January   15th,   2012  Vol.  28  No.  3  

SUNDAY WORSHIP COMBINED SERVICE  

Preparatory  Hymn   Jason  Tey Prelude   Winnie  Lim    Call  to  Worship   Dn  Adrian  Cheng/Joel  Wong  *Hymn     HOP  23  How  Great  Thou  Art!  *Invocation/Gloria  Patri1  

Responsive  Reading   Proverbs  3:1-­‐10  Hymn   HOP  37  Come,  Thou  Fount  of  Every  Blessing  Presentation  of  Tithes  &  Offerings  *Doxology2/Offertory  Prayer  Scripture  Reading   Psalm  46  Hymn     HOP  287  Be  Still,  My  Soul Pastoral  Prayer/Message     Mark  Heath/Kenneth  Chong  

Be  still  and  know  I  am  God  *Hymn     HOP  131  Blessed  Quietness *Benediction/Threefold  Amen  Announcements  *The  Lord  Bless  You  and  Keep  You3  

  *Congregation  Standing  1  &  2  RHC  Front  Inner  Cover  

    3  RHC  Back  Inner  Cover

PASTORAL CHAT My dear readers, 1. My dream world I pride myself with the gift of “sleep-ease,” i.e. falling asleep easily. Mum (that’s what we called her affectionately at home in days gone by) used to envy me for this gift: “He falls asleep while we are in the midst of some dis-cussion – that’s his style.” This morning, however, sleep left me after I was woken up by “nature’s call,” and for good reason; I had an uncommon visitation in a dream – Mum and I were shopping for some household items. It was a rather unusual dream, for we rarely went shopping at all. Anyhow, I was glad for the dream-meeting which seemed so real – until consciousness intervened. I looked at the clock: 3.20 am on Monday morning, second day of the New Year. I don’t dream of Mum often, and when it happens it gives an exquisite warm feeling, and on waking the thought: “I wish it were longer!” But better than dream is the sure prospect of a “face to face” reunion promised to believers (1 Thess 4:16-18). 2. Comfort only in God’s promises For grieving hearts, only God’s words can bring comfort. The pain of parting due to the unwelcome but unavoidable event, cannot be palliated by man-made ideas. I know of a man whose only son died at ten years of age. The heartbroken father laid a portrait of the boy on his bed, and “visited” him every morning, with flowers and a soliloquy of affection (talking to himself). Those sessions gave the sorrowing father some measure of comfort. But real comfort comes from one source only: from the fact of our Lord’s rising from the grave, victorious over death, so that the Christian, trusting in Jesus, can say with confidence: “O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? … But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Cor 15:55, 57). So we say again: “But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive” (1 Cor 15:20-22). With this, reunion with departed loved ones! 3. God’s promises in Hymns The time is now 5:10 am, and sleep is returning. But before I return to my dream world, the words and tune of the well-known hymn by Hugh Stowell

(RHC 368) come to mind. I quote here stanzas 1 and 2: From ev‘ry stormy wind that blows, From ev‘ry swelling tide of woes, There is a calm, a sure retreat –

'Tis found beneath the mercy seat. There is a place where Jesus sheds The oil of gladness on our heads,

A place than all besides more sweet – It is the blood-bought mercy seat.

In Christ, the storm of bereavement may blow and buffet, but at Christ’s mercy seat there is the sure comfort of God’s Word, backed by our ev-er-living Saviour who alone soothes the aching heart. From heaven He speaks: “I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death” (Rev 1:18). 4. Better than Dreams Dreams are unreal and of little significance. Many dreams simply happen “out of the blue.” Whatever the cause, they are mostly the random meander-ings of the mind. Sometimes, dreams may provoke one to think and seriously ponder: “Perhaps the dream has a message for me?” Maybe. Last night’s dream causes me to re-think some of the things which make my day. Perhaps I should write more about Mum, especially her last years – rec-ollections which will provoke readers to think with eternity in view. 5. Useful lessons learnt over the years Somehow, while Mum was alive, we hardly took any notice, but now I look back and see a calm and contented spirit. A person of few words, she had a great store of “inner calm,” born of a con-tented and godly spirit. Reflecting this, Mum never lost her temper or used coarse speech. Her quiet demeanor was a reflection of God’s peace and con-tentment. Recalling King Solomon’s description of a virtuous woman, it reminds me of her, whose memory remains fragrant and fresh. “Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come. She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness. She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. Her children rise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her. Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all. Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the

