| Life B-P Church Weekly - 23 September 2007
Scripture Memory: Protection from God.
VERSE : Psalm 37:23-24 "The steps of a good man are ordered by the
LORD: and he delighteth in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be
utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand."
* * *
O Worship the LORD in the Beauty of Holiness
23 September 2007
8.00 am Worship Service:
Rev Colin Wong (How Should The Church Of Jesus Christ Conduct Itself?
Part II)
10.45 am Worship Service:
Rev Peter Chng (When God Upholds You With His Hand)
6:00 pm Rehoboth Evening Service:
Rev Colin Wong (El Roi)
30 September 2007
8.00 am Worship Service:
Rev Tan Eng Boo (The Person and Work of the Holy Spirit)
10.45 am Worship Service:
Rev Ong Hock Khee (The Magnetism of the Cross)
6:00 pm Rehoboth Evening Service:
Rev Tan Choon Seng (The Magnetism of the Cross)
* * *
ECM REPORT
In order for the church to proceed with the Beulah
Additions and Alterations (A & A) project, the Session put forward a
resolution at the Extraordinary Congregation Meeting (ECM) last Lord’s
Day for members’ approval. The resolution states: "To approve an
additional budget of up to S$ 1,500,000 of the funds designated for the
Addition and Alteration (A & A) works of the Beulah Project."
A vote was taken by secret ballot and the results
indicate that the congregation has approved the resolution:
With this strong endorsement from the congregation,
the Beulah Project Committee (BPC) can now proceed with the A & A
project with the wisdom of the Lord confidently.
At the ECM there was a request for the breakdown of
the building cost. We can provide the congregation with the item
breakdown of cost estimation conducted by our quantity surveyor (QS),
Group Survey 4, for your reference. The initial cost estimation was
conducted and reported to the Session on 15 th
March 2005. This initial cost estimation was based on conceptual design
and sketches with standard industry cost applied. A new cost estimation
was conducted by our QS and reported to the Session on 17th
January 2007. This estimate was based on architectural preliminary
drawings with more input and some information from the Structural
Engineer and the M & E Engineer. These estimations are subject to the
market pricing dynamics and the final approval of the project by the
Authorities concerned.
These cost estimates carried out by our QS at best
provide us a gut feel of what we expect to spend if we proceed with the
A & A project. In 2005, the preliminary estimate was carried out using
standard market pricing available then. We believe the estimate was done
to the best of the ability that our QS could professionally provide at
that point in time. As you can see from the tabulation above there was
still a budget surplus of approximately S$125,000.
By now, the cost estimation has increased due to the
sand and granite price increase in February 2007, construction boom in
Singapore and the region and bituminous mix cost increase in March 2007,
plus the new GST increase of 2% in July 2007. As mentioned during the
ECM, if we are to fulfil the needs requirements of Life Church with a
design which will cater to them, it will be quite challenging to keep to
the original price tag of S$4.5 million in the current market condition
where building costs have increased by about 20-30%.
Based on the new QS cost estimate, with the
additional S$1.5 million, we can confidently move forward with the A & A
project still with a little surplus of S$185,000 as shown in the
tabulation above. Note that these are indicative cost estimates and not
final contractual pricing for the A & A project. Please continue to pray
with us that there will be no extraneous circumstances that will affect
the A & A project as we step forward into the building phase.
With the congregation giving a resounding approval to
the resolution, our responsibility is to complete the Beulah A & A
Project in the most safe, functional and economical way. All glory to
our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.
– Elder Sherman Ong
Ground Breaking for the Beulah Project: This will
be held at the Beulah Premises at 12:30 pm next Sunday (30 th
September 2007). Let us come together to commit this work unto the Lord
before the construction work commences. "And they said, Let us rise
up and build. So they strengthened their hands for this good work."
(Nehemiah 2:18) —CS
* * *
HITHERTO HATH THE LORD HELPED US
(A brief story of Ebenezer B-P Church by Rev Dr Patrick Tan)
Israel was God’s people. But in the period of the
Judges there was spiritual declension. "In those days there was no
king in Israel, but every man did that which was right in his own eyes."
