Trinitarian Magazine Issue 3/2009

People Features Happenings

Issue 3/2009

Are you ready for

0 2 10 Start today

Review your finances 路 Release your worries Recharge your spiritual ibatteries 路 Reach out with God's love

www.trinity.net

Trinity Christian Centre Celebration Services

Contents

Trinity@Adam 21 Adam Road ENGLISH SERVICES Adult Services, Nursery & DiscoveryLand* Sat 5pm Sun 8.30am & 11am Pre-teens Services (ages 10-12) Sat 5pm Sun 8.30am IGNYTE Services (ages 13-19) Sat 5pm Sun 11am CHINESE SERVICES Sun 8.30am & 11am FILIPINO SERVICE Sun 11am

10 Effective Jan 20

Trinity@Paya Lebar 247 Paya Lebar Road

ENGLISH SERVICES Adult Services, Nursery & DiscoveryLand* Sat 5pm Sun 10am Pre-teens Services (ages 10-12) Sat 5pm Sun 10am IGNYTE Services (ages 13-19) Sat 5pm Sun 10am CHINESE SERVICE Sun 10am** FILIPINO SERVICE Sun 10am INDONESIAN SERVICE Sun 10am THAI SERVICE Sun 6.30pm * Nursery (birth to age 4) & DiscoveryLand (ages 4 -12) ** With Cantonese interpretation through earphones.

Information is correct at time of printing, and is subject to change.

Radio Ministry Thought for the Day BE107 - Mon to Fri 7.40am & 10.30pm (repeat broadcast)

TRINITY CHRISTIAN CENTRE Tel: 6468 4444 • Fax: 6467 6005 Email: admin@trinity.org.sg Website: www.trinity.net Trinity@Adam 21 Adam Road Trinity@Paya Lebar 247 Paya Lebar Road

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27 Features 11 Financial Health Checklist Test your financial savvy

12 Review Your Finances Grow in financial strength

19 Release Your Woes By not worrying

32 Recharge Your Spiritual Batteries Through prayer

38 Reach Out with God’s Love To someone in need

4 1970 –2010

38

44

54

Heartbeat

Snapshots

People

44 Cared and Connected for!

Miracles in C&C

54 Blessed to be a Blessing Share how you were!

59 We Made Their Day! Say Campus Camp students

62 We Made Their Day Too! CCSS Rations Distribution

76 Be the SALT. Be the LIGHT.

YEARS

8 Reflect on your life…

CCSS Day 2009

Trinitarians share

78 TCA College

27 God Restores

30th anniversary celebrations

86 SPOOF! DiscoveryLand revamped service

A real life miracle

74 Impacting Them, Impacting Me Two MIT members reflect

88 4ONE IGNYTE combined event

64 InfoTalk Learning that transforms

90 ABSOLUTE. Campus Camp 2009

66 Vision Month Building a lasting legacy

70 Humanitarian Missions

92 RE-3t Young Working Adults’ camp

Giving and going

84 A Call to Action Will you answer it?

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V I S I O N

We see our worship services, prayer meetings and carecells as places where people hunger for the presence of God and where God delights to inhabit and dwell. In a vibrant atmosphere of worship, prayer and discipleship, we see people encountering God and the manifestation of signs, wonders and miracles.

O U R

Vibrant Atmosphere We see Trinity Christian Centre as a church living together in covenantal relationships; where carecells, ministries, families and individuals are flowing in corporate unity to fulfill God’s purpose and plan for the church for that hour.

Incredible Unity We see a people consumed with a vision to touch the world for Jesus Christ and to see His glory displayed throughout the world. We see a church with a passionate heartbeat to fulfill God’s global agenda through sending men and women of faith to equip and empower churches and the body of Christ.

Passionate Heartbeat We see the church as a place for the empowerment and development of Spirit-filled leaders who will be strategically positioned and deployed within the Body of Christ. Every Trinitarian a leader with a ministry.

Adviser Wang Look Fung Chief Editor Pastor Janice Chng Editor Tan Rou’en Sub-Editor Kevin Kwang Editorial Support Joshua Joseph Sarah Lau Veronica Teo Woo May Yin Contributing Writers Pastor Dominic Yeo Pastor Jeffrey Wong Pastor Margaret Tay Rev. Dr Tan Siang Yang Adelene Wee Chang Wai Wai Clare Chia Corinne Lim Krystle Foo Contributing Photographers Amelia Tan Cherie Ong Daniel Yeow Elsie Ong Irene Neo Jonathan Lin Lorraine Chee Sammy Ong Tan Sok Cheng Advertising Sales & Admin Veronica Teo For ad sales enquiries, Tel: 6468 4444 Email: admin@trinity.org.sg Mailing Address Singapore Post Centre Post Office PO Box 616 Singapore 914021 Website www.trinity.net Email admin@trinity.org.sg

Strategic Leadership

ISSUE 3/2009 The Trinitarian is published quarterly

by Trinity Christian Centre.

O U R C O R E VA L U E S

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Company registration number 197802911H MICA (P) 034/03/2009

Passionate Honour

Audacious Fervour

Passion to love and honour God

Boldness and zeal to believe and ask largely for the impossible

Printed in Singapore by Print & Print Pte Ltd License number L005/01/2009

Relentless Belief

Contagious Faith

Unwavering belief in people and their God-given destiny

Authentic and infectious faith that reaches out to the lost

All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part without express written permission is prohibited. Opinions, views and advertisements do not necessarily constitute the official stand of the church.

Star Letter

We’ve got Mail!

I am always thankful to the committed pastors and teachers of our Children’s Ministry for making a positive impact in the life of my children. As I read the article ‘Meet the Children Pastors!’, I was touched and encouraged by the various pastors who shared their most memorable moment in the ministry. Being a mother of three, my deepest desire is for my kids to have a strong personal relationship with the Lord. I am sure that my children have learned a lot in DiscoveryLand and will continue to be in the good hands and guidance of the caring and committed pastors and teachers!

Theresa Ang, homemaker

The article ‘Be an Altar Dweller’ in the last issue of the magazine by Rev. Les Bowling has indeed blessed me. Over the past months, I have been reminded of the verse “Seek first the Kingdom of God.” Rev. Les’s article just reinforced and gave me the assurance to do just that. It also reminded me that when we are ‘Altar Dwellers’, God will protect us!

This magazine has also allowed me to stay in touch with not only what Trinity does within the four walls of the Church but with what it has been doing with the community at large.

God Bless!

Tay Hing Heng, consultant

The magazine has improved tremendously! The testimonies tell us that God provides, and we must have the faith to believe Him. The articles are also very encouraging, especially the one on the man who saw Jesu Jesus (Real Life Miracle ‘I Saw Jesus!’, Issue 2/2009). I found the article very uplifting and encouraging. The way it was written is very good! It tells us that God is a prayer-answering God! Nancy Han, homemaker

Win!

COOL TEE FROM FUNKY B

Tell us what you think of the Trinitarian magazine! What articles would you like to see in future issues?

SMS Trinity<space>your feedback to 77177 or email testimonies@trinity.org.sg

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Att the starrt of the year, we aske ed some Trinitarians what they looked forward to as they enterred the new year of abundant living.

We reviisit these aspiratiionss as 2009 draws to a clo ose.

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Reflect!

I wa want nted nt ed tto o lear arn more and d hav a e fu fun n in the Disc Di scov sc o er ov eryL yLLan nd se s rv vic ices es.. I al es also so wan ante ed to llov ove ve Go God d an nd k ow H kn Him im m mor o e th this is yea ear. r. Thi hiss year, I’ve ve e llea earn ea rntt mo more re e ab bou outt Go God d through th h Hi Hiss wo word rd and an d I lo ove e tthe games ess at DL DL!!

I’Ive e als lso o le lear arnt ar nt h how ow tto o care

I as aske ke ed Go G d forr fo

hysi hy sical si 1 PPhy

and an d connect with h my fr frie iend ie nds. s.

wh holeness l for my m se self lf

I’I’ve ’ve b been n pr p ay ayin ing in g fo or th hem

an and nd my llov oved ved o one nes, ne s,, e esp spec ecia ec ia ally lly fo for my h hus usba band

and invitin ng the h m to cchu hurch.

wh ho ha had ad a ki kidn dney tra dn ran ns nsplant;

teri rity ty for morre 2 Poste

Joie Yeo, priim mary 1 studentt

sp pir irit itu it ua u a all ch chilili dr dre en and ffor en or m myy youn yo oun ngest b brother’s wife wi ife to ha have v p ve phy hysi sica call chil childr dren en;;

rovi vission in n 3 PPro

fina nan ncial ial bles bles essi sing si ngss so s tth hat we w can giive e mo m re to Him an and others;

ro od ctive re est stor oration that He 4 Produ

My aspir irat a ions were to do we wellll in my stu t di tu dies es a and nd tto o grow close er to God d in 20 2 09. God d ha h s ans answer ered ed m myy

le ead adss me iint ntto Hi Hiss de dest stin st in iny ny in m myy care reer er and ministry.

p ayer! My w pr weakest su ubje ect h has as imp mpro rove ve ed

God Go dh ha as be be goo been ood d to us. My hu husb sban and d ha hass be been en

tremendous u ly fro rom a bo borderline pas ass

in n the e pink of h hea e ltth si sinc nce, I was g nc giv ven a v ver ey

(58 (5 8 ma mark rks) to A* (92 92). ). G God od has also been

go ood d fin nancial pacckage upon le leaving my previ viiou ouss

te eac achi h ng g me to draw aw w cl c os ose e

comp co pany, which h allllowed me a ti time of reflection

to Him m throu ough gh p pra ra ayer

and an d sp spir irit iittua ual a gr grow ow wth th, and my yyo oungest brother and d

and serv ving in n

his wife fe rec e ei eive eive ved d sa salv l ation ea earlyy this year (theyy we were re

Di cov Di Disc over eryL yLan and d by

the th e rema re emain inin ing g mem mber mber mb e s of myy en enti tire re fam amilililyy to b be e

settin ng up and

sav sa ved d). We W tru rust stt G God od d for more mi mira racles bef efo ore 2009 20

m nn ma nnin ing in g the

clos cl o es os e and d for o lea eadi ding ng g us in into to o our urr des esti t ny ti n with h Hi H m.

s und syyst so stem em.

May Ma y Teo, se secr c et etar ary

Ethan Goh Et h, prim pr mary 5 sttudent

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Reflect!

2009 has been

At the start rt o off 20 009 9, I wa wan nted tto o se see e

a year where God

p od pr oduc ucti t ve restora ati tion on iin n the dr drea am Go God d

has exceeded all my

plac l ed d iin n my m hea art a ffew e yea ew ears rs ago g – tthe he

expectations. I aspired that

laun la unch un ch o off a fe eat ature film I w wro rote ro ea and nd tto o

IGNYTE will grow like never

star st art on my se seccond d. Ev ven tho houg gh my first

before, both spiritually and

feat ature fi film lm h hass n not been la laun u ch un che ed yyet ed et

numerically. This year, my carecell has grown closer to God

and an d myy p pro r du ro d ct c ion for the seco ond dh ha as

despite the stresses of JC life. God has also blessed me with

been be en p put on hold, God d opened up p ot o herr

close, godly friends who have kept me in check, both in cell

door do orrs in n tthe h media indusstr try. y. Rig ght now w

and in school. He has also blessed me in my studies – I studied

I am m in th the mi the mids d t off arr rran a gi an g ng the he coco-

sufficiently for my exams, but my grades have far exceeded my

prod pr od duc uc on of a drama serial with uction h a Ch Chin ina a

expectations. His hand has also been upon my family; we

c m co mp pan a y. This has not be been e

have become closer than ever. Thank you God for your

an eas asyy jo jour u ne ur ney and d th hings ngs

blessings of abundance in my life!

Ryan Loh, junior college student

ha av ve n not ot tur urne ned ne d ou outt th the e way I exxpe pect cted ct ed,, bu ed butt sl slow o ly and nd surrre rely ly, y Go God d is llea eadi ea d ng di gm me e to layy tth la he foundation n for futu fu ture productions,, an and

At the beg ginning g of

in the dream mH He has

t e ye th y ar I praye ed fo or

placed in my h hea eart.

Phys Ph ysic ical a whole ene ness sss ffor or

Loh Lo h Eng Leong g,

myy wife iffe an a d da daug ught htter er

projjecct ma mana age g r

who bo both th suff uffe err fr e fro om om

cum scriptwrit iter er

miigr grai aine ne.. I than ankk Go God d thatt tthe th he iin nten ensi sity ty and an d fr freq e ue eq en nccy of th he m miigr g ai aine ne es ha have ve less ssen ened ned. I’I’m m co cont ntin tinui uing ng to pray ayy for com ompl p et ete e he healin ng.

Mich chae aell W Wo ong ng,, op oper e at atio ions m man anag ger

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Are You Financially Healthy?

Are you managing your finances or do they manage you?

What is the state of your financial health? Test your financial savvy with this quiz!

l

My Financia

ck Health Che

r Yes) Answer (✓ fo

Question ilities. sets and liab I know my as 1 d first. y tithe to Go I set aside m 2 diture. onthly expen m y m w o kn I time.

3 t, 80% of the on time.) t what I wan o n , d ee ts in full and n I en m hat ay w p y y u b m I make 4 (i.e. I always it card debts ed case of an cr m o fr ree months (in I am free th t as 5 le at r e fo at can last m sh reserves th ca e av h I 6 ent. d/or investm emergency). ly savings an th n o m r fo t of money them. fixed amoun n to achieve I set aside a 7 financial pla a e av h I d ability, s an e event of dis tirement goal th re y in s m t se se en e p ex I hav 8 y cover family ld adequatel u o w s n la p My insurance illnesses.

9 n and critical hospitalisatio SCORE at I earn. less than wh d en sp I 10 esents 1 mark Each “✓” repr grasp of have a basic to t an rt o p loved ones. efore im elf and your life. It is ther rs r u u yo yo g in n ri sk rt ri al insu Red Ale 1-3 ating financi ing debt and is about mitig g for a rainy day, manag ey n o m g in Manag g, savin lth. like budgetin money issues eing in good financial hea eeds and b s d ur financial n yo Work towar t ac p im ill ith your This w are aligned w e with time. g ey an th ch at rt ay th le A m re su ces Orange 4-6 well to make d circumstan s, lifestyle an to manage your finances al o g al n so Your per portant therefore im priorities. It is g term needs. ur financial lon tly review yo an present and st n o C s. ce personal finan main in your re Alert s w o ap ll g e Ye m 7-8 and goals. health but so cial priorities od financial You are in go re that it meets your finan su plan to make ur plan. cused on yo fo ay St e. ap sh hy lth is in good 9-10 Healt financial hea r u Yo s! n o ti Congratula

No.

mess. ntt Tim len i Turbule l Ressililiieencce in al cia ci an in Fin F ng i di nffoTalk Builild hee IIn orr tth akker ffo H was the spe He

Manage your finances, manage your life! Unsure about the dollars and sense of financial manag gement?

