WELCOME TO HWC ENGLISH SERVICE (5 DECEMBER 2021)

Chairperson: Jason Chow

Speaker: Rev. ET Wong

Singspiration: Herman Y, Charlie M, Kinson L, Sharon C, Johnny P, Justin L, Lillian W

Proclamation
When Jacob awoke from his sleep, he thought, “Surely the LORD is in this place, and I was not aware of it.” He was afraid and said, “How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God; this is the gate of heaven.”
(Genesis 28:16-17)

Opening Prayer

Singspiration

The Lord’s Prayer

Scripture Reading

Isaiah 9:1-6 and Matthew 4:13-16

Sermon

The Light

Response Hymn

Holy Communion

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.

  1. COVID Traffic Lights System: NZ Government has implemented the COVID-19 Protection Framework (traffic lights) from Fri 3rd December. Auckland’s current setting is Red. Due to the uncertainties, HWC will continue online worship until Sun 26th Dec 2021. The Deacon Board will continue to review the situation and make changes accordingly. Ample notice will be given for people to prepare. The church administrator and pastors will return to work in the office on Tue 7th Dec 2021.

  2. Vaccine passes are now required for access to church premises:

    At the Red setting:

    • Sunday service is conducted via online streaming.

    • Church gatherings are limited to a maximum of 100 people.

    • On entry into church premises, members must scan the COVID-19 QR code, scan the vaccine pass, sanitise both hands, maintain 1-metre of physical distancing and wear masks at all times. Please maintain hygiene while operating church equipment.

    At the Orange setting:

    • Sunday service is conducted physically and via online streaming.

    • On entry into church premises, members must scan the COVID-19 QR code, scan the vaccine pass, and sanitise both hands. Wearing masks are encouraged. Please maintain hygiene while operating church equipment.

    At the Green setting:

    • Sunday service is conducted physically and via online streaming.

    • On entry into church premises, members must scan the COVID-19 QR code, scan the vaccine pass, and sanitise both hands. Wearing masks are encouraged. Please maintain hygiene while operating equipment.

  3. Baby room is not in use when Auckland is at the Red setting under the COVID traffic lights system. This will be re-evaluated after 26th December 2021.

  4. Rev. ET Wong is on leave from Tue 7th December to Thu 9th December 2021.

  5. Let’s celebrate Christmas together! On Saturday 18 December, our service will be organising a bbq dinner at church. Everyone in our service is welcome. It’s $5 per person; sign up by Sunday 12 December here. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScnW5lV9HsOETcPKLzwHgJTX-mivfAmGtrP1Qh174v4W_tOgA/viewform

    It’s been a long year and we would love to see you there. Bring your vaccination pass on the day!

  6. Community News: During the pandemic, many people in Auckland community are in need and the Bridge to C ministry is inviting brothers and sisters at HWC to participate in missions to help the community through: (1) Monetary and supplies donations, (2) Christmas Carols. For more information, please see the link below (in Chinese): https://drive.google.com/file/d/1TgRtAQQiauEdMWjYLnqGSg7lali2Pv-c/view?usp=sharing

  7. Congregation News: Brother Steve Gutry is recovering well after surgery, thanks to the prayers of brothers and sisters. With remnants of cancer cells, Steve is undergoing chemotherapy shortly. May God’s healing come to Steve physically and spiritually, and that His name be glorified in this.

Mission News

  1. Remember the Mission Department as they meet with a missionary family going to the Muslim countries. Pray for their sharing so the Mission Department gets to understand their aspirations and needs.

  2. Pray for S&C and their children as they live in extremely cold climate. Please remember the children’s learning and adapting to the environment. May God protect S&C and give them the wisdom to shepherd the church members.

  3. H&P are staying in NZ currently. Pray that God will lead them through their application for work visa.

  4. Praise the Lord. Rev. Janet Tam's work visa extension is approved. Pray for her travels as she will visit her family in Australia at the end of the year, especially when the pandemic situation in Australia is unstable.

  5. Remember James and Jessica’s ministry in Tanzania. Pray for their health and peace as the pandemic situation gets worse and their frequent travel to shepherd the church members.

Prayer Items for the Week

  1. Pray for Rev. ET and his family. His father, Rev. Herbert Wong has recently been diagnosed with nasopharynx cancer and will be receiving chemotherapy treatment from this week onwards. Pray that God will give Rev. Herbert enough strength to go through this battle, for the treatment to help soothe his symptoms and to minimise the side effects from the treatment. Pray for Rev. ET to have the energy to support his parents as well as continuing with his church responsibilities.

  2. Pray that brothers and sisters can live out the church motto this year - "Renew our lives, become His disciples."

  3. Pray for New Zealand’s pandemic situation as we have moved to the COVID Traffic lights system. May God remember those affected by the pandemic.

  4. Pray for pastoral recruitment for the Senior Pastor, English Service Pastor and Mandarin Service Pastor.

  5. A new pastor has been hired for the Cantonese service. Please pray for her work visa application. May God give her peace in her wait.

Last Week's Sunday  Service Attendance

Service: 48 (English), 141 (Cantonese), 30 (Mandarin)
Prayer meeting: - 59 (Cantonese), 11 (Mandarin)
Next Week's Roster

Chairperson: Nixon Fong

Speaker: Rev ET Wong

Singspiration: Violet Y, Kenny P, Shirley H, Steve G, Daniel H