Prayer Requests

1. Pray for Chinese New Year Reunion Dinner on 11 Feb 2011

2. Pray for our Corps 2011 programmes and ministries.

3. Pray for the High Council and election of new General.

4. Pray for Senioe Citizen's gathering on 12 Feb 2011

5. Pray for Cheryl for job opportunity

6. Pray for Youth Ministry starting on 13 Feb 2011

Announcements

1. Chinese New Year Reunion Dinner
Date: 11 Feb 2011 Time: 7:30pm Venue: Corps Community Hall Food: Pot Bless Steamboat. (Bring enough to share and bring your friends).

2. Senior Citizen's Breakfast
Date: 12 Feb 2011 Time: 8:00am Venue: Macalister Road
Senior are most welcome to join us. Please give your name to Capt Brenda Tan. Volunteer as always welcome.

3. Ang Bao Sunday
Date: 13 Feb 2011, there will be 2 offering on that Sunday. Ang Bao offering collected will be giving to Candidates Fund.

4. Open House
Date: 13 Feb 2011 Time: After Church Venue: Bro Chin Kheng home. All are welcome to joined.
Please inform Bro Chin Kheng of your attendance. Thank you.

5. World Day of Prayer
Date: 4 March 2011 Time: 8:00pm Venue: Wesley Methodist Church. All are welcome to joined.

Children are the shape of the Kingdom

The first in a two-part feature adapted from a keynote address given at Soul Pursuit by the Territorial Commander and Commissioner Betty Matear

AS a territory we know that our strategic mission objective is to make disciples – save souls, grow saints and serve suffering humanity. This is in line with the Great Commission. And we must ensure that we are not guilty of the Great Omission when it comes to children and young people.

Our mission objective is set firmly to all ages. Children are hugely significant in our mission. If we don’t reach them when they are young, it is likely they will live without Christ. We take seriously the capacity of children to have an authentic Christian experience. Having children within the corps strengthens its mission. We reach into people’s homes and lives because we have a connection with their children. When we share with parents the junior soldier’s promise regarding ‘a life that is clean in thought, word and deed’ they are glad to have someone who shares the agenda they have. We want the best for their children as they do. This is clear and transparent.

The time we have is critical and urgent. Gabriela Mistral writes: ‘We are guilty of many errors and many faults but our worst crime is abandoning the children, neglecting the fountain of life. Many of the things we need can wait. The child cannot. Right now is the time his bones are being formed, his blood is being made and his senses are being developed. To him we cannot answer “Tomorrow”. His name is “Today”.’

Most adults came to faith in childhood. The key message is to ‘aim lower and think smaller’ – target children and recognise the part they have to play in the Great Commission.

We bring children to meetings, put them through Army activities but, for some, religion and faith are external experiences. It is always the work of the Holy Spirit to touch their heart and soul. Our soul pursuit is to pass on faith and salvation to the next generation.

In today’s society, among young and old, there is a depleting reservoir of Christian knowledge. Where do children learn their values? The contemporary world is dominated by individualism, consumerism and so many moral complexities. Children are turned into consumers and performers, exposed to sexualised advertising and pressurised to succeed. Childhood is brief and can be an anxious and difficult time. Children and young people are troubled by such things as income inequality, competition in school, unprincipled advertising and family break-up. What burdens to be carried! Childhood events shape lives for better or worse; we know that – it has shaped ours. Since so many of us found our faith as children we do not need convincing that this is time critical – Kingdom critical.

We are called to provide stepping stones to faith and to demonstrate God’s love and care. It is a good start to provide a place, activity and relationship that is safe, secure, caring, relaxed and friendly. A healthy community is one in which children thrive.

We live in an age of mistrust, where media reporting and legislation make many people wary of engaging with children. Indeed, our actions as adults can have a profound impact on children’s wellbeing. Childhood is multilayered and it is a foundation on which the future of our Army and the Church rests.

Children’s spirituality can be nurtured around the most valuable resource: people committed to their best development. The key to our mission among young people is adults who listen, see and reflect back the questions, the fears, the hopes – giving a faith context to apply biblical truth and make it relevant.

