Saturday, July 4, 2009
Friday, July 3, 2009
Dr. Dingrin La Seng - Interim Pastor
PBBC held an installation and consecration service of its new Interim Pastor, D
r. Dingrin La Seng, on Sunday June 28, at St. John’s Baptist Church in Philadelphia. The service was led by Rev. Dr. Yahalaylayla and Rev Saw Ler Htoo both history makers of PBBC. Rev. Saw Ler Htoo gave a charge to the pastor and Dr. Yahalaylayla led the consecration prayer.
Dr. Yahalaylayla, Head of Department of Practical Theology at Karen Baptist Theological Seminary in Insein, first started the prayer meetings for folks from Burma at different houses during his stu
dies at Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary now Palmer Theological Seminary. After he finished his studies and left for Burma, there was a brief break. But in 2001, when Rev. Saw Ler Htoo arrived in the US as Pastor of Calvary Burmese Church in Washington DC, he, together with the PBBC founding members resumed the Fellowship with people from Burma residing in Eastern Pennsylvania and New Jersey with regular monthly prayer meetings at different houses.
Regular Sunday worship services began in 2006 led by Thra Lincoln up till July 2007 during which refugees from Thai-Burma started arriving to resettle in US, and the Fellowship grew to a congregation.
When Thra Lincoln finished his studies and returned to Burma, God sent Saya Sanno Thuan who was studying at the Lutheran Theological Seminary in Philadelphia to take over from him and served as interim pastor from July 2007 to February 2009. At that time Dr. La Sen
g was a fresh graduate of Princeton Theological Seminary with a Ph.D. degree. When Saya Sanno Thuan left to pastor a church in Maryland, the elders of PBBC approached Dr. La Seng to be interim pastor.
He is first and foremost, a scholar interested in research studies, writing books and articles on theology. However, without any hesitation, he accepted the proposal as he perceived it to be God’s commission to him - to serve his people in this capacity besides his other pursuits.
May God grant him wisdom and guidance in leading and developing the spiritual growth of PBBC.
Friday, June 26, 2009
Special honor to the children and fathers
June 14, was Children’s Sunday and PBBC held a special service led by our children. Since they are the future leaders of the world as well as for the PBBC, we have to nurture and teach them to know the Word of God, and participate in the worship service. Our Sunday school teachers do their best wi
th the knowledge and skills they possess to achieve these objectives.
More than 40 children took part in the service: ushering, singing songs, reciting scripture verses, collecting offerings, etc. As a church with ethnic diversity, it was very heartening to see children from different ethnic groups such as Chins, Kachins, and Karens from Philadelphia and its suburbs and those from Trenton, New Jersey, worship together in one spirit.
Therefore, it is important to keep in mind that children must always be given a special place because our Lord Jesus said, “I tell the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes a little child in my name welcomes me.” (Matt. 18:3-5)
June 21, the following Sunday was Father’s Day. As it was done on Mother’s Day, fathers were also honored with special remembrance of Dr. Batunkyi, our patron, who pass
ed away in May. There were tributes paid to him by some of the church members. Saw Myat Oo spoke about the precious time given by Dr. Batunkyi to the church and community, Tablu Moo expressed how he worked tirelessly for all refugees from Burma regardless of their ethnicities and promised to help these people as much as she can, Saw Noah remembered him as a person who showed concern for his people through the conversations they had whenever they met. Emerald Cribb shared his love of God, his patience, support and advice given to the church elders in establishing PBBC. The message for this special day was given by Saya Thomas Cung Bik spotlighting on the life of Dr. Batunkyi.
On this occasion, the church not only honored fathers who were present with us but also fathers who had entered into glory. The memory of Uncle Spencer Zan and Dr. Batunkyi who were the founding fathers and pillars of PBBC were honored by a presentation of certificates of recognition accepted by their beloved spouses. Proverbs 10:7 says, “The memory of the righteous is a blessing.”
