Staying on the line In the 16th century, the sale of indulgences spread to include forgiveness for the sins of people who were already dead. That is evident in this passage from a sermon by John Tetzel, the monk who sold indulgences in Germany and inspired Martin Luther's protest in 1517. Don't you hear the voices of your dead parents and other relatives crying out, "Have mercy on us, for we suffer great punishment and pain. From this, you could release us with a few alms... We have created you, fed you, cared for you and left you our temporal goods. Why do you treat us so cruelly and leave us to suffer in the flames, when it takes only a little to save us? [Source: Die Reformation in Augenzeugen Berichten, edited by Helmar Junghaus (Dusseldorf: Karl Rauch Verlag, 1967), 44.] Adapted from http://courses.wcupa.edu/jones/his101/web/37luther.htm I remember going to a church when holy laughter was the wind of doctrine that was passing through Singapore. The pastor was preaching on the incident of Moses leading the Israelites through the Red Sea, from Exodus 14. The pastor shouted, Look at the people of Israel looking back at Pharaoh with his army on their chariots, trailing after them. Look at the people laughing at them. The pastor than incited the church to laugh as the Israelites laughed. Many in the church start laughing hysterically. Recently, I read a book written by a famous influencer preacher in town. He claimed that God had answered his prayer according to Isa 60:22: The least one shall become a clan, and the smallest one a mighty nation; I am the LORD; in its time I will hasten it. From the pastor of a small church, he became a pastor of a large church, and he runs big conferences all over the world. If he can be so loose in his interpretation of Isa 60:22, I wonder if he is consistently the same. If so, because of his influence, many will follow in his footsteps. As train that runs off the railway line is in danger, so are people who do not stay on the line of truth (Gal 1:6-8). For internal circulation only Vol 31 No 48 09 December, 2018
I have found this resource by Dig & Discover Hermeneutical Principles of Leadership Resource Training helpful. https://drive.google.com/file/d/0b53y2y0cdtapzdvyx1gytlzvwfk/view What does it mean to stay on the line? Staying on the line illustrates the task of the teacher or preacher to discover what God s Word says and to be faithful to it. The line itself represents what God actually says in His Word. To go above the line means to add something that is not really there to say more than what God said in His Word. It leads to error, often in the form of legalism. To go below the line means to leave something out that is there to not be wholly true and faithful to the truth of what God s Word is saying. It often leads to liberalism and license. Staying on the line may be compared to the promise witnesses in some courts of law must make: I promise to tell the truth, the whole truth [not to go below the line], and nothing but the truth [not to go above the line]. How important is this to God? Since the time of Moses, God has made it clear that His spokesmen are to say what He has said nothing more and nothing less (Exodus 4:10-16; Deuteronomy 4:1-2; 1 Samuel 3:1 4:1; Proverbs 30:5-6; Ezekiel 3:1-11; Jeremiah 1:4-19; 23:9-40; John 7:16; 8:28-29; 12:29-50; Revelation 22:18-19). How important is this to our preaching? God s words are beyond compare. Throughout the Bible, we see His words are powerful, certain and good; only His words can give life. We want people to hear God s voice rather than ours His truth rather than man s opinions and ideas. We need to experience the transforming power that comes only through His words. What does staying on the line require? Submitting to God s written Word, carefully discerning and understanding what God s Word actually says and communicating it faithfully in our teaching, preaching, and living. Another helpful site is https://www.proctrust.org.uk/equipped/ (Unit 9). Together, we need to guard and live out the truth as Hermonites in our own reading of the Bible, listening to preaching, reading books and teaching others. Acts 17:11 says, Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so. Zebedee Lee (Editorial Writers: 16 Dec Eld Peter Seah; 23 Dec Dn Lee Pak Choon) 2
