Vol.27, No.3• Private circulation only
MAY/
JUNE
11
‘Knowing God Our Father’‘Knowing God Our Father’GOD’STHREE WAVES
• Spreading Scriptural Holiness, Transforming the Nation• ‘My Experience Of The Small Group Concept’ • On A Deeper Spiritual Journey
• Spreading Scriptural Holiness, Transforming the Nation• ‘My Experience Of The Small Group Concept’ • On A Deeper Spiritual Journey
At Your Service
Service and Activities
MAY/JUNE’ 11
TRINITY METHODIST CHURCH6 Jalan 5/37, 46000 Petaling Jaya
Tel: 03-79565986, 79565872 • Fax: 03-79569241Email:[email protected]
Pastor : The Rev Ricky HoAsst.Pastor : Ps Lee Chee KeatLTIDirector : Mr Ng Cho HuiMinistryStaff: Mr Rick Tan & Ms Sun Wai Wai
SundayWorshipService(Traditional) 8.30amWorshipService(Contemporary) 10.45amWorshipService(Chinese) 10.45amWorshipService(Expository) 6.00pmSundaySchool(allages) 8.30amSundaySchool 10.45amAdultBibleStudy 10.30amMondaySanctuaryChoirPractice 8.00pmTuesdayMSFMeeting 10.30amStudyGroups/Talks 8.00pmBaptism/MembershipClass 8.30pmWednesdayBibleStudy 9.30amCounselling(TheOasis) 2.00pm ThursdayBibleStudy 8.00pmFridayMPSChapelService 12.00noonPrayerMeeting 8.00pmLiveWire 8.00pmSaturdayPrayerWatch 7.00amCounselling(TheOasis) 2.00pmBoys’Brigade 2.30pmGirls’Brigade 2.30pmBaptism/MembershipClass 2.30pmMethodistWomen(3rdweekmonthly) 3.30pmMAF(4thSaturdaymonthly) 4.00pmMYAF 5.00pmMYF 6.00pm
Contents
1.Pleasenotethat
fromJuly2011
onwards,theClarionwillbepublished
onaquarterlybasis.T
henextissue
istheJuly/August/Sep
tember2011
issueandthedeadlineforsubmission
ofarticlesis10th
September2011.
2.TheEditorialCommitteereserves
therighttoeditallarti
clessubmitted.
Itdoesnotguarantee
thatallarticles
submittedwillbepublished.
3.Lengthofarticle
s:Articlesshouldbe
confinedtotwoprintedA4sizepage
s
ornotmorethan1,200words.
4.ThePublicationCommitteeofth
e
Clarionseeksthecooperationof
allinvolvedinthedifferent
ministriesofthechurc
h,and
appealsforsubmission
ofreportsand
testimoniesonactivities
carriedout.Relevantarticlesand
testimonieswillencourageand
inspirechurchmembersintheir
journeytowardsspiritualgrowth.
• Mrs Lily Ch’ng • Mdm Jessie Thaw Chin Sooi • Mdm Louise Tay Gaik Lan • Dr Khoo Soo Ghee• Datin Dr Ng Sook Ming • Ms Liew Pooi Lin • Ms Debbie David • Mrs Ng May Lee • Mr Rick Tan Teng Kim
editorial B O A R D
HEA
LTH Y
CHU
RCH
SPIR
IT-L
ED,
RELATION
AL
1CLARION MAY/JUNE 2011
Pastoral & Ministry Team2 LetThePastBeThePast...
Feature4 SpreadingScripturalHoliness,TransformingTheNation6 God’sThreeWaves7 ChurchAnnouncements8 ‘KnowingGodOurFather’9 TrinityMethodistChurch(TMC)Redevelopment12 Listen...14 ChurchRedevelopmentAnnouncement
Testimony15 OnADeeperSpiritualJourney20 TheThirdStepToTMC,PJ22 ‘MyExperienceOfTheSmallGroupConcept’23 ‘LifeIsWhatHappensWhileYou’reBusyMakingPlans’
Mission24 Goodbye,MyFriends
Jeremiah School26 MyJSExperience...
Home Fellowship27 ReturnToSentul
Activity30 Tenebrae–AServiceOfShadows32 HowToBeThe‘Arrows’ThatHelpProtect FamiliesFromAttacks33 HealthCampaignForPre-schoolers
EDITORIALNOTES:
MAY/JUNE 2011 CLARION2
PASTORAL & MINISTRY TEAM
Rev. Ricky HoSeniorPastor
Mr Lee Chee KeatAssistantPastor
Mr Ng Cho HuiLTIDirector
Mr Rick TanMinistryStaff
Ms Sun Wai WaiMinistryStaff
Let The PastBe The Past...
ByRev.RickyHo
“...ButonethingIdo:Forgettingwhatisbehindandstrainingtowardwhatisahead,Ipressontowardthegoal...
Philippians 3:13
Life is a continuous learningprocess, there are often
moments that we need to learn “to forget what is
behindandstrainingtowardwhatisahead.”Thegoal
istoremainfocusedonwhattheLordhasassignedustodo
andtolayasidewhateverthatmayhinderusfromachieving
Hiswillandpurposes in life.Weallneedto learnto letgo
ofourpast,ourhurtsandallthathadboggedusdownfrom
movingforwardintheworksofhiskingdomandalsowhat
heintendstodoforusindividually.It’shardtomoveforward
whenyoukeepthepastinthepresent.Letthepastbethe
past...
The baggage which we often carry around in life, may be
unforgiveness.
Maybeyouhavebeenrejected
Yourlovehasbeenspurned
Youhavebeenbetrayedbyaspouse
Orhavebeenabandonedbyafriend
Youwerewrongedinsomeway...
In his sermon“LovingYour Enemies”, Martin Luther King,
Jr.,said:WhenAbrahamLincolnwasrunningforpresident
of theUnitedStates, therewasamanwho ranall around
the country talking about Lincoln. He said a lot of unkind
things. And sometimes he would get to the point that he
would even talk about his looks, saying, “You don’t want
a tall, lanky, ignorantman like thisas thepresidentof the
UnitedStates...”
3CLARION MAY/JUNE 2011
Finally, onedayAbrahamLincolnwaselectedpresidentof
theUnitedStates... then came the time for him to choose
secretaryofwar.Helookedacrossthenation,anddecided
to choose a man by the name of Mr. Stanton. And when
AbrahamLincolnstoodaroundhisadvisorsandmentioned
thisfact, theysaidtohim:“Mr.Lincoln,areyouafool?Do
youknowwhatMr.Stantonhasbeensayingaboutyou?Do
you know what he has done, tried to do to you? Do you
knowthathehastriedtodefeatyouoneveryhand?Doyou
know that, Mr. Lincoln? Did you read all those derogatory
statementsthathemadeaboutyou?
AbrahamLincolnstoodbeforetheadvisorsaroundhimand
said:“Ohyeah. I knowabout it; I readabout it; I’veheard
himmyself.Butafterlookingoverthecountry,Ifindthathe
isthebestmanforthejob.”
Mr Stanton did become secretary of war; and ...later,
Abraham Lincoln was assassinated. And if you go to
Washingtontoday,youwilldiscoverthatoneofthegreatest
wordsorstatementsevermadeaboutAbrahamLincolnwas
bythismanStanton.AsAbrahamLincolncametotheendof
hislife,Stantonstoodupandsaid:“Nowhebelongstothe
ages.”And he made a beautiful statement concerning the
characterandthestatureofthisman.
IfAbraham Lincoln had hated Stanton, ifAbraham Lincoln
had answered everything Stanton said,Abraham Lincoln
wouldnothavetransformedandredeemedStanton.Stanton
would have gone to his grave hating Lincoln, and Lincoln
wouldhavegone tohisgravehatingStanton.But through
the power of love Abraham Lincoln was able to redeem
Stanton.[MartinLutherKing,Jr.,onLincoln,Citation:Martin
LutherKing, Jr.,AKnockatMidnight, editedbyClayborne
CarsonandPeterHolloran(WarnerBooks,1998)p.154].
May God grant each of us grace and strength to do what
Christwouldhaveusdo (Iknowforsure thatwecan’tdo
sobyourownstrengthbutwithGod,nothingisimpossible).
In the true spirit of humility and love let’s hear what the
WordofGodsaysinJames 5:16afreshasweseektomove
forwardintothefuture,“Confessyoursinstoeachotherand
pray for eachother so that youmayhealed.” Webelieve
GodandGodalonecandothehealingifonlyweallowHim
to, and let’s learn to set aside our pride and embraceHis
graceinourlives.
AbrahamLincolndeliveringhisinauguraladdress,1861PortraitofAbrahamLincolnStanding,1864
PortraitofEdwinStanton,1864
MAY/JUNE 2011 CLARION4
FEATURE
Spreading Scriptural Holiness, Transforming The Nation
• Second Methodist Prayer ConventionByMrWongChoongMeng
The Second Methodist Prayer Convention was held inKingwoodHotel,Sibu,Sarawak,from29Aprilto1May2011, attendedbymore than3,500Methodists from
alloverMalaysia.
ThemoststrikingfeatureoftheconventionwasthegatheringofthefaithfulinSibuTownSquaretoprayintheearlyhoursofthemorningaswellastoworshipandprayintheeveningoftheSunday,May1.
The convention commenced on Friday with an eveningservice, followed by Mr Graham Power’s testimony onhow God directed him to initiate the Global Day of Prayer(GDOP)movementinSouthAfrica;amovementthatisnowtrulyglobalwithagatheringofChristianstoprayoneveryPentecostSundaysince2001.
Inthatfirstyearalone,45,000Christiansofalldenominationsgathered in Cape Town to fill Newlands Stadium to prayfor SouthAfrica. Some may recall that the GDOP event inMalaysialastyearwasheldinMalawatiStadium,ShahAlam,where more than 10,000 Christians gathered to intercedeforMalaysia.
TheGDOP isa call to repentanceandprayer to transformnations and be filled with the glory of God in line with2 Chronicles 7:14 – If my people who are called by myname,willhumblethemselvesandprayandseekmyfaceand turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear fromheavenandwillforgivetheirsinandwillhealtheirland.
Every plenary session was followed by about an hourof prayer facilitated by each of the Methodist AnnualConferences in turn. It is always a moving experience tobe in the midst of so many brothers and sisters in Christprayingin“differenttongues”.Andsothedelegates“stoodinthegap”forthechurchandthenation.
After theprayers,delegateswereaskedtostaybackforagroupphotograph.Seeforyourselfthatitispossibletotakeaphotographofmorethan3,000people.Theannouncementsforthisasfortherest,weredoneinEnglishandMandarinbyabrotherwhosegreatsenseofhumour,deliveredwithastraightface,broughthilaritytotheproceedings.
The following morning, on Saturday, Rev Dr James Shiaspokeon“PrayerandtheBible”,givinganextremelyhelpful
5CLARION MAY/JUNE 2011
waytoprayandlistentoGodatthesametime–byusingGod’swordtospeaktoGod.RevDrShia’ssuggestionswerepracticalandeasytotrulyhelpusdevelopaloverelationshipwithourLordthroughprayer.Onecouldnothelpbuttoapplythislearningatthefirstopportunity.
Intheafternoon,workshopsonvarioustopicswereheldindifferent languages in the function rooms, many of whichwereburstingattheseamswithpeople.
RevDrShiareturnedintheeveningtospeakon“PrayerandtheHolySpirit”usingJude 1:20-21–Butyou,dearfriends,buildyourselvesupinyourmosthighfaithandprayintheHolySpirit.KeepyourselvesinGod’sloveasyouwaitforthemercyofourLordJesusChrist tobringyou toeternal life.HesharedonprayerthatwasreliantontheHolySpiritandintheauthorityofourJesusChrist,alwayslivingaholylife.
Thenextmorning,delegatesroseearlytowalktothetownsquareforworshipandprayerat5,yes,at5am.ThiswasfollowedbySundayserviceat variousMethodist churchesinSibu,wherenodoubt,warmhospitalitywasextendedbyeachofthelocalcongregationstothedelegates.
In the afternoon, the last plenary session was held at thehotel.MrPowerspokeon“UnashamedlyEthical–Integrityand Holy Living”. This was the part in 2 Chronicles 7:14 where we, as a people, were expected to“turn from theirwicked ways”. He spoke on “Unashamedly Ethical, thesecondwave”followingtheGDOPforChristianstodeclaretheir willingness to lead lives that are consistent withChristianbeliefs, honouringGod, especially in themarket-place. Delegates were challenged to sign a declaration tothat effect andmost if not all promptly did so.To findoutmoreabout this,checkoutunashamedlyethical.comin theInternet.
The final session took place at 7 pm in the Sibu TownSquarewheredelegatesaswellasnon-delegates,includingChristiansofotherdenominations–perhapsabout10,000peopleinall–gatheredforworshipandprayer.Itwastrulyglorioustobeabletoworshipopenlyinapublicsquarewheremany curious bystanders were also gathered. Occasionaldrizzleonlyadded to thesenseofcollective fidelity toourLord.BishopHwaYungpreachedon“SpreadingScripturalHoliness, Transforming the Nation”. Bishop drew on theWesleyan Revival to inspire and challenge Christians toreturn to holy living, without which no transformation cantakeplace;surelyarelevantissueintheseturbulenttimes.Communionwasadministeredbyourpastorsafterwards.Lettheflameburnbrighterintheheartofdarkness,Turningnighttogloriousday.Letthesonggrowlouderasourlovegrowsstronger,Letitshine.Letitshine!
MrGrahamPowerspeakingattheconvention
PrayergatheringinSibuTownSquareat5am
Topandbottompictures:SundayEveningServiceinSibuTownSquare–aviewfromtheside
MAY/JUNE 2011 CLARION6
FEATURE
God’s Three WavesByMrsWongSweeMun
It’sallabouttheLordGodAlmighty,Hisholiness,HisWord,His truth, His glory, His greatness, His purpose and Hiswork of redemption and transformation of all nations.
