Covid 19 measures for ICB
While the Thai government has relaxed some restrictions in thedark red zones (incl. Bangkok), it has not yet permitted Churches to meet in-person.
We will continue Zoom-only services during October, at least, and pray that conditions will become safer by November.
October’s Outreach Partner
is Rahab Ministries
Women’s rehabilitation project for workers
in the red-light districts of Bangkok To find out more and how you can help, please go to our Outreach section towards the end of this newsletter
Let’s Join together this Sunday!
10th October 2021
10 am. via Zoom
On-line ONLY
Stay at Home and Please Join us on ZOOM!
(computer, tablet or smartphone)
Due to COVID19 health measures, our worship service will NOT be in-person this Sunday
about ICB worship on Zoom:
Please come on time and allow a minute or two to connect.
You will be “muted” upon entering the zoom room with the musical prelude on. Please stay muted during the service.
Pastor Chee suggests, “while you listen to the prelude, please pray for the service to run smoothly for God’s glory. There’s plenty of time to chit chat in the break out rooms after the service.”
This Sunday’s Sermon
is delivered live on Zoom by our minister, Revd. Chee Keong Yong
Revd. Chee’s sermon is entitled: “Gimme, Gimme, Gimme“
Many of us may well remember a song sung by Abba which have these words in the lyrics – “Gimme, gimme, gimme”.
Does this resonate with life today? Pop into a toy store on a busy weekend and watch the kids run here and there awed by the many toys available. Eyes wide open and not enough arms to carry all that they want. Recently, I saw a news report from China of long lines of people queuing up well ahead of the opening hours at an Apple store in Shanghai. They were all after the latest i-Phone. Gimme, gimme, gimme!
The rich young ruler in Mark’s story seems typical of any young person in our world today. He probably heard about Jesus and how Jesus met the needs of the masses in those days. So he came to Jesus one day with the question, “What must I do to inherit eternal life?”
Was the young man really interested in eternal life? After all, he had all the riches to afford a lifestyle that was far more comfortable and luxurious than any other people. Best still, he was young and had plenty of years to enjoy life. Why would he be interested in the life hereafter? Did he think that his riches could gain him a full life in the hereafter too? Was he trying to cover all his bases so that a full life would be guaranteed?
Would it be possible to pay Jesus for something that is yet to come? Do people do the same in churches? I have seen many movies depicting connections of the mafia with the church! Support the church financially and maybe that can cover a multitude of wrongs committed in this life. Is it too far-fetched to think that this is still the practice of some people today?
Think of the mega-churches of today – the rich pastors with their private jets and multi-million dollar mansions. Would you know where the world’s richest pastors are located? According to Forbes magazine, they are located in Nigeria and in the USA, and one in Singapore.
“Gimme, gimme, gimme.”
Why is it that we fail to heed Jesus’ words – “One thing you lack,” he said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
Why are Jesus’ words so difficult to put into action?
You are invited to join us on Zoom for this coming Sunday service at 10.00 am.
God bless
Chee
Please scroll down below for notices about Sunday school in October, making connections in Hanoi, ongoing on-line events on weekday evenings as well as this month’s Outreach Partner: Rahab Ministries.
VISIT our
ICB Sunday School Facebook Page!! HERE
https://www.facebook.com/ICB-Christian-Education-106748784983710
(copy this URL into your browser)
October 10th lesson is shown below:
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!
Announcements from our Minister
1. Possible in-person services are being prepared for when regulations allow
We are hoping that Sunday morning in-person worship services may resume in November.Please keep a lookout on email, ICB website, Facebook or Line (morning service group) for further announcements about when in-person will start. For October, we will continue on Zoom, only.
We plan also to try to continue live streaming on Zoom even when we can meet in-person again.
Please pray and bear with us as we go forward in what is continued uncertainty; but we will not go ahead with in-person gatherings until we consider it is safe.
2. VISIONING ICB’s FUTURE PATH
We are excited to find out where God’s path leads us to!
We have only recently started on our road to planning a future for ICB, which hopefully extends outside our membership zone to those in our community and city who need our help to help themselves based on how Jesus lived His life on Earth.
