St James' Church

In our effort to “love and change the world,” often we neglect to put sufficient effort to love and reach out to our neighbours next door. In the second greatest commandment, our Lord Jesus urged us to look across our shoulders: “to love our neighbours as ourselves.” Who may they be?

The first group must surely be those whom we can ‘eyeball” - our own family members, relatives and immediate neighbours. This may well be the most difficult challenge as it is not always easy to love those closest to us, especially if they are not part of our own immediate family.

Our neighbours also include the Chinese and bi-lingual congregations which share the premise with us. More than just “co-tenant”, we are a family in St James’ Church. Love starts by viewing them as family, not strangers. This coming special ‘3-corded strand” Camp provides an opportunity for us to grow this love. Whether it is in building our ministries, in meeting each other’s needs or planning for the new building facilities, we have ‘loved ourselves.” The challenge is to equally do so for each other across our congregations. Of course, such a move will also add strength to our ministry as a parish together, which augurs well for our future growth. Language and culture may differ in some ways but let’s build on what we do have in common- which is a whole lot more!

Of course, we do expect challenges. In ‘loving ourselves”, we don’t give up on ourselves easily though we face dissapointments or failures. We keep trying till the “self is well and loved.” We also need this robust attitude towards those closest to us. A disagreement need not put an end or be used to question the strength of this relationship. In fact, it is real friends who are able to confront, wrestle with difficulties and occasionally, quarrel! It is our love and mutual commitment which provides a robust foundation, going beyond superficial sentimentalities. 

This Camp also comes at a juncture and ‘crossroad’ moment of our parish life as we prepare to move out and worship elsewhere, allow the present site to be in ruins and we prepare it for her future. It is an exciting point in our history. May we at this Camp catch a ‘dream’ together of what He can do in and though us. A local church, yielded to the Lord, can be much for His glory, not just for one generation but for many to come.

An essential part of our 5-year vision includes a call to reach out to our neighbours in Holland Village and Buona Vista. There is a work under way to renew such efforts (some of us remember the wonderful experiences a few years back). Do pray for the team, currently led by Pas Henry.

This morning we welcome a few more into our family via water baptism. May each of them continue to grow in the Lord.