Words by Datuk Bishop Albert Vun 温昌辉会督
Year of Jubilee
On the 24th July, we will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the formation of the Diocese of Sabah. The 50th year is also the biblical Jubilee year. We see this celebration as a spiritual crossroad for our Diocese. This is a time for thanksgiving for all that the Lord has done in the diocese and for the fruitfulness of our mission works within the Diocese. Jubilee is also a time of spiritual renewal as we seek to make right whatever shortcomings we have before the Lord. We have our “debts” forgiven and our inheritance restored. Even more so, this is a time to look ahead in strong faith to move into the next 50 years with a clear vision for vibrant growth.
On the 24th July, leaders and members will be gathering from throughout the Diocese for a Thanksgiving service and a Celebration Dinner. We will have leaders from our Province coming to join in the celebration. Our new Archbishop, Archbishop Bolly Lapok will be coming. As part of our vision for the next 50 years, we will be doing the Ground-Breaking for the House of Celebration in front of Wisma Anglican. We want leaders from our whole Diocese involved in the ground-breaking to signify that this project is for the whole Diocese because the House of Celebration will not only house a 3000 seating sanctuary but it will also house our new training school, where many future pastors, missionaries and clergy will be trained. This Ground-Breaking ceremony will be an act of faith and an act of commitment to launch the project together as a Diocese. Together, we commit ourselves to give by faith and to trust the Lord for His provision. We commit ourselves to work together following one common vision. The House of Celebration will be the crossroad project as our Diocese commits ourselves to growth. We believe all our congregations will grow as we preach the gospel in the power of the Holy Spirit. I call on all our members to work together.
“Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.’ (Jeremiah 33:3)
禧年
我们将于7月24日庆祝沙巴教区成立50周年。第50年也是圣经的禧年。我们看此庆典为教区的属灵十字路口。这是一个感恩的时候,为著神在教区所作的一切事,和教区里结果累累的宣教事工。当我们为着任何的短处而在主面前力求矫正时,禧年也是一个属灵的更新时候。我们的“债务”被豁免,恢复产业继承。
更甚的是,这是一个以刚强的信心向前展望的时刻,更以一个活力增长的清晰异象迈向未来的50年。
整个教区的领袖和会友将于7月24日欢聚一堂,同庆感恩崇拜及庆典晚宴。教省的领袖也会前来参与我们的庆典。我们新任的Bolly Lapok大主教也会到场。
我们会在圣公会大厦前面为欢庆殿进行动土礼,作为我们未来50年的部分异象。我们需要整个教区的领袖参与动土礼,以表明这个工程是为了整个教区,因为欢庆殿不但只是容纳3000人的圣所,它也是我们新的培训学校,以培育许多未来的传道人、宣教士和牧师。身为教区,这个动土礼是齐心推介工程的一个信心和委身的行动。我们齐心委身以信心奉献和信靠神的供应。我们齐心委身为我们的共同目标努力。当我们的教区为增长委身时,这个欢庆殿将会是我们关键时刻的工程。当我们在圣灵的大能中传讲福音时,我深信我们的会众会增长。我谨此呼吁全体会友齐心合力,共同建造。
“你求告我,我就应允你,并将你所不知道、又大又难的事指示你。”(耶利米书33章3节)