Congreation & Church Concerns 2009/5/3

DATE: 2009/5/3
本周默想分享
回应亚洲文化传统月
祖先是我们确定身份的根源，他们为後人带来的是崭新的与古旧的传统，是挣扎与成功的经历，是道德的价值，社会的，个别的生活理想。华人常说：「饮水思源。」我们离乡别井移居加国生活的人，总是那麽着意个别的来处，盼望寻找各自的根。
加拿大联邦政府早已宣告五月份为亚洲文化传统月，我诚恳鼓励您们趁着这时节探讨早已存在我们中间的多样性文化。虽然这是为了唤醒大家对多元族裔环境的关注，但也促使我们面对文化互动的社区需要作出改革性的交流，敞开胸怀，努力以赴。
当我们齐集基督的桌前，分享在上帝里的团契，这不只是每月或每周的例行公事，而对我们日常的群体生活却没有产生任何影响。因为我们记念的不只是基督的牺牲，祂那复和与更新必须继续在我们个人以致教会的生活中见证出来。合一的礼物是藉着基督的圣桌因祂的身体和宝血而赐给我们的，然而，上帝的真正临在之盼望，却是因祂子民齐集为庆祝基督的复活而得以确定。
所以弟兄姊妹们，我以上帝的慈悲劝你们，将身体献上，当作活祭，是圣洁的，是上帝所喜悦的；你们如此事奉乃是理所当然的。不要效法这个世界，只要心意更新而变化，叫你们察验何为上帝的善良、纯全、可喜悦的旨意。（罗马书12:1-2）
作为加拿大联合(协和)教会的华人牧师，亚洲文化传统月的倡议与设立确使我同时感到满心欢喜，却又夹杂着几许忧伤。这使我想起亚洲妇女经历大家族中所受的暴虐、女性的价值受到轻视、许多妇女及少女被迫为妓、华籍工人在加拿大铁路所流的血与汗、慰安妇的痛苦，以及加籍日本人在第二次世界大战受迫迁离家园等等。在我感到双手仍然受到捆绑，声音常被拒诸门外之时，叫我如何能够庆祝亚洲文化传统月？
就让我们尽性、尽意、尽心、尽力在亚洲文化月中展示一个敞开的历程，因此那已经呈现在我们生活的多元色彩得以提升与庆祝。让五月成为一项持续的活动，纪念艰苦创业的先贤，庆祝人们享有的自由。让五月成为探讨美丽的时机，并期待对互动文化作更进一步的了解。
--林树生牧师 多伦多中华联合教会
Spiritual Thought for the Week
Reflections on Asian Heritage Month
Our roots shape the foundation of our identities. They bring us traditions,
old and new; histories of struggle and triumph; and values, societal and
individual. A Chinese teaching says, "When drinking water, think of
its source." Living as uprooted peoples in Canada, it is critical to our
personal formation to remember our roots.
May has been declared Asian Heritage Month. I urge you to take this
occasion to explore the diversity that is already in our midst. Although
this is a reminder of our multicultural setting, we need to open the circle
wide and progress toward intercultural communities of transformative
exchange.
When we gather at Christ’s table to share in communion with God, it is
not a monthly or weekly occurrence without any effect on how we live as
a community. We remember not only the sacrifice of Christ, but the
restoration and renewal that must continue in our lives as individuals and
as a church. The gift of unity at Christ’s table is offered through the body
and blood of Christ, but the real presence of God is in the gathering of
God’s people celebrating the hope established through Christ’s
resurrection.
I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to
present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is
your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed
by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what it tie will of
God—what is good and acceptable and perfect. (Romans 12:1–2, NRSV)
As a Chinese Canadian who is a minister in the United Church, Asian
Heritage Month fills me with both pride and sadness. I remember Asian
women experiencing violence in patriarchal societies, the unvalued
girl-child, women and girls trafficking in the sex trade, the Canadian
railroads laid with the blood and sweat of Chinese migrant workers, the
suffering of comfort women, and Japanese-Canadian families taken from
their homes during the Second World War. How can I celebrate Asian
heritage when I feel our hands are bound and our voices ignored?
Let Asian Heritage Month begin a journey of openness—in our senses,
heart and soul, spirit and body—so that the colors already present in our
lives are lifted and celebrated. Let this month begin a continual
remembrance of our troubled roots and a celebration of the liberties we
enjoy. Let May begin the exploration of the beauty awaiting our
discovery.
—The Rev. Karl Lam Toronto Chinese United Church
The United Church of Canada 2009
--End—

