Internal Circulation nd August 2012 10th Edition Evangelical Lutheran Church in MalaysiaAugust 2012 22 Edition | December 2016 10th Edition
“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14)
John said that the “Word” meaning Yahweh which is the name of God who is never an image, became flesh, a human full of grace and truth. He is saying that we (i.e. the Apostles) had seen his glory that is only possible if he was the Son from the Father. The glory of God continues to shine in us as Christians because we are one in his flesh. And that glory is the love, compassion and grace that others can see and testify.
clinic that faced one such field. He would often stand there and look at the children playing, and try to recognize them because they were all his patients at one time or another. He also observed that the older children were always pushing away the younger ones in their games. So, at his own expense, he decided and erected some playground equipments including little swings, seesaws and sliding chutes at a corner of the field.
Many of us grew up in a Taman – a planned housing project with some social amenities within reach, roads, sewerage, plumbing, and electricity. Ideally, the neighbours will be of different races. There will often be some shops, a school and a field. In one of these Taman, there was a kindly doctor who had a
The whole Taman was happy. But after sometime and a fair degree of abuse of the playequipment, one of the little boys tripped over a broken tile and cracked his right tibia and broke his large toe. There were many possible outcomes to this very painful incident. The parents could have taken the boy to the clinic
IN THIS EDITION Bishop’s Easter Message Editorial Message from Diocesan Secretary Message from Diocesan Treasurer Joy of Christmas Gravity Bishop’s DA Address
1-4 5-6 7 7 8 8 9
12 Bishop’s Main Programme for 2017 14 Brief Report on 53rd Diocesan Assembly 16 - 20 ELCM Photo Gallery 21 District Pastors for 2017 21 2017- Marking 500 years of Reformation 22 ELCM Events/News Updates & Our Condolences 24 ELCM Programme for 2017 (Tentative)
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that was in plain sight of the playground and that would have been common sense. Instead, they created a commotion crying and shouting, and then they rushed him to the General Hospital and later sued the old doctor for building an unsafe playground and mentioned the local municipal authority for complicity. Of course, the parents of the little boy failed in their efforts. But I cannot forget this incident after all these years. I always wondered what the reaction of the doctor would have been! But I never spoke to him, so I do not know. This incident has always
popped up in my mind as if to remind me of something but it did not connect until this Christmas season when I began reading the Gospel of John. The Bible tells us that God made for us a world that was fit to live. It needs care and upkeep which is within our means. Instead, we abuse it and allow it to be used selfishly. When things go wrong, we are quick to blame the Maker. Why? Even when the clinic was in plain sight, why did the parents not rush there with their injured 2
child? The answer to that question lies in our response to misfortune when it comes upon us we do not turn to God but blame him for not taking care of us. The doctor must have felt a lot of emotions – disbelieving, surprise and shock. I do not know exactly how he felt. I do know one thing through, the doctor’s son, who is a doctor himself, runs the clinic now, and that family has not stopped being kind to the people in the Taman. The clinic used to have, what we call nowadays, a “food bank” (i.e. giving away foodstuff to the needy). Today it is a much bigger “food bank”. I think the old doctor was a godly man who touched people by grace and truth. I hope this Christmas, we too would touch lives by God’s grace and truth. Let us ask ourselves what we are going to do for our Lord this Christmas as we celebrate the Word incarnate – God becoming flesh and bones, born to us from the womb of Mary, to live among us as one of us, yet whose glory was known through Jesus Christ because he was “full of truth and grace.” Wishing all members and well-wishers of the ELCM, A JOYFUL CHRISTMAS AND A BLESSED NEW YEAR! Rt Rev Dr Solomon Rajah Bishop Evangelical Lutheran Church in Malaysia December 2016
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Nguhaupd; ‘fpwp];k];” nra;jp:
kDTUthd thu;j;ij “me;j thh;ji ; j khk;rkhfp> fpUigapdhYk; rj;jpaj;jpdhYk; epiwe;jtuha;> ekf;Fs;Ns thrk;gz;zpdhh;@ mtUila kfpikiaf; fz;Nlhk;@ mJ gpjhTf;F xNuNgwhdtUila kfpikf;F Vw;w kfpikahfNt ,Ue;jJ.” (Nahthd; 1:14) “thu;ji ; j” mjhtJ “vNfhth” vd;W miof;fg;gLk;> xUNghJk; cUtkpy;yhj flTs;> khk;rkhfp fpUigapdhYk; rj;jpaj;jpdhYk; epiwe;j Xu; kdpjdhdhu;. gup. Nahtd;; nrhy;YfpwJ: ehq;fs; (mjhtJ mg;Ngh];jyu;fs;) mtUila kfpikiaf; fz;Nlhk;. mtu; gpjhtplkpUe;J te;j Fkhudha; ,Ue;jpUe;jhy; kl;LNk mJ epfof;$bajhFk;. ehk; mtuJ khk;rj;jpy; xd;Wgl;bUg;gjpdhy; flTSila kfpik njhlu;eJ ; fpwp]j ; tu;fshfpa ekf;Fs;Sk; gpufhrpf;fpwJ. kw;wtu;fs; ghu;jJ ; rhl;rp nrhy;yf;$ba md;G> fUiz> fpUig vd;gitfNs ,e;j kfpikahf ,Uf;fpwJ. ek;kpy; mNefu; jpl;lkpl;L mikf;fg;gl;l ; FbapUg;G ,lq;fspy; tsu;ej ; pUf;fpNwhk;. mjpy; r%f eyDf;F Njhitahd rhiyfs;> fopTePu; mikg;Gfs;> jz;zP Foha; mikg;Gfs;> kpd;rhu trjpfs; Mfpa ahTk; ,Ue;jpUf;Fk;. NkYk; mjpy; gy;NtW ,d kf;fis mz;il tPll ; huhf nfhz;l epiyAk; ,Ue;jpUf;Fk;. rhjhuzkhf mjpy; rpy filfSk;> gs;spf;$lq;fSk; xU ikjhdKk; ,Uf;Fk;. ,g;gbg;gl;l Xu; tPlikg;G ,lj;jpy; xU kUj;Jtu; ,Ue;jhu;. mq;Nf mtuJ nrhe;j rpfpr;irafk; (clinic) ,Ue;jJ. mtuJ rpfpr;irafj;Jf;F Kd;dhy; xU ikjhdk; ,Ue;jJ. mtu; mbf;fb jdJ rpfpr;irafj;jpd; Kd; epd;W gps;isfs; mq;Nf tpisabf;nfhz;bUg;gij ghu;jJ ; f;nfhz;bUg;ghu;. mtu;fspy; mNefu; jd;Dila rpfpr;irafj;Jf;F VjhtJ xU rkak; te;jtu;fshf ,Ue;jjhy; mtu;fis mtu; ahu; ahu; vd milask;fhz Kay;thu;. gy rkaq;fspy; ngupa gps;isfs; rpwpatu;fis jq;fs; tpisahl;bypUe;J js;sp itg;gijAk; mtu; ghu;jj ; hu;. MfNt mtu; jd; nrhe;j rpytpy; me;j ikjhdj;jpd; xU gFjpy; rpW
gps;isfSf;fhf CQ;ry;> Crw;fl;il (seesaw)> tOf;F rha;rupT (Sliding chutes) Mfpaitfis mikj;jhu;. me;j ,lj;jpYs;s ; vy;yhUk; mjpf kfpo;rpaile;jdu;. Mdhy; rpy fhyq;fSf;F gpd;du; me;j rhjdq;fs; gyuhy; jtwhd tifapy; gad;gLj;jg;gl;ljhy; gOjile;jJ. xU rkak; rpW igad; xUtd; cile;jpUe;j xl;by; jLf;fp tPoe ; j ; jhy; mtdJ fhy; vYk;gpy; gpsTk; ngUtpuypy; KwpTk; Vw;gl;lJ. me;j Neuj;jpy; vd;d nra;tJ vd;gij Fwpj;J ehk; rpe;jpf;Fk;NghJ mjw;F gy topfs; ,Ue;jd vdf; $wyhk;. mtDila ngw;Nwhu; mtid cldbahf mUfpYs;s me;j rpfpr;irafj;Jf;F nfhz;LnghapUf;fyhk;. Mdhy; mtu;fs; $r;rypl;L mOJ XU Fog;gj;ij cUthf;fp mtid mtrukhf nghJ kUj;Jtkidf;Ff; Nfhz;L nrd;wdu;. gpd;du; me;j ngw;Nwhu; ghJfhg;gpy;yhj tpisahl;L ,lj;ijf; fl;bajw;fhf me;j kUj;Jtu; NkYk;> mtUf;F cle;ijahf ,Ue;jjw;fhf me;j ,lj;J efuhl;rp mjpfhupfs; NkYk; tof;Fj; njhlu;ej ; du;. epr;rakhf me;j ngw;Nwhu; mjpy; Njhy;tpaile;jdu;. Mdhy; ,e;j rk;gtj;ij vd;dhy; ,e;ehs;tiu kwf;f Kbatpy;iy. me;j kUj;Jtupd; kdepiy mg;NghJ vg;gb ,Ue;jpUf;Fk; vd;w rpe;jid vd;id tpl;L mfytpy;iy. ehd; mtuplk; Ngrpdjpy;iy MfNt mJ vdf;Fj; njupahJ. ,e;j rk;gtk; gyrkaq;fspy; vdJ epidTf;F tUk; Mdhy; ,e;j fpwp];k]; rkak; ehd; Nahthd; RtpNr\j;ijg; gbf;Fk;NghJjhd; me;j rk;gtj;jpd; fUj;ij czu Kbe;jJ. ehk; ed;whf tho;tjw;fhf ,e;j cyfj;ij flTs; gilj;jhu; vd;W Ntjhfkk; $WfpwJ. ek;Kila epiyf;F vw;wg;gb mij ehk; ghJfhj;J ey;y epiyapy; itj;Jf;nfhs;tJ mtrpakhdjhf ,Uf;fpwJ. Mdhy; gy rkaq;fspy; ehk; mij jfhj topapYk; Raeyj;JlDk; gad;gLj;Jk;gb tpl;L tpLfpNwhk;. rpy fhupaq;fs; jtwhf nry;Yk;NghJ ehk; cldbahf mijg;
