‘National Day Prayer Service’ to be held at CEWC tonight
KUCHING: The Association of Churches in Sarawak (ACS) is holding a ‘ National Day Prayer Service’ this evening at the Christian Ecumenical Worship Centre (CEWC), and members of the different religious faiths are welcome to take part.
The annual event is hosted by a member church by rotation and this year’s host is the Anglican Church.
Organising chairman Fr Michael Buma of St Thomas’s Cathedral, Kuching, expects 2,000 people to attend this year’s service which starts at 7.30pm.
“The theme for this year – ‘Seek the Welfare of the City’ – is inspired by Jeremiah 29: 7. The order of the service will cover different themes of scripture readings and prayers. The recitation of the Holy Scripture will be in Bahasa Malaysia, English, Mandarin, Iban and Bidayuh Biatah to signify that churches are made up of different ethnic groups but united in one belief and one God,” ACS secretary general Ambrose Linang told a press conference at the Christian Ecumenical Worship Centre in Jalan Stampin here.
Buma and organising committee secretary Robert Tnay were also present.
During the service, representatives of various churches will offer prayers for the country including prayers for freedom and harmony, prayers for healing and reconciliation, prayers for the King, sultans, governors, prime minister, chief ministers and members of the
The theme for this year — ‘Seek the Welfare of the City’ — is inspired by Jeremiah 29:7. The order of the service will cover different themes of scripture readings and prayers. The recitation of the Holy Scripture will be in Bahasa Malaysia, English, Mandarin, Iban and Bidayuh Biatah to signify that churches are made up of different ethnic groups but united in one belief and one God.
cabinet at both federal and state levels. Also included are senators, heads of local councils, members of parliament, armed forces, the police, judges and officers of the courts as well as those in the civil service.
There will be prayers for peace of the world including unity and harmony among all races and religions. The reflections would be shared by Bishop Datuk Bolly Lapok of the Anglican Church.
A combined choir comprising members of different churches will lead the service. The benediction by Heads of Churches will be led by Archbishop Datuk John Ha of the Catholic Church.
Ambrose said invitations have been extended to Christian members of the state legislative assembly, heads of government departments and agencies. Invitations have also been sent to other faith groups such as Buddhist, Hindu, Sikh and Bahai as well as the Islamic Information Centre.
“ACS calls upon all Christians in the city to join in this prayer service to symbolise unity in our Lord. It is time to pray for our beloved Sarawak and Malaysia for the spirit of goodwill to reclaim centre stage among all races of different beliefs and cultures. Let us not allow racial polarisation and religious extremism to destroy the fabric of our society which has been the main engine that has prospered Malaysia,” he said.
At the commencement of the service, members of the Boys Brigade and Girls Brigade would usher the heads of churches, ministers and readers into the main hall and to assist in the hoisting of the Malaysian and Sarawak flags.
Ambrose added that all ACS branches throughout the state would hold similar National Day prayer services at their respective branches.
Ambrose Linang, ACS secretary general