Text: Psalm 5 INSIDE THIS ISSUE: Meditation 1 Announcements 4 Weekday Ministries 7 Worship 8 Poetry Corner 9 Bible Memory Work 10 Bethany III 8 May 2016 Happy Mother s Day! Rev Dr Charles Tan MY KING AND MY GOD A GROWING APPRECIATION OF GOD David was a truly prolific writer of Hebrew poetry. He wrote many psalms. Many of the Psalms reflect the following things:- 1. A growing knowledge of God MICA (P) No.: 030/10/2012 MEDITATION This Week @ Worship 11 2. A deepening relationship with the Lord page 1 (continued on page 2)
MEDITATION (Continued from page 1) 3. A greater sense of appreciation of what it means to have faith in Him THE MANY PROBLEMS OF LIFE David encountered many problems in his life even though he was the king of Israel. Many problems arose in his kingdom unbidden. 1. The problem of wickedness Psalm 5:4 2. The problem of evil Psalm 5:4 3. The problem of people who were boastful Psalm 5:5 4. There were many workers of iniquity Psalm 5:5 5. Many indulged in falsehood Psalm 5:6 6. There were some who were bloodthirsty Psalm 5:6 7. And of course there were the deceitful Psalm 5:6 EXERCISING FAITH IN GOD How did David cope with all of the problems mentioned above? Wisely, he did the following things: - 1. He chose to pray a) He would begin each day with praying in the morning b) He would look up to the Lord expectantly in prayer Psalm 5:2 (Continued on page 3) page 2
MEDITATION (Continued from page 2) 2. He had a great regard for God a) As his King Psalm 5:2 b) As his Lord God Psalm 5:3 WHAT DID DAVID FIND AS HE EXERCISED FAITH IN GOD? May what David found out about God bring much refreshing joy to our hearts! 1. He found great joy in God Psalm 5:11 2. He found a greater sense of trust Psalm 5:11-12 3. He found a great desire to worship God Psalm 5:7 4. He found confidence in the Lord s leading Psalm 5:8 5. He believed that God would make a way for him amidst life s problems Psalm 5:8 Let us be challenged to discover how real God can be in our personal life. Let us learn how to glory in our knowledge of God! Write to me at: charlestan@bethanyipc.sg We are glad that you have chosen to worship the Lord Jesus with us today. May your heart be greatly encouraged through worship and fellowship! to Bethany III page 3
ANNOUNCEMENTS COMBINED WORSHIP We will be having Combined Worship today! There will be no Evening-Bilingual Worship this evening. MOTHER S DAY We honour all mothers today! May you find special joy in your role as mother! Happy Mother s Day! Her children rise up and call her blessed Proverbs 31:28 CATECHISM CLASS TODAY There will be no Catechism Class today! We resume next Sunday. NEXT SUNDAY We will be resuming our Evening-Bilingual Worship next Sunday. Time: 4.00pm Venue: Fellowship Hall page 4
ANNOUNCEMENTS SUNDAY SCHOOL (COMBINED) 8.15am Singspiration 8.30am Class 9.15am Class Fellowship A & A PROJECT Let us pray for the Lord s blessings. With every passing month, we draw nearer to the conclusion of the A & A Project. 1. Prayer Let us not fail to pray for the Lord s grace and blessing. 2. Practical Support Thank God for all who have given sacrificially towards this project. PUTTING UP WITH ALL THE INCONVENIENCE Thank you for putting up with all the inconveniences during this A & A Project. Your understanding is deeply appreciated. page 5
ANNOUNCEMENTS OUR 40+ 3 ANNIVERSARY The theme for this year is Created for Glory. Let us focus on why God would devote time and effort to bless us. One great reason is found in the fact that what God does will reflect His glory. How may we see and appreciate the glory of God? When we see His handiwork. 1. The heavens reflect God s glory Psalm 19: 1-6 2. The Word of God also reflects His glory Psalm 19:7-11 3. The redeemed church reflects His glory too Ephesians 1:6, 12, 14 Plan to celebrate Bethany s 40+3 Anniversary at Shangri La on 28 August 2016. CONGRATULATIONS! Heartiest congratulations to Liangzhou and Weihui on the gift of a baby girl on 4 May 2016 page 6
CONDOLENCES ANNOUNCEMENTS Heartfelt condolences to Mr Ng Cheng Hai (Chen Kee s father) on the demise of his brother. The late Mr Michael Ng passed away on Saturday, 30 April 2016. He was 67 years old. WEEKDAY MINISTRIES PRE-MARITAL COUNSELING Monday, 9 May 2016 Time: 7.00pm Venue: The Upper Room PRAYER MEETING Monday, 9 May 2016 Time: 8.00pm Venue: 4th floor auditorium BIBLE STUDY Tuesday, 10 May 2016 Time: 8.00pm Venue: 4th floor auditorium page 7
WORSHIP Psalm 62:7-8 In God is my salvation and my glory; The rock of my strength, And my refuge, is in God. Trust in Him at all times, you people; Pour out your heart before Him. God is a refuge for us. 1. What God can be for us a) Our salvation b) Our glory c) Our strength d) Our refuge 2. How should we respond to the Lord? a) Trust Him b) Pour out our hearts to Him c) Choose to worship the Lord page 8
