MM Admin, Author at Methodist Message

Crown Him with many crowns

The liturgical calendar comes to a close with “Christ the King Sunday” on 25 Nov 2018. Another cycle begins with the season of Advent, starting on 2 Dec 2018. “Crown Him with Many Crowns” is an appropriate hymn for Advent. The word “crown” acknowledges Christ as King. However, this hymn depicts His kingship as different from one who has subjects to order around. By His life and teachings, Jesus imparted lessons of selflessness and obedience to God. His journey on earth led Him to the cross. His death as a sacrificial Lamb and His resurrection gave us life, peace […]

Giving Time to Bless Others

Looking ahead to The Giving Methodist (TGM) 2019, we chatted with two first-time volunteers during this year’s TGM.Phyllis Han works full-time in human resources and worships at Charis Methodist Church. I heard an announcement about TGM in my church and thought it would be a good way to start volunteering. I wanted to work with […]

Engaging CAC members of all ages

The Lay Ministry Staff Retreat at Pulau Ubin CAC Sunday “At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need. The goal is equality, as it is written: ‘The one who gathered much did not have too much, and the one who gathered little did […]

LAOS DISASTER RELIEF: AID FOR THE AIDERS

A hydroelectric dam in Southeast Laos collapsed on 23 July 2018, leading to widespread destruction and displacement of villagers throughout the province of Attapeu. In the days following the disaster, more than 3,000 Lao people clung from trees and rooftops as they awaited rescue. At least 31 died and scores are unaccounted for. Hundreds of homes […]

TRAC Seniors Ministry starts weekday worship services

Harry Tan is a member of Faith Methodist Church. On 15 Aug 2018, about 240 seniors from TRAC churches across Singapore gathered at the recently-refurbished Faith Methodist Church (Faith) for the inaugural weekday worship service. At 2.30 p.m., shofar horns sounded through the Worship Hall, and the Rev Irene Thung, TRAC’s Seniors Ministry Director, began […]

Equipping the saints, engaging the world

The Trinity Theological College (TTC) story was birthed in the crucible of suffering during World War II when Singapore was occupied by the Japanese. While interned as prisoners of war in Changi Prison, some Anglican, Methodist and Presbyterian missionaries and pastors had the idea of setting up a union college to train locals for church […]

Doing good well

Junie Foo is the new Group Executive Director of Methodist Welfare Services (MWS). The former banker, who attends Christ Methodist Church, took over the reins from Mrs Jenny Bong on 6 Aug 2018. She tells us more about herself and her hopes for MWS. Q: Why did you join MWS? A: I was at a […]

Good liturgy teaches us to pray

“Lord, teach us to pray.” That’s what the disciples asked of Jesus (Luke 11:1–6). So Jesus taught them what we call “The Lord’s Prayer”. In other words, Jesus gave them a good liturgical prayer. Good liturgy invites us to pause and pray about important concerns. Good liturgy helps us to pray. “Hallowed be Thy Name”—Is […]

The Role of Ritual in Christian Worship

“It’s just a meaningless ritual!” Among Christians, the word “ritual” is often perceived negatively because of associations with activities considered irrational, “pagan” or outdated. Some people give more importance to the inner attitudes “of the heart” than to outward, ritual actions. Liturgical scholar Frank C. Senn defines ritual as “a pattern of behaviour that expresses […]

God is here

“God is Here” was written by the Rev Fred Pratt Green (1903–2000), who is considered one of the best hymn writers of the 20th century. A poet and prolific writer, he started writing hymns after he turned 60. In 1978, the University United Methodist Church in Austin, Texas, requested from the Rev Green a hymn […]