2020_0913_Online Bulletin_Website

Sunday 13th September 2020 ST GEORGE’S CHURCH Every person complete in Christ - Colossians 1: 28 WELCOME BACK to St George’s church! Finally, after many months of meeting Online we are now able to meet together, in person. Thank the Lord and rejoice with us. You will notice that Church has changed in many ways, but the Lord remains the same and so does our mission of presenting everyone complete in Christ. God has given us new ways of sharing Christ with our world, our city and our neighbours. He has also given us news ways to develop how we nurture our faith and support each other in the Lord. Thanks for being part of these new ways. THE COLLECT FOR 14TH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY Almighty Father, whose will is to restore all things in your beloved Son, the king of all: govern the hearts and minds of those in authority, and bring the families of the nations, divided and torn apart by the ravages of sin, to be subject to his just and gentle rule; who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. AMEN. http://www.stgeorges.org.sg https://www.facebook.com/stgeorgeschurchsingapore 1

In John 5:16-47, we read of Jesus making this incredible claim that He was equal to God Himself. Such a statement could be verified only through additional witnesses, so Jesus presented several witnesses to His claims including the Father, John the Baptist, and His own miracles in V.30-36. Ironically, however, the Jewish religious authorities who prized themselves on their ability to discern the witness of God actually missed His witness regarding Christ. In fact, these leaders did not hear God’s voice or perceive His form in Jesus, nor did they receive the testimony God gave through the One He sent to reveal Himself most fully to His people in V.37-38. But their failure to recognize the Father’s testimony was not due to a lack of study. They searched the Scriptures to find eternal life, but they missed it because they refused to come to Jesus in V.39-40. 2

Jesus did not say these things about His opponents because He was seeking honor from them and they refused it. He said them in order to point out that His opponents falsely claimed to love the glory of God and to be searching for His will. In fact, they had all the testimony to Christ that they needed in the Scriptures, including the writings of Moses (Genesis–Deuteronomy). If they would have read the Scriptures looking for God and His truth, they would have seen that the whole scope of the old covenant reveals the person and work of the Messiah in V.41-46. But if Moses, whom they claimed to love, could not convince them because of their unwillingness to believe, nothing could. Christ is the goal of the entire Old Testament. The various themes, people, events, and so forth of the Old Testament point us finally to Christ, who fulfills them and grants us eternal salvation. So, all our study of God’s Word, therefore, should lead us to glorify Christ and praise Him for His great salvation. Shehan Thomas 13th Sept 2020 3

John 5: 16-47 16 So, because Jesus was doing these things on the Sabbath, the Jewish leaders began to persecute him. 17 In his defense Jesus said to them, “My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I too am working.” 18 For this reason they tried all the more to kill him; not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God. 19 Jesus gave them this answer: “Very truly I tell you, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does. 20 For the Father loves the Son and shows him all he does. Yes, and he will show him even greater works than these, so that you will be amazed. 21 For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son gives life to whom he is pleased to give it. 22 Moreover, the Father judges no one, but has entrusted all judgment to the Son, 23 that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father, who sent him. 24 “Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life. 25 Very truly I tell you, a time is coming and has now come when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God and those who hear will live. 26 For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself. 27 And he has given him authority to judge because he is the Son of Man. 4

28 “Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice 29 and come out—those who have done what is good will rise to live, and those who have done what is evil will rise to be condemned. 30 By myself I can do nothing; I judge only as I hear, and my judgment is just, for I seek not to please myself but him who sent me. 31 “If I testify about myself, my testimony is not true. 32 There is another who testifies in my favor, and I know that his testimony about me is true. 33 “You have sent to John and he has testified to the truth. 34 Not that I accept human testimony; but I mention it that you may be saved. 35 John was a lamp that burned and gave light, and you chose for a time to enjoy his light. 36 “I have testimony weightier than that of John. For the works that the Father has given me to finish—the very works that I am doing— testify that the Father has sent me. 37 And the Father who sent me has himself testified concerning me. You have never heard his voice nor seen his form, 38 nor does his word dwell in you, for you do not believe the one he sent. 39 You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about me, 40 yet you refuse to come to me to have life. 41 “I do not accept glory from human beings, 42 but I know you. I know that you do not have the love of God in your hearts. 43 I have 5

come in my Father’s name, and you do not accept me; but if someone else comes in his own name, you will accept him. 44 How can you believe since you accept glory from one another but do not seek the glory that comes from the only God? 45 “But do not think I will accuse you before the Father. Your accuser is Moses, on whom your hopes are set. 46 If you believed Moses, you would believe me, for he wrote about me. 47 But since you do not believe what he wrote, how are you going to believe what I say?” 6

