2023.10.14/15                                                                                                                                                               親愛的列宣家弟兄姊妹：                  

剛剛過去的星期一是感恩節，我也為着 AYAYA 群體去感恩。

為了反映不同年齡的弟兄姊妹都有參與我們的崇拜這真實情況，我們於8月5日正式改名為AYAYA週六晚崇。靠著主的恩典，AYAYA 聚會人數在過去一年經歷了顯著的增長。2023 年初，我們的平均出席人數達到200 人，到9 月，我們的出席人數已達到300 人。在這300 人中，不少於60 人是參加與AYAYA 崇拜同步進行的AYAYA Kids 和AYAYA Teens 的兒童和青少年。每逢第5個星期六，我們的兒童和青少年會在大禮堂與成人一起進行家庭崇拜。我們現在有10個團隊在AYAYA侍奉，包括影音組 (AV Team)、AYAYA Kids團隊、AYAYA Teens團隊、關顧組 (Care Team)、餐飲組 (Catering Team)、車手組 (Carpool Team)、數據組 (Data Team)、敬拜隊 (Praise Teams)、社交媒體組 (Social Media Team)，以及迎賓組 (Welcome Team)。 一方面，我們感謝讚美主將更多的人託付給我們；另一方面，我們祈求主呼召更多弟兄姊妹參與侍奉。

在2023年我們有幾個特別感恩的新發展。首先，我們的會友兼神學生李楊敏賢姊妹 (Phoebe) 於 2023 年 5 月 1 日正式受聘為非全時間事工同工，在AYAYA 群體中侍奉。她是一位非常得力的同工，她不但與我同心侍奉，實際上也一定程度上舒緩了我的工作壓力。第二，是一個全新的少年敬拜隊的成立。為了培養青少年靈命成長和教導他們帶領敬拜，我們於2023 年4 月15 日成立了一個名為「種子敬拜者」(Seed Worshippers) 的敬拜隊。這是我們的第5個敬拜隊，負責在第5個星期六帶領敬拜。雖然他們每年只有4次侍奉安排，他們每月都有定時的練習和靈修時間。第三，是經過5個月以「撒母耳小組」的名義嘗試之後，撒母耳團 (Samuel Fellowship) 終於2023年6月3日成立，服事對象是從香港來到加拿大的9至12班說廣東話的青少年。目前我們每週的平均出席人數已接近15人。最近，有6位團友應邀加入新成立的團契職員會，開始在4位導師的指導下學習侍奉。

在未來的日子，我相信我們的人數會繼續增長，當中弟兄姊妹的屬靈需要亦會與日俱增。有見及此，我們在9月16日特別呼籲弟兄姊妹參與侍奉。感謝主，有超過40位弟兄姊妹回應。現在我們正在約見他們，在聖靈的帶領之下完成明辨的過程 (discernment) ，希望他們可以在12月之前投入侍奉。全是恩典，感恩不盡！

主僕,
陳榮基牧師

2023.10.07/08

From the Pastor’s Desk : Rev. Mark Liu

Dear brothers and sisters, may I wish all had a wonderful Thanksgiving.

When we study history, we will know that Thanksgiving was established to thank God for His protection and provision. In other words, the object of Thanksgiving is God, not the food on the table. Today, when we celebrate Thanksgiving, we quickly think of turkey or all the delicious food. The focus has changed from thanking God for the provision to what kind of food will we celebrate Thanksgiving this year, or traveling to other places, etc. Over time, the purpose of establishing Thanksgiving has changed, and the purpose of celebrating Thanksgiving has been forgotten.

In fact, this phenomenon is not unique to today. The Bible tells us that when we forget who we are, the way we deal with many things will change. This week’s sermon will talk about the relationship between the Sabbath and Jesus. In Luke 6:5, Jesus said “He is Lord of the Sabbath.” The Pharisees at that time set up a lot of conditions for keeping the Sabbath, and forgetting the original purpose of keeping the Sabbath. Keeping the Sabbath became a yoke for people at that time.

In Genesis, after all creation was completed, God saw that everything was good, especially when He saw human beings, God described as very good. And the Bible tells us that God rested on the “seventh day.” The “rest” mentioned here does not mean that God needs to rest. But it’s the beginning of everything. God chooses to be with people. The Sabbath is not about resting and doing nothing, but about returning to the Creator, and this return is demonstrated through worship. The purpose of worship is not what God needs, but what we need. When we forget to worship, we forget who we are. This forgetfulness will appear in our lives. This forgetfulness causes us to be unable to rest.

Today we all hope to have rest. This rest is not available until we return to heaven, but can be found today. We can rest because we place all values on Jesus Christ. Our worth is not gained by what we do, but by our Lord laying down His life so that our worth is fully reflected. When we replace Jesus with other things, we think that our own value is reflected through these things, but we don’t know that these things have no eternal value. Only Jesus Christ can give us eternal value. Only when we are willing to think carefully and discover that this is grace, will we be grateful. Only by being grateful can we have rest.

In this Thanksgiving, will you be thankful for salvation? How will you reflect this gratefulness in your life?

May God bless you all.  May God bless RCAC.

