Under The Shade Of His Grace

 

'This is what the Sovereign Lord says: I myself will take a shoot from the very top of a cedar and plant it;

I will break off a tender sprig from its topmost shoots and plant it on a high and lofty mountain. 

On the mountain heights of Israel I will plant it, it will bear fruit and become a splendid cedar.

Birds of every kind will nest in it; they will find shelter in the shade of its branches. 

All the trees of the forest will know that I the Lord will bring down the tall tree and make the low tree grow tall. I dry up the green tree and make the dry tree flourish. 

I the Lord have spoken and I will do it' Ezekiel 17:22-24

The Charis Methodist Church's new sanctuary, building and renovated premises was consecrated and dedicated today, 21 January 2024, to the Glory of God. The theme of the worship service and the topic of the sermon delivered by Methodist Bishop, Rev(Dr) Gordon Wong was, 'Under The Shade of His Grace.'

The Bishop was quick to point out that the topic was well chosen because the name Charis comes from the Greek word Χάρις meaning grace and kindness. It is a prayer, said the Bishop, that Charis will be a church where many people will find comfort, salvation and fulfillment with the ministry of the church - under the shade of God's grace.

'Under the Shade of His Grace' used during the dedication service of the church, will likewise, be the theme of Charis Methodist Church's witness and ministry. In a world of trouble and tribulation, the church will reach out and welcome the community to enjoy the comfort and shelter of God's grace.

The Charis Congregation @ Dedication Service

Bishop Gordon Wong based his sermon on the passage Ezekiel 17:22-24. There are several lessons to be drawn from this bible passage:

• Charis Methodist Church is Established by the Design and Initiative of God. Pay attention to the positive actions of God's will,
• I myself will a take a shoot from the top of the cedar. 
• I will break off a tender sprig.
• I will plant it.

• Charis Methodist Church shall (will) Establish a Fruitful Ministry
• It will produce branches
• It will bear fruit
• It will become a splendid cedar

• Charis Methodist Church will Serve the Community and Needy
• Birds of every kind will nest in it
• Birds will shelter in it.

• Charis Methodist Church will Thrive but Only by God's Grace
• I the Lord bring down the tall tree and make the low tree grow tall
• I dry up the green tree and make the dry tree flourish
• I the Lord have spoken and I will do it

We celebrated the 35th Anniversary of the church today. This is because we count our age from the day we became independent of the mother church, on 1 January 1989, and became a local conference of the Methodist Church in Singapore. 

In reality the congregation of Charis Methodist Church started way back in 1966 when several of our pioneers started an English Worship Service at 4.30 pm at the Geylang Chinese Methodist Church in Aljunied Road. It was inaugurated by Bishop Robert F Lundy, the Bishop of the Malaysia-Singapore Methodist General Conference. 

The English Worship Service was managed autonomously by a English Working Committee. The Chairpersons of the Working Committees were Goh Say Hong (1968 to 1975), Victor Koh (1976), Lim Eng Chong (1977), Lionel Lee (1978 to 1982), Lim Eng Chong (1982/83), Lionel Lee (1983-1988) until the first Local Church Executive Committee was formed on 1 Jan 1989 with Lionel Lee as the Chairman. The LCEC chairpersons of Charis Methodist Church were Quek Koh Eng, Koh Hai Theng, Charles Loh, Khoong Hock Yun, Too Shiun Jye. In 2024, LCEC leadership transferred to the third generation under Gabriel Tham. 

That English Service included two worship services, Sunday School, two Methodist Youth Fellowships, the 17th Company Boys Brigade, Young Adult Fellowship, Adult Fellowship, Young Adult Bible Class, Children's Ministry called the Charis King's Army, Adult Choir, Children's Choir, Evangelism, Social Concerns and Missions Ministries. 

Thus, Charis Methodist Church existed as a congregation for 57 years since 1966.  For 37 years, from 1966-1993 when we acquired the present property upon which the new buildings were dedicated today, we were a Church without a Home. But it did not really matter to us, because we always knew that the Lord God will provide shelter and nest.

'Birds of every kind will nest in it; they will find shelter in the shade of its branches.' Ezekiel 17:23b

The Bishop pointed out that these two words nest and shelter are translated same in Mandarin as 'Home.' We are reminded that God has provided Charis Methodist Church with a home just as Christ said, 

'Upon this rock, I will build my church and all the powers of hell will not conquer it' Matthew 16:18b (NLT)

The Charis Methodist Church Choir sang the song, 'Upon This Rock' at the dedication service. The Choir sang the same anthem on the 3 Apr 1993 at the inaugural service at our newly acquired property. It sang again on the 20 Jan 2019 celebrating our 30th Anniversary as a independent local conference.

 

When others see with earthly eyes

Just what they want to see

You will see the things that never die

You will know and recognize

By simple child-like faith

The priceless truth that

Others will deny.

When others say I'm just a man

Who likes to dream His dreams

When others call a miracle a myth

You'll listen for eternity

In moments as they pass

And see with spirit eyes

What others miss.

