THE REV DR GEORGE WAN TIAN SOO was a “great reminder to live life doing important things that are of eternal significance”, said Bishop Dr Robert Solomon in his sermon at the Memorial Service, held at Barker Road Methodist Church on Sept 7, 2012.
The service is an “ancient tradition”, held every four years during the General Conference (GC) session of The Methodist Church in Singapore.
In this service, which commemorates preachers (including missionaries) and their spouses who have died in the past quadrennium, the Bishop highlighted the Rev Dr Wan, who passed away on March 22, 2010, for his tireless involvement in missions and evangelism even after his retirement, demonstrating what a great joy it was to bring people to the Lord.
Also honoured with citations during the service were:
- The Rev Eugene McGraw, who passed away on July 6, 2009;
- The Rev Tracey Jones Jr, who passed away on Dec 16, 2009;
- Mrs Wu Chao Chi nee See Peck Guat, wife of the late Rev Wu, who passed away on May 17, 2010;
- Mrs Janet Wong nee Lee Soon Neo, wife of the Rev Michael Wong Chee Wun, who passed away on Jan 2, 2012;
- The Rev Dr Ivy S T Chou, who passed away on Aug 27, 2012.
The Bishop, whose sermon was based on 1 Corinthians 15:50-58, drew from the passage words of encouragement which he offered to the families of the honoured dead as well as friends and GC delegates who attended. The context was fitting as Paul had been writing about death and resurrection.
Paul’s first injunction was to “stand firm” and “let nothing move you”. This, said the Bishop, was an issue of conviction about what we believe, not moving from the truth that Scripture teaches us.
Secondly, Paul encouraged the believers to always give themselves fully to the work of the Lord, demonstrating commitment.
The Bishop gave the example of Adoniram Judson, who worked in Burma for 18 years without a furlough, in which the first six years did not see a single convert. He endured torture and imprisonment, and separation from his wife when her health broke and she had to leave for home. Yet, he gave himself fully to the work of God.
Finally, Paul assured the believers that nothing we do in the Lord is in vain, giving us confidence that nothing is wasted if done “in the Lord”. Thus, said the Bishop, through the lives of those whom we memorialise, we are “reminded of God’s wonderful purposes and grace”.
After the service, families and friends of the honoured dead had a time of fellowship over a buffet dinner at Oldham Hall.