Learn biblical principles in the next article.

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How do you manage your finances? This New Year, watch how you spend and learn how to grow in financial strength through King Solomon’s teachings.

By Pastor Jeffrey Wong

W

hen it comes to talking about God and finances, there is one fundamental truth to recognise and accept: all that we have belongs to Him. This is an important starting point because knowing this truth helps us to realise that managing our finances is a

spiritual matter. Furthermore, it would affect our relationships, not just with God, but with the people around us as well.

Jesus’ advice on earthly possessions…

1) There is no permanence in earthly possessions no matter how hard we try to protect them 2) Holding on to our earthly possessions is dangerous because they have power to dominate us, and are capable of inspiring obsession that competes against our devotion for God 3) There is no need to hold on to earthly possessions because God has already provided for all of our needs Many of us think that the more money we have, the better off we are. That is not necessarily true. If we fail to manage our finances, it can bring more pain than pleasure. In fact, it can become one of the greatest sources of stress in our lives.

To learn how to manage our finances better, we can look at the example of King Solomon. After all, he would have plenty of experience in this area, considering he is the wisest and richest man ever lived. This is a man who ate his meals from plates made with solid gold! I now share five tips gleaned from King Solomon’s writings in Proverbs.

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Review Your Finances Have you ever caught yourself saying, “I don’t know where all my money goes to?” Someone once said, “Money used to talk, but now it just slips away.” If you don’t know where your money has gone to, there are only two possible reasons: (1) someone is stealing from you, or (2) you are not keeping good records.

So how do we keep good records? Let me suggest four essential things that you need to track carefully.

TIP1

Keep Good Records Proverbs 27:23-24

Be sure you know the condition of your flocks, give careful attention to your herds; for riches do not endure forever,

1

What you owe

and a crown is not secure for all generations.

In King Solomon’s days, a man’s herds were his assets and it was the shepherd’s job to keep track of the size and condition of the flock. Translate this into our modern context, and King Solomon is telling us to keep track of what we have in order to manage our finances well. In other words, he is referring to the principle of accounting.

2

What you own

3

What you earn

Where it goes

4

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There are many software programmes that can help you

Many people fail to manage their finances because

do this; for me, Microsoft Excel is enough. However, the

they spend too much; and one of the main reasons of

point is simply to keep good records of your finances,

overspending is because they shop too much.

regardless of the method you use. It is because I know what

Before you think I’m against shopping, let me clarify:

my financial status is, that I do not need to worry unduly

There is nothing wrong with shopping if we do it

over it, and hence, I’m able to manage my life better.

carefully so that we can find the best deal for our necessities. However, the problem arises when people don’t do so; surveys show that nine out of 10 people don’t shop carefully but impulsively. While shopping, they don’t plan their spending, and without a plan, they end up buying more than what they can afford.

I can think of two reasons why people behave this way: (1) It has to do with Positional Buying.

Positional products are bought because of what they ‘say’ about the person who buys them. For example, buying a pair of Lotto sports shoes and a pair of NIKE footwear would convey different messages about yourself and to the people perceiving your purchases. This would mean that people purchase

TIP2

Plan Pl Y Your S Spending di

things, not because of purely intrinsic usefulness,

Proverbs 21:5

but it’s often mixed with positional buying.

The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty.

The problem is that many buy positional goods despite not being able to afford them just so that they can emulate

Another version from The Message Bible (TMB) puts it

someone’s lifestyle or buy into an image portrayed by

this way – “careful planning puts you ahead in the long

the media. This leads to the second reason…

run; hurry and scurry puts you further behind.”

(2) The power of the Media.

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The highest form of financial freedom is trusting God to

The above situation is caused and exacerbated by

provide for all of our needs. It is also never determined

the countless advertisements through the Internet,

by how much we earn, but by how we spend this

television, radio, newspapers, etc, trying to tell us not

earning. This is the principle of budgeting.

to plan our spending, but to look at the products and

buy them NOW! There are also constantly organised sales events that usually lead to us buying things we don’t really need.

I remember asking my wife once about a foreign object decorating our dining table, and my wife casually said, “Oh, it was so cheap, and it was on sale, so I bought it.”

I went on to ask what was it for, and received a classic reply, “I don’t know, but I bought it because it was cute.”

Thankfully for me, this was a rare occurrence.

Proverbs 21:20 says, The wise have wealth and luxury, but fools spend whatever they get (NLT). Planning your spending is an important part of managing your finances

TIP3

Save S ave F For or tthe he F Future utture Proverbs 6:6-8

as it tells you where you want your money to go, instead

You lazy fool, look at an ant watch it closely; let it teach

of racking your brains wondering where it went!

you a thing or two – nobody has to tell an ant what to do, all summer it stores up food; at harvest it stockpiles

Planning your spending is an important part of managing your finances as it tells you where you want your money to go, instead of racking your brains wondering where it went!

provisions. (TMB) Simply put, King Solomon points out that even in the animal kingdom, there is prudence and wisdom in saving, as seen through the example of ants. However, with society evolving into a ‘here and now’ generation, meaning we want it ALL, and IMMEDIATELY, it becomes much more difficult to save. In order to manage our lives well, though, it is important to save for the future.

Most financial experts recommend that we put aside 10 percent of our earnings every month as savings.

To me, this ought to be a do-able task, but many people don’t and choose to satisfy their impulses and desires.

As a result, they incur unexpected expenses and, instead of saving for the future, have over-extended themselves and are forced to borrow.

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These days, with credit facilities like credit cards made easily accessible, borrowing is not a problem for most. Statistics show that when we shop with plastic, we spend 23 percent more money than when we use cash.

I would also like to point out that whenever you read one of the advertisements touting a gold or platinum card, the one word you will never see is ‘DEBT’. Since it’s an uncomfortable word, it’s omitted from their advertising collaterals. You may think it’s freedom you’re buying but you may be merely buying debt.

Incidentally, Roget’s Thesaurus gives us the following synonyms for debt:

To owe, to be obligated, in deficit, in default, insolvent, in arrears, destitute, penniless, needy, distressed, living hand to mouth, ruined, impoverished, beaten down, unable to make ends meet, embarrassed, broke, busted.

Again, let me clarify that credit cards, by their own merit, are not bad. In fact, they bring convenience as a mode of payment. The problem arises when we borrow extensively and run up debts compounded by high interest rates.

If you have a problem controlling the use of your plastic, freeze them in a chunk of ice! Who knows, by the time the ice melts, your desire to purchase that item may have dissolved as well.

This might be a tongue-in-cheek suggestion, but the bottom line remains: save for your future. Trust me, you will sleep much better when you know you have enough set aside.

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you automatically fall in the top three to five percentiles of the world’s wealthy individuals. Own a car? You’re in the top six to 10 percentiles. Yet, we are still not contented.

I believe most of us can live on what we earn, IF we live within our means. This allows us to manage our finances such that we are released to serve God by serving others.

TIP 4

I believe most of us can live on what we earn, IF we live within our means.

Be Be Contended Contended With What You Have

Proverbs 21:17 Those who love pleasure become poor; those who love wine and luxury will never be rich. (NLT) Ecclesiastes 6:9 Better what the eye sees than the roving of the appetite.

This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind.

The gist of these two passages is that it’s better to be contented with what you have than to always want something else. Therein lies the challenge: most of us are NOT content; often, our YEARNINGS exceed our EARNINGS.

TIP5

Honour Honour G God od With What You Have

Proverbs 3:9-10 Do you know that there are at least 1.3 billion people

Honour the Lord with your wealth, with the first-fruits of

in this world who earn less than S$2 a day? And 100

all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing,

million children worldwide are homeless, and many

and your vats will brim over with new wine.

more live in uninhabitable conditions?

King Solomon speaks of the need for us to honour God By comparison, the average Singaporean enjoys

by giving Him the first and best of our ‘produce’, or for

unprecedented affluence and wealth. If you own a house,

most of us, our income, not our leftovers.

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How does this act honour God? (1) By being obedient to His Word The Word of God says, “Honour the Lord with your wealth, with the first-fruits of all your crops”. So when we do so, we honour Him through our obedience to His instructions.

(2) By showing our gratitude When we give God our first and best, we are saying, “God, I thank you because every good and perfect gift comes from you, and I acknowledge all that I have is a blessing from you.”

(3) By putting Him as top priority It’s also saying, “God, I want you to be the No. 1 in my life, and I prove it by putting you first in my finances.”

(4) By demonstrating our faith as we believe in His promises To believe God’s promise that “your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine” will come true, we first have to demonstrate our faith by giving Him our first-fruits.

When you honour God in this manner, God will surely bless your earnings, savings and investments. Our financial strength also gives us

The Dollar Ministry How a simple dollar makes a profound impact in the lives of our community.

In the recent (Jul/Aug 2009) South East District’s community magazine, there was a report on the “Upsized Breakfast Programme” – a joint initiative by South East Community Development Council and Trinity Christian Centre to feed needy children who have to stay back late in school.

One of the beneficiaries, Vivi Masturah, a 10-year-old student from Tanjong Katong Primary School, says, “When I stay back in school for extra lessons, I often have to go without lunch. With this extra dollar, I can buy my favourite chicken rice for lunch.”

the ability to aid people who need help, to minister to others and heed the Holy Spirit’s prompting to give according to God’s leading.

In 1 Timothy 6:17-19, Paul wrote, Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.

When we use the finances entrusted to us by God to bless others, we learn to live a life worth living.

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Were you blessed by this article?

Tell us about it! SMS Trinity<space> your comments to 77177 or email testimonies@trinity.org.sg This sermon can be heard online at www.trinity.net/sermons.htm

77177

Release

s e o W r You By not worrying. Pastor Margaret Tay takes an in-depth look at stress and worries, and how to turn this negative energy into something positive through God.

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S

tress has some interesting physiological side effects, and worrying induces such manifestations as:

• Hair loss • Muscles aches and pains • Gastric and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) • Eczema • Insomnia, headaches, anxiety and depression • Ulcers in the mouth and stomach • Heart diseases and hypertension • Asthma • Menstrual disorders and impotency

“Worry, like a rocking chair, will give you something to do, but it won’t get you anywhere.”

- Vance Havner

The alternative to worrying is choosing to trust God. Come to Him with a child-like faith that will rest in the Father.

The Greek word that translates “worry” or “anxious” comes from two words that mean “a part

worry, because it will affect us negatively – in our

of” and “divide”. Worry pulls us apart and makes us

thoughts, feelings, spirit and body.

unfruitful.

Simply, worrying is useless. It cannot change your past Matthew 13:22

or your future. All it does is mess you up NOW.

The one who received the seed that fell among the thorns is the man who hears the word, but the worries

Some studies were done on worrying, and the findings

of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke it,

showed that:

making it unfruitful.

• 40% of our worries never happen

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Yes, our worldly worries will actually cause us to be

• 30% of our worries concern the past

unfruitful in our Christian life. The act of it also indicates

• 12% of our worries are needless ones about our health

a lack of trust in God and hampers our relationship with

• 10% of our worries are insignificant or petty concerns

Him (Matthew 6:31,34). That is why Jesus ‘prohibits’

• 8% of our worries are really legitimate concerns.

But even where there are legitimate

There are many things that Paul taught the believers but let’s just focus

concerns, there is still no need to

on three:

worry about them. After all, the Bible is very clear in telling us not to worry.

In Matthew 6: 25, 31, 34, Jesus tells us: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about

TEACHING 1

Don’t worry, instead Pray about everything

your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is

Philippians 4:6

not life more important than food, and

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and

the body more important than clothes?

petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

… So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or

Let’s look at the phrase “In everything”.

‘What shall we wear?’ Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow

Paul tells us that it is not only in the big things, but that we are to pray

will worry about itself. Each day has

about everything. Very often, we don’t experience abundant living

enough trouble of its own.”

because we don’t present all the issues in our lives to God.

But how can we not worry? Who can

James 4:2 says; “You have not because you ask not.” Our children can

we learn from?

come to us earthly parents for anything. How much more then can we go to God, our Heavenly Father, who not only loves us but has the power

From the apostle Paul, that’s who.

to do the impossible?

When Paul wrote his letter to the church in Philippi, he was in prison

We are also told that we are to present our requests to “God”. Who is God

and had every reason to be worried

and what is He like? He is one of love, wisdom and power. Let’s look at

and anxious. Yet, you find the word

this in some detail.

“joy” splashed all over his letter. He continued to tell the people: “Do not

God’s Love

be anxious about anything.” This was

God desires only what is best for us; He is no killjoy. He loves us so much

certainly not a joy that came from

that He did not spare His only Son and, as such, will never withhold any

having a lot of money or being in a

good thing from us.

pleasant place.

21

God’s Wisdom

(MIT). As the registration drew to a close, I noticed that

God alone knows what is best for us and is never wrong.

everyone who had applied up to that point were ladies.

God’s Power

I do not take issue with having women on the team,

God alone can bring to pass that which is best for us. He

but I couldn’t imagine bringing along an all-female

is all-powerful and nothing is too difficult for Him.

team. So I prayed, “God, please give me at least one

Let’s also look at the word,

“

Pray

”

man.” God answered that prayer, but more importantly, I .

“Pray” is a general word in Greek for “prayer and

learnt I needed to ask more specifically and more boldly because in the end, there was only one man in that team!

worship unto God”. It talks about our communion and relationship with God (read Rev. Dr Tan Siang Yang’s

The Phillips translation of 1 Peter 5:7 says, You can throw

sermon on Prayer on page 32). It is about speaking to

the whole weight of your anxieties upon Him, for you are

God as the Father as well as the King of Kings.

His personal concern. We can leave the whole weight of our concerns at Jesus’ feet and go away carrying the

Have we been so busy doing things and worrying that

peace of God in our hearts.

we have not taken time to commune and spend time with God? Is God telling you that He misses you?

Don’t worry, instead thank God for all things

TEACHING 2 The next word we want to look at is “Petition” or “Supplication”.

The original meaning of the Greek word for this is “lack” or “need”. God is therefore really asking, “What do you

Philippians 4:6

lack in your life today?” Are we lacking something such

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything…

that we don’t seem to be living the abundant life today?

with thanksgiving present your requests to God.

God invites us to present our requests to Him

Do you sometimes wonder what you can thank God

specifically, because such prayers see results. In fact, in

for? Even if nothing noteworthy is happening in

the Phillip’s translation, it says, “Tell God every detail of

your life now, you can still thank God that you are

your needs.”

His son or daughter, and that you can talk to Him through prayer. The relationship you have with our

22

I remembered a time when another pastor and I were

Heavenly Father is a privilege, and that alone deserves

getting ready to lead a team for a Missions Impact Trip

thanksgiving.

