The service started off with the worship team leading the Praise & Worship, followed by the offertory prayer by Pastor Nenglian. The Mother's Day message then was given, firstly, by the Local Chairman , Secondly, by Pa V Ginthanlian and then the BYF and the BCD having activities such as a short speech, a Trio and a group song with flowers given to all the Mothers present, followed by a Duet and ends with a slide presentation. Pastor Nenglian then took the pulpit for a special Mother's Day prayer.
The Mother's Day sermon was given by Pastor Biakson. His sermon was based on
Proverb 31:31
Give her the reward she has earned, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate. (NIV).
With reference from this scripture, he then stresses on the need to honor and give Mothers all the love and care, after all she had done for each one of us: her struggles to make ends meet, the unconditional and never failing love and her sacrificial life for her young ones and her husband- all at the cost of her happiness. Mother's are to be acknowledged and glorified for what they deserve and not something that could be ignored just because of mere awkwardness.
He then quote a scripture from the book of Exodus 20:12 & Ephesians 6:2, along with
James 4:17
If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them. (NIV)
In which he focuses on the consequences of not obeying God's command and implied the timely need for acknowledging and glorifying mothers for what they truly deserve. He then pointed out that whosoever despise and shame their parents will be cursed.
He then concluded the sermon by pointing out that blessings comes only through the Mother & the father and insist on our timely expression of what needed to be done and raised the questions:
* What have we done for our Parents?
* Did we give them back what they deserve?
The congregation then stood up for the last song and ends with a Benediction by Upa Kaithang.
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During the second service beginning 4 pm, brother Ginliansang, sharing his views about mothers, quotes Proverbs 31:23 which describes the ideal wife as someone who advances her husband's interests, increases his influence, and, by attending to domestic concerns, enables her husband to take his share in public matters, so that his name is in great repute in the popular assemblies at the city gates. He warned about the possibility of mothers being great and precious, without actually seeking God. In fact, brother Sang had been through bouts of depression seeing how far a woman can get disoriented. Because some women don't really mind about the means as long as they get what they want. Hence the imperative need for mothers to introspect whether that wise and precious mother is them or not.
Before praying for the mothers present, Pastor Nenglian reminds that a virtuous woman is worth far more than rubies. Being honest and faithful throughout life, a wise woman orally administers love's lesson to progenies and learns to respect the everlasting God herself.
The Pastor also advocates the case for mothers being given what they deserve, and recounts that Mothers' Day originated with US President declaring the 9th May, 1914 as mothers' day.
In line with the economist's theory, man expects much and receives little. And Haggai 1:5 says, 'retrospect/set your heart upon, your ways'.
Post splitting of Israel and Judea, no entity of much significance was left with Israel. Persia captured Jerusalem, destroyed Solomon's temple. There followed Babylonian annexation. Thereafter Jewish returnees were led by Zerubbabel and Joshua to reinstate the Temple. 16 years later, Haggai and Zachariah went back in 560 B.C. and reconstructed the temple.
Even as temple reconstruction was in full swing, individuals in the Jewish society accorded priority to their respective businesses.
The scripture is about Haggai's remonstration of the people against such a back drop.
Therefore when the Church leaders selected Colossians 3:18-21, which says, "Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives, and do not be harsh with them. Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. Fathers, do not provoke children, lest they become discouraged", there is a general belief that the leaders feel the existence of such mentality as prevailed in Haggai's time in the contemporary society.
Cases of sickness are genuine and acceptable, but what does an individual put before he turn to God? Is it tobacco or other habits? Even the kids, which is a common excuse, for their naughty behavior, turn cooperative in the case of God being at the centre. The moot question here is, do you love gossip more than the Bible?
Announcement made by the Pastor
1. Thanks giving service being held on 16 May, 2015, a celebration of Life in honour of by (L) Brig. T. Sailo at the Cathedral Church of Redemption. The Church is cordially invited by his progenies who are extremely fond of the late Brigadier.
2. Marriage of Zenkhankhup, brother of Lalal Tonsing of IGNOU in Central Lamka Church. Parishioners who happens to be in Lamka are advised to attend the ceremony.
Next Sunday Programme (May 17, 2015)
1. Bible Study Class of Luke Chapter 17 at 9.oo am themed
2. Worship Services at 11.00 am and 4 pm
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By: Songlianmang
Media Team