LORD, she shall be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates” (Prov 31:25-31). In all her days, Mum was never idle, neither did she lose her cool easily. A person of few words, she always spoke kindly and gently. Under her man-agement, home was a haven and refuge. During our 35 years at Andrew Road, she was “mother” to a whole brood of nieces from among our relatives, who boarded under Mum’s care. She cared for them as her own. That was the un-known service which she rendered over the years in our house of spare rooms. More next time. Until then, have a blessed New Year. Faithfully in the Lord, Dr SH Tow ANNOUNCEMENTS, PRAISE & PETITIONS1. Rev Paul Cheng from Melbourne Bethel BPC has send his greetings to the brethren of BPCWA. He has also send us a copy of Bethel BPC 25th Anniversary Magazine, titling God's Faithfulness. This magazine is available in the Library, everyone is welcome to read it. 2. Church theme for 2012 is “But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ…” 2 Peter 3:18a 3. Australia Day Outreach: This year we are calling all ages and families to join the Australia Day outing and outreach. For more details please see Deacon Adrian or Brother Mark. 4. Mens and Ladies fellowship: 29th January. 5. Thanksgiving & Prayer:

1. Please pray for the brothers and sisters who are taking FEBC on-line courses this semester.

2. We thank God that Brother Patrick Liow has been discharged from the hospital to continue his treatment at home. May God heals and grant him a full recovery.

3. Pray for spiritual & physical well-being of all members and wor-shipers.

4. Pray that God will send a pastor to shepherd our church, a man who is after God’s heart and will teach God’s Word faithfully.

5. Pray for safety and security in and around the church.

Service Duty (15/1) Combined (22/1) Combined Speaker Mark Heath/Kenneth Chong Elder James Wong/Yew Jinn Chieng

Worship Leader Dn Adrian Cheng/Joel Wong Mark Heath/Kong Vui Yip Prep Hymns Jason Tey Claude Yiu Musician Winnie Lim Ruth Wong Welcomers Jason & Chen Shi Tey, Lily Liow Maryann & David Law Offering Stewards To Help Counting Offering

Eugene Leong, Eddie Ho Alex Luu, Jason Tey

David Law, Chi Fai Tang Stephen Chia, Caleb Cheng

Ushers Truc Pham, Audrey Liow Rowena Cheng, Caleb Cheng P.A. System Albert Ho Eddie Ho, Joel Wong

Kitchen Duties Lee Fung Fong, Andy Ho, Barry Palm Christine Chia, Tammy Hsu Margaret Ng

Yi Min Chieng, Yi San Chieng Lime Chiang, Carey Tan

JSS Singspiration Hui Ling Cheng, Joel Wong Hui Ling Cheng, Karen Yap Toddler Class Assistant Christina Soon Ruth Wong Van Drivers Shie Tian (M) Leonard (C) Eugene (U Camilia (M) Caleb (C) Terry (U)) Old Folks’ Home Ministry

Subiaco Robert Wong (Christina Soon) Jason Tey (Karen Yap)

South Perth Hall A: Jason Tey Hall B: Caleb Cheng

Hall A: Mark Heath Hall B: Adrian Cheng

Bayswater Yew Jinn Chieng Barry Palm

APPOINTMENTS OF THE WEEK Tuesday 17/1 7:30pm Prayer Meeting

Elder James Wong, Michael Lee, Ruth Wong Friday 20/1 7:30pm Fellowship Meetings: Regen/Youth 180°/CYAF/CYPG

Sunday 22/1

8:30am Pre-Service Prayer Meeting 9:00am Sunday School

10:00am Combined Sunday Worship Service “Have you make yourself ready?” (2 Peter 3: 8-14)

12:15pm Church Van Depart

2:00pm Concorde (Nursing Home) – 25 Anstey Street, South Perth Onslow Gardens (Nursing Home) – 39 Hamersley Road, Subiaco

3:30pm Ben Ritcher Lodge (Nursing Home) – 480 Guildford Road, Bayswater

ATTENDANCE & OFFERINGS (8/1)Attendance: 155 (Combined-126; JSS-29); Prayer Meeting: 33 Offerings in Total: $4977.55 General Fund: $4977.55 (#3520-Library$10; #3521-$1980; #3522-$18.05; #3523-$100) Mission Fund: (10% of General Fund is set aside for missions)

VERSE OF THE WEEK Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.