1 The Lord Is in His Holy Temple

The Lord is in His holy temple, The Lord is in His holy temple: Let all the earth keep silence, Let all the earth keep silence before Him Keep silence, keep silence before Him. Amen.

2 Gloria Patri

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost, As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen, Amen.

3 Doxology

Praise God, from whom allblessingsflow; Praise Him, all creatures herebelow; Praise Him above, yeheav’nlyhost; Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.

4 The Lord Bless You and Keep You

The Lord bless you and keepyou;TheLordliftHiscountenance upon you, and give you peace, andgiveyoupeace; The Lord make His face to shine upon you, And be gracious unto you, be gracious, The Lord be gracious, gracious unto you. Amen.

THEME FOR 2019: CONTINUING STEADFASTLY

Pastor: Rev Joseph Poon M: 0406 241 032 E: josephpoonemail@gmail.comAssociate Pastor: Rev Paul Cheng M: 0447 174 206 E: paulcheng@bethelbpc.com.auDeacon: Adrian Cheng M: 0402 036 430 E: ajcheng@iinet.net.auDeacon: Eugene Leong M: 0401 155 386 E: euge.leong@gmail.comDeacon: Joel Wong M: 0423 862 392 E: yiing_yw@yahoo.com

27 Ullapool Road, Mt Pleasant, WA 6153P: (08) 9364 9898 W: www.bpcwa.org.au E: bpcwa@bpcwa.org.au

March 10th, 2019

BIBLE-PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF W.A.FortheTestimonyandGloryofJesusChrist

“And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and inbreaking of bread, and in prayers.” (Acts 2:42)

SUNDAY COMBINED WORSHIP SERVICE

Prelude/Preparatory Hymn Winnie Lim/Deacon Joel Wong

The Lord Is in His Holy Temple 1

Call to Worship Deacon Eugene Leong/Kong Vui Yip

*Hymn HOP 28 I sing the Mighty power of God

*Invocation/GloriaPatri2

Responsive Reading Proverbs 19:26-29

Hymn HOP 156 Have You Been to Jesus?

PresentationofTithes&Offerings HOP 294 The Lord’s My Shepherd

*Doxology 3/OffertoryPrayer

Scripture Reading Ephesians 6:14

Hymn HOP 216 The Solid Rock

Pastoral Prayer/Message Pastor Joseph Poon/Sonny Lim

The Power of the Breastplate of Righteousness

*Hymn HOP 261 I Want a Principle Within

*Benediction/ThreefoldAmen

Announcements

*The Lord Bless You and Keep You 4

*Congregation Standing

1

PASTORAL LETTER

English or Chinese Prayer meeting – Which should I join?

Dear BPCWAians, As mentioned in last week’s Pastoral, we will be beginningseparate English and Chinese prayer meetings from 19March. This week, wecontinueansweringthequestion“WhichprayermeetingshouldIjoin?”

Important criteria for choosing. Last week, we saw the importance of being able to pray comfortably in the language of the group so that all can understand and sayameninaccordancetoScripturalprinciples.Thisweek,weseewhyitiscriticalthat you can read the language. In the context of 1 Cor 14:14-17 about the use of languages in church, Paul also addressed singing, which is part of the worship ofGod.ByhavingseparateEnglishandChineseprayermeetings,thoseattendingthe English prayermeetingswill be singing in English, and vice versa for thoseattendingtheChineseprayermeetings.Tosingfromthehymnbook,youmustbeable to read. As Paul stated in 1 Cor 14:14-15, “For if I pray in an unknown tongue, myspiritprayeth,butmyunderstandingisunfruitful.(15)Whatisitthen?Iwillpray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also”. Also, the church prayer list will be either in English or in Chinese. Hence, a fundamental guideline for making your choice is your ability to read in the language of that group. Moreover, since theprayermeetingmessageswilleitherbeinEnglishorinChinesewithoutanytranslation, you naturallywill need to be able to read the Bible to understandthepassageandalsotograspthemessageinthelanguageoftheprayermeetinggroup.

