Many "firsts" in Easter Celebration 2009

Reflecting back on last week, I think everyone in Genesis CG will heave a "sigh". Starting with Good Friday celebration at Peter's place where the CG participated in the Holy Communion as one body of Christ, it was time again to be reminded of the importance of such a simple but yet profound act that we, as disciples, are to carry out "regularly".

For those who missed it, unleavened bread was actually made by sis. Wai Fong for this wonderful occasion.

Thanksgiving, proclamation, self-examination... these are some of the important factors in the Holy Communion that Peter briefly shared with us on Powerpoint.

We also welcomed Gim Seng and his family as they joined us for the first time in cell group. It is good to see an old friend - and a privilege to be able to share the Holy Communion with his family. Gim Seng, if you are reading this, "we hope to see you again!"

On the following day, our CG met in the church for a special service. The service started at 10pm and came to a close right after midnight. It was a pre-Easter Day celebration for FGA, and it was the first time FGA was celebrating Easter at night.

Right at the beginning of the service was the Water Baptism Ceremony led by Jonathan and Pastor Kenny. The Water Baptism was carried out at the car-park but was televised into the sanctuary's projectors so that everyone was able to witness the event without crowding out onto the car-park. Thank God for technology!

We are also thankful to God for Carmen's decision to follow Christ in full immersion of water baptism - we believe that even though she is young, she fully understands her actions and was under no paternal or any peer pressure to be baptized! :-) (have to confirm again with Alan and Christine... haha)

FGA church witnessed more than 10 water baptisms that very night! Praise God for these precious souls! Also another first for FGA is the nocturnal Water Baptism - just for the record.

Carmen also overcame her fear (stage fright) that night by standing in front of almost the whole church, probably between 350-400people, and giving her testimony. A first for Carmen!

And yet again, there was a Holy Communion right after the Water Baptism ceremony. Another first for Genesis: 2 Holy Communions in consecutive days :-)

As it was that most of us went to bed way past midnight on both Friday and Saturday nights, we were hoping to catch up on sleep on Sunday morning since there wasn't going to be a service that morning. But guess what? Almost everyone were up as early as 8am - some to cook, some to exercise and some just couldn't get into the habit to going back to sleep after waking up. :-)

Cooking so early in the morning? Well, Genesis CG decided that since we were not having a service, it was good to meet for lunch at Peter's place and have plain ol' fellowship.

Anne and Christine were probably up preparing lunch as early as 9am. Anne prepared delicious curry Chee Cheong Fun while Christine prepared vegetarian sandwiches. Dip and eat...

Up on the agenda that morning was to throw a surprise birthday for Alan. And in a way, it was a surprise as he was caught unprepared! Genesis CG is getting good at throwing surprise birthday when we had our success with Pastor Philip James.

Phew... that's the end. Oh! Wait! Those weren't all for the week - at least not yet for some. There was a mission exposure get-together slideshow-cum-dinner organized by the Missions Ministry of FGA near Youth Park. It started at 6:30pm, and 9 members from Genesis CG were there to join in to support the Missions team as well as to find out more about future outreach programs. And looks like most of us will be going to the CH outreach in Nov! The End.