We thank God for the good weather in this rainy season! This allowed us to go carolling with ease. We are also thankful that all other arrangements went on well without disruption. As the organizer of the Christmas Carolling, I want to especially thank the carollers as well as the hosts of the two open-houses. This time, we had over forty of us, both children and adult, joining the carolling team. Almost everyone in the church was involved. For slightly more than a month, those who participated sacrificed their precious Sunday afternoons and endured overran training sessions that ate into their lunch time without complaints. Among the three guitarists, two were beginners with the instrument. Despite this, they started practicing months ahead and their hard work really paid off. The heavy load on the hosts who opened their houses is obvious. They needed to prepare their homes for the carolling and later do the cleaning up. They also extended their warm hospitality with a nice spread of food which required hours of preparation. They made great efforts in inviting their relatives and friends. This level of dedication in the preparation for this Christmas Carolling shows that you are faithful and serious in serving the Lord! Well done! The Lord remembers your effort!
The Christmas Carolling is indeed a wonderful opportunity for us to reach out to our non-believing friends and relatives with the gospel. It is also a rare opportunity for us to introduce them to members of the church. After this event, we should continue to encourage one another to work hard for the salvation of our loved ones. Pray for one another and because we have come to know each others’ friends and relatives, we can do the follow-up work together.
In addition, the carolling has also helped members of the church to get to know each other better. During the practice sessions, on the bus ride to carolling or over food after carolling, we had more time to mingle around. I heard this from a sister and I believe that many more of you share the same sentiment. Let us not stop here but cultivate the bond established and spur one another on toward love and good deeds (Heb 10:24-25).
The year 2012 will come to an end in a few days. We have witnessed God’s faithfulness in carrying us through all our church activities this year, including the Christmas Carolling. God is working amongst us, increasing our numbers and changing our lives. God is also leading us ahead. He has led us to Bukit Batok where our new church premise is. All glory and thanks be unto God for His protection and mercies showered upon TOLCC and the people here.
What will 2013 turn out to be for TOLCC, for you and me? Our circumstances change with ups and downs without much predictability. But our Lord Jesus Christ, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, is the same yesterday and today and forever” (Heb 12:2; 13:8). He will grant us enough strength and faith for the year 2013. What we need to do is to always walk close with him. Blessed New Year and may we continue to bring the Good News to others.