Church Advisory (19 Dec) - Hebron Bible-Presbyterian Church

19 Dec 2020

Dear Hebronites

GREAT EXPECTATIONS FOR 2021

I greet you in the name of our Prince of Peace, whose humble birth over 2,000 years ago we commemorate in this Advent season. This has been a tumultuous year as the unexpected pandemic descended upon us at a frenzied pace. As the events escalated, we struggled to regain an optimal equilibrium for more effective functioning. Sometimes we succeeded, sometimes we could have done better. But we thank God that he remains ever in control.

Indeed, we are grateful to God that in Singapore, we have fared better than in many other places, despite fears, concerns and uncertainties. Let us continue to uphold the Singapore government as we have been doing, as it leads the nation through the current crisis.

Last Monday, we cheered at the news that Singapore will soon enter Phase 3 of the lifting of the circuit breaker restrictions. The year 2021 also beckons and therefore it is fitting for me to write to inform you about seven things that we should expect, come January.

1. Hebron’s 50^th Anniversary

The year 2021 will be Hebron’s 50^th year of ministry as a church. We thank God for his grace and faithfulness over half a century in using us for gospel ministry. While Singapore will likely continue in an economic recession in 2021, we will mark the year in ways that are meaningful, spending wisely for a good celebration, and emphasising thanksgiving to God, bonding of the Hebron family, and service to the community. More details to come.

2. Worship service attendance in Phase 3

When Phase 3 starts on 28 December, the capacity for congregational worship meetings will increase to 250, or 5 zones of 50 persons each. Live performance elements will also be permitted at the service. However, as the news was only just released, regulations from the authorities are pending before we can proceed with definitive steps. Tentatively, however, we can look forward to having some Hebronites experience live worship at Bethel Sanctuary where currently the live streaming production goes on, while the rest will meet at Jerusalem Sanctuary to experience the worship service via live streaming. Do stay tuned for updates.

3. Theme for 2021: “Towards a Serving Discipleship”

The anchor scripture (which we will memorise) will be Colossians 1:10 “…to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.” Good works or service will be the watchword for the year. We will encourage Hebronites to find and commit to an area of service (whether within Hebron or without) so that, as Christ’s disciples, we bear “fruit in every good work.”

4. Sermon series for 2021

The pastoral team will preach through 1 Corinthians. For better engagement with the text prior to the preaching of each 1 Corinthians sermon, a companion Bible study guide will be made available to Hebronites to use during the week. All are invited to gather online on Saturday at 8pm for an hour to review our answers. I will lead the session. My hope is that this will help us all grasp the message of 1 Corinthians for our collective discipleship journey.

5. Bible reading for 2021

In line with the anchor verse for 2021, let us commit to read through the New Testament that we might increase “in the knowledge of God” in the new year. To help us, we will use the Navigator’s 5x5x5 reading plan, that is, 5 minutes a day, 5 days a week, and 5 ways to dig deeper. The soft copy of the reading plan is available at A limited quantity of the hard copy of the plan will be made available in church, on a first-come-first-served basis, from 20 December.

6. Scripture memory exercise

Since Colossians 1:10, the anchor scripture for 2021, is short, we will also memorise five other scriptures (in ESV), as follows: 1 John 5:11-12; John 16:24; 1 Corinthians 10:13; 1 John 1:9; and Proverbs 3:5-6. Participants of the Foundational Bible Studies have memorised these scriptures as they covered lessons concerning the assurance of their Christian faith. They are not difficult verses. I am confident that we are able to take six scriptures next year!

7. Cessation of 8:40am Holy Communion (HC)

From 3 January, we will revert to serving HC only on first Sundays during the service. With up to 150 Hebronites attending the service in Phase 3, the need for the 8:40am HC on other Sundays will be diminished. Pre-packaged HC elements will continue to be available for collection prior to the first Sunday of the month for use at home as you follow the service via live streaming. Please register for the elements as usual.

I wish you and your loved ones a blessed Christmas and a fruitful year in the Lord in 2021. Even as we plan, we now know from this year’s experience to expect the unexpected! But let us be assured that “those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved, but abides forever” (Psalm 125:1). Peace and grace to you. Amen.

Rev Wong Shin Hoe

Senior Pastor

Hebron Bible-Presbyterian Church

Tel: 96337475