Nothing isaboutus.God isawesome.Westand inaweofHimaswegatherinHispresence.The2ndMethodistPrayerConvention in Sibu, Sarawak on 29 April 2011 broughtabout 3,500 people together to worship the Almighty. HehasrevealedHisplantohispeoplethroughthespeakerMrGrahamPowerfromCapeTown,SouthAfrica.GodwillsendthreewavesacrossAfricaandeventuallythewholeworld.1) The first wave is the Prayer Movement.
God is calling His people to humble themselves andpray. In the words of Mr Power, “People with humilitydon’t think less of themselves. They just think aboutthemselvesless.”
God says,“If my people, who are called by my Name,will humble themselves and pray and seek My faceand turn from theirwickedways, thenwill I hear fromheavenandwillforgivetheirsinandwillhealtheirland.”2 Chronicles 7:14
At the turnof theMillennium,believers inSouthAfricasensed God calling them to seek Him in repentanceand prayer and to call people across their country toassemble in united prayer for their cities and nations.ItwasacalltorespondtoGod’sinvitationin2 Chronicles 7:14 tohumbleourselves,prayandseekHis face.ThefirstprayergatheringwasheldinCapeTownin2001.
Soonsimilarprayergatheringswereheld–allmeetingon the same day of the year multiplied across Africa,and in the years that followed, all over the world.TheresultwasthebirthofthefirstGlobalDayofPrayeronPentecostSundayin2005.
“When the day of Pentecost had come, they were alltogetherinoneplace.”– Acts 2:1
The following years, millions of Christians all over theworld including Christians in Malaysia have gatheredtoanswerthesamecallforrepentanceandprayer.ThePrayer Movement continues to spread and to deepen,filling stadiums, homes, open fields of towns andvillages,andunitingmanychurchesinprayerforChrist’sgreatergloryandtheblessingsofthenations.
2) The second wave is the Commitment to Ethical and Holy Living
GodiscallingHispeopletoturnfromtheirwickedways,tobeholyandsetaparttoHim.MrPoweristhefounderofthe“UnashamedlyEthical”campaignthatchallengespeople to fight against systemic corruption in order toeradicate systemic poverty. Collusion and corruptionarebigproblems.Theyare likea sickcancer thatwilleventuallydestroythewholenation.Thepeoplehavetostandupagainstthestreamofcorruption.Itwillhinderits flowandhopefully stop it.Godshowedhimhow toaddressthesecondwavewiththefollowingthreesteps:
• Challenge Christians to sign a pledge form “UnashamedlyEthical”tocommittoethicalandholy living.
• Theywillbelinkedontoanelectronicdatabasewith information of members’ professions and their companies’businesses.
• TherewillbeateamofOmbudsmantokeepwatchof anycomplaintsandbreakingofrules.
It is important for the people to reflect on the ‘EthicsCheck’ questions before committing to sign any workcontract in the market place. They should ask thefollowingquestions:-
1.Isitlegal?WillIbeviolatingeithercivillaworcompany law?
2.Isitbalanced?Isitfairtoallpartiesconcernedinthe shorttermaswellasthelongterm?Doesitpromotea win-winrelationship?
3.Howwillitmakemefeelaboutmyself?Willitmakeme proud?WouldIfeelgoodifmydecisionwaspublishedin thenewspaper?WouldIfeelgoodifmyfamilyknew aboutit?
According toMrPower,onecannoteradicatesystemicpovertyunlessoneeradicatessystemiccorruption.Theabove is one way for the people to check and ensurethat they practise good ethics in business and at theworkplace. He also reminded the people not to forgetGod’sword inDeu.8:17-18. It isGodwhogivesustheabilitytoproducewealth.
You may say to yourself, “My power and the strength
7CLARION MAY/JUNE 2011
of my hands have produced this wealth for me.” Butremember the Lord your God, for it is He who givesyou the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms Hiscovenant which He swore to your forefathers, as it istoday.– Deu.8:17-18.
To Mr Power, no amount of success in business cancompensateforfailureinthefamily.Hetoldthepeopletoconsider thisquestion:“Doyouwant tobeapersonofmeansorapersonofmeaning?”God’speoplemustmakeafirmstandtorejectbribes.ForGodhasgivenHiswords to his people to follow. Many at the conferencehavesignedthepledgeform“UnashamedlyEthical”.Forthosewhowishtomakethepledge,pleasegointothewebsitewww.unashamedlyethical.com
TheLordabhorsdishonestscales,butaccurateweightsarehisdelight. – Prov. 11:1
Foodgainedbyfraudtastessweettoaman,butheendsupwithamouthfullofgravel.– Prov.20:17
Whenthestormhassweptby,thewickedaregone,buttherighteousstandfirmforever.– Prov.10:25
Therearepromisesofblessingsaswellasresponsibilitiesthat come with wealth.We honour God when we obeyHiswords.
Honour the Lord with your wealth, with the first fruitsof all your crops; then your barns will be filled tooverflowing,andyourvatswillbrimoverwithnewwine.– Prov. 3:9-10IneverythingIdid,Ishowedyouthatbythiskindofhardwork we must help the weak, remembering the wordstheLordJesushimselfsaid:‘It ismoreblessedtogivethantoreceive.’– Acts 20:35
Command thosewhoare rich in thispresentworldnottobearrogantnortoputtheirhopeinwealth,whichisso uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richlyprovidesuswitheverythingforourenjoyment.Commandthem to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to begenerousandwilling toshare. In thisway theywill layuptreasureforthemselvesasafirmfoundationforthecomingage,sothattheymaytakeholdofthelifethatistrulylife.– 1Timothy 6:17-19
3) The third wave is the Transformation
Godwillforgiveandbringtransformationtothenationsandhealtheirlandstofulfillhispromisein2 Chronicles 7:14 ifhispeoplewillhumblethemselvesandprayandturnfromtheirwickedways.PraythatwetheMethodistChurch of Malaysia will heed His call and respond inobedience to pray and live holy lives, able to spreadscriptural holiness throughout our land and be God’sagentoftransformation.
MrPower has encouragedus to start eachday on thefoundationofprayer.ItisthecurrencyofGod’sKingdom.MayGodhearourprayers,forgiveoursinsandhealourlands,transformingthenationsforHisglory.
ChurchAnnouncementsCalled Home to Eternal Rest“Jesussaid,IamtheresurrectionandIamlife.Thosewhobelieveinme,eventhoughtheydieyetshalltheylive.Andwhoeverlivesandbelievesinmeshallneverdie.IamtheAlphaandOmega,thebeginningandtheend,thefirstandthelast.Idied,andbeholdIamalivefor evermore, and I hold the key of hell and death.BecauseIlive,youshalllivealso.”
-TheWordofGrace–(UMHpg871)
ThefollowingmembersofTrinityPJhavebeencalledhometoeternalrest.Ourcondolencestotheirfamilymembers.
Mdm Jacob, Esme Rosamalar Called home on19 April 2011
Mdm Ling Su Teik, Esther Called home on20 April 2011
Mr Yeoh Lai Chin, Andrew Called home on
30 May 2011
Mr Khet Kok Yin Called home on
3 June 2011
Sim Han How and Lydia Pok Say Lee.
The marriage celebration was held on 11 June 2011.
MarriageGod’s blessings as they start their journey as a married couple“Lord, send your blessings upon this couple, thattheymaysurelykeeptheirmarriagecovenant,andsogrowin loveandgodlinesstogether that theirhomemaybeahavenofblessingandpeace;throughJesusChristourLord.”
-BlessingoftheMarriage–(UMHpg868)
MAY/JUNE 2011 CLARION8
FEATURE
Many members of Trinity PJ anda sprinkling of those who camefromtheotherMethodistchurches
in the Klang Valley were blessed by theinspiringtalksdeliveredbyourBishopDrHwaYungduringHolyWeek(17–20April2011).Allthosewhoattendedtheseriesoffivetalksweretouchedbythemessageswhich were delivered with passion andclarity.A largenumber faithfully followedtheseriesoftalksasevidencedbythebigturn-outeachevening.
The Bishop pointed out that we are allbroken, insecure, wounded people whooften strugglewith our sense of identity, security and selfworth.TofinddeephealingwehavetodrawneartoGodandask forHishelp so thatwewill experienceHis lovebeingpouredintoourlives.GodtheFatherwantstomakeuswholeandwearetoappropriateHishealingmercies“…GodhaspouredouthisloveintoourheartsbytheHolySpirit,whomhehasgivenus.”Romans 5:5
WearealsocalledtobelikeJesuswhofoundHissecurityinGodalone.KnowingGodasDaddywillalsohelpusknowour origin and destiny and that assurance can help in thehealingprocess.AsourlovingFather,Hewillprovideforoureveryneedandhassufficientpowertoguardandprotectusinourjourneythroughlife.
AllthatwehavetodoistolearntogotoHimforhealingandtotrustandobey.HeistruetoHisWord,“…testmeinthis,”saystheLordalmighty,“andseeifIwillnotthrowopenthefloodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing thatyouwillnothaveroomenoughforit.” Malachi 3:10
As we go to God and draw close to Him through prayer,meditating on HisWord and solitude we come to feel thethrobbing of His heart. However, there are times whenGod takesus throughsuffering inorder tohelpus feelhisheartbeatandinsodoingHeopensourspiritualeyestoseeeventsandcircumstancesfromHisperspectiveandcometoknowHimbetter.WhenwedrawclosetoHimwewillfeelthatsenseofbeingblessed, thewallofhardnessofourheartswillcrackopenpermittingtheloveofGodtoflowintoitandhealingwilltakeplace.Therewillthenbeanewconsuming
passion for God and compassion forothers. Out of this overflow of love andpassionforGodthereisthenaturaldesiretoobeyandserveHim.
AsIreflectonthemessagesgivenduringHoly Week, I am mindful that I too amwounded because of my own sins andthesinsofothers.ThetendencyistousemyownstrengthtocoverupmywoundsandscarsbutIhavediscoveredthatitisfutilebecause thepainwould rise to thesurface every now and then, affectingmy personality and character. Thecover-upofhurtsmanifestsnegativelyin
myattitudes,temperamentanddemeanoraswell.IrealizethatonlyGodcanhealeffectivelyasIwalkcloselywithHim,asIexperienceHisloveandhavethatinnerconvictionthatIamHischild.
Therehas tobedisciplineonmypart tooas I spend timereadingandmeditatingonHisWord,communingwithHimthroughprayer,practisingthepresenceofGodmomentbymoment,worshippingHimandfellowshippingwithmembersofHisfamily.
Well, I often fail but the consoling part is His promise,“Ifweconfessoursins,heisfaithfulandjustandwillforgiveus our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”(1 John 1:9)
After many years of serving God through the differentministries of the church, I am aware that it is so easy togetentrappedinthebusynessofallkindsofactivities,andforgettheOneIamserving.
The lesson Ihave learnt is that,“Nobranchcanbear fruitby itself; itmust remain in the vine.Neither can youbearfruit unless you remain in me.” (John 15:4b) It is onlywhen I remain in theVine that Iamreminded that I servebecauseIloveChristandamempoweredtodosothroughtheindwellingHolySpirit.
With that, I servewith joy, recognizing thatwhatever fruitthatIcanbearinmylifeisbecauseofChristandallglorygoesbacktoHim.ToGodbetheglory!
‘Knowing God Our Father’ByMrsLilyChng
9CLARION MAY/JUNE 2011
FEATURE
Trinity Methodist Church (TMC) Redevelopment
Report of Independent Evaluation Panel (EP)(Summary Report)
Section IEXECUTIVE SUMMARY
1. In December 2010,Trinity Methodist Church (TMC) setupan independentEvaluationPanel (EP)whose taskistoidentifyandevaluatethepresentandfuture spaceutilisationandspaceneedsofthechurchover thenext5-10years.
2. TheEP,comprising6(six)personsdrawnfromagood mixofprofessionalknowledge,skillsandexperiences, are:
i. MrArcPaulLaiChu(Chairman) ii. MrPeterTSChen(Secretary) iii.MrDavidLeeKow iv.DrIngPaulSFChan v. MrTanKeokYin vi.MsArcLeeMeiMing
3. The Terms of Reference (TOR) of the EP are as detailedbelow:-
i. Assess the current available space and project space requirement of TMC over the next 5-10 years.
ii. Determine on current space utilisation whether thereareopportunitiesforoptimisingtheusageof space, particularly through rescheduling of activities.
iii.Provideanoverviewoftheimpactoffutureplans of the various ministries on church space utilisation.
iv.Evaluate whether the projected church physical growth is sustainable in the long run in terms ofmembershipgrowth,futurefundingandcostof maintenance.
v. Recommend the total space (in terms of area), typeofspaceandfacilitieswhichTMCshallseek toincludeintheChurchRedevelopmentproject.
4. In accordance with the TOR, the EP adopted amethodology and approach in its work thatencompass as comprehensively as possible thevarious stakeholders for inputs and feedback. AsthefinaloutputthattheEPhastodeliverrelatestocurrentTMCspaceandusage, issuesandproblemsarising and future space needed forTMC’s growth,theEPreliedsubstantiallyonthefollowingdataandconsultations:-
i. Perspective drawn from TMC 50th Anniversary Booklet - Celebrating 50 Years of God’s Faithfulness(1959-2009).
ii. MeetingswithLCECrepresentatives,SeniorPastor RickyHoandchurchModeratorsonprojectedspace requirementsofvariousministriesoverthenext 5-10years.
iii. Responses from 24 Moderators of various ministriesoncurrentandfutureactivitiestothe surveyquestionnairedatedDecember2010.
iv. ChurchAttendancedata2000-2010.
v. ChurchMembershipandDemographicProfile.
vi. Current floor plans and utilisation of various buildingspacebyKKHArchitect.
vii. LCEC’sVisionandTMCPlan,2010-2014. viii.Submissionsby23churchmembersinresponseto the EP’s request for views and suggestions, includingthe2002ConceptualMasterPlan.
ix. BriefingandconsultationswithKKHArchitecton currentfloorandbuildingplans,includingModelA– NewBuildingwithanewWorshipcentre,endorsed by65%ofchurchmemberswhovotedinApril/May 2009.