1 Thessalonians 5:18 tells us: Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

There are times when Christians wonder about God’s will, but in this verse, it is clearly stated for us that His

To jog your memory on what you can give thanks for, here are some things you may want to ponder and think about…

I am thankful for...

The spouse who hogs the blanket every night, because he/she is not out with someone else.

will is for us to give thanks in ALL circumstances – good or bad.

The teenager who is not doing dishes but watching TV, because

For the parking spot I find at the far end of the parking lot, because it means I am capable of walking and that I have been blessed with transportation.

that means he/she is at home and not on the streets.

For the lady behind me in church that sings off key, because it means that I

For the taxes that I pay, because it means that I am employed.

can hear.

For the pile of laundry and ironing, because it means I have clothes to

For the mess to clean after a party,

wear.

because it means that I’m in the company of friends.

For weariness and aching muscles at the end of the day, because it means I

For the clothes that fit a little too

have been capable of working hard.

snug, because it means I have enough to eat.

For a lawn that needs mowing

For the alarm that wakes me early in the morning, because it means I am alive.

and windows that need cleaning, because it means

And finally... for too much e-mail,

I have a home.

because it means I have friends who are thinking of me.

For all the complaining I hear about the government, because it means we have freedom of speech.

23

For those of us who may be going through challenging

So, practically speaking, if God is going to guard our

times, let us continue to thank God sincerely, because

minds, what does that encompass?

through these tribulations, God is doing good by shaping our character.

One of the ways God guards our minds is to give us the direction of what to think about (Philippians 4:8-9).

So don’t worry, instead thank God for every thing. You will find that results might be just around the corner.

“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely,

In Philippians 4:7:

whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or

“And the peace of God, which transcends all

praiseworthy – think about such things. Whatever you

understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in

have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me –

Christ Jesus.”

put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.”

Interestingly, the phrase “peace of God” in Greek is not found anywhere else in the Bible. This term refers to a tranquillity that takes place when you are not torn

Peace is the fruit of believing prayer.

apart in your spirit.

In other words, peace is the fruit of

Don’t worry, instead think about the right things

TEACHING 3

believing prayer.

One commentator translated Philippians 4:8-9 this way:

There are some who might say that I pray often but

“And last of all, my Christian friends, since there is moral

remain worried. This happens when you don’t really

excellence, and since there are things worthy of praise,

believe your prayer, and it afflicts all of us. However, we

focus your minds on these things – on whatever is

can and should trust God, for He is a promise keeper.

truthful, whatever is majestic and awe-inspiring, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever calls forth love,

This peace of God transcends all human understanding,

whatever is winsome.”

plans or schemes. No matter how much planning takes place, we will not have peace unless God gives us that

Simply put, this verse tells us to focus our minds on the

peace and security, and this peace stands guard over

good stuff.

your thoughts and feelings in Christ Jesus. Rather like soldiers standing guard over a city, God keeps us safe

I remember two headlines that caught my attention

against assaults of worry and fear.

in early 2009. One mentioned that Singapore’s growth forecast would be revised again because the outlook

24

was getting gloomier. The other talked about how a

my relatives and colleagues think of me? Will my son or

fast-food chain was opening more outlets despite the

daughter get into the school of his choice?

tough times. As we read the news, we can choose what we want to focus and dwell on.

To avoid the above scenario, we need to deal with our mind and thoughts in order to think about the

We can either obsess over the magnitude of existing

right things.

problems or dwell on the greatness of our living God. When we worry, we miss out on the promises of God.

Q: What does the word

think

“

We can either obsess over the magnitude of existing problems or dwell on the greatness of our living God.

” mean?

A: It means to take an inventory

or to evaluate. To cons

ider and evaluate certain thi ngs thoughtfully for the ult imate purpose of letting the se things guide you into good de eds that glorify God. This thi nking is not a passive thinking , but it is evaluating somethi ng thoughtfully with the ultimate purpose of moving yo u into action that will give glo ry to God.

Proverbs 23:7 (GNT) says: What he thinks is what he really is.

What is worry?

If we think we are nobodies, we will act like one. In

• Worry is thinking about the “wrong” things.

contrast, if we think that we are sons and daughters of

• Worry is also thinking “wrongly” about things.

God, we will act very differently. What we put into our minds will affect our lives. As we focus our minds on

Worry involves thinking about the wrong things or

things and meditate on them, it should provoke us to

thinking wrongly about something repeatedly. Will I

action. This way, we will become whatever Christ has

lose my job? Will I have to downgrade? If so, what will

called us to be and do His works.

25

Sometimes, our minds are so ingrained with negative thoughts that we need to consciously make a switch. Just like a TV remote control, we need to use a similar ‘spiritual device’ to switch our way of negative thinking to something positive.

2 Corinthians 10:5 tells us how we can switch the channels of our minds. It says: “We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”

Les Parrott, a trained psychologist, author and

Think Right, God’s Way Example 1: 1st impu uls lse – I m may lose my jjob ob, I wo w uld no ot know w how to cope.

Take ke thrree sec econds to redirect this nega gative tho hough ht and nd se ee wh hat th he Worrd of God has to say: Philip ippia ans 4::12-13 I kno ow what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to o havve plen enty. I have ve learned the secret of being content in anyy and d evvery situattion, whether well fed or hungry, whetheer livin ing in pllentyy or in n want. I can do everything through Him who givees me str trengt gth.

sought-after speaker, who wrote the book 3 Seconds: The Power Of Thinking Twice, said, “The more I’ve studied what separates those who excel from those who don’t, the more I’ve come to believe that it’s often a matter of a mere three seconds. Studies have shown that it’s the amount of time it takes to redirect a negative impulse in the human brain.”

Three seconds.

That’s the time needed to redirect a negative thought to the truth in God’s Word. It makes all the difference between wishing you could change

Exxam mple 2: 1sst im mpullse – I don’t have enough. God may blesss another pe erson n bu ut not me. ut Redirect this to Philippi pians 4:19 9 And my God will meet all myy need eds according to His glori a rio ous riichess in Ch C hri r st s Jesus.

The W Th The Word Wo rd of God te elllls me e thatt am precious to a oG God. I am fea earfully and an d wo wond nderfully ma made and nd He has a wonderful pl pla an for my life. God desires to bless me and He is the God Go d wh who o wi willll supply all my needs.

things and actually transforming your life.

If you don’t like where you are or are heading towards, you need to change the way you think using this principle of re-directing a negative impulse or taking captive every thought and making it obedient to Christ.

26

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77177

God Restores In the face of divorce and debts, an unexpected home visit changed the course of IT manager James Pong and his wife, bank oďŹ&#x192;cer Wai Funâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s lives.

W

e have been married for over 13 years now,

We thought we understood each other well enough but

but our relationship kept deteriorating

the truth was that there were many differences in terms

during the first seven. Before getting

of our needs and expectations. Also, we were not able

married, we thought that a marriage was just between

to communicate. Our conflicts and misunderstandings

the two of us but the reality was that it involved a much

always ended in cold wars. Gradually, we stopped

larger family. She is very attached to her family, and

communicating.

my decision to have my mother staying with us in the early years of our marriage created tension within the

To make matters worse, I made huge losses in my

family.

investments, and that strained our resources. Due to the lure of easy money, I had ventured into shares before

I do not like to talk or share much as well. This was

our marriage. I made some handsome gains during the

perceived as being uncaring and bo chap, resulting in

initial years, which led me to think that I did not have to

Wai Fun feeling angry and resentful. I failed to see why

work too hard to attain a comfortable living. To leverage

she was not pleased with me. Even with the addition

my investments, I began to borrow money from banks

of two lovely kids, Rachel and Ryan, our relationship

and even went into margin tradings. From an initial

did not really improve. We also had different parenting

investment of a couple of thousands, I accumulated a

styles: I adopted a more hands-free approach, while she

portfolio of several hundred thousand dollars. I did not

was more anxious about the childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s development.

realise the tremendous risk I was being exposed to.

27

During the Asian Financial Crisis in 1997, I then lost a few hundred thousand dollars in the stock market.

I ended up having to borrow more from all the banks to hold on to my portfolio â&#x20AC;&#x201C; any bank you mentioned, I would have a credit line with them! The Dot-Com Bust in 2000 and the SARS epidemic in 2003 did further damages. Not only were my savings wiped out but I was also saddled with huge debts. This left us constantly feeling financially insecure. We were worryladen with the thought of losing our jobs. This created tremendous stress and added to the tension between us.

My wife sought haven by staying at my in-lawsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; place for most of the weekends, and I too deliberately stayed

The Visit that Changed Our Lives

away. During those years, there were many times when

Five years ago, Wai Fun confided in a close colleague,

we seriously thought of going our separate ways.

who then introduced her to Janie. Janie came to visit our home together with Shirley, a cell leader. While d they spoke to her and prayed for her, Wai Fun shed

I had no one to turn to and only myself to contend with misery.

tears of joy and relief. Wai Fun dedicated her life to Jesus that night. I felt amused, as having backslidden for over 20 years, I could not see myself coming back to o Jesus and attending Church again. Wai Fun decided to join the cell group. She wanted me to come along butt I was reluctant to.

I reluctantly attended cell together with Wai Fun that

28

All this while, I lived a life without God. I was a

Friday, and to service that weekend. God softened my

backslidden Christian since I left my secondary school.

heart. After the service, we met up with Pastor David

I felt quite helpless whenever I was facing difficulties.

Chan, and somehow, I willingly and

I had no one to turn to and only myself to contend

readily rededicated my life to

with misery. I was dead worried about not being able

God. I could not control my tears.

to make ends meet. Mired in these problems, I did not

I started sobbing for almost

spare any effort in caring for others, sometimes even

five minutes. I just felt the

finding it hard to show concern to my own family.

burden of my sin being lifted.

God has restored our relationship as husband and wife and preser ved our marriage and ffamily .

We have become more tolerant and accepting of each Subsequently, Pastor David also took time to counsel us

other. We find each other lovelier. We may have

in our marriage. My cell leader Shirley and Sectional

differences, but God is our common ground. We have

Leader Soon Ann would come down to listen to us and

learnt to show care towards each other. I am not a very

pray for us. My carecell also showed us a lot of concern.

expressive person so it was tough for me, but I am

We could share our problems with them because we

learning to be consciously aware of it, for instance in

knew they donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t judge us.

getting her a gift for her birthday.

Piecing Back Our Marriage

The children are more joyful as the family is now warm

After receiving Christ, our relationship did not change

and caring. About two years ago, we had our third child,

overnight but slowly took a turn for the better. Before,

Rayna. She is a bundle of joy.

whenever we quarreled, our tempers would flare and I would even go drinking with friends and colleagues

We have seen many marriages around us fall apart,

to deal with the unhappiness. We would also have a

among friends and even close family members. We could

cold war for a several days or weeks. After knowing

have walked the same path if we had not known God.

God, whenever there are disagreements, we now come

God has restored our relationship as husband and wife

before the Lord and readily reconcile with one another.

and preserved our marriage and family.

29

Wai Fun shares If Janie and Shirley had not come to visit me, and if both of us had not received Christ, we would most likely have gone our separate

Famine in the land, food in the house.

ways and the children would have ended up in a broken family.

Shirley and the cell members welcomed us warmly. Not only were they concerned about our spiritual growth, they were of great help when we encountered problems in our work and daily lives. When my mother-in-law was hospitalised, the cell members came to visit and pray for her even though they did not know her. Their sincerity and kindness touched us. Shirley has been very patient in hearing me out

Famine in the Land, Food in the House

and praying for me.

Having incurred huge losses in my financial investments, I reckoned it would take more than 10 years for me to repay my debts. But God

I also saw how dedicated Shirley was

helped us.

in hosting the cell every Friday. It left a deep impression on me. Shirleyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

During the property boom two years back, a group of property

dedication and sacrifice prompted

agents went to my sisterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s house and enquired about buying her unit

me to think what I could do for God.

as they were confident her estate would be going en bloc. That very

Therefore, when we were asked to

night, my sister sold the house to the agents at twice its valuation.

assist in hosting and help out in

30

DiscoveryLand, both James and

The thing is, she could have sold the house two years back for much

I gladly served. In August this year, we

less; back then, the buyer had signed the option, but later he could

opened our home to host a carecell.

not obtain the mortgage loan from the bank and so had to forfeit

his deposit and call off the deal. We believe it was

received in my last ten

God’s divine intervention.

over years with the company!

With the proceeds from the sale, my sister and brotherin-law generously helped me to settle my debts. Instead of spending a large chunk of my monthly income to repay the banks at a high interest rate, I can now settle the loan as and when I am more financially comfortable.

I thank God for an understanding and empathetic sister and brother-in-law.

God’s blessings continue. Fifteen years ago, together with two university friends, I invested in a property in Australia. The interest-only mortgage loan we took expired in September this year. The bank did not wish to extend the loan further and we had to sell the property.

In all these areas, we thank God for not just His abundant provision but the plenteous supply received. Indeed, God’s miracles are truly upon our marriage, family and finances!

Having no experience in this, I was dead worried that we would not be able to sell the property and get back our initial investments. I prayed to God for help.

God knows the deepest, darkest hour of our lives.

He is a miracle-working God. No problem is too difficult for Him.

God is faithful. In July this year, I managed to engage a sales agent who, within a month, successfully auctioned off our property at almost double the buying price. We didn’t even have to travel to Australia; the whole transaction was completed smoothly and

John 3:16 tells us that the love of God came to humanity when God sent His one and only son Jesus to die for our sins. If you would like to open the door of your heart and receive this love, say this simple prayer:

swiftly through emails and phone calls. God answered my prayer and blessed us with a good and honest sales agent, and a genuine buyer. After settling the outstanding loan, we still had much left. This is God’s plenteous supply indeed!

In addition, two years ago, I received a promotion even when the economy was not doing well. This year, I

“Dear God, please forgive me of all my sins. I believe Jesus died on the cross for me and rose again on the third day. Thank you for taking away all my sins.

Please come into my life and be my Lord and Saviour.

In Jesus’ name, amen.”

If you have just said this prayer, please tell a Christian friend or call us at 6468 4444. We would love to meet with you.

still got a bonus, and it was the biggest bonus I ever

31

Recharge your spiritual What was the power behind Jesus’ ministry? What is the secret behind strong ministries? Start 2010 well by recharging your spiritual batteries by being alone with God in prayer. Rev. Dr Tan Siang Yang explains.

MARK 1:32-39 That evening after sunset, the people brought to Jesus all the sick and demonpossessed. The whole town gathered at the door, and Jesus healed many who had various diseases. He also drove out many demons, but He would not let the demons speak because they knew who He was.

Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where He prayed. Simon and his companions went to look for Him, and when they found Him, they exclaimed: “Everyone is looking for you!”

