WELCOME TO HWC ENGLISH SERVICE (14 December 2025)

Chairperson: Nixon Fong

Speaker: Herman Yeung

Singspiration: Edmund Wong

Committee on Duty: Sally Mok

Proclamation
Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.
(Luke 2:14)

Opening Prayer

Singspiration

The Lord’s Prayer

Scripture Reading
Psalm 139: 1-6

Sermon
You are known by God 

Response Hymn

Closing Prayer

Doxology

Benediction

Threefold Amen

Announcements


Announcements

1. A warm welcome to everyone who joined us this morning. We are delighted to see you all. 

2. Mission Offering – Gentle Reminder: Our church plans to send this year’s mission offerings to our frontline missionaries before Christmas. We would like to gently remind brothers and sisters who have made a faith pledge for M3 and M4 that, if you are able, please complete your offering in the coming weeks. Thank you for your continued support and dedication, which enable us to walk in love and be a support to our missionaries in their ministry. If you have any questions, please contact our pastoral team.

3. Christmas Day Celebration

Join us as we celebrate the joy of Christmas together as a church family!

📅 Date: Christmas Day 25th December

🕓 Time: 4:00 pm

🎉 Programme: Activities and a Christmas message

🍽 Dinner: Fellowship dinner together at 6:00 pm

💲 Dinner cost: To be confirmed

All are welcome. Let us come together to remember and celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ.

4. Summer Retreat: Registrations Now Open!

HWC English congregation Summer Retreat 2026 - get ready for a 1-day event focused around connecting and strengthening our relationships with fellow brothers and sisters! There will be food, activities, worship and time to reflect on our individual spiritual direction for the new year.

  • Happening on Saturday 24th January 2026, 9am-4pm.

  • Venue: Friends Building, Auckland Botanical Gardens.

  • There is a $15 fee to cover venue hire and food costs.

Please complete your registration here: https://forms.gle/9M1RnBqfPdNqavmJA

Registrations close ms today Sunday 14th December 2025. Any questions contact Lilian Wong or Sally Che.

We hope to see you there!

5. End-of-Year Thanksgiving Prayer Meeting - You are warmly invited to join us on 28 December 2025, 10:30am–12:00pm at the Church 1/F Hall as we reflect on God’s grace and guidance throughout the past year. Let us give thanks together and bring our hopes and concerns for the coming year before Him in prayer. All are welcome as we end the year in gratitude and begin the new one seeking the Lord together. 


Giving

Let us remember the joy of giving and the blessings it brings to both the giver and the receiver. Tithe offering is a duty of all Christians. By giving, we honour God and fulfill His work through our church. May God bless the offering we willingly give. For more details on how you can give, please visit our church website: https://holywordchurch.org.nz/en/giving.


Mission Prayer Items

  1. Pray for the recruitment of the Sri Lanka short-term mission team: We have received five applications and are currently in the process of interviews and preparation. Pray for God’s guidance and wisdom throughout the selection and training process. Ask the Lord to equip and strengthen the team physically, spiritually, and emotionally, and to prepare the hearts of those they will meet. Pray that this mission will glorify God, build His kingdom, and bear lasting fruit among the people in Sri Lanka.

  2. Please pray for S & C: We thank the Lord that they will be returning to New Zealand over Christmas and New Year. Pray for a safe and smooth journey, that they may be refreshed and enjoy meaningful fellowship with family and church members. Please also pray for the preparation of the study tour with students, parents, and teachers in February. Ask the Lord to grant them wisdom and strength so that all arrangements go smoothly and His guidance and care are clearly seen.

  3. Pray for H & P: Thank God for His guidance in their ministry this year and the transforming power of the gospel in a cross-cultural context. Pray for the Christmas evangelistic activities, that many may encounter the good news of salvation. Pray also for visiting pastors and co-workers from their home church, that their journey be safe and their health protected, and that all planned activities proceed smoothly. Pray for the upcoming baptism service, that new believers’ faith may be strengthened. Ask the Lord for wisdom in using the university activity center to reach students and build relationships. May God continue to guide and be with them throughout the year.

  4. Please pray for Reverend Janet Tam: After the most severe storm in eight years, some areas in Sri Lanka are clearing, but many people remain displaced and floodwaters have not fully receded. Planned Christmas outreach events have been cancelled. Pray for strength and hope for those affected, and for comfort and encouragement for the church and community amid disappointment.

  5. Please pray for H & Y: Thank God for sustaining them in their daily life and ministry, and for giving them joy and peace. Pray that the Lord strengthens them spiritually, so that in serving university students, families, and local believers, they may tirelessly share the gospel and reflect God’s love and truth. Ask the Lord to protect their health and be present with them in every challenge.

  6. Please pray for Nic Yao and the entire short-term mission team: thank the Lord that they have safely arrived in Taiwan to begin their mission work. Pray for the safety and smooth running of the trip, and that this ministry will bear lasting gospel fruit among the students and on campus. Also, pray for the team members who are unwell, that the Lord would bring healing and restoration so they may be strengthened in body, mind, and spirit, and fully engage in the service. May God grant them wisdom and love to build good relationships with the local students and teachers, and raise up a new generation of student leaders to continue sharing the gospel on campus.