His servant,
Rev. Mark Liu

2023.10.07/08

列宣家的弟兄姊妹大家好。在這裡謹祝大家感恩節快樂。

當我們查考歷史，就會知道感恩節的設立就是要感謝神的保護和供應。也就是說，感恩節的對象是神，而不是放在桌上的食物。今天，當我們慶祝感恩節的時候，很快就想到要有火雞或者是玲瑯滿目的美食。注視的目光從原本要感謝神的供應變成為我們今年的感恩節要用什麼樣的食物來慶祝，或者是到其他地方旅遊等等。時間久了，設立感恩節的目的變質了，連為什麼要慶祝感恩節都忘記了。

其實，這個現象不是在今天才有。聖經告訴我們，當我們忘記了自己的身分的時候，有很多事情的處理方法都會變質。這個星期的證道將會講到安息日和耶穌的關係。在路加福音 6:5，耶穌說“祂是安息日的主”。當時的法利賽人卻把守安息日設立了一大堆的條件，連原本守安息日的目的都忘記了。守安息日變成了當時的人的枷鎖。

在創世紀，神在一切的創造都完成後，看見這一切都是美好，尤其是當看見了所創造的人類的時候，神以甚好來形容。神就在“第七天”安息。這裡所講的安息，不是神要休息。而是一切的開始。神選擇與人在一起。安息日不是休息，而是要回歸到創造主，這個回歸就是以敬拜來展現。敬拜的目的不是神需要，而是我們需要。當我們忘記敬拜，我們就會忘記自己是誰。這個忘記就會在我們的生活中出現。這個忘記就導致我們不能安息。

今天，我們都希望能夠安息。這個安息，不是要到了我們回天家的時候才可以有，而是在今天就可以。能夠安息，就是因為我們把一切的價值放在耶穌基督的身上。我們的價值不是以做什麼來獲得，而是我們的主放下自己的生命，好讓我們的價值充分反應。當我們用其他事情來取代耶穌的時候，我們以為可以透過這些事情讓自己的價值獲得反映，卻不知道這些事情沒有永恆的價值。唯有耶穌基督才能夠給予我們永恆的價值。當我們願意細心思考，發現這個原來是恩典的時候，我們才會感恩。唯有感恩，才可以安息。

今年的感恩節，你會為了獲得救恩而感恩嗎？你會用什麼來表達這一份的感恩呢？

願神祝福你。願神祝福列宣家。

主僕，
劉展權牧師

2023.09.30/10.01

From the Pastor’s Desk: Pastor Karen Quan

Dear brothers and sisters of RCAC,

God has been so good to us as a church family this summer. Not only were we able to host 6 weeks of Day Camps for Working Families, we had the opportunity to resume VBS. This is the biggest outreach event for kids & families during our ministry year. Our goal is to have 50% of those attending as unchurched and after a 4 year absence due to the pandemic, we are grateful for the 25% unchurched who registered. Another goal for VBS is for the churched kids to have an immersive experience of scripture. VBS often becomes a spiritual marker in their faith journey as we spend over 30 hours together in ministry. With 80 kids and 45 volunteers, we focused on the theme of “Shine Jesus’ Light.”

Except for a handful of adults, our serving team were all serving for the very first time, so a repeated phrase became “Everyone has a 1st time!” We are so grateful for how God moved among our Youth Ministry to commit and serve for the week. God has nurtured and matured many of our teens in their faith due to this ministry event. Relationships were built between kids & leaders and among leaders’ themselves. Over the years, we have seen how this ministry becomes 2 tracks: one for the kids and another for the serving team. Decisions to know Jesus & grow in him were made by kids and our teens.

The summary of our learning is below but truly, these are not only lessons for the kids. As a serving team, we were able to see the need to apply these lessons to our own lives during the week of VBS and I pray that we’re still applying & growing in these lessons beyond VBS.

• When life feels dark….Shine Jesus’ Light
• When people don’t get along…Shine Jesus’ Light
• When good things happen…Shine Jesus’ Light
• When people are sad….Shine Jesus’ Light
• When people need help….Shine Jesus’ Light

Due to the absence of the English Pastor, we decided to cancel our Family BBQ and host a VBS Celebration Worship Service on Aug 27. How wonderful it was to welcome some of our unchurched families to join us for a “Family Worship” in the English service where kids were present for the entire service. Whether serving directly with the children or behind the scenes like our food team who prepared all of our lunches, God graciously provided all that we needed. Physically, it was tiring but in our spirits, God was our strength.

