New Creation pastor says sorry for controversial sermon

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First it was Rony Tan of Lighthouse Evangelism and now according to Yahoo News:

"New Creation Church pastor Mark Ng, 48, has personally apologised for a controversial sermon he gave in 2008.

Ng is currently being investigated by the Internal Security Department (ISD) for giving the sermon in which he mocked Taoist beliefs. In a 10-minute audio clip posted on YouTube, Ng is heard joking with the congregation about Chinese rituals and in one instance, compared praying to Taoist deities to “seeking protection from secret society gangsters”."

Lighthouse Evangelism, New Creation and City Harvest (if you have not heard about their problems...where have you been?) are all so called "Mega Churches" and they all put the Christian faith in a bad light.

Forget about their "Prosperity Gospel" preaching which is rubbish in my opinion, their "interest in building mega business" using church funds, they all have people including pastors (senior ones for that) that have behaviour which is shocking to me...

They contribute to non-Christians who think that Christianity is about telling others that their beliefs is flawed but also making fun and jokes of other faith.

They actions has thus far been giving the wrong impression and hope that the authority will do something to these "mad" pastors (senior ones) to preserve our religious harmony and also protect other Christians (of non-mega ones) who formed the majority of the Christian community.

Let's hope that these crazy pastors think before they open their mouth as they are supposed to preach the Word Of God and not tell jokes and entertain. If laughter and applause is what they are looking for, they should become a stand up comic instead.

Read the whole story of "New Creation pastor says sorry for controversial sermon" Here.

If Little things annoy you...

Following is an email that I received recently...

The L I T T L E Things -- Author Unknown

As you might know, the head of a major company survived the tragedy of "9/11" in New York because his son had just started kindergarten.

Another fellow was alive because it was his turn to bring donuts.

One woman was late because her alarm clock didn't go off in time.

One was late because of being stuck on the NJ Turnpike because of an auto accident.

One of them missed his bus.

One spilled food on her clothes and had to take time to change.

One's car wouldn't start.

One went back to answer the telephone.

One had a child that dawdled and didn't get ready as soon as he should have.

One couldn't get a taxi.

The one that struck me was the man who put on a new pair of shoes that morning, took the various means to get to work but before he got there, he developed a blister on his foot.

He stopped at a drugstore to buy a Band-Aid. That is why he is alive today.

Now when I am stuck in traffic... miss an elevator... turn back to answer a ringing telephone... all the little things that annoy me... I think to myself...

this is exactly where God wants me to be at this very moment..

The next time your morning seems to be going wrong, the children are slow getting dressed, you can't seem to find the car keys, you hit every traffic light... don't get mad or frustrated; God is at work watching over you.

May God continue to bless you with all those annoying little things and may you remember their possible purpose.

Pass this on to someone else, if you'd like.

There is NO LUCK attached.

If you don't send this to someone, it's okay... God's Love Is Not Dependent On E-Mail. 

Have a blessed day!

How Old is your Church?

Image by drivebybiscuits1 via Flickr

HOW OLD IS YOUR CHURCH?

THIS IS A MOST INTERESTING QUESTION!!!
THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION WILL ASTOUND MANY OF YOU!

If you are a LUTHERAN, your religion was founded by Martin Luther, an ex-monk of the Catholic Church, IN THE YEAR 1517.

If you belong to the CHURCH OF ENGLAND, your religion was founded by King Henry VIII IN THE YEAR 1534, because the Pope would not grant him a divorce with the right to re-marry.

If you are a PRESBYTERIAN, your religion was founded by John Knox in Scotland IN THE YEAR 1560.

If you are a member of the CONGREGATIONALIST, your religion was originated by Robert Brown in Holland IN THE YEAR 1582.

If you are a BAPTIST,  you owe the tenets of your religion to your founder, John Smyth, who launched this denomination in the city of Amsterdam IN THE YEAR 1605.

If you are of the DUTCH REFORMED CHURCH, you recognize Michaelis Jones as your founder, because he originated your religion in New York IN THE YEAR 1628.

If you are a PROTESTANT EPISCOPALIAN, your religion was an offshoot of the Church Of England, and your offshoot was founded by Samuel Seabury in the American Colonies in the 17th Century.

