What’s On

2025 Easter Letter from the Pastor-in-Charge

Dear BRMC family,

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil, or fade.
-1 Peter 1:3-4

What an awesome promise we have from God! As Christ’s followers, our hope is one of renewal, abundant life, and an unfading heavenly inheritance. The resurrection of Jesus makes our hope living and active, giving us confidence that, just as Christ rose from the dead, we too will, rise from the dead (Col. 1:18). We shall rise to receive an inheritance that Peter says is “incorruptible” and cannot degenerate no matter how challenging or corrupt our lives’ circumstances (1 Pet. 1:23; 1 Cor. 9:25).

It is easy to lose sight of this message in our fast-paced and ever challenging world. Many of us are burdened with personal struggles, whether in terms of health, finances, work, or relationships. Yet, the resurrection reminds us that God’s power is made perfect in our weakness. Through His grace, we are invited to rise above our trials and embrace the new life He offers.

This Easter, amidst so much turmoil and uncertainty in the world, I urge all of us to consider the way in which Peter begins his letter. He does so by speaking a blessing on God. He doesn’t begin by focusing our attention on difficult circumstances or give us instructions on how to live our lives. He begins by calling his readers to stand and praise God.

Author and pastor David Helm points out that Peter’s introductory hymn of praise closely resembles an ancient Hebrew prayer called the Shemoneh ‘Esreh – The Eighteen Blessings – which were recited three times a day in the synagogue. Each one ended with the refrain “Blessed be Thou, O Lord.” Pastor Helm invites us to imagine the words “Blessed be Thou, O Lord” cascading fifty-four times a day from the house of the Lord.

It is a subtle goal. But Peter knows that reciting the blessing alone would bring the hearts and minds of the Jewish exiles back to Jerusalem and the temple. In this way, just one phrase would carry the people from wherever they had been scattered in hardship to the throne room of Heaven. The reminder to the exiles, and now also to us, is that with intentional and determined prayer, we can “come home” to God and stand in His presence. Encouragement and spiritual strength would surely follow.

This Easter, let us resolve to lift our voices in praise and thanksgiving always, celebrating the incredible gift of salvation that has been given to us. May our hearts be filled with the peace and joy that only the risen Christ can provide.

My fellow pastors Daniel, Kai Ming, Ben, Gilbert, Joshua, and the BRMC staff team join me in praying the blessings of the risen Lord upon you and your loved ones. Happy Easter!

In Christ’s love,

Rev Wendy Watson
Pastor-In-Charge

Join us for our Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Sunday Services.

Holy Week and Easter 2025

Easter is the heart of the Christian faith, and at BRMC, we celebrate it through a series of worship services throughout Holy Week and Easter. Through Holy Week, we journey with Christ—through the breaking of bread, the call to love, the weight of sacrifice, and the silence of the tomb. Yet all these find their fullness in the light of the Resurrection, where death is defeated and grace triumphs.

Come join us for the following:

Maundy Thursday
Thu, 17 Apr 2025
8pm, ACS Auditorium

Good Friday
Fri, 18 Apr 2025
8.30am & 10.30am, ACS Auditorium

Easter Sunrise Service
Sun, 20 Apr 2025
6.30am, ACS Student Plaza

Easter Sunday services*
Sun, 20 Apr 2025
8.30am & 10.30am, ACS Auditorium

*Please note there will be no 5pm services on Saturday and Sunday of the Easter weekend.

The Methodist Church in Singapore (MCS) Holy Week Services

The Methodist Church in Singapore (MCS) Holy Week Services will also be held at Kum Yan Methodist Church from 14-16 Apr, 8pm-9.30pm.

Holy Monday
Mon, 14 Apr 2025, 8pm
by CAC
The Faithful and Wise Servant

Holy Tuesday
Tue, 15 Apr 2025, 8pm
by ETAC
The Parable of the Ten Virgins

Holy Wednesday
Wed, 16 Apr 2025, 8pm
by TRAC
The Parable of the Talents

See our regular service times.

New Sermon Series – “Who is Worthy of our Worship?” – based on Revelation

Numerous themes and threads can be fruitfully traced and emphasised in Revelation.

In our latest sermon series from 18 January through 13 April 2025, we choose to approach Revelation through the lens of the question: “Who is worthy of our worship?”

As a church community, we will together:

• Appreciate how worship is singing, but also more than just singing
• Grow in adoration of our God, the slain and risen Lamb, who is worthy of worship (chs.4-5)
• Be encouraged toward faithful worship, especially in times of trial or difficulty, pain or disappointment (ch.6-7)
• Be on guard against the various false gods which intensely compete for our worship (chs.12-13, 17-18)
• Embrace worship as both the deep response of each individual, and the common cry of a vast multitude
• Be stirred in the recognition that humanity is made for profound relationship, delight, and worship of our Creator
• Be moved to join in God’s mission on earth, grasping the spirit behind John Piper’s famous saying: “Mission exists because worship doesn’t.”

The BRMC Lectio Bible Reading Journey resumes on 14 Jan 2025 with daily devotional passages linked to the Revelation sermons.

Connect Experience (CE’25) will be running alongside the Revelation sermon series. During this time, Connect Groups are encouraged to meet weekly during this time to read, reflect, relate and rest in God’s Word as we share and apply what we will be hearing and reading personally and together as one church community.

Find out more about CE’25

Pulpit Calendar

Connect Experience 2025 (CE’25) journey begins

We’re excited to bring back Connect Experience in 2025 (CE’25) – marked as the Year of Release for BRMC. 

To be Released to Proclaim the Good News, we must also be Connected to Love Christ and Equipped for Spiritual Maturity in Christ.  

CE’25 takes place concurrently with the sermon series – “Who is Worthy of our Worship?” – based on Revelation from 18 Jan to 20 Apr 2025. During this exercise, BRMC members and visitors are encouraged to commit or re-commit to a Connect Group (CG).

Similar to Connect Experience 2023 (CE’23), CGs are encouraged to meet weekly for the duration of this year’s exercise and to use the CE’25 journal as a guide in their personal daily walk and weekly group sharing. 

If you are not part of a CG, or haven’t attended one for some time, we strongly encourage you to come and experience this transformative journey for yourselves. 

*You can sign up to a CG anytime – during or even after CE’25.

Join a Connect Group

CE’25 features:

• Weekly meetings: Connect groups meet weekly using CE’25 Journals. (Download CE’25 Journal with FAQs on Revelation.)
• Flexible options: Choose from existing connect groups or join a new Connect Group (*subject to availability).
• Community and support: Experience community, support and transformational Christian living

The Experience: What People Say

This playlist feature participants of Connect Experience 2023 (CE’23) who reflect on what CE meant to them.

The video series is based on the idea of an incomplete puzzle that represents the life of a Christian, as well as the body of Christ. It seeks to encourage those in our congregations who are not in Connect Groups to join one so that you may discover how and where you fit in the beautiful picture of the Church as God intended her to be.

Related information: Connect Experience 2023 (CE’23)

CREDIT:
“The Missing Piece” video series was produced by Veriter Media for Barker Road Methodist Church (BRMC) as part of CE’25.

Church School restarts new year with changes in Youth Service

BRMC Team Church School is looking forward to welcoming back all our children and youths this school year.

Please note that Youth Ministry will be implementing the following changes starting this weekend.

Those aged 13 to 18 will meet from 10.30am to 12.30pm on non-Holy Communion Sundays. Finishing 30 minutes later will allow more time for intentional discipleship and spiritual friendships among our youths.

As a CONNECT ministry, we are excited about the opportunities this extended contact time will provide, including more age-tailored discussions in smaller groups. These changes support Church School’s commitment to foster transformational learning, encourage life-on-life engagements, and create space and time for encounters with God.

