愛是永恆 crossover 音樂分享會

備兒童節目供 4 至12 歲

Pastor’s Corner 牧者心聲 Pastor Ren任傳道 2010年10月

 也许是巧合，不过很有趣，最近两周内参加了两次内容相似的讲座：一次是被邀请的，是中文的，题目是“如何克服事奉中的孤单感”；一次是自己注册的，是英文的，题目是“The Lonely Road—Friendship and the Pastoral Life.” 看题目就知道，两个讲座都是讲到牧职生涯中的孤单，困难和痛苦。

牧养事奉中有不少难处，也有孤单痛苦的时候，这当然是实情。不过，在我来说，若是与牧养服事的奖赏和喜乐相比，这些就算不得什么。正式开始全职服事不过两年多，主的恩典和作为却让我看到，跟随他的这条路，是真正有价值的，是满有喜乐的。限于篇幅，我不能一一尽述，只能讲到几个主要的方面。

我们服事主的过程中最大的喜乐之一就是有属灵同伴，在跟随主的路上同行，也一起同心兴旺福音。Vivian和我一向所看重的，不单是和弟兄姐妹一起同工，更是能在服事中也在生活里建立彼此更加紧密的关系，彼此相知更深，心灵更加相近，所以我们每年安排几次同工聚会，主要不是谈事工，而是在一起吃饭，分享彼此的生活和事奉中的感受。我也开始尽可能多花时间定期或不定期和同工们一起彼此分享和沟通。我们很感谢主，在这些和同工一起的时间里，我们越来越深体会到大家在主里关系的更加紧密。

作为牧者，我最大的满足感就是在一个一个的弟兄姐妹的身上看到福音改变生命的大能。年复一年，我们看到弟兄姐妹从不认识主到认识主，从不信到信，从动摇不定到委身跟随；我们看到弟兄姐妹的生命不断成长，软弱的变为刚强，贫穷的成为富足。无论是在个人探访中，或是在小组和主日学的分享中，我都不断听到弟兄姐妹们述说神在他们生命里的作为，看到福音确实一点一点在弟兄姐妹们的生活中活出来，改变他们的自我认知，工作，婚姻和家人的关系。所以我常常鼓励弟兄姐妹们把见证写下来，每年也安排主日崇拜或主日学的时间让大家分享自己的见证，不但将荣耀归于神，也激励其他的弟兄姐妹。

福音不单改变弟兄姐妹的生命，福音也改变我自己和我的家庭。感恩节主日崇拜后，和Vivian带着三个孩子驱车前往离多伦多大概1个半小时的Peterborough，全家度一个短假。在旅馆住下后，带着三个孩子在旁边的小湖边散步。我和Vivian一边欣赏绚烂的秋景，一边看着Jonah，Elim，和Jesse一会儿在草地上打闹嬉戏，一会儿在树上爬上爬下，同时回想起过去一年多孩子们的改变和成长，心里充满了喜乐和感恩。我想到当去年Jonah开始进入tennager阶段后，一段时间家里常常充满争吵，冲突，主却藉着这些事情提醒我自己需要成长，学习在和孩子们的关系中体察天父的心肠，效法他的爱，并且操练按照主在圣经里的教导来养育和引导儿女。在这段时间里，我看到虽然儿女如何成长不是我所能掌控的，但我可以在对主的信心和盼望里学习放手和交托，因为他们是天父的孩子，天父自己会保守和引领这些孩子。

感谢主，我们虽然不配，有各样的软弱和局限，但主却拣选和呼召我们牧养他的羊群。两年多的事奉让我们看到，我们的主是信实的，他满有恩慈，大有能力；只要我们一直跟随和依靠他，就能始终走在喜乐和幸福的路上，一条超乎想象，精彩丰富的路。

 

Pastoral Corner

Pastor Dali Ren，2010-10-27

It is an interesting coincidence that in the past two weeks I was invited to attend a Chinese workshop and an English conference on pastoral life with similar themes: the topic of the workshop is “How to Overcome the Loneliness in Ministry” and the topic of the conference is “The Lonely Road—Friendship and the Pastoral Life.” As can be seen from the topics, both the workshop and the conference have to do with the loneliness, difficulty, and pain in pastoral ministry.

While the pastoral life can sometimes be lonely, difficult and even painful, I would rather speak of the reward, joy and satisfaction from the ministry, as testified by the grace and great deeds of the Lord that I have experienced since entered into full-time ministry a little more than two years ago. I can only mention the major aspects due to limited space of this sharing.