5. TotrackandreviewTMC’sDevelopmentplansfrom2000 to the present time, the EP has produced an
MAY/JUNE 2011 CLARION10
FEATURE
Addendumentitled–‘EvolutionofTMCDevelopmentPlan from 2000 to Present’. This Addendumclearly sets out all the plans and efforts on churchdevelopment since 2000, including the ConceptualMasterPlan,2002, its rejectionongroundsofnon-compliancetoguidelinesonNon-IslamicBuildingsofSelangorStatePlanningdepartment.
6. TheEPwishes todeclare that itdoesnothaveanyinterest whatsoever in the TMC RedevelopmentProject,inwhateverformitemerges.Ourevaluationin the Report is purely based on our professionalopinion on what must be done with regard to TMCspacetofurtherthegrowthoftheChurch,itsmissionandplans,andGod’sMinistry.
7. All members of the EP put in considerable man-hours,bothatthenumerousmeetingsoftheEPandathome,toexaminetherelevantdataandinformationavailable to us to prepare and produce our Report.TheEPworkedonatightandfinedeadline,startingfrom January 14, 2011 to the week ending March25,2011.Onaccountofthelimitedtime, itwasnotpossibletomeetallmoderatorsandstakeholders.
8. TMC celebrated its 50th Anniversary in 2009.Thegrowthinthelastdecade2000-2010wasmostsignificant in termsofmembership,attendanceandexpanded church activities and God’s ministry. TheEP views that the Youth Ministry will grow muchfurther in the next 5-10 years, given the vigour,passionandactiveinvolvementoftheYouthgroup.
9. TheEPhas takencognizanceof theconsistentandsignificant growth in membership, attendance andexpansionofthelevelandscopeofTMC’sministries.Clearly,thepresentspaceisnotcommensuratewithTMC’sgrowthanddevelopmentofvariousministries,particularly the sanctuary, church hall and pastoraloffice.TheYouth Council, which covers the variousyoung adults, Boys’ Brigade and Girls’ Brigade,constitutethenextcoregroupthatmustbenurturedand developed for them to take on the leadershipandbethedriversofthefuturechurchministry.Theyhaveexpressedthattheyarehandicappedbylackofspaceandfacilitiesfortheirvariousprograms.
10.TMC is at an important crossroad at this point intime. TMC started its church and ministry at aboutthe same time when the township of Petaling Jaya(PJ) and the University of Malaya (UM) took off. PJhasgrownby leapsandbounds since the1960s toinclude new successful suburban areas as SubangJaya, Puchong and Kota Damansara. Similarly, UMhas more than tripled its initial six faculties in the‘60s to 18 at present to include Dentistry, BuiltEnvironment (Architecture), Computer Science, Lawand IT tonamea few.A largenumberof graduates
worshipping inTMC are from UM.They would havenoted that the present Sanctuary completed in the‘60sandextendedlateronto includethenorthandsouth wings are the only physical addition to thechurch’s premises. Whereas other churches withshorter history have expanded their buildings andacquirednewpremises,TMCpresentlycontinuestooperateandrelyonaSanctuarythatisnolongerabletoadequatelyaccommodatethegrowingattendanceandfutureanticipatedgrowthofthechurch.
11.Thethreefundamental inter-relatedquestionstobe answeredare:
i. Where is TMC now and where is the church headed?
ii. Given all the positive indicators of growth in membership, attendance and extended scope of God’s ministries, is the church content with operatingat thecurrentspaceand itsattendant constraints?
iii.Ifnot,will thechurchembarkonadevelopment project that creates the necessary expansion ofspacethatcanbeutilisedtogrowthechurch andbeasignificantspiritualcentreandcatalyst fortheMethodistministry?12.On the above, the EP’s assessment and conclusion are that TMC cannot afford to stand still in its physicalstate.TMCmust takeboldandaffirmative actionstoexpandkeycriticalspacestoensurethat thechurchcontinuestoachievesustainablegrowth in carrying out effectively God’s mission and ministry.
RECOMMENDATIONS
13.TMC has reached an important crossroad atthis juncture in its 52-year history. The growthin membership, attendance and scope and levelof ministry activity is increasingly outpacing thephysical space available. There is also a need tomakeprovisionsfor futuregrowth inthenext5-10years.Without bold and concrete action to expandspaceandaddonnewfacilities,TMCwillbeunabletosustainGod’sministryinthecomingyears.
14.In line with the TOR, the independent EP hasassessed and evaluated the Trinity MethodistChurch’s physical and spatial needs for the next5 to 10 years based on available data and relatedfeedbacks.Accordingly, theEPunanimouslymakestherecommendationstotheChurchRedevelopmentReview Committee and Local Church ExecutiveCouncilasfollows:
11CLARION MAY/JUNE 2011
A) Proposed TMC Physical Growth:
i) Sanctuary
a) That a new Sanctuary be provided with an area of 12,200 sq ft (1,134 sq m) to accommodate a seatingcapacityof1,030persons. b) ThatthepresentSanctuaryberetained.
ii) Hall
a) ThatanewMulti-functionalHallbeprovidedwith anareaof2,600sqft(240sqm)toaccommodate aseatingcapacityof240persons.
iii) Pastoral Office a) That the new Pastoral Office be expanded to a total area of 2,900 sq ft (270 sq m) from the present area of 2,000 sq ft (186 sq m) to accommodatetheexpandednumberofstafffrom thecurrent12to17andtomeettherecommended spatialstandardsforoffice.
iv) Menorah Cafe a) That a new Menorah Cafe be provided with an areaof2,800sqft(260sqm)toaccommodatea seatingcapacityof150persons.
v) Kindergarten a) ThatthenewKindergartentoreplacetheexisting onewithanareaof14,470sqft.(1,345sqm)be providedandtoincludethefollowing: i) NewdedicatedLibraryof600sqft(56sqm),
ii)NewChildcareRoomof750sqft.(70sqm)to accommodate20children, iii)NewPrincipal&StaffRoomof1,800sqft.(167 sq m) to accommodate 20 persons. This replacesexistingoneof680sqft(63sqm),
iv)New Kindergarten toilets of 1,000 sq ft (93sqm) to replaceexistingoneof500sq ft (46sqm). vi) Sunday School a) That a store room of 120 sq ft (11 sq m) be provided to the new Kindergarten for general storage.
vii) Ancillary Facilities & Storage
a) That a Music Room with an area of 625 sq ft. (58sqm)beprovidedtoaccommodateaseating
capacityof50persons. b) That a Storage Room with an area of 500 sq ft (46 sq m) be provided to for the storage of musicalinstruments.
c) That a Sick Bay with an area of 220 sq ft. (20 sq m) be provided for emergencies and contingencies.
d) Thatanew(second)WakeRoomwithanareaof 500sq ft. (46sqm)beprovided forconcurrent/ alternateusagewhenneeded.
viii) Guest Apartment
a) That the first floor of the present Parsonage building be renovated and upgraded for guests’ accommodation
ThebasisandfactorssupportingEP’srecommendationsabove are as detailed in paragraph 5.5 in the MainReport.
B) Sustainability of Church Physical Growth
15.The EP projected a total net area of 36,585 sq ft (3,586sqm) tomeet futureTMCspaceneedsover thenext5–10yearsandbeyond.
In the Model ‘A’ by KKH Architects, the total net extension area is given as 40, 160 sq ft (3,732 sq m). KKH Architects estimated the total cost to complete the project based on Model ‘A’ is RM12 Million.
16.Presently,TMChasabuildingfundofRM5.5million set aside for development. Assuming that Model Aisimplemented(initspresentorslightlymodified form), a balance of RM 6.5 million needs to be raised to make up the shortfall. Also with a new larger structure, an annual operating and maintenancecostincludingsinkingfundwouldhave to be provided. This should be considered by the Team of Consultants to ensure that the Redevelopmentplanisviableandsustainableinthe longrun.
17.InembarkingonthenewTMCdevelopmentproject, the EP recommends that the existing Kindergarten buildings be demolished to make way for the new sanctuary, upgraded Kindergarten/Sunday School andotherphysicalfacilitiesdeemedappropriate.
18.EPalso recommends that theprovision for carpark beincorporatedinthedevelopmentproject.
MAY/JUNE 2011 CLARION12
FEATURE
Listen ... byJessieChiew
OurAlmightyCreatorstaysattunedtousthatHecan
continue to guide and lead us. Knowing our every
need,thelovingFatherdrewbothmyhusbandEddie
andItotheSilentRetreatatMaranathainMaythisyear.We
hadboth turnedoneyearolder in thesamemonth. Itwas
timely then to takestockofwhereweare inour livesand
ponderonwhitherweweregoing.
Ilivebyfaith.ItalktomyCreator,BenefactorandAlmighty
FatherallthetimeswhereverIamandwhateverIdo.Heis
mysourceof beingonwhom I dependmoreandmoreas
theoutermaniswearingaway.Myfailingweaknessismy
inabilityto–LISTEN–closely,whentheFathercalls.
‘MARANATHA’ (Come, Jesus) is the Father’s divine
interventioninourlives.Togetherwith17otherswhohadalso
respondedtothedivineinvitationandwiththeexperienced
mentoringofDrChewTowYow,welearnttoshutoffandto
shutouttheworld.Itturnedouttobeanupliftingexperience
foreverysingleparticipant.Spendingtimeoneononewith
our heavenly Father enablesHim to pourHis Spirit afresh
intoour souls. It left us restored, renewed, rechargedand
readytotakeontheworldagainasweallowGod’swill to
unfoldinourlives.
The Lord had promised that“when you seek Me, you will
findMe,ifyouseekwithallyourheart”.Whenwemakea
consciouseffort todowntools inresponsetoGod’scall to
“come away with Me, by yourself, to a quiet place”, God
responds with His overflowing and abundant grace. He
shepherds us way from the strains of toil and the fret of
careeversogently.Hehadaskedusinwisdomto–“Bestill
andknowthat IamGod”.Weare tobeat restso thatwe
mayreceivefromHim–Hispeace.
RESTING means putting aside everything to just sit at His
feet, to rely on God’s righteousness and to bask in His
endless love.As we come to Him, broken and contrite in
spirit,Heministerstooursoul.Heteachesustoyieldand
surrendercompletelytoHim,andtoallowHislivingwordto
13CLARION MAY/JUNE 2011
permeate our senses and redesign our hearts from inside
out.
Relaxing and letting go gave me the feeling of ‘floating’.
Iwasatease,havingcededcontroltothedotingFatherwho
onlyknowshowtogivegoodgiftstoHischildren.Myloving
Fatherhaddrawnmeawayfromallnoiseanddistractions
justtobeinthehealingserenityofHispresence.AsIwait
onHim,Heopenedupmyeyes,myearsandmyheart.He
finetunedthemsothatIcouldseeHim,hearHimandfeel
Him in everything around me. Thus He taught me that a
believing heart and an ear opened to Him alone will hear
Him speak. Our ever loving God is always at work around
us.Heconstantlybeckonsusto“inclineyouearandcome
toMe,hearandyoursoulshall live”.When I respondedto
His call,Godcame through todelightmysensesand“the
mountainsandhillsbrokeforthintosinging”,filingmewith
joyoverflowing.
I was at blissful rest, breathing in the cool crisp morning
air while drinking in the freshness of lush green foliage,
regal pine trees and dainty tembusu. Unbeknownst to me
the cheerful chirping and trilling calls of the birds were
heralding an ensuing act. Suddenly the surroundings
began tovibratewith theboomingcallsof theprimates in
varying tones. It was for moments like this that we live! I
was surrounded and thoroughly immersed in the midst of
nature’s brilliant symphony, the wondrous works of God’s
hands. Inmyawesomewonder Icoulddono lessbutsing
outtoHim-“Howgreatthouart!”
God speaks to those who walk and live with Him. In
committing time to Him and focusing on Him alone, God
reciprocates by heaping blessings upon blessings on us.
I felt thoroughly blessed and completely enfolded in His
embracethroughoutthedurationoftheRetreat.Onthelast
evening,thegraciousLordgaveusasendofftoremember
Himby.
As we looked up at the evening sky, the ‘Master Painter’
wielded His brush on His ‘canvas’ turning it into brilliant
shadesofvermillion.Thesunwaspackingituptocallita
day,while thebirdswerequietlywinging theirwayhome.
Against this magnificent backdrop leafless trees stood in
silentworshipfulpraiseoftheLordofLords.
“O heavenly Father,there is no One like You!
You have made meand You know me.
Lovingly You drew me awayto be with you alone,enabling me to close
my eyes and earsto everything else
but You.I praise You and thank You
for Your blessingsfrom dawn to dusk,for healing mercies,
and for tuning me into LISTENjust to You.”
MAY/JUNE 2011 CLARION14
FEATURE
Church Redevelopment Announcement
TheLCECchairman,MrTanEanChye,reportsontherecommendationsmadebytheIndependentPanelofEvaluatorsonChurchRedevelopment
andthestepsthathadbeentakentodevelopthechurch
Atitsmeetingheldon25May2011,theLCECreceivedanddiscussedthereportoftheIndependentPanelofEvaluatorsonChurchRedevelopment.
The Panel, after three months of studying the spaceutilizationandfutureneedsofthechurch,recommended,inbrief,thefollowing:
1. Buildingofanewsanctuarytoseat1,030people;
2. Havingamulti-functionalhallthatcanaccommodate240 people;
3.AddinganadditionalWakeRoom;
4. Increasingthestoragespaceforvariousorganizations;
5. Increasingtheofficespacefortheadministration;
6.Providing for a new Menorah Café to seat 250 people; and
7.ProvidingforanewlibraryfortheKindergartenchildren.
