The members of the Ghana Wesley United Methodist Church in Woodbridge, Virginia on Sunday November 22, 2015 donated generously during their 2015 Annual Harvest and Thanksgiving Service.
The first part of the service followed the usual order with congregational hymns, bible reading and a call to worship.
The sermon delivered by Rev. Emmanuel Nkrumah, the senior Pastor was in line with the chosen theme for the harvest “Let us Rise and Build ’based on Nehemiah 2:18. He admonished and drew the attention of the congregation to the significance of giving to support Gods work.
The second part of the service which focused on fund-raising was hosted by the Susanna Wesley Mission Auxiliary (SUWMA) group under the able leadership of Mrs. Florence Akowuah Agyemang in collaboration with the Church Council and finance committee.
Several Community leaders were invited to grace the occasion with their presence as chairpersons, special guests and supporters. The purpose of the fund raising was among other things to lay a foundation to enable the Church which is close to its 15th anniversary acquire a place of their own.
The Chairperson for the occasion was Mrs. Doris Amoakowaa Enchil who was supported by Dr. Charles Osei Dankwah a local industrialist.
Mrs. Enchil expressed her profound appreciation for the honor and entreated the members to consider the example of the woman who sought to honor Jesus with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, which she poured on his head as he was reclining at the table.
Pastor John Obeng, the Associate pastor set the ball rolling by calling on the congregation to give as they were led. Items were auctioned to raise funds and within a very short time almost the entire congregation got the opportunity to make generous donations.
Certain personalities who had distinguished themselves through service to the ministry were also recognized and given tokens of appreciation.
The Choir entertained with a repertoire of selections to the admiration of all present.
Before the curtain was drawn for the formal closing of the days event the Chairperson announced that a huge amount had been raised from the fund raising and auctions. She commended the members for their cheerful giving and asked for the Lords blessing on their lives.
The youth and young adults gave the vote of thanks. All the auxiliary groups in the ministry including the men and women’s fellowship played significant roles in making the celebration a success
The annual church harvest is a Christian practice drawn from the Old Testament to bring first fruits to the Lord. As it is traditionally done in Ghana church members keep the best of their crops and flock during the year and bring them to the church as their offerings, which are then auctioned to the highest bidders and the proceeds placed in the church treasury for work in the church. In recent times, many Churches have been phasing out the sale of items and encouraging cash offerings.