Christians of all denominations came together to give thanks in celebration of SG60 at the National Day Thanksgiving Service organised by NCCS
In an atmosphere charged with worship, about 450 Christians from various denominations gathered to give thanks for 60 years of God’s blessings on Singapore at the annual National Day Thanksgiving Service (NDTS) organised by the National Council of Churches of Singapore (NCCS). NCCS is an association of churches from a wide range of Christian denominations, including Anglican, Lutheran, Methodist, and Presbyterian as well as independent churches.
Held on the evening of 14 August 2025 at the Cathedral New Sanctuary of St Andrew’s Cathedral, the fellowship of churches could be seen in their representation during the worship and intercessory prayer segments. Participation from the Methodist family included the Emmanuel Tamil Annual Conference Choir and Praise Band, Anglo- Chinese Junior College Alumni Choir and Wesley Methodist Church Deaf Ministry.
In conjunction with this year’s National Day SG60 theme, Building Our Singapore Together, the NDTS theme of inclusivity set the tone for the evening’s sermon, Coming to Jesus, from Mark 2:1-12.
Bishop Philip Lim, Bishop of The Methodist Church in Singapore (MCS) and President of NCCS, highlighted the road ahead for all Christians, against the backdrop of 60 years of God’s favour and faithfulness in Singapore. “We now live in a changed world. And we have been told that the days ahead will become more and more difficult. We must be ready,” he said.
Authority of Jesus to forgive sins
Bishop Lim recounted the well-known story of four very determined and patient friends who broke through the roof to bring a paralytic man to Jesus. While the story concluded with the paralytic man being healed and able to walk, Bishop Lim reminded the congregation that the miracle is the authority of, and hope in, Jesus Christ.
“Jesus is the Son of Man and he has the authority to forgive sins. The Church, as part of NCCS, must continue to bear the message that our Lord is the sovereign Lord and he remains in authority. And there is hope in Jesus Christ,” he said.
The key message, emphasised by Bishop Lim, was an inclusive one—that Jesus forgives everyone who comes to him.
Faith of the four friends
From the sign language on stage by volunteer deaf translators, to the attendance of Koinonia Inclusion Network (KIN), a disability mission organisation that enables the Church to welcome and disciple people of all abilities, this year’s NDTS exemplified inclusivity for the Church. Echoing this theme, Bishop Lim expounded on the characters of the paralytic man and his four friends, inviting the congregation to consider the condition and daily life of the paralytic man as well as the agency and perseverance of his four friends.
Most importantly, Bishop Lim pointed out that it was the faith of the four that moved Jesus. He said, “Scripture does not say Jesus saw the disabled person. But instead, Jesus saw their faith.”
It was his hope that in the coming days, the Church could emulate the faith and actions of these four commendable men who worked out their faith together, despite varying personalities and different backgrounds. “I pray that in the days ahead, churches will display greater unity by working together more. By sharing of resources for more effective ministry and service to our nation,” he continued.
And by working together, the Church can help to break barriers for the differently abled, and together with them, build a stronger and resilient Singapore.
Capernaum and the bystanders
Not forgetting the biggest group of people in the story, Bishop Lim had a sobering message. Explaining how they were merely spectators, Bishop Lim shared that Jesus had performed the most miracles in Capernaum, and yet, the crowd remained indifferent. “They were merely spectators to the whole event.”
He cautioned, “Jesus had some harsh words for the people in Capernaum. It is found in Matthew 11:23, which reads, ‘And you, Capernaum, will you be exalted to heaven?’“
Bishop Lim concluded his sermon by asking congregants which group they identified themselves with—mere bystanders of the developments of Singapore’s changing society or active participants, ready to use their gifts to serve, like the four men in the parable?
May the Church unite with a spirit of thanksgiving, cooperation and faith to build Singapore together.
Ong Jia Min worships at Toa Payoh Methodist Church, where she serves in the Children’s Ministry as a teacher and manages the ministry’s Instagram page, @tpmcjoykids. / Photos by MCS Communications
