Buzzing with Activities!

Hello friends! We've been like little bumble bees buzzing about with lots of activities for the past few months! Whooh! We praise God that He has guided & provided for us the whole way through! We are indeed very blessed! Here are some of the pictures that we want to share with y'all. :D

Fellowship with PGA Youths at St. John's Chapel.

We had a great time with the PGA youths at their newly opened St. John's chapel. It was our first time there! We introduced to them what is AYC all about, had some ice-breaking session & a game. In addition we also had a session with the little kiddies. We taught them "I love you Jesus" action song. And they presented it in front of everyone. How adorable is that! To wrap things up, we had a light refreshment thereafter. This will be the first of many trips to the youths of St. John's Chapel ,PGA.

PGA has been put in plan to be AYC's mission field for next year! We hope to groom youth leaders & get the youth group there growing in faith! :) Do uphold us in your prayers..

Priest Appreciation Night at Mega Hotel Ballroom

On 30th October, we had a chance to say a big Thank You to our beloved priests...Ven. Solomon Cheong, Revd. Alfred Damu & Revd. Ramdan Mejem! These three wise men of St. Columba's church have been working extremely hard & they are very dedicated to their work & ministry. We have indeed seen wonderful changes and improvements been brought to the church..and we are ever so grateful to have them as our shepherds. Above all, the youths feel very privileged to have them as they are very supportive to the youths & our activities. This was our opportunity to show our appreciation!

Praise & worship by the SCEC Taman Tunku Youths. Great job!

Our priests presenting a song together! Bakat terpendam..

The AYC presented a video presentation which required several weeks of preparation (lotsa brainstorming sessions & getting the right editting software etc) and involved a group of creative & talented bunch of youths (including Blackie, the church dog). We couldn't show you the video here...it's a tad too big, hmm..we'll figure out how to show it ya! The video shows a series of interview we did with random people from the church and we gave it a lil fun twist & made it into an original piece of work... Our very own AYC production and it comes with a cover too, which each priest was given a copy!

Miri Christmas Bazaar 2010

On 4th-9th December, a Christmas Bazaar was held at Dewan Suarah Miri. AYC set up a stall selling handmade crafts (courtesy of Live-Love-Craft), maruku, books, CDs, t-shirts, decorative items from Crossway Bookstore and also calenders! It was a hectic week but we managed pretty well. Praise God! There were many other stalls set up by various churches as well. And every day we have a different church to perform songs on stage to entertain the people. It was pretty awesome to see that many churches are able to come together to take part in this bazaar!

Too tired to Pray

Have you ever been in the midst of an ongoing challenge of life whose sting never ceased? As one day faded into the next, you wondered how you would have the energy to make it through. You looked for direction asking, "What can I do that will make my situation different?"
 
I have been there, done that, and bought the t-shirt. I am a survivor of some tough challenges. Challenges that stole my energy, zest for life, and belief that things could change. In fact, I am currently living such a challenge and have been for several years.
 
During difficult days my godly friends offer wise counsel. They point me to scripture with aspirations of encouraging me and bringing hope to what I deem hopeless. My friends hold me up in prayer. They remind me to pray. However, there are times when the weight of my circumstances are so heavy, when I bow my head to pray I find I am just too tired.
 I am tired of moving forward one day, only to run into another obstacle that prohibits progress the next day. I am tired of expelling my energies trying to make a difference, only to find myself right back where I was before. Because this situation robs me of spiritual, mental and physical energy, I feel too tired to pray.

I am too tired to pray until I remember a man in the Bible. This man found himself in a challenge that had the potential to rob him of spiritual, mental, and physical strength. He ran into one obstacle after another and worked hard each day trying to make a difference. Unlike me, this man was not too tired to pray.

The man is Nehemiah. He wept and mourned over the condition of Jerusalem after the exiles returned from Babylon. He was motivated to help his people rebuild. Having the favor of the king and the presence of God on his side, one would assume the assignment would not be a challenge. However, government officials Sanballat and Tobiah, made it their personal business to undermine the rebuilding progress. Nehemiah responded to each insult and obstacle the same way: he prayed.

