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| | | Music Training Seminar | 1st-3rd July 2011 |  | From the 1st to 3rd of July we had our annual Music Training Seminar. TJC choir members from all over Hong Kong gathered at Hong Kong Church. There were over 120 members! As the 1st of July was a public holiday, the usual two day training was extended to a three day program, allowing choir teachers to be trained this year, too.
Sis Yu Hen and Sis Yi Hang were invited from Taiwan to train us. It was a very busy schedule. Over the three days they had to train choir teachers, Steadfast Choir members and also Youth Choir members.
On Friday morning, the seminar began with a short message from Preacher Yang and a prayer asking God for guidance. The choir teachers were trained in choir management, voice training and conducting. At one point, we took turns at being volunteers so that the trainers could demonstrate to everyone how to identify a member's voice group. The trainers taught us to use different techniques and to listen carefully to get the best results. There was even an opportunity to learn from each other, when a few choir teachers taught and the others observed their techniques. After only 5 hours, the choir teachers' training ended; but it left every one thirsting for more knowledge.
The training for Steadfast Choir members focused on theory, rhythm and voice quality. Steadfast Choir members started off their training light-heartedly by giving each other a massage, then moved onto some challenging vocal and rhythm exercises. This training was truly valuable for Steadfast Members; they appreciated the slower pace and gaining a beginner's level of music theory. It raised the awareness of improving their musical knowledge and the teachers helped them to correct some old singing habits too.
On Saturday evening, there were over 100 youths gathered in the chapel doing warm up exercises. There were many giggles as the youths tried to make 'brr' sounds with their lips against the 'twinkle twinkle little star' tune. This year, the trainers focused on strengthening the youths' musical skills/knowledge and voice quality. We learnt to appreciate different choral music and to understand choral history development. The trainers introduced two challenging hymns for the youths to learn and by the end of the training there was a noticeable difference in the sound quality and rhythm control. Finally, there was an opportunity for the trainers to assist the churches in improving our choir presentation hymns. A very invaluable exercise!
On Sunday afternoon, the seminar ended with a closing ceremony, to thank the trainers for their valuable time and effort in training us. The majority of us were left wishing that they would stay longer and shower us with more musical knowledge and singing. The seminar reminded us to continue to improve ourselves for the Lord's choral work. It was also a good opportunity for brothers and sisters to sing and enjoy fellowship in God's name. Thank God the event went very smoothly. Hopefully, we will continue to have the Music Training Seminar next year!
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 | | | Ap Chau Youth Cultivation Camp | 25th-26th December 2010 | | On 25th to 26th December, the youths from our four district churches in Hong Kong came together again at Ap Chau, where almost a thousand church believers used to live. Thank God everyone was very satisfied with the Cultivation Camp which enabled us to enjoy the natural environment that God has prepared for us, as well as to get to know each other more.
Early on the morning of the 25th, the Cultivation Camp participants first traveled to Sha Tau Kok for a boat ride to Ap Chau. On arrival at Sha Tau Kok, the weather was extremely cold and the temperature was only 3 deg C. Members who were visiting Ap Chau for the first time were thinking that it would be even colder on the island. However, it turned out to be warmer there, even getting up to 10 deg C during the day. Thank God!
The theme for this Cultivation Camp was ¡§Growing up in God¡¨. Through several lectures with the preachers, they helped the participants learn about the importance of being in God¡¦s love and that faith originates with Christ. Besides attending lessons, we were divided into groups for many activities and games and there was also a brilliant basket ball match. There was a prayer service in the evening which enabled us to calm our hearts in worship and prayer to our Lord in Heaven. For dinner, we had a barbecue. During public holidays in Hong Kong, barbecue sites would be crowded. But thank the Lord that on Ap Chau, we had the whole island to ourselves, so there was no queuing and waiting. Since there were only our brethren, so it was like being with our family in Christ where we could all chat and enjoy ourselves whilst we barbecued. After dinner, everyone was divided into groups to perform sketches based on growing up in the bible¡¦s teachings.