After some deliberation, the LCEC accepted therecommendations contained in the report. The LCECacknowledges with thanks the contribution of the PanelMembers(headedbyMrPaulLaiChu)andthemembersofthe Church Redevelopment Review Committee which wasmoderated by our Bishop Dr HwaYung and co-chaired byourTRACPresidentRevDrOngHwaiTeik.
(Church members who wish to have the full report of theIndependentPanelmayorderacopyatcostbysubmittingawrittenrequesttoMrAlexVoon,ourAdminManager.)
Inlinewiththerecommendations,theLCECwishestoinformallchurchmembersthatthefollowingstepshadbeentaken:
1. Submission of all relevant plans to Majlis Bandaraya PetalingJayaforitsapprovalofthechurchdevelopment plans;
2. SettingupaChurchDevelopmentProjectCommitteeto overseeandimplementtheplans;and
3. Appointment of members to sit on the Church DevelopmentFund-raisingcommittee.
To ensure transparency and cost efficiency, the LCEC hadappointedaCostandTenderTaskForcepanelthatwillstudyallrelevantareasoftheprojectthataffectcostandtenderprocesses.
TheLCECwouldliketorequestmemberstocontinuetopraythat theChurchDevelopmentProjectwillunite theChurchandproceedwithGod’sguidanceandblessings.PleasealsopraythatitwillreflectGod’sloveandenableourChurchtobeatruewitnessofourLordJesusChristtoourcommunity.
TOGODBETHEGLORY!
15CLARION MAY/JUNE 2011
TESTIMONY
On A Deeper Spiritual Journey
TestimoniesontheYouthAlphaandYouthAlphaWeekendAwayinBrogaOutbackCamp
Miss Crystal Chong Jing Jing writes:
Ithought I know a lot about God since I went to SundaySchoolandtheGirls’BrigadebutIwaswrong.AftergoingthroughYouthAlpha, I realised that I do not know that
much.
I learnt so much atYouthAlpha, such as why Jesus died,howHedied,thepainHewentthrough.IlearntthatSciencewithout religion was so lame! I learnt that God healed usbothphysicallyandemotionally.Thatissocool.
IlikedeverysessionofthecoursebutthebestpartwastheYouthAlphaWeekendAway.WhatIdislikedwasbeingaskedquestionsthatIcouldnotanswer.
InFebruary thisyear,whenAuntyGrace invitedme to joinYouthAlpha,Ihadnoinklingwhatitwasallabout.Mymomconvincedmetoparticipateinthe12-weekcourse.IlearntaboutGod’sgraceforusandwhyJesusdiedonthecross.HediedforoursinssowewouldnotbeseparatedfromGodforever. How Jesus died through crucifixion was the mostpainfulandcruelformofpersecution.
My knowledge increased little by little and finally the daycameforustogoonourAlphaWeekendAwayattheBrogaOutbackCampon30April.WeassembledatTrinityMethodistChurchat8amandsetoffonourtwo-hourjourneybycoach.
Uponarrivalatthecampsite,weunloadedourluggage,AVequipmentsuchasmicrophone,cablesandotherstuff.TheCampManagergaveusashortbriefingontheprogrammeandweplayedsomeice-breakinggames.
After we checked in and had a delicious lunch, we madeour way to the seminar room to listen to talks by UncleSteven. Later,webroke into small groups fordiscussions.I learnt about the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit – “But thefruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness,goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.”(Galatians 5:22)
Thereafter, we went outdoors to participate in activitiessuchastheflyingfox,obstaclecourse,kayaking,etc.Thenitwastimeto freshenupandtohavedinner.Therewasacampfireshowwherefire-eaters litupthenightwiththeirfierybreath.Itwasthrillingandawesome!
About 10pm, we had a BBQ supper of grilled chicken,prawns, sausages and much more. While enjoying ourmeal, we took the opportunity to discuss and prepare forour talentime contest. Paige won the best actress award.Weactedaccordingtothetheme“YouthAlpha”andalltheperformances were very interesting and funny. ZhiYang’sgroup(akamygroup!)wonthetalentimecontest.Everyonereceivedmanygoodies,snacksandprizes.
MAY/JUNE 2011 CLARION16
TESTIMONY
Bythenitwasalreadypastmidnightbutweweresohappyand excited that we could hardly sleep and continued tochit-chat. We were so noisy that Ma’am (Aunty Giok Hui)reprimandedus.Lightsout!
Next day, we woke up early for breakfast and haddiscussions with Uncle Steven about the Holy Spirit. HetoldusthatspeakingintongueswasagiftfromGod–noteveryonehadthisgift.Wealsolearntthatwemustplantthehabit of reading the Bible every day and let God lead anddirect our life. By doing so, everything will fall into place.Somegave testimoniesabout theirexperienceswhen theywere filled with the Holy Spirit, some said they cried andotherssaidtheyhadapeacefulfeeling.
Wehadlunchandthenleft forhome. Ihavesomanyfondmemoriesofourcampandmyfriends.IwouldliketothankUncleSteven,AuntyGraceandAuntyGiokHuifortheireffortsinplanningsuchawonderfulweekendawayforus,butmostimportantly,webecamemoreknowledgeableabouttheHolySpirit. I trulyencourageallyoungpeopletosignupfortheYouthAlphacourse!
‘Helping me to trust God’
Miss Tan Peige writes:
Ilearnt many wonderful things at the Youth Alphaprogramme.Therewerethreemajorlessonsthatimpactedme.Thefirstonewasthelessononhowwehadtoputour
trustandfaithinGod’shandsregardingourplansinlife.ItappliedtomebecauseIwaslostandconfused,notknowingwhere togoorwhat tostudyaftermySPM.Nevertheless,GodhasansweredmyprayersandIbelieveitwasHisplanallthiswhile,thusIamhappybecauseIamabletofurthermystudiesincollege.AllthankstoGod’sgrace.
Thesecondonewasabout theHolySpirit thatwastaughtduringourtriptotheBrogacamp.Ihadalwaysthoughtthatthe Holy Spirit was just the small little voice in my head.I know now that the Holy Spirit also helps us to connectwithGod.Since then, I prayed for theHolySpirit to guidemeinmydailylife.KnowingmoreoftheHolySpirit, InowacknowledgetheHolySpiritmorethanbefore.
The last one was the lessons learned about the power ofhealing. Although I have yet to see someone healed onthe spot by the Lord, I have definitely experienced God’shealing. It taught me that one’s prayer for healing wasstrong enough and that we brothers and sisters in Christshouldpraytogetherwhensomeoneneededhealingorhelp.
YouthAlphahashelpedmerepairandfixmybondwithGodandhelpedmerenewmyfaithinHimandtoloveHimandlivelikeChristdid.
We went on an adventure trip to Broga on 30 April. It isa small town on the border between Selangor and NegeriSembilan. The camp is widely spread out, with greenpasturesagainstabackdropofhills.
Beforecheckinginourbaggage,wegatheredattheseminarroomforabriefsessionfollowedbyhavingour fellowshipdiscussionandpraiseandworshiptime.Besidesthat,minigames were conducted where all of us were divided intofoursmallgroups.
After lunch, our first activity was the flying fox whichrequiredcourage,braveryandconfidence.Fromthetopoftheplatformoftheflyingfox,youcouldgetabird’seye-viewofthepicturesquesceneryofthehills.Forme,thisflyingfoxwasthehighestoneIhadeverriddeninmylife.ThusIwassuper excited to ride it.The next activity was an obstaclecoursewherethetermteamworkandtrustcameintoplay.
17CLARION MAY/JUNE 2011
During each obstacle, the team members needed to trustoneanotherandbeconfidentinordertosuccessfullyfinishthechallenge.
Thethirdactivitywasthe“PuncturedDrums”thatinvolvedusgettingwet.Thegamewasinterestingandfunbecausewe got to see our group members being silly, with theirshouting. I laughed the entire time. After that, we got tocanoeatthebigpondthatwaslocatednotfaraway.
Oneofthehighlightswasthecampfirethattookplaceafterdinnerwherewegatheredatthebasketballcourttowatchliveperformancesfromthestaff.Thestaffperformedalivefireshowandtherewasadancingsessionandsomegreatgamesforalltoenjoyandrelax.
Aftertheperformancesandfun,wehadabarbeque.Allofusenjoyedthefoodservedforitwassimplyscrumptious.Thentwo teams took part in aTalentime with the given theme,Youth Alpha. Both teams did a wonderful job. Interestinggiftsandprizesweregivenawayaswell.
The next day, we had our usual fellowship discussionfollowedbypraiseandworshipsessionsbeforehavingourlastlunchatBrogaandthendepartingforhome.
Overall, the camp was fun and interesting as we wereserved great meals and the activities were fresh andexciting.Forme, the favouritepartwas thewholeprocessof the camp, from getting to know God more in-depthto building a stronger relationship with Him during ourfellowshipdiscussions,andotherexcitingactivities.PraiseGod,theYouthAlphagroupreturnedbacktochurchsafely.
‘Learning to give my best’
Miss Sarah Ti writes:
During the period when I was involved in the YouthAlphaProgramme,Ifindmyselfeahsaturdaymorningpondering about the topics that were discussed
thatweek.Examplesofquestionsthatpoppedthroughmymindwere– Is there reallymore to life than living for theday?What is my purpose of repeating unending cycles ofworkfortheday?WhatamIonearthfor?
Wesoon fall into the trapof living lifebymakingourowncalls.WedonotacknowledgeourCreator,wefindpleasureinmaterialgainandwerejectourcallingtobesetapart.
TheYouthAlphaprogrammehasassistedmetounderstandminordetailsthatImissedoutwhenIwasakidgrowingupinchurch. It touchedonpointssuchashowtopray,resistthedevil,readtheBible,healingtoday,thechurchandtheHolySpirit.Theprogrammenotonlyhelpedmeintellectually,but gave me some sweet memories. The weekend awaywas definitely the cherry on top of the cake. I enjoyedeverymoment of it –whether it be thebus ride, dormingina ridiculouslycold room,gameactivities,barbequingorpunctureddrums.
ThroughYouthAlpha,IhavelearnttoserveandgivemybestinaministrythatIamplacedin.Evenafteranundoubtedlytiringweek,going for theAlphasession refreshedmeandkeptmeontrack.
To the youths who attended the course: Thank you thateverytimeIledinworship,youguyscooperatedandjoinedinsongtoworshipourLord.Thankyouforunitingwithyourhelpersduringdiscussion.
Thankyoutothemainorganisersofthiswholeprogramme– Steven Ooi, Grace Choong and Tan Giok Hui. Most
MAY/JUNE 2011 CLARION18
TESTIMONY
importantly,weareblessedtohaveachurchthatprovidesthisplaceforustohosttheprogramme.
AllofyouguysarepricelessinGod’ssight.IwouldnotstopprayingforeachandeveryoneofyouguystomoveforwardwithGodfromwhereyouarenow.MayHeuseallofyoutoimpactthosearoundyou,mayHematureallofyouguys,tobeafterHisheart,will,purposeandplan.
‘Awesome to know God lives in us’
Mr Joel So writes:
The Youth Alpha Weekend Away at Broga Camp wasawesome. Our first session was on “Knowing theHoly Spirit”. It is great to know that the Holy Spirit
islivinginEACHandeveryoneofus.Thismotivatesmetohave a righteous lifestyle. Imagine, God living in you! It issoawesomeknowingthatHelivesinyouandHewillneverleaveyou.
Oftenwhenwepray,wefeelthatGodisupthereandwearedownhere.Well,IlearntthatGodisrightherewithinus!Itiscomfortingtoknowthat,NOMATTERwhat...Hisplansarealwaysforourgood,thoughthingsmayseemhelplessandhopeless at times... Remember, it isALWAYS within Dad’splanandCONTROL!Often,wethinkthateverythingisoutofcontrol.WRONG!ItisalwaysinDad’shands.
The discussions in small groups and sharing wereencouraging and thought-provoking. Helping to facilitatewasanexperienceforme.EvenifIhadbeenthroughYouthAlphabefore,Istilllearntsomanynewthingsfromthesmallgroupdiscussions.
SeeingayoungergenerationwantingtoknowDadandHisawesomeNessreallyencouragesmeandwell,yea,IhopetoseeawholeNEWgenerationofyouthswhoLOVEDadandlivealifestyleforHisglory!
ThanksGrace,StevenandGiokHui! (Iknowyoualldonotliketheauntyanduncletitles).
How not to be scared of the devil
Master Caleb Goh writes:
Iliked the Youth Alpha course because it was a veryexciting programme. Every Saturday I would be veryhappybecause Ihad threeprogrammes ina row.Every
timeIwenttoYouthAlphathefirstthingIdidwaseat.AndwehadbeeneatingnicefoodlikeChickenRice,NasiLemakandPizza.Afterwehadfinishedeatingwewouldgotothechurchhall andsingpraises toGod.Mostof the time,wehadice-breakersfirst.Thenafterthat,SarahTiwouldleadusinworship.UncleStevenwouldplaythepiano.
AfterworshipUncleStevenwouldtellussomethingsintheBible and mostly about God the Father and God the Son.Afterthatwelearntalsoaboutthedevil.Iwasscaredofthedevil.Iknowhisfaceisveryuglyandscary.Ihadadreamonce about the devil and his two demons and I couldn’tmoveortalk.ButUncleStevensaidthis,“Itisokaytomakefunof the lion if it’s in thecagebut it’snotokay tomakefunof the lion ifyouyourselfare inside thecage.”Got it?Well, if you did not, just remember that“your body is thetempleofGod”.NowIamnotscaredbecauseIknowJesusisinsideme.
YouthAlphateachesmealotofstuffandIwillbebeggingmymomtosendmetoYouthAlphaagainnextyear.
I also want to say thank you to Madam Tan Giok Hui, toGraceforhelpingoutandSarahTifortheworshipandalsothankstoUncleStevenforteachingusandforplayingthepiano.