Jesus replied, “Let us go somewhere else – to the nearby villages – so I can preach there also. That is why I have come.” So He traveled throughout Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and driving out demons.

Let us unlock the secret behind Jesus’ ministry and His transforming power as we explore and walk in His example and footsteps through these passages in the Bible.

32

batteries secret of transforming power: prayer

However, over the years, I have realised that there is a problem with defining prayer as ‘talking to God’. It is not a complete definition. Prayer should be defined as a

Verse 35 reveals to us the ‘power’ behind Jesus’ ministry,

union and communion with God, so that in prayer you

and in fact, His entire being: PRAYER. Each time after He

are joined to God, and brought into the community of

ministered to the crowds, Jesus would withdraw Himself

the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

from the crowds to pray.

In other words, during prayer Let me now share more about this topic on prayer. When I was growing up in Singapore, I was taught that prayer is like talking to God, and reading the Bible is akin to God talking

prayer should be defined as a union and communion with god.

you are one with God and in communion with Him; and in prayer, you might talk to God, or you can refrain from talking too. This is because prayer may include long

to me. I also learnt that quiet

periods of silence, where you

time was pray, read the Bible,

can simply sit and bask in

and then pray again.

the light of God’s love, grace

33

and mercy for you. And as you sit and be amazed at the glory of God, you are silenced. You also repent in dust and ashes as you enjoy His love for you.

a new perspective on time alone with god(tawg) Now that we have a better understanding

That is the kind of prayer that I believe Jesus

of what prayer is about, then our quiet time, or TAWG,

partook in. He spent time in union and communion

must be defined differently: be quiet, be quiet, pray;

with His Heavenly Father and in the presence

be quiet, be quiet, read the bible; be quiet, be quiet,

of the Holy Spirit, where in the community of

pray; be quiet, be quiet, be quiet.

the Trinity, He recharged His spiritual batteries.

Remember, Jesus is both FULLY GOD and FULLY

Many times, our quiet time is not quiet at all! We are

MAN, and He needed to recharge His spiritual

so rushed for time. We also carry around this guilt that

batteries like we do, and He did so in prayer.

rears its head whenever we meet our spiritual parents

tawg is really not about doing; it’s or pastors, as they are sure to ask us how we are doing spiritually and whether we are doing our quiet time. To expiate this guilty feeling, we would rush through our TAWG, just so that we can tell them that we have done our ‘spiritual duty’. But our hearts were never in it; it was too short, too rushed.

TAWG is really not about doing; it’s about being with God. Foster calls this ‘wasting time for God’. People around us might view it as a waste, but it is not. Rather, this ‘wasting time’ with God is the most beautiful, wisest investment of time you can make each day.

To spend the 30 minutes, or however long you need with the Lord, and enter into intimacy with God will transform your life and ministry.

34

Jesus alludes to this in John 5:15 (my comments in

god, the jilted lover

brackets) – “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man

My response to Foster’s message is that I

remains in me (stay in me, commune with me, stay in

believe God is the most jilted lover in the

union with me, centre your life in me) and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”

Jesus is saying that our part is to abide in Christ. Bearing fruit has never been our business; He will MAKE us bear fruit, if we just abide.

world. Why? As the greatest lover of our souls, millions of His children, Christians from everywhere, don’t show up for their date with Him. Yet God is there, ready; ready to pour out His love into us, ready to speak the secrets of His Kingdom to us. God is ready to whisper, in His still, small voice, His will, His word and His way for us so that we can experience abundant

coming home to god

and eternal life. But we miss our date. And God is

In 1992, Richard Foster wrote a book entitled

heartbroken.

about being with god.

Prayer, Finding Your Heart’s True Home. While writing this,

God is simply saying this: “I miss YOU. I really love YOU.

he received a vision that God told him to share, and this

My heart is wounded, broken and hurt without you.

was the account in the book:

Would you please come home? I have been waiting a long time. Would you please recommit yourself to

“Today the heart of God is an open wound of love. He

me and to our times of intimacy? Would you make

aches over our distance and preoccupation. He mourns

prayer the chief preoccupation of your life, and let me

that we do not draw near to Him. He grieves that we have

transform you by the power of the Spirit as we do this?”

forgotten Him. He weeps over our obsession with muchness and many-ness. And He is inviting you and me to

I trust that we will respond.

come home because He longs for our presence, to come home to where we belong. His arms are stretched out

This was what Jesus did. In Verse 36, He was praying and

wide to receive us. His heart is enlarged to take us in.”

having a deep, intimate fellowship with the Father and

Foster then concludes that the key to this home is prayer.

the Spirit, when Simon Peter interrupted His quiet time.

Prayer should be the chief preoccupation of a Christian’s life, nothing more, nothing less and nothing else!

Allow me to liberally paraphrase what the disciples

35

subsequently said: “Hey, what are you doing? Why are you spending so much time in prayer when there are so many people waiting for you? Come on Lord, let’s go and conquer another kingdom for Christ!”

Pastor Margaret Tay shares practical ways to commune with God.

Jesus did not flinch nor apologise. He replied, “Let us go somewhere else…”, away from the crowds and all the people waiting for more ministry. Jesus knew He had

Every Moment

to go to another place. He was clear about God’s will because He had just prayed.

Be conscious of the Presence of God.

prayer establishes ministries Jesus then travelled through Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and

Every Day

driving out demons. Strong ministries are established through prayer

Choose the best time

that leads to proclamation of God’s word. But it must begin with Prayer.

for the most important person in your life (Time

Is God speaking to you? Perhaps He is telling you, “My friend, my child, let us go somewhere else. Get out of the boat if you want to walk on water; you have to get

Alone With God).

out of your comfort zone”. He could also be calling you into full-time ministry. For

Every Week

some, you could assume the mantle of being His marketplace representative, and

Spend an extended Time

be the salt and light to your colleagues, classmates and family relatives.

Alone With God.

draw close to god in prayer and be amazed at what prayer can do!

In my walk with God though, I have come to

Every Few Months

learn that the same Holy Spirit who does the

Take periodic times of

miraculous is the same Spirit who will move us

personal retreats.

into the wilderness, a place to be alone with God in deep prayer. So before you embark on

Every Decision

anything, draw close to God in prayer and be

Commit major decisions

amazed at what prayer can do!

and assignments to God.

Rev. Dr Tan Siang-Yang is Professor of Psychology at Fuller Theological Seminary.

As we commune with

He is also the Senior Pastor of First Evangelical Church Glendale in California.

God, we become more like Him and live our

Were you blessed by this article? Tell us about it! SMS Trinity<space> your comments to 77177 or email testimonies@trinity.org.sg This sermon can be heard online at www.trinity.net/sermons.htm

36

77177

lives to fulfil His plans and purposes.

Morning

Prayer

with God

Mon-Fri

•

Jan 18-22, 2010

•

7-8.30am

•

Trinity@Paya Lebar

Reach Out

with God s love

Discover the immensity of Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s love, and with it reach out to someone. By Pastor Dominic Yeo

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Luke 19:1-10 Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through.

A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he

love of God

The reaches out to all

was a chief tax collector and was wealthy. He wanted to see who Jesus was, but being a short man he could not, because of the crowd. So he

The gospel writer Luke portrays how the love of God reaches out to everyone through this one character

ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way. When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to

called Zacchaeus. Under the Roman Empire, the Israelites were taxed excessively and local taxmen were appointed to collect these taxes. Zacchaeus was not just an ordinary taxman but was the chief tax collector. To the Jews, he was seen as somebody who had committed

him, “Zacchaeus, come down immediately, I must stay at your house today.” So he came down at

treason against the nation of Israel and was hated by all. He was probably very wealthy because he was exploiting the people. This was a totally unlovable man,

once and welcomed him gladly. All the people saw this and began to mutter, “He has gone to be the guest of a ‘sinner’.” But Zacchaeus stood up and

an outcast discriminated against and isolated from everyone.

You could liken him to a serial rapist in the United States who was released on good behaviour after serving a

said to the Lord, “Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.” Jesus said to him, “Today

15-year prison sentence. Upon his release, there was a huge uproar in the town where he was going to reside in. People in that little town mounted major demonstrations, protesting against him living in their town. When interviewed by the CNN crew who asked where this man should live, one demonstrator said,

salvation has come to this house, because this

“That guy should live in hell!”

man, too, is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man

Imagine Jesus coming into town one day and

came to seek and to save what was lost.”

approaching someone like that to ask him out for coffee.

The Bible tells us that Jesus did just that. He came right

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up to Zacchaeus and said, “I must stay at your house today.” What a powerful picture of the love of God reaching out to everyone - even the unlovable!

We all have our biases against certain people, especially the unlovable. Just think about someone who irritates you everyday – a colleague or an inconsiderate neighbour. How do we respond to the unlovable around us?

Do we love them with the love of God? The Bible tells us in Romans 5:5 that “God has poured out His love into our hearts.” As recipients of God’s love, will we demonstrate the love of God to everyone?

In Luke 15, there is the story of the father love reaching out to his prodigal son. There is also another parable about the shepherd leaving the ninety nine to search for the one that was lost; the love of God reaches out to those who are wayward, including the one that irritates you, including the one who hurt you.

As recipients of God’s love, will we demonstrate the love of God to everyone?

If you are struggling to love someone especially someone who irritates you or has hurt you, ask God for a fresh baptism of His love today so that you can look at them and say “I love you with the love of God.”

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love of God

The meets us where we are

These kisses were given in a hurry; the story is narrated in a way that almost makes us realise that such was the case: there is a sense of haste in the very wording of it. His father “ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him” – kissed him eagerly. He did not delay a moment; for though he was out of breath, he was not out of love.

The love of God meets us where we are – in our place of loneliness, rejection and ostracisation. He does not need

The second thing I learnt from the story of Zacchaeus is

us to be cleaned up first.

that the love of God meets us where we are. Zacchaeus was a man of influence. Yet, he could not see Jesus and

There are tremendous needs around us today. There

was blocked off completely by the crowd. He had to

are people who are hurt, wounded and experiencing

climb up a tree just to catch a glimpse of Jesus from

great loneliness. Will you, as a carrier of God’s love go to

afar. Zacchaeus was a short man. In the Bible, the word

where they are? In Trinity Christian Centre we call this

‘short’ is the same word for ‘sin’ in Hebrew and Greek,

caring and connecting – bringing the love of God to

which also means ‘falling short of the mark’. Not only

where people are. I pray that God will open your eyes to

was Zacchaeus physically short but he also fell short

see those who are hurting so you can be like Jesus who

spiritually. Yet, the love of God came to where he fell

went to Zacchaeus and said, “I want to fellowship with

short when Jesus said, “Zacchaeus, come down now for

and minister to you today.”

I have to be at your home today.”

You and I have the love of God. With that love, will we Luke 15 mentions the story of the prodigal son. He had

reach out to others where they are?

squandered his inheritance all away, and so, in remorse and repentance, had hoped that his father would take him in as one of his hired men. Dejected and in despair, the prodigal son walked home. He was resolve to come, yet he was half afraid.

love of God

The transforms us

But we read that his father ran. As he was walking home, his father ran to him instead of him running to his father. Slow are the steps of repentance, but swift are the feet of forgiveness. While he was still a long way

Finally, the love of God also transforms us. The

off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion

immediate transformation of Zacchaeus was very

for him; night after night, he had waited for his return.

evident. He said, “Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of

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What we need is an encounter with the love of God that transforms us. my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody

Perfection is seen through the way people react to this

out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.”

child.” He went on to illustrate this with a story about his

From someone who once hoarded his money and took

son Shaya.

advantage of people, he now gave his possessions to the poor and made restitution with those he had cheated.

He was strolling past a park with Shaya one day as his classmates were playing baseball. The game was in

The love of God transforms us by reaching into the inner

progress and as Shaya and his father made their way

depths of our soul and drawing out the very essence

towards the ball field, Shaya said, “Do you think you

of who God created us to be. It is not just about us

could get me into the game?” Shaya’s father knew his

changing our ways by our own strength. What we need

son was not at all athletic, so most boys would not want

is an encounter with the love of God that transforms us.

him on their team, but still he walked over to ask one of

When you understand the immensity of God’s love, your

the boys.

life will be forever changed.

The boy looked around for guidance from his

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A father whose son had physical disabilities made

teammates. Getting none, he took matters into his own

this statement during an address he gave at a school:

hands and agreed. Besides, they were already in their

“Where is the perfection in my son Shaya? My child

second last inning and were down by six. They were

cannot remember facts and figures as other children do.

losing so badly that it couldn’t get worse!

catchers caught on and did their best to keep Shaya in the game.

Shaya ran as fast as he could. Soon, both teams were cheering him on.

That day, Shaya ran a home run.

Shaya lived for a few months more after this game. But that day, Dad saw perfection at play the perfection through a group of boys who understood what true love was about. [Source: Echoes of the Maggid (Rabbi Paysach Krohn, 1999, Perfection at the Plate).]

If a group of boys can show Shaya love, how much more you and I who have the love of God? Let us allow the love of God to reach down Shaya went to the pit and sat there with a big smile on his face. The final

on the inside of us and transform

inning started with Shaya’s team as catchers. Then, it became Shaya’s turn to

us so that we can love someone

bat. He was the only player left in the pit. Everyone knew that it was all but

today!

possible, for Shaya didn’t even know how to hold the bat properly, let alone hit with it. However as Shaya stepped up to the plate, the pitcher moved in a few steps to lob the ball in softly so that Shaya should at least be able to

Rev. Dominic Yeo is the Senior Pastor of Trinity Christian Centre.

make contact.

Shaya swung clumsily and missed. Realising that Shaya wasn’t able to do it, the pitcher came closer and tossed the ball softly. Somehow, Shaya managed to hit a slow ground ball which rolled right to the pitcher. The pitcher could easily have ended the game if he threw the ball to the first base catcher. Instead, he threw the ball way into the outfield. Shaya started to run and everyone started cheering for him, “Run, Shaya run!” All the

Were you blessed by this article? Tell us about it!

SMS Trinity<space>your comments to 77177 or email testimonies@trinity.org.sg

77177

This sermon can be heard online ne at www.trinity.net/sermons.htm

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d e r a c s a I w nd connected for! a

Trinitarian investigates what has happened since the Care and Connect movement began in 2007 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; and is pleasantly surprised.

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From sickness to wholeness!

A disease, cancer, and the demise of a loved one.

