Adventist
Crossroads
October - December 2001
Worldwide
Health Awareness Week
Yen Ang, Coordinator
Health Ministry
The
Adventist Big Walk & Jog is one mission-wide activity that is non-religious
and social in nature. It brings together members from the seven congregations
with many other non-Adventists participants. Last year’s event
was the first ever in the history of the Adventist Church in Singappore.
Encouraged by the positive response, the SAM Health Ministry started
planning for this year’s event months ahead to ensure another
success.
Coinciding with the annual Worldwide Health Awareness Week that was
designated by the General Conference, this year’s Walk & Jog
was held on October 14 at the Marina City Park, a beautiful and serene
retreat beside the Singapore River.
The event was intended to be more than just an occasion to exercise
together. It was an opportune time to show solidarity and support by
raising fund for two of our congregations in their church building projects.Thus
a Charity Run category was included and required a fee of $100.00 for
each participant. Church members gamely sponsored participants for this
category. The church represented by the overall winner got to keep the
challenge trophy for a year. Other collections were also channelled
to the same projects.
A million thanks to members of the organizing committee who worked very
hard to promote the event in their respective churches, and got sponsors
for the events:
Balestier Church : John Cheang
Chuan Hoe Church : Janie Foo
Dunman Church : Sian Goh
Jurong East Chinese Church : Lim Meng Cheah
Jurong English Church : Elsie Chan
Seventh-day Adventist Community Church : Ho Swee Huat, Albert Seah
Singapore Chinese Church : Ivan Wee, Yen Ang
Also a special thanks to Crocodile International, our strong supporter
for the event last year and this year. It donated 600 T-shirts as well
as the top three prizes for the Charity Run.
Great
Reunion Foretaste
Cherry Zhuang, Dunman Church
The
days of leaking roofs in the dining area and flooded grounds on rainy
days will soon be over. No more cracked and uneven sinking floor or
termite infested doors, too. A new structure will replace the 47- year-old
Dunman Road Church. Though we look forward to the new building, our
hearts still yearn over the fond memories of yesteryears that this church
has given us. These will remain etched in our minds.
On the Sabbath of September 29 the last worship service was held. A
home-coming program was organized to mark this occasion. Personal invitations
and phone calls were made to former members we have not seen for years.
A sumptious potluck that followed provided just the right atmosphere
to renew acquaintances with the former members and make new friends
with the numerous visitors that came.
Members enjoyed a 30-minute video depicting our colorful past. While
many were nostalgic for the good old days, others were entertained as
evident from the laughter and giggles as we recalled the fun times we
had together. Ninety-year-old Elder Samuel Hutapea, one of our pioneer
members, added further nostalgia with his vivid description of the Dunman
Church of his days.
The children and youth also had their share of fun when they distributed
bread to the people in the immediate neighbourhood. At the same time
they informed the people of the renovation that would soon take place
and sought their patience and understanding.
The day’s event was capped by an evening of fun and games. Everyone,
old and young participated enthusiastically. The heart-warming one-day
affair was a foretaste, albeit incomparable, of what the great reunion
in heaven will be like. The name “Maranatha” reminds us
that Jesus is coming very soon and we want to prepare a people ready
for that Great Reunion!
50th
Golden Anniversary
Chan Shee Wei, Pastor, Balestier Churc
Balestier
Road Seventh-day Adventist Church began its first worship service on
November 3, 1951. It was bought from the Assemblies of God at the price
of US$29,000.00. Its first
pastor was H. W. Peterson.
On November 3, 2001, we celebrated the golden anniversary with a photo
exhibition in the church foyer. Singing to the tune of “To God
be the Glory,” we marched into the sanctuary and signalled the
start of the worship service at 10:30 a.m.
Musical presentations from soloist, trio ensemble, and the choir enthralled
the worshippers. Chan Shee Wai, the church pastor preached on the 2nd
Coming of Jesus.
The lunch fellowship that followed provided more than enough food for
everyone.
The celebrations culminated with a dinner at the Copthorne Orchid Hotel
where we met friends from overseas, and others we have not seen for
many years. Presentation of music and songs peculiar to the 50s, 60s,
70s, 80s and the 90s entertained the diners. Souvenir bookmarks and
Bibles were given to add special remembrance to the occasion.
For 50 precious years,
50 times we hear the birth of Jesus
50 times four we proclaim the Lord’s death, the Desire of Ages
50 times 52 we keep the Sabbath holy
50 times many we preach the advent boldly.
50 times occasionally the devil tempt us in private
50 times daily we commune with God in secret
50 times 60 His promises keep us from falling
50 times on November 3, we hear God’s voice calling . . .
“Faithful ones! Hold fast till I come.
Indeed, we are blessed by God for 50 years, yet we are sobered by the
fact that we need to do more to hasten the coming of our Lord.