The 4th September 2009 marks the culmination of the year long 50th Anniversary Celebration of the founding of Petaling Jaya Gospel Hall (PJGH) with a Special Commemorative / Celebration Service.

The theme chosen by the Organizing Committee was “Lord of the Years.” It was most appropriately chosen to reflect the centrality and sovereignty of the Lord in the midst of the assembly at PJGH, calling us, working through, enabling, providing and protecting His people for the last 50 years. For indeed, Great Is Thy Faithfulness, Oh Lord our Father. For without the Lord’s grace and faithfulness we would not be celebrating the Jubilee this year.

The Commemorative Service was attended by well over 500 people consisting of pioneering members returning from overseas, representatives of closely affiliated assemblies including The Life Chapel, SS Gospel Centre, Subang Jaya Gospel Centre, Puchong Gospel Centre and Bandar Sunway Gospel Centre.

Several other Brethren assemblies from the Klang Valley and other parts of the country and representatives from other churches and various Para church organizations were also present for the joyous celebration of praise, worship, prayer and thanksgiving.

The Service was ably co led by Brother Chin Kee and Sister Ah Eng commencing with the sounding and blowing of the shofar or ram’s horns by representatives from Damansara Utama Dream Centre. The shofar is one of the earliest musical instruments used in Jewish music. In Biblical times, it was blown to announce an important event such as a jubilee celebration. It is a call to God’s people to celebrate and worship God as the King of Kings, Sovereign Lord and Creator. Psalm 98:4-6

The Service then opened with the congregation singing and worshiping the Lord with the hymn, “How Great Is Our God.” Psalm 145:3

Elder Lee Wee Min, the Organizing Chairperson addressed the assembly and then offered the opening prayer.

The Kuala Lumpur Japanese Christian Fellowship had been meeting at PJGH premises close to 20 years and its choir presented two songs namely” Be Still My Soul” and “Zum Sanctus” a hymn taken from the composition by Franz Schubert. Both songs were beautifully rendered in Japanese.

The Scripture reading from Psalm 100 and Hebrews 12:1-2 was read by Mrs. Ong Chock Leng, one of the pioneering members of PJGH.

The congregation then responded by singing the hymn “Find Us Faithful” as our prayer that we and our next generation will continue to be found faithful unto the Lord.

The next meaningful event was the honoring of the 13 pioneering members who attended the assembly way back in 1959! Praise the Lord, 11 of them are still worshipping at PJGH while 2 of them made their way from overseas to participate in the celebration. A special roll call was made after a slide show was presented to capture the early years of their life at PJGH. The pioneering members are as follows:

1. Chan Soon Keen( Mrs Yoon Yuen Wah)
2. Chang Siew Tuck
3. Chew Chye Theam
4. Goh Oi Lin
5. Kei Tet Maow
6. Leong Kum Pooi
7. Lim Chock Leng( Mrs Ong Kong Lim)
8. Junie Lim Gek Cheng( Mrs Eric Simon)
9. Alastair Mc Gregor
10. Grace Samuel( Mrs Basil Jayatilaka)
11. Eric Simon
12. Michael Wee Sian Hee
13. Wee Siew Tin( Mrs Leong Kum Pooi)

The Elders then presented each one of them with a commemorative gift.

Having reached the first 50 years as a church is indeed a significant milestone and those 50 years of yesteryear’s journey was documented in a video and presented to the congregation. The video clearly documented and testified of God’s faithfulness to PJGH the last 50 years and encourages and exhorts us to look to our future to the continual faithfulness of God and to magnify His name.

At the end of the video presentation, Elders Tan Kim Shah and Chew Phye Keat lead the congregation with prayers of thanksgiving.

The PJGH’s Choir consisting of the adult, youth and children then presented the following songs: The Sunday School Choir sang “Colors of His Love” with gusto and energy and supported by the youth with synchronized phasing and waving of colorful flags. It was indeed a sight to behold.

The Adult Church Choir under the direction of Choir Master Timothy Ooi, sang harmoniously “Raise This House” and “Crown You with Praise” The former song was specially composed and arranged by Basil Jayatilaka for this occasion. Basil was the Choir and Music Director of PJGH in the 60s and 70s. The lyrics of the song were written by Brenda Boler.

Dr Alastair McGregor , a pioneering member , an Elder, Teacher, Choir Master, for many years an integral part of PJGH made his way from Perth, Australia and shared God’s words on this special celebration.

Dr McGregor’s message was based on Philippians 3:12-16. He reminded the congregation to continue to journey with the Lord in the coming years and to heed the Apostle Paul’s exhortation to forget the past, press on what is ahead the goal and win the prize for which God has called us heavenward in Christ Jesus.

The Celebration Service ended with the congregation raising their voices to sing the closing hymn” Lord of the Years”

The hymn indeed was our anthem and prayer, for our nation, for the lost, and above all for us.

Elder Kong Yeng Phooi ended the Service with a closing prayer followed by fellowship and dinner.