Methodist Message: March 2022

THE METHODIST CHURCH IN SINGAPORE Vo l 1 2 4 N o 3 M A R C H 2 0 2 2

ISSN 0129-6868 MCI (P) 044/11/2021

SPEARHEADED

Putting

BY

into practice

Contents 1

Bishop’s Message

2

Events—Coming Up

3

News—40 Day Lent Prayers

4

Church Life—CAC Highlights

6

News—Week of Prayer for Christian Unity

9

News—Methodist Preschools

12

Reach Out—Missions

14

Feature—Putting Lent into Practice

16

Opinion—Lenten Reflections

19

People—Henry Chan and Mary Chan

22

Reach Out—Welfare Services

24

Relationships—You & Your family

25

Hymns & Songs

26

Opinion—Soundings

29

What does being a Methodist mean to you?

30

Events—Looking Ahead

ERRATUM In the print edition of the January 2022 issue of Methodist Message under Special Appointments for 2022, Rev Wendy Tay was mistakenly listed as a lecturer at Trinity Theological College. Rev Wendy Tay is one of the TRAC Chaplains to TRAC TTC Students. We apologise for the error.

EDITORIAL BOARD

The official monthly publication of The Methodist Church in Singapore.

Adviser and Publisher

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

Dr Anthony Goh - Chairperson Council on Communications

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

Managing Editor

70 Barker Road #06-04 Singapore 309936

Alvin Tay

6478-4793 | 6478-4763

Editor Lianne Ong

message.methodist.org.sg | www.methodist.org.sg

Sub-editors

newmm@methodist.org.sg

Lucy Cheng Janice Khoo Tan Chiu Ai

fb.com/Methodist.SG

Communications Executive

@methodistsg

Jason Woo

Proofreaders Melanie Lee Christabel Tan

@methodist.sg

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 Gordon Wong was elected Bishop of The Methodist Church in Singapore in 2020.

He served as President of the Trinity Annual Conference from 2013–2020.

Rituals should help, not hinder “May the LORD, who is good, pardon everyone who sets their heart on seeking God—the LORD, the God of their ancestors— even if they are not clean according to the rules of the sanctuary.”

(2 Chronicles 30:18-19 NIV)

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Chronicles 30:18-20 records a time when “most of the many people”, from non-Jewish families, “had not purified themselves”, and a strict literal enforcement of the rituals and rules of worship would have barred many from entering the sanctuary to worship God. But King Hezekiah prayed: “May the LORD, who is good, pardon everyone who sets their heart on seeking God … even if they are not clean according to the rules of the sanctuary.”

Rituals and rules or traditions of worship are important because they help us draw near to God. They remind us that true worship inspires gratitude and humility, thanksgiving and confession, quietness and trust. True worship rekindles love for God and neighbour. But the Bible warns pastors and priests (and bishops!) against enforcing those very good rituals in such a way that they hinder rather than help people draw near to God. Hezekiah’s prayer in the Old Testament reminds us that God welcomes all people into his holy presence. It teaches us that divine rituals should never become human rules which hinder us from finding God. The New Testament records our Lord Jesus warning the devout Pharisees of the same thing (Mark 2:23-27). The Pharisees were zealous in enforcing certain rituals and rules which dictated how people should observe the Sabbath day in honour of God. Jesus teaches them, and us, that “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath” (Mark 2:27). God instituted the weekly ritual of a Sabbath day, not to bless himself, but to be a blessing for human beings. Or, to borrow St Augustine’s famous phrase, to help restless human beings find their rest in God. The celebration of Holy Week culminating in Good Friday and Resurrection Sunday is an annual ritual which churches worldwide observe. May this wonderful ritual remind all of, rather than restrict any from, the loving goodness of God. May our rituals and rules help, and not hinder.

METHODIST MESSAGE March 2022

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Events ¢ Coming Up

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METHODIST MESSAGE March 2022

News ¢

Remember what Jesus gave up for us Just one minute a day!

Join our pastors and church leaders in prayer this Lent as we reflect, repent and thank the Lord for what he has done for us.

O

ur Lent prayers began in 2021 as a united effort by all three Annual Conferences–CAC, ETAC and TRAC–to remember this season as one community of Methodists. Pastors and lay leaders from 40 out of our 46 churches each contributed a prayer which was translated to Mandarin and Tamil, and sent out on our MCS

WhatsApp Broadcast Channel daily at 10am and posted on MCS social media (@Methodist.SG). These prayers were so well-shared that we had almost 400 new subscribers to our WhatsApp channel.

As we approach Lent again in 2022, we encourage you to pause and reflect. Remember what Jesus gave up for us. For 40 days (excluding Sundays) from Ash Wednesday (2 March 2022) to Holy Saturday (16 April 2022), take a minute daily to remember His sacrifice.

Join us as we unite together in repentance, thanksgiving and praise.

This Lent, remember Jesus. Join us in prayer.

Our Lent daily broadcast is now available on both WhatsApp and Telegram.

To subscribe to

MCS Telegram Channel Download the Telegram app, visit @methodistsg and click on Join.

Alternatively, visit this link: https://t.me/methodistsg

To subscribe to

MCS WhatsApp Broadcast Sign up for the MCS WhatsApp Prayer Broadcast by saving +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.

METHODIST MESSAGE March 2022

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Church Life ¢ CAC Highlights By the Chinese Annual Conference (CAC) Communications Team / Photos courtesy of CAC

Servants of our heavenly father I

n 2021, CAC welcomed 5 new Members-on-Trial (MOTs), celebrated the ordination of 6 pastors and witnessed the retirement of 2 pastors. We had them share some moments in their personal journey.

Wherever you have been called to serve, be it in the church or marketplace, in a pastoral role or otherwise, we hope that their simple sharing can serve as bite-size insights and be an encouragement to you!

Pr Joseph Chen | 2021 MOT “I received my initial calling around the age of 17. Through a time of seeking the Lord, multiple experiences, and serving in Toa Payoh Chinese Methodist Church as a Lay Ministry Staff, I affirmed my calling from God.”

Pr Teh You Siong | 2021 MOT “A Stephen Tong gospel rally sparked the idea of full-time service to the Lord. The thought never left my mind as I continued serving in church in the few years that followed. With the support of my wife, I eventually took the step towards full-time ministry during a church gospel rally.”

Pr Gareth Yeo | 2021 MOT “Through past ministry involvements, I see a greater need in the Chinese-speaking churches of the Methodist body in Singapore. I believe that I have been divinely placed by God to be in a Chinese church and to serve a Chinese-speaking congregation.”

Pr Michael Lee | 2021 MOT “I received God’s calling to enter pastoral ministry when I was a youth. Despite being fearful and reluctant, God did not give up on me. Through years of preparation and equipping, God enabled me to obey Him and to learn to trust Him in the journey of discipleship.”