‘Knowing my weaknesses’
Miss Jacqueline Ong writes:
Duringthe12weeksofYouthAlphaInotonlylearnttolivelikeChrist,butalsorecognisedtheweaknessesIhadinme.
Ihadalways thought thatYouthAlphawas likeanactivity
19CLARION MAY/JUNE 2011
oreventwhereyoujustlearnaboutGod,theHolySpiritandotherstufffromtheBible.ItookthecouragetosignupandfoundthatitwasreallydifferentfromwhatIthoughtitwas.AndIdonotregretgoingforthecourse.
Most of all I would like to thank Uncle Steven for guidingus through the whole course. And I would like to thankSarah and Joel for their big help when I needed to knowsome answers. The Weekend Away was also one of thebest camps I havebeen to.Themost important thing thatI have learnt fromYouthAlpha is to serve the Lord Jesuswillingly.Whatever it is andnomatterhow theworldmaynotunderstandyou,Jesusdoes.
The Power of prayers and the Bible
Miss Deborah Goh writes:
IjoinedYouthAlphabecauseIwantedtolearnmoreaboutGod.Ilearntmanythings,likeWhoJesusis;HowIcanbesureofmyfaith;WhoistheHolySpirit;HowIcanbefilled
withtheHolySpirit;WhyandhowIshouldtellothers;andDoesGodhealtoday.WecanalsoaccomplishmanythingsbyprayingtoGodandbyreadingtheBible.
So fun… see you next year
Miss Vanesse Leong writes:
YouthAlphawasfun. I lovedtheYouthAlphaWeekendAway Camp in Broga. I did the Flying Fox, canoeingandsomegames.Iwishthattherewillbetwocamps
inoneyear.Itwasso-o-ofunandinteresting.IwillseeyouguysnextyearinYouthAlpha.Wishyoualltheverybesttillnextyear.
MAY/JUNE 2011 CLARION20
TESTIMONY
The Third Step To TMC, PJByDatinDrNgSookMing
Iwasdiagnosedwithbreastcancerin1994.Fromthatdayonitpreyedonmymind.Itoldmyselfnottofallintothe,“Whyme,Lord?”trap.Afterall,whynotme?Butbeing
human, when I looked at my healthy friends, sometimes Icould not help but feel a bit envious of their good health.Even though I hadbeendiagnosedas a stage1 case, theuncertainty of survival was always present. Had it spreadandif ithad,howlongdoIhave?ButwhenyoubelieveinGodandhisangels,wonderfulthingscanhappen.
In1998,KhaikLeangand Iwent toLondon to visitSzuLiwhowasthenstudyinginImperialCollege.Onedaywhilehewasatwork,Itookadaytoursouth.OneofthestopswasWinchester Cathedral (I think). The sky was overcast andit was drizzling.The cathedral was undergoing restorationandpartsoftheexteriorwerecoveredwithscaffoldingandnets.Wescurriedinside.Theinteriorwasdark,gloomyandechoey,thewaylargeoldchurchesoftenare.AfterexploringthenaveImovedalongwithsomeothertouriststoaroombehindthealtar. Itwasjustasdarkandgloomy,litonlybywhat light that could filter through stained glass windowssetveryhighupinawalltotherightofthechurch.There,stackedagainstanotherlowerwall,sometimesthreedeep,weregargoylesandfigurines.Theycouldhavebeenplacedthere while the restoration took place. I looked at each ofthem in turn. Where else would I have an opportunity toexaminesuchalargecollectionatsuchclosequarters?
One in particular caught my eye. Carved from stone orbronze, itwassoold that thematerialwasadarkbrown-grey,almostblack. Itwasastatuetteofamanaboutoneandahalffeettall.Hehadakindfacewithabeard.Hehadonatallhead-dressandwasdressedinalongrobe.Inhisrighthandwasastaff.“Mustbeasaint,”Ithoughtandafterexamininghim Imovedon.Buta fewpaceson, Istopped,turnedandretracedmystepstill Iwasstandinginfrontoftheiconagain.Unbidden,athoughtcametomymind,“WillIbeallright?”andcontinuedtolookathimasifhopingforan answer but not really expecting one.Then right beforemy eyes the statuette changed colour.Very slowly, almost
imperceptibly, it lighteneduntil thepatinawasa faintdullgoldencolour.Myfirstthoughtwas,“Ohgood,ithasstoppedrainingandthesunhascomeout.”ButthenInoticedthatthe other items around it were still cloaked in their darkcolour.“Strange,”Ithought,“shouldn’tlightcomingthroughstained glass be multi-coloured?” I was sure I had seenmulti-colouredpanes.Iturnedtocheck.Sureenough,theyweremulti-coloured.WhenIturnedback,theiconhadlostits golden sheenandhadgoneback to its original colour.I looked around to ask other tourists if they had seen thecolourchangebut therewasnobody in theroomwithme.Iwasalone.At that,aftera lastbackwardglance, Ibeatahastyretreat.
Outside, nothing had changed. It was still overcast andraining. In the bus I puzzled over what I had seen. I hadbeeninahouseofGod.Ihadaskedaquestion.Wasthatmyanswer?Itookitthatitwasindeedananswer–apositiveone.Fromthatmomenton,itfeltlikemyburdenhadbeentaken away. I thought less and less about my cancer andmovedconfidentlyon.ThankYou,Lord.
I also took it that the Lord was sending me a message.Youaremortal, time togetcommittedbutstill Ihesitated.I gave the sameold excuse - that Iwas stillworkingandcouldnotgivefullcommitmentandtherewasnowanotherconsideration - my aged Taoist parents, at that time 75yearsold.
By then my four siblings had converted. Kam Yoon, amedicaldoctor isaMethodist.HiswifeSueisaMethodistlaypreacherinHuddersfield,Englandwheretheynowlive.ChorMing,aneconomist, ischarismaticbrethrenand isamember of the Full GospelAssembly. Even as I write thisshe issomewhere in the junglesofSarawakevangelising.Henry (HonYuen),anarchitect, isaDoctorofMinistryanda lay preacher who also goes to Sarawak for the samepurpose. He is an independent charismatic who worshipsattheNewLifeRestorationChurch.Magdalene(LaiMing),an accountant, is a Roman Catholic worshipping at the
21CLARION MAY/JUNE 2011
AssumptionChurch.SheisthemostactiveofusinchurchworkandhasevenrepresentedherDioceseataconferenceinSouthKorea.BothChorMingandLaiMinghavebeentotheHaggai Institute inHawaii toattend leadership trainingcourses.
As you can see our denominations are as diverse as ourprofessions and with an aunt, Mdm LohYuen Lan, who isamemberofDUMC,religiousdiscussionscanbelivelyandheatedwhenwegettogether.OncewhenI,abiologistanda fervent believer in the Theory of Evolution, mentionedthatweweredescendedfrommonkeys,Suegotallhotandbotheredunderthecollar.“Nono!Howcanyousaywearedescendedfromapes?Icannotacceptthat.WeareallmadeinGod’simage”.Well,Sue,inthosedaystheybelievedthatthe earth was flat too. So to maintain our freindship andcloseness we agreed to disagree and seldom discussedreligionwhenwegettogether.
Taoistshavecomplexfuneralrites–alotofprayerchanting,burningofjossticks,papermoneyandpapereverythingelsewhich they believe will ensure them a comfortable life inthenextworld.Itwasprettyobviousmysiblingswouldnothavebeenabletocarryoutsuchduties.Soitfellonmylottodoso.
WhenKhaikLeangwasdiagnosedwithlungcancerin1999,I took it as a reminder from the Lord about our mortality.Afterall,theexcuseofstillworkingwasgone.Ihadretiredandhewasretiring.At80myparentswerestillgoingverystrongandtheycouldwelloutliveus.Ihadtomakeamove.Butwhatandhow?RememberingthatthepastorinAustraliahadaskedifIhadattendedanycoursesorclasses,thefirststepwastoattendsomeclasses.NowreadontoseehowtheLordworks.
AtthattimeIhadlivedinmyhousefor40yearsandmostof my neighbours had sold their houses and moved awayexcept for two, Mrs Jean Cheah and Mrs Mai Khoo. Thenumberof times the threeofushavegot together tochatabout nothing in particular can be counted on the fingersofonehandwithtwotospare.JeanandMaicommunicatemorefrequentlyandarealwayspoppinginandoutofeachothers’ homes. I who had a job had to confine myself to,“Hi,”and“Bye.”
When I retired, I started gardening. One day, while in thegardenIsawthetwoofthemwalkingbacktoMai’shouse.I went out to say, “Hi,” and they lingered to chat. I knewthatMai,anIrishladyisaRomanCatholicandthoughtthatJean, a Scots belonged to some Scottish church. Out ofcuriosityorperhapsitwasmyguardianangeleggingmeon,IaskedJeanwheresheworshippedandshereplied,“Trinity
MethodistChurchinPJ,deah.”“Trinity!”Iexclaimed,“Iamthinking of joining that church.” “You’re welcome, deah.”I asked if there were any courses I could attend and shereplied,“Yes, theDisciple classes.”“Howdo I register forthe classes? I am not a church member.” “No problem,deah.IamthinkingoftakingDisciple1again.Youcancomewith me.” I could not imagine anyone wanting to take aBible studyclassagain. If I takeacourse,once it isdoneIamfinishedwith itandBiblestudyclassessoundeddull.“Areyousure?Youarenotdoingitagainbecauseofme?”“No,deah.ImissedsomeclassesthelasttimesoIwanttodoitagain.”
ItriedtopersuadeKhaikLeangtocomealongwithusbuthewasstillwaryofChristianityafterourexperiencewith theAmericanpreacher.Hesaid,“Yougofirstandifyouthinkitisall right, Ishallconsidergoingnextyear.So itwas thatJeanregisteredjustmeforDisciple1andIdutifullyfollowedhertochurchforthefirstclass.Iwasnervousandfilledwithtrepidation.What if Ididnotfit intheclassbecauseofmyignorance?IhadtoldDatinRachelLimofmyintentionandshehadsaid,“That’sunusual.Weusuallyattendtheclassesafterwearebaptized.”AndhereIwasthinkingthatIwouldfindoutwhatChristianityisfirstbeforeIcommittedmyself.If it isanything likewhat the fireandbrimstoneAmericanpreacherhadpreached,did Iwantanypartof it? IprayedbeforeIenteredtheclass,“Lord,pleaselettheteacherbeopen-mindedandveryintelligent.AndLord?Isitpossibletohavesomefamiliarfaces?”
IenteredandthefirstpeopleIsawwereDrLeeSooSeongandhiswife,DrPoonSiewKein,twoverygoodfriendsandmyformertutorsandcolleaguesintheUniversityofMalaya.Iwasverysurprised.Theyhadbeeninthechurchforaverylongtime.Howcometheywereonlytakingthecoursenow?Igotmyfamiliarfaces.ThankYou,Lord.
Ididnotknowanyoneelsebuttheywereallhappy,smilingandlaughing.OurmoderatorwasMsAileenKhooandtheyall knew her except me. When we had settled down, theclassstartedandAileensaidsomethingthatblewmysocksoff. “Within these four walls, you can say anything youwant.” I couldn’t believe my ears.“What?Anything?” andshe said,“Yes.” I thought,“What?No‘Blasphemy,Ming.’No‘Heresy,Ming’.”Wow!
As time went on, I found thatAileen knew her Bible. Sheclarifiedissuesforusandwasnevershockedorchastisedus for what we said. She led us gently back to the rightpathwhenwestrayedandneverever forcedherbrandoftheologyonus.To thisday,manyyears later, I stilldonotknowherbrandoftheology.Ihadgotmyopen-minded,veryintelligentteacher.THANKYOU,LORD.
MAY/JUNE 2011 CLARION22
TESTIMONY
‘My Experience Of TheSmall Group Concept’
ByDrKhooSooGhee
WhenIattendedtheone-day“SmallGroups”MeetinggivenbyMsSunWaiWaion17April 2011, Iwasinterested to find out more about the Small Group
Ministry.
Iwantedtoknowhowitwouldaffectthelifeofthechurch–whetherweweremovingtowardsacellchurchorachurchwithsmallgroups.
Iwasalso interested inhow itmightaffect the formation/existenceofrecognisedorganizationswithinthechurchliketheMYAF,MAF,MSF,MW,etcandhow itdiffered fromtheexistinghomefellowshipgroups,biblestudygroups,mannagroups(intheMW)andmutualsupportgroups(intheMSFwhichunfortunatelyhadnottakenroot).
The term “small group” is generic and may include cellgroup,caregroup,covenantgroup,discipleshipgroup,etc.It may be defined as“a group of 6-10 people that meetsregularly outside the church building for the purpose ofevangelismanddiscipleshipwiththegoalofmultiplication”.Thenumbermayvaryslightly.
Small groups may be organised according to age (youngadults, college groups, teenage groups, seniors group),specialneeds,geographicallocation,familyorientation,etc.Ina largechurch it isnotpossible to reachout fully to itsmembers, to genuinely care for them and to help them intheirspiritualgrowthwithoutadefiniteplantodevelopandbuildeffectivesmallgroups.
Followingthisone-daymeetingIthenjoinedthefirst“FOURW” Small Groups Training Workshop that was held overeightSaturdaysstartingfrom15Mayto24July2010.ThefourWsareindicativeofthetypesofactivitieswithineachsmallgroupmeeting.
Thefirst‘W’representsWELCOMEandtheaimistoprovidea welcoming environment through use of effective ice-breakers and a mutual covenant of confidentiality andaccountability,andagenuineinterest invisitors. It ismorethanjustbreakingtheicetomakenewcomersfeelathomein thegroup. Itcanalsobeanoccasion for thosewhoarealreadyfamiliarwithoneanothertosharetheirexperiences,thoughtsandfeelings.
Thesecond‘W’referstoWORSHIPwhichisanexpressionoflove,praiseandadorationforGodthroughsingingofhymnsandhelpingustoexperienceGod’spresence.
