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* Congregation Standing

Scripture Memorisation

Be Not Deceived1 John 3:7

Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous,

even as he is righteous.

Voices of GethsemaneCall to Worship Dn Low Boon Siang

*Hymn 157: Hark! the Herald Angels Sing* Invocation & Gloria Patri* Responsive Scripture Reading Hebrews 2:1-12Gethsemane Combined Choir (Youth & Children)

Hymn 164: O Come, All Ye FaithfulCollection of Offerings * Doxology & Prayer

Hymn 165: Thou Didst Leave Thy ThroneScripture Memorisation*Pastoral Prayer Sermon Pastor Prabhudas Koshy

“Why Jesus Became Man” Hebrews 2:9-10

*Hymn 151: O Come, O Come, EmmanuelBaptism, Affirmation of Faith & Transfer of Membership *Benediction & Threefold Amen

Order of WorshipGreetings

Pastor and the Session would like to wish all

members and worshippers this day

A Blessed & Joyous Christmas

Today, 24 December 2017 Next Lord’s Day, 31 December 20179.00 – 10.00am CHURCH CHOIR & CHILDREN’S CHOIR CHURCH CHOIR & CHILDREN’S CHOIR

MALAYALAM FELLOWSHIP MALAYALAM FELLOWSHIP

10.30amCH

INES

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EWorship Leader:Preacher:Musician:Flowers:Refreshments: Ushers:

Gan Chin HwiPr Daniel LimAngeline WongFrancis TanGan Sheu HoongChan Tuck Whye & Francis Tan

Worship Leader:Preacher:Musician:Flowers:Refreshments: Ushers:

Pr Daniel LimPr Daniel LimDyllis TeoRoscelle LimMaggie HoRobert Ooi & Jonah So

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Worship Leader:Preacher:Musicians:Ushers:

Greeter:AV Ministry:Flowers:Refreshments:

Junior Worship:

Dn Low Boon SiangPastor Prabhudas KoshyDorcas Koshy, Jeremy TeoDn Lok Kwok Wah (i/c)Samuel Yong, Andrew TeongGerry Lee, Randy LaurencioArvind Pawa, George CheeMong Jee PawaCrew No. 2Nancy LauCatherine Choy, Chong Shu MunJolyne Cho, Lim Hua SeeDorothy Ng, (Mabel Ng)Pr Dennis Kabingue, (Corliss Ooi)Jenny Lok

Worship Leader:Preacher:Musicians:Ushers:

Greeter:AV Ministry:Flowers:Refreshments:

Junior Worship:

Elder Alan ChoyPastor Prabhudas KoshyEllyzabeth, Eunice ChoyDn Lok Kwok Wah (i/c)Amoz Choy, Lee Shing ShyanLijoy George, Stephen YapHo Kee How, Linus KokDiana ChanCrew No. 3Stephanie LeeViolet Quek, Mary LeeRachel Teo, Lok Qian HuiKenneth Wong (Lok Qian Hui)Karen Quek (Esther Quek)Low Siew Lian

1.30pm

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Norefel Resuma Pr Dennis KabingueAyn TindaanJomart TindaanDaryl Kabingue

Worship Leader:Preacher:Musician:Usher:Refreshments:

Cancelled in view of Watchnight Service

3.30pm

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English Speaker:Dialect Speaker:

9 Bishan Street 13Pr Kelvin LimKenneth Wong

Venue:English Speaker:Dialect Speaker:

Cancelled in view of Watchnight Service

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24 December 2017

Beloved in Christ,God’s loving compassion has brought us to the end of 2017 – to Gethsemane B-P Church, it means 29 years of God’s faithfulness and blessings! The year 2018 will be the 30th year of our church. Let us praise God for the salvation, and all spiritual and material blessings that He has abundantly showered upon our congregation all these years. The following words of the psalmist ring in my heart as I think of the excellence of His loving kindness to our church:

“How excellent is thy lovingkindness, O God! therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings. They shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of thy house; and thou shalt make them drink of the river of thy pleasures. For with thee is the fountain of life: in thy light shall we see light. O continue thy lovingkindness unto them that know thee; and thy righteousness to the upright in heart” (Psalm 36:7-10).