Prayer Items

  • Pray that as we hear God’s Word, our hearts may be deeply assured that the Lord knows us fully and loves us completely. Ask that the message will lead us to trust Him more, finding comfort in His nearness and in the saving love He has shown through Christ.

  • As Steve begins his first round of targeted therapy and receives his third chemotherapy treatment on 17 December, ask the Lord to grant him grace, minimise side effects, and bring effective results. Pray that God will uphold his faith, fill him with courage, and let His Word continually comfort, strengthen, and renew him each day.

  • As per the Mission Prayer Items above.


Last Week's Sunday Service Attendance (7 December 2025)

English Cantonese (East) Cantonese (North Shore) Mandarin
Sunday Service 58 161 34 45
Prayer Meeting - 6 4 14
Children Sunday School 19 - 3 4

Next Week's Roster (21 December 2025)

Chairperson: Vincent Chan

Speaker: E T Wong

Singspiration: Charlie Mak

Committee on Duty: Nixon Fong

WELCOME TO HWC ENGLISH SERVICE (7 December 2025)

Chairperson: Marco Yu

Speaker: ET Wong

Singspiration: Timothy Yeung

Committee on Duty: Vincent Chan

Proclamation
For from him and through him and for him are all things.
   To him be the glory forever! Amen.
(Romans 11:36)

Opening Prayer

Singspiration

The Lord’s Prayer

Bible Moments

Scripture Reading
Matthew 1:1–17

Sermon
Real People, Real Mess, Real Hope

Response Hymn

Holy Communion

Doxology

Benediction

Threefold Amen

Announcements


Announcements

1. A warm welcome to everyone who joined us this morning. We are delighted to see you all. 

2. Mission Offering – Gentle Reminder: Our church plans to send this year’s mission offerings to our frontline missionaries before Christmas. We would like to gently remind brothers and sisters who have made a faith pledge for M3 and M4 that, if you are able, please complete your offering in the coming weeks. Thank you for your continued support and dedication, which enable us to walk in love and be a support to our missionaries in their ministry. If you have any questions, please contact our pastoral team.

3. Summer Retreat: Registrations Now Open!

HWC English congregation Summer Retreat 2026 - get ready for a 1-day event focused around connecting and strengthening our relationships with fellow brothers and sisters! There will be food, activities, worship and time to reflect on our individual spiritual direction for the new year.

  • Happening on Saturday 24th January 2026, 9am-4pm.

  • Venue: Friends Building, Auckland Botanical Gardens.

  • There is a $15 fee to cover venue hire and food costs.

Please complete your registration here: https://forms.gle/9M1RnBqfPdNqavmJA

Registrations close Sunday 14th December 2025. Any questions contact Lilian Wong or Sally Che.

We hope to see you there!

4. Floral Offering - Those who would like to contribute flowers for next year’s Sunday worship services, please sign up at the ushers’ table. 

5. Starting from December, our church administrator, Stanley Yu, will take his regular days off on Monday and Tuesday. Please take note of this arrangement when handling administrative matters or contacting the church. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.

6. Special Overseas and Hardship Fund Financial Report for November 2025


Giving

Let us remember the joy of giving and the blessings it brings to both the giver and the receiver. Tithe offering is a duty of all Christians. By giving, we honour God and fulfill His work through our church. May God bless the offering we willingly give. For more details on how you can give, please visit our church website: https://holywordchurch.org.nz/en/giving.


Prayer Items

  • Pray that we would receive the truth that God meets real people in real mess and brings real hope through Christ. Ask that we may recognise our own brokenness, trust in God’s grace to redeem our stories, and live out this hope by extending Christ’s grace to those around us.

  • Pray that our Christmas celebrations will remain centred on Christ and draw many to His light. Ask God to renew our hearts for the coming year, giving us wisdom, unity, and a deeper love for one another, so that our church may reflect the joy, peace, and generosity of Christ.

  • Pray for God’s healing, comfort, and strength for Steve and all who are unwell or recovering. Steve will be receiving his first round of targeted therapy and his third chemotherapy treatment on 17 December. Pray that the Lord would grant grace and strength, minimise side effects, and bring clear and effective results. Ask God to increase his faith and sustain him with abundant grace and courage, and that God’s Word would continually comfort, encourage, and bring healing and strength. Pray also for others who are unwell, that they may experience God’s nearness and peace in this season.


Last Week's Sunday Service Attendance (30 November 2025)

English Cantonese (East) Cantonese (North Shore) Mandarin
Sunday Service 63 160 22 58
Prayer Meeting 32 7/124 5 18
Children Sunday School 26 - 3 11

Next Week's Roster (14 December 2025)

Chairperson: Nixon Fong

Speaker: Herman Yeung

Singspiration: Edmund Wong

Committee on Duty: Sally Mok