PBBC Welcomed Ex Pastors in 2010

2010 is a special year for PBBC as both the ex pastors Rev. Dr. Lincoln and Rev. Sanno Thuan came back as ordained pastors and shared their messages as well as administered Holy Communion at PBBC. These were the only two pastors since PBBC was established and they were still seminary students when they led PBBC. But now they are ordained pastors serving in different mission fields. Below are their messages, in a concise version on two different occasions:--

2010 Christmas at PBBC - Ho! Ho! Ho!

Merriment and joy filled the church on Sunday December 19th when PBBC celebrated the birth of Jesus with carols and scriptures about the story of Christmas. Images of Mary, Gabriel, the shepherds and the three wise men and the nativity scene were projected on the screen while scripture verses were read both in English and Karen. Carols were sung by the congregation apart from individuals singing some of the selected songs. The children also contributed an item at the beginning of the program. The pastor of St. John’s Baptist Church Rev. Dave Powles and his family also graced the occasion with their presence and we also had other American friends joining us. Benediction was pronounced by Rev. Powles at the end of the worship program.


There was potluck dinner after the service with various traditional Burmese dishes prepared by groups of members from different localities in Philadelphia. Not only the food was great but presentation of gifts was highlighted by the presence of Santa who distributed gifts to the kids as well as young members and guests. It was truly a happy occasion, especially for the kids from refugee camps to see Santa in person. Everybody went home filled with love, peace and joy of Christmas.

Josh Groban - O Holy Night

Worship Through Music at PBBC on Sunday October 24 - 2010

On Sunday October 24, PBBC held a worship through music program. It was very inspirational to see our members, young an old, glorifying God through their talents in singing and playing various musical instruments.

PBBC ESL Classes

Dr. Saw Wah Htoo led the service at PBBC

On August 15, PBBC had the Bible Sunday program. At this special service we were glad to have Dr. Saw Wah Htoo , retired medical superintendent of Mawlamyaing Christian Special Skin Disease Hospital, who was in US to attend a Gideon Bible Association meeting. When worshippers were given time to recite or read their favorite Bible verses almost all of them participated. It was very encouraging and uplifting to hear each individual gave testimony through these sacred verses.

Dr. Wah Htoo spoke about Psalms 46: 1 taught by his father when he was a young 5 year old boy and its significance in his life. The verse states “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” This verse gave him strength to carry on when he was debarred from his final year of medical study just two months away from graduation. With God’s blessings he was able to graduate eventually. After a few years of private practice in Loikaw, Southern Shan State, he got a call from God to go and work at Mawlamyaing. At first he decided to work there for two years but the scripture text in Matthew 25:40 “…in as much as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to Me”, prompted him to become God’s servant doctor, and both he and his wife, a physiotherapist continued to work there for more than twenty years. He still sees patients who come to him for treatment as he considers it as a healing ministry. He urged parents to read the Word of God and make their children do the same so that they may know God and be blessed by Him.

Rev. Dr. Maung Maung Yin at PBBC

On August 8, 2010, PBBC was blessed with the visit of Rev. Dr. Maung Maung Yin, Vice Principal of Myanmar Institute of Theology and Pastor of Ywama Baptist Church in Insein, who was on a visit to the US. He preached about God's grcae entitled "Amazing Grace" and the scripture verses selected for that message were (Ps. 103: 1-4; Col. 3: 16-17). Holy Communion was also given by him after the service.

The following is his message in brief.

""Grace, God’s grace, is the significance of Christian faith. There may be some or a few commonalities in Christianity with other living faiths. But, grace is something that stands out in Christianity. A Christian claims God’s grace, receives grace and praises God for receiving it. By God’s grace in Christ, we are saved. Because of grace we survive, and we hope for the better future. In God’s grace, we live, we have our own being, and keep walking towards and working for God’s kingdom at all times. In the power of God’s grace, we extend faith, hope and love to our neighbors, to God’s world and all its inhabitants.""

                                                Group Photo with some of PBBC members

Children's Day

PBBC Christmas and New Year 2009/2010

On Christmas eve, PBBC choir went to participate in the Candlelight worship service at Willow Grove Baptist Church. After the service, we gathered at the residence of the Cribbs for a refreshment of Kyar-san hingar and fellowship of singing Christmas songs and prayers.

On Christmas Day, we went to Trenton to celebrate it with our Karenni, Karen, Kachin and Chin brothers and sisters. Pastor LaSeng reminded us not to forget our Christian heritage and be a beacon for Christ especially at Christmas time because it is celebrated more as a cultural event rather than a religious celebration here in the US. Following the service, some children of the host families garbed in their traditional dress performed a couple of Karenni folk dances which was enjoyed and appreciated by all. Then, gifts were distributed to children who were beaming with delight. What a very gratifying sight to behold!

From there we proceeded to Golden Living Center in Phoenixville to wish Daw Khin Khin and Padauk who are residing there. As it was dinner time, we were able to sing carols for everyone who came to have dinner in the dining room. It was a joy to bring cheers to them at this time of year. After saying a prayer, we went round wishing the residents and bid them goodbye.

On December 27, some of the PBBC members had a joint Christmas worship service with the congregation of First Asian Baptist Church of Merchantville, New Jersey led by Rev. Hojin Yu. The PBBC Sunday School children presented a nativity drama and a song and the PBBC members sang a choir. Then gifts were distributed to children of the host church by PBBC. It was a pleasant sight to see the children enjoying their gifts.

The meditation shared by Rev. James Kang was on The Three Gifts of the Magi. The first gift of gold by the Magi indicates that they acknowledge Jesus as King. But Jesus came as a different kind of king; He is a servant King. He is a humble King who calls us to serve others and be a servant of all. The second gift is frankincense which in ancient time was used to make incense by priests who would burn incense to fill the sanctuary with fragrance. The Magi acknowledge Jesus as priest by presenting this gift to Him. Jesus is the everlasting High Priest who is with us forever to intercede for us. The third gift of myrrh which in ancient time is used for embalming a dead body is a foreshadow that Jesus would offer Himself as the ultimate sacrifice for our sins on the cross. All we are called to offer is a sacrifice of praise, a sacrifice of thanksgiving, a sacrifice of adoration for what he did for us. Therefore we have every reason to celebrate Jesus’ birthday. He is a humble King, who came not to be served but to serve. He is an everlasting High Priest who lives forever with us. He was born so that He might offer His life as a sacrifice. PBBC is grateful to Rev. Yu for hosting the service and Rev. Kang for his inspiring message.

On December 31, New Year’s Eve, some of the PBBC members gathered at Pastor LaSeng’s house to have fellowship and worship to usher in the New Year. Everyone brought various food enjoyed by all. After dinner, there were impromptu speeches which were humorous but taught us lessons in relationship between man and wife as well as between parents and children. Next, came the sharing of our blessings and our new-year resolutions followed by songs sung by energetic members. The occasion concluded with meditation and prayer led by Saya LaSeng. He urged us to be a light for Jesus in our community and be united in building the church, and be of service to the community at large in this new year. After worshipping, we watched the New Year countdown on TV and welcomed 2010. A blessed, peaceful and Christ-filled New Year to all.