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

This year has turned out to be an unexpectedly challenging time for this generation. The COVID-19 pandemic looks likely to spill over into 2021. The economic recession that has already happened will continue to deepen. The Hebron pastoral team is concerned about the welfare of the members and friends of the church. It has remained in touch and visited as many of them as possible over the past half-year. The Hebron Pastoral Care Check-Up is another initiative of the pastoral team to connect with Hebronites and enable Hebronites to update the team concerning their current situation. This will help the team in planning the execution of its pastoral care ministry. Please help us by filling out the survey so that we can serve you better.

In this challenging time, we need to constantly remind one another of God’s love and faithfulness in our lives.

You can download these images onto your devices and send them as e-cards via your preferred messaging platforms to your friends and family, alongside your own personal messages to encourage them and show that you care for them.

17 April 2020

Dear Hebronites

PASTORAL LETTER IN CIRCUIT-BREAKER TIME

I bring you greetings in the blessed name of our Triune God, His ways and thoughts are higher than ours, his steadfast love never ceases, and his mercies never come to an end.

As Singapore enters the second week of elevated safe distancing measures, we, the church, must brace ourselves for the deepening impact of not meeting together. Our physical presence as the body of Christ is both a witness to the unchurched and a comforting ministry to the saints. The current circumstances are certainly forcing us all to rethink how to be church in terms of fellowship among believers and outreach to pre-believers. We also have to be creative in how ministry continues to be expressed and carried out. It is likely that the changes that we make will stay with us for a long time even after the COVID-19 pandemic is over. For example, it is not hard to see that the church will continue to harness technology for teaching, fellowship and outreach as it is has begun to do at very short notice.

Meanwhile, as we adjust towards a new normal, our commitment to Christ and his church cannot be less. We must be even more intentional and deliberate in the disciplines of discipleship. It is on this note that I wish to share with you four ministry platforms in which you can participate.

Discipling children  Parents of P5 and P6 children are reminded to join with their children to participate in the Crossbeam video lessons that are live streamed only at 9am on Sundays. This will enable you to lead your own children in discussion after the video presentation. You may then join in the worship service via video streaming at a later time in the morning.

Prayer  We have moved the weekly prayer meeting online to 8am on Sunday. This serves as a good way to prepare for the worship service at 9am. Ps Nat coordinates the prayer meeting. Please contact him for access to the online meeting platform.

Bible  Brother Daniel Sim leads a group of men in reading the Bible on most Sundays of the month. This is one way in which we can be encouraged and held accountable in taking in Scripture. Any man who wishes to join may contact Daniel directly or if not, you may also check with me.

Virtual fellowship  Just so that we can see familiar faces during this time apart and don’t forget what our brothers and sisters look like, please send photo images of yourself and your family participating in worship at home to church@. We wish to show them at the end of the service every week.

As you would already know, we would not be able to hold congregational worship services at least until after 4 May. Our weekly worship service has gone online and is streamed at 9am on Sunday. Please visit the Hebron BP Church website at for the link to the video stream. You will need a Facebook account to gain access. We are aware that some of you who do not have Facebook accounts have been unable to do so. We apologise for this but wish to assure you that we are taking steps to make the video stream available on other platforms as well.

The pastoral team and the Session members continue to be available for prayer, pastoral care and encouragement. Please do not hesitate to contact me or any of the pastoral team or Session member should you need help. At the same time, may I remind you that you can also encourage your leaders as many of you have done. Even a short text asking, “How are you?” will speak volumes of brotherly love and mutual concern. Do not underestimate your own ability to bless!

May God bless and keep you and your loved ones in his grace. Take time to commit to memory Ephesians , our theme scripture for the year, which says,

²² to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, ²³ and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, ²⁴ and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.

May this season of separation help each of us grow and be transformed ever more into the likeness of Christ.

Rev Wong Shin Hoe

Senior Pastor

Hebron Bible-Presbyterian Church

Tel: 96337475

27 March 2020

Dear Hebronites,

CONDUCT OF RELIGIOUS ACTIVITIES DURING COVID-19

I greet you in the name of the Prince of Peace in whom is
our eternal security. We are in a period of intense change as the Government
leads us in the battle to overcome the COVID-19 pandemic. But let us look to
the one who is the same yesterday, today and forever (Hebrews 13:8) and find
rest for our souls (Matthew 11:28).

