2023.05.27/28

From the Pastor’s Desk: Pastor Jeanie Auyeung

Dear brothers and sisters of RCAC,

Psalm 103:1-2 Bless the LORD, O my soul; bless his holy name, all that is in me. Bless

the LORD, O my soul; forget not all his goodness. (New Bible translation)

The poet David repeatedly spoke to his own heart, reminding himself not to forget God’s

grace!

During the fellowship gathering of the past week, we offered thanksgiving to God through music and hymns. Our time is filled with joy when we give thanks to God.
The church’s annual year-end thanksgiving meeting also encourages brothers and sisters to count the blessings that God has bestowed on us over the past year, but we often hear people say that there is nothing special to be grateful for. In fact, we often have the wrong idea that we need to be grateful only when something special or important happens.

The Bible teaches us to give thanks in everything. “Everything” includes all things big and small. Not just the things that we think are good, which includes bad times, and also to give thanks for things that we may have taken for granted.

Some years ago, a family brought their two children to church to attend VBS. The two

daughters accepted Christ at VBS and they prayed to thank our Heavenly Father for dinner. The father got angry and scolded the child for not thanking him. But rather thanking God because the father was the one who provided their living. Later on, the parents also believed in the Lord and they was finally knew to pray and thank our Heavenly Father before meals.

Many times, we take things for granted we don’t realize, and don’t think of it as being

God’s grace. When I visited patients in the hospital, I deeply felt that being

able to eat and taste the delicious food is not an ability that we will always have. We often don’t know how to thank God and treasure something until we lose it.

I once saw an interesting news item — a 4-week-old little squirrel in the UK was

seriously injured by an owl attack in 2019. A wildlife rescue

organization discovered her and entrusted her to the Harrison family, who was experienced in caring for squirrels. They gave the little squirrel a cute name “Bella” and took good care of her until she recovered. In the spring of 2010, the squirrel recovered well and they released her into the wild. Usually, squirrels who have just left home for a week will return home. But after they have returned to the wild, they will no longer approach humans. Unexpectedly, one day, a familiar little figure was sitting at the front door of the Harrison’s home. Upon closer inspection, it turned out to be Bella! Later, Bella went home to visit them without fail for the next 8 years after she

was released into the wild. She even went home when she was pregnant. After giving birth to 3 cute baby squirrels and when they grew stronger, they returned to the woods together.

This heart-warming story reminds us that even a squirrel never forgot the kindness of those who took care of her. How can we, who have received the Lord’s love so freely, forget the Lord’s kindness? Let us learn from David and count the Lord’s grace one by one. God’s grace is truly innumerable to us, to our family, and to the church. Because of all the grace bestowed by God, we must offer thanks and praise to Him from the bottom of our hearts!

Your servant in Christ,
Pastor Jeanie Auyeung

2023.05.27/28

親愛的列宣家弟兄姊妹：

詩103:1-2“我的心哪！你要稱頌耶和華；在我裡面的一切，都要稱頌他的聖名。我的心哪！你要稱頌耶和華；不可忘記他的一切恩惠。”(聖經新譯本)

詩人大衛重複地對自己的心說話，提醒自己不要忘記神的恩典！

在過去一週的團契聚會中，我們以感恩為主題，藉著詩歌一同向神獻上感恩。教會每年的年終感恩會也鼓勵弟兄姊妹數算神在過去一年內向我們所施的恩典，但常聽到人說沒有甚麼很特別需要感恩的事情可以分享。其實，我們常有錯覺，以為有特別或大事發生才要感恩。

聖經教導我們要“凡事謝恩”。“凡事”包括了所有的大小事情，也包括了我們認為好與不好的所有事情，更是包括了我們認為是理所當然的事。

一個家庭多年前曾把兩個孩子帶到教會，參加暑期兒童聖經班。兩女兒在兒童聖經班信了主，回家吃飯時禱告多謝天父。作父親的很生氣，罵孩子不多謝他，卻多謝天父。後來，他夫婦倆也信了主，知道吃飯時禱告多謝天父。

