Methodist Message: December 2020

THE METHODIST CHURCH IN SINGAPORE

ISSN 0129-6868 MCI (P) 027/11/2020

Vo l 1 2 2 N o 1 2 D E C E M B E R 2 0 2 0

THE REASON

FOR THE SEASON

Contents

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Church life Methodists in the world Christian living

21 23

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EDITORIAL BOARD

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Bishop’s Message

2

Coming Up—A Season of Hope

3

One MCS—Passing on a godly legacy

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Church Profile—Toa Payoh MC

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One MCS—ETAC Highlights

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News—MCS 135 "Donate to Bless" campaign

13

News—ACS (Int) Interact club

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Home—Kimberley-Ann Tan

15

News—Churches reopening with 100 attendees

16

Home—Andrew Tay

18

Home—Emily Lim

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Home—Benedict Tay

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Welfare Services

22 Missions

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You & Your Family

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Hymns & Songs

25 Soundings 27

Home—What does being a Methodist mean to you?

28 THINK 29

Looking Ahead

The official monthly publication of The Methodist Church in Singapore.

Published material does not necessarily reflect the official view of The Methodist Church.

Adviser and Publisher Dr Anthony Goh Chairperson Council on Communications

Editor Sheri Goh

Sub-editor

All Scripture quoted is based on the English Standard Version unless otherwise stated.

70 Barker Road #06-04 Singapore 309936 6478-4793 | 6478-4763 message.methodist.org.sg | www.methodist.org.sg newmm@methodist.org.sg

Tan Chiu Ai

fb.com/Methodist.SG

Communications Executive

@methodist.sg

Jason Woo

Proofreader Tan Sheng Ling

Design & Production by Londonbob Design Printed by Adred Creation Print Pte Ltd

Have something to say or share? Email us at newmm@methodist.org.sg

BISHOP’S MESSAGE Bishop Dr Chong Chin Chung was elected Bishop of The Methodist Church in Singapore in 2016.

He served as President of the Chinese Annual Conference from 2008 to 2016.

Have a peaceful Christmas season and a New Year with God’s presence “You crown the year with your bounty, and your carts overflow with abundance.”

Psalms 65:11

M

y thoughts and feelings are deeply stirred as the final month of 2020 approaches. It is time for me to bring to a close a year’s service, my four years as Bishop as well as my life in pastoral ministry since 1984.

The past year To some, 2020 might feel like a lifetime. For others, it might be a year wasted. Most, however, would probably regard the year as a way station along life’s journey to pause and reflect. How indebted are we in our relationships with family and friends, and with God? What timely compensation is possible before it becomes too late?

The past four years My four-year appointment (owing to my reaching the mandatory retirement age) as Bishop seems to have gone by in a flash. It was four years of constant racing against the clock to try and participate in the various realms of ministry within my term of office. It was always a case of “time not enough”. Time often ran out and work had to stop before being completed satisfactorily; the feeling was one of helplessness.

I have a deeper appreciation of what is expressed in Ecclesiastes: “For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven… whatever God does endures forever; nothing can be added to it, nor anything taken from it. God has done it, so that people fear before him” (3:1, 14). Once a decision is made, we should spare no effort and waste no time in getting the work done. We will then have few or no regrets when it is time to move on.

This life If one knows how long an undertaking would last before embarking on it, few would attempt it for fear of inability to persist to the end. When I graduated from theological college 40 years ago, I might not have had the courage to take the first steps to be a preacher if I had wondered how I could remain one for three or four decades till my retirement. But Paul tells us the Lord’s grace is sufficient and to let God lead, one step at a time.

Looking back, we may find that 10, 20, 30 years have gone by, and through each year we have experienced what the psalmist describes in Psalms 65:11—“You crown the year with your bounty, and your carts overflow with abundance.”

I regret not being able to join you as Bishop in the ongoing fight against COVID-19. Many are severely affected by the pandemic and life will be more difficult. But I will be praying for you, for our nation and for this gravely afflicted world. I believe the Lord will raise His own people among us.

Christmas this year will not be celebrated with the usual festive cheer, bustling malls and feasting. These are no longer important. We are in the midst of a war against the pandemic—businesses big and small are struggling to survive the economic woes in its wake; and we are on the brink of a global recession and hanging on to the hope of a COVID-19 vaccine.

In such extraordinary times and above all the sound and fury against the difficult circumstances, we will continue to pray and know the promise of God’s presence with us despite the world’s strident clatter and clamour.

Emmanuel! Indeed, no matter where we are, God is with us!

Wishing all a blessed Christmas and peace in the Lord!

METHODIST MESSAGE DECEMBER 2020

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Coming Up ¢

THE METHODIST FESTIVAL CHOIR PRESENTS

A SEASON OF HOPE

date 13 December 2020 (Sunday) time 5 p.m.

Register at https://tinyurl.com/mfc-advent2020

JOIN THE METHODIST FESTIVAL CHOIR (MFC) ON THE THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT IN AN ONLINE EVENING WORSHIP SERVICE TO CELEBRATE CHRIST’S WAY OF HOPE AND PEACE THROUGH MUSIC, PRAYER, LESSONS AND REFLECTION.

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METHODIST MESSAGE DECEMBER 2020

One MCS ¢

Methodist Fathers’ Movement

Passing on a

godly legacy

Exhortation by Bishop Dr Chong Chin Chung On 17 Oct 2020, “Passing on a Godly Legacy”, which was organised by a group of fathers, was held online. It was a call for Methodist fathers to gather, hear and learn about Godly fatherhood. 614 people from Methodist and other churches, both local and overseas, attended the webinar. This is an excerpt from Bishop Dr Chong Chin Chung’s exhortation, which opened the online event.

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strongly support the Church’s push to equip fathers for their role in the family, and in their children’s growing up, to reclaim the spiritual position of fathers and to hold in esteem their role and responsibility as fathers. This is where fathers learn together with their sons and daughters, become companions on life’s journey, so that each may live a joyous, vibrant life and be a blessing to those near us.

There are many passages within the Bible directed at men, such as in the Book of Proverbs, that show us how to be good fathers and sons after God’s heart. The Bible tells of many such people who are worthy of our emulation. But there were also many great characters whose shortcomings left much to regret. For example, Abraham could not bridge the gap between his sons Ishmael and Isaac, and their enmity has lasted for generations. The resentment between Jacob and Esau, the twins born to Isaac, grew into deep hatred. Jacob had 12 children, but his older sons were united in their bitterness towards their brother Joseph, so they sold him off to Egypt.

But even after the Israelites settled in Canaan, we see the jealousy of King Saul (1 Sam 18), King David’s treachery (2 Sam 11), and how the violence continued (2 Sam 12). King Solomon had 700 wives and 300 concubines, many of which were of Gentile origin (1 Kings 11:1–3). Eli the priest had two sons who behaved blasphemously towards Jehovah (1 Sam 2:12–25), not to mention that among the kings of the north and south kingdoms of Israel are many who, in Jehovah’s eyes, were wicked because of their idol worship and intermarrying with non-Jews.

Anyone, if they are not careful, can easily be tainted by vices and unrighteous ways.

By nature, we do not lean towards goodness or want to learn good. We need an elder, friend or companion, to watch over, urge and prompt us throughout our life’s journey, and to be our role model and encourage us during times of weakness and transgression.

An excellent father is never absent from his child’s growth. The kind of person a child becomes in the future rests largely on what their father teaches or leaves them with. This may also happen in certain unexpected, unplanned moments, without expressed teaching. If the father is devoted to his unique status and role, we will surely bring up a generation of good men, good husbands and good fathers.

I believe that by having such a platform to share about the challenges of fatherhood, the heart lessons, difficulties and joys, as well as being able to pray for one another, become chatgroup buddies, we can surely play out our role as fathers much better.

We can become men after God’s heart, and as a result, our children will be richly blessed, and we will have greater bliss and joy in the family.

METHODIST MESSAGE DECEMBER 2020

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One MCS ¢

Methodist Fathers’ Movement

By the MCS Communications Team / Screenshots from the Webinar video

Passing on a

godly legacy

(from left to right) Tan Gee Paw, Peter Tan and John Wu sharing their fatherhood experiences at the “Passing on a Godly Legacy” webinar

F

atherhood is a divinely-appointed duty. “Once you become a father, you cannot choose to ‘un-father’ yourself, whether your children are prodigal or not.

