Association of Churches to hold Sarawak Day Ecumenical Prayer Service

KUCHING (July 16): The Association of Churches in Sarawak (ACS) will hold its Sarawak Day Ecumenical Prayer Service on Thursday (July 18).

To begin at 7.30pm, the service will be held at the Christian Ecumenical Worship Centre (CEWC), Jalan Stampin.

ACS secretary-general Elder Ambrose Linang said this year’s theme is ‘May They All Be One’ with the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Kuching serving as host.

He said ACS called upon all Christians to join the prayer service to show unity and a spirit of goodwill.

“Let us not allow racial polarisation and religious extremism to destroy the fabric of our society, which has been the main engine that has prepared Sarawak and Malaysia,” he said.

“Let us all the time break down walls and make a bridge among all Sarawakians of different faiths. ACS would like to affirm its commitment towards promoting harmony and unity among all the peoples of Sarawak and our nation because unity and social cohesiveness are the pillars of socioeconomic progress and development.”

Archbishop Simon Poh, who is Archbishop of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Kuching, will share a reflection on the theme, while ACS chairman the Rt Rev Datuk Danald Jute, who is Bishop of the Anglican Church in Sarawak and Brunei, will lead the final blessing with all heads of churches.

“The order of the service will cover different themes of Scripture readings and prayers. The recitation of the Holy Scriptures and intercession will be in English, Bahasa Malaysia, Mandarin, Bidayuh Jagoi, or Bukar Sadong, Tamil, Kenyah, and Iban,” Ambrose said.

“Preceding the readings of Scripture and prayers, the hoisting of the Jalur Gemilang and Sarawak flag by a federal minister and state minister respectively.”

He said during the service, there will be prayers for the Head of State, Sarawak government, Premier, and Sarawak Cabinet, lawmakers, and those in authority.

The prayers will call for them to continue to work harmoniously in upholding religious freedom, justice, liberty, political stability, unity, and social inclusivity.

“May blessings be upon Sarawak. We’ll pray for leaders of different faiths, to have mutual understanding and respect among all races and faiths. We’ll pray for all believers to promote true Christian moral values, witness to the community, and contribute to the peace and harmony of our state that they become one.

“We’ll pray for Anak-Anak Sarawak that they continue to ‘Bersatu, Berusaha, Berbakti’ (be united, enterprising, and serve) for Sarawak,” he said.

Ambrose added there will be prayers for peace in the world, as well as for justice and righteousness to prevail in all countries.

The service will also feature a combined choir led by Grace Boniface Deyoi, accompanied by pianists Daniel Steven Lugo and Tristian Daley, as well as sape players Jennifer Santan Liman and Isidore Micah.

All Christian state and federal elected representatives, heads of departments, and leaders of interfaith groups are invited to attend the service in the spirit of ‘Segulai Sejalai’ (moving forward as one).

ACS branches throughout Sarawak will hold similar services.