Under the Wings of God – Learning Faith, Duty, Love & Hope from the book of Ruth

1. 15 Aug 2021             FAITH needed to please God (Ruth 1)
2. 22 Aug 2021             DUTY, the outworking of Faith (Ruth 2)
3. 29 Aug 2021             LOVE displayed in faithful Duty (Ruth 3)
4. 5 Sep 2021                HOPE, the outworking of God’s Love (Ruth 4)

Introduction: Ruth is one of only two books in the Bible that bears a woman’s name. At least one commentator thinks that it may even have been written by a woman. We do not know as the Bible does not tell us. Ruth is a beautiful love story, a true story, but set against a bleak backdrop, the period of the Judges (Ruth 1:1), a period summed up by these words, “In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as they saw fit.” (Judges 21:25) Notes Leon Morris, “The book of Judges tells of war and strife, but this (Ruth) is a quiet story of ordinary people going about their ordinary lives. … But it deals with them in such a way as to show that God is active in the affairs of men. He works his purpose out and blesses them that trust him.”

We will look at the four key themes in the book over the four Sundays with Elder Melville Szto speaking.

PASTORAL NOTE (issued on Thursday 22 July 2021)

Dear Frankelite,

Greetings in the name of our dear Lord Jesus! 

We thank God that we were able to resume onsite (physical) Sunday Services and Ministry meetings for the past 4 weeks since 27 June. It was indeed good meeting some of you face to face.

With the current Return to Phase 2 (Heightened Restriction) from 22 July – 18 August, the leaders have made some key decisions, aligned with the provisions in the government’s advisory.

A) SUNDAY WORSHIP SERVICES – ON 25 JULY, 1, 8 & 15 AUGUST

1. 8am English Service:  Continue with onsite (physical) service (2 zones, up to 100 seats).  

This service is for Frankelites and guests who:

• Are fully vaccinated (i.e. 2nd vaccination dose needs to be done 14 days prior to the date of church attendance)    

          OR 

• Have undergone Pre Event Testing (PET) using an Antigen Rapid Test (ART) or Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test administered by an approved test provider. Test results are only valid for 24 hours from the time an individual registers at the testing premises to take the test and must be valid till the end of the service. So if you are planning to attend the 8am service, the test must be taken after 9.30am the day before, on Sat. (PLEASE NOTE: at the moment, the authorities do not accept self-administered or DIY COVID-19 test kit results, even though they are considered ART, as valid for entry to worship services.)    

          OR 

• Have an exemption notice (PET exemption notice with a relevant validity period. It must be issued 270 days from the date of the earliest PCR+ result performed in Singapore or 270 days from overseas PCR+ result if a Serology-positive (S+) result is obtained in Singapore.)

REGISTRATION FOR 8AM SERVICE

Register your seats for the 8am using our usual Eventbrite booking platform at https://bfec.sg/service or call BFEC hotline 6448-1800 for assistance with booking.

You will receive further instructions via email upon successful registration of your seats.

2. 10am English Service: No onsite (physical) meeting. Join us in our online service which will be live-streamed at 8am and available after that.

Youtube: https://bfec.sg/youtubeorhttps://bfec.sg/sermons

3. Chinese Service: No onsite (physical) meeting. Join us in our online service at 10am.

Facebook https://bfec.sg/facebook orYoutube: https://bfec.sg/youtubeorhttps://bfec.sg/sermons

4. KSS, JSS & YOUTHS will meet ONLINE. 

• KSS: 9.45am – 10.45am
• JSS: 11.00am – 12 noon
• Youths: 12noon

B)  OTHER MINISTRIES AND CELL GROUPS – FROM 22 JULY to 18 AUGUST

All Ministries and Cell Groups to meet ONLINE.  No onsite (physical) meetings in church.

Should you have any queries on the above, you may contact Shirley Soo at 64481800 (ext 124) or email: shirleysoo@bfec.org.sg.

Brothers and sisters, let us first ensure that we “stay safe” in Him, abiding in nothing else, important as vaccines and other safe measures continue to be. Like the psalmist, we can say, “I have chosen the way of faithfulness; I have set my heart on your laws.” (Psalm 119:30)

Then let us move to spur one another in love and good deeds during this time. There is no restriction for Spirit-inspired prayer, spending quality time with the Lord in His word, looking out for one another over zoom or the phone or reaching out, as He leads, with thoughtful gifts and words that share the hope we have in Christ. 

