JAKARTA - The Christmas celebration of the Protestant Church in western Indonesia (GPIB) Immanuel Gambir, Central Jakarta, was attended by a thousand congregations following the high enthusiasm of Protestant Christians to worship after two years ago being limited by the pandemic.
"Christmas pertama tanggal 25 Desember ini merupakan puncaknya. Sebenarnya itu yang datang sekitar 900 hingga 1.000 orang congregant, jadi pada hari Natal ini juga cukup surprise begitu," kata Singkap GPIB Immanuel, Hengki, dikutip dari Antara, Minggu 25 Desember.
Hengki said the enthusiasm of the congregation was also seen from the time they arrived at the church.
"Usually before 9 o'clock there weren't so many, but now before 8 o'clock there were already many congregants present," he continued.
Hengki revealed that the offline worship process was the first time it had been carried out after the COVID-19 pandemic.
The enthusiasm of the congregation to come to the church has also increased after the church was revitalized but has not been able to fully accommodate the congregation because it is still in a COVID-19 pandemic situation.
"So after this revitalization, it can be seen that the congregation's longing to worship offline in the church is quite large," he said.
He explained that the revitalization of the Immanuel Church by the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government was one of the attractions of the congregation to come to the church for worship.
Moreover, this year, celebrations, for example at the church, can be followed by the congregation in accordance with the maximum capacity of the church.
"Yes, this revitalization is extraordinary for us, we can see the results. That is what makes us very different and this is the first time that so many people are enthusiastic and it is also a joy for us," he said.
From observations, it can be seen that hundreds of congregants crowded the first and second floors of the churches registered as cultural heritage.
The atmosphere of the church was quiet even though hundreds of congregants were present to attend worship.
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