Christmas is here again. Amid the frantic buzz of late night shopping and the beautiful lights of Orchard Road, I cannot help but wonder how many people really understand what it is they are celebrating. Another holiday and reason to eat, drink and be merry? A time to spend with family and friends exchanging gifts?
I am so encouraged to see what some of our members are doing this Christmas; we have not one but two teams out on missions during this special season. One team is visiting Cat and Brooks in East Asia, and another (albeit much smaller) team comprising of Moo Theng and Tim are doing an exploratory trip to Morocco with a view to seeing what are the possibilities of doing it long term. The EA team is back the day after Christmas, while Tim and Moo Theng are only back in mid-January. What a meaningful way to spend Christmas, bringing the Gospel to those who have yet to hear of the saving grace of our Lord!
Closer to home, as we run up to the Christmas service, it is also very exciting to see the bumper crop of baptismal candidates who have taken the step of faith to get baptised. This year we are looking at 15 (yes, that's right FIFTEEN!) people getting baptised, including an entire family (Philip, Angie, Felicia and Susan; Cedric was baptised two years ago). We also have several new members being baptised, after having been in our midst for a year or so. How wonderful it is to see God working in our church!
I have again been given the privilege of leading worship this coming Sunday, and approach it as usual with fear and trembling. We remember you fondly, all our dear brothers and sisters who are far away from us this Christmastime but always near in our hearts. May the Lord bless you with the joy of His presence in your midst as we rejoice at His birth.
Blessed Christmas one and all!
Tuesday, December 20, 2005
Sunday, December 11, 2005
Sadness in the midst of celebration
Traditionally December is a time of celebration, as we prepare for Christmas and the coming of our Lord. However, this week has been a particularly hard week for some of our church members, as two of our members mourn the passing of loved ones in the space of two days.
On Saturday night, John Oh's mother passed away after a mercifully short battle with cancer. She had been suffering from cancer for the last few months, and she was warded within the last two weeks, after the doctors discovered that she had a fractured hip bone. They had been intending to operate on her to help ease the pain, but unfortunately, complications arose, and they could not go ahead with the operation. On Saturday morning, her blood pressure fell, and her temperature went up to 40 degrees. She passed away peacefully on Saturday evening. Thankfully, John and his siblings were all around to see her. John and Jenny had already decided to withdraw from the mission trip leaving to East Asia this coming Friday night, due to his mum's condition. Thank God also that Auntie had received Christ when she was much younger.
On Sunday evening, we also received news that Johnson Tan's grandfather had passed away. He had been warded in hospital for breathing difficulties. Johnson Tan was close to his grandfather, and is deeply saddened by his passing. Thank God however that his grandfather was able to witness his wedding to Yock Chin in July this year.
Even from far away, your prayers for the family of our grieving members are much appreciated. If you would like to send your condolences to the families, please drop me a note and I will pass on your words of comfort and encouragement. This is a constant reminder to me of the urgency of sharing the gospel with our parents, family and loved ones, as we know that they will not always be with us.
On Saturday night, John Oh's mother passed away after a mercifully short battle with cancer. She had been suffering from cancer for the last few months, and she was warded within the last two weeks, after the doctors discovered that she had a fractured hip bone. They had been intending to operate on her to help ease the pain, but unfortunately, complications arose, and they could not go ahead with the operation. On Saturday morning, her blood pressure fell, and her temperature went up to 40 degrees. She passed away peacefully on Saturday evening. Thankfully, John and his siblings were all around to see her. John and Jenny had already decided to withdraw from the mission trip leaving to East Asia this coming Friday night, due to his mum's condition. Thank God also that Auntie had received Christ when she was much younger.
On Sunday evening, we also received news that Johnson Tan's grandfather had passed away. He had been warded in hospital for breathing difficulties. Johnson Tan was close to his grandfather, and is deeply saddened by his passing. Thank God however that his grandfather was able to witness his wedding to Yock Chin in July this year.
Even from far away, your prayers for the family of our grieving members are much appreciated. If you would like to send your condolences to the families, please drop me a note and I will pass on your words of comfort and encouragement. This is a constant reminder to me of the urgency of sharing the gospel with our parents, family and loved ones, as we know that they will not always be with us.
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