Rev Shawn Koh | 2021 Deacon Ordinand Pr Sharon Lee | 2021 MOT “I grew up in a Christian family.

Since receiving confirmation at 15 years old, I have had the opportunity to serve in different church ministries. The many years of serving in church grew and spurred me on spiritually.

After leaving my HR profession in 2002, I enrolled into Trinity Theological College and began my journey to full-time ministry.”

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METHODIST MESSAGE March 2022

“In these 2 years of pastoral ministry, I realised that in order to effectively feed the flock, a shepherd must have a relationship with the flock. A sheep will only eat from your hand if the sheep recognises you.

So, in these 2 years, I have spent a lot of time caring for all the people that are entrusted to me.”

Rev Timothy Ang | 2021 Deacon Ordinand “I first sensed the calling during a church mission trip in the year 2000. It has been an experience of grace upon grace as our Heavenly Father led me each step of the way, assuring me inwardly, and blessing me with godly mentors and fellow sojourners along the way.”

Rev Jasper Ngoh | 2021 Elder Ordinand “The biggest lesson that I’ve learnt and must continue to work on is the importance of humility.

I see humility being modelled through my fellow bond servants of Jesus Christ, who have served genuinely, and out of their humility very effectively build up the body of Christ. It also humbles me to observe God’s mysterious ways of building up His own body through unexpected persons and unexpected means.”

Rev Glenn Tan | 2021 Elder Ordinand

Rev Ong Bee Keow | 2021

“One of the most important lessons I’ve learnt and am still learning in my ministry journey is that people are invaluable.

To me, the people that God has brought alongside us in the journey of ministry are often forgotten means of grace. I think that without them, ministry would be impossible.”

Deacon Ordinand “Like the psalmist said: ‘I lift up my eyes to the hills, where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.’

Indeed, I thank God that He kept me focused on His Word. Through meditation and reflection, I am brought closer to God.”

Rev Jacqueline Ho | 2021 Elder Ordinand “In my past few years of serving, the most unforgettable moments were that of witnessing God’s children being built up, receiving Jesus’ love, returning to Him and becoming devoted disciples of Christ.”

Rev Poh Heow Lee | 2021 Retired Pastor “There are times when I just don’t understand why certain things or events had to occur. One thing I’ve learned and found true all the time is that one day––could be a month, a year, or even longer––the reason for what had happened will be revealed or discovered, and I will find that God’s wisdom and love will be evident.”

Rev Louis Chai | 2021 Retired Pastor “Our Lord Jesus is worthy of our whole life. I encourage you to serve Him passionately, be it in full-time ministry or in the marketplace.

Even after my stroke in 2013 that changed all my plans, God has been faithful. Today, I’m officially retired. Nonetheless, I’ll follow in the footsteps of my retired pastors and continue to do my part to accomplish the great commission—making disciples of all the nations.”

As we acknowledge the faith and courage it takes each individual to obey and to persevere in serving God, we continue to see how the Lord can and does call His workers from different backgrounds and at varying life stages. He also places unique ministry burdens in each of His children’s hearts, and affirms us of His calling for us through life’s circumstances, the people placed in our lives, and the work of the Holy Spirit.

We invite you to pray not just for all pastors and their family, but also for yourself. We are all servants of our Heavenly Father.

What may God’s special call for you be?

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News ¢ Rev Ling Kin Yew is a pastor at Cairnhill Methodist Church. Additional reporting by Alvin Tay, Managing Editor of the Methodist Message. | Photos courtesy of Novena Novum, Covenant Community Methodist Church and Gerald Kong.

WEEK OF PRAYER FOR CHRISTIAN UNITY

We saw His star in the East, and came to Worship Him

S

ince 1908, Christians from different denominations globally have gathered in their respective countries annually to pray for the unity of the Church. The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity (WPCU), as it is called, is usually celebrated from 18 to 25 January.

This year’s materials for the prayer services were prepared by the Middle East Council of Churches. The selection of scripture and liturgical texts was inspired by the visit of the Magi to the new-born King, as described in Matthew 2:1-12, particularly verse 2: “We saw his star in the East, and have come to worship him.”

More than ever, in these difficult times, we need a light that shines in the darkness and that light , Christians proclaim, has been manifested in Jesus Christ . In Singapore, the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity was observed at the following five venues:

•

19 Jan (Wed) / 8p.m.—Covenant Community Methodist Church

•

20 Jan (Thu) / 8p.m.—Church of St. Alphonsus (Novena Church)

•

21 Jan (Fri) / 8p.m.—St. John’s-St. Margaret’s Church

•

24 Jan (Mon) / 8p.m.—The Salvation Army Singapore Central Corps

•

25 Jan (Tue) / 8p.m.—Lutheran Church of Our Redeemer

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METHODIST MESSAGE March 2022

Our pastors who participated in the services share with us their reflections and highlight the significance of the rituals conducted.

Pastor Mei Ming and I joined in the WPCU prayer In Singapore, the first prayer service for 2022 was

service at Lutheran Church of Our Redeemer on 25

held at Covenant Community Methodist Church

January. The service was inspired by the Magi’s visit

with representatives from different denominations

to the new-born Christ. We were led by stars stuck to

leading various sections and Bishop Dr Gordon Wong

the floor from the entrance right up to the sanctuary.

preaching from Matthew 2:1-12. Just as how the

And on the right side of the chancel, a large lighted

Magi together worshipped Jesus, may we, the body

star was mounted on a dark blue cloth symbolising

of Christ, despite difficulties and differences, unite

the Star that led the Magi to the stable in Bethlehem.

together in worshipping the King of Kings.

There were representatives from the Roman Catholic Church, The Salvation Army and Trinity Theological

Rev Ling Kin Yew

College. We used worship resources prepared by the Middle East Council of Churches. Most Eastern Orthodox, Protestant and Roman Catholic churches in the region are members of the council. The Nicene Creed we recited was the form used in Orthodox

I first participated in the WPCU in 2020 when I was assigned to plan and organise one of the services that year. I found the experience to be meaningful because it was a practical expression of doing Jesus’ will and praying with him for the oneness of believers in John 17, and I am glad to continue to be part of it. The unity of Christ’s Church is crucial, if not necessary, for true and effective witness to the gospel (John 17:20 -23), and is the demonstration of its power of breaking down walls among humankind and bringing peace (Ephesians 2:13-22).

churches as a gesture of goodwill. During the service, we were invited to add paper stars to the blue cloth under the lighted Star. This signified our commitment to share Christ’s light. A star led the Magi to Christ.