Preaching in one language.Sincetherewillnotbetranslationofthepreaching,being able to read theBible in the languageof thegroup you chose to attendis crucial. If you cannot read the Bible in that language, you will not be able to understand it if the preacher refers to word or words used in that Bible passage. In fact, comprehension was so crucial that Paul would make these strong statements

2

in 1Cor 14:18-19 about hearers being taught in their language, “I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all: (19) Yet in the church I had rather speak fivewordswithmyunderstanding, that bymy voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue”. For the sake and purpose of theedificationofothersinthegroup,Paulrestrainedhimselffromspeakinganylanguagehepreferredbymakingtheemphaticpointthat5wordsunderstoodbyothersarefarbetterthantenthousandinanotherlanguagethatisnotknowntotheotherpersonspresent.Withthischange,onegoingtotheEnglishprayermeetingwillbejoiningadistinctlyEnglishgroup–onethathears,converses,reads,sings,preaches and prays in English. This will also be the case for the Chinese prayer meeting. Following theprinciples set forth in the Scriptures in a churchwheredifferentlanguagesexisted,wehopethatonechoosingtoattendtheEnglishorChineseprayermeetingswillbefellowshippingandintegratingwithpeoplethatwillcommunicatedistinctlyinEnglishorinChinese.Thiswillenablemaximalhelpandbenefittoeachotherspiritually.

A question that somemay have is –where do I go, ifmy husband and I havedifferent “first languages”?Well, as the head of the home and entrustedwiththeteachingandleadingthehome,thehusbandmustbethebestequippedwithGod’s Word and most knowledgeable in it through his study at church. So, the wife should followherhusbandandattend the languagemedium that thehusbandis able to read and learn most in. Whatever she may not understand clearly, she can ask her husband at home (1 Cor 14:35). This follows the Biblical model of the husband being the head of the wife. Following a model based on God’s principles isputtingonthebreastplateofrighteousnessie,obeyingGod’sfamilymodelwiththe head of the home following God’s order to help him grow spiritually so that he can lead his family.

Change is not easy. Some may look forward to this change, while others may struggle with it. Those who have been here when the church had separate English andChinesecongregationswouldfindthischangeanaturalrevertingbackfromourcurrenttemporarycombinedsituation.Thesemayevenwonderwhywehavenot done so earlier. But those who joined us in our current combined state may find it challenging. What Paul needed to address about the language used for prayermayhavestirredsomenegativeemotionsinhishearerstoo,thusrequiring

3

him to exhort them in 1 Cor 14:20 “Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men.” He pleaded for them to be mature and to stop being childish (in fact in this reference, he refers to suchbehaviorasbeinginfantile),bywantingtodoastheydesiredinthisaspectof the language used in the church. And because some were angry and upset and behavingbadly,Paulexhortedthemthatwhenitcomestosuchemotions,theyshouldbelikelittlebabieswhohavenomalice.

Change is not easy, so I hope that each one of us will pray for the unity of minds and commitment of hearts as one body of Christ, putting aside our personalpreferencesandavoidingtheissuesthataffectedtheCorinthianchurch.Idofearthat there may be minority pockets of people who may resist the change and just think that “I will do as I wish, regardless”. If it occurs, others seeing such examples willfollowsuit.Thiscanundothedirectionofthechangewhichweasachurchare trying to move in. I am sure you would not want to be such a person to cause suchtroubleinchurch.If,afterconsideringtheseguidingprinciples,youarenotin the group that will help you grow best spiritually, do consider changing to the otherlanguagegroupforthesakeofyourspiritualgrowth.IwillnotfeeloffendedifanyintheEnglishfellowshipgroupsdecidetojointheChineseprayermeetingandfellowshipgroups,andsubsequentlytheChineseWorship.ButIdohopethathavingunderstoodtherationaleforthismove,youwillsupportitbyyouractionsand in your prayers.

