MISSIONS & OUTREACH FOCUS This week we encourage you to pray for the Czech Republic
Quick facts on Czech Republic Population: 10,410,786 Annual Growth: 0.42% Capital: Prague Christians: 25.92% (annual growth: -2.9%) Non-religious: 71.41%
Knowing Jesus More and Making Him Known
Challenges for Prayer There are new ministry challenges in the new Czech Republic. With many younger people leaving to work in other lands and a low birth rate, the population is increasingly aged. This requires new and specific approaches to ministry. Likewise, increasing numbers of immigrants are coming into the country – especially Russian speakers and East and Southeast Asians. These groups also need loving and focused outreach tailored to their needs and communities. Special ministries can potentially touch almost every aspect of society: a) Young people ask questions unanswered by traditional religion. Also, teaching English and summer camps (speaking Czech, German and English) impact young people. Pray for enthusiastic workers and much fruit. b) Christian literature is increasing in distribution and scope. The Bible Society sells large numbers of Bibles and NTs and has opened its first permanent Bible House. A new Czech Bible translation in everyday modern language (called Bible21) was completed in 2009 and became a national bestseller that year. Pray for the fulfilment of this ambitious vision. c) Christian radio and TV programmes are going from strength to strength. Pray for continued growth.
VERSE FOR THE WEEK “For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing.” 2 Corinthians 2:15
Communion: No
Greeters: (9) Ping (11) Michael/Emily Sunday School Little Lambs: Kids for Christ: Bible Explorers:
Sunday 8st May 2016
Place for Pic / logo
Worship Service 9 am & 11 am
“Being a Sweet Fragrance” Preacher: Dr. Abri Brancken Reading: 2 Corinthians 2:15
Today’s Servers Worship: Fran
Weekly Bulletin
No Sunday School
Translators: Alex/Warren Readers: (9) Joy (11) Colin No Sunday School
Pre-Service Prayer at 8:30 am in lounge – all welcome Prayer Meeting every 2nd & 4th Sunday at 7 pm 49 Maxwelton Drive, Mairangi Bay, North Shore, Auckland 0630 Ph 09 478-6314, Website: www.mairangichurch.org.nz, Email:
[email protected]
WELCOME TO MAIRANGI BAY COMMUNITY CHURCH (MBCC) 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. MBCC is an intentionally multi-cultural church and welcomes and celebrates all languages & cultures. 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 you would like to hear a Chinese or Japanese translation, please ask for a headset.
A MOTHER’S DAY WORD FROM OUR PASTOR
LIFE GROUPS LEADERS MEETING
GIVE THANKS FOR
We will be having a quick 30 minute meeting for all our Life Group Leaders after our 11am service. The purpose is to get to know one another better and discuss a planned upcoming equipping and training session. Please don’t miss this quick meeting. Date: 29 May 2016 @13:00 – 13:30 Place: Lounge
• Thanks to God for attendance of the Parenting and Discipleship Courses which are going very well. • Tony RUAN who gave his life to Jesus last Sunday. • The faithful work of the various teams serving at MBCC each week and in missions.
FOLDING DOORS DOWNSTAIRS
• Holy Spirit to lead and guide us in the search for His choice of a Chinese Associate Pastor. • MBCC member’s hearts to be stirred to volunteer to serve in Children’s and other ministries. • Those needing God’s healing touch, & others needing visas, a job, or housing. • All students, teachers and Home Groups. That this term will be fruitful! • Families who’ve not yet returned from travels abroad - God bring them safely home to us. • KO & Stella serving in Japan. • Ps Timothy & Julia Rinopisa, who we support through KiwiLink, serving in rural Zimbabwe.
Although we often enjoy and can justify the observance of Mother’s Day, since the Bible is so full of admonitions regarding motherhood as well as emphasising the positive influence of faith filled believing mothers, we must guard against the sentimental frenzy frequently characterizing this day. As believers our main purpose is the glorification of God and the proclamation of Biblical Truth in order that souls may be saved and transformed through the power of the Holy Spirit. Therefore, when we honour mothers we do so not idolising human flesh, but praising God for the blessing of motherhood. Parenthood is God’s plan, His vessel through which He blesses a continually growing and developing world and needless to say, mothers play a major role in this. At conception, a new life comes into existence and that life is sacred. Christian mothers are there to send forth into a sinful world those who will become the salt of the earth and infuse the world with Kingdom thinking. Mothers play an immensely important role as “character builders” and God’s “recruiting agents” for the eternal realms of heaven.
The folding doors in the downstairs hall need to be handled with care as they break easily. We have provided instructions with sketches for those who need to handle them. The instructions are on the wall close to the folding doors downstairs.
We thank the LORD for all our mothers. Thank you for building Biblical values into the lives of our children. Moms, we cannot do it without you and we praise God for you! Enjoy a Jesus filled Mother’s Day. Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb is a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are the children of one’s youth. Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them; - Psalm 127:3-5 (NKJV).
JAPAN EARTHQUAKE DONATIONS
Abri Brancken Discipleship Training
6 week course for parents of 0-10 year olds. Where: Church Dates: Mondays 2nd May - 13th June Time: 6:00 to 7:30 pm Contact: Bill and Helen Liu 410 6645
The 2015 / 16 Tax Receipts are ready. Please collect your tax receipt from Jacky or Ivy and ensure you write your name (as required by IRD) on your receipt. Please note that most receipts cannot be replaced. We have, as a Church, made a donation to a Japan Earthquake Relief fund. If anyone would like to make an additional donation, please mark your envelope “Japan Earthquake Relief” .
SUNDAY SCHOOL TRAINING
EQUIPING THE SAINTS – TRAINING IN CHINESE Alpha Parenting Course
CHURCH DONATION TAX RECEIPTS
For Growing Christians For New Christians Where: Church Where: Church Dates: Mondays from 2nd Dates: Wednesdays May from 4th May Time: 10:30 am - 12:00 pm Time: 7:30 - 9:00 pm Contact: Wendy 021 0265 4800
We will have a special Sunday School Volunteers Training Session coming up soon. Don’t miss it. Date: 15 May 2016 (Sunday) Time: 13:00 – 15:00 Venue: Church facilities We will provide pizza and drinks.
PRAY FOR
CONTACT INFORMATION Church Office: 09 478-6314 Pastor Abri Brancken: 027 2104730,
[email protected] Church Administrator, Jacky Sun: 021 675669,
[email protected] Children’s Ministry Director, Joji & Chihiro Kami: 027 3104841 Chinese Pastoral Worker, Wendy Liu: 021 02654800
[email protected]
Service Roster for next Sunday 15th May 2016 Worship
Musicians
Sound
Communion
Reader
Greeters
Offering Count
Translators
Flowers
Tea
Garrett
Youth
Louis/Fiona
Michael (9)
George/Dale
Sakura; Xiang Hong/Susan S
Kevin/Aileen S
Paul W/Flora/Lisa
Helen X
Helena S/Kelly Ai; Annie Z/Hong Li
