“In His Name the nations will put their hope." (Matt 12:21)
By Ivy Chai
KUCHING – Plans to hold the annual Joint Christmas Service organised by the Association of Churches in Sarawak (ACS) had to be cancelled last year because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
However, ACS decided that the event, recognised as a symbol of Christian fraternity and held every year at the Christian Ecumenical Worship Centre at Jalan Stampin, should be revived this year, but in accordance with the pandemic SOPs.
This year’s ‘virtual’ Joint Christmas Service with the theme ‘HOPE’ was organised by ACS in partnership with the ACS Youth Ministry and hosted by the Roman Catholic Church. It was streamed via the YouTube and Facebook Page of the Catholic Archdiocese of Kuching on 22 December.
Chairman of the Association of Churches in Sarawak, Catholic Archbishop Simon Poh warmly welcomed everyone tuning in to view the online Service. He opened with the words, “I greet you with the words of the Gospel of Luke to the shepherds watching the flock in the field in the deep of night: ‘I bring you news of great joy, a joy to be shared by the whole people. Today in the town of David, a Saviour has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.’ (Luke 2:10-11)
“In this time of Christmas and coming new year 2022, let us not be held hostage by fear. So, I now invite all to pray together. Let us work hand in hand for peace and harmony in our land and in the world. Let us embrace the message proclaimed by the angels at the birth of Jesus, ‘Do not be afraid,’ and we give praise to God: ‘Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace to all people of good will.’
“May the HOPE, PEACE and JOY of our Lord and Saviour remain with our families. Welcome to our virtual Joint Christmas Service 2021!”
The ACS Virtual Joint Christmas Service 2021 was well organised and beautifully put together. You can watch it here:
The event featured prayers led by Archbishop Simon Poh (Catholic Church), Bishop Danald Jute (Anglican Church), Bishop Bonnie Sedau (Sarawak Iban Annual Conference), Major Francis Ng (Salvation Army), Pastor Edmund Liah (Seventh-Day Adventist Church) and others.
Youth groups from the various Churches contributed renditions of Christmas carols and performances.
