am to spend an hour or so with pretty much the same group of people more or less every morning of my working week, then I have a ready-made opportunity staring me in the face. I feel it is incumbent upon me to be a ‘Kingdom commuter’.

Allow me to relate just a little information about some of those with whom I share my journeys. (I have changed their names.)

Nick is a security guard in a bank and is a great joker – the sort of person we might refer to as ‘the salt of the earth’. Each morning, Nick buys himself a cup of tea but only ever finishes half of it. The rest is used to water part of the station garden!

Ruby works in ‘a customer industry’ and lives with her daughter and her baby.

Peter is a solicitor whose three children attend a weekly boarding school. As a family, they take six weeks’ overseas holiday every summer.

Charles is employed by a company that tendered for building work at William Booth College.

A ‘city gent’ wearing a designer suit and nice glasses reads the Financial Times on his iPad.

A woman who brings her scooter with her onto the train reads from her BlackBerry.

The list goes on: a building worker, a personal assistant to the boss of a shipping company who has been married twice and owns a house in Florida, a man who folds his copy of the Financial Times into four vertical columns so that he can read it easily in a crowded train, a man who reads his Bible as he travels.

My concern is how to communicate the good news of Jesus Christ to those I meet.

Even these brief encounters indicate a wide range of social needs, differing circumstances and personal issues. One man, for example, travelled with his wife for the first 18 months of our acquaintance. Now he travels with another woman with whom he seems very friendly. His relationship(s) are not for me to judge, but they are for me to pray about if I claim to serve a God who cares.

Who knows what concerns people carry as they go about their weekday routines! What matters might be at stake as they climb aboard? What heartaches might be hidden?

I am mindful of the latter part of John 10:10, in which Jesus says he came to give us life in all its fullness. How many of my travelling companions have any idea of what it is to enjoy life in Christ? Is the concept of church in any way relevant to them? How do they regard Christians? Do they ever wonder if there might be more to life?

If I am to join in with the notion of Big Society then it behoves me to continually regard each commuter as someone for whom Jesus died – an individual who is known and loved by God, not merely a face in the bustling crowd. If I approach my journeys with that in mind, then even the mundane becomes mission!

Their business is their business – builders, financiers, telecommunications experts and so on. My business is to pray for them and to explore ways of sharing the gospel.

• Lieut-Colonel Telfer is Secretary for Business Administration, THQ

Prayer Request

1. Pray for Penang Open Day on 3rd Sept 2011.

2. Pray for Bro Kenny Khoo & family in losing of their father.

3. Pray for Shanti's, her mum and family.

4. Pray for Corps Family: Bro Kok Keong (Joshua) and Mrs. Chin

5. Pray for Corps Family: Chris and Sheila Lee

6. Pray for Corps Family: Francis, Maggie and Fernando Elias

Announcements

1.Small Group Gathering
There won't be any cell group or prayer group gathering on every 5th Friday of the month. For 29th July - gathering is cancel. Please take note.

2. Visit of Chief Secretary
We want to thank Lieut. Colonel Bob & Wendy Lee, Chief Secretary and Territorial Secretary for Women's Ministries for their visit and ministry.

3. Senior Citizen Fellowship
Date: 13 Aug 2011 Time: 8:00am Venue: Abu Siti Lane
All are welcome to join us for this fellowship.

4. Corps Sports & Outing
Date: 13 Aug 2011 Time: 3:00pm Venue: Penang Bowl
Please inform Sister Jasinta for more information and your attendance.

5. Open Day Committee Meeting
Date: 14 Aug 2011 Time: 12:30pm Venue: Corps Worship Hall
Stall holders meeting will be announce later. All committee please take note.

6. Open Day Ticket
To whom still holding the Open Day Ticket, please try to sell it at the soonest and return the remaining ticket by 14 Aug 2011.

7. One Ringgit Per Month
Encourage brothers and sister to give one ringgit a month for Corps Social Ministry.
You can even extend the invitation to your family and friends.

