What a fellowship, what a joy divine, leaning on the everlasting arms;
What a blessedness, what a peace is mine, leaning on the everlasting arms.
We have all experienced it; an extra special time of worship when you feel God’s embrace. Your cares are forgotten, you are at peace, and your heart is filled with the joy of the Lord. Sabbath, 2 May 2020, was such a time of worship – the online Irish Mission Day of Fellowship. A day we were reminded that truly it is as the song says:
O how sweet to walk in this pilgrim way, leaning on the everlasting arms;
O how bright the path grows from day to day, leaning on the everlasting arms.
The Irish Mission Ministerial team recognised that in these troublesome times we need a reminder that we are not alone. We belong to a caring church family. Together the pastors planned this special day to help us connect as a church family to worship and praise God. Several hundred participants, and their families, joined the ministerial team to worship God.
There was something for everyone. The children, teens and youth each had their own Sabbath School program via zoom from 10:30am. The adult Sabbath school was a panel discussion via zoom webinar. The divine service, a live webinar, started with a video clip of members from all corners of the Irish Mission. Each church was represented by members sharing a greeting; definitely a highlight of this special day of fellowship.
Different members and departmental sponsors assisted by leading out in the congregational singing, special music, children’s story, and a health nugget. Pastor Dan Serb shared a message entitled “When truth makes sense”. His message was based on 1 Kings 17.
As the service drew to a close, and the last song sung, the last prayer said, our hearts were full of courage.
What have I to dread, what have I to fear, leaning on the everlasting arms?
I have blessed peace with my Lord so near, leaning on the everlasting arms.
The entire program can be watched again on Ranelagh Church YouTube account.
*Hymn #469: Leaning on the everlasting arms.