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gilj;jtiuf; Fw;wk; rhl;LfpNwhk;. Vd;? me;j rpfpr;irafk; kpf mUfpy;; ,Ue;jg;NghjpYk; Vd; me;j ngw;Nwhu; me;j igaid rPff ; pukhf mq;Nf nfhz;LNghftpy;iy? ekf;F ,d;dy;fs; tUk; rkaq;fspy; ehk; flTsplk; Nghfhky; ek;ik mtu; ftdpf;ftpy;iy vd;W mtiu Fw;wk;rhl;Lk; epiyapNyNa me;j Nfs;tpf;fhd tpil mlq;fpapUf;fpwJ. me;j kUj;Jtu; me;j rkaj;jpy; gytpjkhd czu;Tfs; epiwe;jtuhf ,Ue;jpUg;ghu; -ek;gpf;if itf;f Kbahj jpifg;G> mjpu;rr ; p. mtu; vg;gbg;gl;l czu;Tilatuhf ,Ue;jhu; vd;gJ vdf;F cWjpahf njupahJ. me;j kUj;Jtupd; kfDk;; ,g;NghJ xU kUj;Jtuhf mNj rpfpr;irafj;ij elj;jptUfpwhu;. mtu; %yk; xU fhupaj;ij kl;Lk; ehd; mwpfpNwd;: me;j FLk;gj;jpdu; me;j tPlikg;G ,lj;jpYs;s kf;fsplk; fhl;btUfpw jq;fs; ,uf;fj;ij epUj;jpf;nfhs;stpy;iy.
me;j rpfpr;irafj;jpy; ehk; jw;fhyj;jpy; nrhy;Yfpw “czT ghq;f”; (mjhtJ cjtpj; Njit gl;ltu;fSf;F czTg; ngUl;fis tpdpNahfpf;fpw ,lk;) xd;W ,Ue;jJ. me;j KJikahd kUj;Jtu; gy kf;fspd; czu;rr ; pfis jdJ ,uf;fj;jpdhYk; Neu;ikapdhYk; njhl;l Xu; flTspd; kdpjdhf ,Ue;jhu; vd ehd; epidf;fpNwd;.; ,e;j fpwp];k]; rkak; ehKk; flTspd; ,uf;fj;ijAk; cz;ikiaAk; nfhz;L gyupd; tho;fi ; fia njhLNthk; vd;W ehd; ek;GfpNwd;. kDTUthd thu;ji ; j -flTs; khk;rkhfp ekf;fh fd;dpkupahspd; %yk; gpwe;J ek;Kld; ek;ikg;Nghy; tho;fi ; f elj;jp flTspd; kfpikia jkJ rj;jpaj;jpdhYk; ,uf;fj;jpdhYk; ekf;F ntspg;gLj;jpd ,NaR fpwp];Jtpd; gpwg;ghfpa fpwp];k]; jpdj;ijf; nfhz;lhLk; ,r;rkaj;jpy; ehk; ekJ Mz;ltUf;fhf vd;d nra;ag; NghfpNwhk; vd;W ek;ikNa ehk; Nfl;Nghk;.
ek;Kila epiyf;F vw;wg;gb mij ehk; ghJfhj;J ey;y epiyapy; itj;Jf;nfhs;tJ mtrpakhdjhf ,Uf;fpwJ. Mdhy; gy rkaq;fspy; ehk; mij jfhj topapYk; Raeyj;JlDk; gad;gLj;Jk;gb tplL ; tpLfpNwhk;.
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cq;fs; ahtUf;Fk; vdJ kfpo;rr ; p epiwe;j fpwp];k]; kw;Wk; MrpkpFe;j Gj;jhz;L tho;jJ ; f;fs;. NguUs;jpU. mwptu;. rhNyhNkhd; uh[h Nguhau; RtpNr\ Yj;jud; jpUr;rig> kNyrpah brk;gu; 2016
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Internal
Circulation
Evangeli
cal Luth
eran Chu
rch in Mala
The Lutheran Herald Says....
on th Editi 2016 10ber n | Decem st 2012 nd Editio Augu 10th nEditio 22
ysiaAugust 2012
us, and lt among only Son and dwe me flesh glory as of the .” Word beca , the “And the seen his glory grace and truth of we have Father, full from the ) (John 1:14
ld often . He wou ing, such field ren play faced one at the child they were clinic that and look because He also Yahweh stand thererecognize them or another. meaning always to r an time and try “Word” who is neve nts at one r children werein their that the God grace and all his patiethat the olde ger ones decided John said the name of an full of Apostles) he is , a hum observed away the youn nse, the flesh which expe pments became g that we (i.e. possible if he pushing his own ground equi sliding image, So, at is sayin is only of God games. ted some play seesaws and truth. He his glory that er. The glory use and erec little swings, field. the Fath Christians beca the had seen is as Son from including a corner of the was the s to shine in us And that glory rs can at But after. chutes happy. continue his flesh grace that othe play one in an was abuse of the and we are over le Tam ee of passion tripped The who and a fair degr and love, com y. little boys ned testif right tibia ible sometiment, one of the – a plan s see and ked his poss Taman equipme tile and crac e were many l amenitie up in a The us grew some socia bing, and a broken large toe. Ther painful incident.clinic Many of project with , plum be e his to the very sewerage hbours will brok boy s, this housing to the road s taken reach, the neig often be some outcome within could have these . Ideally, e will parents one of electricity races. Ther In a . had field rent of diffe school and a ly doctor who a a kind EDITION 13 shops, was THIS IN there tries 14-15 Taman, ach Minis tes
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Editor-in-Chief
Rt. Rev. Dr. Solomon Rajah Bishop, ELCM
Editor Rev. Albert P. Abishegam Assistant Editor Rev. Eliezer Peter Sub-Assistant Editor Rev. K. Jegadass Translators & Proof-Readers Rev. Moses Muthusamy Mrs. Cecilia Gabrial
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Christmas and Incarnation The dawn of Christmas 2016 has come upon us. Amidst the busyness the season brings, the Lutheran Herald invites all our respected readers to join us in reflecting on the Christmas narrative from the viewpoint of the incarnation. John 1:14 proclaims, “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.” The word “incarnation” means to be made, or to become, flesh; hence the Lord Jesus is referred to by many as “The Incarnate Word.” The incarnation of the Son of God was absolutely necessary to make possible our salvation. And Scripture supports this statement. Jesus “was the true Light, which lights every man that comes into the world. He was in the world…. He came unto His own….” Why? Why did God purpose in Himself to put on the cloak of flesh? Why would He take upon Himself the limitations of humanity? Why would He make Himself so vulnerable? 1. Firstly, To Reveal God To Men In the past, God had revealed Himself through His works, through His world and through His Word. The incarnation was God revealed in the Person of Jesus Christ. Jesus Himself said in John 14:9 that anyone who had seen Him had also seen the Father. That’s why John could say with all authority that “the Word was with God, and the Word was God”. Jesus is the glory of God and He came to reveal God and His glory to all humanity. 2. Secondly, To Restore Paradise Lost. To Redeem A World Lost Out To Sin. We cannot even begin to fathom the unspeakable glories of the kingdom of God. Words cannot express how amazing it will be in all its perfection and majesty. And what did Jesus do? He left it. Though He was still fully God, “He emptied Himself, made Himself nothing, and took upon Himself the form of a common slave, and was made in the likeness of men….” The Word was made flesh - that is the incarnation – to save sinners like all of us. The Herald ends this Christmas editorial with a question for you: “Are you surrendered to the will of God for your life?” Jesus knew the outcome would be a cross and He surrendered to the will of God anyway. He knew before He created man what it would cost Him and He did it anyway. He was absolutely surrended to the will of His Father. Are we? The God of creation gave up the glories of heaven to become a Man. Are you willing to give up and give in? The Lutheran Herald Editorial Committee takes this opportunity to wish all our readers A MEANINGFUL CHRISTMAS AND A BLESSED NEW YEAR! God bless you all. Rev. Albert P. Abishegam Editor December 2016 Strengthening & Expanding ELCM 2009-2020 | ngyg;gLj;Jjy; & tpupTg;gLj;Jjy; 2009-2020
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Yj;jud; J}Jtd; nrhy;fpwJ ...
