Lutheran Herald - 3rd Edition 2009

(Matthew 2: 13). And this lay heavily upon him. The result, soon after the birth of Jesus, the whole family escapes a wholesale massacre, and flees to Egypt.

And tradition tells us they left on foot with Mary and child on a donkey!

What a Christmas!

The question for you and me is this. Who am I that I worship this Jesus? All the grand angelic display of heaven pales in the face of the very human problems that our First Family faced that first Christmas.

Bishop & Biskopina at Zion Cathedral 85th Anniversary Service on 22 Dec 2009 ... continue from page 1

My dear members, perhaps, we should make a field trip to Kampong Buah Pala in Penang or Mambang Di Awan in Perak where we can still find a real manger and absorb the experience of the surrounding of the birth of Jesus. I urge you to re-consider, not put aside, the cultural significance of Christmas, our social significance of Christmas to ELCM, our own personal conflicts surrounding Christmas … and meditate upon the first Christmas and return to the intensity of faith that Mary and Joseph have to struggle with to save the innocent child who is our Jesus. We often look to Jesus as our helper, our friend, our saviour, our father, and our redeemer from our troubles... and we seek justification for each of this attitude from none other than the Bible. But there is a Christian spirituality which is entirely different, that is found in the baby Jesus. He was helpless, he could not help, he could not do anything, and he himself needed to be washed and cleaned. Can we love him?

Can we love Jesus the way we love our own infants?

With intensity! Risking all that we possess, including our life, for this child?

Blessed are the poor for they shall enter the kingdom of God. Today, I ask you to be blessed and wear the shoes of the poor and enter the kingdom of God… and I will tell you about the Christmas of Mary and the Christmas of Joseph. Mary was a little more than a child, adapt in the traditions and customs of her people but when it came to giving birth, she had no mother or mother-in-law or even friends with her or relatives … perhaps there was the inn-keeper’s wife to help but the Bible did not say. As far as she was concerned, she only had her husband Joseph.

Joseph took his wife, heavy with child, on a risky journey from the small town of Nazareth to another small town of Bethlehem because he was supposed to register with the Census. Most importantly, it was the fullness of time and by the divine intervention of God Himself, highest hope of both God and men were met in a manger in Bethlehem. Six centuries before the birth of Jesus, prophet Micah inspired by the Lord God, foretold that Jesus would be born in Bethlehem. He prophesied: “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times” – Micah 5: 2 & also see Matthew 2:6. All this took place to fulfill what the Lord has said through the Prophets. Later Joseph had been forewarned of an impending violence by Herod

Christmas is a time to look deep into the eyes of the poor and needy children and seek Jesus there.

Christmas is a time to look at Jesus and without any request for this or that and seek to savour the love an infant gives us in that smile. In fact, I put to you that when Mary saw her infant smile, she saw angels in her sky!

Wishing all members of the ELCM, a joyful Christmas and a blessed New Year!

Rt Rev Dr Solomon Rajah Bishop Evangelical Lutheran Church in Malaysia

“«ô¦À¡ØÐ «ó¾ ¿¡ð椀 §ÁöôÀ÷¸û ÅÂø¦ÅǢ¢ø ¾í¸¢, þáò¾¢Ã¢Â¢§Ä ¾í¸û Á󨾨Âì ¸¡òÐì ¦ ¸ ¡­ ñ Ê Õ ó ¾ ¡ ÷ ¸ û . «ù­§Å¨Ç¢ø ¸÷ò¾Õ¨¼Â à¾ý «Å÷¸Ç¢¼ò¾¢ø ÅóÐ ¿¢ýÈ¡ý, ¸÷ò¾Õ¨¼Â Á¸¢¨Á «Å÷¸¨Çî ÍüÈ¢Öõ À¢Ã¸¡º¢ò¾Ð; «Å÷¸û Á¢¸×õ ÀÂó¾¡÷¸û. §¾Åà¾ý «Å÷¸¨Ç §¿¡ì¸¢: ÀÂôÀ¼¡¾¢Õí¸û; þ§¾¡ ±øÄ¡ ƒÉòÐìÌõ Á¢Ìó¾ ºó§¾¡„ò¨¾ ¯ñ¼¡ìÌõ ¿ü¦ºö¾¢¨Â ¯í¸ÙìÌ «È¢­ Ţ츢§Èý. þýÚ ¸÷ò¾Ã¡¸¢Â ¸¢È¢ŠÐ ±ýÛõ þÃðº¸÷ ¯í¸ÙìÌ ¾¡Å£¾¢ý °Ã¢§Ä À¢Èó¾¢Õ츢ȡ÷. À¢û¨Ç¨Â н¢¸Ç¢ø ÍüÈ¢, Óýɨ½Â¢ø ¸¢¼ò¾¢Â¢Õì¸ì ¸¡ñÀ£÷¸û; þЧŠ¯í¸ÙìÌ «¨¼Â¡Çõ ±ýÈ¡ý. «ó¾ ‡½§Á ÀÃÁ§º¨É¢ý ¾¢Ãû «ó¾ à¾Û¼§É §¾¡ýÈ¢: ‘¯ýɾò¾¢Ä¢Õì¸¢È §¾ÅÛìÌ Á¸¢¨ÁÔõ, âÁ¢Â¢§Ä ºÁ¡¾¡ÉÓõ, ÁÛ„÷ §Áø À¢Ã¢ÂÓõ ¯ñ¼¡Å¾¡¸’ ±ýÚ ¦º¡øÄ¢, §¾Å¨Éò о¢ò¾¡÷¸û” (æ측 2: 8-14).

¸¢¼ì¸ì ¸ñ¼¡÷¸û. À¢û¨Ç ±íÌ À¢Èó¾Ð ±ýÚ ±íÌõ ¦º¡øÄôÀ¼Å¢ø¨Ä. ¿Á측¸ þ§ÂÍ À¢Èó¾¾ý Ó츢ÂòÐÅò¨¾ «È¢óÐ ¦¸¡ûÇ þ§ÂÍÅ¢ý ¸¡Äò¾¢üÌ ¿¡Óõ ¦ºøÄ §ÅñÎõ. «Ð ´Õ Óýɨ½. ±ñ¨½ Å¢Çì̸û ±Ã¢¸¢ýÈÉ, Áí¸Ä¡É ¦ÅÇ¢îºõ ¦¸¡ñ¼ «ó¾ Å£ðÊø À¢ÃºÅò¾¢üÌô À¢ý ²üÀÎõ §¾¨Åì¦¸É «ÅºÃ«ÅºÃÁ¡¸ ͼ ¨Åì¸ôÀð¼ ¿£÷, Á¢Õ¸ò¾¢ý ¾£ÅÉÁ¡¸¢Â ¨Å째¡Ä¢É¡Ä¡É Óýɨ½, Á¢Õ¸í¸Ç¢ý Ð÷Å¡¨¼ ÁüÚõ «ØìÌò §¾¡öó¾ ¾¨Ã ¬¸¢Â¨Åì ¸¡½ôÀθ¢ýÈÉ. ¿Å£É Á¢ý Å¢Çì̸û «í¸¢ø¨Ä. ÅÆÅÆôÀ¡É ¾¨Ã ÁüÚõ Íò¾Á¡É, ͸¡¾¡ÃÁ¡É «¨È¸û «í¸¢ø¨Ä, À¢ÃºÅõ À¡÷ìÌõ ÁÕòÐÅ¸§Ç¡ «øÄÐ À¢üº¢ ¦ÀüÈ ÁÕòÐÅ÷¸§Ç¡ «í¸¢ø¨Ä, ź¾¢Â¡É ÀÎ쨸§Â¡ Àì¸ò¾¢ø §Á¨ºÂ¢ý §Áø ÁÄ÷î ¦ºñ§¼¡ þø¨Ä. ¿õ¨Áô ¦À¡Úò¾Å¨Ã ¿¡õ ¿Á츢ÕìÌõ þò¾¨¸Â ź¾¢¸¨Ç «Äðº¢ÂÁ¡¸ ±ÎòÐì ¦¸¡û¸¢§È¡õ. À¡÷ì¸ô§À¡É¡ø þ§ÂÍ þò¾¨¸Â §Á¡ºÁ¡É ÝÆÄ¢ø À¢Èó¾¡÷ ±ýÚ ¦º¡øÅÐ º¢ÄÕìÌ ÅÕò¾ò¨¾ÂǢ츢ÈÐ. Ţ¡À¡Ã 㾢¢ø «ÆÌÀ¼ º¢ò¾Ã¢ìÌõ ¸¢È¢ŠÁŠ Å¡úòÐ «ð¨¼ô À¼í¸¨Çô §À¡Ä§Å þ§ÂÍÅ¢ý À¢Èô¨Àì ¸¡½ Å¢ÕõÒ¸¢§È¡õ. ¬É¡ø «ôÀÊôÀð¼ ź¾¢Â¢ø þ§ÂÍ À¢Èì¸Å¢ø¨Ä§Â. ¿ÁÐ ¿Å£É ¾Ãò§¾¡Î ´ôÀ¢Î¨¸Â¢ø «Ð ´Õ ź¾¢ Å¡öôÒ þøÄ¡¾ ÝÆø ¾¡ý. þ¨¾ ²¨Æ, ±Ç¢Â Áì¸Ç¡ø ¾¡ý ¿ýÌ ÒâóÐ ¦¸¡ûÇÓÊÔõ.

“§¾Åà¾÷¸û «Å÷¸¨Ç Å¢ðÎô Àçġ¸­­­ò­ ¾¢üÌô §À¡ÉÀ¢ýÒ, §ÁöôÀ÷¸û ´ÕŨæ¡ÕÅ÷ §¿¡ì¸¢: ¿¡õ ¦Àò§Ä¸õ °ÕìÌô §À¡ö, ¿¼ó¾¾¡¸ì ¸÷ò¾Ã¡ø ¿ÁìÌ «È¢Å¢ì¸ôÀð¼ þó¾ì ¸¡Ã¢Âò¨¾ô À¡÷ô§À¡õ Å¡Õí¸û ±ýÚ ¦º¡øÄ¢, ¾£Å¢ÃÁ¡ö ÅóÐ, Á⡨ÇÔõ, §Â¡§ºô¨ÀÔõ, Óýɨ½Â¢ø ¸¢¼ò¾¢Â¢Õì¸¢È À¢û¨Ç¨ÂÔõ ¸ñ¼¡÷¸û. ¸ñÎ, «ó¾ô À¢û¨Ç¨Âì ÌÈ¢òÐò ¾í¸ÙìÌî ¦º¡ø­Ä­ô­ Àð¼ ºí¸¾¢¸¨Ç À¢Ãº¢ò¾õ Àñ½¢É¡÷¸û. §ÁöôÀá§Ä ¾í¸ÙìÌ ¦º¡øÄôÀð¼¨¾ì §¸ð¼ ¡ÅÕõ «¨Å¸¨Çì ÌÈ¢òÐ ¬îºÃ¢ÂôÀð¼¡÷¸û. Á⡧ǡ þó¾ ºí­¸­ ¾¢­¸¨Ç¦ÂøÄ¡õ ¾ý þÕ¾Âò¾¢§Ä ¨ÅòÐ º¢ó¾¨É Àñ½¢É¡û. §ÁöôÀ÷¸Ùõ ¾í¸ÙìÌ ¦º¡øÄôÀð¼¾¢ýÀʧ §¸ðÎ ¸ñ¼ ±øÄ¡­ ÅüÈ¢ü¸¡¸×õ §¾Å¨É Á¸¢¨ÁôÀÎò¾¢, о¢ò­ Ð즸¡ñÎ ¾¢ÕõÀ¢ô §À¡É¡÷¸û” (æ측 2: 1520).