Nehemiah and the Israelites found praying was the needed prescription to revive them, restore their energy and continue building! Through the power of prayer their enemies were defeated and the wall was rebuilt. What a wonderful lesson for anyone struggling through life's challenges, too tired to pray. Let's examine this prescription for those who are overwhelmed.

We can simplify Nehemiah's prayer prescription as SAP (Stop and Pray). According to Dictionary.com the word sap means energy and vitality. Vitality is defined as exuberant physical strength or mental vigor; power to live and grow. Nehemiah had it right. He made prayer his first choice, not his last resort. He discovered prayer would revive his spirit and restore the mental and physical energy needed to overcome challenges.

Do you find yourself facing a challenge? Have you felt just too tired to pray? Join me today as I SAP— stop and pray. Let's allow the power of prayer to revive our spirit and restore our physical and mental vigor. By following Nehemiah's example we will have the energy needed to defeat the enemy and thrive in the midst of our challenges.

Dear Lord, through the power of prayer, today's challenge can be tomorrow's victory. Forgive me when I make prayer my last resort instead of my first choice. Help me remember the truths You have taught me today. Help me SAP when adversity comes my way. Thank You for prayer and the power I receive when I turn to You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Application Steps:

Write the word SAP and its meaning (energy and vitality) on several note cards. Place them in your home, car, work and Bible, to remind you to SAP.

Each time a difficult situation occurs, no matter how small, SAP.

Reflections:

How do I feel about my prayer life?

Am I willing to SAP whenever a situation occurs? If not, why?
Am I currently in a tough life challenge? Do I really believe prayer can change it? Why or why not?

Power Verses:
Daniel 9:19a, "O Lord, hear. O Lord, forgive. O Lord, listen and act!" (NLT)

Habakkuk 1:5, "Look at the nations and watch and be utterly amazed. For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told." (NIV)
Ephesians 3:20, "Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us." (NIV)

Romans 8:26-27, "In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will." (NIV)


Devotion taken from: Encouragement for Today by Proverbs 31 Ministries

Gone too soon...

The sky is a darker shade of grey on this day...sadness & grief is felt in the hearts of many youths today. We have lost a great friend, a dear brother....Billy Joe. He left us to be with the Lord. It was tragic, the way he left us..so sudden & we are all in shock & are deeply saddened. But, we know, above all things, God is in control & He has plans for everything. What God's plan is in this, we may not know but we rest in the assurance that we shall see him again because of that hope we have in Jesus...we are promised victory over death and the grave!

We will always remember you in our hearts, Billy. We will always remember you for that great smile you have, that goofy funny side of you, your great voice, your big heart for the youths, your even bigger heart & love for Jesus! We are thankful to God that we indeed had a chance to know you and we are proud to be your friend. We take comfort that you are now with Jesus and in a better place where there's no more pain & suffering. 

Until we see you again someday soon...you will be greatly missed.

We pray that God's strength, peace & comfort be upon his family at this time of loss.

May you rest in peace, Bro. Billy...

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life." John 3:16

God is always there

Do You Believe This ???

A girl went to her friends house and she ended up staying longer than planned, and had to walk home alone.

She wasn't afraid because it was a small community and she lived only a few blocks away.

As she walked along under the bike trail Diane asked God to keep her safe from harm and danger.

When she reached the alley, which w as a shortcut to her house, she decided to take it.

However, halfway down the alley she noticed a man standing at the end as though he were waiting for her.

She became uneasy and began to pray, asking for God's protection.

Instantly a comforting feeling of quietness and security wrapped round her, she felt as though someone was walking with her.

When she reached the end of the alley, she walked right past the man and arrived home safely.

The following day, she read in the newspaper that a young girl had been raped in the same alley just twenty minutes after she had been there.

Feeling overwhelmed by this tragedy and the fact that it could have been her, she began to weep.

