Kathy Olson 奧嘉筣

I knew something special was happening to me the moment a walked through the doors of the International Chinese Christian Church of Tacoma. I instantly felt the heart-felt warmth of the people. It felt different to me; everyone seemed to have a great big smile on their faces. I was greeted and hugged by many.

I remembered seeing the Sunday bulletin; it said “A community where all belong.”  Wow, that’s what I have wanted my whole life, to belong, and I do. It’s a church where we can all learn about the Lord together, pray together, dream big together, and even cry together, and of course we love to eat together.

Being part of the choir has been a life changing experience for me. It’s wonderful when all of us get together and make a joyful noise to the Lord. What I am learning is that everyone is given special talents by God, and we may not even know it. The important thing it to try, it doesn’t mater how old or young you are, just try, God will do the rest.

Pastor Louie has powerful messages, which are always filled with encouragement, faith, love, and hope for the future.

After every Sunday service, we assemble again for our prayer meeting after a brief coffee time.

It is a real comfort to be part of a church where there are such prayer warriors. Every prayer request is taken seriously and prayed for continuously.  Together we come to God with one heart and one spirit.

One thing that means so much to me is how as a church we are working towards bringing the Gospel of Christ to our community.  ICCCT offers many outreach programs, and lots of fun family events. I really enjoy the 4th of July picnic; it was fun to spend time with family and friends, and meet new friends.  I feel very blessed to be part of such a caring church.

當我第一次走進塔可瑪華人基督教會的大門時,我有一種特別的感覺. 我立刻覺得心里暖曖的. 教會里的每個人臉上都洋溢著笑容,我得大家的祝褔和擁抱.

我記得有一次教會布告欄上寫著“人人均可歸屬的社區”, 這是我一生想要尋找的歸屬,現在我找到了 .這是一所愛人愛神的教會.我們一起聆聽上帝的教誨, 一起祈禱, 一起擁有夢想, 甚至一起哭泣, 當然我們更喜歡一起分享美食.

作為唱詩班的一員, 我發生了很大的變化.我們大家一起用聲音贊美上帝,這是很美妙的感受. 我懂得了上帝給予每個人恩賜, 也許我們并不知道. 重要的是努力地嘗試, 不論長幼, 只需嘗試, 余下來的讓上帝去做.雷牧師給我們帶來神的教導. 他的講道總是充滿著鼓勵, 信, 望, 和愛. 每次做完禮拜並茶點後,我們都會有祈禱和報告,每個祈禱事項都很認真,不論祈求是大是小,我們都一心一信地告訴上帝.

對我來說很有意義的是,我們共同努力,把福音帶給我們的社區. 塔可瑪華人基督教會為我們安排很多特別活動和家庭活動,我非常喜歡七月四日的野餐活動,讓我們的家人,朋友歡聚在一起,并有機會結識新的朋友.我感到非常幸運能成為這麼好的教堂的一員.[:zh]當我第一次走進塔可瑪華人基督教會的大門時,我有一種特別的感覺. 我立刻覺得心里暖曖的. 教會里的每個人臉上都洋溢著笑容,我得大家的祝褔和擁抱.

    

我記得有一次教會布告欄上寫著“人人均可歸屬的社區”, 這是我一生想要尋找的歸屬,現在我找到了 .這是一所愛人愛神的教會.我們一起聆聽上帝的教誨, 一起祈禱, 一起擁有夢想, 甚至一起哭泣, 當然我們更喜歡一起分享美食.

    

作為唱詩班的一員, 我發生了很大的變化.我們大家一起用聲音贊美上帝,這是很美妙的感受. 我懂得了上帝給予每個人恩賜, 也許我們并不知道. 重要的是努力地嘗試, 不論長幼, 只需嘗試, 余下來的讓上帝去做.雷牧師給我們帶來神的教導. 他的講道總是充滿著鼓勵, 信, 望, 和愛. 每次做完禮拜並茶點後,我們都會有祈禱和報告,每個祈禱事項都很認真,不論祈求是大是小,我們都一心一信地告訴上帝.