¬Å¢Â¢ø ±Ç¢¨ÁÔûÇÅ÷¸û À¡ì¸¢ÂÅ¡ý¸û; Àçġ¸Ã¡ˆÂõ «Å÷¸Ù¨¼ÂÐ. þýÚ ¿¡ý ¯í¸¨Ç ¬º£÷ž¢ì¸ôÀð¼Å÷¸Ç¡ö, ²¨Æ Áì¸Ç¢ý ¿¢¨Ä¢ø ¯í¸¨Ç ¨ÅòÐô À¡÷òÐ ¸¼×Ç¢ý ሃ¢Âò¾¢ø ѨÆ §¸ðÎì ¦¸¡û¸¢§Èý ...... «ô§À¡Ð Áâ¡Ǣý ¸¢È¢ŠÁŠ, §Â¡§ºôÀ¢ý ¸¢È¢ŠÁ¨…ô ÀüÈ¢ ¯í¸ÙìÌì ÜÚ§Åý. Áâ¡û À¢û¨Çô À¢Ã¡Âò¨¾ Å¢¼ ºüÚ¾¡ý ¦ÀâÂÅû. ¾ý ƒÉò¾¢ý À¡ÃõÀâÂõ ÁüÚõ ÀÆì¸ ÅÆì¸í¸Ç¢ø §¾÷ó¾Åû. À¢ÃºÅ¸¡Äõ Åó¾§À¡Ð «ÅÙìÌ ¾¡Â¡§Ã¡, Á¡Á¢Â¡§Ã¡ «øÄÐ º¢§¿¸¢¾¢¸§Ç¡, ¯ÈŢɧá ܼ þø¨Ä. ´Õ§Å¨Ç ºò¾¢Ã측Ãý Á¨ÉÅ¢ ¯¾Å¢Â¢Õì¸Ä¡õ, ¬É¡ø §Å¾ò¾¢ø «ôÀÊ ÜÈôÀ¼Å¢ø¨Ä. «Å¨Çô ¦À¡Úò¾ÁðÊø §Â¡§ºôÒ ÁðΧÁ ¯¼É¢Õó¾¡ý.

þó¾ À̾¢ ±ÉìÌô À¢Êò¾Á¡É¦¾¡ýÚ. ²¦ÉÉ¢ø «¾¢ø §ÁöôÀ÷¸û, ¾£Å¢ÃÁ¡ö ÅóÐ, Á⡨ÇÔõ, §Â¡§ºô¨ÀÔõ, Óýɨ½Â¢ø ¸¢¼ò¾¢Â¢Õì¸¢È À¢û¨Ç¨ÂÔõ ¸ñ¼¡÷¸û ¦º¡øÄôÀðÊÕ츢ÈÐ. þ¾¢ø ´Õ Á¨È¦À¡Õû ¯ñÎ. «Å÷¸û À¢û¨Ç¨Â Óýɨ½Â¢ø

§Â¡§ºôÒ, ¿¢¨ÈÁ¡¾ì ¸÷ôÀ¢½¢Â¡É ¾ý Á¨ÉÅ¢¨Âì ÜðÊì ¦¸¡ñÎ, ¬Àò¾¡É

“þýÚ ¿¡ý ¯í¸¨Ç ¬º£÷ž¢ì¸ôÀð¼Å÷¸Ç¡ö, ²¨Æ Áì¸Ç¢ý ¿¢¨Ä¢ø ¯í¸¨Ç ¨ÅòÐô À¡÷òÐ ¸¼×Ç¢ý ሃ¢Âò¾¢ø ѨÆ §¸ðÎì ¦¸¡û¸¢§Èý ......”

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Áâ¡Ùõ, §Â¡§ºôÒõ ¦¸¡ñÊÕó¾ «ó¾ ¾£Å¢ÃÁ¡É Å¢ÍÅ¡º ¯Ú¾¢ìÌ ¿¡Óõ Åà §ÅñÎõ. «§¿¸ ºÁÂí¸Ç¢ø ¿¡õ þ§ÂͨÅ, ¿ÁÐ º¸¡Âá¸×õ, ¿ñÀá¸×õ, Ãðº¸Ã¡¸×õ, À¢¾¡Å¡¸×õ, ÐýÀí¸Ç¢ø ¿õ¨Á Á£ðÀÅá¸×õ À¡÷츢§È¡õ. þó¾ ´ù¦Å¡Õ ±ñ½í¸ÙìÌõ ¬¾¡ÃÁ¡¸ §Å¾¡¸Áò¨¾§Â ¦¸¡ñÊÕ츢§È¡õ. ¬É¡ø þ§ÂÍ À¡Ä¸É¢ø §ÅÚÅ¢¾Á¡É ´Õ ¸¢È¢ŠÐÅ ¬ýÁ£¸ ¸ÕòÐõ ¯ñÎ. þ§ÂÍ À¡Ä¸ý, À¢È÷ ¯¾Å¢¨Â §ÅñÊ ¿¢üÌõ À⾡ÀÁ¡É ¿¢¨Ä¢ø, ¾¡Á¡¸ ¯¾Å¢ ¦ºö þÂÄ¡¾, ÍÂÁ¡¸ ±Ð×õ ¦ºöÐ ¦¸¡ûÇ ÓÊ¡¾ ¿¢¨Ä¢ø, ´Õ ÌÆó¨¾Â¡¸, À¢È÷ «Å¨Ãì ¸ØÅ¢, Íò¾õ ¦ºö §ÅñÊ ¿¢¨Ä¢ø þÕó¾¡÷. þÅâø ¿¡õ «ýÒÜà ÓÊÔÁ¡? ¿ÁÐ À¢û¨Ç¸¨Ç §¿º¢ôÀЧÀ¡ø þŨà ¿¡õ §¿º¢ì¸ ÓÊÔÁ¡? ¾£Å¢ÃÁ¡¸! ¿õÁ¢¼õ ¯ûÇ ±øÄ¡Åü¨ÈÔõ, ƒ£Åý ¯ðÀ¼ ¡Åü¨ÈÔõ, þó¾ô À¢û¨Ç측¸ þÆì¸ò н¢§Å¡Á¡?

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Finally, excellence involves both talent and skill, Talent is the gift we are endowed with by the Lord.

In this we have absolutely no control. Either we have talent or no talent. But skill is something that we can acquire, develop and sharpen. All world class athletes know that pure talent is not enough to win honours.

(2 Cor 8:7)

xcellence means outstanding, exceptional, better. The Scriptures teaches us that excellence is something that honours God ( 1 Cor 10:31;15:58b ) God, on the other hand, is displeased with mediocre, less than excellent services ( Rev 3:15-16; Mal 1: 6-14 ) To pursue excellence for Christ involves at least three things.

Firstly, we must strive for our best in everything we do. Paul commends us that in whatever we do, in word or in deed, we do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus. Can we do things half-heartedly, doing the bare minimum in the name of the Lord ? The people during Malachi’s time thought they could,only to see indicted in the severest terms. So whatever we preach, teach or serve in whatever capacity, great or small we must strive to give our very best.

Michael Jordan may be the most talented basketball player in his time, but his success came only when he devoted thousands and thousands of hours honing his skills in practice. Thank the Lord for the talents you have been given and then seek to acquire and develop the skills that will complement your talents to achieve excellence. A young artist came to an old master for advice, The master told him, “ you are very talented but not very skilled.’ unlike many gifted young person who would see that as an insult, this young man understood what the old master said and worked hard to acquire the required skills on his way to be a great artist.

Secondly, we must strive for the best; this goes beyond our personal best. to excel means striving to be the best. In sports, you don’t win prizes for doing just your best.You win when you have done your best in the competition. some may argue that this kind of competitive spirit is alien to the gospel of Jesus Christ. But is it? Read what Paul said in 1 Cor 9:24. Do you not know in a race all the runners compete, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it.

As we approach the New Year, let us press forward not for personal glory but for Christ, for His glory and honour. Our one purpose is to pursue excellence for Christ in the fulfillment of the Great Commission and with the leading of the Holy Spirit we will accomplish the will of the Father in our efforts to expanding and strengthening our beloved church

Sometimes when we say “we are just doing the best we can .” I suspect that we are trying to cover up our mediocrity. God deserves the best, not your personal best.

EDITOR

¸¼×û, ¯ýÛ¨¼Â ¾É¢î º¢ÈôÒì¸øÄ, «¾¢¸ º¢ÈôÀ¢ü§¸ ¾Ì¾¢Â¡ÉÅ÷. þÚ¾¢Â¡¸, º¢ÈóРŢÇíÌÅÐ ±ýÀÐ þÂøÒò¾¢Èý ÁüÚõ ¦ºö¾¢Èý þÃñ¨¼Ôõ ¦¸¡ñ¼Ð. ¬ñ¼Åáø ¿ÁìÌ ¦ÅÌÁ¾¢Â¡¸ì ¦¸¡Îì¸ôÀðÊÕìÌõ ¾¡ÄóÐ þÂøÒò¾¢Èý. þÐ ¿ÁÐ ¸ðÎôÀ¡ðÊüÌõ «ôÀ¡üÀð¼Ð. ¿ÁìÌ þó¾ ¾¡ÄóÐ ´Õ§Å¨Ç þÕìÌõ «øÄÐ þÕ측Ð. ¬É¡ø ¦ºö¾¢È¨É ¿¡õ ÓÂýÚ ¦ÀüÚì ¦¸¡ûÇ ÓÊÔõ, «¨¾ ÅÇ÷òÐì ¦¸¡ûÇÄ¡õ ÁüÚõ Ü÷¨ÁôÀÎò¾¢ì ¦¸¡ûÇÄ¡õ. ¦ÅÚõ þÂøÒò¾¢Èý ÁðΧÁ ¦ÅüÈ¢ Å¡¨¸ ݼ §À¡ÐÁ¡É¾øÄ ±ýÚ ¯Ä¸ò ¾Ã Å¢¨Ç¡ð¼¡Ç÷¸ÙìÌò ¦¾Ã¢Ôõ. ¨Á째ø §ƒ¡÷¼ý, «Å÷ ¸¡Äò¾¢ø Á¢¸îº¢Èó¾ ܨ¼ô ÀóРŢ¨Ç¡ð¼¡ÇḠþÕó¾¢Õì¸Ä¡õ. ¬É¡ø «Å÷ ÀÄ ¬Â¢Ãì¸½ì¸¡É Á½¢ §¿Ãí¸û À¢üº¢Â¢ø ®ÎÀðÎ, ¾ý ¾¢È¨É ÅÇ÷òÐì ¦¸¡ñ¼¾¡ø¾¡ý ¦ÅüÈ¢ ¸ñ¼¡÷. ¸¼×û ¯ÉìÌì ¦¸¡Îò¾¢ÕìÌõ þÂøÒò¾¢Èý ¾¡Äó¾¢ü¸¡¸ ¿ýÈ¢ÜÕ. «ó¾ò ¾¡Äó¨¾ «¾¢¸ôÀ¼î ¦ºöÂ, ܼ§Å ¦ºö¾¢È¨ÉÔõ ÓÂýÚ ¦ÀüÚ, ÅÇ÷òÐì ¦¸¡ñ¼¡ø, º¢ÈôÀ¡¸ Å¢Çí¸¢, ¦ÅüÈ¢¦ÀÈÄ¡õ.

º¢ÈóРŢÇíÌÅÐ ±ýÀÐ, Ò¸úÁ¢ì¸, ¾É¢ò¾ý¨Á Å¡öó¾, ÁüȨŸ¨Ç Å¢¼ ¾Ãò¾¢ø ¯Â÷ó¾ ±ýÚ ¦À¡ÕûÀÎõ. º¢ÈóРŢÇíÌÅÐ ±ýÈ¡ø ¸¼×¨Ç Á¸¢¨ÁôÀÎòоø ±ýÚ §Å¾õ ¿ÁìÌì ÜÚ¸¢ÈÐ (1 ¦¸¡Ã¢.

10:31; 15:58). Á¡È¡¸, ¿¡õ Á¢¸î º¡¾¡Ã½Á¡¸§Å ÓÂüº¢ ¦ºöÐ ¦¸¡ñÎ, º¢ÈôÒì ̨Èó¾ °Æ¢Âõ ¦ºöÔõ §À¡Ð, ¸¼×û «¾¢ø «¾¢Õô¾¢ ¦¸¡û¸¢È¡÷ (¦ÅÇ¢. 3:1516; Áø¸¢Â¡ 1:6-14). ¸¢È¢ŠÐ×측¸ ¿¡õ º¢ÈóРŢÇí¸ ÓÂüº¢ ¦ºöžüÌ ãýÚ ¸¡Ã¢Âí¸Ç¢ø ®ÎÀ¼ §ÅñÎõ. Ӿġž¡¸, ¿¡õ ¦ºöÔõ ±øÄ¡ÅüÈ¢Öõ º¢ÈóРŢÇí¸ô §Àá¼ §ÅñÎõ. Å¡÷ò¨¾Â¡Öõ, ¦ºÂÄ¡Öõ ¿¡õ ±¨¾î ¦ºö¾¡Öõ ±øÄ¡ü¨ÈÔõ ¬ñ¼Å÷ þ§ÂÍÅ¢ý ¿¡Áò¾¢ø ¦ºö §ÅñÎõ ±ýÚ À×ø ÌÈ¢ôÀ¢Î¸¢È¡÷. ¬ñ¼Åâý ¿¡Áò¾¢ø «¨Ã Ì¨È Áɧ¾¡Î, ̨Èó¾ Àðºõ ¦ºö¾ø §À¡ÐÁ¡? Áø¸¢Â¡Å¢ý ¸¡Äò¾¢ø þÕó¾ Áì¸û «ùÅ¡§È ¿¢¨Éò¾É÷. À¢ý ¸Î¨Á¡¸ ÌüÈﺡð¼ôÀðÎ, «¾ý Å¢¨Ç׸¨Çî ºó¾¢ò¾É÷. ±É§Å ¿¡õ ±¨¾ô §À¡¾¢ò¾¡Öõ, ¯À§¾º¢ò¾¡Öõ, °Æ¢Âò¾¢ø ±ó¾Å¢¾ Àí¨¸ ¬üȢɡÖõ, «Ð ¦À⧾¡ «øÄÐ º¢È¢Â§¾¡, ±¾¢Öõ ¿¡õ º¢ÈóРŢÇí¸ ÓÂÄ §ÅñÎõ.