許多時候，我們對於一些習以為常的事情認為是理所當然，不曉得，也不覺得是神的恩典。在醫院探病時，深深感到：原來，能吃飯、能嘗到食物的美味，不是必然的。我們往往在失去時再復得，才能感受到，才懂得感謝神。

曾看到一則有趣的新聞 － 英國一隻只有4週大的小松鼠，於2019年被貓頭鷹攻擊受了重傷，野生動物救援組織發現後，將牠託付給照護松鼠經驗豐富的哈里森一家。他們替小松鼠取了個可愛的名字「貝拉」，並細心照顧直到牠康復。2010年春天，松鼠已恢復健康，他們便將牠帶到野外放生，回歸大自然。一般來說，剛「離家」一星期的松鼠們都還會不時回家走走，但不久後就回歸野性，不再接近人類。沒想到有一天，一個熟悉的小小身影端坐在哈里森家前門，仔細一看，居然是貝拉！其後，貝拉竟然在野外放生後接著的8年，從沒間斷地回家「探親」。生孩子時更「回娘家」待產。生了3隻可愛的小松鼠寶寶、等到孩子們都長得強壯後，才一起重返樹林。

這溫馨故事提醒我們，連松鼠也會不忘恩，我們這白白蒙受主恩主愛的人，豈可忘記主恩？我們要學習大衛，逐一數算主恩。神的恩典在我們個人、家庭、教會身上實在實在難以盡數，因著神所賜的一切恩惠，我們要從心底向神獻上感恩讚美！

主僕
歐陽鑽玲傳道

2023.04.08/09

From the Pastor’s Desk:Pastor Jeanie Auyeung

Dear brothers and sisters of RCAC,

Recently, I read a testimony of a newly baptized sister. She shared about how God spoke to her through His word and walked with her in her ldaily struggles. She had gained comfort and strength to carry on. She had experienced how real God is in her life.

God is real and He lives! Not like any other religions. Jesus was not a mere religious figure who was here and then left. Not only does His impact continue, but He Himself lives on. We worship a living Savior Who indwells His church and all believers even now. Those who truly believe in Christ, will experience a glorious transformation and become a new creation in Him (2 Corinthians 5:17). All believers can see how God leads and walks with us in life.

As the lyrics of the hymn “He lives” says, I serve a risen Savior, He’s in the world today; I know that He is living, Whatever men may say; I see His hand of mercy, I hear His voice of cheer, And just the time I need Him He’s always near. He lives, He lives, Christ Jesus lives today! He walks with me and talks with me along life’s narrow way. He lives, He lives, salvation to impart! You ask me how I know He lives: He lives within my heart.

“He Lives” was written by Rev. A. H. Ackley. The hymn has encouraged and strengthened God’s children for many years to growin their faith to God. It is also a challenge to all who seek God to experience how real He is. My heart echoes with the lyrics. Yes, He loves us, cares for us and walks with us always. He will never change, yesterday, today and forever!

The OMF prayer group during my school days always ended with the Lancashire Sunday School song: “How good is the God we adore, Our faithful unchangeable Friend: Whose love is as great as His power, And knows neither measure nor end!”

It is a true blessing to know Christ, to have Him as our Savior. Our God is so real. Let us follow Him closely and trust Him whole-heartedly.

Your servant in Christ,
Pastor Jeanie Auyeung

2023.04.08/09

親愛的列宣家弟兄姊妹：

最近，我讀到一位新受洗姊妹的見證，她分享了神怎樣透過祂的話語，藉著聖經對她說話，並在她生命的掙扎中與她同行。她得著了安慰和繼續前進的力量。她能夠經歷到神在她的生活中是多麼的真實，體驗神何等愛她。

