admin

Ps. Brock Li 李新宁传道

回顾和展望

持续近三年的COVID-19疫情，使国语事工面对前所未有的挑战，也带来了全新的机遇。截止到今年五月底之前，在周敬达传道的带领下，面对去年底的新一波Omicron疫情的冲击，国语崇拜模式也走向「混合模式」(Hybrid Model)——实体崇拜聚会和网络崇拜聚会同步进行；通过网络的个人式门徒训练与小组式关怀牧养相互兼备。自今年4月3日国语堂搬至Boronia Grove Community Centre崇拜开始，国语事工开启了「委身大使命，传扬主福音」的新篇章，期间虽然面对场地预订、设备搬运、影音设置等诸多的不便，但感谢神的恩典和引领、教会牧长和其它堂会弟兄姊妹们的理解、支持和配合，国语事工正进入深入社区、传扬福音、造就信徒的新阶段。随着七月份起国语堂「清晨颂歌」、「清晨甘露」、「信仰探寻」等各项新事工的陆续开展；主日讲台的教导，以及探访的深入进行，鼓励弟兄姊妹们更多地参与实体崇拜，渴慕追求神的话语，并学习同心合意，搭配服事，在属灵上不断更新成长。九月初的「回家·团圆」中秋晚会的顺利举行，更激励弟兄姊妹们同心合意，为主作工，活出见证。感谢主的恩典和带领，即将在十月初举行的「爱·回家」生活营，已经有近八十人报名参加，这也将成为弟兄姊妹经历旷日持久疫情隔离之后，难得的主内欢聚团聚时刻，也成为慕道的亲友们认识福音、见证主爱的机会。

展望未来，求主亲自施恩带领国语堂的场地需要，以及各项事工，行走在祂的旨意中；求主赐下智慧、能力和勇气，带领国语堂的弟兄姊妹生命成长、不负使命、传扬基督，成为Epping社区的金灯台，以及周边国语同胞的祝福。

「万物的结局近了。所以，你们要谨慎自守，警醒祷告。最要紧的是彼此切实相爱，因为爱能遮掩许多的罪。你们要互相款待，不发怨言。各人要照所得的恩赐彼此服事，作神百般恩赐的好管家。」(彼得前书4:7-10)

 以下是国语事工过去一年的总结：

主日崇拜

自去年下半年疫情解封以来，国语崇拜逐步恢复实体敬拜，同时网络敬拜依然同期进行，这种实体/网络同步崇拜安排，虽然增加了影音事奉的工作量和难度，但为弟兄姊妹提供了更大的弹性以面对反复不定的疫情变化，也帮助弟兄姊妹能够更稳定地参与主日崇拜。今年四月份以来，参加实体崇拜聚会的人数稳步上升。感谢主的恩典，现在，平均参与国语崇拜的人数大约维持在53人左右。

在讲道方面，为配合教会今年主题：「存基督心˙爱主你神」，国语堂分别以「出埃及记」和「歌罗西书」作为讲道和小组查经的内容，从而加深弟兄姊妹对这些书卷的认识和应用，帮助弟兄姊妹更深地认识神的属性和大能作为，学习爱主更多！

小组聚会

因为疫情的影响，过去一年，国语堂小组团契聚会基本上都在网上举行。现在国语堂有三个牧养小组，分别是：雅各小组、马太小组和安德烈小组。其中安德烈小组被细分为「弟兄组」和「姊妹组」，并且各自在不同时段举行聚会，好让当中的年青家庭在照顾年幼孩子的同时，也能专注查经和分享。最近一段时间以来，随着疫情的逐步缓解，安德烈小组于九月初，尝试开始第一次实体查经团契，效果良好。

今年小组查经的内容都是以讲道系列的「出埃及记」为中心。现在，小组出席人数平均为：11-12人(雅各布小组)；16-18人(马太小组)和8-10人(安德烈小组)。

祷告会

自从2020年12月开始，国语堂在星期天晚上7:30开展了网上祷告会。感谢神的感动和带领，有不少的弟兄姊妹愿意踊跃参加。每次祷告会，弟兄姊妹都会一同为神的恩典（感恩事项）献上感恩，为彼此的身体和心灵需要(神的子民)，为教会和教会所支持的宣教士(神的教会)，为世界和未得之民(神的国度)祷告。弟兄姊妹们在祷告中，彼此守望、彼此鼓励、彼此扶持；现在，参与祷告会的人数平均大约有16人左右。

