This week, we encourage you to pray for the State of Israel
Quick facts on Israel Capital: Jerusalem Population: 7,285,033 Annual Growth: 1.71% Christians: 148,615 (2.04% of population, annual growth 0.5%), Including Evangelical Christians 31,045 (0.4% of population, annual growth 5.6%) Jewish 5,492,915 (75.4% of population) Answer to prayer. Globally, there is a significant response to the gospel among the 14.5 million Jews. Even the more conservative estimates indicate an unprecedented response, and some of the more optimistic claims exceed 100,000 said to be linked with Messianic congregations. Most of these believers are in North America as well as Russia, Ukraine and the UK. A much larger number have integrated into mainstream Christian churches.. Challenges for Prayer. The Christian Church in Israel is fragmented, although soundings of unity are beginning. It is comprised of about 80% Arabs, 12% expatriates (Egyptian, Ethiopian, Greek, Russian, Armenian, Italian, others) and 8% Jews. There are Catholics (five rites), Orthodox (nine traditions) and Protestants/Independents (over 20 denominations, many individual congregations and over 100 mission agencies). Pray for spiritual unity that transcends history, ethnic conflict, national origins, eschatology and secondary areas of theology.
Knowing Jesus More and Making Him Known
Weekly Bulletin
Sunday 28th 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 VERSE FOR THE WEEK Matthew 16: 15 - 19 He said to them, But who do you say I am? And Simon Peter answered and said, You are the Christ, the Son of the living God. Jesus answered and said to him, You are blessed, Simon, son of Jonah, for flesh and blood did not reveal it to you, but My Father in Heaven. And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give the keys of the kingdom of Heaven to you. And whatever you may bind on earth shall occur, having been bound in Heaven, and whatever you may loose on earth shall occur, having been loosed in Heaven.
“What is the Church？”
Today’s Service
Preacher: Abri Brancken Reading: Matthew 16: 15 - 19
Worship: Abri
Communion: (11) David X
Greeters: (9) Jennifer H/Karen (11) Mike/Anna Sunday School Little Lambs:
Translators: David X/Elizabeth Reader: (9)George (11)Julie
(9) Prescy/Chelscy
(11) Helen X/Lucy Z
Kids for Christ:
(9) Mike/Kuniko
(11) Mike/Kuniko
Bible Explorers:
(9) Mike/Kuniko
(11) Michelle/Ivy
Worship Service 9 am & 11 am
Pre-Service Prayer at 8:30 am in lounge – all welcome Prayer Meeting every 2nd & 4th Sunday at 7 pm (28th August, 11th & 25th September) 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
As children of God, we have been given a very important role to play in society. We have been "called out of this world" unto the Lord, for His purposes. Jesus said in John 17:16,
“They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.” We should never forget that as Christians we live as part of a different kingdom, God’s Kingdom. As a follower of Jesus, you and I form part of the body of Christ - a group of people unified (Ephesians 4:1-3) under Christ, who represent and reflect Him to the world (1 Corinthians 12:12-17). We are called to glorify God and to serve as ambassadors of the Kingdom of Heaven. Christians are a called out “assembly of citizens”, summoned by the Lord to represent Him and to influence others to live for His glory. We have been called for a particular cause and purpose. So often, we forget about this and we allow ourselves to be taken captive by the things of this world. Never forget who you are in the Lord and to what you have been called. Live today for His glory and be His representative in a broken and fallen world.
NEWS & EVENTS
PRAYER “and pray for one another,”
BAPTISMS - 11th Sep
James 5:16b. Please visit the Prayer Wall. Leave
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.
GIVE TOWARDS GOD’S WORK
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. • The Chinese Service and all who attend. Pray that many will come to future services, hear the word and receive Christ. • Michelle You and son’s safe return from the International House of Prayer in Kansas City. MEMBERSHIP OF MBCC • All those who serve in various ministries at Thinking of becoming a Member of MBCC? MBCC. May God bless and protect each one. Speak to Wendy or Ann for an application PRAY FOR form. • David Yeh and family as he prepares to join MBCC OPP SHOP our staff as Associate Pastor. Now has Eftpos to make purchases easier. • The AGM coming up in November. PLEASE CONTRIBUTE • God to bring healing, encouragement and The Op Shop needs new or used items in comfort to those that need it, including, good condition – especially warm blankets, Hilary Webster, Ivy’s son, Evan’s hearing – clothing, etc. pray for healing and restoration, Wendy Stringer, Michael Pun, 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 have overseas trips, incl. Ping & Sister Xie, etc 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.
Blessings Abri Brancken
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 4 ways: Tithe Envelope (available in the Foyer) Eftpos (in the Foyer) Pay Online Set up an Automatic Payment (AP)
ASB Bank 12-3050-0301948-00
CONTACT INFORMATION 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 4th Sept 2016 Worship
Musicians
Sound
Communion
Reader
Greeters
Offering Count
Translators
Flower
Tea
Garrett
Michelle Y
Jacky/Darren/Louis
Warren (9)
Angel/Sarah
Jennifer H/Karen/Hong X/Emily P
David R/Jennifer Z
Paul/Flora/Hiromi
Julie
Lily L/Helena S/Ding Qing/崔家珠
