Announcements
November 23, 2008
Welcome!
We rejoice in your presence as we worship our God together. If you are a visitor and would like more information about us, please visit the welcome and information table at the back of the worship area or speak with the Pastor or any of the Board members.
Joining the COGS Fellowship
If you desire to affiliate with COGS, please fill out a yellow “Join the Fellowship” form, which you will find on the information table in the back of the worship room. You will be added to the COGS database and the e-mail list for Pastor Dan’s midweek note and special announcements.
The COGS Board
COGS members are encouraged to give a portion of their time by supporting the work of one of the standing committees. Please contact the chair with questions or for information.
Jim Gradoville, Chair (Jim.Gradoville@corphq.utc.com)
Bryan Henderson, Vice-Chair (bryan.henderson@cn.pwc.com)
Catherine McCaw, Secretary (Catherine.mccaw@dcbeijing.cn)
Annabelle Cleeve, Education (jacleeve@hotmail.com)
Peter Scheuer, Facilities (pjscheuer@yahoo.com)
Katherine Loevinger, Fellowship (k.loevinger@yahoo.com)
Gabi Carter, Finance (gabi.g.carter@gmail.com)
Hope Davis, Promotions (hopedavis@flash.net)
Liz Durkin, Service (liz_durkin@hotmail.com)
Kathi Suderman, Worship (sudermans@gmail.com)
Education
Bible Study Groups
Please note change in meeting time and day. Our Sunday “in-town” study group now meets every Wednesday evening at the home of Barbara and Bob Birmingham (2309 Building 1 China Central Place, on Xidawang Lu). New members are welcome. Please contact Barbara Birmingham: barbjbirm@gmail.com or by phone (13621087931).
The "out-of-town" Bible study group meets on Tuesday evenings for dinner, Bible study, and prayer. We are currently studying the New Testament Book of Acts. Contact Annabelle Cleeve for details: jacleeve@hotmail.com or 13661118500.
Community Bible Study
The international organization Bible Study Fellowship is a global group that conducts a weekly community Bible study; in Beijing, a women’s group meets each Thursday morning. The course, which began on September 4th, includes independent study by participants during the week. This year's study is focused on the life of Moses. For further information, see the website (www.bsfinternational.org) or write Barbara Birmingham (barbjbirm@gmail.com).
Service
Alternative Christmas Giving
Do you struggle to find fresh, memorable presents for friends, aunts and uncles, or colleagues? COGS has the answer: our alternative Christmas gifts, which are sponsorships for our service projects. You can take care of all your shopping right after the service today and again on November 30th and December 7. You dedicate a sum of money towards a specific project; in exchange, you and receive a card with a photograph and a short explanation of the project. You can then forward the card to your aunt, uncle, cousin, or colleague. Simple, meaningful, and appreciated—and so easy to mail home!
Worship
Prayer Guild
The Worship Committee has secured a number of people who are now engaged in praying for the prayer requests that members of the congregation submit on the green request forms. We are always open to receiving new volunteers for this important ministry. If you would like to participate in the prayer guild, please send an e-mail to Pastor Dan (cogs@cogs-bj.org )
COGS Worship Choir
New singers are always welcome to join the choir. A special welcome is given as the choir prepares for Advent/Christmas performances. Please join the choir and director Matt Gaines at 9:00 a.m. prior to the service of each scheduled choir Sunday (generally second and fourth Sundays of the month). The next scheduled choir Sunday will be December 14. We will also sing on December 21st, and again on Christmas Eve.
Attention, Instrumentalists!
Your skills are needed. If you play an instrument with relative proficiency, COGS invites you to consider playing an offertory or prelude during a Sunday worship service. If you fit this profile, please be in touch with Kathi Suderman, Worship Committee Chairperson, at sudermans@gmail.com . (Others are also welcome to share knowledge of COGS members that play various instruments.)
Fellowship
Christmas is coming! So, mark your calendars for:
NEW DATE - A Christmas Carol - December 18th
Oops! Our enthusiasm got the better of us . . . the December 7th matinee is already sold out, so we've decided to go on Family Night, Thursday December 18th at 7:30 pm. The bonus is that all students are half price (Rmb 130, vs. Rmb 260 for adults). The Charles Dickens classic is being presented by the Beijing Playhouse (in English with Chinese surtitles) at Block 8, near the West Gate of Chaoyang Park. Please RSVP to Katherine Loevinger at k.loevinger@yahoo.com TODAY, as the only way to reserve tickets is to buy them in advance.
Christmas Luncheon - December 14th
COGS will be holding its annual Christmas Luncheon in the Service Room immediately after service on December 14th. The cost will be RMB180 for adults and RMB90 for children 5-12. Please sign up with Katherine Loevinger after service, or RSVP to k.loevinge@yahoo.com .
Advent Meditations Beijing, volume 2 has arrived! Thirty-two full-color photographs by Joan Lueth in and around Beijing accompany 18 insightful meditations written by CoGS members in this unique journey through Advent. Copies will be for sale each Sunday from now to Christmas. Rmb 75 per copy, or 3 for Rmb 200.\. Donated proceeds go to the CoGS Service Committee.
Wood Carvings for Sale Today
The well-known Christian wood carvers will have some of their work for sale after the service today. Founded in 1986 by Zhang Wan Long, Dong Yang Christian Woodcarving Factory is the only Christian wood carving workshop in China. The works, all hand carved, are made from Dong Yang (camphor) wood. They are rich in meaning and embody the artistic tradition of Dong Yang woodcarving history.
Designed by Mr. Zhang himself, the carvings are his contribution towards further developing Chinese Christian art. In recent years, these works have been exported overseas and welcomed by both Christians and art collectors alike. Mr Zhang is also the father-in-law of our COGS administrative assistant, Stella Zhang.
Promotions
COGS Directory
PHOTOGRAPHERS ARE HERE TODAY and next Sunday to take family photos for the directory. Come to the A/V Room (Sunday school room) across the hall. Thanks.
Community Opportunity
The Beijing Men's Breakfast Study Group meets every Wednesday from 7:30am to 8:30am at the Capitol Club on the 50th Floor of Capitol Mansion. The group offers an excellent opportunity to share fellowship, and we try to have interesting topics relevant to our everyday lives in Beijing and recharge our spiritual energy. For more details, contact Paul Gills at gillis@gsm.pku.edu.cn or David Wong at david.wong@international.gc.ca
Miscellaneous
Taxi Reimbursement
If you live on the west side or far out and have to take a taxi to come to church, we are happy to reimburse you for the trip. Please present your taxi receipt(s) to a Finance Committee member after worship. (You can find us at the back of the worship room after the service.)
Future Announcements
If you wish to put an announcement in the bulletin, please send it before Wednesday evening to our church e-mail address: cogs@fastmail.fm
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