In fact, the more prodigal they are, the more fathering is required,” said Tan Gee Paw, one of the speakers at “Passing on a Godly Legacy”, a webinar organised by the Methodist Father’s Movement (MFM) and held on 17 Oct 2020.

This was the first public event under The Methodist Church in Singapore’s (MCS) One MCS initiative, which encourages members from its three Annual Conferences to come together to support one another and bless the community.

Six hundred and fourteen participants—Methodists and non-Methodists from Singapore, as well as participants from Australia, Cambodia, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia and Vietnam—joined the two-hour Zoom session.

The event was helmed by three speakers from different generations: Gee Paw (in his 70s); Mr Peter Tan (coming to his 60s); and Mr John Wu (in his 40s). The three men shared their fathering experiences and the lessons they have learnt with an authenticity and humility that resonated deeply with all participants.

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METHODIST MESSAGE DECEMBER 2020

Love versus duty Gee Paw recalled, “My father was always working hard as money was hard to come by. One day, when I was about seven years old, we were walking along Waterloo Street, where we had a rented room, to look for supper. For the first time, my father put his hand at the back of my head and led me along, with the rest of the family walking behind. At that moment, I learnt to distinguish between a father’s love and his duty.”

That was back when Asian fathers were conventionally not physically demonstrative with their affection, and Gee Paw realised then that it is important for fathers to express love to their children in a personal way. “Children expect their fathers to provide, but what they yearn is to feel the love of their father.”

Trust and friendship Children often teach us more than we teach them. Gee Paw recalled when his elder daughter was in primary school, she unexpectedly and anxiously called him on the phone. “I forgot my Chinese textbook,” she blurted, before abruptly hanging up. Despite being busy in the office, he

immediately drove home, collected whatever Chinese books he could find and brought them to her school. As he arrived, he saw her waiting for him at the school gate, although he had not told her he would be coming. It was then that God revealed to him what trust meant.

“In the panic of life, you can trust your Heavenly Father. In times of hardship, we can turn to him.” Just as his daughter trusted him without question and believed that he would show up with her textbook, our Heavenly Father wants us to trust Him. Gee Paw resolved, from that day on, that He would be a father who could be trusted to see his children through the difficulties they faced. “Our children must trust completely that we will take care of them.”

After this incident, father and daughter became best friends, and his daughter readily confides in him to this day. Just as Jesus is our best friend, earthly fathers should strive to be best friends and confidantes to their children, especially during their teenage years.

he grew to know and experience love from his Heavenly Father, his emotional wounds slowly healed.

He said, “Organisations can find someone else to replace you in a job, but a father is irreplaceable.” When his daughter was still a toddler, his wife once took a photo of her and him in which he was walking with his hands behind his back. She followed a few steps behind, mimicking her father’s posture.

“Our children want to follow in our footsteps. They respect and admire us. But if we do something bad, they will follow as well.” Similarly, fathers need to look to God as their model and guide so that they can show their children the right way.

He added, “Fathering is humbling and we must recognise our need for help. It is important to surround ourselves with godly men and brothers who do not judge, and can listen and pray with us. We will also make mistakes as we raise our children, but God is gracious and forgives.”

The privilege of being called “father” To be called “father”, just as God is called, is a tremendous honour, responsibility and privilege. “When fathers fail in their responsibility as a father, they actually betray God,” said Peter Tan, who facilitated the discussion.

When his daughter was in primary school, they drifted apart. John said, “When our children move away from us, it is similar to how we move away from God. There is pain in our Father’s heart […] when that happens.”

Peter had an absent father, but was blessed to have Gee Paw as his Sunday School teacher at Barker Road Methodist Church. Gee Paw’s example made him think about the kind of father he wanted to be.

His relationship with his daughter began to improve when he realised that he needed to provide a safe place for her, which meant sometimes putting aside his own feelings and controlling his tongue. Years later, God also spoke to her and she began to make changes in her life for the better. Just as God speaks to us, He can also speak to our children.

A school principal for more than 20 years, Peter shares that message to fathers every year through the ministries he serves. He reminds them that the greatest thing they can do for their children, besides teaching them to love God, is to love their mothers. “When wives are loved, they feel emotional warmth and psychological support. When a mother feels comfortable, the home is more stable.

“Besides loving their wives, fathers should treat every child just as they are, not having expectations or comparing them with other children. We should accept and love our children just as God made them.”

God is our role model John also grew up without a father and was mentored by Peter, who guided and counselled him in his life’s journey.

He shared that Peter gave him a safe place to be vulnerable, seek help and be allowed to make mistakes. John struggled with his identity as father until he became a Christian. As

Paul Khoo (left) leading the worship session with father, Julian (not in photo), and his son, Matthew

METHODIST MESSAGE DECEMBER 2020

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Passing on a godly legacy

Gee Paw, on the other hand, shared that he had no regrets because despite our failures and imperfections, God is faithful. We may have failed to be the best fathers, but we should never live in regret because whatever the circumstances, all things work for good for those who love God (Rom 8:28).

He encouraged the participants: “God’s love is large enough to circumscribe all events in life such that all things will work out well in the end. The first prerequisite in fathering is to love God. So live life, enjoy your children and relax.

Your life as a father will never be a life of regret.”

Fathers impact nations and generations Jason Wong, Chairman of Focus on the Family, closed the meeting by sharing the heart of the Father’s Movement as well as why and how fathers can pass down a godly legacy to their children.

David Ang from the Methodist Fathers' Movement hosting the webinar

Our children are like empty vessels, longing to be filled with love As the discussion drew to a close, Gee Paw shared an analogy. “Every child comes to their parents like a vessel that is empty, for their parents to take the time and effort to fill with unconditional love, or [the children will be filled] by the world with hatred, jealousy and strife.

“Just as vessels come in different shapes and sizes, every child is different. Some children bring small vessels that are easily topped up, while others have large vessels that never seem to get filled. Some vessels have wide openings that are easy to pour into, while others have narrow openings that require more effort.

“Whatever vessel the child brings, it is the parents’ responsibility to fill it till it overflows with love. When children have this reservoir of love, they will grow up strong and well-prepared to face life’s challenges.”

Fathers impact nations and generations. In Gen 18:18, God promised Abraham that he would be a great nation, and all nations on earth will be blessed through him.

“For I have chosen him so that he will direct his children and his household after him to keep the way of the Lord by doing what is right and just, so that the Lord will bring about for Abraham what He has promised him” (Gen 18:19). When fathers teach their children the way of the Lord, God will impact the world through them.

Jason also shared from Malachi 4:5–6, which is the heart of the Elijah7000 Father’s Movement.

The two-hour webinar left participants feeling encouraged and blessed. Fatherhood is a high calling that requires God’s infinite grace and ability, and which ultimately impacts the generations that follow.

Thankfully, even as fathering is a journey that lasts a lifetime, we can take comfort in knowing that there are others who walk with us. Most of all, we can rejoice that our Heavenly Father is our guide and that as long as we walk with Him, all will be well.

Never regret When the three fathers were asked what they would change about their fathering journeys if they could, Peter shared that he would want to have spent more time with his children. As an educator, his work and commitments in church took up a lot of time. John likewise wished he had taken more time to be with his children when they felt vulnerable.

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METHODIST MESSAGE DECEMBER 2020

Jason Wong shares a photo of fathers from the Elijah7000 movement praying at 5 a.m. at Kum Yan MC (before COVID-19)

Church Profile ¢

Toa Payoh Methodist Church

The Rev Reuben Ng is the Pastor-in-Charge at Toa Payoh Methodist Church. / Photos courtesy of TPMC

Carrying on a good work

(From left to right) TPMC began as a shophouse in 1970; our first building; after major renovations in 2019

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020 was meant to be a year of celebrations for Toa Payoh Methodist Church (TPMC) as we commemorated our golden jubilee. While it was certainly not an anniversary anyone would have expected nor imagined, upon reflection, there is a vital reminder for us all.

TPMC started 50 years ago based primarily on faith in a faithful God, a God whom Philippians 1:6 describes as “He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus”.

