By Amanda L
KUCHING, Dec 16: The Anglican Church will host this year’s Association of Churches in Sarawak (ACS) Joint Christmas Service on Thursday (Dec 18) at the Christian Ecumenical Worship Centre here, bringing together Christians from different denominations to celebrate Christmas in unity.
Speaking at a press conference here today, ACS secretary-general Elder Ambrose Linang said the service, themed ‘Emmanuel: God with Us’, will reflect Sarawak’s diversity, with prayers and scripture readings conducted in English, Bahasa Malaysia, Mandarin, Iban and Bidayuh Biatah.
“The programme will feature a carol procession led by the Boys’ Brigade Drums and Bagpipes, followed by candle lighting by heads of churches and a children’s presentation titled ‘God with Us’ by the Sunday Schools of St Thomas’ Cathedral and St Basil Church,” he said.
Congregational carols, he added, will be led by a combined choir of 85 members from ACS member churches, conducted by Evelyn Lim, and accompanied by an eight-member string orchestra from Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) and two sape players.
The opening prayer will be led by Rev Timothy Ling, while the benediction by the heads of churches will be led by Archbishop Dato Simon Poh.
“Christian elected representatives, heads of departments and community leaders have been invited to attend the service, together with friends from other faiths including Buddhist, Hindu, Sikh and Baha’i communities,” he said, noting that ACS continues to promote the spirit of togetherness, unity and religious tolerance through activities carried out across Sarawak. — DayakDaily
