Thoughts from Steve- The Champion Spirit.

During our recent holiday I had the chance to share the devotional readings that Lyn brought which focused on joy, written by a Canadian Pastor from Regent’s College in Vancouver. I thought the themes of joy for a nomadic faith community like Oasis would be encouraging as we start a new year.

“Ín the heavens he has pitched a tent for the sun, which is like a bridegroom coming forth from his pavilion, like a champion rejoicing to run his course” Psalm 19:4,5

The Psalmist David knew about champions. He launched his career by defeating a “champion named Goliath” (I Sam 17:4), and in David’s army, special honour was given to champions known as “mighty men”. One of David’s mighty men “went down into a pit on a snowy day and killed a lion”. Another raised his spear against 800 men, whom he killed in one encounter. A champion named Eleazar, when all the rest of the Israelite army retreated, “stood his ground and struck down the philistines till his hand grew tired and froze to the sword” ( II Sam 23:8-10,20).

This is the spirit that’s needed to win through to a life of joy. Instead of feet that flee from difficulties, we need hands that freeze to our swords. Even champion is too weak a word for the true Christian, that roving, dangerous, hoodlum warrior of God. To paraphrase Romans 8:37, “We are more than champions through Him who loved us”.

Joy lives dangerously. If an experience is deeply satisfying, it usually holds an element of uncertainty. If satisfaction is to enlarge into joy, the uncertainty factor will be high. Risk, peril, unpredictability are the air that joy breathes. Remove these factors and joy suffocates. This is why God has designed for us a life that can only be lived by faith….

The course of a champion required continual growth. For the person who is growing, each day is different. Each hour presents new challenges that have to be met with new strategies. If we’re stuck in a rut, we don’t need new strategies; we can live by the same old rules and never change a thing. To joy this is intolerable. Joy requires freshness, newness, stimulation. Joy thrives on the unboxable largeness of life in all its bewildering variety. Depression feeds on sameness, but joy craves a steady diet of fresh, dangerous, wiggling, live game…Don’t just be a survivor of life; be “a champion rejoicing to run one’s course”. (By Mike Manson, Champagne for the Soul, pg. 81-82).

This coming Sunday: the Worship team will be led by Stephanie, and Steve will focus on: “Connecting to one another- Biblical basis of making healthy relationships within Christian communities” (Acts 2:43-47)

Advance Notice: Oasis Annual General Meeting (AGM) banquet will be held on Saturday, February 18^th. A time to celebrate the good stuff which happened in the life of Oasis this past year, such as significant milestones and God’s activity in people’s lives. We will also share our vision and our challenges ahead as we begin our 5^th year of the journey as a global church in Macau-more to come later.

Church Council Meeting: Saturday, January 21^st from 9:30AM to 11:30AM. Details to follow. Let’s get ready for the AGM with vision and outline the challenges for the next phase of the Oasis journey!

Home Groups:

Tuesday Morning Ladies Bible Study- Contact Marissa for details.

Tuesday Night Home Group at Matt’s- Starting a focus on the Book of Ephesians. Study books available from Matt.

Tuesday Night Home Group at Tony’s- Beginning a study on the Old Testament prophet Zechariah. Contact person is Tony.

Youth – Saturday, January 14^th- progressive dinner.  Don’t forget you dishes!  Contact person is Twyla.

Saturday, January 21^st, Anni will be doing youth.  Details yet to come.

If you have items that you would like included in future eNews, or questions about upcoming events, please contact, Twyla, at info@oasisinteranationalchurch.com.

Oasis E News for December 4^th:

Keeping Christ in Christmas: An awesome message by Tim (14 years old) last week, challenged all of us not to simply buy into the worldly customs of celebrating Christmas, but cultivating the real meaning in the ways we remember and celebrate, especially in our families. Well done- we needed to hear that at the front end of the Christmas season.

See What does Advent Mean to us Today article.

