Pastor Lau, Sister Lau, guests, brother and sisters in Christ,
Greetings and blessings in the merciful Name of our LORD Jesus Christ.
It is my honour to be able to give a short thanksgiving speech to Pastor and Sis Lau on behalf of the Sunday School teachers. May I ask that the teachers, past and present, stand up where you are so that we know who I am representing.
There are two parts to my speech. The first part is a summary from various teachers. The second is just a personal word of thanks from me and my household.
Greetings and blessings in the merciful Name of our LORD Jesus Christ.
It is my honour to be able to give a short thanksgiving speech to Pastor and Sis Lau on behalf of the Sunday School teachers. May I ask that the teachers, past and present, stand up where you are so that we know who I am representing.
There are two parts to my speech. The first part is a summary from various teachers. The second is just a personal word of thanks from me and my household.
(a) Many of us were still students when we first attended Church, and Pastor Lau taught us during Sunday school at the old church premise (at 635, Upper East Coast Road). Those years attending Sunday School has helped many of us to understand the Word of God better and to apply them in our lives. Some of these students are still in Calvary Assembly today and are holding key layman appointments besides being involved in the Sunday School Ministry as Teachers.
(b) Pastor Lau was supportive of the Sunday School Day camp and on various occasions, he has delivered short but precise message of encouragement during the morning sing- a-along session. Praise God for those words of encouragement to students and teachers alike.
(c) Another teacher recalled that Pastor Lau (a very young pastor who looked boyish then) was her Sunday School teacher for about 2 years while she was in secondary school. He taught them using "The Gateway to Life" and she learnt a lot about the basics of Christian Living such as Baptism and Tithing. This teacher is a product of Sunday School.
(d) Pastor Lau has always been very supportive (in terms of budget and approval) of Sunday School programs and readily gave us his blessings. He has empowered the Sunday School Superintendant and the team of Sunday School teachers fully. We appreciate very much this trust and confidence he has placed on the entire Sunday School Team.
Pastor Lau,
Thank you for being our pastor for the last 20 years. When I first came to Calvary, one of the first things I noticed about you was your booming voice. It evoked a sense of comfort and security for a young man who then new to this church and faith. During those days, Calvary had her services in one of the cinemas in Bedok. Although I couldn't see you clearly from where I was usually seated, your voice and words ministered to me week after week. When I got to know you better, I noticed another thing about you. You never failed to give me a firm handshake whenever we met. The handshake, coupled with your smile, was always pleasant and re-assuring, consistent with your claim that this is a family church, friendliest in this part of Singapore, other parts you don't know.
Over the years, you gave us wise counsel and guidance. Veron and I clearly remembered your advice to us during marriage preparation class - no TV in bedroom, which we have kept till this date. You shared with us the importance of communicating with our spouse, and deciding early on how we want to manage our finances as a family.
You invested in us based on our availability, not talents or rather, the lack of, when we were given the opportunity to serve first in Mighty KIDS, followed by Sunday School. Our spiritual growth through the years is a result of your tireless pastoral care and personal concern. As I have shared with brother Dwayne, your labour has not been in vain.
I have come to realize that the pastor needs a good team to support him, even in fulfilling GOD's will and vision for the church. In the Old Testament, when Joshua battled the Amalekites, the Israelites prevailed only when Moses's hands were held up high. We read of Aaron and Hur holding Moses's hands up high when he was tired.
As a new season opens up for you in mission work, and as Calvary enters into a new era, may I urge all to continue to do our part to pray, to serve and to support as GOD enables and directs, so that Pastor Lau and the pastoral team at Calvary will continue to be fruitful in their respective callings. Thank you, once again, Pastor Lau. May the LORD's blessings and favour be upon you. Be strong and be of good courage, for the LORD will never leave us or forsake us.
Sister Lau,
You have been the tireless helpmate to Pastor Lau, selflessly sharing him with the church and needy for decades. Many spouses of servants of GOD often work hard behind the scenes so that their husband or wife can serve GOD wholeheartedly. I believe you are one fine example.
