Prayer Letter May 2017

廿週年讚美會 20th Anniversary Worship Concerts

願上帝完全的平安常常環繞你，願祂堅定的雙手成為我們永遠的依靠！

《主恩廿年讚美感恩會》掀開今年一連串的服事，三月五日第一場在曉士頓中國教會舉行，數週後，我們與讚美團隊一團廿幾人，浩浩蕩蕩到奧斯丁華人教會進行第二場的讚美感恩會。曉士頓中國教會是新心之夢萌芽的溫床，奧斯丁華人教會是新心踏出曉士頓的第一站，都是我們成長過程中，帶給我們許多記憶的石頭（書4:3-7）。上帝帶領許多愛護我們的弟兄姐妹，在漫長廿年與我們同走過的代禱勇者，與我們一同見證上帝的超然的恩典。想到祂如何呵護我們，步步引領，讓我們再次有勇氣邁向第二個廿年。

We started off with "20 Years of Grace Thanksgiving Celebration" at Houston Chinese Church (March 5th) and a few weeks later with all our praise team at Austin Chinese Church (March 25th). It was in Houston Chinese Church that the dream of New Heart began to take shape; it was in Austin Chinese Church that we attempted our bold first step outside of home. They are indeed our stones of remembrance (Joshua 4:3-7). God brought many brothers and sisters who have walked and prayed for us all these 20 years to testify to the amazing Grace of God. We have courage to walk the second 20 years because we are confident that He will care and guide us every step..

北美服事 Ministries in North America

我們在四月五月有兩次北美的巡迴，四月底到美國東岸幾個城市，五月初到威斯康辛州的米城。這次重返麻省華人福音堂和羅德島州華人基督教會，見到好些老朋友，在教會依舊忠心的服事，心中充滿感恩。我們第一次在中康州基督徒會堂舉辦敬拜研習會並詩歌見證分享會，看見來自許多附近城市的弟兄姐妹不分彼此，同心擺上，有音響的帶音響，有投影屏幕的帶屏幕，天上的喜樂充滿我們的心，也充滿會眾的心。

米城中華基督教會座落在一所古典雄偉的教堂內，這次除了詩歌見證分享會、主日崇拜之外，還有一天的定點培訓，我負責教鍵盤樂器。感謝上帝，讓我能將從祂領受的與弟兄姐妹分享。他們付上代價，從車程1-2小時以外的地方過來，而且年紀有老有少。但願上帝使他們緊記所學習的，並有更多運用的機會。

We have two North America trips in April and May. We visited several cities in the East Coast region in April and Milwaukee, Wisconsin in May. I was glad to revisit Chinese Gospel Church of Massachusetts and Chinese Christian Church of Rhode Island. It was always pure joy to see old friends who are still actively serving. We also taught a worship seminar as well as an Evangelistic meeting at Central Connecticut Christian Fellowship. I saw many brothers and sisters from churches in the area working together to spread the Gospel. Our hearts were filled with heavenly joy, which I believed was also among the congregation that evening.

The Chinese Christian Church of Milwaukee has a magnificent building. Besides leading an Evangelistic meeting and two Sunday services, we taught a full time Satellite School, during which I taught piano. I thanked God that I can share what I have learnt from Him with brothers and sisters coming from places two hours away. The class consisted of old and young who are so willing to learn. May God help them remember what they have learnt. May they have many opportunities to use their skills.

在四月初，我也有機會參與一位弟兄的畢業演奏會，再次用音樂的恩賜來榮耀上帝。為了預備演出，我用了不少時間練習，希望在任何情況都能將最好的獻上。

我也有機會回到哥倫布探望以前樂團的好友，也開車到另一城市探望前室友。

感謝上帝賜我朋友，雖然分隔兩地，還有機會見面暢談。

In early April, I took part in a friend's graduate recital, using the talents to glorify God. To prepare for this recital, I have spent quite some time practicing, hoping to give Him the best every time.