´Õ þÇõ µÅ¢Âý ´ÕÅý, ´Õ Ó¾¢Â ¬º¢Ã¢Ââ¼õ ¬§Ä¡º¨É §¸ð¸ Åó¾¡ý. ¬º¢Ã¢Â÷ «ÅÉ¢¼õ, “¿£ þÂøÀ¡¸§Å ¾¢Èý À¨¼ò¾Åý, ¬É¡ø §À¡ÐÁ¡É «Ç× ¦ºö¾¢Èý ¯ýÉ¢¼õ þø¨Ä” ±ýÈ¡÷. º¢Ä ºÁÂõ þÂøÒò¾¢Èý Á¢ì¸ ÀÄ Å¡Ä¢À÷¸û þ¾¨É ´Õ «ÅÁ¡ÉÁ¡¸ ±ÎòÐì ¦¸¡ûÅÐ §À¡ø «øÄ¡Áø þó¾ þÇõ Å¡Ä¢Àý, Ó¾¢Â ¬º¢Ã¢Â÷ ¦º¡ýɨ¾ô ÒâóÐ ¦¸¡ñ¼¡ý. «¾ýÀ¢ý ´Õ ¦À⠵ŢÂážüÌ §ÅñÊ ¦ºö¾¢È¨Éì ¸ÊÉÁ¡¸ ¯¨ÆòÐô ¦ÀüÚì ¦¸¡ñ¼¡ý.

þÃñ¼¡Å¾¡¸, º¢ÈôÀ¡É¾üÌ §À¡Ã¡¼ §ÅñÎõ; þÐ ¿ÁÐ ¾É¢î º¢ÈôÒìÌõ «ôÀ¡üÀð¼Ð. º¢ÈóРŢÇíÌÅÐ ±ýÀÐ ¯Â÷ó¾ ¾Ãò¾¢ü¸¡¸ô §À¡Ã¡ÎÅÐ. Å¢¨Ç¡ðÎô Àó¾Âò¾¢ø º¢ÈôÀ¡¸ ÁðÎõ ¦ºö¾¡ø À⨺ ¦ÅøÄ ÓÊ¡Ð. §À¡ðÊ¢ø «¾¢¸ º¢ÈôÀ¡¸î ¦ºö¾¡ø¾¡ý ¦ÅüÈ¢¦ÀÈ ÓÊÔõ. þò¾¨¸Â §À¡ðÊ ÁÉôÀ¡ý¨Á þ§ÂÍ ¸¢È¢ŠÐÅ¢ý ÍÅ¢§º„ò¾¢üÌ ´ùÅ¡¾Ð ±ýÚõ º¢Ä÷ ÜÈÄ¡õ. ¬É¡ø «ôÀÊ¡? À×ø 1¦¸¡Ã¢ó¾¢Â÷ 9:24ø ±ýÉ ÜÚ¸¢È¡÷ ±ýÚ Å¡º¢Ôí¸û. “Àó¾Â º¡¨Ä¢ø µÎ¸¢ÈÅ÷¸¦ÇøÄ¡Õõ µÎÅ¡÷¸û; ¬¸¢Öõ, ´ÕÅ§É Àó¾Âò¨¾ô ¦ÀÚÅ¡¦ÉýÚ «È¢Â£÷¸Ç¡? ¿£í¸û ¦ÀüÚì ¦¸¡ûÇò¾ì¸¾¡¸ µÎí¸û” ±ý¸¢È¡÷. º¢Ä ºÁÂí¸Ç¢ø ¿¡õ, “¿õÁ¡ø ÓÊó¾ «ÇÅ¢üÌ º¢ÈôÀ¡¸ò¾¡ý ¦ºö¸¢§È¡õ” ±ýÚ ¦º¡øÖõ§À¡Ð, ¿¡õ Á¢¸î º¡¾¡Ã½Á¡¸§Å ÓÂüº¢ ¦ºöÐÅ¢ðÎ «¨¾ ãÊ Á¨Èì¸ô À¡÷츢§È¡õ ±ýÚ ºó§¾¸¢ì¸¢§Èý.

Òò¾¡ñ¨¼ ¦¿Õí¸¢ì ¦¸¡ñÊÕìÌõ ¿¡õ, ¿ÁÐ Í ¦ÀÕ¨Á측¸ «øÄ¡Ð ¸¢È¢ŠÐ×측¸, ¸¢È¢ŠÐÅ¢ý Á¸¢¨Á, ¸ÉòÐ측¸ Óý§É¡ì¸¢î ¦ºø§Å¡Á¡¸. ¯ýɾ «¨Æô¨À ¿¢¨È§ÅüÚž¢ø, ¸¢È¢ŠÐ×측¸ º¢ÈóРŢÇí¸ ÓÂüº¢ ¦ºö¾ø ¿ÁÐ ´Õ §¿¡ì¸Á¡¸ þÕ츢ÈÐ. ±É§Å ÀâÍò¾ ¬Å¢Â¢ý ÅÆ¢¿¼òо§Ä¡Î, ¿ÁÐ ¾¢ÕÀ¨Âô ¦ÀոöÐ, ¦ÀÄôÀÎòÐõ ÓÂüº¢Â¢ø À¢¾¡Å¢ý º¢ò¾ò¨¾ ¿¢¨È§ÅüڧšÁ¡¸. ¬º¢Ã¢Â÷

BISHOP’S ADDRESS at the

DIOCESAN ASSEMBLY (DA) Ancasa All suites Resort & Spa, Port Dickson: 11th- 13th September 2009

Expanding: (a) Building Membership: Each One Reach One Each Year ( Mark 1:17 ) (b) Opening New Areas of Ministry: Targetted Work- deploying,developing and educating our members. (c) Streamlining and Coordinating all Auxiliary Activities and Existing Programmes: Think like a management team (d) Increasing in Diakonia Ministries: Theological and ministry training of women in their churches. Launching of Deaconess training programme in August 2009 (e) Improving Revenue Sources

Bishop Dr Solomon Rajah, in his maiden address to the DA touched on the following points:There can be no other foundation for a church than Jesus Christ himself. In Jesus we have the truth. In our momemt of darkness we fall and rise to Jesus in our moments of triumphs. This is our Christian life.

Action animated by our faith - As people of God, we are Malaysians, and secondly we are largely Indians. We have to uphold the law and take up our Malaysian citizenship seriously by participating in the social processes to create a just society.

One single factor: Change - silent or loud, our witness in this world is built on one single factor: change ! In order to grow we need to get out from our comfort zone. A church should grow and growth is change. Perhaps a Think Tank group in every congregation would be helpful.

Improving our Revenue Sources Firstly we need to forgive any past lapses.

Secondly, we need to develop a policy on the management of church property to guide us in future decision making that are more transparent.

Thirdly, members have to improve their contributions so that the Diocesan commitment at least covers the salary of a pastor. We must be faithful to our tithing.

Fourthly, church accounts should be transparent and sent to the Diocesan Office in time in order to build a culture of financial responsibility.

Fifthly, congregations should model their projects profitability: after all, even the best of charity can be ruined if it is run at a loss.

Sixthly, Our local leadership should also become competent fund-raisers.

Strengthening and Expanding Hence, my twofold diocesan objective that would strategize my tenure as the Bishop of ELCM, God Willing, for the next decade is: STRENGTHENING and EXPANDING. Here I have outlined it as follows: Strengthening: (a) Nurturing Spiritual Growth: reach out and touch the lives of others. (b) Self- Reliant Projects:e.g goat and cow farm in Taiping (c) Clergy and Lay Leadership Training: valuable asset in any organization (d) Building Bilateral Church Relations: gather them to the Lord (e) Capacity Building

May God help us build his Kingdom ! Let us, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Malaysia leave our mark in history. Let Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour be glorified. May the Lord Jesus bless you and keep you always.

2009

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he Diocesan Assembly (DA) was held from Friday 11th September to Sunday 13th September at Ancasa All Suites Resort & SPA, Port Dickson.Over 70 delegates both clergy and lay attended the Assembly. There was generally a spirit of camaraderie, fellowship and oneness within the family of Christ. Registration of delegates started from 3.00pm and was followed by tea at 5.00pm. The Bishop in welcoming the delegates to the DA, said that the Assembly was his first as Bishop and thanked them for taking time off to come to the DA. He hoped that the proceeding of the DA in the next two days would be beneficial and fruitful for all delegates. The first session started at 5.30pm with the devotion led by Rev. S Karthik who expounded a text from Romans 12:3-8. He used the analogy of the elephant and the six blind men who quarreled among themselves very often.

The lesson learned from this analogy was that we in the church need to hear and share our varied experiences with each other when we come together as DA delegates. The DA has been organized to listen, and study the problems together.

We are spiritually blind and need our Lord to build us up and bring us together. Together we study the word of God and listen to the Bishop’s plans for strengthening and expanding the ELCM. A minute of silence was observed for the late Bishop Julius D. Paul, Dr A.Victor and Rev Dialan Samipillai. The key proceedings commenced with the Bishop’s Presidential Address at 8.00pm after dinner.The Bishop’s message was centered on two aspects:we need to be bold witnesses and we need to change our thinking. He had visited the various churches and there is scope for expansion and strengthening in the area of membership. Just as Jesus humbled himself, we need to humble ourselves if we want our church to grow. Jesus has passed on the responsibility to us and has given everything for our salvation. Our faith should be reflected in our actions.

We must shine like a lamp set on a hill.

Our mission here is to uphold the law and take our Malaysian citizenship seriously by participating in the social processes and to ensure a just society.

We see changes everywhere, but the gospel does not change. How are we to pass on the gospel to others? All growth is change. The flower becomes a fruit and the Lord allows growth. There is an urgent need to move out from our comfort zone.

2. How to increase the below 35 age group?

3. Why ELCM congregations are not able to do mission work?

The ELCM must grow and experience changes in the years to come. There is also a need to find new ways of presenting the Word of God in a more stimulating way and look to the needs of our people around us. Perhaps the setting up of a think tank group in every congregation will be helpful. The Bishop announced his two-fold Diocesan objective and the strategies he hoped to use during his tenure as Bishop, God Willing, for the next decade: strenghtening and expanding the ELCM. The delegates were divided into 8 groups to discuss 3 important questions on the ELCM 5 year Plan: 1. What are the obstacles preventing our church from growing?

2. How to retain our youths?

3. How to strengthen and expand our congregation?

On Saturday 12th September, the morning devotion was led by Rev Paul Raj who expounded a text from Nehemiah 1:2-3.

In his message, Rev Paul stressed that members should stop blaming others and ask themselves what they as individuals could contribute to the church. In the next session which followed, Rev Balan Moses was elected as a member of the Diocesan Council. The Diocesan secretary, Mr Silas Das presented the Annual Report of the DC. He concluded his report and urged the members to follow the Bishop’s desire to strenghten and expand the ELCM. Rev Albert Vijay Joseph presented a paper on the Future of Tamil Worship Services.

Group discussion took place to answer 3 questions: 1. Do all Pastors know Tamil ?

2. Do children attending Tamil Services with their parents know Tamil?

3. Should the teaching of Tamil in Sunday Schools be made compulsory?

Rev Steven Lawrence took the Assembly through the ELCM Census as at 31st December 2008. There were group discussion and presentations on the following 3 questions pertaining to the ELCM Census as at 31 December 2008.

