Churches across China held worship services to celebrate the 2023 World Day of Prayer, which falls on March 3.
According to the official website of the World Day of Prayer (WDP), this year's program is written by the World Day of Prayer Committee of Taiwan, themed "I Have Heard About Your Faith" around Ephesians 1:15-19.
It has been the second year that China's TSPM church celebrates this global ecumenical movement with its own material. Last year's WDP theme was "Contribute With Willingness" according to Exodus 35:20-35. Written by the WDP Committee of England, Wales & Northern Ireland, the official theme of WDP 2022 was "I Know the Plans I Have for You" based on Jeremiah 29:1-14.
Adopting the materials made by the Women and Youth Ministry Committee of CCC&TSPM, the events were conducted with the theme 'Reconciled in Christ' based on Colossians 1:18–20, with the testimonies of three female believers. During the services, Christians prayed for the complete reunification of the motherland, China's modernization, climate change, the protection of the environment, the Sinicization of Christianity, and the restoration of the church after the epidemic.
In the Holy Trinity Cathedral, Shanghai, which is affiliated with CCC&TSPM, nearly 200 believers and pastoral staff attended the WDP service jointly held by CCC&TSPM and Shanghai CC&TSPM on March 3, reported CCC&TSPM. Rev. Fang Ying of CCC&TSPM gave a sermon titled "Reconciled in Christ", encouraging believers to restore good relationships with God through knowing Christ, with others through preaching Christ, and with themselves through Christ.
During the service, a donation ceremony was also carried out to aid Shanghai Enguang-Home for the Aged.
Changzhou CC&TSPM in Jiangsu hosted a worship service on March 3 attended by more than 30 female members of Changzhou Church. Rev. Peng Shengjie delivered a sermon titled "Preach the Word of Reconciliation," encouraging them to spread the name of Jesus and recognize Him as supreme, followed by a commission service with a benediction, said Changzhou CC&TSPM.
Shandong CC&TSPM and Shandong Theological Seminary held activities on the World Day of Prayer (WDP), with the background of the WDP being introduced, according to Shandong CC&TSPM. Rev. He Aixia emphasized "reconciliation in Christ," reminding believers to invite Christ into their lives after knowing Him. She said walking with Jesus could enable them to live in harmony with each other, society, and nature and better serve the people and benefit society, according to Shandong CC&TSPM.
At Jingsi Road Church in Ji’nan, Shandong, Rev. Hao Ping, vice president of the Ji’nan Municipal Christian Council, March 3 gave a sermon with the title "Reconciled in Christ," exhorting believers to know Christ, experience His presence, and spread His good name, reported the Ji’nan CC&TSPM.
During the service attended by pastoral staff, the Jiangsu Road Church Choir, and believers from many churches on March 3, Rev. Dong Meiqin, director of the Qingdao CC&TSPM, delivered the sermon, guiding attendees to put Christ, the Redeemer and head of the church, first in the church, family, and lives, and to be a messenger of peace to reconcile people to God, reported the municipal CC&TSPM.
Huangjia Street Church, Jining, Shandong, held the service on March 6. Rev. Tang Li, the person in charge of the church ministry, hosted the service, conducting the proclamation, worship prayer, confession prayer, and the ceremony of forgiveness, said Jining CC&TSPM.
Yaodu District CC&TSPM in Linfen, Shanxi, carried out a joint worship service on March 4, with nearly 100 female Christians from the urban area present.
Deacon Zhu Hongli delivered a sermon titled "Reconciliation in Christ: Seeing Women's Mission from the Bible", listing the examples of wise women in the Bible who had godliness, love for God, humility, and a service spirit. In terms of the role that women in the new era should play in the family, church, and society, she demanded that they be salt, glorify God, benefit people, and spread the gospel to the unreached.
Responding to the initiative of CCC&TPSM on the WDP, Griffith Church (Rongguang Church) prepared weekly magazines, projections, banners, and arranged educational affairs before a joint Sunday service and communion service on March 5, according to Wuhan CC&TSPM.
Chengguan Church in Longyan, Fujian, held a joint worship activity for "2023 World Day of Prayer and International Women's Day," with 40 pastoral staff and believers in attendance. Pastor Zhang Guangqing preached a sermon titled "Women Who Love the Lord Become a Large Group" on March 4, urging female believers to love the Lord and serve the people with zeal, said Longyan CC&TSPM.
In Holy Word Church, Nanjing, Jiangsu, Nanjing CC&TSPM on March 2 hosted a WDP service, which was conducted the next day by other Christian organizations, such as Jiangxi Bible School, Zhejiang CC&TSPM, Zhejiang Theological Seminary, Guizhou Bible School, Shaanxi Bible School, Xiamen CC&TSPM in Fujian, Fujian Theological Seminary, and some churches in Urumqi, Xinjiang. Guangdong churches celebrated the WDP on March 4-5, and Shaanxi churches on March 3-5.
It is said in Chinese churches that female Christians account for more than two-thirds, and female pastors make up above 40% of pastors. Churches around the world attach great importance to women's ministry, establishing special women's and youth ministry committees or ministry groups in many places.