Thethird‘W’referstoWORDwhenthereistheopportunityfortopicalstudiesortostudypassagesintheBibleandto
shareourinsightsandalsoexperienceofcertainscripturalpassages.
Thefourth‘W’isWORKS–atimetoblessothersthroughprayer, visitation, evangelism and social work. During thistraining workshop I learnt about the structure of a smallgroup meeting and how it is to be conducted. I had theopportunitytopractiseleadingsomeofthe4Wactivities.
Aftercompleting the“FOURW”TrainingWorkshop I joinedthe firstTURBOGROUPwhichstartedon29October2010withthefollowingmembersnamely,PengLeong,HockTin,Swee Hah, Mary Bien, Coleen SeeToh andWaiWai (as aco-ordinatorforthegroup)andmyself.PastorAndrewwasalsowiththegroupuntilhistransfertoTelukIntan.LaterLilyCh’ngandEngHockjoinedthegroup.YenChooandMonicaWongalsoparticipatedinoneofourmeetings.
We meet every Friday for two hours at a member’s placeand there has beenno shortage of potential hosts for themeetings.Wetaketurnstoleadineachofthefouractivitiesand also to provide food/refreshments at the end of eachmeeting.Whenseveralmembersareunable tobepresentthemeetingiseithercancelledorchangedintoanoccasionforvisitation.
One significant aspect of the small group is thatwewereable toopenlyexpressour thoughtsand feelings.Throughtheempathyandgenuineconcernforoneanotherwehelptostrengthenoneanotheremotionally.Wheneveranoccasionarisesforrejoicingwealsojoinoneanotherincelebration.ThroughthesharingofourpersonalexperienceswebecomemoreawareoftherealityofGodinourlives.
InourprayerstoowewereabletosensetheSpiritatworkthrough thegroup. I praise theLord for answeredprayersandforthepeaceofmindthatIhavefeltaftersharingwithmembersmyshatteredemotionsandfeelingofhelplessnesstrying to chase away pigeons that were increasing innumbersabovemyroomwindow.Theprayersandadviceofgroupmembershavebeenmosthelpful.PraiseGod!
Our Turbo group will be ending soon and hopefully newsmall groups may be formed after that. Perhaps we needtoencouragemorememberstojointhegroupfirstandformorepeopletogainexperiencebeforewemultiply!
I realize the small group concept is good for the church,meaningitsmembers.Itisbiblicalinitspatternoffellowship,accountability, discipleship and evangelism (Acts 2:42-47). It helps to develop intimacy, mutual caring andencouragementwithinthelargercommunityofthechurch.
23CLARION MAY/JUNE 2011
Inawayit isalsosimilartothepatternofsocietiessetupbyJohnWesleytobringsmallgroupsofpeopletogethertopray,tostudytheBible,toserveandtoencourageandenjoyeachother’scompany.Iwishthereisagreaterawarenessofthesmallgroupconceptinthechurchsomemberswillnotbereluctanttoparticipateinsuchgroupswhichareindeedbeneficialtothem.Ibelievethesmallgroupconceptcanbeausefulcomponentofthechurchandcancomplementtheactivitiesoflargeorganizationsinthechurchorevenhomefellowshipgroups.
The small group has its valuable role to play – it is ableto reach out to individual members easily. However, thereare someactivities that are effective andappropriate onlythrough theorganizations. However,bothcanco-exist for
the benefit of the church. Concerning the other existinggroups in the church (mentioned earlier) there may be aneed to make slight adjustments to fit in with the smallgroupconcept.
Itisonlythroughsmallgroupsthatcloserelationshipscandevelop.Memberswithin thesmallgroupcan freelysharetheir personal experiences of the love of God, help oneanothergrowinspiritualmaturityandalsoreceivespiritualandemotionalsupportduringdifficulttimes.Whenwetrulyexperience the love of God we are able channel this loveto others through the giving of ourselves and serving thechurch.Itisalsoingivingthatwereceivemuchinreturn.
‘Life Is What Happens While You’re Busy Making Plans’
HiDads!
Maybeyoucan relate to thatquotebyJohnLennonasindicatedinthetitle.Isurecan!
Most dads I know, including myself, are busy makingplans...plansforourwork,plansforourweekends,plansforourfamily,plansforourhouse,ouryard,ourmoney,andsoon.
Butwhilewe’rebusymakingall theseplans...well, lifehappens.
Diapersneed tobechanged.Attitudeshave tobedealtwith. Spouses need to be communicated with. Dishesneedtobewashed.Bathroomsneedtobecleaned.Billsneedtobepaid.Grassneedstobemowed.
And before we know it, our kids are no longer infants,toddlers,orgradeschoolage.They’reinhighschool,orcollege.Andthenreadytolaunchoutasyoungadultsontheirownlifejourney.
I was reminded of this once again recently when mysecondoldestsonsomehowreachedhiseighthbirthday.How did that happen?!? How I wish I could find the“pause”buttontokeepmychildrenfromgrowingupsofast.
So let me encourage you today, Dads, to live in themoment. Carpe Diem. Seize the day. Take joy in yourdailyroutine.Seriously.
Appreciatewhereeachofyourchildrenisrightnowathisorherstageofdevelopment.Andliveeachdayengagedwiththem.
Andstayengagedwithyourwife.
Nowit’stimeformetogospendsometimeholdingmy
six-week-oldsonandenjoyinghischubby-cheeksbabysmile... because I’ll be celebrating his eighth birthdayjustafewshortmonthsfromnowtoo!
Blessingstoyouandyourfamily,Joey
PS:Doyouhaveasonordaughtergraduatingfromhighschoolthismonth?Makeitaveryspecialmemoryofhowmuchyoulovethemandareproudofthem.Idea:Writea hand-written heart-to-heart letter to them from Dad.Theywillkeepitforaverylongtime,perhapsevenafteryou’regone.
ThisarticleistakenfromFamilydads.(withpermission)
RosalindYongandherfamilyspendingtimetogether
MAY/JUNE 2011 CLARION24
TESTIMONY
Shestoodbythedoorwayandwatchedmehopontothetruck.Itriedtowinddownthewindowbutitgotstuck.Thedriverhelpedmewinditdownsothat Icouldwavegoodbyetoheraswedroveaway.Myheartwasmelancholic, seeing thatshedidnotsmile... juststaringatmeasIleft.Itstirredmemoretoseesomeonesadatseeingmeleave,thantheleavingitself.
WheneverIvisitedher,Iwouldjumpdownfromthetruckandrunintothe hut while cheerfully calling out“Ah Puah!Ah Puah!”, meaning“grandma”inthelocaldialect.Sheisalocalpastor’smother,stayingatalittlehutcumchurchonthewaytothevillage.
“Ah Puah, I’m leaving…” She was stunned for a second and thenhuggedmewithoututteringaword.Sadnesslingeredintheair.Itold
herIwouldmisstheporridgeshecookedeverySunday.Irememberonce,someotherdessertwasserved,andshesecretlykeptabowlofmyfavouriteporridgejustforme,whisperingtomenottotellothers.
IgaveAhPuahsomefarewellgiftsandwestoodatthedoorwaytotakeafarewellphoto.Sheshowedmeherfingerwithtwoplasterbandagesonit,likeshewouldalwaystellmewhenevershehadatoothacheorafingerprickedbyathorn.Avinegaryfeelingdeep-downinmyhearttriedtosneakitswaytomynose,andallIdidatthatmomentwasaskifshehadenoughplasters.AsIwalkedawaytoaskthetruckdrivertohelpholdthecamera,shethoughtIwasshootingheraloneandsokeptsayingthatImustbeinthephototoo.Onmywaybacktoourlittletown,Istoppedattheonlyphotoshopthereandpaidforthatphototobedeveloped,andthenIaskedthetruckdrivertohelpcollectitlaterandtogiveittoAhPuah.Ihopeshewillnotforgetme.
Sayinggoodbyetotheschoolchildrenandvillagerswasnotanyeasier.Thechildrenlovedtodrawandtheyweregood at it. Some of them liked to draw me, and theyalways gave me sweet messages telling me that theylovedme.ThesepicturesarenotbyVanGoghorMonetorRenoir,butIlaminatedthemandkeptthemastreasuredbookmarks.
Thoughitwasnotsafetotravelacrossthecheckpointforthe last time, Ihaddoso inorder tobring toaclosure,or Iwouldregret itaswemightneverevermeetagain.Moreover,IcouldnotforgettwospecificthingsIneededtodo,ontopofgenerallysayinggoodbyetothechildrenandvillagers.
Firstly,Imustfulfillmypromisestotwobrothers.Sometimeago,IgaveapairofslipperstoachildafterIsawhimwalkingaroundbarefootandsteppedonshatteredglass.Itwasabeautifulbluepair.Thatseven-year-oldwasagloomychildandheseldomsmiled,soIrememberedhisbrightwidesmileevenmorewhenheworetheslippers.Butsincethen,weneversawthatpairofslippersagain.Hewouldnottellmehowtheywerelost. Isuspectedthatsomeonemusthavesnatchedthemfromhim.SoIpromisedhimanewpair.IalsopromisedtogiveapairtohislittlebrotherafterIfoundverybadcutsonthefive-year-old’ssoles.Havingonlytwopiecesofplasteratthattime,Iputthemonthebiggercuts,andthenhecoveredtheothersmallercutswithcartoonstickers.Hemusthaveinnocentlythoughtthatthosestickerswerethesameastheplasters.
Goodbye, My Friends JANICE TAY dedicates this article to“eachoneofyouwhohassupportedmein various ways. You’ll never know howmuch your prayers and encouragementmeanttomethroughoutmy15monthsonthefield.”
25CLARION MAY/JUNE 2011
Secondly,onthatlasttrip,Ihadhopedtofindthechildwhodrewthe abovepicture ofme.Hehadnot been attending school forsome time. Other children told me that he and his family hadnotbeenseenaround.Thechildrenledmetohishousebutthedoor was locked.That 13-year-old was studying in Grade Onetogetherwithotherseven-year-oldsbecauseheattendedschoollate. I needed to tell him that he was clever and had a brightfuture and must not abandon school. It is a norm here for thechildrentodropoutofschooltohelptheirfamilies,andsomeofthemleavethevillagetowork.IfounditupsettingeverytimeachildsuddenlydisappearedfromschoolandIcouldnotseehim/heranymore.
Iwasdisappointedwhenmytwowisheswereunfulfilled.Itwasaschoolholidaysothetwobrotherswerenotaround,andtheotherchildwasstillnotfound.
We gathered at a child’s home to say goodbye.Those childrenwho stayed nearby came over, especially those who were veryclosetome. Ispenta lotoftimethedaybeforetopackspecificfarewellgiftsforeachchild,alsoputtingineachplasticbagaphotoofhis/hermemorablemomentwithme.Asforthetwobrothersandthat13-year-old,Icouldonlyleavetheirpackswithotherchildrentopasstothem.Thechildrentoldmethattheywouldmissme.Tome,thatalonewasworthmy15monthsspentwiththem.
ItwassadthatIhadtoleavethefieldaftermyvisaextensionwasdenied,ontopofsafetyconcerns.Inthepast,Iwouldhavebeenstubbornandwouldhavedoneanythingandeverythingtocontinuethere.Butovertime,Ihavelearnedtoletgowhenitistimetomoveon.IfeltdownheartedforsometimeafterIleftthefieldattheendofApril.Havingcontractedaverybadfungalinfectionfrommylasttrip,mybodywasinflictedwithveryitchyrashesandblisters.Aninfectedboilhadtobecutopentoletoutthepus.Iwasfrustratedandcouldnotunderstandthisoutbreakofrashes.Inaddition,Iwasworrieduponfindingoutthatmyfatherhadbeendiagnosedwithdiabetesafewmonthsago.Andontopofthat,someotherthingswerenotgoingwell.IcouldnothelpthinkingofJob,butdeepdownIhadtoholdontoknowingthatourGodisnotaninflictingGod.Theinfectionpersistedfortwoweeksbeforetheconditiongotbetter,afterdaysofmedication.Itwillbeafewmoremonthsbeforethespotsandscarscanhealcompletely.Twoweeksofquarantineathomedidnothelpinmywrestlingtore-adjustfromthefield’sroutinetothelocalsurroundingsagain.Whilerecuperating,IwasseekingGod’shelpastowhattodofromnowonwards.Overtime,IamlearningtobepatientandwaituponGod.
Behold,Iamwithyouandwillkeepyouwhereveryougo…(Gen 28:15a)HecalledthenameofthatplaceBethel… (Gen 28:19a)ThenJacobwentonhisjourney… (Gen 29:1a)IamtheGodofBethel,whereyouanointedapillarandmadeavowtome.Nowarise,gooutfromthislandandreturntothelandofyourkindred.’”(Gen 31:13)ThenletusariseandgouptoBethel,sothatImaymakethereanaltartotheGodwhoanswersmeinthedayofmydistressandhasbeenwithmewhereverIhavegone.”(Gen 35:3)andtherehebuiltanaltarandcalledtheplaceEl-bethel,becausethereGodhadrevealedhimselftohimwhenhefledfromhisbrother.(Gen 35:7)
Ihadaninsightfromapastor’sarticlethatmightbestdescribemyjourneyoverthe15monthsonthefield.InGenesis28,JacobhadadreamwhereGodpromisedthatHewaswithhimandwouldkeephimwhereverhewent.JacobnamedtheplaceBethel(theHouseofGod)andwentonhisjourney.Afteryearsofupsanddowns,theninGenesis35,GodcalledJacobbacktoBethel,andhebuiltanaltarthereandrenamedtheplaceEl-Bethel(GodoftheHouseofGod).Jacobgotbeyondfocus
ontheplaceofGodtotheGodoftheplace.
Itisnotintendedtomeanthatplacesdonotmatterandthatgoingouttoforeignlandformissionisredundant,butitisallaboutGod.
My months were like Jacob’s years, gathering God’s refinements through fears anddistress, and experiencing more about the Person than things around. I thankfullyrecognizeeveryencounterwithHim,andIgratefullyacknowledgeHisfaithfulnessandfavourthrougheverymoment.
