2016 Feb 21 Bulletin

Why Give To Church? Without the generous & regular giving of MBCC members & friends, our church would not be able to fun...

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Why Give To Church? Without the generous & regular giving of MBCC members & friends, our church would not be able to function or grow. Finances are needed for things like buildings, electricity, water, rates, insurance, maintenance, office supplies & equipment, multi-media & sound equipment, literature, staff salaries, children & youth ministries, special events, & support of missions & outreach. By the way, 10% of all unspecified giving at MBCC goes towards our mission’s budget. The Bible teaches us clearly that tithing (giving 10% of our income to the work of the Lord) is something with which God is very pleased – and it is something He richly rewards (see Malachi 3:10). It is not a law nor is it the maximum amount – we can of course give more than our tithe! The Bible teaches that God expects believers to give cheerfully (2 Corinthians 9:7), regularly (1 Corinthians 16:2), & sacrificially (Mark 12:41-44).

Knowing Jesus More and Making Him Known

Sunday Worship st

21 . February 2016, 9 am & 11 am “God’s Heart for the Poor” Preacher: Robyn France Reading: Luke 4:16-21

Today we are going to hear about the importance of caring for the poor & also the importance of keeping out of debt. Yes, we need to learn how to budget wisely & how to spend wisely, as well as how to give wisely & generously. And we need to teach our children the importance of giving. They need to know that God blesses those who give. Our Deacon’s Board is responsible for controlling the finances of the church (Ivy Lam is treasurer) & Frances Cartwright (who is an accountant) prepares our monthly financial reports. We have an independent outside audit done each year. Do pray for all involved in managing our finances, including those doing the offering counting each week. As we continue to grow we face new challenges. We need a full-time Associate Pastor (English & Chinese speaking) to work with our new pastor Abri Brancken & the other staff. We need to see a significant increase in giving if we are to meet all the exciting challenges ahead. Each one (young or old, wealthy or notso-wealthy), no matter the amount we are able to give, does play a part. Jesus taught us to pray, “Give us this day our daily bread.” This simple prayer recognizes that all we have is a blessing from God. Nothing we have is really ours so let us gladly give back to God more of what is His anyway.

Pre-service prayer at 8:30am in lounge - all welcome

Prayer Meeting every 2nd & 4th Sunday at 7PM 49 Maxwelton Drive, Mairangi Bay, Auckland Ph. 09 478-6314; Fax. 09 478-6312; Church Email: [email protected]

www.mairangichurch.org.nz

Pastor: Peter & Elizabeth (Su-Fang) Anderson Tel: 476-0919 Church Administrator: Jacky Sun Tel: 021 675669 [email protected] Children’s Ministry Director: Joji & Chihiro Kami Tel: 027 3104841 Chinese Pastoral Worker: Wendy Liu Tel: 021 02654800 [email protected]

MBCC is an intentionally multi-cultural church & welcomes and celebrates all languages & cultures.

CHURCH NEWS

PRAYER ITEMS GIVE THANKS FOR:

Special Guest: Robyn France

我们是一个多元文化的教会,欢迎中国朋友参加. どの国の方も大歓迎します。 If this is your first time worshipping with us, please go to the Welcome Corner after the service. We have a small gift for you & will gladly answer your questions about our church. If you would like to hear a Chinese or Japanese translation, please ask for a headset.

A Word from the Pastor Today we will hear some wonderful stories (testimonies) from our guest speaker Robyn France. We will hear a lot about money & how to be better stewards of what God gives us & how to help those in need. You will also see on the back page of the bulletin an important article about the church’s financial needs & about the blessing of giving. I pray the Lord will help us respond both to what Robyn shares & to the challenges before us as a church. God bless, Peter

Today we welcome Robyn France from Christians Against Poverty (CAP) who will share a message on “God’s Heart for the Poor”. CAP provides holistic debt help, runs courses to help people manage their money & assists those struggling with addictions.

PRAY FOR:

 Sister Shou Ping who has been in hospital. She is bravely fighting terminal cancer.  The successful processing of Joji & Chihiro Kami’s work visas.  Sister Deng Quan Zhen going back to China. She was baptised recently.  First year students – Jack Wang & Isaac Ke (Canterbury University in Christchurch) & Harry Lam (Sydney University). Ryo Sugiyama going back to Otago for his 2nd year. Some need to find churches & accommodation. Most of our other first year students are in Auckland.  Braam moving to Tauranga Hospital this weekend & to be based there for 9 months.  Melissa Tang back in China for a month following the passing of her grandfather.  Those considering baptism in March.

Discipleship Course Wendy Liu is leading a Discipleship Class entitled “First Steps” to help new believers (& also older believers) grow in their Faith. The Course starts Mon 29 Feb & runs 10.30am – 12.00 noon. To know more & to register, see Wendy.

Alpha on Fridays Elizabeth’s Life Group is doing Alpha – any ladies interested may join them on Fridays 10.30AM - 12.00 noon.

Easter Only Five Weeks Away

The Brancken Family

We are planning for Easter: 1) Good Friday Service 10AM, Friday March 25, & 2) Easter Sunday 27 March (with guest preacher Ross Paterson, baptisms, choirs & praise dance).

“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because He has anointed me to preach good news to the poor.” (Luke 4:18)

Ps Abri & the family are due to arrive March 22. Thank you to all who have kindly offered to help loan items – including a car. They may also need a washing machine & a fridge to use while waiting for their container. Please talk to Elizabeth.

Today’s Servers

Group from Japan

Worship: Garrett Communion: Peter (9) Translators: Tommy/Elizabeth Greeters: Miyuki (9), Michael/Emily (11) Readers: Joy (9), Sarah (11) Pre-school: Prescy/Catherine;Sunday School: Helen/Bill/Lily/Christine/George/Simon Next Week: Pre: Joji/Chihiro/Teresa; SS: Angel/Lesley/Sarah/Ivy

Mike Webster’s faculty at the University of Auckland is hosting a group from Hiroshima University in Japan. They need homestay accommodation (March 12-27). Details on the notice board.

Verse of the Week

Service Roster for February 28, 2016

 Robyn France from Christians Against Poverty speaking today.  The great time the ICONZ boys had when they went for the tugboat ride.  Anna Webster’s safe return for the mission trip to East Timor.

Passing the Torch Series (10) “Getting Personal”

MBCC Membership

Reading: 2 Timothy 4:9-22

If you are a baptised believer & regard MBCC as your spiritual home in Auckland why not become a ‘formal’ church member? Talk with Peter, Elizabeth, Wendy or the elders. Information leaflets are available. Preacher: Peter Anderson

Worship

Musicians

Sound

Communion

Reader

Greeters

Offering Count

Translators

Flowers

Tea

Paul

Youth

Michael/George/Fiona

Warren (11)

George (9), Paul (11)

Sakura (9), LD/Ping (11)

David R/Julie

Alex/Warren

Annie

Helena/Kelly (9), Ding Qing/Zhou Liming (11)