As 2019 drew to an end and the country entered 2020 with joy, churches across Jilin province held separate services to welcome the new year.
On the evening of December 29, 2019, the Dongfeng Nanzhan Church in Liaoyuan City held a farewell and evening prayer meeting attended by more than 90 people.
The director of the church, Pastor Liu Xuesong, summarized the ministry for 2019, explained the work plan for 2020, and urged everyone to carry forward the advantages, make up for the shortcomings, but also rely on the Lord to be strong and bold in heart to do a good job at God's work. The service ministry also reported on the support of pastoral services in poor and remote mountain churches, and summarized the implementation of social service work. The church started the praise and worship time with "A Year's Journey", praising and praying to welcome the arrival of the New Year.
On December 31, 2019, Dunhua CC&TSPM held a farewell of the old and welcoming party for the New Year at the Guangming Church in the city. The attendants exceeded 780 from the whole city including leaders, deacons and other co-workers of each church.
Rev. Wang Daiyu, President of Dunhua CC&TSPM, delivered a sermon entitle, "You Are to Revive the Gospel with One Heart and Goal" and urged all of his colleagues to remember the mission of the Church, to become a saint operating out of love, and to build the body of Christ. One should love the motherland and one's hometown, practically bringing blessings home. Rev. Yang Shuhong reported on the training of the ministry team, and missionary Dong Wei, on behalf of all the co-workers, said that in the new year they should strive to serve, obey the teachings of the Bible, serve the community and serve those in need. Subsequently, co-workers from 26 meeting points in the city's urban and rural churches gave various performances.
On the evening of December 31, 2019, in Yanji City, Yanbian County, the Songhua Christian Church held a Chinese New Year's Eve and new worship. The Han and Korean worshippers gathered in the chapel for worship and prayer to send off 2019 and usher in 2020.
Under the title, "The New Man", Pastor Kim Jong-hung explained Chapter 5 verse 17 of 2 Corinthians, encouraging believers to live a new life in the new year and, to give a better testimony to Christ. Finally, all the members of the church prayed for the work in the new year and for the prosperity and strength of the great motherland.
Many churches, such as the Kaixuan Road Church in Changchun City and Fumin Church in Meihekou City held activities to welcome the new year.
(The author is vice president, vice chairman, and secretary-general of Jilin CC&TSPM .)
- Translated by Charlie Li
