| Consecration Service marks joyous return for members of Trinity Methodist Church |
 Consecration of Trinity Methodist Church by Bishop
Dr Solomon (far left). With him are leaders and members of the
church. - TMC picture by PATSY MAH. |
| Consecration Service marks joyous return for members of Trinity Methodist Church |
Consecration of Trinity Methodist Church by Bishop
Dr Solomon (far left). With him are leaders and members of the
church. - TMC picture by PATSY MAH. |
By CHAN CHONG WEI
IT WAS a grey morning and the
rain was light. This, however, did not deter the guests and congregations
of all the services in Trinity Methodist Church (TMC) from arriving
on time for the Consecration Service.
Although the service was held in the main sanctuary, the "live"
video-feed brought the congregation in the new worship hall and
the main sanctuary together in worship.
At 10 am, the service began. An organ recital of "Recit de
Nazard", composed by Louis-Nicolas Clerambault, was delightfully
executed by Ms Mary Gan, Principal of the Methodist School of
Music. One particular repertoire favourite was the Spanish hymn,
"Toda la Tierra", which invoked the use of chimes and
bells on the organ. A choral introit completed the opening of
the service with the hymn, "Celebrate the Lord".
After that, TMC Pastor-in-Charge, the Rev Philip Lim, lit the
third advent candle and the chairman of the Church Redevelopment
Committee, Mr P. Sathiasingam, prayed for the church.
Indeed, the Lord's presence was to be celebrated for the many
blessings He had given TMC to carry out His work. Among these
was God's gift of friends and co-workers who voyaged with TMC
as its new destiny was formed. The Rev Lim introduced these people
to the congregation during the time of welcome and greetings and
recalled their invaluable contributions.
Dr Hum Sin Hoon, Chairman of the Local Church Executive Committee
(LCEC), noted the very intimate relationship which TMC has within
the Methodist family. He encouraged the congregation to be mindful
of that connectivity and to savour the moment of thankfulness
for the church given by God.
Congratulatory messages and words of encouragement were then given
by various guests. The newly-elected President of Trinity Annual
Conference (TRAC), the Rev Wee Boon Hup, exhorted church members
to allow the Holy Spirit to indwell them so as to be inflamed
with the same passion that the church of Acts had. He likened
a church with people without passion, to a country club.
Similarly, the immediate past President of TRAC, the Rev Dr Isaac
Lim, also called upon TMC to be "on fire for God".
Before the consecration, Bishop Dr Robert Solomon delivered a
sermon based on the text from 1 Chronicles 29: 10-20. He recounted
one of his experiences in a church in England and spoke about
the problems symptomatic of many churches in that country today,
of which all that remains of these churches are the outward trappings
of establishment - as evidenced by big beautiful cathedrals, shells
to a handful of congregation.
Their current situation challenges TMC to be a church that is
centred on worship, costly discipleship and mission.
Thereafter, the Bishop consecrated the church. In his prayer of
consecration, he gave thanks for God's blessings and asked Him
to transform the church so that His will and purpose for the congregation
may be fulfilled. He closed his prayer by inviting God to take
ownership of His church.
The service ended with a benediction by the Bishop. Our new District
Superintendent, the Rev Dr Jonathan Seet, said grace for lunch
while asking the Lord to supply the needs of the church.
Chan Chong Wei worships at Trinity Methodist Church.