In this new structure, there will be age-targeted central teaching once a month, with youths placed in fixed small groups. In Weeks 2 and 3, Youths will be divided into two age groups: Y1-3 and Y4-6, with each group alternating between central teaching and Small Group Sundays. On months with a fifth Sunday, inter-year bonding activities will take place.

These changes aim to give youths a taste of life in a Connect Group, especially for the majority of our youth (>70%) who are not part of Friday Youth Connect Groups. Connect Experience 2023 (www.brmc.org.sg/CE23) showed that Connect Groups are essential for developing spiritual friendships and promoting discipleship.

Parents should have been informed of the changes by now. If you haven’t, or wish to find out more, please call the church office and speak to our Youth Ministry staff.

We appreciate your support as we work together to raise disciples who are Connected to Love, Equipped for Spiritual Maturity and Released to Proclaim Christ.

Finally, would you consider serving as a Youth Shepherd or Mentor?

Our youth need you!

Sign up now: www.tinyurl.com/ServeChurchSchool

2024 Christmas Letter from the Pastor-in-Charge

Dear BRMC family,

“The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness— on them light has shined. You have multiplied the nation, you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as people exult when dividing plunder. For the yoke of their burden, and the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian. For all the boots of the tramping warriors and all the garments rolled in blood shall be burned as fuel for the fire. For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His authority shall grow continually, and there shall be endless peace for the throne of David and his kingdom. He will establish and uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time onward and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this”. (Isaiah 9:2-7, NRSV)

Isaiah speaks prophetically of a great light piercing through the darkness. This promise was given to a people who lived in tumultuous times, filled with uncertainty and fear. Yet, in the midst of their struggles, God assured them that a Saviour would come—a child who would be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

As we reflect on these verses, let us consider the darkness that may touch our own lives and the world around us. There are times when we feel lost, overwhelmed or burdened by the weight of our struggles. The news often seems filled with despair, and personal struggles can lead us to despair. Yet, Advent reminds us that hope is never beyond our reach. This season, I encourage us to remain focused on the light that has come. Jesus came to earth in humility as a child, bringing with Him the hope of redemption and the promise of God’s unfailing love. He invites us to cast our cares upon Him and to trust in His perfect plan, knowing that He walks with us through every valley.

As we prepare for Christmas and the close of a year, it is opportune for us to examine our hearts by asking ourselves – what areas of my life feels dark or uncertain right now?

Respond by inviting the light of Christ into those spaces. Then ask the Lord Jesus to help you and show how you can be a source of hope and light to others at this time.

You might want to wrap your time of reflection with this prayer:

Dear Lord, as we journey through Advent into Christmas, help us by the power of your Holy Spirit to open our hearts to the hope that comes from You. Remind us that no matter the darkness we face, Your light shines brightly. May we reflect that light to others, sharing the hope of Christ in our words and actions. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

My fellow pastors Ben, Daniel, Gilbert, Joshua, Kai Ming, the staff team and LCEC members join me in wishing you a Christmas filled with hope and a New Year brimming with peace.

Blessing of peace,

Wendy

*Please do join us for our Christmas Day and Watchnight Services. 

Pastoral appointments 2025 and TRAC updates

We thank God that all six current pastors have been re-appointed to BRMC for 2025, following the 49th Session of the Trinity Annual Conference (TRAC).

News from TRAC 49th Session

Congratulations to Rev Reuben Ng who has been elected as TRAC President (2025-2028) at the 49th session of TRAC on Tuesday, 19 Nov 2024, held at Paya Lebar Methodist Church. (See more information)

We also want to honour our Pastor-in-Charge for her faithfulness and obedience to God’s call. Ps Wendy Watson received her Long Service Award for 20 years in ministry.

We also celebrate with BRMC member the Rev Shirley Kee on her ordination as Diaconal Minister. Ps Shirley serves as a chaplain in the Methodist Welfare Services.

Last but not least, we rejoice with Rev Gilbert Lok who was ordained as an Elder, thereby completing his four-year formal preparation for ministry as a pastor. He was ordained to the office of deacon two years ago. 

Did you know?

The TRAC Annual Conference is an annual gathering of pastors and laity of the 21 English-speaking Methodist churches in Singapore. They will reflect on past programmes and discuss God’s direction for TRAC. Election of certain office holders may also be held in some years at TRAC.

In the Methodist Church, pastors in The Itinerant Ministry are appointed to their churches on an annual basis, whereas Diaconal ministers – called to specialised ministries of service, justice, and love for persons – are ordained but do not itinerate.

Candidates who begin their journey as pastors in the Methodist Church in Singapore are received into the Annual Conference as members-on-trial (MOT). The MOT phase is usually a four-year period of formal preparation for ministry as a pastor. MOTs are usually ordained as to the office of deacons midway through their formal training.

Deacons are members-on-trial who have progressed sufficiently in their preparation for ministry as pastors, and thus given authority to administer baptism, among other pastoral duties.

Elders are deacons who have completed their formal preparation for ministry as pastors and are received into full connection with the Annual Conference. Most notably, only those ordained to the office of elders are permitted to administer Holy Communion.

More information is available on The Methodist Church in Singapore website.

Mission teams to Nepal, Cambodia, South India set to depart

Three mission teams from BRMC, comprising medics and non-medics, are set to depart for Nepal, Cambodia and South India in coming weeks.

We seek your prayers for the safety of everyone including our local partners and that the love of Christ may be shared in tangible ways.

Please follow the links for prayer points for each team:

• Nepal – 20-26 Nov 2024
• Cambodia – 3-8 Dec 2024 
• South India (Shalom) – 5-12 Dec 2024

CHRISTMAS 2024: RELEASE (SERVE, INVITE-A-FRIEND, GIVE)

Let’s celebrate and proclaim the Gospel of Christ by giving, serving and inviting a friend or two this season.

#GIVE

• GIVE and Feast: Epworth Community Services
  Fundraising by Epworth Community Services to support work with disadvantaged children and youth at risk.
  Donors who give $5,000 or more between 1 Nov and 31 Dec 2024 will be invited to a Peranakan Appreciation Dinner curated by Epworth’s Executive Director Tan Khye Suan on Sat, 18 Jan 2025.
  Find out more: tinyurl.com/partnerepworth
• GIFTS for Migrant Workers Christmas Carnival (Gift target achieved) 
  Share God’s love by preparing gifts for migrant workers joining the Migrant Workers’ Christmas Carnival on Sun, 1 Dec.

#SERVE

• Learning Journey @ The Helping Hand (Registration closed)
  Sat, 7 Dec | 5-9 pm | The Helping Hand
  BRMC Prison Ministry coffee morning at The Helping Hand for volunteers of the annual Christmas Outreach Dinner.   
• OSC Christmas Love Gift Messenger
  Sun, 24 Nov | 9.30am-12.30am | ACS Canteen booth
  Pick up a gift from the Canteen booth and deliver to our beneficiaries before Christmas.
• Migrant Workers Christmas Carnival
  Sun, 1 Dec | 2.30pm-9pm | ACS (BR) Auditorium
  Volunteers needed to run games and befriend the workers.
  Sign up now
• Prison Ministry & The Helping Hand Christmas Outreach Dinner (Registration closed) 
  Sat, 7 Dec | 5-9 pm | The Helping Hand
• 12th Singapore Company Boys’ Brigade Share-a-Gift Car Flag Off
  Volunteer drivers with own vehicles needed to help our BB boys deliver food hampers to beneficiaries.
  Sat, 7 Dec | 10am-3pm | Anglo-Chinese School (Independent)
  Sign up now: tiny.cc/12cfo2024

