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TMC Penang 125th Quasquicentennial Anniversary Celebration Commemorative Book

MOVING FORWARD

For the past 125 years, the Tamil Methodist Church Penang has stood in the island of Penang
as a beacon of hope and a place of refuge. For generations, the congregational family has nurtured
thousands of persons who have been counted among the least, the last, and the lost. The reason for
this is simple: the church, perhaps in spite of itself, has persevered because it has adhered to a few
basic principles. These include faith that God is our Supreme Being, the creator of our lives and
author of our faith, that the Bible is the inspired word of God, and that adherence to the teachings and
admonitions of the scriptures has invariably led the church down the path God has carved for it.

Likewise, through the past 125 years, the ever growing congregation of TMC Penang has
been led by missionaries, church workers and pastors with greatly differing personalities and
preaching styles. Every minister, though, left his own mark on the church – not only through
inspirational sermons and personal care and guidance in times of need – but also through judicious
leadership in expanding the church ministries, as well as through countless friendships with the
members and their families.

Indeed, even as we celebrate the 125th year of existence, it is also a time for reflection and an
occasion for thanksgiving and God’s steadfast love and kindness upon us. Truly, God established
TMC Penang as a display of His Glory. The church has been marked off from the world through the
faithful practice of church membership and Biblical discipline, and led by godly, qualified men who
teach the Word and equip the congregation for works of service. Today, TMC Penang’s corporate
character proclaims all Glory and Honour to God!

Looking forward, no one can predict all the challenges that the TMC Penang Congregation will
face during the 21st century. But as members of Christ known and loved as TMC Penang, our
congregation will use the observance of its 125th Anniversary to reflect upon our past and make a
collective pledge that our membership will stand strong on God’s promises and remain receptive to
the promptings of the Holy Spirit. We will continue to pray that our beloved TMC Penang will remain
anchored to the traditions of our founding brethren in our spirit and in our commitment to God’s
Word.

In conclusion, as a Church Family, we celebrate our 125th Anniversary with a renewed
commitment to build upon the remarkable record of charitable Christian Service that has been the
mainstay of this church for more than a century. The journey from 1894 to 2019 has not been easy,
but it certainly has been rewarding! Those rewards and God’s promise of eternal life give our ever
growing congregation inspiration and meaning to continue the journey. In the words of the Father of
Methodism, the great John Wesley himself, “The Best is Yet to Be!”

GREAT IS THY FAITHFULNESS!

Written by Mrs. Jayamany Raja
Edited by Mrs. Vijayatara Jayaraj

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