Special Thanksgiving Service (31st December 2023)
The year 2023 has been a whirlwind, a tapestry woven with triumphs and challenges, sunshine and storms. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 says, “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” On 31st Dec 2023, 7 individuals and 2 couples have stepped forward to share their stories of hope, resilience, and joy.
https://youtu.be/gSMSaLJ74-Y (From 41:20 – 1:33:22)
Here is a summary of their testimonies:
- Benedict Lee, back from studying in the Netherlands, expresses deep gratitude to his wife, Joey, for handling his absence with incredible sacrifice, juggling her career and taking care of their one-year-old son. He also thanks his incredible family (parents, siblings and in-laws) for their unwavering love and support. He acknowledges the leap of faith and challenges he faced, but ultimately sees God’s immense blessings in his achievements and newfound connections in Amsterdam. He invites everyone to join him at the Alpha Course in JCC in February 2024.
- Alyna Khoo shares about the incredible hospitality she received from the church community in Birmingham when she was studying in the UK. Their open-mindedness and spiritual guidance were invaluable to her when she was alone in the foreign land. She also expresses gratitude for a smooth transition back to working life and for the continued support of her church family and loved ones. Alyna Khoo’s message celebrates God’s faithfulness and emphasizes the universality of Christian identity, encouraging everyone to reach out to international students and foreigners around them.
- Jiemin, a social worker and mother of two boys, reflects on a year of significant transitions. She faced challenges adapting to a new workplace, balancing demanding work with family life, and supporting clients with complex issues. Despite the struggles, she found strength in her faith, supportive network, and self-care. Ultimately, she expresses gratitude for God’s guidance, love, and the privilege of serving others. This Thanksgiving message is a testament to resilience, faith, and the importance of community in navigating life’s transitions.
- John Wong expresses immense gratitude for the opportunity to share his testimony. He describes a difficult life marked by poverty, lack of education, and searching for meaning through various religions and practices. Ultimately, he finds solace and purpose in Jesus, experiencing God’s love and receiving the strength to overcome addiction and build a new life. He encourages everyone to seek a relationship with God and experience His transformative grace.
- Lily Lee reflects on 20 years since her heart attack and God’s blessings in her husband’s successful brain tumour surgery. She acknowledges that witnessing her children grow up and get married is a true gift from God. The message is a testament to gratitude, perseverance, and the enduring power of faith in the face of life’s hardships. She encourages others to lean on God and hold onto His unfailing love and grace.
- Cheng Kiat expresses deep gratitude to God for the blessings of community and support, particularly within the church’s youth ministry which he heads. He highlights individuals and groups who provided crucial help and guidance, especially after facing challenges like the departure of a key staff member. He also emphasizes the launch of a new youth service as a testament to God’s grace and the church’s shared vision for serving young people. The message concludes with a call to continue embodying the love of Christ in the new year.
Alex & Clarissa, share their thanksgiving message about how God supported them through several challenges in the past few years. They faced difficulties like struggling to conceive a second child, job loss due to COVID, and business challenges. But through it all, they prayed ceaselessly, learned to trust in God’s timing and experienced His blessings, including the birth of their second daughter. Their key takeaway – Surrender to God’s plan and be open to unexpected ways he works.- Golda & Jia Xiang convey a deep sense of gratitude for God’s presence and the blessings of faith, love, community, and growth experienced throughout the year. Finding a welcoming church home, participating in a supportive cell group, and serving through Manna Bridge brought joy and opportunities to forge friendship as they adjust to a new life in Singapore and learn to grow out of their social anxiety to share the gospel with people they have never met before.
- Hannah Koh, serving on the ship, Logos Hope, expresses gratitude for God’s preparation for her journey, and blessing of safety and adequate provision in challenging countries where the ship docks. Growing up in Singapore has helped her to live in harmony with people with diverse cultures from 70 nations onboard the ship, and that her roles in JCC equipped her to support the Director handle the weekly meetings and manage the ship’s vibrant community. She requests continuing prayers for crew safety, financial provision, and success in sharing Christian materials in their onward mission.
Conclusion
May the echoes of these inspiring testimonies resonate throughout 2024, guiding us toward a year filled with blessings, purpose, and unwavering faith. Let us go forth, with hearts overflowing with gratitude and spirits ignited by the power of shared blessings.
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