Denton CCF

This coming Friday, we will resume our CCF gathering at UMC. Light dinner will be served as usual. It's also the last CCF for Nathan and Juliet. If you miss them last week, you can still CCF with them this Friday or see them at Church on Sunday.
 
On Saturday, there will be a special gathering at our Church Land. A special speaker is coming from Oklahoma to speak to our church. Everybody is welcome to join. He's a pastor of many years and have done good battles for the Lord in Southeast Asia. These are spiritual battles with testimonies that includes "Exorcism". Do you know what that is? These are interesting areas that perhaps we don't hear much about but sure will bring you to a different light or perspectives. He will also be sharing with us the important role of prayer in iginiting church revival and inner spiritual healing. 

 Please sign up sheet for upcoming Potluck on 11/21. This is a list of food that we will gather and have a potluck together on the 21st of November. We will still meet up at our regular time at 6.30pm for dinner, tomorrow the 14th at UMC. Come early and meet friends, Have dinner together at 6.30PM. This is the thanksgiving season and we sure have a lot to be thankful for. What do you have to be thankful for? I am thankful, that the Lord allowed me to open my eyes this morning and a chance to experience His grace once more.  
 
Let's fellowship together at CCF tomorrow evening because it is said so in Psalm 95:2 - Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song...and we do this because in Psalm 118:21- I will give you thanks, for you answered me; you have become my salvation.

 
See you tomorrow night and don't forget to check out the attachment. Sign up! so we will feast on a day of Thanksgiving.

Our regular schedule run-down continues.
 

The weather suddenly got a lot colder yesterday afternoon and this means the winter season is upon us.
Two major holidays will soon be here. One is Thanksgiving and the other one Christmas. Halloween is
not a holiday. :) Why celebrate anything Ghostly right? The origins of Halloween are Celtic in tradition and
have to do with observing the end of summer sacrifices to gods in Druidic tradition. In what is now Britain
and France, it was the beginning of the Celtic year, and they believed "Samhain", the lord of death, sent evil
spirits abroad to attack humans, who could escape only by assuming disguises and looking like evil spirits
themselves. The approach of dark winter made the evil spirits rejoice and play nasty tricks hence the birth of
popular phrase "trick or treat". Believe it or not, most of the Halloween practices can be traced back to
these old pagan rites and superstitions.
 
See this link -->
http://www.godtube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=b5048a6579de2a879e4e
 
Tomorrow night in CCF, we won't be having bible study. We will be watching a movie instead. Join us!
Bring a friend!
 
** Brother Karl introduce a great resource for those of us who would like to read but don't have the time to do so.
Read what? Of course reading the Lord's Good word. Instead of reading, you can listen! Listen while you are walking
to school, listen while you are driving a long distance to buy grocery, listen before you go to sleep or at any time you
wish. The link below provides mp3 format for each book in the bible. It's in CHINESE!
 
http://www.lhm.org/asian/china/onlinelisten/ChineseAudioBibleBig5.htm

6:30 Dinner - Yum yum yummy
7:30 Worship/Announcement/Movie
8:00 Movie
9:00 Refreshment
9:45 Clean up - EVERYONE Help OUT !!
10:00 leave UMC

Please accept our invitation and join us tomorrow at the CCF Welcome Party, Fall 2008.  Attached please find a poster for this special event.  We will have dinner together, followed by a program featuring music, sharing, messages from our mentors/advisors, lucky draw and more.  Please extend the invitation to your friends and new students you know.   We want to use this opportunity to get to know each other and help each other in the new semester.  As our new slogan goes, CCF serves as a bridge to a brand new life.   I hope you all join us to kick off a new semester and start a brand new life.  If you need a ride to UMC or someone to go with you, do not hesitate to give me a call at 940-594-7890.  See you all tomorrow.

Love,

Karl and CCF coworkers

Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers  for Karl.  He came back safely from a short trip to Hong Kong last Saturday.  He will share with you his personal experience about life at CCF.  Tomorrow Pastor Phil will help us read through the end of the Book of James and learn the  ultimate message this special letter in New Testament offers.  Please bring a friend or a new student if you meet one.  

Time:           6:00 pm  to 10 pm
Place:          UMC ( between Kerr and Maple Halls)
Program :   dinner, music, workshop 

Note:

1.       If you have yet to register for our annual church retreat, please do so asap.  The exciting four day event between  8/29 and 9/1 will be held at Camp Copass in Denton, about 15 minutes away from UMC.  Click here to visit the beautiful camp site online.  To register, just do it online here.  I invite every CCFers to go so we enjoy this long weekend together. 

