Scripture Memorisation

Defilement

James 3:6a

And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members,

that it defileth the whole body.

The Word on Worship Order of Worship

Psalm 132:7

We will go into his tabernacles: we will worship at his footstool.

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* Congregation Standing

Hallelujah Chorus Youth ChoirCall to Worship Elder Ng Poh Kok

Hymn 164: O Come, All Ye Faithful*Invocation & Gloria Patri*O Come, O Come, Emmanuel (Instrumental) Clarissa LimChildren’s Choir

Responsive Scripture Reading* Luke 2:1-15Hymn 165: Thou Didst Leave Thy Throne

Collection of Offerings Christmas Medley (Instrumental) Sarah Lee & Samuel LeeDoxology & Prayer* O Holy Night! Voices of Gethsemane

Pastoral Prayer Sermon Pastor Prabhudas Koshy

“Angels’ Christmas Praise” Luke 2:14

Infant Baptism, Adult Baptism, Affirmation of Faith & Transfer of Membership

Hymn 163: Angels, from the Realms of Glory* Benediction & Threefold Amen*

Today, 21 December 2014 Next Lord’s Day, 28 December 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: Elder Alan ChoyPreacher: Pr Daniel LimMusician: Gan Sze HueyFlowers: Ivy SeahRefreshments: Gan Sheu HoongUshers: Robert Ooi,

Jerry Chan

Worship Leader: Gan Chin HwiPreacher: Pr Daniel LimMusician: Eunice ChoyFlowers: Roscelle LimRefreshments: Katherine PehUshers: Sam Cheah,

Johnny Lim

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Worship Leader: Eld Ng Poh KokPreacher: Pastor KoshyMusicians: Sarah Lee, Eunice Choy Ushers: Danial Wong, Jimmy Tan, Benny Skariah, Johnny Lim, Ho Kee How, Chan Tuck WhyeGreeter: Diana ChanAV Ministry: Crew No. 2Flowers: Pansy NgRefreshments: Yeo Geok Hien, Pansy Ng, Chong Shu MunJunior Worship: Sarah Yong (Sally Lum), Stefanie Wong (Violet Quek), Dn Lok Kwok Wah

Worship Leader: Dn Francis LeePreacher: Pastor KoshyMusicians: Jasmine Low, Dorcas Koshy Ushers: Cornelius Koshy, Edwin Quek, Theodore Wang, Low Chip Hung, Marcus Lim, John PehGreeter: Sally LumAV Ministry: Crew No. 3Flowers: Gina SimRefreshments: Karen Quek, Esther Quek, Jolyne ChoJunior Worship: Lynn Koh (Lok Qian Hui), Carolyn (Cecilia Siah), Kenneth Wong

1.30 pm

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ICE Worship Leader: Norefel Resuma

Preacher: Pr Dennis KabingueMusician: Dorcas KoshyUsher: Anthony Evangelista Refreshments: All sisters

Worship Leader: Eric Delina Preacher: Pr Dennis KabingueMusician: Ayn TindaanUsher: Jomart Tindaan Refreshments: Joy Rosario

3.30 pm

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English Speaker: Elder Ng Poh KokDialect Speaker: Pr Kelvin Lim

Venue: 41 Toa Payoh Rise English Speaker: Elder Mah Chin KwangDialect Speaker: Pr Jeremiah Sim

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“And he answered and said unto them, I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out” (Luke 19: 40).

Indeed, the stones did ‘cry out’ unto us, like witnesses, when we visited the Holy Land from 1st to 10th Dec 2014. There were stones galore at the southern part of the Holy Land. No wonder stones featured prominently throughout the Bible. In Bethel, Jacob used them as his pillows to sleep (Gen 28:11), whereupon he dreamt of the ladder reaching to heaven and heard God promising to give him the land. Throughout the O.T., stones were heaped together to bear witness to commemorate important events (Gen 31:46, Jos 4:7, 1 Sam 7:12). Furthermore, those who are “biblically instructed” were also grimly reminded that stoning to death was a way of punishment. The land was dry and thirsty, full of stones and difficult to tread upon. In that kind of environment, we armed ourselves with hats/caps/umbrellas, shoes with good grip and kept drinking to hydrate ourselves. If we had been travelling with Moses then, wearing robes and sandals, having no food or drink in that dry, stony terrain, we would for sure have murmured and complained like the Israelites over food and creature comforts. Really, the stones literally cried out against

us as we pondered over what the Israelites had to go through and how we could have easily sinned like them!

The Bible says there is “a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together” (Ecc 3:5). The building of the great temple and the destruction of it, the building of strong cities and the destruction and ruins of them, cry out to us too. While we admired the magnificent remains of Jerash and Capernaum, and the intricate carvings on each piece of the remains, fear and awe of God struck us because these are reminders and evidence that He alone has the power to set up and put down “whom he would” (Dan 5:19, Matt 11:23). The stones are warning us - which side are we on? Better be safe – choose the LORD’s side!

