By TAN CHEW LIM
IT WAS approximately the year 960 BC. King
Solomon had just overseen the completion of the construction of
the Temple at Jerusalem and the people held a glorious dedication
celebration. King Solomon prayed and consecrated the temple and
the courtyard. Scores of sacrifices were offered and there was
great rejoicing.
Fast forward to the year 2006, Nov 12. That Sunday evening, a
850-strong congregation from Telok Ayer Chinese Methodist Church
(TACMC) gathered in Telok Ayer Second Sanctuary (TA2) to dedicate
the church building to the Lord. Two years after the completion
of the building at TA2, all loans were fully repaid.
It is for this reason that TACMC members and guests, including
Bishop Dr Robert Solomon, Chinese Annual Confderenc President
the Rev Khoo Cheng Hoot and the two District Superintendents,
the Rev Chua Ooi Suah and the Rev Chong Chin Chung, gathered to
give thanks and to offer the building in dedication to God.
The air of solemnity, the grandeur, the sense of anticipation,
the presence of musicians playing the organ, piano, violin, trumpet,
flute and timpani coupled with choir members dressed in flowing
blue and red robes and the clergy clothed in robes of stately
black - all these were reminiscent of the days of King Solomon.
The Dedication Service commenced promptly at 5 pm. In his address,
the Rev Khoo commended the unity displayed by members. According
to God's calling and in line with the Methodist spirit, members
had contributed generously to the building fund.
The service continued with Mr David Tay Boon Hua, the Associate
Lay Leader, presenting a slideshow report on TA2, which showcased
the historical milestones of TA2, formerly known as Telok Blangah
Chapel.
Thereafter, eight lay officials, on behalf of TACMC, presented
TA2 to Bishop Dr Solomon for its dedication. The Dedication Plaque
was then unveiled by the Bishop and witnessed by the Rev Khoo,
the Rev Chua, the Rev Chong, TACMC's Pastor-in-Charge, the Rev
See Ping Eik, and other TACMC pastors and lay officials. The congregation
also witnessed the consecration of the baptismal font, the pulpit,
the lectern and the Lord's Table.
In his sermon "The Great Commission Church", Bishop
Dr Solomon reminded the church that the Great Commission must
be the reason for every church's existence. The Great Commission
not only meant producing converts, but also the making of disciples.
And how does the church achieve this task?
He suggested that Jesus Christ
presents the church with three means of doing so:
1. Through the Ministry of His Word - Therefore, the pulpit must
be a protected area. Whoever preaches at the pulpit does not preach
from his or her own authority, but from God's authority;
2. Through Baptism - Baptism signifies the fruits of the ministry
of the Word; and
3. Through the Eucharist - where Jesus meets His disciples at
the communion table.
The Bishop then explained that these were the reasons why the
church today prayed for and must continue to pray for the pulpit,
the baptismal font and the Lord's Table.
When we as the church dedicate these items, we are not simply
dedicating articles of furniture or brick and mortar. We are dedicating
ourselves. Hence, when visitors come to the church, they do not
simply admire the architecture - they admire the community.
Indeed, the unity of the community was seen when the congregation
took part in the holy communion administered by the Bishop and
assisted by the pastoral team. Observing the joyful faces on congregation
members, it was clear that the Dedication Service was a moving
experience for many.
The service ended at 7 pm with an anthem beautifully rendered
by the combined Hokkien, Mandarin and English Choir.
I believe what members brought back after the service was this
reminder: That the church was not built for man's glory like the
Tower of Babel but for God's glory so that, as proclaimed by King
Solomon, " … all the peoples of the earth may know that
the Lord is God and that there is no other" (1 Kings 8: 60).
The celebration continued with a dinner held at Dragon Gate Restaurant.
More than 1,000 people attended, filling up 110 tables. Given
TACMC's long heritage, it was apt to invite an Honorary Steward,
Mr Richard Tay Tong Thiam, who is one of the longest-serving members
of TACMC, to start the dinner with an opening prayer.
Throughout the happy event, the atmosphere was lively. Many could
be seen enjoying the meal. Others were milling around looking
for familiar faces and some were chatting intently.
At the start of the eight-course dinner, the TACMC Youth Choir
rendered two songs in a capella. These songs had been earlier
composed by a Youth Choir member, Lin Song En.
Midway through, in appreciation of their officiating the TA2 dedication,
the Rev See presented gifts to Bishop Dr Solomon, the Rev Khoo
and the District Superintendents.
Following this, the Rev Chng Siew Sin, the Associate Pastor, led
three toasts of thanksgiving, glorifying and blessing in honour
of God.
By 9.45 pm, the last dishes were served and the dinner concluded
as guests left in groups with cheery faces engaged in merry chatter
and their families in tow.
Dr Tan Chew Lim is the Lay Leader of Telok Ayer Chinese Methodist
Church.