16th Oct 2012 by Donna Uning, Kuching. CM –
Saturday, October 13 – The Archbishop of the Province SEA, Bishop of Kuching, The Most Reverend Datuk Bolly Lapok confirmed 85 members at St. Faith’s Church here in Kuching, Saturday afternoon. Church members, family and friends gathered to witness the memorable service followed by refreshments at the parish hall.
The Archbishop of SEA Bishop of Kuching, The Most Reverend Datuk Bolly Lapok with some of the confirmed candidates.
Following the service, the church also host St. Faith’s 42nd anniversary with the Patronal Dinner Celebration at the Christian Ecumenical Worship Center. The church mission statement is from Matthew 4:10, “Worship the Lord your God and serve Him only” (NIV). The night began with a thunderous blow from an array of shofars and a colorful extravaganza of music, dance and worship by the Music Ministry.
“We are welcomed with a moving worship earlier on. We are gathered here to worship and it is rather appropriate to greet all worshipers as brothers and sisters in Christ without the formalities,” said The Most Revd. Datuk Bolly Lapok during his message.
“The good thing about the gospel is that not just we are adopted by God, but He forgives us each time we fall short of what He wants us to do,” he said about the late start. He also mentioned about attending St. Faith’s Kindergarten graduation in the morning. He pointed out that not just the children who are graduating, but it’s the parents, the parish and its management. “Graduation means you are moving to a new place; that means you have changed, a change from what you were yesterday,” he added.
The Music Ministry team.
“These are precious souls who will advance the Kingdom of God,” he said about the confirmation service in the afternoon. “The children whom I’ve confirmed, the kindergarten children who graduated, whom I touched personally, you are my testimony,” he joked if ever he has difficulty entering the Kingdom of Heaven. He ended his message with an encouraging note for everyone to use such festivities to further expand the kingdom of God.
The Children Ministry performing at the Patronal Dinner Celebration.
Event advisor, The Venerable Canon Nelson Ugas Bulang and Organizing Chairman, Reverend Kamor Diah gave an address and welcoming speech respectively. Also in attendance were present and former St. Faith’s pastors, members of other parishes, and invited guests.
The 90-table festival saw performances by Ministry Jako Iban, Children Ministry, Choir, Girls Brigade, Women’s Fellowship, Chinese Service Congregation, Boys Brigade, Parish Youth Ministry and Ministry Bahasa Malaysia. Over 900 people gathered for the celebration.
A week prior to the confirmation service, some members were also baptized at the Red Bridge, Matang. Earlier in the morning, the Archbishop blessed the opening of the new church lift and attended St. Faith’s Kindergarten graduation. The Most Reverend also preached on the combined Sunday Service.