Support this change. What we are trying to achieve is to encourage new people who are comfortable in either English or Chinese to come and remain in our church to learn about God. Support this purpose by encouraging and reminding eachothertoadapttothisdirectionthatthechurchismovingin.

Onceagain,pleasedolookformepersonallyifyouhaveanyquestionsregardingthismatterasitisthebestwaytodirectlyaddressanyconcernsyoumayhave.

Yours in our Lord’s servicePastor

4

ANNOUNCEMENTS, PRAISE & PETITION

1. Homegoing of Founding Pastor: We are saddened by the loss of our dear Founding Pastor, Rev (Dr) Tow Siang Hwa, who was called home to glory on Friday,8March.Atthesametime,werejoicetoknowthatheisnowinthepresence of the Saviour whom he loved and fervently served.

Vigil Service (Sunday and Monday, 10 & 11 March, 8:15 pm): Venue: Calvary Pandan Bible-Presbyterian Church, 201 Pandan Gardens, Singapore 609337.

Funeral Service (Tuesday, 12 March, 11:00 am): Venue: Calvary Pandan Bible-Presbyterian Church, 201 Pandan Gardens, Singapore 609337. Cortege leaves for cemetery at 11:30 am.

2. Emergency Response Plan Briefing (Today, immediately after Worship): There will be a safety briefing for allworshippers on how to respond in event ofemergencies arising in church.

3. Husbands and Fathers Fellowship (Today, 3:30 pm):Pastorwill continue toteach from 1 Peter 3. All husbands are encouraged to come and learn about thedifferentaspectsofthebiblicalhusband.

4. Rededication Sunday (Sunday, 17 March, during Worship): All who are serving inanyofthechurchministriesshouldsigntherededicationforminsertedintoday’sweekly,andparticipateintherededicationvowsduringnextSunday’sservice. Please place your completed forms in the box provided in the foyer. If youareinterestedtoknowmoreaboutanyministry,orhavequestionsfortheChurch,pleasefillouttheServiceSurveyonthebackoftheform.

5. Teens Q and A (Sunday, 17 March, 12:30 pm): In view of the Emergency ResponsePlanbriefingbeingconductedtoday,TeensQandAwillbeshiftedtonext Sunday instead.

6. Adelphe Bible Study (Sunday, 17 March, 3:30 pm): In this Bible study, Pastor will be teaching on the ultimate purpose of God’s decrees. All ladies areencouraged to come and learn together, seeing that a good understanding of God’s decrees will help us to have a higher view of Him.

5

7. Submission for Baptisms, Affirmation of Faith and Membership Transfers (Sunday, 17 March): Those who have completed the full course of Basic Bible Knowledge and wish to be baptised, affirm their faith, or have theirmemberships transferred to BPCWA can collect a copy of the necessary forms from Deacon Joel Wong. To facilitate the arrangements for interview by the BoardofElders, completed forms, togetherwith their testimonies,mustbesubmittedtoDeaconJoelWongby17March.Baptisms,AffirmationofFaithand Membership Transfer will be conducted during Easter Sunday Service on 21 April.

8. Start of English and Chinese Prayer Meetings (Tuesday, 19 March, 7:30 pm): EnglishprayermeetingswillbeconductedinthedownstairssanctuarywhileChineseprayermeetingswillbeheldintheupstairssanctuary.

9. English Family Camp 2019 (7 to 11 July): This year’s English Family Camp will beheldattheOrchardGloryFarmResort.Rev(Dr)JeffreyKhoo,PastorofTrueLifeBPChurch(Singapore)willbespeakingonthetheme“AndtheyContinuedStedfastly” (Acts 2:42). Please book your leave early and come together as one spiritualfamilytolearnfromGod’sWord.RegistrationwillopeninApril.