One of the greatest joys in our ministry comes from the spiritual friendship we formed with many brothers and sisters in our journey of following Christ together and in the partnership of advancing the gospel. Vivian and I have always treasured more the bond of love in Christ with our co-workers than the ministry itself. Every year we would intentionally arrange several gatherings with the leaders of the congregation just for meal together and personal sharing instead of talking about ministry issues. We are very grateful to the Lord as we can see in our time together that the brothers and sisters have become more and more intimate.

As a pastor, my greatest satisfaction is to witness the power of the gospel demonstrated in the change of the lives of our brothers and sisters over the years: those who did not know God now know Him; the unbelieving ones confess their faith in Christ; the double-minded followers become committed disciples.  In home visitations, in small groups, and in Sunday classes, I hear brothers and sisters share how the Lord has changed their lives and see the gospel being lived out in their work, marriage, parenting and other relationships.

The gospel not only changes the lives of the brothers and sisters but also my own life and my family.  For example, when I felt helpless in the process of my children’s growing up, it became an opportunity for me to know more the heart of our heavenly father and trust in Him. Our family experienced a very difficult period when our children began to enter teenage. However, the heated arguments and conflicts with the kids made me realize that I need to grow in God’s grace together with my children and learn to love and raise my children the way that is instructed by the Lord. When I changed myself, my relationship with the children also began to improve.

When our family was in vacation in the Thanksgiving weekend, Vivian and I walked around the Little Lake of Peterborough with Jonah, Elim, and Jesse in the afternoon. While enjoying the beautifully autumn scenery and watching the three kids playfully chasing one another, my heart was full of thanks to God. Praise the Lord! Despite all of my weakness and limitations, my life in pastoral ministry has been joyful, exciting, and fulfilling because of His abundant grace and mighty power.

 

 

 

To be changed – 你服唔服

全新2010棟篤笑聚會

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August 20
7:30pm

教牧心聲 蕭智雄 May 2010

2010年的母親節

 

自從有了孩子，每年的母親節都是在家裡跟妻子和孩子們一同慶祝的，今年例外。。。

 

三月初，還在上海的時候，從妻子處收到母親摔跤進了醫院的消息。母親因為脊椎骨損壞，壓到神經，雙腿麻痺，又非常疼痛； 止疼藥吃多了，就頭暈，腳無力，兩次在衛生間摔跤，雖然頭上縫了幾針，身上的骨頭還好沒有一根破損，實在感恩！

 

小的時候，我喜歡到天台去放風箏，有時還會跟鄰近天台的小孩們鬥，看誰的風箏飛得高，飛得遠，有時兩個風箏相碰，便用力扯拽，要將對方風箏的線弄斷，每逢看到斷線的風箏，我們一票的小孩子就會在街上跑着去搶；我家在海旁，有時一陣大風刮來，斷線的風箏就會被吹到海浪的上空，慢慢地被帶走；那時的心情，已經記不清楚，只記得每次都是呆呆的站在那兒，直到風箏消失在無邊的天際裡。。。在外已經多年，不知道為什麼有時候還會感覺到自己好像一只斷線的風箏，隨風飄盪，從大洋的一邊，慢慢飄到另一邊。 

倦鳥歸林，遊子思鄉；父親去世後，十多年來，總是找機會，找藉口，要回老家看望母親。母親一向個性爽朗、獨立，只愛助人，不求人助，自己生活，不靠兒女。這回倒下來，她實在沒法接受。三月中旬，我從深圳到香港，哥嫂已經比我早一天從美國飛到；看著母親在病榻上的煎熬，疼痛難支，我們卻愛莫能助，心中只有跟她一同疼著。為著要替她打打氣，也難得咱們兄弟和小妹五個人都在一起，在過去的四十年中，這才是第五次呢，於是決定為她提前慶祝生日；餐廳裡，雖然身體上的疼痛沒有減少，但母親的臉上還是流露出歡慰的笑容。第二天，哥嫂就飛走了，再過兩天，我也回多市了。

五月九號是今年的母親節。十八歲以前，不懂得有母親節，父親是海員，終年在外，從沒有人提醒我們要慶祝母親節；十八歲之後，我就沒有在母親節的時候回過老家。思前想後，終於決定再回港一趟，與母親共渡母親節。好不容易，從醫院替她請了兩天假；和妹妹推着輪椅，帶她回老人中心，又去教會做禮拜。能夠和多年的老朋友相聚，兩個月以來的辛酸疼苦，終於得到暢懷喧泄的機會。後來，一家人去吃晚飯，孫子孫媳婦也在，開心極了！席中，母親突然冒出一句：『今天，我很高興；我是等了九十多年的！』聽後，內心不禁有點黯然。。。希望再有機會與她共渡母親節。