This Sunday will doubtless mark a very different 63rd Anniversary for our church but I trust that we, as this “church on the hill”, must and can shine brightly on (Matthew 5:14).

To be His Bride Ready,

Elder Alex Lo

Chairman, BFEC

PASTORAL NOTE (Issued on Fri 18 June 2021)

Dear Frankelites,

How are you keeping after a month of Phase 2 (Heightened Alert)? We thank God that we are able to resume onsite (physical) Sunday Services and Ministry meetings. In this note, we will spell out how we intend to do this in stages. You may wish to print a copy of this note for your reference. God-willing, and as at the time of this communication, here’s how our church will open up:

1. SUNDAY WORSHIP SERVICES ONLINE ON 20 JUNE:
2. As announced, English service continues online on 20 June in 2 parts:

• Part I at  9.00am – usual online service on the topic: “The Gospel through A Father’s Eyes”. You can access our services here on:- Facebook https://bfec.sg/facebook or Youtube: https://bfec.sg/youtube or https://bfec.sg/sermons

• Part II at 10.30am – on Zoom. This is for all Frankelites to gather for thanksgiving, fellowship and prayer in response to Part 1.  Zoom link: https://bfec.sg/fathers  or scan the QR code        

Meeting ID: 846 1992 1248       Passcode: 931074 

2. Chinese service – will continue ONLINE at 11.00am. 
3. Youth service will meet on Zoom at Noon.   

B) SUNDAY WORSHIP SERVICES FROM 27 JUNE ONWARDS: Resuming of onsite services

1. 8am Worship Service (4 zones, up to 184 seats)

This service is for Frankelties and guests who:

• Are fully vaccinated (i.e. 2nd vaccination dose needs to be done 14 days prior to the date of church attendance)

OR 

• Have undergone Pre Event Testing (PET) using an Antigen Rapid Test (ART) or Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test administered by an approved test provider. Test results are only valid for 24 hours from the time an individual registers at the testing premises to take the test and must be valid till the end of the service. So if you are planning to attend the 8am service, the test must be taken after 9.30am the day before, on Sat.  (PLEASE NOTE: at the moment, the authorities do not consider self-administered or DIY COVID-19 test kit results, even though they are considered ART, as valid for entry to worship services.) 

OR 

• Have an exemption notice (PET exemption notice with a relevant validity period. It must be issued 270 days from the date of the earliest PCR+ result performed in Singapore or 270 days from overseas PCR+ result if a Serology-positive (S+) result is obtained in Singapore.)

2. 10am Worship Service (only 1 zone, up to 50 seats)

This service is for all Frankelites and guests, including those who are not vaccinated. Until further notice, it is capped at 1 zone of 50 seats, so no pre-event testing is required. 

(PLEASE NOTE: We hope to increase the number of zones and seats for this service sometime in August as more people get vaccinated in the coming weeks. 

Once the zones and numbers increase beyond 50 in due course, all attendees must either have been vaccinated, undergo PET prior to attending the service or possess an exemption notice.) 

REGISTRATION FOR BOTH 8am AND 10am WORSHIP SERVICES

• Register your seats for either the 8am or 10am Service using our usual Eventbrite booking platform at https://bfec.sg/service
• You will receive further instructions upon successful registration of your seats.

3. Youth Service will continue to meet on Zoom at Noon till further notice.

4. Chinese Ministry Service 

• This will continue online on 27 June at 2pm. (This is because there will also be 10am services from 27 June)
• Physical services will resume on 4 July at 2pm with one Zone of 50, until further notice. This service is for all Chinese Ministry Frankelites and guests, including those who are not vaccinated. As it is capped at 50 seats, no pre-event testing is required. Registration for the weekly physical services can be done by calling the church office at 6448 1800.         (PLEASE NOTE: Once the zones and numbers increase beyond 50 in due course, all attendees must either have been vaccinated, undergo PET prior to attending the service or possess an exemption notice.)

C) CRECHE, KSS, JSS, OTHER MINISTRIES AND CELL GROUPS

1. All Ministries and Cell Groups to continue to meet online till 20 June.
2. Based on the current advisory, from 21 June onwards, Ministries and Cell Groups will be able to resume onsite meetings while adhering to the various measures.  Refer to Appendix A for more information on the measures.
3. Contact Chih Yuan at ngoo@bfec.org.sg if you are planning to use church premises. 
4. From Sun 27 June, both KSS and JSS will resume at 9.45am (Parents, please register your child using the Eventbrite booking platform and come punctually in order to facilitate safe entry measures. Due to safe distancing and capacity limits, please understand we will not be able to allow children who have not been registered to attend.)  