Childhood is different in 2011. Education is different. When we were at school we barely had calculators let alone computers; we learnt our times tables, which had nothing to do with spreadsheets; we read and wrote English – not ‘text speak’. The whole framework in which children now live and learn is different. We have to nurture them from what they are towards what they can become. Our mission is to move them to where God wants them to be.

Children are channels of truth. We might think we are the teachers but often they teach us. Faith tells us that unless we possess certain traits children possess we won’t be able to enter God’s Kingdom. Jesus affirmed their position in the Kingdom. ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to such as these’ (Matthew 19:14 New International Version).

Children are a gift and responsibility with intrinsic worth and represent a primary mission field. With more than 350 Scripture references, children represent the true nature and shape of the Kingdom.

TSA UK

Announcements

1. Cell Group / Prayer Ministry
Date: 4 & 11 Feb 2011, both Cell Group and Prayer Ministry will be cancelled

2. Senior Citizen's Breakfast
Date: 12 Feb 2011 Time: 8:00am Venue: Macalister Road
Senior are most welcome to join us. Please give your name to Capt Brenda Tan. Volunteer as always welcome.

3. Chinese New Year Reunion Dinner
Date: 11 Feb 2011 Time: 7:30pm Venue: Corps Community Hall
Food: Pot Bless Steamboat. (Bring enough to share and bring your friends). Please also share your stoves and pots with Corps. Please inform Mrs Tan on food and stoves. The Corps will provide Chinese herbal soup and vegetables for the steamboat.

4. World Day of Prayer
Date: 4 March 2011 Time: 8:00pm Venue: Wesley Methodist Church. All are welcome to joined.

Prayer Request

1. Pray for those brother and sister that having health problem.

2. Pray for Chinese New Year Reunion Dinner on 11 Feb 2011

3. Pray for our Corps 2011 programmes and ministries.

4. Pray for the High Council and election of new General.

5. Pray for Senioe Citizen's gathering on 12 Feb 2011

6. Pray for Youth Ministry starting on 13 Feb 2011

Watch Night Service 31 December 2010

Watch Night Service 31 December 2010

The yearly watch night service was held on 31 December 2010 started of with banana leaf dinner at 7:30pm followed by a sharing session by Colonel Gillian Downer. Thereafter a simple game session and movie screening session before the actual short service conducted by Capt Tan.



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Youth Holiday Programme 2010

The Penang Youth Holiday Programme was held during the year end school break of 2010.

Participants was taken through a series of activites prepared by Capt Tan and the volunteers - team building, sports, environment protection, sex education, first aid, etc.

The youth's enjoy themselves and we hope they learned some good value lessons from this programme.

We want to thank those who have prayed, sponsor, help during the period. This has been a fruitful programme and we plan to have the children school programme in year 2011.



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Sunday School Visit 15 December 2010

Sunday School Visit 15 December 2010

Our sunday school children's and teacher's made a trip to visit Mount Miriam Cancer Hospital on 15 December 2010. The children sang christmas carols and present some gift to the patient. In return the center present gift to the children.



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Announcements

1. Corps Sport Outing
Date: 20 Jan 2011 Time: 7:30am Venue: Bukit Jambul Hiking Leader: Bro Kim Aun & Sis Jacinta.

2. Prayer Ministry
Date: 21 Jan 2011 Time: 8:15pm Venue: Captain's Tan quarters Leader: Lieut Fiona

3. Senior Citizen's Breakfast
Date: 12 Feb 2011 Time: 8:00am Venue: Macalister Road
Senior are most welcome to join us. Please give your name to Mrs Tan. Volunteer as always welcome.

4. Chinese New Year Reunion Dinner
Date: 11 Feb 2011 Time: 7:30pm Venue: Corps Community Hall
Food: Pot Bless Steamboat. (Bring enough to share and bring your friends). Please also share your stoves and pots with Corps. Please inform Mrs Tan on food and stoves. The Corps will provide Chinese herbal soup and vegetables for the steamboat.

