A Publication By Barker Road Methodist Church 3 1 0 2 2/ 1 2/ 3/ 9 0 P) A( C MI October 2013 to January 2014 BRMC to Shine Forth for Jesus for the Sake of the World “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come. The old has gone, the new is here!”(2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV) 18 “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. 19 See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.” (Isaiah 43:18-19) Contents Front Page BRMC as House of Bread 1 A New Beginning by Moses Goh 12 Creation of Man in Genesis 3 The Pastor Speaks 14 BRMC Discipleship & Nurture Ministry Disciples Thanksgiving 16 BRMC WSCS Report on GOD@Work Somerset & BRMC as House of Salvation Walks@Botanics 4 Pastors Don’t Really Retire 17 BRMC Discipleship & Nurture Ministry Growing 5 Farewell Dinner for Rev David Wee BH Deep In Christ Report 5 Welcome New Staff 19 BRMC Heart2Heart Mothers’ Fellowship Report 6 BRMC Newcomers’ Lunch 21 BRMC Witness & Evangelism & Young Adult 7 Christmas in BRMC Sanctuary Ministry Apologetics Conference Report 23 BRMC Discipleship & Nurture Ministry Trek Thru The Bible—Gospel of John BRMC as House of Compassion 9 BRMC Outreach & Social Concerns Reports BRMC as House of Prayer 25 BRMC Prayer Ministry ABLAZE Report 26 Announcements 28 Coming Events Uphill & Beyond welcomes article contributions on all aspects of church life at BRMC. Do you have a passion for writing? BRMC needs you! Publisher: Rev Malcolm T H Tan Editor : Corinne Teo (LMS) Editorial Support: Dr Jeanette Hui, Mrs Sally Tan, Mrs Lee Tan Lynn If you are keen to contribute, do contact: Photographer: BRMC Volunteers [email protected] or sms/call 96211974 48 Barker Road Singapore 309917 • Tel: 6256 4298 • Fax 6255 4030 • A Publication By Email: [email protected] Barker Road Methodist Church MICA(P)093/2/12/2013 October 2013 to January 2014 BRMC to Shine Forth for Jesus for the Sake of the World 2 • uphill & beyond • October 2013 to January 2014 The Pastors Speak Rev Malcolm Tan Rev Lawrence TC Chua Rev Dr Chiu Ming Li Pastor-in-Charge Pastor Pastor Rev Daniel Terence Rev See Swee Fang Rev Edmund Koh Yeo at Bukit Batok Pastor Pastor Preaching Point “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland. (Isaiah 43:18-19) We thrive on predictability. Predictability gives us a semblance of control, a sense of certainty that we know how to respond to the events that befall us. “Surprise” is the opposite of predictability. By definition, surprises come when we least expect them. While some surprises may be pleasant, we can’t live with too many of them. We prefer to know the scripts of our lives in advance, rather than be ‘caught by surprise’. But our over-dependence on predictability can blind us to the changing reality that is taking place around us. We expect God to respond in the same way that He has always responded; we refuse to accept that people and situations change…all the time. We expect even conflicts to take on a predictability that we are used to. But if God is at work, then we all will be changed. Every moment. If this is so, it would be tragic if we refuse or fail to recognize the changes that are taking place in us, or in others. When was the last time you noticed the softening of your husband’s or wife’s demeanor in a conflict? When did you last observe a deepening maturity in your child’s attitude towards life? Or sensed within you a greater longing to love and to be loved? God promises to make a stream in the wasteland of our lives. Often, God’s work is only just barely perceptible; yet He works resolutely to transform us. But will we stop long enough to notice the changes that are taking place among the people close to us and around us? Do we perceive our inner stirrings for a deeper life, a more meaningful and purposeful way to live, or a purer way of life? May God grant us sensitivity and an alertness to discern the new things that He causes to spring up in the lives around us. May this year be a year of seeing God at work in us and all around us. May you be surprised by grace. Rev Dr Chiu Ming Li Pastor October 2013 to January 2014 • uphill & beyond • 3 Pastors Don’t Really Retire Report By Corinne Teo (LMS) Photos By Cecil Lee BRMC bids a fond farewell to an endearing pastor, the Rev David Wee BH at a dinner held on December 31 at the ACS-Oldham Hall Cafeteria to honour his many years of service in the Methodist Church. Here he shares a touching goodbye to us, while letting us in on the fact that pastors don’t really retire, they just move on with further assignments from the Lord. We are privileged to have had Rev David Wee BH minister with us since August 2008. As I bid farewell to my stint as a salaried (clergy) member of the Trinity Annual Conference for the Methodist Church in Singapore, my journey as a pastor and Christian minister has not ended prematurely. As a servant of God Almighty, my calling as servant, pastor, minister... continues. Looking back over the past 29 years, beginning with my theological studies in preparation for the Pastoral Ministry, God has had been actively present. There has never been any doubt concerning my love for Him nor His love through Christ for me. There may have been difficult and traumatic seasons; but oh, the peace and love that I possess within my being has continually and faithfully carried me through. Now as I stand at the exit of a prodigious 