回程中，飛機遇到氣流，我從睡夢中被震醒；向窗外俯瞰，飛機正在加拿大洛基山脈的上空，高山峻嶺，終年積雪，在耀眼的陽光下炯炯生輝，我遊目四處尋找，看看在幽暗的山谷中有否人煙之處；忽然發現機旁有一朵孤雲，正從我的來路飛來。凝視着，心中的萬般思緒，又被帶返母親在醫院的病榻前。幾天以來，一直聽到她的痛苦呻吟、責問，心中的不甘、憤怒、掘強、無奈。。。歷歷在目。臨走的前一個晚上，我握着她的手為她禱告，說了『阿門』，正要張開眼睛，覺得母親緊握着我的手不放，我以為她捨不得我離開，突然聽到她放聲禱告，求神保守我回家的路程，然後一個一個為我家裡的人提名祝福；母親常為我們禱告，我是知道的，這時緊握我的手，懇切陳詞。。。卻是第一次！說過『阿門』，我就讓她安心睡覺；趕快轉過身來，拖著弟弟和妹妹的手離開，因怕在她面前掉下眼淚。

第二天，帶著母親的祝福，我踏上了回加的歸程。這時的一片孤雲，像是告訴我：母親的眷愛、看護、叮嚀，是會不斷地追隨着我。我與母親，雖然身隔萬里，卻是心心相繫在主裡。

Pastoral Corner                                   Rev. Siu   May 2010

 

Mother’s Day 2010

 

I celebrated every single Mother’s Day with my wife and kids ever since I became a father, but this year was a different one!

 

While I was in Shanghai this March, Dorcas sent me news that my mom was sent to hospital.  She lost strength and balance in the washroom due to an overdose of painkillers that was trying to relieve her pains that resulted from her deteriorating spine.    She got several stitches on her head.  Despite two falls, we thank the LORD that no bones were broken!

I love to fly kites on the rooftop with my neighboring kids when I was young.  We were dying to see whose kite went highest and farthest, to an extent that we even cut each other’s kite down.    Whenever a kite got broken, we ran after it to see who could  get it.   Since we lived by the sea, I can still remember many times I would stand frozen by the shore to watch a broken kite blown away towards the sea until it disappear from sight. ….many years later, I feel like myself as a broken kite: carried by the wind from one continent to another!

A Chinese proverb says “A wanderer longs to return home and a tired bird longs for his nest.”   It is true for me in the past ten years since my dad passed away.  I try my best to maximize the time to visit my mom in Hong Kong.   My mom is an independent, easygoing and helpful lady never expecting people’s return or our help.   Therefore she took her recent falls really hard.     As we visited her at the hospital in March (my brother and his wife also came back from US), we were heartbroken and yet so helpless to see her suffering from such unbearable pain.     In order to cheer her up and encourage her to move on, we five children decided to take her out for an early birthday celebration dinner.   How precious is this moment! This is only the fifth time in the past 40 years that all her children could gather together!   Although her pain was not lessening during the dinner, her face was brilliantly satisfied!     My brother, his wife and I all flown away and returned home the next day.

May 9^th was Mother’s Day this year.  I never knew about Mother’s Day before I was 18 years old.  My dad was a sailor and he was never home so nobody reminded us of celebrating Mother’s Day with her.  After I left home at 18, I had never celebrated Mother’s Day with my mom!   After much thoughts in April,  I decided to go back Hong Kong once more in May to celebrate Mother’s Day with her.     We took her out from hospital for 2 days.   My sister pushed her in a wheelchair. We took her to senior center, church worship service and even take her to meet with her old friends!  At a dinner time with all of us and her grandchildren together she was overjoyed! She suddenly said, “Today I am so joyful!  I have been waiting for 90 plus years for tonight!”  My heart sank at her words…..may God bless her so that we can celebrate Mother’s Day with her again!

On my return flight to Canada, the plane met a strong air current that woke me up from a deep sleep.  As I watched the Rockies out of the window with dazzling white snow I wondered if there are any houses or villages.  Suddenly I saw a single piece of cloud by my window!  My mind flew back to my mother at her hospital bed of the past few days.  She was crying and moaning, questioning and feeling helpless…..everything was still clear on my mind! The night before I left her, I held her hands to pray for her. As I said, “Amen” my mother’s hands wouldn’t let go of mine!   I thought she did not want to see me go but she prayed out loud instead! She asked the Lord to protect my way home, and she blessed every person in my family by name!   I know that my mom had always been praying for us, but it was the first time I heard her earnest prayers holding my hands.  After she said “Amen” we let her sleep.  I quickly took my brother and sister’s hands to leave as I was holding my tears!

