A DEDICATION SERVICE on June 4, 2011 marked a milestone for Rangsit Methodist Church in Klong Si, Bangkok.
The Rev Prasert Pornkiratikul, pastor of the church, leaders and church members received Bishop Dr Robert Solomon, Methodist Missions Society (MMS) directors and church leaders from Paya Lebar Methodist Church (PLMC) who flew into Thailand for the dedication service of the church chapel and crematorium. Those from PLMC, the sponsoring church, included the Rev Lynette Sathiasingam, Mr Chan Choon Seng and Missionary Supply Pastor John Lim.
The MMS directors, pastors and leaders from our Methodist churches in Thailand had arrived earlier for a Staff Retreat on June 2 and 3.
Welcoming the guests at the service in Thai was Mr Chim Sanit, the Local Church Executive Committee Chairman of Rangsit MC, and in English by the Rev Henry Yeo.
The Guest-of-Honour was Mr Peerasak Hinmuangkow Governor of Patumthani Province. Together with the Bishop, the Rev Lawrence Chua, Executive Director of the MMS, the Rev Lynette Sathiasingam and Mr Chan Choon Seng, he cut the ribbon to declare open the church chapel. The service then began.
After the opening hymn and prayers in both the Thai and English languages, a youth group of the church presented a Thai cultural dance, “Blessings”, followed by an item by the Bangkok Milal Missionary Choir.
Mr Peerasak urged the church to “honour the country, the King and religion”, and reminded church members of the privilege to continue to impart moral and religious values to the people.
In his message, Bishop Dr Solomon said “Scripture shows us that the temple is a place to worship God, to praise God and lift high the name of God and in worship to be keenly aware of the attributes of God, His Holiness, His Truth, His Beauty, His Love and His Purpose”.
Quoting Hudson Taylor, he said, “God’s work done God’s way will never lack God’s supplies”, reminding the congregation that God owns everything.
The promise of the temple is incomplete as the people must now begin to build in the hearts of people, he said. “We must now shift from building in stone and mortar to building the hearts of people.”
He reminded the church members that the walls of the church must not become prison walls and challenged them to be like John Wesley and look at the world as being their parish.
The Act of Dedication by the Bishop then followed, after which the Rev Prasert and Pastor John Lim took the guests on a tour of the premises.
Paul Low is a member of the Missions Committee of Paya Lebar Methodist Church.
