Lou Hei & Steamboat!

a great time of fellowshipping and dinner.

To Go Beyond (Book of Ruth)

Teens and Youth Camp Session
Speaker: Yvonne
Theme: The Team to Belong to Go Beyond

The Family of God provides us with direction and encouragement to follow God and eventually discover His plans for our lives
+ Naomi was there when Ruth needed advice
+ Ruth had Boaz's protection, hence able to glean safely

Therefore, it is important for us to have the Family of God with us. To follow God's way is never an easy task, but with the family of God playing the supporting role, it becomes easier for us to continue the journey.

2. In difficult times, being amongst God's family will help remind us of God's promises
and blessings, thus keeping us focused on trusting God

By choosing to remain in God's family, we will be able to remember God's blessings and have
God's favour with us.

How can I apply this in my life?

It is important to belong to the 'right' team if we want to go 'beyond' with God.

Believe in God's family
Ephesians 5: 8-10 (The Message) talks about God's instruction to us when we decide to follow Him. It is ot just LIP service that we should do, but concrete actions. When we make that decision, we must believe & make the commitment. May our actions & decisions reflect our words.
You groped your way through that murk once, but no longer. You're out in the open now. The bright light of Christ makes your way plain. So no more stumbling around. Get on with it! The good, the right, the true—these are the actions appropriate for daylight hours. Figure out what will please Christ, and then do it.
1 John 3:1
What marvelous love the Father has extended to us! Just look at it—we're called children of God! That's who we really are. But that's also why the world doesn't recognize us or take us seriously, because it has no idea who he is or what he's up to.


Openness within God's family

Ephesians 4:15
God wants us to grow up, to know the whole truth and tell it in love—like Christ in everything. We take our lead from Christ, who is the source of everything we do. He keeps us in step with each other.

Speak the truth in love. Sometimes we may not like some people or somethings among us, but
if we want to remain in God's family, we must speak to the person in truth (openness) and in
love, so that it does not hinder our individual walks in church. There should not be any
pretension, false flattery and lies if we want to have meaningful fellowship. Be real with one
another.

Nobody is nobody in God's family
Proverbs 16:4,9
4 God made everything with a place and purpose; even the wicked are included—but for judgment.
9 We plan the way we want to live, but only God makes us able to live it.
There is nothing wrong to be amond non-believers. But be aware of the acts & decisions you
are involved in. Be strong & be firm in knowing what you should not participate in because of
the love of the life God has entrusted you

! What is the point of doing something that does not put you closer to God?

We all have our natural weaknesses. We fail; we sin. But when we are in an environment that promotes us to walk closer to God, it makes a difference. This is the significance & importance of going to church and growing in it. Everybody's presence does matter in the fellowship of Christ.

Decide to be part of God's family
1 Thessalonians 5:11
So speak encouraging words to one another. Build up hope so you'll all be together in this, no one left out, no one left behind. I know you're already doing this; just keep on doing it.

Decide to stay in a fellowship that helps you to grow closer to God. God's plan for us is laid out clearly, but it depends on our OWN choices. Ruth made the choice to stay in God's family and so she could endure the hardship and eventually experiencing God's blessings.

! Whatever little you may think you have, it still matters in the expansion of God's Kingdom.
Things you do may be insignificant and go unnoticed in this world, but it is significant in God's world and reaches a far greater good. Being in God's family gives us the opportunity to give to the Lord.

Don't let human conflicts (spiritual warfare) stop you from coming into the Body of Christ. Always look at the greater purpose- to give unto the Lord.

Conclusion:

Believe in God's family. It can help you discover God. When you choose to avail yourself, God will DEFINITELY use you.

Lesson: You may not like everybody, but instead of being judgmental, are you committed to speak in truth, pray for the other party etc?

Ask yourself: Can you be accountable to someone? What do you want to be committed to?

For future sharing/sermon notes, pls log in to www.zohowriter.com and the username and password is the same as it is for this blog. (:

Adonai League Champions

Our senior boys bagged the Adonai Championship Title after months of tough fights.
(more photos up soon in the gallery!)


The formation of the current team was in 1993 when the then youth pastor, Dennis Tan had a vision of reaching out to street kids, although COA soccer team has been in existence for years. Thus the concrete formation of Ascension Football Club started in 1993.

A team with strong footballing tradition, the team has participated in various competitions and church leagues through the years.

After years of seeing team members going separate ways, the team got together again to participate in the Adonai Soccer League. The team is using this platform to rekindle friendships, fellowship and making new friends. Of course COA always has the fighting spirit to do well in all competitions.

We entered Adonai as newcomers in 2007 and finished top 6 which was a commendable effort and the team is looking to do better in 2008. So look out for the dark horse of the competition.

A Tribute to Vanilla.

Vanilia was missing for a few weeks and was finally found today. However, what was seen was a lifeless body lying in the drain. Vanilia is known as Ascension's cat because of its frequent catwalks around our premises, and sometimes even sneaking into our Youth Room. She has been a favourite among the youths as well was the 'aunties' in our church.

New Photo Album

Hi folks. our current webshots albums are hitting it's limit due to our overwhelming number of photos taken throughout all those memorable events.

Thus, we've created a new photo album! its's faster, and more user-friendly.

http://ascensiontny.multiply.com/

The camp photos as well as CBC photos are up! (:

Belonging

Teens and Youth Camp 2008

Are you on?