With the suspension of congregational worship services from
last Sunday, the Ministry of Culture, Community, and Youth has issued an
advisory on religious activities to provide guidance to religious organisations
regarding the conduct of their activities. In this pastoral letter, I wish to
set out its implications for us Hebronites:

1.      Our Sunday worship service meetings will
be suspended from now to 30 April.

2.      Non-congregational meetings of not more
than 10 persons (such as Bible classes and small group meetings) may be held,
whether in church, homes or elsewhere. All precautionary measures must be
taken, including 1 metre spacing, no singing, no communal meals, no physical
contact, and no sharing of Bibles and other materials. This means that it is
still possible for small groups to meet for fellowship, study or training,
subject to the precautionary measures.

3.      In the circumstances, I would advise that
Hebronites participate in Sunday worship via the live streaming service with
their own families. These are people with whom you already are in close contact
on a regular basis. Do not worship as a KG, LG or CG.

4.      Do not come to church to participate in
worship while the live streaming service is in progress. There is a limit to
the number of persons who may be present in the sanctuary, all of whom having a
specific role to play in the service. Anyone who is not involved in the live
streaming will be turned away.

5.      During this time, the pastoral team will
not conduct physical pastoral visitation, unless on an exceptional basis (e.g.
death or other crisis). We will keep in touch with you via the telephone, phone
messaging or teleconference. However, if you face a crisis, please do not hesitate
to contact the pastoral team and we will decide on how to help you.

It is important for us all to understand that the advisory
has the force of law and must be complied with. Persons and organisations who
do not comply will face stiff penalties.

I trust you are keeping as well as you can under the
circumstances. Some of our members have returned from overseas posting or
internships and are now subject to isolation orders. Please pray for them and
encourage them and their families. It is not easy to remain confined in a small
space for 14 days.

The pastors have prepared material for you to use in your
personal quiet time, both online and in print. Ps Nat has uploaded 6-minute
videos in English the YouTube channel entitled, “Hebrondevotionals,” while Ps
Hwee Seng has posted videos in Chinese in the YouTube channel entitled, “Hebron
MWS” in the 灵修分享
series. The Holy Week Bible Reading and Reflections booklet in English will be
released this Sunday in hard copy as well as in PDF (available at the Hebron BP
Church website). Please make use of these resources to continue in our journey
as Christ’s disciples.

Let us learn from church history that the church thrives and
is purified during a time of crisis. May we seize this window of opportunity,
however long it may remain open, to grow exponentially in the Spirit of Jesus
Christ. Amen.

Rev Wong Shin Hoe

Senior Pastor

Hebron Bible-Presbyterian Church

Tel: 6766 1221 (ext 106)

Dear Hebronites,

SUSPENSION OF WORSHIP SERVICES

This past week has been a whirlwind of changes as Singapore
leaders sought a more and more targeted response to the COVID-19 situation.
Over a month ago, I said to you that we would continue with our essential
ministries while holding off non-essential ones. The reason for doing so was
because, as Christians, we have an unfinished work of discipleship as our God-given
priority. In a few short weeks, we have also discovered new ways of expressing
and practising discipleship. From absolute scratch, the live streaming of our
Sunday 9am English and Mandarin services now serves Hebronites who worship at
home. We talked about moving our small group meetings and Bible learning online
and some groups have experimented with various meeting apps in readiness for
implementation. The Children’s Ministry urged parents to practise home
discipleship by teaching their own children should the children’s activities
come to a halt. The pastoral team and I have met and prayed with Hebronites via
teleconference.

The time has now come for us put into effect Plan B. Yesterday,
the Government issued a directive to limit the size of gatherings, including
religious events, to no more than 250 persons. This significantly affects our
ability to continue with our Sunday worship services and activities since our
Sunday attendance, even during the current season, is easily more than twice
that limit (praise the Lord!). Desiring to respond as a good corporate citizen,
the Hebron Session has decided to suspend all Sunday worship services and
ancillary ministries occurring on Sundays with immediate effect. We are
mindful that just up ahead are Hebron’s 49^th Anniversary Service (5
April), Good Friday Service (10 April), and Easter Sunday Service (12 April). The
Session will review its decision nearer those times to ensure not only
compliance with law but also how Hebron and Hebronites continue to fulfil our
gospel mission. However, we do need to be prepared for the suspension to last
until there is a positive change in the Government’s stance on mass gatherings.

