1 December 2019 First Sunday in Advent

HIGHLIGHTS AT FAITH |

Welcome To Faith!

ACTIVITIES 1. Acts 1:8 Medical Mission Trip (Surabaya) Dates: 7—10 February 2020 Looking for opportunities to minister to the marginalized? Join us on our medical mission trip to Surabaya from 7 to 10 February—both medical and non-medical volunteers needed! We will be working with our local partners there to reach out to the students of a local school and children’s homes, and the community around the school and homes. Come be a channel of blessings as we seek to minister both physically and spiritually to the community! To register your interest, email Jimaia at jimaiawong@faithmc.sg by 8 December.

1

2. Acts 1:8 Missions Resource Team We praise God that the Lord has expanded and broadened our missions work in the various fields! As we move into our One Mission focus, the Missions Ministry's vision is to continue to deepen our ministries in these fields, especially in the area of community development. We are looking for educators, medically-trained professionals, and trainers to be part of our Acts 1:8 Missions Resource Team! If you are a teacher (current or retired), are medically-trained, or are a trainer with life skills or a marketplace specialty, and have the heart to reach out to the marginalized, you are who we are looking for! Be part of our team and be kept updated of opportunities to serve in our mission fields with your expertise and skills! To join, email Jimaia at jimaiawong@faithmc.sg.

Today is the

First Sunday in Advent!

“Advent” is derived from the Latin word “adventus”, which means

“coming”. The season proclaims the coming of Christ—whose birth we

prepare to celebrate once again, who comes continually in Word and Spirit, and whose return in final victory we

anticipate. Each year, Advent calls the community of faith to prepare for

these comings; historically, the season was marked by fasts for preparation.

The liturgical colour for this season is purple, symbolising penitence and

preparation.

HIGHLIGHTS AT FAITH | 2

3. WIS7 Overview Class: Book Of Acts Sat, 28 Dec, 9.30-11.30am, Charis Hall (L4) SGLs, ALs, and facilitators of FaithWalk Sermon Discussions are strongly encouraged to attend as it will give you a better understanding of the Book of Acts, enabling you to handle group discussions effectively. To ensure sufficient materials, register via your Small Group Leader by 23 December to seesuming@faithmc.sg. 4. Christmas@Faith 2019 i) Carols By Candlelight Tue, 24 Dec, 7.30-9pm, Sanctuary (L1) & Worship Hall (L4) Spend Christmas Eve this year with your Faith church family as we sing Christmas carols by candlelight! There'll also be a pageant put up by our ONE JAM Children's Ministry titled "The Christmas Puzzle", when we'll learn about the "missing piece" in the story of the First Christmas! Each child will also receive a special goodie bag. Join us as we celebrate the Christmas season as a Faith church family, and rejoice in our Father's love and gift of His Son, Jesus to us! ii) One Family Christmas Service Wed, 25 Dec, 11am, Sanctuary (L1) & Worship Hall (L4) Join us at 11am to celebrate Christmas as a Faith church family! The service will also be streamed live on our Facebook page (@FaithMethodistChurch). Simultaneous Mandarin Service will be held at Charis Hall (L4). All children are also encouraged to join the main service as there will be no children's programme.

5. Indonesian Ministry Christmas Celebration: My Christmas Gift Sun, 8 Dec, 1.30-5pm, Charis Hall (L4) Faith's Indonesian Ministry invites all Indonesians to join their Christmas Celebration, themed "My Christmas Gift"! Invite your Indonesian friends or domestic helper to share in the joy this Christmas season! An afternoon tea reception will be provided. To facilitate our catering and logistics, please register with Juliana Punusingon (8287-3271) or Elizabeth (9090-9071). 6. Cancer Support Group —Upcoming Gathering Sat, 14 Dec, 10am-12pm, Kairos 1 (L4) Faith's Cancer Support Group invites all who are going through or have gone through cancer to join us for a session of mutual support, prayer, and fellowship. Our next meeting is on 14 December. For current cancer patients, we understand how difficult it is. But it’s also a burden that doesn’t need to be carried alone, for “a burden shared is a burden halved” (T.A. Webb). For those who have already gone through this cancer journey, we encourage you to come and help someone else currently experiencing it. For more information, please contact Carl Tan at carl.tankh@gmail.com or 9663-1470. “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.” –2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (ESV)

