Archive for 05/10/2009

T20 - Sunday at Tek-Tung

05/10/2009 by paul.

Well Sunday brought some welcome rest - prayers began at 7, so I got an extra hour in bed. After prayers I went to the manse for breakfast and prayed with Rev. Chuang. I quickly went back to my room to change, before heading to the church for 8.45. Rev. Chuang had arranged for me to play for the service, to give the usual piano rota a rest! The various groups involved in the service meet at about 8.30 to practise and prepare. Then from 9 till 9.30 there is silent preparation in the church for worship. From 9.30 till 10.00 the women’s fellowship led songs of praise and prayers. At 10 the service began. In many senses it was similar to services in the church at Taipei, with hymns, prayers, a creed and response readings. The text for the morning was Hebrews 4. In the sermon Rev. Chuang talked about the promises of God, either being accepted or rejected by people (v.1 & v.6); the nature of the Word of God as ‘living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword’ (v.12); and, finally having the confidence to approach a throne of grace (v.16). Talking to him beforehand, it was this final point which he wished to emphasise for this congregation, and in particular to lead into the celebration of communion which followed. Rev. Chuang had asked, however, if I would sing in the service and given the theme I decided to sing Chris Tomlin’s arrangement of John Newton’s Amazing Grace. Chris Tomlin’s version has an extra bridge which adds wonderfully to the old famous words of John Newton:

Amazing grace
How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me
I once was lost, but now I’m found
Was blind, but now I see

‘Twas grace that taught my heart to fear
And grace my fears relieved
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed

My chains are gone
I’ve been set free
My God, my Savior has ransomed me
And flowing down (my alt. from like a flood) His mercy rains
Unending love, Amazing grace

The Lord has promised good to me
His word my hope secures
He will my shield and portion be
As long as life endures

The earth shall soon dissolve like snow
The sun forbear to shine
But God, Who called me here below
Will be forever mine
Will be forever mine
You are forever mine

When I was preparing to sing this song, I thought it best to avoid the reference to God’s mercy being like a flood, given the recent events in Taiwan. I hope I kept the sense and Chris Tomlin doesn’t mind the slight alteration!

After the service everyone (around 90) stayed behind for lunch in the school and we had a great time of sharing, and more table tennis with the youth group! In the afternoon we relaxed and then went to a superb fish restaurant for tea - we even got our own dining room!

What a wonderful day - I pray that God is still working the hearts and minds of all those I worshipped with today.

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