Share YH worship Blog

Hi everyone of team, what do you think if we introduce this blog to others at Youth Hour? Maybe some new contributors can enrich the blog further :)

songs – 13 july 08

赐给我纯洁的友谊 G

起来神的儿女 G

荣耀神羔羊B

展开清晨的翅膀 C

紧紧抓住你 E

宣言成真 A

God never forgets

Exodus 1, 2

During that long period, the king of Egypt died. The Israelites groaned in their slavery and cried out, and their cry for help because of their slavery went up to God. God heard their groaning and he remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac and with Jacob. – Exodus 2:23-24

The verses described a long and dreaded time in Israel’s history. During his lifetime, the king of Egypt subjected God’s people to slavery and things didn’t get better for them after he died. And it seemed even God had forgotten them during that long period. But has God really forgotten his people? In the darkest and seemingly God-forsaken hour when Pharaoh gave the order that every boy born to Israel must be thrown into the Nile (1:22), Israel’s deliverer Moses was born and preserved in miraculous ways, and so God’s plan of deliverance was set in motion.

Lord, grant me a steadfast and quiet trusting heart, as I live the present moment and look into the seemingly uncertain future, to know that you will never forget or forsake me and you are working out your good purpose for me in your good time and in your perfect ways.

Songs on 29 June

我的心你要称颂耶和华

耶和华你是我的神

全然为你 (With All I Am)

The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe

Managed to catch the movie ‘The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe’ on TV last Sunday, watching it the second time and still enjoyed it. The movie was based on the story book of the same name written by C. S. Lewis to teach Christian truths to children. It was a pretty faithful adaptation of the book, if you have watched the movie, you would probably realize the main character in the book, Aslan the Lion, represents Jesus Christ. However there were meaningful moments in the book which were not conveyed in the movie, like this one:

And now a very curious thing happened. None of the children knew who Aslan was any more than you do; but the moment the Beaver had spoken these words everyone felt quite different. Perhaps it has sometimes happened to you in a dream that someone says something which you don’t understand but in the dream it feels as if it had some enormous meaning – either a terrifying one which turns the whole dream into a nightmare or else a lovely meaning too lovely to put into words, which makes the dream so beautiful that you remember it all your life and are always wishing you could get into that dream again. It was like that now. At the name of Aslan each one of the children felt something jump inside. Edmund felt a sensation of mysterious horror. Peter felt suddenly brave and adventurous. Susan felt as if some delicious smell or some delightful strain of music had just floated by her. And Lucy got the feeling you have when you wake up in the morning and realize that it is the beginning of the holidays or the beginning of summer.

I guess this is what the name of Jesus would do to people – for those who trust him, the name of Jesus fills them with comfort, hope and courage, even in hard times.

I would encourage you to read the book for the other meaningful moments, if you have not read it. C. S. Lewis didn’t just write for children, I have greatly benefited from his other writings. As a start, I would recommend ‘The Screwtape Letters’ (about a junior demon seeking advice from a senior demon on how to go about the task of preventing a young man from becoming a Christian). For more challenging stuff, you may try ‘Miracles’ and ‘Problem of Pain’.

For those who couldn’t get enough of the movie, here’s a music video inspired by the story, from my favorite Christian singer Steven Curtis Chapman.

Our new mixer Yamaha mx12/6

We have our new mixer (well, not exactly new)! It is much smaller than our old one and has done a great job so far. Thanks clement for given the log team a crash course on the baby. To know more about what it can do, check out the user’s manual here.

Something to comment?

Hi if you read any of the posts and have something to comment, go ahead! Your first comment in the blog would be submitted for moderation. However, subsequent ones would not require moderation and should appear immediately. One thing to note is that you must use the same name and email when you submit your comments. Not sure what I mean? Try it!

The Gift of Worship

Something to share and think about…

F.A.T.

MH shared about the criteria of the King’s crew during the worship cum log team gathering last Sat – F=faithfulness A=available T=teachable. As I was on the train ride to work and reflecting on the verses cited for faithfulness (Luke 16:10, Matt 25:14-18), it dawned on me that these verses talked about my motive of serving God. Being faithful in little things (Luke 16:10) – would I serve God in things which may not make me feel important or bring recognition from others? Being faithful in fulfilling the talents/responsibilities given while the master is away (Matt 25:14-18) – would I serve God with my utmost when it seem nobody is looking or keeping an eye on me? Let the answer be yes!

Worship Team & Log gathering

was definitely fruitful!
Thank u so much for preparing all of these, really appreciate..
especially the incorporating of worship with songs with teaching,

God-idea!

and i’m so encouraged to see so many of us from e worship team present that day!
we’re definitely going to raise e level of worship in yth hr with our continued commitment as God works when He sees His ppl commited to Him & His ministry.

In fact, God has ALREADY been moving in our midst for the past 2 mths, even last sun, i thot sm of our yths really worshipped God… (at least, their voices getting louder…)

let’s press on & pray on!

looking forward to more great times of worshipping together!

