A celebration for the congregation

Celebrating the end of a year of Sunday School

At the end of their Sunday School year, the children of the Sédhiou congregation in Senegal had a special visit from Bishop Doua Camara, who conducted a divine service for them. They put on a play that told the story of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, and they sang songs. This end-of-year Sunday School event was not only an opportunity to celebrate, but also an opportunity to recognise the hard work of the young people of Sédhiou who teach the children. On the initiative of Apostle Tounkang Mané, seminars and workshops were held in the first quarter of 2024 to train young people in the art of teaching Sunday School.

Celebrating a beginning and an end

In preparation for the Chief Apostle service and as a farewell to Apostle Frédéric Makaya Mbungu, the members of the district of Kinshasa-Centre 1 in the DR Congo came together for divine service on 8 September 2024. The Léon de Saint-Moulin amphitheatre at the University of Kinshasa was packed. Apostle Gianni Bangawe conducted the service basing it on 1 Kings 19: 11–12. He told the story of Elijah who, exhausted and broken by despair, was able to experience God in a gentle whisper. And the congregation in the service was able to experience God in the same way. Among others, the Apostle also called on Apostle Makay Mbungu to assist, who retired the following Sunday. “When we are active in the work of God,” the Apostle said, “let us not be the violent wind that breaks the hearts of others, nor the fire that consumes the courage of others, nor an earthquake that frustrates others. Rather, let us be that still small voice, that gentle whisper, in which God reveals Himself to us.” After the service, he rose to lead the final song of the choir, made up of young people, mothers, and Sunday School children. It was “Na ngomba bayekoli” which means, “the disciples on the mountain”. The song is about the ascension of Jesus Christ and His promise that He will return.

Celebrating a golden anniversary

The congregation of San Justo No. 1 in Argentina celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of their church on 14 July 2024 with stuffed toys, little pots of succulents, and a divine service. The divine service conducted by Apostle Claudio Videla was attended by 267 members and guests. He talked about the beginnings of the church and emphasised that everything was and still is done out of love for God. After the service, some of the young people led an educational activity. They had put together questions about congregational life, about dates of important events, and names, and whoever had one of the rag dolls passed to them, was invited to answer the question put to them. Afterwards, the guests shared refreshments prepared by members of the congregation and were presented with a small potted plant to take home as a souvenir of the day.

Celebrating their own worth

Sunday, 15 September 2024 was a little different for the children. They got up early in the morning to get ready for church. And unlike normal Sundays, they did not take a car to church but a ferry. The service for the youngest members of the Emden district in Germany took place on the North Sea island of Norderney on that day. The topic was “You are precious” and this was illustrated by the Bible passage from Luke 12: 7, where it talks about the fact that God even knows how many hairs His children have. The children tried counting the hair on each other’s heads, but it did not work. For God this is possible. After the service, the children went to the beach, where they had lunch, and then flew kites and went beachcombing and created pieces of art from what they found.

Celebrating friendship

Young people from Cape Town in South Africa set out on a friendship mission to Worcester on 8 September 2024. The day began at five o’clock in the morning. The bus arrived in Worcester at eight o’clock, in good time for the young people to take their places in the choir and orchestra for the service. Fittingly, the divine service focused on the importance of remaining in the fellowship of God. Afterwards, the young people from Worcester created a fantastic spread of tea, coffee, doughnuts, and sandwiches for their friends from Cape Town. Then it was time for the long-anticipated concert. The programme included a variety of instrumental and choral pieces, ranging from Afrikaans hymns to African traditional pieces. During the traditional isiZulu song “Amavolovolo”, there was no stopping the dancing and laughter. Afterwards, the young people visited two senior homes and delighted the residents with their singing.