10. Chinese Family Camp 2019 (30 September to 4 October): This year’s Chinese FamilyCampwillbeheldattheOrchardGloryFarmResort.YewJinnwillbespeakingon the theme “And theyContinued Stedfastly” (Acts 2:42). Pleasebook your leave early and come together as one spiritual family to learn from God’sWord.RegistrationwillopeninJuly.

11. Thanksgiving and Prayer Items:

• ThankGod for the BeachGames held yesterday, and for His helpwith theUniversityOutreachesandforthestudentsreachedoutwiththetruthoftheGospel at the various events.

• ThankGodforHischildrenwhoserveHimthroughtheTransportMinistrybyenabling more to be able to learn of God at church.

• PrayfortheLord’sleadingandguidanceinpreparationsandtransitiontobeginEnglishandChinesePrayerMeetings.

• PrayforstudentsandvisitorstocontinuetocometojoinourFellowshipandWorshipServicessothattheycancontinuetogrowintheknowledgeofGod.

• PrayforwisdomindecidingonthetopicfortheupcomingChurchCombinedFellowship Series.

SERVICE DUTY 10/3 COMBINED 17/3 COMBINEDSpeaker/Interpreter Pastor Joseph Poon/Sonny Lim Pastor Joseph Poon/Yew Jinn Chieng

Worship Leader/Interpreter Deacon Eugene Leong/Kong Vui Yip Deacon Joel Wong/Sonny Lim

Preparatory Hymn Deacon Joel Wong Deacon Eugene Leong

Musician(s) Winnie Lim Winnie Lim

Welcomers Colin Tey, May Chee Tey, Yi San Chieng Yi Choong Liew, Ellainne Liew, Albert Ho

OfferingStewards Edward Ee, Jonathan Woo, Kenny Chia Kenny Tan, Benjamin Kan, Wei Yan

Jason Tey, Claude Yiu, Yi Choong Liew Colin Chng, Pei Shion Chai, Eddie Foo

Ushers Kenny Tan, Yi Mey Tan, Mable Soon Claude Yiu, Esther Yiu, Nancy Chai

Audio Visual Albert Ho Kenny Chia

KitchenDuties Yi Min Chieng, Phyllis Voun Yi Jye Chieng, Valerie Wan

Yi San Chieng, May Chee Tey Edward Teng, Joanne Teng

APPOINTMENTS FOR TODAY AND THE WEEKSunday 10/3 3:30 pm Husbands and Fathers Fellowship

Tuesday 12/310:00 am Chinese Bible Study

7:30 pm Prayer Meeting: Yew Jinn Chieng/Deacon Joel Wong, Deacon Adrian Cheng, Benjamin Kan

Wednesday 13/3 7:30 pm FarEasternBibleCollegeOnlineCourses:Job

Friday 15/310:00 am Mothers Fellowship: Genesis

7:30 pm FellowshipsMeeting:Regen/Youth180°/CAF/CSF

Sunday

17/3

8:30 am Pre-ServicePrayerMeeting

9:00 am English Basic Bible Knowledge Class/Chinese Basic Bible Knowledge Class

10:00 am Sunday Combined Worship Service

12:30 pm TeensQandA

2:00 pm NursingHome:Concorde/OnslowGardens

3:30 pmNursing Home: Berrington/Bull Creek

Adelphe Bible Study

LAST WEEK’S ATTENDANCES & OFFERINGS

WESTMINSTER CONFESSION OF FAITH – CHAPTER SIX: OF THE FALL OF MAN, OF SIN, AND OF THE PUNISHMENT THEREOF

Attendances–SundayWorship:198(Combined:169;CSS:29);PrayerMeeting:85

Tithes and Offerings–SundayWorship:$5,291.50

Building Fund–LastWeek:$2,392.02;ToDate:$184,765.40;Gap:$1,115,234.60

2. By this sin they fell from their original righteousness, and communion with God, and so became dead in sin, and whollydefiledinallthefacultiesandpartsofsoulandbody.

Notes