探访关顾

自今年六月份开始，国语堂成立由专人负责的迎新关顾小组，负责跟进新人的关顾探访，以及国语堂现有的弟兄姊妹的探访，透过分享交流，了解关心新朋友及弟兄姊妹们生活和属灵上的需要，加深彼此认识，主内建立美好关系，分享经历神的爱，并鼓励他们面对疫情挑战，坚守信仰，活出生命见证。感谢主的带领和弟兄姊妹们的配合，至今，已经探访了超过80%的弟兄姊妹，鼓励了更多的弟兄姊妹参加实体崇拜、小组团契，开展信仰思考，以及清晨灵修。

新事工开展

自今年七月份以来，国语堂开展了一系列新的事工活动，不但充分利用Boronia Grove Community Centre早上的时段，也鼓励弟兄姊妹在积极参与的过程中，增加对教会和国语堂群体的认同感，凝聚力和主内的彼此关顾，彼此相爱。到目前为止，国语堂开设了以下新的事工：

事工名称	时间	频度
清晨颂歌	主日早上9:30am-10:30am	7月3日起，每月第二及第四主日（平均约20人参加）
初信栽培	周五早上 10:30am-11:30am	7月15日起，每周五
信仰探寻	主日早上9:30am-10:30am	7月31日起逢月第五个主日（约18人参加）
羽你童行	主日下午 03:00pm-05:00pm	每月第一和第三个主日下午
感恩见证分享会	主日下午12:30pm-01:30pm	7月31日起逢第五个主日下午 (约38人参加)
清晨甘露	周四早上8:00am-9:00am	8月25日起每周四.（基于《传道书》灵修分享（平均约18人参加）

福音外展事工

国语堂于今年四月初，举行街边派发福音单张的活动，并开始在Boronia Park设立室外早茶时间，同时向路过的社区居民派发单张，介绍国语堂崇拜，鼓励他们走进教会，参加崇拜，并更多地了解福音，认识基督。五月底，国语堂举办了疫情后第一次爱宴，近五十人参加，其中有不少慕道的朋友，不但使弟兄姊妹在主内有美好团契，更给予新来的慕道朋友，参与其中，加深彼此认识，宣传基督福音。

今年九月三日晚举行的「回家·团圆」实体中秋晚会，吸引了约九十位弟兄姊妹及亲友参加，晚会上不但有「清晨颂歌」小组及四重唱小组的诗歌献唱，有关于中秋来历的解说，有别开生面的国语粤语「南北相声」，更有「回家·团圆」的主题福音信息分享；更在爱宴后，精心预备了丰富的灯谜竞猜和月饼分享活动，使大家不但一同在浓郁欢乐的气氛中，庆祝传统中秋佳节，更使所有来宾感受到了在主爱中家庭般的温馨，和谐和团圆，给他们留下了美好深刻的印象。国语堂将进一步跟进晚会中慕道朋友，鼓励他们前来参加国语崇拜。

此外，国语堂的弟兄姊妹还积极参加两个月一次的Dubbo短宣事工，以及Maitland乡村短宣事工，激励弟兄姊妹肩负福音使命，踏上短宣之路。

From July 2021 to June 2022 (2021年7月至2022年6月)

二零二二年第二次臨時會友大會會議記錄

Minutes of the 2022 Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) #2

Date 日期                  ：   10 July 2022

Time 時間                 ：   10:15am to 10:55am

Quorum 法定人數   ：   169 out of 320 voting members voted online, which was over the 50% quorum
會友人數是320人，有169人投票會，超過50%法定人數出席

Co-Chair 主席          ：   Elder Wayne Ng

Interpreter 傳譯 ：   Elder Daniel Yeung

Secretary 文書        ：   Elder Wayne Ng

Resolution議決事項：     

Voting to elect four church members from eight candidates, one from each worship service, to join the nomination committee with Pastor Hiram Lau, Elder Kowk Wai Cheung and Elder Simon Chan to nominate candidates for the deacons (2023) and elders (2023-2025) election in AGM 2022.

