Upcoming November Programs

Seminars and guest speakers are a great way to learn and as reminders to our gingko-deficient memories.

We're in constant need of encouragement and God knows that.

He constantly reminded His people about obeying Him and to dwell on His word so that we may stand firm.

Below are a few programs that we're having. And we hope to see you there! For more info, please email us at cogsjb@streamyx.com or call 07 3328277.

CLICK ON IMAGES BELOW FOR LARGER IMAGE

7th - 9th November 2008 (Friday - Sunday)
Daren Tay will be coming to tell us more about Holy Spirit - our Comforter and Friend that Jesus gave to us when He left this earth.




15th November 2008 (Saturday)
Anglican Diocese of West Malaysia - Men's Seminar 2008
A full-day seminar for all men!

Pelangi Cell Farewell Dinner

This is just the beginning of LOTS of food...

Don't we just love feeding them and sending them off to a food haven?

It's the Chinese way of saying... we love you!!!

Why Do I Go to Church?

Taken from http://www.heartlight.org
by Sarah Stirman

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Newsflash: I don't go to church to worship God.

Oh, I DO worship God when I go, but if MY church were going to be all about ME and MY best way to worship God, MY church would only have ME in attendance, and I would be outside somewhere talking with and worshipping God. I have had the privilege and responsibility of being in on some discussion about "worship planning" recently. I finally told the group: "Not gonna happen — you will NEVER plan a worship service that is perfect for me, or anyone else for that matter. I don't worship best in 'the pink room' (what I call our horribly outdated auditorium)."

Besides not lovin' the setting for "corporate worship," I'm generally busy. I interpret services for the deaf. That means I'm HEARING what is said and sung and prayed, but I can only process it in the part of my brain that translates it into another language, not the part that absorbs it and lets it transform me or reflect praise to our Father. Even when I'm not "working" by interpreting, I'm "feeding" signs to the person who is interpreting. (The very funny part about our deaf ministry is that we are positioned in the auditorium where the speakers shoot the sound over us — the interpreters can't hear a thing where we are!) Again, even if being surrounded by hundreds of people were my "thing" for worship, I'm a little occupied.

But, I do GO to church: I'm one of those "every-time-the-doors-are-open" kind of people. (I'm also one of those "last-ones-leaving-because-they're-turning-off-the-lights," but that's a whole other issue.) Even though I am openly professing to not attend church for the number one cited reason for attending, I think it is a crucial part of my faith and "Christian walk." I'm also teaching that to my children. My children know where we will be "every-time-the doors-are-open," and they know we don't plan events or things that would interfere with our attending.

So ... you GO to church, but you don't go to church to worship God? HUH?

So, why do I go to church?

I actually started thinking about all of this for several reasons. First, the church where I worship has started making an intentional difference in our two morning services. The second service is "less traditional" in nature. And our "more traditional" service is struggling over some bumps of its own. This, as you might imagine if you are a regular attender somewhere, has ruffled a few feathers and created some exciting end-of-the-pew discussion. I have also been included in some committee discussions regarding planning worship. Our "corporate worship" time has been on my mind lately.

Someone is unhappy with the song choices ... or song tempo ... or song leader. Others aren't happy with the screens or temperature or preacher or what-have-you. And — true confessions — I'm right there with them in many regards. As I mentioned — you can't plan a perfect worship for me, especially if there are people involved!

While all of this ha-rumphing was fresh on my mind, I sat down and encountered notes from a worship conference I attended last summer. This was on the top page:

Evaluating worship based on doing the right things in the right way or 'did it make me feel good' is having low expectations. Instead, evaluate worship on whether or not God showed up. There is NO worship renewal without expecting to meet the Almighty God. (Randy Harris)

That quote makes me feel better about not feeling like I am really able to worship at church. Oh, I feel certain the Almighty God is THERE — but I am only able to worship Him by serving His people while in "the assembly," not by chatting with Him and listening to Him. The best part is, I'm not missing my time with God if I don't get it inside the church building. The Almighty God shows up to talk to me and walk beside me on my morning walk. He listens so patiently while I fold the clothes. He blesses us again and again while I pray over carpool. My entire life — SHOULD I CHOOSE TO DO SO — can be a time of worship, complete with the presence of the Almighty God. Because He will ALWAYS show up — I just have to show up, as well.