Prayer Request

1. Pray for Bro Tong Meng for God healing to be with him

2. Pray for Robin Lee of his safety and life in National Service.

3. Pray for our Corps 2011 programmes and ministries.

4. Pray for the High Council and election of new General.

5. Pray for flood victims around the world.

The Origins of Chinese New Year

年俗的由来 (The Origins of Chinese New Year)

陈月海上尉 (Captain Tan Guat Hai)

过年是中国文化最富有传统性和民族性的节庆，也是具有强调亲族联系、调节人际关系、整合社群、促进经济和弘扬家庭伦理的功能。

Chinese New Year is the predominant annual festival that celebrates the heritage and ethnicity of the Chinese culture. Functionally, it also serves to emphasize family and interpersonal relationships, facilitate social cohesion, and promote economic and ethical moral values.

年的原意为“谷熟”，过年与农家收成有着密切的关系，是为了庆祝五谷丰收（大有年），也是中国人庆祝新年的根源。“有年”就是谷熟有收成，“大有年”指大丰收之意。 自古以来中国就是一个农业国家，汉族最初在中原地区发展，冬天气候严寒，户外工作几乎是不可能的。因此就在寒冷的冬季里举行庆祝丰收及答谢神祖的活动。农家在秋夏耕耘与秋季收成后，就过休闲的生活，于是就有了种种的庆祝仪式。

The word ‘nian’ (year), in its original context, means ‘’the grains are ripe”. Crossing the “nian” was closely correlated with the peasants’ harvest, meaning celebrating the harvest of five grains (rice, two kinds of millet, wheat and beans), which is the root of new year celebration for the Chinese. Since ancient times, China has been an agricultural country. The Han race started its development in the central region (south of Yellow River). Since the winter climate there is severe, outdoor work was almost impossible. Hence the Hans used the time to celebrate their abundant harvest and to express gratitude to their ancestor gods. After the peasants had labored from spring to summer and harvested in the autumn, they chose to lead a leisurely life in winter with various celebration ceremonies.

到了汉代初期（公元前二百零二年），由于社会条件成熟以及历法的改订，正月为岁首成为定下来的制度，年俗就逐渐的定型了。经过历年及朝代的洗礼，庆祝的仪式、文化、习俗也逐渐的丰富起来。

At the beginning of the Han Dynasty (A.D.202), as society became more affluent and following the revision of the calendar system, the Lunar first month became the official month to begin a new year. The culture of New Year was gradually set in place. Over the years, with the change of dynasties, the celebration ceremonies, culture and traditions gradually became richer.

明朝及清朝前期随着中国人下南洋、谋生、结婚及最后定居，也将其文化发扬光大，年俗也随着本土的文化而改变，就有了属于我们自己南洋本土文化及习俗的农历新年。捞鱼生就是南洋本土文化的最佳例子，有「風生水起」及「越撈越旺」的意頭。新加坡的华族同胞拿桔子跟亲友拜年，再彼此交换、彼此祝福，也是一个富有意义的举动，彼此祝贺“吉祥如意”、“大吉大利”之意。

During the Ming dynasty, as well as at the beginning of the Qing Dynasty, the Chinese began to migrate to South East Asia to work, marry and settle down, propagating the Chinese culture there. The New Year tradition also evolved with the infusion of local culture, and over time the Nanyang (South Asian) Chinese cultivated their own version of the Lunar New Year that is rich in local culture and traditions. One of the best examples is the eating of “yusheng”, which has the meaning of ushering in prosperity and blessings of wealth (as we toss the yusheng). During the Lunar new year, Singaporean Chinese greet one another with mandarin oranges, with the exchange of oranges symbolizing an exchange of blessings. This is a meaningful gesture of wishing one another good luck, happiness and fortune.

新马两地的本土年俗文化承载了华人五千年文化历史背景，也融入许多的本土习俗，也随着时代的变迁，新年的习俗也逐渐有被淡化的危机。虽然如此本地的新年习俗基本上依然还被保留起来，如大扫除、放鞭炮、派红包（古称压岁钱）、年夜饭（团圆饭）、祭祖、送礼、拜年等。

The Singaporean and Malaysian local Chinese New Year custom have inherited five thousand years of China culture and historical background, mingled with a variety of local customs. Over the years, the Chinese New Year custom has faced the danger of losing its rich traditions. Even so, our local new year custom is still fundamentally being preserved, and traditional activities such as spring cleaning, the lighting of firecrackers, handing out red packets, family reunion dinner, ancestral worship, gifts, visitation etc. are still being practiced today.

