Hi Church,

1. MANDARIN SERVICE
Date: 18 Jan Sunday mornings from 10am to 11am in Tweenies room.

2. SUNDAY SPECIAL AFTERNOON PRAYER MEETING
This prayer is open to ALL church members
Date: 4 Jan Sunday afternoon at 245pm church office.
As the new year dawns, we’ll like to consecrate all our plans/studies/work/relationships/businesses to Jesus. Don’t miss out on this opportunity.

3. SERVANTS SEMINARS 2009
Dates: 10 Jan or 17 Jan, Saturdays from 1030am to 230pm. Lunch is provided.
Ministry leaders and all who are serving in any capacity in church are expected to attend this seminar in preparation for our service in 2009 on either one of this Saturdays.

4. FISHERS OF MEN GATHERING, 7.30PM 16th JAN FRIDAY
We’ll be gathering to share, pray & support one another on all the plans that we feel the Lord is going to work through us in our personal lives. More details will be posted via your emails & sms. Venue to be confirmed. 

5. NO COMBINED PRAYER MEETING IN JAN
Please take note that there will be no churchwide prayer meeting at the end of January due to the Chinese New Year holidays.

6. X-SPORTIVO TRANFORMADOS
You are welcome to sign up for a series of games and a camp in June as a team. Register by 5 Jan, Monday at a fee of $30 per pax. More details can be found at www.sportszest.blogspot.com or via email to sportsforgod@hotmail.com.

God bless,
Mei Cheng

Because you got a double dose of trouble and more than your share of contempt, your inheritance in the land will be doubled and your joy go on forever. (Isaiah 61: 7 The Message)

I had my fair share of ups and downs in 2008. In fact, the bitter moments seemed to outnumber the sweet ones. Nevertheless, those good times I had are not to be discounted. The Lord had brought me through so much to shape me into a better person, a godly man. He works for the good of those who love Him. However, when God moves to shape His son and daughter to transform them from glory to glory, such an effort is always met with opposition from the devil.

Whether in good times or bad, Jesus is the sovereign Lord who uses every opportunity - our trials, our relationships, stories we hear - to mold us into His image. Satan does not want that to happen. Therefore he seeks to deny you the knowledge that God wants to give you. When in a trial, he makes you feel so much pain that the thought which God gives to you cannot be heard. When things go well for you, he makes you feel so full of yourself as if it were made possible by your own effort, not God’s help. The worse thing is that he coaxes you into thinking that everything must work to your advantage and comfort, or else, God must not be on your side.

One thing I’ve learnt is that is makes more sense to fill my mind with positive thoughts than allow myself to listen to the devil’s sinister voice. Jesus had overcome Satan when he died on the cross for us. He lives in the believers’ hearts today. Satan is powerless, and he will flee at the mention of Jesus’ name. When you feed your mind with positive thoughts, you will say things like, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Therefore I can be successful at work and even influence people, " or, "The Holy Spirit in me is greater than the old devil, so I can resist temptation even if it’s grown stronger." Then you will also hope for good things to happen and thus have faith - the substance of things being hoped for. With faith and good works, you will persevere towards successful results. You will get your dream job, be with a godly mate to serve God, touch lives, enjoy good health, and so on. Thoughts beget hope; hope begets faith; and faith begets results.

I am believing 2009 to be a year of promotion. There will be medical breakthroughs. People will move out of their hermit shells to be proactive to serve one another in their communities. Bible students will grow to be more passionate about Jesus and people. Many more will hear and receive the salvation message of Jesus Christ. Christians will conform to standards of holiness and stay relevant in this world, therefore shining as the light of this world. International workers will find a sense of belonging in the church and enjoy mutual support. Vile activitis will be put to an end. No longer will my peers and I be trapped in the defeated mentality as we plunge ourselves into the hope and glory of Jesus despite unpleasant situations. All these will happen if we remain faithful in believing what God has in store for us. He wants to double our lives and double our joy. He is bringing us to experience the statement, "I have made you the head, but not the tail."