Should you have any query on the above, you may contact Shirley Soo at 6448 1800 or email: shirleysoo@bfec.org.sg.

“And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.” (Heb 10:25)  Looking forward to worshipping together in person! 

To be His Bride Ready,

Elder Alex Lo
Chairman, BFEC

Appendix A: Safe Management Measures for Religious Classes (i.e. Ministries and Cell Groups) held at BFEC premises

1. Ministries or cell groups planning to use our church premises must first contact Chih Yuan at ngoo@bfec.org.sg and receive a confirmation before proceeding.
2. Each ministry zone or cell group must not exceed 50 persons, including the leaders and volunteers.
3. Ministry or cell group can have subgroups within the 50 pax. Each subgroup comprises no more than 5 persons, with each subgroup having a 1m distance from the other.
4. Trace-together Safe Entry and Temperature check must be carried out as you enter the church premise.
5. No food and drinks to be consumed at all times.
6. All present are to be masked up, including speaker and chairperson. 
7. No singing by worshippers, even with masks on. 

Dear Frankelite

Grace and peace to you in Christ Jesus!  In our last pastoral note (14 May 2021), we mentioned that we would monitor the situation and issue an update with regard to services beyond 23 May 2021. The Elders and I have since decided on the following:

1. Sunday Worship services continue online on Sunday 30 May, 6 June and 13 June. No physical services. In other words, let us ALL worship at home ONLINE. 

• English online service – LIVE streamed at 9.00am.
• Chinese service – LIVE streamed at 11.00am. 
• Youth service will meet on ZOOM at Noon.   

Let us especially unite to spur one another during this time by worshipping TOGETHER at the same time. You can access our English and Chinese online services here on 

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/bfecsg/ or Youtube: https://bfec.sg/youtube or https://bfec.sg/sermons. 

2. The measures for Creche, KSS, JSS, all other Ministries and Cell Groups remain. 

Please arrange to meet online during this time.   

Should you have any query on the above, you may contact Shirley Soo at 6448 1800 or email: shirleysoo@bfec.org.sg. Let us continue to commit ourselves and our nation in fearless faith to Him even as we heed all safe management measures issued. 

“Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and staff, they comfort me.” – Psalm 23:4

To be His Bride Ready,

Elder Alex Lo

Chairman, BFEC

PASTORAL NOTE (Issued Fri 14 May 2021)

Dear Frankelites

With the latest COVID-19 surge in community numbers, the latest advisory has capped congregation numbers from 100 to 50pax. However, in keeping with the spirit of the measures, we have prayerfully decided on the following:-

1. Sunday Services: English services (8am & 10am), Youth service (12noon) & Chinese Service (2 pm)

• 16 May – No physical services on our premises. All to worship at home ONLINE. One English online service will be available from Sunday 8am. The Chinese service will go online from 10am. Youth service will meet on ZOOM.   
• 23 May – AGM Sunday, as announced, will be online at 9am and on ZOOM at 10am. 
• 30 May – We will monitor the situation and make another announcement regarding this date.

You may access our English and Chinese online services here: https://bfec.sg/youtube or https://bfec.sg/sermons. 

2. Creche, KSS and JSS 

16, 23 & 30 May, 6 & 13 June  –  No onsite meetings. Parents are to take the opportunity to bond with your children over simple faith devotions. Sunday School teachers will be in touch with you. We will update you if there are any changes or updates. 

3. All other Ministries & Cell Groups – In view of the restrictions, please arrange with your members to meet for Bible Study online till further notice. May we however seize this opportunity to look out for one another, and stepping up acts of encouragement for those feeling down, stressed, or unwell – be they believers or unbelievers.

Should you have any query on the above, you may contact Shirley Soo at 6448 1800 or email: shirleysoo@bfec.org.sg. Let us heed the latest safe management measures issued. 

Beloved, let us keep on praying for one another. Let us stay outward-looking in caring for others as well. Let us also pray for the nations that are combatting the virus with scarce or limited resources. 

“Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority… Cast all your anxieties on Him because He cares for you.” (1 Peter 2:13; 5:7) 

By His grace

Elder Alex Lo

Chairman, BFEC