10 March 2019 Speaker Rev Oh Boon Leong

Transcription

1 10 March 2019 Speaker Rev Oh Boon Leong For internal circulation only 1

2 It s my pleasure to announce that our mission partner, Ps Kiran Das from Nepal, has successfully defended his doctoral dissertation at Singapore Bible College on 28 February What a joy and relief, the culmination of some five years of intensive study. Ps Kiran will still need to make some revisions on a couple of segments of his dissertation as follow-up to the oral defence, which is not uncommon. But the good news is that he has passed his oral defence, which is a major milestone in his personal development. He has since returned to Nepal to prepare for our team s visit next week. Our team to Nepal next week by far the largest ever, consisting of seven adults and two youths. They are Elder Siew Kim Siang, Orlando Lee, Stanley Tan and Mui Hong, Ps Assoc Ang Lee Luang, Loo King Keong, Augustin Loo, Collin Tan, and me. We are scheduled to arrive at Kathmandu on 14 March and will proceed on the same day to Nepalgunj. On 15 March, our team will travel into the interior to dedicate three churches that were rebuilt after a major flood two years ago. This was made possible because of the generous donation of one of our members. Even though the churches had been rebuilt for a year now, they have waited for our team to come so that we can witness the official dedication. On the following day, 16 March, which is their Sabbath day, we will also minister at the worship services of three more churches. Please pray for safe journeys and good stamina as we minister to six churches in two days. 17 March (Sunday) will see us returning to Nepalgunj for our day of rest. Except for me and King Keong, this is the first visit to Nepalgunj for the others in our team. Nepalgunj is a city of about 60,000 people that sits at the border with India. Lots of people from both countries cross the border each day, so there is a perpetual buzz about this city. From March, Ps Associate Ang Lee Luang will be training 30 Sunday school teachers who come from the churches associated with Ps Kiran. They are among the key leaders for the children s ministry in Grace Church, Nepal. It s a strategic opportunity for us to invest in these women leaders because they will definitely pass on what they have learnt in their local churches. We are very thankful that Mui Hong is able to assist Lee Luang in this three-day training. Please pray that the teaching, practical training sessions, and translation will go well. Ps Kirans wife, Isha, will be the main translator. 2

3 The training will be held at a local church, within walking distance of our SOPM training center. On 18 March at the SOPM training centre, King Keong will be exploring possible business partnerships with local leaders. Our objective is to assess possible small-scale business ventures that are economically viable, and which can also provide employment for their members. It can also be a way to provide supplementary income for some of their lay-pastors who receive only meagre support from their own churches, and who need to find other ways to provide for their own families. Please pray for wisdom to be given to King Keong because this is the first time we are ready to explore possible business ventures with them. Orlando Lee and Stanley Tan will also sit in for these discussions to provide their own perspectives to this ongoing conversation. On my part, my main focus is to train 60 future leaders of Grace Church as they study the Book of Job. This is part of our SOPM training module, and we have devoted two weeks to study this book. During the first week, from March, Ps Kiran and his team will teach this book in their Nepali language. They had studied this book with me when I taught it to the pastors in Delhi last year. That being the case, they are now equipped to teach this book to their own leaders. My role is to teach the rest of the book during the second week, from March, during which I ll also answer difficult questions from the previous week. Elder Kim Siang s main contribution is to interview key leaders of Grace Church Nepal, and then write short articles based on those interviews. In case you are not aware, many of our Nepali brethren had served faithfully despite severe hardships and personal tragedies. Their stories need to be told as an encouragement to us. And since Elder Kim Siang has an ability to write well (just think of the articles he had written for CMfC), I have asked him do those interviews before telling their stories. He will also assist in preaching a couple of sermons during our visit to churches in the interior. As for the youngest members of our team, Augustin and Collin, we are delighted that they could join us. This is as inter-generational as it can get for a mission team! Their main role is to take care of the video shoots of the different events so that they can be shown to our members back home. So as you can see, each member of the team has a distinct role. Please pray for safe journeys, healthy bodies, and team unity as we minister for God s glory! Ps Daniel Chua 3

4 PRAY FOR THE WORLD 1. SUHAKAM, Malaysia s Human Rights Commission, conducted a public inquiry into the disappearances of Raymond Koh and Amri Che Mat on Wed 6 March. The lawyers representing their families made their final submission before the Commission which will then finalize their report to the Government. It has been about two years since Ps Raymond Koh's disappearance. Pray for the truth to be revealed so that the families will have some closure. 2. Thank God for a fruitful gathering of Catholic priests worldwide in Rome two weeks ago. Pray that the deliberations on sexual abuse by some priests will lead to greater awareness of what s happening and proper reparations for the victims. Pray that these abuses will not occur any more. PRAY FOR THE CHURCH Honeypot: Thank God for the many helping hands who have held 2 sessions so far. Many chipped in with preparing the food, coffee/tea, layout etc. Results have been promising as many members have stopped by after the worship services to munch and chat. Pray that the momentum can be sustained and more hands and hearts will step forward to serve. Children Ministry: Thank God for the extensive planning that has gone into organizing Sentosa Nature Trail Carmel Kids Excursion, scheduled for the morning of Wed, 20 Mar. Pray that more children and parents will sign up. Pray for good weather that day and that all will be safe and will enjoy a time of fellowship, exercise and fun together. Daniel Inductive Bible Study: Thank God for the 23 attendees at the first session on 23 Feb. Pray for good preparation and a teachable spirit that God s Word will be understood clearly and make an impact on the group. Overseas Missions Ministry: Pray for Yee Xian and Salmah s health. They have laboured for many years in Kalimantan, without an established (full-time) co-worker. There is so much joy, but also so much physical and emotional investment into the lives of those under their care. Pray that God will continue to provide them cheer, good health, and a steadfast spirit to run the race marked out for them. Ps Palmanto and Anna s 2 daughters, Vita and Yen Yen, are finishing their high school this June. They are seeking God s direction for further studies as well as employment opportunities. Both want to continue their studies. Vita has also expressed that she is keen to enter theological college and serve full-time one day. Pray for finances, opportunities and a place where they can both continue to pursue their aspiration, grow in spiritual maturity and serve His church. Give thanks that our proposed Water Mission - Lake Toba has been given approval to proceed by the Mission Board. We are finalizing the contract and negotiation. Do continue to uphold this project (out first with Water Mission and our first in Lake Toba area) in your prayers for completion, for the opportunity to engage the local Batak community in the village we providing safe water to, for hearts to yield and be committed to living a life pleasing to God. 4 Come, join our prayer warriors in Room #03-06 on Wednesday, 7.45pm! Next Wednesday (13 Mar) Chairperson: Eld Kelvin Teo