I took my mother’s blessing as I returned home next day.  This piece of cloud reminds me of my mother’s loving care and encouragement by my side.   Though we are thousand miles apart, our hearts are joined together in the LORD!

(translated by Mrs. Liu)

 

聖誕節 『奇恩妙愛』話劇佈道會

誠意邀請您十二月廿五日聖誕節來看『奇恩妙愛』話劇佈道會

下午一時十五分開始豐富茶點，聖誕家庭大合照，

大型兒童嘉年華會 （4-12）

下午二時正節目開始

牧者心聲 Pastor’s Corner 廖傳道 Connie Liu 2009年9月

迴響和嚮往                                             

從6月初到8月尾﹐我的生活喜樂地迎接著新轉變﹕渡過8週年結婚紀念之時﹐我們在偶然機會下買賣房屋﹐同時女兒亦準備升上小一﹐兒子也滿4歲了。不斷迴響在我們心內﹐是過去多年神怎樣在我們生命､婚姻､家庭和事奉中同在﹕怎樣從香港來到加拿大､怎樣從單身到結婚﹐神怎樣供應婚後第一所房子﹐當時我倆怎樣在入住第一天時跪下來感恩敬拜､還有往後弟兄姊妹多年在房子歡聚､兩個寶貝孩子怎樣出生､成長､歡笑､眼淚…還有過往歲月中對主愛的虧欠､無知﹐和對人的得失…點點滴滴歷歷在目﹗心中回味之際﹐迴響處處最寶貴的﹕竟然是神的同在､神的信實､和神的恩手如何步步憐恤﹐扶持和引領﹗

 

就在這個時候﹐我內心再次聽到主的聲音﹐“嘉蔚﹐您愛我比這些(以上一切)更深麼﹖”同一句說話﹐在我曾為婚禮慶高彩烈地準備細節時､又為新婚選購第一套床單時(主卻連枕首的地方也沒有)﹐或曾溫馨地為孩子出生而預備一切時(而主卻是降生在馬槽﹐亦為逃難而客居異鄉)﹐總是這樣震蕩我心靈﹗於是心中不斷迴響著﹐以往是怎樣信主﹐年輕時基督的愛是曾怎樣激勵我擺上自己﹐我只能淚眼盈眶的答道﹕“主啊﹗您是無所不知的﹐您知道我愛您﹗”神的恩典再次緊握我﹐叫我不要忘記﹐祂才是我們生活中的焦點和追求。我的內心再次被調整﹕孩子是神的﹗新房子也是祂的﹗祂是我們一家之主﹗

 

在我們最忙碌和忙亂的搬家之前﹐我們一家很感恩能在Fair Havens 聖經營地渡過和享受過從未如此安寧的4天。我們享受著大自然﹐也享受著早晨和晚上的崇拜。奇妙地﹐主的聲音是這麼近﹐神在晚堂崇拜再次重覆題醒我和丈夫﹕父母要先求祂的國和祂的義﹐而不要本末倒置﹐追求生活的安舒或以子女的活動為念﹗只要我們先尋求祂的國﹐我們才能看人生和生活的安排看得清晰﹐也必能安然經歷天父如何深知和供應我們一切所需﹗  記得丈夫分享他這一年在260新約計劃中最深刻的經文﹐就是西3:1-2 “所以，你們若真與基督一同復活，就當求在上面的事；那裡有基督坐在神的右邊. 你們要思念上面的事，不要思念地上的事。”

 

這個暑期我發現身邊很多弟兄姊妹原來都和我一樣搬屋﹐也面對兒女長大的喜悅和興奮。但願當我們容易為新居張羅忙亂﹐為孩子長大鋪排一切時﹐主耶穌成為我們的嚮往﹐並更新了們的心意﹕祂已教我們轉變焦點﹐轉變了金錢的使用﹐也轉變了對時間的安排﹐要更嚮往未來天上永存的房屋﹐嚮往這家能接待和祝福鄰舍﹐嚮往長進的家庭生活。現在我們已經搬入新居﹐而孩子也入讀新學校﹐在過去10天﹐神給我的焦點和滿足﹐是當我接送孩子上學路途中祝福與愛的對話﹐又或當我聽到女兒告訴我她會自己曉得在學校謝飯禱告﹐又或是當我真心的關心新認識的鄰舍﹐又或是我們一家在廳中禱告敬拜﹐又或是家中有小組的歡聚﹐又或是在每天疲累過後向主傾心吐意的省察和感謝﹗嚮往神在我們生命中同在﹐生活雖然累﹐但心內卻常因感受到祂而火熱起來﹗