fpwp];k]{k; kDTUNtw;Gk; 2016k; Mz;bd; fpwp];k]; fhy njhlf;f xsp ek;Nky; gpufhrpf;f Muk;gpj;Jtpl;lJ. ,e;j fhyk; nfhz;LtUk; gy mYty;fspd; kj;jpapy; fpwp];k]; fijia kDTUNtw;G vd;Dk; fUj;jpy; gpujpgyp;f;Fk;gb thrfu;fs; ahtiuAk; Yj;jud; J}Jtd; miof;fpwJ. Nahthd; 1:14 $WfpwJ> ‘me;j thh;j;ij khk;rkhfp> fpUigapdhYk; rj;jpaj;jpdhYk; epiwe;jtuha;> ekf;Fs;Ns thrk;gz;zpdhh;. mtUila kfpikiaf; fz;Nlhk;. mJ gpjhTf;F xNuNgwhdtUila kfpikf;F Vw;w kfpikahfNt ,Ue;jJ.”
‘kDTUNtw;G” vd;gjpd; mu;j;jk; khk;rkhf;fg;gLjy; my;yJ khk;rkhdtu; vd;gjhFk;. MfNt Mz;ltuhfpa ,NaRit mNefu; ‘kDTUthd thu;j;ij” vd;W Fwpg;gpLfpwhu;fs;. ekf;F ,ul;rpg;ig nfhLg;gjw;F Njt Fkhudpd; kDTUNtw;G Kw;wpYk; mtrpakhdjhf ,Ue;jJ. ,e;j Nfhl;ghl;il Ntjhfkk; Mjupf;fpwJ. ,e;j cyfj;Jf;Fs; tUfpu xt;nthU kdpjidAk; xspNaw;Wfpw ‘nka;ahd xspahf” ,NaR ,Ue;jhu;. mtu; ,e;j cyfj;jpy; ,Ue;jhu;. ..... mtu; jk;Kilatu;fs; kj;jpapy; te;jhu;. Vd;? flTs; Vd; mtiu kdpj cUntLf;fr; nra;jhu;? mtu; Vd; jd;id kdpjdpd; tiuaiwf;fSfFs;shdtuhf;fpdhu;? mtu; Vd; jhNk jd;id ngUk; ghjpg;Gf;F cl;gl;ltuhf;fpdhu;? 1. KjyhtJ> flTis kdpjUf;F ntspg;gLj;j
fle;j fhyj;jpy;> flTs; mtuJ fpupiafspd; %ykhfTk;> mtuJ cyf;jpd; %ykhfTk;> mtuJ thu;j;ijapd; %ykhAk; jd;id ntspg;gLj;jpdhu;. kDTUNtw;G ,NaR fpwp];Jtpd; %yk; tUfpw
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flTspd; ntspg;ghlhf ,Ue;jJ. Nahthd; 14:9y; ,NaR fpwp];J jhNk nry;fpwJ: ‘vd;idf; fz;ltd; gpjhitf; fz;lhd;”. mjdhNyNa Nahtd; MizAupikAld; nrhy;Yfpwhu;> “me;j thu;j;ij Njtdplj;jpypUe;jJ> me;j thu;j;ij NjtdhapUe;jJ”. ,NaRNt flTspd; kfpik. mtu; flTisAk; mtuJ kfpikiaAk; vy;yh kf;fSf;Fk; ntspg;gLj;j te;jhu;. 2. ,uz;lhtJ> ,oe;j Nkhl;rj;ij jpUg;gpf; nfhLf;fTk;> ghtj;Jf;Fs;Ns njhiye;JNghd cyfj;ij kPl;Lf; nfhs;sTk;.
flTSila ,uh[;[paj;jpd; nry;Yf;flq;fh kfpikapd; msit ehk; vz;zpf;$lg; ghu;f;f KbahJ. mjd; khl;rpikAk; KOepiwTk; vt;tsT jpiff;fitf;fj;jf;fjha; ,Uf;fpwJ vd;gij ehk; tu;zpf;f KbahJ. ,NaR vd;d nra;jhu;? mtu; mij tpl;Lr; nrd;whu;. mtu; ,d;Dk; KOikad flTshf ,Ue;jhYk; ‘jk;ikj; jhNk ntWikahf;fp> mbikapd; &gnkLj;J> kD\u; rhayhdhu;....” thu;j;ij khk;rkhdJ. mJNt ek;ikg; Nghd;w ghtpfis ,ul;rpf;f kDTUthFjyhFk;. Yj;jud; J}Jtd; ,e;j fpwp];k]; jiyaq;fj;ij Xu; Nfs;tpAld; Kbf;fpwJ: “ePq;fs; cq;fs; tho;f;ifia flTspd; rpj;jj;Jf;F xg;Gf;nfhLj;jtu;fsha; ,Uf;fpwPu;fsh?; jdJ tho;f;ifapd; Kbtpy; rpYit ,Uf;fpwJ vd;gJ ,NaRTf;Fj; njupAk;. ,Ue;jhYk; mtu; jd;id flTspd; rpj;jj;Jf;F xg;gptpj;jhu;. mtu; kdpjid gilg;gjw;F Kd;Ng kDTUthFjypd; ‘tpiy” vg;gbg;gl;ljhf ,Uf;Fk; vd;gJ mtUf;Fj; njupAk;. MdhYk; mtu; mijr; nra;jhu;. mtu; KOJkhf jdJ gpjhtpd; rpj;jj;Jf;F jd;id xg;Gtpj;jhu;. ehk; mg;gbr; nra;fpNwhkh? cyif gilj;j flTs; kdpjdhtjw;F jdJ Nkl;rNyhfj;jpd; kfpikia tpl;L tpl;lhu;. ePq;fSk; cq;fs; rpj;jj;ij tpl;L tpl;L mtUila rpj;jj;Jf;F cq;fis xg;Gtpf;f Maj;jkh? Yj;jud; J}Jtdpd; gjpg;ghrpupau; FO thrfu; midtUf;Fk; mu;j;jKs;s fpwp];k]; kw;Wk; MrPut ; hjkhd Gj;jhz;L tho;jJ ; f;fis njuptpf;fpwJ. flTs; cq;fis MrPu;tjpg;ghuhf. kiwjpU My;gu;l; gp. mgpN\fk;.
gjpg;ghrpupau; brk;gu; 2016.
