The Word on Worship Order of Worship Volume 26, Issue 6 7 April 2013 Exodus 34:14 For thou shalt worship no other god: for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God. Scripture Memorisation Christ s Second Coming Revelation 22:20 He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. Call to Worship Eld Mah Chin Kwang Hymn 18: Come, Thou Almighty King* Invocation & Gloria Patri* Responsive Scripture Reading* 2 Peter 3 Hymn 91: The Lily of the Valley Collection of Offerings Doxology & Prayer* Hymn 378: More About Jesus Children s Sermon & Scripture Memorisation Pastoral Prayer Sermon Rev Dr Prabhudas Koshy The Day of the Lord II (1 Thessalonians 5:1-3) Holy Communion Hymn 555: According to Thy Gracious Word Hymn 225: Christ Returneth!* Benediction & Threefold Amen* * Congregation Standing
Lord s Day, April 7 Lord s Day, April 14 9.00 10.00 am CHURCH CHOIR & CHILDREN S CHOIR CHURCH CHOIR & CHILDREN S CHOIR MALAYALAM FELLOWSHIP MALAYALAM FELLOWSHIP duty roster 10.30 am 1.30 pm 3.30 pm CHINESE SERVICE ENGLISH SERVICE FILIPINO SERVICE GCM LIONS HOME Worship Leader: Preacher: Musician: Flowers: Refreshments: Ushers: Eld Alan Choy Pr Daniel Lim Sarah Yap Roscelle Lim Ivy Seah John Peh, Jerry Chan Worship Leader: Eld Mah Chin Kwang Preacher: Rev Dr Prabhudas Koshy Musicians: Sarah Lee, Eunice Choy Ushers: Beng Wee, Edwin, Kee How, Kwan Teng, Randy, Jason Low Greeter: Low Siew Lian AV Ministry: Crew No. 1 Flowers: Mah Lean Choo Refreshments: Mabel Lim, Sally Lum, Jasmine Tan Junior Worship: Dorothy Ng (Jenice Choy), Gina Sim (Chu Seong Yeng), Samuel Yong Worship Leader: Preacher: Musician: Usher: Refreshments: Song Leader: Nursery-P2: P3-P6: Pr Dennis Kabingue Pr Dennis Kabingue Dorcas Koshy Anthony Evangelista Cecille Batrina Melissa Mah Andrew Koh Stephen Yap Venue: 487 Bedok South Ave 2 English Speaker: Bro Edwin Quek Dialect Speaker: Pr Daniel Lim Worship Leader: Preacher: Musician: Flowers: Refreshments: Ushers: Gan Chin Hwi Pr Daniel Lem Carmen Wong Lee Kim Lei Roscelle Lim Sam Cheah, Leow Beng Wee Worship Leader: Dn Francis Lee Preacher: Rev Dr Prabhudas Koshy Musicians: Chloe Pawa, Dorcas Koshy Ushers: Johnny Lim, Stephen Yap, Marcus Lim, Francis Lim, David Tan, Jerah Tan Greeter: Winnie Yap AV Ministry: Crew No. 2 Flowers: Angela Ang Refreshments: Karen Quek, Esther Quek, Roscelle Lim Junior Worship: Carolyn Koshy (Eunice Choy), Melissa Mah (Cornelius Koshy), Stephanie Lee Worship Leader: Preacher: Musician: Usher: Refreshments: Song Leader: Nursery-P2: P3-P6: Venue: English Speaker: Dialect Speaker: Pr Dennis Kabingue Pr Dennis Kabingue Josias Pawa Randy Laurencio Juvy BayBayanon Carolyn Koshy Lynn Koh Pr Jeremiah Sim 41 Toa Payoh Rise Elder Mah Chin Kwang Pr Jeremiah Sim 2
7 April 2013 Our Risen and Exalted Christ (II) Prabhudas Koshy Our Perpetual Intercessor Christ s abiding presence before God as our High Priest provides us with a powerful and effective intercessor. Hebrews 7:25 affirms: he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. In chapter 9 verse 24, it is also unequivocally declared that Christ has entered heaven now to appear in the presence of God for us. The Lord Jesus lives a mediatorial life for us in heaven. He not only died for us, but also lives for us and intercedes for us. Having offered a perfect sacrifice for us, He appears before the Father to plead our case on the merit of His perfect work. Thus, His intercession before God, on our behalf, secures our eternal redemption. This truth is also reiterated by John: My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous (1 John 2:1). Likewise, Paul says in Romans 8:34, Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. Whether it is another person or our own conscience that accuses us of pastoral exhortation 3
