42 North Broadway, Tarrytown, NY

On Sunday Dec 25 as well as Sunday Jan 1, it will be regular Sunday worship services at 2:30pm.

I have a friend whose wife suffers from Alzheimer’s. She doesn’t even recognize him anymore, and, as you can imagine, the marriage has been rough. My friend has gotten bitter at God for allowing his wife to be in that condition, and now he’s started seeing another woman. He says that he should be allowed to see other people because his wife as he knows her is gone … I’m not quite sure what to tell him.

Robertson clearly struggled with his response (see the 50th minute of the video here), which included the following statements:

They’re gone. They are gone. So what he says basically is correct, but—I know it sounds cruel, but if he’s going to do something, he should divorce her and start all over again. But to make sure she has custodial care and somebody looking after her—

and

but you say “till death do us part,” this is a kind of death. So that’s what he’s saying, is that she’s like—but this is an ethical question that is beyond my ken to tell you. But I certainly wouldn’t put a guilt trip on you if you decided that you had to have companionship.

Russell Moore, Dean of the School of Theology at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, responded two days later with this blog entry / response, saying, in part,

This is more than an embarrassment. This is more than cruelty. This is a repudiation of the gospel of Jesus Christ. . . . At the arrest of Christ, his Bride, the church, forgot who she was, and denied who he was. He didn’t divorce her. He didn’t leave.  . . . But Jesus didn’t die for a Christian Coalition; he died for a church. And the church, across the ages, isn’t significant because of her size or influence. She is weak, helpless, and spattered in blood. He is faithful to us anyway.

and strikingly,

But that’s not what love is. Love is fidelity with a cross on your back. Love is drowning in your own blood. Love is screaming, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me.”

Thoughts?

(For a secular response, check out this Slate article.)

As we’ve been continuing in the sermon series on I Corinthians with Pastor Jeremey, we’ve also learned a new worship song, “10,000 Reasons” (Matt Redman).  The lyrics resound of Scriptural references to the Psalms (among other portions of the Bible), and are anchored around the reminder to preach to ourselves, for us to instruct our own hearts to bless the Lord at all times.

If you’d like to meditate on the lyrics this week, here they are.  (But for the fullest meditation on the Lord, please take some time to read through the Scriptures, especially Psalm 103.)

Chorus
Bless the Lord, oh my soul, oh my soul!
Worship His holy Name!
Sing like never before, oh my soul!
I will worship Your holy Name!

Verse 1
The sun comes up, it’s a new day dawning,
It’s time to sing Your song again;
Whatever may pass and whatever lies before me,
Let me be singing when the evening comes . . .

Verse 2
You’re rich in love and You’re slow to anger,
Your Name is great and Your heart is kind;
For all Your goodness I will keep on singing;
10,000 reasons for my heart to find . . .

Verse 3
And on that day when my strength is failing,
The end draws near and my time has come;
Soon my soul will sing Your praise unending;
10,000 years and there forever more . . .

As always, please feel welcome to ask any Worship Team member about mp3s, lyrics, guitar-tabs, etc.

April 24, 2011:

• For All You’ve Done
• Nothing But the Blood of Jesus
• Sing to the King
• We, the Redeemed
• In Christ Alone

April 17, 2011:

• Hosanna (P. Baloche version)
• Let Your Kingdom Come
• All I Have is Christ
• Thank You
• I Will Rise

April 10, 2011:

• In Christ Alone
• Sing to the King
• Our God
• Hosanna (Hillsong version)
• How Deep the Father’s Love For Us

April 3, 2011:

• You Are Worthy of My Praise
• Hosanna (P. Baloche version)
• Your Name
• Healer
• Hail to the King

Announcement regarding April 17^th Outdoor Worship

Dear brothers and sisters:

Peace in the Lord! We want to express our appreciation to members in the body of Christ throughout the world who have been praying for Shouwang Church. God is sustaining us with his mighty hands and has led us to pass through April 17^th as another unusual Sunday.

April 17^th was a cloudy and windy day in Beijing. We continued to haveoutdoor worship at the same time and at the same location. Compared to lastSunday, more coworkers and believers were watched and detained at home by local police, neighborhood committee members and residential security guards.  Many of our members were prevented from attending outdoor worship. On April 16^th Saturday 8:00pm, pastorTianming was summoned to the Haidian police station and was released 8:00 am the next day. Pastor Xiaobai was summoned to the Guangying police station and was sent home after midnight. However, brothers and sisters, knowing what they were going to face if they went outdoors to worship, still went out with faith and boldness.

