JANUARY 2014"

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8 South Bay Close REPULSE BAY, HONG KONG

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Pastoral Call Committee Update

Over the past few months our call committee has been interviewing candidates for our Senior Pastor position. ! We have determined to take the next step by inviting a pastor to visit us to help us in our discernment process.

ABOUT PASTOR BRAUN

The call committee has invited Pastor Wayne Braun and his wife Linda, of Flower Mound, Texas, !to come to Hong Kong over the weekend of January 26. !From January 23-January 27 Pastor Braun and Linda will be meeting with various groups from our congregation in an effort for us to become acquainted with them and for them to know more about CAN and Hong Kong. !We are developing an itinerary for them and will be sending invitations out to various groups of our congregation within the next couple of weeks. Everyone is encouraged to join us for Sunday activities on January 26. !Pastor and Linda will attend both worship services. !Pastor Braun will lead our Bible Fellowship class and then all members are invited to attend a luncheon at the HKIS Tai Tam campus where the Brauns will be available to greet members. Their visit will include meetings with church leadership groups as well as a couple of small receptions. Don't miss this opportunity to visit with our candidate and his wife as together we discern God's leading for our church.

Pastor Braun (known in his last three positions as PB) was born in the Chicago area in 1958. He is married to his college sweetheart Linda of Manitowoc Wisconsin. A graduate of Concordia Milwaukee, and Concordia Seminary St. Louis ( Master of Divinity in 1984 and Doctor of Ministry in 1997) they have served congregations in Nebraska and Texas, as well as a period as Campus Pastor/Assistant Professor of Theology at Concordia University Wisconsin. They presently live in Flower Mound, Texas where Pastor Braun is Senior Pastor of Lamb of God Lutheran Church and Linda is the Director of the Early Childhood Ministry at Lamb of God. God has blessed them with a great family. Pastor Ben (30) and his wife Anna have two children Kyah and Dillan. They live in Austin, TX. Jon (28) and his wife Theodora live in Jakarta, Indonesia and are expecting their rst child in June 2014. Bethany (26) and her husband Jason live closest to home and are expecting their rst child in August 2014). Steven (22) is in his last year in the Lay Ministry program at Concordia University Wisconsin. Pastor loves golf, working out in the yard, cooking on the grill, a good book, hiking with their dog Molly and playing around with his camera. Linda enjoys good music, her grandchildren, cooking, quilting and being with family. IN ministry Pastor Braun loves preaching, teaching, discipling, building relationships and shepherding people in their walk with Christ just plain being a pastor.

When facing a lot of change

Dear friends in Christ, Thank you for the honor and privilege of serving you for a few months as one of your vacancy pastors. I deeply appreciate the mission and ministry that Church of All Nations has and has had for many decades. I pray my wife and I can be an encouragement to you as you look toward your future and seek God for who will be your next pastor. I keep you in my thoughts and prayers often, and one of the things I pray about for you has to do with all the changes that you have been and are and will be going through. In life, we are always having to deal with change. But as a congregation, you have been going through and facing a lot of changes recently. And two of the biggest reasons that change can be difcult are: The loss of the known, and the fear of the unknown. Change can sometimes be very difcult because of FEARS WE HAVE of the unknown, and the PAIN AND LOSS we are going to feel as we give up or lose things we have known or have had. I am sure many of you are feeling the loss of a pastor, his wife, and other people you love deeply. You are feeling the loss of things that were familiar and that mattered to you. Some others of you, I am sure, are feeling a sense of fear, anxiety, or frustration over the unknowns that lie ahead for Church of All Nations. These are all very understandable, normal, and healthy feelings to have. Jesus knows what you are going through. And Jesus understands. In fact, following Jesus as His disciples involves coming face-to-face with loss and face-to-face with fear. Luke 9:22-24 And he said, "The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and he

must be killed and on the third day be raised to life." Then he said to them all: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it. Denying ourselves involves loss. Following Jesus into the unknown involves facing fear.

