If we were parents over again

Transcription

1 If we were parents over again After a few decades of parenting, there are many things we wish we could have done differently. Here are some. Outward testimony. When our children were young, they knew we were Christians by what we did. They watched us attending church services, serving in some ministries, praying and spending time in the fellowship of Christians. They grew up with the notion that they were in a Christian family because of what we did routinely. As they grew older, our outward testimony was no longer enough to show them what Christianity was. In fact, sometimes, by our inconsistent inward behavior, we confused them. Inward testimony. Looking back, this was the most important thing we could have strived to do right by the grace of God. What do I mean by inward testimony? Recently, our family lunched together in a cafe. When my food was served, I asked for a plate. The server told me to wait. I could see the cafe was under-staffed, but I also thought the server could have stopped for just a moment to get a plate for me before the food turned cold. So I showed my impatience and asked for it again. Obviously our children could see my ugly impatience. When the server finally returned with a plate, he said something about the machine was still washing... Then, it dawned upon me that they had run out of plates, and yes, there is such thing as automation, but the plates were still in the dishwasher when For internal circulation only Vol 29 No October, 2017

2 I asked for one. I felt bad, and regretful of my behaviour. When the server came round again, I stood up, went to him and apologised for my impatience. When I returned, I could see the approval and respect in my children s eyes. This time, I had done something consistent with my Christian label. How much more in the past I should have done the same! Love them fervently. We realised loving them is not just about showering them with our gifts and hugs. Alas, it was years later one day when we sat around in deeper conversation, that they told us we had actually not been good listeners in the past. Oh, how much have we missed understanding and delighting in the nuances of each child, their strengths and weaknesses, and their unique characters. On hindsight, we should have asked more often of God for parenting wisdom and sought the counsel of experienced Christian parents. And, of course, prayed with and for them more. Love God even more fervently. When we fail to live up to our Christian values and duties, they may accept us as frail weaklings. But when we fail to show our love for God, when we do not speak of Christ and for Christ when the occasion calls for it, they question if our faith is genuine. So be always prepared to speak of your faith, but with gentleness and respect (1 Peter 3:15,16). Millennial and post-millennial children are exposed much more to alternative world views. As parents, we need to be in touch with what these world views are, and be equipped to engage them in respectful discussion and debate. It is not easy. Enrol in HIM courses to equip yourselves, or be involved with HCYM ministry in appropriate ways to know the pulse and beat of children and youth today. If we love our children fervently, we must love God even more fervently. By this they would know, at the very least, that we are serious about our faith. Lee Pang Wee & Christina (Editorial Writers: 08 Oct Ps Daniel Tan; 15 Oct Eld Peter Seah) 2

3 PRAYER ITEMS For you know how, like a father with his children, we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory. 1 Thessalonians 2:11-12 CHURCH Children in Hermon Thank the Lord for the children He has brought into the Hermon family. Ask the Lord to bless the children that they may know their Maker and Saviour early in their lives. Pray for the parents to have wisdom and diligence in teaching and training their children in the way of the Lord. Ask the Lord to continue to strengthen the Children Ministry in Hermon. Pray that there will always be a pool of faithful leaders and committed teachers to minister His truth and grace to the little ones. Children s Day Celebration Pray for the children whom God has brought to this celebration on 07 Oct. Ask the Lord to guide Lydia Li as she prepares the story and all the volunteers as they serve the children in various ways. Pray also for the safety of the children as they go about with the activities and for good weather on that day. Bible-Presbyterian Churches In Singapore (BPCIS) We thank God for the 10 BP churches that attended the 6th Presbytery meeting held at Shalom BP Church on 23 Sept. Pray for smooth registration of the current 7 member BPCIS (Emmanuel, Mt Carmel, Herald, Shalom, Zion Bishan, Zion Serangoon, Mt Hermon) with the Registry of Societies. WORLD Rakhine State Crisis Pray for the affected communities who have lost their homes, properties and loved ones and who have been displaced to Bangladesh. Pray that these refugees and those remaining in the state will receive humanitarian aid swiftly. Pray too that the parties involved in the peace process will work closely to resolve this crisis. PASTORAL CONCERNS Birthdays We rejoice with our members whose birthdays fall this week (01-07 Oct): Christine Lei, Goh-Lam Shu Lin, Eunice Chiam, Zang Ewe, Jason Chan, Amelia Chong, Benjamin Tan, Lim Chong Teck, Michael Ow, Lim Pee Chai, Lee Pang Chuan, Doris Low and Ann Lim-Lee Poh Hong. 01 Oct: Jenny Leng / 08 Oct: Christine Lei PRAYER MEETING Wed (11 Oct), Peter room Prayer leader: Dns Malar Thomas Focus: Children in Hermon 3 2

