Christians come in droves for Good Friday services
MIRI: Christians came in droves for Good Friday services at their respective churches and cathedrals to commemorate the death of Jesus Christ on the cross.
The largest congregation of more than 3,000 people was at the Borneo Evangelical Mission ( BEM) event in Eastwood Valley Golf and Country Club.
Pdt Dionisius Lambertus Panombam, a renowned preacher from Indonesia presided over the service where he reminded Christians that the crucifixion of Jesus was a symbol of His unconditional love for mankind.
More members from the 56 BEM churches in and around this city are expected to attend today’s congregation where another Indonesian preacher, Pdt Dr Pieter Napitupulu will join Pdt Dionisius in presiding over the morning and evening prayers.
Thousands also came for Good Friday and Holy Thursday services of three other Christian denominations, held as part of the ‘Easter Triduum’, which ends tomorrow with Easter Sunday to mark the resurrection of the Lord.
At St Columba’s Church, Rt Rev Solomon Cheong, Anglican Assistant Bishop of the Diocese of Kuching (Sarawak and Brunei) and the Vicar of St Columba’s Parish was joined by Assistant Priest Alfred Damu in conducting the Stations of the Cross and Good Friday Services.
Some 1,500 people attended, while hundreds went for the services at Mei Ann Methodist Church presided by Rev Simon Ting, District Superintendent of Methodist Church Miri District ( Miri and Limbang Divisions).
Catholics too came in the thousands for both the Holy Thursday Mass ( Triduum Mass) on Thursday night, and Good Friday Services at St Joseph’s Cathedral, which were jointly presided by Miri Diocese Bishop Richard Ng and Fr Vincent Sta.
Ng in his homily at the Triduum Mass reminded Christians of the two priceless gifts from Jesus – the Eucharist and priesthood.
“Jesus gave Himself totally to us in the Eucharist on Holy Thursday evening and the next day – Friday, He gave Himself on the Cross. The Eucharist too is the representation of the Cross – the fi nal act of love for mankind,” said Ng, who is also the Association of Churches Miri District chairman.
He added that on Holy Thursday, Jesus washing of the feet of the Disciples teaches mankind to serve others, while Easter Sunday commemorates the Resurrection of Jesus.
Jesus gave Himself totally to us in the Eucharist on Jesus gave Himself totally to us in the Eucharist on Holy Thursday evening and the next day – Friday, He gave Himself on the Cross. The Eucharist too is the representation of the Cross – the final act of love for mankind. Richard Ng, Miri Diocese Bishop