The LIFE
times
Aoraki Country Cottage, Geraldine, New Zealand
st
Welcome to our 1 volume of The LIFEtimes, our quarterly newsletter with
which we seek to communicate to you the happenings in Life Methodist Church
Puchong (LMCP) for the year 2011, as we thank God for His faithfulness.
Rock & Roll Fund Raising
Dinner & Dance – 1.1.11
We started the year with the Rock &
Roll Fund Raising Dinner & Dance
which was held at the Bukit Jalil Golf
& Country Club. We thank God for
the smooth and successful program
emceed by our brother Lawrence
Tay. The TRAC President, the Rev.
Dr. Ong Hwai Teik, together with his
family
&
the
FT
District
Superintendent, the Rev. Peggy
Seow, graced the occasion.
It was a joyful and wonderful night
with
good
fellowship,
food,
entertainment, games & music to
dance to. With attendance of almost
500 people, we managed to raise
almost RM75,000. Praise be to God
and a great big thanks to the
organizing team under our sister,
Vicky Koh and to all LMCP volunteers
and helpers for all their hard work,
dedication & support.
UPCOMING EVENTS
•
Dec 22nd – 24th
•
Dec 25th
- Caroling
– Christmas Service
9.30 am
•
Dec 31st – Watchnight Service
10.30 pm
by Sister Lee Lay Pin (Mrs. Yap)
When God called my
husband home on 19th Feb.
2011, I was extremely
confused and very sad at the
sudden loss. My mind just
could not focus on anything. I
thank God for His comfort
through many caring friends.
My family was worried for
me and my son asked me to
follow him back to Ireland. I
didn’t want to go anywhere
but
to
be
alone.
I
remembered God’s promise
in Hebrews 13:5 which says,
Christian
Education
The
Children’s
Sunday
School is held after the Praise
& Worship segment of our
Sunday Service. The children
meet at the various classes on
the first floor to study the
Bible Explorer Series. After
the Sunday Service, the
Foundation class is taught to
the Baptism & Membership
Transfer candidates by Sister
Ann Teo. Simultaneously, the
1-year Disciple Class, led by
the Pastor & Sister Choon
Neo is attended by 18 people.
“Never will I leave you,
never will I forsake you”
and I claimed His promise. I
prayed to God for courage to
sustain me and guide me in
what I should do. God
answered my prayer in the
form of the New Zealand
trip! Praise God for His
faithfulness! One couple
decided not to go and was
looking for others to take
their places. When I told my
children, they encouraged
me to go for the trip as a
replacement.
Everything
went smoothly and I only
needed to pay an extra $200
for the change of name.
Thanks to sister Choon Neo
for doing all the paperwork.
Our God is an amazing God
Who hears and answers
prayers at His own time!
MSF Trip
to New
Zealand
April 6 – 19
It was indeed a revealing trip and
I thank God for making it
possible for me to have a good
time with my Christian brothers
and sisters. The trip also allowed
me to witness God’s marvelous
and magnificent creation in
another part of the world! Upon
reflection, I now feel so blessed
and privileged that God shared
my husband with me for 50
unforgettable years! All glory to
God!
Methodist Youth
Fellowship (MYF)
The Ladies Fellowship meet
on Mondays to do the Bible
Study on
“Abiding in
Christ”, led by Sister Rhema,
while the MYF meets on
Sunday afternoons to do the
“Full Flame” Bible study, led
by the Pastor.
On July 17th & 24th, Bible
League conducted a Quiet
Time seminar to impart
techniques for effective
Quiet Time using the “21
Days of Connection” book.
On MYF Sunday on 10th July, 2011, the new MYF
office bearers for 2011/2012 were installed. Our vision is to see
a young generation of God loving youth who are personally
experiencing God’s dynamic spiritual transformation and are on
fire for Christ. We meet every Sunday from 2.00 – 4.30 pm.