1. How to implement the “Each One Reach One Each Year” membership drive?

Rev Steven Lawrence, in introducing the paper “ Future of Traditional Mainline Churches like the ELCM” stressed that there was a need to determine the cause of losing large portions of youths and members to other churches. Rev Steven in his conclusion, stated that in order to be relevant in the 21st century, we as a church need to take bold steps of change in order to strengthen and expand our Diocese which is part of God’s Kingdom without jeopardizing the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The following three questions were discussed by the discussion group: 1. Is Charismatic worship the right form of worship?

2. Is church politics affecting our youth, if so, how to rectify this area?

3. What is the level of church’s involvement in terms of finance?

On Sunday 13th September, the final day of the Assembly, the Bishop celebrated Holy Communion with the delegates. His message was based on Mark 1:17. The special offering amounting to RM1,183.10 was handed over to Rev Steven Lawrence to cover the medical expenses incurred for his daughter. The Diocesan Treasurer, Mr.A. Selvaraj tabled the Audited Annual Accounts as at 31st December 2008 and the Annual Operating Budget 2010 after the coffee break.

The Bishop, in his closing address, said that he was working towards the integrity of the office of the Bishop and added that he would strive to improve the image of the ELCM. He thanked all Pastors and urged every delegate to support their Pastors in their ministries. The Bishop also thanked the DC adding that the DC worked as a team. He urged every delegate to expand his or her respective congregation. The DA was brought to a close with prayer

by Rev Caleb Santhosam and a vote of thanks to the Chairman. Many delegates felt that the various sessions, sharing, particularly the group discussions and fellowship and just being there was an experience by itself. Delegates left with great excitement and expectations.

To God be the glory!

leadership skills but also for assistance and guidance in their school work. All of them are non- believers and are thirsty for the gospel. The Home comes under the direct supervision of the Northern District Pastor, Rev. Michael John and a local family, Mr & Mrs Alex Samipillai.

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stablished in 1966, Bethany Home continues to grow leaps and bounds and over the years it has also been successful in finding suitable employment for many of the children. Bethany Home has about 200 children under its care and is managed

by 25 caring and dedicated staff. The ELCM is deeply grateful to Dr. A Victor, the former Chairman who passed away on 16th May 2009. The management committee is made up of 6 members from the ELCM including Dr. Sylvian Das, the present Chairman and 6 members from the community and a representative from the Jabatan Kebajikan Masyarakat, Perak.

The services provided by the Home are educational program, auxiliary services, training pre-employment training, sheltered employment and open employment.

Highlights of the year are staff training,sports,integra tion, camp, outing and social function. The ELCM is grateful to the Director Mr. Jayasingh Rajiah and the Deputy Director Ms. Chandra Pitchai for their dedicated services to the Home.

Rumah Rapha This ministry which started in Taiping in July 2001, continues to focus building and motivating young people from the estates to develop their leadership skills and provide employment opportunities. Every Friday about 30 children from the neighbouring estate comes to Rumah Rapha for 2 days training not only in

Rumah Hope Rumah Hope, initiated

by Good Hope Church has some 60 children under its care. It was started in 1994 as part of the Good Hope Church ministry, it has grown from 8 to 60 children in 2009.

It meets the needs of abused, abandoned and neglected children. Some of these children have accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour. The ELCM is indebted to the dedicated and committed services of the former Chairperson Dr. Christie Samuel, the present Chairman Mr. David Ramoo and the management Committe.

Sister Santha Paul continues to be the Director of Rumah Hope.

Rumah Chrestus Set up in 2001 by the Cheras Lutheran Congregation, Rumah Chrestus has made its impact in the society. It is managed by a 7 member management Committee of whom are members of the Cheras Lutheran Congregation.

The present Chairman of the Home is Mr. James Samuel and Rev. Steven Lawrence, the Pastor of the Cheras Lutheran Congregation is the Advisor. The home provides accomondation and education for the 10 underprivileged children under its care.

Women’s Hostel ( Bangunan Lutheran ) The Women’s Hostel started its operations in 1986 with the aim of providing safe and affordable accommodation for female students and working women in Kuala Lumpur. The hostel is always in demand. We are indeed indebted to Ms Gladys Rajaratnam, the Warden for managing the Hostel well.

Currently the hostel has 70 residents under its care.

The Demise of Rev Dialan Samy Pillai, the Pastor in Charge of the Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Sungai Sumun, Teluk Intan passed away peacefully in his home on 5th August 2009. His untimely demise was a shock to all family members, members of the church and the local community. The casket was brought from Teluk Intan by his members to the family home in Kajang. The funeral service was held at the Zion Cathedral at 1.00 pm on 6th August 2009.

Bishop Solomon Rajah who conducted the funeral service said that the late pastor was loved by all pastors, members and friends. His life has been a testimony and he had been faithful and a dedicated servant of the Lord. The late Rev. Dialan leaves behind his beloved wife Mrs Grace Rani and four children: Jessy, Sam, Jasmin and Shalom. Pastors and members formed a long queue to bid farewell to a dear friend and console the family members on their loss. He was laid to rest in the Subang Lutheran Garden.

Rev. Dialan was born on 8th August 1952 in Taiping to the late Mr Samy Pillai and Madam Martha, pioneer members of Matang Lutheran Church. In 1980 he was the Senior Instructor in NAITC, Ulu Gentam, Kuala Pilah and guided many students to become successful in their careers. He was also actively involved in Christian Fellowship and church work.A man of talents Rev. Dialan was loveable and a self-disciplined person. He was commissioned as an Evangelist in 2002 and served Mount Sinai Lutheran Church Kuala Pilah. He served the families from Orissa and the people in the urban areas. In addition, he served the Maranatha Outreach Centre and led many lay leaders and members towards the growth of the Outreach Centre.

Rev. Dialan was ordained into the Holy Ministry by the late Bishop Julius D. Paul in the Zion Cathedral on 31st October 2006. In early 2007, he was appointed the Pastor in charge of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church. He was their spiritual leader, brother and friend and the many families whom he came in contact. He visited his beloved family members in Kajang on August 2, 2009 and conducted his final house prayer meeting in Teluk Intan on August 5, 2009. This humble servant of God was a faithful and a dedicated man and a shining witness of humility, kindness and uprightness in the church. He will serve as an inspiration to many and we praise and thank God for his sterling qualities of leadership, and his positive impact on many lives. Our deepest condolences and love are with Mrs Grace Rani and the children at this time. “ Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints “ ( Psalm 116:15 )

• Mr. Nobbel Moses, the younger brother of Sister Nancy Clemons passed away peacefully on 10th August 2009. The funeral service was held at the Zion Cathedral on 11th August 2009.

• Mr. Fredrick Selvaraj Walters, brother-in-law of Mr & Mrs. Joseph Clemons entered into glory on 24th August 2009 in Canada.

• Madam Dasiy Roseline Ebenezer, mother of Mrs. Flora Somraj passed away peacefully on 07.11.2009. The funeral service was held at St. Barnabas Church, Klang on 08.11.2009.

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Bishop & Diocesan Secretary at Charis Seremban Dedication on 16.08.2009

ELCM Deaconess Training Programme launched on 08.08.2009.

CCM Merdeka Thanksgiving Service held at Trinity Methodist Church on 30.08.2009.

Holy Cross Family Retreat on 28.08.2009 – 30.08.2009 at PD Lutheran Centre.

Sangar & Anitha at their Wedding on 05.09.2009.

Bishop at the Luther House Celebration on 30 – 31.08.2009.

Good Samaritan Jumble Sale on 03.10.2009.

Candidate Ebenezer on his ordination on 06.09.2009 at ALC India.

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Bethany Home Thanksgiving Service and 43rd Anniversary Celebration on 03.10.2009.

Sunday School Teacher’s Training: Northern District on 10.10.2009.

Bishop with Local Council Members at Dedication of Good Shepherd’s premises on 11.10.2009.

Holy Cross and Bethesda Youth exchange program at Bethesda from 24.10.2009 – 25.10.2009.

Bishop with delegates at the LWF Council meeting in Geneva from 17.10.2009 – 10.11.2009

Suresh Peter & Caroline Victor at their wedding on 24.10.2009.

Wangsa Maju Family Retreat at PD Lutheran Centre from 30.10.2009 – 01.11.2009

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Mohana Kumaran & Maria Kuvala Krishnan at their Wedding on 31.10.2009

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Bishop Rededicating New Jerusalem sanctuary on 14.11.2009.

CCM Medical Camp at Holy Cross premises on 07.11.2009.

Commissioning of Bro. Jegan as Candidate to the Holy Ministry on 14.11.2009.

Church of Victory Food & Fun Fair on 14.11.2009

Bishop and Central District Pastors at the cemetery of late Bishop Julius D. Paul on 23.11.2009

Bishop confirming Confirmands at Zion Cathedral 85th Anniversary Service on 22.11.2009.

Bishop launching ELCM Archives on 22.11.2009

Edward Das & Kumareswari at their wedding on 28.11.2009

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Pastors and Congregation members at Central District Candle Light Service and Fellowship on 29.11.2009

Central District Children’s Carnival on 27.11.2009 at Zion.

– A Brief History Zion Church was the first Lutheran Church building in Malaysia, formerly Malaya. It was built through the efforts of our forefathers. The foundation stone was laid on 11th November 1922 and dedicated by the late Rt. Rev. J. Sandergren, Bishop of Tranquebar on the 30th of November 1924. Seventy pioneer Lutheran members bought a piece of land for $2,900.00 and on it erected a building costing $16,000.00 and as a place of worship, presently known as Zion Cathedral. The Pastor in-Charge was the late Rev. Muthuswami who played a vital role in its formative years.

This Thanksgiving Holy Communion Service was attended about a capacity of 300 members and well wishers. During the service 11 Confirmants were confirmed by our Bishop. The Pastor in-Charge, Rev. David Devapurian and the Cathedral Local Council would like to thank all members for the prayers and support during the years.

Group Photograph: Zion Cathedral’s 85th Anniversary on 22.11.2009

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Law according to been given by the same good God and for our own good.

Scripture teaches us that “the Law is holy, the commandment is holy, just and good” (Romans 7:12) and that “the man who does those things shall live by them” (Romans 10:5; see also Luke 10:28). The Law indeed reveals a perfect way to heaven. However, since the fall, no one would be able to measure up to the holiness and perfection that the Law demands. If that is the case, what is the use and purpose of Law of God? Obviously, the purpose of Law is not to save people. The Law reveals our sinfulness and God’s wrath upon us. It teaches us that we are sinners (Rom. 3:10) and doomed to death. The Law also reflects the brokenness of our human life due to sin. Thus it helps us to realize our wretched condition and the need for Christ who has (to fulfill the demand of the Law) taken upon himself our curses to make us righteous before the very Law of God.

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hrist loves and saves us; so Christ is good! The Law condemns and kills us; so Law is bad! This has been the simple logic for many Christians to conclude that Law is bad it’s better to eliminate it from the Christian Education.

There are also people who consider the entire Old Testament as the Law section of the Bible (since 10 commandments are in it), thus it is less important than the New Testament which is the Grace section of the Bible (since it contains the words and gracious works of Christ).

Paul says “you are not under the Law but grace” (Romans 6:14). This does not mean that Christians may disregard and ignore the Law. It simply means that we could not use the Law to earn salvation but a guide to do what is pleasing to God.

Thus, somehow the Law appears to be bad and against Christ, Grace and the entire NT for many. On the contrary, the Lutheran Doctrine views Law as good and equally important with the Gospel and grace of God. This is because the Law has

Rev. S. Karthik

My heart overflows in joyful gratitude at the tremendous display of love and kindness in prayers, thoughts, words and deeds that met me in connection with my Centenary Day. My vote of thanks for Letters, greeting cards, drawings, greetings by e-mail, greetings by SMS, telegrams, telephone calls, congratulatory visits at our home, gifts for me personally, as well as gifts for the Discipleship Centre and other essential projects.

All kinds of preparatory work and efforts to make the programmes possible – research, writings, speeches, as well as baking, arranging the feast, serving.

An exquisite musical program at the Discipleship Centre, with fine songs sung by good friends and earlier co-workers as well as beautiful flute- and piano playing – everything reverberating Christian faith and hope – and finally a couple of Tamil lyrics, revoking fond memories.A number of flower arrangements that met my thirst for beauty as it was thoroughly described to me in their day by day changing display by members of my family, so that I vividly could “see” them, in spite of my almost total blindness.

