“His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’” (Matt 25:21).
“But be sure to fear the LORD and serve him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things he has done for you” (1 Samuel 12:24).
The past year 2025 had times of blessing and difficulties. We have safely begun a new year. This should not be taken for granted because we have seen some people, even our loved ones, who were doing well but suddenly had their health, wealth, or happiness removed from them. The Lord has been merciful to us. For that reason, Samuel the prophet tells the people of God: “But be sure to fear the LORD and serve him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things he has done for you” (1 Sam 12:24). Dear child of God, “Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well” (Matt 6:33). There is great reward in serving the Lord faithfully. I wish to speak to highlight several (not all) ministries.
Sunday (Sabbath) Worship Service: Sunday belongs to God. “Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labour and do all your work, but the seventh day is a sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work” (Exod 20:8-10). You should not allow anything or anyone from preventing you to attend Sunday worship. Keeping the Sunday Sabbath carries with it great rewards: “‘If you keep your feet from breaking the Sabbath and from doing as you please on my holy day, if you call the Sabbath a delight and the LORD’s holy day honourable, and if you honour it by not going your own way and not doing as you please or speaking idle words, then you will find your joy in the LORD, and I will cause you to ride in triumph on the heights of the land and to feast on the inheritance of your father Jacob.’ For the mouth of the LORD has spoken” (Isa 58:13-14). Listening to sermons has two objectives: to understand the passage that is preached a bit more and to know what you must do.
About punctuality, I am thankful for many who faithfully attend worship service. I urge all not to be late for worship service. I’m referring to habitual lateness. It is a bad habit. In fact, you should be seated ready to seek the Lord at least five minutes before time. To worship God properly, you need to prepare your heart. Do not be late for worship service. Just by faithfully attending worship, your faithful presence Sunday after Sunday has encouraged many. I thank God for you.
Sunday School: Thank you, teachers, for teaching God’s people the Sunday School. It takes hard work to prepare and teach God’s word accurately and creatively. Set good examples. Children must get to hear the gospel at every lesson. Christians must understand God’s word a bit more deeply and learn to read God’s word in context. Thank you, teachers, for feeding us with God’s word. Thank you, Children Sunday School teachers, for loving the children and their souls, and for teaching them so that adults can worship the Lord during Sunday Worship. Thank you, musicians, taking time to practise the songs and for playing for the children.
Dear Parents, once the children class starts, let the teachers take care of your children and return to the sanctuary for worship. May the Lord continue to give children Sunday School teachers wisdom and love to teach the children. Parents should not attend the children class. This will help the teachers and help your children. Then parents can enjoy worship and hear God’s word.
Fellowship, Cell Groups: Thank you, fellowship mentors and committee members and cell group leaders, for being creative in planning activities. Above all, thank you for patiently helping them love each other. Dear Christians, I urge you to faithfully attend these meetings. We study God’s word in Sunday School, we practise God’s word in fellowship groups.
New Friends Ministry: Thank you for taking care of new friends and those who are starting to come more regularly for worship. They have felt God’s love through this ministry. Do continue to care for these new friends even after they come more regularly.
Greeters: You are the first person a new friend and God’s children meet. Be at the door to welcome them at no later than 9:15am/11:15 am. Welcome them warmly. Let them them feel the love of God through you. Thank you for faithfully waiting at the door even when the people have not arrived.
Scripture/Responsive Readers: You should have completed reading the Bible at least once. If you have a smart phone, I encourage you to listen to the Bible application YouVersion. Turn on to NIVUK or CUV for right pronunciation. Be dressed appropriately. Thank you for reading God’s word to us so that we can hear God’s precious word.
Audio Visual Operators: Regularly familiarise yourself with the system as operating the AV system is very challenging. Learn to use the feature of changing the pulpit perspectives. Be at the AV control by 9:15am/11:15am. Thank you for operating the AV so that the rest can enjoy worship.
Chairman, Pianist, Organist. Chairman and musicians should start practicing by 9:05am/11:05am. Practise with the organist the three usual hymns/first hymn and the pianist. Start worship punctually at 9:30am/11:30am. Thank you all, especially the musicians, who need to spend time to practise the songs.
Offerings: Thank you for giving to the Lord because you love the church. For those who are collecting offerings, be dressed appropriately. Hold the offering bags with two hands. For those who count offerings, ensure you have a witness when you count the offerings. Every Christian should set aside 10% of your month allowance/salary and give to the Lord. Children, students, retirees should also give 10% of their allowance. What I am concerned is not the money but giving is a practical way to show gratitude to the Lord. We give because the Lord first gave His life for us. I thank God for many who give generously. Not a few even gave special offerings for mission work. Our three Indian pastors work very hard. They also give sacrificially to the poor. The Lord remembers you because you have given generously to the Lord, as you can see in the weekly offerings.
Refreshments: Thank you for faithfully preparing food and drinks for us so that we can enjoy fellowship during refreshment time. Thank you also for cleaning up the place and clearing the rubbish. Please continue to work with each other in kindness and patience.
Prayer Meeting: Thank you for serving the Lord in the church Tuesday Prayer meeting. Your presence, sharing, fellowship and prayers are a sweet fragrance to the Lord. If you can, please turn on your video as we are not physically present. This promotes fellowship. God has used your prayers to advance the gospel. Thank you all for praying for the church.
Choir: Thank you, choir, for staying back until late afternoon. Your song presentations have helped new friends who come for gospel Sunday to know the Lord. The songs have also encouraged many Christians.
Facilities Ministry: This is a new ministry. For many years, several persons have taken care of the church lightings, toilet facilities, air-condition cleaning, etc. We thank God for their faithful labour. For instance, we now have new paper dispenser and taller taps in the toilets.
English Worship Coordinator: This is also a new ministry. For many years, some in the English congregation helped Sister Chen Ming to take care of the English worship needs. This year, we start this ministry to coordinate the various needs of the English Worship service. Thank you for taking up this heavy responsibility.
Media Ministry: This is also a new ministry. Those serving will take charge of the church website, Facebook, Instagram, photography, and others.
There are other areas of ministry for which I lack the space to mention. But the Lord remembers your faithfulness. Dear All, we thank God for the great privilege of serving God and His great people. Be faithful. You should read the weekly for your area of ministry to see when you are scheduled to serve. Please be available as your absence will cause inconvenience. God remembers and will reward you for your faithfulness.
“His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’” (Matt 25:21).