Dear EM family,
I pray that this email finds you well spiritually and physically.
You probably haven’t seen our hymn books for a while. There list the Apostles’ Creed, the Nicene Creed, and The Lord’s Prayer on the hymn book’s back cover.
I had a chance during a class to learn more about the forming history of these Creeds. When were the creeds written? How were the contents of the creeds determined? And of course, why?
It was not until the fifteenth century, just before the Protestant Reformation, that “Western” scholars began questioning the legends about the origins of the creeds.
Based on these studies, we now know that the Apostles’ Creed’s origins can be traced back as early as the middle of the second century. A formula very similar to the Apostles’ Creed itself was used in Rome for baptism.
Reading the creeds, you can immediately notice they have three main parts, one referring to each of the three persons of the Trinity. And, the section referring to the Son is much more detailed than the other two.
The question is, of course, why?
It is believed that all creeds are historically conditioned. They reflected the prevailing view when they were composed. The creeds were emphasizing those points of doctrine that seemed to be most threatened at the time.
You may consider that those creeds remind us of the gospel’s central points that we express our faith in their words.
So, reread it, see if you consider it your creed or just a creed of the church?
By the way, did you notice that there is not much “Jewishness” in the creeds, if any at all?
Nicene Council in 325 AD for the Nicene Creed
The Apostles’ Creed
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit
and born of the virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended to hell.
The third day he rose again from the dead.
He ascended to heaven
and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty.
From there he will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.
Announcement:
- Friday Night’s Bible Study will start a new book from Lifeway. You may dial in or login via your phone or personal computer:
https://zoom.us/j/685376249?pwd=cWtyUk1pckJiRHJxZVZCSGdJZWw2UT09
Dial-in from your phone: +1 929 436 2866 US (New York)
Meeting ID: 685 376 249
- EM Sunday School
Topic: CBCGL EM Sunday Class “52 Major Stories of the Bible” (9:45 am – 11:00 am):
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/491248585?pwd=RnpLcnpjQ01nTGZLSmhaZ3l4L3dKQT09
Dial-in from your phone: +1 929 205 6099 US (New York)
Meeting ID: 491 248 585
YAs Sunday School (via Microsoft Teams)
YAs Sunday School signup sheet:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1H0oSS1kpU8JUZAv0JcmivEIzR-tvDtihkrEtBLE8tJo/edit?usp=sharing
- This Sunday, Pastor Steve Chin will be sharing God’s word with us.
- Live stream Youtube: http://cbcgl.org/resources/live-stream/
- Title: Have You Missed the Christ of Christmas?
- Text: Matthew 2:1-12, Luke 2:1-7
- Coworker reminder:
- Next week we have combined worship. Service starts at 9:45 am. There is no Sunday School.
- A new health waiver form has been posted online at
http://bit.ly/cbcgl-covid19-waiver
You are required to fill out the latest form if you plan to participate in any church activities.
- New Life Toastmaster Club is meeting every Sunday at 1:30 pm. Here is their new zoom meeting info:
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81263192812?pwd=azR3TGlpUzE5UXlvdjZTK0hoOUN0dz09
Meeting ID: 812 6319 2812
Passcode: 296181
Join by phone: +1 929 205 6099 US (New York)
- All other announcement items can be found here.
Prayer Request:
- Prayer is an essential part of the Christian life! Please consider joining our Wednesday night prayer meeting (7:45 pm – 9:15 pm) even if you can’t participate the whole time.
Zoom Meeting:
https://zoom.us/j/758587937?pwd=aS9sZUdxcm1janNNM2I2aXJ6Smx2QT09
Meeting ID: 758 587 937
Password: 030086
Join by phone: +1 929 436 2866 US (New York)
Young Adults:
Wednesday night EM prayer meeting @ 7:45 – 9:30 pm –
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86893982884?pwd=Q2RIWEtVMGtmdGJ2ZHNJdDJ3Rng4dz09
Meeting ID: 868 9398 2884
Password: 197791
- Here is our list of prayer and service requests. The service request tab is for brothers and sisters to ask for assistance or announce any give-away items. It is a new attempt from EM to reach out and take care of those in need among us. You may also enter yours:
Your brother in Christ,
Jeremy