Thanksgiving Church Service

This morning is what we’ve spent the past 2 weeks planning, shopping, arranging, practicing, tracting for the 1st church service of Lighthouse BP!

Worship Leader P’Gade.


Thanksgiving and worship


Musicians!


Preaching of The Word

Who were at the Service…
Brother Nathaniel (Preacher/Pianists/Translator)
P’Gade (Worship Leader/Scripture Reading)
Koi (Guitarist, though the guitar did not work out eventually)
Ying (Offering)
Sister Patricia
John, Geoff, Christy
Nelson Lim, David Cher
Auntie Hwee Lee
Auntie Jeannie
Ruth and Ilona
Aruni, Gina and friend.
P’Ploy and her son Zack
Timothy Chen
P’Took and her daughter Aor
Apple, Apple’s Mum and sister

What a sizable number. Thank God for allowing the service to proceed smoothly. We had a time of thanksgiving as Auntie Jeannie, Nelson, Sis Pat, P’Gade and Auntie Hwee Lee gave thanks for 2006. Followed which, Brother Nathaniel gave a message on giving thanks to God at all times. In all things give thanks, for that is the will of God in Christ Jesus.

After the service, we had fellowship and lunch. Nice fruit cake from Mrs Heng. The lunch packets were very spicy though. Even P’Gade and Ying said it was too spicy.

We were really thankful that Apple’s mother and sister came. The sudden death of Apple’s father came as a mystery to us. I was not sure why would God take his life so suddenly and have it occur as we were planning to start the church. But God really did make all things work together for the good of those who love Him. If not for the funeral and our outpouring of love and concern for Apple, her mother would not have been touched and come for the church service. She even expressed a desire to want to come again next week. Praise God!
Michel was not able to make it for the service as he had to visit John(Gina’s dad had suffered a stroke and was in critical condition) in the hospital. Aruni also made a request that the church pray for Gina’s dad together, which we did.

Everything ended by about 2pm. Praise God for His mercies and blessings.

 

Laying out the church!

In the morning we headed out for the Elephant show and later the umbrella making factory with Auntie Hwee Lee, Auntie Jeannie, Koi and Ying. The elephant show was rather interesting, while Chiang Mai is famous for its traditional umbrella making industry.

Today, we started work with the linoleum and the floor. As Dr Henry(the owner of the place), is quite particular about the floor, we did not want any scratches from the chairs or tables. First, we had to move that heavy piano away before we could lay the lino. It was much easier to slide it out then it was to slide it back in late. So there we were measuring, cutting and finally taping the lino down with duct tape. Later it was rearranging the chairs and tables.

We also went through the songs for worship. Nice and simple ones, like Amazing Grace
The whole room looked a lot brighter with the lighter coloured linoleum wood grain pattern and it went well with the dark parquet flooring.

P’Ploy and Timothy also bought flowers for tomorrow. Sis Pat was arranging them for tomorrow. It’s exciting to see what will happen tomorrow for the 1st service. Who will come and what will happen.

 

Neighbourhood tracting

We’ve had new additions this morning! Thank God, Deaconess Hwee Lee and Auntie Jeannie have arrived safely in Chiang Mai. We had a good time of fellowship over lunch today at Central’s foodcourt.

Thereafter they returned to the hotel while we went off to start tracting the neighbourhood at 3pm. Many were rather receptive of the tracts we gave out today. Perhaps, because of the Christmas season that people are more receptive. We pray that the tracts given out will speak to the hearts of those reading them and perhaps bring them to church. Looks like we need to look into proper signs as some have mistaken our new church with Grace church which is nearby too. We walked into a sort of bakery cafe chain that is from Bang Kok during our prayer walk and the son of the owner of the chain cafe actually treated 5 of us to a meal of hot chocolate, milk and toast with kaya, chocolate and lemon jam! He was so friendly we were at a little lost. It turns out he and Bro Nat had children of the same age too. He even allowed us to give the tracts to his customers! And when Bro Nat mentioned that he was setting up a new church, he actually gave to the church! Praise God! So encouraged!

Please pray for him, he said he believed that there is a God, but his ic says buddhism as his religion. He is very open and I believe the Lord has spent time tilling this ground to be ready to recieve Him into his heart.

In the evening we went out for dinner with Aunt Hwee Lee and Aunt Jeannie with P’ Gade and Ying to black canyon and later we drove to the night bazaar where the vehicle and human traffic was really unlike anything in Singapore.

Continue to pray as the new church service is starting soon. Pray for wisdom and diligence for the people starting the church. And the Holy Spirit to open the hearts of the blind and lost to want to seek His light at Lighthouse BP.