And while the songs sung or words said and images displayed at church may or may not stir my soul, I can still worship because I will be in the presence of the Almighty God.

May my prayer be set before you like incense; may the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice (Psalm 141:2).

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I will be in the presence of the Almighty God.

Sarah is part of The Coffee Group, a varied group of women who express their love, faith, and praise for God with ladies they love. They do ladies' retreats and special speaking on God's work in their lives, as well as the importance of sharing your faith story.

Check out their website:
http://www.thecoffeegroup.net

Come visit them on their blog:
http://www.espressohislove.blogspot.com

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Charlotte's Thoughts

It's true. I sometimes forget too, how to expect God's presence in church.

We get distracted by so much "works" (programs, quality of music, people attending, pastor's message depth, etc) that we lose the meaning of the church and why we go to church.

Let's pull our minds back to God's way of thinking...

Let's go back to wanting to meet God, face to face.

Pastor Chris' Birthday Surprise?

Laying in wait outside pastor's house at 9pm on 20th Sept. We all crouched down behind a car and looked like refugees in party hats. It's hilarious. Everyone squatted until some complained of cramps in their legs.

We had to eventually stand up when Pastor himself came out and saw 'shadows' outside his house and so many cars. So we stood and sang birthday song...


How old is he this year? I forgot.

Dear God, bless him with your wisdom and strength and patience...

The whole crowd for the night.

L-R: (top) Sharon, Miaw Yee, Bryan, Margaret, Charlotte, Zin Vi, Paul, Nicholas
(mid row) Hooi Ping, Qing Rong, Canest, Doreen
(front) Quintin, Joe, Qing En, Pastor Chris, Mandy, Nerisa, Regina, Mei Yi, Catherine

I know it's slanted. Timer - which Joe took ages to figure out - placed on the sofa.
Hence, slanted...

They couldn't get the timer on the camera to work properly. Getting into position and having Joe accidentally snap heaps of pictures was really funny.

The TOAST... Arm on right side of pic is holding a glass of Irish Cream... And a bowl of ???

Mandy has a 3/4 cup full of Irish Cream which she gamely downed in 30 seconds. We had Red-Lobster-Faced-Mandy after that.

It's Almost The End of the Year... again

Here we are, in September, with another 3 months to December 25th.

How time flies...

I just remembered how we went door-to-door caroling last year. And how we were at shopping complexes the previous year in 2006. It's already 2008 and here we are, still wondering what to do for this Christmas.

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Now, I need to sit myself down and wonder, what IS the purpose we try to do so much during Christmas every year?

What is the meaning of Christmas IF we don't do all that we do every year.

What if we didn't do a single thing this year?

Or what if we did something ELSE other than what we did last year and the year before that?

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Before I go into a round of stressful rantings, let's just talk about the birth of Jesus.

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Jesus was born. Jesus is the reason we are called Christians.

Then with the birth of Jesus, I want to only mention two main reasons for Christmas:

Firstly...
To remember how God sent His one and only Son - that whoever would believe in Jesus, will have eternal life.

Secondly...
To show the world about God's love, joy, peace and His power and majesty.

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The first point is on salvation.

We're so engrossed with the politics within the country and we get so worked up at our countries leaders, we tend to forget that the same things are happening right next to us.

We have our own politics in our office, in our homes, in the church and even with our neighbours.

Sometimes, we choose to rave and rant about the 'bigger macro picture' because we don't want to deal with our more personal issues.

But then, it's not everyone who is like that.

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The second point covers basically who GOD is.

"I AM WHO I AM" (Exodus 3:14)

Christmas is the one time, for our church, to reach out to our community.