These two fathers will always be remembered by other founding members of the Philadelphia Burmese Baptist Church, and their good deeds will be kept alive for generations to come.
th the knowledge and skills they possess to achieve these objectives.More than 40 children took part in the service: ushering, singing songs, reciting scripture verses, collecting offerings, etc. As a church with ethnic diversity, it was very heartening to see children from different ethnic groups such as Chins, Kachins, and Karens from Philadelphia and its suburbs and those from Trenton, New Jersey, worship together in one spirit.
Therefore, it is important to keep in mind that children must always be given a special place because our Lord Jesus said, “I tell the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes a little child in my name welcomes me.” (Matt. 18:3-5)
June 21, the following Sunday was Father’s Day. As it was done on Mother’s Day, fathers were also honored with special remembrance of Dr. Batunkyi, our patron, who pass
ed away in May. There were tributes paid to him by some of the church members. Saw Myat Oo spoke about the precious time given by Dr. Batunkyi to the church and community, Tablu Moo expressed how he worked tirelessly for all refugees from Burma regardless of their ethnicities and promised to help these people as much as she can, Saw Noah remembered him as a person who showed concern for his people through the conversations they had whenever they met. Emerald Cribb shared his love of God, his patience, support and advice given to the church elders in establishing PBBC. The message for this special day was given by Saya Thomas Cung Bik spotlighting on the life of Dr. Batunkyi.On this occasion, the church not only honored fathers who were present with us but also fathers who had entered into glory. The memory of Uncle Spencer Zan and Dr. Batunkyi who were the founding fathers and pillars of PBBC were honored by a presentation of certificates of recognition accepted by their beloved spouses. Proverbs 10:7 says, “The memory of the righteous is a blessing.”
These two fathers will always be remembered by other founding members of the Philadelphia Burmese Baptist Church, and their good deeds will be kept alive for generations to come.
Saturday, May 30, 2009
PCCF at PBBC
On Sunday, May 24, 2009, members of PCCF (Philadelphia Chin Christian Fellowship) led the worship service at PBBC. More than 70 people attended the service. The photos in the slideshow are from the service.
Thursday, May 21, 2009
PBBC Youth & Kids to DC
lThe weekend of May 16th/17th was an enjoyable one for the youth of Philadelphia Burmese Baptist Church
. They left Philadelphia early on the morning of Saturday May 16 and touched in at Virginia Beach where they had their morning snacks and went sightseeing. It was a pleasant morning and all of them enjoyed the outdoor country surroundings and the ocean breeze.
From there they continued to Washington DC. In the evening they participated in the Food Fair event of Calvary Burmese Church selling sticky rice in packets and bamboos. All proceeds were donated to the host church since it was solely a trip to promote friendship and fellowship with members of that church. They spent the night at the residence of Saw Kapi and Naw Show Ei Tun, all twenty or so of them. It was really a fun night all of them sleeping under the same roof.
On Sunday 17th morning, they went sightseeing in Washington DC, visiting Lincol
n Memorial, Independence Monument and the vicinity of the White House. It was an excitin
g experience for them to visit and see all the historical and world famous sights in person. Later in the afternoon, they were joined by some of the elders of Philadelphia Burmese Baptist Church in the service at Calvary Burmese Church. PBBC youth led the service with testimonies given by San San Tin and Beston Min, special songs by Ka Mwee Paw and the Sunday School children. Choir in Karen and Burmese were also rendered by PBBC. The message was given by Chan Nyein Aung. The scripture text was taken from the book of 1 Kings:24, and the topic was on the choices made by Prophet Elijah and the widow of Zarephath, and their obedience. Elijah when asked by God to go to Zarephath made the right choice by obeying God and thus saved from starving. The widow also chose to obey Elijah when he tol
d her to make him a cake with the little flour left. By doing so she and her household had food for many days. Like them we as Christians when faced with hardship and problems, we should choose to follow the bidding of God in order to live a fulfilled life.
The service program included a special message from Saya Saw Si Hai of Vision Trust (Burma Chapter) whose headquarters is in Colorado Springs, CO. USA. He spoke about the cyclone Nargis victims, especially children, in Burma and how we can help them. He also emphasized on how we should nurture the children so that they become good leaders in the future.
The service was closed with benediction pronounced by Rev. Marang Yaw.
Everyone who attended the service, hosts as well as guests, went home happy and spiritually refreshed after an enjoyable fellowship.