This Sunday (April 17^th) more than one hundred believers headed out to attend our outdoor worship. Following our church instructions, people arrived at the designated worship location in small groups. Since police blocked our worship location, the church was not able to worship together as a whole.  Instead, worship took place in small groups in open space and in restaurants nearby. Forty-seven believers were taken away by the police; some before and some after worship.  Pastor Xiaofeng was arrested at a restaurant before worship. Most of those who were arrested were taken to the Haidian police station and then sent to their local police station for interrogation and inquisition. Other believers who were not taken to the police station were detained, questioned and recorded by their local police in their homes.

At the local police prescient, many believers were required to write down a statement of guarantee, stating that they would not join outdoor worship again. Some were searched and asked to leave fingerprints, while some were asked to hold their names like criminals for a picture. Zhongguancun police station did not offer believers any food or water for the whole day, and even limited their use of the restroom. At Liulitun police station, a sister was treated badly during interrogation by the national security and was forcefully taken home for a search. Only seventeen believers were released on April 17^th.  The other believers, including pastor Xiaofeng,were released after 24 hours. While under detainment, many hearts were full of joy and peace. Yet others, who were treated like criminals were greatly afflicted and wounded in their spirits, need consolation, healing, and restoration from the Lord.

For those of us who were not able to go out on April 17^th, we believe our hearts were bonded closely with those who were able to go out. We rejoice with those who are rejoicing, and suffer with those who are hurting. Although wewere not able to worship together physically, we believe that we were worshipping together in spirit as we sang songs and read Scripture at the same time in different locations.  As members of the body in different places, God’s Spirit connects us and unites us as one body in Christ. We believe that our worship, with no compromise to truth and with reverence to Yahweh God as our Lord, is pleasing and acceptable to ourheavenly Father.

In each generation, we are aware there is a price to pay for those who hold on to an uncompromising faith.  The cost might be our homes, our jobs, our families, our properties, our freedom, and even our lives. Among those who went out to worship outdoors, some were forced out by theirlandlords while others fired from their companies. Please pray for them and may God remember them and care for their needs as they are paying the price forholding on to their faith. We deeply believe that, “this slight momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison.” (2 Corinthians 4:17)

We want to state clearly again that Shouwang Church belongs to Christ and is not under the control of, or being used by, any foreign or local organization. Our Lord knows his servants who are appointed and used by him. God establishes the order of confirming his appointed leaders in the church; leaders appointed by God were acknowledgedthrough this spiritual order guided by the Spirit. Therefore, no single person nor any organization or force, has the authority to appoint a person as God’s servant. In this spiritual warfare, we need to be careful with what we think and what we say.  Let us not pass suspicion or judgment toward coworkers of the Church board or other coworkers. We need to be aware of Satan’s tricks, not leaving any breach for the enemy who wants to cause division in the church.

We do not know how long this spiritual warfare will last, but we will continue to hold on to our position, till our Lord opens a way for his church. During this Holy Week, let us be still and abide in Christ and meditate in Spirit.  Let us suffer together with our Lord who has suffered for us.  Let us bear our cross as we follow Christ in walking this narrow road. We believe as we are united in death with Christ’s crucifixion, we will surely be united with Christ in the power of his resurrection, and will surely see the glory of Christ’s resurrection revealed in this country.

Peace be with Shouwang Church and churches around the world! Please continue to pray for Shouwang Church. May God continue to sustain his church with his mightyhands, so that his church will stand in victory with him!                                   

Shouwang Church Board

4/19/2011

After one of the Pastors, Li Xiao Bai, was released from police custody, he has been under house arrest since 5pm of Wed. While under custody, Pastor Li was tortured. The government continues to show its strength through torture, detaining the leadership at their homes and intimidating the church members. Church members have lost their jobs because the police have pressured their bosses, others have been kicked out of their homes by their landlords again due to pressure from the authorities. Others received horrific threats on the phone warning them not to attend this Sunday.  

* “This is a great spiritual battle.  The whole situation is not kind to us.  Keep praying for us.”  With all this terrible news, there are some encouraging things taking place.