HIGHLIGHTS AT FAITH |

7. An Advent With The ACJC Alumni Choir Sun, 8 Dec, 5pm, SOTA Concert Hall (1 Zubir Said Drive S227968) The ACJC Alumni Choir would like to warmly welcome you to their annual concert, "An Advent with the ACJC Alumni Choir"! Since 2008, the ACJC Alumni Choir has held their annual Advent concert consisting of a full programme of seasonal music across a wide range of styles. Their repertoire this year comprises no less, with an eclectic selection of sacred and secular music, including the world premiere of Cradle Song composed by Bob Chilcott. Tickets are priced at $25 each (excluding booking fees) and are available at tinyurl.com/acjcalumniadvent2019. The Choir greatly looks forward to seeing you there and sharing in the Christmas joy with you! 8. TRAC Seniors Ministry Christmas Evangelistic Service—Register By Wednesday! Wed, 11 Dec, 2.30-4.30pm, Worship Hall (L4) Invite a friend to attend the TRAC Seniors Ministry Christmas Evangelistic Service, and meet former Mediacorp Artist, Moses Lim who will be sharing his testimony of God at work in his faith journey! There will also be singing of Christmas carols, a ukelele performance, and line dancing. Join us to celebrate the Christmas season with the seniors of our TRAC churches! Register yourself and your guests by Wednesday, 4 December at the Info Counter, or with Peh Oon Thian (pehoonthian@faithmc.sg / 9231-4720). Registration costs $3/pax including refreshments.

3

9. Join Our Worship & Music Ministry! Can you hold a tune? Or perhaps have basic experience playing an instrument? Our Worship & Music Ministry is looking for singers and musicians to join us in administering God's presence through music. If you have been blessed with such talents, why not use them to bless the body of Christ? Sign up online at tiny.cc/worshipatfmc, or email worshipatfmc@gmail.com to find out more! Those interested in sound are also welcome to sign up. No experience required, just a pair of helping hands and a willingness to learn! 10. Opportunities To Serve & Discover Your Ministry Fit! Want to fulfil your destiny? Come and serve—we want YOU! Look through the various ministry opportunities available at faithmc.sg/serve, or pick up a brochure at the Info Counter. Training will be provided! If you're unsure which ministry could be a good fit for you, schedule a Discover Your S.H.A.P.E Class to find out! This class includes a self-assessment to discover your S.H.A.P.E (Spiritual Gifts, Heart, Abilities, Personality & Experience) to enable you to serve at your best potential. It also explores the biblical and theological foundation of stewardship, spiritual gifts, as well as serving in ministry in our church, community and the regions beyond. Discover Your S.H.A.P.E can be scheduled at a time most convenient for you, and can be taken as a Small Group or by individuals. To schedule a class or find out more, email godivaysip@faithmc.sg!

HIGHLIGHTS AT FAITH |

ANNOUNCEMENTS 1. Today’s Second Offering: Trinity Theological College Trinity Theological College (TTC) serves all Christian churches and denominations by educating and equipping Christian leaders across Asia for the manifold ministries of the Church. The Methodist Church in Singapore is vitally and significantly committed in partnership with TTC. For more information, please visit the TTC website at ttc.edu.sg. 2. Word In Season 7—Collect Your Materials On 15 December! Collect your pre-ordered bilingual Journals and Bible Reading Plans on Sunday, 15 December! Collection will be via your Small Group Leaders (for those in SGs), or at the collection points after the service which you indicated during pre-order (for those not in SGs only). For SG orders, only SGLs or their assigned representative will be able to collect the materials on behalf of the group. Collection Points: 8am Service—CW Pantry (L1) 9am Service—L4 Lift Lobby 10.30am Service—ACJC Candeck 11am Service—L4 Lift Lobby The Word In Season app is also available on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store, with an update for WIS7 readings to be released by 15 December. PDF copies of the Journal and Bible Reading Plan as well as the password for download will also be available at faithmc.sg from 15 December. 3. No Fellowship Meals Today Please be informed that there are no Fellowship Meals in June and December, including today, 1 December. Fellowship Meals will resume in 2020.