Today this star points to the presence of Christ, who has been revealed to us and shines on us. As the Magi followed the star to Bethlehem, we gather under this star today, adding our own stars to the sky, uniting our gifts and prayers for the visible unity of the Church. As we journey towards that goal, may our lives together give a luminous witness that leads

Rev Poh Zhihui

others to know Christ.

Rev Ivan Tan

At least once a year, I am reminded, by the observance of WPCU, of Jesus’ prayer for His disciples that “they may be one so that the world may believe” (John 17:21). This year, I was glad to be meeting up again

Every year, I look forward to this

with ‘old’ friends; I also looked forward to meeting ‘new’ friends. My

sacred hour where I am inspired

heart is touched when Christians come together to pray for our unity.

and enriched by our siblings

Still, I wonder whether more could join us? Doing so doesn’t negate

from the traditions of the various

the fact that there are real-time significant differences in theological

Christian denominations. When

understandings between the various ‘streams’ of Christendom. But this

we are one, then the world will

always reminds me to consider more deeply what German theologian,

believe that God did send his son.

Rupertus Meldenius, iterated, “In Essentials Unity, In Non-Essentials

Let’s seek to build the kingdom

Liberty, In All Things Charity.” For me, it is also praying forward with a

and kin-dom (kinship) of God and

wistful smile as I see the day when all who are truly followers of Jesus

not our own religious empire.

Christ will gather as one, united once and for all in spirit and in truth before Him. Even so, come Lord Jesus!

Rev Chan Mei Ming

Rev Gabriel Liew

METHODIST MESSAGE March 2022

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2022 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 Gavin Kinch 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 Christopher Hayward 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 ¢ By the Methodist Preschool Services Pte Ltd (MPSPL) / Photos courtesy of MPSPL

GIVE YOUR CHILD a distinctive Methodist Preschool education

BeeBot coding robot

P

Space Buds programme

Luka AI reading robot

arents in Singapore are spoilt for choice when

joyfully and confidently, our dedicated team of educators

deciding the preschool to send their children to

are well-trained to adopt age-appropriate play-based,

for that very first taste of formal education at a

inquiry-based and project-based teaching approaches

tender age of three! There’s no lack of research pointing

to nurture every child with future-ready mindsets of an

to the importance of early childhood education, both

Explorer, an Innovator and an Entrepreneur.

formal and informal, on a child’s development during guided by God’s word in Proverbs 22:6 to “Train up a

Nurturing explorers, innovators, and entrepreneurs

child in the way he should go; even when he is old he

In addition to ensuring comprehensive coverage of the

will not depart from it.”

six learning domains in MOE’s Nurturing Early Learners

those critical formation years. As Christians, we are

(NEL) curriculum our curriculum features several niches

The bedrock of education

to support our commitment to nurture every child to

Methodist Preschool education provided by our group of

be a person of Good Character, who is an Explorer, an

five preschools is undergirded by character development

Innovator and an Entrepreneur. These include:

based on Christian values. In line with John Wesley’s belief that “the heart of education is the education of

Signature K2 Space Buds Programme

the heart”, character development is an integral part of

Developed in collaboration with Singapore Space Faculty,

our curriculum.

Asia’s first end-to-end space education specialist owned

by Singapore Space & Technology Ltd, Space Buds is a

Our unique character development programme focuses on

S.T.E.M-based programme specially designed to introduce

our core values of Love, Respect, Courage, Thanksgiving

our K2 cohort to all things space through age-appropriate

and Passion for Learning. Upon this bedrock of Good

hands-on activities and fun lessons. Children will even

Character as a critical foundation of holistic development,

get to sample space ice-cream to get a taste of dessert

we design a well-rounded curriculum that encompasses

in space! A definite highlight of the programme is the

intellectual, emotional, physical, social development.

prized opportunity to meet with an astronaut (virtually)

Within a caring and nurturing learning environment

which will certainly go a long way to fuel children’s

where every child feels loved, valued and secure to learn

passion and curiosity to explore and learn.

METHODIST MESSAGE March 2022

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Enriching Applied Learning Programme (ALP) Offered as part of our 6-hour programme, ALP aims to foster creative and critical thinking and practise the skills necessary to excel in project-based environments through

the

Technology,

application Engineering,

of Arts

S.T.E.A .M and

(Science,

Mathematics)

Every Child a person of Good Character who is an Explorer, an Innovator and an Entrepreneur.

education. Modules featured at Methodist Preschool’s ALP include:

ct io n ) hi n in g (Co n st ru rn a Le to ut e pl an s w it ys e K la te an d exec cu ti ar , an pl e to to an al ys e th H on es ab ili ty le ar ni ng ra m m e w hi le s. a gu id ed prog he r bl oc k pa rt re la ti on to ot in s ct je ob of st ru ct ure

SPECIAL 2022 PROMOTION FOR METHODIST CHURCH MEMBERS All children of Methodist Church members will enjoy S$250 savings on the initial term’s school fees and receive 2 complimentary sets

M in e cra ft Ed u ca ti o n Ed it io n

D evel op s cr ea ti vi ty, si m pl e co m pu ta ti on al an d prob le m -s ol vi ng sk ill s, as wel l as ST EM -rel at ed co ncep ts , nu m erac y an d lit erac y w hi le co m pl et in g fu n- fi lle d ac ti vi ti es in th e di gi ta l M in ec ra ft Ed ucat io n wor ld .

of school uniform upon successful enrolment by 31 December 2022.

Check promotion details today on our website : www.methodistpreschools.org/ methodist-promotion or scan the QR code:

VISIT OUR FIVE METHODIST PRESCHOOLS TODAY! www.methodistpreschools.org enquiry@methodistpreschools.org @methodistpreschools St raw be es

at io n, prom ot es In sp ire s im ag in di na tio n ha nd -eye co or m ot or & an d trai ns fin e sk ill s th ro ug h prob le m -s ol vi ng st ru ct ures . co ns tr uc tin g 3D 10

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METHODIST MESSAGE March 2022

•

Bedok Methodist Preschool

•

Faith Methodist Preschool

•

Foochow Methodist Preschool

•

Sengkang Methodist Preschool

•

Toa Payoh Methodist Preschool

Website Email Us

8723 2163

@methodistpreschools

Distinctive METHODIST Education

Pre-Nursery, Nursery & Kindergarten 4hr & 6hr classes

Methodist Church Members enjoy SPECIAL PROMOTION! ~ Holistic Curriculum with Christian Character Development ~ S.T.E.A.M-embedded Applied Learning Programme ~ Education-Technology-enhanced Pedagogy

~ Proprietary Methodist School of Music Programme ~ Play- , Inquiry- and Project-Based Approach ~ Signature K2 Space Buds Programme Every child a person of Good Character who is an Explorer, an Innovator and an Entrepreneur

Reach Out ¢ Missions Prof Dennis Lee serves as Area Director in Methodist Missions Society (MMS). He is a Visiting Professor with Copenhagen Business School (CBS), a Fellow with Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS), and an alumnus of Regent College. He worships at Kum Yan Methodist Church.