 

love,
charlotte

Worship Team & Log Team Gathering 14 Jun 08

For those of you who came, hope it was a fruitful and enjoyable time. Click here to view the sharing slides.

Songs on 15 june 08, w 1 new song

Songs on 15 June 08

起来神的儿女 G

不住感谢，不停赞美 G

祢是那位牵我手的主 G

 

展开清晨的翅膀 D

将一生交给你 G

The LORD Will Provide

Genesis 22

Some time later God tested Abraham. He said to him, “Abraham!” “Here I am,” he replied. Then God said, “Take your son, your only son, Isaac, whom you love, and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains I will tell you about.” – Genesis 22:1,2

Abraham looked up and there in a thicket he saw a ram caught by its horns. He went over and took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering instead of his son. 14 So Abraham called that place The LORD Will Provide. And to this day it is said, “On the mountain of the LORD it will be provided.” – Genesis 22:13,14

This is how I understand it: God tested man not because he was unsure of man’s devotion to him (isn’t God all knowing), rather God tested man in order to renew man’s faith and bring man into a deeper relationship with him.

Abraham was a picture of earthly bliss, he had all that a man would ask for – great riches, honour, God’s and man’s favour, and most of all, the son of the Promise – what else would he need to trust God for? His blissful world was shattered when God told him to sacrifice his only beloved son as a burnt offering to God. An equally dreadful demand was made by Jesus to the rich young man, “sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me”. Unlike the rich young man who turned away, Abraham resolved to trust and obey, (the passage did not give any hint of a struggle, but as a parent I couldn’t even begin to imagine how unbearably painful it was for Abraham), surrendering to God the dearest thing he clung on to. Abraham “passed” the test – he came away from the sacred mountain fully experienced the sweet provision of God, a never before experience that would deepen his understanding of God, indeed the LORD Will Provide.

Lord, I have to confess that my response to you would be similar to that of the rich young man to Jesus. Help me resolve to cling not onto things that make me feel happy and secure but prevent me from trusting you completely.  Let me learn to trust you more day after day, that I may grow in faith and joy of truly experiencing your faithfulness and provision.

It was this song God Will Provide A Lamb by Michael Card that first introduced me to the deeper meaning of this passage.

Great Singapore Sale

Did you guys notice the road facing big banners put up by the English service? Kudos to them for coming out with this creative means of presenting God’s perspective on prevalent issues and current affairs. Here’s the latest (left, click image to see larger version), giving another meaning to the GSS, and thank God for GSS !

Somewhere different

Visited Upper Pierce Reservoir yesterday, this was not our first time there, but we were quite captivated by the scenery we saw, maybe it was the nice weather, the smaller than usual crowd and most of all the absence of the monkeys! The monkeys are getting really aggressive these days, the last time we came, they were out in hordes, lurking around people and raiding at unattended belongings. It was quite different yesterday, the waters was still and quiet, and you could see a clear reflection of the clouds and the surrounding growth of trees on it. Definitely a place to retreat from the hustle bustle of city life (if you don’t mind the monkeys).

The Covenant

Genesis 17

Then God said to Abraham, “As for you, you must keep my covenant, you and your descendants after you for the generations to come. This is my covenant with you and your descendants after you, the covenant you are to keep: Every male among you shall be circumcised. You are to undergo circumcision, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and you. For the generations to come every male among you who is eight days old must be circumcised, including those born in your household or bought with money from a foreigner-those who are not your offspring. – Genesis 17:9-12

In one of the defining moments in OT times, God confirmed his covenant with Abraham, and not only to him, but to all his descendants as well. As his side of keeping the covenant, Abraham and all who belong to him were to be circumcised. It seemed strange to me at first that circumcision was the covenant Abraham and his descendant were to keep. Then it became clear to me when I thought of people putting tattoos on their bodies to swear allegiance to a cause (or a person) – circumcision was to Abraham and his descendants an act of allegiance to God, that they belong to God and they will follow God’s way.

This is a timely message for MH and I as we look forward to our baby’s infant baptism coming Sunday. Abraham was given the responsibility to ensure all those born in his household were included in the covenant by circumcising them when they were eight days old (whether they like it or not). As Christian parents, we are to include our child in God’s saving grace from young, by surrounding him in an environment of love and acceptance, nurturing and guiding him in the way of the Lord. We dare not entertain the idea of letting nature take its course, if we do not take charge in bringing up our child, the world and its ways will.

Lord, let our baby’s infant baptism be a constant reminder for MH and I of our duty to bring him up in the blessed path, help us to grow in faith and knowledge of you that we may be living example of your saving grace to him.

