LBC Fellowship & Activities
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LBC 4TH FILIPINO ANNIVERSARY 2011
BY JAKESON QUIATCHON
Like any other church, Lighthouse Baptist Church Filipino Ministry (LBCFM) prays and aims to win a great number of believers and followers to Christ Jesus under the leadership of Pastor Nap Cajipe. The theme for our anniversary was “Go forth…bearing precious seed. Psalms 126:6”. On 10 July 2011, LBCFM celebrated our 4th Anniversary with 18 first time visitors and a total of 87 in attendance including some brethren from the morning service. This has largely been the fruits of soul-winning at Kovan and personal invitation of friends. The ushers Sis Euell and Sis Naomi cordially welcomed everyone by giving them a simple token of remembrance. Our scheduled greeters were the Gimenez and Ladaw families who attended to visitors and other members. We were very blessed with the presence of Pastor Selva and Sis Mary and their unending support and prayers throughout the said event.
The service started exactly at 2:30pm. The Prelude was played by our talented Bro Mervin followed by the opening prayer by Ptr. Nap. Bro Dhon assisted with the welcome song and the LBC song after we had recognized the visitors in the midst of the congregation. Bro Ian led the 1st half of the praises and hymns namely “I Sing the Mighty Power of God” and “A Mighty Fortress is our God”. The Junior and Children’s choirs under Sis Jennifer and Sis Catherine guidance presented a song followed by a testimony by Sis Bernardita. It was very uplifting and edifying to listen to the testimony. The LBCFM Choir worshipped God through offering their song entitled “I shall know Him”. It was a blessing to hear that many liked the words and how they sung. It is a manifestation of the fact that the Holy Spirit intervened into the hearts of everyone who heard it. Also, it was an added joy to be a channel of blessings through the gift of singing. Bro Richard completed the other half of praises with the next 2 songs, “The Call for Reapers” and “Thanks to God”. Bro Mervin testified that he has been tremendously transformed by God from his old life and ways. Many I am sure were surprised to learn that change is a slow process…which will be simpler if we let God do it for us. This was followed by the offertory prayer by Bro Rodel before we received the genuine food for our souls.
LBCFM was privileged to listen to the man sent by God, Missionary Aaron Inventor as he effectively stood at the pulpit to enliven souls and to reach out to the people without the gospel. The preaching was taken from the book of Mark 3:3-5 & 14 as he explained and emphasized key pointers (a) Stand Forth, (b) Stretch Forth (c) Send Forth. We were challenged to “stand in our faith, stretch our hands to reach the people and send forth the gospel to those who do not have Christ in their heart.” We’re so revived as we look forward to making things better ahead of us, continuing to embrace the moments to serve Him and foreseeing the Heavenly reward that awaits us. This was shown when through his invitation a lot of those present pleaded with God and made brand new commitments at the altar. The Cake cutting was graced by Pastor Selva, Pastor Nap, Deacon Robert, and Deacon Bong.
This ceremony helped us to remember our past efforts as we look forward to claiming a more bountiful harvest on our journey as a church. We look forward to peace, joy, and wisdom in times of trials and may we be a house of blessing and a light in this life. Bro Mhike presented the movie clip of the past three years’ activities. It was great to see that each year there were new faces and souls ready to serve Him, contributing their God-given talents! A photo of all who were present was captured by Bro Mhike right after the service at the front of LBC.There was a catered dinner buffet and it was all Filipino cuisine. Deacon Bong said grace for the food and everyone then headed to the reception area. The set-up was skilfully organized by Bro Jay with the help of some LBCFM ladies, namely Sis Cyril, Sis Janet and Sis Ethness. The men assured the cleanliness and orderliness of the church after the event. The LBCFM 4th year Anniversary celebration was a resounding success. I also learned that “the most important thing is not always to be successful but to take part and know Him, just as the important thing in life is not always the triumph but the struggle; the essential thing is not to have conquered but to have fought well”.**********************************************************************************************
The Beauty of Bintan (LBC June retreat 2011)
Sis Lee Fen & Sis Dorothy
Appealing, casual and laidback, Bintan Agro Beach Resort boasts an atmosphere that makes for the perfect vacation, and indeed, with the finest hospitality and idyllic beach, we thank God for the rest that only He could give. “Whisper a Prayer” was our camp theme song and our theme verse was Psalms 5:3 “My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O Lord; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up”. Looking up, we saw tall coconut trees and the Creator behind it. We need to look up more often and wait patiently with expectation. There were twenty five of us, including ten from Lifegate Baptist Church. During devotion time, Pastor Selva shared the 3C’s through which we know God and His love - Creation, Conscience and the Cross. Pastor Eric assured us that we would not lose our way with the GPS - God, Prayer and Service. Sis Mary took the children in a separate Bible class. The hymns, led by Bro Weng Leong and Steven were great, sung with renewed adoration, praise and gratitude. Games led by Sidney and Zachry were refreshing – ‘two truths and one lie’ was our ice-breaker. There was the popular game “jump”, and then we had to guess some Bible characters and there were a couple of interesting Bible quizzes and a quiz on the island of Bintan itself! On the last day, we did some shopping in the capital, Tanjong Pinang. Walking is the best way to feel the pulse of the city. Be it a stop at the sidewalk café or a grocery shop at the corner, it was the best opportunity to soak up the local atmosphere and pen our observations. And now let’s hear from our youths…interviewed by our young and unassuming reporter, Dorothy.
