Scripture Memorisation

The Word on Worship Order of Worship

Psalm 22:27All the ends of the world

shall remember and turn unto the LORD: and all the kindreds of the nations

shall worship before thee.

Death (Spiritual)

Romans 5:12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world,

and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men,

for that all have sinned.

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* Congregation Standing

Call to Worship Dn Kelvin Lim

Hymn 31: Blessed Be the Name*

Invocation & Gloria Patri*

Responsive Scripture Reading* Psalm 138

Hymn 49: How Great Thou Art! Collection of Offerings Doxology & Prayer*

Hymn 141: That Beautiful Name

Children’s Sermon & Scripture MemorisationPastoral PrayerSermon Pastor Prabhudas Koshy

“Jesus’ Birth & Biblical Prophecy” – II Matthew 2

Hymn 258: Lord, Thy Word Abideth* Benediction & Threefold Amen*

Today, 23 Feb 2014 Next Lord’s Day, 2 Mar 20149.00 – 10.00 am CHURCH CHOIR & CHILDREN’S CHOIR CHURCH CHOIR & CHILDREN’S CHOIR

MALAYALAM FELLOWSHIP MALAYALAM FELLOWSHIP

10.30 amCH

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EWorship Leader: Gan Chin HwiPreacher: Pr Daniel LimMusician: Eunice ChoyFlowers: Lee Kim LeiRefreshments: Ivy SeahUshers: Sam Cheah, Leow Beng Wee

Worship Leader: Eld Alan ChoyPreacher: Pr Daniel LimMusician: Sarah YapFlowers: Winnie YapUshers: Cayson Chok, Chan Tuck Whye

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Worship Leader: Dn Kelvin LimPreacher: Pastor Prabhudas KoshyMusicians: Chu Seong Yeng, Jasmine LowUshers: Johnny Lim, Max Selvakumar, David Ng, Ng Kwan Teng, Randy Laurencio, Theodore WangGreeter: Lee Kim LeiAV Ministry: Crew No. 2Flowers: Mong Jee PawaRefreshments: Yeo Geok Hien, Corliss Tan, MistyJunior Worship: Choy Luan Kheng (Mabel Lim), Stefanie Wong (Cornelius Koshy), Dn Lok Kwok Wah

Worship Leader: Eld Ng Poh KokPreacher: Pastor Prabhudas KoshyMusicians: Chu Seong Yeng, Sarah LeeUshers: Leow Beng Wee, Max Selvakumar, Andy Lee, Danial Wong, John Peh, Jerah TanGreeter: Sally LumAV Ministry: Crew No. 3Flowers: Choy Luan KhengRefreshments: Roscelle Lim, Davina Lim, Chong Shu MunJunior Worship: Edwin Quek (Jenice Choy), Carolyn Koshy (Corliss Tan), Pr Kelvin Lim

1.30 pm

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ICE Worship Leader: Norefel ResumaPreacher: Samson HutagalungMusician: Jang Se JinUsher: Randy LaurencioRefreshments: Juvy Lynn Anaviso

Worship Leader: Eric DelinaPreacher: Pr Dennis KabingueMusician: Chloe PawaUsher: Julius Del RosarioRefreshments: Rhodora Resuma

3.30 pm

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ME Venue: 41 Toa Payoh Rise

English Speaker: Bro Edwin QuekDialect Speaker: Pr Jeremiah Sim

Venue: 487 Bedok South Ave 2English Speaker: Dn Arvind PawaDialect Speaker: Pr Jeremiah Sim

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...continued from last week.

Pitfall #4: Self-pity that Excuses Worry, Bitterness and Other Sins

The struggles of a church leader are seldom fully understood by those who are around him. Paul has captured the troubles of the church leaders the best, when he wrote, “We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed” (2 Corinthians 4:8-9).