It was a triple whammy that made businessman Eugene Sng feel doomed and hopeless until he received an invitation to Trinity.

my sense of taste, loss of appetite,

There were times I felt as though

soreness of the throat and skin

my world was crashing down. I

discolouration. Later on, my sense

would also visualise myself in a

of hearing deteriorated and the

coffin. I just wanted to give up. All

built up of excessive phlegm in

this while, my family and I were

my throat affected my speech. My

attending another church but did

doctor told me that chances of

not ‘feel connected’ to God.

being able to hear well again were slim. I had no choice but to

In August 2008, our friend Judy

In May 2008, I found out that I was

get myself a pair of hearing aids. I

invited us to Trinity. She had been

suffering from Dermatomyositis

was affected by my appearance and

with Trinity since 2004 and liked

was conscious

it there. As we were looking for a

about how I

church where we could really settle

looked. My

in, we decided to give Trinity a try.

weight also

We liked that the adult, youth and

plummeted;

children services were all held at the

I lost about

same time, so we could attend and

and the skin. I

15 kilograms

leave church each week together as

had problems

in total.

a family.

lifting things up.

I shed tears of

Within the week after our first

I had to rely on

fear, tears of

church service, we received a

a wheel chair to

uncertainty

follow-up call from a guy called

move around

about myself,

Tony, who helped connect us to a

(DM). DM is a connective tissue disease that is characterised by the inflammation of the muscles

I shed tears of fear, tears of uncertainty about myself and tears of uncertainty for my wife and children.

walking and

and tears

carecell. We met up with him the

of uncertainty for my wife and

following Saturday. I shared with

children. Never in my life had I cried

him and we prayed. I remember him

That same month, I was also

so much. My daughters were only

quoting Romans 8:1, “Therefore,

diagnosed with nose cancer. This

five, 13 and 15 then.

there is now no condemnation

was just so far from me and my

Around the time of these

family. The radiation treatment

diagnoses, my mother also passed

led to side effects such as tearing

away. My wife and I felt hopeless

of the skin at the neck area, loss of

and lost. I was also depressed.

Romans 8:1 “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus”.

before regaining strength to walk again.

made me feel worse; I felt that God

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for those who are in Christ Jesus”.

We were subsequently connected

parking lot within the church’s

I was surprised and touched that

to a cell at Pasir Ris, which was

premise!

during service, Pastor Dominic had

nearer our home. Similarly, we felt

also quoted the same verse. I knew

very touched by the sincerity of

After attending services for several

it was God’s reassuring Word for

our leader and the group members

weeks, we knew that this was

me as I was feeling condemned

as they prayed for all our needs

where God wanted us to be: Trinity,

about my past. Tony also made

even at our very first meeting with

a vibrant church where all of us

arrangements for my daughters,

them. We were also very touched

Erika and Erin, to join IGNYTE,

that our Sectional Leader,

Trinity’s youth service. We were

Patrick, even arranged

very impressed with how quickly

for us to have a car park

As we continued

Trinity followed up with newcomers

lot reserved for us in

to attend

of the church.

church as I was then

service as

unable to walk very far as I

well as cell, we

We were invited to join Judy’s

tired easily. We made use of

began to see how

carecell for a makan session.

this special privilege for a few

There at Michael and June (Judy’s

months. Now, we ensure we come

leaders’) place, we felt

to church early in order to get a

were so comfortable going to.

real our God is. Our cell was amazing. They prayed for us all the time and God

the warmth of each

has never failed us. He answered all

cell member as they

our prayers:

reached out to get to know us. We left

✟ After having gotten my hearing

their home feeling

aids for less than three months,

n very filled, not only in

God miraculously healed my

spirit but also in our

hearing. I no longer have to

stomachs!

depend on the hearing aids to even listen to my family members

Eugenia, Elyse, Eugene

talk during dinner time!

, Judy, M ic hael and Ju ne

We felt the warmth of each cell member as they reached out to get to know us.

46

✟ In January this year, I did a full body scan and the doctor confirmed that the cancer cells have totally been cleared.

Eugene’s fa mily Current carecell

teenage daughters Erika and Erin are serving in IGNYTE as IGNYTE d i to grow in God. Fridays used desire

Celebration Hosts and they are very

to be ‘party day’ with my friends

happy in Trinity. Erika is looking

returned. From being immobilised

in night spots, and my coming

forward to inviting her classmate,

in a wheelchair, I am now able to

home late reeking of alcohol and

after her ‘O’ levels, to attend the

drive my family around town.

tobacco. Now, Friday is cell day.

IGYNTE services with her. They

✟ My physical strength has also

✟ The phlegm condition also

also say that they look forward to

improved after the third course

My wife and I were in the position

attending their first IGNYTE Camp

of antibiotics and no surgery was

where we had no one to turn to

in December. Even my youngest

needed.

for support and prayer when I was

daughter, Elyse, enjoys attending

hit with the crisis. Attending cell

DiscoveryLand and looks forward

been restored and I have gained

has definitely made us grow in our

to going to church every Saturday.

some weight from all the

walk with God. It has taught us how

We also currently serve as traffic

makan sessions we have been

important it is to have a spiritual

marshal, celebration host and

having with the cell. I am finally

family to support us in prayer.

nursery helper.

able to eat spicy food like Mee

Through cell, we have learned to

Rebus, Laksa, Chicken Curry – food

love each other, laugh with each

We opened our house for cell in

I have not eaten in the past year!

other and pray for each other’s

July this year as the previous host

✟ My appetite and taste buds have

God is truly a prayeranswering God! Since attending

It has taught us how important it is to have a spiritual family to support us in prayer.

Trinity and carecell, my family and

needs. We have

had other commitments and we

come to realise

felt led to have cell meetings at our

how much we need

home then. This is one of our ways

God in our lives

of giving back to God for what He

and how much we

has blessed us with. My family and

need each other in the carecell.

to the Church. We want others to

I have been transformed from just Sunday Christians to people who

I were cared for and connected

I am proud to say that both my

benefit as how we have!

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My encounter with God When Sam and Sue invited Sam’s sister, Pang Kok Lian to church, never did they expect that to be the starting point of God-encounters to come.

Kok Lian speaks…

I was a free thinker. Growing up, life was pretty smooth-sailing. I inherited a thriving business from my late father. I had a successful career as one of the company directors. Our business was doing well, the other directors were happy, and all my staff respected me as their director. Yet, I always felt a deep sense of loss. It was as if something was missing, but this something I could not pinpoint. I began searching for something to fill that chasm within.

I also ruled my household with an iron fist. My family members said I was a Disciplinarian. I was very hard on them; I did not communicate; rather, I only gave orders and instructions. My elder daughter, when she was in Primary Two, also once wrote in her Chinese composition, “My mother is a fierce ‘mother-tiger’.” I am not kidding! Even my husband once told me to treat him as I would a friend or colleague, because I was nice only towards them.

In July 2007, my health took a toll when I had kidney failure and had to undergo dialysis in November. Then, my younger brother Kok Pin (Sam) invited me to Trinity. I simply accepted the invite and went.

When I first attended the service on Sunday, I cried. I felt God’s love and presence. I also felt His peace and was very comforted. I experienced great peace after each sermon.

One day, in service, the Pastor made reference to Matthew 16:26: “What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole

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world, yet forfeits his

Kok Lian’s carecell

soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?” The words instantly ‘jumped’ at me.

began to sink

It dawned upon me that

in, the love of

for so long, I had ‘lost my

God started to

soul’. Finally, in December 2007,

fill my heart.

I accepted Jesus into my heart.

shown to me. My sister-in-law, Sue (Suzanna) sent me an SMS that said: “Call out to Jesus to cast the pain away”. My sectional leaders and cell members fasted and prayed for me

My carecell continued to fast

(a cell member even joked that she

My husband would go with me

and pray for me after the Plasma

was so hungry after the fasting she

to Trinity each time but not make

Exchange. Their concern and support

could eat a cow!) They also sent

a decision. But praise God, Poh

was very evident. I am a person who

me many SMSes to encourage

Huat accepted Christ a few weeks

worries a lot but each day when I

me. My pastors visited me, prayed

after I did. He later mentioned it

wake up, there was no fear in my

for me, and one also passed me

was because he felt very peaceful

heart. On the contrary, I felt an

books on God’s healing power and

and the

overwhelming

sermons

peace.

each week

a daily devotional.

Right before I was wheeled into

spoke to

Prior to my

the operating theatre, Sue said to

him.

kidney transplant

me, “Don’t worry, God will be with

in April 2008, I

you!” Even though my operation

In April

developed a fever

was postponed twice, and only on

2008, I was

and several pains

the third time was the operation

scheduled

in my hands and

successfully carried out, I did not

ankle. I prayed.

fear, because my God was with me

Prayer works!

throughout.

to undergo a Plasma Exchange

I felt God touch me both in the ward and in the operating theatre.

procedure.

Throughout the transplant, I only

Before the operation also, I told my

I felt God touch me both in the

felt weak and tired. There was no

brother Kok Pin that I wanted to

ward and in the operating theatre.

pain. Jesus must really have cast it

give up my feng shui crystals. I had

There was also this great sense of

all away.

hoped that these would protect

peace that filled my heart. As the knowledge of this divine visitation

me and give me good health. Its I was also amazed by the care

total estimated amount was over

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Kok Lian and fa mily $20,000 but I knew I wouldn’t need any of these anymore because I was sure that God was with me.

Sam, S (Kok Lian’s brotuzheanrnaan and fa mily d sister-in-law) Sam and Suzanna speak…

And He was. Just one day after the

Since 2000 when we became Christians, we have been

operation, I was able to speak and laugh

praying for our family members’ salvation. It was difficult

very loudly, and all the tubes were taken

to minister to them because of their strong beliefs in

out from my body. Normally, a person in

ancestral worship. Although Kok Lian was not hostile

a similar situation would still be very sick.

towards Christianity, she had firm convictions in fengshui

I didn’t even take painkillers because

and the use of crystals as remedies for ‘alternative healing’.

I felt absolutely no pain. Now, I can’t even imagine how this could be! My body took

After Kok Lian received Christ and came to church, Kok

very well to the medication and

Lian then invited Kok Fong. We wanted God to help her as

I experienced a speedy recovery.

she was going through a hard time in her marriage. At the Guest Lounge that weekend, the pastor asked Kok Fong

God has been working in my heart ever

if she wanted to receive Christ. She simply said “yes”. We

since I made this decision to receive Him.

were pleasantly surprised. To be certain, Kok Lian asked

He has helped me become more patient

her, “Are you sure you know what you are doing?” Kok

especially after the operation. My husband

Fong replied “yes” again. We reckon it must have been her

says I used to be very demanding and

witnessing the transformation in Kok Lian and the miracle

have a very short temper but now, instead

she experienced. We are very happy that finally, what we

of flaring up, I would walk away and cool

have sown has bore fruits!

down first. He says he has seen a marked improvement in my anger management.

God has truly given me a new lease of life. The life I now live, I live it for Him.

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I feel secure and am gradually able to let go of hurts and disappointments. I am more patient and cheerful now.

Kok Fong Kok Lian and her sister

When I was going through the th Jesus she knows is real.

Truly, the

difficult period in my life, not only

Kok Fong speaks…

Kok Lian and Poh Huat brought

did I receive the support of my

In the past, I was invited to church

me to Trinity in November last

siblings and their spouses, my fellow

but was unwilling to go. I used to

year and I have never regretted

cell members also prayed for and

have a bad impression of Christians.

going. The sermon preached on

encouraged me. Carol and Grace

I thought that they just wanted to

that day by the Pastor was about

would call and SMS me occasionally

‘pull people to church’. However,

communication. At that point in

to see how I was doing. I am very

when Kok Lian fell ill, I saw how

time, I was struggling through

blessed to be in this cell and deeply

she was cared for by the cell

some marriage issues. The word

assured of their support for me. I

members. I was touched by what

of God ministered to me. I felt

feel safe with them and there is

they did for her. It made me rethink

the peace of God invading my

trust and comfort received in the

my views about Christians.

heart, and was very comforted.

cell group.

I know God was supporting me I also saw how Kok Lian was

throughout. At the Guest Lounge,

Currently, I am bringing the care

miraculously healed. On top of all

I accepted Jesus as my Lord and

and connect culture into my office,

that, I witnessed the change in her.

Saviour. I was later connected to

and connecting with my office

This changed my mindset about

the same cell as Kok Pin, Suzanna,

colleagues. I brought them to our

God and Christianity completely.

Kok Lian and Poh Huat.

Easter Evangelistic event earlier this year, and the Amy Sand concert in

Also, Kok Lian used to be a very stubborn and strong-tempered

I used to be a depressed person

June. I also brought my husband

person. Everyone around her used

because of my marriage. Negative

to the Life Charity Concert and the

to let her have her way. Now, she is

thoughts kept swarming around

recent cell’s bridging event. I just

no longer the same. The change in

in my mind and I just couldn’t snap

want them to receive the care that

her temperament just amazed me!

out of it. Now with Jesus in my life,

I received myself.

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APR

A BL E S S I N

1970 – 2010

BE

4

JUN

G

B

SE D TO S E L

YEARS SEP

NOV

DEC

54

THU

FRI

SAT

S

01

02

03

0

FRI

SAT

S

23

24

2

Easter Special Missions Night

Missions W

Guest speakers: Rev. Wayne Francis and Rev. W WED

THU

FRI

SAT

S

16

17

18

19

2

Life Conference / 40 Anniversary Thanksgiving and Dedication Service 40th

Parentsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Day C

Guest speakers: Dr Alton Garrison,Rev. Les Bowling and Dr David Mohan

WED

THU

FRI

FRI

01

02

03

17

Revival Rally Three nights of three different Illustrated Sermons FRI

5

Combined Thanksgiving Dinner WED

THU

FRI

SAT

22

23

24

25

Christmas Cantata

Family Christmas 55

SUN

04

Easter Service

SUN

25

Weekend

Wayne Clark

SUN

20

Celebrations SAT

SUN

18

19

Vision Rally Guest speaker: Dr Mark Rutland

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I

met with a car accident and sustained a whip lash, hair-line

fractures on my vertebra and multiple slip discs. The pain was so intense that I was advised to go for immediate surgery. At service that weekend, Pastor Dominic asked the congregation to lift up their hands to pray over them. As I stood with my hands raised, I suddenly felt a warm sensation going through my body. After two nights of sound and painless sleep, I realised that God had healed me.

I

t was a dark and damp Christmas but that did not stop the more than 5,000 who flocked to the vacant plot of land next to Mandarin Hotel

(where Ngee Ann City now stands). The draw? A “singing” Christmas Tree – a 10-tiered structure consisting of members of Trinity Christian Centre. Despite the heavy rain, the choir and orchestra carried on with the performance under plastic sheets held up by fellow church members.

It was a cold and wet December, but the performance warmed the hearts of the thousands who came.

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57

. s e i r o t s r i e h t d You’ve hear What’s you r s?

We want s e i r o t s r you ! s o t o h p and From the 1970s to the present, were

Miracles • Life transformation • Healing (Emotional/Physical) • Provision (Job/Finances) • Divine Encounter, etc Meetings and events • Church Camps • Conferences • Revival Rallies • Prayer Meetings, etc

Join us in our celebrations. Be part of the Trinitarian Experience.

