Last Sunday, our brothers and sisters in the Mandarin congregation prepared a special Sunday service to celebrate Christmas. The program was totally different from the past services. Many brothers and sisters contributed, from planning and organising, preparing the script, choosing the hymns, rehearsals, editing and producing the video. Every step and every detail were the result of someone’s dedication of time and effort. I am really thankful to see everyone working in unity for God, especially after the COVID-19 lockdowns. I was very touched by the tireless and wholehearted service of our brothers and sisters. Inevitably, there were some causes for concern. For example, with the short preparation time, maybe the brothers and sisters will be overtaxed? Or under the shadow of COVID-19, it might not be safe to practice together physically? However, with each step we take, God has protected and led us. When we were filled with joy and contentment in our worship, we knew that God was with us, and the Spirit was in our midst, performing His amazing and wonderful work. We give thanks for God’s blessings, and for the church to have a group of humble and faithful brothers and sisters. The same is true for the Christmas day combined service. It is also a special service, with many brothers and sisters from different congregations spending extra time and effort, working together on stage or behind the scenes, to proclaim the joy and celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.
The church is a group of different peoples gathered together because of Jesus Christ. When we do our best in unity to serve God and fellow Christians, we can experience God’s grace and blessings. For if we don’t believe in God, how can we serve together and work together? Undoubtedly, it was hard for some to spend a lot of time and effort after work to serve, and perhaps sacrificing time with family, or rest and recreation. Much of it was behind the scenes, so not many will know about their contribution. But thankfully, God is all-knowing and all-powerful, and He will remember His faithful servants. Through these ministries we have more opportunities to experience God’s providence and faithfulness. As 2021 draws to a close, let us give thanks for God’s mercies and blessings on our church, and for God to prepare a group of faithful and God-loving brothers and sisters to be with us on our walk in Him.
上個主日，國語堂的弟兄姐妹們準備了一場慶祝聖誕的特別主日聚會，流程與過往完全不同，有許多弟兄姐妹一起參與，從策劃安排，準備文字稿，選擇詩歌，排練，編輯，製作視頻，每一個細節和步驟，都有人盡心盡力的付上時間和精力。疫情封鎖之後，大家再次同心合意的一起服事，真是一件值得感恩的事。弟兄姐妹們不懼勞累，全心擺上，也讓人心中感動。雖然有時候難免擔心，那麼短的時間裡準備這些活動，弟兄姐妹們會不會太辛苦？在疫情的陰影下，大家實體排練是不是安全？但是一路走來，神有祂的保守和帶領，當大家在崇拜中經歷喜悅和滿足，就知道神是與我們同在，聖靈在我們中間，做祂奇妙美好的工作。我們感恩神的祝福，我們也感恩教會有一群謙卑又忠心的弟兄姐妹。聖誕節的聯合崇拜也是一樣，因為也是一場特別的聚會，不同堂會的弟兄姐妹付出了額外的時間和努力，台前幕後，大家一起配合，希望能夠傳遞慶祝耶穌誕生的喜樂。
教會是一群不同的人，因為耶穌基督的緣故而聚集在一起。當大家一起盡心竭力服事神，服事弟兄姐妹的時候，就體會和經歷到神的恩典和祝福。因為若不是信神，怎麼可能在一起服事，一起合作呢？過程對於有些人來說真的是辛苦的，因為下班以後，還要花上許多的時間和精力，來做這些服事，也許犧牲了陪家人的時間，或者是娛樂休息的時間，並且不少的服事，都是在幕後，並沒有多少人知道。感恩的是，神是全知全能的，他必然紀念忠心的僕人們的擺上。在這些服事神的過程中，我們有更多機會經歷神的供應和信實。
