Sunday Worship Service: 1st June 2014
PRAISE AND WORSHIP:
Pastor V.Nenglian commenced the worship service by committing the congregation to God's almighty hands. The Praise & Worship Team then led the congregation in singing hymns like 'Ka Hinna Nang Konpia'. The congregation turned quite lively while the hymn 'I Thilhoih Muh Bang Uh' was sung (this is a song of praise & submission to the Lord and has touched the lives of many; the lines of the last verse that says, "Though they had crowned Him with the 'crown of thorns', my Lord is the best!" is very much touching). As has always been done, Mass Prayer was conducted during the Praise & Worship service. Upa Khamkhanpau Guite made the Offertory Prayer.
PASTORAL PRAYER:
As custom holds, pastor V.Nenglian conducted the pastoral prayer which is held every first Sunday of the month - a thanksgiving for all the blessings He had bestowed upon the congregation during the past month; and submission of the congregation unto His almighty hands in all their conduct for this month.
SPECIAL NO.
The song 'Tou Jesu Neih' was presented by the Nepal Visiting Team in Nepali as a preview for their upcoming tour to Nepal Mission Field (a team comprising 26 members of EBCC Delhi are planning to visit Nepal Mission Field, leaving Delhi on coming 4th June). Only two things they are afraid of, the pastor humorously quoted as saying:
1) that despite singing this Nepali song in all fluency, the Nepalese might not comprehend what is being sung,
2) that the Lord might not use the song as His instrument of the Gospel.
Upa H. Kam Suanthang then committed the Team unto God's almighty hands for their safety and also asked for His guidance that everything they do or face in their upcoming mission trip might be for the sole purpose of glorifying His name.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE DAY'S SERMON:
The pastor's sermon was based on the theme 'THE ACT OF MISSIONS ARMORED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT'. Under this the pastor began his sermon by reading Acts 1:8 of the Holy Scripture -
"But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth." [KJV]
Topics:
1) What Is the Act Of Missions?
It is the act of witnessing Christ - not the kind of witness based merely on one's belief through insufficient evidence(s) but that which is based on discernment. As an illustration, the pastor took for instance the act of witnessing inside the courtroom.
Also the pastor said that the act of witnessing 'Salvation' is just like the case of witnessing the 'Wind' - you do not perceive it with your sense organs but you can feel it, know and perceive it through discernment.
The term 'act of witnessing' is coined from the Greek term 'Martus' meaning 'Martyr'. From here, we can see that the act of witnessing Christ is not something which can be accomplished in one or two instances, rather it is a life-long process which Christians should hold onto till death. The act of witnessing Christ is the courage to witness Christ even if it should cost us our lives.
2) What Is The Role Of The Holy Spirit In The Act Of Missions?
i) Want of the whole world for Christ
ii) The Holy Spirit entrusts the act of missions to all believers
iii) The Holy Spirit does the act of missions through the believers/disciples by bestowing them with certain supernatural powers
The pastor then wind up his sermon by urging the congregation that they may all be instruments of 'the act of missions armored by the Holy Spirit.
The Praise & Worship Team led the hymn 'Damsung Tuipi Tung' for the closing song during which offerings were made by the congregation to help and strengthen Nepal Mission Field in its missions for the Kingdom of God.
The congregational service was closed with benediction by the pastor.
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~ S. Ginlalsiam
Content Writer, Media Team
