G e t h s e m a n eBible-Presbyterian Church

‘Not my will, but Thine, be done’ (Luke 22:42)Volume 22, Issue 10 10th May 2009

hearing and reading all the testimonies and thanksgiving of the brethren on the recent combined church camp, I am very much encouraged taking time to write myself just as Pastor Koshy urged all the campers to write at least 10 blessings to thank the Lord for the combined camp.I thank the Lord for –1. The messages preached from the Scriptures that come with very

timely, personal and practical applications. I am sure we all can relate to all of them!

2. The commitment of the brethren to serve. I am greatly encouraged to see our church members contributing in many ways in the preparation and groundwork.

3. The opportunity for brethren to pray together. It is a great blessing to gather together at God’s throne of grace.

4. The bonding and fellowship among brethren through the different activities during the camp. It is such a wonderful sight to see campers from the 3 mission churches establishing a bond one with another.

5. The ministry to our children. Praise God for the labours of the teachers who have patiently taught our children God’s Word.

6. The patience and forbearance of everyone. The camp, like any other church camp, has its own share of inadequacies and limitations, yet we didn’t allow them to hinder us from enjoying greater blessings from the Lord.

7. The beauty of nature at the campsite. Far from being the ideal campsite, the place gave us the opportunity to behold the beauty of

James 1:21-2321 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and

superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.

22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

23 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:

Our Pastor: Rev Dr Prabhudas Koshy (M: 9001 1119, H: 6788 1721, Email: gethsemane@pacific.net.sg)Our Office: 510 Geylang Road, #02-06, Singapore 389466. Tel: 6741 1910, Fax: 6741 1016

Testimonies

O come, let us worship and bow down: Let us kneel before the LORD our maker.

Psalm 95:6

First Combined Camp of Gethsemane Mission Churches

in the PhilippinesToday we print reports and testimonies from our missionaries and participants of the first combined camp of the mission churches in the Philippines.

Testimonies from Cebu

Call to Worship Elder Alan Choy

* Ye Servants of God, Your Master Proclaim (60)

* Invocation & Gloria Patri* Scripture Reading in Unison

(Psalm 128)

My Faith Has Found a Resting Place (301)Collection of Offerings

Doxology & Prayer

Grace! ’Tis a Charming Sound (294)Children’s Sermon

Pastoral Prayer & Sermon Rev Dr Prabhudas Koshy

“A Woman of Lowly Service - II” (Ruth 2:17-23)

Holy Communion What a Wonderful Saviour! (97)

* Ready (451)* Benediction & Threefold Amen

* Congregation Standing

memorizationScripture

to all worshippersWelcome

of today’s worshiporder

2

Our Church Session: Rev Dr Prabhudas Koshy (9001 1119), Elder Mah Chin Kwang (9325 0668),Elder Alan Choy (9853 9556), Dn Arvind Pawa (9642 8954), Dn Paul Cheng (9169 2415),

Dn Daniel Lim (9385 0371), Dn Lok Kwok Wah (9022 5508) & Dn James Wong (9023 3003).

God’s creation. I wonder if you took time to thank God for the greenery, the trees, the mountains and the hills? God made them all!

8. The conviction of souls. Praise God for those who were moved in their hearts to surrender their life unto the Lord. And also for those who have been renewed in their spiritual walk.

9. The time spent with Pastor Koshy and with other fellow labourers in the work of the Lord is very refreshing…it’s one great opportunity to encourage one another.

10. God’s leading and guidance and gracious provisions – for without them the first-ever combined church camp we just had will never be a reality.

“now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. amen” (ephesians 3:20-21).

Rev Reggor Galarpe

The BBC Combined Church Camp is the first church camp I’ve ever attended. Praise God for hearing our prayers for the camp. It was indeed a great opportunity and a blessed experience to learn the deeper things from the Word of God, equipping us for the Lord’s service. I would like to give thanks to God for the following:1. For the answered prayer for a successful and fruitful

church camp.2. For our dear pastor Rev Reggor Galarpe’s efforts

in organizing the church camp and for all who extended their valuable help.