Note from Pastor Scott

It is impossible to be a disciple and follower of Jesus and to obey His command to follow Him and make disciples of all nations without coming face-toface with loss and fear. But it is in trusting and following God, despite our fears, and giving up whatever God asks us to give up in order to follow Him, despite our desires, that His transforming power not only ows INTO us, but that His transformation power can also ow THROUGH us. I hope you are able to remember and hold onto three very important truths right now: First, God and His love for you has not changed, two, God and His mission for you as a congregation has not changed, and third, Jesus and His presence with you has not changed! As you move forward and navigate an unknown future, know that Jesus has been ahead of you and has gone before you, and the future is not unknown to Him. His faithfulness in the past is His promise of His faithfulness and guidance and comfort in the future. May God bless you greatly in 2014, and may you see Gods grace, power, and vision in this new and unfolding time within Church of All Nations history. In Christ,

CHURCH IN TRANSITION CLASS

LED BY DR. SCOTT RISCHE

12:30 - 2:00 pm Jan 19, Feb 16, Mar 16, Mar 23, Mar 30 in the UP 6/F Faculty Lounge

Pastor Rische will lead us in discussion about six key areas and questions that impact the life and ministry of a congregation going through transition, and to come to understand that these are questions that will need to be answered in the future once our new pastor arrives. Please bring along some lunch and join us as together we begin to unwrap the picture of the future God holds for CAN

Rev. Dr. Scott Rische

WORSHIP AT CAN
January
9am - Traditional 11am - Contemporary
CAN is recruiting for worship help in the following capacities:

Assistant Minister Communion Assistant Usher / Reader Greeter

Please contact Russ Daniels at russell.daniels@lyondellbasell.com (for early service) or David Dickhudt at ddickhudt@gmail.com (for late service)

Worship Attendance Figures

9 AM
Dec 1 Dec 8 Dec 15 Dec 22 Dec 24 Dec 25 Dec 29 Jan 5 27 63 not available 65 37 27

CHRISTMAS WORSHIP
TOTAL

11 AM
89 107 235 70 140 52 66 80

not available 172 272 97

93 143

Pastor Joel Scheiwe preaching on Christmas Eve - Merry Christmas!

Offering Figures
GENERAL OFFERING
Dec 1 Dec 8 Dec 15 Dec 22 Dec 24 Dec 25 Dec 29 Jan 5 $19,720 $55,691 $81,496 $43,555 $40,110 $2,896 $16,434 $16,668

DESIGNATED OFFERING
$9,405 $59,370 $9,415 $3,635 $6,135

Silent Night, Holy Night All is calm, all is bright...

Vicar Ben Riley gives the childrens message on Christmas Day.

Childrens Ministry / Youth Ministry

Photos from our 2013 Christmas Cantata
CAN Youth All youth are welcome to join us for discipleship, fellowship, and service events. Contact Megan for more information canfamily@hkis.edu.hk Upcoming Youth Events Jan. 17 3:30pm Help load donated clothing for SS Party then to CAN for youth group 5-7pm Jan. 18 " Street Sleeper Party Jan. 19 Conrmation Retreat Feb. 7 6pm Youth Group Feb. 22 Conrmation Retreat Feb. 28 6pm Youth Group

The Signs of Christmas

Place these words on your hearts... Tie them on your hands and foreheads as a reminder. Teach them to your children... -Deut. 11:18-19a

Buzz Sunday School

Classes begin around 10am Age 3 Age 5 - Room 503 Grades 1 & 2 - Room 507 Grades 3-5 in the UP 6/F Faculty Lounge.

CAN Kids Praise Team

A discipleship opportunity for students Grade 1 Grade 5 at HKIS who have a heart for singing and using their voices to praise God! Thurs., 3pm. A new term begins Thursday, February 13th! HKIS Students can register online @ churchofallnations-hongkong.org!

EVERY SUNDAY 10am Youth Discipleship

@ CAN Youth Room

Little Lambs Childrens Church

A short 20-minute lesson during the sermon portion of the 11am worship service. Designed for children age 3 grade 2.

Studying The Christian Life

Have a gift for sharing the Gospel with young hearts?

CAN Childrens Ministry can always use more willing hands and hearts! Contact Megan if you interested in using your gifts to enrich the spiritual nurture of children in our community! canfamily@hkis.edu.hk

Left: The cast! Middle: Angels Arabella & Catherine make their entrance. Right: The animals are joyful over Jesus!