This is my story

The first of a two-part study by Major Cliff Allchin

STUDY PASSAGE: 2 CORINTHIANS 4:1–15

THE other day I came across a list of 25 things that you should do before you die – an English version of the ‘bucket list’. What things might we regret at the end of our lives? Spending so much time at work that we miss out on our children’s early years, or missing an opportunity that might have made us rich? Would we rue a decision that definitely took us down the wrong path?

We have been called into fellowship with Christ in order to go out into the world and share the good news of all the wonderful things he has done for us.

Evangelist, broadcaster and author Rob Frost wrote: ‘God forgive us if we don’t tell others, for we miserably fail them and deny them the greatest opportunity of all – an opportunity to form a relationship with Jesus Christ, the Saviour of the world.’

Read the study passage. Our story is his story. Sometimes we forget just how important it is that we share our story and the good news of Jesus, and how simple that really is. Perhaps we need to be reminded that we have not always been Christians.

I love the story of the prodigal son in Luke 15:11–32. A trawl through my sermon files reveals that I have preached more on this than any other Bible text. Yet we often forget that there were two prodigals – the one who left home and the one who stayed at home. At some point they both removed themselves from their father’s presence. The father went looking for them and sought them out. They caused him heartache and pain – yet each was dearly loved.

The Bible is unmistakably clear and painfully honest about the condition in which human beings find themselves apart from Christ; we are captives of sin and bound by its guilt and punishment. It is very difficult for those brought up in a household of faith to remember that we have been born as sinful people. Our actions and attitudes all swing towards this sinful tendency like a magnet holding sway over us, taking us away from our loving Father.

We forget who we were at our peril. The writers of the New Testament letters often had to remind their readers of this truth. For instance, Peter writes: ‘[He] called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God, once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy’ (1 Peter 2:9 and 10 all quotations from New International Version).

We are not born Christians – we can only be born-again Christians! And whether we have an incredible story to tell about our journey into faith or we have remained close to God since childhood, the truth remains that where we are today relies upon one thing only – the grace of God shown to us in Christ Jesus.

Most of us do not have a dramatic testimony, but who we are and what God has done for us can speak more clearly and powerfully than anything else. The way we live, the people we are and the priorities we make, will be powerful aspects of our Christian witness to others.

‘If our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing’ (2 Corinthians 4:3). That could be your family, your friends, your work colleagues.

‘For what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord’ (2 Corinthians 4:5). Francis of Assisi is credited with saying about preaching: ‘If necessary, use words.’

‘God… made his light shine in our hearts’ (2 Corinthians 4:6). Isn’t that something worth having on any bucket list – and so much more rewarding than surfing in Newquay or ghost-hunting in York!

FOR REFLECTION
• What would be on your bucket list? Does the list include sharing your story with others?
• Read the story of the prodigal son in Luke 15:11–32. Where do you picture yourself in that story?
• Make a comparison between the two brothers: how were they different? How were they similar?
• Look up Romans 11:30, 1 Corinthians 1:26 and Ephesians 2:3. What do these verses tell you about life without Christ?
• Take time to write down your story of how God has made his light shine in your heart.

• Major Allchin is Divisional Director for Evangelism, Anglia

Prayer Request

1. Pray for Lt Fiona, Bro Tan & Family, Bro Sunny & Family who are on travel.

2. Pray for Penang Open Day on 3rd Sept 2011 (sponsor, selling of tickets, volunteer, funding, donation).

3. Pray for Bro Chew Pong How (Ah Boy). He is still not feeling better after his last surgery on Dec 2010.

4. Pray for Corps Family: Bro Sam & family, Sister Devi & Keisha & family,

5. Pray for Senior Citizen Fellowship & Corps Sport Outing

Announcements

1. Youth Fellowship
Youth outing at 7:15pm, lead by Bro Sam and Jihan. Youth please take note.

2. Prayer Ministry
Prayer ministry on 22 July 2011 will be cancel. Please take note.

3. SAFE Fellowship
We want to thank for all those present and appreciate Commissioners Lim, Brother John Lee and Steven Foo for their contribution.