Upon this rock I'll build My kingdom

And on this rock forever and ever it shall stand

And all the powers of Hell itself

Shall never more prevail against it

For Satan's thrones are built on sinking sand

Upon this rock I'll build My kingdom

And on this rock forever and ever it shall stand

Upon this rock of revelation

I'll build a strong and mighty nation

And it shall stand the storms of time

Upon this rock.

If in a simple carpenter

You see the Son of God

If you would chose to lose

When you could win

If you would give your life away

For nothing in return

Then you are where

My kingdom will begin.

Upon this rock I'll build My kingdom

And on this rock forever and ever it shall stand

Upon this rock of revelation

I'll build a strong and mighty nation

And it shall stand the storms of time

Upon this rock

I'll Build My church

Upon this rock

I'll Build My church

Upon this Rock

Upon this Rock

The clarion message, is that Christ alone will build Charis Methodist, His Church.

Lionel

Charis - A Gracious, Attractive Community?

"Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch your tent curtain wide, do not hold back; lengthen your cords, strengthen your stakes" Isaiah 54:2

My Church is Charis Methodist Church. In Greek mythology Charis is the name of one of the Graces. She is known for her charm, beauty and graciousness. In the Christian context the Greek word Charis (χάρις) refers to goodwill, loving-kindness, favour and the grace of God showered upon Christians. As such many Charisians think we are highly favoured by God, our motto being 'A Church After God's Own Heart'. Charis is also a root word for charisma and charity; we aspire to be a church full of vitality, graciousness and charity in service to God and others.

For some time now, I have ranted and lamented about people leaving and changing churches and emphatically stated that there is absolutely no good reason for committing such a 'crime'. Someone alerted me that I may be blind-sighted, that many people are leaving their churches because of our collective failure as a community. He observed, quite rightly, "that much more effort is put into the brick and mortar rebuilding, and into perfecting our worship service flow than into building our love for one another". In short, Charis Methodist Church may have failed to live up to our name.

Pope Francis in one of his homilies said, "Enlarge your tent" we read in the prophecy of Isaiah, so that all can dwell as members of one family. A family where there is one God and Father, one Lord Jesus Christ and one Spirit of life. A family in which no one member is more important than another, neither in virtue of age, intelligence or ability, for all are beloved children of the same Father. In this regard, Saint Paul's example of the body and its members speaks eloquently for us."

Rebuilding Charis Methodist Chu

How do we re-define ourselves? How can we revitalise a waning and tired body? How can we be a more attractive community? 

We can rebuild ourselves spiritually concurrent to rebuilding physically. 

• Rebuilding Community Strength
• Rebuilding Community Support
• Rebuilding Community Service

Rebuilding Community Strength

'All people are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of the Lord endures forever. And this is the word of that was preached to you.' 1Peter 1:24-25

The inspirational preaching and consistent studying of God's word is an important ministry of the local church. God's Word directs our paths. It helps the Christian to grow, strengthens him and sustains his faith. John Stott wrote, "The point is that we do not emerge from the new birth with the understanding and character of a mature Christian...but rather like new-born babies -weak, immature, vulnerable and needing above all to grow." (ref 1). 

A fundamental responsibility of Pastors is the pulpit ministry; from whence will come the encouragement and inspiration for church members. The Psalmist proclaimed in Psalms 119:9 and 10, "How can a young person stay on the path of purity? By living according to your word. I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you."

The Word of God strengthens the church and a local church steeped in God's word will be a formidable force in the community.

Rebuilding Community Support.

'Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed'

1 Peter 4:12-13

Bishop (Dr) Robert Solomon wrote in his book, The Race, "In suffering, we need to find meaning. We need to find love. It is difficult to suffer alone and many people feel they do so. But we are not alone when we suffer. God often offers us His loving presence. And when we allow Him to walk with us, we will find that suffering is redemptive. It changes us and makes us like Him. It gives depth and brings new life". (ref 2) 

Life is not meant to be easy. Suffering and trouble in our lives can swerve us off course. When such times befall us, will the church be there to support? A genuine congregation will have members who can and will support us in days of trouble. Such support structures take a long time to build and we should treasure such friends and church members.

Rebuilding Community Service

'And let us consider how we spur one another toward love and good deeds' Heb 10:24.

Someone said that we come to church the way we drive into a petrol station. We come in to re-fill our spiritual tank and we leave oblivious to the world around us and to its needs. Jesus said that Christians are to be the light and salt of the earth, that is the Church is expected to do good deeds, to be an exemplar to society. Every member should have a duty towards social service. The Church has a social conscience.

Let us be a 'Total Church'. There is a Christian song, 'Making a Difference' that aptly expresses these sentiments;

Won't you Lord 

Take a look at our hands

Everything we have

Use it for Your plan

Won't You Lord

Take a look at our hearts

Mould it, refine it,

As You set us apart

We want to run to the altar

And catch the fire

To stand in the gap

Between the living and the dead

Give us a heart of compassion

For a world without vision

We will make a difference

Bringing hope to our land

Lionel

Ref 1: John Stott, The Radical Disciple Inter-Varsity Press
Ref 2: Robert Solomon, The Race Armour Publishing