In 2015, the United Church of Zambia (UCZ) will celebrate its Golden
Jubilee – 50 years of spreading the Good News – while strengthening the bond of
unity, founded then. Other than preaching the gospel, the UCZ is deeply
involved in the work of social ministry, concerned with the physical, social
and spiritual well-being of all Zambians.
On Sunday 29 June Mwandi Consistory
launched its Golden Jubilee Celebrations. This event commenced at 0900h with
the congregants assembling at Mwandi MTN for a march through the village to the
service held outside the Church. The Boys Brigade Drums led the procession with
the Consistory’s Golden Jubilee Banner, the marchers were made up by Church
workers, the Boys and Girls Brigade and Sunday School at the head followed by
the 5 Sections or Wards that make up Mwandi Congregation, each displaying at
their head their own printed banners.
On arrival at the Church the march
participants, around 200, were welcomed by those who had not marched and were
awaiting the crowd’s arrival including His Royal Highness Senior Chief Inyambo
Yeta and his wife Moyo Lunga.
The Service began with the setting down of
the banner, the lighting of a candle and the entry of the Bible. Then all stood
for the National Anthem.
The Call to Worship was from Psalm 133 and
134:
How
wonderful it is, how pleasant for God’s people to live together in harmony
It is
like the precious oil running down from Aaron’s head and beard, down to the
collar of his robes
It is
like the dew on Mount Hermon, falling on the hills of Zion
That
is where the Lord has promised his blessings, life that never ends.
Come
and praise the Lord all his servants, all who serve his Temple at night,
Raise
your hands in prayer in the Temple, and praise the Lord!
May
the Lord who made Heaven and Earth, bless you from Zion
This was followed by the Hymn of Praise
'Lwakulumbeka Mulena' (We praise you, Lord)
The Worship Leader Deaconness Josephine
Kabamba then gave the Prayer of Invocation, Thanksgiving and Confession. The
Old Testament Reading came from Exodus 3:7-15 about the seemingly impossible
task facing the Children of Israel in their struggle for liberation. We then
enjoyed a time of praise and worship led by the Resurrection Choir.
The Church Secretary was called to welcome
visitors and give the intimations of all the forthcoming Church activities this
week. The Prayer of Intercession was offered and ended with the Lord’s Prayer.
The Gospel was Luke 4:16-19 where Jesus read from Isaiah in the synagogue at
Nazareth, another message of Liberation where Jesus makes clear the 5 purposes
for which God had sent him. After this the Offering was received and dedicated.
The Rev Manda preached, taking up the theme of liberation. The United Church of
Zambia and the Zambian State are the same age with both celebrating their 50th
anniversary this year. While Zambia now enjoys political freedom, there is
still much to be done regarding the nation’s economic, social and spiritual
bondage.
There was a short musical interlude before the
Guest of Honour the District Commissioner Mrs Afuna Chali spoke to the
congregation. She thanked the UCZ for working in partnership with the
Government in the fields of health, education and social services nation-wide, and
mentioning in particular Mwandi Mission Hospital, our UCZ Mwandi Primary and
Secondary Schools, the OVC programme and Kandiana, our home for Aged.
All: May we glorify you with one heart, O
Lord!
Leader: God calls the members of the body
of Christ to live in unity with one another. As Christians we witness our union
with Jesus as we work and live with one another in unity of spirit through the
bond of peace. (Eph 4:1-3)
All: May we glorify you with one heart, O
Lord!
Leader:God grants gifts to equip the
members and build up the body, so that all will come to a unity of faith and to
a knowledge of the Son of Man, mature and attaining the fullness of Christ.
(Eph 4:11-13)
All: May we glorify you with one heart, O
Lord!
Leader: Clothing ourselves as one body with
the virtues of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience and
forgiveness, we witness our unity through love which binds everything together
in perfect harmony. (Col 3:12-14)
All: May we glorify you with one heart, O
Lord!
Leader Let us pray: Lord Jesus Christ, help
us to remain attached to you so we will bear much fruit. Pour out your spirit
of unity that we who profess faith in you might witness to that belief by our
thoughts words deeds and love, shown for you and each other. As we are one in
the Spirit so shall we be one in the Lord.
All: With one heart we pray. Amen.
Leader: Paul challenged the Christians in
Corinth to know their hearts and to show in their actions that Christ has not
been divided. He challenges us too to realize more fully the unity we already
have in Christ. With all those in every place who call on the Lord Jesus
Christ,
Hymn 58: U yomunde hahulu (You are so very
beautiful.)
All: Together we are called to be saints,
Leader: Graced by God in every way.
All: Together we give thanks for one
another,
Leader: Rich in the many blessings God has
given us through our union in Christ
All: Together we are not lacking in any
spiritual gift,
Leader: Sure in God, who strengthens us for
love and service.
All: Together we affirm that God is
faithful
Leader: Embraced by Jesus Christ
All Together we called into fellowship
Leader: United in the same mind and
purpose.
All: Together we seek to be in agreement
Leader: Overcoming our quarrels about the
one who was crucified for us
All: Together we belong to Christ
Leader: Has Christ then been divided?
All: No! Together we go into the world to
proclaim the Good News.!
The service concluded by all singing Hymn 82
La kacenu, ha u sa bulukiwe (Today, as you have still been spared) followed by
the Grace and Benediction.
A celebratory lunch was then enjoyed by
all; Chicken, beef, cabbage, soup and buhobe washed down by Coke, Fanta or
Sprite.
This was the beginning locally of the UCZ
Golden Jubilee celebrations; it is still the prayer of many that the church
realise its position in the body of Christ, and continue to look out as
part of the worldwide church and
embracing Christ’s wish that we all may be one (John 17:21) witnessed by our
“50 Years of the Gospel and Unity”.
