3 March 2019 Speaker Rev Peter Teo

Transcription

1 3 March 2019 Speaker Rev Peter Teo For internal circulation only 1

2 In the world of more choices in the hands of consumers, businesses are in pursuit of the "Frictionless Customer Experience" mindset. At the right moment with the right channel, the company would be there for the customers. Below are some examples from the internet: Sending emoji text to Pizza Hut to order pizza. Ordering food with voice-controlled speakers: Hey Google, talk to Domino s. Select your favourite-food through your Samsung Smart TV or Tweet a Starbucks coffee to your friend. These are strategies to design touch points where their customers are. In contrast, the intergenerational committee pivots the opposite way, and we go behind-the-scenes (BTS) on the Carmel Honeypot concept. Carmel Honeypot In the Bible, honey is a promised gift from God (Exo 3:8, Psa 81:16, Eze 16:19). Some uses of Honey are: to satisfy one's hunger (Exo 16:31), John the Baptist's diet (Mat 3:4), Jonathan's eyes became bright by eating the wild honeycomb (1 Sam 14:27). Honey is prohibited as a burnt offering (Lev 2:11), and not to be overconsumed (Pro 25:16, 27). Not knowing his son Joseph is in-charge over the affairs of Egypt, Jacob instructed his sons to take "a little honey" along with Benjamin, and honey was presented as a gift to appeal for compassion. (Gen 43:11). Carmel Honeypot embraces these biblical ideas and shares wonderful use of food and drinks with one another. Queue & Talk Little friction creates connections! Instead of assigning a server to hand out cups of coffee and soya bean drink, we adopt a self-service concept. This deliberate move from a Host/Guest mindset to a Village/ Family setting aims to increase interactions. And, instead of using the phone whilst waiting, discover someone close by and talk. Ask & Care No instructions! Some appliances are new to us, and we do not plan to be informative here. We hope Carmelites will ask for help or take initiatives to help one another. Even the little ones would need help. An act of kindness, such as offering a drink to someone new to you, is another chance to bond. 2

3 Hot in the centre, quiet in the fringe The Carmel Honeypot Central is a place to refresh and fellowship with one another; we may know the faces, but it is also time to listen to the heart. Like a solar system, Carmel Honeypot Central is hot and active in the core, and the fringe is less noisy. We deliberately create a spacious layout to encourage Carmelites to find a table to share and pray with one another. Single-use products We are decreasing the use of disposables like Styrofoam cups, as well as paper and plastic products, and we are heartened that Carmelites are recycling their Styrofoam cups by sharing them with their loved ones. We do not want to be troubled by many things; instead being more like Mary than Martha (Luk 10:38-42). Using tissue paper to handle finger food, for instance, is another approach to reduce waste and effort. Carmel Delights Savour the food when you visit the culinary delights counter. Explore and relate with our Carmel foodies, and you may be surprised how creative or young they are. Jesus has many stories and teachings over meals, and home recipes will always be extra sweet to the soul. If you like to share your specialities, do speak with Dn. David Chua so we can ascertain with other requirements. Contributions In our first trial run, we were pleased to see Carmelites volunteering their talents, time, and even their equipment. The Carmel Honeypot is also a place for Carmelites to express their love for the church. Speak to any committee members, do be patient as we take account of the whole experience of cultivating intergenerational friendships. Future Is that all? By no means! We are still experimenting this initiative, much like every friendship and every bond, needs nurturing. We are already making plans for phase 2 and beyond. Hardware and software will change, but Soulware is what matters most. The Honeypot committee is grateful to God for a good beginning, but we expect hiccups along the way. Christians are not fearful hoarders; we are fearless givers (Ps 121:6, 7), ready to help each other. Christ s hospitality shares what there is; it is not about providing the best entertainment or service. So come uninvited, stay behind, and be known as a blessing to people. Adrian Ang, on behalf of the Honeypot Team 3

