Johor Baru Calvary City Church carollers performing at a hotel. — Photos: VENESA DEVI/The Star
CHURCHES in Johor have been bringing early Christmas joy.
In Pasir Gudang, the Iban-speaking Megah Ria Sidang Injil Borneo (SIB) church held their Christmas party early as most of their congregation would be returning to their hometowns in Sarawak for Christmas.
Megah Ria Sidang Injil Borneo holding its Christmas party.
Pastor Yohanes Tijun said, “All of our churchgoers are from Sarawak. This year, our Christmas party was held on Dec 16. Even then, most of them had already made their way back to Sarawak.”
He noted that the party was also held to cheer up those who were unable to return home.
“We had a meal that included a variety of traditional Iban delicacies.
“We continued with prayers, songs and sermons before ending the gathering with a lucky draw,” he said.
Meanwhile, Johor Baru Calvary City Church has been going carolling in Johor Baru and Kulai.
Pastor N. Crystaline said, “About 20 to 30 of our church members joined the Christmas carolling this year. We have carollers as young as six up to those in their 60s.
“We have carolling sessions every weekend. We sang at a hotel and a mall in Johor Baru.
“The carollers also visited six welfare homes and a Rohingya community in Johor Baru.”
She added that the church was unable to carry out the activity in the past two years due to Covid-19.
Church members enjoying a game during the Family Day held by Church of the Immaculate Conception Johor Baru.
Church of the Immaculate Conception Johor Baru held a Family Day to bring cheer.
The Catholic church’s family day organising committee member Adrian Loganathan @ Nathan said the celebration was also in conjunction with the 50th anniversary of the Melaka-Johor Diocese.
“The gathering was held after a multilingual mass on Dec 18.
“Church members tucked into a large spread of food and enjoyed performances, carolling, a Zumba session, a children’s fashion show, lucky draw and games.
“This is our first Family Day since the pandemic started and we are glad that this has lifted people’s spirits,” said Adrian.
About 500 people attended the event at the oldest church in Johor Baru.
