The hall was alive with a happy buzz. Groups of people were laughing and chatting. The joy of meeting face to face with friends was tangible. I had arrived early for the Irish Mission Day of Fellowship at Dundalk. I could sense that today, the 29th October 2022, was going to be a special day. I was not disappointed.
“Welcome…” Pastor Lorance Johnson’s voice interrupted the excited chatter, “it is time to start.” Slowly an expectant silence filled the hall and David Muldrew warmly welcomed everyone to the first mission wide Day of Fellowship since 2018. Pr Ben led the singing. It was truly lovely. The hall, filled to capacity, resonated as the church members lifted their voices in praise to our Heavenly Father. The program flowed smoothly. Pr Gideon led a panel that discussed the Sabbath school lesson. This was followed by special music, a Mission Focus by Pr Dan Serb, and more special music. The children’s story, told by Keisha Durant, focused on faithfulness - the theme for the day. A number of guest speakers shared short messages. Pr Anthony WagenerSmith gave the sermon. The afternoon program included many special music items, and a workshop by Pr Anthony.
The highlight of the day was Pr Anthony’s sermon, based on the parable of the workers in Matt 20:1-16, entitled “Faithfulness – our faithfulness to God and His faithfulness to us!” The parable highlights the common calling we all have when accepting Jesus. Pr Anthony delved deeper as he explored “Unity in Faithfulness” in the three similarities of the workers in the parable. Each worker:
1. Came when they were called.
2. Did what they were told. (Each had a sense of purpose.)
3. Went were they were sent.
Using Stories as examples he explored each similarity. He emphasised as interesting understanding of “my purpose” or “my identity”. This, according to him, is at the root of understanding what we should do with our lives. Society proposes two ways that your identity and purpose is shaped. Either it is inherited from your parents, grandparents, religion, culture, etc. Or it is chosen as a personal preference that can be changed. As Pr Anthony put it “We can try on identities and take them off like clothes.” He offered a third option found in the Bible: our identity is “gifted by God and received”. Pr Anthony wrapped up his sermon with the inspiring story of his grandfather, a man of deep faith and a pharmacist. Convicted that his faith should impact his life, he chose to go live and open his pharmacy where there were no Christians. Specifically so he could rise up a church. He did this three times, the last well into his seventies. His motto “Don’t go for formulas go for God”. His grandparents left a legacy that they “were people who always walked with God”. We too are called to deep faith; to walk with God.
In ending Pr Anthony shared: “True faithfulness, though, is not about who we are but about who God is. It’s not about what you have done, but about what God has done (through Jesus). Because there is one, a perfect one… who came when he was called… did what He was told… went where he was sent (to the cross)… Jesus exchanged His faithfulness for our unfaithfulness.” This is a picture of God’s extravagant grace. Salvation is salvation no matter who you are. In closing we sung ‘When we all get to heaven’. Our hearts were full and our spirit feed. God is good!
