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* – Alison Law
Praise & Worship*- Praise Team and Congregation
Welcome & Announcements – Daniel Chen
Sermon “Light & Darkness: Compare & Contrast” Ephesians 5:3-14 (page 978)- Kenny Chan
Communion – Congregation
Song(s) of Response* – Praise Team
Doxology (Words of Praise)*- Congregation
Prayer & Benediction (Lord’s Blessing)* – Kenny Chan
*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.
Last Week’s Sermon Notes
Ephesians 4:25-5:2 “What Should I Wear?”
- Instead of Lying, Speak Truth (v.25)
- Reason? We are One Body
- Instead of Unrighteous Anger, Have Righteous Anger (vv.26-27)
- Reason? Don’t Give Satan An Opportunity
- Instead of Stealing, Work Honestly (v.28)
- Reason? To be Generous With Others In Need
- Instead of Corrupt Talk, Build Up (vv.29-30)
- To Give Grace To Others
- Instead of Bitterness & Rage, Be Kind & Forgiving (vv.31-32)
- Reason? Because You Have Been Forgiven by God in Christ
Be Imitators of God by Walking in Love (5:1-2)
- Reason? The Gospel!
Reflection & Application:
- Are you living out your Christian faith by “putting on” these characteristics? In what areas do you need to repent of for not?
- Which of these traits are a struggle for you these days? Why?
- Share with someone this week as well as ask them to pray for your growth in 1-2 of these areas
- Pray that as a church community we would continue to take off and put on what is appropriate as a Christian and that we would be reminded of the Gospel to empower us to grow in these areas!
We are glad you are here this morning to worship God together with us! We hope that through this service you would experience God’s blessings to you — and know His love for you through Jesus Christ and the presence of His Spirit!
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
- Summer Retreat (6/17-6/19): Registration forms are now available! Deadline for early bird registration is 5/29. For more information, contact Daniel Chen (dantchen83@sbcglobal.net)
- Community Groups: Our small group fellowships for college/post-college (working, single/married, etc) meet weekly on Saturday mornings (10am-12pm) as well as Sunday afternoons (4-6pm). Please contact Pastor Joey for more information.
- Saltshakers: We will be having a joint event with Mountain View Chinese Christian Church & Canaan Taiwanese Christian Church this Saturday (4/30) from 7-9:30pm in the Church Sanctuary. For more information, contact Daniel Chen (dantchen83@sbcglobal.net).
- Full-Time Minister for Education/Women’s Ministry: After much prayer, the Elder/Deacon Board have decided to hire Sister Hai-Yen Wu as a full-time minister for Education & Womens Ministry (Chinese Ministry). Please let the Elder/Deacon Board know if you have any questions or concerns by 5/8.
Prayer Requests & Praises
- Pray for Pastor Joey as he guest-preaches at our Palo Alto church plant this morning. Also pray for our church’s preparations and coverage for Pastor Joey’s upcoming sabbatical (July-September).
- Pray for Pastor Kenny (and his family) as he steps down from pastoral ministry later this fall. (October/November). Pray for our church as well as for the Chan family during these transition months.
- Pray for the planning and preparations for our upcoming Summer Retreat – as well as our speaker Stephan Williams.
Background & Resources on Ephesians
Who? The Apostle Paul wrote the letter of Ephesians
To Who? Unlike some of Paul’s other letters (1 Corinthians, Galatians, etc.), the letter of Ephesians does not seem to address specific issues but appears to be more a general letter. Most likely, the letter was passed around to different house churches which gathered throughout the city of Ephesus — a major city and trading center (port).
When? 60-61 AD
Where? Paul wrote the letter of Ephesians while imprisoned in Rome.
Why? To remind and encourage Christians in Ephesus of the gospel message. The first half of the letter (chapters 1-3) focuses on the Gospel, while the second half (chapters 4-6) focuses on the implications and application of the Gospel.
Recommended Commentaries on Ephesians
The Letter to the Ephesians (The Pillar New Testament Commentary) by Peter T. O’Brien
& Ephesians (Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament) by Frank Thielman
– The two best “technical” (in depth) commentaries on Ephesians which explores the original Greek language, historical background as well as theological terms. While technical, both these commentaries also point readers to a deeper love of God.
Exalting Jesus in Ephesians (Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary) by Tony Merida, David Platt
– Probably the best “user-friendly” commentary on Ephesians. Short, concise, but packed with helpful insights as well as how Ephesians points us to Jesus.
New City Catechism (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 31: What do we believe by true faith?
Answer: Everything taught to us in the gospel. The Apostles’ Creed expresses what we believe in…
Passage(s): Jude 1:3