Thank God for making us “as lively stones, … built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices” through our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Pet 2: 5). This is an apt description of our group when we worshipped and prayed together, edified and took care of one another. Love, unity and patience were displayed abundantly throughout the trip. We, like little children, curiously explored the sights, sounds and smells of the Land of the Bible, and learnt geography together. Every difficulty was conquered by faith and love the Christian

Testimonies from Holy Land Bible Study Tour

(1 - 10 Dec 2014)

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way, no less. We have enjoyed the trip very much, and this sentiment was shared by many others, including those who have travelled to the Holy Land several times before.

This trip has created new meanings for us when we now read the Bible. We pray that we shall be steadfast and

unmoveable in our faith, lest we should be a “castaway” (1 Cor 9:27b). We pray that we can be “lively stones”, to be a good testimony for our Lord Jesus Christ.

Wai Mun and Jolyne ChoDecember 2014

“I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth. The LORD shall preserve thy going out and coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore” (Ps 121:1, 2, 8).

Truly, the LORD our God has been our help, and has blessed us with a safe travel and good health in our Holy Land Bible Study Tour. From soaring into the sky in modern aircraft to the ancient mode of commute on horses and camels along the sandy paths in Petra, from floating on the Dead Sea to gliding in the cable cars in the ancient fortress of Masada, from tracing the footsteps on the land which our Lord Jesus Christ literally walked on to sitting in the comfort of the air-conditioned coach, the modes of travel on this Holy Land Study Tour has for sure been like no other. Barren, sandy plains and fruitful green terrain are often just minutes apart in our journey. Though some skirmishes could sometimes be heard, we echoed with praise and thanks to God the words of the psalmist: the Lord has preserved our going out and coming in. From commute to food, from culture to politics, from history to geography, the Lord has blessed our group of 48 in many ways. Our thanks go to Pastor Koshy, Dn Lok and the team for organizing this study tour.

More importantly, our LORD has blessed us with a deeper yearning to learn and consider meditatively His working and dealings with His prophets and people of old in the Bible, and also His patient dealings with us individually today. Ps 121, commonly called the “traveller’s or pilgrim’s song”, was the passage of our devotion and meditation on 10 Dec, Day 10 of our 11-day tour. Several times during our travel, the Lord impressed upon our hearts that we are not just tourists, but pilgrims on a journey. A journey, though covering just 11 days on our itinerary, is a journey that has transcended thousands of years of the rich and significant Christian heritage. Each of the sights and experiences which we took in was overwhelmingly educational and enriching to our Christian faith – from visiting the shore of the Dead Sea (the lowest point on Earth’s surface) to standing on top of Mount Nebo (where God showed Moses the horizon of the promised land of Canaan); from walking the town of Jerusalem to silently reflecting Jesus’ agony in the Garden of Gethsemane; from

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admiring the calm and peace as we sailed the Sea of Galilee to standing on Megiddo with the sudden solemn reminder of the reality of the Armageddon battle to be fought in the future; from the meditation of the Cross on Golgotha (where our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ was crucified) to the empty tomb (reassuring us of His triumph over sin and death); etc. We were further blessed with the delightful sighting of a beautiful rainbow on Day 9!

Even observing the orthodox Jews’ prayer practices at the Wailing Wall and how they observed their Sabbath Day brought about a humble gratitude to God for His mercy, stirring us to see how we too were once lost and blind, but now by His amazing grace, we see the light of His salvation. The devout steadfastness and the intensity of the people in the Holy Land in holding on to their respective beliefs and convictions, whether they are religious or political in nature, were evident in their tones, conversations and practices.

The irony of it all is that though the sights and visits have been tremendously helpful and enriching, how is it that people who are now living in the Holy Land could not see the His light? I am reminded that we are to walk by faith and not by sight. Regardless of the ongoing land disputes and anticipated future archaeological discoveries, we are to walk by faith in the promises of the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob – the faithful, unchanging God – resting assuredly and walking daily in obedience to the veracity of the Word which He has preserved for us.

Though we reached the end of our study tour itinerary and returned safely on 11 December, the blessed learning from this study tour will be an abiding education each time we read the Bible and listen to His Word being expounded. Israel today (with a population not much more than Singapore and a land area proportionally smaller than the share of the world news / attention it receives) will continue to be a place that is closely watched for its greatness and blessings, only because this is the sovereign selection and promise of God in His eternal covenant with His chosen people (Gen 12:2).

There remain many more lessons and meditations to understand and absorb. At the end of the day, we are to trust and obey – trusting in the faithful, unchanging God, seeing how Scriptural prophecies have been fulfilled in the places we visited, and obeying His Word and trusting in His promises. Like the psalmist, may we say “Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law, yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart.” May we continue to cast our eyes on God, who is “our help in ages past, and hope for years to come”!

