Dear brothers and sisters

Hinghwa Methodist has just celebrated 100 years of God’s goodness and we are at the threshold of seeing more of God’s favour in this coming year.  Despite the experts’ prediction about the bleak economic climate for 2012, I believe our God is more than able and He is in full control of our future, even that of Hinghwa.

A new beginning for YMM                                         

This year will see the birth of a new worship location for our daughter church, YMM, in Yishun.Whilst we continue to trust God to fulfil all the financial obligations, I am heartened to see the generosity in prayers and contributions you have towards this cause.

Season of Gathering as a family of God

This is also a “Season for Gathering”.  Our church’s vision is to be a lighthouse for God, to gather as a family of God.…  This is a time where leaders would do well to gather in the strength of one accord in the things we do for the church; where families would gather to make time for concerted prayers for the church as well as for the nations; and where those who are lonely and hurting would find warmth and comfort in the gathering of our small-group fellowships.

Community Outreach 2.0

Since 1998, where we celebrated Christmas in a big way with the Lavender community at the previous Christ Church Secondary school, it has been 13 years of sheer hard work in penetrating our community.  The climax of the Joy@Lavendar celebration and the recent Charity Walk@PA demonstrates the influence and impact we can bring to this part of Lavender.   In the days ahead, may God continue to grant the leaders of the church wisdom as we gather the crowd from the community and embark on Community Outreach 2.0

It is with a sense of dependency and openness to the Holy Spirit’s guidance and establishment of all our works that we approach the year 2012. May God help us to gather strong in this season as a family of God in the midst of an uncertain world.

“Blessed are those you choose and bring near to live in your courts! We are filled with the good things of your house, of your holy temple.” Psalms 65: 4 (NIV)

Dear brothers and sisters

Greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus. Reflecting upon the Lord’s abounding grace is richly sufficient for us. While entering into year 2012, even though every service has its own theme, our mission remains unchanged and that is to be a Lighthouse. We look forward to have a healthy and vibrant church through prayers and also the work of the Holy Spirit in and through us. Below are some of its distinctive features:

1. The Power of Captivation

1.1 A captivating environment:

-   a beaming contemporary place

1.2 A captivating congregation:

-   being someone filled with joy, exuberance, faithful and always in earnest expectance.

1.3 A captivating God:

-   a church manifesting God’s presence and His anointing.

2.1 An Influencing individual: a place where a person is transform as a result of faith and through the power of the Holy Spirit;

Everyone is victorious, lifting up their   heads high and always rejoicing.

2.2 An Inspiring community:  rekindling this Lavender community to be a peaceful, joyful, faithful and a hopeful community.

We participated in many social outreach activities, extending our loving hands to help them, praying and believing that they will experience the fullness of Christ and embracing a zealous life.

3. The Power of Motivation

An impressive church is not because she has a large congregation but rather motivating others through the acts of kindness. Let us always be of good example, season with words of kindness, our demeanour and an inspiring heart to inspire others.

Wishing you Blessed New Year filled with His abundance grace.

“You crown the year with your bounty, and your carts overflow with abundance.”(Psalm 65:11)

The coming events like the Charity Walk, the 100 years Anniversary Celebration and the preparation for various ministries retreat in planning for 2012 appear overwhelming. What is God showing us, so that we can response in the manner that pleases Him?

1. The events involve the whole church. This is the surest way God reveals to us the unity we have as a church when we share the common goals. It brings us joy as we seek to honour and in preference of one to another and we reach our goals.

3. The reaping is taking place and it will continue to be so as we keep sowing. The sowing is done in tears but joy comes in reaping. We see both in sowing and reaping as a privilege as sharing the Word is a special privilege. We see our position before God as we become more aware of how His authority and power is being exercised through our participation.

As we move on towards the end of the year, we harbour this sense of majestic "presence of God" purposefully and taking responsibility expected of us. This will bring Him the glory.

First, let us experience that He is the Sovereign Almighty One. The phrase, "Be still and know that I am God." (Ps.46:10; Ex.14:13-14). Rev. Tony Chi, shared during the PS1030 service from the book of Esther, how God turns the events around. The devotional material that Connect@5 uses is on the book of Job and the message too speaks of the sovereign hand of God. Whatever your situation is, God is calling us to experience His sovereign work out of the situation.

Second, God desires us to have personal encounter with Him. From the "Experiencing God" materials, we learnt that He is at work all the time. We missed experiencing His power at work when we are too pre-occupied with our agenda and found ourselves doing the work we want to do, even those that appeared to be done for Him. The question is, “Have we gotten a personal encounter with God and heard or being led to do what we are doing?”

Thirdly, God delights in our faith. Prof. James Goh spoke from 2Tim.1:1-5 on the type of faith that pleases God, the sincere faith that presses on without being shaken by circumstances. It's rested on God Himself out of a personal relationship with Him, having a transformed mind with the word. Ps. Lawrence Chua spoke of the prophet having heard from God started well but ended badly because he went on to listen to man, an old prophet. Ps. Lim Lip Yong spoke from 2 Chron.24:15-22 challenged us not to rely upon man as Joash did on Jehoiada. The moment the priest, Jehoiada died, he turned to sin (verse 14b, 17-18).

In conclusion, let us be steadfast in our faith. We should continue to claim full deliverance for those sick, going through conflict and financial needs to experience God turning the event around, encountering Him in the midst of it and continue to be steadfast in their faith.