September’s Outreach Partner
is Prachakittisuk Church
(orphanage & women’s project)
in Chiang Rai (northern Thailand) To find out more and how you can help, please go to our Outreach section towards the end of this newsletter
This Sunday’s Sermon
is delivered live on Zoom by our minister, Revd. Chee Keong Yong
Revd. Chee’s sermon is entitled: “Insiders and Outsiders“
There is no doubt that the Gospel reading for today is tied up with the readings for the previous Sundays; after all, it follows one another in Mark’s Gospel.
First, it was the question – “Who do you say that I am?”
Second, it was the lesson that whoever wants to be great must last.
Today, we look at a problem that has plagued humanity for a long time – the insiders and outsiders.
I have observed this since I was young playing with the neighbours’ kids and also among school children. There are often groups that we belong to as we compete with each other. It seems that this is carried on into our adulthood where our lives are defined by the two words – insiders and outsiders.
The disciples were playing this game too. So it came as a shock when Jesus reversed their thinking on the matter. It is no longer about insiders and outsiders. Clearly here in the Gospel, Jesus was inclusive rather than exclusive.
Have you ever wondered why?
If you look carefully at Jesus’ earthly life, he had often been excluded. He was not an insider. He sided with the outsiders most oftentimes – the prostitutes, the oppressed, the marginalized, etc.
I hate to think that I have excluded Jesus due to my own prejudices. Yet, I need to admit that I have excluded angels, unaware of their presence (Hebrews 13:2).
The next time you want to exclude others from your group, ponder if Jesus is on the other team – “an outsider”.
Blessings
Chee
Please scroll down below for notices about ongoing and upcoming on-line events on weekday evenings.
Online Notes
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.”
VISIT our
ICB Sunday School Facebook Page!! HERE
https://www.facebook.com/ICB-Christian-Education-106748784983710
(copy this URL into your browser)
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. 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!!
Meanwhile, if you wish to add your input on how you would like to see ICB develop, please contact the minister via email, initially. He or someone from the Council’s Outreach Committee will then contact you back. Your ideas are vitally important!
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.”
2. 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 will 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.
3. 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 September 2021
Ministry of Prachakittisuk Church HuaiKrai, Mae Sai District, Chiang Rai
Situated in Thailand’s northernmost province, Chiang Rai, Prachakittisuk Church can be found off the main road leading to main border points to Myanmar as well as Laos.
Known as the Golden Triangle, this area is extensively populated with ethnic minority groups, locally called hilltribes. Although living there for generations, many have still to receive Thai citizenship, leading to education neglect & other inadequate social services. The Church was founded in 1953 by the father of the current minister, Rev. Dr. Sirirat Pusurinkham, who says her 300 members are “happy people”, which is what “Prachakittisuk” means. Nevertheless, few of them earn an adequate wage for their families’ basic needs, lacking education, with many being illiterate.
In 2003, the church set up an orphanage for children whose parents both died of HIV/AIDS. There are more than 10 such orphans in our care who lacked basic needs such as food, clothes, and school scholarships.
Prachakittisuk Church’s orphanage in early years. At the start there were 5 children. Now we have 25 young residents.
Rev. Dr. Sirirat explains,
“Over the years, we have been able to see more than 10 of our orphans graduate from University and become teachers, nurses, engineers, musicians, and pastors. But still there is more work to be done. Raising children is a lifelong process that requires investment in time, physical resources but most of all, commitment and love. Feeding, housing, and educating these many children mean we are always fund-raising yet also trusting God to provide.
Covid19 has affected church members severely though loss of income and mounting debt. Their children cannot go to school unless there is support to buy food and to get to school. When the village school conducts online lessons, many children do not have cell phones to study that way”.
Our church supports many orphans and women who are part of church’s handiwork project. We have over 50 women making handicrafts for sale, from purses & bags to table runners, bookmarks, facemasks and much more.
Rev. Dr. Sirirat asks us to pray:
“The pandemic calls on our solidarity and accountability, mindfulness, care and wisdom.
It also calls for our signs of faith, hope and love. We pray for all humanity: Help us to help one another during this time. Help communities to be stronger during this challenging time. Help us to heal as we face our fears. May God increase our faith so we don’t panic. With God, in God, we have hope. Please keep our ministry in your prayers.” Amen.
You are welcome to phone Rev. Dr. Sirirat : 081-602-5561
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
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For personal inquiries, more information and
church membership, please email
Rev. Chee Keong Yong: minister@icbangkok.org
