Singspiration 30-09-2012
The praise and worship service starts with mass prayer at 11 o’clock. Sam Guite on keyboard, Upa Khamkhanpau on bass guiter and Muanlal with an acoustic guitar, the WT consisting of Sonkim, Lydia, Mung, Lun, Vumsuan, Remmawi, Upa Songzalian, Nemkhanmawi and Mankhodim with the Pastor at the head, steer the gathering away from the mental pre-occupation of sorts. The hymns “Phat din na ki lawm hi” – Thou Art Worth Praising, Charles Wesley’s “Aw Pau Sang Tampi’n Lasa Ding” - O, For a Thousand Tongues to Sing” and “Aw Jesu Tui Hing Lui Nahi” – Jesus Thou art the Living Water are sung in succession.
Blessed are the multitudes that drink from the fountain of divine privilege. It’s a matter of delight for which praise and adoration is all you can do. David’s call for the sound of trumpet, the harp, the lyre, the tumbrel, strings and the pipe find a unique response through the hearts of the Zomis. “Ka Phat Zel Ding”- I’ll keep on praising, is an apt eulogy on the saving work of Jesus accompanied with temporal benefit to the believers. In discipleship living poses challenges like the darkest of nights. But the gloomy path is set to give meaning to the contrasting brightness that beckons the second coming of Jesus Christ. Another inspiring worship song, “Khosiangthou Jerusalem”- the holy city of Jerusalem, born in the annals of the gospel in the North-East India stirs the spirits. The Pastor reminds the congregation of the need to dedicate oneself while undertaking the Christian Pilgrimage. The manner and extent by which God transmit the gospel through oneself ought to be assessed over and over again all through the entire journey. Do you have a genuine thirst for the spirit?
The gospel hit, “Ka Nunna In Toupa Ngai In” – My life thirsts for the Lord, drawing allegorical parallels between a ‘thirst for water’ inherent in a variety of deer found in North-East India with a peculiar Christian thirst for Holy Spirit, enchanted the congregation with rhapsody. Another mass prayer followed. In the moment of weakness Almighty God endows strength to a disciple. The Pastor thank God for giving strength to the disciples to wade through. Through the hymn, “Hong Leen Gige’n”,- Hold my hand, the congregation calls upon the Lord to help push through the turbulent waters of life. As WT Mung takes the lead, the ushers bring in the offering bowl. As the patriotic gospel all time hits, “Israel mite na pi bang in” and “A Hampha Pasian Mite” the worshippers sway in ecstasy . Dedication of the offering is done by Upa G. Khamkhanpau. Thereafter WT Lydia and WT Nemkhanmawi treated the audience with the inspiring item, “Kha Muanna Leh Lungmuanna Tou Jesu Kiang ah” – Jesus, custodian to peace in spirit and mind.
Upa Kam Suanthang takes the stand to conduct induction ceremony of new comers in the city: Due to various reasons only 9 out of 31 of the new inductees are able to make it to the stage. Encouraging them to keep in mind the purpose of their stay in Delhi and in Life, the Pastor prays for them.
As an expression of contentment in the loving arms of the Lord notwithstanding the geographical dislocation of any sort, the singspiration continues with “Lungdam lua ing Toupa”, followed by “Pathian itna aw lian in sang”- The Love of God. WT Mung reminds the congregation about the value of redemption. Looking forward to Paradise, and the day when one has the honor of holding the scarred hands of Jesus a Christian must keep up with true discipleship. The gospel song “Enven Ka Teen Nang Gamnuam” penned by Evan Langh Do Khup, founder of Tears Gospel Ministry many years ago stirs up the soul. There the city of joy beckons disciples with ‘Tul Ngei Lou ding’ or everlasting joy. If the preceding hymns put the worshippers to absolute delight, the hymn, “Tul ngeilou” completely jolts out the as yet elusive arms and legs in rhythmic wonder.
As preliminary to inauguration of the documentary, ‘Acts of Worship’ by Worship Team, the Pastor enlightens the parishioners that it’s not about proficiency, nor a certification of oneself, but a simple message about the necessity of taking a step ahead even as we trod the path mission path bearing the Cross. There is bound to be discrepancies, which can only be done away with in subsequent efforts. He appreciates the fact that the WT has managed to come out with the product against odds like time constraint. Facilitating God’s people to devote little bits of their precious time to the furtherance of the Gospel is a continuous endeavor of the Church. Some responsibilities in the Church are given through popular election, some through nomination. Success in any enterprise couldn’t have been possible in the absence of cooperation from all members. The pastor specifically highlighted the need of a group of prayers. The system of volunteering has proven very encouraging, which is evident in Baptist Children Department. Volunteers need encouragement from each individual member as much as the same is required from the Pastor. Prior experience or qualification is not necessarily required. When you give your will, God qualifies you. He calls on stage the Worship Team to present the theme song, “Ka Mang Lenna” by the living legend .
The documentary is not for sale. The documentary which is a sweet piece of musical work is being distributed free through the church website. For God’s glory. The Pastor formally inaugurates and tops the ceremony with prayer. Thereafter website technician and member of Media Team Thangkhansiam Naulak, who has played major part in the making of the documentary, gives a highlight of certain shots of the documentary through multi-media display. The Pastor gives credit to the website technicians and Media Team of the Church in the making of the 90 minute documentary. While the last hymn, “Leitung ka en kikhenna lungkhamna” is in progress Upa Kaithang emerges on stage. Before closing the worship in benediction he reads out the passionate music of David: 1 I waited patiently for the Lord;
he turned to me and heard my cry.
2 He lifted me out of the slimy pit,
out of the mud and mire;
he set my feet on a rock
and gave me a firm place to stand.
3 He put a new song in my mouth,
a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear the Lord
and put their trust in him. Even as the worshippers are busy meeting the Pastor and Upas, the WT plunges back into another inspirational hymn to ring in the ears pending another assemblage of the disciples, another Sunday, “Jesu hoih zaw hi”.
By- Lianpu Tonsing
Media Team
