《我許的願，我必償還！》

『至於我，我要帶著感謝的聲音向你獻祭；我所許的願，我必償還。救恩是屬於耶和華的』 ~約拿書2 :9

But I, with shouts of grateful praise, will sacrifices to you. What I have vowed I will make good. I will say, “Salvation comes from the Lord.” ~Jonah 2:9

尼尼微城是亞述帝國的政治經濟中心，是帝國多次的首都，當時是世界級的大城市，尼尼微城的廢墟在今日伊拉克北部，摩蘇爾城的對岸。有宮殿、藝術品和圖書館。約書書1:2形容尼尼微的惡行達到了上帝的面前，尼尼微除了有強大的軍事力量，以對待敵人之殘暴聞名，性虐、割鼻、剝皮刑，或是把敵人頭顱鑲入城牆；廟宇就如經營淫業，偶像祟拜和淫亂都與邪術有關，歷史考古中也曾發現以殺嬰孩為祭的千人冢、萬人冢。是當時中亞、西亞非常殘暴的民族和國家。然而就算是這樣，上帝還是希望他們能回心轉意，打發約拿前往尼尼微宣教。

約拿，一個失敗的大先知，舊約除了約拿書外，在列王記下12:25中也有記載到先知約拿，約拿是在北國以色列耶羅波安二世作王之前成為先知的，耶羅波安二世行耶和華眼中看為惡的事，神卻籍由耶羅波安二世來拯救以色列，如同先知約拿的預言，收復了一些被亞述帝國搶走的邊境，但亞述帝國仍然強悍，威脅仍然很大。上帝卻在這個時候要約拿警告尼尼微的惡，給他們一個悔改的機會。當時的尼尼微內憂外患，瘟疫流行，外敵臨城，是最弱的時候，也是以色列收復失土的機會，怎麼會讓先知約拿去敵國幫助對方，從而得到喘息的機會呢？因此當上帝要約拿去尼尼微時候，約拿選擇逃到世界的另一邊-他施去，大約是今日西班牙南部的地方，相距巴勒斯坦3200公里遠。

約拿的特別之處在於他不平凡的經歷，一個上帝的先知卻不聽從上帝的旨意，而在犯錯之後，一人做事一人擔，要人把他丟下船，甚至是丟下海後能在大魚的肚子裡三天三夜， 一直到大魚把他吐上岸。約拿的經歷到底是小說還是歷史，一直被討論著，但是耶穌也用約拿來預表自己說「約拿三日三夜在大魚肚腹中，人子也要這樣三日三夜在地裡頭」(太12:40)。耶穌曾向求神蹟的人說「除了約拿的神蹟外，再沒有神蹟給他看了」(太16:4)，而審判的時候尼尼微人要起來定這世代的罪，因為尼尼微人聽了約拿所傳的就悔改了(太12:41)。約拿不只是一個世代的先知，這個失敗的先知講述的是神對他所愛的人的管教，不論是對約拿，以色列，或是尼尼微人都一樣，都是上帝所愛的人。

約拿與神的關係真的非常特別，敢抗拒上帝的旨意，也能在裝死被抽籤抓出來時，認知到錯誤而擔起責任，要大家把他丟下海去。就算陷入絕望在大海、大魚的肚子裡，也有抓住浮木的勇氣向上帝禱告懺悔，並說出「我許的願，我必償還」！約拿到底向上帝求了什麼，似乎看不出來，大概是救命之類的願吧，而償還上帝的有可能就是去尼尼微完成未完成的使命！在使命未完成之前，上帝不會讓我們死，連想死都難。不順服，就待在大魚肚子裡受苦，而受苦之後還是得去完成所交付的使命，問題在於我們花多少時間來學習順服的功課？以色列人在進迦南地之前花了四十年之久，那我們呢？

約拿以自己為中心來看神的作為，約拿的禱告說「那信奉虛無神明的人，丟棄自己的慈愛」(和合本修訂本)，恐怕約拿與尼尼微人一樣，是以自己為神，丟棄原本對他人的慈愛憐恤之心，對敵人殺紅了眼，以致於我們的世界充滿了戰爭。當我們無法以上帝的高度來看上帝所造的世界、愛上帝所愛的一切，這也間接地阻礙了人對上帝的順服，甚至是忘記上帝對人的慈愛與憐恤。也許約拿向神許的願是求神照著上帝的憐恤來對待自己，而自己也願意以此憐恤來對待尼尼微。