• • • •

you part of these?

Major productions • Evangelistic events and outreach programmes in the 70s, 80s, 90s and 2000-onwards • E.g. 80s - How Great Thou Art, The Master’s Plan, Singing Christmas Tree • 90s – The Arrival at Junction 8, Heaven’s Gates Hell’s Flames, Andre Kole Magical Spectacular • 2000s – Black or White, The King & I, A Doctor’s Journal, The Father’s Love, etc

4

Join our 40th anniversary editorial team Tell us your story YEARS Give us pictures Provide us momentos (membership cards, event keepsakes, e.g. camp tees) 1970 –2010

To come on board the 40th anniversary editorial team, email tcc40@trinity.org.sg.

To send us your contributions, do so including your full details: name, occupation, mobile number, email address, email address, centre and district.

Movements of Services • Hillcrest Road • Regional English Language Cen tre • Equatorial Hotel • SLF Building • World Trade Centre, etc Missions • Missions Impact Trips • Conventions, etc Ministries • Junior Church • Youth Ministry • Homecell/Carecell • Serving opportunities, etc

Submission period: Now till 31 January 2010 Submission avenues: - In person: Over the Trinity@Adam or Trinity@Paya Lebar Level 2 Information Counter, attentioned to “Corporate Communications” - Via email: tcc40@trinity.org.sg - By post:

PO Box 616 Singapore Post Centre Post Office Singapore 914021

Photos should include a short caption of not more than 50 words.

Do indicate if you would like your material returned.

58

Caring and Connecting through Care Community Services Society (CCSS)

We Made Their Day! In June, a much-needed spring clean was what Trinity’s campus students did to make the day of needy elderly folks. 69 young adults from the Campus Camp broke into groups of 7 to 12 each to clean up seven households in Circuit Road. These homes belonged to elderly folks staying alone and whose houses were in dire need of a makeover.

What some of these elderly say “The youths really made my day.

They have brought much joy and laughter to me today. Thank you for helping with the cleaning.”

Her legs are weak and she has a granddaughter staying with her.

Ang Siew Choon, 79

“I am really grateful for all their help.”

She is widowed and stays alone.

Goh Buay Cheng, 82

“As we get on in age, we experience much inconvenience doing the housework. You guys have been a great help to us today.

We really appreciate it very much.”

Lai Fatt Shem and Loh Siew Lian,

The couple stay in two-room rented flat. Fatt Shem has very poor eye sight due to glaucoma, stroke and other illnesses. His wife is better in health.

both 76

“Today I am very happy… Terima Kasih…”

Esah Bte Kasim, 86

“Banyak Bagus! Very Good!”

Achi R. Veeramuthu, 67

The widow lives alone in a one-room flat. She is mobile but at times walks with difficulty because of pain in her legs.

Stays in one-room rented flat with her nephew. Her left leg was previously injured in a car accident.

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Caring and Connecting through Care Community Services Society (CCSS)

campus camp students speak

My camp group and I had a wonderful tim ime ca ari ring and con onn necting with Granny. y E Even though gh we faced dd difficultie es tr ying i tto o co comm m unicat ate with her in o our lim mit ited Hokkien, Granny made us

real aliise th hat caring and connecting with a pe erson n does not have to be short-cha ang n ed d due to o language barriers and truly, the essen nce of caring and connecting is a siincerre heartt. We were blessed by her hospitality and we wanted ed very much to bless her back through h our accts of se s rvice. Though she refused to troub ble us, s, we learntt to take the initiative to meet he er need ds by rep painting g her rusty front gate and d ccleanin ng the hard-to-re reach pllac aces e . Thank you u CC CCSS for g giving us th his i opportu uni nity.

Charma m ine Thiang Nationall U University of Singapore undergrad aduate

There e are ma any things that can be bought by money, but so ome th hings canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;tt be: caring and co onnecting with the elderly, helping them clean the eir housse, talking g to them and buyying them food, and the smile on their faces are am mong so ome of them. The ey can only be purchased with love and a sincere heart. I thank God for this priceless experien nce of partnering with CCSS to spread Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s love to the elderly.

Anthea Low An ow, Sing gap a ore Management University undergrad

While se serving g th the elderly, I suddenly felt so fortun u ate an nd so sma all.

Fo ortunate, e, becau use I had no problems in my daily living, g, unlikke the old d la ady who o had very bad eyesight and had to rely on everyt ything through her sensse of to ouch. Small, because the old lady I was helpiing had d a heart bigger than mine, when she suggested that we could bless anotther family with wh hat we had bought. I have gained a new persspectiv ive and am alerte ed to th the fact that there are a lot of people in Sin ngaporre who ne eed help. p. I am motivated to give of my time to causess b beyon nd my ow wn.

Jere remy Lye, Nanyan ang g Technological University underrgraduate te 60

We Made Their Day!

The time spe Th pent caring and d co connectiing rem minded dm me off tthe he compasssio ion ourr Lo L rd Jes esus had forr peop ha oplle. Rendering assiistanc ce to

the elde erly in matters like housseh hold cho ores reminded me to be senssitiv ve to the needs of others because peeoplee are so pre recio ous to God. Spreading His love e thro ough our accts t off kindness will truly showca case the re eal a ity an nd wo ond n er of God’s love..

Maur urice On ng National a Universit ityy of Singa gapo porre undergr grad aduate

Make Their Day Day, as the e name

Why Make Their Day?

suggests, is a programme by

In the cause of CCSS’ work, staff and volunteers noticed

Care Community Services

that the constant pressure of making ends meet has

Society to surprise and delight

taken a toll on their beneficiaries’ physical, emotional,

our beneficiaries, and to make

mental and spiritual well-being. The Make Their Day

✔ 69 Young Adults

their day a memorable and

programme seeks to delight these beneficiaries by

✔ 7 households

meaningful one. CCSS works

putting a smile back on their faces. The programme

with corporate and individual

supplements the on-going practical help and counselling

sponsors to make this happen.

received from CCSS.

Fast facts ✔ 1 afternoon

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Caring and Connecting through Care Community Services Society (CCSS)

We Made Their Day Too! CCSS staff and Trinitarian volunteers cared and connected with residents in the Balam, Circuit, MacPherson and Merpati Estates through distributing rations.

By Corinne Lim More than 250 volunteers – men, women, families with children and toddlers in strollers – assembled at Trinity@Paya Lebar one August morning for CCSS’ Make Their Day event. The distribution of rations to residents living in the Trinity@Paya Lebar area was one of the programmes Trinitarians had signed up for as volunteers at CCSS Day. After a short time of worship, prayer and briefing, volunteers set off for their pre-assigned blocks. They were accompanied by block and estate I/Cs to plan, organise and work together in their groups or to help with driving or with logistics and stores.

Donated by the Dairy Farm Group, the rations, containing packets of rice, noodles, biscuits, coffee

Fast facts ✔ >2000 households ✔ >250 volunteers ✔ 18 blocks

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and toiletries were loaded by volunteers onto trucks, vans and cars and transported to the respective blocks. Armed with bags of provisions, volunteers went door to door to bless and engage with families and residents living there while conducting a short survey so as to gather a profile of the residents and their needs. One resident, upon finding out what CCSS was doing, very excitedly told the volunteer to wait and came out again with a generous cash donation to CCSS of $3000. What an incredible experience of what it means to be blessed to be a blessing!

Volunteers also connected with elderly residents to bring about an awareness of the new CCSS Seniors Activity Centre being set up in the estate. All in all, CCSS staff and volunteers visited and blessed over 2000 households from 18 blocks in the Balam, Circuit, MacPherson and Merpati estates.

Volunteers tell us:

CCSS is a non-profit charitable organisation set up in 1996

by Trinity Christian Centre.

Ap poignant mo moment was to see a fath her and his you o ng

It is registered with the

son distributiing the rat atiions together as a team. This act of role

Commissioner of Charities and

mo odelling g and fa fatther-son bonding touched me. Alsso, o some e

is an affiliated member of the National Council of

vo oluntee ers cam me as a cell – an act of putting ourr faith h into

Social Services, having an IPC status.

action! It wass good to be a blessing. Proverbs 11:2 25 com mes to mind: “.....he who refreshes others will himself be re efresh hed.”

Lee Lee e Che en, CCSS volunteer

Help us put a smile on the faces of our beneficiaries!

If you would like to partner with CCSS in blessing

I recceived d a $3,000 cash donation for CCSS S on th hat day..

the community, you can do so online at CCSS’

God d will use se and multiply however small a co contribu ution we e

website www.carecom.org. Alternatively, you

to mak ake to the e ccommu uni nity ty!

can call John Chua at 6304 7604 or email

Shirley Gw G ee, CCSS SS vvolunteer

ccss@carecom.org.sg.

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Learning that Transforms

By Woo May Yin

The InfoTalks were first launched in June 2009.

InfoTalks seek to equip and provide practical help in the areas of financial management, reemployment guidance and emotional wholeness.

The InfoTalks “Survive and Win: Advancing Your Career in an Economic Downturn” and “Building Financial Resilience in Turbulent Times” were such talks conducted to help cope and hopefully negate the negative impact of the economic downturn.

“Learning that Transforms”, held on Wednesday, September 23, had a slightly different take. Unlike the previous talks on preservation of current job and finances, the talk hinged on making a bold leap to embark on a second career – moving into the unknown in the midst of uncertain times.

Caring and Connecting through InfoTalks We take a look at Trinityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s last InfoTalk, which like its preceding courses, was designed to serve the needs of Trinitarians, their family members and friends during this economic crisis. The talk was attended by more than a 100 people.

Learning that Transforms

by Jenaline Low Deputy CEO of NTUC LearningHub Pte Ltd I thought it would be interesting to find out more about the changing job landscape. At the same time, I was exploring making a switch to pursue my area of interest. I had the opportunity to speak to the speaker and she offered invaluable and practical advice such as the viability of me moving into that particular industry I was interested in.

Philip Foo, teacher The talk was very informative and it encouraged me as I realised that I was not alone in my career switch. I was trained in Finance, but as I am currently working in a Small and Medium Enterprise, I need to handle Finance and HR duties as well. The speaker highlighted that attitude is key, and despite challenges in my career path, I continue to put my heart into my work and persevere in spite of challenges faced and job areas that are new to me.

Julie Tan, finance and office administrator I attended the talk to find out more about the job landscape. The talk gave me a good overview of it and helped prepare me for what would lie ahead should I actually make a career switch.

Melvin Lim, ship broker I learned about the talk from my friends. The talk was good and it covered aspects such as oneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s attitude, knowledge and skills. I learned how to change my mindset, such as in overcoming the fear of stepping out, as well as practical skills such as interview skills. The role-playing was also very helpful.

Victor Lee, production manager My friend invited me to the talk. I agreed to go as I felt the need to attend. The speaker offered some advice which I thought was important for me to note.

Shelly Gun, personal services staff The InfoTalk was good and down-to-earth!

Annabella Wee, manager

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Vision Month Trinitarians had their faith brought to a higher level in this year’s Vision Month.

By Clare Chia This year’s Vision Month kicked off with Trinitarians ‘SMS-ing’, in 160 characters or less, why Trinity was special to them. Responses received ranged from quirky (the food at the meeting place!) and comical (good looking pastors!), to enlightening (Trinity to me is like an elevator - it lifts me up to God and it brings me down to earth), personal (Trinity is special to me because God restored me at the most difficult and down period of my life) and heartwarming (Trinity is where I found my first love with Jesus Christ and my second love with my husband).

The sharing of live testimonies at both centres also fuelled contagious faith amongst congregation members. Trinitarians Kenneth Tang and Joyce Tan shared how, despite all odds, they took the leap of faith to obey God in their giving. On two other weekends, several ones also signed up to build a lasting legacy by joining a spiritual family and serving as one.

The highlight of the month was Vision Rally.

Trinitarians packed the Chapel and overflow

66

rooms of Trinity@Paya Lebar to hear from Guest Speaker Rev. Randy Valimont (Senior Pastor of First Assembly of God church in Griffin, Georgia). That weekend, both Pastor Valimont and Rev. Apostle Naomi Dowdy challenged Trinitarians to move one level up in their faith. And Trinitarians did just that, pledging over $11 million – $11,234,578.68 to be exact – in Vision Faith Promises.

All in all, it was a month spent refocusing, refuelling and renewing our call as Trinitarians to build a lasting legacy – a spiritual heritage that would impact for generations to come.

See the vision we embrace as 1 church See the opportunities our 2 centres present See the potential 3-nitarians have to build a lasting legacy!

1 Church 2 Centres 3-nitarians

We asked Trinitarians why Trinity is special to them. Hereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a snapshot of SMSes received: Great church, great pastoral staff, great fellowship, great spiritual food, great children programme, great building and great camps.

Sheryl Lim

;-)

My children love going to church because it is not a chore but a joy.

Sharon Wong

My daughter Raena was given to us after a difficult conception.

Pastor Dom prayed and a miracle was born!

Jason Yeong

Trinity is special because it is my heavenly home on earth.

Edward Lim

as ity h Trin me a e. n give d chanc n seco Max

The presence of covenantal friends and the manifest presence of God. Daniel Gan

:-)

Trinity is my first church and my cell is my second family.

I am super blessed by God for putting me here.

Lindawati Tjahjo Poernomo

Trinity preached the word of God so profoundly into my heart.

Agnes Yei

:-O Trinity is special because the people care and relationships matter.

Chong Soo

Trinity is special to me because God restored me at the most difficult and down period of my life.

James

This church is the place where I have changed from someone who enjoyed drinking nightly to a loving husband and father of a lovely baby daughter.

Ben

This church is special to me as I used to keep changing church, but now I have made Trinity my home church!

Charis

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Trin ity i sa that care church min s an is d Rich ters to fam ard ilies .

Trinity is special to me because I discovered my personal destiny and corporate destiny in God here.

Priscilla Leong

Trinity Christian Centre is a place where we encounter God, experience breakthroughs in our lives and form genuine friendships.

Wilson

When I went through the biggest crisis in my life, my cell and the trinity pastors came alongside me so that my faith and hope were strengthened.

Edeline

Thankful for Nursery where our 9-mth old is well taken care of and we can worship in peace.

Eugene and Eugenia 68

:)

Trinity is special to me as there are many opportunities to serve, great sermons, warm fellowship and I can see the Care & Connect (C&C) DNA in almost everyone!

Andrew Lee

Kids have their Ministry, maid has her service, Chinese Ministry for in-laws and adult English service.

Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s something for everyone.

Lily Koh

God encounters here.

Shirley Koh

I was on the brink of leaving my Christian faith for good when I found Trinity.

Simon

here w s â&#x20AC;&#x2122; e Her d n I fou art he the rship (: o of w lle ie Adr

:P

It’s here that I experienced spiritual growth after being a Christian for so many years.

Yuri

I’m saved here, trained here, work here, serve here, met my wife here.

