Facebook Page!

Dear CFers/Alumnis/Visitors,

We wish to inform you that this blog will cease to operate as of now. In the light of growing influence of many social media sites (hahaha), we are pleased to say WE HAVE A FACEBOOK PAGE. We will do all updates on that site.

So.... if you have a facebook account (we sure hope you do), like our page now!
http://www.facebook.com/SIM.SCF.Official

Feel free to contact me or any of the exco if you have any queries. :)

In Him,
Joalin Kuan
Chairperson AY12/13
joalinkuan.ly@gmail.com

Events for the month of December.

Below are the dates of events for the month of December:

7th Dec - Bible Study 8

12th to 16th Dec - Caroling in school week*

21st Dec - Christmas Outreach @ St Luke's Eldercare**

28th Dec - Bible Study 9


* Caroling dates have not been confirmed but they will only be 3 days at most, not the whole week. Do avail yourself to come down and join us in spreading the Christmas cheer within the school! Open evangelism in school is mostly prohibited but Christmas offers us a chance as Christians in SIM to share the gift of love we can't do on normal days. Don't worry if you can't sing, practice sessions will be held before the caroling days! Share the gift of love you have received.

** Instead of the usual Christmas parties CF organizes every year, having an outreach event this time round aims to help us understand that Christmas is not only for Christians but also for those who have yet to know the Lord. Spending a day at St Luke's Eldercare with the elderly celebrating Christmas gives us the opportunity to do just that. Some of the elderly there may not be as fortunate as us having our families to celebrate Christmas with. Therefore let us go and share some love with them, bringing Christ with us. More information will be provided in the days to come.

With that, have a very enjoyable December in advance! :)

Corporate Meeting This Wednesday

Dear Folks, we'll be having our corporate meeting this Wednesday, 2nd November. As usual, we'll meet at the canteen at 6pm before proceeding to our allocated room, 4.17C.

Once again, the topic of the corporate meeting is "Predestination vs Free will". Guest speaker Mr Winston Tay has been invited to speak on the topic. To get maximum returns out of your time invested in coming for the corporate meeting, the following questions may provide some food for thought ahead of Wednesday. If you have answers to them, great! If not, even better! You can direct these questions to our speaker.

Arminianism (free will) is more appealing and simpler to understand. It is because it gives a more acceptable answer to the problem of evil. Arminianism says God permits us to do evil. Sounds better, protects the image of God. It also seems more compatible with the love of God. God wanting all to be saved but yet not preventing the free will of man is consistent with love. The harder questions are mostly targeted at Calvinism (predestination) therefore most questions are pro-Arminian.

1. Doesn't Calvinism make people into puppets? If God directs the human will, won't it just seem like we're actors in a play?

2. If we have free will, the will to choose whether to believe in God, then how can we say God is in total control? How can God's sovereignty be explained?

3. How can man be held accountable for his actions if he does not have free will? Is it fair for God to judge us as sinners then?

4. Calvinism makes God inconsistent. He offers the gospel to all men, yet all cannot believe. Isn't God deceitful, offering man with one hand and taking away with another?

5. How do we reconcile the fact that "God chose some to be saved" vs "God desires all to be saved."?

6. Why all the fuss? Why didn't God just elect all to be saved?

These questions are by no means exhaustive. Questions posted here are possibly the FAQs of "predestination" vs "free will". Feel free to post more questions on the SIM-SCF Facebook page for the benefit of the larger population.

Till Wednesday then! God bless! :)

Prayer Month.

We give thanks, O Lord, for you are good,
you provide us with health and food.

And in sending Christ to earth,
now we sinners have new birth.

Help us Lord to walk aright,
with grace, mercy, love and might.

Teach us how to do your will,
as we strive your promises to fulfill.

But while we toil and suffer in your name,
let us learn to not complain.

Grant us patience to love our neighbour,
that we might just earn your favour.

Lord forgive us when we sin,
so that over Satan we may win.

We come before you Lord, our Maker,
in thanks for you have heard our prayer.

Topic for Next Corporate Meeting: Predestination vs Free will

Perhaps you heard about the group of theologians who were discussing the doctrines of predestination and free will. When the argument became heated, the dissidents split into two groups. One man, unable to make up his mind which group to join, slipped into the predestination crowd. Challenged as to why he was there, he replied, "I came here of my own free will." 

The group retorted, "Free will! You don't belong here!" So he retreated to the opposing group and when asked why he switched responded, "I was sent here."

"Get out," they stormed. "You can't join us unless you come of your own free will!" The confused man was left out in the cold.