9.00AM “Live” Service Order of Service OPENING INSTRUMENTAL (VIDEO) WELCOME Larry Bradley PRAYER OF PURITY Larry Bradley AND REVELATION 1 CREED SONG Name Of All Majesty CONFESSION Larry Bradley BIBLE READING John 5: 16-47 Johan Nalliah SERMON Andrew Thomas SONG For A Thousand Tongues INTERCESSIONS & THE COLLECT Debbie Farr GIVING THANKS FOR THE Larry Bradley / ADOPT-A-DORM PROGRAM Rev Ian Hadfield ANNOUNCEMENTS Rev Ian Hadfield CLOSING Larry Bradley CLOSING INSTRUMENTAL (VIDEO) 7

PRAYERS PRAISE GOD FOR WHO HE IS • Thank our Lord Jesus for the power he has shown us in the resurrection and thank Him for the same power that will resurrect our bodies. THE WORLD • Pray for Nepal (Asia). Thank God for the work of the Anglican Deanery of Nepal. Freedom of religion is guaranteed by law, but only in limited measures. Non-Hindus cannot proselytize. If they do, they risk fines, imprisonment, and possible expulsion. Despite this law, the Church in Nepal grows because of courageous evangelism. Many natural disasters occur in Nepal and COVID has been challenging. • Ask the Lord to send out more people (even us) into places where there are very few Christians to help share Christ. Pray that we who stay at home will share him too. • Pray for world cooperation in develop and distributing a COVID- 19 vaccine (if and when one is found) SINGAPORE • Pray for wisdom for the government regarding COVID-19 health measures as well as wisdom in financially supporting those in need. • Pray for those who work in the aged care sector, including domestic helpers. Pray for everything that is needed to care for the aged physically, emotionally, and spiritually. 8

• Pray for the Archbishop of Canterbury; Justin Welby as he tries to work at leading the Anglican Churches in the way of Christ. May he have God’s wisdom and passion. ST GEORGE’S • Pray about the possibility of restarting our 3 Services if MCCY allow us to have 50 + 50. Pray that we will open up safely and wisely. • Thank the Lord for Annette and her work for the church in all things financial. Thank the Lord for her longstanding service to us at St George’s (almost 20 years) • (Pray for a St George’s Mission Partner) Adopt a Dorm – (now ended) Thank God for the opportunity to care physically, emotionally and spiritually for a large number of guest workers in their dormitories for the past 4 months, all in the name and power of Christ. Thank God too for those who donated. Pray that the work done will impact many lives for Christ. • Pray for the sick Joanna, Rosemary, Peter, Kah Seng, Caitlin and Tee Dhye. • Pray for those we know who mourn, including Amrita whose father passed away recently. “Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life.” John 5:24 9

ANNOUNCEMENTS Special Parochial Church Meeting 15th September 2020 8:00 pm at St George's Church Due to COVID-19 delays, the St George's Annual General Meeting (AGM) in June 2020, was not able to accept the completed audited Accounts for the year 2019. Draft audited accounts were only acknowledged by that AGM. The complete accounts are now available and the only difference on them is that there is a signature from the auditor. St George's Constitution requires that these accounts be accepted now by a Special Parochial Church Meeting (SPCM) held for Electoral Roll Members. If you are on the Electoral Roll you are invited to a 10- minute meeting at 8 pm on the 15th Sept (Tuesday) in the church building. 10

Let us know you can attend by registering using this link https://stgeorgeschurch.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/5 20173 We need at least 20 people to attend for that is our quorum. A maximum of 50 can attend in person. If there are more people wishing to attend, they can watch (but not participate in voting) via Zoom. Note that the meeting will only last for about 10 minutes. But it is important to hold the meeting. Also, due to COVID restrictions no refreshments will be provided. 11

Screenagers - Growing Up in the Digital Age - For Teens and their Parents - an event on Saturday 3rd Oct 7:45 pm Parents: Are you watching kids scroll through life, with their rapid- fire thumbs and a six-second attention span? Physician and filmmaker Delaney Ruston saw that with her own kids and learned that the average kid spends 6.5 hours a day looking at screens. She wondered about the impact of all this time and about the friction occurring in homes and schools around negotiating screen time—friction she knew all too well.... Here is a 2:50 min trailer for the video https://www.screenagersmovie.com/about Screenagers is a 70 minute video for Teenagers (recommended for children 10 years and older) and their Parents. St George's is going to watch it together on Saturday 3rd October from 7:45 pm with a Q&A session afterwards. To join the evening, you will need to a) sign up to rent the video (SCREENAGERS: Growing Up In The 12

