A Word on Worship Order of Worship Volume 30, IssuE 22 30 July 2017 Worship Etiquette Come early and be seated 10 minutes before worship. Prepare yourselves in silent meditation, prayer and self-examination. Switch off your mobile phone and other electronic devices, that the solemnity of the service may not be disrupted. Refrain from unnecessary conversation and movement during the service. Do not leave the worship till the end (only after the benediction). Scripture Memorisation Dying Psalm 23:4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Call to Worship *Hymn 540: We re Marching to Zion * Invocation & Gloria Patri Dn Low Boon Siang * Scripture Reading in Unison Psalm 80 Hymn 66: Fairest Lord Jesus! Collection of Offerings * Doxology & Prayer Hymn 271: Softly & Tenderly Scripture Memorisation Pastoral Prayer Sermon Jesus Words About His Church - II Matthew 16:16-20 *Hymn 236: Revive Thy Work, O Lord *Benediction & Threefold Amen * Congregation Standing
duty roster Today, 30 July 2017 Next Lord s Day, 6 August 2017 9.00 10.00am CHURCH CHOIR & CHILDREN S CHOIR CHURCH CHOIR & CHILDREN S CHOIR 10.30am 1.30pm 3.30pm CHINESE SERVICE ENGLISH SERVICE FILIPINO SERVICE LIONS HOME MALAYALAM FELLOWSHIP Musician: Flowers: Ushers: Musicians: Ushers: Greeter: AV Ministry: Flowers: Junior Worship: Musician: Usher: Venue: English Speaker: Dialect Speaker: Gan Chin Hwi Pr Daniel Lim Dyllis Teo Roscelle Lim Jenn Lee John Peh & Lawrence Ng Dn Low Boon Siang Eunice Choy, Jasmine Low Dn Lok Kwok Wah (i/c) Ng Kwan Teng, Theodore Wang Benny Skariah, Cayson Chok Timotheus Liu, Chan Tuck Whye Winnie Yap Crew No. 4 Choy Luan Kheng Violet Quek, Mary Lee Rachel Teo, Valerie Leow, Lok Qian Hui Melissa Neo, (Sophia Zhang) Aileen Tan, (Esther Quek) Annie Ho Eric Delina Pr Dennis Kabingue Dorcas Koshy Julius Del Rosario Edeliza Ballega 487 Bedok South Ave 2 Elder Mah Chin Kwang Pr Jeremiah Sim MALAYALAM FELLOWSHIP Musician: Flowers: Ushers: Musicians: Ushers: Greeter: AV Ministry: Flowers: Junior Worship: Musician: Usher: Venue: English Speaker: Dialect Speaker: Pr Daniel Lim Pr Daniel Lim Gan Sze Huey Winnie Yap Lawrence Ng & Robert Ooi Eld Ng Poh Kok Ellyzabeth, Jasmine Low Dn Low Boon Siang (i/c) Andy Lee, James Chen Jonathon Lim, Ricky Yang David Ng, Linus Kok Lee Kim Lei Crew No. 1 Pansy Ng Stella Tan, Cecilia Siah Chairine Chayadi, Corliss Ooi Pr Kelvin Lim, (Mabel Ng) Mong Jee Pawa, (Cecilia Seah) Kenneth Wong Eric Delina Pr Jeremiah Sim Duaine Kabingue Jordan Ballega Erly Calaro 487 Bedok South Ave 2 Edwin Quek Kenneth Wong 2
30 July 2017 Prabhudas Koshy Christianity has spread all over the world because of men who have unashamedly gone forth to preach the Gospel everywhere. Hence, we can say that the history of the church is the history of valiant men of faith. Chief among those men is certainly the apostle Paul, who said in Romans 1:16, For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. Paul was an unashamed preacher of the Gospel. It was then a very unpopular thing to be a preacher of the Gospel. However, he travelled from city to city, together with a team of fellow believers, and preached Christ with unashamed boldness. He wrote, But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness (1 Corinthians 1:23). Though the wise of this world rejected the Gospel as foolishness, it has been Paul s joyous passion. Paul was often ridiculed and persecuted for preaching the Gospel, but he was not at all embarrassed to suffer for the sake of the Gospel. He recounted in 2 Timothy 1:11-12, Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles. For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed. He frequently mentioned His sufferings to other Christians in order to exhort them to be like him for the cause of the Gospel. He urged Timothy, Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God (2 Timothy 1:8). Likewise, he reminded the Corinthian believers, We are fools for Christ s sake, but ye are wise in Christ; we are weak, but ye are strong; ye are honourable, but we are despised. Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no Pastoral Exhortation 3
Pastoral Exhortation certain dwellingplace; and labour, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it: being defamed, we intreat: we are made as the filth of the world, and are the offscouring of all things unto this day (1 Corinthians 4:10-13); Nevertheless we suffer all things, lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ (1 Corinthians 9:12). Feelings of shame and fear are not helpful at all in the work of the Gospel. Those who are ashamed of the Gospel are a hindrance to the work of the Lord. Dear brethren, in these days we are witnessing an increasing aversion to the Gospel of Christ everywhere. Sadly, the unpopularity of the Gospel has compelled many Christians and preachers to compromise the content and delivery of the Gospel. They try to make the Gospel inoffensive. But such a gospel is not the Gospel of