Malaysia Day Service - SCAC News

Sibu experienced new atmosphere this Malaysia Day on 16 September. Burdened with the various needs of the Nation, the churches in the Sarawak Central Zone organized an all-day prayer gathering at the Sibu Gateway. The organizing work first began in March this year. The 25 hours Pray for Malaysia Gathering began at 20:00 hours on 15th September and ended at 22:00 hours on 16th September. The aim of the event is to seek God’s face and ask that He watches over and blesses our Nation.

Opening Ceremony
The opening of the function was marked by the playing of music by the Boy’s Brigade Band of the Wesley Methodist Church at 7:45 pm. By then Pastors from various churches had gathered on the stage. At 8:00pm sharp the national anthem was played and the congregation stood singing the national anthem while the national flag was raised slowly. This was followed by the singing of the state anthem and the raising of the state flag.

After that, 8 members trumpet troop from the 611 Bread of Life Church and the BEM Hosanna Church blew the trumpets symbolizing the call to worship our Lord. The lighting of candles were carried out jointly by ACS Sibu Branch Deputy Chairperson Pastor Ting Leh Na, Prayer United Sarawak Central Zone Chairman Rev Jonathan Wong, Organizing Committee Chairman Rev Bishop Joseph Hii, Sibu MP Oscar Ling and SMC Chairman Datuk Tiong. Representatives from the 21 churches lighted the 7 smaller candles. The 26 persons then lighted the candles of the members of the congregation. The lighted candles symbolized our Lord shining in every corner of the Sarawak Central Zone.

Reconciliation
The Canaan Praise and Worship Team of the Xin Fu Yuan Methodist Church led in the singing of hymns in Chinese, BM and English to worship God. After the opening prayer another choir team, The Grace Singers led in singing “Lord’s Prayer” and “Hosanna” calling the congregation to listen to the preaching.

The Principal of Methodist Theological School Rev. Tie delivered his sermon titled “For God so Loved the World”. He stressed that God loves everyone, irrespective of race or ethnicity. He sent His only son to die so that all who believe in Him can have eternal life. The Lord calls us to love everyone including the Malays and we should confess and apology for not loving them enough. Rev Tie’s sermon was interpreted by Rev. Thomas Law.

God calls His people to repent and turn away from evil practices. We are to seek Him and He will pardon and restore us (2 Chr. 7:14-15). Representatives of different ethnic groups from the Roman Catholic Church, Methodist Church, Anglican Church, BEM Church and independent churches prayed using Iban, English, Foochow, BM and Chinese confessing our sins and asking the Trinity God to forgive us for our lack of love for Him (worship). We also prayed for the church (Great Commandment), for the world (Great Commission) and for His creation (care for surrounding).

While singing “Hari Ini Ku Rasa Bahagia”, the congregation shook hands, greeted each other and prepared for the full day of prayer and worship.

Then Rev. Khoo Ho Peng, Charles Tiong (both from SCAC) and Pastor Limbai Banyang from SIAC led in prayer. The prayer items included family, church, urban and rural needs as well as the needs of the Federal and State Governments. At 11:00 pm District Superintendent Rev Kong Chong Ling led in the closing prayer.

Pray Unceasingly
After the first slot which was led by Methodist Church, the subsequent slots from 2300 hours of Sept 15th till 1800 hours of Sept 16th were led by nearly 30 different churches including the Anglican Church, BEM Bethel, BEM Hosanna, BEM Glory, BEM Immanuel, BEM Sibu Jaya, Gemburu Besai, Sibu and Sarikei churches City Harvest Church, 611 Bread of Life Church in Sibu and Mukah, Living Water Church, Baptist Church, Calvary Church/Sibu Emmanuel Church, Sibu and Bintagor, New Generation Church and representatives from various workplace groups.

The slot from 1800 hours of Sept 16th till 20000 hours was the worship session led by Catholic Church and over 2,000 persons attended the service. Bishop of Sibu Right Reverend Joseph Hii said that Jesus was crucified to save the world, so Christians should also make necessary sacrifices to bringing blessings for the nation. “We are all sinners, we have our own weaknesses and fears, we come with our own empty cup to attend prayer meetings. After 25 hours of unceasing prayer, Jesus heals our bodies and souls and now our cups are full.”

Closing Celebrations
In conjunction with the celebration of the Malaysia Day, the congregation dressed up in different ethnic costumes participated in the closing ceremony. In the last hour of the gathering, programs were presented in English, Iban and Chinese with singing and dancing to praise the Almighty Lord, giving thanks to Him.

Candles were also distributed to the participants, so that everyone could be reminded to be salt and light of the world and learn to sacrifice oneself for others like Jesus and to continue praying after that prayer meeting. Dances and songs at the closing ceremony were presented by members of the Catholic Church, churches of Gemburu Besai, BEM Hosanna and Glory with other BM churches.

Led by Rev Bishop Joseph Hii, all the pastors gathered on the stage. Holding candles, the state or national flags we sang “Malaysia Bagi Kemuliaanmu”, "这是天父世界" and “Celebrate Jesus Celebrate”.

Then the crowd shouted: “Malaysia, God bless you! Malaysia, Jesus cures you! And Malaysia, God be with you!” and shouting “Merdeka!” three times to mark the closing of the 25 hours Pray for Malaysia gathering.

With much enthusiasm the participants returned to daily life praying and asking God to bless the nation and the church.

The Organizing Committee said that the event was jointly organized by the ACS Sibu Branch and the Prayer United Sarawak Central Zone Committee. Churches from six denominations had organized prayer meetings to pray for the success of this event. The estimated number of participants for this event was over 2,000 Christians from around 140 churches of all denominations and independent churches.

When organizing this event, the Organizing Committee witnessed the presence of God; though all the denominations and churches were of different background and worship practices we were all able to unite in Christ and to pray for the nation in unity despite diversity. We also see that God supplied abundantly in financial resources as well as manpower resources. Brothers and sisters in the business field contributed generously and willingly to make this event a success and that even little children were willing to support and contribute. This has greatly encouraged all members of the Organizing Committee.

Through the 25 hours Pray for Malaysia Gathering, the churches have shown we are one in Christ. Prayer brings about transformation in the lives of Christians, reformation of churches and communities are transformed as well.

Reported by Rev. Jonathan Wong