Reminiscence of God’s Goodness in the “Lead-up” to our 30th Church Anniversary We thank God that since the inception of our church, the Lord has graciously added a few hundred souls to worship, fellowship and serve with us. In these days,

about three hundred people attend our Lord’s Day ministries. His goodness has enabled us to reach out to precious souls through various local Gospel outreach ministries – such as Sunday Evangelism, Prison Ministry, Campus Ministry, Care Ministry (TGCM), the Lions Home for the Elderly (an outreach to old folks in two designated nursing homes) – whereby doors are opened before us every week to reach hundreds with the Gospel. We also have several church-based ministries to edify the members and regular worshippers of all ages. Moreover, every year, thousands around the world are blessed through our Bible Witness magazine, Bible Witness Web Radio, audio and video sermons, as well as Gethsemane Bible Institute on-line courses, on the church website.

Over the past years, the Lord also has enabled us to labour to establish about ten churches, two Bible institutes, plus a Care ministry to reach people lost in drug-addictions. In addition, we also co-labour with like-minded churches and missionaries in foreign lands. Today, our mission activities are found in Ethiopia, Kenya, the Philippines, East Malaysia and India. God willing, soon we hope to establish a publishing ministry

Pastoral Letter

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in India, which has been an earnest desire of Bro Sujith Samuel, who now labours in the city of Vizag.

More Open Doors Furthermore, I am very grateful for the special opportunity that the Lord gave to me last week to conduct seven lectures and a “Q & A” session for 69 Filipino pastors who had gathered in Bukidnon, Mindanao, the Philippines. This wonderful opportunity came through Dr Jose Lagapa, who now serves as a preacher in True Life BPC. Since 2011, Dr Lagapa, with the support of True Life BPC, has been conducting this Bible conference every two years for the equipping of pastors from fundamental churches in Mindanao. Dr Jeffrey Khoo had been the main speaker in the past conferences. Our missionaries from Cebu and Bohol have also been attending this conference. (Incidentally, Rev Reggor Galarpe and Eld Richard Tiu have during the past and recent conferences ministered the Word to the pastors in the morning devotions.) In the recent conference, Sis Juvy Anaviso (who is now a student in GBI, Cebu) was also there.

Let us pray for Dr Lagapa who travels to Bukidnon four times a year to conduct special courses for preachers who are in need of further training. Let us also pray that GBI, Cebu will be a place of theological

training for many more men in the Philippines whom the Lord will call to labour in her thousands of islands!

Gethsemane Bible Witness LtdWith the increase in the number of participants in our church fellowships and of our church staff, we have been burdened with the need for a bigger Church Resource Centre. As a church, we have fasted and prayed to the Lord. Our leaders in tandem deliberated and laboured to make progress in acquiring a bigger place. The good providence of the Lord then guided us to register a “company with limited guarantee” (CLG) – namely Gethsemane Bible Witness Ltd – to manage the church’s business and administrative matters, and also to have a larger space for our fellowship gatherings. To date, we also received about S$2.5 million for the purchase of a new place.

By God’s providence, the latest development in this matter is that the Lord has brought a buyer to purchase our present CRC for S$1.22 million. The “Option To Purchase” has been signed by our trustees (Eld Alan Choy, Bro Stephen Yap and Bro Neo Kian Seng). We thank God for helping us to secure this deal, which will increase our Building Fund for the purchase of our new premises. As soon as the sale is completed, we hope to start acquiring new premises. Let us continue to pray,

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and support with our gifts, for this need of our church to be met soon.Be Faithful and Fervent in the Lord’s ServiceMore than premises and programmes, our greatest concern ought to be our faithfulness and humility before the Lord. We must resist all temptations of worldliness and falsehood. Purity, devotion and sacrificial service must be our priority. Our preachers and missionaries, together with our elders and deacons, must be men of highest devotion and spiritual integrity!

