Effia (WR), Dec. 24, GNA – The Takoradi branch of the Pentecost International Worship Center (PIWC) has held a festival of Nine Lessons and Carols Service to mark this year’s Christmas celebration.
The annual event marked the beginning of the church’s Christmas Convention.
It was graced by the Takoradi Area Head and Executive Council Member of the Church of Pentecost Worldwide, Apostle Joseph Asabil, who officially opened the convention.
The patrons, mainly members of the church and some guests within the church community, were entertained with Christmas carols and other local songs by Vessels of Worship (VOW), the church choir.
Children, deacons and deaconesses in the church were not left out as they also brought their songs amidst dancing and joy.
Pastor Daniel Okyei Boakye, Resident Pastor of PIWC Takoradi, in a welcoming remark, stressed that “God has been good to the church and the members since the year began.
“For which reason, they must give praises and thanks to God, hoping that God will favour them and usher them into the coming year.”
He urged the congregants to follow the scripture readings and meditate on them, believing that God will speak to their hearts.
Apostle Joseph Asabil, who delivered a sermon on the theme for the event, “You are Highly Favoured, the Lord is with you,” said Mary was surprised at the greetings of the angel because it was strange and unexpected to her.
According to him, what Christians considered to be ultimate in their lives might not be what God has about them but something bigger than their wildest imagination.
“If you want to come before God then you need to come with faith in Him and not the Church so that you can have an encounter with God who will, in turn, reveal great things that you have no idea of to you,” he emphasized.
Apostle Asabil also indicated that the power of the Holy Spirit does not only enable Christians to speak in tongues but reveals hidden things of God’s plan for their lives.
“That’s why Christians should crave for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit,” Apostle Asabil stressed.
He pointed out that what was impossible before man was possible before God and for that matter, Christians should not live in utter loss of hope but with hope and faith in God who has the power to make all things happen.
“A time will come when the faith of the Christian will be put to the test; that is why we must be filled with the Holy Spirit to draw strength to enable us to cope with the situation,” he admonished.
GNA