Last, but not least, the congratulations that reached me from our beloved ELCM and her bishop, the Rt.Rev. Dr. Solomon Rajah – a beautiful piece of art in Selangor pewter depicting the Lord’s Supper.

For everything and to everybody my heartfelt vote of thanks.

May everything bring glory to God and blessing to giver and receiver.

Yours in Christ’s love, Bertil Envall

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¸¢È¢ŠÐ ¿õ¨Á §¿º¢òÐì ¸¡ì¸¢È¡÷. ¸¢È¢ŠÐ ¿øÄÅ÷! ¿¢Â¡ÂôÀ¢ÃÁ¡½õ ¿õ¨Á ¬ì¸¢¨Éò ¾£÷ôÀ¢ðÎ ¦¸¡øÖ¸¢ÈÐ; ±É§Å ¿¢Â¡ÂôÀ¢ÃÁ¡½õ ¾£ÂÐ! þùÅ¡È¡¸ «§¿¸ ¸¢È¢Š¾Å÷¸û, ¿¢Â¡ÂôÀ¢ÃÁ¡½õ ¦¸¡ÊÂÐ ±É§Å «¨¾ ¸¢È¢Š¾Åô §À¡¾¨É¢ĢÕóÐ ±ÎòРŢ¼ §ÅñΦÁýÚ ÓÊ× ¦ºöžü¸¡¸ þùÅ¡Ú Å¡¾¢Î¸¢ýÈÉ÷. º¢Ä÷ À¨Æ ²üÀ¡Î ÓØŨ¾Ôõ §Å¾¡¸Áò¾¢ý ¿¢Â¡ÂôÀ¢ÃÁ¡½ô À̾¢ ±ýÚõ (10 ¸ð¼¨Ç¸û «¾¢ø þÕôÀ¾É¡ø), §Å¾¡¸Áò¾¢ý ¸¢Õ¨À¢ý À̾¢ (¸¢È¢ŠÐÅ¢ý Å¡÷ò¨¾¸Ùõ, ¸¢Õ¨À¢ý ¸¢Ã¢¨Â¸Ùõ «¾¢ø þÕôÀ¾¡ø) «¼í¸¢Â Ò¾¢Â ²üÀ¡ð¨¼ Å¢¼ «Ð «ùÅÇ× Ó츢ÂÁ¡ÉÐ «øÄ ±ýÚõ ¸Õи¢ýÈÉ÷. ±ôÀʧ¡ ÀÄÕìÌ ¿¢Â¡ÂôÀ¢ÃÁ¡½õ ¦¸¡Ê¾¡¸×õ, ÁüÚõ ¸¢È¢ŠÐ×ìÌõ, ¸¢Õ¨ÀìÌõ, ÓØ Ò¾¢Â ²üÀ¡ðÊüÌõ ±¾¢Ã¡É¾¡¸×õ ¦¾ýÀθ¢ÈÐ. Á¡È¡¸, Öò¾Ãý §¸¡ðÀ¡Î, ¿¢Â¡Âô À¢ÃÁ¡½ò¨¾ ¿øľ¡¸×õ, ÍÅ¢§º„ò¾¢üÌõ, ¸¼×Ç¢ý ¸¢Õ¨ÀìÌõ ºÁÁ¡É Ó츢ÂòÐÅõ ¯ûǾ¡¸×õ ¸¡ñ¸¢ÈÐ. þÐ ²¦ÉýÈ¡ø ¿ÁÐ ¿ý¨Á측¸, «§¾ ¿øÄ ¬ñ¼Åáø¾¡ý, ¿¢Â¡Âô À¢ÃÁ¡½Óõ ¦¸¡Îì¸ôÀðÊÕ츢Õ츢ÈÐ. “¬¨¸Â¡ø ¿¢Â¡Âô À¢ÃÁ¡½õ ÀâÍò¾ÓûÇо¡ý, ¸üÀ¨ÉÔõ ÀâÍò¾Á¡Ôõ, ¿£¾¢Â¡Ôõ ¿ý¨Á¡Ôõ þÕ츢ÈД (§Ã¡Á÷ 7:12) ±ýÚõ, “þ¨Å¸¨Çî ¦ºö¸¢È ÁÛ„ý þ¨Å¸Ç¡ø À¢¨ÆôÀ¡ý” (§Ã¡Á÷ 10:5; æ측 10:28¨ÂÔõ Å¡º¢ì¸×õ) ±ýÚõ §Å¾õ ÜÚ¸¢ÈÐ. §Á¡ðºò¾¢üÌî ¦ºøÖõ Á¢¸î ºÃ¢Â¡É ÅÆ¢¨Â ¿¢Â¡Âô À¢ÃÁ¡½õ ¸¡ðθ¢ÈÐ. ÁÉ¢¾É¢ý Å£úìÌô À¢ÈÌ ¿¢Â¡Âô À¢ÃÁ¡½õ ±¾¢÷À¡÷òÐì §¸¡Õõ ÀâÍò¾õ ÁüÚõ âýòÐÅò¾¢ý «Ç¨Å ´ÕÅÕõ ±ð¼ ÓÊ¡Ð. þ󿢨Ä¢ø ¸¼×Ç¢ý ¿¢Â¡Âô À¢ÃÁ¡½õ þÕóÐ ÀÂý ±ýÉ, À¢Ã§Â¡ƒÉõ¾¡ý ±ýÉ? ¿¢Â¡Âô À¢ÃÁ¡½õ ÁÉ¢¾÷¸¨Ç Ãðº¢òРŢ¼¡Ð ±ýÚ «È¢§Å¡õ. ¿¢Â¡Âô À¢ÃÁ¡½õ, ¿ÁÐ À¡Å ÍÀ¡Åò¨¾Ôõ, ¿ÁÐ §Áø ¯ûÇ ¸¼×Ç¢ý ¬ì¸¢¨É¨ÂÔõ ¦ÅÇ¢ôÀÎòи¢ÈÐ. ¿¡õ À¡Å¢¸û ±ýÚõ (§Ã¡Á÷ 3:10), Áýò¾¢ø «Æ¢Â §ÅñÊÂÅ÷¸û ±ýÚõ §À¡¾¢ì¸¢ÈÐ. À¡Åò¾¢É¡ø ÁÉ¢¾ Å¡ú쨸 À¡Æ¡É¨¾Ôõ ¿¢Â¡Âô À¢ÃÁ¡½õ À¢Ã¾¢ÀĢ츢ÈÐ. þùÅ¡È¡¸ ¿¢Â¡Âô À¢ÃÁ¡½õ ¿ÁÐ «ÅÄ ¿¢¨Ä¨ÂÔõ, ¿ÁÐ À¡Å º¡Àò¨¾ ¾õ Á£Ð ±ÎòÐì ¦¸¡ñÎ (¿¢Â¡Âô À¢ÃÁ¡½ò¨¾ ¿¢¨È§ÅüÈ¢), ¸¼×Ç¢ý «§¾ ¿¢Â¡Âô À¢ÃÁ¡½ò¾¢ý ÓýÒ ¿õ¨Á ¿£¾¢Á¡ý¸Ç¡ìÌõ ¸¢È¢ŠÐ ¿ÁìÌò §¾¨Å ±ýÀ¨¾Ôõ ¸¡ðθ¢ÈÐ. “¿£í¸û ¿¢Â¡Âô À¢ÃÁ¡½ò¾¢üÌì ¸£úô­ ÀðÊáÁø ¸¢Õ¨ÀìÌì ¸£úôÀ­ðÊ­Õ­ì­ ¸¢È£÷¸û” ±ýÚ À×ø ÜÚ¸¢È¡÷ (§Ã¡Á÷ 6:14). þ¾É¡ø ¸¢È¢Š¾Å÷¸û ¿¢Â¡Âô À¢ÃÁ¡½ò¨¾ô ¦À¡ÕðÀÎò¾¡Ð, ÒÈì­¸½¢òÐÅ¢¼ §ÅñÎõ ±ýÚ «÷ò¾ÁøÄ. Á¡È¡¸, ¿¡õ Ãðº¢ôÀ¨¼Â ¿¢Â¡Âô À¢ÃÁ¡½ò¨¾ ÀÂýÀÎò¾ ÓÊ¡Р±ýÚõ, ¸¼×ÙìÌô À¢Ã¢ÂÁ¡ÉÅ÷¸Ç¡¸ ¿¼ì¸ «Ð ¿ÁìÌ ´Õ ÅÆ¢¸¡ðÊ ±ýÚõ «÷ò¾Á¡õ.

“¬¨¸Â¡ø ¿¢Â¡Âô À¢ÃÁ¡½õ ÀâÍò¾ÓûÇо¡ý, ¸üÀ¨ÉÔõ ÀâÍò¾Á¡Ôõ, ¿£¾¢Â¡Ôõ ¿ý¨Á¡Ôõ þÕ츢ÈД 16

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(§Ã¡Á÷ 7:12)

PORT DICKSON Branch It is the desire of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Malaysia (ELCM) to expand Bethany Home, which was established in 1966 in Teluk Intan, Perak. Therefore, it is proposed that Bethany Home set up a branch in Port Dickson, Negeri Sembilan, with the objective of providing training and educational programmes for children and adults with disabilities in the southern states of West Malaysia. The branch of Bethany Home in Port Dickson shall be identified as Bethany Home, Port Dickson Branch (referred hereafter as “Bethany Home PD�). This home shall be under the supervison of Bethany Home, Teluk Intan.

aims to equip them with skills needed to become as independent as possible and contributing members of that community.

Targeted Clients

Children and adults with disabilities from birth onwards. The Home will cater for people of both sexes, of different races and from all socio and economic backgrounds. Types of disabilities at Bethany Home PD shall be people with intellectual disability, celebral palsy, autism, epilepsy, Down syndrome, hearing and visual impairment as well as slow learners.

Location

The proposed site is at the Port Dickson Lutheran Congregation’s land which is located at Lot 1664 - 1668, Mukim Bandar Port Dickson. The land is around 4 acres with an existing multipurpose hall which will be rented first by Bethany Home to begin the initial programme

Programme Description

Bethany Home PD would be a non- profit and nonpolitical organizattion that would be providing compassion, information support and training for children and adults with disabilities including epilepsy, intellectual disability, celebral palsy, autism and many others. Bethany Home PD shall follow the programmes and activities of Bethany Home Teluk Intan. Some of the services the Home proposes to offer are: Early Intervention Programme Occupational Therapy Physiotherapy Department Speech Therapy

About 30 people, including some members from the Resurrection Lutheran gathered at the Inaugral Meeting of Bethany Home, PD on 15th August 2009. The Bishop in his address said that the church is expanding its social ministry and there was need to bring about public awareness.

Representative from the Rotary, Lions Club and Mr. Jeyasingh, the Director of Bethany Home were also present. Mr Jeyasingh gave a power point presentation on the work done in Bethany Home, Teluk Intan. Questions from the floor were raised and one doctor pledged to provide medication.

Bethany Home Port Dickson Branch is now in the process of being registered with the Ministry of Social Welfare, Negeri Sembilan.

Our Aim

Bethany Home PD aims to provide a comprehensive service for children and adults who are disabled and living in Negeri Sembilan and throughout the Southern states in West Malaysia. The Home will encourage and support people with a disability to live within their own families and community as it

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T

ELCM ARCHIVES

he Bishop together with the Diocesan Council felt that it is the right time to salvage and preserve valuable files and records for the future. It is with this enthusiasm the Bishop initiated the setting up of a room for this purpose.

He appointed Rev. Moses Muthusami as its first Director.The ELCM Archives was officially opened by the Bishop Dr. Solomon Rajah on 22nd November 2009. The ELCM Archives system is established under the following topics: 1. MEETINGS/CONFERENCES: Under this will come all kinds of meeting minutes, reports, correspondences, etc of DA, DC, Joint committees, Pastors ’ meetings and records, etc.

2. EVANGELISM /MISSION: This will cover all the work of Evangelism and its committees, Social ministry and the like.

3. EDUCATION / TRAINING: This will have records of Agro training, Kindergartens, all Leadership and other training, seminars, conferences etc.

4. FAITH AND ORDER/ CHURCH RULES: Under this Faith and Order matters and ELCM Constitution matters will be filed.

5. PROPERTIES: This will include all building and land matters.

6. DEPARTMENTS: Records about Sunday School matter, Junior work, Youth work, Women’s work will be found in this section.

7. GOVERNMENT RELATIONS: Matters dealing with Government Offices including registration office, immigration, etc will be included here.