“Excellence starts in your mind,” advises renowned author and preacher Charles Swindoll.  Truly, success does not come overnight.   This Friday, we will give a workshop that focuses on how to prepare ourselves for excellence and success in your current and future career.    While we will cover topics such as choosing a major and preparing for a job search, we also learn how to ready our mindset and tap into the Scripture’s wisdom about living above the level of mediocrity.   Contents include presentations, book introductions and sharing of experience.  Please join us in this special workshop to sharpen your skills and brighten up your mind.

 Time:           6:00 pm  to 10 pm
Place:          UMC ( between Kerr and Maple Halls)
Program :   dinner, music, workshop 

Note 

1.    After a long trip to California, Pastor Phil and his family safely return to Texas.   Please come by and say hi and listen to his sharing of this wonderful trip.

2.       Our annual church retreat is around the corner.  The exciting four day event between  8/29 and 9/1 will be held at Camp Copass in Denton, about 15 minutes away from UMC.  Click here to visit the beautiful camp site online.  TO register, you may download the registration form or just do it online here.  I invite every CCFers to go so we enjoy this long weekend together.  It will be one of your most rewarding event of the year, I promise.

Batman’s girlfriend is right: “It is not who you are underneath, but what you do that defines you.”

 We all live in a world in high pursuit of intelligence: straight A’s, high scores in exams…  but we never ask if we are really wiser after all that.  What is true wisdom?  Join us in pursuit of wisdom today in CCF and we will find out together where wisdom is from and where wisdom will lead our lives to. 

The Batman quote may not make you redefine meaning of life, but a Christian band Casting Crown’s song should have more bearings to our lives:

Not because of who I am,
But because of what you've done.
Not because of what I've done,
But because of who you are.

Please come to join us at the study of Heavenly Wisdom and Humility in the book of James:

Time:           6:00 pm  to 10 pm
Place:          UMC ( between Kerr and Maple Halls)
Program :   dinner, music, Movie

Notes:

1.   Finally, our CCF new website is official.  Please check it out and let us know what you think: http://ntcc.org/ccf/

2.       At one point  I mention to you a Carnegie Mellon professor’s “Last Lecture”, which inspired millions including myself.   Randy Pausch just passed away today.  While I will keep the lessons I learned from him, I would also be reminded that life is very short.  We just have to live it to the fullest and know where we are headed for.  

 Full lyrics of Who am I?

 

Who am I? 
That the Lord of all the earth,
Would care to know my name,
Would care to feel my hurt.
Who am I? 
That the bright and morning star,
Would choose to light the way,
For my ever wandering heart.

Bridge:
Not because of who I am,
But because of what you've done.
Not because of what I've done,
But because of who you are.

Chorus:
I am a flower quickly fading,
Here today and gone tomorrow,
A wave tossed in the ocean,
A vapor in the wind.
Still you hear me when I'm calling,
Lord, you catch me when I'm falling,
And you've told me who I am.
I am yours.
I am yours. 

Who am I? 
That the eyes that see my sin
Would look on me with love
And watch me rise again.
Who am I? 
That the voice that calmed the sea,
Would call out through the rain,
And calm the storm in me.

Not because of who I am,
But because of what you've done.
Not because of what I've done,
But because of who you are.


I am a flower quickly fading,
Here today and gone tomorrow,
A wave tossed in the ocean,
A vapor in the wind.
Still you hear me when I'm calling,
Lord, you catch me when I'm falling,
And you've told me who I am.
I am yours. 

Not because of who I am,
But because of what you've done.
Not because of what I've done,
But because of who you are.


I am a flower quickly fading,
Here today and gone tomorrow,
A wave tossed in the ocean,
A vapor in the wind.
Still you hear me when I'm calling,
Lord, you catch me when I'm falling,
And you've told me who I am.
I am yours.
I am yours.

I am yours.

Whom shall I fear?
Whom shall I fear?
'Cause I am yours.
I am yours.