CALL TO WORSHIP: John 8:32; 4:24.
.
HYMNS: 1. # 265 Take Time to Be Holy
2. # 309 Yield Not to Temptation
SCRIPTURE READING: II Sam. 11:1-5
SERMON: Moral Competency
講道題目: 誠實無偽的品格

CONGREGATION & CHURCH CONCERNS:
(English)
1. Today is the first Sunday of May. We gather at Christ’s table in communion with God as His people. The gift of unity at Christ’s table is offered through the body and blood of Christ, but the real presence of God is in the gathering of us celebrating the hope established through Christ’s resurrection. 2. May has been declared Asian Heritage Month. As Chinese Canadian our hearts are filled with both pride and sadness. This is because we identify ourselves with all our Asians Canadians who struggle through trials and tribulations but are willing to share the joy and tears with us. 3. Global Day of Prayer 2009 summon all Christians to pray and worship with millions worldwide, on Pentecost Sunday 31 May 2009, Ottawa venue will be held in City Church at 155 Carillon St. 7-9 pm We will pray globally and gather locally. Ten days before the event we will pray with many around the clock for ten days, 21-30 May. 4. The English Ministry have invited David and Carol Atkins - to give an update on their work with prison Alpha on Friday, May 15. Their presentation starts at 7 PM and will last less than one hour. Light refreshments will be served. Come and get excited about what God is doing! Rev. Gerry Fuller will begin his Bible Study at 8 PM on that day in dining hall. 5. The Chinese devotional “Proclaim” May-June issue has arrived and is placed on the foyer for your pick up. Please take one and do your daily devotions with it. 6. Gracious Light Christian Center in joint effort with its drama club, children choir and dancing group is presenting a musical called “Eternal Love” to celebrate parents love on May 10 (Sunday) Mothers Day 2:30-5 pm. (including auction and tea refreshment) at Ron Kolbus Lakeside Centre, Britannia Park. For details, contact glcc@graciousligth.org

会友与教会关怀：
1. 今天是五月第一个主日。我们在基督圣桌前守圣餐。我们因主宝血合而为一，也因主的复活有永生盼望。2. 五月被定为亚洲传统月。作为加拿大的中国人，我们感觉荣幸和忧伤，因为我们与加拿大的亚洲人一样，都为我们过去的苦难和成就有一种认同感。 3. 环球祈祷日呼吁全世界的基督徒在圣灵降临节5月31日一齐祷告。渥太华的地点是155 CARILLON ST.城市教会。十天之前即5月21-30日，我们要为这件事每天24小时接力祷告。4. 英语事工部邀请了DAVID 和CAROL ATKINS 5月15日星期五下午7点莅临本堂介绍监狱启发的工作。会後有茶点。8点 REV FULLER 牧师照常在饭厅主持祈祷会。5. 五至六月份灵修小册子『传』已经寄到本堂放在大堂入口处，请取一本回家作每天个人灵修之用。6. 恩光中心举办，由恩光剧社、童韵合唱团及英姿舞社首次携手合作，轻音乐剧〔永恒的爱〕，将於母亲节二零零九年五月十日(周日), 下午二时半至五时 (包括筹款拍卖及茶点), 在Ron Kolbus Lakeside Centre, Britannia Park上演。票价: $20 ($15 退税收据), 购票及查询: 恩光中心 613-232-2226; glcc@graciouslight.org