因為尼尼微的悔改，上帝的慈愛讓尼尼微多存留了200年，一直到西元前632年毀於巴比倫人手裡，上帝對約拿表達出的是祂的旨意與絕對的權柄，人的生老病死、禍福與共不是在人的手裡，乃是掌握在上帝的手中。就連約拿遮蔭的蓖麻樹，也是上帝賞賜、上帝收回，人惟一能做的就是學習明白上帝的美意，活在祂的慈愛與憐恤之下，去愛上帝所愛的一切；不看環境只看神！當我們用感謝的聲音向上帝獻祭時，才開始認識上帝的救恩，因為救恩出於耶和華，祂曾應允，祂必負責！

2月2023:《福不福？服就是福！》

『我雖然處身在患難之中，你仍使我存活』 ~詩篇138 :7

Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life. ~Psalm 138:7

希伯來文的直譯是「我雖行在患難的中心，你必將我救活」。

不要以為患難是給那些運氣不好的人，或是沒有能力而讓自己落入困境的人。事實上，就算你信了耶穌，也不保證平平安安，從此一生都是順順利利。相反的，整本聖經都在表達一件事，就是真心跟隨主的人都會遇到患難，無一倖免。就算是約伯，一個被上帝稱許為「完全、正直、敬畏神，遠離罪惡」的義人，都會落入患難的試煉中。

當天使告訴馬利亞說「你將懷孕生子，要給他起名叫耶穌」時，馬利亞是否真正了解她所要面臨的是什麼挑戰？

第一個挑戰，「未婚生子」。這在當時是可以用石頭打死的死罪，馬利亞必須承受這重擔，這不是她的錯，但馬利亞卻必須承受後果。馬利亞可能是一個非常單純的女孩，也沒有和任何人有不倫的關係，如果真的是上帝的旨意，為什麼不是用人所能理解的方式來達成，至少是一個可以讓大家祝福或是看為美好的方式。然而馬利亞似乎沒有選擇，天使不是來問馬利亞要不要，而是直接告訴她將要發生的事。這結果使人難堪，難道這麼大的事，都不用先商量嗎？馬利亞在懷孕生子之後所要遭受的道德批評，不是尋常人所能承受的。

第二個挑戰，「養育神子」，耶穌不是一般人，也不是照著一般正常的方式來生。十年前如果有人是用借精借卵，或是在精子銀行挑一個自己滿意的來受孕的話，小孩出生，也有許多「關注」的眼光投向她，而耶穌不只不一般，最困難的是如何劃出神與人的界線才是困難，耶穌的成長與言行不是用人的方式可以去教導的，而耶穌所做的事，更不是凡人所能理解的，我們與自己的下一代只差了二、三十年就代溝不小了，何況是神、人之間，這神子耶穌的母親，當的可不容易啊。

然而上帝沒有讓馬利亞孤單一人獨自面對，相反的，她有一個願意承擔而且愛她、保護她的丈夫約瑟和她同行，約瑟的角色非常尷尬，戴了綠帽子卻還要概恬承受這一切，特別是孩子不是他生的，但他選擇「參與在上帝的計劃中」，最終讓他的名字成為神子耶穌世上的父親，成就了上帝的救恩從大衛的根發出。如果約瑟和馬利亞知道耶穌最終是要釘十字架的，不知道他們是否會重新考慮他們的決定，當然，有的時候是沒有選擇的。

既使如此，馬利亞在面對這樣人生的挑戰，她不是選擇憂愁，也不是質問上帝為什麼是我？更不是用一個拒絕、否認的心態抗拒神的計劃，反而在面對這麼多的質疑與挑戰中，用讚美來尊主為大，不只接受神難以理解的預備，更是全心信靠、謙卑順服在上帝的旨意之下，所寫下來的「尊主頌」中，高舉上帝、謙卑自己，不把眼光放在苦難中，反而以苦難後的恩典來榮耀上帝的名。在「尊主頌」中，你可以看到馬利亞預先得見憐恤施與敬畏祂的人，所以自己先敬畏神；缺乏的得飽足、所以接受自己先成為軟弱飢餓的；馬利亞不是抓住苦難不放，而是抓住應許成為自己的盼望。更重要的是她深知這苦難的意義，是為了成就上帝的榮耀。