PRISON MINISTRY
Date: Sunday, January 19 Time: 10 am - 5 pm Location: Stanley Correctional Institution Details: This ministry seeks to pray for and share the Word to inmates in prison through correspondence and physical visit. Please join us in fervent prayers as we continue to explore Prison Ministry to brothers and sisters behind the bars every month. We are also praying for opportunities of future group visits. Contacts: socialministryboard@gmail.com Let Sayapen (6298-6013) Jonalyn Martin (storkjona82@gmail.com)

Outreach & Fellowship

Soup Lunch
Join us for a great fellowship opportunity with Pastor Braun over homemade soup and warm beverages on January 26, 12:30-2:00pm! Bring a mug and some food to share (bread, crackers, cookies, etc.)!

DINNERS FOR EIGHT

Dinner for Eight is designed to connect people in our community over a meal. The day of the week and time of the meal can be determined by the group. Each group will have a host who will decide if they will host the meal at their house providing the entre and assigning side dishes, beverages, & dessert OR host the meal at a restaurant of their choosing. After the rst meal, someone else may volunteer to host. The purpose is only for connecting fellowship over food! New groups will form in January and meet through May. Each group should meet about 3 times. If you would like to join or host a group for the Spring, contact Megan Birney, canfamily@hkis.edu.hk

CAN Book Club will meet on Monday, January 20 at 7 pm. This month we are discussing the book Kingdom Without Borders by Miriam Adeney. Contact Megan Birney for more info!

Calling all crafty people! Do you knit? Crochet? Sew? Make stationary? Scrapbook? A new monthly fellowship opportunity for creative creators! Contact Mary Evelyn Daniels for more info!

HOLF VISIT

Judy Astley, a HOLF representative, visited CAN the following Sunday as a guest speaker during the Bible study hour

Judy has brought to us captivating testimonies of Matthew and Tracy. May the Lord continue to bless both the Home of Loving Faithfulness (HOLF) and Church of All Nations and galvanize the partnership in ministry that the Lord himself
A group of 24 people from CAN visited the HOLF on December 29th. They had a great fellowship with the residents and staff as they sang Christmas carols together, while Rev. Carl Hanson delivered the Christmas message and led the group in prayers. Andrea Hanson has also shared her musical talents with the residents as shown above. Anna, a HOLF resident, had a great time playing her guitar! A HK$5,000 check was also presented to the HOLF representative during the gathering.

has prepared in advance for us to do on earth.

THE HONG KONG HOPE FUTURE SAVINGS

Michelle Cagnin has been coordinating and providing training and education to the members of the savings group since July 2013. The group, consisting of 14 ofcers and members from the FPSC care group, meet once a month. Michelle helped conducted meeting sessions and workshops aimed at helping members to understand the basics of savings how to run a savings group. As a result, both the ofcers and members learned discipline, the demonstration of their specic roles on carrying them out, and the value of being a member as a whole. All members beneted from the sessions. The knowledge and skills learned will be applicable when they go back to their own Lutheran congregation in their country. Thanks be to God!

Thank you Letter from Concordia Childrens Services

Greetings of Peace from Concordia Childrens Services (CCS). On behalf of CCS, thank you very much for your recent generous gift of US$4,088.70 for the cribs and beds of our children. Your commitment to helping more than 20 abandoned, surrendered, neglected children through the provision of a more comfortable and safer bed is truly appreciated by these beautiful children as well as the board and staff of CCS. Our sincerest gratitude to loyal partners and supporters like you at CAN Hongkong. Your gift has truly provided the safety and comfort that these children need. It also complements the beautiful mural painting that some of your members have done when they visited last October. We hope and pray that you at CAN will continue to assist CCS in whatever way you can in the years to come. If you have any inquiry, please don't hesitate to call at 713-34-61/62, or email me at ofce@concordiachildrens.org or nabelle.caballes@concordiachildrens.org. Meanwhile, attached are the photos of the new beds and cribs. We will keep you updated on the children through our regular e-newsletter. Again, thank you for all you do for CCS. God bless you more. Sincerely, Anna Bella M. Caballes Executive Director