對我來說很有意義的是,我們共同努力,把福音帶給我們的社區. 塔可瑪華人基督教會為我們安排很多特別活動和家庭活動,我非常喜歡七月四日的野餐活動,讓我們的家人,朋友歡聚在一起,并有機會結識新的朋友.我感到非常幸運能成為這麼好的教堂的一員.[:]

Meiling Miller 黃美玲

In 2006, I moved to Tacoma. Betty Chen invited me to attend the International Chinese Christian Church of Tacoma.  I stayed. I received baptism at church. In our church, I have learned many valuable lessons from God and helpful principles about life.  Every Sunday, I learn much from the sermons of Pastor Douglas Louie. His teaching helps me to grow as a person. In the past, I tended to become impatient and restless when I encountered problems.  Pastor’s teaching makes me realize that our lives are indeed in God’s hand.  God allows us to face various situations. Some are good; some are bad.  Some are difficult; some are easy. Difficulties are placed in our lives to build our character.   

In Sunday school, Mrs. Louie continues to encourage us to accept and to be thankful for God’s guidance in life.  She uses the lemon analogy to describe problems.  God may choose to give us lemons sometimes, not sweet apples. However, we need to have the right attitude.  When God gives us lemons, we can make lemonade, turning negative problems into positive benefits for those around us.  When we face setbacks in life, there is no need to run away or to complain.  Instead, we should immerse ourselves in the Word of God, asking God for wisdom to find the solutions.  Then we can turn stress into strength, producing delicious lemonade for everyone to enjoy.

2006年我搬到塔可馬這裏之後,陳玉春介紹我到華人基督教會,從此我再也離不開這個教會,2006年我接受洗禮.在這個教會,我學到了很多很有價值的聖經教訓和人生道理.每一個星期天,雷向榮牧師的講道都使我受益不淺.他使我感到我的人生在長進,過去當我遇到困難時,很容易急燥,很難平靜下來,甚至很想不通,常常不得安寧.在這裏,我聽了雷牧師的講解,學習了神的話語之後,我才明白,其實每一個人的一生都是在神的安排和掌管之下的,也就是說無論是好事壞事難事易事,當它在你一生中發生時,你都要承受.雷師母也教導我們要甘心並帶著謝恩來面對生命的挑戰.雷師母把困難形容成是神給我們的檸檬.雖然不是一個甜的蘋果,當給我們拿到檸檬時,我們可以把檸檬做成檸檬汁,使它變成一個很多人都喜歡而且對身体也有好處的東西.雷師母告訴我們這樣一個道理,人的一生總會遇到多種困難,不要回避和埋怨,多多學習神的話語,想辦法去解決它,將困難壓力變成動力,這樣你就會做出膾炙人口的檸檬汁.[:zh]2006年我搬到塔可馬這裏之後,陳玉春介紹我到華人基督教會,從此我再也離不開這個教會,2006年我接受洗禮.在這個教會,我學到了很多很有價值的聖經教訓和人生道理.每一個星期天,雷向榮牧師的講道都使我受益不淺.他使我感到我的人生在長進,過去當我遇到困難時,很容易急燥,很難平靜下來,甚至很想不通,常常不得安寧.在這裏,我聽了雷牧師的講解,學習了神的話語之後,我才明白,其實每一個人的一生都是在神的安排和掌管之下的,也就是說無論是好事壞事難事易事,當它在你一生中發生時,你都要承受.雷師母也教導我們要甘心並帶著謝恩來面對生命的挑戰.雷師母把困難形容成是神給我們的檸檬.雖然不是一個甜的蘋果,當給我們拿到檸檬時,我們可以把檸檬做成檸檬汁,使它變成一個很多人都喜歡而且對身体也有好處的東西.雷師母告訴我們這樣一個道理,人的一生總會遇到多種困難,不要回避和埋怨,多多學習神的話語,想辦法去解決它,將困難壓力變成動力,這樣你就會做出膾炙人口的檸檬汁.[:]

Eve Chen 陳雅芳

For years, the Saturday and Sunday are the only days in a week we get to sleep in a little. But that one Sunday in May 2011, we woke up early and decided to go to church.  Immediately, we were welcomed by everyone!  Then we received a welcome card/letter from Pastor and Belinda in that following week after our first visit.  Both my husband and I were surprised! We have never received any card or letter from any church after just one visit.  From the date we decided to continue attending the International Chinese Christina Church till today, I do not feel that we have given up anything.  Instead, we gain a family; we’ve found a place we can go to unwind after a week of stressful work, a place that is filled with warm, caring, and loving people that make us feel we are right at home.  This is our second home away from our parents.  I finally got what I always ask my parent for, some sisters!

幾年來, 所有的周末是我們工作一星期後難得睡懶覺的日子, 但是2011年五月的一個星期天,我們起得很早, 決定去塔可瑪華人基督教會看看. 一時間, 所有的人都非常熱情地歡迎我們. 在隨後的一個星期我們驚訝地收到了牧師和師母的歡迎卡和信函.  我們從來沒有收到過其他教會寄來的歡迎卡, 於是便決定再來教堂嘗試一下.  從那天起, 我們每周都來教會, 我感到我們絲毫沒有放棄甚麼, 相反我們獲得了一個溫暖的大家庭. 我們終于找到了一個可以排解壓力, 人人關愛, 充滿溫馨的家.  這裏是我們遠離父母之後的第二個家. 在教會,我終於得到多年來央求父母給我的禮物,姐妹![:zh]幾年來, 所有的周末是我們工作一星期後難得睡懶覺的日子, 但是2011年五月的一個星期天,我們起得很早, 決定去塔可瑪華人基督教會看看. 一時間, 所有的人都非常熱情地歡迎我們. 在隨後的一個星期我們驚訝地收到了牧師和師母的歡迎卡和信函.  我們從來沒有收到過其他教會寄來的歡迎卡, 於是便決定再來教堂嘗試一下.  從那天起, 我們每周都來教會, 我感到我們絲毫沒有放棄甚麼, 相反我們獲得了一個溫暖的大家庭. 我們終于找到了一個可以排解壓力, 人人關愛, 充滿溫馨的家.  這裏是我們遠離父母之後的第二個家. 在教會,我終於得到多年來央求父母給我的禮物,姐妹![:]

Darwin and Fan Overbeck 達奧拔和連芳蕙

After attending church in Steilacoom for about 15 years, a dear friend invited us to her church, the International Chinese Christian Church of Tacoma (ICCCT). Pastor spoke his sermon in English; his wife translated it into Chinese. We decided immediately to switch churches! That was about 10 years ago.

Since then, we all have greatly benefited from the relaxed, but serious attention to the Bible and church activities! ICCCT is pleasantly different from all churches we’ve attended. That’s a great part of its charm and how it fosters solidarity!

Pastor and Belinda care not only for our spiritual well-being, but physical health as well. Besides inspiring oration, Sunday school for both adults and kids, and Bible study during the week, we go to classical-music concerts at Tacoma’s Rialto Theater at greatly-reduced prices; and free exercise times on Sunday afternoons.

It may be time for you and your loved ones to make a change and try our church. We’re so glad we did! So will you!

In Christ,

Darwin and Fan Overbeck

在參加Steilacoom那裡的教會15年之後,一個朋友介紹我們來到了塔可瑪華人基督教會。牧師用英文講道,師母現場翻譯中文。我們立刻決定選擇這個教會!那是10年前的事。
自那以後,我們一直輕鬆愉快地來教會,認真學習聖經以及參與教會各項活動!塔可瑪華人基督教會與之前我們加入的其他教會很不同,它極其可愛和團結友愛。
牧師和師母不僅關心我們靈命的成長,而且也關心教友們的健康。除了講道、成人和兒童主日學、查經班以外,教會還組織大家欣賞古典音樂會,以及提供一周兩次的免費健身活動。
歡迎你和你的家人也來加入我們的教會,我們很高興我們做了這樣的決定!歡迎你!

達奧拔和連芳蕙[:zh]在參加Steilacoom那裡的教會15年之後,一個朋友介紹我們來到了塔可瑪華人基督教會。牧師用英文講道,師母現場翻譯中文。我們立刻決定選擇這個教會!那是10年前的事。
自那以後,我們一直輕鬆愉快地來教會,認真學習聖經以及參與教會各項活動!塔可瑪華人基督教會與之前我們加入的其他教會很不同,它極其可愛和團結友愛。
牧師和師母不僅關心我們靈命的成長,而且也關心教友們的健康。除了講道、成人和兒童主日學、查經班以外,教會還組織大家欣賞古典音樂會,以及提供一周兩次的免費健身活動。
歡迎你和你的家人也來加入我們的教會,我們很高興我們做了這樣的決定!歡迎你!

達奧拔和連芳蕙[:]