4. Attic Library Feature: Christmas Experience the joy of this Christmas season with music CDs featuring Christmas favourites like Joy To The World, O Come All Ye Faithful, Mary’s Boy Child, and many more in both traditional and contemporary styles! Also discover the true meaning of Christmas in books by Christian authors such as Max Lucado, who share the "Christ" in Christmas. Available now at the Attic Library! Attic Library Locations & Hours CW: Attic Level, All Sundays, 9am—1pm L4 Lift Lobby, All Sundays, 10am—1pm ACJC: Candeck, All Sundays, 11.30am—12.30pm 5. The Cradle Ministry The Cradle Ministry at Faith seeks to minister to expectant mothers as we recognize that the anticipation of a new baby is a crucial transition in any family. It has brought much love, comfort, and joy to many expectant mothers in our Faith church family, to have our volunteers walking alongside them in prayer, visits, encouragement, and support. If you are an expectant mother, contact Evelyn Tan (evelyntke@yahoo.com.sg / 9231-2442) or Rosie Lee (9650-6196 / bkcglee@gmail.com) to request for someone to journey alongside you! If you would like more information, please feel free to contact them as well. 6. TRAC Sister Church Anniversary Agape Methodist Church celebrates her 14th Anniversary today, 1 December 2019. Join us in wishing our TRAC sister church a very blessed Anniversary!

4

HIGHLIGHTS AT FAITH |

7. Temporary Suspension Of 10.30am Service & 10.30am Children’s Programme (wef 23 December 2019—30 January 2020) Due to air-conditioning renovation works at the ACJC CPA on the above dates, our 10.30am Praise@AC Contemporary Service will be temporarily suspended during this period. The concurrent 10.30am SUN JAM children's programme will also be suspended accordingly. During this period, members from our 10.30am Service are invited to attend our 9am Service (Commonwealth), 10.15am Mandarin Service (ACJC), or 10.40am TTB Youth Service (ACJC) instead. SUN JAM children's programme is available at our 9am Service. Please note that there will be no TTB Youth Service on 29 December (Tacklecamp) and 5 January (Vision Sunday). Members will be notified once the renovation works are complete and will be informed of the resumption of the 10.30am Praise@AC Contemporary Service and 10.30am SUN JAM children's programme. There are no changes to our Mandarin and TTB Youth Services which will continue to run as usual at the other venues within ACJC. For enquiries, please contact our Church Office at 6471-9420 or mail@faithmc.sg. We appreciate your patience and understanding. 8. Floral Offerings From Soh Lan, in loving memory of her beloved husband, the late Rev Sunil Ambagaspitiya. From Alicia and family, in thanksgiving to God for healing, blessings, and answered prayers. From Tay S. H., in thanksgiving to the Lord for His love and healing. 5

9. Celebrations Our heartiest congratulations to Rev Anthony Phua and Serene Wong on the birth of their son, Asher Johannes Phua on 23 November 2019! Rev Anthony Phua is Assistant Pastor at Faith. 10. Condolences Our deepest condolences to Marlyn Tan Geok Lee and family on the demise of her mother, the late Mdm Long Jock Enn on 19 November 2019. Marlyn is a member of Faith. 11. Pastoral Team Movement Annual Leave 1—3 Dec: Dawn Lee 1—4 Dec: Rev Eddie Ho 1—11 Dec: Tammy Ang 2—6 Dec: Rev John Foo 2—7 Dec: Peh Oon Thian 3—4 Dec: Rev Raymond Fong 3—5 Dec: Gloria Wangsaputri, Janice Ong 12. Attendance 24 November 2019 Commonwealth Traditional (8am): 685 Contemporary (9am): 227 SUN JAM Kids (9am): 30 Contemporary (11am): 575 SUN JAM Kids (11am): 83 Filipino (1.30pm): 29 Indonesian (3.30pm): - ACJC Mandarin (10.15am): 161 Contemporary (10.30am): 279 SUN JAM Kids (10.30am): 102 TTB Youth (10.30am): 190 TOTAL: 2,361