26-year journey, my eyes look expectantly to the unknown future. But allow me some moments of recent reminiscence. Friendships. My good friends and colleagues, Rev Malcolm Tan and Rev Noel Goh have been wonderful confidants, listening to my woeful laments with little judgementalism. I am thankful for the friendships made with many such good people, both clergy and lay. The love for and faith in God, inherent in all these friends and colleagues have been the catalysts of their warmth and affection. I am indeed blessed to be the recipient of such friendships. An undeserving privilege. It has been a privilege to hear the testimonies of persons who encountered God and their stories of transformation and reconciliation. Some of these persons are shy and I would not have had such a privilege if I were not a Pastor. God has a great sense of humor. Though I can barely converse in Mandarin or dialects, it has been wonderful to have had many opportunities to share the gospel in these languages with members’ parents, and then to lead them into the Salvation Prayer to receive Jesus Christ. As to the future... A new adventure! An unknown destination! A faithful God! There are no immediate plans. There is no intention to seek paid employment. I will continue to be God’s minister. I will be taking things easy until after The Lunar New Year celebrations (15 days). I look forward to extended times of quiet in God’s presence. I also look forward to catching up with the many reading materials purchased but not yet read. As for adventures new and destinations unknown, I can expect no less as I wait upon my Lord and my God. He is my CEO, COO and CFO; the One who has enabled me will have His assignments for me and I look forward to them. In the words of Buzz Lightyear in Toy Story – “To Infinity And Beyond!” David Wee BH 4 • uphill & beyond • October 2013 to January 2014 Farewell Dinner for Rev David Wee BH RReeppoorrtt BByy CCoorriinnnnee TTeeoo ((LLMMSS)) PPhhoottooss BByy MMrr AParuicl LHeueang A dinner was held on December 31 at the ACS-Oldham Hall Cafeteria to honour Rev David Wee BH’s many years of service to the Methodist Church. At the Trinity Annual Conference (TRAC) Special Session in July 20 2013, Rev Wee’s application for early retirement as of January 1 2014 was approved. He will remain a Methodist Minister in good standing. We at BRMC wish him God’s richest blessings. Here are photos of the event. Loke Beng Fong (PPRSC Chairman) Dr Gordon Wong Rev Malcolm Tan having a Rev Wee laughing heartily with wishing Rev Wee and his family God’s (TRAC President) thanking friendly word with Rev Dr Chiu Ming Li and Lim Yu Chiang abundant blessings Rev Wee for his long Rev Wee service as a pastor Jayne Lim(GB 84th Coy Chan Kai Yau (Honorary Steward), Susan Tong (Vice Choe Peng Sum (Lay Leader) gives Captain) presenting Rev Wee Chairperson of GYM) and Timothy Kho (Church Rev Wee a warm handshake with a farewell gift Governance) thanking Rev Wee for his blessed partnership in ministry. Welcome New Staff—Charmaine Tang (LPS) I answered the Lord’s call to consecrate my life for His service at Go 4th National Missions Conference 2005. That event marked the beginning of my journey in discovering more about Missions. Before attending the conference, I had very little understanding about Missions. I remember asking God at the conference: “How am I able to serve You in the Mission field since I am neither a doctor nor a nurse?” That was how narrow my understanding was! I told the Lord that I had no skills to offer to Him. Thereafter, God clarified many of my misunderstandings and I began to realise that God can use all of us in many ways. It is the heart of obedience that God is looking at. The Lord reminded me that despite my limited skills and experiences, He will be the one to multiply them. My duty is to be like the little boy in the gospels offering up my 5 loaves and 2 fish. With that assurance from God, I started serving God full time as a pastoral worker for the last 4.5 years. The desire to develop and serve God more fully in Missions grew during Charmaine Tang (LPS) this period. I am thankful that today I am doing what the Lord has placed in my heart almost 8 years ago, not with medical skills but through administrating, promoting and facilitating Missions in a local Church. Thank you for receiving me into this big family and I look forward to serving alongside all of you in BRMC’s Missions endeavours. October 2013 to January 2014 • uphill & beyond • 5 Newcomers’ Lunch House of Salvation BRMC takes pleasure in welcoming each visitor and newly baptized or received members into the family of our church each year in 2 Newcomers’ Lunches organized by our Witness & Evangelism Ministry (W&E). Here we feature the most recent Lunch held at the ACS-Oldham Hall Cafeteria on November 17 2013. We must thank the committee members of W&E for their heartwarming efforts in showing hospitality to our newcomers with good food and fellowship. Our Pastor-In-Charge Rev Malcolm Tan, together with Rev David Wee BH and Rev Chiu Ming-Li were there mingling with the newcomers. Our Associate Lay Leader Mrs Ong Cheow Lan and our W&E Chairman Mr Lim Yu Chiang were there to warmly greet newcomers as well. Each newcomer was presented with a newcomers’ pack which gave information on BRMC Church Life. In addition, our ministry staff from various ministries, as well as