Many of our students at EAST are married, and quite a few are in Singapore as international students with their families. Going through the EAST learning journey as a couple/family enriches our students’ seminary experience and allows their families to grow together as a community.
We have had the privilege of worship leaders and musicians Earnest Lau and Tan Ming Li (“acoustic Christian duo”) being present at a recent Chapel to gently lead us through a Lenten service. Earnest gave the background on the Lenten season before Ming Li led a solemn yet quietly joyful and hope-filled liturgical worship service. The times from the Word, heartfelt songs of adoration, repentance prayers, congregational responses, and meditative silences filled our souls with a tangible presence of the Almighty. We linger long in the presence of the Holy Spirit as we continue the contemplative journey in this season of Lent (see the 40 days of Lent below).
While we journey through this season of the pandemic, this is a time to recognise God as Jehovah Rapha who heals us.
The words of the song go like this: I am the God that healeth thee, I am the Lord your healer I send My word, and I heal your disease, I am the Lord your healer
You are the God that healeth me, You are the Lord my healer You send your word, and you healed my disease, You are the Lord my healer
God said to the people of Israel, “I, the LORD, am your healer.” (Exodus 15:26) This is God telling His people of His identity and His nature as the God who brings healing to His people.
Even when the pain and discomfort of our illnesses seem too much for us to bear, this remains unchanged: I am the God that healeth thee, I am the Lord your healer.
If you feel led to be theologically equipped this season, EAST has programmes of learning designed to develop you holistically for life and ministry in the long run.
Our first week of the January 2022 semester was a welcome for our new students and a time of gathering as Mentoring Groups to start off this new season.
As a community, It was good to see each other again after the December holidays, and we appreciated getting to start the semester with intentional times for Mentoring Groups to gather. This is one way our new students get connected with everyone in the wider EAST community, and with the fellow students journeying alongside within the same Mentoring Groups. The EAST community is where we rally around each other in fellowship, prayer and encouragement.
We give thanks for our community in school and continue to walk with each other in the semester ahead.