2 April 2023 - INTRODUCTION OF NEW CANDIDATES
O Worship the LORD in the Beauty of Holiness
|
8.00 am |
11.00 am | |
| Call to Worship |
Dn Peter Koy |
Dn Peter Koy |
|
Opening Hymn +Invocation-Gloria Patri |
Abba Father! We Approach Thee (HGG 20) |
Abba Father! We Approach Thee (HGG 20) |
| Scripture Reading |
Psalm 25 |
Psalm 25 |
|
Hymn |
Come, We That Love the Lord (HGG 223) |
Come, We That Love the Lord (HGG 223) |
| Offertory Hymn |
O Saviour, Precious Saviour (HGG 43) |
O Saviour, Precious Saviour (HGG 43) |
| Doxology & Prayer | ||
| Pastoral Prayer | ||
| Sermon |
Hosanna in the Highest (Matthew 21:1-11) by Rev Quek Keng Khwang |
Hosanna in the Highest (Matthew 21:1-11) by Rev Quek Keng Khwang |
| Closing Hymn |
All Glory, Laud, and Honor (HGG 11)
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How Sweet and Awful Is the Place (HGG 238) *The Lord’s Supper |
| Benediction | ||
| Announcements |
INTRODUCTION OF NEW CANDIDATES
Our Annual Congregational Meeting is three weeks away. This will be an important event for our church as we will elect those who will form the leadership for the next three years.
In order to help you decide who to vote for in the elections, the CVs of all the candidates are included in the papers that members will receive by email and snail mail this week. Of these, there are seven who are new candidates. As they may be unfamiliar to many in the congregation, we are introducing them through what they have written about themselves below. Please pray for them.
Chen Wei’an
I was born into a Christian household and growing up, our family attended a Bible-Presbyterian church in the west. My parents were heavily involved in the ministries of the church, so my siblings and I spent a significant portion of our weekends in church. I have fond memories attending Awana Club on Saturdays, Sunday School on Sundays, and fellowshipping with other families after church. Everything was hunky dory until I turned 13- entering a new school, and puberty hitting hard. Suddenly, my priorities did not align with the Word of God, and I found going to church burdensome.
When I was 15, after much prayer and deliberation, our family decided to attend Life Bible-Presbyterian Church, with the intention of sinking our roots into a new church. On a personal level, I dreaded it- leaving my comfort zone, trying to integrate into a new community, and being forced to realign with God. The first few months were trying, but slowly and by the grace of God, I was engaged by the sermons and Sunday School curriculum, and started to open up in church. A year later, I was reaffirmed on Easter Sunday. I started attending YF, albeit irregularly, and also started to help out in the Primary Department. Whilst my knowledge in the word of God was deepening, I still felt disconnected from my peers. But I was apathetic about it, and continued to refrain from interactions.
I remember vividly the night before I enlisted; tossing and turning in bed, unable to sleep due to the anxieties of the 2 years ahead. Out of despair, I prayed to God, asking for protection from harm and injury, and in return, I would refrain from using any foul language, and be intentional in my faith. Days, weeks, and months of my national service passed- I saw first hand how God delivered me from every situation in His sovereign way, and that further deepened my resolve to honour my word. At the end of my National Service, I had a renewed vigour for God.
Entering University, and thereafter the workforce, my spiritual life saw ups and downs. I was in and out of fellowship groups (YF, and then YAF)- bogged down by the stresses of varsity life, and then the stresses of work. But God ensured 2 constants- my family, and my then girlfriend and now wife (Shi Yi), offering me a listening ear and also a wake-up call during times of need when I made terrible mistakes. After much encouragement from them, I decided to teach in the Senior Department in 2014. This opened up the door to serving in other ministries, and I finally started to forge friendships.
