The following brief devotion and prayer were shared at the Parish Council meeting on 17 June 2026. Inspired by responses received during our Parish Mission Action Plan review, I share them here in the hope that they may encourage and bless others.
As we begin our meeting tonight, I would like to share a few encouraging reflections that emerged from our recent Parish Mission Action Plan survey and workshop discussions.
One of the survey questions asked, 'As you pray about our church, what do you sense God is saying to us at this time?' Among the responses from our English congregation were these words:
Stand firm; do not be discouraged.
Love one another as God loves us.
Keep strong in our faith and listen closely to God.
And from our Mandarin congregation:
God will restore and rebuild his church.
Serve God wholeheartedly.
Pray for more servant leaders.
As I read these responses, I am struck by the common themes of faith, perseverance, love, prayer and hope. They remind us that, even as we plan for the future, our confidence is not in ourselves but in the Lord, who is building his church and calling us to serve him faithfully.
Let us take a few moments of quiet reflection and prayer as we consider these words and listen afresh to what God may be saying to us as a Parish Council.
Silence
Heavenly Father, we thank you for the encouragement and wisdom you have spoken through the members of our church family. Thank you for your faithfulness to our church through the years and for the hope we have in Christ. As we meet tonight, help us to stand firm in faith, love one another deeply, serve you wholeheartedly, and listen carefully to your voice. Grant us wisdom, unity, humility and discernment as we seek to serve your purposes for this parish. Raise up servant leaders among us, strengthen your church and guide us by your Holy Spirit in all our discussions and decisions. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