Prayers1) Pleasecontinuetoprayfortheschoolchildrenandvillagers.2) Prayformyfamily,especiallyformyfather’shealingfromdiabetes.3) Prayforcompletehealingofmyskinproblems.4) PrayfordiscernmentonwhatGodwantsmetodonext.
MAY/JUNE 2011 CLARION26
JEREMIAH SCHOOL
My JS Experience…‘Inowseethingsfromadifferentperspective’
ByMrJoelSo
It was an awesome two months. Though it passed like*snap*Ialreadymisseveryone…
Firstweekand thereweresomegroans, Idon’twannabehere… *Sigh!When is this gonna end… and come a fewmoreweekseveryonewaslikesaying,“Ohmygoodness…Idon’twannagohome!*Sniff!IhopeCNYbreakendsquicksowewouldbetogetheragain…”
Haha!The ironywas I hadawonderful time there, I couldtellyou!Apartfrommeetingnewpeople,meetingandbeingwithDadagain… thatwas thebestpart. Living in suchaclose community like that, with 20 awesome members,reallybroughtussoclosetooneanother…thoughattimeswe had our misunderstandings, we still were one body inChrist,andwestilllovedoneanother!Amen!
Jeremiah School (JS) is a place to really open up and berealtooneanother.NeverhadIbeeninsuchafamily…Itwas justoneofakind…Iwoulddefinitelymiss the timesat thebeach, sittingby thehutearly in themorningwhilethe moonlight glistened at the horizon, the meals at thecafeteria,thesessionsinHall2…
Graduation was a joyous and sad occasion… we saidso many goodbyes I lost count haha! Everyone lookedhandsomeandbeautiful thatday.Whataway tocelebratesuch a joyous occasion. Our families were there.And thebestofall,Godwasthere…rightinthemidstofus.
Onamorepersonallevel,JSreallyhelpedmeseethingsfromadifferentperspective.Thatwasthetitleofthesermonette(Mini Sermon) that I shared with the others during one ofourChapeltimes.Seeingthingsfromadifferentperspectivereallychangedtheworldaroundme.Notanymorewasitaroutine going to church. Every day was not just the sameolddayanymore!Everydaywasfilledwithexcitementandawesomenesshaha!…seeinghowDadworksinmylife,inthe livesofothersaroundme.SeeinghowHecouldspeaktomethroughthebiblestudy,likewhatmybrotherZhiWeisaid, “We got addicted to the Word of God.” How cool isthat?!
Well,JSalsohelpedmeseethebeautyand importanceofevangelism, as I got the chance to share Christ with onepersonduringourMissionWeekandpraiseDadforbringingyetanothernewmemberintoHishugefamily…nowIhaveasmalltasteofwhat itmeanswhenDadsaysinHisWordthatalltheheavensrejoicewithonesinnerwhoissaved.ThatwasmyJSexperience.There issomuchmoretotellactually,buttheywouldrequiresomuchmoreexplanation,haha,thatIcouldwriteanovel…ifeveranyonewouldliketoknowmore,dofeelfreetoapproachmetoask!
Me(secondfromleft)andmybuddiesatJSongraduationday,
Thesetwophotosshowushavingfunandhowclosewehavebecome
UncleHerbie.
27CLARION MAY/JUNE 2011
HOME FELLOWSHIP
Return To SentulByChanBingFai
Home Fellowship GP 8A
IgrewupinSentulinthe1930s.Sentulatthattimewas
justaneighborhoodofK.L. Itwassituatedat the21/2
mile-stone along Ipoh Road. It was a very small town
with just3 rowsof shops, oneblockononesideand two
other blocks on the opposite side of the road.There were
nobuildingswithmorethantwostoreys.Itwasaquietand
peaceful place. The activities were centered around the
market place especially in the mornings. Very few people
had refrigerators then, so housewives had to buy their
dailyneedsformeat,fish,vegetablesandothernecessities
fromthemarket.Itwasdividedintoparts.Thecoveredpart
measuringabout40’x30’,hadacorrugatedasbestosroof
butwithnosidewalls.Ithadabout20permanentconcrete
stalls, each measuring about 8’ x 4’ with a height of 30’.
Theywereusuallyoccupiedbyfishandmeatvendorswho
required a firm platform for cutting and chopping. A few
were occupied by vegetable sellers and many were left
vacant. Petty traders preferred to display their goods on
groundsheetsintheopenmarketsection.
In frontof thecoveredbuildingwasanemptyopenspace
about40’x30’forpettytraders.Inonecornerofthemarket,
spices,condimentsandfruitsweresold. Inanothercorner,
itwas occupiedby food stalls selling‘UCharKoey’, ‘Ham
CheenPean’andredbeanporridge.Thisstallhadabout10
lowstoolsforcustomerstositwhileenjoyingtheirbreakfast.
Nexttothiswasastallselling‘WanTanMee’andadjacentto
itwasthe‘CharKweTeow’man.
Foruschildren,goingtothemarketwaslikegoingtoafair
to be entertained. From time to time, there were all sorts
oftravelingpeddlerspassingthrough.Theywerethesnake
charmers, fortune tellers, medicine men and also many
others. If one heard the clash of cymbals from afar, one
couldbesurethatitwasthemedicineman.Peoplequickly
gatheredroundhim.Toattractattention,hewouldperform
sometrickslikeamagician.Thenhewouldtalkconvincingly
about the efficacies of his medicines. Usually he was
assistedbyhiswife.Theyworeakindofkungfuoutfit.As
children,weweremore interested in their sleightofhand
tricks and their prowess in kungfu. Besides being a very
skilleddemonstrator,hewasalsoamastercommunicator.
Whenhegothisaudiencemesmerized,hewouldchangehis
toneandbeganpromotinghismedicines.Whensaleswere
sogoodthatveryoftenheforgottocontinuewithhistricks
fromwhereheleftoff.Mostchildrenweremoreinterested
inhiskungfudemonstrationsthanhismedicines.
Childrenweregenerallymoreinterestedinsnake-charmers
and dough modelers than fortune-tellers. For 1 cent one
couldbuyaverycolorfulmodelofasimpleanimallikeadog
oracockerelmadefromdoughstucktoatinybamboostick
about8” long. For2 centshecouldmodel thedough into
a Chinese opera character complete with head-gear and
matchingcolorfulcostume.Theyweresobeautifullymade
andlife-likethatonewouldliketokeepthem.Unfortunately,
thedoughwoulddryout, crackandshrinkand thecolors
wouldfadeandchangeintime.
Sometimes if one was lucky enough, one would meet the
candy-man. They candy sold here had no mints, munch,
popsanddrops.Itwasjustplainoldmolasses,athickbrown
syrupobtainedfromrefiningsugar.For1centonecouldbuy
thistreacleor‘MahNgaTong’.Thecandy-manwouldliftup
somestickytreaclewithawoodenspatulaandthensmearit
ontoasmallbamboosticklikealollipop.Onehadnochoice
forflavors,justnaturalmolassesflavor.Thiscandywasfor
stick-lickingandtosimplyenjoyitssweetness.Oneseldom
saw the lollipopor thecandy-flossman.Peoplewere less
sophisticatedthen.
Fromtime to time if the localcircuscame to town, itwas
heldintheprecinctsofthemarket.Togetherwiththecircus
cametheFerris-Wheel,Merry-Go-Round,Go-cartandother
MAY/JUNE 2011 CLARION28
HOME FELLOWSHIP
forms of entertainment. The place would be transformed
intoaminiatureamusementpark.Atnightwhenthe lights
werelit,itbecameafairyland.Itwouldbeincompleteifthe
colorful hydrogen-filled balloons and kacang-puteh sellers
werenotaround.
Opposite the market was the Hindu Temple. Once a year
duringThaipusam,thehighlydecoratedchariotcarryingthe
idolofLordSubramaniam from theSriMahaMariamman
Temple at High Street, K.L. would arrive. It was parked
in front of themarket opposite theHinduTemple.At night
thechariotwouldbepulledbyapairofoxenbacktoHigh
Street. Thousands of devotees would come to theTemple
andpayhomagetoLordSubramaniam.Theythenjoinedthe
processioncausingmassivetrafficjamsalongtheroute.
Thefestivitywouldbeincompleteifitwasnotaccompanied
by some Indian musicians consisting of drummers,
accordion-players and trumpeters. Indian-style Ferris-
wheelswouldbesetupinadvance.EachFerris-wheelwas
about20’high.Ithad4spokes,eachfittedwithabox-like
seat for two persons.To swing it round, two men, one on
each side, would push it round and round in circles. The
spacewassmallandasthecrowdgatheredintheevening,
it really became very congested. The merriment went on
deepintothenight.
The market place was a thriving community centre. Each
morning housewives went there to buy their daily needs
and by noon the place was half empty. By late afternoon
theplacewouldbedeserted.Whentheymet,theygossiped,
exchanged recipes and appointments made for the
afternoon mahjong sessions.Workers went there for their
breakfastbeforeproceedingtowork.Childrenwentthereto
beentertained.Theyoftenvolunteeredtohelptocarrytheir
mothers’basketshopingtoberewardedwithsomenyonya
kuihorsome‘UCharKoey’.Thosedayspeoplewerewithout
television,rediffusionandsomewithoutradios.
I used to live in a squatter-house in a rubber estate near
Sentul MBS, about 300 yards off Sentul Road. My cousin,
just one year older, lived in the same house. We both
attendedBatuRoadSchool(BRS).Manyofourfriendsalso
went toBRSand they lived in theGovernmentquarters in
theneighborhood.Afterschoolandonweekendstheyoften
came and played with us. Living in terraced quarters one
had limited room for playing. When we were young, we
played catching, police-and-thief and also kampong-style
roundersandfootballusingonlythetennis-ball.Weplayed
withmarbles,spuntopsandalsothegameof‘Kontal-kontil’.
Besides games, our past-times were catching fighting-
spiders, kite-flying, catching rainbow-fish from the fish-
pondandthelittlestreamnearby.Wedidnothaveexpensive
casting fish-rods with reels and spinning flies, so we just
used a long bamboo pole about 10’ to 15’ long. A piece
of thin steel wire was attached to the tapered end of the
bamboo.Theotherendwastiedaharuanfish-hook.Adead
frogwasattached to itand thiswas flung farout into the
pond.Withtherighthandplacedabout3’fromthebaseend
oftherodandthenrestingitfirmlyonthehip,thebaitwas
draggedacrossthepondwithjerkymovementstostimulate
the swimming movements of the frog. A hungry haruan
might takethebait thinking itwasa life frog. If therewas
abite, one could feel a sudden thugon the rod.Then the
movementoftherodmustbestoppedtoallowtimeforthe
fishtoswallowthebait.Withsomeexperience,onecouldtell
whetherthefishhadtakenthebait.Thefirstsignofabite
wasalittlejerkontherod.Onecouldseeasmallwhirlpool
withtinyairbubblessurfacing.Itwasthentimetoswingit
hardsidewaysinordertohookitandlanditontheshore.
The operationwasdelicate and it requiredperfect timing,
skill and experience. If one was clumsy and swung it too
prematurely,thefishwouldreleaseitsbiteandescape.One
could learn and acquire the skill as time went by. Fishing
couldbeaverysatisfyingandrewardingpastime.
In1957,ImovedoutofSentulandcametoliveinPJ.Having
leftSentul53yearsago,Ilongedtoreturntomyroots,the
place of my birth.An absence of over half a century has
givencause fornostalgia.Whatwas theplace like?There
werenamelessanxietiescoloredbytheemotionalchanges
between the place where I came from and paralyzed by
the neurotic lassitude engendered by meeting one’s past
at every turn. How would other people respond to me?
Would I be recognized and accepted as a Sentul original,
coldly rejected or received a range of responses between
extremes?
OnedayinNovemberlastyear,anoldfriendofminewholike
me,wasanAnakSentul,bornandraisedinSentul,returned
toSentul for sentimental reasons trying to reconnectwith
29CLARION MAY/JUNE 2011
our past and to seek out familiar landmarks or perhaps
hear a familiar voice. Unfortunately, the place had been
transformedbeyondrecognition.
ManyoftheoldRailwayquarterswhichusedtocovermost
ofthelandscapehadbeendemolishedforredevelopment.A
wholenewtownshiphadtakenitsplacenowcalledSentul
East.ItcoveredthepieceoflandbetweenSentulRoadand
Pahang Road. The place had been worked over by a tin-
dredge many years ago. When the tin-dredge stopped its
operations,itwasleftasakindofwastelandwithmanyex-
miningpoolsovergrownwithwater reeds.Manymigratory
birds from Europe stopped in these wetlands en-route to
otherpartsofEastAsia.SentulTimurisnowpartofBandar
Baru Sentul. It is now filled with high rises, shopping
complexes and condominiums. To the north it connects
SentulPasarDalamtoGombak.TheStarLineoftheLRThas
itsterminusinBandarBaruSentul.
The few remainingsightswere theSentulMBS, theGrace
Tamil Methodist Church, the Roman Catholic Church and
the Convent in Sentul Pasar. We decided to seek out the
famous coffee shop known as“Ah Lim Shop” along Jalan
Haji Salleh. In its heyday it was the meeting place for the
gentryofSentul,mostofthemwereemployeesoftheSentul
RailwayWorkshop. It used to occupy a shop lot in a two-
storiedblockofshop-housesalongthisroad.Itcouldnotbe
tracedbecauseonthesitenowstoodarowoffour-storied
buildings.StationRoadnowcalledJalanHajiSallehusedto
beconnectedwithIpohRoadattheSentulPostOffice.The
skeletonof theoncemightySentulWorkshopstill remains
withonlyanemptyshell,roofless,desertedanditsroaring
machinessilentandinastateofdisrepair.
