Many of us who came for the gathering enjoyed the precious fellowship that we share in Christ. The testimonies of some of them are given below. Read them and be encouraged to participate in Christian fellowship whenever the opportunity arises! Hebrews 10:24-25 – "And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching." —Pastor

When Mark asked me whether my family could go for the WARM gathering, I said ‘yes’ because Mark was my student once. We were glad that we could make it on that night and we found the fellowship meaningful. The remembering of 5 names was a nice ice-breaker and was hilarious at some point. The sisters from the Ladies Fellowship shared about using a hymn to help memorise scripture verses – we found that very innovative. We enjoyed the sharing session and we hope to get to know you all more. God Bless.

Thank God for Mark Liu’s invitation to his house for a very fruitful and edifying experience on 7 Dec 07. From the verse, "For the body is not one member, but many" (1 Cor 12:14), this truly represents what I have experienced through the WARM ministry that you do not get to experience day to day. Apart from the sumptuous spread for dinner that was prepared by the host, the fellowship and sharing of experiences between brothers and sisters in Christ was indeed priceless. Not to forget the singing of hymns as well as the singing of memory verses. I feel that the WARM gathering has provided me the opportunity to know many brothers and sisters in church that we come across weekly but yet to know them better. Through my first WARM gathering, I feel that it indeed gives fellow church members a good time to be united in Christ’s love, actively minister to each other and to keep each other in prayer constantly.

John 13:34 – "…That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another."

Although we are supportive of the WARM Programme, we have often found it difficult to approach new comers or members whom we hardly encounter. Hence, thank God for Woh Weng, Siew Kiang, Ian and Mark who have graciously organized such a gathering regularly so that there is an occasion for us to attend and get to know more Lifers as well as visitors.

With a lively programme, good food and the generous hospitality of the host family, many of us laid aside our previous inhibitions and boldly approached members less familiar to us. Many of us even went beyond the boundaries of age where the young and old mingled freely.

We shared about how the Lord had blessed us in many ways, encouraged one another in the Lord and basically got to know each other better. The message was indeed appropriate where Dn Tan Cheow Hock recounted many instances where Lifers demonstrated their Christian love towards one another, emphasizing that many Lifers exemplify Christian charity. We really enjoyed the warm and sweet fellowship.

Thank God that I could attend the WARM fellowship gathering in December graciously hosted by brother Woh Weng and sister Siew Kiang.

My sister Gerry who was visiting from US came along and she was overwhelmed with warm friendship and Christian love. For me it was amazing that I met many brothers and sisters in Christ whom I never seem to have seen at church, what more know about them. Even with sister Siew Kiang and brother Woh Weng, I could only be sure who they actually were only when I reached their home. Of course, there were also many familiar faces and it was wonderful that we had a relaxing time to fellowship and encourage each other in our walk with the Lord. The memory verse in song presentation was a delightful surprise for many of us. May this help us to remember our verses better.

Personally I have come to realize that we do need to make an effort if we want to know others in our church. Even when we take up opportunities to serve, we can spread this warm fellowship. Recently I had this opportunity to fellowship with Choi Wai when I was helping her with the Sunday School Christmas celebration. Before that we knew each other by face only.

May God bless this WARM fellowship ministry to enable us to be a blessing to serve and minister to our many brothers and sisters in Christ. Praise God!

The WARM programme has been implemented for two years. I am not a warm member in the church. Frankly, I did not try hard enough to show more initiative and enthusiasm in this programme. Nevertheless, the zeal of sister Siew Kiang and brother Woh Weng have somehow touched my heart.

I first met the couple in the church camp 07. Since that time onwards, whenever I saw sister Siew Kiang, she would warmly come forward to talk to me. We did not have time to share much, but I appreciate very much her friendliness and enthusiasm. Thus, when the couple invited my family and me to the WARM Fellowship in their home on 7 Dec, I agreed gladly.

The fellowship that night was warm and cozy. Food was sumptuous and delicious. However, what encouraged me was to see that many came despite their busy schedule. Some came right after the teens’ camp.

