St James' Church

I will like to take this opportunity, as the parish gathers together for the Confirmation Service, to thank all who have supported and served in the Building project. Much has been accomplished since the fund-raising started in April. We are amazed at His faithfulness. There is still on-going work in the design and detail use of the various facilities. Pray for insight and wisdom as we do our best to envisage what life, worship and ministry will be like in the new building.
The new facilities also give a fresh opportunity for our congregations to work even closer together. The last Fund-raising Carnival and today’s combined service are the various steps we are taking to encourage this.
Concurrent with this, we have started the process of praying, sharing and working out our 5-year Vision. The first half will involve ‘assembling’ (ekklesia) at Harding Road. The last half involves our faith for growth in the new facilities. Many questions are being explored, i.e. the number and nature of our Services, our faith expectation of their growth numerically, the nature and strength of our Cells and other small discipleship groups, the need for new leaders, the possibility of renewing our efforts at reaching out to the nearby HV community, renewing the way we run our Alpha Courses etc. Our next meeting is on 24th Sat of this month.
This 5-year vision process is also being worked out in tandem with the diocesan Parish Life Review Project. We are finding it helpful to read and reflect on the various papers. We are also praying that the Diocese will develop various ministries or programmes to strengthen the growth of each parish and provide further ministry opportunities which are best done by parishes cooperating together. This is a natural expression of being part of a wider fellowship (‘connectional’) of churches.
The Kindergarten continues to grow and is building a new block to house more pre-nursery classes for 2008. Pas Richard and team are working hard on this (and probably forgoing their end-year vacation/leave) and I ask for your prayers for them.
Pas Andrew Yap will be ordained this evening. This is significant and it has been a long time since the last offer of an ordination from a parish. Please pray for him and his wife, Diana.
In the midst of all this, let us not forget that we are celebrating our 30th Anniversary. We are to ‘ascribe greatness to the Lord.’ More than just running events, it calls for an intentional attitude of reflection, counting one’s blessings and pausing to acknowledge what the Lord has done through this parish community.  In our (endless) pursue of growth and ‘improving’, we need to remind ourselves what the Church is all about and what her work involves. We need to grow our concern for His glory and faith in His presence and on-going work amongst us.
We are preparing the commemorative magazine and it has been interesting to read of ‘those who have gone before us.’ We are indeed standing on the shoulders of some past servants of the Lord who were faithful in their generation. Lets us be found faithful in ours.