TOA PAYOH METHODIST CHURCH (Trinity Annual Conference) 480 Lor 2 Toa Payoh S(319641) tpmc.org.sg 6259-8644 fb.com/toapayohmc

While the world and our anniversary plans have been thrown off-kilter by the coronavirus, ushering in a “new normal”, it was an appropriate moment to reflect whether our faith in a faithful God is still as strong and steady as when TPMC first began her journey 50 years ago. Hence the vital reminder—that while many things may be useful and important, faith in a faithful God is truly essential.

In line with our vision “Encounter to Love”, we found it essential to continue to be a beacon of light in the Toa Payoh community, showing God’s love for those in need during this challenging season. While services were suspended, TPMC poured resources into “TPMC Gives”—a collection of multi-pronged community support efforts—from a blood donation drive, the giving of bread to both essential workers as well as beneficiaries during Easter, the extending of care and lodging to rough sleepers, to partnering hawker stalls to give out 2,500 free meals to those in need in Toa Payoh as part of our anniversary celebrations.

Our annual Christmas community celebration, “Light of Christmas”, which had been held for the past five years, also had to be re-imagined this year. While it has historically been a weekend carnival for the community to celebrate Christmas with us at Toa Payoh Central, the church will be providing cheer to those in need with a specially-curated Christmas pack filled with essential items as well as fun puzzles, craft activities and recipes to encourage family bonding in December. The light of Christmas will also be shared symbolically with each home through the gift of a LED star to light up during the Christmas season, joining in TPMC’s effort to light up the community. In December, TPMC will also have a visual display of the three wise men following the star.

@tpmcofficial TPMC480

Sunday Services In-person services have resumed.

Registration is required.

Check our website for details.

8 a.m.: In-person (Traditional Service) 8.30 a.m.: Online (Traditional Service) 10.30 a.m.: Online (Contemporary Service) 11 a.m.: In-person (Contemporary Service)

While we do not know what the future may hold, we do know who holds the future. TPMC will regard our 50th year as blessed because we have a faithful God. METHODIST MESSAGE DECEMBER 2020

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Registration at our Columbarium OďŹƒce (Level 5) Monday to Friday, 9.00am to 5.00pm (Closed on Public Holidays).

Tel: 6479 8122 HP: 9670 9935 or Fax: 6479 6960 Email: veronicalowjmc@yahoo.com.sg

One MCS ¢

TRAC Highlights

The Rev Dr Gordon Wong was re-elected President of Trinity Annual Conference (TRAC) in 2016 for a second quadrennial term, but is primarily grateful to God for the gift of his wife Lai Foon and two children Deborah and Jeremy.

The reason for the season “She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”

Matt 1:21, NIV

C

hristmas commemorates the birth of a Child who is given the name Jesus.

This name offers one reason why Christians celebrate Christmas.

(Other verses provide us with a second name, Immanuel, and a second reason for the Christmas season. But here we return to the first name.)

Matthew says that the Christ Child is named Jesus “because he will save his people from their sins”. The name Jesus is derived from a common Hebrew name that means “salvation.”

This is one reason we celebrate the season of Christmas. The name Jesus is a promise of salvation from sin.

Sin? Nobody likes to talk (or read) about “sin”, and especially not in a merry Christmas issue! So I’ll be brief.

The Bible presents the promise of salvation from sins as very merry (good) news. That is something we should all be happy to hear (or read about).

We live in a world plagued by the problem of sins. It is a world where babies are abandoned in rubbish dumps; widows are scammed of their life savings; parents abuse their own children; the elderly die alone; churches and mosques are burned down; social workers are raped or killed.

This is what the Bible describes as the problem of sin. If you don’t like the word, call it something else: evil; human failing; moral ineptitude; inhuman behaviour. But whatever we call it, we mustn’t pretend it doesn’t exist. Sin destroys our families, our friends, our serenity and safety. Sin is a serious problem for all of us.

And this is why the promise of Christmas is good news for all of us. It is Joy to the World, not just Joy to Christians.

Sin is a problem for the whole world, not just Christians. The Child born at Christmas is named Jesus, a promise that all of us can be saved from the sins that destroy us. Who amongst us wouldn’t want welcome such a hope and promise of salvation?

And that is merry good news indeed.

METHODIST MESSAGE DECEMBER 2020

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News ¢

MCS 135

By the MWS Communications Team / Photo courtesy of the MCS Communications Team

A heart to help

the community in need

The charity organisations attending the ceremony held on 23 Oct 2020 on behalf of their beneficiaries

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n conjunction with The Methodist Church in Singapore’s (MCS) 135th anniversary (MCS 135), Methodist Welfare Services (MWS) has raised $1.58 million from its

“Donate to Bless” fundraising campaign. The campaign was initiated to help distressed and low-income families of all races and religions who have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We pray that our small gesture can help to ease disadvantaged families’ burden and enable them to focus on emerging stronger and more resilient from this pandemic,” said MWS Group Executive Director Junie Foo.

They are: • Autism Resource Centre (Singapore) • Beyond Social Services • Breakthrough Missions • Caregivers Alliance Limited • Cassia Resettlement Team • Christian Outreach to the Handicapped • Daughters of Tomorrow • Metta Welfare Association • Persatuan Pemudi Islam Singapura • Ramakrishna Mission Boys’ Home Singapore • The Helping Hand •

Tamar Village

Giving Blessings to Others

“For The Methodist Church, serving others is an expression

As part of its social objective to uplift and bless vulnerable

of our faith. As the largest Protestant group in Singapore,

groups to celebrate the significant anniversaries of MCS

MCS strongly believes in doing our part to strengthen the

(see sidebar for more details), MWS has channelled over

fabric of society by encouraging inclusivity and promoting

$160,000 of the funds raised to 12 charity organisations

religious and racial harmony,” shared Bishop Dr Chong.

selected by MWS Patron Bishop Dr Chong Chin Chung to reflect the diverse nature and needs of our community.

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METHODIST MESSAGE DECEMBER 2020

The charity organisations attended the ceremony held on 23 Oct 2020 on behalf of their beneficiaries.

Softening the Blow of the Pandemic The MWS “Donate to Bless” campaign aimed to provide financial assistance of $1,350 each to help families meet their basic needs, while equipping them with the resources to handle the impact of COVID-19 on their lives.

To date, the campaign has received over 1,000 applications for financial assistance from MWS centres, Methodist churches, schools as well as the 12 selected charities.

The “Donate to Bless” campaign closed on 31 October. We would like to thank all who have helped to raise funds on the ground, as well as our generous donors who were willing to give despite the challenges during this time. Let’s continue to do what we can to reduce the pain and suffering of people in need around us.

Deepening our Impact MWS has been marking the key anniversaries of MCS by giving back to the community in various ways.

In 2015, to mark MCS’s 130th Anniversary, MWS spearheaded the Getting out of Debt Programme and Wheels for Good to raise $3.4 million to lift the burden of debt from families in need. To commemorate MCS’s 125th Anniversary in 2010, MWS raised $1.8 million to provide financial assistance and befriending support to lowincome families.

Together with the $1.58 million raised by “Donate to Bless”, MWS has raised a total of $6.7 million to bless people in need.

Here are some details of the families benefiting from the

"Donate to Bless" campaign They face a host of complex and multiple problems:

40%

≤ $500

>

Almost 7 in 10

Nearly 8 in 10 live in

have per capita

1-, 2- or 3-room flats,

household income

mostly housing five

of $500 or less

members or less

65%

Over 65 per cent are unemployed

More than 40 per cent have chronic and severe medical conditions or family members with special needs

More than half or 54 per cent are from non-intact

20%

families where members are

20 per cent have

single parents, separated,

recently lost their jobs

divorced or widowed

METHODIST MESSAGE DECEMBER 2020

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2021 Admissions Now Open ACS (International) Singapore is a distinctive international secondary school open to all Singaporeans & other nationalities, offering an all-round English-based education for students aged 12 to 18 years leading to the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) and the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP).

