Brothers and sisters of the Tema and Legon-Campus congregations celebrated the first of three occasions, to intercede for brethren in the beyond in the Divine Service for the Departed. This came off on 3rd March 2019 at 10 AM and 9:30 AM respectively.

The text word was taken from Colossians 1:21-23, ‘And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight— if indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard, which was preached to every creature under heaven,…’

In Tema, 137 brethren were served by Shepherd Amponsah Boateng and assisted by Community Evangelist Sackey. The congregation was reminded of the kingly authority and power of Jesus, both on this earth and beyond. The Shepherd urged all to faithfully intercede on behalf of imprisoned souls, through belief and prayer to God, and He will hear our prayers and respond accordingly.

Sharing his core thoughts on the text word, Shepherd Boateng explained that by our sinful thoughts and deeds, we become strangers and enemies to God. “There is the need to confess and submit ourselves to Jesus Christ.” He added, “Our Lord sacrificed His blood and flesh to redeem us into salvation. Likewise, the departed are also being invited by Jesus to the throne of Grace; to be accepted and reconciled with Him and receive eternal salvation.”

At the Legon Campus congregation, Priest Basil Senyo Damankah, admonished members to keep the faith and continue in the Apostles ministry as we seek grace and mercy for unredeemed souls in the beyond.

He recounted the story of Lazarus and the rich man to elaborate on the seriousness of the conditions of unredeemed souls. He added that the Divine Service for the Departed is God's act of grace and an opportunity for these souls to receive God's word, partake in the Holy Sacraments and believe in the salvation God will bring them through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. He was assisted by Priest Peter Owusu.