4 PRAY FOR THE CHURCH Youth: Besides the Discipleship Care Groups on Sunday, the youth are also encouraged to be a part of the Spiritual Accountability Group (SAG) three persons sharing lives and mutual accountability meeting twice a month on Sundays. SAG has been a powerful platform for youth to develop deeper friendship and accountability. Pray for our youths to sign up. Ask God to guide and strengthen the Youth Committee in their service, especially the Committee Leaders who are new this year. Commit the new DCG leaders, asking God to fill them with grace, wisdom, and spiritual understanding to lead and to care for the youth. Mount Carmel Apprentice Program (MAP): Joyce Go & Thomas Lim have signed up for MAP. Pray for them as they discern the Lord's will and be equipped for His service. Both are presently enrolled in theological studies at TTC & BGST respectively. Session: Thank God for our leaders. Pray for unity of heart and mind, and for God s guidance and wisdom in leading and growing the church. Ask for God s protection over each deacon, elder, pastor & family; for the Holy Spirit to renew & refresh them daily, and equip & empower them in service. Ladies: Ask God to bless the retreat from 7-9 Mar in Jen Hotel, praying for His divine presence to fill the retreat, prepare hearts for ministry. Ask for healing, worship & salvation, and to remove obstacles & distractions that may prevent us from receiving and opening up to our Abba Father. May He give us a new understanding of His character and love, and transform us by His truths. Overseas Missions Ministry (OMM): Do uphold Ps Peter who will be teaching at a Baptist Convention in India from 4-7 Mar. About 60 people are expected for the four-day training. He will be accompanied by Samuel Lim (for 2 days) who will also teach in one of the sessions. Pray for safety in travel and for the Holy Spirit to empower them to teach well. May the participants learn well and may the teaching be applicable to their context. Ask God to grant wisdom to Dn Agus and Dn Adrian to draft the MOU between Mt Carmel and Water Mission, Pray that MOU will benefit both parties. Commit to God all our Missionaries and Workers in the Mission Fields: - Ps Eman and Vidya, Ps Ayo and Aphi (India); Ps Kiran and Isha (Nepal); Ps Robert and Laval Yau (Myanmar); Am and Tom, Heir (Thailand); Ps Sokha and Khiem, Ps Yew Onn and Chern Chern (Cambodia); Ps Fitz and May, Ma am Flor (Philippines); Ps Yee Xian and Ibu Salmah/ Ps Palmanto and Ibu Anna (Indonesia); CAN 1: Paul and Lydia; CAN 2: Ps Khai and Ps Andrew. Ask for God s protection, provision and empowerment in ministry. 4 Come, join our prayer warriors in Room #03-06 on Wednesday, 7.45pm! Next Wednesday (6 Mar) Chairperson: Eld Bruce Lockhart

5 ANNOUNCEMENTS/UPDATES The Holy Communion is open to all who have confessed Jesus in baptism. If you are visiting and are regularly partaking Communion in the church where you come from, you are welcome to join us too. 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. A Carmel Kids Excursion Date: Wed, 20 Mar 2019 Time: 8.30am-2.00pm Fee: $5 (includes transport and lunch) Who can go: All Primary School Carmel Kids What to expect: A guided 90-min walking trail through the lmbiah Forest and skywalk above treetops at Fort Siloso Enjoy good old fun, games, lunch and a dessert treat! Register TODAY! Ps Assist Marianne Wong would like to thank Carmelites for their thoughts, prayers, and support in the her time away. Regretfully, she's unable to respond to every message but appreciates each one. Date Speakers Topic Text 10 Mar Rev Oh Boon Leong 17 Mar Rev Peter Teo 24 Mar Eld Bruce Lockhart A Healthy Church Member is a Humble Follower A Healthy Church Member is a Prayer Warrior Romans: God s Sovereign election and mercy 2 Samuel 23:1-23 Romans 9: Mar Rev Peter Teo God s Plan of Salvation Romans 10:1-21 5

6 NEXT SUNDAY 10 March 2019 MINISTRY INVOLVEMENT 1ST SERVICE MINISTRY INVOLVEMENT 2ND SERVICE Ushers Praise 1/Dover CG Grace CG Refreshment Worship Leader Congregational Prayer Musicians Clementi Woods CG Dn Adrian Wong Eld Ho Peng Kee Week 2 Band Welcome Corner Tan Choon Kiat/John Chua Dn Jonthan Lum/Sunny Yap Scripture Readers Lim Shi Cynthia Wee AVA Crew Peh Chee Siong/Peter Go John Tan/Francis Tay Librarians Chee Leh Tee 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 Matthew 16:21-28 Introduction: I. A growing disciple understands the life and missions of Christ (16:21). II. A growing disciple aligns his life to fit into the plan of Christ (16:22-23). III. A growing disciple imitates the pattern of Christ (16:24). IV. A growing disciple calculates the cost of following after Christ (16:25-26). V. A growing disciple receives the reward for the sacrifices made for Christ (16:27-28). Conclusion: Questions for Reflection: How long have you been a Christian? How would you classify your state of spiritual life? (A) Stagnating. (B) Growing. (C) Declining. (D) Don t know. Do you know the reason for your answer? The speaker poses 5 quiz questions. How many were you able to answer? What do your answers indicate about your level of understanding about Christ? Look at the sermon outlines above. Recall what the LORD has been speaking to you. Which aspect of today s sermon will help you to grow as a disciple of Christ? A growing disciple is a healthy church member. How will you as a growing disciple help to build up Mt Carmel as a strong and vibrant Church that will spread God s Kingdom in Singapore and overseas? 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 Ben Koh Speaker/Holy Communion Rev Peter Teo Announcement Eld Albunus Ng Prayer Jonathan Huang & Han Yi Lim Shi & Lim Yong Scripture Readers Joyce Go Kim Kijin Ushers Susannah Siew & family Covenant CG Refreshment Ayer Rajah CG AVA Yu Ta Wen Lee Sin Yee Chan Wen Hui Christie Phua Thanksgiving Flowers Dorothy & See Kiat Ningyan, Li Jia, Ren Hao & Ren Yong Molly & John Tan Kailing Choo For a digital copy of this bulletin: Holy, Holy, Holy Holy is the Lord The Lord s Prayer Gloria Patri Matthew 19:16-30 You Alone Can Rescue To God Be the Glory All in All Everything I Am Doxology Matthew 16:21-28 A Healthy Church Member is a Growing Disciple O Fount of Love - by Choir Christ is Enough 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