61 Jalan Hitam Manis, Singapore 278475

Building Through Belief, this school of choice provides • Exceptional examination results, very strong value-added achievement and an allround holistic education • 50:50 mix of local and international teachers who uphold the dual Methodist ethos and ACS heritage • Small class sizes with overall student-teacher ratio of 8.7 : 1 • 40 different CCAs – 16 Sporting, 12 Visual and Performing Arts, 12 Special Interest Groups • Over 25 overseas trips per year • Over 200 formal student leadership positions • Scholarships for 4 Singaporeans to undertake the IBDP

Achievements include

Mr Rob Burrough Principal

Mrs Tan Siew Hoon Vice Principal

• Students with perfect score of 45 points in IBDP • 20 “Top in the World” awards in IGCSE examinations over each of the past nine years • Students accepted to Oxford and Cambridge universities for the past eight years • Admissions to top universities in the UK, the US, Australia and Singapore • PSLE and Singapore GCE ‘O’ Level students achieve outstanding value-added examination results for the IBDP with improved pathways to good universities • Successes at national level in Athletics, Touch Rugby, Debating, Orchestra, Volleyball, Taekwondo, Ice Hockey, Fencing, Swimming, Artistic Swimming, Rhythmic Gymnastics and Wushu.

What the parents say…

Mr Gavin Kinch Vice Principal

Dr Kristopher Achter Vice Principal

For more information Please contact Joseph Ng or Serene Lim at +65 6472 1477 or admissions@acsinternational.edu.sg

“ACS (International) ignites students' passion to learn through building strong relationships with deeply devoted and highly experienced teachers and excellent pedagogic and sporting infrastructure. The school has achieved a fine blend of academic rigour and holistic learning.

The emphasis on CCAs and community service as well as the ample opportunities for student leadership makes ACS (International) a 'cut above' and the preferred choice for our children.”

Larisa and Shivinder Singh “Sending our daughter to ACS (International) was the best decision we made. She used to be shy and introverted and has now become a confident, caring and motivated student leader.”

Debra and Samuel Koh “We deeply appreciate the contribution ACS (International) has made towards making our son confident, capable and thoughtful. The school has provided an environment of personal care, support and encouragement to nurture him into a compassionate young man.

We are also very proud of his academic, leadership, co-curricular and public speaking skill development.”

Anju Uppal “We like the holistic learning environment of ACS (International). Apart from academics, the school gives the students plenty of learning opportunities outside the walls of the classroom through service trips in continents as far as Africa, school projects and events, CCAs, student leadership roles and more.

Our children thoroughly enjoy the IB programme, the holistic environment of the school, and are very proud to be students of ACS (International). The school has helped our children to grow and mature in so many ways, whilst equipping them with the necessary skills needed for their university studies and future endeavours. We are very glad to have sent both of our children to ACS (International).”

Steven and Pau Kim Kan

News ¢ Ronak Sanan is a member of the Anglo-Chinese School (ACS) (International) Interact Club / Photos courtesy of the ACS (International) Interact Club

ACS (International) Interact Club

migrant workers’ outreach project

Handwritten, personalised, thank-you cards made by students from the Interact Club, Thoburn House and the Art Club

The ACS (International) Interact Club Core Team for the Migrant Workers’ Outreach Project

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n 18 Sep 2020, 80 students from our Interact Club collaborated with Wesley Methodist Church (MC) to give out 400 care packages to the migrant workers living in the dormitories that the church is supporting.

Under the guidance of teachers Ms Michelle Liew and Ms Caroline Heng, we ordered nutritious food, such as Vitamin C, halal biscuits, seaweed and muruku snacks, a favourite among migrant workers from India and Bangladesh. We also collaborated with Thoburn House and the Art Club to hand-make personalised encouragement cards to be paired with each care package.

After receiving the deliveries for the supplies, we set up booths and packing stations to ensure an efficient, safe and socially-distanced packing experience. We then handed over the care packages to representatives from Wesley MC, who delivered the packages to the migrant workers.

Interact students and teachers passing on the care packages to representatives from Wesley MC

The aim of the project was not only to give useful supplies to this marginalised community, but also to let them know that there are people in Singapore who care for them.

This experience has brought immense satisfaction to all of us in the Interact Club. We were also heartened to receive messages and photos of appreciation from the migrant workers. We hope to have more opportunities to give back to the community during these trying times.

400 care packages lined up for final checks

Some of the migrant workers sent photos and messages of thanks

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Home ¢ By the MCS Communications Team / Photo courtesy of Kimberley-Ann Tan

Finding peace in the pandemic

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or many of us, the circuit breaker brought everything to a standstill.

For Kimberley-Ann Tan—fresh nursing graduate, cell leader and worship leader in at Paya Lebar Methodist Church’s Youth Service—it was a hurricane of activity, as well as one of the biggest tests of her faith.

The circuit breaker coincided with Kimberley’s final undergraduate clinical attachment. Being new on the job amidst a pandemic brought on a lot of stress, on top of worrying about endangering her family, and juggling responsibilities in church.

A typical day at work for her ranges from serving medications, changing diapers and turning over patients with mobility issues, constantly monitoring and reporting any patient abnormalities to doctors, conducting training for patients or their caregivers, to following up on any unsettled administrative work.

Kimberley-Ann Tan

Having had to adjust to the fast-paced, non-stop work environment and long shifts, Kimberley has reached several breaking points where intense feelings of sadness and anger overwhelm her. However, it was also during these low moments where she would cry out to God and eventually find refuge in Him. “Having this connectedness to Him at work has helped me see my patients, my work, my colleagues, in a whole new light,” she said. “In the happy moments, I celebrate with Him. In the stressful and angry moments, I cry out to Him and He goes through them all right by my side. Then I find myself in tears, but for the right reasons.”

To cope with the physical and mental demands of work, Kimberley has learnt to take time off work to do things she loves with church, family, friends and hobbies, and to take care of her own health. To Kimberley, the best rest is in His presence—where without fail, she would be filled with unimaginable peace, joy and hope.

“One of the things I am still battling with is learning how to humble myself and lay aside my pride. I used to fear coming across to my friends, family and church as being fearful, weak or incompetent. But He has shown me that I’m truly not alone in this journey,” she shared. Even at the workplace, her Christian colleagues have helped in building a strong support system by praying and relating with her struggles.

As 2020 has been a tough year for many, Kimberley would like to encourage others to share their struggles with God no matter how trivial they seem, as He pays attention to even the smallest of worries. Worrying about the future is normal but Kimberley hopes that it does not consume us. Even though the future she had in mind was extremely different from what it is today, Kimberley is happier and closer to God than ever.

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News ¢ Jason Woo is the Communications Executive at MCS Comms. / Photos courtesy of Holland Village Methodist Church, Queenstown Chinese Methodist Church and Telok Ayer Chinese Methodist Church.

It is good to gather

A

again!

s Singapore, along with the rest of the world, battled the COVID-19 pandemic, places of worship were some of the first gathering points to be shut down as they were deemed to be high-risk.

This is especially so for churches, due to the fact that congregants are very often seated close to each other. The singing of hymns and other songs are common, which increases the risk of the air-borne virus spreading when droplets and aerosols are emitted.

For much of 2020, physical services had been stopped since March as churches in Singapore opted to go online and have their services streamed over the internet. Churches and other places of worship were allowed to be re-opened since the end of June, and their gathering capacity limits were lifted gradually from 50 to 100 attendees recently as the Singapore government took tentative steps in easing COVID-19 gathering restrictions.

Methodist Message checks in on some of our local churches that had moved quickly to adopt the newly increased cap on congregants, following Sengkang Methodist Church, one of the first batch of worship venues to have their caps on attendance increased in August.

Queenstown Chinese MC

Telok Ayer Chinese MC

“We want to give thanks for being able to resume the 100-member on-site livestream cum Holy Communion English service since the morning of 1 Nov 2020 at TA and another Mandarin service at TA2.

While emphasising the importance of physical on-site service, we would also encourage our members to attend at least one Holy Communion service per month while worshipping at home through our online platforms, until the restrictions on physical gathering relaxes.

Holland Village MC

Despite having to register before attending physical services on Sunday due to restrictions in gatherings, it is still our prayer and hope to be able to worship together with other brothers and sisters in the temple of the Lord.

May God have mercy on us, help us to be thankful for today and be hopeful for the future.”

The Rev Chua Ooi Suah / Telok Ayer Chinese MC Pastor-in-charge

“It has been a long journey since Holland Village Methodist Church (HVMC) reopened in August for short Holy Communion Services capped at 50 members per service.