3. For having Rev Dr Prabhudas Koshy in our midst as our main speaker for the whole duration of the church camp. Thank God for sustaining him.

4. Thank God for the powerful and sound doctrine from the Bible that has been preached by Rev Dr Prabhudas Koshy and Bro Dominino dela Cruz.

5. Thank God for the Bohol, Bogo and singapore brethren who shared and extended their support to the Cebu mission Church. Thank God for their encouraging testimonies as well.

6. Thank God for the accommodation and the provisions for every one of us who joined the camp.

7. Thank God for giving strength and joy to get involved in all the activities therein.

8. Thank God for each and everyone’s fellowship, for the youths’ effort to prepare the games. Thank God for the great time playing Frisbee with Pastor Koshy, miko, timmy, angelo, Richard, Dudut and Keiffer.

9. Thank God for giving all the campers, especially the seniors, good health and endurance for the whole duration....Praise God!

10. Last but not least, thank God for the safety of all the campers, their travel to and fro until everyone arrived home safely. all Glory to God!

Colossians 2:7 - “Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.”

sis Grace tiu

I learned that –1. to come together to worship and serve

the Lord our maker strengthens the unity and fellowship among the brethren.

2. Christians are like strong trees rooted very deeply and built up on a strong foundation which is Christ.

3. I learned of different Bible characters and the truths that they have taught.

4. to be thankful to God, abounding in thanksgiving, even in trials and difficulties because it strengthens our faith in him.

5. If you are a Christian, God lives in you and makes you his habitation or dwelling place.

6. Christians should walk in the way of the Lord, having received Jesus Christ in their lives.

7. Walking with God means having no enmity with him. We abide in him, having a totally renewed life in him.

8. Christians should walk by faith, in the spirit, in honesty and in love.

9. Walking with God is a great blessing. he will always be with you guiding and leading you all the way.

10. Christians should build their house upon the strong foundation of God’s Word, the rock, and not on sand, so that when storm comes, they will not fall.

Junko Yamamoto

Testimonies

Ladies of Cebu with Mrs Dorothy Ng

3

Before anything, I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to you, Pastor Koshy, and to our Brother Dominino for bringing my family close to God. But most of all to our Lord Jesus Christ.

1. Rooted and Built up in Christ – Though our standing in relation to God has been weak, we have been encouraged by his Word to be strong in him, like a fully-grown tree whose roots are well entrenched in the ground.

2. I learned from our missionary-in-charge during the morning devotion that “listening to God’s Word is not enough”, but such learning must be applied in life.

3. I have learned spiritual lessons by the comparison of the two foundations of the two houses – sand and rock.

4. I learned from our hymn “higher Ground” is also a good lesson for a Christian to have a good foundation in Christ.

5. I learned also from the hymn “Leaning on the everlasting arms” what a great privilege it is to lean on the strong and powerful Jesus Christ. It is far better than leaning on worldly things.

6. The hymn “a shelter in the time of storm” taught me that we are safe in the hands of Jesus.

7. The hymn “Count Your Blessings” taught me that God has blessed us with much.

8. I learned the importance of being humble in relating to one another.

9. I must glorify God in my life.

10. I was greatly moved by the topic Pastor Koshy touched on during the third day of our camp when he said that God is forming a household on earth for heaven, with the apostles and prophets as the foundation. how wonderful it is that we can be a part of that heavenly household if we truly believe in Jesus!

Gervasio Daitol

1. I am a sinner.

2. It is not good to indulge in vices.

3. In the camp, I was spiritually enlightened.

4. I realize why I don’t have peace. It is because my life and my family are not rooted and built up in Christ.

5. I need Jesus in my life.

6. I must invite my whole family to attend Gethsemane Bible-Presbyterian mission Church (Bogo).

7. I have learned to enjoy reading and hearing the Word of God.

8. I have learned that to be with God’s people is a sweet experience.

9. I have learned that Christians must be honest.

10. I have learned the importance of going to church every sunday.

Danny Dy

1. I have learned to read and study the Word of God joyfully.

2. I have learned that God must be first in my plans so that I may have a strong foundation in my life.

3. We should never lose hope when we encounter difficulties. We must come to God and pray, and not to the people around us, for God alone is all-powerful and he knows what is best for us.