After a full day of activities, the members at Ap Chau invited us into their homes to stay. Those who were still energetic went to the Ap Chau viewing platform to look at the stars. As the light pollution in Ap Chau is far less than the city, the night sky at Ap Chau was extremely clear and beautiful.
On the 26th, at 9am we entrusted the day into God¡¦s hands with a morning prayer. After breakfast, some brethren played the ¡§number ball¡¨ game then we had a Marriage Concern seminar. Deacon Yip then gave us a lesson on the church¡¦s history, so that we could use history as a mirror to understand our responsibility in preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God. At the end of the lessons, we had a treasure hunt. During the game, we were running all around Ap Chau and worked up quite a sweat. We were tired out after that. After lunch there was a Q&A session, where we shared queries about bible teachings or problems encountered in our daily lives. Afterwards, we tidied up and prepared to leave the island, bringing an end to our perfect time on Ap Chau. Thank God! |
 | | | Autumn Evangelistic Spiritual Convocation | 6th-10th October 2010 | | Thank God from the 6th to 10th of October, Hong Kong Church held its annual Autumn Spiritual and Evangelical Convocation. On this occasion, Taiwan GA sent Elder Chang En Zhe to help in our holy work.
The topics for this convocation included : -
The God we worship
Jesus in whom we believe
The Salvation we receive
The Church we belong to
Thank God, Elder Chang clearly introduced Jesus Christ to our truthseeking friends. During the spiritual convocation, Elder Chang also encouraged us to work hard to spread the gospel through his sermon, ¡¥God sending disciples to preach the Gospel¡¦. During the Friday and Saturday evangelical services, the church choir presented several hymns. Through these hymns they hoped to convey the message of God¡¦s love. At the end of every evangelical service, brothers and sisters would pray for the holy spirit together with truthseekers. Thank God on this ocassion there were four who received the Holy Spirit.
On the morning of Sunday, October 10th, six truth seekers in total were baptised and added into our family in Christ. After the baptism, we returned to church to continue with the spiritual convocation. The newly baptised brothers and sisters received the Footwashing sacrament and finally the Holy Communion. At this Spiritual Convocation, 193 members in total partook of the Holy Communion. |
 | | | Evangelical Fellowship | 12th September 2010 | | The Evangelical Fellowship organised by Steadfast fellowship on September 12th was very relaxed and light hearted. It started off with a few members walking into the chapel clapping and singing to a very joyful hymn and the congregation soon joined in with this singalong.
The fellowship was packed full of testimonies testifying the grace of God and choir presentations of hymns about God¡¦s love. Preacher Lin also gave a short sermon too. Thank God there were over 17 truth seekers who came and joined in the prayer for the Holy Spirit. After the service, we continued our discussions on the 2/F with refreshments. |  | | | Music Training Camp | 7th-8th August 2010 | | The Music Training Camp was held at Hong Kong Church from the 7th-8th August 2010. Dn Siu was invited from Taiwan to help with the event. There were approximately 100 participants.
Over the two days of lessons, we learnt over ten hymns. Dn Siu gave us some professional training in singing technique and introduced Life Education Activity programme from Taiwan. He also suggested that we organise hymnal evangelical outreach, so we can learn more.
Finally, thanks to God for the smooth progress of this Music Training Camp and for enabling us to learn more. Hopefully, this training can be held again each year. |  | | | Senior Youth Spiritual Convocation | 17th-21st July 2010 | | Thank God! The annual Senior Youth Spiritual Convocation was successfully held from the 17th to the 21st of July 2010. This year there were 34 students in total and 6 counselors who participated. The purpose of the event was that students could understand the spiritual convocation theme ¡V 'Living Hope' through studying the book of 1 Peter.
During the five days and four nights of the student spiritual convocation, besides the lessons, bible readings and prayers led by the preacher, the church invited brethren from each district church to share their faith and life experiences. The topics included "homosexuality", "life in society", "getting to know yourself", "understanding society¡¦s cultural trends" etc. There was also a hymnal lesson each day, so that through hymns, everyone could praise God and share the joy of the hymns.
