Dear Brethren,

Blessed New Year 2013!

Thank the Lord for leading us into the new year 2013. Today is the first Lord’s Day of the year 2013. By God’s grace and mercy, we can be found in His House to worship Him and seek His blessings. If the Lord Jesus tarries in His coming for us, will we resolve in our hearts that we will not miss any Lord’s Day worship service this year 2013 unless we are sick or overseas?

Let us be able to say like the Psalmist : “One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to enquire in his temple” (Psalm 27:4).

The new year 2013 will have its challenges for us spiritually. At times, we may feel discouraged or lonely or even feel like quitting Church. In such time, may we turn our eyes to our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ who gently speaks to us “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (John 14:27).

I wish all of you a spiritually fruitful year of growing in grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ (2 Peter 3:18). Do not forget our Church theme last year.

Church Theme 2013 : Follow Me, and I will make you Fishers of Men (Matthew 4:19)

Our Church has a new theme in this new year 2013. The Lord Jesus Christ spoke these words to His disciples in Matthew 4:19. First, we must follow Him. Then He will make us to be Fishers of Men. This is a very important sequence so that our lives can be used by the Lord to reach out to others. Every work for the Lord in evangelism starts from being a follower of Jesus Christ. This means we trust and believe in Jesus Christ as our personal Lord and Saviour. As a true disciple of Jesus Christ, we strive daily to walk close to Him. In every situation, we look to Jesus Christ as the Author and Finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:2).

The Lord Jesus Christ will then transform us to be Fishers of Men. We will not be ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and will always desire to share the salvation message to others. The Lord will use us to be His instruments of blessings to others. The greatest blessing we can be is that God will use us to save souls. The whole Heaven rejoices over one soul that is saved.

With the new theme for our Church this year, we would want to encourage all members to :

a) Pray constantly for a burden for souls to reach out to;

b) Invite loved ones and friends to Church worship service, Fellowship groups and Gospel outreach activities;

c) Participate in Church evangelism, Simei Care outreach, Mission trips;

d) Personally share Gospel message to loved ones and friends.

Our Church will have 4 Gospel Worship Sundays this year and the first one will be held on 24 March 2013. There will be 3 additional Chinese Gospel outreach on 9 March (Sat), 1 May (Wed) and 14 September (Sat, Mid-Autumn). All the fellowship groups will also plan for at least one Gospel meeting this year. Our VBS, Church Outing and Children’s Day outing will also be opportunities to reach out and invite non-believers to attend to hear the Gospel message.

May the Lord stir our hearts that we will indeed heed the calling of Jesus Christ to follow Him and be the Fishes of Men that He wants us to be. Then this year 2013 will not be a wasted year. Resolve and pray now to the Lord to make this year 2013 a year that God will use us to save souls and that we use every outreach opportunity in the Church to reach out to others.

Do not live in regret of a wasted year. Time and tide wait for no man. Perhaps this year 2013 may be our last year on earth to do something for Jesus. “Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest” (John 4:35).

Elder John Leong