can newsletter nov.dec 2014

8/10/2019 CAN Newsletter Nov.Dec 2014

1/12

As we enter the season of Advent, we do so as a church family.We prepare by repentance, reading, singing,

encouraging, and service.

This Advent, the words of Isaiah 40 are guiding our reflection in worship, and

they give us a strong message that our Lord is coming with good news for us. Indeed, when Jesus comes at

Christmas, he comes for us. Jesus comes today through his word and sacrament; he comes for us. Jesus is

coming on the last day, and he will come for us.

The time of preparation during Advent reminds us that, while Christ has done all that is needed "for us and

our salvation, we still have to live in the world as we wait for his coming.As we live here, he calls us to be

the people he has made us- his people. He calls us to be the ones in whom comfort, glory, and his word is

revealed.

Our Advent waiting at Church of All Nations will be interrupted on December 14 with the Family ChristmasCelebration. Through the songs and the stories

the children will share, we get an early glimpse

of the joy of Christmas that comes at the end of

our Advent waiting. The Love, Peace, Joy, and

Hope of define who we are as people of Christ.

So, we can follow the words of Isaiah and go up

on the high mountain tops say, that Jesus

Christ is born for us!

Pastor Joel

NOVEMBER/ DECEMBER 2014 8 South Bay Close

REPULSE BAY, HONG KONG

Go, Tell it on the Mountain!

Comfort, Comfort, my people, says your God.

The glory of the Lord shall be revealed.

The Word of the Lord stands forever.

Go up to a high mountain and say,

"Behold, the Lord God comes

(Isaiah 40:1-10)


2/12

A few weeks ago Pastor Joel shared Gods Word with us focusing on how God does not

need us to do good things for Him, but other people do! He put forward a few scenarios

and asked us Does it make a difference? We walked away with the reassurance that

the little things make a big difference and that God equips us to minister to each other

daily. But maybe some of you are still overwhelmed with the How?!

Every week I have the privilege to share life with so many of you to share in the joys, hurts, and challenges. Over

and over again I hear you share about your families, especially your children and so often there is an underlying

current of how to best handle the busyness and maintain a balance. Time is a precious commodity one that can

starve us not only of time within our church community but also within our family lives. So, how do we care for

our families amidst this reality?

I recently read an article sharing the findings of The National Study of Youth and Religion (NSYR) which followed

youth through young adulthood with the intention of finding out why some young adults have clung to their faith

as foundational as they embark on adulthood while so many others find faith inapplicable to this new season of

their lives.

I myself have struggled with this truth especially being in a position of responsibility for the children and youth

ministry programming that happens here at Church of All Nations. Ive thought, Should we offer more programs

additional VBS programs? After-school activities? More fellowship opportunities? Etc. As a community you

have echoed that the spiritual health of your family is important, especially as your children grow but how do we

do it well?

The NSYR found that just 1 percent of teens ages 15 to 17 raised by parents who attached little importance to

religion were highly religious in their mid- to late 20s.

In contrast, 82 percent of children raised by parents who talked about faith at home, attached great importance to

their beliefs and were active in their congregations were themselves religiously active as young adults. 82

percent! Overwhelmingly, you are the greatest resource to nurture the faith of your children. In fact, factors such

as youth ministry or service projects or religious schools pale in comparison to your influence as a parent. Your

faith has the biggest impact on the faith your children will carry with them into adulthood!

With the reassurance that your faith is impactful on your children, how do you live it out?

Worship together.Your child learns what worship is all about from you talk about the songs, encourage them

to attend the childrens message, write down questions from the sermon to talk about later that day.

Read Gods Word together. Make bedtime an opportunity to read together stories of how God has always been

working in the lives of people and remind each other of why we need Jesus.

Pray together. Take time in the day to share hurts and joys with each other and then share those things with

God.

Ask for help.There is great joy in being a part of a community of believers if you need help or advice on how to

start, restart, or rethink how you approach or talk about faith as a family let me know!

Take these words of mine to heart and keep them in mindTeach them to your children, and talk about them when youre at

home or away, when you lie down or get up. Deuteronomy 11:18-19

May this Advent be a time to prepare your heart (and the hearts of your children!) for our savior Jesus,

Megan

Article: http://blogs.thearda.com/trend/featured/parents-no-1-influence-helping-teens-remain-religiously-active-as-young-adults/

Christian Parenting

Does It Make a Difference?
http://blogs.thearda.com/trend/featured/parents-no-1-influence-helping-teens-remain-religiously-active-as-young-adults/http://blogs.thearda.com/trend/featured/parents-no-1-influence-helping-teens-remain-religiously-active-as-young-adults/


3/12

I have been in Hong Kong for over three months now, and though I

have adjusted to a many things, some will simply take more time. One

of these is that I now find myself quickly moving towards my first

Christmas in Hong Kong, though to me it feels nothing like the

Christmas season. After spending my whole life in the northern

Midwest of the United States I have become accustomed to Christmas

meaning cold weather, snow on the ground, an abundance of

decorations, and plenty of Christmas cookies and candies. Now, 7000

miles away from that, is seems unreal that the Christmas season is

upon us. However, it has made me think about what Christmas really

means and how it can become diluted so easily. As Christians, we know of course that Christmas is a

celebration of the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ yet it is so easy to get caught up in all the frills

and decorations and secular traditions that we do indeed lose sight of what we are celebrating. Maybe a change

of scenery is just what I needed to remind me of what Christmas is all about.

