St.John's-St.Margaret's Church

Publications

Seasons of Life

Seasons of Life (SOL) is an in-house publication of St. John’s - St. Margaret’s Church Family Life Ministry. Published twice yearly and now made available online, SOL largely features stories of SJSMers and friends whose lives have been touched by God’s hand. Usually built around families, these stories serve to show that regardless of season or station of life, God’s light can shine through each of us when we journey with Him in faith and love.

Seasons of Life - Issue 1/2024

Open Doors and Open Hearts

 

"If I were to hazard a guess, some groans were suppressed when our Vicar unveiled the theme for our church this year: Radical Hospitality. Probably not the best news to a congregation that’s naturally more reserved, but exactly the nudge that we need to step out of our comfort zones, and widen our hearts and our doors to ’proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour’ (Luke 4:19). (So thank you, Ps Victor!)

 

What is radical hospitality, and what sets it apart from usual displays of kindness and generosity? How can SJSM, as one family, embody God’s radical hospitality in our witness and welcome? These are some questions that our writers explore in the first issue of Seasons of Life (SOL) 2024. Hear from Ps Victor himself as he expounds on the theme, and from regular contributor Siew Ping as she examines the Word for the ways in which God has revealed and continues to show His radical hospitality towards us. You will find an assortment of stories from SJSMers who are earnestly challenging themselves to be not mere containers, but conduits of God’s ever-flowing grace and love to the community He has placed us in.

 

From building cell groups without walls to volunteering in wider church- based initiatives such as with the Host Team ministry and Dover Celebrates Christmas, and even forming unlikely friendships in the SJSM Nursing Home, their stories paint a picture of what radical hospitality should look like: genuine and wholehearted embrace of people (Leviticus 19:24); generous sacrifice without any expectation of returns (Luke 14:12-14); and ultimately, as an act of worship unto God, our direct response to Jesus.

 

“Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? … And the King will answer them, ‘Truly,

I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’” (Matthew 25:37-38, 40).

 

May we be so filled with the knowledge of His incredible love for us, that it transforms everything that we do, and touches every person we meet.

 

The SOL Editorial Team

 

In Review

Our annual magazine (previously called Light Magazine) chronicles the highlights of the past year with the objectives of:

 

  • THANKSGIVING – To remind SJSMers about the significant events of the past year that they have participated in and to give thanks for the blessings God has bestowed.
  • CONNECTEDNESS – To be aware of what God is doing in other parts of our sizeable and growing community and deepen our sense of belonging.
  • DISCERNMENT – To draw lessons from our journey over the past year and apply them to our present and future.

 

As we read the articles that follow, may we be encouraged towards grateful thanksgiving as we reflect on how God has blessed our church.

 

Please click on the magazine to read the latest issue of the magazine or you can also download a PDF.  Happy reading!

Contact Information

Tel:          67770934 (24 hours)

Email:      info@sjsm.org.sg

Address:  St.John's-St.Margaret's Church

               30 Dover Avenue, Singapore 139790

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