The FPSC Group Supports Victims of Typhoon Haiyan in Prayers

In the wake of the typhoon Haiyan a.k.a.Yolanda in Philippines, the members through the help of their coordinator of Fellowship Prayer Share Care Group (FPSC) was able to send more than twenty thousand Philippine pesos show their care to their countrymen. It is through prayers that the FPSC can help support. When the people of Israel were called in Deuteronomy 6:5, and was later heard being said again in the New Testament Matthew 22:36-40, and Mark 12:30, ''Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, with all your strength;" these words maybe simple but are very true and makes also the members of FPSC to reect upon its challenging meaning even to Filipinos. There's seems to be nothing members can do with the overwhelming impact of that past typhoon. Members of the group carry a heavy heart for all the victims of the aftermath that's crippling everyone. Yet, with a joyful message of salvation and the prevailing truth of peace, hope, and love that comes only from the Lord, shall everyone say, "thanks be to God" for His incarnation that gives healing, resilience, and sustenance to all mankind.

Thank you Letter from the Lutheran Church in Philippines

LUTHERAN!CHURCH in the PHILIPPINES North Luzon!Highland District Nueva Vizcaya Circuit Lutheran Youth Organization Nvclyo_22@yahoo.com January 2, 2014 Filipino Prayer Share and Care Group Church of All Nation Repulse Bay, Hong Kong Greetings in the Name of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ who lives and reign forever and ever. May the Heavenly Father give you peace today, tomorrow, and the rest of the year 2014. It was in May 2010 when Nueva Vizcaya Circuit Lutheran Youth Organization (NVCLYO) made it's rst contact with the FPSCG through Ms. Beth Balang. We receive an information that FPSCG will give a package to Nueva Vizcaya Circuit and it was given to Mt. Sinai Lutheran Church, Gunot, Kimbutan, Dupax del Sur, Nueva Vizcaya. The members there can't express how thankful they are that FPSCG choose their congregation be the one to receive the package. Every member got their share of shirt and pants. A simple gift according to FPSCG but for them it is an act that they will never forget and a gift that they can't repay with material thing but only through prayers to the Filipino Workers there in Hong Kong. In the same year, December 2010 Nueva Vizcaya Circuit Receive another cash amounting to 5,500 pesos (HK 125). It was intended to cover the expenses of the News Letter of Bambang Lutheran Mission Station (BLMS), GIFTA, Almaguer North, Bambang, Nueva Vizcaya (This news letter covers not only BLMS activities but all congregation and auxiliary organization of Nueva Vizcaya Circuit) but since the amount was more than enough to purchase 1 printer we decided to buy our own printer and use it for printing the news letter. I'm proud to inform you that we used it for more than 3 years. Recently another cash amounting to 2,750.00 was handed to me which was utilized during the 5th Assembly of Nueva Vizcaya Circuit Lutheran Youth Organization held at Belance National High School, Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church, Belance, Dupax del Norte, Nueva Vizcaya last December 25-28, 2013. Indeed, we're so overwhelmed that for this past years you become a channel of blessings to us. We don't know how to say how thankful we are that you're always there for us ready to support our organization. we're so indebtedness to you brethren in CHRIST for with out you who allowed themselves to be used by our Heavenly Father we don't know if happiness was brought to the Mt. Sinai Lutheran Church Family, if we bought a 1 set of printer, and if we had a successful 5th Assembly. A special thanks also to CHURCH OF ALL NATION, HONG KONG for playing a vital role to the lives of every lipino there in HK. Above all we thank GOD for HIS unending and unselsh love that HE has given to all of us. HE who gives us hope of life and the ONE who provided everything for us to have a successful and meaningful activities. Activities that help us to be active, grow in our spiritual life, and give us opportunities to help also others that makes us a well motivated persons. Thank you so much and HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL! For the GLORY OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST!

