The worship service commenced with an opening prayer by Htn Julie Donngaihlun. This was followed by the Praise & Worship team, and then Upa H Zabiak dedicated the offertory. Next, the mass prayer was led by Pastor Dr Suankhanhau Gualnam, who iterated the importance of praying for Manipur, and all the fallen and their families. He compared the people to Hagar and Ishmael from the Bible, who, though they were not God’s own chosen, still came under God’s mercy when they approached Him. He asked the congregants once again to run to God for refuge as He does not deny those that come to Him for comfort and shelter. Pastor Hau made the closing prayer, then Lia Neibiaknem sung a special no., concluding this segment.
Before the sermon of the day, Pastor Hau gave a report on BSI, BIIS, and EBCC Delhi. As it was ‘Bible Sunday’ for the year 2024, the main theme for this day was “The sufficiency of Scripture for Missions”, basing it off of the Bible verse from 2 Corinthians 4:2. Concerning the work regarding the Bible Society of India(BSI), in the first, we have the Chief Patron, and our church has twelve people who are such members. After this, we have the patron, with thirty four members from our church. The number of members are not just for the year of 2024, but rather, it has been gradually increasing since the establishment of the church. Then we have the Live Member, with forty one people from our Church, counting six members that joined this year. Then, the Junior Member with four people; Bible Missionaries – 3 members; Annual Member – 10; General Donation (with no fixed amount) – 2 members: Anniversary Gift – 6 members counting one new addition from this year; Memorial Gift – 33 members. The total figure of membership concerning the BSI as it currently stands is 154, and the new members that joined this year come up to 8.
Moving on to BIIS, presently, the number of Patrons that our Church has is 77. The Live Members are 34, with two new additions this year; Prayer Partner – 6 members; Memorial Gift – 5 members; General Donation – 2 members; Anniversary Gift – 1 member. The total figure for this is 125.
Pastor Hau made an appeal to those who were not yet members to become one. To not only give to those you care, but also to those you don’t (paraphrase). To give selflessly, without expecting anything back. If you really put your mind to it, it is definitely doable. If anybody wants to be a Patron, they may contact Htp Chinliankhup. You’re not investing on earth, you’re investing in Heaven.
The day’s sermon was based off of the Scripture taken from the Book of Psalms 119:105. It talks about the importance of the guidance that we get from God’s Word, and the credibility it holds, and how effectual it is to have a guide. Pastor Hau made an analogy between a tour guide and, for lack of a better word, a spiritual guide. He gave an anecdotal account of his visit to the Taj Mahal. The tour guide they hired taught them about the value of each stone and marble that made up the monument. He also explained how the whole structure was mounted on myriad number of wooden pillars that have good shock absorption property which makes it earthquake resistant. There were many various minute details that one would’ve missed without a guide. In like manner, if we let the Word guide us through our lives, there are many valuable things in and about our lives that we otherwise would miss without it (its’ guidance).
Onto the Scripture, in verse 105, ‘lamp’ is used. Now, the lamp, as we all know, has its purpose, which is to give light in the dark so that we can see our surroundings clearly. So the verse is talking about how God’s Word will light the way so that one can see the path one is taking, and keep oneself from stumbling. In the dark, we can’t tell the right path from the wrong, and so God’s Word, acting as the lamp, will guide us, make us see the path clearly. A thing to note here, though His guidance is trustworthy and credible, we must actively decide to follow it. No matter how good the guidance may be, one can still decide not to follow. Here Pastor Hau ended the sermon with a prayer for the congregants.
Following the prayer, the worship team took to the stage, and the worship service conclude with Pastor Hau giving the benediction.
