ACS Joint Christmas Service set for Thursday in Kuching with 85-member choir and Unimas orchestra

KUCHING (Dec 16): An 85-member combined choir accompanied by the Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas) string orchestra and sape players will feature in this year’s Association of Churches in Sarawak (ACS) Joint Christmas Service to be held this Thursday (Dec 18).

According to ACS secretary-general Elder Ambrose Linang, the ecumenical service will begin at 7.30pm at the ACS Christian Ecumenical Worship Centre at Jalan Stampin here, with the Anglican Church as host.

“This service will be held under the theme ‘Emmanuel, God With Us’ (Matthew 1:23), with the main organising committee chaired by Archdeacon Joseph Dusit from the Anglican Church.

“Anglican Diocese of Kuching Bishop and ACS chairman The Rt Rev Datuk Danald Jute will deliver the Christmas message,” he said during a press conference held at the centre.

Ambrose revealed that prayers and Scripture readings during the service will be delivered in English, Bahasa Malaysia, Mandarin, Iban and Bidayuh Biatah, reflecting the multicultural and multilingual character of Sarawak.

He said that the service will open with a professional carol procession led by the Boys’ Brigade drums and bagpipes, as heads of churches and readers enter the hall bearing Christmas candles.

“The lighting of the Christmas candles by all heads of churches will precede the service, while the Sunday school children of St Thomas’ Cathedral and St Basil’s Church will present a children’s performance entitled ‘God With Us’.

“The strong combined choir, comprising 85 members from ACS member churches, will be conducted by Evelyn Lim and will lead all congregational carols accompanied by an eight-piece Unimas string orchestra and two sape players,” he said.

Ambrose added that the opening prayer will be led by Rev Timothy Ling from the Methodist Church in Sarawak, while the benediction by the heads of churches will be led by Roman Catholic Archbishop of Kuching The Most Rev Dato Dr Simon Poh.

Calling on Christians from all denominations to attend, Ambrose said the joint service symbolises unity in Christ.

“Let us remove among us every divisive spirit and every divided heart. We come together transcending denominational lines to celebrate a shared Saviour, to build and strengthen relationships, and to bring all Christians closer.

“The love of the Cross should be the sign of unity and the presence of the Holy Spirit the seal of fellowship, as Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ — Emmanuel, God with Us.

“All Christian members of the State Assembly and the federal government, heads of departments and community leaders have been invited. As usual, invitations have also been extended to our friends from other faiths, including Buddhists, Hindus, Sikhs and the Bahai community,” he said.

Ambrose also reiterated that ACS continues to uphold the spirit of ‘Segulai Sejalai’, which are togetherness, unity, inclusivity, mutual respect and peace among all Sarawakians, through activities carried out across the state.

He cited strong participation in recent Christmas parades, with more than 7,000 participants in Kuching, over 40,000 in Miri, more than 6,000 in Sibu, and several thousand more in Sarikei, Bintangor, Bintulu, Limbang, Kapit, Mukah, Sri Aman, Serian, Betong and Kota Samarahan.

“Even smaller towns such as Lubok Antu, Saratok and Lundu held Christmas parades for the first time. Some ACS branches also organised Christmas interfaith lunches or dinners, helping to build a shared community,” he said.

He added that these efforts are a testament to ACS’ commitment to fostering a community grounded in love, respect and care, and expressed appreciation for the attendance and support of local elected representatives at these events.

He and the ACS secretariat also took the opportunity during the press conference to extend Christmas greetings and best wishes for the New Year to all.

Those present at the press conference included Jean Foong and Rev Fr Davie Entalai from St Joseph’s Cathedral; Rev Richard Chang, Archdeacon Joseph and Rev Laurence Wah Onn from the Anglican Church; Evelyn Lim of St Thomas’ Cathedral; and Pr Andrew Ganya from the Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) Mission.