Features
01 Feb 2014

Paedo Communion and Chinese New Year Celebration

Source/Author: By James TC Wong

This story was first published at gmc.org.my on February 9.

MIRI - Feb 2 Sunday Worship in Grace Methodist Church (GMC) will be fondly remembered as a historic day in years to come as baptised infants and children partook in their first Holy Communion along with their parents.

In accordance to the 2012 directive given by the General Conference of Methodist Church in Malaysia, GMC like all the SCAC churches in Sarawak, began the necessary preparatory works to allow baptised children even below age of 12 to partake in the Holy Communion.

Sacraments are important in the Methodist Church. A sacrament is an outward and visible sign of an inward and invisible spiritual grace of God.

There are two sacraments in Methodist Church; Baptism and Holy Communion (The Lord’s Supper). Both ordinances given by Christ Jesus are regarded as outward signs through which God gives His grace. When the church participates in them with genuine faith and repentance, blessings and grace of God are experienced and received.

Following the Worship Service, the congregation at the invitation of Rev. Lisa, visited her parsonage to celebrate the Chinese Lunar New Year.

Scr
umptious finger food and tidbits were served as the members enjoyed the auspicious occasion in warm fellowship.

Marie Ling, who was back for the holidays, was visibly elated with Rev. Lisa’s Open House.

“It was encouraging to see everyone mingling with one another today. What a moment to share among brothers and sisters-in-Christ, regardless of race or background. I got the opportunity to really get to know many people, including our Nigerian sisters and not forgetting the delicious steamed dumplings!” said the Year 3 Accounting Undergraduate of Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM).

Expatriate Ayo Ayodele and family also attended
the Open House. “An exciting experience it was to see the congregation young and old coming together to share the Chinese delicacies; I wish our Chinese members good health, peace and abundance in the Year of the Horse,” he added.

Rev. Lisa also visited some members to
serve them the Holy Communion as they were unable to attend church.

The Pastor-in-charge also visit
ed various houses of her flock to rejoice with them the happy occasion.

By James TC Wong,
Grace Methodist Church