Based on a true story happened in a 2003 summer, The Miracle Box is the movie you will put on your must-see list that you will watch at least once in your life time.    It is not available in any US theaters but we see it together at CCF.   Here is a brief introduction in Chinese:

天作之盒 (2004)故事梗概
曾是駐院醫生的Albert，都能以笑容去面對每一天，並將歡樂帶給身邊的同僚及病人；盡管自己亦患上血癌 整天埋頭苦干，夢想考進澳洲醫學院胸肺科的Joanna，一直將成敗得失看得甚重，直至遇到Albert，她的生命纔開始改變，懂得以愛醫治受傷的心靈；盡管Albert患上不治之癥，盡管自己因救人而染上疫癥 兩個人，一個小盒子，隨著命運之輪慢慢轉動，用生命感動世界 制作背景 以非典時期殉職的“愛心醫生”謝婉雯為藍本，宣揚用愛去治療受傷的心靈。在SＡＲＳ一周年的效應下，加上本片拍得細膩感人，因此在淡季中取得非常理想的票房，還成為蔡少芬主演的電影中最賣座的一部。電影業界認為該電影能先聲奪人全因電影以醫治病人而感染ＳＡＲＳ的謝婉雯醫生作故事背景，容易引起觀眾的共鳴所致。兩位有著非凡抱負的醫生──陳俊興和謝綺雯，用信和愛折制一個又一個盛載人間重擔的紙盒，醫治所有受傷的心靈。縱然恐懼、疾病和死亡屢次作出沉重打擊，令他們的愛情道路崎嶇不平，但他們憑著愛兌現生死不渝的承諾。他們深信彩虹是圓形的，經歷過人世的風雨，他們會在七色橋的另一端重逢，永遠牽手同行。愛，令平凡人作出不平凡的事。一個自幼立志成為醫生的女孩子，在一次又一次的挫折中成長。其實，失敗在裝備著她。在一場蔓延全城的災難中，她挺身而出，以熾熱的生命感動冷漠的都市。...
 

Please join us for the viewing of this special movie.  Popcorn and snacks will be provided.

 

Time:           6:00 pm  to 10 pm
Place:          UMC ( between Kerr and Maple Halls)
Program :   dinner, music, Movie

 

We live in a world filled with many empty promises, words without substances and in a lot of cases rhetoric without actions.     When we take a serious look at all of ourselves, we could be doing that too.    The Book of James in Bible is a practical guide to a faith that comes with actions: a believer who not only believes but behaves.    A couple of weeks ago, Pastor Phil introduced to CCF the book of James and concepts about trials and temptation.   Let us come together again and take a closer look into “faith” and “actions” and learn from apostle James how to live a life that is not empty but filled with joy and blessings from above.  

 

Time:           6:00 pm  to 10 pm
Place:          UMC ( between Kerr and Maple Halls)
Program :   dinner, music, Bible study

Why 6/20 is the happiest day for all, particularly Americans?  According to a survey by the University of Cardiff, Americans are the happiest on this day, combining a number of factors.   I didn’t look closely into the statistical significance of the findings but, well, it is a Friday and we at CCF will have gathering again.  It may not be really the happiest but should be close, right?  Truly, it is, for me.

 

This week, we are joining our family and other friends in NTCC, plus a neighbor church  The New Life Gospel Church in Coppell to host a special meeting.   This meeting features a keynote speaker from Hong Kong.   Rev. Patrick So is a very gifted servant of God and he is the pastor of a very blessed church in Hong Kong.   This is a rare and precious opportunity we can learn from him on his vision on China mission.  Let me forward a brief bio from Leon about Pastor Patrick So and this special meeting’s program (appended).

 

Please join me tomorrow night and grasp this opportunity to meet with this pastor and receive his special message.   WE will convene at UMC at 6 pm.  Do give me or Branden a call if you plan to come.  My cell number is 940-594-7890.  Branden’s number is 310-227-1348.   It is 6/20.  Make it the happiest day of this year. :D

 Attached below is the latest update of the joint Friday Activity with NLGC on 6/20/2008.

 

The keynote speaker is Rev. So Wing Chi 蘇穎智牧師 (from 中國基督教播道會恩福堂 in Hong Kong, founder of Arlington Chinese Church) who has inspired so many brothers/sisters around him with his walk-the-talk Christ-like life testimony as a God's loyal servant. http://www.yanfook.org.hk/tc/index.jsp

  

This is a precious opportunity in meeting with 蘇穎智牧師 face-to-face. You'll be richly blessed by Rev. So's sharing of his vision on China Mission and beyond.

