Dear BPCWA worshipper, One of the first programs of every year is our Holiday Bible Program. Worshippers should read this pastoral because it is a theme that must concern us all. While this was conducted for our Holiday Bible Program, it is a message for all. This year, the theme was “Gripped by the Love of Christ” from “For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead” (2 Cor 5:14) and was conducted from 3-5 January this year. This program is planned and run separately from our Sunday School program which many of us are familiar with. The theme for the program every year is prayerfully chosen to
Read moreDear BPCWA worshipper, Today is the first day of the Lunar New Year. For those who celebrate this festival, it is a time of family togetherness. Last night would have been marked by the family coming together for the traditional New Year’s Eve reunion dinner for the family unit. For some who are alone and here away from their immediate families in another country, it may bring a tinge of homesickness to be away at this time. But as Christians, let us remember another family which we have – our family in Christ. Before the great reunion feast in heaven, there must be a union in our Christian family that will show God and Christ to the world. “I in
Read moreDear BPCWA worshipper, Lights make such a difference to an area. A recent initiative around Applecross was to light up the trees with fairy lights. Many also light up their houses and gardens with lights, making them stand out among the typically dark neighbourhood. With these physical lights, the ambience instantly changes. But as we typically enjoy looking at these lights, are we reminded also that we are to be spiritual lights in a world of darkness? Our Lord used the city lights, which travellers looked toward, to be an object lesson to teach his disciples this lesson, “Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.” (Mt 5:14). However, our
Read moreDear BPCWA worshipper, As announced, this year’s church theme is on prayer. While we say that there is power in prayer, we also know that not every prayer immediately receives the answer prayed for. Why do we not receive some answers to our prayers even if what we asked for is in line with God’s preceptive will? For example, it can be because it is not God’s timing. But it could also be that God expects us to be importunate. This is taught in Matthew 15:22–28 (describing a mother whose daughter was vexed with a devil), Luke 11:5-10 (where a person requests 3 loaves of bread from a friend who has turned in to bed) and 18:1-8 (where a widow
Read moreDear BPCWA worshipper, I’m sure I will not be an exception when I say “another year has passed so quickly!”. Like the majority of you, I will now have to get used to writing 2023 instead of 2022. Without argument, time is one of the most precious resource that God has given to us. Time marks our life. Our life span is marked by the day that we are born and ends on the day we die. The period between these two dates is the available time that we have. Time and tide wait for no man. A minute that has passed is gone forever. If so, then we certainly must make use of this limited time in the best
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