In the meantime, the worship team will still meet in church
on Sunday mornings to lead in worship. Their act of service will be live
streamed at 9am to enable Hebronites to participate in the act of worship
online. The link to the live stream is available on the Hebron website,
. Please consider gathering as families and as YDGs, LGs, KGs
and other small groups to praise God together. This is to preserve a semblance
of community as you worship. You may also take the opportunity of the weekly
gathering to discuss the sermon after the service is over, and pray for one
another. Of course, as you gather, please remember to take the necessary health
precautions, practise social responsibility, and ensure sufficient social
distancing for the love of your brothers and sisters in Christ.

The Hebron website will become an important point of
connection for us all during this time. Please refer to it regularly for
updates. The Hebron News and the weekly service programme and Family News will
continue to be updated and made available there.

As mentioned last Sunday, the English congregation Children’s
Ministry will be completely suspended for now. The superintendents and
teachers will contact parents and provide them with materials for them to carry
on discipling their children at home. The leaders of other Bible classes and
ministries will contact you to inform you of new arrangements. However, if you
are in doubt, please do not hesitate to contact them for clarification. The
pastoral team and the leaders continue to be available and contactable during
this time for prayer, encouragement, visitation, and pastoral care. Remember,
you can bless them too!

Notwithstanding the foregoing, from time to time during this
period, the leaders may have need to convene meetings involving up to a few
dozen people, whether for training or dissemination of information. For
example, the Hebron Annual Congregational Meeting will still continue at
tomorrow. This is a regulatory meeting which we cannot defer. Given
the circumstances, we will continue to receive proxy forms from Hebronites who
now decide not to attend the meeting in person. You may send an image of a duly
signed proxy form to any Hebron staff member. Although we will continue to
receive proxy forms right up to the time of the meeting, please try and let us
have the form by 3pm today in order for there to be enough time for processing.
For tomorrow’s purposes, please do not park your cars in the church grounds.
Please follow the signage to be provided that will direct you to the usual
screening procedures before you enter the meeting venue at Zion Sanctuary
(Level 3).

Finally, I have mentioned to you before that in every crisis
is an opportunity for growth. Never before in church history have we as
Christians had to make a decision such as this, to take the church, not
underground, but online! Let us discern what God is and will be teaching us in
this precious experience. However, do let’s continue to bear in mind the
following truths:

• Christ is the Head of the Church, His Body
  (Ephesians 5:23)
• We are brothers and sisters in Christ, with God
  as our Father (Matthew 6:5-18) and Christ our Brother (Hebrews 2:11)
• We owe one another the continuing debt to show
  love in action (Romans 13:8-10)
• We are called to bear witness of Christ (Acts
  1:8) in season and out of season (2 Timothy 4:2) by godly living and gentle,
  respectful words (1 Peter 3:15)
• God’s Holy Spirit has bestowed gifts to each of
  us with which to bless the church (1 Corinthians 12:4-7)

May God do a great work among us, in us, and through us for
his glory even in this unusual situation. May God’s peace and grace gird and
nourish you from day to day.

In Christ,

Rev Wong Shin Hoe

Senior Pastor

Hebron Bible-Presbyterian Church

Tel: 6766 1221 (ext 106)

Dear Hebronites,

ENTRY RESTRICTIONS AND STAGGERED SEATING

With new travel restrictions effected this week, as well as
a new infection cluster arising in yet another church (Church of Singapore,
Bukit Timah), from this Sunday (22 March), Hebron will refuse the following persons
entry to our worship services:

A.         Recent
returnees from China (including Hong Kong), Iran, South Korea, Japan, Europe,
North America, or any ASEAN country, viz. Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos,
Malaysia (including by land and sea passage), Myanmar, the Philippines,
Thailand, and Vietnam, and any country on the list published by the Ministry of
Health on 13 March (and any subsequent update thereto) where there is known or
potential imported infections in Singapore, not otherwise covered above.

B.         Anyone who recently
has been to the location of an active infection cluster. As of today, these
places are as follows:

1.    SAFRA Jurong Joy Garden Restaurant

2.    Wizlearn Technologies at Science Park II

3.    Seletar Aerospace Heights construction site

4.    Grace Assembly of God and Life Church and Missions Singapore

5.    Boulder+Gym at Aperia Mall at Kallang Avenue

6.    Church of Singapore (Bukit Timah)

C.         Anyone (or a
household member) who is on home quarantine order, leave of absence, or
stay-home notice

D.         Anyone (or a
household member) who has had recent close contact with a person who is
infected or suspected to be infected with COVID-19

E.         Anyone who
is unwell or has a flu-like symptom

“Recent travel” or “recent close contact” refers to travel
or contact that occurred within the past 14 days.

The above Paragraphs will apply to both English and Mandarin
congregations.

