It has been a exciting year of preparing to move back to new Leedon.
This has entailed work at various levels i.e. fund-raising, sorting out the various building matters, preparations of the various ministries and adjustments across the board. Many have helped in this period of transition and we can be grateful at how the whole parish community has risen to the occasion. Since moving back to Leedon in November of 2011, it has been a busy period of adjustment and getting use to the new facilities.
We are seeing more visitors on a weekly basis at all our Services. Some are walk-ins and the rest are invited by members of the church. This is a good sign though I will not say that we have gotten into a momentum in terms of inviting and reaching out to friends.
With the new facilities, there are now more ministry opportunities. We will continue to encourage initiative and ownership by the various ministries. As the Lord leads you, do remember that this is your church and use her facilities for Kingdom purposes as long as these are in alignment with SJC vision, values and priorities.
There are indeed many ministry possibilities in new Leedon. And it is not just about the new facilities but the sense of a new season and work of God. Society is changing and I sense we need to continue to pray and seek ways to be light and salt in ours.
More here >>Dear Members and Friends,
If you have not heard this from me yet, let me greet you: Christ is risen!
Let me start by thanking many who have helped organized the 24/7 prayer week. Many were blessed as we learn to pull away and spend time with the Lord.
We also experienced His presence in all our Holy Week Services. I am grateful to all who have put in creative effort to help the church to reflect on the Lord’s Passion and Resurrection.
Like St Paul, may we continue to press on “to know Christ..and the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings..” (Phil 3:19)
We have some exciting Services lined up for the rest of the Easter season in April.
We will also look forward to the Family Life Month with the theme, the Portrait of Grace. Our ‘portraits’ changes through each season. In one we are a baby or young child, held proudly by our beaming young parents. Years later, we all aged a little but grandpa and grandma, though wrinkled, are aging with grace and joy. And in later ones, some members of your family may disappear from the portraits altogether as they slip into eternity. By now, you are at the center of the portrait, holding the next generation in your arms.
These portraits of life changes with time. But each is a Portrait of Grace. Do we recognize the presence and work of God through the changing seasons and portraits of your life?
Do prepare your hearts and remember to invite a friend to our Services.
And when you go through difficulties, look to the risen Lord and recognize His presence.
And may His risen presence enrich you everyday of your life.
Christ is risen. He is risen indeed!
Pas Terry Wong
St James’ Church
12th April 2012
Monday 2nd April 7:30pm
Prayer Chapel Meditative Service (50 minutes): “The Cost of Worship”
Tuesday 3 April 7:30pm
Prayer Chapel Meditative Service (50 minutes): “The Cost of Sacrifice”
Wednesday 4 April 7:30pm
Prayer Chapel Meditative Service (50 minutes): “The Cost of Discipleship”
Maundy Thursday 5 April 7:30pm
@ Sanctuary 2, “The Cost of Servanthood”, Holy Communion Service with Foot washing & Stripping of the Altar & Tenebrae
Good Friday Service 6 April 10:30am
Sanctuary 1, "The Cost of the Cross” - Choral Service wiht Meditations
8 April 6:30am Easter Sunrise Holy Communion Service
@ Prayer Chapel, “He is Risen”, The Renewal of Baptism Vows, Breakfast is provided after Service
Combined Easter Celebration Service 8 April 10:30am
@ Sanctuary 1: “Overcome”, Lunch refreshments will be served after the Service
We have been using the building for almost five months now.
Some are hoping for more changes. Some are coping with new changes. The sanctuaries are a whole lot more modern. Space and design will invariably affect our experience of worship. Some now feel they can invite their friends with confidence. Others miss the rustic experience of worship at SJCK Harding (and I sometimes do!). There is also the experience of being in a confined space as opposed to this vast new one.
I don’t know which camp you belong to: the old or the new. But I will venture to say that we need both. And properly and positively speaking, to me, old is always in need of renewal. This category includes the use of liturgy (which is the most obvious), festivals, various ministries which have been with us for some time and so on.
More here >>