4. Listening to God’s Word is not enough; we should apply it in order to have changes in our life.

5. If somebody corrects us, we should thank him instead of getting angry.

6. If we truly received God as our Lord and saviour, walk in him.

7. Put God first in all things.

8. We should not commit adultery, for this is a sin unto the Lord.

9. We should be humble.

10. share the Word of God with unbelievers.

maya

Testimonies

Testimonies from Bogo

Children presenting an item during the camp

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1. I have learned to belong to the Gethsemane Bible-Presbyterian Church. Thank you, Pastor Koshy, for the inspiration and truthfulness that you expressed through the Bible. Thank you, Bro Domy, for helping me.

2. I have learned to be a good Christian member of the church family in order to keep me from backsliding.

3. I have learned that as God’s child, I must demonstrate the love of God in my life.

4. I have learned to appreciate Colossians 3:15 and Psalm 133:1.

5. I have learned to share each other’s trouble and problems and in this way I obey the Word of Christ.

6. I have learned the fellowship of studying God’s Word together.

7. I have learned the importance of serving the Lord.

8. I have learned that I need to live a life that is right with God.

9. I have learned acts 2:42.

10. I have learned about humility.

Guy Link

Testimonies

Testimonies from Bogo

1. I have learned that Christians must be joyful.

2. I have leaned that we can overcome life difficulties because Jesus, our foundation, is strong and powerful.

3. If we have received Christ, we must walk the way he wants us to walk.

4. If we walk in Christ, we cannot live in sin.

5. Christians must grow in the knowledge and grace of God.

6. Jesus must be the centre of our lives.

7. hearing God’s Word is not enough. It must be applied.

8. I have learned to share the Gospel.

9. I have learned to commit my whole life to the Lord.

10. I have learned the importance of the church camp.

Jestoni

Pastor Koshy preaching on the camp theme Members & worshippers from Bohol who attended the camp

Our Staff: The Gethsemane Care ministry Dn Paul Cheng (9169 2415), Gethsemane Chinese service Dn Daniel Lim (9385 0371), Gethsemane Filipino service Pr Dennis Kabingue (9643 7549), Gethsemane Children’s ministry Pr Kelvin Lim (8268 2828)

Church Office Diana Koh, Bible Witness Dn Kwok Wah, Kenneth, John, Melissa Mah, Eric & Ruth

Junior Worshipper’s Devotion

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according to the above-mentioned passage, Jesus tells his disciples that whatsoever they ask in prayer, they shall receive an answer. Isn’t this a wonderful promise that all their prayers shall be answered? Is this promise for them only or for every disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ?

every tuesday night, our church comes together for a time of prayer, and both children and adults pray one for another. There were occasions when we hear the thanksgiving of fellow believers to the Lord for an answered prayer. how about you, children? have you ever experienced the joy of having your prayers answered?

In order to experience the joy of having prayers answered, you must pray with a believing heart! The Lord Jesus says that if you have faith, and doubt not, it shall be done (matthew 21:21). This is to say that prayers are answered only when they are uttered with faith. The Bible teaches us that “without faith, it is impossible to please him [God]: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him” (hebrews

11:6). Whenever there is doubt in a prayer, this prayer will not be answered. The Bible teaches that when a man prays without faith or believing, “let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord” (James 1:7).

Can you remember the plea of the two blind men from last week’s devotion? Their plea itself is a prayer to the Lord Jesus. Listen to it again, and tell me whether it was asked with a believing heart or with doubt. They said, “have mercy on us, O Lord, thou son of David.” Was this a prayer of faith or of doubt? It was indeed a prayer asked with faith, and we know that their prayer was answered. The Lord Jesus showed them mercy, and healed them of their blindness, and they received their sight. They asked with a believing heart, and they received the desire of their heart. Is this not an answered prayer?

