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.

Future PBBC

It was a wonderful sight to see our children from Sunday school leading the service with much enthusiasm on Sunday December 13th. Special thanks go to Sayama Ta Blu Moo (Naw Doh); Sayama Elena Dingrin and Sayama Paw Eh and those who helped train these children. Ther are the future PBBC. We are glad that the seeds have sprouted into little plants which need much nurturing so that one day they may grow into trees bearing the fruit of the Gospel and spread them to the people in the neighborhood and eventually to the surrounding areas shining their Gospel lights. We pray for God’s choicest blessings upon them.

Fellowship with Korean Friends

On November 8, 2009 (Sunday), a group of twelve Korean high school students from New Jersey United Christian Academy, Allentown, New Jersey, together with Deacon Kim and Deacon Yu led by their chaplain Rev. Dr. Hyung-Jin Park came and worship together with us at the Philadelphia Burmese Baptist Church. Rev. Dr. Park, a graduate of Princeton Theological Seminary, delivered a message based on Malachi 1:11 He shared with us that there is pluralism in the Church where Christ’s followers worship one God and praise His name in their own languages. His sermon aptly spoke to PBBC’s congregation which is diverse in terms of ecclesial tradition and ethno-dialect. After the sermon, the students sang some praise songs, followed by a performance by two female

students.

Next, Andrew Chung, a student leader, presented a love gift they had collected out of their own pocket with love and compassion to pastor of PBBC, Dr. La Seng. How touching and inspiring it was! God as the Spirit is always at work between congregations and among all of us. We, the PBBC members believe that God never forsakes us when we are in need of various assistance which includes financial help for the church’s total ministry, and the establishment of a broader ecumenical relation among Christian Churches in the United States of America. We thank God for sending us these young people. A potluck dinner followed after the service, and it was enjoyed by all.

PBBC Patron among the recipients of 2009 Mission Outreach Award

On October 10th 2009, a Mission Outreach Banquet was held by Philadelphia Baptist Association at The Drexelbrook (Drexel Hill, PA)at which the 2009 Mission Outreach Award was given to about 20 recipients. One of the recipients was Aunty Nu Nu Zan, one of the Patrons of Philadelphia Burmese Baptist Church and a member of First Baptist Church, Lansdale.

What an honor it is to have one of our own people receiving this award for the selfless, outstanding work done to help people who are in need, and let God’s love shine through deeds! May we be able to follow the worthy example set by Aunty Nu Nu Zan - as Christians we must not only preach but live the Gospel.