It is no longer I, but Christ who lives in me. Great exploits will be done and victory will be reaped whether with a toothy grin or in agony on bended knees because Jesus, our God and Sovereign Lord, is working through every situation with us. Let us usher in 2009 with great expectancy of God’s movement in our lives and our community, and fight hard while holding on to this hope we have. Goodbye 2008 . . .hello 2009!

Hi Church,

1. THANKSGIVING NIGHT SERVICE

Date: 31 December from 6pm to 10 pm at Auditorium.
Food contributions can be set up at 6pm. Dinnertime is from 630pm to 730pm.

Thanksgiving Service commences with Praise & Worship at 730pm.

2. MANDARIN SERVICE
Date: 4 Jan & 18 Jan Sunday mornings from 10am to 11am in Tweenies room.

3. SUNDAY SPECIAL AFTERNOON PRAYER MEETING
Date: 4 Jan Sunday afternoon at 245pm church office.
Young adults are hosting this combined prayer meeting for 3 ministries.
All church saints are welcome to join in this prayer effort.

4. SERVANTS SEMINARS 2009
Dates: 10 Jan and 17 Jan Saturdays from 1030am to 230pm. Lunch is provided.
Ministry leaders and all who are serving in any capacity in church are expected to attend this seminar in preparation for our service in 2009 on either one of this Saturdays.

5. FISHERS OF MEN GATHERING
Please check your emails for details & updates on the gathering. More information will be given next week.

God bless,
Mei Cheng

Dear Saints,

Hope your loved ones and friends have enjoyed the little production which we have jointly put together.
Special thanks for the anchors and casts who have selflessly availed themselves for the task.

This coming 31st Dec we’ll be having our Thanksgiving Celebration for GOD’s goodness and faithfulness shown in our lives for the year of 2008 and beyond. It is also an opportunity for saints to come in unity and love to jointly usher the presence of GOD in 2009 through sharing of our testimonies, praise and worship. In the atmosphere of reverence and gratitude towards GOD, we are seeking saints who would like to share in the potbless that we traditionally have before service in the evening.

Please contact me via email at hockey@alivecommunity.net or reach me in the office at 6323 5393 to confirm the food item you will be blessing us with before 28th Dec, Sunday.

Thank you muchy!

With Christ’s LOve,
hOckey

Dear Jesus,

Christmas is a time of remembering that You came down to earth, forsaking all dignity of Your mighty throne in heaven, humbling Yourself in human flesh to deliver us from our selfish lifestyles. It is a time when I put all work aside to spend time in quiet communion with You. My heart is made glad when I hear traditional Christmas carols. Each of them carry a lingering sweetness about You. O, how I wish it was Christmas every day! Your presence is greater than any gift that people give and Your voice is more resounding than the bellowing laughter of Santa Claus. Your spirit is more real to me than reindeer driving a flying sleigh and Your touch is more soothing than a burning hearth amid a cold winter.

This Christmas, though speculated to be of pagan origins, is a time for me to dwell deeper into love with You. What better way to celebrate the birth of my Best Friend than to spend more time with You? It occurred to me that it doesn’t make sense to commemorate Your big day by busying myself with writing cards and giving presents to people and yet forget all about You. Never will I do that to my Friend! Indeed, the joy of being with You and celebrating with true, heartfelt worship with my fellow saints is sweeter than the hub bub of shopping malls decked with decorations and commercial items inspired by the captialist economy of this earthly abode.

The year is coming to an end, spelling the approaching closure of this chapter of my life in 2008. The pain and sorrow outweighed the happy moments, but they are nothing compared to the joy I find in You, even in the most agonising moments. As the beginning of 2009 draws nigh, I’m believing in You for double blessings, double the joy that You’ve given to me. Miracles will happen when I pray, not because of who I am, but because of who You are. More will come to know You and share in the blessed hope, not because of what I do, but because of what You do. You are the God who is well able to do anything. It is because of You that we get to enjoy this festive season. How much more joy I would expect in 2009, the year of breakthroughs and promotion!