MELC Delhi Celebrated Chritmas with fervour and gaiety

New Delhi, December 26, 2010: Christian community in and around Delhi & NCR celebrated Christmas with religious fervour and gaiety. Every churches was totally packed with prayers, mass and choirs. One of the youngest constituted churches in the capital – Manipur Evangelical Lutheran Church Delhi is said to have the longest get-together with a hall totally packed till late evening. Singning, gift exchange was the main items of the program. Pastor David T. Goukhenthang who is hailing from Daijang village and working as a councellor in one rehad centre in Delhi delivered a short sharring on “Lets live according to our faith” and the local pastor Rev. T. Kamsuanlal also delivered a short sermon on Christmas and its significants. The evening program was mainly inging together.

MELCD celebrated Christmas with JOY

O Bethlehem! O Bethlehem!

JOY TO THE WORLD, the baby is born! The Christmas Worship Service began with a smart young lady Miss Biakhoih greeting the Church members gracefully with her sweet words, “Christmas Chibai!” Miss Hoih read out the entire program, gave thanks to the Almighty Father for this beautiful day.

And a well-dressed, Mrs Nenei shared her happiness by reading a passage from St Luke 2.11: “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord”. Mrs Nei made the opening prayer.

Then the Lutheran Youth Fellowship, a collection of young boys and girls, belted out their chorus: “Bethlehem Muol Sunni Tum Kuon”, with guitarist Mr David Lamlunlal Samte and Keyboardist Shri Zangminlal.

During ‘Mass Prayer’, all the devotees prayed for the following points : (i) Thanksgiving to Lord Jesus for blessing MELCD Church throughout the year; (ii) Mrs Esther Vungneiching (w/o Khakhai Zou, Vasant Vihar) who faces pain in her legs; (iii) Shri Khupkhanhau, Chief of Singngat Village in order to get pension from Eldership (upa).

Then two young lads – Minthang and Robin Suantah presented a beautiful song called, “The Nazareth has come to Live”. Yeah, they make Christmas very much lively!

This was followed by MELC Council Report from Shri T. Zamlunmang Zou, Chairman, MELC Delhi. The Chairman said he learnt many things from the senior members of the church during the Council. MELCD was praises by everyone at home, the Chairman said.

Everyone was surprised seeing a young lad, who never sings in any Sunday or Worship Services, or, any gatherings. Breaking the barriers, Mr Kapthang sang, “Hundampa Jesu (Jesus the Saviour)”. He sang with a hollow guitar. A good step!

Just for Christmas coming out from nursing hostel, Miss Siamnu Manlun collected the Christmas Offerings and placed well on the altar. Then Shri M. Limginlal Zou made the Offertory Prayer.

Another song: “Kei Ka Khel Zal In” from the sweet-combination of Pipi (pastorpi) Niangzadim and her granddaughter Miss Haunuam. The song really mesmerized our ears!

There was a time for sharing. During this, Mr David T. Goukhenthang M.Div, a ‘Counsellor’ in The Last Resort in New Delhi shared some of faith-based messages. Mr David sermon on ‘Salvation’ and ‘Examine Yourself’ based on Rome 3, Galatians 4:4, II Cor 13:5, and Luke 2:23. His sharing’s pierced through our hearts. ‘How did you sure that you have faith in Jesus?’, ‘Why Jesus save you?’ are some of his sharp questions. Christmas is all about life.

Mr David has shown a great exemplary of our inner thoughts. He came to us in a neat and tidy dress, he was in light-blue coat suit. During his sharing, he slowly pulled out his coat, aya! We found, his inner shirt was torn-out and ugly. The shirt was too dirty! Then he keeps on sharing the daring words of God and put-off his shoes, his feet was half-covered with broken shocks.

Mr David says, this is our inner thoughts, our inner mind, which none could see. “We can hide our identity, we can hide our negative thoughts, we can hide all our sins, and we can hide all what we want. But, becareful my beloved brothers and sisters, God wants our inner heart, not the outside appearance,” Mr David said convincingly. If you don’t believe, just go through the photographs, you would find the Mr David wearing a smart coat and later, you would find him in a torn and ugly shirt and shocks. Then you will be shock!

Mr David, however, is the first preacher who set a daring demonstration among the Christians. It was amazing, its true, its clear, he show us how our inner mind corrupts! No one escape, everyone is hoped to be touched by his short sharing. It’s really glaring and challenging. Just see his photos!

Christmas Message was delivered by Pastor T. Lalpu, read on St Matthew 2:13-14. Pastor Lalpu focus on the anger of King Herod which led Mary and Joseph fled with baby Jesus into the land of Egypt. They escaped the wrath of jealous Herod, who killed children of below two years old in the entire Egypt. Pastor shared us how safe to be with the love of God.

Christmas competition on Bible Memory Verse on St Luke 2:10-14. The Judges were Pa T. Zamlunmang Zou, ZOU LANGUAGE; Pa M. Limginlal Zou, DISCIPLINE; Pa Thangkhosiam, HARMONY (Aw Kaidan) and Pa Ginmuanlal, PUNCTUATION. The Result Making Committee comprised of Pa Zangminlal, Pa Thangboi Tungnung, Pa Thangzakunga and Pa Haukap.