If you are a METHODIST, your religion was launched by John and Charles Wesley in England IN THE YEAR 1744.

If you are a UNITARIAN, then Theophilus Lindley is the founder of your church, in London IN THE YEAR 1774.

If you are a MORMON (LATTER DAY SAINTS) your modern religion was started by Joseph Smith in Palmyra, New York,IN THE YEAR 1829.

If you worship with THE SALVATION ARMY, your sect began with Willian Booth in the city of London IN THE YEAR 1865.

If you are a CHRISTIAN SCIENTIST, you recognize that your religion was begun by Mrs. Mary Baker Eddy IN THE YEAR 1879.

If you belong to one of the religious organizations known as
"CHURCH OF THE NAZARENE",
or "PENTECOSTAL GOSPEL",
Or "HOLINESS CHURCH",
or "PILGRIM HOLINESS CHURCH",
or "JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES",
Or any of the MULTIPLE THOUSANDS OF STOREFRONT CHURCHES, then your religion is one of the thousands of new sects founded by men WITHIN THE PAST 150 YEARS!

If you are a ROMAN CATHOLIC,  Then you know that your Church was founded IN THE YEAR 33
BY JESUS CHRIST, THE SON OF GOD,AND IT IS STILL THE SAME CHURCH!!!

Sharing in the Abundance

Image by Transguyjay via Flickr

Each of the readings this weekend reminds us of an important aspect of our Eucharistic Celebration. While all the accounts identify the meal as integral to the event, the reading from Genesis speaks of the priestly offering of bread and wine as Melchizedek professes his faith in the prayer of blessing.

In the Second Reading from Corinthians, we reflect on the words of the institution of the Eucharist: “this is my body,,...this cup is the new covenant in my blood.” They point to the sacrificial element in a Celebration that anticipates the second coming of Christ.

In Luke’s account of the feeding of the five thousand on the Mount, the generosity of the Lord extends to the physical and spiritual needs of people who eat of the loaves and the fish. In our case the Lord feeds and sustains us with the bread of life and wine when we partake of the Eucharist.

The Eucharistic celebration is truly a sacrificial meal in which the body of Christ is broken for us. It is also a celebration of the intimate union of all believers with the Lord and with one another as the body of Christ as Church because we share in the one bread and drink of the one cup. Likewise, it is an action we continue together as a community of believers, remembering the Lord and strengthening our resolve to live as his disciples.

We only comprehend in faith our integral and intimate union with Christ and with one another as his body. We are urged to reflect on our faith in the Lord in the Eucharist. However this faith extends itself to the whole community’s understanding and appreciation of itself as the body of Christ, its willingness to share in the sacrifice of Christ, and its response to the gift of the Lord.

The imagery in the readings also stimulates reflection: bread, wine, meat, feeding Body and Blood. These images are part of our daily lives. Likewise, they are personal, dynamic and essential to our very existence. The images while representing biblical tradition, reside within the experience of every family and community.

The celebration of the Body of Christ occurs not only in the Eucharist, but we also celebrate our union with the Lord in the ordinary circumstances of our lives. Furthermore, a connection exists between our appreciation of the Eucharist and our appreciation of the Church as a community.

Finally, the readings urge us to consider our responsibility of feeding others as did the apostles and the other disciples. The Lord uses his followers and the Church to witness his presence in our world. As a community, we can do for others what people cannot do for themselves.

We can provide for the physical and spiritual needs of others, nourishing them with his word. Just as the readings suggest the continued abundance of the Lord, we might explore and put into practice ways of sharing in the abundance we may have with others. It may be time spent with the aged, the sick and the lonely. It may financial or material resources to feed the hungry and the destitute. It may be prayers said with and for them. There are many varied and creative ways of reaching out to others.

We want to do this because we share in the intimacy with Christ in the Eucharist because we are the Church, his Body.

Taken from the bulletin of St Francis Xavier Serangoon

St Joseph Cathedral Shanghai

Only managed to take a picture from outside this church...pity.

St Francis Xavier Shanghai

I had the opportunity to visit this beautiful church in Shanghai...