8. CONGREGATIONS/DISTRICTS/OUTREACH CENTRES: This will record all congregation work records, District work records, etc.

9. OTHER CHURCHES: All matters related with other denomination churches, other country churches will go under this.

10. INSTITUTIONS: This will include all records of Bethany Home, Hospital and other social ministry homes.

11. CHURCH ORGANIZATIONS: The records related with CCM, LWF, CSM, etc will go in this topic.

12. STAFF MATTERS: All matters of Church workers including pastors will be found here.

13. PUBLICATIONS: Matters on Lutheran Herald, and other occasional publications will be found here.

14. FINANCE: The DA/DC financial records will be here.

15. PHOTOS: All available photos will be properly filed here.

12 JANUARY ELCM PASTORS CONFERENCE

18 MAY DC MEETING

17 JANUARY HOLY CROSS, CONFIRMATION, P KLANG

25 – 27 MAY SEMINAR FOR PASTORS, PD

20 JANUARY DC MEETING

12 JUNE DIOCESAN WOMEN SEMINAR, KL

26-28 JANUARY CCM HEADS OF CHURCHES RETREAT, KOTA BHARU

16 JUNE DC MEETING

10 - 18 FEBRUARY ALC & ELCM CONSULTATION, INDIA

21-24 JUNE CCM 13TH TRIENNIAL GENERAL ASSEMBLY, SIBU

21 FEBRUARY GOOD HOPE, KL CONFIRMATION

14 JULY DC MEETING

24 FEBRUARY DC MEETING

19-31 JULY LWF GENERAL ASSEMBLY, GERMANY

28 FEBRUARY MERU, 7PM

11 AUGUST DC MEETING

7 MARCH BETHESDA, CONFIRMATION

8 SEPTEMBER DC MEETING

10 MARCH CCM BOARD OF MANAGEMENT - 9.30AM STM COUNCIL MEETING - 3.00PM

17-19 SEPTEMBER DIOCESAN ASSEMBLY 3 OCTOBER CHURCH OF VICTORY, PENANG, CONFIRMATION

21 MARCH GOOD SAMARITAN, KL, CONFIRMATION

6 OCTOBER

24 MARCH DC MEETING

9 OCTOBER BETHANY THANKSGIVING DAY

1 APRIL MAUNDY THURSDAY, CHERAS LUTHERAN, KL

13 OCTOBER STM COUNCIL – 3PM

2 APRIL GOOD FRIDAY, ZION CATHEDRAL,KL

31 OCTOBER REFORMATION SERVICE, ZION CATHEDRAL KL

4 APRIL EASTER, OUR SAVIOUR, JOHOR BARU

10 NOVEMBER DC MEETING

14-21 APRIL CCA ASSEMBLY, KL

1 DECEMBER DC MEETING

17 APRIL CCA WELCOME DINNER, KL

5 DECEMBER CANDLE LIGHT SERVICE, 7PM

28 APRIL DC MEETING 12 MAY STM COUNCIL AGM

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DC MEETING

6 - 12 DECEMBER LCA CONSULTATION, ADELAIDE - 3PM - 5PM

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ELCM Graduate Fellowship The ELCM Graduate Fellowship was initiated by the Bishop by appointing Vijayan Samuel as the coordinator. This graduate fellowship seeks to be a vibrant and welcoming community for undergraduates, graduates and professionals through: • • • •

The study and application of God’s word in our life together Faithfully praying for each other, our church and our community Fostering the growing and deepening of relationships with our Lord Jesus Christ and each other Serving those in need and sharing our hope in Jesus

The Graduate Fellowship met three times this year. Mr. James Daniel, President of The Graduate Christian Fellowship Malaysia led us on a very engaging topic ‘Christianity in the Workplace’ at our inaugural Fellowship on 29 July. We were also very fortunate to have Wong Seng Gee, Executive Director of a Human Resource Consultancy Firm lead us on the ‘Christian Economy’ at our second meeting on 30 September 2009.

Our final meeting for the year on 25 November 2009 was led by Rev. Balan Moses who led us on a topic very much discussed in our churches; “Empowerment of the Young in the ELCM’. Emphasis was placed on a text-driven style of study with lots of discussion and seeks to apply the principles we find in the Bible to our daily lives. Our time together also involved singing, prayer and socializing.

We would like to thank all those who attended the graduate fellowship this year including the Bishop, DC members and all Central District Pastors for their support. If you are interested in joining the fellowship, please send us an e-mail to elcm.gf@ gmail.com or contact Vijayan Samuel on 012 6145 045. We are also listed on Facebook! If you haven’t added us on, just search ‘ELCM Graduate Fellowship’ on Facebook and become a fan!

Poem based on the Bible Study/ Workshop - 26th September, 09 Woman of the earth Rejoice in the Lord For the Lord fashioned Eve With a rib from Adam’s side Equality and respect was God’s design Compatible to Adam was Eve O woman, rejoice in the truth

Woman, adorn the armour of courage and wisdom Like the women in the Bible, be ready To respond and restore God’s first plan for humanity Attitudes to change and nations to be taught The value and equal worth of man and woman To honour and respect daughters and mothers O woman, there’s rejoicing in God’s kingdom

All through the ages, women of every race Discriminated, oppressed and abused Despair not woman, God listens to your pain Tenderly in His image, God made us Equally to rule and subdue this domain Be reminded that God loves us O woman, in His word, rejoice

Woman, be of good cheer and rejoicing The Lord delights in transforming the broken His grace forgives and lifts even the lowest As when He placed Rahab in royal lineage So be motivated and seek the Lord diligently Run with endurance the race set before us O woman, rejoice with all your being

In poverty, affliction, sorrow and suffering Be inspired by Mary mother of Jesus Her faith, obedience and courage to serve God Her commitment to sharing and caring Honoured and blessed she was Reach out with hope in His word O woman, let the heavens rejoice

Woman, my soul magnifies in the Lord And my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour Taste the blessings of the Lord And sing a new song to God our Father Enter His gates with thanksgiving And His presence with praise O woman, my soul rejoices forever in the Lord.

Woman, cast away bitterness, and self-pity Be fulfilled in loving and serving others In freedom, receive the peace of the Almighty With all humility to persevere and endure To keep alive our hope in God’s promises To exalt the meek and strengthen the weak O woman, rejoice, yet believing, rejoice

Cecilia C. Gabrial, participant for MWMT & ELCM Women’s Group

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epkplq;fs;> kzpfs;> ehl;fs;> tUlq;fs; midj;Jk; tpiutpy; fle;JNghfpd;wd.

2009jhk; Mz;bd; fpwp];k]; te;Jtpl;lJ. kdpjd; mNefj; jpl;lq;fis jPl;b>mjpy; xUrpy jpl;lk; epiwNtwpaJk; kfpo;fpwhd;. Njthjp NjtDk; xU jpl;lkpl;lhH.Njt Nfhgj;jpw;F Mshd MjhKk;vthSk; rhgj;ijg;ngw;Wf;nfhz;lNghJ > Njtd; Nehpilahf rhj;jhdplk; xU ew;nra;jp mwptpf;fpwhH. Mjp3:15. mtH (fpwp];J) cd; jiyia eRf;FthH vd;gNj me;j ew;nra;jp. ghtj;jpy; tPo;e;Jtpl;l kdpjFyj;ij mg;gbNa tpl;Ltplhky;> mtid kPl;nlLf;f> ,oe;j Njtrhaiy kPz;Lk; nfhLf;f> mWgl;l Njt cwit kPz;Lk; GJg;gpf;f NjthjpNjtd; jk; xNug;Ngwhdf; Fkhuid ,e;j cyFf;F mDg;g rpj;jk; nfhz;lhH. vdNt Vrh 9:6d; gb ekf;F xU ghyfd; gpwe;jhH. ekf;F xU Fkhud; nfhLf;fg; gl;lhH. mtH khk;rj;jpy; ntspg;gl;l Njtd;. 1jPNkh 3:16. nfhNyh 1:15-17 mtH mjhprdkhd NjtDila jw;R&gk;. fpwp];J gpwg;gpd;%yk; epj;jpa Njtdpd; ghpRj;jKk;> fpUigAk;> md;Gk; ntspg;gl;lJ. ,NaRtpd; gpwg;G mNef Ehw;whz;LfSf;F Kd;> mNef jPHf;fjhprpfspd; %yk; kpf Jy;ypakhf vq;Nf gpwg;ghH? vg;gbgpwg;ghH> ve;j Chpy; gpwg;ghH> mtHgpwg;gpd; NghJ vd;delf;Fk;> mjd; milahsk; midj;Jk; NjtMtpahy; Kd;Diuf;fg;gl;lJ> Kd;Diuf;fg;gl;l midj;J jPHf;fjhprdq; fSk; fhyk; epiwNtwpd NghJ ,e;j cyfj;jpNy te;J rk;gtpj;jd. fpwp];Jgpwg;G xU rhpj;jpuepfo;r;rp. cyfKOtJk;> xj;Jf; nfhs;sg;gl;l cz;ik ,J. rhpj;jpu Mjhuk; cs;s mtuJ gpwg;G guNyhf Njtdpd; jpl;lky;yth?

2nfhhp 9:15.Njtd; mUspa nrhy;ypKbahj <T mtH. mf];Juhadpd; fl;lisgb vUrNykpy; md;wpuT murdpd; fl;lisia epiwNtw;w [dq;fs; Kk;KukhfapUe;jdH. Mdhy; ek; ghtq;fSf;fhf gypahfTk;> rpYitkuzj;jpNy ,uj;jk; rpe;jTk;> fy;yiu tpl;L %d;whk;ehs; capHj;njoTk; xU ,ul;rfH mq;Nf khl;Lj;

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njhOtj;jpy; gpwe;jij mNefH mwpatpy;iy. ,d;W ehk; mwpe;Js;Nshk;. Njtd; mUspa nrhy;yp Kbahj <Tf;fhf kdjhu mtiug; Gfo;e;J JjpAq;fs;. xUNtis fpwp];J ,e;j cyfj;jpy; te;J gpwthjpUe;jhy; kdpjdpd; epiy vd;dthfapUf;Fk;? ghtkd;dpg;G kPl;G> epj;jpa[Ptd; ,y;yhky; tho;f;iff;F mHj;jkpd;wp> topapd;wpfjpapd;wp kdpjdpd; epiyek;gpf;ifaw;W ,Ue;jpUf;F ky;yth? vdNtjhd; ,J vy;yh [dj;Jf;Fk; kpFe;j re;Njh~j;ij cz;lhf;Fk; ew;nra;jpahf mwptpf;fg;gl;lJ. ,NaRfpwp];Jit tpRthrpf;Fk; xU mw;g kdpjDf;Fk; mtH ,ul;rfuhfTk; kPl;guhfTk; khwptpLfpwhH. myq;fhuk;> ghpRnghUs;> fpwp];k];jhj;jh> FLk;g xd;W $Ljy; ,itjhd; fpwp];J gpwg;G nfhz;lhl;lkh? 1.gukNridapd; jpud Nrid; Njtid Jjpj;jdH. (Yhf; 2:14) ePq;fSk; ,ul;rfiu JjpAq;fs;. Nka;g;gHfs; jq;fSf;F nrhy;yg;gl;l ew; nra;jpia gpurpj;jk; gz;zpdhHfs;. (Yhf; 2:17). ,NaR gpwg;gpd; ew;nra;jpia mwptpAq;fs;. fpof;fpypUe;J te;j Qhdpfs; NaRit gzpe;J> rh~;lhq;fkha; tpOe;J Muhjidnra;jhHfs;. (kj;2:11). ePq;fSk; NaRit rpwg;ghf MuhjpAq;fs;. .Muhjidapy; ty;yik cz;L. ed;wp czHTld; jhogzpe;J MuhjpAq;fs; rh];jphpfs; gilj;j tpiy caHe;j fhzpf;iffs; Nghd;W> ePq;fSk; tpiy caHe;j cq;fs; ,Ujaj;ij Mz;lthplk; nfhLj;J> mj;Jld; rpwg;ghd fhzpf;iffis mtH ehk kfpikf;fha; nfhLq;fs;. gpjh jk; xNuNgwhdf; Fkhuid ekf;Ff;nfhLj;jhH. fpwp];J gpwg;Gehspy;> Njit cs;stHfis MrPHtjpj;J kfpOq;fs;. ,JNt mHj;jKs;s fpwp];k]; nfhz;lhl;lk;.. rHtty;yikAs;s Njtd;jhNk fpwp];Jtpd; rkhjhdj;jpdhYk; kfpo;r;rpapdhYk; cq;fis epug;gp MrPHtjpg;ghHhf. Mnkd.;

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MWMT & DWC, ELCM – Church Women’s Workshop, 26th September, 2009, P.J.

