Announcements for the Week of November 1

Men’s Bible Study (evening edition) will be this Wednesday at 7 PM in the JIBC Office. Come for some good food, fellowship, and Bible Study.

The following men have been nominated for the office of deacon at JIBC: Ian Beech, Rod McKay, and Tony Setiadi. Uran The has been nominated for elder. In accordance with our church constitution the members of JIBC have from the time of this announcement until the end of November to provide feedback about these nominees to the elders so they can make a final approval of the nominees prior to our Annual Business Meeting on December 14.

Picture day! We will be taking family photos for the 2010 church directory today after the service! Please stop in the Journey II class room behind the red curtain immediately following the service to have your photo taken, or plan for next Sunday!

There will be a baptism service at the pastor’s house on Sunday, November 22 at 2:30 PM. If you are interested in Christian baptism please speak with Pastor Stephen, use the communication form on the bulletin, or contact the church office for more information.

Attention JIBC Youth! November is the last Youth Sunday month of the year. If you would like to be involved, please let Jill Sharp or Edna Romulo know. We need musicians and praise team leaders. Please consider volunteering especially if you were unable to participate in the last one. Further planning will be done at FYF meetings, and dates for practices will be announced.

Our Deepest sympathy to Philip and Mega Purnama, on the passing away of their beloved daughter Euclida Arcely Purnama on 27 Oct 2009 in Singapore

Cling to Jesus for Satisfaction

Dear friends,

God does not take away all our problems (this side of heaven), but he does give us the strength we need for life in this world.

The apostle Paul had a problem, which he referred to as a “thorn in the flesh.” The scripture does not tell us exactly what the problem was, but we learn Paul prayed to the Lord three times, asking him to take it away. God’s answer was, “No.” He would not take it away. The problem would not be solved. However, this did not mean there was no help from the Almighty. Paul explains:

“But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For when I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Cor. 12:9, 10b).

Paul still had his problem, but he also had Christ! Sometimes God leaves us in our struggles so we remember our need to cling to Jesus for grace, mercy, peace, strength, and satisfaction. Otherwise we may succumb to the temptation to look for those things in this world rather than in Christ who will ultimately take away all our problems in the world to come.

Your servant,

Stephen

Rev. Stephen St. John
Pastor/Elder

Visiting the Senen Box Dwellers

“For there will never cease to be poor in the land. Therefore I command you, ‘You shall open wide your hand to your brother, to the needy and to the poor, in your land.’” - Deuteronomy 15:11

On October 24, the Youth Group made a service visit to the Senen area to distribute food packages to local “box dwellers” — a homeless community living in makeshift housing of cardboard and canvas. A church in the area, held in a private home, in in contact with Youth For Christ to assist these people in their physcial and spirital needs.

When the youth arrived on Saturday morning, we discovered that, hours before, the government had preformed a routine “clean up” of the area, burning the houses of the box dwellers which are illegally located on public property between two railroad tracks.

Please pray for these people, that YFC and the local church will be able to not only assist with their desperate physcial poverty, but also bring the gospel to them.

Our Great Older Brother Jesus

Then he went home, and the crowd gathered again, so that they could not even eat. And when his family heard it, they went out to seize him, for they were saying, “He is out of his mind.” And the scribes who came down from Jerusalem were saying, “He is possessed by Beelzebul,” and “by the prince of demons he casts out the demons.” And he called them to him and said to them in parables, “How can Satan cast out Satan? If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. And if a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand. And if Satan has risen up against himself and is divided, he cannot stand, but is coming to an end. But no one can enter a strong man’s house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man. Then indeed he may plunder his house. “Truly, I say to you, all sins will be forgiven the children of man, and whatever blasphemies they utter, but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin”— for they were saying, “He has an unclean spirit.” And his mother and his brothers came, and standing outside they sent to him and called him. And a crowd was sitting around him, and they said to him, “Your mother and your brothers are outside, seeking you.” And he answered them, “Who are my mother and my brothers?” And looking about at those who sat around him, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! For whoever does the will of God, he is my brother and sister and mother” (Mark 3:20-35).

Because the Holy Spirit is working, we must come to Christ.

1. When we come to Christ, we must embrace His Spirit.
2. When we come to Christ, we can trust in His power over evil.
3. When we come to Christ, we are part of His family.

Click the link below to listen:
Mark 2:20-35

Announcements for the Week of October 25

Men’s Bible Study (lunch edition) will be this Wednesday at 12 PM. We will meet at Outback Steakhouse in Ratu Plaza. Come for fellowship and Bible Study.

Friday Youth Fellowship will meet on October 30 at the Beech’s house from 6:00 - 9:00 PM. Ian Beech will be the guest speaker. Youth ages 11 - 16 are invited for food, fellowship and Bible study! The Beech’s home is within walking distance of the church, and is in the same complex where Family Day was held. If you need directions, please talk to Ian or Esther Beech, Edna Romulo, or Jill Sharp.

Picture day! We will be taking family photos for the 2010 church directory today after the service! Please stop in the Journey II class room behind the red curtain immediately following the service to have your photo taken, or plan for next Sunday!

Girl’s Only Bible Study will meet in the church office on Saturday, October 31 at 1:00 PMThere will be a baptism service at the pastor’s house on Sunday, November 22 at 2:30 PM.

If you are interested in Christian baptism please speak with Pastor Stephen, use the communication form on the bulletin, or contact the church office for more information.

Food Gathering Next week, to help our brothers and sisters in the need. We are supporting two street children’s ministries (1) is under Immanuel of Gereja Baptist Getsemani of Pasar Rumput and (2) Street children ministry under Youth For Christ (Ibu Edna) and the food gathering is to help our sister Indonesian congregation in their “Tolong Menolong Ministry” or Mercy Ministry. Don’t forget to bring non-perishable food items or cash donations.

Praise the Lord for such a great family day last Sunday, we had lots of fun, laughs and fellowship. We want to thank our ticket agents who sold 206 tickets. Thanks also to the more than 180 brothers and sisters who participated in this event. Finally, special appreciation is due to the Beech family who allowed us to use their facility. May the fellowship among JIBC’s brothers and sisters continue to be stronger in the days to come as we are united by God’s grace.

God Gives Strength to the Weary

Dear friends,

Are you tired? I mean the kind of tired that a good night’s sleep will not fix. Sometimes a person’s strength is worn down by the grind of life. The stress of work, anxiety about the future, and even relationships can be draining. What can you do to recharge?

You can go to the One who made us in the first place and renew your strength in Him. Remember, I am not just talking about being sleepy or sick. We all know those are small issues compared to a heavy spiritual heart. The scripture encourages us with these words:

“He gives power to the faint and to him that has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint” (Is. 40:29-31).

One of the things that wears us out is our constant looking for power in created things rather than the Creator. The Christian finds strength and energy in his or her relationship with God. Wait on Him and be renewed!

Your servant,

Stephen

Rev. Stephen St. John
Pastor/Elder

The Caring Church

So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls. And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved (Acts 2:41-47).

How are people different when they become part of the body of Christ?

1. Christian people must be worshipping! We must be a worshipping church.
2. Christian people must be growing! We must be a growing church.
3. Christian people must be caring! We must be a caring church.

Click the link below to listen:
Acts 2:41-47

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