In November, we were glad to be able to progress to 100-member weekly Advent Services. Even though these services are not the same as those we had pre-pandemic, with no singing and all things kept brief, we are glad and grateful to be back. We look forward to celebrating Christmas on-site together as a community.”

The Rev Joel Yong / HVMC Pastor-in-charge For more information on various service timings and registration details of respective Methodist churches, please kindly refer to their websites or contact them directly.

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Home ¢ Andrew Tay is married to Cheryl. They have four children—Darren; Adelle; Dillon; and Clarisse—and two grandchildren, Chloe and Blake. He worships at Agape Methodist Church.

Eradicating Bible poverty in this generation

H

ave you ever felt that God has been preparing you for a long time to do a certain work?

The Psalmist writes: “You saw me before I was born.

Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.”

(Ps 139:16) After I had served for over 20 years as the board chair of Wycliffe Bible Translators Singapore, it seemed that it was time for me to move on, and I stepped off the board.

I thought that my involvement in Bible translation was completed.

However, God touched me on my shoulder to initiate the Asian expression of illumiNations (www.illuminations. asia), an alliance of 10 global translation organisations and resource partners working together to see every person have access to Scripture in a language they think,

Andrew Tay with his wife, Cheryl

dream and pray in, and to do so by 2033.

God seemed to be saying: “Move!” Move from serving one organisation to serve 10 organisations. Move from serving just Singapore to serve the whole of Asia. Move from just sending missionaries from Singapore to starting a movement in the Body of Christ in Asia—to take ownership of the work of translating the Living Word to the remaining 745 languages in Asia that still do not have a single verse of Scripture in their language.

After serving in the school ministry and campus ministry when I was a student, the primary focus of my commitment moved to the church—local church, Annual Conference and General Conference. In my local church, I served as Lay Leader and Chair of Evangelism and Missions. At the Annual Conference, I served as chair of the Board of Evangelism; and at the General Conference I served as chair of the Methodist Missions Society. Bible translation was the only ministry that I was committed to outside of the Church for over 20 years.

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Through these ministries I learnt the centrality of God’s Word in all that we do. To lead a person to Christ, the Gospel of the Bible is required. To make a disciple, someone who hears and obeys God, the Word of God is required. Can you imagine life without the Bible? 1 God also placed me in the marketplace for more than 20 years in Corporate and Institutional Banking with Bank of America and Commerzbank AG, and in Standard Chartered Bank where I was the Regional Head of Institutional Banking for South East Asia and India.

Why did God place me in the Bible translation ministry and in the marketplace for over 20 years?

An answer to this question was what Dr John Stahl-Wert, the Founder and President at Center for Serving Leadership said to me: “I am most happy to be a part of the Bible translation movement because this is a matter of stewardship. God has given each of us a certain capability to convene people. He has given each of us grace to gather people and we will have to give an account for what purpose and to what end we have used this God given gift of grace.”

It seemed the Lord has prepared me in the church and in the marketplace for over 20 years to grow in His gift to gather friends and networks to bring His Gospel to the remaining 745 Bible-less people groups in Asia in this generation.

It has been said that there are three conversions for every Christ follower: the conversion to Christ; the conversion to the Body of Christ; and the conversion back to the world that our Lord came to save and died for. I believe the Lord desires to lead all of us to the third conversion. Now is the time to move out to eradicate Bible poverty in Asia in this generation.

illumiNations Asia is having an online closing celebration for the “Imagine Life Without the Bible” campaign.

12 Dec 2020 (Saturday), 4 to 5 p.m. https://imagine-sg.eventbrite.sg (registration required)

illumiNations Asia continues in its work to translate the Bible so that every person in Asia can access the Gospel in their language.

For more information, go to https://www.illuminations.asia/

1

https://youtu.be/2P1m3WTjGmU

METHODIST MESSAGE DECEMBER 2020

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Home ¢ Emily Lim-Leh authors children’s books, writes devotional articles and rejoices to be a child of God. She and her family worship at Barker Road Methodist Church. She blogs on parenting, writing and faith at https://mummumstheword.wordpress.com/

Finding my

W

new voice

hat would you do if you woke up one day to find that your voice had been stolen?

That happened to me shortly after my wedding, in late 1998.

The doctor at a GP clinic dismissed it as stress. Wellmeaning acquaintances dished out all kinds of advice: “Don’t eat chilli.” “No need to talk so much.” “It’s the air-conditioning.”

I was later diagnosed with Abductor Spasmodic Dysphonia (SD), a rare voice disorder. For reasons unknown, my brain had started misfiring signals to my voice muscles.

That caused my voice muscles to pull apart in a spasmodic fashion, instead of coming together rhythmically to vocalise speech. On my worse days, I managed to voice only three out of 10 words; the rest stayed stuck in my throat.

The theft of my voice turned the simplest tasks into huge challenges. When I ordered “mee poh gan” (dry noodles), I was handed “mee poh tang” (noodle soup). Business associates assumed my poor voice quality was due to a bad phone connection. They would hang up and call again, only to find that I did not sound any clearer. At social functions, my husband Ben took over introducing me whilst I stood there, looking dumb.

I went from acupuncture to Chinese medicine, European electromagnetic therapy to speech therapy. Finally, I tried Botox injections to my neck, which paralysed my voice muscles for a while and gave me some voice. But the effect was temporary, so I went for the painful injections every few weeks for the next seven years.

With no satisfactory answers from man, I looked up to God. Ben and I started visiting different churches to seek prayers for healing. The unpredictable nature of SD gave me false hopes of a miraculous recovery. When I cried at church services, my voice sounded momentarily clearer.

“You’ve recovered,” an enthusiastic volunteer would exclaim. But I returned home to find that my voice had disappeared again.

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2018: With my husband and nieces at the launch of one of my children’s books

June 2016: Caleb, then five, visiting me in hospital after my mastectomy and reconstructive surgery. He took Lego pieces and made crosses for me

Ben and I finally stopped seeking a miracle and accepted it as a lifelong impairment. Unknown to me then, a seed of faith had been sown in my heart from hearing many testimonies of healing shared at the church services. I went from asking “Why me?” to “What now?” God’s Word started opening up to me.

In late 2006, I was baptised at our home church, Barker Road Methodist Church. Our pastor suggested that I sign up for the 34-week DISCIPLE course so I could grow in Bible knowledge.

During the DISCIPLE study in 2007, the verse John 10:10 was impressed upon me: “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” (NIV). For the first time since SD had stolen my vision of a future, I saw life with new possibilities. And I had to see it with childlike eyes.

Midway through my year-long DISCIPLE class, I decided to enter a children’s book writing competition organised by the Book Council. My winning manuscript, Prince Bear & Pauper Bear, is about a teddy bear without a mouth who could not speak. A boy brings Pauper Bear home, sews him a happy mouth and gives him a new voice.

After 10 years of grappling with SD, I found restoration and a new voice. I stopped Botox treatment and my voice quality started improving. And I wrote about 30 children’s books over the next 10 years.

July 2016: Post surgery, at the start of chemotherapy. My husband Ben, dad and godchildren shaved their heads in support of me at Children Cancer Foundation’s Hair for Hope 2016

And then, in 2016, life tossed me another challenge.

While in the shower, I heard a voice prompting me to do breast self-examination. I felt a pebble-sized lump in my left breast. I went for check-ups and was diagnosed with cancer.

When afflicted with SD, I did not know where I stood with God. This time, I was certain that God was for me and not against me.

And for the first time, I experienced crystal-clear Wi-Fi to Heaven. It came with the repeated phrase “no matter what”—seven times. The first “no matter what” caught my attention through the title of a children’s picture book, which was about a parent telling a child he was loved unconditionally. That same phrase popped up again in two e-devotionals, a page of a friend’s book on breast cancer, twice through text messages from two different people and in a worship song that a friend led us to sing at my prayer party, the night before my surgery.

The seventh “no matter what” came as a prayer graphic in a text message on 1 June 2016, the morning of my surgery.

It said: “no matter what…I choose to keep believing that victory is on the way for me in Jesus’ name.”