volunteers were on hand to give more information about BRMC’s ministries. Here is the event in photos. Members of the Glowing Years Ministry and the Creative Art Ministry inviting newcomers to join their upcoming activities Rev Chiu Ming Li, Betty Ong (LMS) and Low Kee Hong (LMS) sharing about the Small Group Ministry to newcomers Associate Lay Leader Mrs Ong Cheow Lan, Steve Chelvan (LMS) and church member Andrew Yap updating newcomers about church life Elaine Sung and Julie Yang at the welcome desk Newly confirmed members with their Rev Malcolm Tan speaking to confirmation certificates newcomers 6 • uphill & beyond • October 2013 to January 2014 Christimas@BRMC House of Salvation By May Oon In unison on December 25, the Body of Christ at Barker Road Methodist Church recited the Nicene Creed, affirming the faith as His Church, at the 3 services held in the sanctuary (8.30am, 10.30am and 5pm). We sang the familiar carols, “Joy to the World”, “Away in a Manger”, “Silent Night, Holy Night” to herald the birth of the Saviour of the world. The Christian message, entitled “Christmas Massacre of the Holy Innocents,” proclaimed by our Pastor-In-Charge Rev Malcolm Tan, called Christians to realign to the purposes of God by always seeking to do all the good we can in this one life we are given. Uphill & Beyond presents this 2-page spread of the happenings that day. 8.30 Sanctuary BRMC’s 8.30am congregation worshipping God as One Body Standing to sing the Carol of Preparation “What Child is This?” October 2013 to January 2014 • uphill & beyond • 7 Christimas@BRMC House of Salvation Report By Hui Mei Ling, Photos By Moses Goh 19 March 2011 10.30 Sanctuary BRMC’s 10.30am congregation listening attentively as the Word is preached Families worshipping together The 10.30am Service Congregation cheerful in the House of the Lord The congregation receiving the benediction 5pm Sanctuary Worship Leader of the 5pm Intergenerational families Learning about giving at Yeo Yee Ying playing the Service Lim Wee Chiong with his celebrating the life of Jesus offering time postlude wife Lim Ai Li at the piano at the service The 5pm Choir ministering to the congregation Interceding for the world in need as the Body of Christ 8 • uphill & beyond • October 2013 to January 2014 BRMC Outreach & Social Concerns Ministry (OSC) Walking with Jesus at Gardens by the Bay House of Compassion We give thanks to the Lord our God for His wonderful protection and bountiful grace during a recent outing organized by the BRMC Outreach & Social Concerns Ministry. This outing to the Gardens by the Bay took place on July 27 2013. It was organized for families and individuals who are beneficiaries receiving financial assistance from the church. It was indeed a memorable time for all BRMC volunteers serving at this event. The Outreach & Social Concerns committee members have truly dedicated themselves in serving and caring for these beneficiaries! A total 152 attendees, which consisted of 45 families walked in the Gardens and also had lunch at Keppel Club. Here are some photos of the happy event. Two of our caregivers, Kok Wai Tong and Esther Tan helping to push a wheelchair-bound participant with her grand-daughter around the garden Posing beside the beautiful flowers with A young man who is a beneficiary helping “What a joy to be in the garden!” true joy from her heart push the wheelchair of an elderly lady who is also a beneficiary! October 2013 to January 2014 • uphill & beyond • 9 BRMC Outreach & Social Concerns Ministry (OSC) Planting Seeds of God’s Grace at St Luke’s Eldercare Centre House of Compassion St Luke’s ElderCare Centre at Block 97, Whampoa Drive runs a range of day-care services for its elderly members who are 50 years and above, which includes social day care and active rehabilitation. In January 2013, the Outreach and Social Concerns Ministry led by Mrs Evelyn Teoh (LMS), launched a partnership with St Luke’s ElderCare Centre at Whampoa Drive to provide a weekly Friday voluntary programme of befriending and providing gentle Christian outreach to the members who go there on weekdays. Here is a report on this ministry by Sally Chua. Every Friday from 10am to 12.30pm, a dedicated core group of six BRMC volunteers plant seeds of the saving grace of Christ through befriending and chatting with the Centre’s members. They pray, worship together, serve morning snacks and conduct games that trigger the cerebral and motor functions of the Centre’s members. They are supported by an ancillary group of twelve other volunteers as well as members from Discipleship and Nurture groups who visit to share a Christian outreach message or testimony every third Friday. Many of the members at the Centre have become our friends through these interactive activities. The Centre’s members were thrilled especially by special programmes such as songs of praise performed by a violin ensemble group comprising a church member from Korea, Lydia Lee, and four of her Korean friends, and singing of nostalgic Cantonese oldies by Chung Chee Kit and other members from the Mandarin service. Come and join us! All dressed in festive red to celebrate Chinese New Year Lydia and friends in a violin ensemble performance on May 17 2013 Children of D&N class participants delighting the elderly with We will help you catch the ball! their singing 10 • uphill & beyond • JOctober 2013 to January 2014