#INVITE-A-FRIEND

• Christmas SWAG Workshop
  Sat, 7 Dec | 2pm-5pm| ACS (Primary) Music Studio
  Cost: $70 per person / $130 per pair (for BRMC member, friend or pre-believer)
  Sign up
• Seniors Brunch Connection: Christmas Edition
  Fri, 6 Dec | 9.45am-12pm | New Ubin Seafood @ Metropolitan YMCA, 60 Stevens Rd
  Register
• Seniors Singing Fellowship
  Thu, 12 Dec | 10am-12pm | IGLC room, Methodist Girls’ School, Blackmore Drive
  Please confirm your attendance with Chang Chong Tian at 6256 4298.
• Indonesian Christmas Celebration Service
  Sun, 15 Dec | 11am-1.30pm | ACS Oldham Hall Chapel
• Shalom Dementia Care Fellowship
  Sat, 21 Dec | 1.30pm-4pm | Wesley Hall
  Please confirm your attendance with Chang Chong Tian at 6256 4298.
• Christmas Party (Filipino)
  Sun, 22 Dec | 2pm-4.30pm | ACS (Pri) Music Studio
• Christmas Night Vigil – Simbang Gabi 2024 (Filipino)
  23 Dec & 24 Dec | 7.30pm-9pm | ACS Performing Arts Theatre
• Mandarin Christmas Celebration Service
  Wed, 25 Dec | 10.30am-12pm | Wesley Hall
• Christmas Day Services
  Wed, 25 Dec | 8.30am & 10.30am | ACS Auditorium
• Oasis Christmas Day Bilingual Service (English & Mandarin) 
  Wed, 25 Dec | 10.30am | St Luke’s Chapel

BRMC Sanctuary Renovation Begins; Alternative Walkways to Service Venues

6 Nov 2024

Our much-awaited Sanctuary Repairs and Refurbishment works have begun this week, with hoardings put up around the building for public health and safety (see Figure 1).

Please take note that there will be no access around the Sanctuary at Level 4 except for staff and workers on campus until end-December at least, pending further notice.

This means that members and visitors arriving at the Transport Centre car park will have to take alternate routes instead of the lifts to get to the Auditorium, Canteen, Drama Theatre and Performing Arts Theatre.

We expect the renovation to last through March 2025, with the major works carried out in two phases. There will be hacking, drilling, hammering, dust, and restricted walkway access around the Sanctuary mostly in November and December.

Appeals

Weekend 5PM Services

During this period, we urge seniors and users of mobility aids to consider attending BRMC weekend evening services instead of the more crowded Sunday morning services. Saturday 5PM service is a weekly traditional Holy Communion service, while the Sunday 5PM contemporary service runs alongside the Church School programme for 7- to 12-year-olds.

Both 5PM services are conducted at Wesley Hall – easily accessible via Level U3 from the car park lifts.

Be On Time

For those attending Sunday morning services in coming weeks, do allow more time to get to church on time so as to minimise disruption to the worship services.

Call for Ushers 

During this busy transition season, would you step up and serve as an usher for your church family?

More ushers are needed to direct members and visitors on campus, especially during the busy Christmas season as we welcome more people to church.

Sign up to be an usher

Access to Canteen, Auditorium and school blocks from L1 car park (Yellow Route)

For everyone arriving at the car park, please follow the signs for the sheltered route (marked in yellow) through the tunnel from the doors at the side of the car park at the Transport Centre Level 1 for the Canteen, Auditorium and school blocks.

Seniors and mobility aid users (Green Route)

The carpark lifts will be strictly reserved for seniors and mobility aid users heading to the Auditorium via Wesley Hall on Sunday mornings. This route through Wesley Hall will be marked by signs in green. Please take care not to disrupt the Mandarin Service in-situ at Wesley Hall from 10.25am on Sunday mornings.

Access to BRMC Church School (Blue Route via Kindergarten block)

Parents dropping off children at Church School (Primary) will be directed to take the stairs next to the security counter at the car park to go up to Level 1 of the Kindergarten Block. Please follow the signs marked in blue along this route.

We would like to thank everyone using this campus in advance for your forbearance, as well as apologise for any inconvenience caused during this time.

Please contact the BRMC Church Office at 6256 4298 should have you have any queries.

New Sermon Series on Exodus (13 Oct – 22 Dec 2024)

What is our mission on earth? Is it merely to eat, live and play?

In Exodus, the Israelites were given a mission to be a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. Through our upcoming 10-week sermon series, we will likewise learn how God is shaping us to be His people here at BRMC, as each of us is sent out to embody and reflect His character to the world for His glory.

The series will start on 13 Oct 2024 and take us through the end of Advent just before Christmas.

Scheduled sermons 

God Shapes Us to be His People | 12-13 Oct
… through our Mistakes | 19-20 Oct
… despite our Fears and Hesitations | 26-27 Oct
… through Shared Traditions | 2-3 Nov
… through Signs and Miracles | 16-17 Nov
… in the Wilderness | 23-24 Nov
… through Sabbath | 30 Nov – 1 Dec
… through Discipline | 7-8 Dec
… through Giving | 14-15 Dec
… through His Presence | 21-22 Dec

Join us too in our daily Lectio reading journey to reflect and pray on Bible verses corresponding to each week’s sermon.

“I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself. Now therefore, if you obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession out of all the peoples. Indeed, the whole earth is mine; but you shall be for me a priestly kingdom and a holy nation.”
– Exodus 19:4-6a

What does it mean for the Church to be “in the world but not of the world”?

New Sermon Series on Theology of Work (10-25 Aug 2024)

Most of us spend the prime hours of our prime years at the workplace. Do all those hours and months and years matter?

What is the rightful place of human labour in this life of following Jesus? How do we honour God when work gets tough and the work environment gets rough? What is God’s purpose for us in and through our daily work?

The Theology of Work sermon series will tackle the above questions over three weekends from 10 Aug to 25 Aug 2024 as follows:

• God is Creator and Redeemer of Work
  10-11 Aug 2024
• God is Calling Us to Good Work
  17-18 Aug 2024
• God is Commissioning Us into Our Workplaces
  24-25 Aug 2024

The new BRMC Lectio Bible reading plan starting tomorrow, 7 Aug 2024, will complement the Theology of Work sermon series, as well as the open topics (i.e. back to going through the Psalms).

Pulpit Calendar

Pledge FY24/25

Dear BRMC family,

Recently, I have started praying the following prayer regularly. Not by choice, but because it is part of a daily liturgy that I observe:

“Take Lord, and receive all my liberty, my memory, my understanding, and my entire will; all that I have and call my own. You have given all to me. To you, O Lord, I return it. All is yours, dispose of it wholly according to your will. Give me your love and your grace, for this is sufficient for me.”

It is a radical prayer of self-giving and openness to God’s love that the Jesuits call the Suscipe.

Right up to today, I hesitate before voicing the first line. What would it mean for me to give all my ‘liberty… memory… understanding… entire will’ to our Lord Jesus? I find it a frighteningly difficult promise to make, but realise that surrendering to the Lord would mean entrusting everything that I have to glorify His name.

Matthew 6:19-21 resonates. Jesus Himself reminds us to store up treasure for ourselves in heaven and not on earth because treasure on earth will one day fade away into oblivion while that in heaven will last into eternity.

May I encourage us to bear this in mind as we prepare to make our pledge to God. Let us keep our sights on serving Him with all that we have, and I pray that He gives us a joyful conviction of heart as we return but a small portion of what He has abundantly blessed us with. As we commit our finances to Him, let us take the step of offering the entirety of our lives for His use and continue to praise Him whatever the circumstances of our lives.