The programme that night was well planned. Dn Tan Cheow Hock gave the exhortation – A sharing of his three encounters of how Lifers took care of one another. His account of how a brother generously paid off a big debt for a family and did not ask for any return had especially touched my heart. It set me thinking deeply about the true meaning of bearing one another’s burden.

I could not forget the singing of the ladies from the Ladies Fellowship. They sang out the Bible memory verses using the tune of some familiar hymns. They indeed taught me another way of teaching God’s Word to my children creatively.

Just before the fellowship ended, I happened to pass by the kitchen of the host. The countless number of plates and bowls there to be washed rather shocked me. At that moment, I realized the number of hours the host must have put in to plan, buy and cook in order to get this gathering done. Truly, the WARM programme needs one who is willing to go a second mile. I reflected upon this. This is something I need to improve for the Lord.

"Mum, it is good that we went," said my 9-year old son as we were on our way home. Yes, it is good especially because of the few spiritual lessons I learned.

Where are we now? As we proceed from the infancy of the programme to the "toddler" stage, is the church now a warmer church? One that is physically large but yet we feel small in terms of the familiar and friendly faces we meet. This is one question that all of us as individuals have to answer. The answer certainly lies in us whether we want it to be cold, lukewarm or warmer.

From the sharing of Deacon Cheow Hock on our 2nd gathering of the WARM Programme, we have certainly grown. He mentioned three incidents of how our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ have moved beyond the simple "Hi" and exchanging of WARM cards to a more personal level. In one instance he told us how a group of girls from LTF created a Get Well card from the seashells they picked at the beach for a friend. This is warm index a notch up – thoughtfulness.

Another instance, he touched our hearts (at least both of us) when he related how a brother in Christ, though he often arrives in church very early for the first service yet he chooses to park at a further distance. His simple yet very thoughtful gesture once again demonstrates Christian love and consideration; his action speaks loud and clear. He did it for those who come later so they can find a parking lot. His action – warm index another notch up!!!

Appreciation – certainly to the "WARM family" that we often called the Low family – Woh Weng, Siew Kiang, Mark and Ian. A simple "thank you" is not enough to show our appreciation for the unceasing efforts they put in to bring the warm index to an even higher notch!! Thank you for opening your home for two successive years and the yum, yum FOOD prepared by loving hands! Of course, not forgetting our dear Pastors – Rev Charles Seet and Rev Colin Wong for the support they give in this whole programme. Thank you!

Removing Obstacles. Often there are many obstacles in human relations even amongst Christians. At times it is not easy to remove these obstacles, as often many of us are comfortable to be in our own confines. So once again we have to remove these obstacles ourselves, no one can help us. So are you willing and ready to push the warm index to an even higher notch? For both of us, besides attending NBC, once a while we would attend the monthly Family Worship though we might not know the host family. We decided that this is one way of knowing more of our church members. So we encourage our brethren not to shy away. Get out of our comfort zones.

Moving On – Well, we are on our way, as is evident from what have taken place since the WARM programme started. One way is that we are going to memorise our 2008 Bible verses through familiar tunes. Siew Kiang and the Ladies Fellowship have been putting in time to put the various memory verses (2008) to tunes and practicing the singing respectively so that they can present and teach us during church services this year. We had a preview at the gathering last December and we all readily agree that it’s easier to remember the verses put to familiar tunes. As Mrs Evelyn Tay put it: if she can do it, anyone of us would certainly be able to!! Let’s resolve to be a Growing Christian and a Growing Church!!

We give all praise and thanks to our Lord God for the WARM gathering on 7 December 2007. To Him be all glory given. It is He who has called us to be part of the WARM ministry. While He tarries, He has given us the strength and opportunity to use our time, energy and resources for Him.

Psalm 8:4 – "What is man, that thou art mindful of him?"

Lamentations 3:22 – "It is of the LORD’S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not."

1 Samuel 12:24 – "Only fear the LORD, and serve him in truth with all your heart: for consider how great things he hath done for you."

2 Chronicles 29:11 – "My sons, be not now negligent: for the LORD hath chosen you to stand before him, to serve him, and that ye should minister unto him, and burn incense."

May these verses of our Lord’s mercies and compassions speak to our hearts, that we might always be mindful of His goodness; and remain vigilant and ever fervent, by His grace. —WARM Facilitators

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