Lent and missions

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METHODIST MESSAGE March 2022

1

Rick Watts, “The ‘True’ Meaning of Lent”, Regent Chapel talk 4501H

2

https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/essay/the-mission-of-the-church

Lesslie Newbigin, The Open Secret: An Introduction to the Theology of Mission (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1994), 17.

3

P. T. O’Brien, Gospel and Mission in the Writings of Paul: An Exegetical and Theological Analysis (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 1995, 43).

4

Feature ¢ Alvin Tay is the Managing Editor of the Methodist Message and worships at Wesley Methodist Church. / Photos courtesy of Alvin Tay

Putting

LENT into practice G

ood Friday and Easter used to be nothing more than a guaranteed long weekend that I looked forward to every year—for three

straight days, no school or no work. When I was baptised in 1988, however, I began to understand the significance of Good Friday, Easter and Christmas; together they brought to life the first Bible verse that I managed to memorise as a young man from John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

But Lent? I didn’t know much about it back then. I later found out, that Lenten rituals had nothing to do with lanterns, as I had thought. Anyway, being a busy young executive climbing the corporate ladder then, I struggled to observe anything outside work that lasted as long as 40 days.

Tracing Jesus’ final week on earth When I started attending Bible Study courses from 2011, I began to attend Holy Week Services. Holy Week marks Jesus’ final week on earth as he walks in obedience to the Cross to fulfil his Father’s salvation plan for us. It starts from Palm Sunday where we recall our Lord Jesus riding triumphantly into Jerusalem on a donkey, to Maundy Thursday where he washed his disciples’ feet, and finally his crucifixion on Good Friday and resurrection on Easter Sunday.

I will always remember Jesus’ sacrifice on the Cross which is the basis for the forgiveness of my sins; a massive debt that I will never be able to repay. I will also remember his humility in making his grand entry into Jerusalem on a donkey as well as his posture of servanthood in washing the feet of his disciples. These are traits that I try to emulate in my final years before retirement, and now that I am serving in church.

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METHODIST MESSAGE March 2022

Alvin Tay at the DISCIPLE 30th Anniversary book launch

The rituals of Lent drew me closer to God

3Rs: Remember, repent, respond

As I grew older in the faith, I was finally drawn to

Over time, I realise that while the ritual during Lent is

observe Lent, which stretches over 40 days from Ash

helpful, it is my personal response to God’s salvation plan

Wednesday to Holy Saturday; 46 days if you include

and Christ’s sacrifice on the cross that matters. I am to

the six Sundays during this period. This year, Lent

remember, repent and respond.

starts on 2 March (Ash Wednesday) and ends on 16 April (Holy Saturday). Easter Sunday falls on 17 April.

I will remember the suffering and sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross, as well as his obedience to his

Lent, as I found out, is a time of repentance, fasting

Father. In a spirit of penitence, I will seek to repent

and preparation for the coming of Easter. In the early

of my sins. And I will respond to Christ’s sacrifice by

church, Lent began as a period of fasting and preparation

choosing to give up something or give of myself in

for baptism by new converts and then became a time

serving the Least, the Last and the Lost.

of penance for all Christians. Come to think of it, I was baptised during the Season of Lent in 1988.

This Lent, I will ask myself three questions:

I remember attending my first Ash Wednesday Service

1. What is the one thing I will remember Jesus for?

some five years ago, during which the pastor marked a

His Obedience: I will remember Jesus for his obedience

cross of ash on my forehead. I learnt that this signifies my

to his father. I will reflect on my own obedience to

mortality and penance for my sins. I didn’t erase the ash

God; how I may be more of a doer of God’s Word than

cross until I reached home.

My wife and I also followed the church practice of fasting once a week , not during Lent but in the 40 days of Prayer and Fasting leading up to National Day. We fasted after dinner every Tuesday to after

a hearer. It helps that my church’s Bible Reading Drive has always focussed on one Gospel during Lent. This Lent, we will be reading the Book of Matthew, and I will be joining a band of brothers in weekly devotions.

It will be a good opportunity for me to gauge how far

the Prayer Service on Wednesday evening. It helped

I have come as a disciple of Jesus. Or shall I say, “How

that I am not quite the foodie. Even then, I remember

far more I need to go to be a good disciple of Jesus?”

on one occasion while I was fasting, I received a text from a friend showing a photo of a sumptuous dinner

2. What is the one thing that I will seek to repent

he was having with his family. This friend didn’t know

from?

I was fasting. I suddenly felt a wave of hunger pangs.

My Impatience: Patience is listed among the character

Thankfully, I was fasting together with my fellow

traits in the Fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23,

companions in Christ. And someone texted this verse

NRSV). I had unwittingly inculcated a bad habit of

to me: “Man shall not live on bread alone, but on

impatience while working as a reporter and then

every word that comes from the mouth of God.” At that moment, I overcame the temptation.

I’ve found that fasting together with fellow brothers and sisters in Christ is helpful. We encourage one another. I also find it easier to fast if I combine it with prayer and meditation of scripture. Together, these

editor of a daily newspaper before my retirement. It was a fast-paced work environment where deadlines were often expressed in terms of hours, and not days or weeks. But just as God has been gracious and very patient with me, I will now need to slow down, be more patient, and also more accepting of others.

disciplines help me to focus on God. 3. What is my one response to Jesus’ sacrifice on the Cross?

Love God and Neighbour: This year, my wife and I have decided to spend more time building spiritual relationships with my fellow companions in Christ, especially prebelievers whom God has placed in our paths.

To God be the glory!

“Prayer, meditation on Scripture and fasting help me to focus on God,” writes Alvin Tay. METHODIST MESSAGE March 2022

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THINK ¢ Views

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METHODIST MESSAGE March 2022

METHODIST MESSAGE March 2022

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The MCS Communications department is looking for a

DIGITAL MEDIA STRATEGIST 

Do you love connecting with people, have lots of creative ideas, and want to help to tell stories of Methodists and Christians in Singapore?



Can you plan and create digital content for a wide audience?



Are you able to help Methodist Message go digital?



Can you create videos and podcasts?



Are you familiar with Search Engine Optimisation (SEO)?

