牧者心聲

作為長者科的同工，我經常主持安息禮拜。隨著長者團弟兄姊妹年紀漸長，當有團友安息時，其他長者是否能親身送別，往往取決於地點、天氣與身體狀況，更遑論參與獻詩。因此，獻詩人數不足時，我常邀請詩班員或 50+ 事工的弟兄姊妹協助，與長者團友一同獻唱，讓他們在夥伴的支持下完成送別的心意。也有一些安息者生前體弱多病、久未聚會，沒有固定團體，而家人又未信主，因此安排獻詩較困難。但總有弟兄姊妹願意把握這機會，參與服事，藉此見證神的愛。過往曾有未信家人在安息禮中得著安慰，並得知參與獻詩的弟兄姊妹其實並不認識亡者，卻願意同心服事，因而深受感動，並開始接觸教會、認識福音，甚至最後受洗加入教會！也有不認識死者的詩班員在安息禮服事後，表示得知離世的弟兄姊妹信心堅固，在高齡中仍堅定信靠主，並在家人中留下美好見證，甚至影響家人信主，令這些詩班員深受激勵。詩班員們常說，能參與這樣的服事，送別令人敬重的長輩，心中滿懷感恩與榮幸。

有一位教牧曾分享，她看見一位 80 多歲的長者每週六恆常參與祈禱會，忠心以禱告事奉，並常關心這牧者，表示自己每週都有為牧者代禱。這樣的心意使牧者深感窩心，也為這位長者的忠心服事向主獻上感恩。

其實，事奉不一定要有大才幹，一些微小的行動，若能讓人感受到溫暖、看見神的愛，這已是為神作了大事。上週在教會偶遇一位長者，她表示對大埔火災的事件感到困擾，雖然並不認識當中的受災者，但看到新聞、聽到他們所講的話，也感同身受，心中難過。這位長者向我傾吐過後，她說感覺舒服多了。有時，一句簡單的問候、一雙願意聆聽的耳朵、一個溫暖的微笑，都能令低沉的人得到一絲安慰與平安。

堂主任周牧師在今年的會友大會中，鼓勵我們在明年實踐一項「愛他人的微小行動」。你準備好了嗎？你會以怎樣的行動表達愛心呢？願神使用我們微小的行動，使之成為別人的祝福！

後記：北宣家從大埔的宣道會堂會得知，宏福苑火災的災民暫時在物資上已有足夠支援，但更需要的是心靈的關懷。我鼓勵大家持續為他們禱告，並在團契或小組中彼此聆聽和代求，或使用教會預備的心意咭，為災民寫上鼓勵與祝福的話語，以表達支持和記念。

As a pastor serving with the Elderly Ministry, I often officiate at funeral services. As members of the Seniors Fellowship grow older, whether they can personally attend the service when a fellow member passes away often depends on the location, weather, and their physical condition, let alone taking part in singing hymns. Therefore, when there are not enough members on the choir, I often invite church choir members or brothers and sisters from the 50+ Ministry to assist, singing together with members of the Seniors Fellowship so that, with the support of their companions, they may fulfil their heartfelt desire to bid farewell. There are also cases where the departed brother or sister had been frail or chronically ill, had not attended church for a long time, and did not have a specific fellowship or group, while their family members were not believers. In such situations, arranging a choir becomes more difficult. Yet, there are always brothers and sisters who willingly seize this opportunity to serve and bear witness to God’s love. In the past, some non-believing family members found comfort during the funeral service and were deeply touched when they learned that the brothers and sisters on the choir did not know the deceased, yet still served with one heart. They then began to connect with the church, learn about the gospel, and eventually were baptized and joined the church! There were also choir members who, though they did not know the deceased, were encouraged after serving. They learned that the departed brother or sister had remained steadfast in faith even at an advanced age, leaving a beautiful testimony among family members and even influencing them to believe in the Lord. Choir members often say that being able to participate in this ministry to honour respected elders fills their hearts with gratitude and a deep sense of privilege.

A pastor once shared that she noticed a senior sister in her eighties who faithfully attended the Saturday prayer meeting every week. This sister served the Lord earnestly through prayer and often cared for the pastor, telling her that she prayed for her every week. Such thoughtfulness deeply encouraged the pastor, who gave thanks to the Lord for the senior sister’s faithful ministry.

Indeed, serving the Lord does not necessarily require great talents. Small actions that can bring warmth to others and let them see God’s love are already great works for God. Last week at church, I met a senior sister who told me she was troubled by the fire incident in Tai Po. Although she did not know any of the victims personally, watching the news and hearing their accounts caused her to feel deeply sympathetic and saddened. After she shared her feelings with me, she said she felt much better. Sometimes, a simple greeting, a listening ear, or a warm smile can bring a touch of comfort and peace to someone who is feeling low.

At this year’s Annual Church Member Conference, Senior Pastor Rev. Chow encouraged us to put into practice one “small act of loving others” in the coming year. Are you ready? What action will you take to express love? May God use our small actions and turn them into blessings for others!

Postscript
We have learned from the C&MA Tai Po Alliance Church that the victims of the fire at Wang Fuk Court have sufficient material support for now, but what they need even more is care for their emotional and spiritual well-being. I encourage everyone to continue praying for them, to listen to and intercede for one another in your fellowship groups or small groups, or to use the cards prepared by the church to write words of encouragement and blessing to the victims as an expression of care and remembrance.