Chairperson: Nixon Fong
Speaker: Rev ET Wong
Singspiration: Worship Team A
Hymn leading: Violet Yu
Proclamation
Praise the LORD. Praise the LORD, my soul.
I will praise the LORD all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.
(Psalms 146:1-2)
Opening Prayer
Singspiration
The Lord’s Prayer
Scripture Reading
Sermon
Jephthah - The Problem of Self-Righteousness
Response Hymn
Closing Prayer
Doxology
Benediction
Threefold Amen
Announcements
A warm welcome to everyone who's joining us for the first time this morning. We are delighted to have you here.
Holy Word Church gathering arrangements under various Covid-19 alert levels
Alert Level 1
· All church activities will be back to normal.
· Onsite Sunday worship, as well as online streaming on Facebook.
· Record attendance for all church gatherings and meetings
Alert Level 2
· All Sunday services, small groups and meetings are online.
· The church building will not be opened unless it is absolutely necessary.
· The Pastors may carry out special pastoral visitation.
Alert Level 3 & 4
· Our church building closed temporarily.
· All our staffs work from home.
· All of our activities are moved online.
The 50th Baptism: Due to the gathering restriction that is currently in place, the deacon board has decided to postpone our 50th baptism, membership admission and children dedication combined service to 01/11. If gathering restriction still applies by then, we shall postpone it further to 06/12. The church will continue to proceed with the applications that we have received. Brother and sisters please continue to remember this in your prayers.
Overseas Mission and Hardship Fund Account Balance
Overseas Mission: Last month balance: $3,713.87. Donations in August: $1,700.00. Interests: $0.16. Donation to “30 days prayer for the Muslim”: $500.00. Account balance on 31/08/2020: $4,914.03.
Hardship: Last month balance: $13,045.24. Donations in August: $50.00. Interests: $0.46. Account balance on 31/082020: $13,095.70.
Mid-Autumn Festival: A celebration was previously scheduled on 26 September 2020, it is now postponed due to pandemic. The new date will be announced when the pandemic eased. The online prayer meeting every Thursday night will now be suspended, but please continue to pray for the pandemic and that the celebration could be held at a suitable time.
Children Sunday School classes have moved online until further notice. Time: 10:30am - 11:30am. The program will include hymns, Bible Stories, and interactive activities. Students of all age groups are welcome. Email css@holywordchurch.org.nz for more information.
Daylight Saving starts next Sunday (27/09/2020). Please remember to move your clock forward 1 hour (e.g. from 2:00am to 3:00am).
Bible Reading Plan
We would like to invite you to join our Bible reading plan community on YouVersion. We aim to encourage us to read, study and meditate the Word of God together. We have started a plan called "The Wisdom Of Proverbs" from 01/09. The reading plan will be hosted by Herman. If you already have a YouVersion account, you can join by clicking this link. If you have any questions, please read this step-by-step guide or email Pastor ET @ et.wong@holywordchurch.org.nz.
Congregation News
Praise the Lord, on Thursday (24 Sep) Tommy Tsang and Katie Li from the Cantonese congregation welcomed their new baby daughter, Grace, into the world. Both mother and daughter are doing well. Please keep the family in your prayers.
Law Kam Wai (羅錦威) from the Cantonese congregation has been experiencing knee pain recently, and is scheduled to undergo knee surgery on Tuesday (29 Sep) at 7.00am. Please pray that the procedure will go smoothly.
Mission Information
James and Jessica have safely arrived in NZ last Monday. They are in isolation at Rotorua at the moment. Please pray for Jame’s health as he will receive his medical treatment during his time in NZ. Pray for missionary Karen Tong who will be serving at Tanzania Chinese International Church in the near future. Also please remember the gospel ministy through running Chinese class in their education centre.
Please remember Rev Janet’s daughter Purple, who just gave birth to a baby girl Darya. Also, pray for the gospel ministry for the local Chinese and the possibility of planting a church.
2020 Mission Booklet can be downloaded at http://www.holywordchurch.online/en/mission The printed version will be available at the usher’s desk when Sunday service resumes in the church building.
This year’s M4 budget is $23,000. Mission department is rolling out a Pledge Offering program in order to plan for next year’s ministry, e.g. supporting another missionary in the Muslim community. Pledge offering forms are available at https://holywordchurch.online/mission-pledge Brothers and sisters may submit the amount they pledge both in separate or one-off payment from Sep 2020 - Mar 2021. Deadline for submission is 27 September.
Prayer Items for the Week
Pray for the Evangelism Explosion course in October. May God encourages brothers and sisters to join and become Gospel warriors, and may God guide us to approach potential Gospel targets.
Pray for the 50th Baptism. May God strengthen the faith of those who are getting baptised.
Pray for pastoral recruitment for the Senior Pastor, Cantonese and English services.
Pray that brothers and sisters can live out the church motto this year - "Renew our lives, become His disciples."
Pray for New Zealand’s situation during COVID-19 period and especially for Auckland. May God brings peace to those who are impacted. Pray that brothers and sisters will look after each other during this period.
Last Week's Sunday Service Attendance
English Service: 66
Cantonese Service: 134; Prayer meeting: 30 (pre-service) / 56 (post-service)
Mandarin Service: 41; Prayer meeting: 9
Next Week's Roster
Chairperson: Amy Tong
Speaker:John Tucker
Singspiration: Worship Team B