A Season of Preparation: Journeying Through Lent
The spiritual journey towards the joyous celebration of Easter at Wesley Methodist Church commenced with the season of Lent, a dedicated period for devotion and reflection. The church community and members of the public found guidance in the four stations of Journey to the Cross that happened in church from 7 to 11 April 2025, and through the 2025 Lent Devotional booklet, a resource thoughtfully designed to deepen our understanding of scripture and its practical application in our daily lives.
Throughout these weeks, our pastoral team also led a compelling sermon series, delving into the profound significance of the seven signs of Jesus as recounted in the Gospel of John.
Anticipation and Joy: The Sanctuary Alive
As Easter Sunday service dawned on 20 April 2025, a palpable sense of joyful anticipation permeated the sanctuary. The collective excitement of the congregation was evident as we gathered to commemorate the very foundation of our Christian faith.
The worship service began with powerful meditation verses, anchoring us to the core message of Easter: “He has risen! He is not here” (Mark 16:6-7) and proclaiming the ultimate triumph: “Death has been swallowed up in victory!” (1 Corinthians 15:54b). The stirring orchestral overture, The Day of Resurrection, filled the space with glorious sounds of celebration, beautifully complemented by the heartfelt contributions of our dedicated choir.
The Climax: Resurrection and Transformation
Rev Raymond Fong brought our Lenten journey to its culmination with the concluding message in the Seven Signs series: “The Resurrection of Christ.” Drawing from the accounts in John 20:1-2, 11-18 and 2:18-22, Pastor Ray passionately invited each of us to a personal encounter with our resurrected Saviour. He reminded us that through Christ’s victory over death, we gain confident access to God’s presence in times of need, where we can find both mercy and grace. The resurrection, he emphasised, makes the very presence of God a tangible reality in our lives. Furthermore, Pastor Ray urged the congregation to become conduits of the hope and love we have received, reaching out to those most in need and allowing them to experience the transformative power of the risen Christ.
This revitalising perspective of Easter resonated deeply within the congregation. As Tan Kim Boon, a facilitator for Alpha & Prison Ministries at Wesley Methodist Church, who was at the 11am service reflected, “The sermon presented a revitalising perspective of Easter; the purpose of Jesus’s cleansing of each of us, without which there cannot be continual transformation in one’s life here. We experience the ongoing opportunity to develop a deeper and more meaningful relationship as a child of the Almighty Heavenly Father, for fulfilling the abundant life here and eternity.”
The congregation responded to Pastor Ray’s message with a triumphant rendition of the cherished hymn, Up from the Grave He Arose (Christ Arose), a powerful declaration of our unwavering faith. Our response extended beyond song as we embraced the opportunity to support the vital work of St Luke’s Hospital, empowering them to share messages and acts of hope and love with their patients.
A Resounding Affirmation: Christ is Risen!
As the service neared its close, the poignant hymn I Stand Amazed in the Presence resonated deeply within our hearts. Its lyrics eloquently express the profound wonder at Christ’s boundless love for humanity. In the final stanza, our voices united in joyful anticipation of one day seeing Him face to face.
The Easter service reached its powerful climax with the cherished closing acclamation. With heartfelt conviction, our congregation proclaimed in unison, “The Lord has risen!” The resounding reply echoed throughout the sanctuary: “He has risen indeed!” This powerful exchange beautifully encapsulated the overwhelming joy, heartfelt praise, and deep adoration that filled our hearts on this glorious Easter Sunday.
As Pastor Ray quoted J.I. Packer in his sermon, ‘A Christian is a person who has God as his Father’.
What a beautiful reminder on Easter Sunday.
Photos by Desmond Yiong, Julian Wee and William Choo
Watch/listen to the Easter sermon by Rev Raymond Fong here.
View and download more photos of Easter Sunday here.
Read also: Journey to the Cross 2025: A Reflective Spiritual Experience