This Coming Sunday Service: The Transformation Choice- from Matthew 5:6- “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness”. Here Jesus turns one of the elemental human instincts to spiritual use. There is in all people a hunger for food, for love, for God. It is a passionate hunger and thirst for goodness, for holiness. The word for “filled” (χορτασθησονται [chortasthesontai]) means to feed or to fatten cattle from the word for fodder or grass, like Mark 6:39 “green grass” (χορτος χλωρος [chortos chloros]). We will look at Jacob’s life to see what that can look like (Genesis chapters 28-32).

December 11^th: Steven will speak on The Relationship Choice (Matthew 18:21-35) as we conclude this teaching series. Plus Celebration of the Lord’s Supper.

Prayer Focus:

·            International: Deteriorating situation in Syria, Egyptian Elections, and Pakistan after losing soldiers in a misfire attack from NATO forces.

·            Local: Those who are currently making decisions about upcoming contract negotiations in the various industries in Macau. Many Oasis people also at this point in their employment situations.

·        For many to have a desire to discover Jesus for themselves in this Christmas season. For those reading the booklet, “Why Jesus?”. 

Greeters and Ushers needed December and through January:

Description of what is needed:

Greeting:
- Arrive between 10:30 and 10:40.
- Take one of the free standing signs down and leave by the elevator.
- Greet people as they arrive; direct new folk to the elevator or stairs and remind them its 2nd

   floor.
- Stay until around 11:15.
- Return sign upstairs after the service.

Ushering & set-up:
-Arrive around 10:40.
- Set up greeting area with name tags and other miscellaneous things from the cupboard.   

  Tea/coffee supplies out. (Note: Dora takes responsibility for making sure the drinks box is

  kept stocked). Offering bags placed up the front of the church. (James, Kim and Ellie take

  responsibility for counting the offering).
- Greet people as they arrive, esp new folk.
- Ensure new people and late people can find a seat.
- With the help of Mrs Lam, put out more chairs if necessary.
- Do a count of heads and note in the offering book.
- Pack away name tags and other materials after the service.

See Lyn or Mabel if you are able to serve in this area.

Home Groups:

Tuesday Morning Ladies Bible Study- Continuing with the study on Isaiah. Contact person is Marissa.

Tuesday Night Home Group – Continuing a study called The Father Heart of God with Martie. Contact person is Matt.

 Thursday/Tuesday Night Home Group- Meetings will be on Tuesday for the next few weeks. Continuing a study on money.  Tony is the Contact person.

 Youth – Saturday, December 10^th, will be with Anni.  They will be working on their performance for the service on the 18^th.  Meeting from 6:30-9pm.  Contact person for next week is Anni.

If you have items that you would like included in future eNews, or questions about upcoming events, please contact, Twyla, at info@oasisinteranationalchurch.com.

Steve’s message notes

The Reality Choice

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Howard’s message notes:

The Commitment Choice

Oasis Enews for November 6th
Reflections from Steve: Godly character leaves a legacy which influences people for years to come, and part of our mission challenge at Oasis is being there for each other- often God’s love, encouragement, and correction comes from trusted relationships with one another. I’ve been challenging the men of the church to seek and find accountability partners by which to live this out. To help and motivate us to make this happen, the Oasis library has 6 copies of the Accountable Man, by Tom L. Eisenman, in our library for people to borrow and see how this could work out, and how it looks in practice.  Two concepts it puts out for our consideration are these:

Ø    Renewal begins in repentance and continues in obedience, strengthened by accountability- connecting with one another at these heart levels sharpens our spiritual formation and increases our receptivity and responsiveness to the activity of God in our lives.

Ø    Pursuing Integrity through trust and friendship. Unfortunately, our Macau work culture often separates men from one another, and it takes a good dose of being intentional to forge these kind of trusted relationships.

Ø    God intends to use trusted relationships  to purify our character  and continually transform and revitalize our relationship with Him- me and Jesus alone is good, but spiritual growth can quickly plateau without having the dynamic of sharing that journey with others.