To present a clearer picture on how the funds brought into the Lord’s storehouse at BRMC is used, the Finance Committee has aligned the allocation of funds with key ministry pillars identified by the pastoral team. This approach enhances transparency regarding the allocation of resources to the various ministries.

Please reach out to our Finance Team if you would like to look at more detailed financial statements.

Submit Pledge online

Ways to give

With blessings and warmest wishes,

Rev Wendy Watson, Pastor-in-Charge
Mr Bill Chua, LCEC Chairman
Mr Melvin Dineshraj, Budget Treasurer

Sanctuary Repairs and Refurbishment Update (Jul 2024)

The budget for repairs and refurbishment of our Sanctuary has been approved unanimously at the Special Meeting of the Local Church Executive Committee (LCEC) on 24 June 2024, and the Special Local Conference on 22 July 2024.

We thank God for sufficient church funds to go ahead with repairing the ceiling and renovating to provide for future needs.

Upgrading works

For instance, the main Sanctuary has to serve multiple, different types of services – traditional, contemporary and livestream. To cater for these, we will improve the layout to increase seating capacity by about 25 percent, as well as upgrade the acoustics and lighting of the space.

Mindful of our community’s changing demographic profile, we will set up a hearing loop system to better support those using hearing aids and refurbish the cry rooms for young families.

We are laying foundations for a united inter-generational church family worshipping out of multiple venues on this hill by providing for greater and more reliable audio-video connectivity between service venues. There will be new AV rooms at the rear of the Sanctuary to serve all venues on campus.

To enhance safety, we will resolve water drainage issues along our walkways and put in new non-slip tiles. We will also step up security and access control.

Throughout the project, we will preserve BRMC’s heritage by retaining key elements from earlier Sanctuary renovations in 1989 and 2002 including our beloved stained glass window, communion table and the main doors.

Finally, we want to be good stewards by making sustainable material choices and reusing what we have such as the pews, communion rails and current AV equipment.

Timeline

We will put out the Open Tender for Main Contractor, and expect the Main Contract to be awarded by mid-October. Construction should start in November and finish by March 2025.

Including time for testing and familiarisation, services may only return to the Sanctuary in mid-2025.

For any questions, please contact Jana at the Church Office at 6256 4298.

UPDATE: Mission Trips 2024

In January this year, some of our youths went mission tripping to Chiang Mai again in the Youth Ministry’s first such outing since pre-Covid days. 

Mission trips for the rest of the church will also resume towards the end of this year.

Places are limited and will close when numbers are reached.*

TRIPS UPDATE

Sep – Batam (closed)
Nov – Nepal (medical mission) (closed)
Dec – Cambodia (medical mission) 
Dec – South India (closed)
Jan 2025 – Cambodia (open only to youth in secondary school years 4 and 6)

*NOTE: To join the trips, you must have completed the BRMC Mission Trip Training programme.

Register your interest for the trips and our Missions Pastoral Staff will follow up with you.

The Methodist Social Principles in a new video series by MCS

Learn more

2024 Primary One Registration exercise

This is for children of Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents, born between 2 January 2018 and 1 January 2019 (both dates inclusive).

Members who wish to enrol their children in Methodist Schools under Phase 2B may apply for a membership certification letter.

Enquiries 

Sanctuary Repairs and Refurbishment Update (May 2024)

As of 25 May 2024, we are pleased to update that the main Sanctuary ceiling has been currently removed to expedite the repairs and refurbishment timeframe.

The architect has forecast the project to be done by Christmas. To be prudent, however, church plans is making allowance for completion at end Q1 2025 instead.

We urge members to continue to pray for us in this journey.

Please contact the church office at 6256 4298 for feedback and questions about the works.

MCS response to UMC’s repeal of the ban on gay clergy

Earlier this month, the United Methodist Church (based in the United States) lifted its long-standing ban on gay clergy, which had already begun in practice.

What does this mean for Methodists in Singapore?

Read the response from The Methodist Church in Singapore to the Methodist community.

欢迎华语崇拜新委任传道 / New Mandarin Service pastor

卫理公会巴克路堂诚挚欢迎丁华胜传道于2024 年 4 月 23 日起担任华语崇拜委任传道及奥登堂事工助理校牧。

在加入本堂之前，丁传道毕业于马来西亚卫理神学院（诗巫）并在古晋卫理公会信心堂服事长达六年。他曾在砂拉越华人年议会按立为副牧。

丁传道与保鋆姐妹结婚，育有两岁半的女儿丁萌和六个月大的儿子富栎。

巴克路堂华语崇拜是在每主日的早上十点三十分举行，地点在卫斯理堂。

BRMC welcomes new Mandarin Service Pastor

Barker Road Methodist Church warmly welcomes Ps Ting Hua Seng as the Mandarin Service pastor and Assistant Chaplain for Oldham Hall with effect from 23 April 2024.

Prior to joining us, Ps Ting served in Faith Methodist Church in Kuching, Sarawak, for six years as an ordained minister under the Sarawak Chinese Annual Conference after graduating from Methodist Theological School (Sibu).

He’s married to Poh Yuen and they have a 2.5-year-old daughter, Ting Meng, and 6-month-old son, Hock Lit.

BRMC’s vibrant Mandarin Service is held at 10.30am at Wesley Hall every Sunday.

Service timings

Sanctuary Repairs and Refurbishment Works

Ceiling removal at the Sanctuary has started since Monday, 8 April 2024. 

Operations will take place from Monday through Saturday until 22 April. On Saturdays, work ends at 4pm and resumes on Monday mornings over the 2-week period.  

For your safety, please keep away from the Sanctuary when works are taking place. 

Please also note that the Skip Tank is sited in front of the Sanctuary’s driveway. This is to ensure that unimpeded traffic flow on the main red brick road designated as Fire Engine Road Access. 

Connecting the Family Events in May – Jun 2024

Calling all grandparents, parents, children, aunties, uncles, siblings and children!

If you like kimchi pork and kimbap, here’s a chance for you to pair up and bond over cooking and other fun activities.

The Korean cooking class is one of our Connecting Families events in May and June.

If Korean food is not your thing, there’s also a Kueh-making session for grandparent-grandchild pairs.

Other events include a Family Scavenger Hunt at the Botanic Gardens, and equipping sessions for parents with children or sons headed for National Service.

So sign up now for a time of deeper connection with one another.

Follow the links below:

11 May – Korean Cooking Fun

18 May – Scavenger Hunt

22 Jun – Supporting Ah Boys to Men

29 Jun – Conversations with our Children

Holy Week and Easter 2024

Easter is the most important celebration in the Christian calendar, which is why we celebrate it as a worship service in many parts this Holy Week and Easter season. We will reflect on Holy Communion, loving one another, sacrifice, death, and the forgiveness of sins – themes that make sense as a whole only in light of the Resurrection.

Come join us for the following:

Maundy Thursday
Thu, 28 Mar
8pm | Auditorium (Holy Communion)

Good Friday
Fri, 29 Mar
8.30am & 10.30am | Auditorium (Livestream)

NO 5PM service on Sat, 30 Mar

Easter Sunrise Service with Breakfast Fellowship
Sun, 31 Mar
6.30am | Plaza (Open space between Auditorium & Concert Hall)

Easter Sunday services
Sun, 31 Mar
8.30am & 10.30am | Concert Hall (Livestream)
5pm | Wesley Hall

New Sermon Series: Kingdom of God

Every week we pray in the Lord’s Prayer, “Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done”. What do we really mean when we pray this?

– Is God’s Kingdom a distant location we go to after we die, something that comes about at the end of time, or is the Kingdom in fact present in our midst?

– What does it really take to be a part of this Kingdom?

– How does the Kingdom of God redefine our place and our priorities within this present world?

