Dn (Dr) Lai Pak Wah For internal circulation only 17 May 2020
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Mount Carmel BP Church 1
Dn (Dr) Lai Pak Wah
For internal c irculat ion only
17 May 2020
2 Mount Carmel BP Church
tweak this question and reflect on
this instead — “What is God doing
with me during this season?”
No matter what stage of life we
are at right now, we lean towards
doing something, anything that will
accord us a sense of purpose or a
meaning for existence. Yes, while
we are waiting for the circuit breaker
period to end and life to return to
some semblance of our predictable
routine, our hands are constantly
busy and our minds crowded with
thoughts of “what can I do?” or
“what do I need to do?”.
Life, as a teacher, employs figures
of authority to coach us to do things
and do them well. What are some
of the possible things we want to do
or are engaged in? The things-to-do
list may include winning an award,
getting a coveted role in a firm or
school, owning a race car, finishing
law school, making a good living,
exercising well etc. My wife’s
nephew has a goal of “30 before 30”.
He plans to travel to 30 countries
before reaching 30 years old. The
last update was that he is near to
30 on both counts but cannot
achieve his goal as – you guessed
it – the current global situation does
not help it!
Most of our doing is tied to a career
and doing it well is important. In
Most of us are still stuck at home
because of the circuit breaker
measures. Unless we are working
in essential services, we have to
work from home. Perhaps we are
looking forward to the end of the
circuit breaker period on 1 June. We
long to restore a sense of normalcy
in life, work and recreation. Of
course, there are the introverts
among us who are content with
less face-to-face interaction and do
not mind being stuck at home. While
watching the countdown towards
the end of the circuit breaker period,
the wait can take a toll on some
people. It is a small wonder then
why a handful of individuals have
defied the measures and orders
and ventured out just to enjoy their
bowl of bak kut teh or to dine with
friends.
Regardless of whether we go out to
work, stay at home to work or look
after our children during the school
holidays, one question we may
curiously wonder aloud is, “What is
God doing with the world?” Some
observations are possible with
regards to His mysterious work in
our world. Rather than asking what
God is doing, I propose that we
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meditate on selected Scriptures,
pray and learn to listen to His
voice, jot down what the Holy
Spirit is highlighting concerning
our being and take steps for
change to happen in our being.
Let us consider a prayer from “High
Mountains Deep Valleys”: Lord, I
guess it’s the wrong question I
asked. I only know true reality when
I think Your thoughts, look at the
world through Your eyes. But
how can I do that in the face of
the onslaught that hits me every
day? Who am I to resist those
overpowering voices and listen to
You?
Thank You for the time to take
stock, to reorder my thinking, to
see things as You see them.
Forgive me for neglecting those
times. Even more, forgive me for
avoiding the reality I would rather
not face. Help me today to see
the world in the light of Your
truth. Amen.
the eyes of God, being is equally,
if not more, important than doing.
While it is biblically important to do
well in whatever we are doing for the
glory of God, He is more concerned
about the state of our spiritual being.
We can display our trophies of
achievement and accomplished
goals and declare, “God, I have
done all these for You.” I believe
God might respond, “Good, but
what have you become after doing
all these?”
Last month, we remembered how
our Saviour, Jesus of Nazareth,
finished his work of redemption
on the cross. After declaring “It is
finished” and breathing his last,
Jesus was remembered as a
remarkable figure who was forgiving,
who was considerate and who was
upright. He did not complete his
work as a bitter person riddled with
anger, complaints, and migraines.
He remained steadfast, true, faithful,
loving and authentic. Perhaps we
should ask ourselves – could this
be a reality in my life? While I
dedicate my life to doing things,
how can I experience a change in
myself that will last for eternity?
Like an uncaged zoo, the list of
things-to-do can rush at us like
wild animals. Why not take some
time to give ample space for God
to improve our being? We can
Ps Jabez Chia
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Next Wed (20 May), 7.45 pm PWYA - Pray Where You Are
Last Wednesday (13 May) Attendance: 21
Global Church: Pray that God’s church everywhere will be the salt and light He calls us to be.
Pray that God’s church would show no favouritism and accept all those who fear Him, and do what is right.
Pray for God to rebuke those who divide the Church with their false sense of worth in power, prestige and positions.