One constant that I have found so phenomenal about my move to Hong Kong is that I have come halfway

around the world and have found people that worship that same God with as much passion as anyone I knew

back in the States. Though the culture and people change, the God stays the same. We celebrate the same birth

of the same Jesus and that is something that will not change no matter how much snow there is on the ground.

So, this Christmas, take some time to see past the feeling of the Christmas season and focus on the truth of our

Savior coming to earth.

Nic Cass

Let It Snow?

Advent & Christmas Services

WEDNESDAY ADVENTSERVICES

On December 17, at 5:00-5:45 p.m. We will

continue to gather around story and song in the

balcony of the church. The worship services are

planned to include families, young children,

individuals, and friends. Soup dinner follows!

CHRISTMAS WORSHIPDec 24 Christmas Eve Services -

5:00 p.m. , 7:30 p.m. & 11 p.m.

Dec 25 Christmas Day Service - 10:00 a.m.

*There will be bus services departing Tai Wai at

6:00 p.m. and 9:00 a.m. respectively on Dec 24

and Dec 25. Please call the church office at

2812-0375 if you have any questions.


4/12

PastorJoelwillbeawayfromJanuary

4th

till18th. Forpastoralcareduringthis

period,pleasecontactRussDaniels(919

5

9261)orMaryGaretsonat

[email protected].

Weareverythankfultohavethefollow

ing

guestpreachersspeakingtousonthe

followingdates:

! Jan4th&11th-PastorShaunDaughert

y

! Jan18th-PastorScottRische

Pastoral Acts

Sunday Worship at CAN

The First Communion of Alec Brayko

Regular Worship: 9am & 11 am

Voters Meeting Nov 2014On November 16th, 2014 we held our twice yearly voter's

mtg after the 11 AM service.

This voter's meeting is an important aspect of church life as

we "do the business" of managing a church entity and

provide support to our church staff and congregation.

A few of the highlights of this meeting:

Staff reports from Pastor Joel, and Megan Birney.

Our intern, Nic Cass also talked about his first few

months at CAN and some of his future projects while

in Hong Kong.

We voted to approve the October 2013 Audit Report ofour finances.

Several of the board committees talked about

stewardship, social ministry and property.

The current financial status of the church was

reviewed.

Elections were held for several positions on several of

the church boards, but is was noted that key

leadership positions are still vacant.

Most importantly, we voted by ballot to change the

constitution of the church to better reflect and

manage the property of Church of All Nations, both

Worship Attendance Figures

Date 9AM 11AM

Oct 19 51 85

Oct 26 54 105

Nov 2 51 115

Nov 9 42 123

Nov 16 45 81

Nov 23 42 80

Nov 27* 87

Nov 30 38 134

Offering Figures

Date GENERAL DESIGNATED

Oct 19 HK$21,215 -

Oct 26 HK$22,259 -

Nov 2 HK$40,803 -

Nov 9 HK$22,205 -

Nov 16 HK$21,294 -

Nov 23 HK$25,536 -

Nov 27 HK$4,340 -

Nov 30 HK$61,162 HK$2,885
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]


5/12

Thanksgiving 2014


6/12

Nov 2014-Feb 2015 CHURCH OF ALL NATIONS

Let God Shine Through You!

Courtesy ofsabrina-putri.blogspot.hk.com

"...for once you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord;walk as children of light...."

Ephesians 5:8 (Revised Standard Version)

As we approach the season of thanks and gifting, we remember that:! God shines the light of his unbounded love for us in his son Jesus;! We are nurtured here and now in that light of love;! In joyful thanks we can let God's light shine through us, using the many gifts he

has first given us--including our talents, time and resources.

With God's blessings, we each have unique opportunities to let God shine through ourlives into the lives of others.

CAN thanks God and our church family worldwide for the talents, time and resourcesthat enable us to share and spread the good news of God's great love.

We also ask each of us at this time to consider prayerfully and deliberately howwe can let God's light shine through our personal and congregationalministries. With our recently installed pastor and newly arrived members, wehave fresh opportunities to let God shine!

Please join with us as God blesses CAN with minds to understand needs, hearts tocare, and hands to give.

To find out more, connect with any of us listed below, or call Pastor Joel or MeganBirney at 2812-0375.

