Republic of the Fiji Islands This week, we encourage you to pray for the Republic of the Fiji Islands Quick facts on Fiji - Capital: Suva Population: 854,098 Annual Growth: 0.62% Christians: 555,591 (65.05% of population, annual growth 1.2%), including 215,408 Evangelical Christians (25.2% of population, annual growth 2.1%)
Knowing Jesus More and Making Him Known
Challenges for Prayer
The Methodist Church has been the de facto state church for 150 years as well as the faith of the majority of ethnic Fijians. It has also been tightly aligned with the nation’s political structures – to the detriment of the gospel. Methodism’s past failure to adequately condemn the endemic racism and racially motivated coups has prompted splits within the Church. A lack of spiritual vitality spurred an exodus to newer denominations. But there has also been change in recent years as issues of renewal and reconciliation have come to the fore. Pray for new life and right priorities for this highly influential denomination. New churches with spiritual dynamism and evangelistic vision have surged in growth in the last decade; Pentecostal groups are the most notable among these. Also within the Methodist, Anglican and Catholic churches are strong evangelical/charismatic movements. There are many claims of great revival in Fiji, and there is undeniable fruit of God at work in remarkable ways, as individuals, communities and even the environment see transformation. Some specific areas that warrant prayer: a) Unity. The Association of Christian Churches of Fiji was formed after the 2000 coup to establish unity and reconciliation. It’s composed of mostly evangelical Protestant churches and has a great impact. The more ecumenical Fiji Council of Churches also works toward the same goal. The Evangelical Fellowship of Fiji exists to unite evangelicals. b) Leadership training for the many churches. There is a wealth of options as the Methodists, AoG, Baptists, Nazarenes, Catholics and others offer training programmes and degrees. In addition, the interdenominational Pacific Theological College offers degrees up to doctoral level. World Harvest Institute (Christian Mission Fellowship), South Pacific Missionary Training Centre & Fiji College of Theology and Evangelism focus on training for mission and evangelism. c) Mission vision. Fiji was once a hotbed of mission-sending throughout the Pacific. This legacy is being revived as YWAM, WEC and CMF have been prominent in channeling Fijians to mission fields around the world. The Deep Sea Canoe Mission seeks to foster a missions vision. Pray for existing missions and for a greater future of Fijian missionary investment. 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 6:11 “Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Today’s Service Worship: Ian
Communion: (11) David X
Greeters: (9) Jessica G/Cindy K (11) LD/Lisa W
Translators: David R / Richard / Warren
Weekly Bulletin
Sunday 14th August 2016
Worship Service 9 am & 11 am
“Dead to Sin, but Alive to God in Christ Jesus” Preacher: Abri Brancken Reading: Romans 6:11
Reader: (9)Ivy (11)Joy
Pre-Service Prayer at 8:30 am in lounge – all welcome Prayer Meeting every 2nd & 4th Sunday at 7 pm (14th & 28th August)
Sunday School Little Lambs:
(9) Chihiro/Joji
(11) Catherine/Cherry I
Kids for Christ:
(9) Jacky S/Job
(11) Flora/Lucy Z
Bible Explorers:
(9) Jacky S/Job
(11) Jacky S/Job
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 I have decided to include this confession of our new life in Christ Jesus as my word for this week. I encourage you to confess this week. Blessings, Abri Brancken CONFESSION OF OUR NEW LIFE IN CHRIST JESUS
As children of God we confess that we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us (Philippians 4:13). We are called by You O God, to live a life free from fear, because You have not given us a spirit of fear, but of love, power and a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7). You work in us both to will and to do according to Your good pleasure (Philippians 2:13). Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us (Galatians 3:13) and therefore we can live as the Redeemed of God for Your Glory and Your Honour. Thank You God for making all grace abound toward us so that we always have all sufficiency and an abundance for every good work (2 Corinthians 9:8). Jesus Christ bore our sins in His own body on the cross and we are healed by His stripes (1 Peter 2:24). As God’s children, we reject all sin and we stand against being conformed to this world, but we choose to be transformed by renewing our minds in and through God’s Word (Romans 12:2). We walk by faith and not by sight (II Corinthians 5:7) and so we declare the perfect will of God over our lives and we also declare that Jesus Christ is our LORD! The Spirit and the bride say, “Come” and let the one who hears say, “Come.” (Revelation 22:17). The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all of us (Revelation 22:21).
NEWS & EVENTS
PRAYER “and pray for one another,”
PRE-BAPTISM COURSE
James 5:16b. Please visit the Prayer Wall. Leave
MEMBERSHIP OF MBCC
PRAY FOR
Is God calling you to be Baptised? Come along prayers, answers to prayer or testimonies. Remember to pray for these today and throughout the week. and learn more about this important step of faith on 14th Aug, 12:45 – 14:45 pm. Baptisms GIVE THANKS FOR will take place on 11th September. Please speak • Praise God for Annie Zhang’s successful surgery in China. Also for ongoing recovery of to Abri or Wendy to register. Michael Pun, Lina Liu and Grace Liang. ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING • For those who have requested Baptism. Pray Coming up on 6th November. Group leaders, for Holy Spirit’s leading and guidance. please begin preparing your reports and send • All those who serve in various ministries at them to Ann by Friday 30th September. MBCC. May God bless and protect each one. Thinking of becoming a Member of MBCC? • David Yeh and family as he prepares to join Speak to Wendy or Ann for an application form. our staff as Associate Pastor. OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE • The AGM coming up in November. Could you give of your time, even half a day per • Michelle You and son who are in Kansas City week, to love and serve others? MBCC at the International House of Prayer. Pray for Opportunity Shop urgently needs volunteers. a blessed time and safe travel. Please talk with Pat (094766176) or Julie (021 • God to bring healing, encouragement and 2126035) to join this wonderful ministry. comfort to those that need it, including PLEASE CONTRIBUTE:The Op Shop needs new Joanne, Florence, Hilary. or used items in good condition – especially • For Pat’s health, finding difficulties coping warm blankets, clothing, etc. with daily routine, casual gardener needed (with pay) – pray God sends the right person. • Pray for the safety and protection for those Music for who have overseas trips, incl. Ping & Sister Kiddies Xie Japanese group at 10:30 am on the 2nd, 4th • For God to undertake for those who need and 5th Thursday of the month. visas, jobs, housing, finances, etc. Chinese group @ 10:30 am every Thursday during school terms. Helper needed. Please speak to Ann Yao if you’d like to volunteer. CONTACT INFORMATION
GIVE TOWARDS GOD’S WORK
Amen
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.
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 21th Aug 2016 Worship
Musicians
Sound
Communion
Reader
Greeters
Offering Count
Translators
Flowers
Tea
Fran
Jeremy T
LD/George
Warren (9)
Colin/Dale
Karen/Wendy/Siak/Tony
Kevin/Julie
Tommy/Richard/Lisa
Pinky
Jessica G/张淑萍/Helena/Mihaela
