On the third Divine Service for the Departed, the Rector for Osu Congregation in Accra, Shepherd James Kwapong, began his sermon by quoting a line from a song ministered by the choir, “‘The Lord only can take us out of this barren land.’ Our wealth and position in society cannot.”

The text word was taken from Psalm 22:26, “The poor shall eat and be satisfied; Those who seek Him will praise the Lord. Let your heart live forever!”
The Rector continued that the Garden of Eden was created by God for man. However, man later wanted to be like God and this mindset led man into sin. “The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ our Lord as the scripture says.”

The Rector continued, “Man sinned from the beginning and was separated from God, however the love of God covered their nakedness.” He further gave examples of God’s love despite man’s iniquities:

• Cain killed his brother Abel but God gave him a mark that no one could torch or kill him
• The love of God was seen in Jesus' sacrifice. He went into the realm of the departed and preached the word of salvation to the departed.
• Man was chained in sin but Christ came to loosen all who believed in him - both the dead and the living.
• David was made king by God; he had many enemies. The God worshipped by his ancestors, was the same God who helped him to kill the lion and defeated Goliath.

Concluding the sermon, the Rector said, “God exists and in an appropriate time He will reveal Himself- hence the text word for today. He will listen to our request and also help us”.
Community Evangelists Mingle and Boakye as well as Priest Kankam-Okyere were called to assist.

After the divine service our website reporter met three widows who were seated close to each other. They seemed very quiet and sombre in mood. As soon they heard the voice of the reporter, their faces beamed with smiles.

The first to speak to our reporter was Sister Wilhelmina Naa Betty Luthrodt. She lost her dear husband a year ago. She said, “I was very sad when the hymn ‘Ten thousand times ten thousand’ was sang. The images of my late husband and some family members in the yonder world reeled back in my mind.  I strongly believe that they have been saved by Jesus.”

Sister Gifty Wikporh, who also lost her husband, Frank Harden, recently added, “I must confess, I nearly absented myself due to some reasons beyond my control but now I still feel goosebumps but also joyful in my heart that my husband had been saved. Thanks be to God.”

Sister Getty concluded the interview by saying, “I am happy because I believe my relations have joined us the living for the divine service. I am optimistic that they have been saved. Christ can save through the activities of the Apostles.”