|
July 2007
Insight is a monthly contribution on remarkable topics dedicated for thoughts, reflection and prayers. Please feel free to contribute to this page what you would like to share with others.
The power and value of sharing our faith stories
I love to share my faith story and love to hear how people come to meet Jesus.
I remember a woman who turned up at church in Nairobi 1979 out of curiosity. During the prayer ministry after the service the Lord healed her. She went away ecstatic. The ministry team were thrilled but concerned that she hadn't understood about Jesus - she was healed physically but was she saved? The next week she returned up with her extended family. All of them wanted to meet the God who worked so powerfully!
According to our reading from Luke we have seen that Jesus demonstrated who he was through his power, healings and miracles and that he expects his followers to take the good news and the signs of God's kingdom to whoever will receive them (Luke 8:24-39).
Does that excite you or fill you with fear? You may feel that you don't know enough to talk about your faith, preach, heal or cast out demons. If so, read on and hear what our young people are saying or take a look at Acts 1:8. Jesus has a equipped you. Just trust him and let the Holy Spirit put words into your mouth and then take courage and say them in faith. You will be surprised!
The needs around us are huge - some are obvious, while others seem well hidden. But actually nothing is hidden from God. Do we ever ask him to reveal to us those who are suffering silently? Do we ask him to show us what he wants us to do for them? Would we be ready to pass on his message or bring the Lord's healing to them?
Of course, our contribution is the spiritual equivalent of 'five loaves and two fish'. But Jesus chose to use a meager picnic to satisfy thousands.
Think through what our young people are saying in this bulletin? What will you be doing? Who are you going to meet? Why not pray about what lies ahead, asking the Lord to use you to bring blessings, freedom, and his wholeness to others?
Modicum Okello (Rev)
Youth Sunday
Every year, our young people are given the opportunity to plan and lead All-Age Worship in June. Sunday 10th June was the Day. This is according to our vision for mission :- What are our young people saying!
- To encourage our members old and young to worship, pray and fellowship together.
- To proclaim the good news of the kingdom
- To respond to our community needs by loving service
- To be a people in love with God and in love with each other, moved by the spirit of God to bring his wholeness into the community
- To experience and share the work of the Holy Spirit in Mission and evangelism at home and abroad.
| Program Summary: - Services. |
| 9:30 am Breakfast. |
| 10:30 am All-Age Worship |
| 6:30 pm Holy Communion |
| Theme: The Holy Spirit And Young People Today |
| Readings: Acts 2:14-28, Matthew 16:13-20 |
| Welcome: Susan. - Lead: Sydney. |
| Preach: Justine, Giles, C. Aleni Fisher. |
| Intercessions: All Young people. |
| Music group: Emmanuel, Havon, Walter, Daniel. |
Everything was well planed in details from breakfast with scrambled-egg, soft drinks, tea, coffee.... to the last hymn.
From their faces, there was excitement, glee, and expectations and those who came one minute after 10.30 am missed the introduction from Justine - 'ladies and gentlemen, welcome to our Youth Sunday 10th June 2007. This is the day that the Lord has made.' Bang! Bang! Bang!
Dressed in their funky summer clothes, the Church was colourful and the order of service was well organized that everyone knew their part to play; when to come in to introduce the hymn, read the lessons, announce the preachers....... notices, collection hymns, birthday prayer and....
The sermon was preached by three preachers
Preacher One: Justine Introduced the theme 'Who do you have faith in?'
Preacher Two: C. Aleni Fisher: Our faith is in God
Preacher Three: Giles: Our faith is in Jesus and the Holy Spirit
Giles summarised it with group bible study.
The Congregation agreed that our faith is in God the Father, and the Son and the Holy Spirit.
Selected Prayer from Youth Sunday
'Dear God, I just want to thank you for giving us the opportunity to have a place to come where we can praise and worship you. I also want to thank you for the young people and those who we take for granted, for there are other who aren't fortunate to have the good things we have. I ask you to continue blessing everyone with good health and long life, and that you continue to shower us with your love. We also pray for those who struggle to have faith in you and that you help those struggling to have more. In Jesus' name. Amen.' (unknown).
'Lord, thank you for gathering us all here today to worship you. We pray that at this time in our lives you give us the ability to be compassionate to one another. Help us to recognise each others needs and to be sympathetic to their problems. Lord we ask that you give us patience and understanding to be able to comfort those in need and to guide them through the challenging times, to recognise when people need help and after any assistance necessary and to be able to help them keep their faith in you. We ask all these things in your name. Amen'. (Sydney)
'Dear God - thank you for our lives today. Thank you for the bread and wine of our prophet and your Son Jesus Christ. All I'm asking for is to stop the gangs shooting people and knifing and killing people. I pray for those who have lost their family members through gun and knife crime. I also pray that you can guide everyone's parents through our lives, and I want all people in gangs to know that Jesus LOVES them. Amen.' (C. Aleni Fisher).
'Lord I pray that you help us always to trust in you. Give us the courage to always bring our problems to you in prayer and guide us down the right path. Help us to trust that you will always keep us safe to worship and praise you. Lord help us to be careful of sins and be free. I pray that you will help us to keep our faith in you Lord.' (unknown).
'Lord, thank you for gathering us all here today to worship you. We pray that at this time in our lives you give us the ability to be compassionate to one another. Help us to recognise each others needs and to be sympathetic to their problems. Lord we ask that you give us patience and understanding to be able to comfort those in need and to guide them through the challenging times, to recognise when people need help and after any assistance necessary and to be able to help them keep their faith in you. We ask all these things in your name. Amen'. (Sydney)
|