Some in the ministry have been so plagued by problems that they allow their souls to plunge into self-pity and many other sins that accompany anxiety, worry and fear. Some leaders have used their needs, loneliness, problems to excuse their sins of greed, theft, sexual promiscuity, abusive behaviour, etc. They would say, “Nobody understands my problems. Nobody seems to care that I also have to take care of my family’s needs. It is such pressure that led me to steal.” Or “Nobody else seems to feel for me in my loneliness the way she does. If any of them knew

what I was going through in this leadership role, they would understand why I need this kind of embrace, why I need this kind of ‘unconditional acceptance’. I have borne enough of the burden of being everybody’s spiritual example; I can’t take it any more. And I don’t care if they don’t approve.”

Self-pity is a subtle sin; and it is packed with deceptive power. It looks so meek and weak. But underneath it is pride. Self-pity is a blind leader of proud men, which guides them into pits of sins.

Every leader must learn to find his strength, wisdom, courage and provision in the Lord. The Lord—and He alone—must be our portion, or we will give in to self-pity and all the sins that accompany it. We must seek the presence of God where there is “fulness of joy” and “at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore”. Let us learn to draw near to God when all kinds of troubles arise before us. “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea” (Psalm 46:1-2).

23 February 2014

Church Leaders’ PitfallsPrabhudas Koshy

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Pitfall #5: Falling in Love with the Present World

“For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica. . . .” (2 Timothy 4:10). Demas was a fellow labourer of Paul in the work of the Gospel (cf. Colossians 4:14; Philemon 24). Paul mentioned him along with the early church leaders like Luke, Marcus and Aristarchus.

Demas left Paul and the ministry after he fell in love with this present world. What is it about the world that leaders like Demas in particular are tempted to love?

In Luke 8:14, Jesus cautioned, “. . .when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection.” Our Saviour mentioned three causes that could lead a man away from being fruitful in the kingdom of God. They are cares of this life, riches of this world and pleasures of this world.

Demas’ motive for forsaking Paul might have been his love for worldly ease, safety, comforts and disinclination to brave danger with Paul.

Anyone who sincerely serves the Lord would soon find that he needs to sacrifice all his desires for the comfort, pleasure and glory of this world. Anyone who entertains an immoderate love for this material world, its gain,

pleasure and glory, will not be able to serve God fervently and faithfully. He will soon wilfully abandon the cause of the Gospel because of his love for this material world.

The best protection from this pitfall is to always set our mind on the glory of God and His kingdom. Paul said, “But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world” (Galatians 6:14). The spell of sin’s fascination is broken when the superior pleasures of God’s presence becomes the preoccupation.

If we love the Lord and His work, then we must also remind ourselves that “the friendship of the world is enmity with God” and “whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God” (James 4:4). Think long and hard about those who have fallen so painfully and drastically, having drunk the deadly poison of worldliness.

Thoughts of Cheerful Giversfrom the letterbox

17 February 2014

For Missionary Conference Fund

Thank God that there is yet another opportunity to give unto His glorious work, to bring His missionaries together for a time of rejoicing, remembering, edification and building up of one another in the LORD.

May the LORD be pleased to multiply this humble effort.

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Pangasinan Mission ReportDonald dela Cruz

Pastoral Visitation TeamPrabhudas Koshy

y We thank God for helping us to hold our first worship service in Pangasinan on 9 Feb 2014. We had 20 adults, 9 children and 4 babies. The collection received as tithes and offerings was PHP 4260.

y Please pray that the brethren will be steadfast in faith.

y We thank God also for brother Anthony Peraz and his wife, Lorna for visiting us. Bro Anthony is currently on home leave and will return to Singapore this week. Please include his safe travel in your prayers.

y Please pray for the following:

» Our two series of Bible studies: “The Glory of Christ” (Sunday Worship sermons) and “Why are we Bible Presbyterians?” (Adults’ Bible Study)

» Our desire to have training for teachers of children.

