Dedication of Geylang Chinese Methodist Church Living Stones Chapel

Living Stones Chapel is ‘a chosen place of God’		Stewards presenting the chapel for dedication to Bishop Dr Solomon. To his right are the Rev Khoo and the Rev John Chiok, Pastor-in-Charge of Geylang Chinese Methodist Church. – GCMC picture.

By TAN WEE PIN

A PLACE of worship is a house for God’s name. This place is chosen by God Himself and therefore, we are to seek out this place to worship Him. Because in this place:

1. God is always present. Our Lord Jesus said, “For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.” (Matt 18:20).
2. God’s name will bring about salvation. “And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” (Joel 2:32, Romans 10:13).
3. God’s name will allow our prayers to be answered. Our Lord Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.” (John 16:23-24).
   
   

These are the main points of the message Bishop Dr Robert Solomon shared at the Dedication Service of Geylang Chinese Methodist Church (GCMC) Living Stones Chapel on Oct 5, 2008. 

The message basically outlined the beauty of the place where God is. Bishop Dr Solomon went on to speak of the chapel as a chosen place of God used for the salvation of the world and where prayers are answered. Therefore, we are to worship Him at the chapel, bringing the best sacrifices and bringing in more people to worship and give thanks to Him.

The service commenced with the singing of the hymn “Forever Praise” by the Geylang Chinese Methodist Church Combined Choir and the 600-strong congregation. This was followed by words of welcome by the Local Church Executive Committee Chairman, Mr Tan Wee Pin, in Hokkien (GCMC’s first services were in Hokkien); the Chairman of the Ministry Committee, Miss Esther Lam, in Mandarin; and the Lay Leader, Mr Goh Say Pin, in English.

They welcomed Bishop and Mrs Solomon, CAC President Rev Khoo Cheng Hoot, representatives from the General Conference and Annual Conferences, members of the Board of Governors and the Principal of Geylang Methodist School (Secondary), representatives from the various churches and members of GCMC.

At the dedication ceremony, GCMC was represented by three stewards, Mdm Ho Suet Guat, Mr Goh and Mr Tan, and four working committee chairmen, Mdm Tan Siew Tin, Ms Cindy Loh, Mr James Chin and Mr Cherngming.

The Bishop subsequently blessed the pulpit, Holy Communion table and cup.

A thanksgiving offering was taken after the Bishop had delivered his sermon. In acknowledging the Lord’s blessings, we donated the entire offering amount of about $4,000 to Toa Payoh Methodist Church for its rebuilding fund. We also gave $50,000 to the Sengkang Methodist Church building fund.

The service ended with a report by Pastor Rebecca Ding on the school ministry and the pronouncement of the benediction by the Bishop. Dinner was then served at the Indoor-sports Hall of the school.

Living Stones Chapel is the Chinese Annual Conference’s first building dedicated for worship within a Methodist school. There are two floors with the top floor being a chapel that can accommodate about 500 people and the ground floor comprising the church office, counselling rooms and a student drop-in centre.

The building is funded by a $2-million donation by GCMC. GCMC, which has placed a full-time ministry staff in the school as Christian Ministry Staff since 2004, took in another staff member this year.

Cornerstone Life Skills Centre, the social service arm of GCMC, has also been actively providing counselling and tuition services to the school since 2004. 

Since its founding, Geylang Methodist School (Secondary) had been using the premises of GCMC until it moved to its current premises in 1984.

Tan Wee Pin is the Editor of the CAC News.