pastoral exhortation our sins, we can find assurance in the knowledge that Christ intercedes for us before God. O, what a Saviour is Jesus my Lord! Our Forerunner to Heaven The exalted Christ is depicted as our forerunner to heaven: Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil; Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec (Hebrews 6:19-20). The Greek word for forerunner (prodromos) means the one who went before or the one who ran on ahead. Its implication here is that of a precursor, that is to say, one who goes on ahead in order to show the way or to pioneer on behalf of someone else. Since here it is used with the imagery of a harbour ( anchor v. 19), it gives the picture of the role of sailors who leave their ship in a small boat in order to carry the anchor forward to a place where it can be firmly lodged. By entering the heavenly sanctuary as our High Priest, Christ has provided a firm anchorage for our souls concerning our hope of heaven; and in this regard He is our forerunner to heaven. He entered God s presence on our account, preparing the way for our entrance. So we can say Jesus led me all the way. Having such a forerunner in Christ, our High Priest, our hope cannot be shaken loose amidst the storms and tempests around us. Jesus went ahead of us into heaven so that we have a safe passage to that celestial home He is preparing for us (cf. John 14:3). And hitherto my Lord hath led, Today He guides each step I tread, And soon in heav n it will be said, Jesus led me all the way. John W. Peterson 4
Our Sympathetic Succourer Finally, Christ is depicted as our sympathetic helper, who now lives in heaven. In His exalted position in heaven, He is not forgetful or unconcerned about our woes on earth. He lives as the sympathetic High Priest. This is yet another truth that is relayed to us in Hebrews about Christ, our enthroned Priest at the right hand of God. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin (Hebrews 4:15). Being acquainted with our struggles, He is a true representative before God. He understands our fears, troubles, hurts and sorrows. He also fully understands the severity of sinful temptations, though He triumphed over them. So, He is sympathetic towards us when we call on Him for His help in our struggles. Hebrews 2:18 promises us, For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted. He is both willing and able to help us. Conclusion pastoral exhortation Jesus does not live in heaven as far removed from our troubles and concerns. He had experienced intense assault of temptations and trials while He was on earth (cf. Hebrews 5:7). Yet, He never succumbed to satanic assaults of sin. In all His thoughts, words and actions, He remained holy and faithful to His God. Oh, what a Saviour is Jesus our Lord! Though highly exalted above all, yet so condescending to attend to our cries! So supreme in majesty, and yet so full of tenderness and compassion! While dwelling in unspeakable triumph and jubilant glory, Christ is touched with the feeling of our infirmities. 5
SSSSSSSSSSSSSSS The Lord was with Jacob Kelvin Lim junior worshipper s page And Laban said unto him, I pray thee, if I have found favour in thine eyes, tarry: for I have learned by experience that the LORD hath blessed me for thy sake (Genesis 30:27). Dear children, a quick reading of Genesis, chapters twenty-nine and thirty, would tell us that after Jacob had made a vow to the LORD at the place he called Bethel, he went on his journey and came into the land of the people of the East (Genesis 29:1). There, he met some people and asked where they were from, to which they replied, of Haran are we (Genesis 29:4). This was definitely not a coincidence; it was the presence of the LORD that led him to these people because they knew who Laban, his mother s brother, was, and where he lived. They also knew his family. In fact, they were the ones who pointed Laban s daughter, Rachel, out to Jacob (Genesis 29:4-6). The LORD was with Jacob to bring him to Laban, his mother s brother! Therefore, Jacob met Rachel right there, the moment he came into the land of the people of the East. After Jacob had identified himself, Rachel ran to tell Laban, her father. Laban went to receive Jacob and brought him to his house. After