2Ch 35:18 And there was no Passover like to that kept in Israel from the days of Samuel the prophet; neither did all the kings of Israel keep such a Passover as Josiah kept, and the priests, and the Levites, and all Judah and Israel that were present, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem.

“Seven more days, seven more days” were the cries of the saints as the curtain came down on the Passover 2008 in Morant Bay, St. Thomas. But that’s the end of the story. Let us go back to the beginning.

The services began with the saints gathered for commencement at the second hour (8 p.m.) on the eve of the 14th night of Abib. The choir marched in under the direction of District Chorister, St. Nicole Eunick and Shepherdboy, St. Roy Williams, singing “We’ve Travelled Over Highways, Hills and Plains”. This was followed by the procession of the Executive Officer, ministers and sister ministers. The responsive reading was followed by the sounding of the trumpet and the singing of “I Love Thy Church O God”. The Passover Programme followed with a different flavour this year. The saints came ready to worship and praise the Lord God of our Salvation for his wonderful mercies, for the deliverances they had experienced throughout the year and for Him just being God. The regular worshippers were outdone; a new praise came up from the young people. There did not seem to be any tired people in the house. All came to offer sacrifices of praise. The sermon was preached by Evangelist at Large, Albert E. Hall. The topic was Jesus Kept the Passover. The text was taken from Mat 26:17 Now the first day of the feast of unleavened bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying unto him, Where wilt thou that we prepare for thee to eat the passover? In addressing the visitors, The EO told them that the common teaching today is that the Passover is done away with, but Jesus kept the Passover. The text tells us that the disciples came to him to ask where they should make preparations. We should be thankful that the prophet of God came to bring us this marvellous message so that we can be doing the things that Jesus did. Let us always be found doing the things that Jesus did. The saints worshipped; giving God the highest praise right up until it was time to eat the lamb. The Holy Communion followed and it was just wonderful to know that it was during the Passover service that the Communion of the saints was instituted. We thank God for the supreme sacrifice He made for us on Calvary. We thank Him for the privilege of eating his body and drinking his blood. May be have life in him.

FIRST DAY OF UNLEAVENED BREAD

Evangelist Wesley Grant was the speaker of this day. The topic of his sermon was “Your Midnight”. His text came from Genesis 19. This was the story of Sodom. The orator pointed out that in all of our lives there comes a midnight. If you do not know God for yourself you will not be able to survive this time in your life. It takes a supreme sacrifice to serve the Lord. When the men of the city compassed Lot’s house asking for the new men that had come into the city, Lot was willing to sacrifice his two daughters to save the men. What sacrifices are you willing to make in order to serve God? Will you stand up for righteousness and holiness, no matter what? The church is against the act of homosexuality. We have no such custom. Lot was saved because of his faith and dedication to God. When his midnight came God sent His angels to take him by the hand when the shock of not being able to find the prescribed numbers to save the city caused him not to move. The angels took him by the hand and led him out of the city. If you serve God like this man served Him, he will send angels to minister unto you in your midnight hour.

SECOND DAY OF UNLEAVENED BREAD
YOUTH’S DAY 2008

This day was allotted to the youth of the church. All the tabernacles were well represented by the items rendered by the respective youth. They were all done to the honour and glory of God.

The sermon was preached by Elder Raymond Munroe. He specifically targeted the youth. They were admonished to set good examples for the other youth in the world. Discipline and good manners should be their trade mark. They were told that young men do not necessarily take home the young women with whom they play with. The women they married were usually dignified individuals. They do not marry their playmates. The daughters were encouraged to be virtuous women. Not women who are easy.

The mercy seat was set and one soul came forward to claim his birthright; a young man.

THIRD DAY OF UNLEAVENED BREAD
RESURRECTION DATE-MINISTERS’ DAY 2008

What a high time in Zion! This day began with the Sister Elder, St. Anne Marie Grant representing the Sister Ministers in addressing the church. Sister Elder Grant gave God all honour, glory and praise for his blessings towards all. She was grateful for the sacrifice of our saviour, but above all, she was thankful that he rose again.

All the Deacons gave their testimonies regarding the goodness of God towards them. The Sister Ministers then rendered a song.

The Elders offered their praises, followed by the Evangelists.

The surprise of the day was the honouring of the ministers’ wives by the minister. The ministers confessed that their jobs were not easy, especially if they were pastors. This means that their wives were subjected to the late night calls, and sometimes being without their husbands when they had situations to handle. They also had to bear with husbands who were troubled, but could not share their troubles with their wives because of the confidentiality issues. The wives were thanked for their faithfulness, dedication and care of the ministers. They were each given a token of their husband’s appreciation for their love and support.

This wonderful gesture made the saints praise God even more.

FOURTH DAY OF UNLEAVENED BREAD
DAUGHTERS’ DAY 2008

On this day, the Island Exhorter, Sister Elder, St. Almira Reynolds, stated the program by citing all the instances in the bible when the daughters were first on the scene or played pivotal roles in victory or change being effected. The daughters were to respond every time she named an instance “A we come first”. It was a great inspiration to the daughters. Sister Elder, St. Dorothy Scott, was asked to present a money bag to the new Sister Mary who had been appointed in the Morant Bay’s tabernacle. This was done with the explanation of how the Bag holder bag should be made. The Island Exhorter then turned over the program to St. Marjorie Elliott, Deputy Director of the Home and Foreign Mission. St. Marjorie cheered a great program in which the daughters from each tabernacle were represented.