“It was really fun! We get to know each other better through the games. I hope to have more such activities in the future and have longer retreats!” Joycelyn Choy“It was very fun. I got to make new friends. I even managed to learn how to swim! Best of all, the bed was really comfortable and I managed to have a good night’s rest”. Ow Shu En
“I find it really fun and relaxing and I managed to spend more time with God. The resort was good because there were no more cockroaches after the fumigation” Zachr’y Ng
“It was fun, and interesting how we found things to do. It was tiring too, as we did many sorts of activities like kayaking and swimming for three hours” Rena Ng
“I had a great time with my family and friends including members from Lifegate. It was fun and relaxing too.” Sidney Yong
And from our newly-weds, Mr and Mrs Steven Tan,“Nice scenery, good interaction, great food, inspiring devotion, wonderful games, beautiful beach, relaxing spa.”
Well, that more or less sums up everything and we thank sister Wee Lin, the Pastors and members who co-ordinated the activities to make this a well-organized retreat.
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LBC Revival Service 2011By Pastor N.A. Cajipe22 to 24 July 2011
Speaker: Dr. W.L. Smith 1st day
On Friday 22nd of July 2011 the service started at exactly 7:30 PM. The programme included some members presenting special songs and we also had congregational singing. The highlight of the program was the message. Dr. W.L. Smith preached a sermon taken from the book of Romans Chapter 8 verses 1-2 and 35-39. The title of the message was “Life in Christ Jesus”. He talked about the condition of men, both without Jesus and with Jesus in their hearts. Romans 8:1 "There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus." Romans 8:35 "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?” Now you can ask yourself whether you are in Christ or outside Christ? The love of Christ should flow through us to others if we are in Christ. You cannot practice godliness in life if you are outside of Christ Jesus. 2nd day
On Saturday 23rd of July 2011 the service started at 3:00 PM. The topic was taken from the book of Mark 6:34 to 44 – ‘Serving God’. We must be broken to allow God to use us. The young lad placed his five loaves and two fishes in Jesus' hands and they were broken and multiplied so much that there were leftovers! We must place ourselves in Jesus’ hand to allow Him to break us and use us.
3 Questions that we can use to rate our Christian Life
1. Can God teach you without resistance from you? If we don't have brokenness it is very difficult to answer this question. We must be broken before God can use us for His purpose.
2. Can God call me without my objection? When God called Moses he had all the reasons why he didn’t want to follow and obey God. God needed to break Moses until he had no objections before God. How about you?
3. Can God place you without your refusal? Jonah had been placed in the land of Nineveh but he refused at first because he hated the Ninevites. God broke Jonah in the belly of the big fish. Now to what extent can your ways, your life, your ideas, and your obedience be brought into brokenness? Jesus Christ is the great example of brokenness. He went to the cross and was broken for you and for me. He said “It is finished” 3rd day
On Sunday 24th of July 2011 the service started at 10:30 AM. Both Singaporean and Filipino brethren had choir presentations and even the youth presented a song. The message was taken from the book of Proverbs 25:25 As cold water is to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.
Romans 10:13-17 – “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God”.
· When we talk about good news from God, it is always comes from hearing. Now I tell you my brethren that if we do not proclaim the good news, it can never be good news anymore.
Only when we preach it and proclaim the good news will it be good news.
· News can bring to the hearers 2 things - joy or sadness
· In Acts 5:29-33, the news brought sadness. They felt angry…it brought fury…..
· Now we are going to talk about Good News….
I. Today’s News – Luke 19:5-6 The Lord Jesus Christ invited Zacchaeus, to make haste, and come down; ‘for to day I must abide at thy house’. So we need to decide whether we want to respond to the call of the Lord or to ignore His invitation. And that is today’s news. He is inviting you to draw nigh unto Him.
II. Eternity News – John 14:1-3 God wants you to know that He gives you eternal life. This is eternity in Heaven. This was written for you to know that He is giving the free gift of eternity. That is the good news from God. And all this is absolutely true, accurate and dependable.
III. Bad News – Romans 3:13,23 This news is pretty bad for you who are striving for righteousness because God said that all your righteousness is like filthy rags. As a sinner you can never do anything good in the eyes of the Lord. Your un-repentance will lead you to perish eternally.
Luke 13:3. Repentance is confessing and forgetting your sin and turning from your sin to Christ.
IV. Wonderful/Great News – Romans 5:8 the news was a blessing. It will give hope to the sinner because somebody is coming to save him and that is none other than the Lord Jesus Christ. God loves sinners like you and me. He commended his love toward us even while we were yet sinners.
• Now we hear that somebody has paid for your sin and all you have to do is to believe in Him and you will be saved.
· To my beloved brethren - this news is nothing if we are not willing to spread this news.
Would you like to be a messenger of God? Then start today. Spread His word so that those people who do not have the assurance of salvation may come to the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ who gave His life as a ransom for you and me so that we can be saved.
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Romans 10:13-17 – “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God”.
Only when we preach it and proclaim the good news will it be good news.
II. Eternity News – John 14:1-3 God wants you to know that He gives you eternal life. This is eternity in Heaven. This was written for you to know that He is giving the free gift of eternity. That is the good news from God. And all this is absolutely true, accurate and dependable.
III. Bad News – Romans 3:13,23 This news is pretty bad for you who are striving for righteousness because God said that all your righteousness is like filthy rags. As a sinner you can never do anything good in the eyes of the Lord. Your un-repentance will lead you to perish eternally.
Luke 13:3. Repentance is confessing and forgetting your sin and turning from your sin to Christ.
IV. Wonderful/Great News – Romans 5:8 the news was a blessing. It will give hope to the sinner because somebody is coming to save him and that is none other than the Lord Jesus Christ. God loves sinners like you and me. He commended his love toward us even while we were yet sinners.
• Now we hear that somebody has paid for your sin and all you have to do is to believe in Him and you will be saved.
Would you like to be a messenger of God? Then start today. Spread His word so that those people who do not have the assurance of salvation may come to the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ who gave His life as a ransom for you and me so that we can be saved.