We will join together both in-person & on Zoom on Friday
Christmas Eve
Holy Night
24th December 2021
at 6.30 pm.
Simultaneously In-Person
at Bangkok Christian College (BCC)
and on ZoomAnd also on
Sunday,
26th December 2021 at 10.00 am
In-person worship at BCC
At our regular meeting place, Bangkok Christian College in Sathorn Nua Road (next to Surasak BTS station)
Please read our attendance rules set out below
You are invited to bring some cookies, cakes or pies for all to share before and after the service!
For those unable to attend worship in person, ICB will relay our service live
via Zoom (see details below)Please note that for now there will not be an ICB evening services on Sundays
Our special Christmas Eve offerings will go exclusively to our
Ministry to Displaced Persons
to assist refugee families and asylum seekers currently residing in Bangkok
Eight Attendance Procedures at ICB services
For your own safety and the safety of all others.
1. ICB and BCC expects that all attending will have already been vaccinated against Covid19. Please stay at home if you develop any flu-like symptoms
2. Everyone must wear a mask at all times (unless while drinking water). Wearing 2 masks is encouraged for extra safety. Please keep masks on while singing.
3. All attending are asked to sign the entrance register with names and contact details
4. Seating will be arranged 1.5 metres apart. Parents and their children may be allowed to sit closer to each other but please understand if you are asked to sit differently.
5. Offerings will be collected in a bag. Please wait for usher to pass this around and do not pass it on to others.
6. In offering greetings and the peace to one another, please do not touch others in any way. Instead, you may wave or “wai” to everyone.
7. If the sanctuary becomes full, ICB may regretfully need to prohibit more persons from entering.
8. During the current period, the regular ICB choir will not be performing. Other usual service activities may also be curtailed.Most people will be familiar with these procedures which are both expected and well known. We thank you for strictly conforming to them all as they are fundamental for safety and enable us to to meet and Praise God together in person once more.
On-line Relay on Christmas Eve & Sunday 26th December
If you are unable to attend in person or prefer to stay at home, you may still Join us on ZOOM!
(computer, tablet or smartphone)
Wherever you are in the world, you are welcome to join us online using the Zoom application in the same way as we have been doing during the lockdown period
About ICB worship on Zoom:
Please log-in on time and allow a minute or two to connect.
You will be “muted” upon entering the zoom room. Please stay muted during the service.
Please be patient as we try to overcome any glitches with our technical set-up at BCC.
Christmas Eve Sermon
is delivered in person and on zoom by our minister, Revd. Chee Keong Yong
Revd. Chee’s sermon theme is entitled: “No Vacancy”
Our Scripture Readings are: Epistle: Titus 2:11-14 * Gospel: Luke 1:39-45*(*click for online Bible)Pastor Chee’s brief & notes:
No Vacancy! It seems to me that there is no vacancy all over the world today – no vacancy in Poland, no vacancy in the USA, no vacancy in Europe, no vacancy, no vacancy…
When you are desperate for a roof over your head or something soft beneath you to give birth, you do not take NO for an answer. Where does one look for a comfy place to usher in Christ-child? Under a conifer tree decorated with all sorts of dazzling lights, tinsel, and what have you? Or perhaps a spruced-up manger all clean and tidy?
Guess what – I am fed up with the sanitized images of Christmas. I don’t supposed that if Jesus came today among us, he would recognize any of the dress-up mangers that we put up.
When I was at Wesley Mission, I remember one Christmas we had a special display up in front. It was not a Christmas tree, tall and pretty. Rather it was a display of a car with the back door open and inside was a dirty mattress and some blankets. There were some odd cups and saucers about. This was a display of the real conditions of the homeless.
Many of the young people in my church took on the challenge to sleep rough on the streets to experience that harsh realities of the homeless.
For them, Christmas takes on a whole new meaning.
Blessings,
Chee
Please scroll down below for notices about Sunday school in December, Covenants for 2022, and our weekly on-line prayer meeting on Thursday evenings.
Scroll further down for a couple of important notices for you from the Church Council. One concerns nominations for next year’s council and the other is about a policy document which is being proposed for ICB.
This Christmas Eve, please join our Friday evening service and enjoy a festive time of worship and carol singing as we celebrate Jesus’ birthday!
