A Table to Remember

To celebrate and give thanks for the blessings which God has showered upon Cornerstone Community Church over the last 30 years, we decided to bless the beneficiaries of Cornerstone Community Services (CCS) with a special lunch banquet at Bliss Garden Restaurant, Singapore Expo. Organised by the Cornerstone Community Services (CCS) team, it was a memorable day of celebrating and connecting with more than 400 beneficiaries over food, performances, and fun activities.

Among our guests were families and children from the Food Care programme and financial assistance scheme for needy students (Cornerstone Development Initiatives School Allowance); seniors from Cornerstone@ ChengSan Active Ageing Centre (CAAC); and a group of migrant workers who frequent The Barn@Penjuru.

As it was a large-scale event that required a lot of manpower support on the ground, Cell leaders and members from Cornerstone Community Church were mobilised as volunteers, with more than 50 answering the call to serve at this meaningful event. One of the volunteers, Sng Tong Yew, who is also a Cell leader, shared his experience, “I liked playing the role of a table host to the guests. My biggest takeaway was being able to see their happy faces and witness how much they enjoyed themselves at the event.”

The programme started with an icebreaker game to encourage mingling among the guests and volunteers, followed by an opening address from Pastor Yang Tuck Yoong, Senior Pastor of Cornerstone Community Church. Other highlights included song and dance performances and an attractive Blessing Draw that kept many guests on the edge of their seats. The event concluded with a closing speech by Pastor Daphne Yang, Chairman of CCS, followed by a time of photo taking.

N.Radha Amma D/O K. Narayana Phillai, a 79-year-old senior, was one of many guests who enjoyed themselves thoroughly. She shared that everyone was so warm and welcoming, and that made her feel very comfortable. “As a minority in Singapore, I deeply treasure the sense of belonging I experienced at the event. It made me feel respected and valued. I was also fortunate to be one of the Blessing Draw winners!” she exclaimed.

Lew Mi Yih, Executive Director of CCS is grateful to the church for sowing generously into the lives of the beneficiaries. She explained, “Majority of our beneficiaries are from low-income backgrounds and do not have the financial means and opportunity to eat out at restaurants. This event is a way of telling them that they are not forgotten, and we want to include them in our celebration as a community.”