HIGHLIGHTS AT FAITH | 6

~~~ DISCIPLE CLASSES 2020 ~~~

a) DISCIPLE 1 —Becoming Disciples Through Bible Study This is a 34-week study of the entire Bible with equal emphasis on the Old and New Testaments. The group meets once each week for a 2.5hr study and discussion session. Through this program, participants will learn to live as committed disciples. This study is the prerequisite for the other three DISCIPLE classes.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

b) DISCIPLE 2—Into The Word Into The World This is a 32-week in-depth study of Genesis, Exodus, Luke and Acts, building on the biblical knowledge gained from DISCIPLE 1 and deepening it by probing selected portions of Scripture. Two emphases throughout the study are Sabbath and Spiritual Disciplines. The aim of this study is to take what is learned in the study and put it to work in the world.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

c) DISCIPLE 3—Remember Who You Are This is a 32-week in-depth study of the Prophets and the Letters of Paul. It focuses on the connection between memory and identity as the people of God. Its themes are the call to remember; the call to repentance, the need for renewed vision, and the places of community. Each week, Marks of Obedient Community echo the demand of the Prophets and Paul to put God first. The study is further enhanced by a Context Portfolio containing timelines, maps and charts integral to the study.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

d) DISCIPLE 4—Under The Tree Of Life DISCIPLE 4—Under The Tree Of Life conveys the promise of finding shelter, security, and rest in God's love. In this 32-week study of Old Testament Writings, the Gospel of John, the Epistles of John, James, and Jude, and finally, Revelation, participants will see the entire process of living toward final completion of rest and reward.

Registration for DISCIPLE Classes 2020 is now open at faithmc.sg/disciple and the Info Counter till 8 January, with a course material fee of $30. Classes will commence with a

minimum of 12 participants. For enquiries, please email seesuming@faithmc.sg.

Orientation Meeting: Mon, 13 Jan, 7.30pm—9.30pm,

Charis Hall (L4)

Class Schedule: Mondays, 7.30pm—10pm, or

Wednesdays, 9.30am-12pm, or Fridays, 7.30pm—10pm

Orientation Meeting: Fri, 10 Jan, 7.30pm—9.30pm,

Charis Hall (L4)

Class Schedule: Mondays, 7.30pm—10pm, or

Wednesdays, 9.30am—12pm, or Fridays, 7.30pm—10pm

Orientation Meeting:

Mon, 6 Jan, 7.30pm—9.30pm, Charis Hall (L4)

Class Schedule:

Mondays, 7.30pm—10pm

Orientation Meeting: Fri, 17 Jan, 7.30pm—9.30pm,

Charis Hall (L4)

Class Schedule: Fridays, 7.30pm—10pm

HIGHLIGHTS AT FAITH | 7

Pastor-in-Charge Rev Raymond Fong raymondfong@faithmc.sg Pastors Rev John Benedict Foo johnfoo@faithmc.sg Rev Peter Koh peterkoh@faithmc.sg Assistant Pastors Rev Anthony Phua anthonyphua@faithmc.sg Rev Eddie Ho eddieho@faithmc.sg Director Mr Jason Goh (Operations & Admin) jasongoh@faithmc.sg Preacher Mr Yeh Thiam Pieng (Mandarin) yehthiampieng@faithmc.sg Managers Ms Glynisia Yeo (Communications) glynisiayeo@faithmc.sg Ms Rachael Sim (Finance) rachaelsim@faithmc.sg Mr Timothy Wong (Human Resource) timothywong@faithmc.sg