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MESSAGE FROM THE DIOCESAN SECRETARY “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 1:14 Dear Fellow Lutherans, Many have described John 1:14 as the central verse in the Scriptures and so for us what does it mean that “the word became flesh.” It actually means the real Christmas message. Today the word “Christmas” has been replaced by the world with “the holidays” because the world does not want to think about the birth of Christ. They are troubled by the very word “Christmas” because it reminds them of “ the Word.” They rebel against the thought that Jesus is the only Word of God. But Jesus is the total message for us; everything that God wants to communicate to us. John 1:14 teaches us the following: 1. God’s decisive act to defeat Satan and sin and to redeem mankind. When God became human flesh, He stated clearly His intention to reclaim mankind from the power of Satan. 2. The plan of the eternal God, the Creator, to become vulnerable human flesh and to dwell among sinful humanity. It shows the love of the Creator for His creation so that we will know Him and accept Him. 3. It describes the presence of Almighty God among us. John and the early Christians testified that “we beheld His glory, the glory of the only begotten from the Father.” The Christmas message is simply love and redemption of God for His children. Through Jesus, God wants us to see what He meant by loving, forgiving, serving, worshipping, praying and so on as we run our race in our Christian journey. What Jesus did was beyond human comprehension “in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Rom 5:8). So this Christmas, let us continue to praise and worship our Lord Jesus Christ by singing that old Christmas carol: “Word of the Father, Now in flesh appearing; O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him, Christ the Lord.” MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR. With God’s Blessings Silas M. Das Diocesan Secretary
CHRISTMAS MESSAGE FROM THE DIOCESAN TREASURER Greetings and peace to you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to all readers of the Lutheran Herald. The Lord was with us and blessed us one way or other in 2016 and we have every reason to believe that the Lord’s purposes will prevail in the new year. Let us make a New Year resolution that we will continue to support God’s ministry in the new year. The Lord will bless you when you give cheerfully and generously to the church, for God loves a cheerful giver. My family and I wish the promise and peace of Christmas be with all Lutheran Herald readers and God’s choicest blessings in the New Year. Selvaraj Anugraham Diocesan Treasurer Strengthening & Expanding ELCM 2009-2020 | ngyg;gLj;Jjy; & tpupTg;gLj;Jjy; 2009-2020
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Introduction Christmas is a season to nurture our values that is strongly rooted in Christ the King whom we seek and serve. Christmas, in today’s modern world is celebrated with personal joy and is considered as a time of endless communal celebrations symbolized with trees, carols, toys, candles, lights, special dinner and merry-making. The celebration would be complete if we earnestly seek and serve the King on Christmas and all the days following. Christmas a special time to seek and serve Christ with joy, is truly a time of celebrations with friends, family and church members. Let’s celebrate Christmas nurturing our values in Christ and proclaiming the good news of Christmas to the whole world. Firstly, Seek the King: The Magi from the East came to Jerusalem and said, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.” Their seeking of Christ to worship, was spontaneous on seeing the star in the East. We a wise generation of God are blessed every year with Christmas as an opportunity to spontaneously, experience a fresh glimpse of He who was born and worship the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. Secondly, Seek the King in the Right Place: The joy of Christmas is directly related to where you look. We learn from the magi, that they followed the star up to Jerusalem, and on reaching Jerusalem rather following the star, they went to the palace, expecting the king to be born in palace. May be they would have did this with their own human reasoning. We all know what happened following, ‘When Herod heard of the birth of a new king, his jealousy sought to kill the new born’. We sometimes overwhelmed by joy of celebration seek out own ways to celebrate, defeating the real purpose of Christmas. Christmas celebration carefully guided by the Word of God alone can fulfil the thirst of joy our hearts seek on celebration of Christmas. Thirdly, Serve the King: The joy of Christmas is directly related to whom do you serve. The magi’s mission completed when they worshipped the King with their gifts and returned home obeying the voice of the angels. True Christmas is all about serving God, His people and the millions of unsaved ones around us. The Son of Man came down from heaven to seek and serve. To seek the lost and to serve the ones who put their trust in Him. Luther stated that all who believe in Christ belong to the royal priesthood and the priest is called to serve not to rule. Christmas for us with Christ in our heart, is to herald that good news to the whole world. Happy Christmas! Rev. Joseph Bernandus MTh, Resurrection Lutheran Congregation, Port Dickson
The song Gravity by John Mayer, one of my favourite musicians of current times, played on the radio as I drove, just the other day. No...he’s not a gospel / Christian musician, nevertheless music is universal. He sings about the gravity, which he felt is working against him…and finally he ends the song saying, bring him to the Light and keep him there. As my mind kept relating, it made a lot of sense to situations and season of today. The mad rush of the season to display of bigger and better decorated Christmas tree, flashy dresses, expensive gifts, open houses and family gatherings, the carols, unlimited church activities etc, has begun. As well as the race which goes along with it, sometimes we forget to be sensitive to our surroundings, our family, friends and church or the hard truth and reality we are facing. Let’s not forget, for many in our community, this Christmas will not be the same as previous ones. Whether it’s a personal issue or marital issues , family discords, death of a beloved person, uncertainty in job and work related issues, discords in and among congregations, the clergy or as a whole. It all comes to one thing, that is, things are not as nice as it seems behind those screens. Period! Whichever pole is our situation in life, whether we are flying high or swimming in and against tides , remember that gravity will always pull us back to reality of times. It is not working against us, but in fact bringing us back to the ground to teach us to accept and be comforted. Even as we usher along to celebrate the miraculous birth of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, let’s not forget that our Lord is that gravity that keeps us grounded to reality and the light that lightens our path. Just like His birth brought forth a beaconing hope to the people in his time and certainly, it will be for us too this Christmas. So then, let us embrace the truth and let the grace the our Saviour flow among us, our family, the little community of ELCM, as well as the ones who needs uplifting during these days. Have a wonderful Christmas and blessed New Year. Dr Louis Nethaniel Johnson Kluang, Diocesan Council Member
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Strengthening & Expanding ELCM 2009-2020 | ngyg;gLj;Jjy; & tpupTg;gLj;Jjy; 2009-2020
53rd DIOCESAN ASSEMBLY 2016 9th September 2016, LA BOSS Hotel, Melaka Raya, Melaka 1. INTRODUCTION Dear Delegates, fellow workers and observers, warm greetings in the name of our Lord, Jesus Christ! We are assembled here in Melaka for the 53rd Diocesan Assembly to consider prayerfully the affairs of the ELCM and to make wise and prudent decisions for the sake of our future. I welcome all of you in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Our diocesan objectives that were spelt out seven years ago remain the same, that is, STRENGTHENING and EXPANDING THE ELCM. Let us review our concerns and strategies so that we can be informed and encouraged to move on boldly. 2. STRENGTHENING AND EXPANDING Our diocesan objectives, STRENGTHENING and EXPANDING, remain our guiding ethos for the diocese and will remain so until the end of my episcopacy. Let me recap this to remind ourselves what this means. STRENGTHENING the Church means, we 1. Nurture spiritual growth by understanding God’s love for us; 2. Build self-reliant projects as a way to become an integral part of the local community in which we subsist; 3. Train our clergy and laity slowly so that they will provide the skills and leadership for our future generations; 4. Build bilateral Church relations; and 5. Build our capacity for growth and Mission work. EXPANDING the Church means, we 1. Build new membership; 2. Target and open new areas of ministry; 3. Streamline and coordinate existing auxiliary activities; 4. Increase our diakonia ministry; and
5. Improve our revenue sources at Local and Diocesan levels. (6) The above-mentioned concerns have been repeatedly emphasised to both our Pastors and laity. This year, I want to keep my message short and highlight just two areas that are pressing upon my conscience. 3. LUTHERANISM AND CHURCH GROWTH We are, first and foremost, a Lutheran Church. If you visit the Churches in Germany, they will talk about how unique their Churches are, and will point to history and doctrines to show God’s great deed in making the Augsburg Confession, the foundation of Protestantism, and therefore it has become the very foundation of Lutheranism. They will give you hundreds of pages to read. Here in Malaysia, we are looking at a diverse spectrum of denominations and Churches that are historically, politically, culturally and economically rooted and take pride in their uniqueness. We, as Lutherans in Malaysia, practise more tolerance towards theologically and doctrinally different denominations and Churches. But many have taken this for granted, and it has led to great deal of confusion in our local congregations. Let us look at what this means. In the late 1970s and 1980s, the churches in Malaysia were swept over by the charismatic movement. Many of our members and pastors broke away and set up independent churches of their own. I remember the elders of our Church were very much against the singing, music, and a new style of preaching which that movement produced and propagated. We saw mighty works, miracles, and prophecies. Some of us were convinced that this was the way for a church to go because they grew in numbers! Apart from sheep stealing, in the 1980s, there was a dramatic increase in the number of conversions! Many of our Pastors and lay people thought that the older generation was wrong in forgetting this very important aspect of mission – the exercise
Strengthening & Expanding ELCM 2009-2020 | ngyg;gLj;Jjy; & tpupTg;gLj;Jjy; 2009-2020
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of what is called the “gifts” – that is, the exercise of laying hands and praying for healing; the rightful authority we can exercise to drive away demons; and the “weighty authority” we should exercise in preaching the Gospel from the pulpits! However, what we forgot was that it was not our effort that witnesses Christ, but the Lord himself. We forgot that the elector of our soul and of our faith is God himself. This is good Lutheran doctrine. Let us not forget the reasons why Luther protested against the Roman Church … the deception of indulgence, purgatory and works of piety that were hugely popular among the German Christians. This has not left us but come back to us in diverse ways like false prophets who are “ravenous wolves” primarily interested in the revenue for their own welfare. Jesus warned his disciples: On that day many will say to me, “Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many deeds of power in your name?” And to which they will be told by Jesus (one) “I never knew you” (two) “go away from me,” and (three) “you evildoers.” (Matthew 7:22) Jesus has other clear warnings about how to identify these “peddlers (suppliers) of God’s Word” in the texts that followed. Read it yourself, it comes at the end of the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew Chapters 6 and 7. Recently, I was shocked by a famous politician who turned evangelist. He was a millionaire before and it is all God’s blessings. He goes around giving his testimony as evidence of his call to ministry. He peppers his speech with travelling around the world, his mansion, his children in different parts of the world, and his contacts with the super rich and their Churches. Of late he has been sponsoring rallies and wants to be recognised as a great evangelist. When people come forward for altar calls, he puts his hand right on their stomach and asks them to cough till they are breathless and drooling (salivating). Then he says, they have been delivered of evil spirits. This is plainly wrong, and the fact remains that he cannot preach a decent and proper sermon based on the Bible!