. They left Philadelphia early on the morning of Saturday May 16 and touched in at Virginia Beach where they had their morning snacks and went sightseeing. It was a pleasant morning and all of them enjoyed the outdoor country surroundings and the ocean breeze.From there they continued to Washington DC. In the evening they participated in the Food Fair event of Calvary Burmese Church selling sticky rice in packets and bamboos. All proceeds were donated to the host church since it was solely a trip to promote friendship and fellowship with members of that church. They spent the night at the residence of Saw Kapi and Naw Show Ei Tun, all twenty or so of them. It was really a fun night all of them sleeping under the same roof.
On Sunday 17th morning, they went sightseeing in Washington DC, visiting Lincol
n Memorial, Independence Monument and the vicinity of the White House. It was an excitin
g experience for them to visit and see all the historical and world famous sights in person. Later in the afternoon, they were joined by some of the elders of Philadelphia Burmese Baptist Church in the service at Calvary Burmese Church. PBBC youth led the service with testimonies given by San San Tin and Beston Min, special songs by Ka Mwee Paw and the Sunday School children. Choir in Karen and Burmese were also rendered by PBBC. The message was given by Chan Nyein Aung. The scripture text was taken from the book of 1 Kings:24, and the topic was on the choices made by Prophet Elijah and the widow of Zarephath, and their obedience. Elijah when asked by God to go to Zarephath made the right choice by obeying God and thus saved from starving. The widow also chose to obey Elijah when he tol
d her to make him a cake with the little flour left. By doing so she and her household had food for many days. Like them we as Christians when faced with hardship and problems, we should choose to follow the bidding of God in order to live a fulfilled life.The service program included a special message from Saya Saw Si Hai of Vision Trust (Burma Chapter) whose headquarters is in Colorado Springs, CO. USA. He spoke about the cyclone Nargis victims, especially children, in Burma and how we can help them. He also emphasized on how we should nurture the children so that they become good leaders in the future.
The service was closed with benediction pronounced by Rev. Marang Yaw.
Everyone who attended the service, hosts as well as guests, went home happy and spiritually refreshed after an enjoyable fellowship.
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Mothers' Day Held at PBBC
As in the US, where Mothers’ Day is celebrated on the second Sunday in May, churches in Burma also celebrate it on the same day. The Philadelphia Burmese Baptist Churc
h as a Burmese speaking Church in the US also celebrated Mothers’ Day on May 10th which falls on the second
Sunday in May.
To honor mothers young and old, lay men members of the Church led the service with message given by Saw Noah, testimony in tribute of his mother by Saw Beston Min, and songs sung by young members honoring the mothers.
While Saw Eh Klay Klay was singing mothers attending the service were presented with gifts, and mothers ove.JPG)
r 60 years old were specially recognized. Saw Min Oo expressed his thanks to his mother with a very emotional song. Exceptionally touching was a song by our young Sunday school girl Hsaw Hsu Klay.
On behalf of the mothers, one of our patrons Daw Mie Mie Chit said a word of thanks and gave some advice to the young people.
After the service, as usual on special Sundays, there was potluck dinner with curries cooked by fathers, and fruit and ice cream desserts prepared by the young men. It must have been so delicious that everything was polished clean.
h as a Burmese speaking Church in the US also celebrated Mothers’ Day on May 10th which falls on the second
Sunday in May.To honor mothers young and old, lay men members of the Church led the service with message given by Saw Noah, testimony in tribute of his mother by Saw Beston Min, and songs sung by young members honoring the mothers.
While Saw Eh Klay Klay was singing mothers attending the service were presented with gifts, and mothers ove
.JPG)
r 60 years old were specially recognized. Saw Min Oo expressed his thanks to his mother with a very emotional song. Exceptionally touching was a song by our young Sunday school girl Hsaw Hsu Klay.
On behalf of the mothers, one of our patrons Daw Mie Mie Chit said a word of thanks and gave some advice to the young people.
After the service, as usual on special Sundays, there was potluck dinner with curries cooked by fathers, and fruit and ice cream desserts prepared by the young men. It must have been so delicious that everything was polished clean.
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