Perhaps you, yourself, have probably participated in a discussion about predestination versus free will and concluded that the matter was either too complex or else irrelevant. Since there are Christians on both sides of the issues, you may be tempted to conclude that the controversy is really not that important.

Well then Mr Martin Luther has a word for you. He said that those people who are not interested in this issue "shall know nothing whatever of Christian matters and shall be far behind all the people of the earth. He that does not feel this, let him confess that he is no Christian." Wow, those aren't just words. Those are strong words.

Or maybe you do know all about predestination and free will. Perhaps you've heard about John Calvin's famous five points of Calvinism, T.U.L.I.P., and that the reason only some of the race of sinful men came to faith must be attributed to the eternal council of God. Or you possibly chanced upon John Wesley's Arminian quote on predestination calling it a doctrine "full of blasphemy", that predestination represents God to be "a hypocrite, a deceiver of the people, a man void of common sincerity". Perhaps you already have taken a side and wonder why on earth would anyone be on the opposite side. 

My point here is this. Even if you know, or don't know, or know nothing about predestination and free will, I urge you to join us, SIM-Students' Christian Fellowship, on the 2nd of November, as we listen to our guest speaker Mr Winston Tay from Telok Ayer Chinese Methodist Church regarding this controversial topic. 

Don't be left in the cold. 

Ephesians BS 1

Hello dear CF-ers!

On Wednesday September 7th 2011, we began our 4-month long journey on the book of Ephesians. We extend our warm welcome to the freshmen who joined us. We also welcome back our seniors who have certainly make good use of the holiday given to them. Everyone came together to study the Word of God after a long hiatus, facilitated by the wonderful cell-group leaders of each of the 4 CGs. Kudos to everyone who attended the first bible-study! It was an open, fruitful discussion about the Word, as well as about ourselves. We are blessed by the fact that God predestined us to be His children through the work done on the cross by our Lord Jesus Christ, lifted us to be heirs to His glorious inheritance and guaranteed it through the mark of the Holy Spirit. Such grace is accorded to us, who were utter sinners with no hope of salvation. We have to worship Him for His unending love for us and be in awe of His mighty power and authority. We thank God for being among us and led us through that wonderful time of sharing and discussion. I also thank Him for bringing in people from different backgrounds so we can understanding the true meaning of "one body in Christ".

Exactly one week prior, Jeremiah conducted an excellent overview on the book, which provided us with the correct contextual framework to have a deeper understanding about this Pauline epistle. We must bear in mind that Paul lived in a different era from us. We need put the social, political and cultural context of that era into perspective before we begin our journey. Despite that, God's message for all of us transcends the boundary of time. The God of Paul's era is the same as the God of our current era. The question now is how are we going to live out this message. Throughout this series of 10 bible studies, there will be many thought-provoking questions on how are we going to apply the concepts, ideas and message of the book of Ephesians into our daily lives. There must be a rock-solid biblical foundation to everything that we do; otherwise, we will be no different from the other non-believers. Knowledge of the Word is never enough; we need to live out the Word. The questions are geared to encourage self-reflection and exchange of ideas on how to live a life that glorify His name. Everyone, Christians and non-christians alike, watches our life constantly to look out for signs of God's work in us.

Having known about our spiritual blessings in BS 1, we need to bring these blessings to the people around us. Christianity is never just about knowledge. It is also about action. Jesus' life is one of constant movement and activity. You can find him teaching about the Word one day, then healing the sick and casting out demons on another. He traveled throughout Galilee and Jerusalem in His 3 years of ministry. He even sacrificed sleep to pray to our Heavenly Father throughout the night. He was doing just that on the night of His arrest. Keeping in mind of our theme of the year "Living Christ Inside Out", action and activity is a very important aspect of our programme for this annual year. We provide you with the chance to bring your friends along to join our activity so they may get to know about us and the Saviour that we believe in. This is the chance to live out the Word of God. EPL (Eat.Pray.Live) is right round the corner. Have you invited your friends to join us in a time of interaction and sharing of God's love through sports? You should know what to do... :)

WELCOME TEA 2011

Greetings fellow comrades! :D

The battle is coming, are you ready? Sign up for SIMSCF Welcome Tea today for an awesome night of fun and games! There are prizes to be won! Attire required is SURVIVAL themed clothes. All current SIM students please bring 5 dollars for your field pack and rations. Graduates please bring 8 bucks (:

Come find out more what we do at SIM-SCF! :)

Address: 23 Hillview Avenue, Glendale Park, Function Room
Buses: 970, 963, 176, 67, 75, 170, 171, 178, 184, 961

DIRECTIONS
1. From Choa Chu Kang MRT
Take 67, stop at Rail Mall. It's a 5-10 minute walk (:
2. From SIM
Take 75 or 184, stop AFTER Rail Mall. It's a 5 minute walk.

