The service began with a word of prayer and reading of Psalms 95:6-7 by worship leader, Thangkhanhau who then led the congregation in heartfelt praise and worship to the Almighty. Upa Kam Suanthang dedicated the offerings to the Lord.
Pastor Suankhanhau welcomed the first timers/visitors to the church. Reading out Psalms 103:19, he encouraged the congregation to join the week day worship service on 17 September in which panel discussion on the topic ‘Victory over the Mind and Thoughts’ would be held. Thereafter, Pastor led the congregation in mass prayer.
The morning service was special with a guest Speaker, Brother Anand Pillai giving a sermon on the theme "The Parable of the Compassionate and Forgiving Father" based on Luke 15:11-32 as a continuation of the Parenting Seminar he gave the previous day. Introducing the theme of his sermon, he clarified the common use of the word ‘prodigal’ to describe the son who demanded a share of his father’s property and went off to a distant country. Explaining that ‘prodigal’ means ‘wasteful’ and the right word is ‘lost’, he went on to clarify some misconceptions and false beliefs such as, Eve was created from the rib of Adam, the forbidden fruit is an apple, the fish that swallowed Jonah is a whale, etc. Sounding a warning of the dangers of taking our false beliefs into the Bible, he said that dilution of the word of God and bringing in traditions into it led to conformation bias which creates problems in parenting.
Coming to the issues of parenting, Speaker urged parents to watch out for gradual deterioration in their relationships with their children listing five early warning signs viz, routine compliance, withdrawal from family activities/gatherings, short and cryptic communication, irritability over small things and isolation. He cautioned parents to be vigilant of these signs to avoid much pain later on. One point which he stressed was the need for parents not to exasperate their children. Children should also be made to realize that when they do wrong, they are sinning against God. Repentance comes from knowing this truth and true parenting is bringing God into it.
Speaker also presented a wonderful picture of God the Father, his compassion, forgiving nature and reconciliation in the father of the lost son running and embracing his son with all the forgiveness in his heart. He then shared important lessons for fathers and parents from Luke 15:
-to love their children unconditionally even if they are rebellious
-to instruct them consistently
-to give them quality time and earn their trust
-to pray patiently for them as God will bring changes in His time
-to forgive and forget
-to bring in perspective and peace in the family
Urging parents to learn these important lessons from the powerful parable and be compassionate and forgiving like God, the Father, Speaker concluded his sermon with a word of prayer.
Led by the worship team, the congregation rose and sang the last hymn. The service concluded with thanksgiving and benediction by Upa Thiankhanmuan.