Nov 2016: Book launch cum celebration party to mark the end of my chemotherapy

After the surgery, I went through five months of chemotherapy, during which, I spent time feeding on God’s Word like medicine, three times a day. I started hearing God on issues in my life that I had buried deep within till they had become unhealthy. Just as my diseased left breast had to be cut off and scraped clean, I also went through a spiritual cleaning-out. I learned to let go of anger, bitterness and unforgiveness—toxic emotions that had accumulated and sullied my heart. It was spiritual chemotherapy.

I have since entered my new season of life with a clean breast and a lighter heart. And I do so, knowing that my “breastplate of righteousness” comes from Jesus whose blood has cleansed me.

Dec 2019: Book launch of Irrevocable Gifts —a collection of six personal stories, including mine

That afternoon, I went through the removal of my left breast and reconstructive surgery. I entered the operating theatre “without fear and came out without pain”.

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Home ¢ Benedict Tay is a member of Wesley Methodist Church. / Photo courtesy of Benedict Tay

Finding my worth in

God

(second from right) Benedict Tay

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by and all I saw was the hopelessness and the mundane life that I thought I now had. There were so many times that I asked myself if I had subconsciously been trying to escape the toughness of army.

Wherever I went I often needed to uphold this image of authority and influence. I would be serious and always maintained an air of confidence. This led me to feel quite disconnected from my friends in school and church.

However, when I was at my lowest point, God began to use the next year of my army life to rebuild me. I began to take pride in doing the small things well. I started to see that despite my rank and position, there was an opportunity to make a positive impact on others.

rowing up, all I could envision myself as was a leader.

I had always felt that being a leader was who I was meant to be. From the lower positions of being a class monitor to the highest office of head prefect, I had done it.

However, that image and my confidence started to crumble the moment I entered junior college, where I decided to not run for an executive position in the students’ council. I felt that maybe not being in a leadership position would allow me to learn more about humility and feel more connected with those around me. But I was so wrong, as this marked the beginning of four-year downward spiral.

Without a high position and influence, I started to feel helpless and lost. I was repeatedly mocked and I became very selfconscious. It did not help that I was at the bottom of the level academically. There were many times where I felt like I was a failure and doubted everything I wrote, spoke or did.

Things got a little better when I started serving in the army where I was given the opportunity to enter Officer Cadet School. This brought back a lot of my confidence. However, I had to leave the course halfway due to a back injury.

I could not let go of the fact that I had failed to be an officer.

I was angry and disappointed with myself. Each day went

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I began to understand that I had been trying to fill a hole in my heart with things that made me feel good about myself.

I had been so busy trying to impress my family, friends and others that I could not see that all I needed to do was to love God and allow God to fill that big hole in my heart.

I had been seeking to fill that hole with treasures of this earth but all God cared about was how much I choose to seek him and love Him. While sometimes I still experience frustration and selfdoubt, I am continually humbled and blessed by God to be able to connect with other members of church in this season where many may be feeling isolated. I have been led by God to currently serve as a programme coordinator with the youth ministry at Wesley Methodist Church. I work with a team of young adult volunteers that have come together to help the church with IT-related issues, and to assist members to join online services, ministry or small group meetings. Thus far, it has been a fruitful and exciting experience of learning new ways to do God’s work in this COVID-19 season.

Welfare Services ¢ By the Methodist Welfare Services (MWS) Communications Team

Leaving a positive on lives this season

mark

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders.

And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

Isaiah 9:6, NIV

D

uring the Christmas season, Christians remember and celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, when God gave us His only Son. During His life on earth, Jesus Christ gave us the ultimate gift of eternal life and left an indelible mark on lives. As Christians, let us encourage one another to give freely and leave a positive mark on the lives of others, especially those who are struggling, marginalised and distressed.

“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.”

Heb 10:24, NIV

Finding hope in hard times In the midst of a struggling economy and a worldwide pandemic, Methodist Welfare Services (MWS) hopes that you will remember those in need more than ever during this Christmas season. Hard times remain ahead as vulnerable groups use up whatever little savings they have, or face unemployment or lower income. Many are experiencing greater distress which affects their mental and physical health, and family relationships.

Take MWS beneficiary Mdm G, for example. She is a mother of four who was thrust into financial hardship when she was diagnosed with cancer and became stressed with having to deal with the burden of mounting medical bills. This affected her relationships with her husband and children.

She said: “People think we are poor because we make bad choices. The truth is, my family has limited ones. MWS supported my family through this ordeal. They provided us with casework and counselling, and enabled us to clear our debts and build our emergency savings. With financial aid, we managed to save over $10,000, which gives us hope.

“We are getting over our hardship. I can worry less about our finances and focus more on my health. Most of all, I now feel better as a mother and wife.”

Give glory to God through good deeds Helping someone like Mdm G would not have been possible without faithful Methodist donors such as Chestmed Pte.Ltd, who have been donating to MWS in various capacities. This helps tide our beneficiaries, both individuals and families, over the difficult situations they may be facing at the time.

Our donors’ funds greatly support the work that MWS does in serving our 8,400 distressed and disadvantaged beneficiaries through an integrated and holistic suite of care offered by a team of professional staff across an island-wide network of 20 centres and programmes.

Explaining the reason for supporting MWS through the years, Chestmed said: “Followers of Christ emulate their Master when they desire to glorify God by supporting a good cause, just as Christ seeks to glorify the Father (John 14:13). But we all know how difficult it is to help others holistically without adding to their troubles. That is why believers may prefer to donate their God-given resources to MWS, knowing that their professional helpers are able to assist others well. At the same time, we know that MWS will give glory to God on behalf of the donors, by letting their light shine before others (Matthew 5:16).”

We would like to thank all our donors for their generous gifts to help those we serve, and appeal to you once again to reach into your hearts to bring them love, hope and joy this Christmas.

To donate, please visit

https://mws.sg/product/christmas/ or scan the QR code.

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Missions ¢ Collin Tan is the Chairman of the Finance Committee of the Methodist Missions Society. He grew up in Sunday School at Bedok Methodist Church in the ’70s. He received Christ as his Saviour in the ’80s and married Dorothy in the ’90s. They have lived and worked in Australia, Hong Kong and the Netherlands, where Collin worked in corporate treasury and banking, returning home to Bedok in 2010. He is still enjoying the journey of life in the kampong on this side of eternity. This article was first published in Harvest Force Issue 3, 2020.

Precious resources

H

ere’s the deal. There is bad news and there is worse news; then there is good news and a catch.

Of course, there is a catch—otherwise it would not be a deal.

First, the bad news. In relation to your salvation, a purchase price is involved—yes, there is quite a cost. The even worse news is that you cannot afford to pay it! We cannot buy salvation—even if you pulled together all your wealth and resources, and went all in with your consolidated balance sheet, you would still not be able to afford it.

The good news is that the purchase price for your salvation has been paid in full. Yes, salvation is freely given to all who believe. Then there is the catch—salvation is free but you cannot keep it all to yourself; you have to share it.

That is the deal; that is the mission.

Over the past year, the team at MMS has worked to align our resource management with governance and strategy under a funding framework operating with the kingdom principle of stewardship, making sure we balance our books given the funding needs in the mission field.

Like Paul’s reference in Philippians to needs being met, we draw from Proverbs 30: “Give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread (needs).

Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, ‘Who is the Lord?’ Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God” (Prov 30:8–9, NIV) We serve a Redeemer God who paid the price and purchased us by giving His only Son. So let us share as His Holy Spirit convicts us till He returns and finds us faithful stewards of His resources.

God has achieved His purpose (for our salvation) without relying on our resources. Conversely, we cannot achieve God’s purpose (His mission for us) without relying on His resources.

In relation to answering the call to missions, the Methodist Missions Society (MMS) is testimony to God’s faithfulness. When we renounce dependence on our own resourcing abilities, it is then that we recognise that our God will supply all our needs according to the riches of His glory in Christ. Together with partner churches, MMS has been able to share in meeting the needs in educating communities through various student bursaries and support programmes. We have also been able to build schools and homes and facilities for orphanages, carried out medical missions, and other community outreach work in Cambodia, East Asia, Laos, Nepal, Thailand, Timor-Leste and Vietnam.

All this has also been made possible by your partnership in “the catch” (pun intended, as we are, after all, called to be fishers of men), and by your sharing and generous giving of resources. As the Apostle Paul wrote to the Philippians: “Not that I desire your gifts; what I desire is that more be credited to your account” (Phil 4:17, NIV).