Let’s keep the conversation going as we seek practical and workable ways to set up and strengthen this healthy dynamic in our lives as men! Steve

Sunday Services:

Nov. 6^th- Teaching series, “Life’s healing choices”- attached are the study notes from the first message. This week will be “The Hope Choice”, Matthew 5:4.

Nov. 13^th: The Commitment Choice ( Matthew 5:5) plus sharing of the Lord’s Supper.

New Song: Doreen is teaching a new song this week. 

The song is “We the Redeemed” by Hillsong.
Here’s the link if you want to listen to it beforehand: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=osxb0f97umA&feature=related

Ministry Opportunities:

 Bible distribution with SPCM- dates are: Thursday, Nov 3 – am, Friday, Nov 4 – am, Saturday, Nov 5 – 1-3pm, Sunday, Nov 6 pm – 1-3 pm, Monday, Nov 7 – am, Tuesday, Nov 8 – am, Thursday, Nov 10 – am, Saturday Nov 12 – 1-3 pm, Sunday, Nov 13 – 1-3 pm, Monday, Nov 14 -  am, Tuesday, Nov 15 – am, Wednesday, Nov 16 – am, Thursday, Nov 18 – am.

If you have questions and want to find out more, Susan keeps up with what is happening.

Teaching in Sunday School- please contact Doreen.

God and the Marketplace: Several have asked for the link to the video clip on “Kingdom Business in China”, by Bill Job. http://www.bluefishtv.com/Store/Browse/Downloadable_Video_Illustrations

Home Groups

Tuesday Morning Ladies Bible Study – Contact person is Marissa.

Tuesday Night Home Group – continuing our study on “The Father Heart of God” with Martie.  Contact person is Matt.

Tuesday Night Home Group- Continuing study on Romans.  Contact person is Amanda.

Youth – will be on Saturday, Nov. 5^th from 6:30-9:00pm.  Anni will be doing creative worship.

 If you have items that you would like included in future eNews, or questions about upcoming events, please contact Twyla at info@oasisinteranationalchurch.com.

October 29 Women’s Retreat

Current Theme: “God and the Marketplace”- we’ve been focusing on the question, how do we live out our lives as Jesus’ followers in our work? Tony will be sharing this Sunday about the example of Daniel as found in Chapter 6.

We will also be sharing the Lord’s Supper this coming Sunday.

Reflections from Steve- What are some essential leadership principles in the cross-cultural Mission in Macau?

In the cross-cultural mission environment that we found ourselves in during the past 14 years, what have been some of the essential keys for leadership?

“Someone has to keep a cool head”- being in the middle of exercising ministry within a linguistic/cultural fog at times, in restricted access areas, can be very stressful! Someone has to keep it together, and give guidance in complex and emotional situations.

Sets the tone and pace of what will happen– Good leadership will provide a logistical, strategic, and relational/emotional framework for the ministry context to happen– for both colleagues and co-workers. This is especially required for working with volunteers, who can significantly add leverage to your ministry efforts.

Bring Perspective– Which is often the first thing everyone loses in a cross-cultural environment! Learning to manage all the complex emotions while living in close quarters with your colleagues is a foundational skill required for medium to long term service– and the quick loss of perspective threatens this foundation on a regular basis ( unrealistic expectations is another danger). Having others who will walk alongside us and help to restore our perspective is God’s gift and treasure to us.

Uses Humour- Hell and Heaven, restricted Governments and their agents, hardship and suffering all around us– when we take this too serious, we then start to lose it! Humour has been absolutely essential for our survival in Macau and Beyond– but beware- its really weird and wacky to outsiders!

Share the long term perspective on the Kingdom work going on– helps to maintain a positive attitude and keeps before the team the real significance of what is going on, despite the day to day hardships and inability to see any visible difference in the teams’ efforts.

