The Filipino community at City Harvest Church closes out the year with a festive, fun Christmas celebration.
By Helen Gianchand
City Harvest Church’s Filipino members had their last Filipino service for the year on Dec 1. It was an evangelistic Christmas Service followed by a fun-filled festive program aimed to reach out to more friends and welcome them into the Filipino community at CHC.
“On the first Christmas, God’s entire plan for the world was wrapped up in that baby. God in His greatness came as a man so that we can know Him personally and reconciled with the Father!” said Kenneth Sim, Filipino service’s pastor. Preaching a three-points sermon on the Joy of Christmas: Relevance, Reason and Result of Christmas, he emphasized that Jesus came to Earth as our Lord and Saviour so that mankind can connect to Him and He can take away all their sins.
For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or [a]principalities or [b]powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. Colossians 1:16 (NKJV)
But you know that he appeared so that He might take away our sins. And in Him is no sin. 1 John 3:5 (NIV)
Sharing the testimonies of members who experienced healing miracles, financial breakthroughs and marriage restorations in 2019, Pastor Kenneth preached that the good news of Christmas provides for our needs, brings us healing and gives us wholeness. He then delivered an altar call, with more than 20 respondents.
Lunch and fellowship followed, after which the Christmas program commenced with a Christmas Carol Medley by the Filipino ministry singers at Hall 606 of Suntec Convention level 6. One of the highlights of the program was the “Zumbalancha” Christmas Dance, dance with alternating rhythms of fast and slow tempo. Everyone, including Pastor Kenneth and the cell group leaders, participated in the amusing dance steps following the dance instructor on the stage.
The Filipino Service at CHC started in 2009, serving the community of Filipino expatriates here in Singapore. Their mission is to reach out to fellow kababayans (a Tagalog term for “countryman”) by spreading the love of Christ through tender care and warm fellowship.
To date, the Filipino Service sees an average attendance of 200 members each service, held every first and second Sunday of the month at 2 pm. Six cell group meetings are held during the week.
