Community Church Service was a Blessing
African Pastor Delivers the Word
Published Oct. 9, 2011 @ 10:06 p.m.
People from various churches gathered Sunday morning at the Post Elementary School auditorium to worship and hear a message from Pastor Ernest Phiri, of the Grace Center in Malawi, Africa.
The Grace Center is a project of Circle of Hope an international ministry promoting cross-cultural partnerships, community development, home-based health care, education and orphan care.
The community wide worship service had a variety of sacred music, testimony and a powerful message.
Both the Covenant Ringers of the First United Methodist Church and a choir made up of a combination of singers from the FUMC and the First Baptist Church occupied the stage.
The ringers welcomed the crowd with “All things Bright and Beautiful”. Then Pastor Scott Richards provided the opening prayer.
Zoe Kirkpatrick led the congregation with “How Great Thou Art” followed by the choir singing “Big, Mighty God” and “Grace Alone” under the direction of Karen Nichols.
Prior to the offering, Dr. Ben Edwards explained how important Circle of Hope is to ministry in Africa and encouraged people to get involved. “Jesus Loves Me” by the Ringers was enjoyed during the offertory.
The crowd then stood to sing “Victory in Jesus” before solo vocalist Jane Mason delivered two beautiful songs, “Without Him” and “Amazing Grace”, as the attendees joined in.
Drew Kirkpatrick had the honor of introducing the mornings special guests Karen Roller, Circle of Hope’s International Director, Pastors Andrew Ngwangwa and Phiri, both of Malawi, Africa.
(Click here for a Google map of Malawi.)
The trio proceeded to sing a traditional hymn in Chichewa, the language of Malawi.
The sermon delivered by Phiri, and translated by Ngwangwa, was both captivating and moving.
After an altar call, Ngwangwa gave the benediction.
(Click on the photo to see more pictures of the community wide worship service.)