Chinese for Christ Church of San Jose
English Worship Service
Worship Service: 10:00 –11:10 am followed by snacks in the Fellowship Hall.
Call To Worship* – Elder Raymond Hung
Praise & Worship*- Sabrina Tso, Titus Ou & Praise Team and Congregation
Baptism – Pastor Samson Ou& Pastor Kenny Chan
Prayers- Raymond Hung
Welcome & Announcements- Elder Raymond Hung
Sermon “The Day After Baptized” Romans 6:3-6 (page 942) – Elder Stan Yang & Translator: Vincent Chou
Testimonies – Baptism Candidates
Presentation of Baptism Certificates – Pastors & Elders
Doxology (Words of Praise)*- Congregation
Prayer & Benediction (Lord’s Blessing)* – Elder Stan Yang
*Please stand, if physically able. Also, please set your cell phones to “silent.”
Sermon Notes
Baptism Candidates
Chinese Congregation: Tina Hua, Mulin Song, Ray Ong
English Congregation: Stephanie Ou, Alex Shih
We are glad you are here this morning to worship God together with us! This morning is our special combined (English & Chinese) baptism worship service where we will be celebrating the baptisms of several individuals as they share about God’s work in their lives!
If this is your first time here, please fill out one the pink cards in the pew and pass onto any of our ushers if you would like us to contact you with more information about our church.
Announcements
- Thanksgiving Potluck: You are invited to our church-wide Thanksgiving potluck and sharing on Wednesday 11/25 – dinner starts at 6:30 pm with the program starting at 7:30 pm. If you would like to join, please RSVP on the registration form in the hallway after the service and provide information about the food you will bring.
- Turkey Bowl: Want to burn off some of those calories after Thanksgiving? Then come join us for some flag football at our annual Turkey Bowl on Friday morning (11/27) at 9am at Lynbrook High School. Feel free to invite anyone who may be interested and hope to see you there! For more information, please contact Mike Tai (taimiketai@gmail.com).
- Saltshakers (Youth Group): We will be participating in the Thanksgiving potluck this coming Wednesday (11/25). See the Thanksgiving potluck announcement for more information. We will be gathering for Large Group the following Saturday (12/5). For more information, please contact Daniel Chen (dantchen83@sbcglobal.net).
- Christmas Drive: Saltshakers is partnering with Sacred Heart to help provide necessities for needy children and teenagers in the Bay Area. If you would like to help out, please visit the Christmas Tree located in the back of the Sanctuary (outside of the sound control room) and pick up a tag. For more information, please contact Daniel Chen (dantchen83@sbcglobal.net) and/or Erika Huang (erikahuang0117@gmail.com).
Prayer Requests & Praises
- Praise God for those getting baptized this morning (Tina Hua, Mulin Song, Ray Ong, Stephanie Ou, Alex Shih). Pray that as they publicly declare their faith and take this next step in their spiritual journey that they would continue to stand and grow in the Gospel as well as be a witness to those around them!
- Pray for our college students — for those that are coming back for Thanksgiving as well as those unable to return. Pray for perseverance as they enter the final month(s) of classes as well as a continue joy and focus on Jesus.
- Pray for our church plant in Palo Alto. Pray for the core team (Elder Steve Chen, Henry Chien, Edward Chien and Sammy Hu) as they prepare for the upcoming first worship service in December. Pray for team unity as well as God’s calling for more coworkers to partner with the core team. Praise God for His provision of a meeting location as well as opportunities to share the Gospel with the Chinese community in Palo Alto!
- Pray for our young families (Paul & Jamie Yuan, Jay & Pui-Yun Sha, David & Ivy Lee, Kenny & Yun Ho, Daniel & Hue Han) — that in the midst of adjusting to newborns/young children that they continue to grow in the Gospel, to experience God’s grace, and to follow after Jesus.
Recommended Books on The Gospel, Bible & Homosexuality
Last Sunday we had a sermon on the Gospel & Homosexuality. Below are some recommended books to help us navigate and think through this important issue:
Is God Anti-Gay? And Other Questions About Homosexuality, the Bible and Same Sex Attraction by Sam Allberry
– A concise book that addresses the major issues. This is a helpful first book to read on the issue of homosexuality. The author himself struggles with same-sex attraction.
What Does the Bible Really Teach About Homosexuality? by Kevin DeYoung
– This book does an excellent job covering the major passages in the Bible that addresses the issue of homosexuality — as well as refuting some of the common misinterpretations that have been used to affirm homosexuality.
The Plausibility Problem: The Church And Same Sex Attraction by Ed Shaw.
– Part apologetic, part personal reflection, the author (who struggles with same-sex attraction) refutes nine common assumptions when it comes to the issue of homosexuality.
Compassion without Compromise: How the Gospel Frees Us to Love Our Gay Friends Without Losing the Truth by Adam T. Barr and Ron Citlau
– The first half of the book explains and defends the traditional view of marriage and the sin of homosexuality. The second half of the book offers helpful thoughts and advice on Christians (and churches) should interact with those who struggle with same-sex attraction.
Out of a Far Country: A Gay Son’s Journey to God. A Broken Mother’s Search for Hope by Christopher Yuan & Angela Yuan
– A powerful autobiography of God’s grace and redemption of an Asian-American who spiraled into homosexuality and drugs told from both the son and the mother’s perspective.
Washed and Waiting: Reflections on Christian Faithfulness and Homosexuality by Wesley Hill
– A theological memoir on temptation, loneliness and hope for those who struggle with same sex attraction written by someone who struggles as well.
New City Catechism (adapted from www.newcitycatechism.com/intro.php)
We hope that this will be a tool for us to use in disciplining our children, one another and ourselves as a church community. The New City Catechism is also available online and for your smart phones.
Question 11: What does God require in the sixth, seventh and eighth commandments?
Answer: Sixth, that we do not hurt, or hate, or be hostile to our neighbor, but be patient and peaceful, pursuing even our enemies with love. Seventh, that we abstain from sexual immorality and live purely and faithfully, whether in marriage or in single life, avoiding all impure actions, looks, words, thoughts, or desires, and whatever might lead to them. Eighth, that we do not take without permission that which belongs to someone else, nor withhold any good from someone we might benefit.
Passage(s): Romans 13:9