4. Visit of Chief Secretary
Lieut-Colonels Bob and Wendy Lee will be visiting Penang on 22nd July 2011. Lieut-Colonel Bob will be sharing with us on Sunday Service.

5. Senior Citizen Fellowship
Date: 13 Aug 2011 Time: 8:00am Venue: Abu Siti Lane
All are welcome to join us for this fellowship.

6. Corps Sports & Outing
Date: 13 Aug 2011 Time: 3:00pm Venue: Penang Bowl
Please inform Sister Jasinta for more information and your attendance.

7. Open Day Committee Meeting
Date: 14 Aug 2011 Time: 12:30pm Venue: Corps Worship Hall
Stall holders meeting will be announce later. All committee please take note.

8. One Ringgit Per Month
Encourage brothers and sister to give one ringgit a month for Corps Social Ministry.
You can even extend the invitation to your family and friends.

Holiness Meeting 17 July 2011

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Youth Fellowship - 10 Jul 2011

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Father's Day Celebration 2011

Photos taken during Father's Day Celebration 2011



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Banana Leaf Ministry June 2011

Photos for Banana Leaf Ministry June 2011



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Prayer Request

1. Please pray for Hands On Team from USA Eastern who will be continuing their mission trip to Kuching, East Malaysia. They will leave Penang on 6 July 2011.

2. Pray for Penang Open Day on 3rd Sept 2011.

3. Pray for Bro Chew Pong How (Ah Boy). He is still not feeling better after his last surgery on Dec 2010.

4. Pray for Corps Family: Bro Eng Wong and family

5. Pray for Corps Family: Sis Blessy and her family in India.

6. Pray for SAFE fellowship on 16 July 2011.

Announcements

1. Adult Cell Group
Date: 8 July 2011 Time: 8:15pm Venue: Corps Worship Hall. All are welcome.

2. Youth Fellowship
Youth worship this evening at 7:30pm, lead by Hand On Team. Youth please take note.

4. SAFE Fellowship
Date: 16 July 2011 Time: 7:30pm Venue: Corps Worship Hall.
Special guest: Commissioners Lim Ah Ang & Pui Chan, Brother John Lee and Steven Foo will be speaker on that day. There will be food and fellowship! All are welcome.

5. One Ringgit Per Month
Encourage brothers and sister to give one ringgit a month for Corps Social Ministry.
You can even extend the invitation to your family and friends.

Youth Fellowship - 19 Jun 2011

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Prayer Request

1. Please pray for Hands On Team from USA Eastern.

2. Pray for Penang Open Day on 3rd Sept 2011.

3. Please pray for Corps Family: Bro Ooi Ah Seong & Ah Peng families

4. Please pray for Corps Family: Steven, Casey and Allison Foo

Announcements

1. Warm Welcome
Warmest welcome to the "Hands On Team" from USA Eastern Territory. They will be helping at Penang Children's Home and Penang Corps & Community works.

2. Prayer Ministry
Date: 24 June 2011 Time: 8:15pm Venue: Corps Worship Hall. All are welcome.

3. Father's Day Celebration
We want to thank the ladies in organizing this event. We have a very good turn out for the services and also stay back for lunch.

4. SAFE Fellowship
Date: 16 July 2011 Time: 7:30pm Venue: Corps Worship Hall.
Special guest: Commissioners Lim Ah Ang & Pui Chan, Brother John Lee and Steven Foo will be speaker on that day. There will be food and fellowship! All are welcome.

5. One Ringgit Per Month
Encourage brothers and sister to give one ringgit a month for Corps Social Ministry.
You can even extend the invitation to your family and friends.