4 A warm WELCOME to all who are here this morning. If this is your first time with us, please fill in a Visitor s Card and drop it into the offering bag during the Offertory. We invite you for fellowship over refreshment after Service at the Visitors Table on the ground floor. ANNOUNCEMENTS BOOK TABLE. After Service do drop by the book table set up at Love Fellowship Hall for purchase of a good selection of Reformation books. CATECHISM/MEMBERSHIP CLASS. Lesson 4 today at 1.30pm at Room 02-03B. Teacher: Eld Peter Seah. Next lesson on 08 Oct will be taught by Ps Daniel Tan. Catechumens, please send in your testimonies by this week to peggytan@hermon.org.sg. CHRISTIANITY EXPLORED (CE) COURSE continues today. Lesson #4 JESUS His Death. Attendees, please take your lunch at 1pm at Love Fellowship Hall. Class starts at 1.45pm at Paul/Timothy/Titus rooms (#04-14/15/16). Parents, please bring your child to Noah room #01-08 after lunch. Children helpers will look after them so you can attend the class. FELLOWSHIP LUNCH (15 OCT). It will be a sponsored buffet lunch. This is partly to celebrate the birthdays of all born in October and opportunity to stay back for fellowship. Darius Thomas and some young adults will be leading a sing-a-long session to bring back and reminisce the good old days. If you have any favourite hymn or song you would like us to sing together, do let Darius know. All are encouraged to stay back to have fellowship and some fun. Any free-will giving collected will be channeled towards our church Development Fund. MOUNT HERMON CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE Sunday 24 Dec, Jerusalem Sanctuary with a simultaneous Mandarin service by Mt Gerizim Theme: The Word Became Flesh is the Light of the World Speaker: Rev Dr Dev Menon A combined high tea will be served after the Service 4 2

5 ANNOUNCEMENTS CAR LIFT NEEDED to pick up Vivien Ng from The Sasco Home at 10.30am and/or to send her back after Service and lunch. Please sign up and indicate the dates on the roster pinned at the Love Fellowship Hall Notice Board. FOOD CONTAINERS NEEDED. We would like to borrow big food containers for the YM/BB/GB event on 21 Oct. If you have, please let Lai Kin know. DAY TRIP TO YONG PENG. Mt Gerizim is organising a 1 day trip to Yong Peng in Malaysia on 09 Nov (Thur). Program include visitation to Organic Farm, Biscuits Factory, Noodles Factory etc. The cost of $85 includes 3 meals, transport and insurance. Leave church at 6.45am and return by 8.00pm. Limited to 30 seats. If you are interested to bring your parents or relatives, please register with Lai Kin today. BGST SEMINAR on Christian Responses to Islamist Terrorism. Date: 11 Nov, Sat, 9.30am to 12.30pm. Speaker: Dr Robert Solomon. Venue: St John s St Margaret s Church. Fees: $20 inclusive tea break. Register at STAFF MOVEMENTS. 1) Ps Daniel Tan will be speaking at Shalom BP Church on 08 Oct morning. He will be attending a course at TTC from Oct and will be at Myanmar from Oct. 2) Siew Kee will be attending a course on Oct. Today 08, 22 Oct, 05, 26 Nov, 03 Dec 08 Oct 22 Oct; 05, 12 Nov MEETINGS Vocal Team Practice 8.45am 9.30am Paul #04-14 Worship Practice 8.45am 10.30am Ebenezer Chapel YM Pre-class Equipping 9.45am 10.50am Paul #04-14 Chrysalis mtg 1.30pm 3.00pm Resource # CE Course - Child Care 1.45pm 3.30pm Noah #01-08 CG Leaders Equipping 1.45pm 3.45pm Peter #04-02 Missions Briefing & Trg 1.30pm 3.30pm Jacob #01-06 Pulpit Ministry mtg 1.30pm300pm Resource # Peter #04-02 DSG Practice 1.45pm 3.00pm Samuel/Gideon #04-07/08 Session mtg 1.45pm 5.00pm Peter # Oct Games Day Briefing 1.30pm 2.30pm Resource # Oct CM Equipping 12.30pm 1.30pm Isaac #