Digital Age) using your credit/debit card for one month direct through the Screenagers Website: https://www.screenagersmovie.com/watch The cost is $10 USD which is approximately $14 SGD. Signing up will allow you to watch the video twice in the month. Please keep one watching for the event on the 3rd Oct. (you will note from the Screenagers website that you can also pay another $10 USD to watch the second film at another time) b) sign up here: https://tinyurl.com/SGC-Screenagers-3- OctVIDEO to be a part of St George's Screenagers Event - 3rd Oct 2020 at 7:45pm on Zoom (This step is a free event, but you will need to have paid for the video beforehand from the Screenagers website) c) Connect via Zoom at 7:45pm on Saturday the 3rd Oct Topic: Screenagers Time: Oct 3, 2020 07:45 PM Singapore Please contact Betty Wu at [email protected] for details. d) On the 3rd Oct we will have a welcome and introductory session together on Zoom and then watch the Screenagers movie separately and then return 70 mins later, together on Zoom, for a 25 minute Q&A session to end the night at around 9:30pm. 13

ADVANCE NOTICE ALPHA Parenting Teens Course Starting Friday night 16th October 2020 From Friday night October 16th for 5 weekly Sessions - the ALPHA Teens Course will help parents parent teenagers as you listen to experts and listen and talk to one another. Here is a trailer for the Course https://singapore.alpha.org/tptc (go to the bottom of the ALPHA webpage) To find out more contact Betty in the office [email protected] 14

Midweek Communion Every Wednesday at 10:30 am A weekly opportunity to gather together to celebrate what Christ has done in a tangible way. This is a Church Service for those in the COVID-19 vulnerable group (over 60 years of age and/or those with other health issues) Please register for the Service (as only 50 people can gather). Please go to our church website: https://stgeorgeschurch.churchcenter.com/registrations to register or ring/send a WhatsApp message to the Office 9812 5473. Please let the office know if you would like transport to St George’s to attend the Service. 15

Moore College Preliminary Theological Certificate EPHESIANS Enrol at Moore College here -> https://apply.moore.edu.au for Ephesian by 9th September (paying Moore College directly) and then let us know that you wish to join the Ephesians Study Group by registering here https://tinyurl.com/SGC-EPHESIANS-MOORE-SEPT2020 . The free Study Group will start on Monday the 14th Sept 7:45- 9:15 pm for 10 weeks. Moore College Basic Cost: $45 AUD (includes the online version of the Ephesians Study Book and extra study materials) $20 AUD (extra cost for a hard copy of the Ephesians Study Book to be posted to you. Note it takes approx. 2 weeks for the book to arrive so register with Moore College by the 31st Aug) There is no extra cost to sit the Online Exam which can be done within 6 months of your enrolment. 16

2 Excellent Conferences held in Singapore 23 & 24 September 2020 (Wed & Thu) 9AM-12.30PM Preaching Genesis: Taking Biblical Theology back to the Beginning Speaker: David Helm Chairman, Charles Simeon Trust (USA) Pastor, Holy Trinity Church Chicago 2 Day Ticket: $20 1 Day Ticket: $10 - Two instructional talks by David Helm on 'How to preach and teach Genesis' - Two small group sessions for participants to work on passages together from Genesis (via Zoom Breakout Rooms) - Two Model Sermons from Genesis by David Helm - Two Q&A opportunities with David Helm Registration closing date: 15 Sep 2020 11:59 PM Register here: https://www.eventbrite.sg/e/expository-preaching- conference-2020-with-david-helm-project-timothy-tickets-116238858555 17

A Half Day Conference for those interested in paid Church Ministry (done virtually) Go here to register: https://www.eventbrite.sg/e/ministry-matters- 2020-project-timothy-tickets-116285498055 18