Pray that God’s people would be as holy as He is holy, and that through love for Him and for one another, people will look at Jesus and see our Father’s great love for us and them.
Church Leaders: Pray that the Lord will — Be with the entire pastoral and admin team. Help them seek Him for wisdom,
insight and understanding to know how to shepherd the flock and admin-wise, to do what is necessary and to do so in a spirit of gentleness and love.
Show the elders, pastors and ministry staff how to equip God’s people for works of service, so that they may be built up and become mature in Christ.
Grant wisdom to the leadership, pastoral and admin team as they discern ways to minister to the church in the midst of social distancing measures that will be put in place when circuit breaker measures are eased.
Mt Carmel 53rd Anniversary, 31 May: Pray that all worshippers will go online and worship together at 10 am.
Pray for all participants in this special worship service: Leong Ho (worship leader), Ps Boon Leong (short exhortation and prayer) and Ps David Wong (speaking on Missions and Community).
Pray that all will connect to Zoom for a time of celebration, and for good internet connection for those who log in.
Pray for Dawn Puah and the Media Ministry team, who are working together to organise the Anniversary Celebration. Ask God to bless the coordination and communication for this celebration. Above all, pray that Christ will be glorified and magnified as we offer our praise, thanks and worship.
CBC Shelter: Thank God for some encouraging and positive conversations with the stayers. Please continue to pray for the stayers — for reconciliation with family or friends
as some are looking for employment
for longer-term accommodation come 1 June as Clementi Woods Kindergatan will re-open and the shelter will close
that they will encounter God during this period and trust Him in the days ahead
Ps Fitz and May Garlitos: Praise God for the opportunity to start a ladies’ outreach in the province before lockdown. Ps Fitz recently visited a hospital and ministered to dialysis patients and nurses and also carried out relief distribution. Thank God for technology so that Ps Fitz and May can continue to feed their flock and encourage them to remain faithful. Pray for Ps Fitz and May for wisdom and strength to home-school their children. Ps Fitz is “virtually” organising our former TRIPS scholars and connecting with them to pray for and encourage them. Pray for their online Zoom Bible studies.
Personal: Pray for God’s presence and peace to comfort Alan and Rumi Tan and Vincent Koh in their recent bereavements.
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24 May Eld Bruce Lockhart Feeding the Multitude Mark 6:30-44
31 May Rev Dr David Wong On Mission Luke 10:1-24
7 June Rev Daniel Chua Who is Jesus Who Walks on Water? Mark 6:45-56
14 June Rev Jabez Chia Clean on the Inside Mark 7:1-23
ANNOUNCEMENTS/UPDATES
Heartfelt condolences to Alan and Rumi Tan and family. Alan’s father was called home to the Lord on Monday, 11 May 2020.
Heartfelt condolences to Vincent Koh and family. Vincent’s mother-in-law passed away peacefully on Monday, 11 May 2020.
Members are informed that due to the COVID-19 circuit breaker measures, our Annual General Meeting (AGM), usually held at the end of May, will be postponed and will now be held on 26 July 2020. The venue and/or method of conducting the AGM will be determined at a later date (depending on prevailing government measures on the COVID-19 situation).
Congratulations to Mark Kiew and Abigail on the birth of a baby boy, Reiden Kiew
on Saturday, 28 March 2020.
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Mark 6:14-29
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Worship Leader Dn Adrian Wong
Speaker Dn(Dr) Lai Pak Wah
Prayer Rev Jabez Chia
Scripture Reader Cynthia Wee
Great is the Lord
Hallelujah to the Lamb
2 Timothy 2:8-19
Living for Jesus
When Trials Come This Place
Mark 6:14-29
Following Jesus: The Examples of Herod & John The Baptist
Be Thou My Vision
For a digital copy of this bulletin:
http://www.carmel.sg/wordpress/wp-
content/uploads/2020/05/Weekly-
051720.pdf
For recordings of past sermons, visit
www.carmel.sg
To install myCarmel app, visit https://church.carmel.sg/myCarmel
Welcome!
A warm welcome to all newcomers
and visitors with us today. We hope
that you will have a meaningful
time of worship this morning.
To access the worship service livestream: https://carmel.sg/live
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