Living Stones Fellowship Church

06/05/2026

12/20/2025

Fading Hope

”Both of them (Zechariah and Elizabeth) were righteous in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commands and decrees blamelessly. But they were childless because Elizabeth was not able to conceive, and they were both very old.” (Luke 1:6-7)

The darkness grows deeper while hope grows dimmer. The days, months, years, and even decades have passed without any change of circumstances. Hope is fading faster with each passing month and year while we still clinging to the thought that just perhaps God may somehow intervene into our lives. Is it really possible?

Zechariah and Elizabeth, being from a priestly line of Aaron, were a godly couple. They were righteous in God’s sight, but did they ever ponder in their hearts, “Is God righteous toward me”? They observed all the Lord’s commands and decrees blamelessly, but did they wonder, “Is God going to fulfill their one dream of having a child of their own”? Zechariah and Elizabeth were not just getting older. They were old. Zechariah and Elizabeth were out of time, but is God out of time?

As this month begins the closing of 2026, is your hope fading rather than growing brighter? God has blessed our church with Pastor Darren and Melissa being our pastor and pastor’s wife. We have grown numerically and spiritually. As we look at our personal dreams and hopes in and for our lives, is your hope dwindling with time?

Our hope may be that our spouse may be more loving or responsible. It may be contemplating whether to risk it all to start all over with a new company or stay with your company. At least, I have
a job! Is your hope of finding a life companion fading or growing at LSFC? Is there anyone interested in me or whether she or he is open to me? Time marches on and it doesn’t stop for anyone. You’re faithful to God, but is God faithful to you and to your hopes and dreams?

Our efforts may be fruitless because things are beyond our control, but not for God. For 11 months, I have been paying out of pocket expenses for Ramona’s medical treatments. The insurance company wouldn’t approve of her continuing treatment plan. Will an appeal be successful or is it fruitless? I wrote to the insurance company but didn’t receive a response letter. However, in November, the doctor’s office reapplied for her stating her condition. I received a letter from my insurance company that they have approved it! The doctor has reassessed her. She is on an updated treatment plan. Praise God.

Our hearts may become discouraged when we wait on God. We don’t understand why He isn’t working. There’s a greater story to be told which we can’t see from our perspective. God is not slow for His timing is always right on schedule. Be like Zechariah and Elizabeth, faithful to God despite the harsh reality of what seems impossible for us for God is working in mysterious ways.

May our hopes and dreams in 2025 be graciously granted to you and to me in 2026 and beyond. Don’t give up for God has not given up on you and me.

Kingston Tong
December 7, 2025

12/13/2025

The Uniqueness of the Incarnation

In the incarnation Jesus, as God, took on human flesh. He is the God-man. As so many Bible verses indicate, Jesus’ birth as a male human did not begin His existence.

And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth (John 1:14).

Therefore, He had to be made like His brethren in all things, so that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people (Hebrews 2:17).

Jesus is identified as the Savior.
“She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21).

Jesus is the only Savior.
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me (John 14:6).

Jesus was worshiped as an infant.
After coming into the house they saw the Child with Mary His mother; and they fell to the ground and worshiped Him. Then, opening their treasures, they presented to Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh (Matthew 2:11).

Jesus was worshiped as an adult.
And those who were in the boat worshiped Him, saying, “You are certainly God’s Son!” (Matthew 14:33).

Jesus took on humanness, Yet, He did not lose His deity.
For this reason therefore the Jews were seeking all the more to kill Him, because He not only was breaking the Sabbath, but also was calling God His own Father, making Himself equal with God (John 5:18).

Jesus remained sinless.
You know that He appeared in order to take away sins; and in Him there is no sin (1 John 3:5).

Jesus understands what it’s like to live as a human on Earth.
For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin (Hebrews 4:15).

Jesus as Lord-God.
9 For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus EVERY KNEE WILL BOW, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father (Philippians 2:9-11).

Jesus coming to Earth as the God-man is the greatest missions trip ever! What greater gift could God have given us than the offer of forgiveness of all our sins and eternal life if we trust or place our faith in His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ?