你是否也如同馬利亞一般，必須面對不能躲避的苦難？你是否也曾在人生的命運中無法閃躲而軟弱無助？讓我們學習像馬利亞，用讚美來勝過苦難，用順服來領受祝福，用謙卑來高舉上帝，尊主為大高過抓住苦難。如此，你不只是蒙福的人，更將是見證上帝祝福的人！我們必然在患難中，存活下來！當你遇見的苦難是為了成就上帝的榮耀時，一切的苦難都有意義，苦難也就不再是苦難，反而成為祝福了。

3月2022:《從大齌節期反思！Reflection in Lent》

因為我餓了，你們給我吃。 ~馬太福音 25:35

耶穌也是會餓的！

耶穌在曠野禁食，四十天的得勝後，其實他餓了，當像我們一樣地餓了，身體、心理、靈性上都達到了臨界點，必須重新補足才能活下去。不知道是餓的發昏產生幻影，還是真的有一個看的見的形體出現在耶穌的面前並且和他對話，不只是對話，問的問題都是人的生命過程中的大挑戰，他不只是神子，也是人子，有神的眼界與能力，也有人的脾氣與軟弱。

對於這樣一個特別的彌賽亞，若不花點心思還真的無法了解耶穌，我們怎麼知道耶穌在想什麼？是人的思考還是神的眼界？我們怎麼知道耶穌要我們做什麼？是基於神的權柄還是面對人的軟弱？一個朝夕相處的枕邊人我們都會抱怨說「你不講我怎麼會知道了？」何況耶穌常常講了一些我們聽不懂的話。這就更難明白這個是神、是人的耶穌，現在是講神話還是講人話了。這也就是為什麼耶穌的教導常常是用比喻的原因了。

然而除了用講的以外，其實耶穌最常使用的方式是「你看我怎麼做，你學著做」，耶穌沒有要我們成為一個理學家、辯論家，耶穌想要我們成為實踐家，凡是要成為耶穌的信徒的，重點不是你能講什麼，而是你願意做什麼，這個差別讓保羅從滿腹經綸的法利賽人，變成信仰的實踐家，不只是用講的，更是身體力行，親力為之。也讓耶穌的門徒們，不論何種出身，就是跟著老師的樣式「照著做」就對了。耶穌憐憫人，你就憐憫人；耶穌醫治人，就用他給的權柄醫治人；耶穌給人吃飽，你就讓飢渴的人得飽足；我們常常禱告說：「願你的國降臨，在地上如同在天上」那就學習如耶穌一樣背起自己的十字架跟從耶穌。

我們需要做的不是求賞賜，也不是求福氣，我們真正需要做的是「上帝啊！你給了我耶穌這一個好榜樣，那我需要做的到底是什麼？」這個需要做的不會是我們喜歡的，也不是我們熟悉的，我們所需要做的事是我們不喜歡的，是害怕的，甚至曾經是我們心中一個放不下的，因為是十字架，是從受苦中得著榮耀，是從悔改付出代價後重新成為耶穌的跟隨者而不是一個粉絲。

三月份進入大齌期時，該是我們與耶穌一同在曠野禁食的時候了，如果我們想要承受上帝國，就需要問自己說「耶穌在那裡？耶穌餓的時候我們是否有給耶穌吃？我們是否背起了自己的十字架來跟從耶穌？」不是當一個道德理論家，而是當一個信仰實踐家！

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For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat. ~Matthew 25:35

Jesus can be hungry, too.

Jesus fasted in the wilderness. After forty days of victory, he was hungry. When Jesus was hungry like us and reached the critical point physically, mentally and spiritually, he had to deal with this feeling of hunger to survive. We don’t know whether it’s hunger or dizziness that produced an illusion or if there is a visible figure in front of Jesus that talked with him. It was not just a dialogue but questions that are significant challenges in the process of human life. He is not only the son of God but also human. He has God’s vision and power but the temper and weakness of man.

We don’t fully understand Jesus without spending some thoughts and efforts for the Messiah. How do we know what Jesus was thinking? Was it human thoughts or divine vision? Is it based on the power of God or in the face of human weakness? We might complain to our partner, who we spend day and night with, “how can I know if you didn’t tell me?” Besides, Jesus often said something we couldn’t understand, which makes it even more challenging to know whether this Jesus, who is God and man, is now speaking in words of God or man. That is why Jesus taught so often in parables.