We all must be vigilant, for the Scriptures warn us that in these last days, many will enter the ministry for self-gain. They are the minions of the devil. They will come to the offices of the church, and view such as a career that will provide a comfortable, easy life. In these days, many churches have been turned into lucrative business enterprises by their pastors. Those who preach for money are exploiters, extortionists and racketeers! The apostle Peter depicted them as those who “… through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not” (2 Peter 2:3). In the words of the apostle Paul, they are “… men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness” (1 Timothy 6:5).

So brethren, awake out of your spiritual slumber! Stop your wanderings and return to your Lord! Follow Him as His loyal disciple. We, as a church, have much work to do for His glory. We have a high calling from God to fulfil. Only if we are spiritually renewed, revived and reinforced, can we fulfil all the works that God has called us to accomplish. Therefore, let us humbly seek Him, “expecting great things from God and attempting great things for God”. I end with the promise of God in Jeremiah 33:3 – “Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.”

Truly, I covet your prayers for all our elders, deacons, preachers, missionaries and staff involved in our church’s various ministries. We praise God for all of you who love us in the Lord, and encourage and support us in the ministry.

My wife, Carolyn, and our children, Cornelius, Andronicus and Dorcas, join me to wish you: “A Blessed Christmas & a Happy New Year!” Please continue to pray for us.

Let us be united for the praise of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.Affectionately your pastor,Prabhudas Koshy

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Each December, amidst the evergreen wreaths and Christmas lights, Santa Claus takes centre stage. Every Christmas, Santa Claus is “crowding out” Jesus!

Santa Claus is said to be a character that resembles St. Nicolas of the fourth century, who was the bishop of a place that is now situated in modern Turkey. He had a reputation for secret gift-giving. Over centuries of European history, St. Nicolas “evolved” into Santa Claus. How sad it is that Jesus Christ is totally forgotten, while everybody looks around for Santa Claus!

I remember a conversation that I had with a Muslim taxi driver some years ago. When he realised that I am a pastor, he asked me, “Who is Santa Claus, and whose birthday do you celebrate during Christmas?” Then I took time to tell him that we do not celebrate the birth of Santa Claus during Christmas, but the birth of Christ. I threw Santa out of our conversation and preached Jesus, the newborn Saviour.

The heart of Christmas is the baby Jesus who was born in Bethlehem. So, let us remember to worship Christ through our songs, gift-giving and all other activities this Christmas. Santa Claus is not the object of our worship. It has become a satanic replacement for Christ. So let us keep Santa out, and proclaim the glory of Jesus Christ this Christmas!

“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:11).

Prabhudas Koshy

Junior Worshipper's Page

Get Behind Me, Santa!

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ColleCtionsLORD’S DAY on 17 December 2017

Tithes: 7,090.00Offerings: 5,156.00Designated Gifts: Kelvin Lim 50.00; Ho Kee How 50.00; Andrew Koh 200.00; Joey Lim 50.00

NON-SUNDAY GIFT

Bldg Fund (Project): 500.00 (Chinese Svc)

SPECIAL FUND UPDATE(as of 17 December 2017)

Building Fund (Project): $2,353,149.70

NON-SUNDAY GIFTGeneral Fund: 3,500.00; 500.00; 400.00Bldg Fund (Project): 500.00Bible Witness: 100.00TGCM (local): 100.00

Give generously towards our

Church Building Fund.

“Every man according as he purposeth in his heart,

so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.”

2 Corinthians 9:7

sUnDAY FelloWsHiP lUnCHThose who would like packet lunch after worship service for the month of January 2018, kindly place your order with Sis Aileen Tan.

BiBle Witness MAGAZineThe latest issue on:

“Biblical Church Leadership”is available at the reception table.

(Feel free to take as many copies as you need to give to others for their spiritual

admonition and edification.)

BiBle Witness RetReAtSpeaker: Pastor Prabhudas Koshy

Date: 14-16 March 2018 (Wed-Fri)We encourage you to make

plans to attend this retreat by applying for your leave early.

More details next week.

