Starting from April, we have been looking at the patriarchs of God’s people in Genesis. God is the Lord of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Within their family, they witnessed how God journeyed with their forefathers and descendants. They not only came to know God personally but also saw His mercy and guidance through different generations.
This is also true for many of us in our church, and that is something quite unique. Many of us are second-, third-, or even fourth-generation Christians. God has guided our forefathers, our parents, and us as well.
Even if we are first-generation Christians, we may still experience God’s grace through our church family — through the stories and examples of Christians both older and younger than us.
As we celebrate God’s goodness to us on this church anniversary, I would love for us to share some of our thanksgiving moments with one another. As I reflect on our church family, here are some of mine:
• At a young adult’s confirmation, both the young adult and others — such as her former Sunday School teachers — gave thanks for God’s guidance through the years.
• Seeing parents and children leading worship together and giving thanks for God’s work across generations.
• Learning from seniors how best to care for my parents, and appreciating both their wisdom and faithfulness, as well as the struggles they have walked through over the years.
Despite the many changes and uncertainties in the world, and even within church life at times, God remains with His people. As we celebrate this anniversary together, may we continue to encourage one another by remembering and sharing His grace through the generations.
從四月開始，我們一直在思想《創世記》中神子民的列祖。神是亞伯拉罕、以撒、雅各的神。在他們的家庭中，一代又一代地看見神如何與自己的祖先和後代同行。他們不單親身認識神，也經歷祂在不同世代中的憐憫與帶領。
這在我們教會中也是很真實、很獨特的恩典。很多弟兄姊妹是家中的第二代、第三代，甚至第四代的信徒。神曾帶領我們的祖先或父母，如今也同樣帶領著我們。
即使我們是家中的第一代的信徒，我們仍能透過教會這個屬靈的家，經歷神的恩典與同在，並從不同年齡弟兄姊妹的生命故事與榜樣中得著鼓勵。
當我們在堂慶中一同數算神的恩典時，我也很想彼此分享一些感恩的片段。以下是我一些特別感恩的時刻：
• 在一位年青人的堅信禮中，不單她自己感恩，她從前的主日學老師等眾人，也一同為神多年來的帶領獻上感謝。
• 看見父母與子女一同帶領敬拜，並一同為神在不同世代中的作為獻上感恩。
• 從年長的弟兄姊妹身上學習如何照顧自己的父母，也更體會他們多年來的智慧、信心，以及一路走過的掙扎。
縱然世界充滿轉變與不安，甚至教會生活有時也會面對不同挑戰，但神仍然與祂的子民同行。願我們在這次堂慶中，繼續透過彼此分享，一同見證神世世代代的恩典。