我們所信的神是又真又活的，祂活著！不像其他宗教，耶穌不是一個僅僅曾活在世上，卻已死去了的宗教始祖或代表人物。祂的影響不僅繼續存在，祂本身就是又真又活，永遠存在的神。我們敬拜一位活著的救主，他現在就住在祂的教會和所有信徒裡面。那些真正相信耶穌基督的人，都會經歷神改變生命的大能，在祂裡面成為新造的人（林後5:17）。所有信靠耶穌基督的人都可以時刻體驗到神如何在生活中帶領並與我們同行。

正如一首詩歌“主活著”的歌詞所言：

我所事奉復活主，祂今在世活著；我知道祂確實活著，不管人怎麼說；我看見祂憐憫的手，聽見祂溫柔安慰聲，每次當我需要祂，祂總必答應。基督耶穌，今天仍然活著！ 在人生的窄路上，祂伴我同行，與我交談。主活著！祂活著，我要傳揚，救恩臨到萬民！若問我怎麼知道祂活著：祂活在我心中！

“主活著”由 A. H. Ackley 牧師所寫。多年來，這首讚美詩一直在鼓勵和加強神兒女對祂的信心。對於所有真心尋求神的人，定能體驗和經歷神是多麼真實和寶貴。每唱此詩歌，我的心也會和應著歌詞的實在。是的，神愛我們，關心我們，一直與我們同行人生之路。祂永遠不會改變，昨日，今日，直到永遠，可信可靠到底！

我在亞省讀神學的時候參加了OMF (海外基督使團)定期為宣教士代禱的禱告會，他們的祈禱總會以“蘭開夏郡主日學校”的短歌作為結束：“我們所崇拜的神多麼美好，我們忠實不變的朋友：祂的愛與祂的大能同樣深廣無邊，祂的深切明瞭無疆無界！”有神真好！感謝祂的愛！

認識基督，有祂成為我們的救主是何等有福！我們的神是如此真實美好。讓我們緊緊跟隨祂，全心全意地信靠祂。

主僕
歐陽鑽玲傳道

2023.02.11/12

From the Pastor’s Desk: Pastor Jeanie Auyeung

Dear brothers and sisters of RCAC,

The weather has been cold recently, so many people like to enjoy hotpot at home or to share hotpot at a restaurant. Sitting in front of the hotpot, you can enjoy the food, and also enjoy the warm atmosphere. Due to the dry weather in winter, everyone should try to be careful about the fire, and be sure to put out the fire immediately after enjoying the hot-pot.

In contrast, the responsibility of the priests in the Old Testament was to offer sacrifices for the people every day. But after the priests offered the evening sacrifice, God commanded that “the fire on the altar should always be kept burning and never be quenched.” The ongoing fire was so important that it was directly started  by God: “Fire came out from the presence of the LORD and consumed the burnt offering and the fat portions on the altar. And when all the people saw it, they shouted for joy and fell facedown” (Lev 9:24). The fire on the altar, therefore, served as a constant reminder of God’s power. It was a gift from heaven. The priest was to kindle the fire again every morning to ensure that the holy fire on the altar would continue to burn. This command is mentioned three times in Leviticus chapter 6 (Lev 6:8,12,13), which shows its importance.

The responsibility of the priest was not only to offer sacrifices for the people, but also to watch over the altar. It is also a reminder to us to be watchful for God’s house. Let us not forget to pray for the church and the family of God. Joining the prayer meeting is a good opportunity to watch for God’s family and each other.

“The fire on the altar shall always burn and shall not be quenched.” This command also reminds us today that we must keep our hearts fervent in serving God. The teaching of Romans 12:11 is: ” Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord!”

For God loves us so much that he even poured out his life for us. How can we take it for granted? May the love of the Lord always inspire us, and draw us closer to Him. May we always adore the Lord and respond with love to His deep and wide love without fathom.

What grace is this that God wants us to love Him? How can we deserve to love Him? Paul said, “If anyone does not love the Lord, let him be accursed!” (I Cor 16:22)

An old hymn from long ago :”O sacred Head, now wounded” is a Christian Passion hymn based on a Latin text written during the Middle Ages. It originates from  a long medieval poem attributed to Bernard of Clairvaux. There is one sentence at the 3rd stanza written as: “Oh let me never, never outlive my love to Thee”. It always grips my heart when I sing it. May this be my prayer and be your prayer – “Oh let me never, never outlive my love to God”!

