In May my heart sings with two things. One is the start of our 40 days of spiritual formation. It will be a busy 1 month, but with help from Ps Thomas, Simon and Rinda, Mary Tham, Jude, Ethel Shin, Wei Yang and David Lim, we are looking forward to see what God will do in the lives of the adventurous and hungry young people who signed up to join this learning community: Jeremy Ling, Yong En, Jacob Chong, Sophia Sim, Isaac Hui Le, Eudora Shin, Joseph Chang. Please pray for them to be filled with a knowledge of His will, and to be strengthened with the might of His Spirit.

Secondly, it is the Bless-U prayer program to help us inculcate a habit of intercessory prayer. Take this 6 weeks to turn your heart to the church and its needs; to feel compassion for people; to feel God’s heart for His people; and to pray with heart and intelligence. Intercessory or asking prayer is the other wing of our balanced prayer life as we envisage it in our disciples’ profile of PRAYER (INTIMACY AND INTERCESSORY).  All the more as we look forward to what the Lord will do in the church camp, our anniversary celebrations and the NEW BEGINNING that the is taking form before us.

Kenny Chee
Senior Pastor

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

We are a disciple making church. We intentionally want to make disciples through our main programs: the worship services and the cell groups and the equipping tracks (D1, D2, D3). The disciple we want to make have certain prominent distinctive characteristics as conveniently spelled out by our church’s acronym:

W (evangelism and missions),

R (the work of the Holy Spirit),

P (intimacy and intercessory prayer),

F (Discipleship in Community).  

Most of the things we do have the aim of nurturing and growing these values in our members. We all know that spiritual growth must be strongly rooted and established in the message and experience of God’s unconditional love. That is the best soil for growing redeemed human beings. The environment is important too. This series on spiritual growth will show us that growth can be intentional. Last Sunday, we saw how a mentoring relationship can make a difference. Today and next Sunday, we will examine other facets that can spur spiritual growth.

Alpha Weekly Format

3pm to 4.30pm : Ice Breakers & Lesson Video screening.

 - We will have a bit of mixture of  fun, games & singspiration.  After this,    screening of video by Nicky Gumbel.

4.30pm to 5.30pm : Discussion Time.

 - After watching the video, we will form into small groups.  This is the time of discussion, when guests can ask any questions and contribute their opinions.

 5.30pm : Dinner & Fellowship

 

What Others are saying about Alpha !

• “A good refresher course.”
• “I realized just what I’ve missed in a relationship with God.”
• It gave me a better understanding of certain aspects of Christianity
• “It gave me a better understanding why Jesus died on the cross.”
• “Good to understand what others are thinking.”      
• “I feel I’ve learnt a lot I never knew.”
• “I enjoyed the food and fellowship after the session.”
• “It helped me to have a better understanding  of the role of the Holy Spirit in my life.”        

 

The Alpha Course Is…

Anyone can come. Anyone interested in finding out more about the Christian faith is welcome.

Learning and Laughter.  Join others in a relaxed atmosphere.

Pasta (or other great food).  Each weekly session begins with dinner.

Helping one another.  Dinner is followed by large-group presentation and small-group discussion.

Ask anything.  Here’s your chance to ask your questions and express your opinions.
Have you ever wondered: What is the meaning of life? What happens when we die? What relevance does Jesus have for our lives? How do we deal with guilt? Why does God allow starvation and suffering? Did Jesus really live? Is the Bible for real? How does forgiveness work? How do science, evolution, and God co-exist?

Then, Alpha is for you. Has anyone ever asked questions like those of you? Then Alpha is for them. At Alpha, you will come together with other interested people, and find out the answers to these questions, and more.

INTRODUCTION  TO  ALPHA  :

Alpha is an opportunity or anyone to explore the Christian. faith in a relaxed, non-threatening  setting over ten thought-provoking weekly sessions,with a  weekend away. Alpha is a place where answers to key questions of  life can be discovered through discussion and relationship, and where each person’s faith can develop at their own pace,without pressure from others. There are three key components to each Alpha course meeting: a meal, a talk, and discussion in small groups. The meal allows for friendships to develop amongst the guests, the talk presents key aspects of the Christian faith, while the small group discussion gives the guests the opportunity to talk about the questions they have.

