This week, we encourage you to pray for Ukraine Quick facts on Ukraine - Capital: Kiev Population: 45,433,415 Annual Growth: -0.65% Christians: 35,896,941 (79.01% of population, annual growth -0.07%), including 1,737,245 Evangelical Christians (3.8% of population, annual growth 3.1%) Challenges for Prayer Ukraine has a strong Christian legacy, and evangelicals emerged stronger and more numerous from 130 years of sustained persecution in which millions of Christians were killed. Freedom of religion is vastly improved but not yet enshrined in both law and practice. Pray for the Church to engage this new context with boldness. There are several challenges: a) Reconciliation and unity. Ukrainian religious life is marred by strife among & inside all major groups. Competing schisms within Orthodoxy in particular, also factions in Catholicism & Protestantism, blunt the effectiveness of religious faith. The Communist era is over, but scars of intimidation and betrayal need further healing – all three major confessions were split between collaborators and resisters. Pray for right responses to those who yielded to pressure, those who stood firm but often remain inflexible today, and those who emerged on the scene post-independence. Often divisions are the result of personal pride, unforgiveness and financial disputes rather than theological differences alone. b) The emergence of the newer churches is a great blessing, though it has upset the balance of the religious establishment. Dynamism, Western style and African leadership have ruffled some feathers amongst more traditional groups. Pray for sensitivity and gracious attitudes for all, and for ways to maximize spiritual fervour of newer groups & the remarkable spiritual heritage of traditional ones. c) Growth is somewhat limited by needs for training, infrastructure, adequate facilities & active input from lay Christians. Opportunities for holistic and compassionate ministries abound; to miss this open door would be a shame. Pray for a mentality of abundance & generosity that provides for the material needs of church growth too without much recourse to foreign funds, bringing it’s own complications. Leadership training is probably the primary church need in Ukraine. Twenty years of sustained growth created thousands of new congregations requiring leadership formation. There are dozens of seminaries, Bible schools & institutes, capacities of which must grow to meet current/future demands. Western agencies contribute helpfully in this area, including SGA, GEM, Calvary Chapel Mission, Baptist & Pentecostal groups & others. Pray for them to serve professionally & humbly. Ask God’s provision for good academic resources & textbooks, for building projects &also funding for student scholarships.
Knowing Jesus More and Making Him Known
Weekly Bulletin
Sunday 21st August 2016
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
Worship Service
VERSE FOR THE WEEK Ephesians 6: 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
9 am & 11 am
Today’s Service Worship: Fran
Communion: (9) Warren
Greeters: (9) Karen/Wendy (11) Siak/Tony Sunday School Little Lambs:
Translators: Tommy/ Richard/Lisa L Reader: (9)Colin (11)Dale
(9) Chihiro/Qing Y
(11) Teresa/Angela Z
Kids for Christ:
(9) Jacky S/Job
(11) Flora/Lucy Z
Bible Explorers:
(9) Jacky S/Job
(11) Jacky S/Job
“Spiritual Warfare” Preacher: David Xu Reading: Ephesians 6: 10-17 Pre-Service Prayer at 8:30 am in lounge – all welcome Prayer Meeting every 2nd & 4th Sunday at 7 pm (14th & 28th August) 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 A warm welcome to you all today. We hope you will be encouraged and refreshed by your time with us. Pastor Abri, Leoni and family are not with us today but will return to Auckland tomorrow. We are living in a fast changing world. Some of changes are good, some are not that good. Some changes are clearly against Biblical teaching. As Christians, we need God's wisdom to discern good or evil in the world we are living in. We need to put on full Armor of God to defeat Satan's scheme. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. (Ephesians 6:12) We put our hope in the Lord He is our help and our shield. In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. Let your unfailing love surround us, Lord, for our hope is in you alone. (Psalm 33 : 20 – 22)
NEWS & EVENTS
PRAYER “and pray for one another,”
CHINESE SERVICE - 26th Aug
James 5:16b. Please visit the Prayer Wall. Leave
Pr Wendy Liu will bring a word - 7:30 pm. BAPTISMS - 11th Sep We look forward to upcoming Baptisms. Please speak to Abri, Warren or Wendy to register. FEAST OF TABERNACLES – 16th & 23rd Oct Save these dates for times of celebration! ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING - 6th Nov Group Leaders, please prepare your reports and send them to Ann by Friday 30th September.
MEMBERSHIP OF MBCC
David Xu （Elder） 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 • Those who attended the Pre-Baptism Course and all who are to be Baptised in September. • Praise God for Joyce & Song who gave their hearts to the Lord last Sunday. • All those who serve in various ministries at MBCC. May God bless and protect each one.
PRAY FOR
Thinking of becoming a Member of MBCC? • David Yeh and family as he prepares to join our staff as Associate Pastor. Speak to Wendy or Ann for an application form. • Pr Abri, Leoni and family as they enjoy some OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE time away with Oupa – pray for rest, Could you give of your time, even half a day per refreshment and family fun! week, to love and serve others? MBCC Opportunity Shop urgently needs volunteers. • The AGM coming up in November. Please talk with Pat (094766176) or Julie (021 • Michelle You and son who are in Kansas City at the International House of Prayer. Pray for 2126035) to join this wonderful ministry. a blessed time and safe travel. PLEASE CONTRIBUTE: The Op Shop needs new or used items in good condition – especially • God to bring healing, encouragement and comfort to those that need it, including, warm blankets, clothing, etc. Wendy Stringer, Yan Xu, Annie Zhang. • For Pat’s health, finding difficulties coping Music for with daily routine, casual gardener needed (with pay) – pray God sends the right person. Kiddies • Pray for safety and protection for those who Japanese group at 10:30 am on the 2nd, 4th have overseas trips, incl. Ping & Sister Xie, etc and 5th Thursday of the month. • For God to undertake for those who need Chinese group @ 10:30 am every Thursday visas, jobs, housing, finances, etc. during school terms. Helper needed. Please speak to Ann Yao if you’d like to volunteer. CONTACT INFORMATION
GIVE TOWARDS GOD’S WORK
God Bless
prayers, answers to prayer or testimonies. Remember to pray for these today and throughout 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 28th Aug 2016 Worship
Musicians
Sound
Communion
Reader
Greeters
Offering Count
Translators
Flower
Tea
Abri
Alastair
LD/Fiona
David X (11)
Julie/George
Jennifer H/Karen/Mike/Anna
Kevin/Julie
David X/Elizabeth
Annie
Josephine/Lisa W/Florence/Robyn
