15 | 16

February 2025

Traditional Services

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WESLEY METHODIST CHURCH
140th CHURCH ANNIVERSARY SERVICE

16 February 2025 | Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Wesley Sanctuary | 8.30am (Live-streamed) and 11.00am

LOOKING UP | REACHING OUT

  1. GATHERING

    Prelude

    Herr Gott, dich loben alle wir Organ
    (Lord God, we give praise to Thee)
    Johann G. Walther (1684–1748)

    Great is Thy FaithfulnessGu Zheng
    Arr: Annabel Leong

    WelcomeRev Raymond Fong

    Call to Worship *

    Narrator 1:Irwin Seet
    Today we celebrate our Lord’s divine creation, the church of the living God.

    It is within the church community that our faith has taken root and been nurtured.

    It is within the church that we have been united with those who stand beside us this day in worship and also with those who have stood under the banner of Christ’s love through the centuries.

    Narrator 2:Alice Ling
    Together we boldly proclaim that we are united by “one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of us all, who is above all and through all and in all.” (Eph 4:5–6)

    Ye Servants of God *UMH 181
    Text: Charles Wesley, 1744
    Tune: HANOVER

    1. Ye servants of God, your Master proclaim,
      and publish abroad his wonderful name;
      the name, all victorious, of Jesus extol:
      his kingdom is glorious, he rules over all.

    2. God ruleth on high, almighty to save,
      and still he is nigh, his presence we have;
      the great congregation his triumph shall sing,
      ascribing salvation to Jesus, our King.

    1. Then let us adore, and give him his right—
      all glory and pow’r, all wisdom and might,
      all honor and blessing, with angels above,
      and thanks never ceasing, and infinite love.


    The Church’s One Foundation *

    Narrator 1:Irwin Seet
    God’s Word tells us that we “are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people” (1 Pet 2:9). This is the birthright of all who claim Jesus Christ as Lord.

    Narrator 2:Alice Ling
    We have been proclaimed citizens with the saints and members of the household of faith, built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets with Christ Jesus himself as the cornerstone.

    Narrator 1:Irwin Seet
    In Jesus, the whole structure is joined together. and grows into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom we are built together spiritually and into a dwelling place for God. (Eph 2:19–22)

    Narrator 2:Alice Ling
    Let us celebrate this good news! We are the church of the living God, founded on the gospel of the risen Christ, empowered and united by the Holy Spirit.
    Thanks be to God!

    All: Thanks be to God!

    The Church’s One Foundation *
    Words: Lloyd Larson, based on Ephesians 4:4-6
    Music: Lloyd Larson, quoting familiar hymns
    © 2007 Lorenz Publishing Company

    I love your kingdom, Lord,
    the house of your abode,
    the church our blest Redeemer saved
    with his own precious blood.

    I love your church, O God;
    her walls before you stand,
    dear as the apple of your eye,
    and graven on your hand.

    There is one body and one Spirit,
    just as we were called to one hope;
    one Lord, one faith,
    and we are baptized as one.

    There is one body and one Spirit,
    just as we were called to one hope;
    one Lord, one faith,
    through Jesus Christ, God’s Son.

    1 The church’s one foundation is Jesus Christ her Lord;
    she is his new creation, by water and the word.
    From heav’n he came and sought her to be his holy bride;
    with his own blood he bought her, and for her life he died.

    2 Elect from every nation, yet one o’er all the earth,
    her charter of salvation: one Lord, one faith, one birth;
    one holy name she blesses, partakes one holy food,
    and to one hope she presses with every grace endued.

    3 (Choir only)
    ‘Mid toil and tribulation, and tumult of her war,
    she waits the consummation of peace forever more,
    till with the vision glorious her longing eyes are blest,
    and the great Church victorious shall be the Church at rest.

    4 (All)
    Yet she on earth hath union with God, the Three in One,
    and mystic sweet communion with those whose rest is won;
    O happy ones and holy! Lord, give us grace that we,
    like them, the meek and lowly, on high may dwell with thee.

    Coda
    The church’s one foundation forevermore
    is Jesus Christ her Lord!
    Amen! Amen!


    Prayer for Unity

    Narrator 1:Irwin Seet
    The teachings of Jesus emphasized the importance of a united community: 

    “I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:34–35)

    Narrator 2:Alice Ling
    Even on the night before he was crucified, Jesus prayed for his followers. He prayed that we would be empowered by God’s Spirit and united in our mission efforts to share the gospel of Christ. For a united church is an effective church. A united church can lead a divided world to a saving knowledge of a loving and eternal God. (based on John 17)

    Prayer for Unity
    Text and Music: Lloyd Larson, based on John 17
    © 2007 Lorenz Publishing Company

    “May they be one,” so our Lord prayed.
    “May they be one to show others the way.
    Holy, united as you and I are one;
    led by your Spirit, may they be one.”

    May we be one, as our Lord prayed.
    May we be one and show others the way.
    Wholly united with God’s only Son;
    led by the Spirit, may we be one.

    Jesus, Lord, we look to thee,
    let us in thy name agree.
    Show thyself, O Prince of Peace,
    bid our strife to ever cease.

    Make us one of heart and mind,
    loving full of grace and kind,
    lowly meek, in thought and word,
    altogether like our Lord.

    Let us for each other care,
    each the other’s burden bear.
    To thy church the pattern give,
    show us, Lord, how we should live.

    Free from anger, free from pride,
    let our lives in God abide.
    All the depths of love express,
    all the heights of holiness.

    Amen, amen.