However, in addition to his words, the way Jesus taught most often was, “You see how I do it, and you learn to do it.” Jesus didn’t want us to be philosophers or debaters but practitioners. To become a follower of Jesus, it doesn’t matter what you can talk about, but what you are willing to do. This difference made Paul a Pharisee full of knowledge to a practitioner of faith, who does not just talk, but do and get their hands dirty. Jesus’ disciples followed the teacher’s pattern and “did it.” Regardless of their origins or families. Jesus has mercy, so you have mercy; Jesus heals, and He heals with authority, He gives; Jesus feeds, and you feed the hungry; we always pray, “Thy kingdom come, on earth as in heaven.” Let’s learn to take up your cross and follow Jesus just as he did.

What we need to do is not to ask for rewards or good luck. We need to ask God what we need to do now that He has given us an excellent example of Jesus. It may not be something we like or familiar with, but something we don’t like or are afraid of, or even something we couldn’t let go of because it is a cross, a glory from suffering. We are followers of Jesus after repentance and paying the price, not His fans.

When we enter the Great Lent in March, it is time for us to starve in the wilderness with Jesus. If we want to inherit the kingdom of God, we need to ask ourselves, “Where is Jesus? Did we feed Jesus when Jesus was hungry? Have we taken up our cross and followed Jesus?” Not as a moral theorist but as a practitioner of faith.

2月2022:《以一而多、共生共榮！Unity in Diversity and Prosperity》

佳恩教會是一間很特別的教會、上帝預備恩典多、語言文化差異多、同心敬拜創意多與團契聚會變化多。而在年齡分佈上從滿月的小貝比到八、九十歲的資深少年郎，從各路人馬、大江南北都有。在教會的使用參與者中，不管是土生土長的加拿大人，中國、台灣、越南、印尼的新移民，甚至是非洲南蘇丹人、東南亞的菲律賓人一直到中東的約旦、黎巴嫩難民，你都可以在這裡看到，雖然分屬不同教會、也有不同的背景，但大家一同在一間禮拜堂中，用我們對上帝的虔誠敬拜著。

儘管大家彼此不同、差異甚大，但我們知道，今天會在這裡聚集是因著同一個信仰、同一個上帝、分享同一個靈，這使我們在這個奇異恩典中凝聚著、成長著，我們是Amazing Grace United，我們是Amazing Grace Mission。許多不同的人在這一個信仰團體中學習著、成長著、被建立著，更被賜福著。

過去的一年，我們在疫情之下不但沒有失去信仰的熱情，反而有更大的成長，讚美團的發展使得我們的敬拜更豐富也得著更多的同工，我們在疫情有限的連結中成為無限的供應，在網路發達的今天，教會網站的推展、影音媒體的播放，網路社群的連結，讓我們的教會生活更多元而不再只有侷限於來教會；而創意的事工發展，使我們有Podcast的網路廣播事工，這使我們更有機會把觸角深入在每人每天的生活中。

今年，我們要做的事工不僅是在網路上，我們要把重點放在松年活動事工上，不只考慮年長者的靈性需要、設計年長者需要的生活關懷與疫情下的安全社交活動，也體貼身體上的軟弱，計劃設置交通車以方便長者參與更多的信仰禮拜活動與生活交誼活動，我們要重新聚集每一個願意來到上帝祭壇前的人，都能照心所願地前來。

然而我們還是有許多的欠缺需要你的參與和幫補，在去年佳恩財務組同工所編列的財務報表是-11268.28，而最後達成是-6524.08，這數字代表的是在教會事工推展下，我們會有赤字，但是事工達成後，赤字減少了；我們不只是服事更多，我們也奉獻更多，然而我們為了還不足的部分，願上帝藉由您的手來供應教會事工上的需要，如同瑪拉基書3:10『萬軍之耶和華說：「你們要將當納的十分之一全然送入倉庫，使我家有糧，以此試試我是否為你們敞開天上的窗戶，傾福與你們，甚至無處可容。』」，這不只是命令，也是應許，應許使上帝家有糧的人，上帝要大大賜福與你，到你領受不完，使你領受到的是「上尖下流，連搖帶按」地加給你們(路6:38)，這恩要超越你所需要的，你看的不再是你欠缺多少，而是看你能拿走多少？

新的一年，我們將更加豐盛，也將更加經歷神的恩典，邀請你一同來參與，在主裡享受祂的有餘和榮耀。

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Amazing Grace United Church is a very special church in which God has numerous blessings for. This includes multi-lingual communities, multi-cultural differences, multi-innovative and creative groups as well as multi-interchangeable fellowship group gatherings. In terms of age distribution, we have people from all ages, this includes month old baby to young seniors in their 80s and 90s. Amongst the participants in the church, whether they are native Canadians, new immigrants from China, Taiwan, Vietnam, Indonesia, even South Sudanese in Africa, Filipinos in Southeast Asia, Jordan and Lebanese refugees in the Middle East, can all be seen worshiping, giving praise and devoting time to God despite the differences in cultural backgrounds, denominations and experiences.