Secret of a happy life

This is something I read from one of the notice boards in Eastern Basement, which to me sums up the truths of living a happy life:

#1. Free your heart from hatred – learn to forgive

#2. Free your mind from worries – they seldom happen

#3. Live simply and learn to appreciate little things in life – (*be contented)

#4. Give more (*be generous)

#5. Expect less (*be less judgmental, more appreciative of others)

* interpretation mine

songlist – 1 june 08

我们成为一家人 G

来高声唱 D

祢是我一切所有 D

竭诚献上 G

Despair turned into Worship (Genesis 15)

Genesis 15

He took him outside and said, “Look up at the heavens and count the stars-if indeed you can count them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” Abram believed the LORD, and he credited it to him as righteousness. – Genesis 15:5, 6

It must be one of low points in Abram’s life. Filled with despair of his mortal, childless existence, he cried out to the Lord “O Sovereign LORD, what can you give me since I remain childless …You have given me no children; so a servant in my household will be my heir.” Then the Lord brought Abram outside and pointed him to the starry night above, the heavens the Lord had created. In times of despair, when we lose sight of God and become overwhelmed by the difficulties before us, it might help to turn our eyes to Creation for a brief moment, to let the wonders of God’s work filled us with awe again.

As Abram gazed upon the heavens and the stars, the awesome work of God above him, despair turned into worship, and he believed the Lord. It must have been a beautiful moment of faith response, so pleasing to God that he credited it to Abram as righteousness. And so it would become to all who come after him the pattern by which to please God.

Self Interest (Genesis 13)

Genesis 13

So Abram said to Lot, “Let’s not have any quarreling between you and me, or between your herdsmen and mine, for we are brothers. Is not the whole land before you? Let’s part company. If you go to the left, I’ll go to the right; if you go to the right, I’ll go to the left.” – Genesis 13:8, 9

It’s human nature for me to look out for my interest first – if I don’t, who will? Or is it? Here, Abram (Abraham), contrary to human nature of self interest, let Lot have a go at choosing the land first. And Lot duly obliged, choosing for himself the land that seem best to him. You might think that Abram was naïve and lacking in understanding. Or could it be that Abram trusted God in all his ways, that this trusting relationship with God had freed him from the preoccupation of self interest? Proverb 3:5,6 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your path straight” literally unfolded in this episode of Abram’s life, as the Lord appeared to him after this and promised him the land around him as far as his eyes can see.

Lord, help me to trust in you for all my needs, that trusting you will become real in my life, setting me free from the preoccupation of self interest that I may look out for the interest of others as well.

Miracle of the Ark (Genesis 6)

Genesis 6

“…The ark is to be 450 feet long, 75 feet wide and 45 feet high.” – Genesis 6:15

Every time I read about the dimensions of the Ark, I hit a mental block. How could the Ark, of such modest size (a 3 storey space smaller than half a football field), able to accommodate two of each kind of all the living creatures of the world (there must be thousands of them), not to mention the ration needed for all? I asked myself. Then it dawns on me that as I grappled with the physical limits of the Ark, I forgot the God who transcend time and space – it is like asking how was it possible for Elijah’s little jug to contain oil that will not run dry (1 Kings 17), or how was it possible for Jesus to feed the five thousand with just five loaves and two fish?

Renew my faith in you, O Lord, that I might truly believe that nothing is impossible for you, let me not limit you with my own understanding and difficulties in my circumstances.

Songs on 180508

1）起来！神的儿女

2）我的救赎主活着

3）牺牲的爱

4）在你跟前

into His presence

As I prepare for the worship leading on 4 May, I was reminded that it is a spiritual battle and prayers are very important. I hope that God’s people, the youths at Youth Hour, would experience God’s presence as they worship Him.

Thank God for touching my heart as I worship Him and lead the worship. I was deeply moved as we were singing 进入你的同在. God’s glory and holiness are so overpowering that I felt so insignificant, a sinner and yet blessed. The experience of Simon Peter in Luke, chapter 5, was in my mind as I prepared for the worship during last week. Peter fell at Jesus’ knees as he realized Jesus is no ordinary person but Lord, Lord of heaven and earth, Lord of all. My experience at some points during worship was a little of Peter’s. Just a little … … I ask myself ‘did I leave everything and follow Jesus?’, just like Peter.

May God be pleased with the worship of worship team and the rest of the congregation!

songlist – 4 may 08

4 May 08

• 来高声唱
• 进入祢的同在
• 祷告
• 这一生最美的祝福

20 Apr 08

• 耶稣，祢配得至圣尊荣
• 主我敬拜祢
• 在祢跟前
• 紧紧抓住你

13 Apr 08

• 进入祢的同在
• 耶稣，祢配得至圣尊荣
• 恳求
• 生命的文章

6 Apr 09

• 有一位神
• 祢让我生命改变
• 祢坐着为王
• 耶稣，祢配得至圣尊荣

audio-visual tips

• Use PowerPoint2003 for PowerPoint presentation, and Windows Media Video format (WMV) for video presentation, whenever possible. These formats are guaranteed to work on the Youth Hour laptop under normal circumstances. If you have to use other formats like PowerPoint2007, Real, Quicktime, MPEG, etc please inform the logistic in-charge beforehand and come early to test it on the YH laptop.
• Use the Youth Hour laptop, whenever possible. This is because the YH laptop is already configured properly to work with the projector. If you have to use your own laptop, please come early to test it with the projector.
• Two mics will be setup. Test the mics to ensure they are working properly and according to your preferences. If you need more than two mics, please inform the logistic in-charge beforehand.