Thanking the Lord for her safety and to help this young woman, she decided to go to the police station.

She felt she could recognize the man, so she told them her story.

The police asked her if she would be willing to look at a lineup to see if she could identify him.

She agreed and immediately pointed out the man she had seen in the alley the night before.

When the man was told he had been identified, he immediately broke down and confessed.

The officer thanked Diane for her bravery and asked if there was anything they could do for her.

She asked if they would ask the man one question. Diane was curious as to why he had not attacked her.

When the policeman asked him, he answered, "Because she wasn't alone.

She had two tall men walking on either side of her".

Amazingly, whether you believe or not, you're not alone. People will not stand up for God..

PS: God is always there in your heart and loves you no matter what.

Comissioning of the AYC Committee Members (2010-2012)

Last Sunday was the comissioning of the new AYC office bearers after our last AYC AGM. We have new faces and we pray that by God's grace this new committee will be able to achieve the objectives of AYC, and to also grow both spiritually and physically.

The Ven. Archdeacon Solomon also invited all the young people aged 12-35 who are part of the AYC to stand up and we all prayed together for our young people in the parish.

Since it was also a Family Service and in conjunction with the AYC Comissioning Sunday, the AYC lead in the praise and worship led by Bro. Bajeng and the readers and intercessors were also from the youth.

To encourage the young people to come together and to show the support from our leaders, the PCC sponsored us with a BBQ lunch right after the service. We had BBQ at Fr. Cheong's house and invited the youths and clergies to have fellowship with us.



Everyone had a good time, enjoying the good food too.  :-)

St. Columba's Carnival Sale

On the 4th September, the church organised a Carnival Sale to raise fund for our church building renovation. Since our church has been eaten by termites and even all the electrical wiring are also all eaten, the ceiling may collapse anytime therefore we have to move to the St. Columba's Primary School Hall for our church service for the past few months.

Anyway, the AYC were involved in the Carnival Sale and opened up two booths. One is selling crafts and the other one selling cakes, pastries, jellies, etc. Here are some of the photos taken during the Carnival Sale.

More photos can be found on facebook!

AYC AGM 2010

Finally, the final term for the AYC Committee Members of the term 2008 - 2010!! The AYC AGM was held this afternoon at 1.00pm and were attended by members from the PCC, Taman Tunku, Lambir and also from our mother parish. The attendance were about 30, not as good as last year but it will not discourage us, in fact,  it will motivate us to really play a role as part of the AYC and to fulfill the real objectives of the AYC as per written constitution.

We started with an opening prayer from Archdeacon Solomon Cheong followed by his message for all the young people. We were then encouraged by our very own AYC Advisor, Bro. Derek Cornas together with his new proposal for the new AYC structure.

A great challenge by the Chairman of the AYC, Bro. Bajeng where he challenged the next elected office bearers with "dare to transform" message. Indeed it's a very big calling but with the grace of God everyone will be able to transform! AMEN!

Elsa was our dedicated chairperson for the meeting...

And Magdalene, a faithful Multimedia and Publicity minister who handles the slides...

Apart from the messages, we have reports from the Secretary, Treasurer and representatives from the various extension centres and ministries.

From left : Diana, Evonne, Bajeng and Elsa...the former Ex-Co for the term 2008-2010.

Once all the representatives presented their yearly report, we have election of the new office bearers. It's women dominated this year, and lets congratulate our new AYC Executive Committee for the term 2010 - 2012.

From left : Magdalene (Asst. Secretary), Elsa Iyok (Secretary), Evonne Mendu (Chairlady), Diana Diewo (Vice Chairlady), Karen Emma (Treasurer) and Victoria Jane (Asst. Treasurer)

The 7 committee members are representatives from the various ministries/extension centres. They are among the youth from Lambir, Taman Tunku, Liam, Boys and Girls Brigade, Chinese Service Youth and also the Young Adult Ministry.

May God guide the newly elected committee that we will be able to fulfill the objectives of the AYC and we will be able to cater the needs of our young people in the church.