9/4 - Labor Day Weekend -- No Meeting

Dear Friends and Families,

Wish all you have a nice and enjoyable Labor Day Weekend. We will not have our regular Friday meeting on 9/4 and will start to meet on 9/11.



God Bless.

8/28 - The Value of Trials and Temptation

Starting from this Friday, we are going to study James in the New Testament (新約中使徒書信的雅各伯書) in the following 5 weeks. You can view those chapters on line through following links:

• http://www.usccb.org/nab/bible/#james
• http://www.ccreadbible.org/Chinese%20Bible/backup/New%20Testament/Epistles/James

Please see our meeting information at the top right corner highlighted block. Arthur is going to lead us this week starting from James Chapter one. Please feel free to invite you friends.

Coming Event:

• SJC Feast Day Celebration
• 2009-09-13 (Sunday)
• 12:30 ~ 3:00 pm
• Location: Parish Comunity Center
• See link for details : http://www.calendarwiz.com/calendars/popup.php?&op=view&id=23522494&crd=sjcupca8us

God bless you and your family.

8/21 - Bear one another's burdens

This week, we are going to conclude Galatians. Daniel will lead us ... Here is Galatians Chapter 6.

Brothers, even if a person is caught in some transgression, you who are spiritual should correct that one in a gentle spirit, looking to yourself, so that you also may not be tempted. Bear one another's burdens, and so you will fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he is deluding himself. Each one must examine his own work, and then he will have reason to boast with regard to himself alone, and not with regard to someone else; for each will bear his own load. One who is being instructed in the word should share all good things with his instructor.

Make no mistake: God is not mocked, for a person will reap only what he sows, because the one who sows for his flesh will reap corruption from the flesh, but the one who sows for the spirit will reap eternal life from the spirit. Let us not grow tired of doing good, for in due time we shall reap our harvest, if we do not give up. So then, while we have the opportunity, let us do good to all, but especially to those who belong to the family of the faith.

See with what large letters I am writing to you in my own hand! It is those who want to make a good appearance in the flesh who are trying to compel you to have yourselves circumcised, only that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ. Not even those having themselves circumcised observe the law themselves; they only want you to be circumcised so that they may boast of your flesh. But may I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which 10 the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. For neither does circumcision mean anything, nor does uncircumcision, but only a new creation. Peace and mercy be to all who follow this rule and to the Israel of God. From now on, let no one make troubles for me; for I bear the marks of Jesus on my body.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers.

Amen.

8/14 - Hope of Righteousness and Love

Galatians Chapter 5

For freedom Christ set us free; so stand firm and do not submit again to the yoke of slavery. It is I, Paul, who am telling you that if you have yourselves circumcised, Christ will be of no benefit to you.

Once again I declare to every man who has himself circumcised that he is bound to observe the entire law. You are separated from Christ, you who are trying to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace.

For through the Spirit, by faith, we await the hope of righteousness. For in Christ Jesus, neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love.

You were running well; who hindered you from following (the) truth? That enticement does not come from the one who called you. A little yeast leavens the whole batch of dough.

I am confident of you in the Lord that you will not take a different view, and that the one who is troubling you will bear the condemnation, whoever he may be.

As for me, brothers, if I am still preaching circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case, the stumbling block of the cross has been abolished. Would that those who are upsetting you might also castrate themselves!

For you were called for freedom, brothers. But do not use this freedom as an opportunity for the flesh; rather, serve one another through love. For the whole law is fulfilled in one statement, namely, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." But if you go on biting and devouring one another, beware that you are not consumed by one another.

I say, then: live by the Spirit and you will certainly not gratify the desire of the flesh. For the flesh has desires against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; these are opposed to each other, so that you may not do what you want. But if you are guided by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

Now the works of the flesh are obvious: immorality, impurity, licentiousness, idolatry, sorcery, hatreds, rivalry, jealousy, outbursts of fury, acts of selfishness, dissensions, factions, occasions of envy, drinking bouts, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

In contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.

Now those who belong to Christ (Jesus) have crucified their flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also follow the Spirit. Let us not be conceited, provoking one another, envious of one another.

8/7 由家庭系統觀看人的身心靈成長

Dear Friends and Families,

We are invited to join this nice seminar at our regular bible study time on next Friday (Aug. 7). We are going to meet everyone at St. Joseph of Cupertino Community Center in at 7:30 pm, NOT the Art Classroom and NOT the Parish hall. Please see detail at http://sjccc. blogspot. com/2009/ 07/august- workshop- for-personal- growth.html.

* 主題: 由家庭系統觀看人的身心靈成長
* 主講: 鄭玉英教授
* 主辦: 聖荷西華人天主教會
* 時間: 2009年 8月7日禮拜五晚上7點半到10 點
* 地點: St. Joseph of Cupertino Parish - Community Center
* 地址: 10110 North De Anza Boulevard Cupertino, CA 95014
* Tel: 408-252-7653
* Map: Community Center (please click it to see the location)

We will continue our Galatians study on Aug. 14 at Art classroom. Please don't miss any one of our meetings.

See you there and may God bless ...