Note the Apostle Peter’s statement about Jesus the Messiah:

“And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).

Pastor Cecil

Bible verses are from The New American Standard Bible (1995).

12/06/2025

An Invitation to Community

Growing up, I always found myself looking for ways to be quietly useful. I was never the sort to enjoy the spotlight and yet I couldn’t help but feel left out when I wasn’t involved in something. Whether it be at recess during elementary where I wasn’t selected until late for teams due to not being particularly athletic, or at church where I watched as my older brother ingratiated himself with the praise team by playing bass guitar. I never imagined myself being anyone’s top pick or someone who would be on the stage nor did I ever desire to be at the center of attention, and as a matter of fact, I actually disliked the thought. In many ways I still do.

But the desire to belong and to be a part of community is something that is ingrained into all of us. God has created us to be within community with one another. This is true for the believer and the unbeliever. This is reflected in a growing loneliness epidemic that has been plaguing my generation. A generation that knew and experienced what life was like in an analog world but slowly bore witness to that world
shift to a digital one. We grew up with the technology that is now this generation’s default. At first, we were excited about how this technology cut the distance between people from across time zones or even neighborhoods. But now, we bemoan how technology has seemingly taken away our ability to connect in the physical world.

For the Christian, we see community as something that God has provided for us so that we may worship Him together in fullness and joy. We are instruments that were made to play in concert with a grand symphony of other instruments, not a solo, to worship our Creator. We are a community in the best of times in the worst of times. We seek to meet each other spiritual, physical, and emotional needs. We encourage each other forward when times are difficult for us.

For the non-Christian community, community is a place to belong. A fulfillment of the hole in one’s heart to belong and derive meaning from one another’s presence and acknowledgement. A place of comfort and of growth. That is to say, community outside of a Christian one isn’t a bad thing at all. One of my fondest and most loved communities is one from my childhood called Chinese Youth Leadership Camp. Nothing to do with Christianity and yet I love them for the lessons they taught me and the lessons I gave to them.

Community isn’t always easy because people aren’t always easy. You or someone you may know might have been hurt by a church member, perhaps even this church. However, I ask you to give our community another chance. While we may not be the best representatives of a great and loving God, we are learning how to be better representatives together as one body. At our church there is always a seat at the table for you and me, for the sinner, the outcast, the loner, the broken, the hurting, the sick, and the lowly. Why? Because we are a community that can relate to our brokenness and emptiness in our lives.

Stephen Lee

11/28/2025

I Thank God For You

“I thank my God every time I remember you” (Phil. 1:3, NIV).

Thanksgiving Day has come and gone. We have spent the day or the weekend enjoying family and friends over a wonderful meal. For many Americans, it’s the weekend of early Black Friday shopping sprees, watching football games, going to a movie theater or setting up the Christmas tree and lights. Thanksgiving brings back memories for us.

The apostle Paul had very fond memories of the Philippian Church and the believers there. His heart was filled with praise and thanksgiving to God for them. Paul, not only impacted their lives spiritually, but they impacted his life and ministry financially. He recalls their generous gift to him. The apostle remembers them fondly and frequently prays for them.

I wonder during this Thanksgiving Season is there anyone who thanks God for you and me? As we express gratitude to God for His blessings, will anyone thank the Lord for our love and care for someone this year? When our name comes up in their conversations, will they praise and thank God for our influence or impact on their lives?
To name a few things, I am blessed by:
o listening to the prayers of others in our Wednesday Prayer Meetings.
o the Liems, who open their home and the meal they provide each Friday for the worship time before the study.
o Sundays that lifts my spirit upward, and for the encouragement of members who attend my Adult Academy.
o the kindness others show to my wife and my grandchildren.
o the Pastoral Search Committee.
o the church members whose perseverance led to Pastor Darren Lim becoming our pastor.

This Thanksgiving Sunday in our worship service, recall someone who has impacted your life. Express thanks to our loving God for that person. And, why not personally express to that individual for how she or he encouraged or met a need in your life? When we are thankful for each other, we remember each other more fondly. I thank God for all of you and your warm welcome you express each Sunday.

Kingston Tong
November 30, 2025