牧人心語

星期三，我和師母跟一個從前的會員午餐。這個姊妹沒有帶先生來，因她想我和師母能幫她解開心中的鬱悶。她需要很小心照顧丈夫，因他的柏金遜病情愈來愈嚴重，但最令她憂心的是她的兒子。她兒子四十歲了，一直找不到理想的工作，沒辦法只好搬回家與他們一起住。所以她憂心忡忡，愁容滿面。

我相信她不是唯一面對類似處境的人。我已聽說就是在我們教會裡面，也有人被解僱後找不到工作的傳聞。事實上，雖然美國的經濟數據似乎穩定，失業率也從去年十一月的 4.5% 下調至十二月的 4.4%，但失業和兼職的在職者仍有 8.4%（十一月是 8.7%）。這些數據反映出，可能接近有 10% 的在職者和4.4%的失業人事正面工作上帶給他們的憂慮和壓力，這當然也會影響他們的家人。

我們生活在這裡的基督徒同樣需要面對以上的處境，但不一樣的地方，是我們在基督裡對這些壓力和磨難有不同的看法。聖經說：萬事都互相效力，叫愛神的人得益處。（羅馬書 8:28）這『萬事』當然也包括我們看見的好事和壞事、我們所遇見的順境和逆境。如果我們相信神的話，我們就有一個不一樣的態度去面對『萬事。』

我們若愛神，我們就要信得過，神讓『萬事』發生在我們身上是有祂的美意。我們若能看得通，明白神要我們學些甚麼功課，或經歷祂的應許和幫助，就能從中得著益處，並且會從新得力去面對人生種種挑戰。

教會目前正計畫建立一個職場推薦網絡，旨在連結正在求職的與在職的匯點人，期望透過在職者所屬公司的內部推薦機制(internal referral)，為求職者提供工作機會。詳情很快公布。

此外，弟兄姊妹如欲提名合資格的弟兄姊妹接受執事候選人培訓，請資詢被提名人同意，連同和議人簽名於一月卅一日前郵寄或送交教會辦事處，信封上請註明給按立執事籌備委員會啟。

招牧師

代禱事項

• 感謝神讓我們各個堂點的事工在新一年裡仍繼續展開，並有更多弟兄姊妹願意起來服事。求神幫助教牧同工們能帶領會眾完成神賜給我們的使命。
• 為正在尋找工作或想轉工的弟兄姊妹祈禱。求神指引他們在尋找過程中能順從聖靈的引導，並在與神對話中慢慢能體會神的心意，活在神的愛中。
• 為教會各堂點正在籌備農暦新年的慶祝和外展活動祈禱。求神讓弟兄姊妹在籌備過程中能享受與神與人同工的喜樂，並求神祝福和使用這些活動。
• 求神感動合資格成為執事候選人的弟兄姊妹，讓他們有樂意服事神的心和謙卑的態度，被提名時願意回應神的呼召。
• 為教牧同工和職員祈禱。他們需要承擔加倍的工作，以應付人手短缺的情況。也求神差派合適的同工早日參與教會團隊的服事。

奉獻簡報

十二月常費奉獻 $ 695,801.64 一月常費奉獻 $ 97,625.14 十二月差傳奉獻 $ 13,431.99 一月差傳奉獻 $ 1,355.17 十二月社區中心奉獻 $ 3,287.85 一月社區中心奉獻 $ 1,500.00

財政簡報

一月至十一月總收入： $ 2,658,214.00 一月至十一月總開支： $ 3,056,803.20 一月至十一月缺欠： $ 398,589.20

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From the Heart of a Shepherd

On Wednesday, my wife and I had lunch with a former member. This sister didn’t bring her husband because she wanted us to help ease her distress. She needs to take good care of her husband as his Parkinson’s disease worsens, but what worries her most is her son. Her son is forty years old and hasn’t been able to find a good job, so he had to move back home with them. She was very worried and looked distressed.

I believe she is not the only one facing a similar situation. I’ve heard rumors even within our church about people being laid off and unable to find a job. In fact, although the US economic data seems okay, and the unemployment rate has fallen from 4.5% in November to 4.4% in December last year, the number of discouraged and part-time workers is still 8.4% (compared to 8.7% in November). These figures reflect that nearly 10% of the discouraged/part-timers and 4.4% of the unemployed are experiencing anxiety and stress related to work, which of course affects their families.

We Christians are facing the same environment, but the difference lies in our perspective on these pressures and trials in Christ. The Bible says, “In all things God works for the good of those who love him” (Romans 8:28). These “all things” certainly include the good and bad we see, the favorable and unfavorable circumstances we encounter. If we believe in God’s word, we have a different attitude towards “all things.”

If we love God, we must trust that God allows “all things” to happen to us for His good purpose. If we can understand what lessons God wants us to learn, or experience His promises and help in difficult situations, we can benefit from them and regain strength to face life’s challenges.

The church is currently planning to establish a workplace referral network, aiming to connect job-seeking members with those already employed. The goal is to leverage the internal referral systems within companies where employed members work, in order to provide job opportunities for seekers.

Furthermore, if brothers and sisters wish to nominate qualified brothers and sisters for deacon candidate training, please obtain the nominee’s consent and submit the nomination, along with the signature of 2 persons, to the church office by January 31st. Please indicate “To the Ordination of Deacons Planning Committee” on the envelope.

Pastor Chiu

Prayer Requests

• We thank God that our ministry at each church campus continues into the new year. More brothers and sisters are willing to step up in service. Let’s pray that God will help our pastors and staff to lead the congregation to fulfill the mission that God has given us.
• We pray for brothers and sisters who are currently looking for job or considering a change of profession. Let’s ask God to guide them and enable them to follow the Holy Spirit’s guidance during their search. Through dialogue with God daily they may gradually come to understand His will and live in His love.
• Pray for the celebrations and outreach activities that our church campuses are currently preparing for the Lunar New Year. Let’s ask that God grant our brothers and sisters the joy of working with God and others during the preparation process, and that God will bless and utilize these events.
• Pray that God will move the brothers and sisters who are qualified to be deacon candidates, that they may have a willing heart to serve God and a humble spirit to respond to God’s call when nominated.
• Pray for our pastors and staff. They need to take on double the work to cope with the staff shortage. Let us also pray that God will send suitable co-workers to participate in the ministry team of the church as soon as possible.

Offerings Summary

Dec. General offering $ 695,801.64 Jan. General offering $ 97,625.14 Dec. Mission offering $ 13,431.99 Jan. Mission offering $ 1,355.17 Dec. Community Center offering $ 3,287.85 Jan. Community Center offering $ 1,500.00

Finance Summary

Jan. to Nov. Income ： $ 2,658,214.00 Jan. to Nov. Expenses ： $ 3,056,803.20 Jan. to Nov. Deficit ： $ 398,589.20