Cell Group 17 June 2011

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Ascension Sunday

Ascension Sunday

The first of three studies by Lieut-Colonel Alan Burns

NOW you see me… now you don’t! Forgive this rather frivolous introduction to the Ascension story. However, it seems to sum up the disciples’ feelings of perplexity and bewilderment at the moment when, it is recorded, a cloud hid Jesus from their sight as he ascended into Heaven.

In that moment, as he vanished from their sight, it seems that their cognitive capacity could not shed a glimmer of light on what their eyes were witnessing. ‘Is he really gone? Should we release the gaze of our eyes on that cloud that is hiding him? He’ll be back in a minute... surely!’

We can understand their perplexity. The disciples had recently experienced an overwhelming sense of grief and bereavement after the death of Jesus on the cross. Then his appearances and disappearances during those post-resurrection days left them wondering whether he was in fact coming or going!

For example, on the road to Emmaus Jesus suddenly appeared to two of his followers. At the precise moment when they recognised him, he was suddenly gone: ‘He disappeared from their sight’ (Luke 24:31 all quotations from Good News Bible). Now, at the Ascension, their complete inability to understand what was happening led to a further angelic appearance and explanation. The angels spoke some rather strong words (with a hint of irony?) which were designed to fill in the gaps in their understanding: ‘They still had their eyes fixed on the sky as he went away, when two men dressed in white suddenly stood beside them and said, “Galileans, why are you standing there looking up at the sky? This Jesus, who was taken from you into Heaven, will come back in the same way that you saw him go to Heaven” (Acts 1:10 and 11).

The angels told the disciples that they were looking in the wrong place, and using their eyes instead of their faith. That the angels appeared at this moment suggests that the Ascension is a significant moment in the story of Jesus. Have we misunderstood or downplayed its significance, seeing it as a less important moment in the unfolding story? What should we be ‘looking up at’ as we consider this event?

The big question in the mind of the disciples may have been this: ‘Is Jesus moving back to Heaven now? Is he leaving us?’

In the light of what Jesus had repeatedly told them, this posed a real problem. Jesus made many promises concerning his presence with them. He promised never to leave them or abandon them (see John 14:18 and 19). He promised to be with them always, right until the end of the world. Was he now leaving them? How were they to understand what their eyes were witnessing?

The sight of Jesus ascending into Heaven should not be interpreted as Jesus leaving the earth, nor indeed leaving his people. His bodily ascension into Heaven is, of course,
a mystery – in the same way that Calvary and the Resurrection are mysteries, leaving us lost in wonder and praise.

What we do know is that the Ascension is part of God’s redemptive plan.

In his book Surprised By Hope, Tom Wright reminds us of the significance of the Ascension by pointing out that the sight of the body of Jesus ascending endorses his lordship over Heaven and earth. His ascension is a clear indication that he rules in Heaven and he rules on earth and that, one day, God’s Kingdom will come in all its fullness when the two shall meet. Jesus himself said: ‘I have been given all authority in Heaven and on earth’ (Matthew 28:18).

The Ascension demonstrates that Jesus is Lord – in God’s eternal domain and on earth. It demonstrates the authority and reign of Jesus over all things in Heaven and on earth. It inspires the hope that we frequently express in our prayer: ‘May your Kingdom come; may your will be done on earth as it is in Heaven’ (Matthew 6:10).

TO CONSIDER
• In what ways does the Ascension of Jesus speak into our understanding of his reign and rule over everything?
• Can you identify other passages in the subsequent pages of the New Testament where this is reinforced?

• Lieut-Colonel Burns is Scotland Secretary and Divisional Commander, East Scotland

Prayer Request

1. Please pray for Hands On Team from USA Eastern

2. Pray for the Banana Leaf Ministry 18 June 2011 and Father's Day Celebration 19 June 2011

3. Please pray for Corps Family: Chin Keng, Ewe Kheng, Cindy, Eng Soon, Eng Heng

4. Please pray for Corps Family: Sunny, Rachel, Elizabeth, Susan and Jonathan

5. Please pray for Penang Open Day on 3rd Sept 2011.