PRAYER ITEMS Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst. John 6:35 CHURCH Hermon Children and Youth Ministry Pray for our children and youth that God may draw and enable them to come to Him (John 6:44, 65). Pray that they may find joy in learning God's Word and be obedient to His instructions. Ask the Lord to help and empower our Bible class teachers to rightly handle and teach the word of truth (2Timothy 2:15). Myanmar Missions Team The team is now in Myanmar. Pray for a good time of close fellowship with Faith Evangelical Church (FEC). May our team bring encouragement and joy to our fellow believers as we worship together. Chiang Rai Missions Team The team is leaving for Chiang Rai on 14 Dec 18. Pray for smooth connection of the flights. May the Lord allow the seed of His word to take root in the hearts of the children in both Akha Gospel Organisation and Puykham School. Christmas Day Evangelistic Service May God impress upon our hearts loved ones to invite to our Christmas Day Service. Thank God we can partner Mt Gerizim to have a Mandarin Service at the same time. Let us take this opportunity to invite our Mandarin speaking family members and friends. Watchnight Service on 31 Dec 18 Let us pray for a good attendance at the Watchnight service. Pray that God's people will continue to be engaged in prayer. "Lord, to you I come, absolutely come. I feel so entire a sense of the need of you that I just wait for you to speak to me, for what can I say to you? Let me lie spread out before you even as the desert sand beneath the sun." Oswald Chambers WORLD Riot in Paris, France Recent protests turned riot last Saturday, involving about 130,000 people, with more than 260 people injured, sparked the worst violence in Paris. Pray for the local police and authorities for swift action to contain the unrest with minimum violence and to restore peace and order. Pray for residents there and for those travelling to the city for the Lord's protection. PASTORAL CONCERN Birthdays We rejoice with our members whose birthdays fall this week (09-15 Dec): David Chong, Teo Mei Yee, Choong Choon Guan, Jenny Paik-Pong, Angie Goh-Ng and Loh-Mo Wai Lee. 09 Dec Christine Lei/ 16 Dec Deborah Engelsen Next Prayer Meeting Wed (12 Dec) 8.00pm @ Peter room Prayer leader: Zebedee Lee Focus: Christmas Outreach 3 2
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 after Service at the Love Fellowship Hall on the ground floor. ANNOUNCEMENTS HOLY COMMUNION. Due to the Baptismal Service on 16 Dec, the Holy Communion for December will be held on 23 Dec instead. YOUTH MINISTRY CHRISTMAS PARTY on Sat 15 Dec, 6.00pm-9.00pm at Hope Courtyard. Join us for a time of fellowship over food and games! The BB boys and GB girls will be joining us too! Samuel Chan YOUTH CAROLING AT YOUR HOME 4 homes are required for our youths to sing carols on 22 Dec Sat evening. Good time to invite your family and friends to join in the Christmas joy. Caroling starts at 7.00pm. Please contact Gillian Lim at 67668903 or email church@hermon.org.sg. YACG RETREAT 2018. The young adults will be having an annual Retreat on 26-29 December (Wed-Sat). It'll be held at Sekupang, Batam, and the topic will be "Evangelism