Check out details for this job opportunity at https://tinyurl.com/dmsatmcs or scan the QR code >>

ABOUT MCS The Methodist Church in Singapore (MCS) is a connectional church comprising the General Conference, three Annual Conferences, local churches, and various agencies and organisations. The General Conference (GC) is the highest body of the MCS, responsible for legislation, policy, and the overseeing of its various agencies, including the programme agencies responsible for education, missions, and welfare services .

www.methodist.org.sg

People ¢ Jackie Teo is a member of Wesley Methodist Church. Additional information by Lianne Ong. This article was first published in Wesley TIDINGS (January 2022) and is reproduced with permission from Wesley Methodist Church.

Keep calm

and carry on serving others A life gifted to serve “To serve others is to share Christ’s love,” shared Henry Chan. His active and lively enthusiasm to serve the lonely, poor and elderly in Wesley Methodist Church belies his age.

Henry, who turned 88 in February this year, and his wife, Mary, who is 70, continue to work tirelessly for the Lord even in their twilight years.

A life inspired by Paul Henry and Mary have been serving with the Wesley Committee of Christian Outreach and Social Concerns (COSC) since 2004. Initially, they helped out at Wesley Bethany Home, reaching out to no less than 30 beneficiaries for five years.

Henry is particularly inspired by the apostle Paul. “I admire Paul for Henry and Mary celebrating her 70Th birthday

his transformation, sacrifice, love for God and people, humility and the reach of his evangelism. In all my voluntary work, I want to show Christ’s love to the people we serve and share the gospel.”

The Chans’ younger days As a former Boys’ Brigade boy, he attended Prinsep Street Presbyterian Church and heard the gospel there. A Colombo Plan scholarship led him to Adelaide for his engineering studies. “As a student, I was an active member in the Students Christian movement, organising meetings and campfires,” recalled Henry.

He went on to have an illustrious and lucrative career prefabricating houses in Sydney and for mining towns in central Australia. Henry had successfully built up a business that spanned Australia and Singapore.

Henry was also appointed an Honorary Representative

of

the

trade

and

development authority in the Northern Territories, Australia, to advise businessmen from Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia who were interested in buying Australian goods

and

investing

in

the

Northern

Territories for 8 years.

Mary (back, 5th from right) with Henry (front, 3rd from right) and (front, middle) at a DISCIPLE class

Rev Philip Lim METHODIST MESSAGE March 2022

| 19

Keep calm and carry on serving others

Henry and Mary (extreme right, standing) at the Wheels D’Way outing in Changi Airport Terminal 4 in April 2018

Meanwhile, Mary, who was based in Kuala Lumpur, was

But God was working behind the scenes and a friend

working hard to build her own career.

invited Henry and Mary to a beautiful church located at Fort Canning.

“I come from a large, close-knit family in Kuala Lumpur. I worked for a company that provided company secretarial

In 2003, Mary and Henry joined the Baptism and

services. When my boss died in 1985, I took over the

Membership class (BMC) at Wesley Methodist Church. The

business,” said Mary, who was just 34 years old then.

BMC ministry encouraged the newly-minted members to join the Befrienders’ Outreach Programme (BOP).

In 1991, she met Henry through a mutual friend. Henry

The Chans readily agreed. And so began their amazing

made many trips to KL as he had an office there, and

journey to serve the Lord in 2004.

their relationship grew.

But in the same year, a massive flood destroyed her business. “The whole office was flooded up to its roof and the business was irrecoverable.”

It was literally a storm in Mary’s life. “But I accepted it as a silver lining in my life as God’s will and purpose for me to move to Singapore and find a job.”

Henry and Mary (front row, extreme left)

Henry and Mary eventually married in 1995 and have resided in Singapore since. “I was 41, and Henry was

Ministry journey

already a retiree by the time we married,” Mary said.

As volunteers with BOP, they visited Bethany Hall, a home for the elderly, monthly. They mingled with the

Coming back to the Lord

residents and helped to serve meals.

Amid his heady days of setting up and growing his business, Henry back-slid from his Christian faith.

In addition, when COSC was looking for volunteers to serve at the MWS Wesley Senior Activity Centre in Jalan

The busy-ness and success of his businesses got to Henry.

Berseh to distribute food to residents on a monthly basis,

“I fell by the wayside and stopped going to church.”

the Chans availed themselves.

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METHODIST MESSAGE March 2022

Wherever

there

were

activities

organised

by

the

community centre and COSC was involved, the Chans Henry and Mary (both in purple) with Uncle Tong on Henry’s right

would be there. “We helped to pick up and accompany one or more residents. We were happy to do whatever we could to lend a hand.”

Then the Prison Ministry came calling. It needed volunteers to have regular meetings and Bible study with men who had been released from prison. Once again, the Chans readily responded.

The side effects of each round of treatment were terrible The Chans are also active members of Wesley Glowing

and Mary suffered tremendously. “The effects started for

Years Ministry (GYM). Besides organising trips for the

one week, subsided somewhat the following week, and

seniors to local places of interest, Henry also organised

then the cycle began all over again for the next round of

trips to Kota Kinabalu in Sabah and other places in

chemotherapy.”

Malaysia, with visits to local churches, old folks’ homes and sightseeing. They helped out in a missions trip to

But God is good and He provides. “A kind Indian Muslim

Guangzhou, China.

neighbour sent her helper with food to our house every afternoon. Three Wesleyans visited us separately and

They also assisted in Happy Hour, a seniors’ fellowship

gave us prayer support.”

for both Wesley Methodist Church members and nonmembers, as well as trips for wheelchair-bound Wesleyans.

“Once I was in hospital the whole day for diagnosis but I felt a great peace. When I went home, Psalm 121 came

One of the beneficiaries of the Chans’ acts of kindness

to my mind and these words stayed with me: ‘The Lord

is Uncle Ang Kok Tong, a former teacher, who had

will keep you from all harm–he will watch over your life;

a stroke and lives alone in Jalan Berseh. The Chans

the Lord will watch over your coming and going both

befriended him through COSC . They would pick him up

now and forevermore.’”

regularly for a meal or a movie before Covid-19 struck .

Uncle Tong has difficulty walking on his own, but this

Mary has since been cancer-free

did not faze them.

Instead of accepting his doctor’s prescription of rest for the full eight months, Henry sought a second opinion from

The ministry of Henry and Mary has no doubt reflected the

another neurologist. A CT scan convinced the specialist

plethora of ways and means to be God’s hands and feet.

that it was time Henry resumed an active life. He did.

The trials, tests and trouble

Faith over fear, compassion over challenges

In October 2011, Henry suffered a fall and doctors later

Today, Henry and Mary continue to live a life of faith over

found that his brain was half clotted with blood.

fear, of compassion over challenges.

After his discharge from the hospital, Henry was

The ability to serve together for many years means a

bedridden for most of the time for eight months on

lot to Henry and Mary. They are grateful to God for each

doctor’s orders and he had medical check-ups every

other and giving them time, means and grace to serve.

fortnight. Mary was Henry’s sole caregiver. But, less than six months later, in March 2012, Mary herself was

“Though Henry’s knees are weak, we continue to serve,”

diagnosed with cancer.

declared Mary.