“My flesh and heart may fail but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” Psalm 73:26

Your servant in Christ,
Pastor Karen Quan

2023.09.30/10.01

親愛的列宣家弟兄姊妹：

今年夏天，神恩待我們教會大家庭。我們不僅能夠為在職家長的家庭舉辦為期六星期的兒童日營，我們還恢復暑期聖經班(VBS)，VBS是我們每年為兒童和家庭舉辦最大型的外展活動。因疫情緣故停辦四年之後，我們的目標是有50%參加者是沒有參加教會活動。我們對有25% 沒有參加教會活動的人註冊表示感恩。VBS 的另一個目標是讓教會的孩子對聖經經文有更深刻的理解。我們與孩子們一起度過30 多個小時，VBS 常常成為他們信仰歷程中的一個標記。我們有 80 名孩子和 45 名事奉人員，大家一起專注在本年度主題「閃耀耶穌之光」。

事奉人員除了有小部份成年人之外，其餘都是第一次參與服侍，所以我們中間常常重覆這句“每個人都有第一次！”感謝上帝推動我們的青少年願意承諾參與服侍。透過這次事工活動，上帝培育了我們許多青少年的信仰。孩子與領導者之間以及領導者之間彼此建立關係。多年來，我們看到這個事工如何演變成兩條軌道：一條為孩子們，另一條為事奉團隊。認識耶穌並在祂裡面成長的決定是由孩子和我們的青少年自己實踐出來。

以下是我們學習的總結，但實際上，這些不僅是給孩子的課程。作為一個事奉團隊，我們能夠將 VBS這一 週的課程應用到我們自己的生活裡，祈求我們日後仍然能夠應用這些課程並且在這些課程中成長。

1. 當人生感到黑暗時……閃耀耶穌的光
2. 當人與人之間相處不愉快……閃耀耶穌的光
3. 當遇到美好的時光……閃耀耶穌的光
4. 當人們悲傷時……閃耀耶穌的光
5. 當人們需要幫助時……閃耀耶穌的光

由於未有英語牧者，我們決定取消家庭燒烤活動，並於 8 月27 日舉辦 VBS 慶祝崇拜聚會。很高興歡迎一些未參加教會的家庭與他們的孩子出席我們英語“家庭崇拜”。無論是直接服侍孩子，還是像我們的餐務團隊在幕後為我們準備所有午餐，上帝供應我們所需的一切。我們肉體是疲累，但在靈裡上帝是我們的力量。

「我的肉身和我的內心雖然漸漸衰弱，神卻永遠是我心裡的磐石，是我的業分。」 (詩篇 73:26)

主僕,
關潔玲傳道

September 9/10, 2023

RCAC Pastor’s Desk Article – Pastor Alex Poon

Dear brothers and sisters of RCAC,

David declared in Psalm 116:1-2, “I love the Lord, because He has heard my voice and my pleas for mercy. Because He inclined His ear to me, therefore I will call on Him as long as I live.”

I recently returned from a cruise. It was the best time. We ate at the buffet each morning and lunch, but for dinner we visited the main dining hall. Imagine white linen clothes, white upholstered wooden chairs, waiters dressed in vests and tie, beautiful oil paintings hung on the walls, and a grand chandelier reminiscent to the dinner scene of the Titanic. But it was the food that captured my attention, more so, it was the availability. “What do you mean… I can order one more steak?”, “I can have two more shrimp cocktails and three more slices of cake… and walk away without being handed a bill?”

Never in my life have I had two steaks for dinner. Perhaps the reason is a good ribeye usually costs more than $20 and my wallet tells me it’s not a good idea, or perhaps my stomach simply just usually can’t handle it.

Here I was, receiving my favorite food, and having the opportunity for more, and more… if only I had the capacity. I could keep asking, and the waiter would keep giving.

David has faced turmoil and deep suffering in his life. He speaks of it in verse 3, “The snares of death encompassed me; the pangs of Sheol laid hold on me; I suffered distress and anguish”. It was like death had gripped him in the vices of its sharp fangs. It was like David was ensnared, caught in the trap set by death. Have you ever felt that way? Incaved in sharp and painful suffering?

David’s words do not end there – thankfully! “Then I called on the name of the Lord: ‘O Lord, I pray, deliver my soul!’ Gracious is the Lord, and righteous; our God is merciful.” Oh, what good news! David can turn to the Lord for help, he can call upon His name for saving, and God will deliver for David and for us!

When you are in your distress – you may call upon the name of the right and gracious Lord!

Then He will turn His ear to you! Our God will not only hear your pleas from a distance, but He will press in, He will incline His ear to you! He will lean into your voice, as if to show you that He is indeed listening attentively to your crying pleas. You are not ignored! He has not abandoned you, our God has not muted your voice. He has not turned the volume dial down as if you have annoyed Him – no, our God has attentively, drawn His ear closer to you still!

So, what must you do in response? Love the Lord and take more from the Lord!

For David asks, “What shall I render to the Lord for all his benefits to me?”

David answers his own question and declares, “I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the Lord, I will pay my vows to the Lord in the presence of all his people.”

When David needs more from the Lord, he remembers who has given him salvation, then he calls for more of the Lord!

We can render nothing in return to the Lord. We can give to Him nothing back for the benefits we gain from Him. We can return to Him no favor, as if we could “owe Him one”. We can do no such thing! There is no work we are capable of to exchange His benefit for ours – for we benefit from Him in ways that far exceed His benefitting of us. What need would our Almighty Creator God have for us, His creation? Nothing! But this is who He is; gracious and kind. He is loving and generous with His mercy and care. He is for you, and not against you.

David’s declarations remind us that we can be assured that our Lord is delighted, joyed even when His children press in to depend on Him further, and further still. Call upon His name!

Your servant in Christ,
Pastor Alex Poon