I love Trinity!

Edwin Sam

:D

Trinity – where we have funny and educating sermons that apply to our daily lives with delicious food just a little walk away!

Chow Shan Bin

I have been able to not just receive, but give, serve and grow to be a blessing to others.

Johnson Tay

On the first weekend of Vision Month, live testimonies were shared at both centres. Trinitarian Kenneth Tang shared his at Trinity@Adam. Here is his testimony.

During the Vision Month last year, I made a Vision faith promise. It was a fairly large commitment but it was an amount I believed God wanted us to commit to fulfil the vision for Trinity, our home church. After all, God has blessed me and my family in the last fourteen years of my career, and one thing I have learnt through these years is that when we return to God our tithes and offerings, God’s blessings will overflow.

Last year was the financial crisis. For the first time in my 14-year career I lost my job. However, I knew God was starting me on a journey of faith. After the announcement on the retrenchment and even before I had the chance to break the bad news to my family, I was immediately offered a position within another sector in the organisation. That was a miracle! During the interview, God’s favour was upon me. The interviewer flew back to the States over Christmas to consider if I was the right candidate.

During the Sunday service on 21st December 2008, Pastor Wilson shared about how he and his wife committed their faith promise as the recession deepened. I prayed, “God, if you give me the job, I will immediately fulfil my faith promise.” But the Holy Spirit

Grew up in Trinity over the past 30 years, my best friends are here, met my gorgeous husband here, my children grew up here :-) Cheryl Ng

[:-)

Trinity is the most happening place on Earth and most especially IGNYTE. WOOHOOO :) Nicholas Tan

(: (: I LOVE TRINITY BECAUSE (I don’t know what to say) THERE ARE TOO MANY REASONS TO LIST DOWN! Chow Shan Ping

responded to my heart, “Do you believe I am faithful?

If you do, act on your faith. Give now.” I don’t usually carry blank cheques with me but somehow, on that Sunday, I brought one for the caterer for our year-end Christmas party. I took a deep breath and put in my faith promise. It was a big commitment but I trusted God fully on the outcome of my job. The next morning, I had a shock when my devotional read “No matter how bad the problem you are facing today, in 24 hours you can be back on top.” That same evening came the affirmation of my act of faith: the call came from my prospective boss. I was offered the job to rejoin the firm! The new terms and work arrangement were better than I could imagine.

Pastor Dom declared that in 2009 we would enter into abundant living, and His provision and productive restoration for me has not departed from this truth.

I will never forget the past year as it was this season that God allowed me to lose my job only to get it back.

God’s invitation for us to work with Him always leads to a crisis of belief that requires faith and action. To God be the glory.

Kenneth Tang, investment manager 69

Crisis Relief Humanitarian Missions

ers f natural disast o se ri e th h it W s to rld, Trinity rise around the wo isis ing towards cr iv g y b re fo e th ring our neighbou relief efforts in , Laos, dia, Indonesia In – s ie tr n u co d Vietnam.

Philippines an

What happened?

The floods in India – the worst in 100 years – have caused 2.5 million to be homeless and hundreds dead. Imagine 50% of the people in Singapore losing their homes overnight – this is the number affected in India; it blows our minds and breaks our hearts!

The earthquake in Indonesia killed more than 1,000, turning villages into mass graves. Only God knows how many are still missing.

The typhoons – Typhoon Ketsana went on a rampage causing mass devastation in Philippines and a trail of destruction in Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia. Taiwan was also not spared from Typhoon Morakot.

Philippines: More than a week after Typhoon Ketsana hit Metro Manila, San Vicente, Angono and Rizal remain under water, with some areas reaching chest-level.

Government officials say it might take another three months before there is dry ground again. Residents use makeshift boats made of corrugated iron, wood and rubber to navigate their flooded neighbourhoods in the aftermath of the country’s worst flooding in four decades.

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Vietnam: A child in Huong Hoa lays out his precious books and notebooks to dry.

Philippines: Extreme rain brought on

by Typhoon Ketsana submerged 80% of the Philippine capital and affected over 400,000 people in Manila and neighbouring provinces. More than two weeks after the typhoon, many areas remain submerged and inhabitable. Numerous people, especially children, were forced to take refuge in cramped evacuation centres, inevitably exposing them to health risks and unsanitary conditions.

What did we do?

Trinity partnered with trusted local pastors and churches and reputable missions agencies and organisations to send aid for the basic needs for the many that have been greatly traumatised by these events.

We also contributed to the funding of the crisis relief efforts for: • Medical relief work where most of the patients were suffering from trauma, fractures, high blood pressure, diarrhoea and skin diseases • Medicines and infant formula were sent to these crisis-hit areas • Provision of food, blankets, cooking pots and stoves • Building of temporary shelters and tents for many families and children and even the building of wooden houses • Provision of temporary premises and lessons for the children.

In addition, Trinity funded crisis relief efforts through our Filipino Ministry to sponsor care packages to 13 affected families in the congregation.

A teenage boy guards the relief pack his family received while the rest of his house sits submerged under the waters.

Each relief pack contains 25 kilos of rice, food and nonfood items and six litres of water.

Two days after the typhoon, as much as 80% of Metro Manila remains submerged. Flood waters are still at least 15 feet high, trapping thousands of people in the cities of Cainta and Pasig. Besides distributing relief packs to affected households by boat, packs containing food and bottled water were also airdropped to the rooftops of residences.

Recipients from different churches and organisations have written in to thank Trinitarians for their generous giving.

Here is a personal note from one of them.

Dear Trinity, Thank you for your concern and care for the plight of our people. Rescue and relief operations are still going on right now as our church coordinates with relief efforts with other NGOs and government agencies. We have already distributed food, water, clothing, mats and blankets. We are also facing the challenge of diseases in refugee centres and makeshift shelters. We are organising medical teams and will be needing medicines.

There is still audible weeping among those affected and the families who lost loved ones, homes, and livelihoods. The needs are already overwhelming, and continue to rise daily as the devastation from two more typhoons, flash floods and landslides cause increasing destruction.

Rey Calusay, general superintendent Philippines General Council of the Assemblies of God

Photographs from World Vision 71

Other forms of Humanitarian Missions

s around the Countless live ed e to be impact world continu g, ans are prayin ri a it in Tr se u beca ing. giving and go

Giving gifts to our sponsored children Trinity has been sponsoring 100 children and youths in Thailand through the Childcare Plus Programme (CCP).

Ten Trinitarians during a September Missions Impact Trip to Chiang Mai had the privilege of presenting the cards that Trinitarians wrote during the Missions Convention to their CCP coordinators. They also had the opportunity to pray for the children and bring some gifts from Trinity to the sponsored children in Chiang Mai.

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Distributing food, building toilets and offering medical consultation Twenty Trinitarians also went to Cambodia that month to distribute food and build public toilets. Team members packed a little mini bus with nearly 200 packs of food rations which were later distributed at the different villages. A team member also had an opportunity to share the word of God at the food distribution centre. The locals were literally blessed with both physical and spiritual food! The team also felt daunted by the task of having to set the foundations for five toilets they were to build. But God provided assistance through a boy from the village, who came by to help. They even held a toilet dedication service and a baby dedication service that weekend!

In another Missions Impact Trip to northern Thailand, 11 Trinitarians were involved in a food distribution programme, giving out about 1,000 bowls of noodles. They also gave out about 300 bags of clothes and toiletries during our home visitations. We also set up a medical booth in two communities, which about 160 locals came for.

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Impacting Them, Impacting Me Who: Boon Jia Bin Occupation: Doctor MIT: Khek Noi, Thailand, 25-31 August 2009

Motivation: I went for this MIT trip to get a firsthand experience of what missions, and in particular, medical missions was like.

Experience: Once, we were invited into a house of one of the villagers, and while the ladies in the group spoke to the women of the household, I could only sit and smile helplessly with the man, as I had no translator with me. Nevertheless, I decided to pray a blessing over him, which apparently brought him relief over his severe headache. During the prayer, the man cried.

During the second Village Outreach we had, I was assigned by Pastor Patricia to share a message after the food distribution. Indeed it was a stressful yet privilleged position to be in. I prayed and asked God for a word for His people, something that would remain in their lives even after we left, something that would help His people know that He is real and always there despite their circumstances, loneliness and pain.

It was during this time of desperation and seeking God for a word that He reminded me of His love. “Lord, these people need to know You love them” was my heart’s cry.

During the altar call, about 80% of the people accepted Christ! This left me awestruck. My eyes filled up with 74

rians om two Trinita fr t u o d n fi e W onies ces and testim n e ri e xp e ir e th pact n use us to im ca d o G w o h n o ers on Mission th o f o s e liv e th e IT ), and how w (M s ip Tr ct a p Im acted. are in turn imp

tears as I thanked God for making Himself real to His people. That day, I was indeed humbled by the works of God. Not because of what I had done but because He had chosen to reveal Himself to His people. I thank God that He is real. I thank God that I could be an instrument to be used for His glory.

Personal Reflection: The trip taught me how to love God all over again, and to be dependent on Him, even when we don’t understand the situation or circumstances we are in.

It also helped me realise that love should not be borne out of an emotion or empathy, but it is about seeing the heart of God and the compassion He has for His people that compels us to love others the way He does.

The trip taught me how to love God all over again, and to be dependent on Him.

Last but not least, this MIT provided me the platform to utilise the gifts and talents God has given me to pray and minister to the lives of people, both as a believer and a doctor. It made me realise how important it is to be sensitive to the spirit.

I will definitely go for similar MITs in the future as it is a humbling experience that reminds me of the greatness of God, and how it helps me to discover the destiny and calling He has for my life.

Who: Sammy Ong Occupation: Taxi Driver MIT: Chiang Mai, Thailand, 20-27 September 2009

Motivation: When my Sectional Leader, Reginald, first approached me to go for MIT, I was hesitant primarily because of the cost of the trip and also that I am a new believer.

I decided to seek God’s assurance in this matter, and the answer came swiftly.

The next day was a Saturday. At service, the sermon was on stepping out of our comfort zones, and it was the confirmation I needed. I decided to be obedient by going for the trip.

Experience: To go for the trip was already a testimony. I was concerned that I would not be able to pay for the trip, and prayed hard for God to help me in this area. After responding to the altar call during the service, I felt confident that God would provide.

And He did. One month later, a customer from my other business who owed me money called me out of the blue to settle the overdue payment. I wasn’t expecting this sum of money as I had forgotten all about it, so it came as a pleasant surprise. It also reminded me of Matthew 7:7 which says, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” Praise God! Of the MIT, I was amazed at the things God could do through me. Not only was I used to teach English to the students there, I even had the opportunity to cook for 100 of them. This was a new experience as I’ve never cooked for so many people before, and to be the head chef of this ‘operation’ boosted my confidence and boldness in being open to God’s leading. Halfway through the cooking, there was a power failure! But we really trusted in the Lord and we prayed. The electricity

was restored after half an hour. In the end, the food was good – the children even came up for second, third and even fourth helpings!

Personal Reflection: It was an eye-opener to see children, youths and adults being impacted by the various programmes that the team organised during this trip.

Allowing myself to be open and used by God in areas that are not my strengths has encouraged me greatly. In fact, through my spiritual breakthroughs, I am able to bring these back home and use it to encourage others.

Allowing myself to be open and used

by God in areas that are not my strengths has encouraged me greatly.

I have a fellow taxi driver who’s also a young Christian.

Having seen the power and effectiveness of prayer during the trip, I can encourage him not to be afraid of prayer and learn to grow in God in this area.

Look out for more Humanitarian Missions trips coming up in 2010! For more info, visit www.trinity.net or stay tuned to bulletin announcements. Do pray for ongoing Humanitarian Missions trips to India, Indonesia and the Philippines.

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Be the On the weekend of August 1 & 2, both centres of the church were buzzing with activity well before service started. At the Meeting Place and outside the Chapel at Trinity@Adam and at the Level 2 Foyer of Trinity@Paya Lebar, CCSS staff and volunteers were decked out in their bright orange T-shirts,

Be the

carrying balloons, sachets of salt, tea lights and brochures. Booths were set up where members of the CCSS elderly programme were hard at work in a painting demonstration. Another booth nearby showcased the array of their artwork and handicrafts. At yet another booth, children from CCSS’ Carehuts programme drew and coloured on shrink plastic, which were then turned into key chains. All these masterpieces could be taken home with a love offering.

At the worship services that weekend, Trinitarians were given a special brochure which detailed different ways in which

’Salt and light’ – metaphors used by Jesus to signify

they could partner with CCSS to be ‘salt and light’ in the community. In the brochure was a sign-up form which Trinitarians could fill out if they were interested to volunteer, make a donation or be a champion for

agents of change. This was what Trinitarians were encouraged to be during the recent Care Community Services Society (CCSS)

CCSS’ programmes and services.

In services, Trinitarians viewed a lively and inspiring video featuring fellow Trinitarians who have partnered with CCSS, to the catchy refrain of the song, ‘Make me Salt, Make me Light’ by Salvador.

Through the preaching of the Word, Trinitarians were reminded of how Jesus reached out to His

Day. Corinne Lim reports.

community. It spoke to believers to catch the heart of God for the lonely, helpless and those in need.

During the altar call, Trinitarians filled out the sign-up forms and passed them to the celebration hosts. Others approached the CCSS staff and volunteers after the service to find out about how they could partner with CCSS. Some were overheard saying they would like to volunteer as a cell group. Salt sachets and tea lights were given out as reminders to be the ‘salt and the light’.

This weekend on social awareness has served as a timely reminder that we are called to be the salt and light in the community and the response from Trinitarians was very encouraging. CCSS received more than 500 response forms. Be the salt. Be the light. Will you answer the call?

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Care Community Services Society (CCSS) is a non-profit charitable organisation set up in 1996 by Trinity Christian Centre. It is registered with the Commissioner of Charities and is an affiliated member of the National Council of Social Services, having an IPC status.

If you have not signed up yet but would like to be part of the ’salt and light team’, you can do so online at CCSS’ website (www.carecom.org.sg). Alternatively, you can call Ms Daryl Lee at 6304 7604 or email ccss@carecom.org.sg.

77

30t 0th h Anniversar A Ann nniversary

30th Anniversary

Celebrations

78

30th Anniversary

Celebrations

elebration elebrati

TCA COLLEGE

The College celebrated its 30th anniversary in an eventful three-day line up at Trinity@Paya Lebar. Adelene Wee reports.

TCA College celebrated 30 years of God’s faithfulness by organising a two-day conference on September 4-5, which culminated in a graduation ceremony and dinner celebration on September 6.

The conference, centring on the theme of “Developing Christ-likeness in the 21st Century”, drew a total of 580 participants made up of pastors, church leaders and members from many churches and denominations. The conference was offered in both English and Chinese tracks.