“It was the darkest hour of our lives,” said Mary. “Nothing

“It is our joy to see the joy we bring to people we serve.

could have prepared us for it.”

Their joy is a gift to us.”

METHODIST MESSAGE March 2022

| 21

Reach Out ¢ Welfare Services By the Methodist Welfare Services (MWS) Communications Team / Photos and visuals courtesy of MWS

Unwavering in her walk with those in need

W

hen 72-year-old Fanny Chiang emigrated from Hong Kong to Singapore 30 years ago, she was determined to live out her family’s firm belief that they are blessed to

be a blessing. Despite the challenges that came with settling down in a foreign land, Fanny stepped up as a volunteer befriender with MWS Christalite Methodist Home (CMH) in 1997, a home for the destitute, operated by Methodist Welfare Services (MWS).

“Before the pandemic, whenever I visited the seniors, they called me Jie Jie and were so happy to welcome all the volunteers,” Fanny recalls fondly. Together with a group of Christian volunteers, Fanny would visit the seniors once a month. From enthusiastic performances and fun games to heart-to-heart chats, they constantly found new ways to bring cheer to destitute seniors.

Fanny and family in Hong Kong

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1800-777-2422 “Serving families for a decade and more...”

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Amazing Grace has prepared these few measures to allow families to have a meaningful and dignified farewell for their loved ones: A. Online Ticketing

Complimentary online ticketing system to allow visitors to reserve a visiting time slot and plan their visits, allowing families to keep within the regulated maximum number of persons at any one time with minimal coordination.

B. Online Memorial

allows friends to find updated information and offer their sympathies to bereaved families

C. Live Streaming

this option is available to enable friends and families to participate in the wake/vigil and funeral services online

D. Donations

families may appoint a PayNow account of a family member to receive donations. This will be posted on the online memorial.

Christian Funeral Packages • International Repatriation • Pre-Planning Seminars

“Although I didn’t expect anything in return for volunteering , truthfully, I have received so much joy and have been so blessed by the seniors,” Fanny confesses. Unknown to Fanny back then, her faithfulness would have a ripple effect on people beyond MWS CMH.

A ripple effect when stepping out in faith Fanny an d

In 2016, Fanny’s neighbour approached her one day with a $5000

Mary*

cheque for Christ Methodist Church’s rebuilding fund. Surprised, Fanny asked this neighbour what prompted the kind gesture.

Will you heed God’s call, in faith and “Mary*, a resident you befriended at MWS Christalite Methodist

courage, just as Peter did in Matthew

Home, is my aunt. I am so grateful to the church volunteers for

14:22-29 by stepping out of the boat? Many

visiting her regularly and being her family. This is my token of

in our community need your acts of love.

appreciation to the church and God,” shared Fanny’s neighbour.

Through Fanny and her church mates’ acts of love, the neighbour and her family saw the love of God. Encouraged that her service

This Lent, place your trust in an omnipotent

and 24-HR HOTLINES

brought glory to God, Fanny has been serving people in need without ceasing over the years.

PAUL & DANIEL

all-providing God. Let us remember the

many who are in the same storm and are

+65 8321 3355 TOLL-FREE

crying out for help. You can be The Giving

1800-777-2422

Methodist in three ways: Step out of the boat – Join The Giving Methodist www.AmazingGraceFunerals.com “Serving for its a decade and more...”

Volunteering is notfamilies without challenges, particularly in the last

O nly one life, a few brief years,

two years living in the Covid-19 pandemic. Is fear keeping you from giving?

Each with its burdens, hopes, and fears; Each with its days, I must fulfill, living for self or in His will; Only one life, ‘twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

- C.T. Studd

Give Time Volunteer from March onwards with a church outreach ministry, or at an MWS Centre, to provide vital support to those in need.

Give A Donation Donate generously from now till end December 2022 and empower over 8,000 beneficiaries under MWS’ care.

O nly one life, a few brief years,

Give Voice Share about The Giving Methodist

Each with its burdens, hopes, and fears; campaign with your friends and Each with its days, I must fulfill, families, as well as on social media. living for self or in His will; Only one life, ‘twill soon be past, To sign up or find out more about Only what’s done for Christ will last.

“Take courage! It is Don’t be afraid.”

Matthew 14:27(b)

*not her real name

the campaign, visit - C.T. Studd https://thegivingmethodist.sg I. or scan the QR code >>> Do email tgm@mws.sg if you have any questions.

METHODIST MESSAGE March 2022

| 23

Relationships ¢ 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.

The Great Realisation

A

Sunday Times article on 30 January 2022 covered

As human beings, we crave for some certainty. More

a trend dubbed “The Great Resignation” (also

importantly, we want to feel we have some control over

known as “Lying Flat”) sweeping some countries.

our lives. In counselling, we use the term “agency” to

It noted that Singapore’s manpower data do not indicate

speak of this sense of control.

that this phenomenon has hit our shores—yet.

When we lack agency, some may feel despair. For “The Great Resignation” involves waves of employees

instance, we may feel we have little control over our

—primarily professionals, executives and even skilled

studies or careers—that no matter how hard we study

workers—quitting their jobs without plans for the next.

or work , success is elusive. Or some may have little

Many have reported that their decision was prompted by

agency over their personal safety, such as those living

feeling extremely fatigued and “burnt out”. Some do not

in fear of their violent partners. They may feel totally

make a conscious decision to quit; I heard a BBC World

helpless or trapped, and see no way of escape.

Service interview with someone who simply stayed in bed one morning instead of getting up and going to work.

Of course, no-one has full control over every aspect of our

That day was followed by more days, soon becoming

lives. We cannot control the weather and its impact on

weeks. For many who quit, there is a pervasive feeling

our social plans. Neither can we control our friends and

of being depressed, having nothing to look forward to

loved ones and how they respond to us. Those who try to

and resignation to whatever comes their way.

control others’ behaviour and emotions can feel frustrated as well as cause others to be frustrated with them.

I want to turn our attention to another kind of resignation —a response to entering the third year of the Covid-19

Knowing what we can and cannot control legitimately

pandemic, not seeing an end to it, and coming to grips

and appropriately is an important ingredient to getting

with the awareness that it may stretch indefinitely. I

along with people. Learning to live with events that

call it the Great Realisation.

we cannot reasonably control also helps us not to be burdened by excessive fears and worries. The Covid-19 pandemic has brought the realisation that we are not in full control over our lives—over how we work and play, or even how we worship.