God (cf. Romans 1:1) or the Gospel of Christ (cf. Romans 1:9, 16), but the gospel of man, which cannot save sinners! What is your personal feelings concerning the Gospel? Would you say I am not ashamed? Without a bold determination, we cannot make progress in the Gospel work, in the face of extreme ridicule and opposition. In the past, men and women suffered much to hand down to us the Gospel of salvation. Today, it is our duty to preach the Gospel. We cannot fail. So let us not cower and falter in our duty to preach the word of salvation. If the people in the church would fail to preach the Gospel, there will be none other to do it. We who have received the salvific blessings of the Gospel have a great responsibility to declare it. We are entrusted with the Gospel, that it may be preached. Let our resolve be clear and well expressed like Paul, who said, for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel! (1 Corinthians 9:16). Our motivation to preach the Gospel in all circumstances is its power to save sinners. Paul said about the Gospel that it is the power of God unto salvation (Romans 1:16b). The power of the Gospel is the power of God. Through the Gospel, the resources of God s infinite power work to save sinners from the bondage of sin. The Gospel is the way through which God exerts His omnipotent power for the quickening of souls that are dead in trespasses and sins. It is the efficacious or mighty plan of God, by which His power goes forth to save, and by which all the obstacles to man s redemption are taken away. 4
In 1 Corinthians 1:18, Paul said, For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. Again he wrote in the same chapter in 1 Corinthians, But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men (vv. 24-25). The fact that the Gospel is the power of God implies some profound truths about the Gospel. Firstly, the Gospel is completely God s plan, and not a device of man. Secondly, it is the perfect and effectual means to the salvation of sinners. Thirdly, the Gospel is mighty; and hence it is called power, and the power of God. The Gospel is not at all feeble or ineffectual, but it is mighty to the pulling down of strong holds (2 Corinthians 10:4). It has shown its power to be applicable to every degree of sin and every combination of wickedness. Nothing can make the Gospel void from saving God s elect. The Gospel guarantees complete deliverance from sin and hell, for it is unto salvation. By the power of God in the Gospel, those who trust in it shall be saved to the uttermost (cf. Hebrew 7:25). The Gospel also offers salvation to everyone who believes to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek (Romans 1:16c). Salvation is offered to everyone who believes in the Gospel of Christ. Those who reject the Gospel will not be saved, for it is the only way of salvation. But salvation is conferred on all who receive it by faith. One s racial or social background would not prevent one from being saved upon faith in Christ. Jews and Gentiles alike can receive salvation by faith in the Gospel of Christ. The phrase to the Jew first does not suggest that Jews are better or that they have preference over the Greeks when it comes to salvation. It simply indicates that the Gospel came to the Jews before the Greeks through the ministry of Jesus Christ (Matthew 10:5-7) and the Apostles (Acts 3:26). For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved (Romans 10:12-13). So dear brethren, Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel (Philippians 1:27). Pastoral Exhortation 5
junior worshipper s text page What are angels doing? The angels are God s servants. They are known as ministering spirits. Psalm 103:21 refers to the angels and it says, Bless ye the LORD, all ye his hosts; ye ministers of his, that do his pleasure. The angels are most delighted to do that which pleases the Lord. Would you like to know what they are doing for God s pleasure? Today I will share with you what they are doing in heaven. 1. They worship God Psalm 103:20 says, Bless the LORD, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word. Furthermore, Psalm 148:2 says, Praise ye him, all his angels: praise ye him, all his hosts. Revelation 4:8 says that angels rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come. 2. They praise God for the salvation given to man In Revelation 5:11-12 we read, And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. 3. They observe the people of God When a sinner repents on earth, they rejoice in heaven. Jesus said in Luke 15:10 that Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth. 1 Corinthians 4:9 clearly says that we are observed by the angels we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men. 4. They inquire into God s future plan This we can see in Daniel 12:5-6, where we read of two angels in Daniel s vision asking, How long shall it be to the end of these wonders? They are looking into the revelation of God s plan for the future. 5. They perform the will of God Psalm 103:20 tells us, Ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments. Prabhudas Koshy 6
