Ghanaian Presbyterian Church Honours Seniors

Twenty seniors, whose ages ranged between 70 and 90, were honoured at a colourful ceremony last Sunday at the Ghanaian Presbyterian Church, Toronto, Canada.

This day was set aside as Senior’s Day by the Session to acknowledge the good work and enormous contributions made towards the growth of the Church.

In a brief speech, the resident Pastor Rev. Frank Adu prayed for good health devoid of illness for the seniors and asked God to guide and guard them in their spheres of endeavours.

“They must live to see their great grand children,” Rev. Adu added, emphasizing that with the discovery of oil in Ghana, the seniors will live to enjoy the fruit of their labour when they return to resettle at home.

A guest preacher for the occasion, Very Rev. Jacob French, resident Minister of the Ghana Methodist Church, Toronto, said the church is not meant for only Saints but for sinners also.

He told the congregation that “the church is a factory that turns sinners into saints” and the doors of the churches must be wide open to receive sinners who flock into the sanctuary. The sermon, themed “REJOICE OVER ONE REPENTANT SINNER” Luke 15: 1- 10, said Jesus Christ, who is the Head of the Church, received and ate with sinners as the scribes and the Pharisees’ described him.

Narrating a personal story, Very Rev. French said “at the age of 21, he was scheduled for a trial service in the church after training as lay preacher. At that time two old ladies perceived me as a bad boy and I thought of giving an excuse to the Pastor-in-charge that I was sick so that I could skip the trial service. I knew these two old ladies would sit in front row to face me.

“I mustered courage to deliver the service. I started by saying I am bad. My Sunday school teachers who are here know that I am bad and most of you know me to be bad. But Jesus has lifted me up to preach to you today.”

At the end of the trial service, Very Rev. French said “the old ladies told me you did the right thing.” He said there is no condemnation for anyone who comes to Jesus. According to Very Rev. French, he had seen some Christians who at times behave as if the church is not for sinners.

“We have set up our own standards for those who come to church. Who gave them the mandate to judge others? God is God of peace, reconciliation and love. He emphasized that God will always embrace the sinner but not the sin. The sinners needed not be saints before they entered the church.

He urged the church to rejoice when a sinner repents because “we were all sinners before we were received by Jesus and had a divine fellowship with us and ate with us.” He told the congregation God will remember them even when they go astray, stressing that “Christ Jesus does not only receive sinners but He dines with them as well.”

The seniors were presented with gifts.