6 COVENANT GROUP MEETINGS CG & Leader Date Venue / Occasion Agape Lester Cheng 14 Oct, Sat, 7.30pm Lee Pang Wee & Christina s home CCK Open Care 28 Sep, Thu, 7.30pm Gideon/Samuel rooms #04-07/08 de Vine Tan Swee Sin 13 Oct, Fri, 9.00am Eld & Mrs Tan Kim Ping s home El Shaddai Sally Chan 14 Oct, Sat, 10.00am Peter room #04-02 Jehovah Jireh Dns Malar Thomas 21 Oct, Sat, 7.30pm Dean & Ramona Martin s home Jehovah Shammah TBA TBA Klema Eld Ho Hian Chye 06 Oct, Fri, 8.00pm Moriah Sanctuary Koinonia Dn Simon Toh 06 Oct, Fri, 8.15pm Joseph room #01-07 Living Water Daniel Woon 21 Oct, Sat, 7.30pm Peter room #04-02 Morning Glory Ladies Jeanette Ler-Lee 29 Sep, Fri, 9.00am Peter room #04-02 Oxley Lee Yew Mun 06 Oct, Fri, 8.00pm Noah room #01-08 Paideia Gene Tan 07 Oct, Sat, 7.30pm Dn Sandor & Serina Wang Young Adults Dn Luwin Wong 06 Oct, Fri, 7.30pm Peter room #04-02 YOUTH BIBLE CLASS Time: 11.30am 1.00pm Upper Level Youths (S3 & above) Lower Level Youths (P6 S2) YOUTH & CHILDREN ROOM Peter #04-02 Gideon/Samuel (#04-07/08) OCTOBER Youth Teaching Leaders: John Chua Youth Group Leaders: Post Sec Girls I Dawn Tan Post Sec Girls II Priscilla Chan S3/PS Boys Darren Leong S3-S4 Girls Gillian Lim S4/PS Boys David Sim Youth Teaching Leaders: Jeremiah Chan Youth Group Leaders: P6-S2 Girls Leticia Chan P6-S2 Boys Darren Thomas CHILDREN BIBLE CLASS Time: 11.30am 12.30pm ROOM 01 OCTOBER 08OCTOBER Faithfulness (P4/P5) Nehemiah (#02-04) Chdn Day s Celebration Dns Malar Thomas Goodness (P1-P3) Abraham Moriah Sanctuary/ Hope Courtyard Choong Kai Xin Peace (3 s K2) Moriah Sanctuary Yeo Sock Ling Corina Oon/Lydia Li ATTENDANCE (Last Week) Adults 196 Children 19 Total 215 OFFERING / PLEDGES Last Week Month-To-Date General Fund $7, $38, Development Fund $ $8, Please issue cheques to Mount Hermon BP Church (for General Fund) Mount Hermon BP Church Development Fund (for Development Fund) Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God. (2 Corinthians 9:7, 12) 6