– In what ways is the Kingdom of God good news for our lives and for our world today?

– Are we truly living a Kingdom life, for real?

– Are we, BRMC, in reality a Kingdom people?

– Is the Kingdom of God manifest and tangible in our daily life and in our community life?

From 17 Feb to 19 May, we will be exploring the above questions in our new topical sermon series tracing the Kingdom of God in the New Testament, particularly, in the Gospels.

For those following our Lectio devotions on social media, a new series will also start on 14 February.  

The daily passages will correspond with the theme of the Kingdom of God sermon series.  

Pulpit Calendar 

Service Timings 

No 5pm services over Lunar New Year weekend

The first day of the Lunar New Year falls on Saturday, 10 February this year.

As such there will be no 5pm services on Saturday and Sunday, 10-11 February.

Sunday morning services on 11 February will be held as usual.

Service Times

10 Feb, Sat 5pm – No Service
11 Feb, Sun 8.30am – Traditional Service @ Auditorium
11 Feb, Sun 10.30am – OneBRMC Contemporary Service @ Concert Hall
11, Feb, Sun 5pm – No Service

Sanctuary Repairs and Refurbishment Update (Feb 2024)

It’s been a month since we closed the Sanctuary to rectify deteriorating ceiling panels.  

With the closure, we are also looking at enhancing the building’s accessibility, seating capacity, acoustics, electrical safety, and to rectify the walkways and drainage systems. 

We have invited a number of architects to quote for their consultancy and design fees, and are in the process of forming a Design Selection Committee to assess and select the final design. A Quantity Surveyor will subsequently be appointed, followed by the establishment of a Working Committee to steer the project.  

The Construction company will be selected by Open Tender.  

This means it’s going to take several more months before actual work begins, and that the Sanctuary will be closed for the rest of this year.  

Let us seek the Lord’s favour for this project.

If He does not build the house, our labour will be in vain.  

Please continue to pray for the project team and for the successful and safe completion of our repair and refurbishment works – that the Lord’s hand would guide, protect and empower our decisions. 

(5 Feb 2024)

Closure of Sanctuary

The Sanctuary is closed due to safety risks posed by rapidly deteriorating ceiling panels.

Interim service venues are as follows:

⛪Sat, 5pm | Traditional with Holy Communion Service | Wesley Hall

⛪Sun, 8.30am |Traditional Service| Auditorium

⛪Sun, 8.30am | Upper Room Service (URS) | Performing Arts Theatre

⛪Sun, 10.30am | OneBRMC Contemporary Service | Auditorium

⛪Sun, 5pm | Contemporary Service | Wesley Hall

Our Sunday morning service livestreams will continue as usual.

We will update you as soon as it’s safe to move services back to the Sanctuary.

For further queries, please contact the church office at 6256 4298.

(1st published: 2 Jan 2024; Updated venues: 2 Aug 2024) 

Find us now on Instagram

Barker Road Methodist Church is now on Instagram!

Follow us @brmcsg, tag us or leave a comment as we share our God moments and uplift one another through image-based posts.

We are also available on Facebook @BarkerRoadMC, and Telegram @brmcsg.

Let’s make 2024 a year of deeper connection and wider outreach as we grow in faith and joy in Christ.

New Year, New Start – Discipleship 101

There will be a new Discipleship 101 series of workshops starting in 2024.

The three-hour workshops will be based on material from the Growing Deep in Christ (Nav 2:7 series) Book 1, comprising:

1) Developing a Devotional Life 101 (20 Jan 2024)
2) Prayer (20 Jul 2024)
3) The Bible (TBC)

The workshops run by the Discipleship & Nurture Ministry (D&N) are suited to new believers as well as long-time believers looking to start right in, or reset, their spiritual growth and build a personal connection with God.

The first workshop, “Developing a Devotional Life”, is now open for registration.

Growing Deep in Christ programme

Meanwhile, those looking to deepen their relationship with God within a supportive community may sign up for the full Growing Deep in Christ programme instead, which takes place weekly over 12 weeks for Book 1.

Sign up now. 

Baptism and Membership 

The next round of Baptism and Membership Course is open for registration for those looking to get baptised in the new year.

EQUIP ministries

As one of BRMC’s EQUIP ministries, D&N equips members to connect closer with God, and connect deeper with one another as a church family.

Registration for Baptism and Membership Course (Easter Season)

Registration for baptism and membership at Barker Road Methodist Church is open from 17 Dec 2023 to 7 Jan 2024.

Please visit our FAQs for the criteria and other details. 

Registration is now closed. 

BMC Easter 2024 Schedule

Christmas 2023: Serve, Create, Shop, Invite-a-Friend

Come serve, create, shop for a cause, and invite a friend as we spread the love, joy, peace and hope of Jesus our Messiah this season.

This page and the individual event listings are updated from time to time, so please do check back for more updates.

#SHOP

• Youth Mission Trip Fundraising
  17, 24 & 25 Dec | 8am – 12pm | Canteen
  Just turn up!

#INVITE-A-FRIEND

• Indonesian Christmas Celebration Service
  17 Dec | 11am-1.30pm | Oldham Hall Chapel
• Christmas Night Vigil 1 (Filipino) 
  22 Dec | 7.30pm-9pm | Performing Arts Theatre
• Christmas Night Vigil 2 (Filipino)
  23 Dec | 7.30pm-9pm | Performing Arts Theatre
• Christmas Eve Services
  24 Dec | 8.30am | Concert Hall & Performing Arts Theatre
  24 Dec | 10.30am  | Concert Hall
• Christmas Day Services
  25 Dec | 8.30am & 10.30am | Concert Hall

See What’s On

(Updated: 10 Dec 2023)

RightNow Media: BRMC’s new media library

We are pleased to offer a new on-demand media resource for all our members and friends through the church’s subscription to RightNow Media – one of the world’s largest libraries of Bible study videos for individuals, families, connect groups and churches.

Brought to you by Discipleship and Nurture Ministry under BRMC’s EQUIP pillar, this digital library is meant to help you:

1) Deal with daily challenges as a Christian
2) Apply and be transformed by God’s Word
3) Connect closer with one another as we watch and share what’s on our screens

Why RightNow Media? 

Curated by BRMC  

Do look out for monthly highlights, curated for you in line with the Pulpit Calendar and seasons, on BRMC’s customised page on RightNow Media.

Click on BRMC’s icon at the top of the Home screen to see the page.

Access

You can access RightNow Media via its app on your mobile device or smart TV, or through your web browser on your computer.

Create your free account

Pastoral appointments 2024

We thank God that all our current pastors have been re-appointed to Barker Road Methodist Church for 2024, following the close of the 48th Session of the Trinity Annual Conference (TRAC) this week.

During this annual gathering of pastors and laity of the 21 English-speaking Methodist churches in Singapore, delegates reflect on past programmes, and discuss God’s direction for us. Election of certain office holders may also be held in some years at TRAC.

TRAC is also the organisation that trains and manages our pastors. In the Methodist Church, pastors are appointed to their churches on an annual basis.

Church School Recess 2023

Church School will stand down in December to give our teachers, helpers and leaders an opportunity to rest and spend some quality time with their loved ones and families.

3 Dec: Communion Sunday (no Church School)
10 Dec : Final Church School session for the month of December
17 Dec : Recess
24 Dec : Recess
31 Dec : Recess
7 Jan : Communion Sunday (no Church School)
14 Jan : Church School team dedication at 830, 1030 and 5pm – No Church School sessions
21 Jan : Church School resumes

See Service timings

New Lectio readings linked to upcoming sermon series

A new set of Lectio daily devotional readings will start from 15 November through 26 December.