(Judges 17:6). The centre of Israel’s worship was the ark of the
LORD and it was in the custody of Abinadab whose abode was in the hill
country of Kirjathjearim. The Philistines oppressed Israel sore. Samuel
was the last judge and he exhorted the people to holiness and Jehovah
worship. Israel repented, turned away from idolatry and sought Samuel to
pray for them. God heard Samuel’s prayer and saw Israel’s repentance. He
sent a storm that defeated the Philistine army. Samuel raised a memorial
of stone and called it EBENEZER "A stone of help" (1
Samuel 7:12).
Mulgrave Meeting
This name wonderfully fits the second BP Church in
Melbourne. Members from Bethel BP Church in Oakleigh decided to form a
new BP Church. On 1 October 1999, Ebenezer BPC was founded and the
congregation met at Southern Community Centre in Mulgrave. It was led by
an 8-person Protem Committee. Dr Tow Siang Hwa was appointed the
Supervisory Pastor. As to the pulpit ministry, Dn Philip Soon wrote,
"Although we do not have any full-time pastor, God provided us with
pastoral care from our Senior Pastor Dr Tow and faithful ministers
including Eld Khoo Peng Kiat, Pastor Denis Gibson, Pastor Sid Bell and
Rev Bob Vandermay." Subsequently we enjoyed the ministry of Rev James
Chan and Rev Yeo Seow Phong.
The Protem Committee had the foresight to purchase a
residential property in Springvale as a residence for the visiting
pastors and a meeting place for the Friday prayer meeting and Youth
Fellowship gathering. It was also a place of hospitality for guests from
overseas. The congregation began to grow as more migrant families joined
the Church. The Sunday School and the Church Choir were formed. Also
there were Sunday Bible Classes. One distinct series of Pilgrim’s
Progress was taken by Bro Khoo Yew Hock who had been a faithful
treasurer. Division of labour was out of necessity as there was no
fulltime Christian worker. The Prayer Bulletin was taken care by Sis
Rita and the Weekly Bulletin by Sis Kimmy. Elder Edward Meyale took the
Basic Bible Knowledge course for catechumens. There was marvelous
cooperation. Everybody took care of, prayed for and visited the sick.
"Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together
in unity." (Psalm 133:1). Church attendance began to grow to an
average of 110, and the prayer meeting had 30.
Easter Camps
Down under Easter is in autumn and the holiday
stretches from Good Friday to Easter Monday, 4 days for the Church
family to spend quality time with God and with one another. It is a time
for teaching of God’s Word and to build relationships. When the weather
was good Sunrise service could be held outdoors. It was an exhilarating
experience to meet the risen Lord. For 2000 years Christians are
reassured of the Lord’s resurrection. "And if Christ be not raised,
your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins." (1 Corinthians 15:17).
When we finally had our own property in Kilsyth, we had an in-house
Easter Camp 2007 with the theme: THE HEALING OF THE CHURCH. The Easter
sunrise was held in the Church lawn in front of Jacob’s Well.
Kilsyth Church Property
This is an amazing coincidence. William Chalmers
Burns, the Presbyterian missionary to south China and from whom the BP
Church has one of its roots, was born in Kilsyth in Scotland. In this
suburb in Melbourne and in the foothills of Mount Dandenong is a Church
property of 1.88 acres that the Lord gave to Ebenezer. The double
rainbow that appeared across the distant hill when we first visited the
land spoke of God’s promise to us. It came to us complete with a
sanctuary to seat 200 worshippers, a fellowship hall, an activity
building and a parsonage. We moved into our new home on Monday, 4
December 2006 and the first service was held on Sunday, 10 December. The
Lord providentially sent Elder Sherman Ong of Life BPC to be our
inaugural preacher.
We cannot thank God enough for the many lovers of God
who gave towards the building fund. Gifts came from kindred BP Churches
in Australia, Singapore, Canada and London. We were not in lack. "But
my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by
Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:19). The Croydon Baptist Church from
whom we bought the property graciously left many chattels that we were
in need of. Don Vale Presbyterian Church gave us the pulpit, the Lord’s
Supper table and a Hammond Organ. Congregation and friends made up for
other needs, like a new lawn mover and a new oven. God’s people knew how
to give.
