WELCOME TO HWC ENGLISH SERVICE (23 August 2026)

Chairperson: Marco Yu

Speaker: Herman Yeung

Singspiration: Charlie Mak

Committee on Duty: Sally Che

Sing to the LORD a new song,
for he has done marvelous things;
his right hand and his holy arm
have worked salvation for him.
The LORD has made his salvation known
and revealed his righteousness to the nations.
Psalm 98:1-2

Opening Prayer

Singspiration

Ten Commandments

Scripture Reading
Matthew 5:13-16

Sermon
Be salt and light

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. Baptism, Membership & Child Dedication Service (60th) — The Combined Service will be held on Sunday 4 October. Registrations are now open — please contact a deacon or pastor to register. Applicants for baptism must complete the church's nurturing course and baptism class. Registration deadline: 30 August. 

  3. 3 Strands — The next 3 Strands event, "You don't get me, just leave me alone!", is happening at 10:45am–12:00pm today. We will explore the very first relationship that you were born with, and how perspective can impact how we relate to our parents.

  4. Mission Month Combined Service — Telegram Translation — For next week's Combined Service (starting at 10am), we will be using Telegram Messenger to provide the English translation. If you are unfamiliar with Telegram, please follow the instructions at the link below to download the app on your phone:
    Telegram download instructions
    After installing the app, please join the HWC translation channel using the following link:
    Join the HWC translation channel
    If you require Wi-Fi access, please feel free to scan the QR code located at the entrance to connect to the church guest Wi-Fi network. And don't forget to bring your earphones.

  5. Our Daily Bread Resource Display — Next Sunday (30 August), during the Combined Service, we are delighted to welcome staff from Our Daily Bread, who will display their resources in the church hall from 9:30am–12:00pm. Our Daily Bread is an international ministry providing Bible devotional and faith-equipping materials through print, media, and multi-language publications, helping believers root their daily lives in God's Word. Their resources are available in both Chinese and English and suit brothers and sisters of all ages. You are warmly invited to visit before or after the service to browse, collect materials, and learn more about resources for spiritual growth.

  6. Cantonese Congregation Mid-Autumn Carnival — The Cantonese congregation will host a Mid-Autumn Carnival (中秋嘉年華) on Saturday 26 September, 1:00–4:00pm. There will be festive snacks, lantern riddles, games and crafts, media programmes, and health information activities. Suitable for all ages, free admission. Freewill offerings are welcome on the day. Please come along and warmly invite your friends and family to join!

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 for this Week

  • Pray that we would live as salt and light in our everyday environments — that we would preserve what is good and shine with the light of Christ, not to draw attention to ourselves, but to point people toward Him and bring glory to God.

  • Pray that we would not lose our "saltiness" or hide our light, but remain distinct and faithful in a way that quietly changes the world around us, whether at home, at work, or in our neighbourhoods.

  • Pray that this same principle would shape our hearts for mission — that as we make a positive difference locally and support God's work overseas, others would see our good deeds and glorify our Father in heaven.

Last Week's Sunday Service Attendance (16 August 2026)

English Cantonese Mandarin
East NS
Worship 60 166 36 53
Prayer Meeting 40 4 8 17
CSS 29 -- 5 8

Next Week's Roster (30 August 2026)

Chairperson: Tina Wong

Speaker: E Ting Wong

Singspiration: Sean Wang

Committee on Duty: Daisy Pun

WELCOME TO HWC ENGLISH SERVICE (16 August 2026)

Chairperson: Amy Tong

Speaker: E Ting Wong

Singspiration: Rebecca Ho

Committee on Duty: Vincent Chan

Proclamation
Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favour rests!
Luke 2:14

Opening Prayer

Singspiration

Ten Commandments

Scripture Reading
Jeremiah 29:1–7

Sermon
Faithfulness Where God Has Placed Us

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. Baptism, Membership & Child Dedication Service (60th) — The Combined Service will be held on Sunday 4 October. Registrations are now open — please contact a deacon or pastor to register. Applicants for baptism must complete the church's nurturing course and baptism class. Registration deadline: 30 August. 

