The Induction Service of the General Secretary and the Dedication Service for the Year “Children and Youth”
The Dedication service and the Induction of the new General Secretary Rev. Priyantha Wijegoonawardene was held on 13th January 2018 at the Cathedral Christ the Living Saviour, Baudaloka Mawatha Colombo 7.
It was a very special occasion in the Annals of the Ceylon Bible Society with the presence of many heads of Churches.
The Procession commenced from the Bishops House, led by the Cross bearer, Sri Lankan and the Bible Society Flag bearers, Sesath bearers and a bearer carrying The Holy Bible (Which was printed by Wesleyan Mission press Colombo in 1819).The Ceylon Bible Society staff, the incoming General Secretary and the outgoing General Secretary followed by the heads of Churches and finally the Carey College Hewisi band.
The event with a prayer of Thanks Giving by his Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith Archbishop of Colombo, Roman Catholic Church and the welcome and reading from Psalms 133 was done by Mr. Sriyantha Senaratna.
This was followed by the congregational hymn led by the Baptist Church Choir Hendala. Revd. Heshan De Silva- Sangamadhipathi Sri Lanka Baptist Sangamaya offered a Prayer of C onfession and Lord’s Prayer. The Bible reading was done in English Tamil and Sinhala Braille and in Sign Language.
The welcome song was sung by the Choir of the Ceylon Bible Society to show their commitment. Following the song the Induction of the New General Secretary took place. Mrs. Efua Ghartey – Chairman of the Global Council presented a Bible to the newly elected General Secretary Rev. Priyantha Wijegoonawardena and gave her greetings. Dr. Julian Sundersingh- Ministry Resource Facilitator & Global Literacy Coordinator Global Mission Team: Global Ministry Exchange also gave his greetings.
The Dedication prayer was done by Rev. Asiri. P. Perera Bishop/President of the Methodist Church. Once the Dedication prayer was over the Laying of Hands took place a passage from the book of Numbers 6; 24-26 was taken as the sentence of Blessing. The following laid their hands and blessed Rev. Priyantha Wijegoonawardena.
His Excellency Most Revd. Dr. Pierre Nguyen Van Tot- Apostolic Nunciature in Sri Lanka.
Rt. Revd. Dhiloraj R. Canagasabey. – Bishop of Colombo/Chairman, NCC.
Revd. Stanley Nelson. – President, NCEASL.
Mrs. Efua Ghartey – Chairman of the Global Council
Dr. Julian Sundersingh. – Ministry Resource Facilitator & Global Literacy
Coordinator Global Mission Team: Global Ministry Exchange.
Mr. Sriyantha Senaratna. – President of CBS
Mrs. Lakshani P. Fernando. – Out Going General Secretary.
Mrs. Mikelia Wickremasingha. – Representing Member Christian, Organizations/ President
YWCA
Also the Congregation stretched out there right hand to bless the New General Secretary of CBS. The Baptist Young People’s Auxiliary choir sang the song of Blessing. Rev. Priyantha Wijegoonawardene the newly appointed General Secretary gave his Mission and Vision statement.
A special Item was done by the Inspiration Choir Directed by Priyanthi Seneviratne VanDort. Most Revd. Dr. Emmanuel Fernando Bishop of Mannar and 1st Vice President of the Ceylon Bible Society did the Prayer of Intercession. Following the Intercession the Theological College of Lanka, Pilimathalawa performed a special item.
Rev. Dr. Colton Wickramaratne Founder Pastor of the Peoples’ church, Assembly of God did the Dedication Prayer for the year “Children and Youth”. The Dedication of the Sign Language DVD on the Gospel of St. Luke was done by Rt. Revd. Dhiloraj R. Canagasabey – Bishop of Colombo, Church of Ceylon. The Book of St. Luke Sign Language DVD was given to Rt. Revd. Dhiloraj R. Canagasabey by Ms. Sachinthi Kaushallya Hewavitharana – Main Signing person who has contributed her talents for this production. The Blind School Rathmalana also performed a special item with Signing by students from the Deaf School, Rathmalana at this special event.
Ms. Kruthangna Perera a General Council Member of the Ceylon Bible Society gave the vote of Thanks. The Congregation sang the final hymn “The Church’s one Foundation” which was led by the Baptist Church Hendala Choir. Closing Prayer and Benediction was done by the Rt. Revd. Dhiloraj R. Canagasabey – Bishop of Colombo, Church of Ceylon. The Induction of the New General Secretary and the Dedication for the Year Children and Youth ended successfully.