When I was first approached to consider running for deacon, my immediate internal response was- what can I possibly offer? I was unsure if I had the requisite set of skills to contribute, and saw many other capable young men before me who would easily fit the bill. But John 15:6 tells us that God has chosen and appointed us to bear fruit for Him, and 1 Corinthians 1:26-31 tells us that God has chosen the weak and foolish, to shame the strong and wise, and we can boast because we boast in the Lord. Alas, who was I to determine what God may find useful in me?
I turned to loved ones for advice. My mother asked me to consider- if God has bestowed me with all the blessings in my life, why should I stop myself from answering this call to serve Him? I had a longer discussion with Shi Yi, and when she concluded that she would support me and our family if I answered this call, I was overwhelmed with gratitude. So it is with the support of my family, and the conviction that God has placed in my heart, that I seek to run as a deacon.
Hebrews 12 1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, 2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
My fellow brothers and sisters in Christ- the world that we are living in is filled with turmoil, violence, sufferings, and travesties. But we have a heavenly home waiting for us, so I pray that our church will continue to encourage each other in our own Christian journey. As we run this race together, let us focus on Christ, and strive for things above, for earthly things will soon be gone.
Alvin Chow Siong Kwee
As a child, my sister brought me to attend Sunday School and Junior Worship Service in Life Bible-Presbyterian Church. As I began to learn the simple children’s songs and Bible stories from my teachers, God helped me to see that I am indeed a sinner, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;” (Romans 3:23), and I accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Saviour. “And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. (2 Tim 3:15).
God opened the door for me to study in a Christian school and join the Boys’ Brigade. As I grew in faith, I learned to pray and give thanks, to rejoice and trust in the LORD even in tough times, to enjoy Christian fellowship with other believers, and to share the gospel of Christ with others. I was baptised in 1990 in Life B-P Church. By God’s grace, He has surrounded me with brethren who encouraged me to keep close to the Lord. He enabled me to serve in the Sunday School, Children’s Ministry, fellowship groups and the missions committee.
I thank God that He has preserved me all these years and supplied all my needs. Now I am married with three children and work as a public servant. I pray that I may continue to serve the Lord Jesus, even as He has set the example for us to follow, for “even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:45). All glory be unto God!
Christopher Goh Shiyang
Raised in a Christian family, I have attended Life Bible-Presbyterian Church since I was born. At 13, I was gripped by the awareness of my sin and the need for a saviour. That day, the gospel which I grew up listening to, and which was preached to me at home, at camps, and at church, was made real and personal to me. So I asked Jesus to be my saviour and Lord.
Since then, God has used not only my family, but the Life Bible-Presbyterian Church family and community to mould me and help me to grow in my spiritual walk with Christ. Many of you in the congregation have been a godly influence in my Christian journey - be it friends with whom I've grown up, friends of my parents, people with whom I have had the opportunity to serve alongside, CG leaders and mentors, my Sunday School teachers, fellowship group speakers and advisors, our session leaders and pastors. These influences and testimonies were further bolstered by God’s word, and my time spent in Sunday School, LTF, YF, YAF, and the Exploring Christianity ministry.
God has also been gracious in directing my steps and giving me the opportunity to serve Him in the Church across various ministries over the years. In LTF, YF and YAF, I was able to serve not only in ad hoc roles, but also eventually in the capacity as a CG leader and on the executive committees of these fellowship groups. In the Children’s Ministry, I have also served as a teacher at Bright Sparks. I was also part of the PA Ministry, serving at the evening service, Chinese service and at church camps.
Through all these experiences, God’s Word in Proverbs 3:5-6 has shaped me: “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” In relying on my own strength and ability, I am made ineffective; truly, effectiveness and faithfulness comes with humble reliance and faith in Christ.
With the encouragement and support of my wife, Faith, I humbly accept the nomination to serve as a deacon. In making this decision, we are grateful to God for His salvation and His grace in saving us as unworthy sinners. We are also committed to serving our Lord and His people in the Church.
As I continue to understand the depth and breadth of God’s sovereignty, love and grace through the gospel and His calling for believers, I pray that He will continue to use me as a channel to do His work in His kingdom and in Life B-P Church. I am humbled and blessed to have this opportunity, and I pray God will shape me to be the servant that Jesus has set the example to be.