one; or deliverance is conducted “just in case.” The sort of preaching that makes the preacher and his wealth the centre of the sermon is wrong. The sort of preaching that is peppered with show-offs that convey the message that being righteous with the Lord is the trick to become rich quickly is wrong. I want pastors and lay people alike to be aware of these “peddlers of God’s Word.” Any preacher without the endorsement of his superior and the office of the Bishop should not be allowed to preach in our congregations. I have already issued a circular regarding this matter to our pastors and Local Council Secretaries a number of times. In trying to emulate the charismatic ways, we have neglected our own Lutheran Churchmanship like educating the members through effective preaching, conducting regular Bible Studies or Annual Church Camps or family retreats, insisting that members pray every day at home, and hold prayer meetings regularly. As a result, I tell you the most shocking fact I discovered is that Church members have stopped reading the Bible! I know this to be true in some congregations but I suspect it is true of the Diocese itself because during the last Bible Quiz, there were no new faces. How is that possible? The winners have been at it for the last 5 years! We have also fallen back on liturgy. I know some Pastors think that the liturgy is an old-fashioned practice that is intended to satisfy the old people in the congregation. This lack of respect is what gave rise to what I saw during a funeral - an evangelistic service! Thankfully, it was not a Lutheran Church. Let me say that the older Pastors used to hold on to our liturgy rigidly but without much understanding but then they are no more around. But I
The sort of teachings that unless a Christian is delivered, he is possessed of an evil spirit is a theologically doubtful
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want this attitude to change among the younger ones. I want to see Bible Study sessions to be devoted to liturgy as well, especially for the confirmation candidates, catechists or worship leaders. Some of our members think that “speaking in tongues” is a gift that puts us in the same rank as “saved” or “righteous in the eyes of God” or “born-again” or “filled with the Spirit.” None of these imaginations are right. “Speaking in tongues” as an unintelligible speech has been in the early Church of Paul’s time also. That is why he wrote to the Corinthian Church. “I would rather speak intelligible words to instruct others then ten thousand words in tongues.” (See 1 Corinthians 13 & 14). To those who say that this “speaking in tongues” is a language of heaven, or the language of the angels, have fallen into the same pit as the scribes and Pharisees who said that Hebrew is the language of heaven which God himself spoke. As a result, they twist the texts and deliberately misread the day of Pentecost when God blessed every language as acceptable to him in heaven. People of different languages heard the anointed ones speaking in their language without doubt! This tells us that Christ overthrew the Jewish notion that all human languages are cursed except the Hebrew language! So, if you speak in unintelligible tongues, do so, but tread carefully the theology to justify it. Let me remind you once again that the gifts of the Holy Spirit are not the central focus of our churchmanship. These gifts are to serve the people and are not to be treated as a sign of our salvation, righteousness, or born-again status, or filled with the Holy Spirit or ticket to heaven. That would be heresy. Our Church is in decline, but seeking neocharismatic churches’ strategies and practices is not the answer! That experiment is over. We must return to our
Lutheran ways and start paying attention to our doctrines, our Christian education, our congregational camps, our congregational retreats, our mission strategies, and our grassroot ministries. We used to observe some basic rules of daily life and in large measure we still do, such as saying grace before meals, tithing, fasting and praying for one another, singing hymns, going to Church on Sundays and keeping our liturgy. At the same time, we still have a group among us who think these are man-made ritualism that are of no great importance; and another extreme group who would say that if you do not observe rules, you forfeit salvation itself. Christian life needs some priorities understand them as such and do not succumb to criticisms that are immature and sometimes contrary to simple common sense. 4. MISSION WORK I want to congratulate the majority of our congregation members who have been faithful in their giving to God’s work. God will bless you. Most congregations do not set aside funds or budget for mission work. We generally make budget allocations for Youth Work, Women’s work, Sunday School, Junior Work and so on but “mission work” is always missing in the annual budget. The mission fund you may have allocated is to benefit those who are not members but unbelievers. Organise a project within the budget and execute it. Our God will bless us immeasurably more than we can imagine. We worry about our Church’s declining membership because we lack mission consciousness. Where there is no mission work in a congregation, it will slowly decline in faith and membership. Mission is all about “bringing others to the Lord and his Church” through our Christian witnessing and commitment. I urge every congregation to set aside a “mission fund” in their annual budget. Use this fund only for mission work and development. Mission Work is the mandatory aspect of the Great Commission which our Lord proclaimed: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (See Matthew 28: 19). May the Lord bless you richly and may the rest of the year be a fruitful one. Let us work together, bless each other and serve the Lord Jesus Christ. Thank you. BISHOP’S ADDRESS delivered at the 53rd Diocesan Assembly LA BOSS Hotel, Melaka Raya, Melaka 9th September 2016
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MAIN PROGRAMME FOR 2017 1st January 2017
Zion Cathedral, Kuala Lumpur
Holy Communion Service, Kuala Lumpur
9.00 am
8th January 2017
Puchong Lutheran Congregation
Confirmation Service, Kuala Lumpur
9.00 am
10th – 12th January 2017
CCM Heads of Churches Retreat
Retreat, Kota Kinabalu
17th January 2017
FIDC EXCO
Meeting, Melaka
19th – 21st January 2017
STM, Tamil TEE
Lectures, STM, Seremban
28th January 2017
Wedding
Zion Cathedral
4.00 pm
14th February 2017
Pastors’ Conference (Reporting 2016)
Conference, Lutheran Hall, Kuala Lumpur
9.00 am
24th February 2017
STM Council Meeting
Meeting CCM Conference Room
2.00 pm
26th February 2017
Matang Lutheran Congregation
Confirmation Service, Matang
9.00 am
3rd March 2017
FELCMS EXCO
Meeting
9.00 am
5th March 2017
Batu Gajah Lutheran Congregation Confirmation Service
Confirmation Service, Batu Gajah
9.00 am
12th March 2017
Meru Lutheran Congregation, Confirmation Service
Confirmation Service, Meru
9.00 am
15th March 2017
Board of Management Meeting, CCM, Conference Room, Petaling Jaya
Meeting, CCM, Petaling Jaya
9.30 am
Bethany Lutheran Congregation, Confirmation Service
Confirmation, Teluk Intan
9.00 pm
1st April 2017
Joint Committee
Meeting, Diocesan Conference Room
10.30 am
13th April 2017
Maundy Thursday
Service, Kuala Lumpur
7.00 pm
14th April 2017
Good Friday
Service, Zion Cathedral
12 Noon
16th April 2017
Service, Sri Subang Congregation
Easter Service
9.00 am
29th April 2017
Kluang Lutheran Congregation, Confirmation Service
Confirmation, Kluang
5.00 pm
14th May 2017
Our Saviour Lutheran Congregation
Service
9.00 am
18th May 2017
STM Council Meeting STM, AGM
Meeting, Seremban AGM, Seremban
2.00 pm 4.00 pm
25th – 27th May 2017
FIDC General Assembly
Assembly, Melaka / Port Dickson
2.00 pm 4.00 pm
3rd June 2017
ELCM Central District Sports Day
Zion Compound, Brickfields
9.00 am
12th– 14th June 2017
Luther 500 Seminar Mission Partnership Meeting
MBS, Rawang
1st July 2017
Thanksgiving Service, Zion Cathedral