從每堂崇拜八位候選人當中，選出四位，加入提名委員會。與劉海林傳道、張國偉長老及陳光倫長老，提名執事(2023年度)和長老(2023-25年度) ，在2022年週年會友大會中進行選舉。

The candidates are 候選人:

Worship / 崇拜	Candidate 1 / 候選人一	Candidate 2 / 候選人二
CS1 /粵一崇	Kit Ming Chieng 鄭潔明姊妹	Nancy Chan 陳駱麗明執事
CS2 /粵二崇	Andrew Lam 林建隆執事	Pal Dou 杜駿驊執事
EMS /早英崇	Betty Tu 徐江寶華執事	Deanna Or 柯鄺燕玲姊妹
MM /國 崇	Carol Chen 杜陳秩如執事	Gary Chang 張幹元執事

Result結果：

Voting to elect four church members from eight candidates, one from each worship service, to join the nomination committee with Pastor Hiram Lau, Elder Kowk Wai Cheung and Elder Simon Chan to nominate candidates for the deacons (2023) and elders (2023-2025) election in AGM 2022.

從每堂崇拜八位候選人當中，選出四位，加入提名委員會。與劉海林傳道、張國偉長老及陳光倫長老，提名執事(2023年度)和長老(2023-25年度) ，在2022年週年會友大會中進行選舉。

二零二二年第一次臨時會友大會會議記錄

Minutes of the 2022 Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) #1

Date 日期                  ：   22 May 2022

Time 時間                 ：   10:15am to 10:50am

Quorum 法定人數   ：   159 out of 315 voting members voted online, which was over the 50% quorum會友人數是315人，有159人投票會，超過50%法定人數出席

Co–Chair 主席          ：   Elder Daniel Yeung

Secretary文書        ：   Elder Wayne Ng

Resolution議決事項：     

Voting to endorse the appointment of Pastor Xinning Li as the Mandarin Assistant Pastor for a two-year term from 1 June 2022 to 31 May 2024.

投票確認聘請李新寧傳道，為國語堂助理牧者，任期為兩年，從2022年6月1日至2024年5月31日。

Result結果：

Over 75% of vote in favour of the appointment of Pastor Xinning Li as the Mandarin Assistant Pastor.

超過75% 的投票，贊成聘請李新寧傳道作為國語堂助理牧者。

When sitting down to compose this Annual Report, it has given me an opportunity to reflect on what God has been doing in the English Ministry (EM) over the past twelve months. Much has happened over that time. We have had to face various challenges, both individually and as a congregation/church: whether it be multiple COVID cases over several months, loss of loved ones, financial stress, or even challenges in various ministry areas. We have also had several moments of joy: first-time confessions of faith, new people joining MES, people growing in their personal relationship with God, additional people stepping up to serve in much-needed areas, etc. I am encouraged by the fact that God is the One Who is continuing to achieve His perfect purposes in both the challenges and the joys we have faced (cf. Romans 8:28-29) over the past twelve months.

I have appreciated the opportunity to continue to grow and develop as a pastor over the past twelve months (indeed, the past six years). It has been a privilege to catch up with people, whether as individuals or in a small group. I love encouraging people to explore what it means to be a follower of Jesus, and to take seriously His claim to be King of the Universe. It has been challenging, yet also rewarding, to sit beside people when they grieve, and to point them to the hope we have in Jesus. I am thankful for those who want to catch up to strengthen their walk with God, and who manage to “sharpen” me in the process (Proverbs 27:17). I am also thankful for those who have been willing to trust me enough to open up about some of the challenges they are facing in their Christian journey.

I am thankful for all God has been doing in the various ministries associated with the EM (please see the reports below). I am thankful that people are returning to MES in-person, that new people are joining our MES family, and others are returning after a reasonable absence. I am also thankful that some people who are unable to join us in-person (for various reasons) continue to have the opportunity to join us via livestream or delayed viewing each Sunday.

I am also thankful that the EM Committee have been able to commence a review of how we can more effectively be an EM that has discipleship at the heart of all we do together as a community of believers. We have spent the past few months understanding the five key convictions about discipleship (Why make disciples/What is a disciple/How are disciples made/Who makes disciples/Where are disciples made). In the next twelve months, we will assess how that looks in the EM, and how to continue to develop this as foundational in “the way we do things around here”.