  3. 3 Strands — The next 3 Strands event, "You don't get me, just leave me alone!", is happening at 10:45am–12:00pm on Sunday 23 August. We will explore the very first relationship that you were born with, and how perspective can impact how we relate to our parents.

  4. Mission Month — Combined Service
    This month is Mission Month. The fifth Sunday, 30 August, is the three-congregation Combined Service, held at 10:00am. This year's Mission Month theme is “This Changes Everything.” Across five Sundays we will reflect together through the messages on our God, our identity, our daily life, our vision, and our unity — and how we are reshaped under the Lord's sending. You are warmly invited to note the mission information, short-term mission testimonies, and prayer items on the mission noticeboard, and to take part in this Mission Month.

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 News (August 2026)

  1. Sri Lanka Short-Term Mission Team: Give thanks for God's protection and guidance throughout the Sri Lanka Short-Term Mission trip. Pray that the experiences of serving alongside the local church would continue to shape and strengthen the faith of the team members. May God use what they have seen and learned to deepen their love for His mission, and grant them opportunities to share their testimonies and encourage our church to be more engaged in His work among the nations.

  2. Pray that God will continue to strengthen S & C in their ministry, giving them spiritual discernment to recognise where He is at work and the courage to respond faithfully. May the Lord sustain them physically, emotionally, and spiritually, and grant them His peace, joy, and guidance in both ministry and daily life.

  3. Pray for H & P as they partner with several short-term mission teams this month, serving in schools and local communities through evangelistic outreach. Ask God to give them strength, wisdom, and joy as they share the love of Christ with many students, teachers, and families. Also pray for their young co-workers as they prepare for long-term mission, and that God will continue to guide and strengthen their family.

  4. Pray for Rev Janet: Give thanks for God's faithfulness in sustaining the ministry in Sri Lanka and for the opportunities to faithfully sow the seeds of the gospel. Pray for Rev Janet as she preaches over the coming weeks, continues to learn Sinhala for evangelism, and prepares for the Taiwan short-term mission team in October. Also pray that God would raise up more long-term workers for Sri Lanka and grant peace and safety amid increasing social unrest.

  5. Pray for H & Y as they continue their studies and settle into life in Brisbane. Ask God to give them wisdom and perseverance as they complete their TESOL and International Chinese Teaching qualifications, provide suitable employment, and prepare the way for their future ministry. May the Lord continue to strengthen their calling to cross-cultural missions and guide them according to His perfect timing.

  6. Pray for Nic Yao: Give thanks for the recent Student Life Conference, where many students were encouraged to deepen their commitment to Christ and take new steps of faith. Pray especially for Jacob, that he would continue to experience God's love through the Christian community and come to know Jesus personally. Also pray for Nic's upcoming mission trip to Fiji, that God would use the team to faithfully proclaim the gospel and strengthen the student ministry there.

  7. Mission Month (August): Pray that God would use this Mission Month to deepen our love for Him and for the nations. As we reflect on Christ's words, "As the Father has sent me, I am sending you," may the Holy Spirit renew our identity as His sent people, stirring each of us to faithfully participate in His mission through our prayers, giving, serving, and witness.

Prayer Items for this Week

  • Pray that we would embrace the truth that God's mission begins right where He has placed us. Like the exiles in Jeremiah 29, may we not hold this city, workplace, and neighbourhood at arm's length, but build, plant, and seek their welfare — living as those God has sent.

  • Pray that we would find our identity in being placed and sent by God. Whether we feel like strangers here or entirely at home, may we live faithfully as those called to seek the good of the very street and household in which He has set us.

  • Pray for those registered for baptism, membership, and child dedication in October. As the 30 August deadline approaches, may God prepare their hearts, deepen their faith, and give them joy as they take this step of commitment before the church.

Last Week's Sunday Service Attendance (9 August 2026)

English Cantonese Mandarin
East NS
Worship 68 142 31 54
Prayer Meeting 43 Pre: 2 / Post: 102 7 18
CSS 25 -- 5 10

Next Week's Roster (23 August 2026)

Chairperson: Marco Yu

Speaker: Herman Yeung

Singspiration: Charlie Mak

Committee on Duty: Sally Che