Zion Cathedral, Kuala Lumpur
6.00 pm
11th July 2017
Pastors’ Conference (Planning 2018) CCM Pastors’ School
Conference, Lutheran Hall, Kuala Lumpur
9.00 am
26th March 2017
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Strengthening & Expanding ELCM 2009-2020 | ngyg;gLj;Jjy; & tpupTg;gLj;Jjy; 2009-2020
11.00 am
MAIN PROGRAMME FOR 2017 5th August 2017
Wedding, Zion Cathedral
Service, Kuala Lumpur
5.00 pm
8th – 9th September 2017
53rd – Diocesan Assembly – Triennium Year
Assembly, Venue – will be notified
27th September 2017
Board of Management, CCM Conference Room
CCM, Petaling Jaya
9.30 am
7th October 2017
Joint Committee
Meeting. Diocesan Conference Room
10.30 am
10th October 2017
STM Council Meeting
Meeting, CCM, PJ
11.00 am
14th October 2017
Bethany Home, 51st Anniversary Thanksgiving Service
Service & Fellowship Dinner, Teluk Intan
5.00 pm
21st October 2017
STM Graduation Service
Graduation, Seremban
2.00 pm
22nd October 2017
Seremban Lutheran Congregation
Service, Seremban
5.30 pm
23nd- 26th October 2017
Mission Partnership Meeting
Kudat, Sabah
12th November 2017
Bethel Lutheran Congregation Service, Teluk Intan
Teluk Intan Service
9.00 am
26th November 2017
Service, Kuala Lumpur
Service, Kuala Lumpur
11.30 am
3rd December 2017
Central District, Candlelight Fellowship
Gathering, Lutheran Hall, Kuala Lumpur
7.00 pm
24th December 2017
Christmas Eve Service
Zion Cathedral, Kuala Lumpur
7.00 pm
31st December 2017
Bishop’s Service
Zion Cathedral, Kuala Lumpur
11.30 pm
7th January 2018
Service
Zion Cathedral, Kuala Lumpur
9.00 am
DIOCESAN COUNCIL MEETINGS - 2017 14th January 2017 18th February 2017
DC Meeting, Diocesan Conference Room
10.30 am
DC Meeting, Diocesan Conference Room
10.30 am
18th March 2017
DC Meeting, Diocesan Conference Room
10.30 am
22nd April 2017
DC Meeting, Diocesan Conference Room
10.30 am
20th May 2017 10th June 2017
DC Meeting, Diocesan Conference Room
10.30 am
DC Meeting, Diocesan Conference Room
10.30 am
8th July 2017
DC Meeting, Diocesan Conference Room
10.30 am
12th August 2017
DC Meeting, Diocesan Conference Room
10.30 am
23rd September 2017
DC Meeting, Diocesan Conference Room
10.30 am
28th October 2017
DC Meeting, Diocesan Conference Room
10.30 am
18th November 2017
DC Meeting, Diocesan Conference Room
10.30 am
9th December 2017
DC Meeting, Diocesan Conference Room
10.30 am
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BRIEF REPORT
ON 53 DIOCESAN ASSEMBLY rd
I
t was a cold and rainy Melaka morning on the 9th of September 2016 which saw the gathering together of Diocesan Assembly (DA) delegates of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Malaysia at the LA BOSS Hotel in the city. The 53rd Diocesan Assembly concluded the next day, Saturday the 10th of September 2016.
his address, announced the publication of the handbook containing liturgies and service orders for ministerial acts for use by pastors. The Bishop highlighted his vision for the church based on the theme for the Assembly, “Strengthening and Expanding”. He emphasized the following two main points based on this theme.
The 53rd Diocesan Assembly, chaired by Bishop Dr. Solomon Rajah, proved to be a very successful meeting fulfilling all its objectives. A total of 72 delegates, 22 pastors and 50 laity, plus several observers, participated in this assembly. The DA commenced with a Holy Communion Service led by Rev. Eliezer Peter. Rev. Easupillai delivered the sermon. A one-minute silence was observed in honour of the late Mr. Mupidari.
1. Lutheranism and Church Growth
The Diocesan Secretary, Mr. Silas M. Das, then proceeded to conduct the roll-call. It was announced that there was a quorum. Following the roll-call, Bishop Dr. Solomon Rajah officially announced the commencement of the 53rd Diocesan Assembly. The appointments of 2 recording secretaries, 4 polling officers and 3 business committee members were then confirmed. The resolutions taken at the 52nd Diocesan Assembly were then unanimously approved. Session 2 began with the Bishop’s Address being the sole item on the agenda. Bishop, in
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Our church tends to move away from Lutheran traditions because of the influence of the charismatic movement. Many of our congregations seem to follow their pattern of worship. The Bishop stressed that there are many false teachings influencing many of our members and we need to return to the original Lutheran doctrines and traditions which are based on the Bible alone. 2. Mission Work The Bishop explained that mission is not ministry but taking the Gospel to non-believers in a new area or place. He highlighted that our congregations are not growing because there is no proper mission work done in them. The Bishop concluded his address by saying that the year 2016 was a fruitful year and we needed to move forward. The Bishop also thanked the Diocesan Council and the Diocesan Office Staff for all the support and assistance they had given him.
Strengthening & Expanding ELCM 2009-2020 | ngyg;gLj;Jjy; & tpupTg;gLj;Jjy; 2009-2020
Session 3 saw the Diocesan Secretary, Mr. Silas Das, presenting his report for the year 2015. Mr. Silas Das highlighted three main challenges as follows which the church needed to face: 1. Finance 60% of the congregations were not financially selfsufficient. The number of congregations below 30 members was increasing and congregations established some 20 to 30 years ago showed no signs of growth. The Church had to financially support those congregations having less than 30 members. 2. Second-Line Leadership Some congregations depend too much on the pastor and the pastor cannot depend on the Local
Council. Lay leaders need to help the pastor. There is an acute shortage of pastors due to seniors retiring and the church needs new pastors to take their place. We need to train youths to take up leadership positions. 3. Mission / Outreach A congregation is healthy when its members realize the importance of missions and the need to go out and preach the Gospel to the unchurched. The reason why our churches are not growing is the “do not bother” attitude of members to do mission work. In Session 4, the Diocesan Treasurer, Mr. A. Selvaraj, tabled the Audited Annual Accounts as at 31st December 2015. To a query on the Anson Road Fund, it was explained that the said property had been sold off and all the accounts related to it had been settled. The Annual Accounts of the Diocesan Council for 2015 were duly approved.
The delegates also unanimously agreed to receive the Internal Auditors’ Report for the year 2015. The Diocesan Treasurer then tabled the Annual Operating Budget for the year 2017. Budget 2017 was also duly approved by the DA. The second day, the 10th of September 2016, began with Session 5. Rev. S. Kanagaraj shared God’s Word based on Acts 9:31 at the Opening Devotion. Rev. Steven Lawrence then presented his paper on “Growth and Decline of Congregations in ELCM”. Rev. Steven highlighted the historical background of our church and also the Indian community in Malaysia. He stressed that the Church needs to be mission-minded not only in preaching the Word of God on Sundays but also in meeting the needs of the community. Rev. Vijay Albert Joseph’s paper
entitled “Why our Congregations are Losing Members?” was presented by Rev. K. Jegadass as Rev. Joseph was not well. In Session 6, the delegates were divided into 6 groups to discuss further on the issues raised in the two paper presentations. Each group came up with two resolutions each. The resolutions are recorded in the Business Committee Report of DA 2016. Session 7, which was the final session, saw the presentation of the Business Committee Report by Rev. K. Jegadass. Bishop, in his closing address, thanked all pastors, lay delegates and the diocesan office staff for their excellent work that contributed towards a very successful Diocesan Assembly 2016. The 53rd Diocesan Assembly was brought to a close at 12.45pm by Bishop Dr. Solomon Rajah with the Lord’s Prayer and benediction. The Lutheran Herald.