These readings are linked to the upcoming sermon series, “Messianic Light in the Minor Prophets”.

Lectio is also published every morning at 7am, except on Sundays, on the BRMC Facebook page and Telegram channel.

New Sermon Series: Messianic Light in the Minor Prophets

As Advent approaches, we invite all to join us for the upcoming six-part sermon series, entitled “Messianic Light in the Minor Prophets”, from 18 November.

The series will begin two weeks before Advent through 24 December.

In line with the Advent season, this sermon series illumines how the Old Testament prophets, even the so-called “minor” ones, connect to the New Testament era inaugurated by Jesus, the Messiah.

For each sermon, a passage from the Minor Prophets will be paired with a passage from a New Testament text that cites, alludes, or refers to the theme of the Minor Prophet passage.

We hope this sermon series will help our church community to better: 

• Understand the significance and relevance of the Minor Prophets within the canon of Scripture
• Grasp how the Old and New Testaments connect and complement one another
• Recognise the dual aspects of prophecy, i.e. forth-telling and fore-telling
• Trust and follow our God who calls his people to repentance as well as to hope and faith

See BRMC Service Timings and Pulpit Calendar.

Visit our YouTube channel for Sunday service livestreams.

Sex Ed for Youth (in partnership with Focus on the Family)

In November, Church School will be running a series on sexual topics for youths together with Focus on the Family and BRMC Family Life Ministry on Sunday mornings.

Each year group will cover different topics such as sexual identity and discourse from 10.30am to 12.30pm at the ACS Learning Centre at L2.

We urge all parents and the rest of the church family to pray alongside us for these sessions as we seek to cultivate a secure identity, true intimacy and authentic relationships among our young people.

Programme

12 Nov 2023

Year 1: Sexual Identity
Year 2: Sexual Integrity

19 Nov 2023

Year 3: Sexual Intelligence

26 Nov 2023

Year 4: Sexual Issues
Year 5/Poly: Sexual Discourse

Points to note:

Please go directly to the Learning Centre at 10.30 on the respective dates. Sessions will end at 12.30pm.

For more information, please contact Iris Sin at the church office.

Notice: Change in Service Venue on 15 Oct

The 8.30am Upper Room Service will be held at the ACS Auditorium this Sunday on 15 October 2023, instead of its usual location at Performing Arts Theatre.

Similarly, the Filipino Service at 11am will also be held at the Auditorium, as we expect a bigger-than-usual turnout for the Service’s 40^th Anniversary.

All are welcome to join us.

Sermons to be brought forward in new service order

Service orders will be changed from 9-10 September.

Services will begin with 20 minutes of worship which will be followed by the sermon.

The worship and sermon segments have been brought forward to create more space for us to respond to God.

For this to work, we would like to encourage everyone to arrive on time, or better still, 5-10 minutes before service starts, to ready your hearts for worship.

Whether you take the bus, MRT or drive to church, do factor in enough travelling time for the bus to arrive, or to secure a parking lot.

Let us honour God and one another by being on time.

Please do speak with Ps Benjamin Fong if you have any queries about the revised service order.

LECTIO* – BRMC’s Bible Reading Journey

As Connect Experience 2023 (CE’23) concludes and we now enter a season of open topic sermons, we also shift gears with lēctiō, BRMC’s Bible Reading Journey.  

To help every BRMC member grow and submit under the Authority of God’s Word (the first of the 4As of Biblical Koinonia), we provide a daily Bible reading plan based on the pulpit calendar. 

The readings will be posted every morning on our Telegram and Facebook channels from 23 Aug 2023, following the end of the 40-day CE’23 Daily Devotions. 

The Rhythm 

Whenever there’s a sermon series, each week’s readings typically begin on a Wednesday to help us prepare for the coming Sunday’s sermon. Another two readings on Monday and Tuesday give opportunity to reflect on the message just preached. We encourage the use of the 4Rs (Read, Reflect, Relate, Rest) as a guide for our daily encounter with God’s word. This is no reading on Saturday; instead, we encourage “Examen” – a time of prayer that helps us to reflect on the week that has just passed and commit to God the new week.  

Preparing for Advent

From now till mid-November, we will read through the entire Gospel according to John. John is the most evangelistic of the Four Gospels, challenging us to consider who Jesus really is and how we will respond to him.

The choice of John’s gospel for Lectio is to prepare us for Advent, and not because we will be preaching from that book.

Lectio Bible readings will be synced with sermons from mid-November, for our series on Messianic Light in the Minor Prophets.

May our souls prosper as we read God’s Word together!

 *Lectio is a Latin word which means “a reading”, or  “a selection”.  Lectio divina (divine reading)  is the spiritual exercise of Bible reading, which focuses on meditating on a portion of Scripture (daily bread) as an encounter with the God who prospers our souls.  

BRMC welcomes Ps Joshua Kwok

Barker Road Methodist Church warmly welcomes Pastor Joshua Kwok to serve with us as Assistant Pastor with effect from 1 Aug 2023.

Ps Joshua served at his home church Ang Mo Kio Methodist Church prior to joining us.

This was announced at TRAC 2023 Special Session on 15 July 2023 held at Fairfield Methodist Church.

He will be introduced in person to the church family at this weekend’s services.

Pledge FY23/24

Dear BRMC Family,

As we approach our 58th National Day, I am reminded of the Pledge that we recite annually on the day itself. The opening line is etched on our minds and hearts – “We, the citizens of Singapore, pledge ourselves as one united people…”.

According to the Collins English Dictionary, a pledge is a “serious promise that we will do something”.

In the Bible, promise-keeping is an important facet of a person’s integrity of character. The keeping of promises, particularly those made to God, is a recurring theme. It communicates that God not only takes promise-making seriously but expects His people to do likewise.

We hear this from the writer of Ecclesiastes who instructs us to not delay in fulfilling our vows to God (Eccl. 5:4-5). Moses tells us that God is a “faithful God who maintains covenant loyalty with those who love him and keep his commandments” (Deut. 7:9). According to Moses, God does not lie nor change His mind, and that what He has promised, He will do; what He has said, He will fulfil (Num. 23:19).

There is no doubt that God is a promise-keeper. God keeps His promises to us, and wants us to keep vows or promises that we’ve made to Him as well as others. I believe that God passed the litmus test when He sent us the promised Messiah, Jesus, and when He fulfilled His promise to send us the Holy Spirit. Be encouraged because we can depend on God to fulfil His promises to us. We can count on Him, and that should fill us with hope.

I found myself wondering what our society might look like if every Singaporean kept their pledge. What if everyone cared enough about our country to strive for unity, regardless of our differences, and worked together to build a society where justice and equality is experienced by all? Might we see less poverty, mental health issues, social unrest, and instead see a more cooperative, contented, happier, hopeful people? Perhaps…

By extension, I wonder what it would look like if we, the people of God worshipping at Barker Road Methodist Church, kept vows made to God at our baptism and reception into membership? Amongst other things, we promised to be loyal to Christ and to be active participants in the life of our church family. We pledged to “faithfully participate in its ministries by our prayers, our presence, our gifts and our service” (Methodist Hymnal).

Pledge Sunday is a timely reminder of the vows that we have made.

It’s not just about money.

It’s about the keeping of vows and promises.

It’s about how we position God. And how we position ourselves relative to Him.

And it is because promise-keeping is important to God that I encourage all of us to take time to pray. Ask the Lord how He would have us respond. I pray that as you do, this certainty will settle in your hearts and minds – that “God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that by always having enough of everything, you may share abundantly in every good work” (2 Cor. 9:8).

Amen.

Please reach out to our Finance Team if you would like to look at more detailed financial statements.

