November 2, 2014

The Shepherd's Corner

The other day I stumbled upon an old picture of me and our three little children standing at a beach north of Jakarta, smiling and so happy.  When I was looking at the picture, I was wondering where Santy was.  Suddenly it occurred to me that she was not in the picture because she was the one who took the picture.The other day I stumbled upon an old picture of me and our three little children standing at a beach north of Jakarta, smiling and so happy.  When I was looking at the picture, I was wondering where Santy was.  Suddenly it occurred to me that she was not in the picture because she was the one who took the picture.  Those who take picture for the others have to make the sacrifice of not being in the picture.  And, the possible consequence of not being in the picture is to be forgotten that they were actually there.  In other words because they make the sacrifice of taking the picture, they may not be a part of the memory lane years later.

Last week we celebrated our church’s 34th anniversary.  Yes, our church was legally incorporated in 1980 but it had actually started 4 years earlier.  It was in 1976 that Pastor John and Tante Barbara Lim started the fellowship that finally became our church as we know it today.  Along the way there have been a lot of people who have come and done something to make this church stand and grow.

Just to name one, it was Oom Anthon Manuputty who installed the baptism pool and worked on the electrical wiring years ago.  And, there are many more.  Even days before the anniversary celebration last week, there were many who came and did something for this church.  There were those who prepared the food tirelessly, those who arranged the flowers and decorated the sanctuary, those who cleaned up the church, and those who painted the youth quarter.

To me they are like those who take picture—they are not in the picture but because of them we are in the picture.  We all thank you, unsung heroes, “your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”

Pastor Paul
Those who take picture for the others have to make the sacrifice of not being in the picture.  And, the possible consequence of not being in the picture is to be forgotten that they were actually there.  In other words because they make the sacrifice of taking the picture, they may not be a part of the memory lane years later.

Last week we celebrated our church’s 34th anniversary.  Yes, our church was legally incorporated in 1980 but it had actually started 4 years earlier.  It was in 1976 that Pastor John and Tante Barbara Lim started the fellowship that finally became our church as we know it today.  Along the way there have been a lot of people who have come and done something to make this church stand and grow.

Just to name one, it was Oom Anthon Manuputty who installed the baptism pool and worked on the electrical wiring years ago.  And, there are many more.  Even days before the anniversary celebration last week, there were many who came and did something for this church.  There were those who prepared the food tirelessly, those who arranged the flowers and decorated the sanctuary, those who cleaned up the church, and those who painted the youth quarter.

To me they are like those who take picture—they are not in the picture but because of them we are in the picture.  We all thank you, unsung heroes, “your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”

Pastor Paul

More Shepherd's Corner Articles

(Bahasa Indonesia) Sudut Gembala - 5 Maret 2017
[:id]What is faith? Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. Hebrews 11:1...
Read More
The Shepherd's Corner - November 16, 2025
To encourage young folks who are struggling with directions in their lives, I sometimes share my journey from being someone who had no clue what I wanted to or could do, to becoming a counselor, and in the end, a pastor.  Out of high school I did not know what I should choose as a […]...
Read More
The Shepherd's Corner - May 22, 2016
[:en]THE SHEPHERD’S CORNER Last Saturday morning our sister Achin was admitted to the hospital for a light stroke. Tuesday morning she suffered another stroke while she was still in the hospital. But, by the grace of God she is recovering with virtually no signs of stroke. Also by the grace of God...
Read More