For the Week of 9th March 2014 From the desk of the Team Ministers: The Key to Christian Service - How to Carry on Serving and Never Give Up As I sat at the feet of brother Ooi Boo Chye through two morning worships on 23rd February, I went away deep in thought about his sermon, “The Road Less Taken”. He said that life is about choices, and that the Christian lifestyle, like everything that is worthwhile, is not easy. How to Carry On Serving Whether you are attempting to live the Christian life or already giving of your best in service, you must be prepared for challenges, problems and difficulties. I have been asked many times, how I was able to stay on for so many years in the ministry. Here are some things that enabled me to carry on serving and some lessons I have learned, so as not to give up. 1. Understand right from the outset, that God is in charge; that He is the one who empowers and apart from Him, there can be no success. Whatever the situation, no matter how depressing or despairing, know that God is in control, and all is well because it is in His good hands. Do not work without praying. Your Christian walk and work is spiritual. You cannot do it on your own strength. 2. Realise that we are imperfect, and will make mistakes and errors of judgement. Be quick to apologise, ready to admit shortcomings and commit to do better. Every failure is an opportunity to improve. Do your best and “having done all, to stand” (Ephesians 6:13) firmly. 3. Learn to appreciate your fellow Christians and workers. Whatever their views or methods, they too love the Lord and want to serve Him just as you do. Do not hold grudges and be ready to accommodate. Be humble. Learn from others and you will grow in your service. Rely upon the consensus of the group - Proverbs 11:14 “but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.” Why Leaders Give Up PP is blessed with leaders and full-time workers who are here for the long run, serving and staying faithful for many years, some right from the beginning. Why have others quit and abandoned their service altogether, unable to go the distance? 1. Disregard for spiritual worship, activities and fellowship. When we show up for a Bible class only when we are interested in the subject or teacher, or are too involved in our secular agenda so that our kingdom life is deprioritized to a once-a-weekonly Sunday morning routine, it is time for us to take stock and honestly ask ourselves if we are giving God the best of our service and top priority. 2. Taking it personally when dealing with members, relationships and problems. The first rule that elders, ministers and counsellors need to ensure is that they deal with each case the best they can, and leave it to the Lord. Becoming over sensitive, and taking home issues discussed in confidence will affect your well-being, family relationships, and impede your objectivity in dealing with the problem. 3. Championing a cause, especially against the direction of incumbent leadership. All my life, I have seen one Christian leader after another embark on this slippery slope. It does not take long before seemingly strong Christians start losing their faith. Work with the existing leadership. Roll up your sleeves and affect change from within. Before championing any cause, ensure that it will unite the church, uplift one another and glorify God. Our Mission: We are called out to worship God in Spirit and Truth, to testify to the nations the Gospel of Christ and to make disciples for the glory of God Almighty. PAGE 2 FOCUS Above: PPCOC and missions partners at last year’s Asian Missions Forum. Since the last Siem Reap AMF, more than 2 dozen members from PP have been attending this annual event, making it the largest contingent from any congregation. Details for this year’s AMF are on the back page. Registration for the church camp is off on a great start. We are aiming for 500 campers this year. If you have enjoyed the camp, get another to go with you. For the next 3 SPC lessons we will begin a mini-series within the current series on the book of Proverbs focusing on the family. The topics are: We warmly welcome to the family at PP, brother Franklyn Genove (an engineer working in Singapore), sisters Ella Daniela Paguila (helper of brother Charles Pang) and Ehpril Cataggatan Cammayo (sister of Mildred and Maribel), from the Philippines. Get to know these new transferred members! 