2024 August 11
Thriving in Terrible Times
Series: You Were Created to Become Like Christ
Daniel’s Training in Babylon
1 In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it. 2 And the Lord delivered Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, along with some of the articles from the temple of God. These he carried off to the temple of his god in Babylonia and put in the treasure house of his god.
3 Then the king ordered Ashpenaz, chief of his court officials, to bring into the king’s service some of the Israelites from the royal family and the nobility— 4 young men without any physical defect, handsome, showing aptitude for every kind of learning, well informed, quick to understand, and qualified to serve in the king’s palace. He was to teach them the language and literature of the Babylonians. 5 The king assigned them a daily amount of food and wine from the king’s table. They were to be trained for three years, and after that they were to enter the king’s service.
6 Among those who were chosen were some from Judah: Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah. 7 The chief official gave them new names: to Daniel, the name Belteshazzar; to Hananiah, Shadrach; to Mishael, Meshach; and to Azariah, Abednego.
8 But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way. 9 Now God had caused the official to show favor and compassion to Daniel, 10 but the official told Daniel, “I am afraid of my lord the king, who has assigned your food and drink. Why should he see you looking worse than the other young men your age? The king would then have my head because of you.”
11 Daniel then said to the guard whom the chief official had appointed over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah, 12 “Please test your servants for ten days: Give us nothing but vegetables to eat and water to drink. 13 Then compare our appearance with that of the young men who eat the royal food, and treat your servants in accordance with what you see.” 14 So he agreed to this and tested them for ten days.
15 At the end of the ten days they looked healthier and better nourished than any of the young men who ate the royal food. 16 So the guard took away their choice food and the wine they were to drink and gave them vegetables instead.
17 To these four young men God gave knowledge and understanding of all kinds of literature and learning. And Daniel could understand visions and dreams of all kinds.
18 At the end of the time set by the king to bring them into his service, the chief official presented them to Nebuchadnezzar. 19 The king talked with them, and he found none equal to Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah; so they entered the king’s service. 20 In every matter of wisdom and understanding about which the king questioned them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters in his whole kingdom.
21 And Daniel remained there until the first year of King Cyrus.
English Ministry News
Care Fare (Student Zone): Join us for lunch and making care packages.
Sunday, Aug 11 1:00 – 4:40PM @ Church
Plan to Protect Training: Saturday August 17, 9AM-12PM
contact Pastor Santos
Prayer Room: Tuesday August 20, 8:30PM, Sanctuary A
Adult Zone Fellowship: Plans for Future
August 25 12:45-3PM, Free Lunch, MultiPurpose
Frosh ConneXion: Tuesday, August 13 @ 6PM (North York Chinese Baptist Church)
Free for all incoming frosh (Upper years $10)
Registration Deadline (w/ Dinner Aug 1, 11:59PM) (w/o Dinner anytime before event)
Contact: Serene Chiu or Matthias Ko
gcgcny.link/fx
Softball Games: gcgcny.link/softball
Today:
Cup @ 2PM & 4PM
Sack of Rice @ 6PM
Prayer Meetings
Tuesday – 7:15PM, Contact Pastoral Team
Sunday – 9:20AM in Conference Room
Student Zone Alpha: Questions? Contact Ryan Lee
Join in Prayer – gcgcny.link/prayalpha
Join in Person – gcgcny.link/tryalpha
Interested in becoming a Genesis Adult Leader?
gcgcny.link/youthleader
Adult Zone Ministry: Currently Waitlist
Volleyball Ministry – Contact: Terence Ma (terencecyma@gmail.com)
1. Casual Level – Wednesday 7:30-10:00pm
2. Semi-Competitive Level – Saturday Mornings
Weekly Signup Required – Regular GCGCNY attendees get priority Wednesdays if signed up
Join Discord Server – https://tinyurl.com/gcgcnyvball
The Bar Ministry: Serving singles in Christ. Contact Roland or Haidan. www.thebarministry.wordpress.com
Professional Christian Counseling—up to 8 free sessions to GCGCNY attendees. Contact Rev. Ted.
Rahab Ministry—a faith-based ministry, empowering women and children in the sex trade to be liberated and restored. For more info, contact 647-992-8029 or visit www:rahabministry.ca
EM Women’s Cell (Elizabeth and Mary): to new mothers & women of expecting motherhood. Monthly Sat AM (9:30-10:30am), monthly Tues PM prayer (8-9)pm.
Bible In a Year Group:
– Pastor Michelle: Hard copy
Church News
PCA Shoe Donations: Our church has currently received over 600 pairs of shoes and has sent them to the PCA.
Thank you all for your loving support, and may the Lord let the children in Africa feel the love of Jesus Christ.
GCGCNY 30th Anniversary Videos: gcgcny.link/30
Plan to Protect Training: for church staff/volunteers serving children, youths, elderly, and other vulnerable people
register with Pastor Eva or Ministry Leader, gcgcny.link/plantoprotect
Upcoming – August session on serving the youths
GCS Summer Day Camp Registration for Children born 2019 (JK) to 2012 (G6)
July 2 – August 23 – Fee $170/week
Fun with Characters, Worship, Music, Arts, Gym & Field trips
For details please go to https://gcsny.ca/summer-camps/
Community Buddies Grace Community Service
A friendly space for people on the autistic spectrum or with other special needs
We Offer: one-on-one mentorship, social group, psycho-education, information and resource, recreation, virtual and in-person support for participants and caregivers, all services are free
Interested in participating or volunteering? gcgcny.link/buddies
Serving Opportunities
We are Looking For:
• Sunday School Teachers and Assistants (contact Pastor Santos: santos.chan@gcgcny.org)
• Service Ushers—must be able to attend service in-person (contact Roland: c.rolandchan@gmail.com)
• Genesis (Youth Ministry) Adult Leader (contact Santos Chan) gcgcny.link/youthleader
• “Rooted” (Post-secondary Discipleship Groups) Leaders (contact Elim or Miga)
• Community Buddies Grace Community Services (gcgcny.link/buddies)
Last Week’s Attendance:
– Cantonese 186
– Mandarin 105
– English 97
– Children 39
– Tendercare 22
– Prayer Meetings: 52
Last Week’s Offering:
– General 17,081 (YTD 456,997.89)
– Building 570 (YTD 7,457)
– Special Fund Mission 475 (YTD 12,622.57)
– Foodbank 511.76 (YTD 10,626.17)