Pastoral Team Ms Chong Ming Li (Counselling) 64719414 (DID) chongmingli@faithmc.sg Ms Dawn Lee (Youth) dawnlee@faithmc.sg Ms Gloria Fumiyo Wangsaputri (Worship & Music) gloriawang@faithmc.sg Ms Godiva Ysip (Small Groups, Baptism / Membership) godivaysip@faithmc.sg Ms Janice Ong (Small Groups, Prayer) janiceong@faithmc.sg Mr Jeffrey Woo (Young Adults, Community Youth Family —on study leave) jeffreywoo@faithmc.sg Ms Jimaia Wong (Missions) jimaiawong@faithmc.sg Ms Jocelyn Choo (Witness & Evangelism) jocelynchoo@faithmc.sg Ms Ng Soh Lan (Small Groups, Prayer) ngsohlan@faithmc.sg Mr Peh Oon Thian (Hospitality, Prayer, Mandarin) pehoonthian@faithmc.sg

Mrs Pearly Sim (Children) pearlysim@faithmc.sg Ms Tammy Ang (Discipleship & Nurture) tammyang@faithmc.sg Ms Tenny Pang (Discipleship & Nurture) tennypang@faithmc.sg Senior Executive Ms May Chee (Finance) maychee@faithmc.sg Executive Ms Rachel Tham (Communications) racheltham@faithmc.sg

CONTACTS FOR CHURCH CONCERNS - PASTORAL TEAM

HIGHLIGHTS AT FAITH | 8

LCEC Chairperson Mr Lim Boh Chuan lcecbohchuan@faithmc.sg LCEC Vice-Chairperson Mr Khoo Tse Horng (Discipleship & Nurture) lcectsehorng@faithmc.sg Lay Leader Mr Liaw Chun Huan lcecchunhuan@faithmc.sg Associate Lay Leaders Ms Tan Lee Hia (Children) lcecleehia@faithmc.sg Dr Lee Wee Leong (FaithActs) lcecweeleong@faithmc.sg Mr Patrick Pang (Youth) lcecpatrick@faithmc.sg Finance Mrs Lok-Loey Lai Lin lceclailin@faithmc.sg Church Treasurer Ms Amy Kwok lcecamy@faithmc.sg Recording Secretary Mr Alvin Lua lcecalvin@faithmc.sg Assistant Secretaries Mrs Yeo-Lin Yiting lcecyiting@faithmc.sg Ms Winnie Png lcecwinnie@faithmc.sg Church Archivist Mr Edmund E lcecedmund@faithmc.sg Church Governance Mr Lee Gee Aik lcecgeeaik@faithmc.sg

Faith Kindergarten Mr Tan Chow Boon lcecchowboon@faithmc.sg Family Life Mrs Alison Lim-Ang lcecalison@faithmc.sg Hospitality Ms Tan Lee Hia lcecleehia@faithmc.sg Library/Communications/ Media Mrs Audrey Lim-Mok lcecaudrey@faithmc.sg Mandarin Mr Allan Poh lcecallan@faithmc.sg Missions Mr Chen Kah Min lceckahmin@faithmc.sg Outreach & Social Concerns Mr Jason Tan lcecjasontan@faithmc.sg PPRSC Mr Paul Ong lcecpaul@faithmc.sg Property Management Mr Albert Teng lcecalbertteng@faithmc.sg Small Groups Mrs Monica Leong-Tan lcecmonica@faithmc.sg SUN JAM Ms Lim Bee Choo lcecbeechoo@faithmc.sg Witness & Evangelism Mrs Christine Pan-Cheah lcecchristine@faithmc.sg Worship & Music Mrs Edna Bumanlag-Seah lcecedna@faithmc.sg

FaithActs Executive Director Ms Shirley Ng 63397611 (O) Faith Kindergarten Principal Mrs Elsie Yee 64795409 (O) Garden of Eternal Peace Columbarium Facilities Manager Mr Richard Kooi 64798122 (O)

CONTACTS FOR CHURCH CONCERNS - CHURCH LEADERS

WEEK AT A GLANCE ( DECEMBER 2019 )

Sun 1 Dec

Sun 8 Dec

No Fellowship Meals in December Indonesian Fellowship (3.30pm, L4 Koinonia Rooms) Filipino Fellowship (1.30pm, Children’s Chapel) Indonesian Ministry Christmas Celebration (1.30pm, L4 Charis Hall) An Advent with the ACJC Alumni Choir (5pm, SOTA Concert Hall)