But what if your wants are reasonable, when it is not about taking your usual overseas holiday but about being treated with respect and you are denied it? Or when you are saddled with caring for frail and needy family members but feel overwhelmed? When personal agency is unavailable or inadequate, there is an entire helping

community,

including

social

workers

and

counsellors, who can render support and assistance to those who feel alone and at their wits’ end.

Finally, as believers, we can and should tap upon the source of all help. As the hymn “What A Friend We Have In Jesus” reminds us, we have Someone to whom we can turn for “all our sins and griefs to bear”. This then is the realisation that we are not helplessly alone.

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METHODIST MESSAGE March 2022

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.

Hosanna T

he author of this hymn, Jeanette Threlfall (1821-1880) was orphaned at a young age. An accident in her later life led to a leg amputation and another soon after left her a helpless invalid. Even so, she was

eulogised after her death on 30 November 1880 as someone who brimmed with positivity to the end, having “a flow of gratitude for any act of kindness, however slight”, full of “eager hope”, and “a large heart… whose purse was ever open, unasked, to every good work of which she heard…”.

By occupation a Sunday school teacher, she also wrote poems and hymns. Among her hymns, “Hosanna, Loud Hosanna” stood out, and is still widely-used today.

This hymn is commonly sung on “Palm-Passion Sunday” at the beginning of the liturgy re-enacting the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. The children will process, waving palm leaves as they enter the sanctuary, while the congregation breaks out into the joyful strains of “Hosanna, Loud Hosanna”!

The celebratory mood of this hymn blazes through all three stanzas. The first and second stanzas portray an exuberant crowd, waving and shouting with excitement as they welcome Jesus riding in on the back of a donkey, while the third and last stanza proclaims the reason for it: Christ is our Redeemer and King.

I feel that the hymn misses out, though, on an equally (if not more) important scene of Lent: the crucifixion and death of Jesus. Would another stanza bridging the gap between that triumphant, earthly herald of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem (stanzas 1 and 2) and the ultimate, divine triumph of the Resurrection (stanza 3) make the hymn feel more complete?

In my view, we may fill that void with careful planning and conduct of the liturgy.

In the liturgy, the congregation shifts from its celebrative to a more contemplative spirit, from singing “Hosanna, Loud Hosanna” to a Passion hymn such as “To Mock Your Reign, O Dearest Lord” (The United Methodist Hymnal 285).

“Hosanna, Loud Hosanna” is an uplifting and meaningful hymn in the Palm-

The Methodist School of Music (MSM) equips and edifies both the individual and the church through music and the performing arts.

Find out more at msmusic.edu.sg.

Hosanna, Loud Hosanna (UMH 278) Hosanna, loud hosanna the little children sang; through pillared court and temple the lovely anthem rang.

To Jesus, who had blessed them, close folded to his breast, the children sang their praises, the simplest and the best.

From Olivet they followed mid an exultant crowd, the victory palm branch waving, and chanting clear and loud.

The Lord of earth and heaven rode on in lowly state, nor scorned that little children should on his bidding wait.

“Hosanna in the highest!”

That ancient song we sing, for Christ is our Redeemer, the Lord of heaven, our King.

O may we ever praise him with heart and life and voice, and in his blissful presence eternally rejoice.

Passion Sunday liturgy which can be seen as the musical counterpart to the scripture reading of the Passion narrative (Luke 19:28-40 or Matthew 26:14 – 27:66). As Frances R Havergal, herself the author of some notable hymns, had said, it is indeed “one of the brightest and most graceful hymns for the little ones” ever written.

Words: Jeanette Threlfall, 1873 Bible references: Matthew 21:8-9, Mark 11:8-10; John 12:12-13

METHODIST MESSAGE March 2022

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Opinion ¢ 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).

The Jesus Prayer “Soundings” is a series of essays that, like the waves of a sonogram, explore issues in society, culture and the church in light of the Gospel and Christian understanding.

L

ent is an important season in the liturgical year

among the Protestant Christians, many have still not

because it invites Christians to observe and

heard of it.

commemorate the passion, death and resurrection

of Jesus Christ. It draws us away from our busy schedules

According to scholars, the origins of the Jesus Prayer

and urges us to pause and reflect on our relationship

can be traced to the Christian monasteries in Egypt in

with our Lord and Saviour in whom alone we find the

the fifth century, although some have argued that it is

meaning and purpose of our lives.

much older.

Lent is therefore a time of contemplation and prayer.

The Prayer itself is remarkably simple and brief: ‘Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me’, and is

One of the most enduring forms of prayer that is deeply

said over and over again. It consists of just ten words

rooted in the Christian spiritual tradition is the Jesus

in English, and only seven in Greek or Russian. Yet the

Prayer, which is used widely in the Orthodox Church.

Prayer is complete and profound.

Although this form of prayer is becoming more common

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METHODIST MESSAGE March 2022

The Orthodox theologian, Bishop Kallistos Ware has

And finally, but most importantly, the Jesus Prayer has

helpfully identified four strands or constituent elements

to do with the veneration of the name of the Saviour.

of the Prayer:

“The name of the Son of God”, writes Hermas, the

1

second century author of The Shepherd, “is great and •

The cry for mercy;

•

The discipline of repetition;

•

The quest for stillness (Greek: hesychia)

The Prayer is therefore profoundly Christocentric. In this

•

The veneration of the Holy Name

Prayer, the believer addresses Jesus Christ, the incarnate

incomprehensible, and sustaineth the whole world.” 3

Son of God, the second Person of the Trinity. And in In imploring for mercy, the believer who prays this

doing so, his or her attention is immediately directed to

prayer recognises that he or she is a sinner in need

the Triune God whom the Son has come to reveal.

of God’s grace. This attitude of repentance is patterned after the prayer of the publican recorded in Luke:18:10 -

The Jesus Prayer can be easily incorporated into our

14, “God, have mercy on me, a sinner.”

daily devotions by simply allocating just a few minutes to it. It can also be prayed throughout the day, as a form

The cry for mercy not only signals sorrow for sin, but

of ‘arrow prayer’ (Augustine) as we go about our daily

also the confidence that divine forgiveness will be

routines and attend to our various responsibilities.

granted to the truly repentant soul. As Ware puts it, “It affirms that God’s loving kindness and compassion are

Although the Prayer can be initially recited aloud, it

greater than my brokenness and guilt.”

should gradually be repeated silently—in our minds and

2

in our hearts. The Jesus Prayer is the prayer of the heart Because the Jesus Prayer is repeated many times

par excellence.

(often with the aid of a prayer rope), some Protestant Christians may have reservations about using it. Didn’t

But it must be stressed that the Jesus Prayer is not a

Jesus tell his disciples not to use vain repetitions when

form of Christian meditation, but a prayer.

they pray (Matthew 6:7)?