1. God's wisdom for the family - the home as God would want it to be (12 March 2014). 2. God's wisdom for parents - bringing up children in the way of the Lord (19 March 2014). 3. God's wisdom for children - remembering God in your youth (26 March 2014). Our young people: David Goh, Gideon Siew, Andrew Tan, Ruth Hiew and Gillian Chong will be away for the annual Ankor of Faith at Siem Reap, Cambodia from the 14th-22nd of this month. Cover them in your prayers. The lesson on God's wisdom for the family will focus on how we can build a happy and harmonious family unit, why we are different (male and female) our different roles & responsibilities as husbands, wives and children in the home. We encourage families to make a special effort to attend this 3 part series. Men to Serve today and next Sunday 8am Scripture Text: 11am Call to Worship: SR/OP: S. Leader: Communion: Preacher: Shepherd’s Prayer: Ushers 6pm Call to Worship Scripture Text: Opening Prayer: S. Leader: Communion: Preacher: Closing Prayer: Psalm 115:16-18 Psalm 116:17-19 Elder Winston Chong Gooi Leng Fong Johnsten Wee Elder Simon Goh Elder Tan Beng Chuan Elder Adrian Teo Tan Teck Su HI Team Deacon Peter Lim Roy Tay Tan Teck Su Kuek Lee Hock Elder Winston Chong Daniel Goh HI Team Elder Winston Chong Psalm 100:1-5 Tran Hong An Keith Gant Elder William Wong Song & Word Team Elder Adrian Teo Deacon Peter Lim Psalm 117:1-2 Zachary Lee John Lim Elder Adrian Teo Jason Mok Elder Winston Chong PPCOC's Vision: By God's grace, our vision is to be a vibrant, growing community of Christians where every member ministers to one another. Equipped by committed servant leaders and dedicated care teams at home, and passionate mission interest groups and partners abroad, we steward our resources responsibly for God's Kingdom. FOCUS PAGE 3 THIS WEEK’S Sunday, 9th March 2014 7:30am Shuttle Bus Service 8:00am First Morning Assembly Speaker: Elder Beng Chuan 9:30am Bible classes for all Ages 11am Second Morning Assembly 1:15pm Shuttle Bus Ends 6:00pm Evening Assembly “Song & Word” Team 10th-14th March 2014 SIBI Courses 9am Chapel 9:30am Daniel and Ezekiel by Dean Brandi Kendall 1.00pm Contemporarily Doctrine by Dean Brandi Kendall Wednesday, 12th March 2014 7:30pm Focusing on the family (1/3) from the book of Proverbs by brother Cher Yam - bring the entire family along FACTS & FIGURES 8am Worship: 11am Worship: 6pm Worship: Total: Morning Giving Evening Giving Total Contribution 153 228 54 435 $13170.00 __$800.00 $13970.00 Pray for: Germaine and Felicia Ong that God’s words will touch them – Julie Wee God’s care and protection over me during my overseas trip from 7-13 March. God’s guidance and strength in my daily living that my actions may glorify God always – Lynda Wee God’s protection over Daryl during his one month training in Taiwan – Dennis Laws My family to put their faith in God for all circumstances. May they draw closer to God each day – Amelyn Allauigan Lord give me strength every day in my working life – Marilou Torino (Visitor) The healing process of my friend, Geraldine Lockhart – Linda Malana My good health and God’s guidance and protection for my family – Maricel Celeste (Visitor) God’s help to provide a job and my relationship with God – Marianne Park (Visitor) Me to be active and fruitful to do God’s good work – Maribel Cammayo The families of Molly, Grace, Rani and my family. Brother John Chelladurai – David Dass All to have faith in full obedience to God – Jenny Kwa Thank God for: Brother Keith’s sermon – Sandra, Linda Malana, David Dass, Josephine, Maribel Cammayo, Lolita Cataggatan, Clarita Simon, Irene Thong, Arniel Orejudos, Jenny Kwa, Henry Deacon Li Chhoan’s sermon – Patrick, Henry His forgiveness and all His blessings. My family – Emilita Lim Receipt No 3RSF 3RSF 3RSF 3RSF 1879 1880 1881 1882 Donor Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous Amount $500 $50 $1200 $150 PAGE 4 FOCUS Register by email to [email protected]