We will join together again both in-person* & on Zoom this Sunday!!
4th SUNDAY of ADVENT
PEACE
19th December 2021
at 10 am. *followed by Christmas Pot-luck Party!
Simultaneously In-Person
at Bangkok Christian College (BCC)
and on Zoom
In-person worship at BCC
Our regular meeting place, Bangkok Christian College in Sathorn Nua Road (next to Surasak BTS station) has now reopened enabling us to meet and worship in-person again after 7 months.
Please read our attendance rules set out below
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 service
During Advent, our Outreach is focusing on our Partner,
RAHAB MINISTRIES
“Helping women trapped in prostitution to find a new
Christ, offering them a future and a hope.”
Please go to our Outreach section towards the end of this newsletter
Also this month, we are seeking donations for our Ministry to Displaced Persons programme to assist refugees and asylum seekers in Bangkok
Ten 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. On entering the sanctuary, please allow us to check your body temperature.
5. 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.
6. Offerings will be collected in a bag. Please wait for usher to pass this around and do not pass it on to others.
7. 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.
8. We regret that we cannot offer any refreshments other than plain water in plastic packs or bottles. No food will be provided.
9. If the sanctuary becomes full, ICB may regretfully need to prohibit more persons from entering.
10. During the current period, the 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
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.
This Sunday’s Sermon
is delivered in person and on zoom by our minister, Revd. Chee Keong Yong
Revd. Chee’s sermon theme is entitled: “Expect the Unexpected”
Our Scripture Readings are: Epistle: Hebrews 10:5-10 * Gospel: Luke 1:39-45*(*click for online Bible)
Pastor Chee’s brief & notes:
Expecting the unexpected seems rather ironic. It does not make any sense. Someone asked, “Doesn’t expecting the unexpected make the unexpected the expected?” Whatever we may make of this play of words, I guess that there are times when we do expect the unexpected. It will be great if we are the unexpected.
Being the “unexpected” in others’ lives allows us to surprise others pleasantly. This is the reason for the season, is it not?
Our Gospel reading has two ladies (well into their pregnancies) meeting up. This is no coincidental meetup. Mary had journeyed to meet up with her cousin Elizabeth. On this occasion, Elizabeth’s child must have kicked pretty hard, so much so that Elizabeth suggested that her child was excited about the meeting. The unexpected happened.
Who would have guessed that Mary will be the unexpected mother to carry the Christ child? The church called her the “God-bearer” (Theotokos) or the “Christ-bearer” (Christototkos). Yet, there is a stigma that she carried during her pregnancy. For an unwed lady to be with a child in those days would invite tons of gossip and ridicule. This then is the unexpectedness of it all. Mary chose to undertake the assignment given to her by the angel Gabriel.
This season, let us be the “unexpected” to others. Be a blessing than just expecting a blessing.
Blessings to all,
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. This Sundaywe conclude our Tree Angel Appeal for Rahab Ministries, who offer a new future and hope for former sex workers in the Patpong area.
As well as the tree angels, there’s the last chance to purchase the beautiful stone-beaded necklaces made by the women of Rahab who seek hope for a better new life.
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 Sunday, please join our Christmas pot-luck lunch after worship. Enjoy friendship, food and fun as we celebrate Jesus’ birthday!
ICB’s Christmas Pot-luck Party will be this Sunday, 19th December, directly after the morning service at Bangkok Christian College.
Please join us for food and fellowship as we celebrate the arrival of our saviour Jesus Christ. There will be festive Christmas music and games for children.
If you plan to bring a savoury dish, drink or dessert, please let us know on the “ICB Morning Service” Line group. (If you are unable to link, never mind, just bring what you have with you!)
Please Note: We want everyone to join in! Our party is open to all whether or not you bring a pot-luck item.
Christmas Comes Alive at ICB!!
Our deepest thanks to Hussien and his choir from Seventh Day Adventist Church for their wonderfully inspiring music last Sunday!!
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 Church
2022
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 ……….
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!
Outreach Tree Angels 2021
This week, we continue our annual collection to support one of our Outreach Partners during the season of Advent and Christmas. This year, we focus on Rahab Ministries.
The Tree Angels are made by former bar workers who, thanks to Rahab with God’s grace, now earn their income producing and selling crochet products, soft toys and other similar items locally and overseas.
These popular Tree Angels have been handmade exclusively for ICB. Please purchase quickly as we will soon run out of supplies! ONLY 20 Angels left!! (230 already sold)
Thank you for your support in donations. Every time you look at the angel on your Christmas tree you will know you have taken a small but important step in fulfilling the work of Jesus Christ!
FOR SALE last time this Sunday!
Handmade necklaces made from semiprecious stones will be on show again this Sunday, 19th December at ICB. They are all made by ex-bar workers in Patpong Road who have been given new hope of a better life by Rahab Ministries through their discovery of the love and grace of Jesus Christ.
Your purchases will help Rahab to continue their work.
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
During December, outreach will also focus 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.
Our Christmas Eve Service Collection will be added to these funds and we also seek further gifts to support this urgent ongoing work of our church.
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