Facilitates personal and corporate discovery of meaning in what we do– enables people to find the meaning and purpose of their efforts, and affirms/encourages those efforts. This can energize and motivate despite whatever hardships the situation and team is going through.

Perceives, initiates and mobilizes a team response to emerging ministry/business opportunities. Someone has to be on watch, and is ready to network effective responses among ministry partners for unique “holes in the wall”- these mission opportunities that quickly emerge, but also can quickly fade due to lateness of response.

Take people from where they are, to where they need to be– This is a long term perspective, and for most Westerners (in East Asia), it will take up to eight years of significant investment in language acquisition, developing relationships with locals, and in learning from the cross-cultural journey all that the Lord wants in a person’s life to incarnate Christ in that particular setting. Effective leaders walk alongside people on such a journey, working through these different stages as Christ leads them.

Initiate and cultivate relationships with other credible ministry partners who have a Kingdom Vision- God is raising entire mission networks in urban areas, and much more can be done together than just by ourselves. For the sake of the Kingdom, any “ministry success”/ manna that we gain must be re-invested into new ventures and new partners. Time is running out, and we need to have a sense of urgency in building Kingdom momentum in these large cities in East Asia!

Religious Freedom in Macau: Something to be grateful for in our city- a recent article can be found at http://www.macaudailytimes.com.mo/macau/29726-Religious-freedom-respected-MSAR.html

Health and Safety @ Oasis- please be aware that if we need to vacate the Oriental Club/ worship service in an emergency situation, the ushers will direct you to the stairwell on the right-hand side as you depart from Oasis. Down the road and across the street from Cup of Coffee is our assembly area- we would then count and make sure everyone is present. Please take your kids down those stairs and show them the assembly area, so that they are orientated to this drill.

 Home Groups:

Tuesday Morning Ladies Bible Study- contact person is Marissa.

 Tuesday Night Home Group – we began “Father Heart of God” last week with Martie and were challenged through many scriptures to value and seek “Truth” above “Knowledge”.  Over the next few weeks we will learn more about touching the heart of God and removing the things that hinder us from freedom and living in the truth.  Contact person is Matt.

 Tuesday Night Home Group (formerly Thurs night group)- continuing our study on Romans.  Contact person is Amanda.

Youth- Friday, Oct 21st.  BBQ and beach sports at Hac Sa.  To go together, meet at the bus stop outside Oasis church at 5:45pm.  We will take the first bus that comes so be on time.  Otherwise meet at Hac Sa on the beach behind the bbq vendors.  Feel free to bring frisbees, soccer ball, etc.  Depending on sunset, we may come back to Taipa before 9pm and get a treat at McDonalds.  Contact person is Twyla.

If you have items that you would like included in future eNews, or questions about upcoming events, please contact, Twyla, at info@oasisinteranationalchurch.com.

Oasis E New for October 2^nd

Growing a spiritually influential Jesus community

 The desired outcome of our current focus on “God and the Marketplace” is simply that- to be spiritually influential in the workplaces of Macau. How do we do that and what does that look like? These are some of the questions we are trying to address in our teaching series. In these coming 3 weeks we will look at the life of Daniel- a follower of God in exile in Babylon. His life demonstrates how to walk in integrity with God while serving the interests of the government of his day.

 This Coming Sunday: God, Conformity and the Marketplace- Daniel 1

 October 9^th: Howie will lead a focus as part of the family service + lunch to follow.  Those who are able to- bring a plate for sharing- desserts, fruit or kid’s snacks.  Thanks and Blessings……Mabel

 October 16^th: Tony will lead on a focus on a particularly difficult test that Daniel endured in faith.

 October 15^th (Saturday) Heng Jing Island Bike Tour: will depart from the Lotus Bridge Gate at 9:00 AM sharp. Be sure to have China visa, lunch, water, and bike stuff. (note that Mrs. Lam at the Oriental Club has two suitable mountain bikes to rent). Plan to return to Macau around 4 PM. Please contact Steve if interested.

