PLEASE NOTE: This will be an in-person meeting at BCC starting almost immediately after the end of morning worship.
Those using Zoom ARE INVITED to Join in!
If you are on Zoom, you may join in the discussion by remaining on-line. You can send your questions and comments via the “Chat“ facility on Zoom.
Your voice may not be heard directly by those present in person but your chat messages will be relayed to everyone.
We look forward to your participation in the discussion!
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
For those unable to attend worship in person, ICB will relay our service and the discussion following live
via Zoom (see details below)
Please note that for now there will not be an ICB evening service on Sundays
It’s never to late for offerings to our
Ministry to Displaced Persons
to assist refugee families and asylum seekers currently residing in Bangkok (details of how to donate are shown lower down in this newsletter)
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 is 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.
We need to take extra care as the latest wave of Covid (omicron) is spreading fast. Thank you for strictly conforming to all the rules as they are fundamental for safety and enable us to continue to meet and Praise God together in person.
How to connect to 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 were 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.
9th January 2022
Sermon
is delivered in person and on zoom by our minister, Revd. Chee Keong Yong
Revd. Chee’s sermon theme is entitled: The Calling – ‘To Do’ vs. ‘To Be’
Our Scripture Readings are: Epistle: Acts 8:14-17 * Gospel: Luke 3:15-17, 21-22 *(*click for online Bible)
Pastor Chee’s brief & notes:
Our Gospel reading for this Sunday takes us back to Jesus’ baptism by John the Baptist.
For those of us who have been baptized quite young, there may be very little memory of the event. For others, our baptisms hold significance for our journey as we follow Christ.
What about Jesus’ baptism? Luke does not give us much detail about the event. For instance, Luke does not say where Jesus was baptized, nor does he mention who baptized Jesus.
A couple of questions to consider – What prompts Jesus to request baptism from John and what was the experience like for Jesus? Requesting for baptism marks an important step for anyone who wishes to convert to Christianity and for parents to request baptism for their children. The reasons may differ though.
We gather from the other accounts that John hesitated in baptizing Jesus. Obviously, Jesus would have heard John’s call for people to repent and be baptized. Jesus must have reasoned that he too must be baptized by John and thus made the request. He would even accept John’s refusal and insisted to be baptized.
So baptism for Jesus would have marked a significant moment in his life. At the age of thirty, this is a turning point for him. At his baptism, a voice from heaven was heard, “You are my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”
Whatever thoughts we may have of our baptisms, one thing needs to be pointed out. Our baptisms do not hand out a list of dos and don’ts for the Christian journey. Our baptisms, like Jesus’, initiate us to be God’s children just as Jesus is God’s Son.
The Christian journey is not so much a matter of what each of us does, but what each of us comes to be. It is this thought that we are God’s own that should propel our journey of faith.
At his baptism, Jesus’ baptism marks him out as – the beloved .. the chosen .. and called by name.
As in Jesus’, our missional journey begins with our identity as God’s children.
Blessings,
Chee
Please scroll down below for notices about Sunday school, Covenants for 2022, and our weekly on-line prayer meeting on Thursday evenings.
Scroll further down for 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. Also, advance notice that the Annual General Meeting of ICB will be held on Sunday 23rd January following morning worship.
Notice of Annual General Meeting for International Church of Bangkok (ICB)
is hereby given, to be held on Sunday, 23rd January 2002
at BCC directly after church morning service.
It will also be on Zoom.
NOTE: People on Zoom will have to use the chat function for outward communication.
The ICB Church Council and you!
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) as soon as possible.
Thank you!
This Sunday(in-person and on Zoom*)
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 this Sunday, 9th January(in-person and on Zoom*) at which you can learn more about this document and ask questions concerning it. (*on Zoom, please use Chat for your questions and comments.) The council encourages prayer and discussion among the congregation and welcomes your feedback.
More information concerning this policy has been sent out to ICB members by email. If you have not received this and would like to, please email your request to office@icbangkok.org and we will send it to you.
Announcements from our Minister
In-person services continue at Bangkok Christian College, for now ……But 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 continue to live-stream services on Zoom….
even 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 could expect 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!
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, ICB’s Outreach has been focusing on our
“Ministry to Displaced Persons”.
which assists vital everyday needs for refugees and asylum seekers in Bangkok who come here from many nations.
All of our Christmas Eve Service offering was added to these funds but it’s never too late to receive further gifts to support this urgent ongoing work of our church.
Thank you or your prayerful consideration for those in greatest need. We need more funding support to keep our commitments to them going through 2022.
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 MDP )” office@icbangkok.org
We 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.
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!
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 or you can email the ICB office for this form on line: office@icbangkok.org
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