The contestants are Miss Haumuanching, Miss Siasiam, Miss Vungneiniang, Mr Khamlianthang, Master Bernard Mangminlun, Miss Ngaihoiching (Hoinu), Mr David Kamlunmang, Mr Thangminlian, Mr Kamlianmung, Miss Grace, Mr Thangnou, Miss Nuampi, Mr Haulian Samte and Mr Minthang.

Special number “Bethlehem ah hing pei chiet un” from Miss Naomi, Miss Haunuam, Mr David T. Goukhenthang and Mr Ginsangsawm (guitarist). We are astonished, when and where they practiced this song. The song was very challenging fascinator for Christians to bow down with humbleness and open our hearts for Jesus to step-in. It’s a soul rendering song!

MELCD secretary Bruce K. Thangkhal compiled the needful points to remember and requested each and everyone to join the get-together (Lenkhawm) program and Christmas Feast.

Today’s offering amounted to Rs 1186 and about 102 people from different tribes and churches attended the Service. The Christmas worship service ended with the Lord’s Prayer at 3.30 pm.

Soon after the Service, ‘Christmas Cake’ was cut by our Pipi and only Pipi. The much awaited Get-Together program, co-chaired by Shri Ginmuanlal and Miss Vungneiniang began with the prayer of Mrs Nenem (w/o James Mamang). It was the hour of singing all the Christmas hymns and songs. The cake was donated by Miss Naomi Haumuanching for the glory of God.

Just few minutes passed, Mr Hausianmuan Munluo arrived. All those inside the church welcomes him warmly. Then Pastor Lalpu gave a brief introduction in English in a ligther vein. He makes fun so much so that we all broke into laughter and tears with over-joy and over-happiness. The get-together ended with Shri James Mamang’s prayer at 5.19 pm.

Then we all leaped towards the residence of our Chairman, where the mouth-watering ‘Christmas Feast’ was prepared by our best chefs ‘Tuanvaite’ like Mrs Irene Tungnung, Mrs Julie Dimthuamching, Mr David Lamlunlal Samte and Miss Hoineu.

The Christmas Tree was carried away by Mr Ginneithang Taithul, Mr Hausianmuan Munluo and Shri Thangboi Tungnung, to the Chairman’s Cottage.

After everyone left, Shri Zamlunmang, chairman (MELCD), Mr Bruce K Thangkhal, secretary (MELCD) and Mr Khamsianpau, chairman (LYFD) swept the floor and cleaned up the church neat and tidy responsibly. In service to God, there’s no big and small.

Christmas Feast began at 6 O’clock in the evening. Everyone licked their lips during the great dinner. A variety of dishes were prepared, you can choose or you can taste them all. It’s upto you, there’s no eating-rules! After the great feast is over, Mr Hausianmuan Munluo volunteered himself and washed the ‘dish-pots’, while the rest- young and energetic volunteers namely, Miss Boinu, Miss Nuampi, Miss Christy Hoinu, Miss Niengboi Tungnung, Mr Thangnou, Mr Mumung and Mr Minthang cleaned up the remaining utensils happily.

The night’s gathering ‘Zan Lenkhawmna’ was chaired by Shri Thangzakunga. It began with Pastor Lalpu’s prayer at 7.35 pm. Over 80 peoples attended Lenkhawm. Many of them sang and danced gracefully till the end.

The fair and lovely, Miss Dimngaih and Mr Paulun, The Great, organised the ‘Gift Exchange’. It was the funniest moments experienced. Mr Paulun, no doubt, the man who can change the colour of your face. Why? You will laugh like anything. He jokes without damn care but malice to none.

Meanwhile, the local Secretary announced the result of today’s competition. First Prize was bagged by Miss Siasiam while Mr Haulian Samte and Miss Haumuanching jointly bagged the Second Prize, and Mr Thangnou, the 3rd Prize. The prize will be distributed on the night of New Year at ‘Zan Lenkhawm’. Coming from Meghalaya’s Shillong with his mum Lamneichiin (former secretary, MELC Shillong) to celebrate Christmas with MELCD, a 6-year-old boy, Bernard Mangminlun was awarded the Best Youngest Participant. The fun studded ‘Lenkhawm’ ended with the prayer of MELCD Chairman at 10.45 pm.

The coming New Year will be a very interesting one. The speaker is a young bachelor who works among the Muslims in New Delhi. Thanks to our beloved brother, Paul Pauzakham! Once again, he will share his gospels on New Year Day. Mr Paul received Jesus as his savior. Thereafter he began The Moonlight Ministry. You can come and join with us if you want to hear the wonderful and amazing words of our Saviour from Mr Paul. Though MELCD is small, yet, it opens its door widely for everyone.

NOTE: Pi/Pipi = An elderly woman, Shri = Pa (married boys), Mrs = Nu (married girls), Mr = Tangval (unmarried boys), & Miss = Nungah (unmarried girls).

By:– Secretary, MELCD