December 2007. Pastor Isaac was there to receive us. We will be staying
at his place till end of March 2008. God willing, we shall be back on
1st April. By then, I should know God’s will for the final lap of my
life and ministry (Acts 20:23, 24).
My dear Lifer, do remember me in fervent prayer that
God’s will be done in my life. I want to finish well in the Lord
(Colossians 4:17; 2 Timothy 4:6-8).
Vancouver Bible-Presbyterian Church is a vibrant,
lively, people-oriented church. The congregation comprises 30% of
Caucasians and the rest of them are Asian. Every Lord’s Day, 80-100
worshippers come to worship God. Pastor Isaac has done a marvelous job
in feeding God’s people with God’s Word. I am very impressed by the
members’ participation of the weekly activities of the church.
Practically every one of them is involved in something in the church.
They all pool their resources together to build His Church in this part
of Vancouver. I am extremely impressed by a seven-year girl (Elizabeth
is the darling of our church) who offered her sincere prayer to the Lord
in one of the weekly prayer meetings (Matthew 21:16). I was almost moved
to tears.
In our Family Christmas Newsletter 2007, we have
chosen Proverbs 3:5 and 6 to be our family theme verse for 2008 –
"Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own
understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy
paths." Since coming to Vancouver, Phoebe and I have been putting
these verses to practice. Everything is new to us here – country,
culture, church, road system, places and ministries. We have to learn to
adapt to all kinds of situations, circumstances, relationships and even
the unpredictable weather.
One great lesson God has taught us in the last two
weeks was the lesson of faith. Since Pastor Isaac and his family left
for Singapore, I have been driving the church van. Driving is not a big
problem but getting to the destination is a great challenge. The road
signs are confusing to me. It takes me quite a while to understand them,
and I am still learning.
So how do I get around? I have been getting around
with the help of the Global Positioning System (GPS). Without it, I
don’t think I know my whereabouts. The greatest challenge came when I
had to drive back to Port Coquitlam from the airport after biding
goodbye to Pastor Isaac and his family. Praise the Lord! With the help
of the GPS, I got home safely though I missed two turns in the highway.
The GPS is my Travel Guide. I must not leave home without it.
In my daily walk with the Lord, I ask myself, "Who is
my GPS?" "Where do I place my faith?" I praise and thank God that I have
learned my lesson since the day of my conversion that God is my GPS. He
says, "I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou
shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye" (Psalm 32:8). Therefore,
I would put my faith on nothing less than God. He is my Guide even
unto death (Psalm 48:14). Like the GPS, without Him I can get
nowhere. I can’t leave home without Him (Isaiah 30:21).
I like what the Psalmist said in Psalm 73:25 –
"Whom have I in heaven but thee? And there is none upon earth that I
desire beside thee." What was he saying? I believe he was saying
this – There is no one in heaven who can do for me what God can do; no
one who can meet and satisfy my needs as God can and no one who can be
to me what God "is." Therefore, there is no one on earth
that I desire beside God because God is my all-sufficiency. He provides
for every need. All my happiness is in Him and no one on earth can take
His place.
My dear Lifer, who is your GPS for 2008? Who is your
all-sufficiency? (2 Corinthians 3:5) As you begin the New Year, you will
face many challenges ahead of you. Will you retreat or advance by faith?
I hope you can say in your heart confidently, "God is my Guide and my
sufficiency. He is my Shepherd and therefore, I will lack nothing (Psalm
23:1)."
May God be pleased to bless Life Church and her
missions in the vicinity and beyond the shores of Singapore! Amen.
May I Wish All of You a Blessed and Fruitful New
Year!
Step by Step
He does not lead me year by year
Nor even day by day;
But step by step my path unfolds;
My Lord directs my way.
Tomorrow’s plans I do not know;
I only know this minute;
But He will say, "This is the way,
By faith now walk ye in it."
And I am glad that it is so,
Today’s enough to bear;
And when tomorrow comes,
His grace
Shall far exceed its care.
What need to worry then, or fret?
The God who gave His Son
Holds all my moments in His hand
And gives them one by one.
- Barbara C. Ryberg -
His Unworthy servant,
Pastor Colin
Email Address: colin dot vbpc at shawcable dot com
comeuntome at gmail dot com
* * *
SUNDAY SCHOOL FOR EVERYONE
"But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our
Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever.