The Bible Study in the Workshop was based on the text - Luke 1:46-56. Mary, the mother of our Lord Jesus, is a model of womanhood. Her personality and character gives us women, in the third world countries, the courage to overcome our fears and sense of hopelessness. Mary knew poverty and oppression yet she empathized with others.

For all Christians, men and women, Mary remains a model, not so much of motherhood but of faith and discipleship.

Her Magnificat is a song of liberation which depicts her vision of the Kingdom. As Mary had the choice to say ‘yes’ we too have the choice to say ‘yes’ to liberation from all kinds of oppression.

Some challenging questions were: Like Mary, are you a woman for others, especially for oppressed women?

What does Christian discipleship mean to you?

What is your vision concerning the Kingdom of God?

given situations and problems and came up with ideas and suggestions given below to solve the problems. These were depicted in a dramatic form.

Case Studies 1-6 1. “Give equal opportunities to girls as well in education” was the plea of a ‘grandmother’ in the drama.

2. “No, no, to domestic violence at any cost” is the advice given to an abusing husband.

3. “Sometimes women are women’s enemies. Do not gossip, but try to help” is the message drawn from this role play.

4. “Let’s lift each other up” - Motivation and encouragement is necessary.

5. The rate of suicide is very high among the Indian women. Committing suicide is not the solution to any problem. ‘Women, be bold and face it’ - was the encouragement given through this role play.

6. Women need to speak up against sexual harassment in the work place.

Basing on the Bible Study and other sessions in the morning, six Case Studies were given to six groups of women for the Role Play. The aim of the role play was to help the participants to focus on the main issues in women’s lives which are raised in the Bible Study and The situation of Malaysian Indian Women and Girls, and to help participants understand Mary’s commitment to their liberation.

The Workshop was an eye opener to many women and some awareness was created in them that they should rise above the situation as Mary did. Though the Lutheran women were the majority, it was encouraging to see women of different denominations coming together to discuss matters of common concern. The participants said that they enjoyed the workshop very much and learnt many new things. They expressed their desire to have similar workshops at least once a year. Edified, encouraged and empowered, the women, in the Closing Worship made a commitment for Change and Emancipation of Women in the home, church and society.

Some of the issues raised through the Role Play were: • Justice for women and girls • ‘Women are kept in subservience’ • Women suffer discrimination in the home in church and in society • Who are the oppressed women and why are they being oppressed and by whom?

We had six groups of 10 women in each. Each group was given a Case Study. The Case Studies related to practical issues and situations in real life. The groups discussed the

Naomi Hamsa Albert MWMT

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21

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ôÀð¼¨È¢ø §Å¾ ¬Ã¡ö측¸ ±ÎòÐì ¦¸¡ñ¼ §Å¾ À̾¢ æ측 1: 46-56. ¿Á¾¡ñ¼Å÷ þ§ÂÍÅ¢ý ¾¡Â¡¸¢Â Áâ¡û ¦Àñ¨ÁìÌ ´Õ ±ÎòÐ측ðÎ. 3õ ¯Ä¸ ¿¡Î¸Ç¢ø ¦Àñ¸Ç¢ý «ÅÄ ¿¢¨Ä¨Â ±¾¢÷òÐô §À¡Ã¡¼, ÀÂò¨¾, ¿õÀ¢ì¨¸ÂüÈ ¿¢¨Ä¨Â ±¾¢÷òÐ ¿¢ü¸, «ÅÙ¨¼Â Á§É¡ÅÄ¢¨Á «ÅÙ¨¼Â ̽¡¾¢ºÂõ, ¿ÁìÌò §¾¨Å. Áâ¡ÙìÌ ²ú¨Á, ´Îì¸ôÀξø ±ýÈ¡ø ±ýÉ ±ýÚ ¦¾Ã¢Ôõ. þÕôÀ¢Ûõ À¢ÈÕ측¸ º¸¾¡ÀôÀð¼¡û. ¸¢È¢Š¾Å Áì¸û ¡ÅÕìÌõ, ¬ñ¸ÙìÌõ, ¦Àñ¸ÙìÌõ Áâ¡û ´Õ º¢Èó¾ ÓýÛ¾¡Ã½õ; ¾¡Â¡É¾¢É¡ø «øÄ, Å¢ÍÅ¡ºò¾¢É¡Öõ, º£„òÐÅò¾¢É¡Ö§Á. Áâ¡Ǣý À¡¼ø ´Õ Ţξ¨Ä¢ý À¡¼ø, «Ð ¸¼×Ç¢ý ሃ¢Âò¨¾ì ÌÈ¢ò¾ ¦¾¡¨Ä §¿¡ì¨¸ º¢ò¾Ã¢ì¸¢ÈÐ. Áâ¡ÙìÌ ‘¬¸ì¸¼ÅÐ’ ±ýÚ ¦º¡øÖõ ¯Ã¢¨Á þÕó¾Ð §À¡Ä, ±øÄ¡Å¢¾ «¼ìÌ Ó¨È¢ĢÕóÐõ Å¢ÎÀΞüÌ ‘¬¸ðÎõ’ ±ýÚ ¦º¡øÖõ ¯Ã¢¨Á ¦Àñ¸Ç¡¸¢Â ¿ÁìÌõ ¯ñÎ.

´Õ ±ÎòÐ측ðÎ ¿¢¸ú ¦¸¡Îì¸ôÀð¼Ð. Å¡ú쨸¢ø ¿¢¸Øõ ¯ñ¨Á ºõÀÅí¸Ç¢ø ¯ûÇ À¢Ãɸ¨Ç ´ù¦Å¡Õ ±ÎòÐì ¸¡ðÎõ ¦¸¡ñÊÕó¾Ð. ÌØì¸û, ¦¸¡Îì¸ôÀð¼ ºõÀÅí¸û ÁüÚõ À¢Ãɸ¨Çô ÀüÈ¢ ¸ÄóШÃÂ¡Ê ¸£§Æ ÜÈôÀð¼ ¾£÷׸¨Çì ¸ñ¼È¢ó¾É÷. þ¨Å ¿¡¼¸ ÅÊÅ¢ø ¿ÊòÐì ¸¡ð¼ôÀð¼Ð. ±ÎòÐ측ðÎ ºõÀÅí¸û 1-6 1. “ÀÊôÀ¾üÌ ¦Àñ¸ÙìÌõ ºÁÅ¡öôÒ ¾ÃôÀ¼ §ÅñÎõ” ±ýÀÐ þó¾ ¿¡¼¸ò¾¢ø Åó¾ ´Õ ‘À¡ðÊ¢ý’ §ÅñΧ¸¡û.

2. “ܼ¡Ð, ܼ¡Ð, ÌÎõÀ ÅýÓ¨È ´Õ§À¡Ðõ ܼ¡Ð” ±ýÚ ´Õ ‘¦¸¡Î¨Á측à ¸½ÅÛìÌ’ «È¢×Úò¾ôÀð¼Ð.

3. “º¢Ä ºÁÂí¸Ç¢ø ¦Àñ¸ÙìÌ ±¾¢Ã¢ ¦Àñ¸§Ç. ÒȽ¢ §Àº §Åñ¼¡õ, Á¡È¡¸ ¯¾Å¢ ¦ºöÔí¸û” ±ýÚ ÅÄ¢ÔÚò¾ôÀð¼Ð.

4. “´ÕŨà ´ÕÅ÷ ¯Â÷òЧšõ” - ¯üº¡¸ôÀÎò¾¢, °ìÌÅ¢ò¾ø Á¢¸×õ «Åº¢Âõ.

5. ¾ü¦¸¡¨Ä Å¢¸¢¾õ þó¾¢Âô ¦Àñ¸Ç¢¨¼§Â Á¢¸×õ «¾¢¸õ. ¾ü¦¸¡¨Ä ±ó¾ À¢ÃÉìÌõ ¾£÷× «øÄ. “¦Àñ¸§Ç, ¨¾Ã¢ÂÁ¡¸ ±ó¾ô À¢ÃÉÔõ ±¾¢÷ ¦¸¡ûÙí¸û” ±ýÚ þó¾ º¢ò¾Ã¢ôÀ¢ý ãÄõ °ì¸ôÀÎò¾ôÀð¼É÷.

6. §Å¨Ä¢¼í¸Ç¢ø À¡Ä¢Âø ÅýÓ¨ÈìÌ ±¾¢Ã¡¸ô ¦Àñ¸û «Åº¢Âõ ÌÃø ¦¸¡Îì¸ §ÅñÎõ.

þôÀð¼¨È¢ø ±í¸ÙìÌ ºÅ¡Ä¡¸ «¨Áó¾ º¢Ä §¸ûÅ¢¸û ÅÕÁ¡Ú: Á⡨Çô §À¡Ä ¿£í¸Ùõ ´Îì¸ôÀÎõ ¦Àñ¸Ù측¸ º¸¾¡ÀôÀθ¢È£÷¸Ç¡? ¯í¸¨Çô ¦À¡Úò¾Å¨Ã ¸¢È¢Š¾Å º£„òÐÅõ ±ýÈ¡ø ±ýÉ? ¸¼×Ç¢ý ሃ¢Âò¨¾ì ÌÈ¢ò¾ ¯í¸û ¦¾¡¨Ä §¿¡ìÌ ±ýÉ? þôÀð¼¨È¢ø, ¸¡¨Ä¢ø ¿¼ó¾ ¿¢¸ú׸¨Ç «ÊôÀ¨¼Â¡¸ì ¦¸¡ñÎ ¬Ú ±ÎòÐì ¸¡ðÎ ºõÀÅí¸û, ¬Ú ÌØì¸ÙìÌì ¦¸¡Îì¸ôÀð¼Ð. §Å¾ ¬Ã¡ö ÁüÚõ Á§Ä„¢Â þó¾¢Âô ¦Àñ¸Ç¢ý ¿¢¨Ä ¬¸¢ÂÅüÈ¢ø ±ØôÀôÀð¼, ¦Àñ¸û ±¾¢÷ ¦¸¡ûÙõ À¢Ãɸ¨Çì ¸Õò¾¢ø ¦¸¡ûÅÐõ, þ¾ý ãÄÁ¡¸ ´Îì¸ôÀ𧼡âý Ţξ¨Ä¢ø Áâ¡û ¸¡ðÊ ¬÷Åò¨¾ ¦Àñ¸û ÒâóÐ ¦¸¡ûÇ ¯¾×ÅÐõ, º¢ò¾Ã¢òÐì ¸¡ðΞ¢ý §¿¡ì¸Á¡¸ þÕó¾Ð.

þó¾ Àð¼¨È ÀÄ ¦Àñ¸ÙìÌ Å¢Æ¢ôÒ½÷× ¾ó¾Ð. Á⡨Çô§À¡Ä ¿¡Óõ ±ó¾ þì¸ðÊÄ¢ÕóÐõ §Á¦ÄØõÀ¢ Åà §ÅñÎõ ±ýÛõ ŢƢôÒ½÷× ²üÀÎò¾ôÀð¼Ð. ÀíÌ ¦¸¡ñ¼Å÷¸Ç¢ø Öò¾Ãý ¦Àñ¸û «§¿¸Ã¡Â¢Ûõ, ÀÄ ¸¢¨Çî º¨À¸Ç¢Ä¢ÕóÐ ¦Àñ¸û Åó¾¢ÕóÐ, ¦À¡ÐÅ¡É À¢Ãɸ¨Çì ÌÈ¢òÐ «Äº¢ ¬Ã¡öó¾Ð ¡ŨÃÔõ ¯üº¡¸ãðΞ¡¸ þÕó¾Ð. ÀíÌ ¦¸¡ñ§¼¡÷, þôÀð¼¨È¡ø ¾¡í¸û Á¢¸×õ ÁÉÁ¸¢ú× ¦¸¡ñ¼¾¡¸×õ, ÀüÀÄ Ò¾¢Â ¸¡Ã¢Âí¸¨Çò ¦¾Ã¢óÐ ¦¸¡ñ¼¾¡¸×õ Á¸¢ú ¦¾Ã¢Å¢ò¾É÷. ÅÕ¼õ ´ÕӨȧÂÛõ þò¾¨¸Â Àð¼¨È¨Â ¿¼ò¾¢ò ¾ÕõÀÊ ¬ÅÄ¡¸ì §¸ðÎì ¦¸¡ñ¼É÷. ¸üÚ즸¡ñÎ, ¯üº¡¸ôÀÎò¾ôÀðÎ, ¬üÈæð¼ôÀðÎ, ÓÊ× ¾¢Â¡Éò¾¢ý §À¡Ð ¦Àñ¸û, ¾¡í¸û Á¡üÈí¸¨Çì ¦¸¡ñÎ ÅÃ×õ, ÁüÈ ¦Àñ¸¨Ç ÌÎõÀò¾¢Öõ, º¨À¢Öõ, ºã¸ò¾¢Öõ ¯Ââ ¿¢¨ÄìÌì ±ÎòÐî ¦ºøÄ×õ ¯Ú¾¢ ¦Á¡Æ¢ ±ÎòÐì ¦¸¡ñ¼É÷.