Some of the highlights for this year were the different
themed Saturday Night Fevers (SNF) held in homes. This is to
encourage other youths to attend the SNF in a more relaxed
environment. The turn outs have been encouraging. Other
activities include Bible Studies, Prayer Meetings, Cottage
Meetings, Youth Camp, Youth Planning Retreat and visitation
to other MYF chapters on their MYF Sundays, respectively.
MYF Sunday
You’re Photo Here
Saturday Night Fever @ the Shengs’
MV LOGOS Hope Tour – 23 October
What an exciting time it was when 32
of us were drenched in the rain while
queuing up to board the MV Logos
Hope, berthed at Port Klang Cruise
Centre, for our guided tour! We went
rd
on the last day, 23 Oct, before it
sailed off for Kuching the next day.
The crew was kind enough to hand us
towels to dry ourselves before dividing
us into 4 groups, each with a crew
member to guide us. We were shown
the different stations at the various
decks and given detailed explanation
of functions of each room.
We were also introduced to the
various mission opportunities, both
short-term and full-time to serve with
Operation Mobilisation (OM). After the
tour, we were led to the bookshop.
There was a huge crowd of people
jostling and buying books, toys, crafts,
cds, stationery and knick knacks sold
on the ship.
Overall, it was a wonderful learning
experience for us despite the “showers
of blessing” that pelted us. What we
discovered was that each crew had a
LMCP Family Day – 16 September
63 people from LMCP went on the
Family Day outing to Bayu Beach
Resort, Port Dickson on 16 September
2011 in conjunction with the Malaysia
Day holiday.
Upon arrival, a scrumptious breakfast
greeted us on the beach, contributed
and freshly cooked by our very own
master chefs in the making!
After breakfast, we had a time of
singing followed by games. There was
much laughter and fun. We enjoyed
the Coffee break provided by the
Resort after which, the pool was
invaded by the young ones while the
rest of us watched over them or simply
relaxed and fellowshipped with one
another.
We had a wonderful spread for lunch
during which there was also a time for
prize giving. No one went home empty
handed as everyone was blessed with
a gift and a prize.
Truly, we enjoyed the camaraderie as
we continued to fellowship late into the
afternoon while some of them
continued to swim before calling it a
day.
As we went our separate ways, some
of us even made a stop at Seremban
to feast on the best Beef Noodles
ever!
We thank God for His journey mercies
and protection over us on that day and
for truly giving us a wonderful time of
koinonia with one another.
We also thank the organizing team,
under John & Angeline Chia, who
worked very hard to make this event a
success.
different story to tell of how
God called them to serve on
board the MV Logos Hope. It
certainly
must
be
very
challenging to live with the
different personalities of over
400 people, with limitations like
2-minute baths, the hard
physical
work
and
the
dependence on God for their
every need. However, the joy
that comes from seeing the fruit
of their labour of love surely
surpasses every hardship they
face as they continue in their
service for the King of Kings on
board the MV Logos Hope –
bringing knowledge, help and
hope
Leaders’ Planning Retreat, 5-7 November
-
By Mr. Yew Hock Siong
42 of us travelled from the hustle
and bustle of Kuala Lumpur to a
secondary forest reserve in Alor
Gajah, Melaka for the Leaders’
Planning Retreat.
Lovely bookmarks designed by the kids.
ways! Tired from the day’s events, we
had to adjust to the natural night
environment as we got ready for bed.
The next day, we attended the
Sunday Holy Communion service,
after breakfast. Next, the various
Our program began with ice breaker committees met to plan and budget for
games
organized
by
Brother 2012.
Lawrence Tay. We had so much of
fun and laughter. All meals were After lunch, we were led by Pastor
cooked by the owner of El Sanctuary Christopher to embark on a quiet
and his family and the meals were retreat. We shared the outcome of our
par excellence! During meal times individual quiet retreat in groups.
some of us helped in serving the Some
of
them
shared
great
food. I was amazed and praise the testimonies. It teaches us the
Lord for such good food, place of importance of connecting with God.