从年俗的根源和基督徒庆祝新年并没有冲突，与我们的信仰是没有背道而驰的，只是华人在农历新年期间经常与其他神明扯上关系及膜拜，只要我们不混淆什么是文化，什么是习俗和信仰，而不陷入宗教膜拜和迷信里，那过年就不会影响我们的信仰。在大年初一，华族同胞都会在家祭祖或到庙里膜拜，而我们基督徒也可以在同一天上教堂敬拜上帝，然后在自家举行追思先祖礼拜，接着一起吃团圆饭，是一个更好不过的基督徒具体的见证。

The origin of the Chinese New Year does not conflict with Christian faith and practice. The only caution is the tendency of the Chinese often mixing it with the worshiping of other gods. As long as we do not confuse culture or custom with religious beliefs, and do not get trapped blindly into religious worship and superstition, our faith will not be influenced by the New Year celebration. On the first day of the Lunar New Year, it is a tradition to worship our ancestors either at home or in the temple. As Christians, it will be a powerful Christian testimony if we can likewise take this day to worship God, and thereafter remember our loved ones (through memorial services), followed by having family reunion meals.

农历新年强调的是亲族联系、调节人际关系、整合社群、促进经济和弘扬家庭伦理，而我们更应该透过这个节庆，见证，也与他人分享神的爱，而能荣神益人。

The Chinese New Year emphasizes bonding with family and relatives, as well as interpersonal relationships, social cohesion, and the promotion of economic and ethical/moral values. It behooves us to use this festival opportunistically to share God’s love with others, thereby glorifying God and edifying men.

Outing - Hiking 31 Jan 2011

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Flower Offering 2011

Announcements

1. Prayer Ministry
Date: 14 Jan 2011 Time: 8:15pm Venue: Community Hall Leader: Captain Tan

2. Senior Citizen's Breakfast
Date: 12 Feb 2011 Time: 8:00am Venue: Macalister Road
Senior are most welcome to join us. Please give your name to Mrs Tan. Volunteer as always welcome.

Prayer Request

1. Pray for Bro Mok Tong Meng, Khai Ling, Lt Fiona, Choon Eng, Mrs Tan mum and other who are sick or those recovery from surgery.

2. Pray for Robin Lee of his safety and life in National Service.

3. Pray for our Corps 2011 programmes and ministries.

4. Pray for the High Council and election of new General.

Glowing in Holiness

Fellowship of Believers - Act 2:42-47

The Salvation Army's International Mission Statement says, "The Salvation Army an international movement is an evangelical part of the universal Christian Church. It message is based on the Bible. It's ministry is motivated by love for God. It's mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and meet human needs in his name without discrimination."

The church is a community of people separated from the world. We still live in this world, but we are not of it. Jesus prayed, My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. Sanctify them by the truth: your word is truth. (John 17 15-17). The values of God's Kingdom become our accepted values. Once we lived under the domination of sin and evil, but when we become Christians we are under Christ in Christ. We are to be a holy people.

The power of the world can be very threatening and we need the grace of God to enable us to live holy lives. The support and encouragement of fellow believers is vital. Community is not an option. We should embrace community, support the community of the church we belong to without attendance, participation, tithes and offerings.

We read in Acts of the Apostles that the Christians devoted themselves on the apostles' teaching, and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer (Act 2:42). So when we meet in church on Sunday or in the homes of fellow Christians during the week we are following an old tradition. We are to be a learning community of people.

A church without a teaching ministry cannot survive and be a vibrant church. We all need food to stay alive, and to do so spiritually we need spiritual food. All Scripture in God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work, 2 Timothy 3: 16-17. We need to be taught to be usable and useful in the community we are in and the world in which we dwell.

We are to be a united community of people. In Acts of the Apostles, we read that Christian believers meet in Upper Room - they were together, united in pray. We read that the church was unified (Acts 2:44) magnified (Acts 2:47) and multiplied (Acts 2:47).. praising God and enjoying the favour of the all the people. The Lord added to their number daily those who are being saved.