- Translated by Abigail Wu
中国各地教会举行妇女公祷日崇拜。
礼拜基本采用基督教全国两会妇女和青年事工委员会编写的妇女公祷日崇拜程序和内容，本年活动的主题是：“基督里的和好”，主题经文为歌罗西书1章18-20节。都分享了三位姐妹热心侍奉的见证 (加超链接)。祷告内容是：祖国完全统一；助力中国式现代化；关注气候变化，保护生态环境；疫情后的教会恢复，深入推进基督教中国化献上真诚的祈祷。
据基督教两会，3月3日，基督教全国两会和上海基督教两会联合在基督教全国两会直属的圣三一堂举行了公祷日崇拜活动，有来自上海市各区堂和基督教全国两会的教牧同工和信徒近200人参加崇拜活动。基督教两会房赢牧师以“基督里的和好”为题，从认识基督与神和好，偕同基督与自己和好，传扬基督与他人和好三方面证道。
崇拜过程中还进行了专项奉献礼，此次奉献款用于上海市恩光敬老院，
据江苏常州市基督教两会，常州市基督教两会定于3月3日举行“世界妇女公祷日”活动，3月3日上午，常州市基督教堂30多位女信徒参加了祈祷活动，彭圣洁牧师以《传扬和好的福音》为题目讲道，分享了认识基督，基督至上，传扬基督。最后，彭圣洁牧师施行差遣礼和祝福礼。
据“齐鲁微声”，3月3日，山东省基督教两会和山东神学院举行2023年妇女公祷日崇拜活动。
当日的公祷日崇拜活动中介绍了妇女公祷日背景，举行了圣道礼。贺爱霞牧师的证道信息中强调“基督里的和好”，只有认识基督后，才会邀请基督参与到我们的生活中，与基督同心同行有助于增进我们人与人、人与社会、人与自然的和谐相处，也使弟兄姊妹更好地服务人群，造福社会。
据福建龙岩市三自爱国运动会，3月4日，福建省龙岩市永定基督教城关堂举行“2023年妇女公祷日暨三八国际妇女节”联合崇拜活动，教牧同工与信徒近40人参加崇拜活动。张光清传道以《爱主的妇女成了大群》劝勉姐妹们，热心爱主，服务人群！
中国教会中，姊妹的比例占到三分之二以上，女牧师占牧师总数的四成以上。各地教会十分重视妇女事工，全国和许多地方都成立专门的妇女和青年事工委员会或事工小组
据山东济南市基督教两会，3月3日上午，山东省济南市基督教两会在经四路教堂举行“2023年妇女公祷日”崇拜
市基督教协会副会长郝萍牧师以《基督里的和好》为题与会众分享，勉励信徒要认识基督、经历基督的同在并要传扬基督美名。
据山东青岛市基督教两会，3月3日上午，市两会教牧同工、江苏路教堂唱诗班及各堂点信徒100多人参加了崇拜。
市两会主任董美琴牧师引用《歌罗西书》1章18节至20节的经文，以《基督里的和好》为题证道。勉励弟兄姊妹即认识基督是我们的救赎主、是教会之首，就要让基督在教会、家庭和各人的生命中凡事居首位。做和平福音的使者，履行劝人与神和好的职分。
据济宁微声：3月6日，山东省济宁市任城区黄家街教会举行了2023年世界妇女公祷日崇拜活动。
证道前，教堂事工负责人唐莉牧师主礼崇拜，先后依次进行了宣召、尊崇祷告、认罪礼、赦罪礼。
3月4日，在山西省临汾市尧都区基督教城区堂，区基督教两会在这里举行2023年世界妇女公祷日主题联合崇拜，来自城区的近百名姊妹参加。
在圣道礼中，传道人朱洪丽执事结合主题经文做了题为《基督里的和好——从圣经看妇女的使命》的证道分享。从妇女在家庭中的使命，一一列举了圣经新旧约中妇女先贤敬虔、爱神、谦卑、服侍的榜样，对新时代的妇女在家庭、教会及社会应当发挥的作用进行劝勉，就是要作光作盐，荣神益人，传扬福音，引入归主。
据湖北武汉市基督教两会：对中国基督教两会发起主题为“基督里的和好”专题公祷日活动，武汉市基督教荣光堂回应，提前做好周刊、投影、横幅及教务安排，于3月5日举行妇女公祷日联合崇拜暨主日圣餐礼。
3月2日，江苏省南京市基督教两会在圣训堂, 3月3日，江西圣经学校,3月3日，山东省基督教两会和山东神学院 ,3月3日上午，浙江省基督教两会、浙江神学院 3月3日，贵州圣经学校全体师生 3月3日，陕西圣经学校 3月3日上午，福建省厦门市基督教两会 3月3日上午，福建神学院 3月3日，新疆乌鲁木齐市多间教会, 3月4日至5日，广东省各地教会举, 3月3日至5日，陕西省多间教会堂，据中国基督教两会，
https://www.gospeltimes.cn/article/index/id/66687
https://www.gospeltimes.cn/article/index/id/66689
中国教会举行2023年妇女公祷日崇拜
Churches across China held worship services to celebrate the 2023 World Day of Prayer, which falls on March 3.