Your servant in Christ,
Pastor Jeanie Auyeung

2023.02.11/12

親愛的列宣家弟兄姊妹：

近日天氣寒冷，不少人在家中，或在外相約共享火鍋。坐在熱烘烘的火鍋前，不但能享受食物，也很能享受到那暖洋洋的氣氛。由於秋冬天氣乾燥，大家也儘量小心爐火，享受火鍋後立即把火熄滅。

舊約祭司的責任是每天為百姓獻祭，但在祭司獻晚祭之後，神吩咐「壇上的火要常常燒著，不可熄滅。」當亞倫第一次獻祭時「有火從耶和華面前出來」燒盡祭物時，降在壇上的火(9:24)。這出於神自己的火要在壇上「常常燒著，不可熄滅」，祭司每早晨要再把這火挑旺，以確保壇上這聖潔的火能保持繼續燃燒著。這吩咐在利未記第6章一共提到三次(6:8;12;13)，可見其重要性。

祭司的責任，不僅是替百姓獻祭，更是守望祭壇。提到守望，讓我們不忘以禱告為神家守望。參加祈禱會，是一個為神家守望，也是彼此守望的好機會。

「壇上的火要常常燒著，不可熄滅。」這吩咐也是在提醒今天的我們，事奉神必須保持心裡火熱。羅馬書12:11的教導是：「殷勤不可懶惰，要心裡火熱，常常服事主！」試問我們當初對主的愛與熱誠有否冷卻下來？是否需要再次被挑旺？

主這麼愛我們，甚至為愛我們而將生命傾倒，我們豈可等閒視之？願主的愛常激勵我們，吸引我們更親近祂。願我們常愛慕主，以愛回應祂那長闊高深的愛。

宇宙的大主宰竟然渴望我們這樣卑微不配的人愛祂，這究竟是怎樣的愛？怎樣的恩典？保羅說：「若有人不愛主，這人可咒可詛！」(林前16:22)

若要保持愛主之心，請容讓我不厭其煩的再以上兩週講道時送上的“四千萬”，作為彼此的提醒：“千萬要愛主”、“千萬要讀經”、“千萬要祈禱”、“千萬要聚會”。

主僕
歐陽鑽玲傳道

2022.11.05/06

From the Pastor’s Desk:Pastor Jeanie Au Yeung

Dear brothers and sisters of RCAC,

Recently, a popular term in the food industry: “Eat without boundary”, which means that you can drink or eat as much as you can for a special kind of food , that is, food serving unlimited “All you can eat”. It is not a new idea and certainly good news for some people who can eat a lot.

I just returned to Prairie Theological Seminary not long ago to attend the school’s centennial celebration. The college is located in a quiet town, where I met with many teachers and classmates from the past. We had several times gathered at the only Chinese restaurant in the town, and we all loved the all-you-can-eat Chinese buffet at there restaurant. We selected what we like and enjoyed to food to the full. There were several “all you can eat” restaurants in Richmond and Vancouver in the past, but they existed no more due to many eating too much gluttonous diners.

Unlimited, “take whatever you want”, how good it is! This reminds me of a Bible verse, “from the fullness of His grace, we have all received, grace upon grace!” (John 1:16). In God’s abundant grace, we can indeed receive ultimately and continuously, and we are freely received without paying any price. It is a pity that we often ignore God’s grace, and we often don’t even realize how blessed we are, and we always take God’s grace for granted.

Thinking of the grace of God, a hymn written by Annie Johnson Flint rings in my mind: “The Lord’s Grace is More Rich” I would like to share with you:

He giveth more grace when the burdens grow greater, He sendeth more strength when the labors increase; To added afflictions He addeth His mercy,

To multiplied trials, His multiplied peace.

