2020 was meant to be a year of celebrations for Toa Payoh Methodist Church (TPMC) as we commemorated our golden jubilee. While it was certainly not an anniversary anyone would have expected nor imagined, upon reflection, there is a vital reminder for us all.
TPMC started 50 years ago based primarily on faith in a faithful God, a God whom Philippians 1:6 describes as âHe who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesusâ.
While the world and our anniversary plans have been thrown off-kilter by the coronavirus, ushering in a ânew normalâ, it was an appropriate moment to reflect whether our faith in a faithful God is still as strong and steady as when TPMC first began her journey 50 years ago. Hence the vital reminderâthat while many things may be useful and important, faith in a faithful God is truly essential.
In line with our vision âEncounter to Loveâ, we found it essential to continue to be a beacon of light in the Toa Payoh community, showing Godâs love for those in need during this challenging season. While services were suspended, TPMC poured resources into âTPMC Givesââa collection of multi-pronged community support effortsâfrom a blood donation drive, the giving of bread to both essential workers as well as beneficiaries during Easter, the extending of care and lodging to rough sleepers, to partnering hawker stalls to give out 2,500 free meals to those in need in Toa Payoh as part of our anniversary celebrations.
Our annual Christmas community celebration, âLight of Christmasâ, which had been held for the past five years, also had to be re-imagined this year. While it has historically been a weekend carnival for the community to celebrate Christmas with us at Toa Payoh Central, the church will be providing cheer to those in need with a specially-curated Christmas pack filled with essential items as well as fun puzzles, craft activities and recipes to encourage family bonding in December. The light of Christmas will also be shared symbolically with each home through the gift of a LED star to light up during the Christmas season, joining in TPMCâs effort to light up the community. In December, TPMC will also have a visual display of the three wise men following the star.
While we do not know what the future may hold, we do know who holds the future. TPMC will regard our 50th year as blessed because we have a faithful God.
Toa Payoh Methodist Church
(Trinity Annual Conference)
480 Lor 2 Toa Payoh S(319641)
6259-8644
Sunday Services
In-person services have resumed. Registration is required.
8 a.m.: In-person (Traditional Service)
8.30 a.m.: Online (Traditional Service)
10.30 a.m.: Online (Contemporary Service)
11 a.m.: In-person (Contemporary Service)
The Rev Reuben Ng is the Pastor-in-Charge at Toa Payoh Methodist Church. / Photos courtesy of TPMC