CNY at CERC 2024: Hope, Blessings and Family

The hall was quieter than usual on this particular Sunday gathering – it was the second day of Chinese New Year (CNY). As such, many regulars from the CERC congregation had gone back to visit their respective families and hometowns during this season. 

By God’s providence, CERC tackled the story of Abraham as its CNY sermon, as Genesis 11:27- 25:18 fell on this particular date. 

Congregants discussing the Genesis text before the sermon 

“It’s an amazing timing, as Chinese New Year is about blessings,” said Daniel Chandy, the Master of Ceremonies (MC) for the Sunday liturgy, “But in a Post-Genesis 3 world, full of death and judgment, how should we view these CNY blessings?”

MC Daniel Chandy presenting the Chinese worldview through popular idioms said in CNY

The artwork representing Hope (望), through the roles of Christ learnt in the previous series: “Jesus…And” 

Through the sermon, the congregation was confronted with the clash between the opposing worldviews of the Chinese culture and the Biblical framework. 

Pastor Robin, through the sermon, articulated the fundamental differences in the worldview and presuppositions that CNY embodies.

“CNY has a larger metanarrative, an overarching desire – it’s really about family success and prosperity. Ultimately CNY is about us and our enjoyment – underlying all of these is still our great-grandmother: Eve, who did what was right in her own eyes.

Amidst this cultural exploration, Abraham emerged as a beacon of hope in the genealogy. Pastor Robin emphasized Abraham as the model of salvation, contrasting the prevalent themes of CNY with the narrative of Genesis. This CNY sermon, as explained by Pastor Robin (pictured below), is unashamedly about our Lao-pe (Hokkien for Father)” 

The thumbnail of the Sunday sermon, showing the glimmer of hope through a chosen man.

“I was reminded that we should live sanctified and righteous lives, with our values being so acutely different from the world,” said Paul Wong from Kepong GG. “It’s a powerful reminder of us being the redeemed people of God – Abraham’s offspring.”  

As congregants dispersed to reunite with friends and family, they were encouraged to embrace their identity as pilgrims. 

“My encouragement here is for you to understand your heritage, culture and worldview, and ultimately, your theological destiny.” said Pastor Robin,  “We are exiles in a foreign land, and we should continue to not only be religious pilgrims, but to be like Abraham: spiritual creatures not of the flesh but the Spirit.”  

“I’m glad to see my brothers and sisters in church today, and to be reminded of the heavenly hope we all share,” said Ku Suet Ling from Bandar Kinrara GG,  “I learnt that the blessing in Genesis is not one that is material or temporal, but it’s God’s purpose even in the creation of the world”. 

CERC wishes you a Happy Chinese New Year.