in a Skeptical World", a video-study series equipping us to share the gospel in our culture today! Sign up at the booth, or register with Jinghui. CHRISTMAS DAY EVANGELISTIC SERVICE Tue 25 Dec, 11.00am Mt Hermon (English Service) held at Jerusalem Sanctuary, 2 nd level Mt Gerizim (Mandarin Service) held at Hope Courtyard, 1 st level A combined thanksgiving lunch will be served after the Service. Ask God for the names of family and friends to invite. WATCHNIGHT SERVICE Mon 31 Dec 8.00pm @ Jerusalem Sanctuary Calling all to come together to give thanks to the Lord for the year that is ending and welcoming the new year. There will also be a time of praising God and testifying of God's goodness in 2018. Eld Choo Yoo Keong will deliver the Homily. Refreshment will be served at Love Fellowship Hall after service. MINISTRY CLAIMS FOR 2018. Please submit your 2018 ministry claims to church office before 28 Dec. 4 2
ANNOUNCEMENTS NEW CATECHISM CLASS will start in mid-march 2019. Time: 1.30pm- 2.30pm. The Baptismal Service will be held during our Church Anniversary Service in July. If you have been worshipping with us for more than six months and have decided to settle in Mount Hermon as a member by baptism (a public confession of your faith), membership transfer (from another Bible-believing church) or re-affirmation of faith (for children above 12 and have been baptised during childhood), please get a form from the Steward i/c after Service today. CAR LIFT NEEDED to pick up Vivien Ng from The Sasco Home at 10.30am and/or to send her back after Service. Please sign up and indicate the dates on the roster at Love Fellowship Hall Notice Board. 2019 (JAN-JUN) THANKSGIVING FLOWERS CHART is displayed on the Notice Board at Love Fellowship Hall. Offering thanksgiving flowers is a gesture for an answered prayer, an expression of thanks to God or for a happy occasion. One bouquet will be arranged each week except Easter and Christmas. Each arrangement costs $35.00. BGST Seminars in partnership with Institute of Marketplace Transformation: 1) Marketplace Ministry Seminar Sat 19 Jan 2019, 8.30am 4.30pm @ Wesley Methodist Church. 2) Aging Matters Wed- Fri 23-25 Jan 2019, 7.15pm-10.15pm @ Church of Our Saviour. Speakers: Dr Clive Lim, David Sayson and Micheal Low. See brochures at notice board or access www.bgst.edu.sg for more details. STAFF MOVEMENT. 1) Ps Daniel is on leave this afternoon and 16 Dec afternoon, and from 10-14 Dec. 2) Zebedee Lee & Kok Eng are on leave 9-11 Dec. 3) Karen Sim and Wai Lan are on leave on 14 Dec. 4) Dn Luwin will be speaking at People Bible Church Youth Camp from 16-17 Dec. 5) Siew Kee is off on 17 Dec. MEETINGS Vocal Team Practice 8.45am 9.30am Paul #04-14 Worship Practice 8.45am 10.30am Ebenezer Chapel Today DSG Practice 1.30pm 3.00pm Gideon/Samuel #04-07/08 Choristers practice 1.30pm 3.30pm Jerusalem Sanctuary Missions training 1.30pm 3.45pm Peter #04-02 16 Dec Session mtg 1.45pm 5.00pm Peter #04-02 5
COVENANT GROUP MEETINGS CG & Leader Date Venue / Occasion Agape Lester Cheng CCK Open Care de Vine Tan Swee Sin 14 Dec, Fri, 9am Eld & Mrs Tan Kim Ping s home El Shaddai Sally Chan 15 Dec, Sat, 9am Peter room #04-02 Immanuel Karen Sim Jehovah Jireh Dns Malar Thomas Klema Eld Ho Hian Chye Koinonia Dn Simon Toh TBA TBA Living Water Daniel Woon 15 Dec, Sat, 7pm Peter room #04-02 Morning Glory Jeanette Ler-Lee Oxley Lee Yew Mun 28 Dec, Fri, 8pm Noah room #01-08 Paideia Gene Tan TBA TBA Young Adults Dn Luwin Wong 21 Dec, Fri, 7.30pm Peter room #04-02 YOUTH BIBLE CLASS Time: 11.30am 1.00pm Senior Youths (Post Sec) Junior Youths (P6 S4) YOUTH & CHILDREN ROOM Gideon/ Samuel (#04-07/08) Peter (#04-02) DECEMBER Teaching Leader: Philip Chan Group Leaders: Post Sec Girls Joanna Li Post Sec Boys