I enjoyed Dr Tan’s sharing. He reminded me of the need to

recapture silence and solitude again, and to spend time on myself in order to feel refreshed and energised.

Janet, Church of Singapore

With a stellar line-up of speakers – which included Rev. Dr Simon Chan; Rev. Dr Naomi Dowdy; Rev. Dr William Kay; Rev. Sam Kuna; Rev. Dr Moses Pi; Dr Dale Savidge; Rev. Dr Joseph Shao; Rev. Dr Tan Siang Yang; and Elder Li Hsiao Yuan – who are experts from the diverse fields of counselling, creative arts, leadership and theology, participants benefited much from their teachings throughout the conference.

Dr Dale taught me a new way

of sharing the Gospel through performance arts, and it’s so

informative! Now, I hope to use my As a fitting finale, Trinity@Paya Lebar’s Summit was transformed into a ballroom where the evening’s eight-course Chinese dinner for the 350 guests was served. Adding to the festivities were the colourful traditional costumes worn by the College’s staff and students, while the stage showcased the flags that represent the nations impacted by TCA College.

newly acquired skills in the areas of

Kick-starting the night’s event was the honouring of Rev Dr Naomi Dowdy, whose vision and pioneering spirit led to the opening of the College. This was followed by a cake-cutting ceremony as thanksgiving to God for 30 years of fruitful ministry.

Dr Simon had some profound things

missions and outreach.

Vivien, New Creation Church

to say, and his take on liturgy is

worth reflecting on, particularly for the Pentecostals.

As entertainment, the students performed a rap and the College staff put up a dance item that had the crowd roaring with laughter and loud hed success applause. At the end, the two-day conference was an unabashed and a memorable milestone for TCA College..

es celebrat

Rev. Dr Teresa Chai

Alpha Omega International College

30 years

U ’S FAITHF OF GOD

LNESS

TCA College is a multi-disciplinary college that th endeavours to train and release well-rounded leaders who are ministerially trained, to make a fresh impact wherever God places them.

To find out more about the College and its programmes, visit www.tca.edu.sg or call 6304 7602.

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A Call to Prayer Trinitarian speaks to some prayer partners and their experiences thus far.

By Chang Wai Wai

What were some good experiences that you have since Prayer365 was launched? How are you impacted?

It moves me closer to God and ultimately fires up my spirit.

Cindy Lim, builder and designer

In June 2009, Senior Pastor Dominic Yeo called for a prayer movement covering over both Singapore and our church. Prayer 365 was thus birthed.

I now care more for the people around me, and intercede for them through prayer.

Walter Tay, assistant regional credit manager

Since then, 922 prayer partners have responded, and they were each assigned a particular day where they will pray and intercede for the church, its events, ministries, Missions Impact Trips and the nation. We even have prayer partners who have committed to pray till 30 June 2010!

I am more sensitive in hearing God, especially after I received an impression from God while praying. It was so clear! I never thought I could hear God this way.

Grace Teo, homemaker

Here, we talk to some of our prayer partners who share about why they signed up for Prayer 365, and their experiences in seeing their prayers accomplish great things for the Lord’s Kingdom.

I believe in the power of prayer, and that God will do His part in accomplishing what He desires for our church, nation and leadership team.

Shirley Teo, real estate agent

What motivated you to sign up for Prayer365?

I believe and have experienced the power of prayers. So when Pastor Dom shared about Prayer365, the message just gripped me.

Aw Soo Bing, teacher I felt a burden to love the nation and our people.

Teh Poh Chai, deputy general manager I signed up because I really love Singapore and Trinity.

I want to do my part in this wonderful prayer initiative.

Chan Siong Yu, homemaker I simply wanted to step out in faith, obey and be a part of this movement to seek and glorify God. Terence Ten, teacher

What do you believe Prayer365 and your prayers can accomplish?

I have the faith to believe that as we seek His face and pray, God hears us. Even if we do not pray with eloquence and articulation, I believe God acknowledges our hearts’ cries and partnership.

Yvonne Lim, marketing manager I know that taking a step to pray is a way of exercising my faith and I am sure that in God’s timing, things will work out according to His will.

Dora Tsoi, childcare teacher

Be a prayer partner to make an impact today! You can sign up via the Prayer365 link at www.trinity.net.

You will then receive an email informing you about your prayer schedule. Sign up now and start praying!

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86

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87

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e s o p r u P ip worsh , n u f f ime o t a e, t s g messag Amid in k o v o r p ught and a tho y were called it n ri T f o s th u the yo to fulfil their God-given potential.

By Kr ystle Foo

0 .09 04 9.09 – For man 9. any, y, this woul would d ha ave simplyy be been en ano notth h he er Fri rid day on da n th he ca he allen enda da d ar. r. N Not ot for ot or ou o ur IIG GN NY Y TE T you uth hs. T The heyy wer he were in nvited to o co co m me e wor orsh hip p tog ogether, oge he er, b bo oth yo yout yout uths ths fro r m Trin Trrinit ittyy@ @ Ada Ad Adam am m and n Trriin ini nityy@ nity @P Pay aya Le Leba b r, du uring g th the e ev eve en ent e nt “4 4 One” ne – the mi ne mini nist isttryy ’ss com mbi bin ned wo ne wors rship ip exp ex pe p eri rien ence e an nd d diissttr triiic ict ct ga gath thering. hering. i . And wha hat an hat an exp xper erie er rie ien ncce itt was as.

Orig Orig Or gin ina all song ongs on gs pe en nned and comp mpo osed d by ou our ta tale lentted you outh thss we were re sung, un ng, g a an nd th nd he e op pe eni ning ng song – “One so One Fa On Faitth, h O One Hop pe, e One Bod dyy,, One ne G o od d” – cca ap pttur ured red ed the hea eart rt of u un nitty th hatt tthe he he IIG GN NY Y TE E lea eade eade ers rs hop ped to buil buil bu ild wi with thin in th he e min niisstr t y. In n fa fact cctt, th the eventt na n me als lso o allu alllu l de ded d to the fa th fact ct tha at we arre all par t off one arm rmy th ha att is fo forr O On ne God. Go Th T he me messsag ge ssh hared ed byy IG IGNY NY YT TE T E’ss Dissttrri ric ic t P Pa ast stor or Dar a ic ickk, k, als lso so to ouc u hed hed tth he he he ear arts tss of ma many nyy.

Usiin Us ng un unco co n nv ve en nti tiona on nal me ea ans ns like ikke to oss ssin ing h hiis b be elo love ved iP ved iPho hone ho on ne e off the h sta tage ge – to sh s occke k d ga g assp ps ffrrom om the he cong ongreg gat ation ion – to io to ill llu llu usstr t ra atte te th the p po oin i t th that at if we we do no ot re reco cogn gnis gn ise se ou our Godd g ve gi ven pu urrp pos ose se, e, it wi willl b be e lik like li ke usi sin sing ng ga an n iP Pho hone hone ne a ass a b ba all ll, Pa asstto orr Dar Da arric ick e ick en ncourag ged tthe he yyou ou o utth hs to llo to oo o ok to to tthe he h eiirr Cre r atorr to di disscco ov v ver err w e wha ha ha att His H is p Hi pu urp rpos ose iiss for or th he eiirr lliv ives iv ve ess.

Th T he a alltar tta ar ca callll sa aw w ma an ny g giive ve the heir ir liv ve ess bac ack to to God od, an and nd tth h his i joyyo is ou us sc s ce en ne pr pro ov vid ided ed tth he b ba acckkd drro op p of the the n th niigh ghtt’’s co co n ncclu lussiiion on, as on as th he e IG GN NYT Y TE yyo out uths ths hs ssan an ng a an nd d da anc n ce ed d in worrsshi wo hip p.. Th hiis wa was ce cerrtta aiin in nlly ly no not ot a an n ev ve en ent ntt to be be miisssse ed d!!

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Campus Camp 2009 ABSOLUTEly awestruck by Jesus. ABSOLUTEly hungry for God. ABSOLUTEly immersed in His presence. These describe the sentiments of the 62 Campers who attended the July 20-23 Campus Camp. Here’s what some say.

I came into ABSOLUTE wanting God as the most important part of my life. Coming before him, I iterated this desire over and over again. I was frustrated because contrary to appearances, I wasn’t obeying God. My faith was a farce.

I was the clown. And, everyday, I performed to my parents and ffriends. i d G God dh had db been speaking ki to me clearly, but, I repeatedly rode the ship of disobedience the opposite way into a mire of excuses. Sin seemed justifiable.

I like a message that challenges, that stops me in my train of thought and has me not say a thing for hours, as I revel in God’s revealed truth. Pastor Gerald’s appeal for us to take up God’s heart of holiness was just that message. I realised that God’s laws and precepts were not burdensome onerous do’s-anddon’ts, but an extension of His character. I am confident that He who began a good work in me, will carry it on till completion.

Jonathan Lin University of Illinois

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Before campus camp, my w walk with God was dry and serving Him was mundane.

Coupled with tiredness fro om my part-time job and persecution at home, doubts plagued my mind whethe er to give up my faith. I questioned whether it was worth it being a Christian; my pre-believing friends seemed to have an easier time than me.

The week before camp, Go od brought me to Isaiah 41:17-18. God promised me that He would never forsake th he desperate hunger of His faithful children and that He would answer my thirst an nd transform all my spiritual deserts into pools of water.

The seccond morning’s sermon by Pastor Larry was about perseverance being birthed d through persecuttion. As I responded, I knew that running away from persecu ution was not going to solve my problem, and that if I faced them together with Go od, my faith will be stronger. Pastor Gerald’s sermon, about Daniel and the thre ee friends who cho ose not to defile themselves with worldly values, also challenged me to think th hrough how dear I hold these godly values in my heart.

God will never forsake the e cries of those who hunger for more of Him, just like how He exce eeded my expectations in this campus camp.

Charma aine Thiang Nationa al University of Singapore

I was desensitised towards the things of God and was relying on my own strength to accomplish things. I lacked the faith to trust God to be my Provider. I also became pretty afraid of the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;lions denâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; and did not dare display my faith openly. Throughout the camp, God helped me realise this issue and challenged me to confront my lack of faith. He began healing my root problem of past disappointments and challenged me to take steps of faith. The life of Daniel spoke to me: to not be afraid of the lions den and to have the boldness to stand up for God. Du Weibing Nanyang Technological University

I went for campus camp with a dampened spirit, thinking that it would just be another camp I had to attend because I was going into the campus cell. In addition to my work schedule before the camp started, I hardly had any time to read the Word of God, or rather, I was just too lazy to pick up the Bible.

Through the camp, I felt God realigning me back to His path and reminding me that He was always there by my side to help me whenever I am in trouble.

There was just this fresh anointing that came through me and I began to see life differently. Instead of isolating myself in work, I realised the importance of fellowship. Camp has also helped strengthen my Christian faith in the Lord. The Absolute truth, way and declaration has been a guideline for me even in my first week of university life.

Sarah Soo Nanyang Technological University

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197 young working adults (YWA) RElated with one another, REjuvenated their bodies and were REfreshed in Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s presence at the recent Melaka YWA REtreat. Here are some of their REflections.

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At one of the camp services, God spoke to me to step out of my comfort zone to share His goodness and love. I frequently interact with patients in my course of work, many of whom are down and depressed, but I did not have the boldness to share with them about God. Before camp, I had a patient who was struggling with a serious complication. Unknowing to him, I prayed softly beside his bed and God immediately resolved the complication before my very eyes without me having to do anything. However, I did not have the courage to reveal to the patient that I had prayed for him. After hearing about stepping out of my comfort zone during the camp, I decided to take a step of faith to share with him how I had prayed for his miracle. He then revealed to me that he was a Christian who has not been attending church for a long time because of his medical condition. I proceeded to encourage him and urged him to trust God for complete healing.

Since our conversation, I saw him being filled with hope, and he has come out of his depressed state. He progressively became better with physiotherapy and took the initiative to move his limbs more on his bed. I thank God for healing this patient and for using me to bring hope and life to him. In stepping out of my comfort zone, I have overcome my fear of speaking to my patients about God, thereby experiencing a breakthrough in my life!

Harry Olikh, staff nurse

The camp awakened in me a sense of urgency to place God as a predominant part of my life. It made me realise how important God is to me and I want to share every part of my life with Him! Toh Pei Sze, bank associate I thank God for refreshing my passion, dreams, emotions and ministry.

Eleanore Xu, quantity surveyor What struck me was Pastor Dominic’s opening lines during his first message – “One can give God the most exuberant worship and yet be dry bones!” Amazingly, a similar word was already impressed upon our Sectional Leader just before the camp. This timely message nudged my section to go beneath our exterior expressions of service and worship and re-examine our inner perspectives, attitudes and actions. As a section, we gathered and kneeled down at the hotel, sought God’s forgiveness, interceded on behalf of our generation and committed ourselves to live life according to God’s standards.

Phebe Ngan, clinical data coordinator

I have been working in the military for the past nine years and have started to lose my passion for this job. A few weeks before camp, I was given the opportunity to work in an organisation in which I was interested in. I said that I would consider the opening but was unwilling to leave the security of my current job. During a workshop at the camp, we encountered a case study of a person who had lost his passion for his job. In our small groups, we discussed the importance of developing a passion for our job and achieving excellence in whatever we do.

I felt God speaking to me through this case study to step out of the comforts of my current job into a job He has provided for me. After the camp, I plucked up the courage to call the manager who had offered me the job opportunity. To my disappointment, he rejected my call. However, he called me the next day and assured me he would keep the job open even though my military contract would only end a year later. Moreover, I was also given the choice as to the department I would like to join.

This is truly the favour of God and I am very excited to embark on this new job. God is indeed my Provider and I give Him all the glory!

Chin Chung Kit, navy specialist

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HERE ED EVENT W M E H -T Y T R ERY A PA RIENCE A V E P X E L IL W your kids HRISTMAS! C IS H T E ID SPECIAL R ission Free Adm me for Program rs old a 4-12 ye

Trinity@Adam, Level 2 Hall 2 Sat, Dec 19, 5pm Sun, Dec 20, 8.30 & 11am Trinity@Paya Lebar, Level 4 Summit Sat, Dec 19, 5pm Sun, Dec 20, 8.30 & 11.30am

? e d i s n ked i

o o l u yo e v a H This Christmas, a BIG surprise aw aits.

Trinity@Adam Level 1 Chapel Sat, Dec 26, 4.4 45pm Sun, Dec 27,, 10.45am

e pres iv t c a r e t in An

entation

Trinity@Paya Lebar Levells 2 & 3, Lecture Theatre 1 Sat, Dec 26, 4.45pm Sun, Dec 27, 11.15am

t s a ry e g a ll a tu a c r fo an s S e vic at r e e d s 0-s e bin 00 m 3 Co ew en th

Fri, Dec 25 Trinity@Paya Lebar 9 & 11am