I am also trusting that God will provide His person as Youth Pastor in His perfect timing, as this is an incredibly strategic ministry, not just for the EM, but for the whole of NSCAC.

I am thankful that God has raised up several leaders who give generously of their time across the various areas of the English Ministry. Even though some leaders have needed to step down over the past twelve months, God has raised up additional individuals to step in where required. I pray that God will continue to raise up even more leaders, in order that the English Ministry may continue to grow and glorify God.

I want to thank everyone that has volunteered to serve over the past twelve months, across all areas of ministry. The English Ministry (and the church) is unable to grow effectively without people generously giving of their time and energy to serve others within the church. To avoid the possibility of leaving out anyone, I will mention the areas of service here (in alphabetical order, as there is no favouritism):

• EM Cell Group leaders
• EM Committee/Vine Project team
• EM Ladies group team
• LIFT leaders
• MES Bible readers
• MES bulletin team
• MES Camp team
• MES Committee
• MES IT/AV/Livestream team
• MES Music team
• MES Outreach planning team
• MES Service leaders
• MES Welcoming team/ushers
• NSY leaders

I also want to thank those who have served “behind the scenes”, either in a voluntary capacity, or to support those on the front line.

As we enter our 35^th year as NSCAC, I continue to be excited by what God plans to do in the English Ministry. I continue to echo Paul’s prayer for the Philippian church (as recorded in Philippians 1:9-11) for each individual in the English Ministry, and each individual in NSCAC:  

⁹ And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, ¹⁰ so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, ¹¹ filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.

In Him

Rev. Andrew Tibbs

The EM ladies’ fellowship hopefully continues to be a group where ladies of all backgrounds in our church (and potentially beyond) can feel welcome and encouraged.  We continue to make Bible study a feature of the ministry.  At the end of last year we had our Christmas party at one of the ladies’ homes.  The ladies enjoyed the generous hospitality.  Hopefully, yearly Christmas gatherings are becoming a firm tradition with this group!  A highlight of 2022 was a traditional high tea held at a cafe in the QVB in May.  Numbers attending were quite high and there was a real sense of fun and occasion that afternoon.  In June, we had our annual EQUIP Women’s conference, which was held remotely at church.  It was well-attended and ladies reported feeling encouraged and edified by this year’s talks on Lamentations. 

Meanwhile, the group is wrestling with finding the right balance between being a group that ladies can have fun attending (e.g. social events) and something that encourages them to go deeper in their walk with God (e.g. Bible studies).  Prayers on this topic are appreciated so that we can get the balance right!

                                                                                                                        Hayley Cheng and Emily Tibbs

Praise God that the music team has been running smoothly in the past year. The ministry has experienced many joys in the past year of serving MES.

One of the main joys has been the return to in-person, live services where our congregation can participate in singing with the music team during worship. This has allowed all attending congregation members to “teach and admonish one another… through psalms, hymns and songs from the Spirit” with the “message of Christ” (Colossians 3:16). We give thanks to God for enabling MES to worship God together through congregational singing.

As a result of live, congregational singing, the MES worship team has been able to introduce several new songs, as well as increase the number of songs sung per service to three. We have also trialled a theme song, “I Want to Know You”, to support the sermon series on Knowing God. Praise God for our faithful song leaders who choose songs with Biblical lyrics to sing each week, helping our congregation to worship God and meditate on theological truths in the sermon.

While recruiting new members has been a challenge, praise God for our existing members, who eagerly serve week after week to ensure the smooth running of the worship team.

As we move into another year, we continue to depend on God for his provision for the worship team at MES. We hope to run more events, raise up more leaders, train up more musicians and most importantly, help our congregation to faithfully worship God.

                                                                                                            Alex Lei (on behalf of MES Music Team)

The Morning English Service (MES) has continued to serve God despite the challenges faced by the pandemic. I thank God that people have continued to join more in person to the service as we recognise the need to be relational and serve corporately. Please pray for guidance and wisdom as we seek to grow and develop as God’s people within the Epping community.

                                                                                                            Chris Tu (on behalf of MES Committee)