Through an original drama, churchgoers understand that Christmas is all about love.
By Michelle Heng
Enduring love was the theme of the Dialect Church drama production. CN PHOTO: Gib Lam.
City Harvest’s Dialect Church enjoyed a special Christmas service on Dec. 16. Its congregants, mostly elderly individuals, were given a goodie bag as they each entered the hall, but they left at the end of the service with much more in their hearts.
A cozy atmosphere filled the church’s Jurong West auditorium as the seniors sang along to familiar Christmas carols like “We Wish You a Merry Christmas”. They clapped enthusiastically and lifted their hands in worship.
It was the special drama put up by the DC staff and volunteers that captivated the audience. The production revealed how couples can rediscover their love relationship if they try.
The drama told the story of two main characters, Steve and Grace, who have been married for over 30 years; till this day, they can still remember their first date and would affectionately recall each other’s likes and dislikes. Their daughter, Joan, on the other hand, is facing marital issues just five years into her marriage. She finds it hard to communicate with and to trust her husband, who is always busy with work.
Not wanting to give up on her marriage, she eventually seeks the advice of her mother, who teaches her how to make a special effort to reconcile with her husband. The marriage is turned around, and the drama has a happy ending.
The audience loved the heartening storyline, and were tickled by funny references and insider jokes that made the drama even more special.
Lum Poh, 80, enjoyed the drama thoroughly. He said, “The script was very well-written. I learned a lot about the relationship between husband and wife, and how to communicate with our partner. I think the younger people who are not married can also learn a lot from the drama this year.”
Doris Kwoh, 20, a student who has been serving in Dialect Church ministry for almost two years, felt that it was really an opportunity for the elderly to learn how to love their spouse and to communicate with them. “I believe the elderly could relate very well to the reality of the drama, and now they know how to make their marriage work better even in their old age. They also know now that there is hope in Jesus.”
Maria Tok, zone supervisor of the Dialect Church shared a sermon based on Luke 2:10-14. She told the congregation of three gifts to expect this Christmas season: freedom from fear of the future or death, joy of salvation and perpetual peace. The service ended with an altar call for salvation: 41 seniors stepped forward in faith to receive salvation and to rededicate their lives to God.
As the elderly members left the auditorium, they chatted animatedly about their favorite parts of the Christmas service. Over and above the goodie bag, they brought home a more precious gift—the love, joy and peace of this Christmas season.