Adopt a Dorm Program - Update From May 2020, we at St George's have been supporting guest workers in their dormitories with physical and spiritual food. The program is now ending but we want to celebrate what has been done in the name of Jesus and out of his love. We praise God for the opportunities to share food and Christ with these men who have faced difficulties, shortages and isolation during the Circuit Breaker period of COVID-19 and only now are allowed back to work. It has been a magnificent effort sharing the love of God and so thank you to everyone for your prayers and donations towards this local mission cause. You have brought honour to God. We are particularly grateful to Shiva (a Christian) who has been the contact person in the dormitories and to Fileo, Larry, Nishka, Rebekah and Annette (all from St George's) for their hard work in making this possible. And we pray that God will continue to do his good work in these men and their families due to the love and generosity that we have been able to share with them. 19

Church Live Stream Online Watch the 9 am St George's Church Service as it happens from home, the car, with others etc. Go to this site - YouTube Live from 9 am on Sunday. We would appreciate your feedback too. Please contact [email protected] for your thoughts on whether we should continue to offer this style of church. 20

For our online Services, View at St George's YouTube Channel: https://youtube.com/StGeorgesChurchSingapore Services are available from 7 am on the date of the Service and soon after on the Church's website itself. (https://www.stgeorges.org.sg) Interactive Church SUNDAY From 8 am OR 10 am OR 5:30 pm on Sundays, join us for St George's Online Church. Please contact Betty Wu at [email protected] for Zoom meeting details. 8 am Zoom details: CHANGED FORMAT from now on: Join us at 8 am, discuss a topic in a small group and pray for one another then hear some announcements and thereafter watch the Service. There will be no discussion on Zoom after the Service. 21

10 am Zoom details: CHANGED FORMAT from now on: Join us at 10 am, chat for a while until Ian joins the group then discuss a topic in a small group and pray for one another followed by some announcements and thereafter watch the Service. There will be no discussion on Zoom after the Service. 5:30 pm Zoom details: NO CHANGE IN FORMAT for the 5:30 pm Service. 22

CHILDREN Online Sunday School 10-10:45 am every Sunday. Join in for a song, a story, a prayer, and an activity. For kids of all ages and their parents. For more info, please get in touch with Narelle at ([email protected]) 23

YOUTH Dig Deeper Online: This Friday at Dig Deeper Online, we will be starting our new teaching series called 'the Ephesians Series'. We'll be journeying with Paul in this letter as he encourages us to live our lives in the light of God's big picture! Also, this Friday, we'll be hosting our Physical Dig Deeper meeting at different homes keeping to the (5) person rule in each household excluding the people already in the house. If you're interested in hosting a group or sending your teen to one, please do let us know by getting in touch at ([email protected]) 24

YOUTH: This Sunday at Circuit Breaker LIVE will be our final 'Ask Anything' LIVE Q&A session with Marty Foord (see his profile below). YOUTH Sunday Circuit Breaker LIVE happens every Sunday from 11 am onwards & Dig Deeper Online happens every Friday from 7-9 pm. We welcome all teens to join us at both our meetings! For more info, please get in touch with Shehan at ([email protected]) 25

Marty Foord is a lecturer in Systematic Theology at ETC (Evangelical Theological College) Asia. Prior to this, he was the Senior Lecturer in Systematic Theology and Church History at Trinity Theological College in Perth, Western Australia after having worked as a part-time evangelist in Sydney and on the ministry team of a large church in Manly. Marty is passionate about the gospel as the organizing principle for our lives, the church, and the mission. He joined the faculty at ETCAsia in 2019. Marty’s Master’s thesis research focused on Richard Hooker’s doctrine of justification, and his doctorate examined the doctrine of the gospel in systematic theology during the medieval, reformation, and early post- reformation era. Marty is married to Jenny and enjoys chasing waves, listening to Bach, and drinking coffee with friends. 26

Toddler Time Online Toddler Time continues online every Tuesday at 10 am (for about 30 mins) on Zoom. Please contact Hydie at [email protected] for more details. 27

In Serving the Church Go to this link https://tinyurl.com/SGC-Ministry-Form-2020 and sign up to help serve a) in our Pre-recorded Services (usually Saturday Mornings) and then 8 days later at b) b) at Church on Sundays 9 am c) at our Midweek Wednesday 10:30 am Communion Service. d) at our other events including Youth, Sunday School, Life Groups/Bible Study Groups, Toddler Time and Mums and Tots SPECIAL REQUEST: We need people who would be willing (with training) to work on the Live Streaming aspect of Church on Sunday mornings. We need people who would enjoy working with sound, with video camera and video editing. Please complete the form https://tinyurl.com/SGC- Ministry-Form-2020 28