Extension Ministry
The spiritual needs of the elderly and the sick are
not forgotten. Ebenezer has some elderly and the sick that are treated
with chemotherapy and they have other needs. Unless acutely sick or
hospitalized they will come to Church. Michael Yap comes on wheel-chair
and uncle Bong Keng and auntie Ai Choo come with walking sticks. It is
such a delight to see their love for Jesus. Then on a roster some would
spend a Sunday afternoon to hold a worship service for the elderly sick
at Strabane Nursing Home. Patricia Kiang is the nursing sister in
charge. This ministry of love is commended by Jesus. "Inasmuch as ye
have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it
unto me." Mt 25:40.
Evangelism came soon after the acquisition of the
Kilsyth property. Dr Gary Cohen of the BP Church of USA, a born-again
Jew gave 2 nights of Bible Conference on "ISRAEL AND THE NATIONS" on 23
and 24 March 2007. Tracting and invitations were done by 20 people in
teams to 2000 households in the neighbourhood. Robert, Harry and Chris
who had local knowledge led us. We had an attendance of 110 each night.
The City Gospel Fellowship
The prophet said, "For who hath despised the day
of small things." (Zechariah 4:10). It began as a small Bible study
in the city. Su Shiang was most persistent and together with Joseph Lo
built the ministry and the group grew. They were mostly students with
adult facilitators. Then in 2006 a bigger place had to be found. It is a
Victorian house in Drummond Street. Increasingly it was felt that an
afternoon worship service was necessary for the city but we were short
on resources. Dr Tow urged that we take a bold step of faith. The City
Gospel Fellowship was inaugurated on Sunday, 28 May at 4 pm. Dr Tow flew
back to Melbourne specifically to launch and preached at the first CGF
worship.
We are reminded of the message of Christ to the
Church of Philadelphia: "I have set before thee an open door, and no
man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word
and hast not denied my name." (Revelation 3:8). God provided a
committee and leaders of Ebenezer took turns to preach. Today we have an
average of 30 at CGF and 40 at Ebenezer Lodge Bible Study.
Conclusion
Though Australia is peaceful and Melbourne the most
livable city, this comfortable life will lull us into inactivity. We
lose our first love for Jesus. We become self sufficient. God wants to
do something with us. "And I sought for a man among them, that should
make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I
should not destroy it: but I found none." (Ezekiel 22:30). Evil days
are coming and we need Christians and spiritual leaders who will make
the difference. Ebenezer must stand strong in the face of difficulties.
Members must stay together to fight Satan our common foe. This is a day
of challenge and we must join our hands and unite our hearts for the
gospel of Christ.
Comment: We rejoice with our brethren at Ebenezer B-P Church on
the commemoration of their 8th Anniversary thanksgiving today, with the
dedication of their new church sanctuary at Kilsyth.
(Contact information: 606-622, Mount Dandenong Road, Kilsyth, Victoria
3137, Australia. Email:contact@ebenezerbpc.org;
Telephone (+613) 9723 5612; Website: http://www.ebenezerbpc.org/) —CS
* * *
1) Family Worship at the home of Mr & Mrs
Chee Wai Pong, Friday, 28 Sep, 8 pm. Address: 36A Dunearn Rd,
#01-05 Chancery Court, S309426, Tel: 6726-7525. Speaker: Dn Victor Loo.
2) Gospel Sunday: Invite your friends and
loved ones to the Gospel Sunday next Lord’s Day (10:45 am).
Please pray for Rev Ong Hock Khee (English) and Bro Hendro (Mandarin)
who will speak on the topic, "The Magnetism of the Cross."
3) Library Opening Hours: 2nd and 4th Sundays
of the month, 7.30am to 7.55am. Every Sunday, 12:15 - 12:45 pm. There
are about 3,000 Christian books for all ages!
Preaching appointment: Rev Seet at Grace BPC, 9:30 am.
Rev Wong at Maranatha BPC, 10:45 am and Rehoboth Evening
Service, 6:00 pm.
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