In Christ, Jeffrey O. Balang Treasurer

CWEF China Scholarship

CURIOUS ABOUT THE LIFE OF HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS IN CHINA? WILLING TO SHARE YOUR KNOWLEDGE OF ENGLISH WITH GIRLS WHO ARE STRIVING TO PASS THEIR UNIVERSITY ENTRANCE EXAM?
Please join us as we travel for a weekend English camp with female high school students in western Guangdong province. We will depart Hong Kong the afternoon of Friday, February 21st and return to Hong Kong at dinnertime on Sunday, February 23rd.

Marty Schmidt (mschmidt@hkis.edu.h k) or Iantha Scheiwe (director@cwef.org.hk ) to sign up or with questions. Fo r a story about last year's trip, please see http:// martinschmidtinasia .wordpress.c om/2013/01/01/the-g ifts-ofchristmas-in-rural-ch ina/.

PLEASE CONTACT

Thank you for your continued support for the education of young people in China! CAN members have generously committed to support scholarships for 57 students this year! If you haven't done so yet, please be sure to submit your payment to Church of All Nations as soon as possible. CWEF will be contacting you with your matched student profile and letter by January 15th.

STREET SLEEPERS PARTY

Date: Saturday, January 18 Time: 9:00 am - 12:30 pm Location: Concordia Lutheran School, 12 Tai Hang Tung Road Shek Kip Mei, Kowloon Details: Bus leaves CAN at 9:00 am and departs from the party site at 12:30 pm. Contacts: Chenhsi Hanson (9781-9516) chlhanson@gmail.com Karen Ng (9811-2190) cansec@hkis.edu.hk

THANK YOU FOR VOLUNTEERING!

Here are the areas we need help on the day. If you have capacity after completing your assigned job, you are welcome to help out in another section!

CLOTHING

SNACKS

Assist our as they select clothing from tables. !A group of 25 guests at a time (6 groups altogether) will be selecting clothing with assistance from CAN volunteers and translators.

1. Set up an assembly line to assemble 120 gallon ziplock bags of snacks for our guests to take home. 2. Serve loose cookies on trays to our guests.

TRANSLATION

CHILDRENS PROGRAM

Have you signed up yet?

or going on your ow will be taking the bu s up. Let us know if yo u n! Email or call us to sig n

If you know Cantonese, please help translate at the clothing table or at the kids section

CHRISTMAS CAROL SINGING

Some members from our youth group will run the children's program to host our guests' children and some of our volunteers' children. !There will be games, crafts and snack time. 1-2 translators are needed. !We could also use a couple adults just to supervise.

It is not too late :)

Some time between 10:30 to 11:30 am, CAN members will be asked to sing Christmas Carols as part of the evangelical program led by the local church. ALL ARE WELCOME TO JOIN!

ing le et to m g r o f t Don uests o ou r g t k l a t a nd r local or othe ers! volunte

January
Tuesday 1 2 3 Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 4

2014

Sunday

Monday

5
9am Womens Bible Study 9am Moms with Young Kids Fellowship 3pm CAN Kids Praise Team

10

11
9:30am Young Adult Bible Study @Central Starbucks

9am Traditional Worship 10am Education Hour 11am Contemporary Worship 12:30pm FPSC

12
9am Womens Bible Study

13

14

15

16
9am Moms with Young Kids Fellowship 3pm CAN Kids Praise Team

17
6pm Youth Fellowship 9:00am Street Sleepers Party

18

9am Traditional Worship 10am Education Hour 11am Contemporary Worship 12:30pm FPSC, Transitions Class

6pm Elders Meeting 7pm Church Council meeting

19
9am Womens Bible Study

20

21

22

23

24
Prospective Pastor Visit

25
Prospective Pastor Visit 9:30am Young Adult Bible Study
@Central Starbucks

7 pm CAN Book Club

9am Traditional Worship 10am Education Hour 11am Contemporary Worship 12:30pm FPSC, Transitions Class, Confirmation Retreat

Prospective Pastor Visit 9am Moms with Young Kids Fellowship 3pm CAN Kids Praise Team

11am Leadership Class

26

27

28
9am Womens Bible Study

29

30
9am Moms with Young Kids Fellowship

31

Prospective Pastor Visit 9am Traditional Worship 10am Education Hour 11am Contemporary Worship 12:30pm FPSC, Soup Lunch in Tai Tam