Besides quietly supporting Pastor Lau behind the scenes, you have also raised 2 talented children who have been a blessing to the church ever since they started serving many years ago. Week after week, we have been blessed by the beautiful songs and music in the sanctuary. Year after year, we have been blessed by the many creative productions, through which loved ones and friends have come to know the LORD. As a father of 3 children, I can say with authority that raising up children isn't easy, much less children who grow up to love the LORD.
In the domestic helpers' ministry, I can personally say that you have done well in imparting the love for our LORD Jesus to the helpers. My former helper Yumi, who sang the song El Shaddai earlier, has been tremendously blessed by your teaching and love. I believe she and many others will continue to grow spiritually because of the Word you have sown in their lives. Thank you, sister Lau. May the LORD continue to look upon you with His favour, and continue to bless the work that is being done through you, and those helpers whom you minister to.
The LORD bless you.
Thank you for being our pastor for the last 20 years. When I first came to Calvary, one of the first things I noticed about you was your booming voice. It evoked a sense of comfort and security for a young man who then new to this church and faith. During those days, Calvary had her services in one of the cinemas in Bedok. Although I couldn't see you clearly from where I was usually seated, your voice and words ministered to me week after week. When I got to know you better, I noticed another thing about you. You never failed to give me a firm handshake whenever we met. The handshake, coupled with your smile, was always pleasant and re-assuring, consistent with your claim that this is a family church, friendliest in this part of Singapore, other parts you don't know.
Over the years, you gave us wise counsel and guidance. Veron and I clearly remembered your advice to us during marriage preparation class - no TV in bedroom, which we have kept till this date. You shared with us the importance of communicating with our spouse, and deciding early on how we want to manage our finances as a family.
You invested in us based on our availability, not talents or rather, the lack of, when we were given the opportunity to serve first in Mighty KIDS, followed by Sunday School. Our spiritual growth through the years is a result of your tireless pastoral care and personal concern. As I have shared with brother Dwayne, your labour has not been in vain.
I have come to realize that the pastor needs a good team to support him, even in fulfilling GOD's will and vision for the church. In the Old Testament, when Joshua battled the Amalekites, the Israelites prevailed only when Moses's hands were held up high. We read of Aaron and Hur holding Moses's hands up high when he was tired.
As a new season opens up for you in mission work, and as Calvary enters into a new era, may I urge all to continue to do our part to pray, to serve and to support as GOD enables and directs, so that Pastor Lau and the pastoral team at Calvary will continue to be fruitful in their respective callings. Thank you, once again, Pastor Lau. May the LORD's blessings and favour be upon you. Be strong and be of good courage, for the LORD will never leave us or forsake us.
Sister Lau,
You have been the tireless helpmate to Pastor Lau, selflessly sharing him with the church and needy for decades. Many spouses of servants of GOD often work hard behind the scenes so that their husband or wife can serve GOD wholeheartedly. I believe you are one fine example.
Besides quietly supporting Pastor Lau behind the scenes, you have also raised 2 talented children who have been a blessing to the church ever since they started serving many years ago. Week after week, we have been blessed by the beautiful songs and music in the sanctuary. Year after year, we have been blessed by the many creative productions, through which loved ones and friends have come to know the LORD. As a father of 3 children, I can say with authority that raising up children isn't easy, much less children who grow up to love the LORD.
In the domestic helpers' ministry, I can personally say that you have done well in imparting the love for our LORD Jesus to the helpers. My former helper Yumi, who sang the song El Shaddai earlier, has been tremendously blessed by your teaching and love. I believe she and many others will continue to grow spiritually because of the Word you have sown in their lives. Thank you, sister Lau. May the LORD continue to look upon you with His favour, and continue to bless the work that is being done through you, and those helpers whom you minister to.
The LORD bless you.
Note: The above was delivered at Thanksgiving Dinner for Pastor Lau and Sister Lau at Teochew City Restaurant, Centrepoint on 27th Nov 2011. This event was organized by Calvary Assembly of GOD church, Singapore.
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