Bulletin Announcements – 19 April 2015

• Ladies Fellowship 2015: Come join us today at our first meetup, 10:30am at Alice Cheng’s place. This is a good opportunity to meet other women in the church and enjoy cross generational fellowship! For more information, please talk to Solan Chiu or Betty Wong.
• Children Ministry Announcement: Holiday program is on for today (19 April) for our Sunday school classes. Term 2 will start 21 April (Play Group) and 26 April (Sunday school).
• Ladies’ Fellowship is hosting a Mother’s Day Special Afternoon Tea on Saturday the 9th May (2 to 4pm) in the upper. We would like to invite all mothers and daughters to join us and enjoy some good food, great company, and listen to some special in-house speakers. Tickets are $10 each, or a mother-daughter combo deal (2 tickets) for $15!
• Please be informed that the roof repair works to the Upper Hall will be carried out until 24/4. During this period the church carpark will be closed.

 

Ariel writes – a weekly Scriptural devotion:

“I have loved you,” says the Lord. (Malachi 1:2a NIV)

“I have loved you”. This is how God begins his message to Israel. But why with such kindness? Why with such language of affection? Why when they had been unfaithful to him in so many ways?! They dishonoured him with their impure sacrifices (1:6-14). Their leaders caused his people to stumble (2:1-9). They were unfaithful to him in marriage (2:10-16). They admired evil but questioned his justice (2:17). They robbed him of his tithes (3:6-9). They spoke arrogantly against him (3:13-15). Ultimately, what they were doing is despising him. Yet, God begins his message to them with these words; “I have loved you”. Why? It’s because his love is not conditional. It’s not based on what they did or didn’t do. The way they behaved does not change his devotion for them. Yes, he was sick of their behaviour, even sick of them. So what does he do? Well, like a father has compassion on his son (3:17), God decides he’s going to send them his very own Son (Jesus) to correct them (3:1-5). To call them back to himself (3:7). This is ultimately the message of the whole bible; “I have loved you,” says the Lord.

                  from Pastor Ariel