Amen." (2 Peter 3:18)
We have adopted a very significant church theme this
year - Towards a Growing and Fruit-bearing Christian Life. One of
the key fundamentals about growth and fruit-bearing lies in the Word of
God. Every Lifer must grow with God’s Word. We have a Sunday School
class for everyone in Life Church. No one should be without a Sunday
School class to attend. From the youngest, to the most senior member of
the church, you will be able to find a suitable class to attend. By
learning the Word of God regularly and consistently in our Sunday
School, you begin to bear the fruit of the Spirit.
This morning, we have the annual Sunday School Staff
Dedication at the 10.45 a.m. worship service. As our staff renew their
pledge to serve the Lord faithfully for another year, we seek members’
support through constant prayers; and your support by attending one of
our Sunday School classes. Do pray for the teachers as they prepare each
Sunday School lesson. Pray for the salvation of our students, and that
they in turn may learn to share the Gospel with their friends and
classmates. Our staff will sing "O Jesus, I have promised" and we
dedicate this hymn to the glory of God. Let everyone in Life Church come
and grow the Sunday School together.
Our Sunday School consists of Nursery/Primary (3-8
years old), Junior (9-12 years old), Young Teens (13-16 years old),
Senior (17-21 years old), and Adults (21 years and above) Department.
Our New Beulah House will provide additional Sunday School facilities
once it is completed in October this year. We are currently revising our
Sunday School curriculum so that our young may be properly catechised
and be strengthened in the foundational doctrines of God. As the church
embarks on a cover to cover Bible reading programme in three and a half
years, our Sunday School continues to monitor and review the Bible
reading progress and scripture memorisation programme regularly with our
students. While waiting for Beulah Project’s completion, we have set up
classes in containers and some of the open spaces in our current church
premises. Hence, make sure that you make plan to attend our Sunday
School this year. "But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord
and Saviour Jesus Christ." We are a Sunday School for Everyone!
Elder Sherman Ong
General Superintendent
Life Bible-Presbyterian Church Sunday School
* * *
1) Catechism Class for Easter 2008 baptism
begins today with Rev Charles Seet at Chinese Svc Hall, 9.30 am.
Those seeking baptism, reaffirmation of faith and transfer of membership
must attend the Catechism Class.
2) Sunday Lunch Fellowship: Lunch Coupons for
the Sunday Lunch on 20 Jan 08 will be on sale today at $2.50 a
packet (vegetable rice, mee siam and nasi lemak).
3) Scripture Memory Review No. 4: Please
submit by 13 Jan 08. Review No. 1, 2 and 3 sheets are also
available for those who missed them. Obtainable at the front counter.
4) Ladies’ Prayer Group for Beulah Project &
Church. Every Thursday, 9.30 am to 12.30 pm. Venue: Life BP Church.
Contact Christina Toh at babytoe@hotmail.com or 9673-7138.
5) Australia Orientation Meeting, 19 Jan
08 (Sat), 5-7 pm. Sanctuary. Encouragement by: Elder Sherman
Ong. Others: Info session, Fellowship, Refreshments.
6) Scripture Memory Verses 2008 - "The
Growing Christian". Memory verse booklets and free audio CD recordings
of the verses are available at the front counter.
7) Turkey Bible Study Tour (23 May - 3 June
2008). Open to Lifers and Visitors of Life Church. Not recommended for
infants and the physically infirmed. Register now, limited spaces (35
people max)! Forms available from the church office and front counter.
Submit forms and deposit to church office by 18 Feb 2008. For more
information, contact Mark Chen - mchen at lifebpc dot .com or
logon to www.lifebpc.com/turkey.htm
Preaching appointment: Rev Seet at Thai Service, 4pm.
* * *
Asia Seminary for Ministry
Life Learning Night Classes
(1) Family Life by Rev Dr Goh Seng Fong. Every
Monday, commencing 7 Jan 08 (14 sessions). 7.30 - 9.30 pm. Shalom B-P
Church.
(2) A Survey of Bible Study Methods by Rev Yap
Beng Shin. Every Thursday, commencing 10 Jan 08 (14 sessions). 7.30 -
9.30 pm. Life B-P Church.
Tel.6581-0311 or email johnching.asm@gmail.com.