º¢ò¾Ã¢òÐì ¸¡ðΞ¢ý ãÄõ: l ¦Àñ¸û ÁüÚõ º¢ÚÁ¢¸ÙìÌ ¿£¾¢ ¿¢Â¡Âõ ¦ºöÅÐ l ¦Àñ «Ê¨Áò¾Éõ l þøÄõ, ºã¸õ, º¨À¢ø ¦Àñ¸û À¡ÌÀÎò¾ôÀðÎ, þýÉø «ÛÀÅ¢ôÀÐ l ´Îì¸ôÀÎõ ¦Àñ¸û ¡÷ ¡÷? «Å÷¸û ¡áø ´Îì¸ôÀθ¢È¡÷¸û? ±ýÀÉ §À¡ýȨŠ¸Õò¾¢ø ¦¸¡ûÇôÀð¼Ð.

¿§¸¡Á¢ †õ…¡ ¬øÀ÷ð MWMT

´ù¦Å¡Õ ÌØÅ¢Öõ 10 ¦Àñ¸û «¼í¸¢Â ¬Ú ÌØì¸û þÕó¾É. ´ù¦Å¡ÕÅÕìÌõ

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My Soul Rejoices MWMT & DWC, ELCM - Bible Study/ Workshop for Tamil-Speaking Church Women on 26th September, 2009 at Shah’s Village Hotel, P.J.

A

workshop for Tamil-speaking Church women in the Klang Valley was organised by the Malaysian Women in Ministry & Theology (MWMT) in partnership with the Diocesan Women’s Committee of the ELCM on Saturday, September 26th 2009. It was one day program held at the Shah’s Village Hotel, Petaling Jaya. We had an overwhelming response of 60 participants from various churches in the Klang Valley and among them 35 women were Lutherans.

and influences the Malaysian-Indian Christian Women today.

The workshop was very informative and successfully inspired the participants to be courageous to serve the Lord in peace and harmony. It also encouraged them to be committed to face the challenges of church, home and society, to lift the spirits of the oppressed and abused Indian women and bring them into the fold of God’s kingdom.

We were helped to realize that we have been given intelligence, strength, courage and power to stand up and speak and act against injustice, discrimination and violence.

It created awareness of ourselves and how God sees us as we are made in the image of God. The participants enjoyed every program of the day and took with them lot of new ideas and hopes with the determination to implement them in the home, church and society.

The objectives of the workshop were: l To create awareness among women of their self-worth and potential l To respond to the biblical message of Mary’s courage and hope l To enable women to face challenges in the home, church and society.

The programs included: Opening and Closing worship services, Ice-breaker session, Bible Study, Situation of Indian women in Malaysia, Self perception and Self-reflection, Role play and practical responses from participants. The Bible Study focused on Mary, the mother of our Lord Jesus Christ, her vision of the Kingdom of God and how that vision inspires

We thank the Lord and the organizers for this very inspiring and fruitful Workshop.

Margaret Abishegam, ELCM Women’s Group

±ý ¬òÐÁ¡ ¸Ç¢ÜÕ¸¢ÈÐ - “My Soul Rejoices”

¾Á¢ú ¾¢ÕÀô ¦Àñ¸Ùì¸¡É §Å¾ ¬Ã¡ö/ Àð¼¨È MWMT & DWC, ELCM – Bible Study/ Workshop for Tamil Speaking Church Women

Á.º.Ö.¾¢ÕÀ¢ý §ÀáÂô ¦Àñ¸û ÌØÅ¢Éâý (DWC, ELCM) Àí¸¡Ç¢òÐÅò§¾¡Î, þ¨È¢ÂÄ¢Öõ, þ¨ÈÀ½¢Â¢Öõ ¦Àñ¸û ±Ûõ «¨ÁôÒ (MWMT) ¸¢ûÇ¡ý ÀûÇò¾¡ì¸¢ÖûÇ ¾Á¢ú ¾¢ÕÀô ¦Àñ¸ÙìÌ ´Õ Àð¼¨È¨Â ²üÀ¡Î ¦ºö¾Ð. þÐ 2009, ¦ºô¼õÀ÷, 26õ §¾¾¢ ¦Àð¼¡Ä¢í ¦ƒÂ¡, „¡ ¾íÌõ Ţξ¢Â¢ø ¿¨¼¦ÀüÈÐ. þó¾ ´Õ ¿¡û Àð¼¨È¢ø, ±¾¢÷À¡÷ò¾üÌõ «¾¢¸Á¡¸§Å, ¸¢ûÇ¡ý ÀûÇò¾¡ì¸¢ÖûÇ ÀÄ º¨À¸Ç¢Ä¢ÕóÐõ 60 ¦Àñ¸û ÅóÐ ÀíÌ ¦¸¡ñ¼É÷. «¾¢ø 35 §À÷ Öò¾Ãý ¦Àñ¸û. þôÀð¼¨È¢ý §¿¡ì¸í¸û ÅÕÁ¡Ú: l ¦Àñ¸û Áò¾¢Â¢ø, «Å÷ ¾õ Í Á¾¢ô¨ÀÔõ, ¦ºÂø ¾¢È¨ÉÔõ ÌÈ¢ò¾ ŢƢôÒ½÷× «¨¼Âî ¦ºöÅÐ l §Å¾ò¾¢ý «ÊôÀ¨¼Â¢ø, Áâ¡Ǣý н¢× ÁüÚõ ¿õÀ¢ì¨¸¨Â ¿ÁÐ Á¡¾¢Ã¢Â¡¸ì ¦¸¡ûÅÐ l ¦Àñ¸û ¾í¸û þøÄí¸Ç¢ø, ¾¢ÕÀ¸Ç¢ø ÁüÚõ ºÓ¾¡Âò¾¢ø ±¾¢÷ ¦¸¡ûÙõ ºÅ¡ø¸¨Çî ºó¾¢ì¸ ¬üÈæðÎÅÐ ¬¸¢ÂÉ. ¿¢¸ú¸û: ÐÅì¸, ÓÊ× ¬Ã¡¾¨É¸û, «È¢Ó¸ôÀÎòоø, §Å¾ ¬Ã¡ö, Á§Ä„¢Â þó¾¢Âô ¦Àñ¸Ç¢ý ¿¢¨Ä, ¯ý¨É «È¢óÐ ¬ü鬀 ÅÇ÷òÐì ¦¸¡û, º¢ò¾Ã¢òÐì ¸¡ðξø, ¾£÷Á¡Éõ ±Îò¾ø ¬¸¢ÂÉ. §Å¾ ¬Ã¡ö¡ÉÐ ¬ñ¼ÅḢ þ§ÂÍÅ¢ý ¾¡Â¡¸¢Â Áâ¡¨Ç ¨ÁÂÁ¡¸ì ¦¸¡ñÎ, ¸¼×Ç¢ý ሃ¢Âò¨¾ì ÌÈ¢ò¾ «ÅÇÐ ¦¾¡¨Ä §¿¡ìÌ ÁüÚõ «ó¾ ¦¾¡¨Ä §¿¡ìÌ ¿ÁÐ Á§Ä„¢Â þó¾¢Â ¸¢È¢Š¾Åô ¦Àñ¸¨Ç ±ùÅ¡Ú °ìÌÅ¢òÐ ¯üº¡¸ôÀÎòи¢ÈÐ ±ýÚ ¸¡ðÊÂÐ.

þôÀð¼¨È¢ø ¦ÀüÈ ¾¸Åø¸û, ¿¡õ ºÁ¡¾¡ÉÁ¡Ôõ, ¿øÄ¢½ì¸Á¡Ôõ ¬ñ¼ÅÕìÌ °Æ¢Âõ ¦ºöž¢ø н¢×ûÇÅ÷¸Ç¡¸×õ þÕì¸ °ì¸ôÀÎòО¢ø ¦ÅüÈ¢ ¸ñ¼Ð. §ÁÖõ ±í¸ÙìÌ, ¾¡úò¾ôÀð¼, ´Îì¸ôÀð¼ þó¾¢Âô ¦Àñ¸¨Ç °ìÌÅ¢òÐ, ¸¼×Ç¢ý ሃ¢Âò¾¢ø «Å÷¸¨Çî §º÷ìÌõ ÓÂüº¢Â¢ø, º¨À¢Öõ, ÌÎõÀí¸Ç¢Öõ, ºã¸ò¾¢Öõ ¿¡í¸û ±¾¢÷ ¦¸¡ûÙõ ºÅ¡ø¸¨Ç ºó¾¢ì¸ ¨¾Ã¢Âõ «Ç¢ò¾Ð. §ÁÖõ þôÀð¼¨È «¿£¾¢, À¡ÌÀ¡Î, ÅýÓ¨È ¬¸¢ÂÅü¨È ¿¡õ ±¾¢÷òÐ ¿¢ýÚ ÌÃø ¦¸¡Îì¸, ¦ºÂøÀ¼, ¿ÁìÌ «È¢×, ¬üÈø, ¨¾Ã¢Âõ, ÅÄ¢¨Á ¬¸¢Â¨Å ¦¸¡Îì¸ôÀðÊÕ츢ÈÐ ±ýÀ¨¾ ¯½Ã ¯¾Å¢ÂÐ. ¿õ¨Á ¿¡õ ¯½÷óÐ ¦¸¡ûÇ×õ, ¸¼×Ç¢ý º¡ÂÄ¢ø À¨¼ì¸ôÀð¼ ¿õ¨Á ¬ñ¼Å÷ ±ôÀÊô À¡÷츢ȡ÷ ±ýÚ ¦¾Ã¢óÐ ¦¸¡ûÇ×õ ¯¾Å¢ÂÐ. þ¾¢ø Àí§¸üÈ ´ù¦Å¡ÕÅÕõ, ´ù¦Å¡Õ ¿¢¸ú¢Öõ Á¸¢ú§Â¡Î ¸ÄóÐ ¦¸¡ñ¼É÷. ¾í¸§Ç¡Î Ò¾¢Â ¸ÕòÐ츨ÇÔõ, ¿õÀ¢ì¨¸¨ÂÔõ ±ÎòÐì ¦¸¡ñ¼Å÷¸Ç¡ö «Åü¨È º¨À¸Ç¢Öõ, ÌÎõÀí¸Ç¢Öõ, ºã¸ò¾¢Öõ ¦ºÂøÀÎòО¡¸ ¯Ú¾¢ âñ¼É÷. ±í¸ÙìÌ «¾¢¸ °ì¸Óõ, Á¢Ìó¾ ÀÂÛõ «Ç¢ò¾ þó¾ôÀð¼¨È측¸ ¿Á¾¡ñ¼ÅÕìÌõ, ²üÀ¡ð¼¡ÇÕìÌõ ¿¡í¸û Á¢¸×õ ¿ýÈ¢ ÜÚ¸¢§È¡õ. Á¡÷¸¦Ãð «À¢§„¸õ §ÀáÂô ¦Àñ¸û ÌØ Á.Í.Ö.¾¢.

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ELCM AUXILIARY PROGRAMME AND TRAINING 2010 ELCM

The Bishop and the Diocesan Council wish all members a Blessed Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Evangelical Lutheran Church in Malaysia 21, Jalan Sultan Abdul Samad, Brickfields 50470 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Tel: 03-2274 1033 / 03-2274 0204 Fax: 03-2274 1750 Email: elcm@streamyx.com Website: www.elcm.com.my

Editorial Board Editor in Chief Bishop Rt. Rev Dr Solomon Rajah Editor Rev Dr Allan Vairamuthu Asst. Editor Rev Steven Lawrance Member Bro. Eliezer Peter Design & Printed by:

Siva Desktop Design Tel: 03-4022 0094

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