HOW MUCH IT COSTS TO ATTEND THE ALPHA COURSE?

There is no charge to attend the Alpha Course.

WHO IS IT FOR?

Anyone wanting to explore the meaning of life! Alpha is for everyone, especially: those wanting to investigate  Christianity, new Christians, newcomers to the church and those who want to brush up on the basics.

- THE ALPHA TALKS:   

There are 12 talks on the Alpha course, which are given over the ten weeks of the course and the weekend away.

Session 1: Who is Jesus? 24 Mar, Sat

What historical evidence is there for the existence of Jesus?.

Session 2: Why did Jesus Die? 31 Mar, Sat

The cross is the central image of Christianity. Why was the crucifixion necessary and what did it achieve?

Session 3: How can I be sure  of  my  Faith? 7 Apr, Sat

How can we begin a relationship with God and how can we know that we have eternal life?

Session 4: Why and how do I Pray? 14 Apr, Sat

Does God  really hear all our prayers?  If so, does he answer them? Where do I start?

Session 5: Why and how should I Read the Bible? 21 Apr, Sat

What’s so special about the Bible? How can this ancient book be relevant to my life today?                                                     

Session 6: How does God Guide us? 28 Apr, Sat

Life is full of decisions. Is it possible for God to guide us in the choices we make every day?                                                 

Session 7 : How can I Resist Evil? 5 May, Sat

How does Christianity explain the evil we see in our world? What can we do to overcome it?

Session 8: Who is the Holy Spirit? 12 May, Sat, Holy Spirit Weekend

We know about God the Father and Jesus the Son, but who is the Holy Spirit and where did he come from?

Session 9: What does the Holy Spirit do? How does the Holy Spirit affect our relationship with God and with each other?                                                                               

Session 10: How can I be Filled  with the Holy Spirit?

What does it mean to be filled with the Spirit? And how, in practice, does it happen?

Session 11: Why and how should I tell Others? 19 May, Sat

Isn’t faith in God a private matter? Why do we need to talk about what we believe? What’s the best way of doing it?

Session 12 : What  about the Church? 27 May, Sun

Do you have to go to church to be a Christian?

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

 The theme for this year is “Growing Together in God’s Love”. This is derived from our emphasis on the fourth discipleship value (Discipleship in Community) we want to deepen in WRPF disciples this year.

In January, we talked about how Old Testament champions dealt with obstacles to growth. In February, we did a series on Holy Communion. We wanted to understand more deeply how as a community we are rooted in God’s love and draw nourishment from the soil of His finished work, whenever we partake of the body and blood of Christ. We have increased the number of times we have communion together to twice a month from March onwards, and monthly in the cell meetings. We want to grow together in God’s love, not just theoretically, but in practice too.

In March we will do a series on spiritual growth called “One Degree Makes A Difference”. It challenges us to do little adjustments in habits, in attitudes, and in ministry. Little things that will result in big growth over the long haul. We will also challenge people to help non-believers “grow” spiritually by inviting them to the Alpha courses; and for members to attend the Discipleship 1 (D1) course that will be re-run with an emphasis on the mentoring element.

In April, we will use Holy Week (2 -8 April) for contemplative prayer. Revival of first love can come by an inrushing of the Holy Spirit into a community or it can come by an inbreathing of the Holy Spirit in quiet contemplative prayer. I have experienced both and they are both transformative and desirable. During Holy week we will ask for the grace of an “inbreathing” experience of the Holy Spirit during the nightly contemplative prayer from Monday to Thursday (2-5 April) and the Good Friday Service. More details on this later.

For March, use the brochure and invite friends you know would benefit from a challenge to grow spiritually. Let us all grow together in God’s love.

Kenny Chee
Senior Pastor

If you are interested to attend, call Ps Thomas at 98577779

There will be a meeting for the Alpha Working Group on 8^th February, Wed, at 7.30pm in the conference room.