» The completion of maintenance work of the rented house for the Gethsemane Mission Station. (Workers are currently fixing all the electrical wirings.)

y Please pray for God’s provision for the worshippers. They need to spend PHP 100 per person to come to church. Because of the travel expenses, a family with 6 members find coming to church a struggle.

y Please pray for God’s grace and wisdom on the worshippers in their walk.

It has become almost an impossible mission to pay a pastoral visitation, even within a year, to every home of our members and regular worshippers. Many factors have contributed to such a situation. Hence, it became a deep concern of my heart throughout the past year, constraining me to pray for wisdom to find a way for elders and me to make pastoral visitations to members’ homes. Providentially, while I was reading the biography of the well-known Scottish pastor, Robert M’Cheyne (1813-1843), I realised that he held neighbourhood meetings that enabled him to meet with most of the members of his large church. It dawned on me that M’Cheyne’s idea of holding neighbourhood meetings would be an excellent way to provide pastoral visitation.

Elder Ng Poh Kok will co-labour with me to conduct pastoral visitations in various “neighbourhoods”. We have formed a team of brothers (David Tan, Danny Chu and David Lau) to assist us with organising the meetings in various neighbourhoods. From time to time, there will be announcements of such meetings. May I exhort members and regular worshippers to join these meetings. When the team members approach you on my behalf, please extend your utmost cooperation to help them facilitate such meetings.

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Prabhudas Koshy

Behemoth was an animal of mammoth size that lived in the time of Job. We have a detailed description of it in Job 40:15-24. Consider some of the following features of that animal:

• Itwasherbivorous.• Itsstrengthwasaroundthenavelofhisbelly.• Itstailwaslikeacedartree.

• Itsboneswerehardandstronglikebarsofbrass and iron.

• Ithadahugeappetiteandneededmountainsfull of vegetation to feed on.

•Itneededcoolandshadyplacestorest.•Itdranklotsandlotsofwaterfrombrooks and rivers.•Itcouldpiercethroughobstacleswithitsnose.

No animal of our day has all the above features of behemoth. However, the fossils of certain extinct dinosaurs fit the above description. So behemoth could well have been a very large dinosaur that lived in Job’s time.

ItisimportanttonotethatGodistheCreatorofthisgiantanimal.He created behemoth together with all other animals on the sixthdayofcreation.Itwasalsoonthesixthdaythatmanwascreated.ThatiswhyGodsaid,“Beholdnowbehemoth,whichImade with thee.” Therefore it is unbiblical to say that dinosaurs (behemoth) lived millions of years before mankind. According to the Bible, in the time of Job there were dinosaurs.

God is the Creator of all that ever existed on earth. “Behold now behemoth, which I made with thee; he eateth grass as an ox.” – JOB 40:15

Behemoth!

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Illustration by Melissa Neo

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Gethsemane YOUnG ADULTS’ FeLLowShip

Prayer/fellowship on Sat, 1 Mar is cancelled in view of the Parents’ Seminar.

evAngeLiSmThere will be an evangelism session today.

Please meet Dn Arvind Pawa @ 1.30 pm at the foyer.

pArenTS’ SeminArOrganised by GCM

“Nurturing Our Children Biblically”

Speaker: Pastor KoshyDate: Sat, 1 Mar

Time: 2.30 – 6.00 pmVenue: City Beach Resort

8 Port Road, Singapore 117540

There will be a separate programme for children aged 4–12.

Kindly sign up at the reception table.

8th BiBLe wiTneSS reTreAT“I Have Somewhat Against Thee”

Speaker: Pastor KoshyDate: Wed–Fri, 19–21 Mar

Venue: Pulai Springs Resort Johor, Malaysia

Adult Fees: Single – $400/adult

Twin/Triple – $285/adultChild Fees (4–12 years old): With extra bed – $180/child

Without extra bed – $150/child

Register quickly — registration forms are available at the reception table.

Apply for your leave early!