HAVE ANY OLD IPADS/TABLETS? St George's would like use some of your old Tablets or iPads which are in good working condition (with Wifi connectivity), to use for our Check In system for Children and Youth when we return to meeting in person. Please let Nicholas know (email [email protected]) if you can help. 29

HAVE ANY SPARE COMPUTERS/ LAPTOPS/MACS ETC. JUST LYING AROUND? Kokkos Christian Children's school in rural Kampot / Cambodia is a St George’s Mission partner, and they are looking to acquire used laptop computers and tablets for the children’s use, to replace existing ones. They have a contractor who will scramble the hard drives. Requests: * Laptops: not more than 3 years old. (Screen size 14\"+) * Mac- Book/Pro: not more than 5 years old. * Chrome books: not more than 2 years. (Screen size:14\"+) * Tablets (Android) & iPads: not more than 3 years. (8.5\") They must be in working order and have Wi-Fi connectivity. A service to 'clean' the hard disc can be provided. Their needs are quite large. In fact, the existing machines are definitely past their shelf life, and thus need to be replaced plus adding more in the next 2 years. If there are donors (or those who want to sell for a nominal value), we can arrange for collection, but the ideal is for the donor to leave it with the church. Please let Nicholas know (email [email protected]) if you can help. 30

Rev. Dr Soh Guan Chin's Retirement After 6 years of solid and sound ministry at St George's Church, Rev. Dr Soh will complete his work with us at St George's at the end of October 2020 to focus on the Joshua Mission which has grown in its reach to 18 different nations. You can find out more about Joshua Mission here: https://thejoshuamission.net We are grateful to God for Guan Chin's work in the Lord among us. He will be missed, and we will officially farewell him nearer to the end of October. 31

NOTICE ON CHANGE OF USE FOR TES FUNDS Dear Donors, If you have previously donated to the PMF-ST GEORGE’S CHURCH account to support the restoration of St George’s Church, and received a tax deduction on your donation, please note that the scheme now allows collected donations to be used for: 1. Restoration of non-protected but historical structures within our Monument’s compound; 2. Works that are required for compliance with statutory regulations; and, 3. Payment of Lease and TOL renewals. This is in addition to the original approved use, which was to support the restoration of the monument building. The Parochial Church Council has recommended, and Church Members have approved at the recent AGM that up to S$160,000 of funds in the PMF-ST GEORGE’S CHURCH account be used for Payment of Lease and TOL renewals. Should you have any concerns or objections to your donation being used for these new purposes, please contact Annette Ho (email: [email protected]), with your official tax exemption receipt as issued by NHB, by no later than 31st October 2020. Note: After 1st November 2020, it shall be taken that donors have no objections to the additional proposed uses, and donations will be channeled to fund these, where applicable. 32

St George's Church is seeking a Full Time Children's Ministry Director The Director will: 1) Oversee the ministry of Sunday School 2) Oversee the ministry of Mums and Tots 3) Work with the Toddler Time leadership team 4) Raise up, support and equip the teams of Volunteers who work with Children 5) Ensure Child Safeguarding policies and procedures are fulfilled. Job advertisement is found here https://www.stgeorges.org.sg/employment/ For more details, questions and to apply - contact Ian at [email protected] 33

For your prayerful consideration Whilst the church is not meeting together, we still have financial costs as well has providing assistance to those who need it. So, we ask that you prayerfully and carefully consider giving online through PayNow or Planned Giving. For PayNow 1. Please open your bank app and tick the \"scan & pay\" and scan the below QR code or tick the PayNow icon, you can choose to key in UEN number: T08CC4075KSGC. Please go to this section of the website to find out more https://www.stgeorges.org.sg/how-do-i-give Or download the form here. And send the completed form to Annette: [email protected] 34

Contact Us Vicar: Rev. Ian Hadfield [email protected] Seniors: Rev. Paul Tan [email protected] Associate Minister: Rev. Dr Soh Guan Chin [email protected] Children's Ministry: Narelle Hadfield [email protected] Youth Ministry: Shehan Thomas [email protected] Small Groups/Life Groups: Marc Wang [email protected] Filipino Ministry: Hydie Valdez [email protected] Admin Manager: Nicholas Tan [email protected] Finance: Annette Ho [email protected] Membership & Courses: Betty Wu [email protected] Property: Cynthia Lamb [email protected] Rosters+Website: Lesley Limpin [email protected] Office Mobile (WhatsApp only) 9812 5473 Address: St George's Church 44 Minden Rd, Singapore 248816 35