* “We had 3 nights good time prayers for the whole church, every night have 100+ attended.  Members are inspired.”

*The Beijing Pastors Prayer Fellowship sent out the 2nd public prayer letter yesterday.  Now 14 other Beijing churches are involved in unifying behind SW in prayer support.

***

As of April 16:

Urgent! Senior pastor Tian Ming was just brought into the Haidian police station. Pastor Li Xiao Bai was also brought to his local police. The rest of the elders and pastors are all under house arrest. Situation similiar with last Sunday but worse! The church seems to be losing its leadership. Please keep praying!  Around 8pm EST tonight (8am Sunday morning Beijing Standard time) is when the confrontation will take place.  Last Sunday over 2,800 Beijing police and security agents were mobilized.  In a few hours, it will be much worse.

From one who just got detained and brought under home arrest:  ”Our heart inside is in peace. May God help us in His mighty power!”

Pastor Tian Ming is back from the police after 12 hours. Pastor Li was sent home late night 0:30. The rest of the church leaders are all under house arrest. Pastor Xiao Feng was caught at a nearby restaurant and taken to the police station. Most church members are under house arrest.

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As of April 18:

Monday 17:30 BST. All 47 members arrested in the 25 police stations around Beijing have come back. All members have run into big battles to rescue them as love was showed among us. They were good witnesses in every station. More leaders are under house arrest and the coming day is unclear. But we believe this, God will open the door for us.

General Announcement of the April 10 Beijing Shouwang Church Outdoor Worship

To every brother and sister in the Lord:

May the Lord’s peace be with you! I believe that April 10 was a day of unusual significance and special remembrance for every brother and sister of Shouwang and for brothers and sisters all over the world who were fervently praying for the safety of Shouwang.

Despite of the cool temperature, class 4-5 winds, and the awareness of  police surrounding the outdoor area designated for worship, on the morning of April 10, other than those brothers and sisters who were detained from stepping out of their homes by local police or neighborhood watch members, those who were able to attend arrived in full confidence. Whether it’d be in groups or alone, they arrived at the previously designated worship area as early as 8:00 a.m. As expected, this area had already been sealed off by the police force; there were policemen everywhere; many police cars were parked along roadside.

         Although many brothers and sisters arrived well before 8:00 a.m., they could not gather together but had to wait patiently outside the police barricaded area. At about 8:30 a.m., the scores of brothers and sisters who were there already tried to start their worship at the southwestern corner of this plaza. Soon after, they were surrounded by a large group of police and were led onto public buses that were brought there by the police. These brothers and sisters were taken to the nearby Caihefang Elementary School, where they were assigned to different classrooms according to their home addresses. In these classrooms, their personal information was collected and registered. There were other brothers and sisters who met at a nearby vacant lot while some others met at Kentucky Fried Chicken. They were able to continue their worship in accordance with the programs which the church had previously handed out. The group which met atKentucky Fried Chicken was arrested by police toward end of their worship. They were also brought to the Caihefang Elementary School. According to a rough estimate, there were around 200 brothers and sisters who showed up on the 10^th to worship; around 160 who were taken to be registered.

While being detained at the Caihefang Elementary School, these brothers and sisters started to sing hymns in worship; their spirits were liberated and peaceful. In the afternoon, these brothers and sisters were brought to police precincts nearest to their homes where the local police and neighborhood watch teams continued to interrogate them. In some precincts, police officers asked them to sign a letter of confession and ofguarantee, promising never to engage in “illegal” religious activities. Around 3:00 p.m., brothers and sisters were slowly being released. However,  until midnight, over 30 brothers and sisters were still in police custody. Pastors, elders and some co-workers from the church went to different precincts to carry on negotiation with the local police force, asking for their prompt release. As of the evening of the 11^th, Pastor Li Xiaobai and his wife were still in police custody.