With blessings and warmest wishes,

Rev Wendy Watson, Pastor-in-Charge
Mr Bill Chua, LCEC Chairman
Mr Melvin Dineshraj, Budget Treasurer

Pledge your commitment online

Pledge Form FY2023/2024 (Aug 2023 – Jul 2024)

More ways to give 

(CE’23) Sermon Series: That Your Soul May Prosper

Presented as part of the Connect Experience 2023 (CE’23), this sermon series explores some of John Wesley’s most important messages that Methodists must hear anew for today.

These include:

Who really is a Christian?

Can someone lose his salvation and end up in hell, and what is hell anyway?

Is “going to heaven” the reason why we try to be good Christians?

Addressing the above questions and more, the eight-week series means to bring all listeners to the wells of an abundant life (John 10:10) so “That Your Soul May Prosper“.

“That Your Soul May Prosper” pulpit schedule:

1-2 Jul  – “The Important Question” (Matt 16:26)
8-9 Jul  – “Witness of the Spirit” (Rom 8:16)
15-16 Jul  – “On Predestination” (Rom 8:29-30)
22-23 Jul – “Of Hell” (Mk 9:48)
29-30 Jul  – “The Good Steward” (Luk 16:2)
5-6 Aug  – “On Working Out Our Own Salvation” (Phil 2:12-13)
12-13 Aug – “Almost Christian” (Acts 26:28)
19-20 Aug – “Christian Perfection” (Phil 3:12)

Sermon recordings

About the Connect Experience 2023 (CE’23)

CE’23 is an eight-week experiential exercise that helps us to connect with God and one another for the sake of the world.

Participants meet weekly between 1 Jul and 20 Aug in either newly-formed CE’23 Experience Groups, or in their current Connect Groups.

We will be following the sermon series while re-discovering the Wesleyan way of being God’s community.

Learn more about CE’23 

Connect Experience 2023 (CE’23) countdown

CE’23 40-Day Daily Devotions will begin on Wed, 28 Jun.

They will be posted to the BRMC Facebook Page and Telegram channel every night. Do subscribe to our channels if you haven’t already done so.

• Telegram
• Facebook

The daily posts are meant to complement the CE’23 Journal that our Experience Group and Connect Group participants will be using in the 8-week CE’23 journey.

Participants: Please collect your journals by Sunday, 25 Jun. If you attend the weekend 5pm services, please follow collection instructions in your email inbox.

Are you joining us in this season of the Christian marathon?

“If you want to go the distance in your relationship with Jesus, don’t run the marathon alone….

You don’t need 100 people with you. You don’t even need 10. You just need three or four people running with you, supporting you in all God wants to do through your life….

That’s why you need to be in a small group.”

(Timely quotes from the 21 Jun reading in “Open Doors: A Year of Daily Devotions” by Rick Warren. https://pastors.com/run-the-race-together/)

Learn more about CE’23

New monthly Chapel in refreshed Seniors programme

A new Seniors Chapel will be held monthly from June, providing a space for seniors to worship God and enable them to pray with and intercede for one another. It will be held at 3.15pm to 4.15pm on every third Wednesday of the month at the Sanctuary, starting 21 June.

The Chapel session is part of a refreshed Seniors programme of online and on-site opportunities fellowship, including a regular brunch fellowship.

Weekly Online Fellowship         

• Fridays, 10am – 11.15am
• Sundays Post-Service, 10.30 – 11.15am

Monthly In-Person Events

• Seniors Brunch Connection
  1st Friday of the month, 10am – 12pm (July onwards)
• Seniors Chapel
  3rd Wednesday, 3.15pm – 4.15 pm
• Shalom Dementia Care Fellowship
  3rd Saturday, 2pm – 4pm

All Seniors are welcome to join us and connect with the church family through these events so that you may G.R.O.W. (Gracefully Ripening, Overflowing with Wisdom from God).

Seniors who are homebound and require pastoral visits are welcome to get in touch.

Event Calendar 

Enter in to the new Connect Experience 2023

Barker Road Methodist Church is going back to basics.

We are inviting everyone to enter in to Connect Experience 2023 (CE’23) and rediscover the Wesleyan way of being God’s community and experience the joy and truth of the Christian life that’s transformational through the power of the Holy Spirit.

“I believe He has already started the renewal of our church,” says Rev. Lai Kai Ming, the pastor leading in CE’23. “And He is preparing us for greater things to come. “The first step is to re-discover what being a Christian and a Church is really about.”

The CE’23 journey will start on 22 April with a 3-week sermon series on what it means to be in koinonia, or fellowship, apart from congregating on Sundays. It will examine the “4As” underlying Christian love for one another:

1. Authority of God’s Word: We are called to be doers of the word, not just hearers.
2. Authenticity in relationships: How real and honest are we with each other?
3. Accountability for Good Works: We are commanded to watch over one another in love.
4. Acts of the Holy Spirit: The Spirit helps us connect with God and one another for the sake of the world.

Based on the 4As, the CE’23 journey continues in July-August with an eight-week guided experiential exercise in connecting with God and one another for the sake of the world.

Registration for CE’23 will open from 22 April to 17 June.

You can take part in CE’23 in the following ways:

• Join us in examining the 4As of Biblical Koinonia over 3 weekend services from 22 April to 7 May 2023
• If you are not part of a connect group, sign up to an Experience Group when registration opens
• If you are part of a connect group, join us as our church family rediscover, exercise and experience transformational community life

ENTER IN

Holy Week Services (6-9 April 2023)

Easter is the most important celebration in the Christian calendar, which is why we celebrate it as a worship service in many parts this Holy Week, and reflect on Holy Communion, loving one another, sacrifice, death, and the forgiveness of sins – themes that make sense as a whole only in the light of the resurrection.

Let’s come together, then, to Watch and Wait at the Table on Maundy Thursday evening, at the Cross on Good Friday morning, at the Tomb on Holy Saturday afternoon, and finally, on the Mountain on Easter Sunday morning.

Maundy Thursday, Thu, 6 Apr
8pm | Sanctuary

Good Friday, Fri, 7 Apr
8.30am* | Auditorium
10.30am* | Auditorium

Holy Saturday, Sat, 8 Apr
5pm | Sanctuary

Easter Sunday, Sun, 9 Apr
8.30am* | Sanctuary, URS
10.30am* | Sanctuary, Shine Forth (Livestream)
5pm | Sanctuary

*Livestream available

Lent Sermon Series: Disciplines of the Holy Spirit

As a follow-up to the “Acts of the Holy Spirit” sermons, this Lent series from 22 February to 2 April 2023 focuses on the inner life of the Christian.

The wind might blow strongly, but only a hoisted sail can catch its power. God is always speaking, but only a soul attuned to His voice can hear His words of love. Saints through the ages have discovered that while the sovereign Spirit “blows wherever it pleases” (John 3:8), His presence and power rest upon those who seek Him through a life of joyful discipline and obedience.

We look forward to seeing you at our worship services on the weekends.

View more upcoming events 

Lunar New Year weekend services

Please note that there will be no afternoon services on the 21-22 Jan weekend.

OneBRMC Services will be held as follows:

Sunday, 22 January

8.30am | Traditional | Sanctuary (Livestreamed)
10.30am | Contemporary | Sanctuary (Livestreamed)

Livestream link

First Corporate Prayer Meeting of 2023

Following her Vision Sunday sermon to ‘Wait, Watch and Pray’, Pastor-in-Charge Rev Wendy Watson invites all to join in the church’s first corporate prayer meeting this year.

The meeting will be held on Friday, 6 Jan, 7.30pm at the Sanctuary.

Like Jesus’ disciples who were called to be His witnesses in Acts 1, we are also called to wait, watch and pray in community.