In God's love,CAN Stewardship BoardVincent Li, Thom Garetson, Paul Strecker


7/12

Fellowship at CAN

FRIDAY MENS BIBLE STUDY

Fridays 7:00 - 7:45 a.m. in Room 502

on the HS campus in Tai Tam

Contact Pastor Joel

TUESDAY BETH MOORE

WOMENS STUDY

Tuesdays 9:30 - 11:30 a.m. at CAN

Contact Robyn Steuernagel

TODAYS LIGHT 2-YEAR BIBLE

READING PLAN

Mondays 8:30 - 9:30 a.m. at the CAN

Parsonage on Shouson HillContact Iantha Scheiwe

YOUNG ADULT BIBLE STUDY

Saturdays 9:30 a.m. at Starbucks in

Alexandra House, Central

Contact Megan Birney

COMMUNITY BIBLE STUDY

INTERNATIONAL (CBSI)

Thursdays 9:30 - 11:30 a.m. at CAN

Contact Ha Gavlik

HKIS FACULTY PRAYER

Wednesdays 7:10 a.m. at HKIS Tai Tam

Contact Pastor Joel

SUNDAY ADULT BIBLE

FELLOWSHIPSundays 10:00 a.m. in the UP Cafeteria

Contact Carl Hanson

Soup Lunch, Nov 2On November 2, a Fellowship (Soup) Lunch with silent

auction was held at the HKIS HK Campus in Tai Tam. TheFPSC and nine CAN families provided soup and food.

Art from HKIS, Savior Lutheran School and the Philippines

was auctioned. A total of $5,770 was raised from the sale of

16 pieces. Approximately 60 HKIS community and CAN

members joined the soup lunch.

Coming up on Saturday,

December 13...


8/12

Childrens Ministry / Youth Ministry

Have a gift for sharing the

Gospel with kids?

CAN Childrens Ministry can always

use more willing hands and hearts!

Contact Megan if you interested in

using your gifts to enrich the spiritual

nurture of children in our community!

[email protected]

KIDS PRAISE TEAM

CAN Kids Praise Team will resume when school after the new year. All

interested HKIS Upper Primary students can register through the CAN

website.

Buzz Sunday School

Children Age 3 Grade 5 are invited to join every Sunday

morning at 10:10am for songs, games, and interesting

lessons from the Bible!

Age 35 in Room 503 with Mrs. Alice & Mrs. Tara

Grades 1 & 2 in Room 507 with Mrs. Karen & Mrs. Cat

Grades 3, 4, & 5 in the 6/F Lounge with Mrs. Iantha & Mrs.

Chenhsi

Ask your kids about their Faith Buzz at Home

cards!
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]


9/12

Thanks to all those who prayed, joined,

and participated in the visit to the Mr.

and Mrs. Lawrence Wong, Hong Kong

Lutheran Elderly Home at Siu Sai Wan,

Chai Wan. The Elderlies enjoyed the

singing fellowship and requested more

songs. One of the Elderlies present

shared about her life and it was quite

touching to hear. All attendees were 26

from Church of All Nations who cheered

the thirty Elderlies who were on their

wheelchairs and some on the on chairs. We hope

to visit the Elderly Home again in the near

future and seek to provide interactive activities.

The members of the FPSC group felt very blessed

for the precious soul experience at the ElderlyHome. God is good, indeed!Hallelujah!

Twenty-one members of Church of All Nations

participated in the Service Saturday event at the

Martha Boss Lutheran Community Center in Ho Man

Tin on October 25. Daniel Cheng along with social

workers from other departments, presented to the

CAN team about the services provided by HKLSS.

The team also had the opportunity to sing and play

games with elderly, do crafts with youth in the

community center, help with the dementia prevention

program. HKLSS gave many small gifts to the CAN

team made by clients.

Hong Kong Lutheran

Social Services

(HKLSS)

Hong Kong Lutheran

Elderly Home Visit

Dear Friends at CAN,

No words can describe to express how thankful we

are for your unending support to our ministry.

Thank you for being part of these children's life and

for being a "good samaritans" to give these children

an opportunity to have a better future. From the

deepest part of our soul, THANK YOU...You will

always be remembered in our prayers.

My warm regards.

Total: P42,000.00

Sincerely,Anna Bella Caballes

Executive Director

A Note from Concordia

Childrens Services


10/12

Kowloon Community Caring Party 2015

The 18th Annual Kowloon Caring Party (former Street Sleepers party) will be

held on January 17, 2015. More than 130 low-income families would receive

food, clothing, and Christian fellowship at this event. CAN has long supported

this charity event in a variety of ways:

Collection of Donations:

" Leftover holiday goodies (cakes, cookies, fruit, chocolates, candies or snacks, etc.) collection points are at

CAN and at the LP and UP school offices or the MS and HS Teachers lounges

" Gently used clothing

Monetary Gifts to help purchase groceries including rice, oil and others. We are looking to raise HK$11,000.

Donations may be put in the offerings, marked Kowloon Community Caring Party

Volunteers

" To sort donations prior to the party

" To attend the party and help with activities (There will be a bus service departing from CAN)

HOLF VISIT

Date:Sunday, December 14

Time:After late service

Venue:Sheung Shui, Lo Wu

Members of the FPSC will visit and singChristmas carols at the Home of LovingFaithfulness (HOLF). Everyone is invited toshare their talents in music or join in thisannual event at HOLF. Please contact MaryEwing ([email protected]) for more

information. The more the merrier :)

VIETNAM SERVICE

TRIP
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]


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can newsletter nov.dec 2014

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