Even though most of us were detained at home and were not able to take our stand beside our brothers and sisters who met outdoor, our hearts were with you; when you faced trials and danger, in our prayers, we were with you in facing trials and the challenge of danger; when you sang hymns and worshipped, out of our mouths burst forth the same hymns and praises; as you experienced the joy of having overcome, in Christ we also shared with you the joy of having overcome. We believe that the worship on the 10^th was an extraordinary worship. Because of theLord’s protection, many brothers and sisters were able to experience the peace which came from being in and with the Lord. For those brothers and sisters whose spirits were oppressed or hurt by the force of darkness, we ask the Lord tobring about comfort and healing. We believe the Church belongs to Christ. Christ is the head of the Church. In Church, Jehovah alone is our Lord. Therefore, the Church should not be controlled or manipulated by any external authority – all authority belongs to our Lord. The outdoor worship testifies to our conviction that when it comes to matter of faith our position would not be compromised. Furthermore, it is our belief that to remain steadfast to a conviction out of faith is a form of worship in itself. Therefore, we believe that outdoor worship is pleasing to the Lord.

The position of our church has not waivered and we shall continue to persist on worshipping outdoor until our Lord provides a way out for us. Although we have already purchased our own worship space in the Daheng New Epoch Technology building, because of bureaucratic red tape, we have not yet been given the keys. Even though we had newly signed a lease with Xihua Hotel, shortly after the church declared its intention to move into the building, opposition arose and rendered the facility unusable to us. After the church decided to meet outdoor, various government departmental officers suggested alternative worship places here and there. Three times did the church attempt to gain entry into our newly leased space but all without avail. We can no longer trust the promise of this person and that. This time, our church asks the government to declare its intention onpaper so that a specific department can step up to take charge of the situation; to cease its indecisiveness and make a responsible decision; to partner with Shouwang in establishing a new Church and State relationship. Today, we still believe that the best solution to the problem concerning our worship space would be for Shouwang to be allowed the use of its own facility. This is a perfect opportunity to begin a normalized relationship between Church and State.

Once again, we would like to declare emphatically that Shouwang’s Outdoor Worship of April 10, was purely a religious activity, it had nothing to do with any political or personal strife. Our church does not want one to tarnish our worship activities. If any party insists on involving the church in its own ambitious gain, we believe that the pit which he has dug before the Lord will become his own trap.

We do not know how much longer this conflict will continue, we can only ask God to have mercy on us for we are weak. We call upon both the Shouwang Church members and the brothers and sisters of the Lord’s Church all over the world to pray earnestly before God, asking Him to uphold His own church. Please ask God to protect His church under His mighty arms and to fight for His church in this spiritual battle; to mend all broken walls and preserve the unity of the church, lest we should fall into Satan’s evil scheme and break up. Weespecially want to cry out before the Lord: “Jacob is so small” and we ask the Lord to protect His church so that we may remain steadfast before Him; please ask the Lord to open the ways for His church so that we may soon resume indoor worship at a place which He has prepared for us.

May peace be with Shouwang and brothers and sisters everywhere! We believe that the love of Christ will unite us together as one, and that we may all be victorious with Him.

Church Administrative Committee

April 12, 2011

https://www.facebook.com/prayforshouwang

Dear Lausanne Leader,

We’re writing to ask for your urgent prayers for Beijing Shouwang Church this coming Sunday, 10^th April.  Please see the links below for more information on this situation.

The church has again been forced out of their space and has decided to worship outdoors in the park.  On behalf of the church, church leaders have issued prayer requests for Christians around the world to ask for support during this time.  Their prayer requests are as follows:

“Please be praying for:

1. Peaceful Solution: We ask God to open a door for a peaceful solution to resolve the problem of a worship place.  Our choices are between obtaining an official document to permit us to rent an indoor worship hall or to begin worship in the new church location of our purchased property.
2. Guidance from the Lord: While the entire church fasts to seek the Lord’s guidance for the upcoming outdoor worship, we ask for the Holy Spirit Himself to be present and active in our lives.  We pray that the Holy Spirit would remove all fleshly ambition, impetuosity and fears from our hearts so that when we are faced with all sorts of challenges (whether it would be in our work, families, career or personal safety), we may rely solely on the gentleness and humility of Jesus and the power of the Holy Spirit to respond with calmness.
3. Unity of the Church: The Evil One would like to use this opportunity to fracture and even crush the church.  We ask the Lord to preserve the unity of our church.  Despite of all the differences in our points of view, we pray that we may submit to another and bear with one another in love.”

Thank you for your prayers for our brothers and sisters in China.

Doug Birdsall

Executive Chair, The Lausanne Movement

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As of Saturday, April 9, 2011, from D.:

Just received msg from within SW: “Nearly All members I known were blocked home by police since 20:00 BJ time.”

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As of Friday, April 8, 2011, from D.: