Theology Christmas Potluck Party

Theology club had a Christmas potluck party on the evening of Sunday, December 12, 2010 at church dining hall. All theology students, faculties, family members, and visitors were welcomed to the warm gathering. It was a quite big party with about fifty people. We started the program with singing some Christmas songs which we love to sing in this season. Then, our new dean of Theology department, Dr. Miguel Luna, gave us a message about spirit of Christmas. After that, Dr. Wann Fanwar presented a slide show of our activity pictures of this year. It remembered us about the delightful events we had. Those events seemed like long time ago, but remained us about God’s blessings upon those events through this year. In this gathering, we had a good news. We were happy to know that one of our Theology students, Pr. Semilee Tajau, had been ordained just before the gathering. As our tradition, all pastors surrounded by him, laying their hands on, and prayed for him to ask God for blessing upon his ministry.

Then, traditionally as Christmas party, Christmas gifts were given to everyone who came to the party. Names of all our regular members, Theology students, faculties, and family members, were on the gifts. It was a very lovely time to be called our name by our rabbi, Dr. Fanwar. It made us really happy to know that we are cared and remembered. Also, gifts were given to all the visitors who came to the party. It was very nice to see them receiving gifts with happy faces! Finally, it was time to line up to the delicious food! There were Tomyum soup, Indian food, deserts, fruits, and many other homemade foods. We all had great time eating together and knowing each other with Aroi food in this party!

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Welcome....

Hellllllo Theology

An invitation to write

Dear friends...

We thank you for taking time to read this blog. I (administrator) would like to especially thank Yoko for her contribution. Applause for her. I believe some of you would also like to contribute to this blog. I have invited some of you, students in the Faculty of Religious Studies, to contribute. We hope that you accept that invitation. Please follow any necessary procedures in the process in order to be able to contribute.

Your contribution could be in any form. It could simply be some pictures, or news with pictures, or some theological thoughts/reflection that you'd want to share. You can also make some comments on the posts. We highly encouraged you to comment. You could also share some prayer requests.

We would like to see this blog as the centre for expressing and sharing your ideas and stories. Through this blog, each one of us can be updated to what happen in the Faculty and the Theology Club. We also hope that your stories and ideas would bring us together, no matter where we are at the moment.

Cheers. God bless.

Theology Potluck

Theology Potluck Party took place on September 5, 2010 at Church Dining Hall. Students, faculties, and families gathered together and enjoyed the fellowship.

Today, we had two special guests—our new University President, Dr. Loren Agrey, and Mrs. Shelley Agrey. They gently talked with the students and cheerfully learned each student’s names.

As usual, we started with singing songs. Then, Dr. Fanwar gave us a message. When we graduate University and start working in the field, we may experience rain without umbrella. Troubles and hard times will come. But it is okay to have rain as long as we look up above the clouds. This is the last semester for three students—James, Keo, and Vanny. We are glad with their devoted works here and praying for God’s blessings as they go to service to the Lord and people, though we are going to miss them a lot!

They received gift from Dr. Fanwar and Matthews. Then, pastors made a circle around them and prayed for them.

After that, Hansel the Great One took a vote on our theology shirt. I am so happy that finally we have our department shirt! We chose nice red design one. We look forward to wear the shirt and go to class on Fridays!

Everyone enjoyed the lovely food. We all are glad that we have this opportunity to eat together and grow our friendships.

Department Worship

I always like Theology department worship. It is delightful and makes me smile. On Thursday, September 2, 2010, I also enjoyed the department worship at Fellowship Hall.

It started with cheerful song service as usual. I saw people singing with smiling face. After a prayer, Dancan shared a short massage for us.

Inspiration Week,2010 (3)

Friday Vespers was presented by Pr. Johnny Wong and Pr. Gerard Bernard with a new conversation style message about the Body of Christ through the title “Anatomy and Physiology in the Spirit”.

Our body’s main parts are bones, muscles, and organs. Bones and muscles support the structure, and organs perform important functions. Three significant organs are heart, lungs, and stomach. Heart locates just behind the chest and pumps blood through the body. Lungs are protected by ribs, and left one is smaller than the other to make a space for the heart. Lungs are organs for breathing which keeps us alive. Prayer is important as breathing. How long can we live without breathing? Every moment, our souls need God’s Spirit as our bodies need fresh air. Stomach is a part of digestion system. How long can we go without eating? As our bodies need food to get energy, our souls need spiritual food.

Every part of our bodies needs something to function. Heart needs blood, lungs need oxygen, and stomach needs food. Our souls also need relationship with God to function as the body of Christ. Also, we need each other’s help by doing our parts. Our body parts are united as one as they work for one purpose. To work as the body of Christ, each of our functions is equally valuable and it is important to work on our own parts. “Let us be united” as the body of Christ that functions for God’s work.

On August 28 in Youth Worship, the Sabbath message was presented by Dr. Wann Fanwar to conclude our Inspiration Week through the title “Mangoes or Bananas: Fruit Salad.”

God made everyone unique and no one is the same. Thailand is said “the land of smile,” but not all of Thai people are smiley. We cannot say “all Thai is like this,” because God made everyone different. Even from same parents, different children come. None of us can be the same. If everyone was the same, it is not going to be fun. “God’s world is like fruit salad.” The attraction of fruit salad is its diversity. The twelve disciples were all very different with many characters. But they needed each other as God had purpose for them. Uniformity is not so important. “Unity of the church” is that each of the church members knows that they are special to God. Uniformity in no diversity is meaningless. The eyes cannot say “I don’t need you” to hands because God uses each of them. There are many kinds of fruits in this world, but fruit salad is great with its great diversity.

Some people function as eyes, some do as ears. Only mango is not enough, but we need other fruits to be mature. We cannot be Christ-like completely by ourselves. To make a good meal, we need many dishes. We all are different but work to be the body of Christ, the wonderful meal. For the church, to become the body of Christ is important.

In the afternoon at 3p.m., “Chat with a Rabbi” took place at the Fellowship Hall by Dr. Wann Fanwar. About thirty students, families, and faculties participated. There, our Rabbi answered interesting questions about marriage, vegetarianism, the Bible, and so on. Dr. Fanwar’s answers are always interesting and very beneficial to learn!

Inspiration Week,2010 (2)

Choong shared a message on Wednesday evening about Disciples of Jesus. Jesus’ twelve disciples were all very unique. They had completely different personalities and backgrounds. But all of them walked with Jesus and worked for Him. Today, we all are different and unique as the twelve disciples were. We have different appearance, personalities, and abilities. Now, what can we give to our friends? How can we work for Jesus? Our diversity is a blessing from God. Let us use whatever we have and work for Him as His disciples.

On Thursday, the last meeting for this Inspiration Week at the Fellowship Hall, Robin Ramroop was the speaker in which he presented Spiritual Gifts through the title “Can He Trust You?”

There are types of people in the church—members, believers, and disciples. Members and believers never miss the church but they do nothing for the church. However, disciples run up mission of the church using their spiritual gifts. Every one of us is blessed with spiritual gift. It can be any kinds – giving, helping, or even carrying heavy stuff is a gift that you have to serve for God! Each gift is valued and significant. Jesus said in Matthew 28, “Go to the people and make them my disciples.” God is expecting us to use our gifts to spread the gospel and to make people prepare for the Second Coming. Devil is happy when we are angry or frustrated because our spiritual gifts are not used and the gospel is not spread. The church’s function is less and crippled in one area when we are not using our gifts. We all need each other. “I need you and you need me. You have something to help me to be saved.” When we used our gifts and did something for God, the church will keep being alive. Also, when we use our gifts, God will multiply them.

Why did God give you the gift? Why only you are the SDA in your family? It is because God trusts you to use it for His work—to make disciples of Jesus in the neighborhood and around the world. God trust you with that gift. Let us respond to His trust with our service.

Inspiration Week,2010

From Sunday, August 22, 2010, Theology Club is holding an inspiration week at the Robin Riches Fellowship Hall at 7:45pm. Every night, we start with song service led by inspiring song leaders. The theme song is Hymn number 348, “The Church Has One Foundation.” After a prayer, our student shares an interesting message in the theme "Mangoes or Bananas?" To close the meeting, we gather in small groups to pray for each other.

On Sunday, our senior student, James Jalin shared a message about the Creation for us. Why are there mangoes or bananas? If there were only mangoes, it will be boring. Because there is a beauty of difference, it is good to take bananas as well. In the creation, God made everything perfect—"It is good." So, dare to be different because God made us differently on purpose; that is a beauty of God. When we dare to take different way from doing bad, God will color our world.

On Monday, Vanny Leng, our senior student, shared a message about the Covenant. At the Mount Sainai, God promised holiness to His people. If we listen to the voice of God which is the words of God, the Ten Commandments, we will be God’s very own people. We are lucky because God has brought us out of darkness into His light. “Because of His promise, we can smile and have hope.”

On Tuesday, Keophetsamom Somphou, also our graduating senior student, shared a message about Levites. God chose Levites to serve Him as priests because they were faithful to Him. They had the privilege to settle their tent near the Tabernacle, the house of God. God did not give them any land, but something much greater thing than any other tribes—the promise that God will be with them forever. We should remember that we are the Levites. When we focus on our work, we often lost relationship with God. But we should always face God and walk the same direction with Him. As we work in His house, we should be more close to God.

Friday Vespers & Youth Worship

[This article has been adapted from AIU Newsbyte, Volume10, Issue4, page3]

The Theology club organized vesper’s program titled “Betrayal” on Friday, June 25, 2010 at the Auditorium. Through Bible reading, a short skit, and messages from two students, the message of God’s love was presented. The skit was about a boy who betrayed his friend who didn’t have enough money to register for school. Because of his betrayal, she had to leave the school. However, after he realized what he had done, she showed mercy on him and forgave him as her friend. That is same as how Jesus showed his love to us.

The Youth worship used the theme of “Lost! Can Find?” on Saturday, June 26, 2010. It was a blessed Sabbath worship with four short video clips which were introduced by short narrations. They were related to God’s amazing grace which we can still find near us when we turn to Him no matter how much we had run away from Him. Even if we had wounded hearts as a violin which was treated badly until it was broken, the touch of the Master’s hand can make everything right and well again. If we give God a chance, He can produce beautiful music from our lives.

2010, Welcome New Students Potluck Party

[This article has been adapted from AIU Newsbyte, Volume10, Issue3, page3]

Theology club held a potluck party to welcome new students at the Fellowship Hall on the evening of Friday, June 18,^, 2010. About 40 students, faculty members, and their family members came and enjoyed spending time together.

First, we sang songs together as usual. Since we have many nationalities in our department, we like to sing “Hallelujah” in different languages. This time, we sang in 9 languages! After we sang some songs, Dr. Wann Fanwar, our Dean, had a message for the worship. Then before we ate, we introduced the new members of the officers of Theology Club for this year and we welcomed the new students of our department. There are 8 new students for this year. Pr. Gerard Bernard served small welcome gift of chocolate to each of the new students.

The food was prepared by the teachers and married students. We enjoyed many kinds of homemade food. And it was the best time to know each other when we eat together.

Our potluck party became a very good time to meet each other in our department.

Youth Worship: Walk Your Blessings

[This article has been adapted from AIU Newsbyte, Issue 19, page 2]

For about an hour and a half on January 30, 2010, the Asia-Pacific International University Church experienced its first Youth Worship for the Year 2010. This time the worhsip was organized by the class of RELP 386 Principles of Youth Ministry with Practicum. The students in the class brought their friends along to be participants in the worship service that found a large group consisting of the choir, praise leaders, musicians and offering collectors. For some of them, this was the first time they took part in Youth worship. For me, it was really a joy to see young people willingly letting God use them in His service.

Themed 'Walk Your Blessings,' the worship began with Scripture recitation and the song 'You Laid Aside Your Majesty.' This song became the theme song for the Festival of Faith. Many other inspiring worship songs in both English and Thai were sung, which really made it a 'praise-moment' for the church. In addition, many children were excited when the story of David and Goliath was acted out during the children's story time.

