Greetings EM family,
I pray that you are doing well physically and spiritually.
Today is a beautiful sunny day; if you haven’t noticed, the temperature is already in the upper 50s and low 60s in some areas.
If you have a chance, go out and soak up some Vitamin D!
Around this time, every year, the cherry trees in Washington, D.C., are in full bloom. If you did not have a chance to see them in person,
Here are some pictures…
PC: Cherry Blossom Watch 2020. https://cherryblossomwatch.com/cherry-blossom-watch-2020-wrap-up/
These cherry trees were gifts from the Japanese government to the U.S. government. On this day, March 27, 1912, the First Lady Helen Herron Taft and the wife of the Japanese ambassador, Viscountess Chinda, planted the first two Yoshino cherry trees on the northern bank of the Potomac Tidal Basin in D.C. and also celebrated the continued close relationship between the two nations.
The trees faithfully bloom every year around this time and attract thousands of tourists and photographers to come and appreciate the beautiful scenery.
PC: David Coleman. https://photos.davidcolemanphoto.com/index/G0000XEn0haQW8qg/I0000.Dr3FASTRIk
The blooming of the cherry trees reminds me of one of God’s attributes: Faithfulness.
22 The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end;
23 they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
(Lamentations 3:22-23, ESV)
Can you imagine how your life would be affected, if each day is not always 24 hours and Sunrises and sets arbitrarily every day?
That Summer is not always warm, and winter is not still cold, and a promise does not mean anything?
Even such a gesture of tree giving between Japan and the U.S. to symbolize friendship did not last, either. The gift was given in 1912; then, on December 7, 1941, Japan showed hostility towards the U.S. by bombing Pearl Harbor. The verse on Numbers 23:19 clearly states that men continuously have a change of mind.
God is not man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should change his mind.
Has he said, and will he not do it? Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it?
(Numbers 23:19, ESV)
The author of the book of Hebrews told us that, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” (Hebrews 13:8, ESV)
It is a good reminder that
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.
(James 1:17, ESV)
Cast your worries to Him, as our Heavenly Father cares about you!!
Announcement:
- Tonight’s Bible Study is ON!! We will continue to study the book of Numbers. You may dial in or login via your phone or personal computer:
Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/685376249?pwd=cWtyUk1pckJiRHJxZVZCSGdJZWw2UT09
Meeting ID: 685 376 249
Password: 840840
Dial-in from your phone: +1 929 436 2866 US (New York)
Meeting ID: 685 376 249
- This Sunday, Pastor Steven Chin will be sharing God’s word with us:
- Live stream Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WYruVLbt9js
- Title: How to Have Joy in our Troubled Times
- Text: Philippians 1:12-26
- Coworker reminder:
- Sunday bulletin: http://cbcgl.org/ministries/english-ministry/em-weekly-bulletin/
You may subscribe to CBCGL YouTube channel for future easy access: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIedQNWwZ_6YYlQYRjMCO4Q
- EM Sunday School is back ON!!
Topic: CBCGL EM Sunday Alpha Class
Join Zoom Meeting (Note that it uses a different ID!!)
https://zoom.us/j/491248585?pwd=N1ZPTnZGdEhUNmtYcXJ1bXFIazJpUT09
Meeting ID: 491 248 585
Password: 484658
Dial-in from your phone: +1 929 205 6099 US (New York)
Meeting ID: 491 248 585
- The ladies’ fellowship is hosting a Zoom conference this coming Sunday (3/29/2020) at 2:00 pm to 3:30 pm.
Speaker: Mrs. Priscilla Lee
Topic: How to Re-ignite Your Passion for God.
Meeting ID: 232 867 491
- The EM townhall meeting is seeking an alternative for an online option. Stay tuned.
- All other announcement items can be found here.
Prayer Request:
- Please pray for the coronavirus situation and victims. May God protect His church from harm and grant peace and vigilance to His people.
- Pray for the EM pastor search. We are getting very close. Announcement and Q&A may be conducted during the April town hall meeting. May God’s guidance lead us to call His desired shepherd.
- Pray for our newcomers and newcomer-to-be! May God provide us enough wisdom to make them feel welcome and feel at home.
- Pray for brothers and sisters who are looking for work opportunities.
- Pray for the 2020 retreat, may God reveal His will to us if we should proceed as planned.
- Pray for CBCGL 2020 focuses: outreach, prayer, and discipleship groups.
Blessings,
Jeremy