 

但願您和我在人生不同的階段中﹐與主耶穌同在﹐同行﹗讓祂聲音成為您最寶貴的迴響﹐也願我們心中常嚮往的是﹕親近､服侍祂､從而能愛別人﹐和渴望別人得到善待與愛惜(楊牧谷牧師語)。 

 

這個世界絕大部份的人類都活在受苦和缺欠中﹐讓我們這屬祂而又是一小撮這麼在物質生活幸運的人﹐不作物質生活和忙碌節奏的奴僕﹐而能切實的做一個與基督耶穌同行﹐並能跨出信心的領域﹐回應神要我們服侍的人。

 

 

同工消息

 

 

 

 

Echoes and Yearnings                                    

 

From early June to end of August, I have been joyfully expecting new changes. While we celebrated our 8^th anniversary, we bought a new home and excitingly preparing Charis for Grade 1.  Wesley has also turned 4. Among all these, our hearts have been echoing with memories: memories of God’s presence in our lives, in our marriage, family and ministries.  We haven’t forgotten how we came from Hong Kong, the days when we were single, how we got married, and how God has lovingly provided our first home.  We still remember how both of us knelt down and praise the Lord on the 1^st day we moved to our first home, and how in the past that b/s filled our homes with joy.  We also remember when our 2 kids were born, how they grew with laughter and tears…how we also felt that we owe a lot to Christ in our ignorance and stubbornness, and how we failed to love others.   Yet among all these the most precious “echoes” was God’s presence, His faithfulness and how He mercifully led us each step.

 

While we pondered, the Lord’s voice came again, “Connie, do you love  me more than these?”    This question appeared many times in my life: while I was crazily preparing for wedding, while I was joyfully shopping for the 1^st bedding set for our home (yet Jesus had no place to lay His head), and while I lovingly prepared for my child’s birth (yet Jesus was born in a manger, and He had to live as a stranger being persecuted!).  This question always pound heavily in my heart.   I recalled how the Lord found me when I was young, and how His love had compelled me to offer my life to HIM.   I couldn’t help my tears and replied Him, “Yes, Lord, you know all things. You know that I love you.”    His grace gripped me tight not to forget that it is He should be my focus and desire.    Thanks God that my heart was tuned right again:  Children are His, and the new home is His.  He is the Lord of our family!

 

Just before our most hectic days of moving, we thank the LORD that we spent 4 days in Fair Havens Bible Camp.  It was an unprecedented peaceful and enjoyable trip as we immersed ourselves in nature and the morning and evening worship.    God’s voice was amazingly close especially during the evening message:  “Parents are to seek God’s Kingdom and His righteousness first.”  Only when we have our priorities right then we could see clearly make and arrange our days ahead.   His desire is not that we put making a comfortable home nor a vibrant childhood life first.  As our Father in heaven who knows our needs He will provide everything as we put seeking His Kingdom first.

 

William also shared with me his verse of this year was Col 3:1-2 “…set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. ²Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” What a repeating melody!

 

We have found out that many brothers and sisters are also moving this summer. Besides, many are also enjoying the growth of their children.     While we busily preparing for our home and while we excitingly signup things for our children, may we have a higher yearning that transforms our minds.  He transforms our focus, transforms the way we spend, and the ways we plan our time.   There’s a higher yearning for the houses He prepared for us in heaven, a yearning for how the home can bless people, a yearning of lifestyle that can continue to grow in Christ.    

 

In the past 10 days while school year has started, my greatest contentment came from daily simple moments.   The times when I walked with my kids to school and conversed with blessings and love, moments when my girl told me that she prayed at school herself, moments when I sincerely and truthfully greet and cared for new friends/neighbours, moments that we sang and dance at home for Jesus as if no one was watching, moment when cell groups meet in our home, and moments while I get close to the Lord after a very tiring day.  With him, the body is weary but the spirit is filled with content and was on fire.

 

May you and I continue to walk humbly with Jesus in different stages of life.  Let His voice be your most precious echoes in your life’s journey. And may your deepest yearning is to love Him and love others..

 

The majority of humanity is suffering.  We are just a small bunch of lucky ones where we lack nothing.  As Christians let us encourage one another not to become slaves of materialism, nor become a busy slave.   May God’s grace keep us walk with Him, then through stepping out our boundaries of faith we can serve others!

 

Staff news:

 

Ordination and Induction Service (April 5, 2009 – 2:30)

The service can be heard here.