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Cheras, 21.05.2016 – Mothers of Cheras Lutheran Congregation being honoured during Mother’s Day celebrations
Johor, 05.06.2016 – Our Saviour Lutheran Congregation conducted a first aid, injury prevention and medical health talk
Bukit Mertajam, 7-9.06.2016 – 4th Praise Kids Camp held at St. Anne’s Church, Bukit Mertajam
Penang, 10-11.06.2016 – Victory Lutheran Congregation youths during their Youth Bible Camp held at Stella Maris, Penang
Cheras, 19.06.2016 – Fathers of Cheras Lutheran Congregation cutting cake during Father’s Day celebrations
Penang, 26.06.2016 – Members of Holy Trinity Lutheran Congregation during their Parents Day Celebrations
Port Dickson, 15-17.07.16 – Zion Lutheran Congregation held their Family Retreat at Methodist Centre, Port Dickson
Penang, 06.08.2016 – Ukulele team of Victory Lutheran Congregation after their practice session
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Kuala Lumpur, 20.08.2016 – Participants of “Pray for Malaysia” event organised by Zion Cathedral Youths at Zion Cathedral
Johor Bahru, 30-31.08.2016 – Our Saviour Congregation members praying during their Merdeka All Night Prayer
Kuala Lumpur, 31.08.2016 – Youths of Zion Lutheran Congregation during DYC Youth Fellowship Gathering and BBQ at Zion Compound
Johor Bahru, 12.09.2016 – Our Saviour Lutheran Congregation debaters debating the theme, “The Faithful People of God were the Old Testament People or the New Testament Church?”
Cheras, 16.09.2016 – Members of Cheras Lutheran Congregation after their annual Blood Donation Campaign and Open Day event
Penang, - 16-17.09. 2016 – Sunday School Children of Victory Lutheran Congregation during their Vacation Bible School GLOW held at Malaysia Baptist Seminary, Penang
Johor Bahru, 27.09.2016 – Juniors of Our Saviour Lutheran Congregation during their visit to Johor Zoo
Kuala Lumpur, 01.10.2016 – Volunteer Doctors with Bishop during Free Clinic opening ceremony at Lutheran Hall, Brickfields
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Matang, 09.10.2016 – Members of Good Shepherd Lutheran Congregation and Matang Lutheran Congregation after their combined Divine Service at Matang
Port Dickson, 14-16.10.2016 – Members of Holy Cross Lutheran Congregation held their congregation’s family retreat at Port Dickson Baptist Centre
Penang, 15.10.2016 – Desa Damai Praise Community Centre held their “Charity Walk 2016”
Teluk Intan, 22.10.2016 – Bethany Home celebrated their 50th Anniversary on a grand scale
Petaling Jaya, 22 10.2016 – Members of Sri Subang Lutheran Congregation after their Blood donation campaign and free medical checkup event
Kuala Lumpur, 23.10.2016 – Underpriviledged members of the Punjabi Fellowship, Brickfields receiving provisions after Sunday Divine Service
Petaling Jaya, 23.10.2016 – Good Shepherd Congregation members after their Children’s Service
Kuala Lumpur, 05.11.2016 – Members of the Punjabi Fellowship, Brickfields after their service and fellowship
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Lutheran
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Teluk Intan, 06.11.2016 – Leaders of Bethany Lutheran Congregation conducting Indonesian Service at Jendarata
Petaling Jaya, 08.11.2016 – Participants of FELCMS Consultation paid a visit to Rumah Hope
Teluk Intan, 22.11.2010 – Mrs Regina Sorberg visited Bethany Home during their 50th anniversary celebrations
Kuala Lumpur, 05.06.2016 – Confirmands of Wangsa Maju Lutheran Congregation with Bishop after their confirmation
Kuala Lumpur, 02.10.2016 – Confirmands and Pastoral Assistant with Bishop after their confirmation and commissioning at Zion Lutheran Congregation
Kuala Lumpur, 02.10.2016 – Confirmands of Holy Cross Lutheran Congregation with Bishop after their confirmation at Holy Cross Lutheran Congregation
Kuala Lumpur, 20.11.2016 – Confirmands of Zion Cathedral Congregation with Bishop after their confirmation service at Zion Cathedral
Kuala Lumpur, 17.07.2016 – Avniel Jeevan Paul was baptised in Zion Cathedral Lutheran Congregation
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Brickfields, 04.09.2016 – 12 members of Zion Cathedral Lutheran Congregation were given immersion baptism at Zion Cathedral
Kuala Lumpur, 01.10.2016 – 3 members of Holy Cross Lutheran Congregation were baptized at Zion Cathedral
Teluk Intan, 02.10.2016 – Sherlin Yashini Sritharan was baptised in Holy Cross Lutheran Congregation
Petaling Jaya, 02.10.2016 – Viena Vasu, Paner Selvam and Sandaran Manikam were baptised in Good Shepherd Lutheran Congregation
Teluk Intan, 09.10.2016 – Daniel Raj was baptised in Holy Trinity Lutheran Congregation
Teluk Intan, 09.10.2016 – Sankari was baptised in Holy Trinity Lutheran Congregation
Klang, 14.05.2016 – John Seelan and Sharon Khar of Holy Cross Lutheran Congregation after their marriage solemnisation at Klang Tamil Methodist Church
Teluk Intan, 05.11 .2016 – Clement and Yuvarani after their wedding ceremony at Holy Trinity Lutheran Congregation
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CELEBRATING 50 YEARS OF JUNIOR WORK (1966 – 2016) We are proud to announce the publication of a very comprehensive magazine to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of Junior Work, an auxiliary ministry of the ELCM. The contents, among others includes greetings from Heads of Churches, the history of Junior Work Camps, National/ District Camps, Junior Work Band Activities, Workshop and fellowship Programmes, Grooming Future Leaders and Early Years of Junior Work. Please contact your local pastor if you wish to obtain a copy.
District Pastors for 2017
The following pastors have been appointed as District Pastors for 2017
Rev. T. Vijayan
Rev. K. Jegadass
Northern District H/P: 016-622 4421
Central District H/P: 012-2524232
Rev. Joseph Bernandus Southern District H/P: 018-253 3425
Please remember the above-mentioned pastors in your prayers as they assume leadership in their respective districts in the new year.
2017 – Marking 500
Years of
Reformation
We are liberated by God’s grace These words go to the heart of the gospel of Jesus Christ and to the soul of the Lutheran Reformation. They are linked to Luther’s key insight that helped trigger the Reformation – Christians attain salvation only by the grace of God. We call this justification by faith alone. “Liberated by God’s Grace” is the main theme of our celebrations surrounding the 500th anniversary of the Reformation in 2017. It will also be the theme of the 2017 Assembly of The Lutheran World Federation in Windhoek, Namibia. All our celebrations, worship, study and engagement over the next three years will focus on how the gracious love of God, through the life and ministry of Jesus Christ, opens up opportunities for us as faithful Christians to reach out as healers and reconcilers to a world torn apart by strife and inequality. We want to engage you in dialogue. We are asking – liberated by God’s grace, from what? For what? Your response will reflect the reality of life where you live, but we believe we are called to be responsible citizens in God’s world and good steward’s of God’s creation. We are freed by the grace of God to engage in this Christian ministry.