It doesn't seem like much. But it's something. So we can't take it away at all, or else we will have nothing.

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We are the body of Christ, many parts.
(excerpt from 1 Corinthians 12:12)

This is my prayer:


Dear Lord,

Let us all remember our roles as part of Your body and with Christ as the head. If we think ourselves as without a function or talent, I pray you help us know it's not how much we can do, but that You see our hearts and desire to serve You and glorify You.

Let the Christmas 2008 be a time where we can fully make known who God is.

In Jesus' name we pray...
Amen.


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Looking For A Cross

It's not looking for THE cross. It's looking for A cross.

In Malaysia, it's rather difficult to have a church registered as a 'church'. So we have to remain as an administrative office. Since shifting to this building, we do not have a signboard or a symbol of a cross outside the building.

Now, we have decided to put up a cross - IN the sanctuary, on stage, behind the altar.

Outside? not sure about that yet. But it will be inside first.

There's not much space onstage on the back wall. But I've been looking at various pictures of crosses and I would love a building with very high ceiling so that the cross can be really big and huge!



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The cross is like how you wear your school badge - a symbol, an identity.

On it's own, made of metal or gold or silver or wood, it does not hold any magical powers. Movies have made the cross into a physically magical item.

It is not about it being magical physically, but its meaning and significance that gives the cross its power.


Why use a Cross?

Why not just flog Jesus to death? Or behead Him? Or hang Him?

Why use a cross?

1. The cross was about humiliation, rejection and the lowest form of punishment.

2. To fulfill the prophesies in the scriptures mentioned about 800 years ago. (eg. Isaiah 53:5)


God has prepared us since the beginning of man's fall from holiness to redeem us for that dark pit of sin.

This cross is a heavy burden to carry, but it lightens our spirit and soul with what the cross has achieved for us. The cross that bore Jesus - an instrumental piece of wood in helping God complete His plan to save His people.

We say today, "the higher we climb, the harder we fall."

For Jesus, it's "The lower we crawl, the higher we fly."

You're Everything

For those who has not seen this skit, may God show you how much we really want Him.

This skit is always a reminder to me how God wants us so personally.

EVERYTHING - Lifehouse

Find me here
Speak to Me
I want to feel you
I need to hear you

You are the light
That's leading me
To the place where I find peace again.

You are the strength
That keeps me walking
You are the hope
That keeps me trusting

You are the light
To my soul
You are my purpose
You're everything.

How can I stand here with you and not be moved by you?
Would you tell me how could it be any better than this?

You calm the storms
And you give me rest
You hold me in your hands
You won't let me fall

You still my heart
And you take my breath away
Would you take me in?
Take me deeper now?

How can I stand here with you and not be moved by you?
Would you tell me how could it be any better than this?

And how can I stand here with you and not be moved by you?
Would you tell me how could it be any better than this?

Cause you're all I want
You're all I need
You're everything,everything

You're all I want
You're all I need
You're everything, everything

You're all I want
You're all I need
You're everything, everything
You're all I want
You're all I need
You're everything, everything

And How can I stand here with you and not be moved by you?
Would you tell me how could it be any better than this?

How can I stand here with you and not be moved by you?
Would you tell me how could it be any better than this?

How can I stand here with you and not be moved by you?
Would you tell me how could it be any better than this?
Would you tell me how could it be any better than this?

Satisfy Me

It came to mind about how people view Christians. Of how Christians are supposed to be 'holy holy'. Of how Christians cannot be seen doing any wrong.

I guess Christians have 'asked for it' - in a sense. Since we profess our faith and tell others about Jesus and God's love, with more fervor than other religions. With all that talk, we'd better 'walk the talk'.

From the viewpoint of those outside the church, we're being watched with eagle eyes our every actions. We're the ones who are kind and happy and loving.

Or are we?

Looking and Searching

However, in the everyday routine of people trudging along their daily struggles and problems, we are all looking for some good against the evil we fight everyday.