– Pot-luck cakes & cookies are welcome! This coming Sunday, we continue celebrating the coming of the Messiah with our usual mix of worship. The day after Christmas Day is also known as Boxing Day in many English speaking countries, traditionally the day when gift boxes were offered to the poor. December 26th is also the feast day of Stephen, the first Christian martyr (Acts), when we should pray for the souls of those who faced and still face the wrath of others for their belief in Christ. It is an ideal time to turn to the many who have had to face brutal adversity, flee their homelands or even suffer death because of their faith. Please help our own “Ministry to Displaced Persons”so ICBcan continue to help some of those families who have fled their country and who wait very many years in this city for news of a happy solution, where they can find lasting peace, freedom and personal security.
You can make your offerings during the service and in the purple box near the exit. Bank transfers to ICB are easy and acceptable. Please let us know so we can allocate funds correctly as you would wish.
26th December 2021 Sermon
Revd. Chee’s sermon theme is entitled: “Is Jesus with you?”
Our Scripture Readings are: Epistle: Colossians 3:12-17 * Gospel: Luke 2:41-52*(*click for online Bible)Pastor Chee’s brief & notes:
I wonder if you are a parent and or a grandparent, whether you have had one of those experiences where you lost your child in a busy mall or market? Pretty scary, isn’t it? You will be frantically looking high and low for the child. If I ever get lost in a crowd, I know what is in store for me – a spanking. Yep, that’s right – a spanking for giving my parents a near heart attack.
I guess that Jesus is no different. I am rather surprised that Jesus’ parents took a few days to realize that their son is missing. Perhaps, in a close-knit community, you will expect your child to be nearby in a neighbour’s place.
“Is Jesus with you?” Have you lost him lately? Or you have yet to realize that Jesus is missing.
I went looking for Jesus whenever I take a long walk around the community. I even went looking for Jesus at a church recently when they had their Christmas carols service. I will not mention which church but I do not think that Jesus was there. I found an empty seat and sat on it. Hardly a few seconds, I was told off by a young man, that the seat belong to his friend. There were no indications that it was reserved. I was practically shooed away. I guess Jesus was shooed away too, that evening.
Is Jesus with you? All those nations that professed to be Christian nations – is Jesus with them, I wonder? No vacancy again.
It is a pity, Jesus is missing still.
Blessings,
Chee
Please scroll down below for notices about Sunday school in December, Covenants for 2022, and our weekly on-line prayer meeting on Thursday evenings.
Scroll further down for a couple of important notices for you from the Church Council. One concerns nominations for next year’s council and the other is about a policy document which is being proposed for ICB.
ICB is a fully self-supported congregation.
We gladly receive your donations. KBank a/c 003-1-09408-9
More information on the ICB Website
Thank you!
Making a Covenant
with God and His Church2022
Advancing the Work of Jesus!
Covenant Sunday is Dec. 5. Please return the form shown below either by placing in the offering bag or sending to the church office:
61/2 Soi Saen Sabai 3; Sukhumvit 36 Road; Bangkok; 10110
Or you can scan and email to office@icbangkok.org.
International Church of Bangkok is a fully self-supporting church. We are not sponsored by any foreign church body and thus receive no outside financial assistance. In fact, we take joy to be a congregation who supports ministries all over Thailand!
We need over 5 million baht each year to cover expenses and keep our
ministry and the ICB community sustainable.
Your contributions to ICB may be tax-deductible under Thai tax rules.
For more information or to donate in US tax-deductible dollars, please contact the church office: office@icbangkok.org
Covenant Form
After prayerful consideration for the year 2022,
I/We enter into covenant with God and His Church to:Pray for my Church_______times per week.
Attend Worship_______times per month.
Give back to God the following in God’s tithe (10%) & offerings
Baht_______per week/month/year (please circle one)
Other Currency_______per week/month/year (please circle)
Serve God in ministry. I’m interested in (please circle):
Christian Education
Outreach
Worship Prayer
Personnel & Property
Evangelism/Membership
Finance/Stewardship
Fellowship
Other ……….
You can pick up this covenant form at our services during this Christmastide or you can email the ICB office for this form on line: office@icbangkok.org
In-person services have resumed as Bangkok Christian College reopens…….We are delighted that Sunday morning in-person worship services have resumed earlier than expected.Please keep a lookout on email, ICB website, Facebook or Line (morning service group) for further announcements about in-person and Zoom arrangements as circumstances can change. We will continue to live-stream services on Zoom….
even now when we can meet in-person again.
