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Pastor Speaks
s I look back at the key events during this period, I can only reflect on God’s goodness. Indeed, He is Good All the Time, and All the Time, He is Good. Our Easter Celebration was especially meaningful. God moved many friends and family members to pack the SSMC sanctuary and witness a well choreographed Easter production that simply and clearly conveyed a message of His love and hope. I’m also thankful that the Easter production was an amazing demonstration of the exercising of diverse gifts and talents in spirit of unity and love. Each one of the 90++ team members – be it performing cast, supporting crew, back stage hands, prop makers, ushers or intercessors, played his role as God called and placed him. “From Him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.” Eph 4:16
Recognising the influence of the internet on all our lives and especially the youth, a Cyber Wellness Seminar was organized for both youths as well as their parents. The parallel sessions were an eye-opener even for the Ebenezer, July 2011
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supposedly internet savvy youths and also helped to bridge the digital divide between the generations. We trust that parents and youths will now be able to discuss these issues openly and exercise responsibility in using the internet for good and not for evil. Once again God granted us a glimpse of his favor and blessings as we celebrated our 36th Anniversary the highlight which is our Gift Day for Missions collections. Our gift target was almost met on the first count. By the end of the day, it was achieved and overwhelmingly surpassed two weeks later. What a great privilege it was for each of us to participate in what God is doing in and through our church. All glory and honor is to God and Him alone. On the 29th May, we organized jointly with OHMSI, a “The Christian and Nation Building” Seminar which was also very well attended and received. It is part of our continued focus to inform and educate our members as well as the wider Christian Church on her role and responsibilities in being the light, salt and aroma of Christ within this nation.
Looking forward... We have just passed the mid point of 2011. While we look forward to the second half of the year, this is a good check point to take stock of and evaluate our progress - both individually and as a church. Six months have passed since we launched the Vision, Mission and Faith Goals for the church. I started the year by challenging the church family in SSMC on our vision of transforming lives. As your Pastor, I want to ask you to stop and ask these questions concerning your all important relationship with your heavenly Father: “What have I done personally about expanding His Kingdom?” “Has there been any change or transformation in the way I relate to God?” “Is there any improvement in my reading of the Word? ...in my prayer-life? ...in bearing the Fruit of the Spirit in my everyday life?”
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Only you can answer these questions honestly before God. As has been rightly said, a Pastor’s role is not only to “comfort the afflicted” but also to “afflict the comfortable”. I would be remiss in my duty and love to you if I only speak uplifting words but neglect to challenge or “provoke” you to greater heights in your faith, without putting you on a guilt trip. As a Church, we can avail to you all the necessary resources you need to grow your spiritual life and to deepen your relationship in the Lord. As an illustration - I can invite you to a lavish banquet and spread before you a selection of best gourmet food. However, you will not be truly satisfied if you have no real hunger or the desire to feast on it. You may nibble here and there but you will not fully enjoy the meal or do justice to the one who provided the meal. Similarly, it is my earnest prayer and hope that each one of you will have the hunger and thirst for God. There must be the inner desire for a deeper understanding and experience with the Lord, resulting in renewed outward service to Him. While our flesh is weak, the indwelling Holy Spirit can cause the thirst that can only be quenched by the living waters that Jesus offers. Our church’s theme verse which is also that of our upcoming Family Camp – John 7:38 “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” Today, will you read His Word, talk to Him and walk with Him? Transformation must always begin with us individually before it can lead to the transforming of families, communities and nations.
God Bless
Swee Ming Pastor, SSMC
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