Time with God is precious moments
worship and fellowship.
that cannot be bought with money.
After worship we went on to
remember what God had done for After dinner and worship, the
us. Sister Angeline Daniel shared committees continued to meet for next
her testimony on how she was year’s planning and calendaring.
healed and cared by God when she Sister Ann Teo ended the session with
went through her recent surgery. prayer which was followed by our
God always works in His miraculous supper before we called it a day.
While the adults were busy planning, the children
played football and badminton at the open space,
played indoor games and watched movies.
Their laughter and joy filled the whole place and
being among them was such a blessing. We were
also genuinely touched by their labour of love when
they gave us lovely bookmarks which were
beautifully designed and created.
rd
The 3 day saw the various committees reporting
their plans for 2012. Dates for events such as family
camp, church anniversary mission trips and
celebrations were jotted down by the leaders.
The retreat ended with a prayer by Pastor
Christopher.
After lunch some of the Seniors went to Malacca
town to enjoy more good food while the rest of us
were caught in the jam on our way home to KL..
With good food and fellowship and remembrance of
God’s faithfulness towards LMCP, the retreat
concluded well. Pray for all leaders to continue in
this spirit of unity and serve our good Lord for His
Glory!
.
Christmas 2011 ● Volume 1, Issue 1 ● Life Methodist Church Puchong
Sengoi Holiday Study Camps 2011
2 – 6 December in Kampar, Perak & Raub, Pahang
By Mrs. Yew Siong Huong & Ms. Tay Choon Neo
ORIGINS
In Raub
RAUB
Held for the first time here, the camp,
held at the Sengoi Centre, attracted 80
children and 10 teaching staff. The
children came from 6 kampungs in
Raub and Lipis. The teachers were
from Wesley KL, Christ Methodist
Church Bentong, and LMCP. It was a
first for almost everyone but what a
great time we all had. Praise the Lord!
Many of the children were very weak
in their studies and needed a lot of
help. If we had had more helpers we
could have given greater attention
KAMPAR
46 children from 6 different kampungs
arrived at Kampar Sengoi Training
Centre with teachers and helpers from
LMCP, UTAR CF and a member from
Trinity PJ. The programme included
English and Mathematics lessons,
Motivational activities, Games and
Devotions and Singspiration. There
was a Christmas Sale. The children
were given a “debit card” of RM10 to
“purchase” items using the English
and Arithmetic skills they need. 11
stalls were set up to sell drinks, books,
toys, chocolates, clothes etc and 2
booths for the children to earn extra
bucks from activities like completing
mathematical
worksheets
and
sweeping the floor. A new addition to
the programme this year was the trip
individually or in very small groups.
Singing is what we all could identify
with … and Pastor Ngah said that the
kids were singing away into the night.
Toys were another hit. I was so struck
when the kids went straight for the soft
toys in the Sales Carnival – these
were used toys we had collected from
church members.
The camp started off well; following
that many wondered if they could go
on.
But by the last day when
friendships grew closer, it became a
teary goodbye.
to UTAR arranged by Kyle and his
team. The children were briefed on the
trip before departure. At Utar, they
were taken on a tour around the
campus and also experienced a mock
lecture by Mr Andrew. The children
were engaged in an active teaching
and learning activity before taking a
pop test where 80% of them scored a
perfect 10. At the closing ceremony
the children gave their thanksgiving
performances. Each group sang a
song pertaining to their group name,
Love, Peace, Joy, Kind and Good and
gave a splendid closure with the song
Cheng, Cheng, Cheng. The finale was
the prize giving ceremony for the best
group, and the best girl and boy
campers.
This camp which first started
in 2009 in Kampar, has
expanded into two camps held
simultaneously in both Kampar
and Raub for Sengoi Orang
Asli children.