Philip Chan Teaching Leader: Jeremiah Chan Group Leaders: P6-Sec 2 Girls Dawn Tan P6-Sec 2 Boys A Mark Chia P6-Sec 2 Boys B Dominic Lim S3-S4 Girls Naomi Ee S3-S4 Boys Darren Thomas CHILDREN BIBLE CLASS Time: 11.30am 12.30pm ROOM DECEMBER Faithfulness (P3-P5) Nehemiah (#02-04) Ng Zhe Hui Goodness (P1-P2) Abraham (#01-04) Choong Kai Xin Peace (3 s K2) Jacob (#01-06) Corina Oon / Inez Tan ATTENDANCE (Last Week) Adults 225 Children 15 Total 240 OFFERING AND PLEDGES Fund Last week Month-to-date Jan-to-date Avg per week General Fund $10,987.85 $10,987.85 $494,882.95 $10,294.97 Dev Fund $960.00 $960.00 $163,769.80 $3,402.18 Budgeted Ministry Commitments for 2018 for General Fund: $703,400.00 (or $13,272 per week). Development Fund Target in 2018: $205,000 (or $3,870 per week). 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
GOD S MESSAGE Date: 09 December 2018 Speaker: Ps Daniel Tan Sermon Title: Jesus, The Bread of Life Scripture Text: John 6:22-59 True Manna that lasts forever True Manna that has a heavenly origin True Manna that gives everlasting life True Manna that must be consumed Concluding Reflections Evangelism is one beggar telling another beggar where to find bread Is this evident in our lives? Knowing that Jesus fully satisfy, how can this help you navigate Christmas in Singapore? 7
Pastoral / Ministry Staff Rev Daniel Tan (Pastor) 9751 7740/O-Extn 11 danieltan@hermon.org.sg Dn Luwin Wong 9230 5363/O-Extn 12 luwinwong@hermon.org.sg Mr Zebedee Lee 8813 8944/O-Extn 13 zebedeelee@hermon.org.sg Mrs Lee Kok Eng 8838 9030/O-Extn 14 leekokeng@hermon.org.sg Dns Tang Lai Kin 9842 6551/O-Extn 20 laikin@hermon.org.sg Board of Elders Eld Peter Seah (Moderator) Rev Daniel Tan Eld Elgin Chan Advisory Pastor Rev (Dr) David Wong Session Dn Mike Fong Dn Lee Pak Choon Dns Justina Ng Dn David Oh Dn James Quek Dn Sim Chow Meng Dns Tang Lai Kin Dns Malar G. Thomas Dn Simon Toh Dn Sandor Wang Dn Luwin Wong Dn Richard Yew Administrator Ms See Siew Kee 97477726/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 689284 Tel: 6766 8903 church@hermon.org.sg Order of Worship 09 December, 2018, 11.00 am Church Theme 2018: "Building & Blessing Our Communities Welcome & Announcement Song Time to Sing A Noel Call to Worship Isaiah 11:1-5 Opening Hymn Opening Prayer Worship in Songs Offertory/Doxology Pastoral Prayer O Come, All Ye Faithful Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus Go, Tell it on the Mountain This Kingdom YOUTHS & CHILDREN LEAVE FOR THEIR BIBLE CLASSES Scripture Text John 6:22-59 Message Closing Hymn Benediction/Three-Fold Amen Jesus, The Bread of Life Thou Didst Leave Thy Throne Speaker: Ps Daniel Tan Worship Leader: Lenith Cheng Pianist: John Chua Vocalists: Hannah Ee (ic), Naomi Ee, Natalie Chong, Abigail Wong and Lydia Li Announcer: Zebedee Lee Scripture Reader: May Seah Pastoral Prayer/ Benediction: Eld Elgin Chan PA: Daniel Woon, Benson Fong and Edward Lim Projectionists: Samuel Chua Stewards: Nelson Chong & Team B Thanksgiving Flowers: Yeo Howe Chien & Sock Ling Floral ic: Liddy Bay Chrysalis: Doris Ong (ic), Benjamin Lin and Yip Yoke Ying Refreshment: CCK Open Care CG NEXT SUNDAY S SERVICE (16 DEC) BAPTISMAL SUNDAY Sermon: I Am the Good Shepherd (John 10:1-21) Speaker: Lee Pang Wee Worship Leader: John Chua Pianist: Lenith Cheng Vocalists: Phoebe Li (ic), Divina Thomas, Angela Wong, Gladys Lim, Gloria Phua, Gladys Phua and Meghan Ng Announcer: Lee Kok Eng Scripture Reader: Angela Choo Pastoral Prayer/Benediction: Eld Peter Seah PA: Samuel Chan, Joel Mak and Joseph Ho Projectionists: Sheryl Yew and Leong Kam Chew Stewards: Shaji Thomas & Team A Thanksgiving Flowers: See Siew Kee Floral ic: Sally Chan Chrysalis: Doris Ong (ic), Benjamin Lin and Yip Yoke Ying Refreshment: CCK Open Care CG