Please pray and bear with us as we put the technical system into place for relaying our services. We are not professionals and we could expect some occasional glitches!
Weekly Prayer Meeting –
Thursdays from 7:00 to 7:30pm (pls join before 7:05)
This is a wonderful opportunity to pause for a few moments, however busy we are, and join together to reflect and pray forour Church, Bangkok, the World and for ourselves. You will feel better for it – and so will God!
We have sold out of all 250 Angels bringing 50,000 Baht to help the women helped by Rahab Ministries!
Thank you, everyone who bought these handmade tokens for your tree and found many others willing to support this ministry as well.
We have also received additional donations as well as many sales of the Jewellery which the former bar-girls and sex workers now make as they start a New Life with the knowledge of the love of Jesus Christ.
CHRISTIAN OUTREACH The International Church of Bangkok
partners with Christian ministries throughout Thailand to advance the work of Jesus.
5% of ICB’s yearly total income goes directly to the outreach partners. Members and friends are also encouraged to give directly.
During December, outreach is focusing on ICB’s “Ministry to Displaced Persons”.
This ministry assists vital everyday needs for refugees and asylum seekers in Bangkok who come here from many nations. All of our Christmas Eve Service offering will be added to these funds and we also seek further gifts to support this urgent ongoing work of our church.
Thank you or your prayerful consideration for those in greatest need.
Bank transfers are easy to do and very welcome Please Donate NOW when it’s Most Needed!! KasikornBank (KBank): 003-1-09408-9
Transfer your donation to the ICB Bank account above and please email your transfer confirmation with the message:
“For Outreach: month/year (or name of O/R partner)” office@icbangkok.org
Call for 2022 Church Council:
Volunteers and Nominations
Each year at this time we ask for ICB members to consider how they can best support the church in the next 12 months. One way to do this is by serving on the Church Council, either as the head of a committee (such as Finance or Outreach), as the Chair or Vice-Chair, or in one of the at-large positions. The Council usually meets 4 times per year, and membership is open to all ICB members and regular attendees.
Are you interested in serving our church this way? Christian leadership can be a fun opportunity for spiritual growth and is an excellent way to meet other church members and become more involved in the life and direction of ICB. No prior leadership experience is necessary, and as always, we would like next year’s council to reflect the diversity of nationalities and worship backgrounds at ICB.
More details about specific church positions can be foundat this link. Please consider serving our community in this way in 2022. If you would like to serve – or have an idea or nomination of someone whom you think would fill one of the roles well – then please contact either Pastor Chee (minister@icbangkok.org) or Cameron Macky (magicrat4@gmail.com) preferably by 7th January
Thank you!
Draft Policy Document for your consideration:
“Policy on Diversity, Inclusiveness and Unity”
The Church Council has recently prepared a special policy document to put forward to the congregation for approval at the Annual Church Meeting, which will be held on Sunday 23rd January 2022.
The Council asks you to read and consider this proposal carefully beforehand so that discussion and any proposed amendments can be considered well before the AGM itself.
You are invited to join an informal discussion after worship at BCC on Sunday, 9th January at which you can learn more about this document and ask questions concerning it. The council encourages prayer and discussion among the congregation and welcomes your feedback.
You can find a draft of the policy document entitled
“DRAFT POLICY ON DIVERSITY, INCLUSIVENESS & UNITY”
on the ICB website < https://www.icbangkok.org/church-policies/ > or click here More information concerning this policy will be made available to ICB members in due course.
Missed a sermon?
Want to hear one again?
If you missed any of the recent sermons or would like to hear one or more again, recordings are available from Rev. Chee himself. Please let him know which Sunday(s) you are interested in and he will send you the link.
Send an email to: minister@icbangkok.org
International Church of Bangkok (ICB)
Advancing the Work of Jesus!
ICB is an English language congregation, composed of native and non-native speakers. We are committed to welcoming people of all backgrounds to Christian worship for a diverse, inclusive and unifying faith experience.
We seek to advance the work of Jesus Christ by promoting and supporting spiritual growth, community and service to others.
Scan these QR Codes to
find out more about
International Church of Bangkok
This upper link will guide you to our
ICB Website
This lower link will guide you to our
ICB Facebook page
For personal inquiries, more information and
church membership, please email
Rev. Chee Keong Yong: minister@icbangkok.org