TheredevelopmentofSentulseemedconcentrated toEast
Sentul. West Sentul’s development is very limited at the
moment.WestSentulroughlycoversthemarket,postoffice,
policestation,therowofshophouses,theHinduTempleand
theirsurroundingareas.Thepostoffice,policestationand5
or6timberyardsalongIpohRoadhavealldisappearedand
arenow replacedby rowsand rowsof shophouses.Near
the3rdMileIpohRoadwastheseniorofficers’RailwayClub
and itsadjacentplaying field.Behind theclub-housewere
rows and rows of senior officers’ quarters. They all have
beendemolished.
OnecanstillenterthisareaviaJalanStrachamandthereare
many colorful decorative flags along this road advertising
thePerformanceArtsTheatretogreetvisitors.Goingtothis
placeislikeenteringanatureparkbecausetherearehuge
shaded trees on both sides of the road.There is a sentry
with security guards at the entrance checking on visitors.
The Sentul Development Site Office is situated along this
road. Less than 1 Km from Ipoh Road is the Performance
ArtsTheatre.ThesurroundingareaistheSentulGolfClub.It
ispredominantlygreenwithmanymaturedtrees.Ihopethis
willremainasthegreenlungfortheSentulfolks.
Ifindmyselfastrangerinmyownhometownwithmostof
the familiar sightsgone.Whatever itmeans, I cannot turn
the clock back. As we grow older, we become homesick.
But the trip is not a complete failure. Going back to our
rootsmakesuspineforthegoodolddays.Nobodycanhold
backtime.Aslongasthependulumoftheclockcontinues
toswingtimegoeson.On-goingdevelopmentsandfurther
changescanbeexpected.
Sentultomemeansmorethanaplace.Itembracesagamut
ofmemoriesofmychildhoodandmycarefreedays.There
is always a corner of my heart which is forever Sentul in
theway I know it.The sentimental journey downmemory
lane makes my heart yearn for the memory of my youth.
Thosegoodolddayshavegoneandtheywillneverreturn.
MyfriendandIvowedtobebacksometimetoseefurther
changeswhichareexpectedastimemovesforwardinlock
stepswithprogress.
Nothing in the world stays the same hence the dictum,
“You cannot step into the same river twice” so declared
Heraclitus,aGreekphilosopherwholivedfrom544to483
B.C.SotoosaidGeneralDouglasMacArthurwhenhehad
toleavethePhilippinesforAustraliabecausetheAmericans
weredefeatedbytheJapaneseInvasionForcesduringWW
II.Ontheeveofhisdeparturehedeclared,“IpromiseIshall
return”.SoinsimilarveinIpromisetoothatIshallreturnto
Sentulfromtimetotime.
MAY/JUNE 2011 CLARION30
ACTIVITY
Tenebrae – A Service Of Shadows
ByMsDebbieDavid
Silence.What does it mean to you?They say silenceis golden, where saying nothing is preferable tospeaking.
Fast forward to today,andabsolutesilence ishard to find.Amidst thebustlingworldpackedwith informationcomingatyoufromallangles,wheremobiledeviceshavebecomeaninseparablecompaniontomany,itishardtofindsilencein today’s world. Spiritually, our mind becomes cluttered,confused,occupied.ArewelisteningwhenGodisspeakingtous?HowcanweshutouttheambientnoiseandfocusonlisteningandreflectingonHisWord?OnGoodFridayofthisyear,wedidjustthat.Weshutoutthenoise,weturnedofftheworld for justonemoment,and focusedourheartsonthecross,thecrosswhereJesusChristdiedforus.
ThisGoodFriday,aTenebraeservicewasconductedinoursanctuary. Tenebrae is Latin for ‘shadows’ or ‘darkness’.ATenebraeservice,a‘serviceofshadows’hasbeenaroundforcenturies,andbelievershavegatheredinquietservicesofshadowsandcandlestoreflectonthesufferinganddeathofChrist.AtTMCPJ,thecongregationgatheredtogetherthatevening, and as the service began, the sanctuary lights
were dimmed, engulfing the sanctuary with the sombermoodofGoodFriday.Spotlightswere focusedon thealtarcross,wrappedinabloodredcloth,crownedwithacrownofthorns.
The service was led by Sun Wai Wai, who provided anintroduction to theTenebraeservice,what itwasallaboutandwhatthepurposeoftheservicewas.
Asthelightsdimmed,sevencandlesonthealtarremainedlit,symbolizingthesevengoalsoftheTenebraeservice:-• ReflectingandmeditatingontheScripturesfocusingon God’sextremeloveforus• Remembering the sacrifice of Jesus Christ and the sufferingHeendured• Recognizing the seriousness of sin and penalty we deserve• RepentingandturningtotheLordforforgiveness• Realizing thegreatnessofourTriuneGod–ToseeHis character,holiness,justice,wrath,love,mercyandgrace• RespondingtotheLordinreverentworship,singingand prayer• ReturningonEasterSundayinhopeoftheresurrection
Thecross,thebloodredcloth,thecrownofthorns
31CLARION MAY/JUNE 2011
Selected readers guided the congregation through eachof the seven reflections, pausing between each reflectionsothat thecongregationcouldreflectandmeditateontheeventsthattookplacethatFriday.Appropriatehymnswerealsosunginbetweenthereadings.
The first reflection, EXTREME NEED, talked about how weashumanshadsinned,andbecauseofGod’sgreatloveforus,GodwaspreparingtosacrificeHisoneandonlySontosaveus.
The second reflection, EXTREME COMMITMENT, spokeaboutJesus’commitmenttoHisFather’swill,howHewasbetrayedandledlikealambtotheslaughter.
Thethirdreflection,EXTREMEPAIN,illustratedtheextremepain that Jesuswent through, as a very real accountwasdemonstratedaboutdeathbycrucifixion.Thescenewassetupbythereaders,andaccompaniedbyaverseof‘WereYouThere’.Thecongregationtookpartincountingthe39lashesthatJesushadtoendurewhilenailedtothewhippingpost.Gossip,Inhumanity,Prejudice,War,Lies,Unforgiveness.HowcouldJesusendure?ByHisstripeswearehealed.
The fourth reflection, EXTREMESUFFERING, expressed theextremesufferingthatJesushadtoendureasHewasnailedto the cross, as all the sins of the world were nailed to abrokenbody thatwassoon tobe lifted forall theworld tosee. Beaten, bloodied, bruised for our guilt and iniquities.As thecrowdshouted“CrucifyHim!”,a rangeofemotionsandwordswereutteredtodescribethescene,bringingusaveryrealexperienceoftheemotionsofthatday.Mocking,vulgarities, blasphemy, loneliness, abandonment, thirst,shock.
The fifth reflection, EXTREME SACRIFICE, was the mostemotional of the seven. Jesus now hangs on the Cross,stripped,bleeding forall tosee.Terriblewordsand insultswereuttered–“IfYouaretheSonofGod,saveYourself!”,“Idon’tneedYou!”,“Leaveusalone!”,“I’mthemasterofmyownlife”,allwordsthatarereflectiveofnotjustpeopleofthatday,butsometimesevenrealtopeopleoftoday.Toallthis,JesusasksforforgivenessfromHisFather,forallofoursins.“Father,forgivethem”,heutters.
Thesixthreflection,EXTREMEMERCY,spokeofJesus’andGod’smercy,evenaswestandguiltyandcondemnedbeforeGod.ForattheveryheartoftheEasterstory,thereliesmercy.TheEasterstory isastoryofnew life,newbeginnings forthosewhohaveneverdeserveditandwillneverdeserveit.ForJesustookalloursins,allourpunishments,andput itonthecross,sothatourlivesarebridgedbyChrist’scross,andourrelationshipwithGodisrestored.
Theseventh reflection,EXTREMEGLORY, illustratedJesus’final moments before giving up His life. Jesus’ cross
displayedthegloryofHislove–personalloveforyouandI.The eighth and last reflection, EXTREME LOVE, expressedJesus’ extreme love for us, asHehungdying.SometimesweevenforgetthatthisJesuswhohungonthecrosswasGodintheflesh,dyingforus.Jesusdiedwillingly, in love,extreme love.No one tookHis life fromHim, asHe laid itdownforusall.Extremelovethattheworldhadneverseen,lovegivenforallofus.
God isrich inmercy,andforgivesoverandoveragain.Hecares about the intimate details of your life, and wants apersonalrelationshipwitheachoneofus.
AsthecongregationtooktimetoreflectuponthewordsandScripture thatwas read,acandlewasextinguishedat theendofeachoftheeightreflections.
Thelightsshiningonthecross,symbolizingourLordJesusChrist, became dimmer as the candles were extinguishedonebyone, light slowly fadingaway, reflectiveof the lastmomentsofJesus’earthlylifeashebreathedhislastbreath.Asthefinalcandlewasextinguished,thesanctuarywasleftintotaldarkness.Quietdarkness.Silence.Jesushaddied,lifedrained,lovelost.
Afinalsolowasrenderedentitled“IGaveMyLifeforThee”,thelyricsevokingtheextremelovethatJesushadforeachand every one of us, that He would sacrifice his life anddie on the cross to save our sins and allowus to enjoy apersonal relationship with our Father God in heaven. Theserviceclosedwithanimportantquestionfromthesolo….”Igavemylifeforthee,WhathasthougiventoMe?”
InrespectandmemoryoftheGoodFridayofmanycenturiesago,thecongregationwasaskedtoleavethesanctuaryinsilence,andcontinue toprayandreflecton themessagesandreflectionsuntiltheygatheredagainonEasterSunday.Lovewillliveagain.Becausethreedayslater,JesusChristarose,Heconqueredthegrave,andHelivesforevermore.
Andwewill never be the sameagain. BecausewithGodandJesusasourstrengthandshield,anythingispossible.
Congregationmembersstandingandcountingthe39lashestogether
MAY/JUNE 2011 CLARION32
How To Be The ‘Arrows’ That Help Protect Families
From Attacks
ACTIVITY
ByMrJoelSo
Youth Prayer Conference (YPC) this year was called“DotA”,haha!No,not theonlinegame,but itstandsfor “Defence of the Almighty” people! Who are we
defendingagainst,youask?Well,theworkoftheevilone…Where?Ineachandeveryfamily!Yes,wefoundthatoutatYPCthisyear,anditwasmyfirsttimeattheconference.
Itwasagreatexperiencegettingtogetherwithabunchofyouths (yes, that includesyou,UncleHerbie,haha) topraytogetherforoneanother’sfamily.Attimes,wedonotrealizehowmuchwecouldhavestrayedfromDadtillwedoaself-check.
Thatwaswhatwedid,andreally…itisamustbeforewegooutintothebattlefieldofSpiritualWarfare.WemustrealizethatSpiritualWarfareisnotagameanditisnotsomethingthatonlyDaddealswith.ItisVERYrealanditisHAPPENINGeveryday!Isharedwiththewholegroupaftergoingthroughthe sessions, when Uncle Herbie mentioned children werelikearrows in thehandsofawarrior. Ipictureeachofourhouseholdsasaminicastle,withusinsideandourparents(theheadsofthefamily)standingatthewatchtowerkeeping
watch,protectingthefamily.Asweprayforourparentsandeachother,arrowsfill theirquiverandthatgivesthemthefirepowertostriketheevilthatisalwaysouttherewaitingtocomeanddestroyourhomes…andbreakourfamilies.
Itispainfulknowingthattheevilone’sschemesbeginwithour families as the family is the very basic version of thewholechurch.Whenthefamilyfails,thewholechurchwillbe crippled. It is sad to know the amount of brokennessthatsomefamiliessufferfrom…butIcanalsotellyoutheamountofjoywefeelwhenafamilywehavebeenprayingforgetspiecedtogetheragainandhealed.
ThatisallfrommeonYPCthisyear.Continueinprayerforourfamilies!
UnlesstheLORDbuildsthehouse,thebuilderslabourinvain.
UnlesstheLORDwatchesoverthecity,theguardsstandwatchinvain.
Psalm 127:1
Me(left)withtheYPCdevotiongroup
33CLARION MAY/JUNE 2011
ACTIVITY
Health Campaign ForPre-schoolersMethodistKindergartenPetalingJaya
ByMsMaryTan
Methodist Kindergarten was chosen as thelaunch pad for the Kindergarten HealthCampaign. It is a community service by
Persatuan Tadika Malaysia and supported by GlaxoSmithKlinePharmaceuticalMalaysia.
It was held on 19 May from 10am to 12pm in theChurch Hall. Parents and the media were invited tothelaunch.
MethodistKindergartenwashonouredtobepartoftheHealthCampaignasitreflectedourcorefocus,whichistoensurethatthechildrenreceivethenecessarytoolsandknowledgeforahealthyandhappychildhood.
Themed “A Healthy Child is a Happy Child”, theKindergartenHealthCampaignaimstobeaplatformtocreateawarenessandeducatekindergartenchildren,teachers,parentsandcaretakersaboutthechildren’shealthdevelopmentand inparticular, the importanceofprotectionagainstcommonchildhooddiseases.
As parents, teachers and caregivers, we have aresponsibility to ensure that our children receiveproper guidance and care in their early years astheyrepresentourhopeandfuture.Itisduringthesegrowing years that proper education and health areespeciallycrucial.
While parents are responsible for the wellbeing ofthe childrenat home, this responsibility is bestoweduponteachersandcaretakerswhenthechildrenstartattendingpre-schoolorkindergarten.
Childrenbeingentertainedbyaclown
Kindergartenchildrenwiththeirsponsors
Choralpresentationbythechildren
LaunchofthePersatuanTadikaMalaysiawebsite
Vol.27, No.3• Private circulation only
MAY/
JUNE
11
‘Knowing God Our Father’‘Knowing God Our Father’GOD’STHREE WAVES
• Spreading Scriptural Holiness, Transforming the Nation• ‘My Experience Of The Small Group Concept’ • On A Deeper Spiritual Journey
• Spreading Scriptural Holiness, Transforming the Nation• ‘My Experience Of The Small Group Concept’ • On A Deeper Spiritual Journey