Home Groups:

·      Tuesday Morning Bible Study – We are doing a study on Psalms of Mercy and Hope, Psalms 90-106.  Contact person is Marissa.

·      Tuesday Night – continuing a study on Spiritual Disciplines.  Contact person is Matt. Will begin the focus on The Father Heart of God, lead by Martie on October 11^th.

·      Thursday Night – Contact person is Amanda.

·      Youth- Saturday, Oct 8th, Anni will be doing intro to circus as well as intro to hand mime and hip hop.  Anni is the contact person for Sat night.

Upcoming Women’s Retreat info:

Coming soon – GALS!  Retreat Day at Coloane:

Theme: The Joy of the Lord is my Strength

For: All Oasis Gals, and friends (sorry, no men, no kids)

When: To be confirmed but probably Saturday October 29^th; 9:30-4ish

What: Time of fellowship, worship, teaching and just plain fun together!

If you have items that you would like included in future eNews, or questions about upcoming events, please contact Twyla at info@oasisinteranationalchurch.com.

Here are Steve’s slides from this study:

Moving from Sunday to Monday - workplace and God

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Revised- Hearing the Voice of God in the Workplace

Dear Oasis Family and Friends,

Oasis E News for September 25^th:

How to pray for your own church: We are always open to welcome the influences and contributions from the home groups (the church “scattered”) to the church “gathered” as the community we call Oasis- feeding what God is doing in the small groups to the larger group. On Tuesday the home group focused on using the scriptures for prayer, and used Ephesians 1:15-19 and Philippians 1:3-6 as the starting point for intercessory prayer for four churches in Macau- Horizon Fellowship, Morrison Chapel’s new service at MAC, The ICA church, and Oasis. We seem to have a special affinity to these sister churches, and I followed up with an e-mail to each one saying we were praying for them. They also responded back to us with similar thoughts. So if you are so moved, please pray these scriptures on behalf of our own community at Oasis as you have opportunity. (Pastor Steve)

Worship service for Sunday Sept. 25^th: Our primary focus is to love and serve God through song, scripture, prayer, confession and yielding to His purposes in our hearts. The teaching will be: “How to listen to God in the Marketplace”, with Steve speaking. Sharing will be the Chase family.

October 2^nd: teaching focus from Steve will be, “6 stages to Becoming a Change agent”. This continues our series on God and the Marketplace.

October 9^th: Special Family service, with Lunch to follow. (Note that Sunday School doesn’t happen when we have our combined, inter-generational family services).

Life in Macau: Autumn has arrived- the best time of year in Macau! Cooler and dry weather will last until early December. Some tips for living in Macau:

·      Air Conditioners need to have their filters cleaned at least once a month- especially during summer usage.

·      When you move into a new apartment, be sure to change at least one of the locks. Otherwise, one could be burgled from a previous tenant with keys (Unfortunately, this has happened before to some who have moved to Macau).

      Home Groups:

·      Tuesday Morning Bible Study – We are doing a study on Psalms of Mercy and Hope, Psalms 90-106.  Contact person is Marissa.

·      Tuesday Night – continuing a study on Spiritual Disciplines.  Contact person is Matt. Will begin the focus on The Father Heart of God, lead by Martie on October 11^th.

·      Thursday Night – continuing a study on Romans.  Contact person is Amanda.

·      Youth – Saturday, Sept. 24^th, Anni will be leading youth in games and introducing creative worship.    Details can be found on Oasis facebook page.

Friday, Sept. 30^th will be BBQ and frisbee out at Hac Sa Beach.  If youth wish to go on the bus together, meet at the bus stop outside Oasis at 5:45.  We will take the first bus that comes, so be on time.