This year, we will be focused on connecting with God and with one another in small groups.

Let us therefore gather and pray in unity for empowerment to go forth and fulfil God’s calling in our lives.

#CONNECT2023

Connect Survey 2023

New Year, New Start!

We are working to better connect our church family with God and with one another this year.

To do this, we are carrying out Connect Survey 2023 until 31 January to find out what drives people to be part of a Connect Group, or what may be stopping them from joining one.

Through Connect Survey 2023, you are also invited to suggest ways to improve church communications.

Sermon Series 2023: Acts of the Holy Spirit

We will be starting 2023 with a new sermon series on Acts of the Holy Spirit.

Someone once asked: “If the Holy Spirit left our church today, would anything change? Or would we go on with business as usual?” This is a sombre reminder that it is possible for churches and churchgoers to have “an outward form of religion but denying God’s power” (2 Tim. 3:5).

Over eight weeks from 1 January to 19 February, we will learn to recognise the presence and work of the Holy Spirit in BRMC.

More importantly, we pray that God—Father, Son, and Spirit—will transform us for the sake of the world He loves so much.

#Connect_Disciples

Remote Holy Communion to cease

Remote Holy Communion will cease from 31 December 2022.

BRMC members are encouraged to join us regularly at our 10 worship services on weekends, as we enter a new year of connecting closer with God and our church community.

Those unable to come on site for Holy Communion may register for pastoral visits, where Communion will be celebrated.

Register here 

Pastoral appointments 2023

We thank God for the successful 47th Session of the Trinity Annual Conference hosted by BRMC on 21-24 Nov 2022.

At the Closing service, five of our current pastors were re-appointed to BRMC for 2023. Rev Wendy Watson continues as Pastor-in-Charge.

At the same time, we bid farewell to Rev Lawrence Chua who’s stepping down in retirement after almost four decades as a pastor.

Last but not least, we thank God for the Rev Gilbert Lok, who was ordained to the office of Deacon of the Methodist Church in Singapore.

May God guide our pastors and bless this church with His presence as we seek to be a light for Him on this hill.

Advent Sermon Series: The Long-Awaited Saviour

Christmas is coming….soon!

Join us amidst your festive preparations for a new Advent-oriented sermon series every weekend from 19 November to 18 December.

We will trace how in the Old Testament, God makes various promises to his people, which culminate and find ultimate fulfilment in Jesus, the Messiah. And see while God gave various promises, their fulfilment was not immediate, but required patient hope.

Take heart that, today, God is still faithful and still fulfils his promises, as His faithful people continue to wait on him with hope.

See the Pulpit Calendar for more information. 

See our Service timings. 

华语崇拜 – 重返卫斯理堂

MANDARIN SERVICE- HOMECOMING

The Mandarin Service is returning to Wesley Hall at 10.30am from 11 Sep 2022. 

华语崇拜将于9月11日重返卫斯理堂，恢复上午10:30的主日崇拜。

Let’s invite our Mandarin-speaking friends and family to worship alongside our English services on Sunday mornings at the same time.

欢迎弟兄姐妹参加我们圣山上的主日崇拜。阿们。

Safe Measures Update

From Monday, 29 Aug 2022, the wearing of masks will be optional in indoor settings. ​

We advise members and visitors to keep exercising individual and social responsibility, and to stay home if you are feeling unwell. 

Please refer to the MOH COVID-19 Phase Advisory for the latest guidelines. ​

BRMC’s response to the repeal of Section 377A

The Government has announced that it will repeal Section 377A of the Penal Code, which criminalises sex between men. At the same time, it has promised to protect the definition of marriage from being challenged constitutionally in the courts (1).

In response, the pastoral leadership of Barker Road Methodist Church stands in alignment with the National Council of Churches of Singapore (NCCS) and the Methodist Church in Singapore (MCS). We understand “same-sex sexual acts as contrary to God’s order” and affirm “the position of one man and one woman in a monogamous marriage relationship”(2).

We note the rationale and reasoning behind the repeal, and “trust that this decision was not taken lightly” (3). Members and visitors are encouraged to refer to the detailed statements put out by NCCS and MCS to better understand our position in light of more debates to come, within and without the church.

The decision to repeal s377A is contentious and potentially divisive. The pastors would like to encourage our congregational family at BRMC to recognise God’s sovereignty, and to uphold one another in love and compassion whilst we seek to live out God’s standards of holiness.

As we continue to promote our understanding of family, please pray for divine wisdom for the leaders of our country, community and homes.

“Though we walk a long and broken road
We are here to bear each other’s load
And forgive as You’ve forgiven us
Let us walk in love for we are one”

(Excerpt from “We Are One (In the Father’s Love)” by Emu Music;
Theme song of BRMC Sermon Series 2022: We Are Family)(4)

References

(1) PM Lee’s NDR speech: https://www.pmo.gov.sg/Newsroom/National-Day-Rally-2022-English
(2) The National Council of Churches of Singapore Response to Government’s Decision on the Repeal of Section 377A: https://nccs.org.sg/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/NCCS-EngChi-Stmt-on-s377A-20220823.pdf
(3) MCS Response to the Repeal of S377A of the Penal Code: https://www.methodist.org.sg/index.php/what-s-happening/789-mcs-response-to-repeal-of-section-377a-penal-code
(4) BRMC Sermon Recordings & Study Guides: https://www.brmc.org.sg/services/sermons/

New Sermon Series: We Are Family

“Sister, let me wipe your tears
Brother, let me bear your fears
Come on, every daughter, every son
Let us walk in love for we are one”

(lyrics from We Are One, by Emu Music)

What does it mean to live as God’s family? To be a faithful family and a family of faith?

Join in our upcoming sermon series starting 13 August to 18 September as we hear God’s Word about both our biological and marital families, and our church family.

Please refer to the pulpit calendar for more information.

2022 TRAC Special Session Update

Congratulations to Pastor Gilbert Lok for being elected to the office of Deacon at the 2022 Trinity Annual Conference (TRAC) Special Session on 16 July.

He will be ordained at TRAC in November, which Barker Road Methodist Church will be hosting.

In the video below, Ps. Gilbert explains to one of our youths what ordination means.

BRMC to host TRAC 2022

We are preparing to host the annual gathering of pastors and laity of the 21 English-speaking Methodist churches in Singapore in November.  

The 47th Session of the Trinity Annual Conference (TRAC), to be held 21-24 November 2022, will mark almost a year of Rebuilding Koinonia as BRMC congregations return to pre-pandemic service timings and activities this year.

BRMC members can look forward to celebrating the ordination of Pastor Gilbert Lok to the Office of the Deacon at TRAC. After the event, he will wear the clerical collar and may then be addressed as Reverend Gilbert Lok. 

The last time BRMC hosted TRAC was almost 20 years ago, in 2003.  

As many as 300 delegates are expected over the four days.  

Watch this space

Join us in demonstrating the hospitality of Jesus to our brothers- and sisters-in-Christ from the Methodist church family, and celebrating community through service – as ushers, musicians, prayer partners and other roles.  

So, save the dates and watch this space for volunteer calls in the coming months.  

What is TRAC?

TRAC is an annual meeting where delegates reflect on past programmes, and to discuss God’s direction for us as a family of Methodist churches. Election of certain office holders may also be held in some years at TRAC.  

The conference is scheduled to be held on site, subject to last minute changes that may arise due to the ongoing pandemic. It was held online last year.  

Key sessions will still be livestreamed, for e.g. the Ordination and Closing Service of TRAC 47th Session.  

The Trinity Annual Conference (TRAC) is also the organisation that trains and manages our pastors. Under the Methodist system, pastors are not tied to a specific church, and are often reassigned after several years.