listening to Jacob s reason for coming to him, Laban invited him to stay on. While staying with his uncle Laban, Jacob also helped to care for the animals that his uncle owned. Under his care, Laban s cattle increased unto a multitude (Genesis 30:30). Truly, the reason was because the LORD was with Jacob. Even Laban confessed that he had learned by experience that it was because of Jacob that he was blessed by the LORD (in having so many cattle). My young reader, the LORD was with Jacob. His uncle, Laban, bore witness to this wonderful fact, and he was not even a believer of the LORD. The lesson for us today is this: Can others see that the LORD is with you? As a Christian, the presence of the LORD must be seen in our lives so much so that even a non-christian can testify to it. May the presence of the LORD be seen in our lives for His glory, Amen! Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven (Matthew 5:16). 6
LORD S DAY on 31 MAR 2013 Tithes 4,090.00 Offering 9,003.15 + RM50 Building Fund (Local) 200.00 Van Fund-TGCM (Local) 100.00 Van Fund (Ethiopia) 1,000.00 Pastor Koshy 100.00 Reggor Galarpe 50.00 Ephrem Chiracho 50.00 Richard Tiu 50.00 Eliezer Ortega 50.00 Edsel Locot 50.00 Engida Tefera 50.00 Dominino dela Cruz Jr. 100.00 NON-SUNDAY GIFTS Dominino dela Cruz Jr. 100.00 Silver Jubilee Fund 100.00 The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself... Proverbs 11:24 COLLECTIONS GOOD FRIDAY on 29 MAR 2013 Tithes 3,700.00 Offering 4,635.50 Pastor Koshy 300.00 Ethiopia Church 245.00 SILVER JUBILEE on 30 MAR 2013 Offering 24,054.00 General Fund 1,000.00 Bible Witness 236.00; 1,000.00 Pastor Koshy 100.00 5 x Capita Vouchers 50.00 Special FUNDS ETHIOPIA VAN FUND Total as of 31 Mar 2013 35,742.90 SILVER JUBILEE FUND Total as of 31 Mar 2013 95,002.90 7 Gethsemane Seniors ministry 8 th Thanksgiving Service Date: Thur, 25 April 2013 Time: 11.00am to 7.00pm Venue: Aloha Changi Chalet A Speakers: Pastor Koshy and Elder Mah Chin Kwang We encourage all seniors to join us in thanksgiving to God for His goodness towards this ministry. For more information, please see Sis Gina Sim. Daily vacation bible school (DVBS) Dates: Thur Fri, 13 14 June 2013 Venue: Aloha Changi, Changi Cottage Parents with children aged 4 to 12 are kindly advised to keep these dates free for your child/children to attend this event specially organised for them. Please look out for more details to come. announcements
announcements Gethsemane Men s Fellowship Speaker: Pastor Koshy Chairman: Dn Daniel Lim Date & Time: Sat, 13 April 2013 @ 4 pm Venue: TGCM premises 202B, Ponggol Seventeenth Avenue Transport from Ponggol MRT available @ 3.45 pm. Gethsemane Young Adults fellowship Retreat Dates: Thur Sat, 23 25 May 2013 Venue: Aloha Changi Please keep these dates free and join us for a time of studying God s Word and of fellowship. More details to come! Sunday fellowship lunch Those who would like to order packet lunch for this month (April), please make your payment to Sis Aileen Tan if you have not done so. Post-Worship Activities Please stay back after worship to join us for: Refreshment & Fellowship 12.30 pm 1.30 pm Adults & Youths Bible Study 1.30 pm 3.00 pm Children s Bible Study 1.30 pm 3.00 pm Weekday Activities Tuesday Prayer Gathering 8.00 pm Wednesday Lunch Hour Bible Study 1.15 pm Bible Witness Magazine Thursday Seniors Ministry 11.00 am Friday Morning Prayer 6.45 am 7.30 am Bible Witness Web Radio Church Weekly Time & Place of Worship 10.30 am Level 5 Auditorium Singapore Post Centre 10 Eunos Road 8 Singapore 408600 (next to Paya Lebar MRT station) Prayer Hotline 8138 8139 SMS your prayer item Our Office 510 Geylang Road, #02-06 Singapore 389466 Tel: 6741 1910 Fax: 6741 1016 Our Websites gethsemanebpc.com biblewitness.com Our Pastor Rev Dr Prabhudas Koshy Mobile: 9001 1119 Email: pastor.gbpc@gmail.com Our Session Rev Dr Prabhudas Koshy Elder Mah Chin Kwang Elder Alan Choy Deacon Arvind Pawa Deacon Daniel Lim Deacon Lok Kwok Wah Deacon Kelvin Lim Deacon Francis Lee 8