LORD’S DAY on 16 FEB 2014Tithes 4,341.00Offerings 12,963.45Bldg Fund (2015) 300.00; 200.00;

100.00; 25.00; [600.00; 50.00 (Chinese Svc)]

Two $10 vouchers Designated Gifts

Missionary Conference 2014 30.00 Kelvin Lim 100.00

NON-SUNDAY GIFTSMissionary Conference 2014 1,000.00 Bible Witness RM410.00; RM335.00

ETHIOPIA VAN FUNDTotal as of 16 Feb 2014 47,272.90

BUILDING FUND 2015Total as of 16 Feb 2014 202,616.85

MISSIONARY CONFERENCE 2014Total as of 16 Feb 2014 4,612.00

coLLecTionS

SpeciAL FUnDS

Gethsemane YOUth FeLLowShip

Topic: Special Revelation (A Bible Study on Bibliology)Speaker: Bro Ho Kee How

Date & Time: Sat, 1 Mar, 4.00 – 6.00 pmVenue: Home of Dn & Mrs Francis Lee

35 Moonbeam Terrace, Singapore 277308Dinner will be provided by the host.

Youth RetreatTheme: “Spiritual Hypocrisy”

Speaker: Pastor KoshyDate: Fri–Sat, 18–19 Apr (aft. Good Fri Svc)

Venue: National Community Leadership Institute (NACLI)

Fees: $20/personA stay-in retreat. Please sign up at the reception

table. Registration closes on 9 March. More details to come!

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Time & Place of Worship10.30 am

Level 5 Auditorium Singapore Post Centre

10 Eunos Road 8 Singapore 408600

(next to Paya Lebar MRT station)

Prayer Hotline8138 8139

SMS or Whatsapp your prayer item

Our Office510 Geylang Road, #02-06

Singapore 389466 Tel: 6741 1910 Fax: 6741 1016

Our Websitesgethsemanebpc.com

biblewitness.com

Our PastorPastor Prabhudas Koshy

Mobile: 9001 1119 Email: pastor.gbpc@gmail.com

Our SessionPastor Prabhudas Koshy Elder Mah Chin Kwang

Elder Alan Choy Elder Ng Poh Kok

Deacon Arvind Pawa Deacon Daniel Lim

Deacon Lok Kwok Wah Deacon Kelvin Lim Deacon Francis Lee

Tuesday Night Bible Study & Prayer8.00 pm @ L5 Auditorium, SingPost Centre

Wednesday Lunch Hour Bible Study1.15 pm @ Bible Witness Bookroom

Thursday Seniors’ Ministry11.00 am (Please contact Pr Jeremiah Sim)

Friday Morning Prayer6.45–7.30 am @ Church Resource Centre

For more information, please call the church office at 6741 1910.

Please stay back after worship to join us for:

Refreshment & Fellowship12.30 pm – 1.30 pm

Adults’ & Youths’ Bible StudyCancelled today in view of evangelism

Children’s Bible StudyCancelled today in view of evangelism

Post-Worship Activities

Weekday Activities

Bible Witness Magazine

Bible Witness Web Radio

Church Weekly

gAF SeminArBiblical History II: Judges to Solomon

Speaker: Pastor KoshyDate & Time: Sat, 22 Mar, 1.30 pm – 6.00 pm

Venue: City Beach ResortA separate programme will be catered for children aged 3–9.

Please avail yourselves of the seminar leaflets at the reception table for more information.

Gethsemane 4th miSSionAry conFerence

Date: Mon–Fri, 23–27 Jun Registration is now open.

Forms are available at the reception table.

Please also avail yourselves of the conference flyers for more information.

Give towards the miSSionAry conFerence FUnD!

pASTorAL viSiTATionThe Pastoral Visitation team has compiled a list

of church members who live in the Bedok South region and it can be found on the reception table. We request members and regular worshippers who live in Bedok South, Siglap, East Coast, Marine Parade and Tanjong Rhu to check whether your names are in the list. If it is not there, please add it in.

When the team members approach you, please cooperate with them for the arrangement of the first meeting at 8 pm on Friday, 7 March 2014.

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