Family Letter

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Today is Chinese New Year’s day. I, in our Lord, would firstly like to wish everyone prosperity in all things and health in body and soul. May grace and peace be always upon you through God our Father and our Lord Jesus Christ!

Thanks to the providence and guidance of our Heavenly Father, the construction of our new church is nearing completion. Right now, the project is mostly finished except for the laying of the parking area’s asphalt surface and other related exterior works. I think everyone is preparing to enter this assembly hall bestowed by God to us with a joyful and thankful heart. Yet, I must entreat you not to be lax in prayer, for the place we are about to enter is the outpost for a spiritual battle and the dangerous stamping ground of evil spirits. We must rely on the Holy Spirit, pray and petition in every way, be tirelessly vigilant, and keep watch over one another. Please pray especially for our elders, deacons and pastoral team, for they are the foci of attacks by our enemy the Devil. May your first wish in the new spring be a resolution to become a warrior of prayer!

I’m sure you’re all aware that when the church moves to our new address, the service schedule on Sunday will change. The Remember the Lord Bread Breaking service will start at 9 AM in the morning. I hope that the members, inspired and attracted by God’s love, will gladly get up early in the morning at the beginning of the week to join fellow believers in offering thanksgiving and exaltation before the Lord’s Table. As well, during this time the church will open up some classrooms so that infants and children may engage in certain activities under the rotating care of their parents. Our worship service will commence at 10 AM. Sunday School will be conducted from 11:30AM to 12:30 PM and will include adult and children’s Sunday School classes, the Gospel class, and the Truth-enhancement class. In most church assemblies, the worship service is best attended. We deliberately put our Sunday School after the worship service in order to encourage more people to enroll so that we may pursue growth in the Bible together. Beginning in March, the adult Sunday School will match up seasonally with the children’s Sunday School, counting 3 months to a season. I hope that those members who have service duties, whether as tutors for the children’s Sunday School or in the Caring Team, will still have opportunities to attend Sunday School during certain seasons so that teaching and learning will advance apace. Besides this, I especially hope that new visitors to Sunday Worship will, through the coordination of the Caring Team in ministering to and caring for them on behalf of the church, establish a relationship with us during the tea reception after the service, and be invited to attend our Sunday School or fellowships. Therefore, I encourage everyone to participate enthusiastically in our Sunday School and be built up in the Way of Truth. May your second wish in the new spring be a resolution to become an elite soldier in God’s Kingdom this year, put on the whole armor of God, and be well equipped through the Bible to do battle for God.

Starting in March, the Christian Education Department of the church plans to teach continuing series of courses in Adult Sunday School and 2 separate classes of English Sunday School, so that brothers and sisters can follow the curriculum to study the Bible. To that end, the Christian Education Development will be announcing the associated curricula a month before these courses begin. Please enroll as soon as possible, so that we can order the student handbook in advance. The cost will be borne by the church. Continued supplication and offerings by everyone will certainly be required for the development of the church’s Sunday School work.

At the dawn of a new year, I beseech God to grant the church wisdom to understand the Bible, and I wish that everyone will earnestly follow His Way, becoming complete in His will. Be pleasing to our Lord in all things, abundantly bear good fruit, and let glory return to our Heavenly Father!

Servant of the Lord and your brother in Christ,

Daniel To

January 29, 2006