The children
come from various kampongs
to a centre where a 5 day/4
night programme is planned
for them. It is organized by
TRAC in partnership with the
Sengoi Mission Conference
and initiated by Life Methodist
Church
Puchong.
The
teaching staff came from the
churches.
The
Sengois
organize the logistics of
registration,
transportation,
accommodation and food. The
main
objective
of
the
programme is educational in
nature to help motivate the
Sengoi children to learn basic
literacy and numeracy skills,
as well as to study and remain
in school.
“Only the Lord is worthy
of all praise and glory!
Thanks be to HIM for
these 2 wonderful
camps. Can’t wait till
next year….
I wonder what He has
in store for us?”
Caption
describing
picture
or
‘Christmas
Sale’
in Kampar
graphic.
Kampar Study Camp 2011
– by Miss Regina Yew
nd
On 2 December 2011, we set off
at 8.00am to Kampar. The first day
started off with the opening
ceremony where we played a few
icebreakers and spilt the children
into 5 groups, Peace, Love, Joy,
Kind and Good.
I could see their enthusiasm when
they
each
presented
their
respective group cheers. This
batch of children was definitely not
as shy as compared to the previous
years.
They
openly
asked
whenever they did not know
something. We also managed to
teach them how to sing grace.
They LOVED the song so much
until every night before bed, they
would sing it.
I also met many new friends
who were from UTAR and also the
children themselves. There was
one game which we played during
Communicative English session
which was similar to Bingo. It was a
great activity to get to know the
children better.
Another one of my favourite times
was praise and worship. We sang
songs such as ‘Chang, Chang, and
Chang’, ‘Deep Down’ and also
‘With Christ in the Vessel’. I think
the children enjoyed the songs as
there were actions accompanying
it. I myself gained a positive
experience and I was happy to be
able to jump out of holiday mode
for 5 days as I had to teach the
children.
Overall, I felt that it was a
wonderful camp and I met lots of
wonderful and friendly people. I
sure hope that it brought positive
messages to the children who
attended the camp.
Mission Trip to Myanmar – Nov 30-Dec 6
th
On November 30 , 8 MSF members together with
the Pastor embarked on a 7-day mission trip to
Myanmar.
The purpose of the Mission Trip was to share God’s
Word through preaching & personal testimonies to
various congregations in Yangon, Bago and
Thanlyin.
The team was able to visit and minister at various
locations: bible school, rural & urban churches, and
also inter-denominational meetings.
The most exciting part of the trip was to see team
members getting hands on experience in ministry:
praying for the ministry & for one another’s needs,
sharing personal testimonies, preaching God’s Word
and also giving generously to various financial
needs.
The “young at heart” missionaries had an
opportunity to share in God’s heartbeat for the poor
and needy people in Myanmar. They mingled well
with the local people and accommodated to various
physical challenges such as “eating at roadside
stalls, traveling on unforgettable rides at the back of
a pickup truck, walking on dusty roads.”
Furthermore, they had the first hand experience of
engaging in spiritual warfare where team members
encountered various difficulties including struck
down by sickness, losing luggage and falling down.
They came through victoriously in full knowledge of
seeing God’s greatness in delivering His people
through all the trials and tribulations.
Finally, as for the Pastor, his joy was seeing the
team members not only talking about ministry but
being fully engaged in it.
ALL GLORY TO GOD!
Christmas 2011 ● Volume 1, Issue 1 ● Life Methodist Church Puchong
ALPHA Program – 7 May-30 July
Who is Alpha for?
Alpha is for everyone.
It particularly caters for:
• Those wanting to
investigate
Christianity
• Newcomers to the
church and seekers
• New Christians
• Those who want to
brush up on the
basics
th
The ALPHA program was held from 7
th
May – 30 July. An average of 29
persons attended this Saturday
evening program from 4.30 – 6.30 pm.