In line with anticipated enlargement of travel restrictions
worldwide, from 29 March, we will simplify Paragraph A by refusing entry to
anyone who has returned from overseas travel in the past 14 days.

If you are affected by the above-mentioned restrictions,
please do participate in our 9am service with us through its live streaming,
available on the Hebron website, .

Last Sunday, I mentioned that we will implement staggered
seating in our worship sanctuaries. From 22 March, please occupy the spots
which are marked on the pews or chairs. For this Sunday, 22 March, in view
of our combined English service, persons who cannot be accommodated in
Jerusalem Sanctuary will be directed to the Bethel Sanctuary to participate in
the service through live streaming. We seek your understanding in this
arrangement as we try and avoid over-crowding in the Jerusalem Sanctuary.

The psalmist assures us that “those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot
be moved, but abides forever” (Psalm 125:1). May the peace of God rest upon you
and your loved ones in this time of uncertainty.

In Christ,

Rev Wong Shin Hoe

Senior Pastor

Hebron Bible-Presbyterian Church

Tel: 6766 1221 (ext 106)

Dear Hebronites,

PASTORAL LETTER AND SOCIAL DISTANCING

In the past week, the World Health Organisation declared the COVID-19 outbreak a
pandemic, as many nations in the West report multiple infections and deaths. The
ministerial team leading the Singapore Government’s response to the viral infection and our
Prime Minister have spoken to urge Singaporeans to unite and weather the storm together.

Three things have arisen which have an impact on Hebron’s response to COVID-19:
1. Social distancing

From this Sunday, we will implement staggered seating in all Hebron worship services. I will
leave to the pastors of each congregation to explain how this will be executed more
precisely. For this coming Sunday, as you enter the sanctuary, please sit with one empty
seat to your left, right, front and back.

2. Widening border restrictions

The Singapore Government has widened border restrictions against a few more countries
where the COVID-19 infection has spiralled. Accordingly, from this Sunday, persons who
have recently returned from or have had close contact with a person who has recently
returned from France, Germany, and Spain, as well as from mainland China (including
Hong Kong), South Korea, Iran, Italy, and Japan should stay home and participate in the
live streaming of our 9am worship services instead, available on the Hebron website at
.

“Recent close contact” means that you have been within 2 metres of a relevant person for
more than just a transient interaction, in the past 14 days.

3. Social responsibility reminder

The Government called out socially irresponsible behaviour by some of the infected cases in
Singapore which had resulted in the infection spreading. Let us continue to be vigilant and
considerate for one another, observe good social hygiene, and do the right thing when we
are unwell.

Do press on in prayer for our Government, frontline personnel, the sick, and all who are
affected by this crisis. God is merciful; he knows how much we can take. Let us hope in him.

In Christ,

Rev Wong Shin Hoe
Senior Pastor
Hebron Bible-Presbyterian Church
Tel: 67661221 (ext 106)

Dear Hebronites,

PASTORAL LETTER AND
SELF-CHECK REMINDER

Peace and grace to you from God who has redeemed and
sustains us in every circumstance.

Yesterday (6 Mar), we read about the largest number of COVID-19 infections in Singapore reported on a single day since the start of the viral outbreak. Nine patients are in intensive care units. Let us continue to pray for God to be merciful to all these infected persons and heal them.

The virus has gone worldwide. The government has taken new
initiatives to raise the standard of public hygiene in Singapore. May I urge us
all to continue to observe our personal hygiene and exercise social
responsibility towards one another.

I repeat my call to each of us to conduct a self-check
before we leave home for church. Please stay home if you:

1. feel even slightly unwell or have mild flu-like
   symptoms (such as fever, cough, runny nose, sore throat, etc.); or
2. have had recent close contact with a person who
   is infected or suspected to be infected with COVID-19; or
3. have recently returned from or have had close
   contact with a person who has recently returned from China (including Hong
   Kong), South Korea, Iran, Italy, and Japan.

“Recent close contact” means that you have been within two
metres of a relevant person for more than just a transient interaction, in the
past 14 days.

You may participate in the worship service with us through the live streaming of our Sunday am services: English | Mandarin

Please bear with the inconvenience of the screening process
and attendance-taking when you come to Hebron to worship. These are all
necessary procedures for coming to a large gathering. Our volunteer ushers have
worked very hard to try and smoothen the system as much as possible. Please
thank them for their labour of love.

In Christ,
Rev Wong Shin Hoe
Senior Pastor
Hebron Bible-Presbyterian Church
Tel: 6766 1221 (ext 106)