OMSK (RUSSIA) – On the 15th of October, Harvest Church of Omsk celebrated Thanksgiving. The solemn atmosphere could be felt at the church porch – it was decorated with crowns and bright ribbons, the meeting hall was pictorially decorated, and fruit and vegetables were arranged at the altar, symbolizing bringing the offerings. Harvest is a sacred holiday that God commanded us to celebrate with special honor, thanksgiving and humbleness. Harvest is the time of meditation and summing up the walk with God, serving Him and people.
The service began with praise and worship to God. The Levites with a special anointing sang psalms and raised their voices to God. After the worship some touchy event took place – public announcement of a proposed marriage. A brother and a sister in Christ, ministering in the Levites’ team, received the pastor’s and the church’s blessing for family-raising.
Children participated in the service: they recited poems, sang a song and even performed a skit. Praise God for the rising generation of God’s servants!
The sermon of the senior pastor of Harvest Church Sergei Gorbenko made us think, what fruit each one of us creates for God’s Kingdom. Pastor Sergei reminded about the first love: “Remember how easy it was to forgive, how eager you were to come to the House of God to pray, how sincere you were praising God. Can you identify the same feelings and motives in your heart now? You are your own heart’s guard. And it is your decision to follow God, serve Him, love Him, dedicate your life to Him that your salvation depends on”. The pastor mentioned five basics of the harvest in his sermon. Harvest is the law of God’s care (Gen. 1:11–13); law of mighty and spiritual life (Gal. 6:7–9); law of financial ministry (2 Cor. 9:6, 7; Prov. 11:24, 25); law of grateful heart (Deut. 6:10, 12); the true harvest is hidden in people’s salvation (Jer. 8: 19-20; John 4:35, 36; Mt. 13:39; Rev. 14:15).
The law of sowing and reaping that God was talking about did not fade in importance in our days. Jesus is the Lord of the harvest, who is looking for the doers, followers, faithful ministers. He said, “Whatever a man sows, this he will also reap.” Let us sow the Word of God to the people’s hearts, sow an intensified prayer into our own lives and our brothers’ and sisters’ lives, sow our gratefulness to God for all His wonderful work! And we will certainly reap the good in our life, for our God is faithful, promising blessings to those who love Him to thousands!
Russian Church of Christians of Evangelical Faith
Omsk Harvest Сhurch celebrated Thanksgiving
