AOM Invited to Coastline Church!

I've been invited to give the sermon on Sunday, Mar. 11, at the Coastline Church of Christ in Torrance. The worship service is at 9:00 a.m. and the Bible class lesson at 10:30 a.m. (coffee and donuts during the break in between). They asked me to invite the AOM to attend as well and said that they would like to hear about our work! So please come and lend your support. Their address is: 1121 Lomita Blvd., Harbor City, CA 90710, (310) 534-0100.

We'll be at Daniel's house this coming Sunday for House Worship and an agape meal at 10:30 a.m. His address is 1345 Calbourne Dr., Diamond Bar, CA 91789, (909) 869-8630. Plans are to show a stimulating DVD with discussion to follow!

Chinese/VN New Year House Worship & Plans for the Next 2 weeks

House worship for Chinese/Vietnamese New Year Sunday, 2/17, was attended by Daniel/Sue-Ann/Tiffany/James, Raymond/Andrea, Qi/Su/Jeremy, Eric/Angie/Benjamin/Lianne, Attica, Chen, May, Loan/Julie/Allen & Bob. They were later joined by Mai & Peter, TJ, Audrey, Vivien, and Christine/Kevin/Christopher. Allen gave a lesson about how unique/rare are our various names (Andrea Lee had the most common name), and that no matter how common we may think we are, or how unimportant we may feel, Jesus loved us so much that He can be likened to the shepherd who was willing to leave 99 sheeps behind to go and rescue that 1 sheep that went astray and got lost. Isn't it wonderful that we have such a loving, caring God? Wearing the name "Christian" gives new meaning and purpose to our life, just like becoming the new ambassador for a country means we have to represent that country by what we say and do. In like fashion, wearing the name "Christian" means a new set of responsibilities to live a life that's good, moral, and holy in dedicated service to Him and to others. Our prayer is that we each can do just that. There were lots of Chinese & VN food provided for the New Year celebration afterwards!

House worship next Sunday, 2/24, will be at the house of Daniel & Sue-Ann. A BBQ will follow the worship which will begin at 10:30 a.m.

On Sunday, 3/11, the Coastline Church of Christ in Torrance has invited Allen to give a sermon on reasons for faith and outlining our new ACOCF work! Come and support him and meet our brothers and sisters in Christ at Coastline!

Visit to Buena Park & Little Saigon!

Daniel, Larry, Qi/Su/Jeremy, Chen, May, Loan/Allen visited Gene and family and Wilson Lock at the Buena Park Church of Christ on 2/11, at 7201 Walnut Avenue, Buena Park, CA 90620-1757. An excellent DVD on Scientific Proofs on the Existence of God was shown. Afterwards several of us went to visit Little Saigon!

ACOCF Receives Warm Welcome at Baldwin Park!

Daniel, Sue-Ann, Tiffany, and James; Qi & Su & Jeremy, Chen, Larry, Loan & Julie & Allen were warmly received by members of the Baldwin Park Church at worship this morning! They also met a Philippino husband and wife there and the elder expressed interest in having Allen come and give a guest sermon on the ACOCF and cross-cultural outreach. (Mai, who had planned on coming, couldn't make it because her cousin was in the hospital ready to deliver a new baby!)

Research on Asian Seating Preferences: A Glimpse on the Asian Psyche

A recent study was done by Allen on 19 denominational churches ("Asian," "Mixed," and "Non-Asians) to ascertain whether or not Asians had any discernible seating preferences in the worship auditorium. The results indicated that Asians in general preferred sitting towards the rear while non-Asians preferred sitting towards the front. This was most pronounced in "Mixed" churches and was found to be true even in churches that were nearly all-Asians! This phenomena may be attributed to a number of factors, including the possibility of Buddhist, Taoist, and Confucianist influences have stressed humility in not drawing too close to the front and allowing the handicapped access. The historic institutionalized church, on the otherhand, have often reserved the front area as the "seat of honor" for leading townspeople, guests, VIPs, leading donors, etc. This is an example of the difference in outlook between East and West! If you would like a copy of this study, please email Allen at asiancoc@gmail.com.

Love

1 Corinthians 13:4-7

Love is patient, Love is kind, it does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud, it is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered. It keeps no record of wrongs, love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth, it always protects, it always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

1 Corinthians 13:13

And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love.

May God's Love be with you always dear brothers and sisters

Coastline Church of Christ contacts ACOCF

The Coastline Church of Christ (Torrance) is looking to hire a new minister. In the meantime, they said they would be interested in having Allen come out sometimes and give a guest sermon. Bro. James Smith said they're located in a very integrated neighborhood with many Asians and need someone who is good at cross-cultural communication. If you know of anyone who's looking for employment as a minister of the Gospel, please refer them to the Coastline church. We look forward to visiting them and encouraging them sometimes in the near future!

Great movie! Now on to Baldwin Park to visit Larry!

Last Sunday we had 12 people in attendance (Qi & Su & Jeremy as hosts; Daniel & James, Chen, Larry, Mai, Loan & Allen and student visitors Daphne and Lisa) for worship at Qi & Su's house. We watched a good Christian movie that illustrated how the times have really changed which stimulated a few interesting questions from the students. We also had some good food to eat! This coming Sunday, 2/4, we will be visiting the Baldwin Park Church of Christ at 3510 Baldwin Park Blvd., Baldwin Park, CA 91706; Sunday School is at 9:30 a.m. and worship is at 10:30 a.m. Larry, who regularly goes to Baldwin Park, asked, "Why don't you guys come and visit me?" And I said, "That's what the Asian church of Christ Fellowship is all about! We would love to come out, encourage you, and perhaps go out to a nice restaurant afterwards and fellowship!" Hope you all could come out and join us!