Fear not that thy need shall exceed His provision
Our God ever yearns His resources to share
Lean hard on the arm everlasting, availing
The Father both thee and thy load shall upbear

When we have exhausted our store of endurance
When our strength has failed ere the day is half done,
When we reach the end of our hoarded resources;
Our Father’s full giving is only begun.

Chorus: His love has no limit; His grace has no measure.
His pow’r has no boundary known unto men.
For out of His infinite riches in Jesus,
He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again

Whenever I think of God’s grace, I am always moved by the fact that the grace of the Lord had poured on me since I was young, even before I was born, when the time I didn’t really know about God , or didn’t know how to count God’s grace, and didn’t know how to appreciate God’s grace. The grace of God has never been withdrawn due to my ignorance, only keeps added. As what the hymn says: “His love has no limit; His grace has no measure. His power has no boundary known unto men. For out of His infinite riches in Jesus, He give, and give, and give again.”

Have you ever thank God for His never cease grace keeps pouring on you? Let us always be thankful, count His blessings always, and give Him praise!

Your servant in Christ,
Pastor Jeanie Au Yeung

2022.11.05/06

親愛的列宣家弟兄姊妹：

近年來在飲食界流行的用語：“放題”，意即在某範圍之內可開懷暢飲或儘量的吃，即無限量的“任食”。這對一些人來說是可以極盡享受之餘，盡可大快朵頤。我上月剛回草原神學院參加學校的百週年慶典，學院座落於寧靜的小鎮，與昔日多位師長及同學共聚。我們有好幾次相約於小鎮內唯一的中國餐館，大家也喜愛吃餐館所設的任選任食的中式自助餐。以前在列治文及溫哥華也有好幾間“任食”的食肆，但因食客無限量的狂食也至終做不住。

無限量的“任取”，這是多麼好的設合心意，按自己所需領取或領受的方式啊！這令我想起一節經文，「從祂豐滿的恩典裡，我們都領受了，並且恩上加恩！」(約1:16)。我們在神的豐盛的恩典裡，實在是可以無限量的不斷領受，而且是白白的領受，絲毫不用付出代價，是從神無限無量的豐盛中源源不絕地傾流出來賜給我們的。可惜我們往往忽略神的恩典，甚至常常察覺不到，也會視神的恩典為平常。

想及神的恩典，一首詩歌縈繞於腦際：“主恩更豐富”(青聖ll #65)。願在此和大家分享。歌詞提到：

重擔越加重，主的恩典越豐厚；勞苦越加增，主的能力越大；
患難越加多，主的憐憫越豐盛；試煉越是加倍，主平安越增。

當我們疲倦，一切的力量用盡，工作未完成，已感能力不夠，
當我們能力的來源已到盡頭，那時父的洪恩正開始傾流。

副歌：主愛無限無疆，主恩無可測量，主大能遠超過世人所能想， 都從無限無量豐富的主耶穌，主施恩，又施恩，又再次施恩。

每當想起也很令我感動的是，主的恩典從我年幼開始，甚至尚未出生，尚不知曉，不懂數算，不懂思恩時，早已臨到這不配蒙恩的我，而且主的恩典從來沒有收回，只有不住加添。正如詩歌所言：“主愛無限無疆，主恩無可測量，主大能遠超過世人所能想， 都從無限無量豐富的主耶穌，主施恩，又施恩，又再次施恩。”

您可曾想過主的恩典從不間斷的加給您？讓我們常感恩、數恩、念恩及頌讚主恩！

主僕
歐陽鑽玲傳道

July 9/10, 2022
From the Pastor’s Desk :Pastor Jeanie Auyeung

Dear brothers and sisters of RCAC,

During the past weekend, there was a singing in the Cantonese service and one of the lyrics touched my heart. It says: “God’s faithfulness lives in my heart, God answers the prayer of a childlike heart”. Certainly, God will answer the prayer of a childlike heart. This reminds me of a sharing while my sister and brother-in-law came to Vancouver for a visit. They shared one of their experiences in the Philippines while they worked there as Bible translators.

When their daughter Clara was 4 years old, her dad drove 400 miles from the Translation Centre, taking the family back to Romblon Island by ferry before Christmas but the crew on the ferry asked for bribes. Little Clara said: “Don’t give them money, Jesus said ‘no’.” Her mom asked how she knew what Jesus said. Clara told her mom that she prayed to ask Jesus if mom and dad should give them money. Jesus let her saw a big Red X mark. Jesus used a simple way that a child could understand to answer her prayer.

As they refused to give bribes to the crew, cars that came later moved on board but their car was still waiting even they were the 2nd to arrive. Finally after all the cars boarded the ferry, then my brother-in-law drove onto the ferry under the indication of a crew member. As soon as he parked the car, another car which had given bribes tailed his car. The crew wanted to ask him to leave. They knew that it was the last ferry to Romblon before the Christmas season. Suddenly a miracle happened, the crew made a way for that late coming car by asking other cars to squeeze tightly in. Their family could celebrate Christmas with Romblon Islanders at last.

Thank God that He will reveal His will to simple childlike hearts. As Jesus says: “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do. ” (Luke 10:21)

May we always have an open childlike heart to listen to God!

Your servant in Christ,
Pastor Jeanie Auyeung

2022.07.09/10

親愛的列宣家弟兄姊妹：

在過去的崇拜中，“赤子的祈禱”詩歌的歌詞中提到：「活在我內心，上帝的信實，赤子的真心，求主可應允！」是的！禱告在於真誠，神必應允出於真誠的祈求。詩歌引我聯想起舍妹及妹夫在前一陣子來溫共聚，分享他們在菲律賓倫布島從事聖經翻譯時其中的一個經歷，在此也想與大家分享。

九八年聖誕前夕，妹妹一家由差會中心經過約四百公里的車程，抵達呂宋島南面的描東碼頭，預備乘搭十六小時的渡輪，前往他們作聖經翻譯的倫布島。由於臨近聖誕，船運甚為緊張。他們儘早到達，辦妥一切登船手續。排隊輪候上船。

船員過來幾度施壓，要索取賄賂的金錢才確保車輛可登上渡輪。在壓力重重，威迫利誘下，那時剛滿四歲的小女兒說:「媽咪，主耶穌說不要聽從他們的話。」我妹妹好奇地問她怎麼知道主耶穌這樣說？她滿懷信心地回答:「因為我祈禱問主耶穌，爸爸媽媽要不要給他們錢？主耶穌立刻給我看見一個紅色的大交叉，所以我便告訴您不要給呀！」小小年紀的女兒凱晴雖然不大明白發生甚麼事，卻在默默地祈禱求問主耶穌。主耶穌竟然以小女孩能明白的方式來回應她的求問。
由於他們堅持不賄買船員，本來他們是排在最前第二位的車輛，眼巴巴地看著其他後來的車輛陸續登船也不輪到他們。當全數比他們遲來的車輛也登上船後，他們興幸是最後一輛可登船的車。怎料，剛把車子停好在甲板上，還有一輛車子趕著他們車尾硬碰要登上船。因著那車的人賄買了船員，船員吩咐妹夫把車子駛離船倉回碼頭去，以讓那輛車可以登船。他們深知那是假期前最後的一班船，但仍堅持不賄賂。正當他們按照指示倒駛車子，準備離船時，奇蹟出現。天父竟然感動那些船員回心轉意，要求其他車輛迫得緊貼些，讓那遲來的車輛可以登船，他們便可如期回島和村民共渡聖誕了。

感謝主向孩童單純的心指示祂的心意。是的，誰願意向神全然打開他的心，神的心意必然會向他顯示。主耶穌也說：「父阿，天地的主，我讚美你，因為你把這些事向智慧和聰明的人隱藏起來，卻向嬰孩顯明。父啊，是的，這就是你的美意。」(路10:21)

願我們向神常存單純如孩童一般的赤子之心，與神關係沒有阻隔。

主僕
歐陽鑽玲傳道