More details on how we are progressing and what the next steps may be will appear in future newsletters – so watch this space!!
Love Bangkok?
This past Wednesday evening, nine ICB members led by Pastor Chee had a fascinating 90 minute Zoom meeting with Jacob Bloemberg, pastor of Hanoi International Fellowship (HIF) and author of the book “Love (your city)” which several of us have been reading together over the past couple of months. Pastor Jacob gave us an illustrated slide presentation covering the main aspects of how HIF’s “Love Hanoi” mission had developed from virtual non-existence to an officially recognised faith-driven community-based movement in that city in just 10 years. He also explained “the 5 Ps”, steps he considers are vital for success, namely Principles, Posture, Process, Partner and People.
A lively Q & A session followed in which we learned more of Jacob’s experiences, the joys and the pitfalls, what works and where to begin, as well as how to build relationships with partners, identify needs of communities and become accepted by official authorities and society leaders.
We are so grateful for Pastor Jacob’s time, encouragement and support. We hope to meet him when he and his family can come in-person to Bangkok, possibly next year.
So, where does ICB move on and how can we make a real difference as we build Christ’s Kingdom in our city?
Those are questions for all of us and those involved in Outreach, in particular. If you would like to become involved or just learn more, you are most welcome to join us at this exciting time of discovery.
Initially, please contact Pastor Chee: minister@icbangkok.org
The Bible exhorts us all
Proverbs 29:18 –
“Where there is no vision, the people perish;..” Acts 2:17 –
“In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams.”
3. Explore the Holy Land with Messianic Jews
Would you like to join in on a tour of the Holy Land on Fridays in the comfort of your home?
We will never know when physical travel to Israel is possible but I can bring it to you. These sessions continue at 7pm. on Fridays,
The Zoom link is:
Meeting ID: 870 8145 9925 Passcode: 164138
web reference: https://bit.ly/37VCJJ7
Jerusalem – Holy City of Salem and Truth
Visit many of the biblical sites during our virtual tour of
the Holy Land – guided by our minister, Revd. Chee.
4. ALPHA COURSE – a series of interactive sessions exploring the basics of the Christian faith.
Are you interested in joining an Alpha course? New Zealand is staging an Alpha course online. If you would like to join, it continues on Wednesdays at 2.00pm (BKK time). Anyone can sign up through – https://www.alpha.org.nz/try-alpha/Each session looks at a different question, and is assigned to create conversation. No two Alphas look the same – they run in coffee shops, churches, bars, prisons, universities, schools and homes. There’s no pressure, no follow-up and no charge; it’s just an open, informal, and honest space to explore and discuss life’s big questions together.
If you are signing up as an ICB member, please put “Hamilton (N.Z.)” in the box for City. I have permission from my colleague in Hamilton for you to do so.
The Alpha course continues on Wednesdays
at 2.00 pm (Bangkok time)
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.
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
ICB’s Outreach Partner
for October 2021
RAHAB Ministries Bangkok
Helping women trapped in prostitution to find a new life in Christ, offering them a future and a hope.
Many rural women coming to Bangkok looking for work end up in one of Bangkok’s ‘red-light’ districts, such as Soi Patpong (off Silom Rd) or Nana (off Sukhumvit Rd). Through your support, Rahab Ministries (named after a prostitute in the Bible*) is able to offer these migrants friendship, hope, and a way out of prostitution. (*click here for a link to the story of Rahab in the Old Testament)
Rahab’s workers visit the beer bars regularly and the ministry runs a hair salon where the women can experience Rahab’s practical support in action. After the women leave the bars, Rahab gives them financial support and training in craft and jewellery making as well as hairdressing. Rahab also provides ‘safe’ housing for the women and for their children either in Bangkok or in Photharam, 100 Km. west of the city.
The Patpong scene in Silom, Bangrak, Bangkok. Rahab Ministries works in this area renowned for its night life.
Rahab Ministries trains the women looking for a new way of life how to make crafts of various kinds, including dress jewellery and small stuffed toys, both of which are very popular items. “We are always looking for new markets for these products which provides the women with an alternative income and helps further the work of our ministry.”
Khun Phrai of RAHAB will join us to tell us more about their work on Sunday, 24th October
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