Although we are all different and are very different from each other, we know that we are gathered here today because of the same faith, the same God, and the same sharing of the holy spirit to grow and unite with each other as our church is called Amazing Grace United or Amazing Grace Mission. Lots of different people are learning, growing and building this united faith community together and in making a difference together.

In the past year, we have not lost our enthusiasm for faith under the pandemic, but have grown even more. The development of the praise group has enriched our worship and gained more members. Although the pandemic has limited our physical connections, we have instead brought on unlimited giving’s and worships. With today’s internet technology, our church has pushed for modernization efforts that includes church website development, social media interaction and online group gatherings. This allows the church to be connected in more diverse and various ways without the need to be limited to only attending worship inside the church sanctuary hall. Furthermore, our innovative virtual faith ministry development has enabled us to create a podcast that touches many people’s everyday life and allows the church to have that opportunity to touch many people’s hearts.

This year, our focus will not only be online services and worship, but instead have a more emphasis on creating a seniors relationship building program. Not only do we have to consider the spiritual needs of the elderly, but we must focus on the needs of life and social care / activities. This includes creating an elderly commute/ transportation method that is safe for the seniors to travel and attend social activities under the pandemic. We must regroup & reconnect and provide the utilities / tools for anyone that is eager to express their desires to come and worship God.

However, we still have lots of work that need your participation and help. Last year, the financial statement budget was estimated to be -$11,268.28, however, the actual amount that we achieved was -$9,675.20. This number reflects the accomplishments that the church has done under our work and services. Although we are in a deficit, we have not only finished our services and achieved our goals, we have also decreased our deficit. Not only are we serving more, we are also growing more, donating more and accomplishing more. For the part that we are still lacking, we pray that God will provide, lead and guide us for the needs of the church, just as in Malachi 3:10 “Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.”

This is not just a command, but a promise, a promise that those who provide for God’s house, God will greatly bless you, in more than you can imagine. This blessing is what Luke 6:38 says, ” Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” (Luke 6:38). This grace must exceed what you need and require, no longer will you see how much you lack, but rather how much you can take away!

This new year will be even more amazing, and we will experience God’s grace even more. We invite you to join us and enjoy God’s surplus and glory in the Lord.

1月2022:《明⽩上帝的旨意、做個智慧⼈！ Understand God’s Will and Be Wise》

你們要謹慎⾏事，不要像愚昧⼈，當像智慧⼈。要愛惜光陰，因為現今的世代邪惡。不要作糊塗⼈，要明⽩主的旨意如何！ ~以弗所書5:15~17

以弗所書是保羅寫給在以弗所的眾教會的勵勉書信，保羅期待上帝的⼦⺠在⽣活中能走在上帝的⼤計劃裡，這計劃就是能『照著上帝所安排的，在時機成熟時，使天上、地上、⼀切所有的，都在基督裡合⼀』。這也是每⼀個基督徒在世上⽣活所要努⼒的⽅向和成就，⽽合⼀，是因為基督的愛，也靠著基督的愛。我們每⼀個⼈都不同，有相似也有差異，要能合⼀不是因為臭氣相投，⽽是因著在主裡合⼀。這也是佳恩教會⽬前的寫照，也在2021年中表露無疑，因為我們合⼀不是因為相同，⽽是因為基督。

以教會⽽⾔，佳恩聯合教會的差異是相當⼤，成員年齡的差異很⼤、⽂化背景的差異很⼤，語⾔的差異很⼤，對信仰禮拜的認知差異更⼤。這許許多多的差異加起來，似乎很難找到⼀個共通交集的地⽅，惟⼀有的，就只有「基督的愛」了。因為我們是⼀群差異很⼤，卻在差異中願意委⾝、彼此接納來跟隨基督的，且願意讓基督的愛來改變我們，好讓我們能彼此接納。就好像教會中的長輩⼀直在不斷地提醒，『要看上帝⽽不是看⼈』，『惟有專注看耶穌，才能讓我們能⼀同走下去』。因為這個世界是分裂的，魔⿁不要我們在主裡合⼀，好把我們各個擊破，但神的美意是善的，要讓我們在這破碎的世代能扺擋惡者的攻擊，依然能站立的住。

