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Jesus, the Light of the World

“The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone. For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:2, 6)

This year, as one Church, we took a step forward in faith in preparation for Christmas. Early in the year, Kim Meng proposed the idea of praying for 100 guests for our Christmas service. A notice board was put up outside the annexe where members could indicate the number of guests they had invited so far. This was a way to encourage members to look out for those within their sphere of influence who need to hear the gospel, and commit these names to God. Throughout the months leading up to Christmas, there were frequent reminders to keep praying and putting our trust in God to bring people to our Christmas service.

A 40-odd Christmas choir was formed weeks in advance to start practising for the songs to be sung at Christmas. From November up till mid-December, the Sunday Discipleship Seminars (SDS) team held three sessions on “Sharing the Gospel of Jesus”, and the Seekers Team held two sessions on “Sharing the Gospel â€" Faithfully, Lovingly and Clearly with Seekers”. These helped to prepare the members for inviting guests to our Christmas service and following up with them after. A special card to invite guests to the Christmas service was also created by Kiyoko and Gloria, and there was also a special collection of offerings for the Christmas lunch. By the time Christmas came around, it seemed that the Church as a whole was well-prepared to receive her guests on Christmas day.

Notice boardchristmas postcard frontGwee Lan flowers

L-R: Notice board outside the annexe, GBC Christmas invitation card, Gwee Lan working hard to decorate the stage

DSC_2774.JPGChristmas proved to be a day of faith for Grace Baptist Church. On Christmas day, 725 people (both guests and members) showed up in total! Each guest that came was someone whom we had prayed for to come. The stage was beautifully decorated by Gwee Lan with poinsettia floral bouquets and the choir sat colourfully poised on stage. After a Christmas message by Pastor Arnold, Pastor Bobby opened the service with a word of prayer. The hearts of the congregation were pointed to the Christ of Christmas as the choir sang a solemn “O Come, O Come Emmanuel”. 

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Video clips

Two videos from “The Jesus Storybook Bible” - 'He's Here' and 'Light of the World' were played throughout the service, interspersed with worship songs of response, appropriately chosen to expand upon the Gospel story.

 

Yiling and JohnLater in the service, Yi Ling, from a non-Christian background, and John, born into a Christian family, both shared about their individual struggles in coming to accept Christ as their personal Saviour and Lord. It seemed that the lyrics of the songs that were earnestly sung weaved well with the Gospel that was shared through the video clips, and the honest sharing by Yi Ling and John about what God means to them testified to the transformative power of the Gospel in real human lives.

DSC_2889 lomoFor the children, after watching and hearing the Gospel through the vivid illustrations of “The Jesus Storybook Bible”, they then learnt more about the person of Jesus through Lydia’s storytelling of a rabbit that likes Christmas candy.

 

DSC_2862a.JPGRev Dr Rick Griffith was invited to be a guest speaker at this year’s Christmas service. He lectures at the Singapore Bible College and used to attend Grace Baptist Church about 10 years ago. During the Christmas service, he used the text of John 1:9-13 to show us two ways in which Jesus is unique.

1. Jesus is the Light that can bring us out of the darkness of the world that we live in.
2. Receiving Jesus brings us into God’s family.

“The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.” (John 1:9-13)

As a song of response, we sang “There is a Higher Throne” by Kristyn Getty, proclaiming proudly our faith in Christ.

Before the Son we'll stand,
Made faultless through the Lamb;
Believing hearts find promised grace;
Salvation comes.

After the service, the church and her guests gathered downstairs for fellowship over a lunch buffet. The hospitality of the church displayed itself through warm smiles and handshakes, friendly greetings, and the willingness of church members to serve our guests during the Christmas lunch, e.g. by filling up cups of fruit punch to go around.

Christmas, recognised by non-believers as a season of love and giving, can only be so when it honours the true gift of Christmas â€" Jesus Christ. And a wonderful Christmas service is one that has been entrusted into the mighty hands of God to bring together people of all demographics as one Church family, using their spiritual gifts to serve one another, and the prayed-for guests, in love.

Blessed Christmas!

Christmas lunch