Praying For Christians In The Middle East There have been significant Christian populations in the Middle East since the 1st & 2nd centuries – Assyrian, Chaldean or Syriac Christians. In the last 15 years the Christian population of the Middle East – in countries like Egypt, Israel, the West Bank & Gaza & Jordan – has declined from 14% to 4%.
In Iraq, with the fall of Saddam Hussein, Christians began to leave in large numbers & their population shrank from over 1.5 million to less than 500,000 today. In Syria, before the civil war broke out in 2011, 10% of the population were Christians but nearly 600,000 have had to flee the country, driven out by extremist groups. Many are in refugee camps or in neighbouring countries. Many of those left behind have suffered horrific persecution for their faith. Let us pray for Christian refugees fleeing persecution.
Knowing Jesus More and Making Him Known
Sunday Worship th
6 . March 2016, 9 am & 11 am From Fear To Faith (1) “Questions & Answers” Preacher: Peter Anderson Reading: Habakkuk 1:1-4 & 2:1-4
Hong Kong Pastor Visiting NZ Ps Peter Ho of Tung Fook one of the biggest churches in Hong Kong is speaking at the Pakuranga Baptist Church 207 Ti Rakau Drive, Pakuranga on Frid Mar 11th & Sat 12th @ 7.30pm. These meetings are in Chinese. The photo shows Ps Ho & his wife Shirley, a wellknown writer on family issues. Ps & Mrs Ho once served as an OMF missionaries in Taiwan.
Hope For All Booklets Do pick up copies of the Hope for All booklets produced especially for Easter & containing great Kiwi stories & testimonies as well as facts about the resurrection. They are available in Chinese as well as English & are for passing out to neighbours & non-Christian friends.
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
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Church Membership
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 begin a brief two-message sermon series based on the Old Testament prophet Habakkuk. Habakkuk lived in very difficult times. God’s people in Jerusalem & Judah were far from God. Not only that – internationally things looked grim, with the cruel & ruthless super-power, Babylon, swallowing up one nation after another. Habakkuk cried out for God to save his people but things seemed to go from bad to worse. Why didn’t God intervene? God told Habakkuk that in fact He was using those evil Babylonians to judge His people. God’s answer gave Habakkuk another problem. How could God use a nation far worse than his own? We can learn a lot from Habakkuk’s questions & from God’s answers.
Next Sunday we will be welcoming new members during both services. According to our Church Constitution a member must be a baptised believer who has made MBCC their spiritual home in Auckland. If you would like to join others becoming ‘formal’ members, please fill in the form & talk with Peter, Warren, Elizabeth or Wendy Liu.
Baptism Class Wendy Liu is leading a baptism class in Chinese this morning from 9 AM in Peter’s office. If you are thinking about being baptised on Easter Sunday (March 27) but have not yet told a staff member, please talk with Peter, Elizabeth, Wendy or Warren today.
God bless, Peter
Update On The Branckens
Easter Services
Ps Abri & Leoni, Migaél (13), Ariél (10) & Yoél (6) arrive from South Africa near midnight on Monday March 21. Thank you to all who have kindly given or loaned items for them to use before their container arrives. We still need an ironing board & duvets (& duvet covers) or blankets for a single bed. If you can help get the manse ready, please let Elizabeth know (4760919 or 021-451390). Peter & Elizabeth would welcome help at the manse on Friday afternoon 18th, & on Sat 19th or Mon 21st.
1) Good Friday Service 10AM, Friday March 25, and 2) Easter Sunday 27 March (with guest preacher Ross Paterson, baptisms, special music & praise dance).
Verse of the Week “See, the enemy is puffed up; his desires are not upright– but the righteous will live by his faith.” (Habakkuk 2:4)
Today’s Servers Worship: Fran Communion: Michael (9) Translators: David X/Lisa Greeters: Ping (9), Xiang Hong/SusanS (11) Readers: Joy (9), Colin (11) Pre-school: Judy S/Teresa; Sunday School: Michelle/Sarah Next Week: Pre:Joji/Chihiro/Judy; SS: Michelle/Flora Service Roster for March 13, 2016
From Fear To Faith (2) “A Prayer of Faith”
Reading: Habakkuk 3:1-3, 17-19
The good news that Lyndon & Rachel Twemlow (who served with us for 3 months just over a year ago) have been called to Manurewa Baptist Church. Emily Liu gave her heart to the Lord & is preparing to be baptised. Those attending the Discipleship course & the Alpha course (both in Chinese). The granting of a work visa for the Kami family. The good deacon’s meeting on Thu. PRAY FOR: Shou Ping who started chemo recently again. Give thanks for her faith & courage. Shu Ping Zhang who is recovering from a cracked ankle & Joanne Lum recovering from gout. Those attending Wendy’s Discipleship Course on Monday mornings. Our university students as they begin their new semester. Those preparing for the baptism on Easter Sunday 27th Mar. Tommy Zhang (chair of deacon’s board) leaving for China this week. Ps Abri & family as they prepare to leave South Africa arriving in NZ around midnight on Monday 21st March. Preparations for our Easter Services – on Good Friday & Easter Sunday. Those who have returned to their home countries – that they will find fellowship with other believers. The millions of refugees, especially Christians fleeing conflict & persecution in the Middle East.
Preacher: Peter Anderson
Worship
Musicians
Sound
Communion
Reader
Greeters
Offering Count
Translators
Flowers
Tea
Ian
Michelle
Louis/Leo Lou
Peter (11)
Angel (9), Dale (11)
Jessica (9), Mike/Anna (11)
Lesley/April
David R/Warren
Helen X
David/Maria (9), Josephine/Ann Tse (11)