I was also able to visit my orchestra friends in Columbus, OH, as well as my previous roommate who is now a pastor in another city. Thank God for friends who remain close even though we live in different cities.

亞洲服事 Serving in Asia

明天晚上，我將開始今年度的亞洲巡迴。我們將在新加坡、新山（馬來西亞）及台北舉辦《敬拜權能主》的敬拜讚美音樂會，慶祝新心音樂事工成立廿年。每場讚美會的壓軸是來自各教會的百人詩班，他們去年參與錄音的工作，如今與我們享受服事的成果。請大家繼續為籌備工作禱告，因為覺得要做的事很多，但是時間卻十分有限。求上帝賜給我、偉恩、及許多的義工敏捷的思想、快手快腳，能及時完成預備的工作。特別請求你為我們的經費禱告，場地加上詩班的站台（今年人數比往年更多）。我們相信當詩班的歌聲揚起，樂器的悅音盪漾，上帝榮耀尊貴的聖名必被高舉。當上帝得到榮耀的時候，祂必定為我們預備一切所需，叫我們在祂的豐盛裡，滿得祝福。

《敬拜權能主》敬拜讚美音樂會 "Worship the Almighty" Praise and Worship Concerts

6月18日 730pm - 新山全備福音教會 Full Gospel Church, Johor Bahru

6月25日 730pm - 基督教新加坡生命堂 Singapore Life Church, Singapore

7月29日 730pm - 台北浸信會懷恩堂 Grace Baptist Church, Taipei

I will be traveling to Asia tomorrow. We will be presenting "Worship the Almighty" Praise and Worship Concert in Singapore, Johor Bahru (Malaysia) and Taipei, celebrating our 20th Anniversary. The highlight of each concert will be the large choir representing many churches. They have recorded some of the songs last year and we want to celebrate what they have done in the Lord. Please pray for the preparation. There are still many details to be taken care of within limited time. Pray that God will grant me, David and all our volunteers quick minds and fast fingers to complete all the tasks at hand. I ask for special prayers for our financial needs - the cost for the venue and the choir risers (as we have many more singers this year). We believe that as we raise our voices and play our instruments, the glorious Name of our God will be lifted up. When He is glorified, He will surely supply all our needs so that we can enjoy blessings in His fullness.

服事中難免有起起落落，重要是如何在挫折中堅定地相信。最近重讀詩篇77，看到詩人「在患難之日尋求主」，「在夜間不住地舉手禱告」，他受傷的心「不肯受安慰。」在患難之日，最需要重溫上帝曾在自己生命中的作為，才不致心灰意冷。回顧這廿年的風風雨雨，令我感動的事實在太多。但願我們彼此勉勵，常常回顧上帝在自己身上的作為，繼續努力向標竿直跑。誠如多年前的詩歌《倘若》：
倘若瀟瀟灑灑渡過人生漫漫，
就無法享受你的同在，
我的主啊，我寧願風風雨雨有你作伴。

祝福你，在人生每一個階段，都飽嚐上帝的慈愛！若有任何事項可以為你代禱，請讓我盡上一分力。

遠淳上

Life is filled with ups and downs, but it is imperative to keep believing at all times. I read Psalms 77 again lately and was moved by how the psalmist sought the Lord when he was in distress, how he stretched out untiring hands because he just would not be comforted. In days of affliction, we must remember what God has done in our life, so that we will not be disillusioned. There were simply too many amazing deeds that happened to me the last twenty years. May we continue to encourage one another, remembering what God has done in our lives, so that we can run towards the goal to win the prize. As I have expressed in the song "What If" written a while back:

I f I cannot experience Your presence when my whole life is smooth-sailing and without any difficulties, I would rather have Your company as we go through the ups and downs in life.

May we be always satisfied by the love of God! If there is anything I can pray for you, please let me share in the ministry of prayer.

Yenn

NEW HEART MUSIC MINISTRIES | 新心音樂事工
WWW.NEWHEARTMUSIC.ORG | YENN@NEWHEARTMUSIC.ORG