On Sunday, 26th February, 2023, Priest William Bone, Congregational Rector for Golf City, conducted a divine service at the Golf City Congregation in the Accra East District – Accra Apostle Area. This was a preparation service for the following Sunday’s Divine Service for the Departed.

The divine service was based on a bible word from Psalm 126:1; “When the Lord brought back the captivity of Zion, we were like those who dream."

Following an inspiration by the choir, the Rector opened his sermon: "Thank you for the song. Indeed our God is loving. Truly, God always demonstrates His profound love and saves us."

“My Brethren in Christ, In the old covenant, the city of Jerusalem with its temple was referred to as Zion. Today's message speaks of the captivity of Jews into Babylon, after they had been deported from Zion and later destroyed. In such situation, they sang songs of their home with the hope to regain their freedom to return to Jerusalem. This very idea seemed like a dream.”

He continued, “The liberation of the Jews can also be likened to our liberation as captives from sin by Christ. Christ once said, ‘Is it not written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations?' But you have made it a ‘den of thieves.’”. Today, as we also gather in the Lord's house, our hearts must liken to Zion, being prepared for Christ’s return."

He exhorted members to allow the word of God to rule their heart and not corrupt themselves with sinful thoughts and deeds. He further emphasized that, just as God reclaimed the Holy City to His people, we too have been saved from sin. It is therefore imperative, he said, for us to strive for perfection in the Lord.

The Israelites disobeyed God and suffered. God, however, had mercy on them and delivered them. Christ came into this world for our salvation; for both the dead and living. “Today, we prepare for the Service for departed. We prepare our hearts to remember and intercede for all souls in the beyond just as Jesus Christ went into the realms of the departed after His death to preach unto the disobedient spirits in the days of Noah.

Concluding the sermon, the Rector said; "While we intercede for these souls in unredeemed state in the beyond, let us also work towards our own salvation as good examples to the living earthly souls and serve as vessels of transformation to both the dead and the living. God wants to save us, whether dead or alive.” he concluded.

The Rector was assisted by Priests Prosper and Adjetey.