For the outdoor activity, after traveling half an hour by bus and walking for a further 45mins, we came to Sham Chung Yung Shue O to draw close to nature. Although it was very hot that day, and the journey was long, we all arrived safely. From this we could feel that the Lord is constantly protecting and looking after us.
Thank the Lord, through the final hymnal presentation session, we shared what we had learned and experienced from God during these few days. Also this was an opportunity for brothers and sisters of different churches to have fellowship and exchange. |
 | | | Evangelical Fellowship | 31st May 2010 | | Thank God, on May 31st 2010, we organized an evangelical fellowship with the topic "Life Changes because of Him". Through hymns, testimonies and sermonizing we testified to the truth seekers this real and living God.
During the one and half hour service, the youths used hymns to praise God¡¦s precious salvation and amazing grace. Sister Jocelyn shared her testimony of how her family received the protection of God and were baptized. Sister Bonnie testified how God can be our refuge in times of trouble. Finally Preacher Lin Yin Ming explained how through God¡¦s spirit we can change our lives.
Thank God, four truth seeker friends attended and brothers and sisters from each church district came to support this holy work. After the conclusion of the service, everyone shared in some delicious refreshments. |
 | | | HK/KL/NT Steadfast Fellowship Service | 2nd May 2010 | | Thank God! We held our second 'HK/KL/NT Steadfast Fellowship' on the 2nd May 2010 at Hong Kong Church.
The purpose of this fellowship was to establish a better understanding between the Steadfast Members, to interact and strengthen the mutual bond so that we can have a stronger driving force to serve the Lord. The fellowship lasted for an hour and half and the content included words of encouragement from the preacher, hymns singing, testimony sharing and prayer.
During the fellowship two brethren (Brother Choi Kwok Tsing from Western Church and Sister Wong Sau Wah from Tsuen Wan Church) imparted their testimonies which edified and strengthened our faith in God and taught us to firmly rely on the Lord and follow Him.
Through the hymns shared by the different choirs, we could see each other's strengths and as a result could learn where we could improve ourselves.
At the end of the service, everyone gathered on the 2nd floor for lunch, which was a good opportunity to have exchange with sisters and brothers from other churches. |
 | | | Spring Evangelistic Spiritual Convocation | 14th-18th April 2010 | | Thank God the Spring Evangelistic Spiritual Convocation ran smoothly from the 14th to the 18th of April. On this occasion Elder Wu Ming Zen was invited from Taiwan to assist in the event.
From Wednesday through to Saturday there were evangelical services in the evening and there were choir presentations on Friday and Saturday evenings. Thank God, many brother and sisters felt that the Hong Kong Youth choir had improved a lot and were touched by the hymns. At the end of every service, we had the opportunity to pray for the Holy Spirit and thank God there were three brethren and truth seekers who received the Holy Spirit.
On the final Sunday morning, there was Baptism, Foot washing Sacrament and Holy Communion. In total there were five newly baptized brethren during this Spiritual Convocation. |
 | | | Youth Choir Musical Fellowship | 27th February 2010 | | Thank God our first Hong Kong Youth Choir Musical Fellowship went very smoothly on the 27th February. Although the program only lasted for only 2.5 hours it was packed full of activities: - games, discussions and singing.
The purpose of the event was to build more team spirit amongst the choir members, to understand the purpose of the choir in church and to have the correct attitude in serving our Lord.
Our Religious Affairs kicked off the event with some words of encouragement reminding us to serve God with the right heart and attitude and to appreciate the singing and serving opportunities we have and to continually strive to improve ourselves.
There was so much laughter throughout the games and creative singing. Then we wound down to a serious note during the discussions, discussing the attitude of choir members, the purpose of the church choir, the important ingredients to a choir presentation and the differences between a church and professional choir.
After some choir singing, the event finished off with a prayer thanking God and a pizza feast! |
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