Surya Kusuma
By God’s providence, I was sent by my non-Christian parents to Christian mission school where I was taught the truth from God’s Word through weekly chapel services as well as religious classes. During a student’s retreat in December 1992, I was led to make decision to receive Jesus as my personal Lord and Saviour. Over the years, God sent friends, teachers and mentors to encourage me to grow in faith and knowledge of Him until I was ready to make public proclamation to be baptized as a disciple of Christ in a Methodist church in 1998. Galatians 2:20 was my chosen baptism verse: “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.”
By His grace and mercy, I was later on introduced to reformed theology through attending the Indonesian Reformed Evangelical church which at that time just started a church in Singapore. During those times, my wife and I came to understand and embrace the doctrine of grace and sovereignty of God in our lives and that our salvation is solely based on the completed and perfect work of Christ. We attended and served in the church until 2006 when we moved overseas for work and further studies.
Living in a European country which has entered post-Christian era, we were heartened to receive warm Christian fellowship from the small church that we attended. Our common faith in Christ indeed transcends all barriers. Later on, by God’s leading and through the encouragement from our previous Pastor who was also doing further theological study in Europe, we started a small Indonesian fellowship group which over the years grew into a small church.
At the end of 2012 we returned to Singapore and by around June 2013, my wife and I and our two daughters Abigail (17) and Hannah (11) started worshipping in Life BP regularly. We joined fellowship group and Sunday schools and started to participate in various mission trips from 2017 to 2019. While sharing the Gospel and affirming the faith of the locals, we witnessed the material needs of people outside of Singapore but also saw their simple joy and how it stems from having Christ in their hearts. From the end of 2020, I am privileged to serve in the Missions Committee. With the passing years, I am more keenly aware that our time on earth is limited. The realization that Christ loves me, that He gave Himself for me and that He is now living in me despite my unworthiness, continues to spur me to serve Him and to live a life pleasing to Him.
Timotheus Lee Song-En
From a child, I was fortunate that my parents brought me to church every Sunday, and inculcated a deep sense of awareness of God in my life. However, knowing He exists and actually believing are two separate matters. It was not until 2004 that God saved me, and I am constantly reminded that “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:” (Ephesians 2:8)
After having been saved, and having grown up in Life BP Church, it felt natural to find areas in which I could serve God and this community. I first began in the PA ministry with the consideration of finding an area of service which was, ironically, “quiet” and behind-the-scenes. Around the same time, I was also attending the Lively Teens Fellowship (LTF) and was asked to serve in the area of Logistics after attending consistently for a few years. Looking back, these experiences were not only crucial in cultivating a reverence for God, but also in shaping my attitude towards service.
As I grew older, I was no longer serving in the LTF as a teen, but rather as a Young Adult Leader. The Lord guided me back to the LTF then by placing a burden in my heart for the lives of the youths. I was blessed greatly by my time there, not just through fellowship with like-minded brethren, but chiefly through the service of others. That burden has since carried on into my service in the Children’s Ministry. Though we think it unlikely, God has a special way which He ministers to His servants through our service.
As Spurgeon once remarked, “That religion which costs a man nothing is usually worth nothing.” I thank God for the opportunities granted for service over the years, as well as the bountiful lessons that have been gleaned in service of Him. The older I grow, the more acutely aware I have become that the time we have to serve Christ is short. “Here is the history of the grass – sown, grown, blown, mown, gone; and the history of man is not much more.” (Spurgeon)
May our lives, always, be spent for Christ. “Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.” (Ephesians 5:16)
Lim Ming Yann
Romans 8:32. He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? This is my life verse. It is my life verse because in one sentence, it tells me so much about God, and much also about myself.
It tells me that God loves me so much, that He would not even spare His own Son for me. It emphasizes to me how sinful I am, because only the life of His precious Son could adequately remove those sins. And it reminds me that my good works will never get me to God, because any of my good works are but small change compared to the value of the life of God’s eternal only begotten Son.