    Intergenerational Prayer

    Irwin Seet:
    Dear God, unite us in one purpose and spirit. May our unity be a testament to your love and grace. Amen.

    Alice Ling:
    Almighty God, we thank you for guiding the Methodist Church in Singapore and Wesley Methodist Church through the ups and downs the past 140 years. You have been with us every step along the way. May we be found faithful as we continue to journey with you. Amen.

    Joel Teo:
    God Most High, we pray for wisdom for our Church leaders. Guide them in making decisions that honor you and bless the Church. May they always seek your counsel and lead with love, humility, and integrity. Amen.

    Lim Jia Xin:
    Heavenly Father, grant us strength and resilience as we move forward. May we thrive through our service to you and our love for our neighbour, especially the least, the last and the lost. Amen.

    Rev Raymond Fong:
    Dear God, we trust in your plan and look forward to the future with hope and faith. May we deepen our faith and understanding of your Word. Guide us to live out your teachings in our daily lives. Help us to reach more people with your love and message. May our efforts bear fruit and bring glory to your name. Amen.

    The Lord’s PrayerTune: WESLEY TULUS

  2. SERMON

    Sermon Title:

    Love the Lord your God

    Scripture:

    Mark 12:28 – 34

    Speaker:

    Bishop Philip Lim

    Bishop Philip Lim was elected Bishop of The Methodist Church in Singapore (MCS) to serve in the 13th Quadrennium (2025 to 2028). He oversees MCS’ 46 churches, provides counsel to 15 Methodist schools and supports Methodist Welfare Services (MWS). He is also the Presiding Bishop for the Methodist churches in Cambodia, Nepal and Thailand. Previously, he served as a missionary in Cambodia under the Methodist Missions Society (MMS), and as Executive Director of MMS from 2012 to 2018. He has pastored churches in the Chinese Annual Conference (CAC), most recently as Pastor-in-Charge of Kum Yan Methodist Church, and also chaired CAC's Board of Ministry.

  3. RESPONSE
    Song of Response* 

    O God Beyond All Praising
    Words: Michael Perry (1942–1996)
    © 1982 Hope Publishing Co.
    Tune (THAXTED): Gustav T. Holst (1874–1934) 

    1. O God beyond all praising we worship you today and sing the love amazing that songs cannot repay; for we can only wonder at every gift you send, at blessings without number and mercies without end: we lift our hearts before you and wait upon your Word, we honor and adore you, our great and mighty Lord.

    2. Then hear, O gracious Savior, accept the love we bring, that we who know your favor may serve you as our King; and whether our tomorrows be filled with good or ill, we’ll triumph through our sorrows and rise to bless you still: to marvel at your beauty and glory in your ways, and make a joyful duty our sacrifice of praise!

    The Methodist Church in Singapore Video

    Greetings from the Presidents of the Three Conferences (8.30am only) 

    Welcome & Exchange of Peace

    Family News – Our Stories His Glory 2 Video

    Wesley Methodist Church’s 140th Anniversary

    Video Vision 2035 Sharing

    Offertory Prayer 

    Choral Offering:

    Great Is Thy Faithfulness
    Words: Thomas O. Chisholm; Music: William M. Runyan
    Choral arr. Mary McDonald; Orchestration by Michael Lawrence
    © 2017 Hope Publishing Co.



    Doxology * Now Thank We All Our God UMH 102, St. 3


  4. SENDING FORTH

    By Faith 
    Words and Music: Stuart Townend, Keith & Kristyn Getty with “Great Is Thy Faithfulness”
    Choral setting by Lloyd Larson © 2016 Hope Publishing Company

    1. By faith we see the hand of God in the light of creation's grand design, in the lives of those who prove his faithfulness, who walk by faith and not by sight.

    2. By faith the prophets saw a day when the longed-for Messiah would appear with the pow'r to break the chains of sin and death, and rise triumphant from the grave.

    Chorus:
    We will stand as children of the promise, we will fix our eyes on Christ, our souls’ reward; 'til the race is finished and the work is done we'll walk by faith and not by sight.

    1. By faith the church was called to go in the pow’r of the Spirit to the lost, to deliver captives, and to preach good news in ev’ry corner of the earth.

    2. By faith this mountain shall be moved, and the pow’r of the gospel shall prevail; for we know in Christ all things are possible for all who call upon his name.

    Chorus (soft):
    We will stand as children of the promise,
    we will fix our eyes on Christ, our souls’ reward;
    'til the race is finished and the work is done
    we'll walk by faith and not by sight.

    Chorus (loud):
    We will stand as children of the promise,
    we will fix our eyes on Christ, our souls’ reward;
    'til the race is finished and the work is done_____
    we'll walk by faith and not by sight.

    Great is thy faithfulness!
    Great is thy faithfulness!
    Morning by morning new mercies I see;
    all I have needed thy hand hath provided,
    great is thy faithfulness__, __ Lord, unto me!

    Coda
    By faith we see the hand of God (by faith we see the hand of God).
    By faith this mountain shall be moved (by faith this mountain shall be moved).
    We’ll walk by faith, (we’ll walk by faith)
    and not___ by___ sight.
    We’ll walk by faith!

    BenedictionBishop Philip Lim

    Organ Postlude Facing a Task Unfinished (We Go To All The World) Music: Samuel Wesley, 1864; Keith Getty, Kristyn Getty, Ed Cash, and Fionan De Barra, 2015

    * Congregation may stand.

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Wesley Methodist Church
5 Fort Canning Road
Singapore 179493
Singapore
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