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CENTRAL DISTRICT PASTORS’ FELLOWSHIP SPORTS CARNIVAL HELD ON 22nd JUNE 2016 IN THE DIOCESAN COMPOUND AND LUTHERAN HALL
Windhoek, Namibia in 2017 and for the commemoration of the 500th. Anniversary of the Reformation, the participants reflected on the theme “Liberated by God’s Grace” from the perspective of the diverse contexts in Asia. ELCM-LCMS MERCY CONFERENCE HELD ON 23rd – 24th AUGUST, 2016 AT FAMILY COUNSELLING CENTRE, SEMINAR ROOM, BRICKFIELDS
Over 150 members from the various congregations in the Central District attended the event. COUNCIL OF CHURCHES OF MALAYSIA (CCM) INDIAN PASTORS’ SCHOOL ON 28th to 30th JUNE 2016 IN SEMINARY THEOLOJI MALAYSIA (STM), SEREMBAN
45 members participated in the conference. The Bishop was present to welcome the speakers from the Lutheran Church of Missouri Synod, USA namely Rev. Charles Ferry, Rev. Dr. Robert Bannett and Deaconess Grace Rao. The programme was a great success. DIOCESAN YOUTH COMMITTEE (DYC) CENTRAL DISTRICT YOUTH GATHERING ON 31st AUGUST 2016 (MERDEKA DAY)
Some 35 Indian pastors and evangelists from the mainline churches attended the above school. Our Bishop presented a paper entitled “The Malaysian Indian Church in the Next Decade”. Two workshops deliberated on the future of Indian Christian youths and women and their role in the next decade. Overall, the programme was fruitful. PASTORS’ CONFERENCE (PLANNING FOR 2017) HELD ON 19th JULY, 2016 AT LUTHERAN HALL
The conference which began at 9.00am was chaired by the Bishop. It was attended by 25 pastors and evangelists from throughout the diocese. A paper entitled “Luther 500” was presented by Rev. Steven Lawrence. LUTHERAN WORLD FEDERATION ASIA - PRE-ASSEMBLY, 15th TO 19th AUGUST, 2016, BANGKOK, THAILAND Rev. Albert P. Abishegam, Vice-Chairman of the Diocesan Council, represented the ELCM at the above conference
which was attended by 93 participants, including LWF President Rev. Munib Younan, General Secretary, Rev. Martin Junge, stewards and LWF staff, and delegates from 19 countries. In preparation of 12th LWF Assembly in
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The above youth gathering organised by the DYC included a barbeque. 50 youths from all over the Central District participated in the event held in the diocesan compound. 53rd DIOCESAN ASSEMBLY (DA) AT LA BOSS HOTEL, MELAKA, 9th & 10th SEPTEMBER 2016 22 pastors and 50 lay people attended the 53rd DA as above. The highlight of the assembly was the discussion of the papers by Rev. Steven Lawrence and Rev. Vijay Joseph
namely “Growth and Decline of Congregations in ELCM” and “Why our Congregations are Losing Members?”. The Bishop presided over the DA. JUNIOR WORK SENIORS’ AND LEADERS’ TRAINING (BASIC AND ADVANCED) AT NATIONAL LEVEL HELD FROM 23rd to 25th SEPTEMBER 2016 AT FRIM, KEPONG The above training was attended by 28 trainees and 9 instructors including some from University Hospital. The Diocesan Secretary, Mr. Silas Das, welcomed the participants.
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OPENING AND DEDICATION OF ZION FREE MEDICAL CONSULTATION SERVICE CENTRE ON 1st OCTOBER 2016 AT 5.00PM The Bishop opened and dedicated the above centre at a brief ceremony attended by 50 people. High tea was served in the Lutheran Hall for all guests after the opening and dedication ceremony. RASAH LUTHERAN OUTREACH ATTAINS CONGREGATION STATUS
21st CONSULTATION OF FEDERATION OF EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCHES IN MALAYSIA AND SINGAPORE (FELCMS) Bishop Dr. Solomon Rajah and 4 pastors of the ELCM attended the above consultation held at the Luther Centre, Petaling Jaya from the 9th to the 10th of November, 2016. The consultation was also attended by representatives from the Lutheran Church in Malaysia, Basel Christian Church, Sabah Protestant Church in Sabah, Lutheran Church in Singapore, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Bavaria, Germany and Lutheran Church of Australia. CENTRAL DISTRICT CANDLELIGHT FELLOWSHIP HELD ON 27th NOVEMBER, 2016 AT 7.00PM IN LUTHERAN HALL, BRICKFIELDS
The Rasah Lutheran Outreach attained congregation status with effect from 1st October 2016. The congregation is now known as Seremban Lutheran Congregation and is under the leadership of Rev. Steven Lawrence. GRADUATION OF REV. P. EASUPILLAY AND REV. T. VIJAYAN The Lutheran Herald congratulates the above 2 Pastors who graduated with a Dip. CM (TEE) on STM Graduation Day on the 15th of October, 2016. Their diplomas were conferred by our Bishop who is the President of the STM Council. FEDERATION OF EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCHES IN MALAYSIA AND SINGAPORE (FELCMS)
Bishop Dr. Solomon Rajah in his capacity as President of the FELCMS chaired the FELCMS meeting held in the Diocesan Conference Room, Brickfields, on the 7th of November 2016. The meeting was attended by all the Bishops of the Lutheran Churches in Malaysia and Singapore.
Mr Moorthy of Labis Lutheran Congregation passed away peacefully on 14th April, 2016. The funeral service was held on 15th April, 2016 at Labis Lutheran Congregation followed by burial at Labis Christian Cemetery. We thank God for his life and express our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends and church members.
The above event participated by all congregations in the Central District and attended by 300 members was a great success. Bishop Dr. Solomon Rajah delivered the Christmas message. CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR BISHOP The Lutheran Herald congratulates our Bishop on his appointments as President of Federation of the Evangelical Lutheran Churches in Malaysia and Singapore (FELCMS), President of the Council of Seminari Theoloji Malaysia, President the Federation of Inter-Denominational Churches (FIDC) and Chairman of the CCM Indian Work Committee. All 4 appointments are for 2 years and will end in 2018. ALADDIN THE MUSICAL Zion Redeemer Lutheran Congregation put up a musical extravaganza “Aladdin the Musical” on the 3rd and 4th of December 2016. More than 400 tickets were sold to members of the general public. This was an outreach programme to show Christian love and fellowship to the wider community. Money raised through ticket sales went to the disabled children’s home Pusat Penjagaan Kanak-Kanak Cacat Taman Megah, Selangor.
Mr. Mupidari Perumal went home to be with the Lord on 8th June, 2016. Mr. Mupidari served in various capacities in the Local Council of the Resurrection Lutheran Congregation, Port Dickson. We thank God for his life and express our heartfelt condolences to his beloved wife, children, grandchildren, other family members and friends.
Dr. Christian Samuel of Good Hope Lutheran Congregation passed away peacefully on 25th June 2016 at the age of 85. His funeral was held at Zion Cathedral on 28th June 2016 followed by burial at Subang Lutheran Garden. Dr. Samuel served as Vice Chairman and Diocesan Secretary of the ELCM in the 1980’s and 1990’s.
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ELCM PROGRAMME FOR 2017 (TENTATIVE) Date th
Event
DIOCESAN
14 February 2017 18th July 2017 8th & 9th September 2017
Diocesan Pastors’ Conference (Reporting 2016) Diocesan Pastors’ Conference (Planning 2018) rd 53 Diocesan Assembly (Triennium Year)
Bishop’s Office Bishop’s Office Diocesan Council
SUNDAY SCHOOL
Date & Venue to be decided
Diocesan Vacation Bible School, KL
Diocesan Sunday School Committee
WOMEN
Date & Venue to be decided
½ day Seminar at District Level
Diocesan Women’s Committee
YOUTH
Date & Venue to be decided
Diocesan Youth Convention
JUNIOR WORK
Date & Venue to be decided
Basic & Advance Junior Work Leadership Training at District Level
Diocesan Junior Work Committee
SENIOR FELLOWSHIP
16 September 2017
Seminar, Kuala Lumpur
Diocesan Senior Fellowship Committee
North 19th – 21st February 2017
Pastors Retreat, Cameron Highlands LCMS
1st May 2017
Family Carnival, Teluk Intan
DISTRICT PROGRAMMES FOR 2016
th
Diocesan Youth Committee
Northern District Pastors
Lay Training, On going October 2017
Local Council Retreat
Central 14th January 2017
Prayer to Usher in the New Year 2017
3rd June 2017
ELCM Central District Sports Day
31st August 2017
Leadership Training
rd
3 December 2017 South (Date and Venue to be decided)
Central District Pastors
Candle Light Fellowship Junior Work Training Course Rank and File (Junior Work) Youth Day / Seminar Family Day Mission Trip Revival and Evangelism Rally
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In-Charge
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Southern District Pastors