Wonderfully, this verse also reassures me that right now, God is taking care of me every step of the way, because He already was willing to give what was most precious to Him, to me.
How can I therefore repay to Him the debt that I owe Him? It cannot be done. Yet, because of what He has wrought for me, this verse behoves me to honour and serve Him in my life. This is therefore what I aspire to do, if God will grant me the strength to do so.
I was born into a Christian family and grew up going to church as a child. I accepted Christ when I was in primary school and attended Calvary Pandan BP Church growing up. Subsequently, I attended Bethel BP church in Melbourne during my University studies from 1994 to 1999 and then New Life BP Church in London, where I was working as a junior doctor. It was at New Life Church where I met my wife, Esmeralda and by the grace of God we were married in Life Church in 2011. Today, we thank God for 3 beautiful children, Dao Yi道義, Dao Zheng 道正and Dao Xin 道信.
I returned to Singapore in 2006 and trained as an Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) doctor. Currently I deal with cancers of the Head and Neck region. Dealing with cancers, many of them of which have a devastating effect on function and lifespan reminds me daily, of the frailty of man and the brevity of life.
By God’s appointment, I have been attending Life Church since my return to Singapore. In 2017, I started serving in the Exploring Christianity ministry. During this time, God helped me to grow in my faith through preparation for the presentations. I felt touched during the sharings and this has inspired me to share His word to those around me. I pray for grace and courage to share the good news to those around me more freely each day.
I also serve in the Sunday School ministry and the constant studying of His word has enabled me to grow together with the rest of the members of the Bible Study group. Indeed, how true it is, that faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God! (Romans 10:17)
I continue to marvel at why God has chosen me to draw me out of darkness unto His marvellous light, but He reminds me that I am to “shew forth the praises of Him’ (1 Peter 2:9). As his child, I am to declare the wonderful things He has done, and to live my life to glorify His name, for this is the purpose why He called me into His kingdom in the first place. May God help me to serve Him in a way that He has ordained for me (Ephesians 2:10). All Glory, be to Him.
Joash Tan Zhi Hao
Hello, I am Joash, and I count it a great blessing to have been worshipping at Life B-P Church for the past 30 years, since I was an infant. I am married to Rebecca, my beloved wife, and you will find us in church on Sundays with our daughter Naomi, who is close to two years old. I work as a venture-building manager at ST Engineering, where I help to facilitate the pathfinding and building of new lines of businesses within the company.
I currently serve as chairman of the Young Adults Fellowship (YAF) as part of the Young Lifers Ministry (YLM), a community for young people within the church who meet regularly to learn God’s Word and put it into real-life application, in the context of fellowship, service, and prayer for one another. It is extremely challenging to fulfil our Christian calling as young adults in today’s crazy busy culture, full of strong pressures to conform to the world’s values, so I thank God for the Bible studies, discussions, sharing, and mutual accountability that I can have with my brothers and sisters in Christ, which help me to grow spiritually and persevere in my Christian calling.
As I look back on the years growing up in church, my heart is filled with praise and thanksgiving to God for lovingly providing people in the church who have journeyed alongside me: spiritual fathers and mothers, brothers and sisters, who have instructed me in the Word, admonished me when I had sinned, nurtured me with tenderness, and modelled faithful, loving, enduring service amidst difficult challenges. These people whom God has used to show me what it means to be a faithful steward of the manifold grace of God that we have received (1 Peter 4:10). Likewise, it is my hope and prayer that God may continue to use me in His kingdom, and that He may enable me to serve with humility, joy, and love for His people, while faithfully stewarding the grace He has given to me in Christ.
