GC ( Gospel Cafe)

Yo guys!!! Whats up dudes and dudettes?? Hope you all are enjoying your holidays.. Sorry for the absence from this blog for so long.. Well, let's just say I've been busy.. Homework, photo sessions, tuition, autograph sessions, church, practices.. You get the point^^

Well, the hols had been okay for me so far.. Didn't go out anywhere fun (unless you consider tuition fun), most of the time stayed at home to play RoN on the computer or to finish my Harry Potter marathon(2 and 3/4 books to the finish line.. Why finish line?? Marathon.. Get it??? Oh, what the heck!)

At least I have a programme to look forward to and that is (drum roll...) Gospel Cafe!!!! Or GC in short.. Well, this is a fairly new church evangelistic-style programme as it was only initiated last year.. Gospel Cafe 2008 was kinda hectic, as we held it at the foyer in church, and the youths were in charge of waitering, making the drinks, performances, or easier to be said, EVERYTHING! And so, Sern Wang as well as the 2009 committee decided that GC 2009 will be held at Witchery Ider(beside Square 1) this year.. This year's GC will be more laid-back, relaxed and comfortable kind as this year our aim is to evangelise and to draw more friends to Jesus Christ!!! We did not manage to accomplish this objective last year as most of the guests came in big groups and the youths were too busy to fellowship with their friends.. And when you are in big groups, you tend to talk about EVERYTHING, except the main thing..

So this year, each youth is only required to bring a maximum of 2 friends so as to keep the attendance under control.. This will also make evangelising easier as well, as each youth can focus on their friends, and not their friend's cousins, their friend's cousin's cousin, and their friend's cousin's cousin's cousin as what happened in 2008.. And this year,the youths will also have more time to evangelise, as it will not be jam-packed with performances compared to 2008(only a mime, and maybe a video presentation), and also because we won't be waitering and serving drinks and all.. But nevertheless, it will still be a fun-filled and exciting programme that should not be missed if you are able to make it..

The mime this year is inspired by a drama performed by a church in America.. The drama can be found in Youtube, but what for go so far, if you can see it here..



Well, it's not 100% based on this video, we did make some changes.. However, it stil features a star-studded cast featuring: (drum roll again please...)

Wong Hui Yee as the victim that was eventually saved by Lord Jesus Christ..
Eugene Gan portraying Lord Jesus Christ..
Yours truly as head devil or leader of the damned, whatever you wanna call him..
Hong Caleen, Lim Regine, Jason Ng, Kek Ling Ching, Esther Kam and Fiona Bhaskran as the little devils, followers of the leader of the damned or whatever you wanna call them..

So for those who have been invited by the youths, make sure you drag yourselves to Gospel Cafe 2009, if God has so graciously made you free and available on 30th August (I would say tomorrow, but 30th August sounds more formal and official), 8.00-10.00pm.. Hope to see you there!!

Signing out,

-Jonathan-

Youth Sunday 2009

Hi everyone.. I'm back!!! Sorry for the long absence.. I know I haven't been updating my blog for a very long time, but well, at least I'm here now right?? Well, honestly I didn't really have the time to sit in front of the computer and type my hands off updating my blog.. Form 4 is not as carefree as Form 3.. I'm still looking for that culprit who said that Form 4 is a honeymoon year.. Wait until I find him.. So my sincerest apologies to one and all..

Well, today I would like to talk about Youth Sunday, an annual event held by my church.. It is named Youth Sunday because on this occasion every year, the youths are given the opportunity to conduct the Sunday service.. Every year it will be held in the month of July-August, depending on the church's schedule.. This year's Youth Sunday is a little weeny bit different from the previous ones, as this year the youths are required to wear formal clothing.. So, glad to say that everyone looked handsome and pretty during this year's Youth Sunday..

Being a painstakingly frank,straightforward and honest person (who doesn't know when to shut up at times), I'll tell you how I felt.. This year everything went well on the real day.. It was disastrous during the previous practices and rehearsals, including the final practice last night.. I told myself and those who were willing to hear me, that if I were Sern Wang, Joshua, Gabriel or Joanna, I would lock all the doors of the sanctuary and not let anyone go back until everyone was serious or well-rehearsed.. I'm not blaming anyone in particular, because I myself contributed to the disastrous results.. However my plan did not work as firstly, I'm not in any position of power and secondly I'm not Sern Wang, Joanna, Joshua or Gabriel.. I'm Jonathan.. Just so you know..
At the end of rehearsals last night, Sern Wang said and I quote, "We're putting alot of trust in God this year." I totally agree.. I thought Youth Sunday 2009 will be a disaster because from what I observed during practice, we were rehearsing as if Youth Sunday was months away.. I often shook my head in disappointment when I saw people not singing along, or people forgetting their lines, or people chattering when they were supposed to be singing (I myself am guilty to for some of these things) and I constantly said to myself that Youth Sunday this year was going to be a flop..

How wrong was I.. How terribly, horribly, vegetably wrong.. I didn't realise that when I woke up and prepared myself to go to service this morning.. I was convinced that Youth Sunday was a goner.. So I just prayed a short prayer to God to bless everything and that everything will go well and according to His will, that the youths will perform to honour and glorify His name.. After i prayed, I felt a feeling of confidence and assurance creeping into every vein in my body.. I didn't know if it was because I was looking into the mirror(I seldom get to wear my long-sleeved shirt..) or was it because God was working in me and telling me not to fret..

So slowly I learnt to let go of my anxieties and panics.. Everyone did their respective jobs brilliantly.. Kudos to all!!! Gabriel as the chairman led the service well, Jayn did a good job in worship, the stewards and ushers did their respective jobs well.. Even the choir singers and drama actors sang and acted well.. I specially want to mention a few people here.. They are Yi Ke, Caleen, Jing Yee, Edrik, Ah War and Felicia.. The first five are for perfecting a dance that they have just danced fully the previous night, and Felicia for being able to replace Melvina at such a short notice.. Bro. Joshua delivered a powerful and meaningful (and indeed very "chim") sermon.. All in all, as Sern Wang said, 9.5 out of 10..God was gracious indeed..

Our efforts were not in vain as the youths were treated to Pizza Hut after service.. We waited like crazy for the pizzas to arrive because all stomachs were rumbling, and when they finally arrived, when it barely touched the table, all the plates were gathered beside it.. I know it sounds like we have not eaten for ages, but hey, who doesn't like pizza??? Even petite little Yi Ke took 5 slices.. Unbelievable!! If you have seen her before, you will think that I'm joking, but sadly it's true.. God is great indeed..

Well, when it reached 1.++ pm, it was time to go home.. Everyone was filled up, happy and satisfied.. Indeed, it was a God-blessed day in each and every way possible.. From the weather right up to the delicious, hot and oven-fresh pizzas.. (Poor advisors.. They needed to pay OVER RM500 for the meal..)What I learnt today was God is magnificent beyond words.. Each and everyone of us who were involved in Youth Sunday can testify to that.. If you trust Him and let God lead and guide you through the difficult and doubtful times in life, He will grant us a peaceful mind and a assuring heart.. I know it's true, because I've experienced this miracle today..