HVMC’s Year End Celebrations
CHRISTMAS 2022 IN FULL FORCE
Advent Carols started in 2021 as an opportunity to bring our Church family together, over Zoom, during the COVID-19 pandemic. With virtually all restrictions lifted in 2022, we decided to hold an in-person Advent Carols By Candlelight for the very first time, on 23 December.
In faith, we planned to host 150 people, but saw an encouraging turnout of about 180, including staff from ACS (International), and families from the neighbourhood. This is a testament of God’s grace over our Church by providing the resources we needed to host more than we had planned for, and the connections He has led us to build over the years with both the School and our neighbours.
The first Advent Carols over Zoom featured mainly Life Groups reading portions of the liturgy. We decided to keep to that format, with seven Life Groups involved in the scripture reading, and two leading in the carols. We hope to expand this to other Ministries, so that more of the congregation can be involved in this family affair!
The most heart-warming aspects of the event were the warm fellowship over a bento-box dinner, and hearing everyone sing familiar carols – aspects that we had lost in the last two Christmases and I am glad they have returned.
Theophilus Tan
On Christmas morning at HVMC, there was an air of joyful freedom from the COVID restrictions, as worshippers joined in singing well-loved carols, moving freely to shake hands, and even hugging each other in joyous celebration. What a welcome change it was! As Vijendran Alfreds said, “We were especially glad to ‘Come and Adore Him’, along with Sam, my brother visiting from Melbourne, and my son’s family, visiting from Wesley Methodist Church.”
A treat came in the form of a choral item by members from our congregation who had practised for three Sundays leading up to a harmonious acapella performance. The choir was joined on stage by the primary school children who “sang” along in sign language, while for the finale, the younger ones walked into the sanctuary bearing electric candles, singing the meaningful lyrics - “Christmas isn’t Christmas till it happens in your heart…”
Pastor Jeremy’s Christmas message, on “God Speaks”, taken from Hebrews 1:1-4, ended with the resounding call that much as God has reached out to us by sending us His Son, we, on our part are to “Go tell it on the mountain that Jesus Christ is born”. And may this good news, of Jesus come in the flesh to die for our sins, be ever on our lips, long after the Christmas season is over.
Yeoh Chee Koon
RINGING IN THE NEW YEAR
It was New Year’s eve, and the 8 pm Covenant Renewal Service was held for the purpose of the renewal of the Christian believer’s covenant with God. The last day of the year presents a fortuitous time for us to reflect on the year that has been and to look forward to the year that is ahead, with God’s blessing.
Pastor Loretta opened the sermon by asking us to rate (on a scale of 1 to 10) how 2022 fared for us. For her, the year was especially painful, with the loss of loved ones. Her consolation came from Lamentations 3:16-26, that as we experience the vicissitudes of life – as there will be ‘peaks’, there will be ‘valleys’ - our God will always bring us from a place of hurt to a place of hope. All we have to do is to place our hands into His mighty hands and walk with Him into the future.
After Communion, the sanctuary was shrouded in darkness, as we entered into silent meditation, spending quiet time with God and preparing to welcome the new year, with Pastor Loretta’s words from Lamentations still echoing in our hearts: “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, His mercies never come to an end. They are new every morning; great is Thy faithfulness.”
May Oon
