Giving thanks for the Holy Week that has passed
What a Holy Week it has been at SJC. I am grateful to everyone who have contributed to make it such a special week.
First, we are thankful to Pas Henry and Denise Tan yet again for organising the 24/7 prayer. It was a time to pull away to be with the Lord.
Then we have the Maundy Thursday's Tenebrae Service where we paused and remembered the night that He was betrayed. Good Friday was packed as usual. It was a worship event of word, music and dance. The worship and Choir team led the congregation in meditative and moving chorale music. Revd Mervyn Moore took us through 3 meditations till "it is finished."
We do not have a Saturday vigil events as do some other churches. Sunday started with the early Easter Sunrise Service. We had it at the carpark, surrounded by the beauty and sounds of nature. It was a unique experience to be gathered from darkness into light. Revd Hwa Chih led us through the Easter account from the Gospel of John.
Next, the whole parish gathered together at the Parish Easter Celebration and Lunch at Safra Jurong with the theme, "The New has Come." 90 over tables were taken up. Rev Huang Ao You spoke in mandarin and he was very ably interpreted by his daughter, Dorothy. Many were challenged to gather around the Lamb who was broken and risen for us. We also made another call for givings and pledges towards the building fund.
Lunch started later and Abp John Chew graced the occasion. Nicholas Chung and Carolin Tan emceed the events very well, laced with humor and anecdotes to help us to tune into the purpose of the event. Past fund-raising videos were shown and a new one was revealed, "Where every little bit counts." The auction of paintings by local artistes went well, fetching an amount which almost tripled the original costs. We are grateful to Seok Yam for donating and introducing those works.
The bids for special performances from clergy also raised some significant amount. More than 40k was raised to coax Rev Huang Ao You to sing his Hokkien song. By the time Abp John Chew went on stage to share two moving hymns, we have raised more than 100k just through these performances. The finale was an item sung by the Vicar and staff team. It was a funny but meaningful parody version of 'This is Home' sung in various languages and dialects. We celebrated the home and family that SJC is to all of us.
I want to thank those who have worked very hard behind the scenes, especially in planning the events, carrying and setting up the AV equipment, producing the videos etc.
Indeed on this Easter occasion, we remind ourselves of the words of St Paul:
"Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labour in the Lord is not in vain." 1 Cor 15:58
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