Upcoming Women’s Retreat info:

Coming soon – GALS!  Retreat Day at Coloane:

Theme: The Joy of the Lord is my Strength

For: All Oasis Gals, and friends (sorry, no men, no kids)

When: To be confirmed but probably Saturday October 29^th; 9:30-4ish

What: Time of fellowship, worship, teaching and just plain fun together!

** Why is Christianity booming in China? ** Chinese people are converting to Christianity in huge numbers, and one theory is that rampant capitalism is the cause.

< http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/em/fr/-/news/magazine-14838749 >

Oasis @ Recreation:

The bike tour of Heng Jing Island has been rescheduled- it will now be on Saturday, Oct. 15^th.  New details will be posted soon.  In the mean time, make sure your China visa is up to date.

If you have items that you would like included in future eNews, or questions about upcoming events, please contact Twyla at info@oasisinteranationalchurch.com.

Dear Oasis Family and Friends,

Reflections from Pastor Steve continuing our study on Proverbs

What is the difference between knowledge and wisdom?

I like this quote from Eugene Peterson that explains the difference between these two terms; “There is a great chasm in our western world in the way words are used.. It is the split between words that describe the world and reality from as much distance as possible through generalities and abstractions, and words that express the world and reality by entering into it, participating into it by metaphor and command. Describing words can be set under the Latin term scientia, expressing words under the sapientia, or in English, science and wisdom. Science is information that is stored in the head that can be used impersonally; wisdom is intelligence that comes from the heart, which can only be lived personally in relationships… All knowledge, both science and wisdom, has content to it. But science characteristically depersonalizes knowledge in order to make it more exact, precise, objective, and manageable. Wisdom, on the other hand, personalizes knowledge in order to live intensely, faithfully, healthily. For science, an item of knowledge is the same in any place or time for any kind of person. For wisdom, an item of knowledge is custom-made; timing, placing, fitting into the uniqueness of a person is essential. “Two plus Two equals four” means exactly the same thing for a five year old kindergartner and a fifty year old Noble prize-winning economist. “I love you” means something different every time it is said, depending upon who says it, the tone in which it is said, the circumstances surrounding the statement, and the person to whom the statement is addressed.  (Eugene Peterson, The Unnecessary Pastor, p. 133).

That is why we teach God’s wisdom as critical and necessary in our lives- in a world that can quickly reduce relationships as simply things to own and acquire, let’s cultivate sound, Godly wisdom which leads to living well and richly in our relationships- to Jesus, those around us, ourselves, and our planet. Pastor Steve

Sunday, August 28^th – Steven will be sharing from Proverbs.  A pizza lunch will be served following the service.  Everyone is invited to stay and fellowship.  It will be a great time to reconnect after the summer and get to know people that are new to Macau and Oasis.

Home Groups:

Tuesday morning Ladies Bible Study.

Weekly at 10am, alternates between Macau side and Taipa.

Contact person: Marissa

Currently finishing a study of the book of Revelation; hoping to do a brief study on Mercy & Hope, from Psalms; then begin looking at Isaiah.

Tuesday Evening Home Group: 7: 30 PM

Matt is the coordinator.

Thursday Evening Home Group:

Contact Amanda.

10 tips for teaching young children about God

sales@matthiasmedia.com.au

Interested in learning Cantonese? 

The Education and Youth Affairs Bureau’s (DSEJ) Languages Centre is offering a new Cantonese language course in English.

Registration started on Monday and will run until September 12 at the Languages Centre, located in Rua Formosa. The tuition fee is MOP 100.
The 30-hour course, over 15 sessions, will take place from September 15 to November 7, on Mondays and Thursdays from 7 pm to 9 pm.
This Basic Cantonese Course is designed for local people whose mother-tongue is not Chinese and whose age is 15 years or above. It intends to enhance Cantonese knowledge, focusing on learning to express daily compliments, appreciation, gratitude, emotions, self-introduction and Macau names.
From Macau Times website

If you have items that you would like included in future eNews, or questions about upcoming events, please contact Twyla at info@oasisinteranationalchurch.com.