According to the official website of the World Day of Prayer (WDP), this year's program is written by the World Day of Prayer Committee of Taiwan, themed "I Have Heard About Your Faith" around Ephesians 1:15-19.
It has been the second year that China's TSPM church celebrates this global ecumenical movement with its own material. Last year's WDP theme was "Contribute With Willingness" according to Exodus 35:20-35. Written by the WDP Committee of England, Wales & Northern Ireland, the official theme of WDP 2022 was "I Know the Plans I Have for You" based on Jeremiah 29:1-14.
Adopting the materials made by the Women and Youth Ministry Committee of CCC&TSPM, the events were conducted with the theme 'Reconciled in Christ' based on Colossians 1:18–20, with the testimonies of three female believers. During the services, Christians prayed for the complete reunification of the motherland, China's modernization, climate change, the protection of the environment, the Sinicization of Christianity, and the restoration of the church after the epidemic.
In the Holy Trinity Cathedral, Shanghai, which is affiliated with CCC&TSPM, nearly 200 believers and pastoral staff attended the WDP service jointly held by CCC&TSPM and Shanghai CC&TSPM on March 3, reported CCC&TSPM. Rev. Fang Ying of CCC&TSPM gave a sermon titled "Reconciled in Christ", encouraging believers to restore good relationships with God through knowing Christ, with others through preaching Christ, and with themselves through Christ.
During the service, a donation ceremony was also carried out to aid Shanghai Enguang-Home for the Aged.
Changzhou CC&TSPM in Jiangsu hosted a worship service on March 3 attended by more than 30 female members of Changzhou Church. Rev. Peng Shengjie delivered a sermon titled "Preach the Word of Reconciliation," encouraging them to spread the name of Jesus and recognize Him as supreme, followed by a commission service with a benediction, said Changzhou CC&TSPM.
Shandong CC&TSPM and Shandong Theological Seminary held activities on the World Day of Prayer (WDP), with the background of the WDP being introduced, according to Shandong CC&TSPM. Rev. He Aixia emphasized "reconciliation in Christ," reminding believers to invite Christ into their lives after knowing Him. She said walking with Jesus could enable them to live in harmony with each other, society, and nature and better serve the people and benefit society, according to Shandong CC&TSPM.
At Jingsi Road Church in Ji’nan, Shandong, Rev. Hao Ping, vice president of the Ji’nan Municipal Christian Council, March 3 gave a sermon with the title "Reconciled in Christ," exhorting believers to know Christ, experience His presence, and spread His good name, reported the Ji’nan CC&TSPM.
During the service attended by pastoral staff, the Jiangsu Road Church Choir, and believers from many churches on March 3, Rev. Dong Meiqin, director of the Qingdao CC&TSPM, delivered the sermon, guiding attendees to put Christ, the Redeemer and head of the church, first in the church, family, and lives, and to be a messenger of peace to reconcile people to God, reported the municipal CC&TSPM.
Huangjia Street Church, Jining, Shandong, held the service on March 6. Rev. Tang Li, the person in charge of the church ministry, hosted the service, conducting the proclamation, worship prayer, confession prayer, and the ceremony of forgiveness, said Jining CC&TSPM.
Yaodu District CC&TSPM in Linfen, Shanxi, carried out a joint worship service on March 4, with nearly 100 female Christians from the urban area present.
Deacon Zhu Hongli delivered a sermon titled "Reconciliation in Christ: Seeing Women's Mission from the Bible", listing the examples of wise women in the Bible who had godliness, love for God, humility, and a service spirit. In terms of the role that women in the new era should play in the family, church, and society, she demanded that they be salt, glorify God, benefit people, and spread the gospel to the unreached.
Responding to the initiative of CCC&TPSM on the WDP, Griffith Church (Rongguang Church) prepared weekly magazines, projections, banners, and arranged educational affairs before a joint Sunday service and communion service on March 5, according to Wuhan CC&TSPM.
Chengguan Church in Longyan, Fujian, held a joint worship activity for "2023 World Day of Prayer and International Women's Day," with 40 pastoral staff and believers in attendance. Pastor Zhang Guangqing preached a sermon titled "Women Who Love the Lord Become a Large Group" on March 4, urging female believers to love the Lord and serve the people with zeal, said Longyan CC&TSPM.
In Holy Word Church, Nanjing, Jiangsu, Nanjing CC&TSPM on March 2 hosted a WDP service, which was conducted the next day by other Christian organizations, such as Jiangxi Bible School, Zhejiang CC&TSPM, Zhejiang Theological Seminary, Guizhou Bible School, Shaanxi Bible School, Xiamen CC&TSPM in Fujian, Fujian Theological Seminary, and some churches in Urumqi, Xinjiang. Guangdong churches celebrated the WDP on March 4-5, and Shaanxi churches on March 3-5.
It is said in Chinese churches that female Christians account for more than two-thirds, and female pastors make up above 40% of pastors. Churches around the world attach great importance to women's ministry, establishing special women's and youth ministry committees or ministry groups in many places.
- Translated by Abigail Wu
Chinese Churches Celebrate 2023 World Day of Prayer