As I always hear and believe, we were all made perfect and wholesome, until someone ate the forbidden fruit.

All of us seek that goodness, that 'thing' that satisfies us.

Everyone is looking for some love...

It sounds really hippy, flower power type of statement, but it's true.

Even during the 70s, 'love is all around'... 'spread love'... Although the methodology was wrong, but everyone embraced it because we all know we needed the 'love'.

Even today, other than love, so many people are looking for trust, for security, for assurance, for refuge. Everyone is scared.

Why are so many people hurting and frightened?


Expectations.

A student is expected to do well or else he will not be able to find a job in future.

A businessman has to lie and cheat and bribe in order to get the business in and continue to pay his employees.

A 16 year old girl is obsessed with her looks and knowing her looks attract, use it, but instead, gets raped by her own father.

A clerk has been a clerk for the past 20 years and is full of bitterness and rage at the multinational company's lack of attention on her.

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Now and Here

We're facing a world of injustice. This world has always been unfair. Throughout the bible, no matter where you flip, there will be unfairness.

40 years in the wilderness - do you think the Israelites consider it fair to walk around in circles?

Being flogged and hung on the cross - was Jesus deserving of such harsh punishment?

Fairness is very subjective. Even as I write this, I see how justice and fairness is all about your point of view. God had all His reasons for doing the above and a lesson to be learned from it.

We all try to find reasons for being. We all blame and get blamed. We seek justice for our pitiful lives.

We usually don't find an answer. We feel unjust and bitter and vengeful.

We seek the answers from church and from church members. We don't find an answer.

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You, Me & God

Wait... this whole write up started with why everyone is seeking something good and looking at Christians. But it ends up with unfairness and injustice?

We are weak. Everyone is weak. We seek for something stronger, someone to look up to and depend on.

However, when we don't understand that everyone is weak, we tend to get disappointed when we see other Christians fail in being holy and righteous. Our disappointments are bigger when our expectations are higher.

The larger your bubble is blown, the louder and harder it'll burst.

I've heard of so many people who left the church because of what they have seen or heard that made them disappointed in God, in God's church and in God's people.

You say, "Well, we're here to serve God, not men. Why should we do things to please them?"

That's true to a certain extent. Our focus should be on God. Our expectations should be based on what God wants.

Jesus not only asked us to love God with all our heart, our soul and all our minds, but to also love one another. Jesus said He came to serve, not to be served. (Matthew 20:28)

This verse sums up all that I intend to say:

"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."
(John 13:34-35)

Christians are given the 'duty' to love and serve. It is through our actions that other will come to know Jesus.

Are we able to do it?

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
Galatians 5:22-23a



I always check myself to see if I have the above. It's a long and windy road, and I know it will be satisfying at the end of it.

Those of you who are non-Christians - we are only human, like you. Our only difference is that we have God who is our source of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

If we seek all those traits from man, we will definitely be disappointed. Seek it from the main source and we will never be empty again.

Once Upon A Camp 2006 - Melaka

Church Camp 2006

Click on picture for MORE pictures.

Light of the World

When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."
[John 8:12 NIV]

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We're always scared of the darkness. Scared of the unknown and uncertain. The darkness denotes all things dangerous and evil. Through movies, through our own experiences.

There might be some who say they love the dark. But I'd say it seems more like they're hiding. If I were to hide, I'd find a dark corner to huddle in. A hole. A cupboard.

A store with bright good lighting will be the store with the most people walking in. After several years, the lights fade and the store starts to dim - in business and in its ambience. A well lit fast food restaurant gives it a clean look. People in bright clothes radiate more energy and life.

Work and growth is during the day. Plants grow with the sunlight on their leaves.

Night and darkness is not to be feared. It has been used by satan to create fear in us. God created Day and Night. God created nocturnal animals too, didn't He? And He looked after them as well, didn't He?

"I am the light of the world."

Jesus came to give us light.

He came to help us grow.

To help us be courageous.

Allowing us to see far far ahead.

His light never fades.