The heart of the Alpha Programme is
to bring the goodnews of the Lord
Jesus Christ to pre-believers in a
friendly, non-threatening atmosphere.
This twelve-week programme is a
series of video talks by Rev. Nicky
Gumble answering questions like:
What is the point of life?, What
happens when we die?, How do we
deal with guilt?, Is forgiveness
possible?, etc. A typical Alpha session
starts with dinner, followed by Songs,
Nicky’s talk and ends with Group
discussion
36 persons attended the ALPHA
Weekend away program in Genting
nd
rd
Highlands from 2 – 3 July. Many
were blessed by the Lord at this
retreat up on the hills.
What will it cost?
There is no charge for the
Alpha course although
you may make a freewill
contribution towards
food.
“ALPHA is an
opportunity to
explore the
meaning of life.”
From the Pastor’s Desk
“….. you also, like living stones, are
being built into a spiritual house to be a
holy priesthood, offering spiritual
sacrifices acceptable to God through
Jesus Christ.”
1 Peter 2:5
The challenge that God entrusted to us
in the beginning of 2011 is to build His
House. This challenge was most
relevant as we were faced with the task
of the physical building of His house;
having moved to a new location we
encountered the task of getting the
church ready for worship services &
other ministries. By the grace of God, on
March 6, we were able to dedicate this
new building to the Lord’s glory. We are
thankful for all those who have labored
in completing this assignment from the
Lord. Yet, this assignment marks the
beginning of building the “spiritual
house” (1 Peter 2:5) for God. Although
the move into the new premises has
had some effects in reducing our
membership, throughout this year we
saw God’s hand in bringing new
people into our midst. Our regular
attendance gradually grew only,
almost double to what we initially had
when we moved to Taman Damai
Utama. Prophetically, God spoke to us
about His “Great Peace” translated
from the name of the vicinity where
we’re located which was upon each
one of us. The challenge still remained
to rise up “a holy priesthood, offering
spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God
through Jesus Christ.” What this
means is to nurture, equip and
empower God’s people to be involved
in
the
works
of
ministry.
Worshippers are not only to attend
worship services only but be involved
in ministering unto the Lord (1 Samuel
3:1) within the church’s ministries and
outside in the marketplace. The
launching of Alpha is the first of
oncoming ministry assignment by the
Lord to LMCP. We must begin by
having a heart for the lost and to those
who are perishing without the gospel.
Our
foundation
classes
and
Discipleship Classes challenged our
worshippers to take another step to be
equipped for this task of being prepared
for ministry. It is heartwarming to see
so many studying God’s Word in
various classes. Yet, there is room for
more classes to be conducted! We
praise the Lord that in the course of this
year, so many came forward to minister
unto the Lord in various programmes.
Our mission teams in Myanmar and
amongst the Sengois are only a
foretaste of the many more good works
(Eph. 2:10) that God has prepared for
us to do in advance. The ultimate
challenge for us as God’s people in
LMCP is every person a minister
unto the Lord. Let me conclude by
thanking each one of you for readily
availing yourself to the Lord and giving
yourself wholeheartedly to the Lord’s
minister. Surely God has been in the
midst of us and has worked through
you. Let us continue take our position in
God’s House and do the work that He
has entrusted to us (Neh. 4:13). If God
is present and is at work, there can be
no greater thing that we can do besides
this. Praise the Lord for His grace and
mercy. His love endures forever!
21 & 23, Jalan DU 2/4
Taman Damai Utama
47180 Puchong, Selangor
Phone:
H/P:
(03) 8071 1797
(012) 618 3422
E-Mail:
[email protected]
Web Site:
www.lifemethodist.org
Our CORE Values
Love
Mercy
Commitment
Prayer
Page 8
The Pastor & Leaders of LMCP would like to
wish you a very Blessed
Christmas
and a Happy and Joyful New
Year blessed by the LORD.
Christmas 2011 ● Volume 1 ● The LIFEtimes ● LMCP