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Methodist Easter Worship Service
Photos courtesy of the MCS Communications Team
Witnesses of the Lord’s resurrection
Bishop Dr Chong Chin Chung’s Easter message being videographed at The Garden of Remembrance on 6 April 2020, before the circuit breaker measures were implemented
This is an abridged version of Bishop Dr Chong Chin Chung’s Easter sermon, which was recorded at the Garden of Remembrance on 6 April 2020. It was available online for churches to live stream on Easter Sunday, 12 April 2020, at https://youtu.be/hU5Db9zX7_E Scripture text: Luke 24:34–48 Introduction (v34) After Jesus rose from the dead, His disciples went everywhere proclaiming, “The Lord is risen!” Whenever they ran into each other, they would proclaim, “The Lord is risen! Christ is risen!” And the other party would naturally respond with, “Christ is risen indeed! Hallelujah, praise the Lord!”
situation and emerge safe and stronger. In his closing words, PM Lee reminded us that many have been working day and night at the frontline of the fight against the disease. These are our nurses and doctors, those involved in contract tracing and healthcare staff. He said, “We thank them all for their efforts and sacrifices. Now we are all enlisted to join them on the frontline.”
This Sunday is Easter! This year, the world will awake to an Easter like no other. Practically all churches will not be holding their Easter worship service on-site! All because of the extraordinary times we are in.
As members of the big family that is The Methodist Church in Singapore, we are strong believers in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Jesus triumphed over humanity’s final enemy—death.
As of 6 April, there are already 203 countries affected, with more than 1.1 million cases of COVID-19 and about 60,000 deaths. In Singapore, we have more than 1,100 cases and six have died. The prime minister announced on Friday 3 April that, to stem the spread of the virus, the government is laying down stricter measures. He appealed to all in Singapore to work together and exercise self-discipline. It is a tough and long battle, but if all Singaporeans unite and pull together, we will be able to beat the
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METHODIST MESSAGE MAY 2020
To every doctor, nurse, medical specialist, healthcare worker, counsellor and other brothers and sisters who are there at the frontline—we salute you and pray for you. All of us will strictly follow the precautionary measures, so as not to add to your burden by becoming ill. So, my beloved Methodists, let us respond to the prime minister’s call and comply with the temporary ban on church gatherings. Unite with the whole nation. Each of us, in our own respective roles and positions, must dedicate ourselves to the all-out efforts to control the viral outbreak.
Today’s scripture passage records Christ’s appearance to the disciples after His resurrection. These disciples are the blessed ones of their times, for they each personally witnessed Jesus’ resurrection. Every year we hear the story of Jesus’ resurrection, yet there are always some lessons for us.
The disciples went from shock to fear to joy (vv37, 43) The disciples watched as Jesus was arrested, crucified and buried. When rumours surfaced about His resurrection, they were thrown into even greater perplexity, as the situation had got more complicated. The campaign to get rid of Jesus the Nazarene, and those with Him, was not yet over. The disciples received different versions of the reports. In such a situation marked by a lack of clarity and certainty, the disciples shared one another’s fear and confusion. They feared that they would be caught by the Roman governors and the Jewish leaders, and be crucified and tortured too. Should they continue to believe in Jesus? Should they continue to follow Jesus?