As Bishop Ware explains, “It is simply not a rhythmic The spiritual writers of the Christian East from John

mantra, designed to enhance concentration, but a

Climacus in the sixth century to Dumitru Staniloae in the

personal invocation addressed specifically to the second

twentieth have addressed this objection. They maintain

person of the Trinity, Jesus Christ … what matters is not

that the Jesus Prayer is not vain repetition if it is prayed

how we pray but to whom.” 4

in the fear of God, and with faith and love.

As we observe Great Lent, may the Jesus Prayer direct The third element of the Prayer is the quest for hesychia

our hearts and minds to the One whose name is above

or stillness.

every name (Philippians 2:9)— Jesus Christ, our Saviour and our Lord!

In the Christian spiritual tradition, stillness or silence is not merely an absence of noise and activity. Silence is an attentiveness that ushers us into the very presence of God. It brings awareness of the only One who is able to still the storms of our lives.

1 Bishop Kallistos Ware, The Jesus Prayer (Catholic Truth Society, 2017), Kindle Location 43.

2

By constantly invoking the name of our Lord, the Jesus Prayer enables the pray-er to push away the clamour and the confusion, and to experience the refreshing Shalom of God.

Ibid., Kindle Location 50.

The Shepherd of Hermas, translated by J.B. Lightfoot, 13[90]5. http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/shepherd-lightfoot.html (accessed 4 December 2021).

3

4

Ibid., Kindle Location 338.

METHODIST MESSAGE March 2022

| 27

Vo l u n t e e r

ssage e M t s i d o h et with the M

okout s on the lo y a lw a u o Are y stor y? for a juicy er cor rect oth ly t n e il s Do you ammar? people’s g r ? an instant in o p y t a ot Can you sp h your hooter wit s p r a h s a Are you e or DSLR? n o h p t r a m s s wing comic a r d r o g n where Is doodli you had no t u b n io s s your pa them? to publish u s e to u r s k il ls to o y g in tt u if y th e C o n s id e r p a n d to e d n w o n k s u s if yo u m a ke Je s C o n ta c t u ! y it n u m co m it te d to t is co m m M e th o d is t a th m a te ad. e p a rt o f a wa n t to b a b e tt e r re e g a s s e M e th o d is t m a k in g M

L e t ’s t a lk !

People ¢ Kwok Wan Yee is a member of Charis Methodist Church and serves as the Education Secretary for the Methodist Church in Singapore. She is married and has two daughters.

What does being a Methodist mean to you?

S

everal things mark my life as a Methodist. The first is the rich and meticulous teaching that I received from my pastors. Indeed, learning God’s word is a life-long endeavour. Any day of the week, in any of our Methodist churches, I am sure we can find courses or classes on any topic, for all ages.

The second is prayer. Everything begins and ends with prayer, whether it is our day, a meal, a meeting, or a season. It is our way of committing and submitting to God.

r family ft) and he nd from le co e (s e Ye Kwok Wan

Third, music is a hallmark of our worship. When the congregation is united in song, there is oneness in spirit with each other and with the Lord.

Many of the hymns and contemporary Christian songs are often full of theology and doctrine. I’ve found that useful for Sunday School teaching.

Fourth, I’m proud of how every Methodist church supports missionaries.

As part of growing up in a Methodist church, we are encouraged to be involved in mission trips, be sent to the mission field or help support missionaries in one way or another.

Finally, our educational heritage and the good reputation of our schools.

I can see clearly the love and care that our principals and staff put in, the strong alumni culture, parents’ involvement and prayer groups. The Church is very much involved through the chaplains, Christian ministry staff and prayer support.

Through it all, being a Methodist is about loving God and loving our neighbours.

Kopi kakis

by Kopikaki team

March

Looking Ahead ¢

Scan to see events online!

SING THE WORD 14, 16, 18–19 March 2022, 10.30 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Onsite at Methodist School of Music premises subject to prevailing safe management measures.

Register at https://tinyurl.com/singtheword. Registration closes 11 March. $30 per child. Class sizes will be capped at 15. Registration will be on a first-come-first-serve basis

Thinking of how to occupy the kids during the March holidays? Look no further! MSM has planned “Sing the Word”, a chamber singing camp for 10- to 12-year-olds. Spend the March holidays having fun, enjoying music, and learning singing skills all at the same time!

March

Organised by Methodist School of Music

METHODIST FATHERS MOVEMENT: ICAN TRAINING 19 March 2022, 8.00 a.m. to 1.00 p.m; follow-up session on 30 April 2022.

Online via Zoom. Register at https://forms.gle/9YZyFChydPH99eYk7 Free

ICAN, which stands for Involvement, Consistency, Awareness and Nurturance, is a training programme designed to support and equip fathers for effective fathering. Fathers with children under the age of 12 will benefit from this training session that will be conducted in a conversational style, with materials from the Centre for Fathering. Class size is limited to 30.

March

Organised by Methodist Fathers Movement

VIDEO GAMES, ESPORTS AND VIRTUAL WORLDS AS MINISTRY 21, 28 March / 4, 11, 18, 25 Apr / 9 May 2022 (Mondays), 7.30 p.m. to 9.30 p.m.

Online via Zoom. Register at https://tinyurl.com/2j6ecxhj. Registration closes 14 March. $100 per head. Fees waived for TTC Alumni (registration required).

The video games industry is now bigger than the music and film industry combined. Top Esports athletes are often more recognisable to young people than traditional athletes. Virtual worlds are fast becoming indistinguishable from real worlds. Our young people are being discipled in these spaces, with or without the Church. How can we incarnate Christ in these spaces?

How can we make the Gospel relevant to a generation that is native to digital spaces? What are the theological, practical and spiritual considerations we should consider as we seek to redeem these spaces for Jesus, and what can we learn from them?

This course aims to examine these digital spaces from a Christian perspective and provide participants with the frameworks to do practical ministry in these areas.

March to December

Organised by EQUIP

THE GIVING METHODIST 2022: STEP OUT OF THE BOAT Give Donation, Give Voice and Give Time campaigns—from March onwards. thegivingmethodist.sg tgm@mws.sg

Spearheaded by The Methodist Church in Singapore (MCS) and Methodist Welfare Services (MWS), The Giving Methodist takes place each year to galvanise Methodists to show acts of kindness and love to those in need. With the Covid-19 pandemic raging on, let us take courage to step out of our boat and uplift those who need help to ride out this storm.

You can join in by “Giving Time” through volunteering with MWS or a Methodist Church’s social concerns ministry, “Giving A Donation”, or “Giving Voice” to the disadvantaged and distressed by spreading the word about this campaign.

Stay tuned for more information on The Giving Methodist 2022.

Organised by Methodist Welfare Services