MISSIONS & OUTREACH FOCUS This week, we encourage you to pray for the Republic of Turkey
Quick facts on Turkey Population: 75,705,147 Annual Growth: 1.24% Capital: Ankara Christians: 163,140 (0.21% of population, annual growth -1.4%), including 7,267 Evangelical Christians (0.0% of population, annual growth 1.2%)
Knowing Jesus More and Making Him Known
Challenges for Prayer The ancient churches survived until the beginning of the 20th Century, but have since been nearly wiped out by massacres (Armenians), severe persecution (Assyrians) and emigration (Greeks, etc). Pray for the remnant that survives – for a re-kindling of faith and a work of the Holy Spirit. Numbers have been reduced to an estimated 130,000 across 12 different traditions. Ministry to Turks outside Turkey include: a) The millions of Turks and Kurds in Western Europe. The diaspora of Turks; approx; Germany (2.8m), France (400,000), Netherlands (350,000), UK (300,000), Austria (200,000), Belgium (150,000), Switzerland (80,000), Sweden (40,000) are far more accessible to Christian workers but are also often more closed to the gospel. There is work among the 150,000 Turks in Australia. A number of churches and international agencies seek to evangelize them, but local hostility to migrant workers impedes this outreach. Organizations working outside of Turkey are OM, WEC, Frontiers, Turkish World Outreach and Orientdienst. There are possibly hundreds of born-again Turks as a result of these ministries, but more Turks still come to Jesus inside Turkey than outside. Pray for the multiplication of Turkish and Kurdish Christian groups in these areas and for them to make an impact on their homelands. b) Turks in the Balkans. Opportunities for ministry exist among Turkish minorities in Bulgaria (>750,000), Greece (140,000), Macedonia (80,000), Serbia (50,000), Romania (45,000). Little, if any, specific outreach is directed toward many of these minorities. Given historical enmity between Turks and Balkan peoples, ministry to Turkish Muslims in Orthodox-majority European countries may fall to expatriate workers, but a loving witness by born-again Balkan peoples would be a powerful testimony. Please see http://www.operationworld.org/ for more information on this and other nations and people groups you could pray for. “Declare His glory among the nations” Ps 96:3
VERSE FOR THE WEEK Romans 1:17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.”
Today’s Service Worship: Garrett
Communion: (9) Warren
Greeters: (9) Jennifer H/Helena (11) Hong Xiang/Susan S
Translators: Paul/Flora/Hiromi
Sunday 7th August 2016
Worship Service 9 am & 11 am
“Biblical Faith” Preacher: Abri Brancken Reading: Romans 1:17
Reader: (9)Rosemary (11)Sarah
(9) Judy S/Emily H
(11) Catherine/Lily B
Kids for Christ:
(9) Michelle/Karen
(11) Michelle/Karen
Bible Explorers:
(9) Lily Z/Christine
(11) Ivy/Melissa
Sunday School Little Lambs:
Weekly Bulletin
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 WORD FROM OUR PASTOR We are called by God to live by faith (Hab 2:4). Faith is like a house; it must be built on a strong foundation if it is going to stand tests and storms. Faith’s foundation is the Word of God. You cannot build a great faith life without it. The best part about this truth is that the Word of God will never fail. God wants to be the foundation of your personal house of faith, and He is still fulfilling His promises. Therefore, you can trust Him to do what He has said. It is an absolute necessity that we know God’s promises so that we can begin to build our houses of faith, for “. . . faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Rom. 10:17). It is only as you and I hear God’s Word—His promises— concerning us that our faith will grow and be stable. That same Word then becomes all the evidence we need until the manifestation comes. Faith comes from God. It is the “gift of God.” But He has given it to every believer. He has given to every believer the measure, or the same measure, of faith. Your faith grows according to what you do with it. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: IT IS THE GIFT OF GOD. (Ephesians 2: 8) A lot of people are doing with their faith what the man in the Bible did with his one talent (Matthew 25:25), they burry it and don’t use it at all. It’s up to you what you do with the measure of faith God has given you. This measure of faith can be increased by constantly believing God and trusting in His Word.
NEWS & EVENTS
PRAYER “and pray for one another,”
OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE
James 5:16b. Please visit the Prayer Wall. Leave
Could you give of your time, even half a day per week, to love and serve others? MBCC Opportunity Shop urgently needs volunteers. Please talk with Pat (094766176) or Julie (021 2126035) to join this wonderful ministry. PLEASE CONTRIBUTE:The Op Shop needs new or used items in good condition – especially warm blankets, clothing, etc.
Abri Brancken Want to get to know more about us? Please visit our website www.mairangichurch.org.nz You’ll find our weekly bulletin, learn more about our Life Groups and other ministries, get linked to watch our sermons and much more.
GIVE THANKS FOR
• Praise God for ongoing recovery - Michael Pun, Lina Liu’s and Grace Liang. Pray for ongoing health and wholeness. • The faithful service of our Children’s Church Teachers / Helpers. • Kairos Course – completed last Saturday. ENGLISH LADIES’ LIFE GROUP Pray for Holy Spirit to protect and guide Continuing each Wednesday from 10.15 am in continually. the Church Lounge. For more details, contact • For those who have requested Baptism. Pray Hilary Webster 021 316 576, Wendy Stringer for Holy Spirit’s leading and guidance. 09 475 5065 or Joanne Lum 09 415 1212. Let PRAY FOR Hilary or Ann at office (09 478 6314) know if • David Yeh, family and Search Committee as you would like to take part. they move forward in the process to appoint David as Chinese Associate Pastor. PRE-BAPTISM COURSE Is God calling you to be Baptised? Come along • Michelle You and son who are in Kansas City at the International House of Prayer. Pray for and learn more about this important step of th a blessed time and safe travel. faith on 14 Aug, 12:45 – 14:45 pm. Baptisms th • Sister Xie’s monthly Prison Ministry. Pray will take place on 11 September. Please speak God prepare people’s heart. to Abri or Wendy to register. • God to bring healing, encouragement and comfort to those that need it, including Music for Annie, Joanne, Florence, Hilary. Kiddies • For Pat’s health, finding difficulties coping Japanese group at 10:30 am on the 2nd, 4th with daily routine, casual gardener needed and 5th Thursday of the month. (with pay) – pray God sends the right person. Chinese group @ 10:30 am every Thursday • For God to undertake for those who need during school terms. Helper needed. Please visas, jobs, housing, finances, etc. speak to Ann Yao if you’d like to volunteer. CONTACT INFORMATION
GIVE TOWARDS GOD’S WORK
The Lord bless you,
prayers, answers to prayer or testimonies. Remember to pray for these today and through the week.
If you’d like to make a Donation to pay your Tithes or make an Offering, you can do so in 3 ways: Tithe Envelope (available in the Foyer) Pay Online Set up an Automatic Payment (AP)
ASB Bank 12-3050-0301948-00
Church Office: 09 478-6314 Pastor Abri Brancken: 027 2104730,
[email protected] Church Administrator, Ann Yao : 021 2322009,
[email protected] Children’s Ministry Director, Chihiro Kami: 027 3104841 Chinese Pastoral Worker, Wendy Liu: 021 02654800
[email protected]
Service Roster for next Sunday 14th Aug 2016 Worship
Musicians
Sound
Communion
Reader
Greeters
Offering Count
Translators
Flowers
Tea
Ian
Alastair
Ivy/Jasper
David Xu (11)
Ivy/George
Jessica G/Cindy K/LD/Ping
Lesley/Melissa
David R/Richard/Warren
Julie
You Lan/Ping/Hong X/Yi Wang