The sermon was preached by Sister Elder Reynolds from Acts 9. Tabitha was mourned and missed because she was a daughter “full of good works”. That is how we ought to be. We must always be thinking of the good things we can do to help to build up God’s kingdom. We must always be thinking what good thing we can do to help someone else. We must be virtuous women who are examples in our communities as well as in church. We must practice to bless and curse not!

FIFTH DAY OF UNLEAVENED BREAD
SINGERS’ DAY 2008 (PREPARATION DAY)

The program for this day was short. All the tabernacles were represented by their choirs. The presentations were powerful. It took much control not to go over the time allotted as the singers gave high praises to God.

The sermon was preached by Elder Hunnighan from St. Luke 15:11-15. The topic “Jesus is my Portion”. This young man had asked for his portion and went off into the world. He soon found out that his portion was not enough to sustain him for very long. Jesus is my portion. Every other portion will diminish, they will end. Why then should you be discouraged if Jesus is your portion!

BEGINNING OF SABBATH SERVICE 2008

As usual the Spirit of the Lord walked among the saints in the cool of the evening.

Called-Deacon Everald Hinds was invited to open the testimony meeting. Called-Deacon is the son of Sister Elder St. Veronica James. He left the church for 37 years and was directed by God to return home. He testified how things were not working out for him and as he sought God through fasting and prayer, the Lord sent a young man to him to request prayer of him. The young man addressed him as a man of God. Called-Deacon Hinds returned to Jamaica and found his way back to his home tabernacle, St. Mary. His wife is now a candidate for baptism.

This testimony served as a spring board for great praise and worship of God through testimony and song. Yet that was not enough. The changing word of God had to be ministered.

Elder Zephaniah Johnson took his text from I Peter 5. The ministers must feed the flock of God. The saints have to be aware of the commandments of God. God has not given us any commandments we cannot keep. He will help us to keep them. This is a perfect church with a prefect plan.

SEVENTH DAY SABBATH 2008

On this Lord’s Day the saints entered into his gates with thanksgiving and into his courts with praise. Truly they were thankful unto Him and blessed His name.

The word was ministered by Elder Clifton Scott, the most senior of the ministers in terms of date of ordination. He prefaced his sermon with a charge to the ministers. They were charged to preach the word of God in its purity. They were further charged to be instant in season and out of season. They were told not to be afraid of the saints. God would stand up for them. Elder Scott said we are spending too much time going over the principles of the gospel. It is time to move on to perfection. His text was taken from St. Matt. 13:44. Acts 4:34, St. Matt. 19:21 and I Cor. 4:7-10 were supporting scriptures. His topic was “Have You Received This Treasure?”
This man leased a piece of land. This land looked barren to the casual observer. But as the man began to dig he found liquid gold. He covered the hole and went and informed his wife and family that they had to sell their home and furniture because he had to purchase this piece of land. Can you imagine the shock of his family? They though he had gone mad. But this man knew what he knew. He had found a treasure. Have you found a treasure? Do you know what you have? Do you recognize the kingdom of God as a treasure?

SEVENTH DAY OF UNLEAVENED BREAD – 2008

Evangelist-at-Large Albert, E. Hall, Executive Officer delivered the word from Gen. 13:8-10. His topic was Unity.
He reminded us that as time passes by so our lives do too. One day it will all come to an end. Because they were brethren Abraham did not want a quarrel between himself and Lot. We should be the same way. We should always seek peace and unity. Anything to advance peace, this is what we should pursue. The time is coming when we will all eat from one pot. Be kindly affectioned one to another. Encourage each other and assist those who are destitute. Do not be selfish. Keep God’s commandments. Minister where ever you are called to the best of your ability and to the honour and glory of God. May we be a loving set of people, the family of Christ. May God grant you peace and prosperity.

The following brothers were ordained to the Gospel Ministry:

St. Roy Williams (Lucea) - Deacon
St. Daval Hinds (St. Thomas) - Deacon

The following appointments were made:

St. Leighton Stultz, District Shepherdboy
St. Danavan Palmer, District Superintendent of Singers
St. Sally-Joe Walker, District Singers’ Secretary
St. Shadain Simpson, District Singers’ Treasurer

St. Sandra Adams, Home and Foreign Missions, Secretary
St. Cova Scott, HFM, Sponsorship Coordinator
St. Andrea Grant, Home and Foreign Missions, Treasurer

They were blessed and admonished that they would receive instructions from the District Chorister, St. Nicole Eunick and Choir Coordinator and Home and Foreign Mission Director St. Anne Marie Watson Grant, SE.

The following choristers were officially installed into the choir by the District Chorister with the assistance of the other choristers and the Choir Coordinator:

St. Cova Scott, Yallahs, St. Thomas
St. Sidayne Ferguson, Morant Bay, St. Thomas
St. Judeen Hall, Birmingham, England

The saints were then given a few minutes to shout the ransomed home. It was just wonderful to see the spirit of the Lord move even on new members as they joined in the march and praises of God. The sun being set, Evangelist Whyte tried to bring the curtain down on the 2008 Days of Unleavened Bread, as the saints sang “Remember Me” and hugged each other. The shouts went out “Seven More Days!”
Finally we were blessed and the benediction was said. The yell went up “Peace” then the singing, marching, clapping, and shouting resumed.

Thus ended the Memorial Feast of the Lord’s Passover and Days of Unleavened Bread. Thank you Lord for the outpouring of your Holy Spirit.