Glendale Park is a yellow/brown condo, located directly behind Standard Chartered bank.

If you still have no idea where to go, there will be ushers at the bus-stops who will show you the way at designated bus-stops (Rail Mall stop and Standard Chartered Bank stop) and at the side-gate from 6p.m to 7p.m. If you arrive later than 7, please call Cassandra at 91810061 :)


Check out our facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=163076890434548&ref=ts


For more details, contact either
Yong Lin - 9691 5750
Joalin - 9382 7320

REGISTER HERE NOW! :)
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dGItRXpHVDVNejFIQ0ozSFBSQ29nTGc6MA

SIM-SCF FOC 2011

Camp Theme: Directions?

Camp Theme Verse: "A man's heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps" Proverbs 16:9

Date: 12th Aug - 14th Aug
Location: Sembawang BB/GB Camp Site
Fee: $35 (inclusive of all meals & camp shirt)

This year's FOC seeks to bring meaning to living a life according to God's plans and directions for our lives and our time in university. This camp is opened to all freshmen and seniors in SIM. So come join us for a great time of spiritual renewal, fellowship and bonding!

Limited places only, sign up today!

How to sign up?

1) Online Registration  Click here!
2) Freshmen, Seniors: Sign up at our booth on your Freshmen Orientation Day (1Aug & 2Aug) or contact Joalin (93827320, joalinkuan.ly@gmail.com)

3) CF-ers: Sign up with Joalin or your cell group leader

For more information, you can also visit our FACEBOOK PAGE and "like" our page so you can receive any updates.

John Study 4

Hi CFers,

This week, our CGs will be having our fourth Bible Study session. Your CGL should have already contacted you regarding the meeting location and time =)

RMIT students: All the best for your exams!

Have a blessed week!



Shalom

Gerald

Hi CFers

No CF activity this Wednesday due to FES' National Conference 2010!

Normal service shall be resumed next Wednesday, the 29th of September with Prayer and Praise.

Also, please contact your CGLs to sign up to help out at the CF booth for next week's SIM Student Week!

Have a blessed week!

Shalom

Gerald

John Study 2

Hi CFers,

This week, our CGs will be having our second Bible Study session. Your CGL should contact you regarding the meeting location and time =)

Have a blessed week!

Shalom

Gerald

1st Bible Study of the AY!

Hi siblings-in-Christ!

Please note that this week, we'll be having our first CG-level Bible Study (WOOOOHOOOOOOOO!). It's always great to have a mid-week spiritual booster, yes?

Your CGL would have emailed you the Study 1 for those who were absent during our Corporate Meeting last Wednesday =)

Have a blessed week ahead!

Shalom

Gerald

Corporate meeting on 1 September 2010

Hi CFers, trust you've had a good break. 

As for the freshmen, hope your classes have been excellent so far!

The theme for CF this year is 'Taking Roots, Bearing Fruits', taken from Galatians 5:22-23. In the words of our Chairperson, Gabriel:
"- Going back to the roots (the word), in turn bearing the fruits of the spirit
 - Seeing ourselves as seeds sown by God into the lives of others, taking root meaning being an  influence in their lives, and bearing fruits as directing them to God, even salvation ".

The reason for this theme is to firmly establish CFers in the Word before going out into the marketplace. Working, especially in a secular environment, may cause us to lose our focus on Jesus if our roots are not firmly grounded in our Christian beliefs; just like what Jesus said in the parable of the sower (Matthew 13:1-9).

This coming Wednesday the 1st of September 2010, we're having our first corporate meeting for the 2010/ 2011 academic year! The speaker will be Ps David Lee, the youth pastor of Church of Singapore (Balestier). He was previously the Kent Ridge Hall Varsity Christian Fellowship chairperson for 2 years; a part of our FES family!

Our topic for this session is "Where is God? - (in your life)", focusing on a Christ-centred life as a student. The topic will revolve around Matthew 6:33. Please ask if you have any questions, as there will be a 15-minute Q&A session. "For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened." - Luke 11:10 (NKJV).

The venue is LT 2.18 in SIM HQ. We will be meeting at 6.00p.m. for dinner in the canteen, as usual! The session proper will start at 7.00p.m. SHARP, and will last until 10.00p.m..

Please do join us! Contact your CGL if you have any queries. Or, post a question in the tagboard beside with your contact number, and we will get back to you ASAP!