Thankful pilgrims,Ricky and Stella Yang

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Dear Children,“The scripture in song 2” DVD is now available to all of you. If any of you have not yet learned all the scripture portions that we have been singing in the church, get

the DVDs and CDs, and watch and listen to them. You can play them in your computers, CD and DVD players at home or in the car. We thank God for all the children who have sung and participated, and the teachers who have laboured to teach them the “scripture in song”, and the Bible Witness media ministry team members who have relentlessly worked to produce the DVD.

I would also like to thank all the children and youths who have participated in yesterday’s ‘singalong’ session organized by the Bible Witness media ministry. We pray that more children will benefit from memorizing and singing God’s Word.

I pray that the scripture portions that you learn to sing will be your songs in varying seasons of life. sing them when you are happy. sing them when you are anxious or afraid. sing them when you are in need. sing them when you are sick and weary. sing them when you celebrate birthdays and anniversaries. sing them at funerals. sing them when you are glad for the blessings you have received. sing them when you set out on a journey. sing them when death comes to your home…. Come what may, Holy scripture is good for our souls on all occasions and for all seasons of life!

Yours in Christ,Pastor

LORD’S DAY on 14 Dec 2014

Tithes: 10,500.00Offerings: 5,591.65, RM10Bldg Fund 2015: 5,000.00; 1,800.00; 1,000.00; 200.00; 100.00; [1,000.00; 50.00 (Chinese Svc)]Designated Gift: Andrew & Lynn Koh 50.00, Sharon dela Cruz 100.00, GBPC (Ethiopia) 100.00

BUILDING FUND 2015Total as of 14 Dec 2014 468,311.50

ColleCtions

Give generously towards our

Church Building Fund.S$5 million by the end of 2015!

“Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly,

or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.” 2 Corinthians 9:7

ChurCh Camp 2015Date: 15-19 June 2015, Mon-Fri

Venue: Holiday Inn Resort, Batam, Indonesia

We encourage all worshippers to apply early for leave and participate in this

annual church camp. For more details, please consult Elder Ng Poh Kok.

watChnight serviCeDate: Wed, 31 December 2014

Time: 9.00pm to 12.00amWe encourage you to prepare your

testimony to glorify God and usher in the New Year 2015

Calendar 2015 Bible Witness Media Ministry has

produced a new calendar for next year.$10 each. Buy more at a lower price!

An excellent Christmas &New Year gift.

Visit the book table today!

new CateChism Class Will commence on the Lord’s Day,

4 January 2015. Those seeking baptism ortransfer of membership may register with

Sister Diana Koh.

Christmas & baptismal serviCe

Candidates:

Infant BaptismGoh Le Yi

(d/o Mr & Mrs Goh Han Meng) Low Sheng Yang, Caleb

(s/o Mr & Mrs Low Boon Siang)

Adult BaptismNg Weng San

Affirmation of FaithLim Rui Qi, Audrey

Transfer of MembershipChan Mun San, Mary; William Teo Wei

Liang; Rachel Goh Li Cheay; Jeremy Teo Kai En; Sarah Teo Hui Xian; Andrew Teong Ming Chye; Merisa Ng Sze Ern

gethsemane Youth Camp 2014

All participants, please stay back immediately after the worship service

today for a camp briefing by Bro Andrew Koh.

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Time & Place of Worship10.30am

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 & Prayer8.00pm @ L5 Auditorium, SingPost Centre

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

Wednesday Campus Bible Study NAFA Semestral Break

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

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

Friday Campus Bible Study SUTD Semestral Break

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

Please stay back after worship to join us for:

Refreshment & Fellowship12.30pm – 1.30pm

Bible Study (Adults, Youths & Children) 1.30pm - 3.00pm

Bible Witness Magazine

Bible Witness Web Radio

Church Weekly

Weekday Activities

Post-Worship Activities

the gethsemane Care ministrY Work Projects - Printing of Mugs and T-Shirts

We praise God that TGCM have started the printing of mugs as part of their work projects to help the

residents to learn a new skill and also to spend time in a productive way.

Today, some of the newly produced mugs are available at the book table. Please visit and place your orders.

God willing, the T-shirt printing will begin mid-January next year.

Our heartfelt thanks to all who supported this project.

gethsemane adults’ Fellowship

Topic: Book Study of Colossians Speaker: Pastor Koshy

Chairman: Bro Low Boon SiangDate & Time: Sat, 27 Dec 2014

@4.00pmVenue: Home of Mr and Mrs

Low Boon Siang Blk 686C #14-158 Jurong West Central 1

Singapore 643686

Transport from Boon Lay MRT station at 3.40pm.Pls contact Pr Jeremiah Sim @ 8333 9483.

Pastor and the Church Session wish all members and regular worshippers a very

“Blessed Christmas”8

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