Advancing the Work of Jesus! Welcome to our weekly newsletter
Reminder: Explore the Holy Land with Messianic Jews
Pastor Chee’s illustrated series starts tonight (Friday) at 7pm
Scroll down to ‘Minister’s Announcements 3.’ for more details
All are welcome – on Zoom
web reference: https://bit.ly/37VCJJ7
Thank you to those who joined in
our Brainstorming last Saturday! All your ideas and insights will be carefully reviewed by the Church Council
This was the first congregational gathering in
an ongoing process that will continue.
If you were unable to attend,
more opportunities to voice your opinions
will be made available. Look out for new announcements soon!
Let’s Join together this Sunday!
29th August 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 services until further notice will NOT be in-person
is delivered live on Zoom by our minister, Revd. Chee Keong Yong
Revd. Chee’s sermon is entitled: “Looking in the Mirror“
Our Scripture Readings: Epistle: James 1:22-25*
and Gospel: Mark 7: 1-8, 14-15, 21-23*(*click for the Bible pages)
Pastor Chee’s writes:How often, do we look at ourselves in the mirror each day? Is it so often that we are not even aware of our daily ritual? While you are reading this, try to recall each time you look into the mirror, even just to catch a glimpse to see that not a single hair is standing out of place. I guess that asking you to do this simple task of catching yourself looking into the mirror and counting each time is quite difficult. Who cares? It’s my face, why should others be bothered? LOL.
Have you heard the story of Narcissus? He was so caught up with the image that stared back at him while seeing his own reflection in a pond that he could not pull himself away. He fell in love with the image. Surely, we are not like that. I wonder! I wonder if we are so caught up with our perception of our “good” self that no other can compare with us.
That’s what we find in the Gospel reading when the religious people questioned Jesus about his disciples for failing to wash their hands before eating.
The Old Testament laws for purification were indeed useful for it regulated an entire group of people as they journeyed out from Egypt. They needed good hygiene and those laws were there to make sure that all were kept healthy. By the time of Jesus, those laws became traditional rituals that were observed not for health reasons. The laws separated the so-called pious lot from the rest.
The response from Jesus was mind-blowing. He did not trivialize the law for practicing good hygiene but he went further in exposing the intent behind the kind of questioning he received.
We all know of such people, don’t we? We have suffered under their sadistic manipulation of God’s law for their twisted ends in justifying themselves and making others look bad. There was no intent to lift up the downtrodden but they merely intended to show how “righteous” they felt compared to others.
What are James’ words of encouragement? – “But those who look into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and persevere, being not hearers who forget but doers who act — they will be blessed in their doing.”
Blessings.
Chee
Please scroll down below for my notices about ongoing and upcoming on-line events on weekday evenings.
Above Graphic: Travers Larkin, Massachusetts College of Art & Design
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 NEW
ICB Sunday School Facebook Page!! HERE
https://www.facebook.com/ICB-Christian-Education-106748784983710
(copy this URL into your browser)
Important Announcements from our Minister
1. VISIONING ICB’s FUTURE PATH
Again, thanks to all of you who gave up your Saturday morning to join in the lively discussions. This included a few past ICB members who are now elsewhere but to whom ICB was a major part of their spiritual lives when living in Bangkok. They are as excited as we are to find out where God’s path leads us to!
This was just a start on what promises to be an exciting path to planning a future for ICB, which hopefully extends outside our membership zone to those in our community who need our help to help themselves based on how Jesus lived His life on Earth.
More details on how far we have progressed and what the next steps may be will appear in future newsletters – so watch this space!!
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.”
2. New report on Urban Refugees in Thailand
According to UNHCR, Thailand’s urban refugee population is around 5,000 persons, mostly in Greater Bangkok.
Urban refugees in Bangkok have varied educational and work backgrounds. They represent human capital that could be valuable to Thailand.
Reading research findings reports, such as this, greatly helps us to understand where the deficiencies and needs are among those taking refuge within our own neighbourhood.
Learn more in the report Human Capital and the Employment Situations of Urban Refugees in Thailand by Dr. Bhanubhatra Kaan Jittiang of the Center for Social Development Studies at Chulalongkorn University. You can find the report at the following link: https://bit.ly/3minxxZ
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 will start tonight 27th August at 7pm.
and on following 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. New!! 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 starts on Wed 1st Sep (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 starts this coming Wednesday, 1st Sept at 2.00 pm (Bangkok time)
Are you interested in doing Bible Studies with Dr David Pawson in the comfort of your home? British Methodist & Baptist minister David Pawson (1930-2020) was a sought-after preacher across the world, authoring 81 books and over 300 videos. He was known for his forthright teaching, often tackling controversial subjects.
I am provisionally scheduling this on Mondays at 7pm, probably starting later in September.
Email me now to express your interest minister@icbangkok.org
Bible teacher, Dr. David Pawson, who said,
“Don’t believe anything that I taught, unless you can read it for yourself in the Bible.”
All he wanted people to do was to read the Bible for themselves.
The Love of 2 Cities
Hanoi and Bangkok
Do YOU love your (adopted) city? Why not join our study?
What if our church in Bangkok becomes known for its love? Can we transform ICB?
ICB Council and other members have started an online book study on
Wednesdays at 7pm. (local time, ICT)
So far, we have looked at the first 6 chapters but we are encouraging anyone to join the study as there is still much to learn. Past ICB friends, wherever they may be, are also most welcome. ZOOM details are: https://us02web.zoom.us Meeting ID: 850 9388 8359
Passcode: 943786
The book is “Love (Your City)” by Jacob Bloemberg. It is the recent story of how God’s love has grown in Hanoi, Vietnam.
(Summaries of chapters discussed so far can be requested from the minister)
You can buy this book printed or on Kindle at Amazon.com or from bloemberg.org If you have difficulties in obtaining
the book, email the minister and we will try to get you a copy soonest.
This coming Wednesday, will be reviewing and discussing Chapter 5 of the book. If you would like a short summary of previous chapters, please send an email to the minister. minister@icbangkok.org
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 August Outreach Partner (2021)
Bangkok Institute of Theology (BIT)
One of the four theological institutions recognised by the Thai government, BIT is the divinity department of the Christian University of Thailand (CUT), located in Nakhon Pathom Province (adjacent to Bangkok, to the West).
BIT strives to accomplish its mission of training servants who can effectively teach God’s Word and help lead the church in accomplishing God’s ministry, both within Thailand and overseas.
BIT students come from all regions of Thailand as well as from neighbouring countries where access is restricted. Many come from different tribal groups whose cultural expressions of worship and costumes are vibrant and colourful. In 2021, BIT has trained over 100 young aspiring servants of God, who has also blessed BIT with 43 incoming students (16 in BA and 27 in the M.Div. program).
Because of the Covid19 pandemic, this year BIT has started an E-Learning format for the M.Div. program, all classes being online.
Also, in the past two years, some 70 students have successfully completed their theological education but have not yet graduated due to COVID-19. They are now undergoing provisional service and will graduate this year.
“BIT highly values our partnership with International Church of Bangkok. Along with the financial support from ICB, we would appreciate your prayer for all the students facing the challenges of COVID-19 Pandemic. Thank you.”
In 2021, BIT has trained 100+ young aspiring servants of God.
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!
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