This promise of answered prayer is for every disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ. If you are a disciple

of Christ, he promises that all your prayers asked with a believing heart and according to

God’s will shall be answered.

The Promise of Answered Prayerby Pr Kelvin Lim

Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done. And all things, whatsoever

ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive. Matthew 21:21-22

AnniversAries of Mission ChurChes

Cebu, Bohol & Bogo mission Churches will be celebrating their anniversary in the month of July. elder & mrs mah Chin Kwang and elder & mrs alan Choy will be attending. We encourage Gethsemaneans and friends to join them and give encouragement to the brethren in the Philippines. The anniversary Thanksgiving service will be held on two sundays. Bogo mission Church will hold her 1st anniversary Thanksgiving service on the Lord’s Day, 5th July 2009. Cebu & Bohol mission Churches will hold their 5th & 3rd anniversary Thanksgiving services (respectively) on the Lord’s Day, 12th July 2009. Those who are keen to take advantage of silkair’s current promotional airfares, please see sis Diana Koh for the details.

ADulTs’ felloWshiP“What profit hath a man?” Eccl 1:3

next meeting: 16th may 2009 at 4pmspeaker: Dn Paul Cheng

Chairman: Bro Francis Leevenue: singPost seminar Room #02-31

All ARe WelCOMe!What profit can a man attain in this life? Is it in pleasure and money? Or in position and fame? Let us learn from God’s Word and be instructed in understanding the meaning of true profit.

DAily vACATion BiBle sChool (DvBs)

This will be held from June 2 to 4, 2009, at FaIRY POInt ChaLet 1. Registration form is available at the reception table. Those who have the burden to serve in DVBs,

please see Bro Kelvin Lim.

6

sunday Collection(May 03 english service)

Tithes: $6,482.80

Offerings: 4,931.65

Malayalam Fellowship: 300.00

ethiopia Building Fund: 300.00

Gifts: Kelvin lim (50.00);

Jeremiah Sim (200.00).

Sunday Activities May 10 May 17Li

ons

Hom

e M

inis

try

(10:

00am

) Venue: 41 Toa Payoh Rise 487 Bedok South Avenue 2

English: Elder Alan Choy Dn Arvind Pawa

Chinese/Dialect: Bro Stephen Yap Bro Jeremiah Sim

Get

hsem

ane

Filip

ino

Serv

ice

(12:

30pm

)

Worship Leader: Bro Eliezer Ortega Pr Dennis Kabingue

Preacher: Pr Dennis Kabingue Bro Eliezer Ortega

Usher: Bro Donald dela Cruz Bro Donald dela Cruz

Pianist: Bro Josias Pawa Sis Carmen Wong

Refreshment: Sis Daryl Kabingue Sis Cecille Batrina

Get

hsem

ane

Chi

nese

Se

rvic

e (2

:30p

m)

Worship Leader: Bro Gan Chin Hwi Elder Alan Choy

Preacher: Pr Daniel Lim Pr Daniel Lim

Pianist: Sis Jollyn Low Sis Carmen Wong

Ushers: Cayson & John Jerry & Gideon

Get

hsem

ane

Engl

ish

Serv

ice

(2:3

0pm

)

Worship Leader: Elder Alan Choy Dn James Wong

Preacher: Rev Dr Prabhudas Koshy Rev Dr Prabhudas Koshy

Pianists: Eunice Choy & Chloe Pawa Jasmine Low & Sarah Lee

Ushers:

Dn Kwok Wah, Dn Pawa, Danial, Jeremy Mark,

Beng Wee & Benjamin Carolyn (Greeter)

Kian Seng, Boon Siang, Francis Lee, Kwan Teng,

Andy & Aron Winnie (Greeter)