The unity in spirit within the church expresses itself in our willingness to share with others; in giving and receiving. They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching, and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer (Act 2:42). The early church had no church buildings. They met for fellowship in the houses of the people, by the riverside, or anywhere they could find a place.

Church revivals always begin with a group of individuals concerned enough to really pray. They are passionate enough about soul saving. They are willing to spend time and agonise in prayer. A praying church will result in a revived church. A church comes alive and meets challenges. Prayer is the life of the church. A church without serious effort to pray is a lifeless church. It can still carry on with activities, but is dead and does not bring glory to God. Hear the words of the Lord: Call upon me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know (Jeremiah 33:3). Let us be a holy, praying community of people.

Commissioner Lim Ah Ang (retired) - (Singapore, Malaysia, Myanmar.)

Covenant Sunday - 2 Jan 2011

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A New Year Message - Colonel Gillian Downer

Called to be Intentional - In Holiness, Prayer, Discipleship, Mission

This year I want to encourage all of us to focus upon being all that Gog has called us to be as His Salvation Army in this territory. Not just to think about, not just to believe in, but to be intentional in living out our calling and commitment. This can only happen when together we make these priorities in our personal lives, in our corps and in our centres. I believe we must be 'Intentional' if we want to move forward and allow God, through His Holy Spirit to renew and refresh us.

In the August War Cry, I identified a number of priorities which I believed God had laid on my heart as I was entrusted with the leadership of the territory. Our theme for 2011 provides us with a focus for those priorities and seeks to make them personal.

Intentional in Holiness

God has called The Salvation Army to be a holiness movement and this is key to our identity. The International Spiritual Life Commission called all Salvationists to live out the doctrine of holiness in all its dimensions: personal, relational, social and political. We are called to be like Jesus in every aspect of our lives but holiness is not automatic, we need to purposefully seek it. May we each live our lives in such a way that we honour God and shine for Jesus.

Intentional in Prayer

This year I ask that we commit ourselves to pray specifically and consistently for our territory. I believe in the power of united prayer and would like to invite you to covenant with me to pray every Monday morning whenever we are at 6:30am. As we prioritize this time of prayer, individually yet united in spirit for our Army, God will strengthen us and leads us forward in His grace and power.

Intentional in Discipleship

The territorial theme for the last 2 years has been Go and Make Disciples - NOW! and we praise God for souls won and the commitment to discipleship. The territory has just reached significant milestones in our history: 75 years in Singapore and 72 years in Malaysia and 95 years in Myanmar. We praise God for His faithfulness but in some parts of the territory we are seeing decline and not growth. We rejoice in souls saved and soldiers enrolled, but if we are to grow and have the opportunity of moving into new areas, emphasis on discipleship and great commitment to soldership needs to be continued priority.

Intentional in Mission

In defining our mission, General John Gowans (retired) very succinctly called The Salvation Army to save souls, grow saints and server humanity. If we are to be all that God has called us to be we need to ensure there are our priorities in all aspect of Salvation Army ministry. Every Salvationists has a part to play in fulfilling our mission. It will involved personal sacrifice and stepping out of our comfort zones, but with out willingness, dedication and commitment we will have the privilege of sharing in building God's Kingdom.

Every blessing,

Colonel Gillian Downer
Territorial Commander (Singapore, Malaysia, Myanmar)

Announcements

1. Cell Group / Prayer Ministry
Cell Group and Prayer Ministry will be resume as usual.
Adult Cell Group => Every 1st and 3rd Friday of the month
Prayer Ministry => Every 2nd and 4th Friday of the month

2. Sunday School Classes
Sunday School will resume next coming Sunday 9 Jan 2011. Kindly take note.

3. Special Thanks
Special thanks to Colonel Gillian Downer for her visit and pastoral ministry to officers and corps members.

Prayer Request

1. Pray for Bro Mok Tong Meng and Ah Boy, whom just have their operation.

2. Pray for Robin Lee as he leaves for National Service on 4 Jan 2011

3. Pray for our Corps 2011 programmes and ministries.

4. Pray for the High Council and election of new General.