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May of 2010 Newsletter

From the Desk of .........................................................................................Rev. John Wang

Ministry of the Baptized
　　　Chapter 2 of 1 Peter is built around the theme, found in verse 9, of the Christian's new identity and responsibility for personal integrity: "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's own people, in order that you may proclaim the mighty acts of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light."
　　　The new birth (1Peter 1:23) is not a magical event that changes a person instantly into the likeness of Christ but the commitment to a daily journey of intentional, painful, and sacrificial work of character formation. The Jesus' followers must constantly deal with character issues of "the flesh" that threaten to sabotage the soul, damage relationships, and neutralize the mission of Christ.
　　　John Wesley's common phrase "inward and outward holiness" emphasized the essential link between heart holiness and holy living. Referring to 1 Peter 1:15, Wesley writes, "perfection is another name for universal holiness-inward and outward righteousness-holiness of life arising from holiness of heart" (Sermon 76: "On perfection,"I:8 ). God works in the Christian to produce "both inward and outward holiness." The Holy Spirit strengthens our will so as to produce "every good desire, whether relating to our tempers, words, or actions, to inward and outward holiness" (Sermon 85:"On working out our own salvation," I: 2, 3).
　　　First Peter 1:15 instructs us, "as he who called you is holy, be holy yourselves in all your conduct." No dimension of life, from our attitudes and sexuality to our use of money and care of earth, falls outside the scope of holy living. In the ministry of the baptized, we are to have the mind of Christ (Phil 2:5), walking just as Jesus walked (1John 2:6).

UMW Collecting Recycled Materials-5/2
Please note the UMW collects recycled materials monthly on the 1st Sunday.
They will also collect recycling items for Nancy. Please bring the items to church on 5/2 ONLY. Do not bring it on Saturday or other days. Otherwise, the church will dump them because of the public health reason. The guidelines for brining your recycling materials are as below:
1. No tin cans accepted. These are the ones that hold can meats, fruit, and vegetables.
2. Rinse all plastic containers, glass containers, and soda cans with water and rain well.
3. Smash all plastic containers and soda cans before putting them into a plastic bag.
4. The newspaper with strong twine. DO NOT PUT NEWSPAPERS IN A PLASTIC BAG WITHOUT TYING THEM.
5. Please do not add unloading the recycling materials from your car unto Mrs. Zheng's job as she has to direct traffic. Thank you.

CUMC Scholarship
　　　The CUMC scholarship is opening for applicants to apply. Please ask Rev. John Wang or Rev. Judith Portinga for application. May and June mission offerings are designated for CUMC scholarship fund.

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