2,500 to attend annual joint service in Kuching

KUCHING: Churches in Sarawak are keeping up the tradition of celebrating Christmas with songs and prayers, for peace and unity.

Some 2,500 people are expected to attend the annual joint Christmas service organised by the Association of Churches in Sarawak (ACS) at the Christian Ecumenical Worship Centre here tomorrow.

The Anglican Church with the theme “Perfect Gift” hosts this year’s service.

“A combined choir will lead the singing of Christmas carols during the service.

“There will be prayers for reconciliation, peace in the world and the nation, for the poor, the destitute, refugees, migrants and families, and prayers for unity,” said ACS secretary-general Ambrose Linang yesterday.

The service will also feature scripture readings in Bahasa Malaysia, English, Mandarin, Bidayuh and Iban.

Anglican Bishop of Sarawak and Brunei Rev Danald Jute will share his reflections on the theme while ACS chairman Rev Datuk Justin Wan and Catholic Archbishop of Kuching Simon Poh will lead the opening prayer and closing benediction respectively.

Linang said Christian elected representatives, department heads and community leaders had been invited to attend the service as well as representatives from the Buddhist, Hindu, Bahai and Sikh faiths.

“ACS always strives to strengthen the spirit of belonging, unity and peace among all Sarawakians because this is the pillar of socio-economic progress and development.

“Let us at all times break down walls and make bridges among Sarawakians of different faiths,” he said.

ACS is the umbrella body of Sarawak’s churches and comprises the Anglican, Baptist, Catholic, Methodist, Seventh-Day Adventist, Borneo Evangelical Mission and Salvation Army denominations.