FAR eAsteRn BiBle ColleGebasic theology for everyone

January – April 2018Monday Night Class

“Old Testament History II”by Rev Dr Quek Suan YewCommencing on 8 JanuaryThursday Night Class

“Job”by Rev Dr Prabhudas Koshy

“Systematic Theology II - Anthropology”by Rev Dr Jeffrey Khoo

Commencing on 4 JanuaryRegistration forms are available at the

reception table.

WAtCHniGHt seRviCeSpeaker: Pastor Prabhudas Koshy

Date: Lord’s Day, 31 Dec 2017Time: 8.00-10.00pm

Venue: Level 5 AuditoriumSingPost Centre

Usher I/C: Dn Low Boon Siang Ushers / Greeters: Cornelius Koshy, Edwin Quek, Jason Low, Low Chip Hung, Marcus Lim, John Peh, Low Siew Lian

BAPtisM, AFFiRMAtion oF FAitH & tRAnsFeR oF

MeMBeRsHiP24th December 2017

Baptism: 1. Chai Yee Peng

2. Guesstine Leong Jun Jie

Affirmation of Faith:1. Chong Shao Yin, Adah

Transfer of Membership:1. Chong Ah Huat

2. Chua Beng Hwee3. Kwok Kian Yi

Time & Place of Worship10.30am

Level 5 Auditorium Singapore Post Centre

10 Eunos Road 8 Singapore 408600

(next to Paya Lebar MRT station)

Prayer Hotline8138 8139

SMS or WhatsApp your prayer item

Our Office510 Geylang Road, #02-06

Singapore 389466 Tel: 6741 1910 Fax: 6741 1016

Our Websitesgethsemanebpc.com

biblewitness.com

Our PastorPastor Prabhudas Koshy

Mobile: 9001 1119 Email: pastor.gbpc@gmail.com

Our SessionPastor Prabhudas Koshy Elder Mah Chin Kwang

Elder Alan Choy Elder Ng Poh KokElder Francis Lee

Deacon Daniel Lim Deacon Lok Kwok Wah

Deacon Kelvin Lim Deacon Low Boon Siang

Please stay back after worship to join us for:Refreshments & Fellowship

12.30pm – 1.30pmBible Study (Adults, Youths & Children)

Cancelled in view of GYF-GYAF Camp

Post-Worship Activities

Weekly Activities

Tuesday Night Bible Study & Prayer 8.00pm @ L5 Auditorium, SingPost Centre

Wednesday Lunch Hour Bible Study Resume in January 2018

Thursday Seniors’ Ministry 11.00am (Please contact Pr Jeremiah Sim)

Thursday Campus Bible StudySemester Break @SUTDSemester Break @NAFA

Friday Morning Prayer 7.45am – 8.30am @ Church Resource Centre

Sunday Lions Home Ministry For enquiry, contact Pr Jeremiah Sim

For more information, please call the church office at 6741 1910.

Bible Witness Magazine

Bible Witness Web Radio

Church Weekly

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CHURCH CAMP 2018Date: 4-8 June 2018 (Mon-Fri)

Venue: Lexis PenangCamp Fees (excluding airfare):

Twin-sharing $480/camper Triple-sharing $405/camper Quad-sharing $360/camper Child up to 5 years old free

Child > 5 years old – Fee will depend on configuration An additional night in Lexis is at RM400 per room.

(Campers will settle the costs of additional night/s directly with the hotel.)Participants are advised to book plane tickets on their own as soon as possible. Registration will commence on 7th Jan 2018.If you have any questions, please approach Eld Francis Lee.

GetHseMAne BiBle institUte(GBi-online)

The Book of Revelation by Pastor KoshyDuration: 7th January - 13th May 2018

Day: Every Sunday, 1.45-3.00pmVenue: Level 5 Auditorium Singapore Post CentreThose who want to join the class (audit and credit),

please register at the reception table today.(Cost of lecture notes is $8.00)

HostinG oF tHe FolloWinG FelloWsHiPs (JAn - JUn 2018)

•GethsemaneLadies’Fellowship(GLF)•GethsemaneYoungMothers’Fellowship(GYM)•GethsemaneYouthFellowship(GYF)

If you are able to host in 2018, kindly sign up at the registration table.