Hope to see you there =)

Thank you, you!

Shalom

Gerald

FOC 2010's most played song =)

SIM-SCF Freshmen Orientation Camp

The first major CF activity after a long rest! Our camp theme is based on James 1:22-24.

The camp will be held at the Boys Brigade/ Girls Brigade camp site at Sembawang, from the 16th (3.00pm) till the 18th of July (11.00am). If you can only come slightly later, or have to leave slightly earlier, that's perfectly alright! We have exciting activities planned just for you!

This is a great avenue to make new friends, especially lecture partners so you don't have to attend lectures by yourself!

Sign up soon! Early birds that register and pay before the 11 July 2010 need only pay $35; otherwise it will be $45.

Registration can be done by e-mailing us at cf@clubs.sim.edu.sg , or by calling/ SMS-ing either Jeremiah (93691604) or Joseph (91012907).

For any enquiries, please e-mail  us at cf@clubs.sim.edu.sg , or call Jeremiah or Joseph.

Don't hesitate now.

Thank you, you!

Shalom

Gerald

P.S. You will receive a camp T-shirt if you register!

The king and his men

stole the queen from her bed

and bound her in her Bones.

The seas be ours

and by the powers

where we will we'll roam.

Yo, ho, haul together,

hoist the Colors high.

Heave ho, thieves and beggars,

never shall we die.

Some men have died and some are alive

and others sail on the sea

with the keys to the cage...

and the Devil to pay

we lay to Fiddler's Green.

The bell has been raised

from it's watery grave...

Do you hear it's sepulchral tone?

We are a call to all,

pay head the squall

and turn your sail toward home.

Yo, ho, haul together,

hoist the Colors high...

Heave ho, thieves and beggars,

never shall we die.

Remember this?

want to see the CF rendition of it?

CF CHRISTMAS PARTY 2009

VENUE: THE RIVERBOAT

DATE: 26TH DECEMBER 2009

SEEYOU THERE.

LOVESIM 3

Come join us in blessing the international students staying at the dorms at SIM Ulu Pandan! This event is part of an ongoing SIM CF tradition (from, obviously, Love SIM 1 and Love SIM 2!)

Some of the students there are feeling very down and lonely; let's go there and be a blessing to them by:

i) Express concern and care for the hostelites’ emotional and physical well-being in a tangible manner.

ii) Making the presence of SIM Students’ Christian fellowship (English side and IFG) known.

iii) Befriending the hostelites and establishing rapport for future hall activities that are to be organized.

We will be distributing specially-packed packages to the students. Your job is to go from door-to-door and pass the packages to the international students, as well as befriend them and make them know that they are not alone here!

The actual distribution day is on the 22nd of October from 6pm to 8.30 pm at SIM ulu pandan campus so come!

We will also need people to help prepare the packages! We’ll be packing on Monday the 19^th of October (short notice, sorry!) at SIM Ulu Pandan.

Please contact :

Xinyi (96354546)

Kim (91264123)

Gerald (94885887)

Yi Yun (93693738)

Gabriel (92982028)

Ivan (92968436)

Let’s be a blessing to the international students of SIM!

This coming Wednesday.....

Hey Guys,

Trust that you've enjoyed the movie last week, and the sharing of what faith is in a more personal way in your cell group.

This week, instead of our usual cell group meetings elsewhere, we're going back to our IBS (Inductive Bible Study) lesson, where we learn more about how to read the bible in a more in-depth manner. Please pray for Maylan, our staff worker and conductor of the session, as she introduces to us the skills and ways to read the bible more comprehensively.

The room is at 2.16, and it starts at 7pm. We'll be meeting for dinner as usual at 6pm at the canteen.

So see you there:)

Yours
SIM-SCF

"Faith like POTATO"

Hey peeps!

Guess you had fun bonding and learning together at your cell group bible study.
This coming wednesday its back to school!

We're going to watch an inspiring movie - Faith like Potato, based on a true story. Its a story about a couple who just got converted, and their faith is displayed in an amazing way.

The venue is 2.16 and starts at 7pm. We'll be meeting at 6pm for dinner at the canteen first.

So see you guys there!

Yours,
SIMSCF

I'M with the band, ARE YOU?

Our very own RUBBERBAND is going to perfom CHRISTIAN WORSHIP SONGS during lunchtime jamming on

14th AUGUST at around 12pm. COME support us and be a RUBBERBAND GROUPIE!

we strum our guitars, beat our drumset and stretch our vocals, ALL FOR YOU.

I'm with the band, are you? :)

XOXO, PAULINA.