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Get in touch with MMS today! www.mms.org.sg mms@methodist.org.sg 6478-4818

You & Your Family ¢ Benny Bong has been a family and marital therapist for more than 30 years, and is a certified work-life consultant.

He was the first recipient of the AWARE Hero Award, received in 2011, and is a member of Kampong Kapor Methodist Church.

Values: Aspirational and inspirational

C

onversation about values has featured prominently in my sessions with a couple I have been counselling for almost two years. They came in to try to repair their marriage after the husband’s infidelity—for the second time.

Six years earlier, he had cheated on his wife but was given a second chance.

The husband is again asking for another chance, but things are at an impasse. The wife is less hopeful, wondering if things would turn out better this time. She is asking questions like “Is he sincere about changing? Has he learnt his lesson? Is the marriage and family more important to him than his philandering ways?” Meanwhile, he has shown that he is willing to change by getting more involved with the children and being more transparent about his work and relationships. But the questions linger—she wonders if a leopard can change its spots.

This is where the topic of values comes in. The wife feels that the man she married has changed. From a simple, hardworking man, he has become sophisticated, smoothtalking, a worldly “man about town”. She wonders how much of the person she knew before remains and how much she can trust the new person her husband has morphed into.

All of us do change to some degree over time. As we are exposed to new information, experiences and people, some influences do get assimilated, whether consciously or not. Some changes may be positive and represent an improvement, both personally and interpersonally. Other changes are questionable. Some changes are superficial, e.g. in how we choose to look or behave, while others are more in-depth, altering our values and outlook on life.

While counselling the couple, I try to help the husband articulate what his current values are. This, we hope, will help his wife understand how much he has changed and

whether she finds the changes agreeable and helpful to their marriage.

But values, though important, may not be easy to identify and articulate. With my client, we struggled to arrive at words like “caring”, “commitment to the marriage”, “honesty”, and “sacrifice”. We may struggle also because, like in this husband’s experience, he has not lived by them. He worries about sounding like a hypocrite in saying he values honesty but was dishonest with his wife about his relationships with some women. But not living true to these values does not mean they are unimportant to him.

The identification of values is aspirational and inspirational in nature and effect. They remind us of what is important and when we fall short, what we should strive towards.

Conversation about values is not about declaring how perfect we are. Indeed, we should guard against trying to portray ourselves better than we actually are. At one time or another, we all fall short of our own ideals.

Moreover, the mere declaration of similar values does not equate to harmony. In a situation where individuals are clearly at odds with each other, a good way is to talk clearly and calmly while listening respectfully to the other. Agreeing to disagree might well be a positive outcome.

What values do you hold as important? Is the person you are today different from who you were 10 years ago? Are you pleased or apologetic about the changes? If you are married, are your partner’s and your values aligned? If you are a parent, how are you nurturing the values you want your children to develop and do they see you living a life consistent with these values?

Remember, it is not about being perfect but being mindful that our values ultimately shape and inspire us to be better.

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Hymns & Songs ¢ Judith Laoyan-Mosomos is the Director for Worship and Church Music at the Methodist School of Music, and a member of Kampong Kapor Methodist Church.

The Faith We Sing

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hat is your congregational music repertoire like?

I am sure you will agree with me that most of the songs we sing in worship are from the West.

Whether they are hymns or contemporary songs, 80 per cent, if not 90 per cent, are from the West. If, at most, 20 per cent are from the East, how many of these songs are locally written?

Worship is contextual. Singing songs we “borrow” brings us to God and connects us to the larger Body of Christ.

On the other hand, when we sing our own songs, our

The Faith We Sing e-songbook

own stories, experiences and thoughts, we open up and draw closer to God. The level of ownership of the songs as an expression of worship may exhibit a deeper sense

Vol.1 (2020)

of authenticity.

While we are blessed with the vast resource of worship music, songs by our local song writers should also be on our list. It is on this premise that the Methodist School of Music—Worship & Music department collaborated with

ORGANISED BY:

local song writers to make their songs available to the wider church.

To kick-start this project, we are pleased to present The

Methodist School of Music 496 Upper Bukit Timah Road #03-20 John Wesley Centre, Singapore 678099 Tel: 6767 5258 | Web: www.msmusic.edu.sg | Email: msm@msmusic.edu.sg

Faith We Sing, a digital songbook featuring two Wesleyan hymns, re-tuned to a more contemporary melody, and eight original compositions. To learn more about these songs, please scan the QR code and download the digital songbook. The copyright for the songs belongs to the composers. Should you have questions, please write us so that we can direct you to them.

This will be an ongoing project. We envision the next project to be a collection of songs based on the Psalms.

Selected songs will be featured at The Faith We Sing 2021 in September 2021. Should you wish to join this project for song writers, please drop us an email so that we can add you to our mailing list and keep you posted.

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MSM-W&M:

worship@msmusic.edu.sg Scan the QR code for a copy of the digital songbook

Soundings ¢ Dr Roland Chia is Chew Hock Hin Professor of Christian Doctrine at Trinity Theological College and Theological and Research Advisor at the Ethos Institute for Public Christianity (http://ethosinstitute.sg)

God with us “Soundings” is a series of essays that, like the waves of a sonogram, explore issues in society, and the church in light of the Gospel and Christian understanding.

O

ne of the most common Gospel passages that is read in churches across the globe during the season of Advent is Matthew 1.

naked eye has pushed healthcare systems to the brink of despair, brought the economies of many countries to their knees and many cities to an eerie standstill.

This chapter, located at the beginning of the Gospel of Matthew, describes the circumstances surrounding the conception and birth of the Messiah. In this passage we also find the ancient prophecy of Isaiah, that “a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and his name shall be called Emmanuel (which means God with us)” (Matt 1:23).

In the grip of this global health crisis where many have perished, the question that is repeatedly asked (by religious and non-religious people alike) is: Where is God? Where is God in this pandemic?

Commenting on this verse, the great 18th century nonconformist minister and Bible expositor Matthew Henry writes that Emmanuel is a “mysterious name, and very precious”. And, indeed, it is!

That mysterious name is especially precious to us today, in the strange and dangerous circumstances in which we find ourselves. For in the past months, our world has been ravaged by a deadly pandemic that it has not witnessed for more than two generations.

As I am writing this article in Oct 2020, there are more than 43 million cases of infection worldwide and more than one million deaths. A pathogen that is invisible to the

The Lectionary readings for the season of Advent supply the answer to this question. It is found in that “mysterious and precious” name, Emmanuel.

Indeed, Emmanuel—God with us—has brought comfort and strength to untold millions whose lives have in one way or another been molested or devastated by coronavirus. For Emmanuel does not only point to the nature of the God who is revealed in Jesus Christ; it also contains a promissory element.

To profess that name, to affirm that God is with us, is therefore not only to acknowledge His omnipresence. It is also to be assured that He is faithfully pursuing us in every way, always inviting us into a deeper communion with Him. For the ever-present God is the God of the covenant, whose very nature is unconditional love.

METHODIST MESSAGE DECEMBER 2020

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God with us

The omnipresent God is never passive. Not only is He close to us, He is also actively at work in our world. Thus, even in the midst of the chaos and confusion inflicted by COVID-19, the ever-present God is mysteriously and undauntedly working out His purposes in creation.

To affirm the presence of God at a time unprecedented crisis is therefore to be assured of His sovereign control over the situation.

To be sure, Emmanuel is a name that can only be uttered by faith. The truth it declares can only be received by faith.

And the vision of reality it presents is perceptible only to the eyes of faith—for they see much deeper and with greater clarity than do our physical eyes.

If faith’s vision seems incredulously counterintuitive— finding hope where others see only despair and perceiving the good where only evil and destruction are evident— it is because it sees all of reality in light of its supreme object: the almighty God who is redemptively governing this world by His sovereign love.

As we look at the months ahead, the forecast is indeed frightfully bleak. Many countries and regions across the globe—the US, the UK, Europe, the African sub-continent, India, Indonesia and Malaysia—are seeing troubling spikes in the number of infections. And with winter approaching, many countries are bracing for the coronavirus to spread exponentially.

In the wake of such uncertainties, the lectionary readings for this season urge us not to be afraid or despair.