對於在溫哥華的我們，2021年是⼀個非常挑戰的⼀年，除了世界性疫情影響⽽封城，改變了許多原有的⽣活習慣之外，暑假的攝⽒50度的⾼溫也破了記錄，⽽森林⼤火造成的空氣、道路封閉的影響也是空前絕後。⽽11⽉份的BC省⼤洪⽔⼜再⼀次造成了交通、經濟和⼈⺠⽣計的損失，所有對外道路包括鐵路和油管都中斷了，讓溫哥華成了⼀座對外斷連的「孤島」。再接下來，12⽉份的⼤雪和低溫也破了記錄，讓氣候適合宜居、原本的避寒勝地再⼀次跌落神壇。如果再加上物價⾼漲、經濟衝擊的話，2021年真的是非常剌激的⼀年。

然⽽，神卻也在這當中顯明了祂的愛，讓我們佳恩聯合教會沒有因為環境⽽落敗，反⽽因在這特別的環境中更顯得上帝恩典的寶貴。我們更加珍惜彼此，也更樂意彼此扶持。我們看到弟兄姊妹在⼈⽣病的軟弱中，彼此扶持，我們也看到在年底教會的義賣中，彼此服事。

我們都是智慧⼈，因為我們在世界與上帝中做了選擇，我們更是有福氣的⼈，因為我們選擇在「愛中合⼀」來代替「彼此競爭」，我們也明⽩上帝的旨意是好的、是善的，更在邪惡世代中，愛惜光陰、珍惜彼此的合⼀，詩篇103:5 『祂⽤美物使你所願的得以知⾜，以致你如鷹返老還童。』，願我們為過去的⽇⼦獻上感謝，更在將來的⽇⼦，求主帶領前⾏。

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Ephesians is Paul’s letter of encouragement to the church of Ephesus. Paul expects God’s followers to live in His plan, “as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth,” which is what every Christian is working towards and strives to live in this world. Unity is where Jesus’ love is and is what we rely on. We are all different, and we unite not for being evil but in the body of Christ. Unity defines the Amazing Grace United Church. In 2021, it showed that we joined not because we’re all the same but because of Jesus.

The difference among members of the Amazing Grace United Church is very prominent. We vary in age, cultural background, language and perception towards worship. It isn’t easy to find a place where we meet in common with the accumulation of contrasts. But there is one, and it is Jesus’ love. Despite the significant distinctions, we’re willing to commit and accept each other to follow Christ, and we are eager to let the love of Christ change us for more acceptance. It’s like the senior members in the church are constantly reminding us, “It depends on God, not the people”, “Only by focusing on Jesus can we go on together”. Because this world is divided, demons try to break us apart by disunity. But we can resist the attack of the evil in this broken world and stand strong thanks to God’s kindness and goodwill.

2021 for us in Vancouver was very challenging. Besides lockdowns due to the pandemic that had changed our lives, BC had broken the record of the hottest temperature in summer, which caused wildfires and air pollution and road closure that was unprecedented. In November, the floods had crippled the traffic flow in and out of Vancouver, which severely damaged the streets and lives of the affected areas and the local and national economy, leaving Vancouver a helpless island. Visited by a rare winter storm in December, Vancouver was hit by heavy snows and a record-smashing low temperature, falling off its reputation of mild weather and the best place to live. Not to mention the price jumps and economic recession, 2021 was indeed an exciting year.

However, God also revealed His love in all those challenges. The Amazing Grace United Church did not fail due to the difficult times but thrived in the grace of God. We cherish and are more willing to support everyone. We have seen our brothers and sisters taking care of each other amid illness and weakness and helping each other out during the charity sale at the end of the year.

We are all wise, for we’ve chosen God over the world. We are also fortunate because we selected to replace “competing with one another” with “unity in love”. We understand that the will of the Lord is kindness and cherish each other’s company in unity even in the age of evil. Who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. (Psalm 103:5) We are thankful for the days in the past, and in the days to come, may the Lord lead us forward.