The Church in God's Hands

Every year, July 1 marks the anniversary of our church, SMSL. We typically celebrate this special occasion on the Sunday closest to that date. This year, our Anniversary Sunday was held on June 29, commemorating the 28th anniversary of our parish.

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This year’s celebration holds particular significance, as we officially launched our Faith Pledge Campaign, a preparatory step toward potential relocation. This initiative was first announced during our Parish Annual General Meeting at the end of February.

 

Since then, the Relocation Task Force has spent months in careful preparation, drafting the campaign proposal with input from the wider leadership and the Parish Council’s final approval. What you now hold in your hands is the fruit of that shared effort.

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As you review the pledge package, I want to first acknowledge that the suggested donation amounts or the number of pledge options might appear overwhelming. Please understand—this is not an attempt to create complex categories or pressure anyone into giving more. We do not intend to set high thresholds that might deter participation. The plan clearly states that all are welcome to support the building fund in the manner and amount they feel led to give.

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That said, the financial figures and methods proposed in the campaign are rooted in the practical realities we face. Should we pursue the purchase of a new church building, the cost will likely be in the millions. The pledges gathered through this campaign will help us discern whether purchasing a property is feasible, or whether we should instead seek a long-term rental arrangement. One important addition to this campaign—different from our previous building fund drives—is an option to begin giving only after a new property is confirmed. This emphasizes that the campaign is not intended to boost short-term donations, but to aid long-term planning.

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We take this opportunity to express our heartfelt gratitude to all the brothers and sisters who have generously contributed to the building fund over the past decade. With your faithful giving, and the Parish Council’s prudent stewardship, our building fund has grown to a healthy level of reserves (please refer to the financial report in the AGM booklet for details).

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As I write this, a line from a worship song comes to mind: “In God’s Hands All My Life.” I shared the story behind this song at the AMMiC Clergy Day worship on June 25. The singer, Polly, was diagnosed with bone cancer as a child and had to undergo multiple painful surgeries, including the implantation of a steel rod in her leg. Though she eventually recovered from bone cancer, she was later diagnosed with a different form of cancer in adulthood. Despite the physical toll of radiation and chemotherapy, her faith in God never wavered—if anything, it deepened. Polly now serves full-time in a Christian music ministry, regularly sharing her story in churches and campus.

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The song quotes Isaiah 30:21: “Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it.’” May we hold firmly to this promise, trusting that both our Faith Pledge Campaign and all future steps in the relocation journey are in God’s sovereign hands. He leads us, and He assures us: “This is the way; walk in it.” Amen.

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In Christ,
Angus Wu
June 2025