Appointments for the Week
Monday, April 3
7.30 pm ERBL: OT Historical Books (Rev Charles Seet)
Tuesday, April 4
8.00 pm Prayer Meeting (Dn Russell Indran)
Wednesday, April 5
10.00 am GAF Meeting
Thursday, April 6
10.00 am Ladies’ Prayer Group
7.30 pm No ERBL Lesson
Friday, April 7
9.00 am Good Friday Service: The Dying Thief Luke 23:35-43 (Rev Quek Keng Khwang, with Holy Communion)
Saturday, April 8
3.00 pm YAF
Sunday, April 9
9.00 am Easter Sunday Baptismal Service: Christ is Risen from the Dead! 1 Corinthians 15:1-10; 53-58 (Rev Charles Seet)
9.00 am Chinese Service
10.45 am Fellowship Brunch (No Sunday School)
2.30 pm Thai Service (LMH)
4.00 pm Indonesian Service (Rm 1-6)
Announcements
Notice of Annual Congregational Meeting cum Elections
Sunday, 23 April 2023, 10.45 am
All members of Life B-P Church are reminded to attend this meeting. The Combined English Worship Service begins at 9:00 am (No Sunday School).
FRIDAY, 7 APRIL
Good Friday Holy Communion Service, 9:00 am
Sermon: “The Dying Thief” (Luke 23:35-43) by Rev Quek Keng Khwang
SUNDAY, 9 APRIL
Easter Sunday Baptismal Service, 9:00 am
Sermon: “Christ is Risen from the Dead!” (1 Corinthians 15:1-10; 53-58) by Rev Charles Seet
Fellowship Lunch after Service
Church Camp 2023
13-16 June 2023
Due to overwhelming response, church camp 2023 registration is now closed. You can still register by emailing to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., but will be placed on the waiting list on a first-come-first-serve basis. Passport details can be submitted via the same email address, or at the dropbox before entering the sanctuary.
Gospel Sunday
30 April 2023, 8.00am & 11.00am
When Death gives way to Life 1 Corinthians 15:20-28
Door to Door Evangelism
2 April 2023 (Today)
Meet in Beulah Room 2-11, 12.30 pm
Contact: Amos
Vacation Bible School 2023
Theme: Mission Himpossible.
Calling all children aged 4-12 years old (N2-P6)! Registration for Vacation Bible School (31 May-2 Jun) is now open! Lifers are still needed for the available areas of service: teaching, logistics, craft, games, F&B and photography. Register now @ lifebpc.com/vbs !
Golden Age Fellowship Meeting
Wednesday, 5 April 2023, 10.00 am
“Better than the Strong Man” by Rev Quek KK.
Contact Bro Ong for Zoom details.
Traffic Wardens
Lifers are invited to serve our Lord as Traffic Wardens on Sunday. Kindly contact Dn Yeo if you are available.
GB Enrolment Service
Date: 15 April 2023 Sat 11am-1230pm
Lunch Reception to follow.
Street Evangelism @ Ion Orchard
7 April; 7-9pm. Contact Tan MS / Lee CW
GAF Tackling the common Dental Issues of the Adult Population
Date: 29 April 2023
Time: 3pm
Venue: Beulah MPH
Speakers: Prof Loh Fun Chee & Dr Nicholas Lim
Contact Lee Chee Weng, Sim Siew Hoon, Ong Beng Hong
Mental Health Seminar
Date: 6 May 2023
Time: 3-6pm
Venue: Beulah MPH
Speakers: Rev Lee Hann Yang & Dr Daniel Kwek
Register at https://forms.gle/Dax8umTHXtXEY9go6
Deadline: 30th Apr
Exploring Christianity
Exploring Christianity is a course that looks at how the Bible addresses these pertinent questions about life. It is a 5-part series and is suitable for (1) Non-Christians searching to know who God is (2) Christians who would like to understand the basics of what it means to be a Christian.
The seminar will be held on 1 May 2023, from 9am-12.30pm at Beulah Centre. Lunch will be provided. All Lifers are encouraged to bring their non-Christian friends and family members to this introductory course on the Christian faith.
To register, please visit: https://tinyurl.com/ExpChr2023