Red Hot Sunday

February 14 is celebrated across the globe as Valentine’s Day, however, it was the first day of the week (Sunday), also referred to as the Lord’s Day. This being the primary focus, Christians in Jamaica and all across the world were out in their numbers worshipping the almighty God expressing their praise, thanks and considering one another to provoke unto love and good works (Heb 10:24).

It was also a day full of activities for some congregations across the island. The COCJamaica team took to the road to cover these events which ran red hot! Our dedicated team was also red hot on the events trail as our first stop took us north of the island to the Race Course Church of Christ in Oracabessa, St Mary.

Carlton Graham leading in songsThe Race Course congregation were hosting a divine worship service dubbed “Family Sunday”. Bro Carlton Graham from the Moneague congregation led us in the singing of wonderful songs such as the old favourite “What a fellowship”. The Sermon was done by Andre Brown (St Jago, Spanish Town.) and his topic was “Are you in”?. One of the tag-lines from the sermon was “It is good to be with Christ but it is far better to be in Christ.”

Mona Accapella Opening songThe next stop was in the south at the Greater Portmore congregation’s All Day Preaching event in St Catherine. The All Day Preaching was under the theme “God’s way or the highway”. The speakers included : Romeo Tomilson, Dave Osbourne, Andre Allen-Casey, and Sheldon Shirley. Bro. Shirley spoke on the theme using the text Matt. 7:13,14. He highlighted “We all stand at the gates to make a decision which way we will go. Many opt to choose a life of ease while few will strive for God’s way & take a path of self denying”. The Anchor speaker Bro Romeo Tomlinson spoke on the topic “All or nothing”. Over 80 persons (the vast majority being visitors and members from the community) came out in support of the event. Bro Denis Tomilson, minister of the Greater Portmore congregation told cocjamaica that the event was a success and hopes future events will see greater support from the sister congregations.

The final stop on the red hot gospel trail was the Patrick Gardens Annual Gospel meeting. The evening started out with the Mona Accapella singing group doing a 30 minutes performance. The singing group delighted the audience and onlookers with some melodious selections including their signature opening song “Lord the people praise you”. Then it was on to the business of the gospel meeting which started promptly at 7pm.

Bro Michael Brown , the junior minister at the Mona Congregation led us in some lovely songs. The church was singing as if they were in heaven. However, the singing hit a red hot pitch when the song leader challenged the congregation with the singing of the song “Our God he is alive”. The roof was definitely on fire at this point as the congregants champion to message with conviction leaving no doubt “He is alive”.

With the introduction of the speaker for the night, done by gospel preaching stalwart and veteran Minister Bro Carl Mitchell, the scene was now set for an amazing night. Guest Preacher Bro Dave Osbourne from the Linstead congregation duly obliged and delivered a red hot and dynamic sermon entitled “Do you have ears to hear”. The Sermon was based on the parable of the sower found in Matthew 18.

The Patrick Gardens Gospel meeting continues this week and will end on Friday February 19. It was truly a wonderful day in the Lord and the cocjamaica team will continue to bring to you updates of events and happenings taking place across the island.