POETRY CORNER GLORYING IN GOD What does it mean to glory in life? But are there things that can cause strife? To glory is natural to both God and man, The challenge is for us to fully understand. The danger for the wise is to glory in his wisdom But wisdom is limited and does not bring true freedom. The wise can be so caught up with his own thoughts, And soon in his foolish pride he is truly caught! The mighty man boasts in the strength that he has, He feels powerful and in his might he finds his rest. Then he comes across an enemy who has more power, He is defeated and he feels shame in that sad hour. The wealthy man takes pride in what he owns, He is so rich, he does not borrow, he only loans! But wealth is often fleeting and it can disappear, And with the loss of wealth, there are only tears. Blessed is the man who makes his boast in the Lord, He may not have many things, but he has faith in God. In this faith he finds great delight every day, God s glorious blessings cheer him all the way! Inspiration: Jeremiah 9:23-24 Charles Tan page 9
BIBLE MEMORY WORK TODAY 8 May 2016 JEREMIAH 3:4 THE GUIDE OF MY YOUTH Will you not from this time cry to Me, My Father, You are the guide of my youth? 1. What God offers to all who wish to relate to Him a) He would be our Lord God b) He would also be our Father in heaven 2. How should we understand what it means to have faith in God? a) We should think about how we may know God better b) We should think about developing a faith-relationship with Him 3. The privilege of becoming children of God But as many as have received Him (the Lord Jesus), to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name. John 1:12 a) If we receive the Lord Jesus as our Saviour b) We will become children of God through faith in the Lord Jesus NEXT SUNDAY 15 May 2016 JEREMIAH 3:22 I WILL HEAL YOUR BACKSLIDINGS Return, you backsliding children, and I will heal your backslidings. page 10
THEME : GLORYING IN OUR KNOWLEDGE OF GOD This Week @ Worship COMBINED WORSHIP SERVICE 10.30 AM. FELLOWSHIP HALL I am merciful, says the LORD Jeremiah 3 Chairman Dr Tan Huay Cheem Speaker Rev Dr Charles Tan Pianist Mrs Esther Ang Interpreter Mr Foo Yit San TEENS WORSHIP SERVICE NO TEENS WORSHIP SERVICE CHILDREN S CHURCH 10.30 AM Honour your father and mother Ephesians 6:1-3 COMBINED CC (P1 P6) Speaker Student-Pastor Benjamin Quah 4th Floor Auditorium COMBINED EVENING-BILINGUAL WORSHIP SERVICE NO EVENING-BILINGUAL WORSHIP SERVICE BREAKFAST : Eugene, Louisa & Nathanael LUNCH : Mr & Mrs Quek page 11
Bethany Independent-Presbyterian Church 301 Upper Paya Lebar Road. Singapore 534934 tel : 65-62877713. fax : 65-62877980. website URL : bethanyipc.sg page 12
COMBINED WORSHIP SERVICE 8 May 2016 Order of Worship PREPARATION Pre-Worship Singing Century Praise 445 Prelude Call to Worship Moment By Moment Pianist : Mrs Esther Ang Dr Tan Huay Cheem PRAISE Invocation Hymns Century Praise 458 HWC No. 46 Century Praise 321 The Church s One Foundation God Leads Us Along Blessed Assurance PRAYER Pastoral Prayer PREACH THE WORD Message: I am merciful, says the LORD Text : Jeremiah 3 Speaker: Rev Dr Charles Tan RESPONSE Offering Hymn Century Praise 363 God Will Take Care Of You Prayerful Meditation Benediction Postlude
PASTORAL LETTER Senior Pastor : Rev Dr Charles Tan Dear Brethren, 8 May 2016 HAPPY MOTHER S DAY Thank God for mothers! They are often taken for granted. I have written a poem to encourage one and all to express deep appreciation for their mothers! Appreciate them while you can! All too soon, life passes by so swiftly and our expressions of love might be too late then. DON T WAIT TILL IT IS TOO LATE Mailing Address : 301, Upper Paya Lebar Road. Singapore 534934 Tel : (65) 62877713 Fax : (65) 62877980 Website : www.bethanyipc.sg Are there good thoughts in your heart to your mother, you wish to say? Don t wait. Don t procrastinate. Don t ever allow yourself to delay. The golden moment may slip by and then it will be too late, And all because you felt shy, and what you did was to hesitate. Are there good feelings you have in your heart for your mother dear? Speak what is in your heart, let good words come forth while she is near. The day may come, when you will regret you kept your feelings in your heart, And your mother did not know how she was valued, and all too soon she departs. Are there good deeds you wish to do for her as an expression of your love? Do them immediately, for such deeds are blessed by God in heaven above. The time to do that which is good and right is in the here and now of life, Time passes all too quickly, and life is over, and all we remember is our strife. This Mother s Day, let your dear mother know that she is deeply appreciated, She has given up many things, and to her home and family, she has dedicated. Don t take for granted that your mother knows you love her; make her truly glad, Don t wait till it is too late, or regret of having said nothing will make you truly sad! Charles Tan GOOD TO HONOUR OUR PARENTS This is a clear teaching in the Lord s Word. It was part of the Ten Commandments. The Apostle Paul made mention of this commandment in his epistle to the Ephesians. He noted that the keeping of this commandment will receive a special blessing from the Lord! Most significantly, the Lord Jesus practised this. As He was crucified on the Cross, He showed tender concern for His beloved mother. He asked His disciple John to look after His mother. Immediately, John responded, and he took Mary to his home and cared for her! Prayerfully, Pastor Charlie God s kind of Church where God is touching lives and people care for people