United Church of Zambia at 50

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 50^th 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.

 

The Congregation then recited the Golden Jubilee Pledge.

 Leader: Israel often strayed from the blessing of unity. Renewal came as its leaders turned the people back to celebrate and honour the oneness in being chosen people of God. God’s hand comes upon repentant people giving them all one heart to do his will. (2 Chron 30:12)

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”.