(From left) Association of Churches in Sarawak secretary-general Ambrose Lintang and chairman Archbishop Simon Poh and organising chairman Rev Galvin Richard Ngumbang showing the banner of the joint Christmas service to be held in Kuching on Dec 15. - ZULAZHAR SHEBLEE/The Star
KUCHING: After a two-year hiatus due to Covid-19, the Association of Churches in Sarawak (ACS) will once again hold its annual joint Christmas service to bring Christians together in celebration and prayer.
About 2,000 people are expected to attend the service, which will be held at the Christian Ecumenical Worship Centre here on Thursday (Dec 15) with the theme "The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light".
ACS chairman Archbishop Simon Poh said it was time to celebrate in person again after two years of the pandemic.
"Let us come together to pray for the nation and for people who are suffering due to the pandemic," he told a press conference here on Tuesday (Dec 13).
Poh also said Christmas was an occasion for Sarawakians to showcase their unity and harmony as Christians from different races celebrate together.
Representatives from the Buddhist, Hindu, Bahai and Sikh communities have also been invited to attend the service.
"Kuching is the city of unity and Sarawak the land of unity and harmony.
"As we all come together in celebration, let us pray for the spirit of goodwill to prevail in our nation and not allow racial polarisation or religious extremism to destroy the fabric of our society.
"Sarawak can be a model for Malaysia in the way we are all friends and work together for the common good of everyone," Poh said.
ACS secretary-general Ambrose Linang said the Christmas service would feature scripture readings and prayers in Bahasa Malaysia, English, Mandarin, Melanau, Bukar Sadong, Biatah and Iban.
He said a combined choir would lead the singing of Christmas carols.
"This will be ACS' final official event of the year after the Sarawak Day prayer service in July and Christmas parades held recently throughout Sarawak.
"We were very glad to see such a huge turnout of people at the Christmas parades in places like Kuching, Miri, Serian, Sibu, Sarikei, Mukah, Bintulu, Limbang, Bintangor, Sri Aman and Kapit," he said.
Ambrose also said ACS affirmed its commitment towards promoting harmony and unity among all Sarawakians and Malaysians.
"We always strive to strengthen the spirit of belonging, unity and peace because unity and social cohesiveness are the pillars of socioeconomic progress and development," he said.
ACS is the umbrella body of Sarawak's churches and comprises the Anglican, Baptist, Borneo Evangelical Mission, Catholic, Methodist, Seventh-Day Adventist and Salvation Army denominations.