The God whom we worship does not stand at a distance, aloof from the suffering and misery of humanity. He is the God who has become one of us in the incarnation, the God who suffered and died to redeem this sin-marred world.

And He is at this very moment working out His purposes by His faithful presence.

Emmanuel is God’s word to us in this time of global crisis.

It is a word of faith. It is a word of hope. And where faith and hope are present, there is no place for fear.

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For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 8:38-39

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Home ¢ Jonanthan Huang was a CAC Youth Worker who was vital in the early stages of conceptualising 1HSMS. He is currently completing his MDiv at Trinity Theological College.

ing a e b s e o d t a Wh

t s i d o h t e M you? mean to

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or me, being a Methodist connects me to the rich heritage since the founding of Methodism.

I suspect many people in the Methodist church could only quote that “strangely warmed” Aldersgate experience of Wesley as Methodist’s distinctive. However, Barbeau reminds us that Wesley’s Aldersgate experience is not the ethos of a Methodist. Wesley himself did not return to that experience incessantly as though it signifies the singular measure of Christians. 1 That experience sparked a revival in Wesley and he subsequently went on to establish the practices of small groups, sacramentality, self-discipline, mutual accountability, holiness in social action and much more that shaped Methodism in the subsequent decades. 2 Today, Methodists are blessed with many good resources that have been handed down to us since the time of Wesley, 3 as well as the works of Wesleyan scholars in our midst. I have learnt a lot from these resources, and they have challenged my understanding about being a Methodist—and more importantly, being a Christian.

Sadly, these resources are often buried by the popular teachings of various cults of personalities. In writing this, I hope to encourage Methodists to make the effort to read and study some of these resources. As John Wesley himself put it, “I am not afraid that the people called Methodists should ever cease to exist…I am afraid lest they should only exist as a dead sect, having the form of religion without the power.” 5 For me, being a Methodist is to carry the flame and continue with the good works of Christ in the spirit of Methodism.

Jeffrey W. Barbeau, The Spirit of Methodism: From the Wesleys to a Global Communion (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2019), 14.

Ibid, 10.

3 Such as Wesley’s sermons. http://wesley.nnu.edu/john-wesley/the-sermons-of-john-wesley1872-edition/an-introduction/ 4 John Wesley, “Thoughts upon Methodism,” §1, 527.

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THINK ¢ Benjamin Lee is a Missionary (Country Director) with MMS based in Cambodia together with his wife and children. They worship at Trinity Methodist Church in Singapore.

The reason for this season

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020 has been a year of the unexpected. At the beginning of the year, many of us may have made a lot of plans and looked forward to entering a new decade. But many of our plans were dashed. We grappled with many questions: Was it going to be only for a few months? When would things get better and life get back to normal again? Now, the end of 2020 is fast approaching. What is happening here?

“Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old.

Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?

I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.” (Isa 43:18–19) At the end of 2019, as I was doing my personal devotion, God showed me these verses. At that point, I did not fully understand what it was about. I thought that perhaps it involved new projects we were about to embark on, new involvement with the Methodist Church in Cambodia, or new development plans for the Methodist School of Cambodia. I felt a sense of excitement and anticipation.

In March 2020, when the COVID-19 situation began to unfold, many of the ministries here in Cambodia had to be approached in whole new way. Previously, many of the ministries depended heavily on foreigners for leadership and, to a certain extent, funding. The pandemic meant that the local leadership had to take the lead as many missionaries had to return to their home countries.

I was privileged to witness first-hand how the local leadership stepped up and navigated the challenging time. They also undertook responsibility to organise the distribution of relief packages to families affected by the economic fallout of the coronavirus. This created opportunities to show the love of God in action and has caused the community to ask, “Why are they doing this to help us?”

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METHODIST MESSAGE DECEMBER 2020

Another area I witnessed was the sharing of God’s Word where we had thought impossible to penetrate—families with elderly members. In the past, the Word could be heard only in the churches or in seminars and training sessions. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Gospel was heard in the homes through online services which the local church leadership quickly adapted to. The online preaching of the Gospel aroused curiosity amongst the community and created opportunities to share personal stories with non-believing relatives.

I have seen Isaiah 43:18–19 coming to pass. God’s promises will never fail. He will make a way even where we may see it as impossible, in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.

With this pandemic, I have begun to ask myself, “As a missionary, what then is my role?” After more than eight years in the field with my family, I am seeing that God does not really need us for the spread of the Gospel. It has caused me to re-think my posture toward missions.

The insight I have gained this year is “to be where God wants me to be”—to be used by Him as an instrument to encourage the people I work with. It is not to show that I am superior or more knowledgeable, but rather to share the “burdens” of the Gospel with the people in the field and to walk alongside to cheer them on. It is truly humbling for me as I partner the pastors, church leaders, and even with the youth and children, and see that there is so much to learn from them.

2020 has been a year when God in His sovereignty showed me that “for as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts” (Isa 55:9). It has been a year of just walking the path which God has crafted for me. And this is the reason for the season.

DECEMBER

Looking Ahead ¢

Scan to see events online!

1 HEART, SOUL, MIND AND STRENGTH (1HSMS) YOUTH CONFERENCE Panel discussions 10 Dec 2020 (Thursday), 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Night of Worship 11 Dec 2020 (Friday), 7.30 p.m. http://bit.ly/1HSMS_talks http://bit.ly/1HSMS_NOW @1heartsoulmindstrength

Ready for takeoff?

Join the first-ever virtual Methodist youth conference, “1 Heart, Soul, Mind and Strength” (1HSMS), where Methodist youths and friends unite to love and serve God in worship and celebration. 1HSMS is a platform where our youths envision the future of MCS together with our leaders and discuss the issues that Christian youths face.

The event will be bookended with a Night of Worship, led by a youth worship team from Kum Yan Methodist Church. Be a part of the on-site discussions (limited to first 70 sign-ups), or on our livestream (link coming soon). Follow us on Instagram for more updates!

JANUARY

Organised by the MCS 135 Committee

COMPANIONS IN CHRIST LEADERS’ TRAINING 2021 14 Jan 2021 (Thursday), 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; 15 Jan 2021 (Friday), 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Trinity Theological College, 490 Upper Bukit Timah Road, S(678093) $140 (includes 2 light breakfasts, 1 lunch, 1 love feast, leader’s guide and training materials) https://disciple.methodist.org.sg Register at https://disciple.methodist.org.sg/index.php/en/component/rsform/form/12-companions-in-christ-leaders-training (closing date 24 Dec 2020) fb.com/Disciple.Singapore disciple@methodist.org.sg 6765-5301

The Companions in Christ (CIC) series offer a powerfully transforming small group experience that builds spiritual practices within congregations, helping participants be more fully open to God and to one another. CIC encompasses 28 weeks of Scripture reading of regular sessions beginning with a reading followed by five daily exercises that help illuminate the theme and prepare for the small group meeting.

• Learn classic spiritual practices, and develop new daily patterns • Deepen relationship with God and with the group • Help build spiritual companions in Christ, support each other and take a spiritual journey

JULY

Organised by Disciple Agency

D6 FAMILY CONFERENCE 2021 30 to 31 July 2021 (Friday and Saturday) Faith Methodist Church, 400 Commonwealth Drive, S(149604) d6family.sg (Registration opens Jan 2021) fb.com/d6familysg family.min@bible.org.sg 6304-5286

D6 is based on the principles of Deuteronomy 6 and it urges the church and home to work together to implement generational discipleship within the churches, homes and families. The objective of D6 Conference is for the attendees to understand how they can best apply the principles of Deuteronomy 6 in their lives in order to pass on a spiritual legacy for future generations.

The D6 Conference 2021 is a place where parents, pastors, church and ministry leaders can look to be equipped with practical next steps and strategies in discipling the next generation.

Organised by Sower Institute for Biblical Discipleship.

MCS WHATSAPP BROADCAST GROUP In this unpredictable and spiritually challenging time, MCS will send updates, information and prayers when you sign up with our latest Whatsapp Broadcast Group!

Here’s how.

First, please save +65 6478-4786 in your phone contacts as “MCS”.

(Please note that you will not be able to receive broadcast messages without saving the number.)

Then complete the form found here: https://tinyurl.com/mcswhatsapp, and you are done! :)

She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.

Matthew 1:21, NIV