"And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord" (Luke 2:10-11).
Christmas is just around the corner. Christmas has become a world-wide celebration. We are saddened by some who have turned the celebration of the birth of Christ into a Santa's myth with fun and over commercialized events. As such, Christmas celebration has lost its real meaning. It is a celebration without Christ.
On the other hand, some Christians and churches are very much against the celebration of Christmas because they think that this tradition is of pagan influence. It is the Roman Catholic Church that had turned this pagan festival into a Christian celebration. They argue that the Bible never teaches us to celebrate Christmas nor did the early Christian Church having such a tradition. However, our Church does celebrate Christmas.
There are a few reasons why we celebrate Christmas
The Bible tells us that: "But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law" (Gal 4:4). "And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth" (John 1:14). "This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief" (I Tim 1:15). "And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us" (Matt 1:21-23).
Firstly, we must remember the birth of Christ as a historical event. In God's plan of salvation, at the right time the Son of God became man. The birth of Christ is a historical fact and not a myth or a man-make story.
Secondly, we must remember the doctrine of Incarnation – i.e. the second person of Godhead took the form of man and came to dwell among mankind. The doctrine of the Incarnation of Christ is of utmost importance because without which He cannot be our Redeemer by dying for us in the flesh.
Thirdly, we must remember Christ as the Saviour and Redeemer sent by God from heaven. Christ is the only hope for mankind. And during Christmas celebration (one of the most celebrated events) we would have the wonderful opportunity to proclaim the good news that Jesus saves the world.
Fourthly, let us remember that Christmas means a celebration of Christ who is the King of kings and the Lord of lords. Instead of letting the world to be misled and getting confused about the true meaning of Christmas, we have a duty to make Christmas a more meaningful celebration and event.
Christmas Gospel Cantata
We are glad to announce that the Choir of Calvary Jurong B-P Church (Mandarin) will be coming to our Church on the 16th December 2007 to hold a Christmas Gospel Cantata. It is an opportunity for us to evangelise to our loved ones and neighbours. Our Church has printed 5,000 leaflets for distribution. We hope that you can help to pass the news to others. We will also start to organize ourselves to go out to different housing estates to distribute the pamphlets. We do hope that you will avail yourself to join us for this evangelism effort.
Church Session Election
Soon 2007 will be gone. And the three-year's term of our Church Session will expire in the year 2008. It is required of our Church Constitution to hold a fresh election for the office bearers. Our Church Session has been discussing about the candidates and the right time to hold an election of the new Session Members who will be serving us from 2008 till 2011.
The procedure of the whole election would be as follows:
1.
Nomination Form for Candidate will be issued.
2.
The Nomination form with the signatures of the nominee,
seconder and the candidate to be submitted to the Session for review.
3.
The qualified candidates will be announced and to stand for election on the set date.
As concerning the qualification and requirements of the candidates, we have published a few articles in our Church Weekly. I do hope that members have read them carefully and pray for godly men and women to be elected to serve in our midst. While waiting for further news from the Church Session. May I urge you pray earnestly for the right persons to be elected to the holy office.
Yours' Affectionately,
Pastor David Wong
Fellowship Lunch (25/11/07)
You're cordially invited to stay back for the Fellowship Lunch after the Combined Service today. We would like to thank the Lew family for providing the lunch. We also like to thank members & friends who had brought extra food to share. Team E will be on duty.
Session Meeting(25/11/07)
Session members please kindly take note that the Session Meeting will be held after the Fellowship Lunch today Venue: Church Library.
Pastor's Movement (26~29/11, 02/12/2007)
Pastor David Wong & his family will be visiting the in-laws in Seremban & KL from 26-29 Nov '07.
Pastor David Wong will also be ministering at Evangel BPC on 2/12/07.
Group Prayer Meeting (28/11/07)
The English Prayer Group will meet Wednesday (28/11/07) at 8pm in the home of Mr. & Mrs. Subbash Chandran. Chairman: Bro. Alan Chiou. Dn. Jeffrey Foo wil be sharing from Col 3:12-17.
J.B. Sunday Gospel Hour (02/12/07)
Those who are on duty on 2/12/07:
Chairman: Elder Peter Lew,
Interpreter: Pr. Ng Boh Khoon,
Speaker: Rev. Ong Hock Kee,
Ushers: Mr. & Mrs. Tan Bau Song,
Pianist: Sister Anna Wong
YAF Meeting (01/12/07)
The YAF will be holding a talk by Mrs. Wong on this coming Saturday (1/12/07) at 8pm in Church Library. All are welcome!
Choir Practice (01~02/11/07)
There will be a choir practice (for Christmas Service) in the Church Sanctuary:
- Saturday (1/12) at 9pm, Sunday (2/12) at 10.30am.
Christmas Tracting (02, 09/11/07)
There will be a Christmas Tracting (for Christmas Gospel Cantata) on 2 & 9 Dec '07 (Sunday) at 2pm.
Praise God for messages delivered by Rev. Jack Sin (9am & 11am) & Pr. Ng Boh Khoon (JBSGH) last Sunday.
Pastor David Wong wants to thank God for a fruitful trip to Tanjung Pinang.
Thank God that Sis. Looi Ah Kam has changed her job and everything is going smoothly.
Thank God that Ivan Foo's sinus problem has improved.
Thank God for most of the children have finished their exam and are having their school vacation.
Lord's Day Service (02/12/2007)
Chinese Worship Service (9AM)
Chairman: Bro. Vincent Pang,
Speaker: Pr. Ng Boh Khoon
English Worship Service (11AM)
Chairman: Bro. Alan Chiou,
Speaker: Pastor David Wong
Sunset Gospel Service (6PM)
Chairman: Eld. Peter Lew,
Interpreter: Pr. Ng Boh Khoon,
Speaker: Rev. Ong Hock Kee
Continue to pray for the sick & unwell :
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Sis. Abilgail (pregnant & healthy)
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Mr. Soo (knee problem)
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Bro. Sam (stroke)
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Sis. Doris Chiou (feet cramp)
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Sis. Priscilla's mother (recovering)
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Bro. Jimmy's grandfather (white spots on lungs )
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Grace Lew (recovery of ear infection)
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Sis. Christina Lim (flu)
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Ruth Tang (serious flu)
Pray for Mr. Tan Chin Peu who will be having a by-pass operation.
Pray for Sis. Chew Yen who is getting her MRI scan result (good report).
Pray for Mrs. Ng Boh Khoon whose baby is due in mid Dec 2007.
Pray for Jessintha -God's protection on her driving to work.
Brother David Foo's studies at MMU, Sis Anna Wong's studies at USM, Sis. Karen Wong studies in Korea.
Pray for the youths - who are taking their SPM & STPM exams.
Sis. Joyce Chung - her health & safety - late working hours.
Pray for those who are travelling:
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Mrs. James Lee & children (P. Pinang, K.L. & P. Langkawi)
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Pastor David & family (Seremban)
Let us continue to pray for the salvation of our unsaved family members.
Pray for the Session Meeting on 25/11/07 (today).
Pray for our Church Election at the end of the year.
Pray for the Youths in our church - someone to lead them.
Pray for the Church Kindergarten - increase of students.
Do pray for Mrs. Yang, Ev. Lee Tian Shou & family, Ev. He De Ern & family, Ev. Yan Xiang You & family in Thailand.
Pray for Mr. Yang Sheng Yong (Bangkok Theological Institute).
Please remember all the B-P ministers in your prayers.
Pray for the salvation of the Chinese sisters in Jordan.
