DWELL IN UNITY – LCS RETREAT 2024

DWELL IN UNITY – LCS RETREAT 2024

Joyce Tan (Jurong Christian Church)

It was a momentous event for the Lutheran Community since the first retreat held 18 years ago in 2006 at Rivera Bay Resort Melaka! The Lutheran Church in Singapore (LCS) held this event with six congregations coming together at Batam from 14 to 17 June 2024. We thank God that this was made possible for a group of more than 340 people who took time to fellowship, grow and worship together!

“How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!” Ps 133:1

1^st LCS Retreat in 2006 2^nd LCS Retreat in 2024

The day started early as brothers and sisters-in-Christ boarded the ferry and arrived by buses in unity at Aston Batam Hotel & Residence ready for the retreat. Committee members, bus captains and assistant bus captains guided the groups under their care safely from Singapore to Batam. Kudos to all of them!

Queuing to collect Ferry tickets at Harbourfront Terminal & Boarding of buses at Sekupang Ferry Terminal

The days that followed were filled with group activities, breakout sessions, prayer groups, to build faith in Christ and rapport among everyone from the LCS churches. Morning exercise at 6 a.m. made its way into the programme for early risers who want to stay fit and in shape.

Rev. Dr. Wilfred J Samuel was the main speaker in the English sessions, he also preached at the Divine Service on Sunday. He is an ordained pastor from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Malaysia. He has held several positions in Sabah Theological Seminary where he is now the Director of the Lutheran Study Centre (from January 2020). Speaking on the retreat theme Dwell in Unity, Dr. Wilfred encouraged us to “build on, build up and build for”.

Rev Dr Wilfred J Samuel Grand Lotus Ballroom where all gathered

“All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 2 Tim 3:16-17

#1 BUILD ON – We were encouraged to build on the word of God, build our faith and build on our spirituality! He gave insightful messages throughout the retreat encouraging all to live a victorious Christian life and walking in a manner worthy of our calling.

#2 BUILD UP – He echoed the importance of building up one another with scriptures/ resources for mission through upskilling with training in God’s word. We should encourage and admonish, comfort and counsel, provide for and protect one another.

# BUILD FOR – He said to leave a legacy for the next generation. We need to establish new outreach points to increase the numbers and establish new social work ministry/ centres.

Difficult questions were asked with insightful discussions. What does it mean to be a Lutheran Church in Singapore to you? Comments and heartfelt sharing were made to talk about the future for LCS and how do we grow the LCS community for Christ. It is a bold move to look to the future for LCS, its beliefs, its evangelistic efforts and to share its history beyond the Lutheran churches and Singapore waters.

It was a delight where vendors were invited to set-up stalls in the main hall for the sale of goodies and a fruit party with purchase of goods and local delights made easy for everyone. There was tasting of the Indonesian snacks which was a surprise to all!

Snacks in a box Goodies for Sale

The committee included a fund-raising event for an Indonesian Christian group during the Sunday Worship Service. It was heart-warming to know that the funds raised gave hope and answered their call for help in Christ! The Executive Director gave thanks that their missionaries sent to different states of Indonesia can return home as they left in faith with only a one-way ticket to their mission field. Thanks be to God!

The Parents Night Celebration and Gala dinner ended the retreat on a high note with games, food and photographs reminiscing the good old times of LCS churches down the memory lane. The kids presented an item for all with support from two Scripture Union guests/teachers. What a wonderful sight!

Gala Dinner at its best Children’s Item

The unsung warriors who organised the retreat were appreciated. We give glory to God that the committee braved differences and challenges to put the retreat together. The bus captains, assistant bus captains and our photographers for the retreat were appreciated too. Do you recognise them?

Retreat Committee 2024 Bus Captain/ Assistant Bus Captain from JCC

Appreciation of Photographers

As the retreat came to an end, spirits were high as the lobby was filled once again with our brothers and sisters-in-Christ. We are indeed one in the bond of love and have joined our spirits with the Spirit of God. Let us feel His Love, join our hands so that the world will know that we are one in the bond of love.

Journey from Aston hotel to taking the buses and boarding the ferry

Do you know that an advance party with a few committee members left on 13 June 2024 earlier to Batam to ensure logistics, administration and hotel arrangements were made ready to receive the entourage on 14 June 2024? Representatives from various churches came together to make it possible. Dwell in JESUS, Dwell in UNITY!