CBSI Malaysia expresses our condolences to brother Thomas Kong, Yen Yen and family on the passing away of Thomas’ beloved mother, Grace Kong, in Labuan, Sabah on Friday 15 April.
Thomas is the coordinator for the PJ class.
May God give you strength in this time of mourning.
It was a great pleasure for the ND to meet CBSI International Directors, Frank & Marian at the airport and to drive them to their hotel. Frank and Marian later had dinner with Fred & Yoke Fong in their home. On Tuesday they will visit the PJ Class and share a little of what is happening in the CBSI world. They are here for the Asia Pacific Regional Conference.
Ash Wednesday marks the first day of the season of Lent. Lent begins 40 days prior to Easter, not including Sundays. As the first day of Lent, Ash Wednesday comes the day after Shrove Tuesday or Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday), the last day of the Carnival season. Many churches hold services on Ash Wednesday early in the morning, at noon, and in the evening.
Not all Christian churches observe Ash Wednesday or Lent. Some of those observing Ash Wednesday are: Lutheran, Methodist, Presbyterian, Anglican, and the Roman Catholic.
Ashes are a symbol of repentance. The use of ashes on the first day of Lent comes from a ceremony of ages past. Christians who had committed grave faults performed public penance. The penitent dusted himself with ashes as a way of expressing sorrow for sins and faults. This practice was partially based on the ancient example of one expressing penitence as found in Job 42:3-6. Job says to God: “I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear; but now mine eye seeth thee. The other eye wandereth of its own accord. Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes.”(KJV)
The ashes traditionally are made by burning the palms used in the Palm Sunday celebration of the previous year. The ashes are mixed with Holy Water and oil. The oil used can be one of the sacred oils used to anoint those about to be baptized. This paste is used by the minister who presides at the service to make the sign of the cross, first upon his or her own forehead and then on those of the congregants. The minister recites the words: “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return”, (Genesis 3:19) or “Repent, and believe the good news.”(Mark 1:15) The worshipper traditionally retains the cross on the forehead until it wears off.
Brother George and some of his friends came to study the Book of Daniel. As George shared his excitement in coming to the class, he said that he just could not wait for Mondays, as this was his CBSI class day. George gave a wonderful summary of what he had understood of the 12 chapters of Daniel. He memorized the Central Ideas of all the lessons. Well done brother.
wonderful understanding
God is with us!
In discussion
Full paricipation
Praise God, I have now some photos for those of you who have been praying for the new class at The Bridge International Church in Ampang. The coordinator and Teaching leader is Terri Lewis. She is a long time CBS member and before coming to Kuala Lumpur was based in the Netherlands. We thank TCIB for hosting this new class.
Serious study!
Madam Josephine Narcis David, mother of our National Director Rev Fred David, went to be with the Lord when he was teaching the class in Klang on Monday 23 August 2010 at 9.45pm. Earlier in the day Fred went and spent an extended time with his mother, talking and encouraging her and reading the psalms to her. He left her with his elder sister and wife Yoke Fong who came later to nurse her.
God saw that it was best to call her home and at 9.45 that night she went to be with the Lord peacefully at the home of Fred’s younger brother. The wake service was held on Tuesday 24 August.
Fred preached a powerful message at her funeral service on Wednesday 25 August, which was held at St. Paul’s Church PJ, where Fred is also the Vicar. The church was full of relatives and friends. Representatives of the CBSI Classes in the country came to pay their past respects and to be with Fred either at the wake service or the funeral service. It was indeed a beautiful send off for a loving mother.
Fred and Yoke Fong thank all for their messages of condolences and generous gifts at their time of bereavement. In all this the Lord was glorified. AMEN
Mary Das (left) Mary James (right)
There was an atmosphere of excitement as the Klang Class began their new semester. They are studying the Book of Daniel. 40 members attended the Introductory session led by Rev Fred David. They are expecting many more to attend. A special invitation was given to all youths. Rev Fred in his lecture said that this is one study that will help our youths in these difficult days to stand firm in their faith.
CBSI MALAYSIA 