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* – Hannah Lee
Praise & Worship*- Praise Team and Congregation
Welcome & Announcements – Daniel Chen
Sermon “A Promise Made, A Promise Kept” Luke 1:5-25 (page 855) – Joey Wang
Song(s) of Response* – Praise Team
Doxology (Words of Praise)*- Congregation
Prayer & Benediction (Lord’s Blessing)* – Joey Wang
*Please stand, if physically able. Also, please set your cell phones to “silent.”
Please exit through the ‘front’ of the sanctuary at the end of service. Thank you.
Sermon Notes
We are glad you are here this morning to worship God together with us! This morning is the beginning of Advent, the season of waiting and preparation for the celebration of Christmas. We pray that during these weeks you would be reminded of God’s extravagant love in entering into this world to rescue us!
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
1.Christmas Drive: Saltshakers is partnering with Sacred Heart to help provide aid for Bay Area Teens and Children. If you would like to help contribute, please visit the Christmas Tree and pick up a tag. The deadline to contribute is Sunday (12/13). For more information, please contact Daniel Chen (dantchen83@sbcglobal.net) and/or Erika Huang (erikahuang0117@gmail.com).
2.Inheritance Magazine: This month’s issue of Inheritance magazine is now available! The theme for this month is, “Blind Spots.” Inheritance is a monthly magazine that focuses on how Christian faith interacts with Asian and American cultures.
3.English Prayer Gathering: We’ll be having our monthly prayer gathering this Wednesday from 8:00-9:15 pm at Jeff & Ruth’s house as we pray for our renewal and revival for our church. Please contact Pastor Joey for more information.
4.Christmas Musical: We’ll be having our Christmas children musical show, “Isaiah Jones And The Seekers of The Lost Christmas Treasure”, on Saturday December 12 at 7pm at church. Please invite non-Christian family members and friends to join. Please also pray for all the actors, actresses and coworkers involved in the performance.
5.Saltshakers: We will be continuing our theme of Spiritual Discipline this coming Saturday (12/5) from 7-9pm in the Fellowship Hall. For more information, please contact Daniel Chen (dantchen83@sbcglobal.net).
Prayer Requests & Praises
1.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!
2.Pray for our college students — for those that 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.
3.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 next Sunday. 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!
Recommended Books on The Gospel, Bible & Homosexuality
Several Sundays ago we had a sermon on the Gospel & Homosexuality. Below are some recommended books to help us navigate and think through the 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 12: What does God require in the ninth and tenth commandments?
Answer: Ninth, that we do not lie or deceive, but speak the truth in love. Tenth, that we are content, not envying anyone or resenting what God has given them or us.
Passage(s): James 2:8