Church group spreads Xmas cheer in the city
JOHOR BARU: With Christmas just around the corner, some 100 children, teenagers, adults and senior citizens have been going around the city singing carols, doing performances and even sketches.
Besides performing at malls and hotels, they also performed at old folks homes to liven up and spread the message of Christmas.
The volunteers are all from Calvary City Church and their satellite churches.
They were divided into two teams, church choir and another group comprising children and teenagers, to participate in the Christmas public performance this year.
Dr Manoj Varughese K. Samuel, who led the church choir for the first time, said that it was a wonderful feeling and experience to spread the joy of Christmas to the public.
“This is the first time our choir had more than 60 people.
“We had a good mix of people of all ages, including children and adults,” he said, adding that they had been practising for the event weekly for the past two months.
Dr Manoj, who also plays the guitar, said he was very grateful with the commitment of the volunteers who made time to come for the practice after work as some were even working in Singapore.
“We usually sing about 13 carols, chosen because they speak of joy, hope and peace,” he added.
Ruth Anne, who coordinated the public performances for the church, said that the response has been good this year.
“We have been getting many requests from homes and malls to perform at their venues,” she said, adding that such performances were part of the church’s annual calendar.
Anne said preparations for the public performances started at least six months in advance, including identifying suitable locations.
“It is all worth the effort when you see the smiles on people’s faces and the excitement, with some people joining in to sing or clap during the performances,” she added.
Calvary City Church senior pastor Beatrice Margaret Augustine, who is also part of the church choir, said more malls and homes were opening their doors to their church choir and performances.
“We hope more will host us next year. We even plan to organise a carnival during Christmas next year with food and drinks,” she said, adding that they have been having such events in Johor during Christmas for the past 30 years.