Looking Back, Filled with Gratitude
Penning “Pastor’s Note” week in and week out, I am always filled with boundless gratitude. Starting from the first sermon “Acceptable 2019” at the beginning of this year, I have not ceased thanking God for His “Acceptance” over us; as new things and blessings keep coming to us.
Last Saturday, Professor Lin preached to over 510 people in the Abundant 120 Service. At the end of the service, Brother Chris walked into the main hall with flowers, singing Pastor Lyan’s favourite song “Looking back, filled with gratitude” which was written by C-Mo for the church’s 17th anniversary. He chose to propose to Pastor Lyan publicly, before all the brothers and sisters of Abundant 120!
It was truly thoughtful of Chris to propose in the Abundant 120 service. The elderly brothers and sisters had been praying earnestly for Lyan’s marriage for years. Witnessing them entering a wonderful new stage of their lives, everyone cordially sent their blessings. Before everyone, being demure and reserved, our beloved daughter Lyan lovingly and affectionately accepted his proposal. “Our adorable Lyan is getting married! It must be the major event at 611.” As her spiritual parents, we cannot hide our excitement – we are really thankful to the Lord.
This week, C-Mo was invited to meet with the seller of the Garden of Eden location at Cheung Chau, who is also her old classmate. It happened that his wife’s birthday was on Tuesday, and we were invited to her birthday party in Macau. It took us only 45 minutes to travel from Ting Kau to Macau, via the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge. Joined by Pastor Zion and his wife, we had a great time of fellowship with this old classmate, who is willing to open up and receive discipleship. According to him, some potential purchasers had approached him but the deal was never completed. Evidently, this is the “Garden of Eden” God has reserved for our church!
Last week, the five services at the “Great Eagle Museum”, celebrating Purim, concluded successfully. The church didn’t want co-workers to spend much effort to celebrate Purim during our period of rest. Yet the “Raconteurs” were absolutely incredible, giving a direct and complete recall of the story in just 45 minutes. In “Acceptable 2019”, our heavenly Father overflows us with New Wine. We believe that this improved “story-telling” ministry will be a new stream in multimedia production.
We are thankful to have received a total pledge of $58 million for the fifth phase of the “Zechariah Church Building Revival Project” so far. In this coming year, we shall march forward in faith, completing the revival project that God has entrusted to us and welcoming the brandnew Garden of Eden retreat center and Young Ya multimedia center.
After Purim, our new service arrangement of 10:30 service shall start this Sunday, with concurrent services at Mercy Seat (2A) and Main Hall (2B) of Wealthy Garden. It is responding to the need of our brothers and sisters, and providing more ministry platforms for our co-workers and brothers and sisters. “Acceptable 2019” is entering a season of great harvest, may my brothers and sisters come together, grow to be Trees of Life and new vessels of this generation.• [2019.03.31]