An Event-ful end to 2025

A Christmas Play

Advent Carols 2025 was different from previous years, as Pastor Jeremy Ong felt that, “it was important for the church to come together to work on something where everyone could contribute, aligning with our direction for the year, “Building up for Transformation”, especially in the area of serving God in the church”. And so, The Christmas Blueprint, HVMC’s inaugural Advent Carols Production, was set in motion.

On the evening of Friday 19 December 2025, after fellowshipping over an enjoyable Christmas dinner, over 300 members and guests, headed over to the sanctuary and entered a space of wonder, reflection, and joyful proclamation. Audible gasps filled the sanctuary as Seraph appeared with flowing white wings, followed by Mammon, whose horned silhouette cast a menacing shadow across the stage. From the very first moments, the production invited the audience into a story that was both familiar and freshly reimagined.

Preparations had begun as early as September 2025, with an Advent Carols Workshop led by Red Productions. Around 30 participants - many with no prior drama experience - were introduced to basic theatre concepts and improvisation. What stood out was not polish, but willingness, a community stepping forward in faith to try something new in service of God’s purposes. Janine Boon came on board as Director and Chew Ping as Stage Manager.

The original script, written by Red Productions, was thoughtfully adapted by Chew Ping, to better resonate with our congregation. Alongside this, teams began forming for lights, sound, costumes, make-up, and stage crew - each contributing their gifts behind the scenes. The hand-painted backdrops, were designed and painted by a group of dedicated volunteers and depicted scenes such as the Nativity, Herod’s temple, and everyday modern settings, reminding us that the Christmas story meets us both in history and in our present lives.

Lights, Camera, Action

When performance night arrived, cast members stepped on stage, fully costumed, miked, and illuminated - nervous, excited, and ready to play their part. It was indeed a well- scripted, well-acted and well-received play – God’s hand was in every little detail and nothing could go wrong.

“It’s been an honour and pleasure to serve God. It was wonderful to see so many, step up to share the essential message of following God’s blueprint. A person I have been praying for a long time finally accepted my invitation to Advent. Praise God!” said Chew Ping.

“Thanks to all the organizers, performers, helpers etc for a wonderful evening. Heartening to see such active participation by so many members. Multi-generational too! May the message of God’s love and salvation touch the hearts of all who came. Praise the Lord indeed!” – Lisa Choy

True to HVMC’s Advent tradition, life groups led Scripture readings and the singing of beloved Christmas carols throughout the evening. The drama was woven into the wider liturgy, culminating in Pastor Jeremy’s message from Luke 1:39–56. He reminded us that Christmas follows a different blueprint: it is God’s initiative, and it issues an invitation to come and follow Jesus Christ as Lord and Messiah.

More than a production, the Advent Carols was a shared act of worship - a community bearing witness together to the hope, humility, and transforming grace of Christ’s coming.

By Rebecca Chee
Production Manager (The Christmas Blueprint)

Singing for God

On 29 November 2025, HVMC was invited to partner with various churches around Holland Village to host Christmas Together!, at One Holland Village. Our HVMC Choir presented a choral anthem, “Quiet Little Town”, to remember Jesus’ birth and to welcome Him into our lives. This event presented a couple of firsts for HVMC: it was our first time involved in any outreach at One Holland Village and also our Choir’s very first public performance. We are grateful for the support by our church family at the event and we know the seeds of the Gospel were sown that afternoon.

Committing 2026 into God’s Hands

We gathered on New Year’s Eve, to remember God’s goodness and faithfulness in 2025 and to commit 2026 into His almighty hands. Pastor Loretta Lim offered a message that was timely and an encouragement for all of us, as we step into the new year. She outlined three points for us to remember :-

We should align our priorities with that of God’s. Jesus was tempted in every possible way, but He did not waver because He knew God’s priorities through the Bible.
We need to know our purpose. We were born by God’s purpose and for His purpose, to be a source of hope and light to others.
We must adopt a posture of urgency. The world needs the Gospel of Jesus and tomorrow is not guaranteed.

With these three points, we renewed our covenant with God declaring, “Lord, make me what You will. I put myself fully into Your hands: put me to doing, put me to suffering, let me be employed for You, or laid aside for You, let me be full, let me be empty, let me have all things, let me have nothing. I freely and with a willing heart give it all to Your pleasure and disposal.”

By Theophilus Tan
Staff (Worship, Prayer & Communications)

The Ending…& the Beginning