Collections LORD S DAY on 23 July 2017 Tithes: 2,150.00 Offerings: 8,564.80 Bldg Fund (Project): 12,000.00 Designated Gifts: Charity Fund 50.00; GBPC (Ethiopia) 100.00; Ephrem Chiracho 100.00; Andrew Koh 200.00; Kelvin Lim 50.00; Aron Paiva 100.00 SPECIAL FUND UPDATE (as of 23 July 2017) Building Fund (Project): $2,286,482.70 Give generously towards our Church Building Fund. Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. Malachi 3:10 Gethsemane YouTH Fellowship Topic: Book Study of 2 John Speaker: Pastor Koshy Chairman: Bro Titus Ho Date: Sat, 5 Aug 2017 Time: 4.00pm - 6.00pm Venue: Home of Dn & Mrs Francis Lee 35 Moonbeam Terrace Singapore 277308 THE GETHSEMANE CARE MINISTRY 12TH THANKSGIVING SERVICE Date: Tue, 8 Aug 2017 Time: 7.30pm Venue: Level 5 Auditorium Singapore Post Centre 10 Eunos Road 8, Singapore 408600 We encourage all worshippers to attend and also to invite your friends. Please sign up at the reception table. Pastoral Visitation CENTRAL/SOUTH Date & Time: Fri, 11 Aug 2017, 8.00pm Venue: Home of Mr & Mrs Aron Ong Blk 3 Queen s Road, #07-157 Singapore 260003 If you live in this region, please check that your name is on the list placed on the reception table. If it is not, please add it in. 7 ios app GethsemaneBPC Attention to all iphone users: The latest ios app GethsemaneBPC can be downloaded from the App Store, whereby you can access our church online resources on your mobile devices. (Any constructive feedback can be emailed to gbpc.app.feedback@gmail.com.) Meanwhile, the Android app is also being developed. Do pray for the brothers who are working on it. Parent-Teacher Seminar 2017 Title: Guarding Children from the Dangers of Social Media Speaker: Rev Dr Prabhudas Koshy Date: Saturday, 5 August 2017 Time: 9.00am - 12.00pm Venue: Level 3 Sanctuary Calvary Pandan Bible-Presbyterian Church 201 Pandan Gardens, Singapore 609337 The link for the online registration is as follows: https://tinyurl.com/tlbpcvbs2017-seminar. Kindly sign up by 1 August 2017. For more information, feel free to contact Bro Tay Bee Heng at TrueLifeVBS@gmail. com or mobile 9230 2728. SUNDAY FELLOWSHIP LUNCH Those who would like packet lunch after worship service for the month of August 2017, kindly place your order and make payment today to Sis Aileen Tan. announcements
announcements GYAF Seminar 2017 Sure & Stedfast (Hebrews 6:19) Speaker: Pr Clement Chew Date & Time: Sat, 2 Sept 2017, 2.00-6.00pm Venue: City Beach Resort (Small Function Room), 8 Port Rd, Singapore 117540 Notes: Transport pick-up from Labrador Park MRT station would be arranged. More details on transport will be given later. Please sign up on the list on the reception table. 13 th BIBLE WITNESS RETREAT (held in conjunction with Gethsemane Ladies Fellowship Seminar) Theme: An Empowered Woman of God Speaker: Date: 6 th 8 th September 2017 (Wed Fri) Venue: Tanjong Puteri Golf Resort Pasir Gudang, Johor A non-refundable deposit of $70.00/person is required. The retreat fees are all stated on the registration forms which are available at the reception table or can be downloaded from www.biblewitness.com/retreat. CHINESE BIBLE CONFERENCE Theme: Earnestly Contending for the Faith Speaker: Pr Daniel Lim Date & Time: Sat, 30 Sept 2017, 10.00am-2.00pm Venue: City Beach Resort 8 Port Road, Singapore 117540 (Transport from Labrador Park MRT station from 9.30am.) We encourage Chinese-speaking brethren to attend this conference and to invite your Christian friends. Do sign up at the reception table. If you are joining the lunch ($5.00 per person), please make payment to Sis Aileen Tan. Post-Worship Activities Please stay back after worship to join us for: Refreshments & Fellowship 12.30pm 1.30pm Bible Study (Adults, Youths & Children) 1.30pm 3.00pm Weekly Activities Tuesday Night Bible Study & Prayer 8.00pm @ L5, SingPost Centre Wednesday Lunch Hour Bible Study 1.00pm @ Bible Witness Bookroom Wednesday Campus Bible Study 3.00pm-4.30pm @ SUTD Wednesday Night GBI-Online 7.30pm-9.30pm @ TGCM Thursday Seniors Ministry 11.00am (Please contact Pr Jeremiah Sim) Friday Morning Prayer 7.45am 8.30am @ Church Resource Centre Friday Campus Bible Study SUTD @ 1.00pm Sunday Lions Home Ministry For enquiry, contact Pr Jeremiah Sim For more information, please call the church office at 6741 1910. Bible Witness Magazine 8 Bible Witness Web Radio Church Weekly Time & Place of Worship 10.30am Level 5 Auditorium Singapore Post Centre 10 Eunos Road 8 Singapore 408600 (next to Paya Lebar MRT station) Prayer Hotline 8138 8139 SMS or WhatsApp 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 Mobile: 9001 1119 Email: pastor.gbpc@gmail.com Our Session Elder Mah Chin Kwang Elder Alan Choy Elder Ng Poh Kok Deacon Daniel Lim Deacon Lok Kwok Wah Deacon Kelvin Lim Deacon Francis Lee Deacon Low Boon Siang