 

 Event: Joint Friday Cell Group Session

Date:  6/20/2008

Time: 7:30 PM - 9:45 PM

Location: New Life Gospel Church (NLGC)
                2488 S. Meadowglen Drive, Suite 210

                Lewisville, TX 75067

               (Meadowglen Plaza, on 3040 North side between Edmonds & 121)

 

Keynote Speaker: Rev. So Wing Chi (from Hong Kong, founder of ACC)

Program Details:
7:30 PM - 7:40 PM Fellowship

7:40 PM - 7:55 PM Singspiration (NTCC)

7:55 PM - 8:00 PM Welcome/Introduction (NLGC)

8:00 PM - 9:00 PM Rev. So Wing Chi (Vision Sharing on China Mission)

9:00 PM - 9:07 PM Singspiration (NTCC)

9:07 PM - 9:10 PM Closing Prayer (NLGC)

9:10 PM - 9:45 PM Refreshment/Fellowship (NLGC/NTCC)

I believe I need not further explain why we need to pray and what we should pray for.  Let me relay a message from our church deacon board chair, Dr. Jim Song:

 親愛的弟兄姊妹們，平安：

 相信大家都已注意到四川震災的消息，並且抱著哀傷憐憫的心情，正在為當地的居民禱告。

 「耶和華靠近傷心的人」(詩34:18)

 願 神的安慰、救恩親自安慰、拯救他們。

讓我們繼續為災民禱告，並奉獻金錢幫助他們。

 從今天起，可開始奉獻，開立的支票請註明：「做為四川賑災之用」。若在週三禱告會或週五小組聚會時奉獻，請將奉獻交給Sharon， 教會將循適當管道轉達賑災款項。

「洪水泛濫之時、耶和華坐著為王．耶和華坐著為王、直到永遠。」(詩篇29:10)

 信靠主！主必施恩憐憫行奇妙大事！

 Please be invited to come to our special prayer meeting tonight at UMC and join us to pray together for the people suffering in this catastrophe and the rescuers.   Prayer meeting starts at 8 pm.

 Also, in this upcoming Friday, we will show a special movie that documents the exploration of the Noah’s Ark as described in Genesis (first book in Old Testament).   A group of explorers travelled and climbed a mountain, trying to seek evidence that the vessel does exist!  Come join us and bring a friend.

 Time:           6:00 pm  to 10 pm
Place:          UMC ( between Kerr and Maple Halls)
Program :   dinner, music, movie

Thank you all for your prayer and support.  Pastor Phil has been back from California, after spending some time with his sister and her family.  It is rough time for the family to lose a member but we all know they will be reunited one day in heaven.

 This week we will have a special dinner with the Denton families (Chinese Family Fellowship).  We will enjoy potluck dinner together and have special movie.  Pastor Phil will also share his testimony and experience from the past week.    Please come join us this Friday at 6:30 pm.  If you can come early that will be great.  We need helping hands to prepare food and drinks. 

 Time:           6:30 pm  to 10 pm
Place:          UMC ( between Kerr and Maple Halls)
Program :   Potluck dinner, movie and music

 6:30 pm to 7:30   pm          Dinner/tea time 

7:30 pm to 8:00   pm              Worship 

8:00 pm to 9:30   pm          Movie and message         

9:30 pm to 10:00 pm          Refreshment  

 Special note: 

 The girls' group meeting will be off this week.

Please join us this Friday to  a presentation by our invited guest Dr. Eric Kuang, who will deliver on how to invest in our future, financially and spiritually.  Eric is currently a partner of GuruFocusCapital.com and coach on financial security.  His presentation will focus on how to start learning about financial management and good stewardship of our God-given properties.    It will be a great opportunity for us to learn from real world Christian entrepreneur and receive advice from his life experiences.   Please bring friends and questions to this special meeting.

Time:           7 pm  to 10 pm
Place:          UMC ( between Kerr and Maple Halls)
Program :   Special workshop and Music

 6 pm  to 7:30  pm                 Dinner/tea time 

7:30  pm to    8: 00  pm          Worship 

8:00 pm to 9:30 pm             Special workshop         

9:30  pm to 10 pm                 Refreshment  

 Special note: 

The girls' group meeting will meet again, at 5:30 pm.  Bring girlfriends and join this group of sisters in Christ before CCF meeting.

DATE:
4/5/08 (This coming Saturday)
 
TIME:
3-6pm (must end no later than 6pm)

LOCATION:  
UMC

AGENDA:
1.   Opening prayer
2.   Go over meeting agenda
3.   Go over updates on action items from last time
4.   Discuss: Character Workshop 4/11
5.   Discuss: E-meeting 4/18
6.   Discuss: Joint CFF 5/2
7.   Discuss: Plan after May (Summer semester)
8.   Review: Feed back on March meeting (2 bible studies, BBQ/Games, Good Friday at NTCC)
9.   Others
10.  Closing prayer



We have quite a few things to discuss, so we won't be talking about web stuff this Saturday. So don't worry about that part.
if you won't be able to come, please let me know.