Junior Worship: Karen Quek, (Kim Lei), Stephanie Lee

Choy Luan Kheng, (Cecilia), Ruth Low

Sunday School: Carolyn Koshy & Kelvin Lim Carolyn Koshy & Kelvin Lim

AV Ministry: Adrian Tseng & Kian Seng Adrian Lim & Benjamin

Flowers: Karen Quek Gina Sim

Refreshment Duty:

Gina Sim, Corliss & Diana Chan

Amy Peh, Kim Lei & Aileen

Adult’s Bible Class (4:45pm) Cancelled “Evaluation of Charismaticism”

Malayalam Fellowship (6:30pm) Venue: SingPost Conference Room #02-05A

Our Place of Worship: SingPost Auditorium (Level 5), 10 Eunos Road 8, Singapore 408600Our Websites: www.gethsemanebpc.com; www.biblewitness.com

Mon - Sat Activities May 11 - May 16

Tuesday Prayer Gathering (8:00pm) Venue: SingPost Seminar Room #02-31

Wednesday Lunch Hour Bible Study (12:45pm) Venue: Bible Witness Media Ministry Bookroom (Tel: 6438 0578), Hong Lim Complex

Thursday Seniors’ Ministry (11:00am) Venue: Please contact Dn Daniel Lim for more information at 9385 0371.

Friday Morning Prayer (6:30am - 7:15am) Venue: Church Resource Centre (For more info, please call Pr Kelvin Lim at 8268 2828.)

Young Adults’ Fellowship (Every 2nd and 4th Friday, 8:00pm) Please contact Sis Kamala for more information at 9026 0401

Satu

rday

Church Choir Time: 2:00pm Venue: SingPost Seminar Room #02-31

Adults’ Fellowship Please refer to page 5 for more details.

Gethsemane Children’s Ministry

Time: 4:00pm Venue: SingPost Seminar Room #02-31Teachers: Sis Melissa Mah & Sis Jenny Lok

Song Leader: Sis Melissa MahRefreshment: Sharon Wong & Daryl

GYBHTime: 4:00pm Venue: SingPost Conference Room #02-05A

Chairman: Chong Xiang Yong Speaker: Pastor KoshyTopic: Bible Study on Colossians

non-sunday Collection

General Fund:$36,000.00, 250.00,

250.00

ethiopia Building Fund: 350.00

Chinese Bible ConferenceTheme: “Building Faith”

(organized by our Chinese Service)speaker: Rev Lee Kim shong

(Pastor of Calvary Jaya B-P Church, Kuala Lumpur)Date & Time: saturday, 30 may 2009, 10am-3pm

venue: singPost seminar Room (#02-31)We encourage all worshippers to invite mandarin-speaking relatives and friends to come and hear God’s Word. Invitation pamphlets are available at the reception table. Lunch will be catered at $4/person. Those who have signed up, please make your payments to sis Diana Koh from next sunday.

Bible WitnessThe new issue of Bible Witness (march-June 2009) is a special edition in memoriam: Rev Dr timothy tow. It is available today. every worshipper can collect a copy of this issue at the reception table.

feBC 34thGraduationFeBC’s Graduation exercises will be held in Calvary Pandan BPC this evening at 6pm. Our congratulations to the following Gethsemaneans who will be graduating:

• Dn arvind Kumar Pawa (CertRK)• Dn Cheng heng Fook, Paul (mRe)• Bro eliezer s. Ortega (BTh).

Come and join the Graduation service as an encouragement to our FeBC brethren.

2010 ethiopian AssignmentTarget: $350,000.00Collection (as of 03rd May): $350,339.92Let us continue to pray and give cheerfully

ladies’ Prayer GroupDate: Wednesday, 20th may, at 3:00pm

speaker: Bro eliezer OrtegaChairperson: sis Carolyn Koshy

venue: home of sis sharon Wong (9484 4054)Block 32 #09-16, The Dew, Bukit Batok st 21

All Are WelCoMe!