7 GOD S MESSAGE Date: 01 October 2017 Speaker: Ps Daniel Tan Sermon Title: Motives + Modeling = Message Scripture Text: 1 Thessalonians 2:1-12 Nu Our C Nurturing Environment (v1-2) Our R M Undergird Our Nurturing (v3-7) Our R M Underscores Our Message (v8-12) 7

8 Pastoral / Ministry Staff Rev Daniel Tan (Pastor) /O-Extn 11 danieltan@hermon.org.sg Ms Tang Lai Kin /O-Extn 20 laikin@hermon.org.sg Dn Luwin Wong /O-Extn 12 luwinwong@hermon.org.sg Mr Zebedee Lee /O-Extn 13 zebedeelee@hermon.org.sg Mrs Lee Kok Eng /O-Extn 14 leekokeng@hermon.org.sg Board of Elders Eld Peter Seah (Moderator) Rev Daniel Tan Eld Elgin Chan Advisory Pastor Rev (Dr) David Wong Session Dns Elizabeth Chua Dn Mike Fong Dn Lee Pak Choon Dns Justina Ng Dn David Oh Dn James Quek Dn Sim Chow Meng Dns Malar G. Thomas Dn Simon Toh Dn Sandor Wang Dn Luwin Wong Dn Richard Yew Administrator Ms See Siew Kee /O-Extn 18 siewkee@hermon.org.sg Sunday Service 11.00am Children & Youth Bible Class 11.30am 12.30pm Prayer Meeting Every 2 nd & 4 th Wed 8.00pm 9.30pm 10 Choa Chu Kang St 52 #04-01 CCKBC Singapore Tel: church@hermon.org.sg Order of Worship 01 OCTOBER, 2017, am Church Theme 2017: "A Community Making Disciples Welcome & Announcements Prelude Call to Worship Opening Hymn Opening Prayer Responsive Scripture Reading Worship Songs Offertory/Doxology Pastoral Prayer Be Thou My Vision Psalm 119: One Day More Like the Master Servants of the Gospel YOUTHS & CHILDREN LEAVE FOR THEIR BIBLE CLASSES Scripture Text 1 Thessalonians 2:1-12 Message Closing Hymn Benediction/ Three-Fold Amen Postlude Motives + Modeling = Message A Christian Home Speaker: Ps Daniel Tan Worship Leader: Tan Jiahan Pianist: Chantel Tay Vocalists: Hannah Ee (ic), Natalie Chong, Naomi Ee, Abigail Wong, Angela Wong and Amos Wong Scripture Reader: Evangeline Divina Thomas Announcer: Dn Mike Fong Pastoral Prayer/Benediction: Eld Peter Seah Projectionists: Chew Kian Chong and Bornson Wong PA: Samuel Chan, Joel Mak and Joseph Ho Stewards: Dn Mike Fong and Team A Thanksgiving Flowers: Shu Lin & David Goh Floral ic: Millie Mak Chrysalis: Doris Ong (ic), Karen Sim and Benjamin Lin Refreshment: Koinonia CG NEXT SUNDAY S SERVICE (08 OCT 17) Sermon: Where is our Salvation from? Sola Christus (Philippians 3:2-11) Speaker: Rev Benjamin Tsao Worship Leader: Eric Chan Pianist: Lenith Cheng Vocalists: Phoebe Li (ic), Gladys Lim, Gloria Phua, Gladys Phua, Divina Thomas and Meghan Ng Scripture Reader: May Seah Announcer: Dns Justina Ng Pastoral Prayer/Benediction: Eld Choo Yoo Keong Projectionists: Samuel Chua and Chang Bing Chuen PA: Daniel Woon, Benson Fong and Edward Lim Stewards: Nelson Chong and Team B Thanksgiving Flowers: Edward Lee & family Floral ic: Lee Hwee Mei Chrysalis: Doris Ong (ic), Karen Sim and Benjamin Lin Refreshment: Koinonia CG