5 ANNOUNCEMENTS/UPDATES This exercise is for all members, friends and visitors. Non-members, please mark Regular Worshipper if you have been worshipping regularly with us for more than six months, and Guest if you have been with us for less than six months. Those taking part in the AE via the mycarmel App, please tick the option that applies to you: Communicant Member Regular Worshipper (Worshipping with us for MORE than 6 months) Guest (Worshipping with us for LESS than 6 months) If you are a parent who would like to register your infant(s) for this year s Easter Infant Baptism, please inform Angie Leong ( , angie@carmel.sg) at the church office. A class for parents will be held on Saturday, 23 Mar, 2-4 pm Registration closes on 17 Mar. Youth Catechism class will commence on 14 April Youths who are interested to seek Baptism or Reaffirmation of Faith, please inform Angie Leong ( , angie@carmel.sg) at the church office. Closing date for registration is 25 March. The first interview will be on 7 April. The 8-lesson New Life In Christ (NLIC) Class will commence on 24 Mar 2019, Sunday, 1.15pm-2.15pm in room # We would like to cordially invite all newcomers, friends, seekers and new believers to join the NLIC Class so as to know more about the Christian Faith. 24 Mar - Who is Jesus Christ? 31 Mar - Salvation 07 Apr - Quiet Time 14 Apr - Guidance 21 Apr - Lordship of Christ 28 Apr - Victorious Christian Life 05 May - Good Works 12 May - Witnessing To register for the Class, kindly contact Lai San/Church Office at Tel: or laisan@carmel.sg Date Speakers Topic Text 17 Mar Rev Peter Teo 24 Mar Eld Bruce Lockhart A Healthy Church Member is a Prayer Warrior Romans: God s Sovereign election and mercy 1 Kings 18:20-39 Romans 9: Mar Rev Peter Teo God s Plan of Salvation Romans 10: Apr Rev Oh Boon Leong A Life of Doxology Romans 11:1-36 5

6 NEXT SUNDAY 17 March 2019 MINISTRY INVOLVEMENT 1ST SERVICE MINISTRY INVOLVEMENT 2ND SERVICE Ushers Clementi Woods CG West Bay CG Refreshment Worship Leader Congregational Prayer Musicians Jennifer Lim/Peck Har Chew Leong Ho Rev Jabez Chia Week 3 Band Welcome Corner Tan Mun Kiat/David Lee Lam Suyen/Joyce Lin Scripture Readers Constance Low Airika Takeguchi AVA Crew Librarians Michael Teo/Alan Tan Chan How Lee/June Low Ek Yong/Tan Chay Hoon/ Andrew Ong Please make all cheques, including those for the Development Fund, payable to Mount Carmel BP Church Ltd (payee name must be stated on the cheque). Please note that NO receipts will be issued for cheques received by the Church below $5,000 except upon request. All offerings and pledges to Mount Carmel BP Church Ltd are not tax-deductible. 6

7 2 Samuel 23:1-23 Why talk about Followership? 3 Traits of a Great Follower: I. Selflessly Devoted II. Missionally Focused III. God-Centred Discussion/Reflection Questions Consider the examples of David's men. In what way does followership bring blessing to the church? In what specific ways can you support your leaders in church and at workplace? How can we encourage one another to be followers of Christ? 7

8 Welcome! A warm welcome to all newcomers and visitors with us today. We hope that you will have a meaningful time of worship this morning. Do join us for tea at the fellowship hall after the service. Worship Leader Dn Adrian Wong Speaker Rev Oh Boon Leong Prayer Eld Ho Peng Kee Scripture Readers Lim Shi Cynthia Wee Ushers Praise 1/Dover CG Grace CG Refreshment Clementi Woods CG AVA Peh Chee Siong Peter Go John Tan Francis Tay Thanksgiving Flowers Steven & Soh Hoon Er May Fong All Hail the Power of Jesus Name Come People of the Risen King Gloria Patri Philippians 2:1-11 Your Grace Finds Me May the Mind of Christ The Servant King Take My Life and Let it Be Doxology 2 Samuel 23:1-23 For a digital copy of this bulletin: Marks of a Healthy Church Member A Follower Be Thou My Vision wp-content/uploads/2019/03/ Weekly pdf For recordings of past sermons, visit Three-Fold Amen Worshippers are invited to come forward to the front pew for personal prayer with our elders/pastors. 8