Some have expressed that they enjoyed the program. But more than just enjoying the program, the focus had been the preaching of the Word. Wann Fanwar preached a sermon on the theme based on Joshua 1:1-9. I personally have waited for several months to hear this sermon. The sermon hit at the heart of those who considered themselves as recipients of God's blessings, not just on non-material things, but perhaps more fully on the material blessings. God has blessed us so that through us others will also be blessed. Reflecting on the sermon, one person commented at the end of the service, 'I nearly shed tears... .' For what reason, I do not know. Only the Spirit knows how his heart had been touched.

As part of their practicum, the class will organize three more Youth Worship this semester.

Theology Camp 2010: Off the Beaten Track

Students and teachers of the Faculty of Religious Studies, AIU, went off campus during the weekend of January 22-24, 2010, for a camp at Muak Lek Forest Resort. The theme of the camp was 'Off the Beaten Track'. I think this is the best camp we have organized for the theology students--best in terms of its venue (resort) and the participation.

The pictures above were taken during Sabbath service.

The following pictures feature Sabbath afternoon activity. These are some snapshots of groups involved in Bible Games 2.

For more coverage of the camp, please check AIU Newsbyte, Issue 18 (page 2), an article written by Christie.

Weddings of Alumni

Three of our alumni celebrated their wedding in December 2009 and January 2010. The pictures below are snapped from AIU Newsbyte, Issue 16 (page 3) and Issue 17 (page 3).

Here's another picture of Ben's wedding...

More stories through contribution

Posted news/blog so far are events which particularly related to the club and the Faculty. There are still many other happenings which the students of the Faculty have been heavily involved with. Such activities like the 'Seekers' group activity, the Chinese group gathering, etc. are very well to be shared here. And for the alumni, we are eager to know what you have been up to lately.

Pictures of activities/events will be uploaded into Picassa web album soon. It will be announced when the uploading is complete.

HAPPY NEW YEAR...

Happenings (4): December 2009

The Faculty of Religious Studies had its Christmas party on December 3. The Dean (acting) of the Faculty, Dr. Fanwar, had generously given gifts to everyone who came that evening. Renie decorated the dining hall of the church where the party was held. Most of the students (theology & non-theology) who took classes with the Faculty this semester came. Two alumni (Ben and Kungwalpai) of the Faculty also came. (Photos courtesy of Jolius)

During the second and the third week of December, Dr & Mrs Fanwar went to Sabah to teach in the extension school for pastors. Two courses were taught--Urban Ministry and Evangelism, and Personal and Congregational Spirituality. The week also coincided with Sabah Centennial celebration. They went to Kuching for Randy's wedding after the class finished. The picture above (courtesy of Malvin Gakim) shows a group of pastors who took the classes with them.

Happenings (3): 1st Semester 2009-10

These are the happenings in November 2009...
(All pictures are a courtesy of Jolius Ubara)

As usual for the class of Christian Music and Worship, a field trip to Christ Church in Bangkok is part of the learning process. The field trip was in November 1. The picture above is the main entrance into the Church. Besides Christ Church, the group also went to Calvary Baptist Church.

As part of the worship projects of the class of Christian Music and Worship, this mock wedding ceremony was almost for real. This 'ceremony' was executed on November 17. Please visit http://www.apiu.edu/publications/newsbyte/2009-2/issue12.pdf (page 3) for more coverage on the event.

The Theology Club had its outdoor worship at Lopburi Botanical Garden on November 20. This outing was a yearly activity for the club. The top picture shows the seniors (graduating) being surrounded by their friends and teachers in a special prayer.

November 25 featured Theology Art and Culture Centre open house. This centre was officially opened on April 7, 2009. The main centre was in the theology library, but for this occassion, all cultural and art items were displayed around church foyer. This centre places students' projects on display throughout the week besides various Bible versions (English) and translations (languages). THERE WILL BE A SPECIAL COVERAGE FOR THIS CENTRE IN THE FUTURE.

On November 28 the class of Christian Music and Worship organized another Youth Worship. this time it was praise-based, which is based on the Hama'alot Psalms (Psalms of Ascension). The theme was "Here in His Presence". The above picture (below) shows some of the worshipers stick their praise cards on a styrofoam Wailing Wall. Renie has put a lot of effort into making the wall. Please visit http://www.apiu.edu/publications/newsbyte/2009-2/issue14.pdf (page 4) for more coverage of the event.

[December 2009 feature will be posted in the next blog post]