I need your support and counsel as I humbly lead the Presbyterian Church… Moderator to Otumfuo
The Presbyterian Church worships with Otumfuo at Manhyia Palace, Kumasi.
I am overwhelmed with so much joy to see Otumfuo Osei II calling the Church to come and worship with Him at Manhyia every first day of each year. The former Moderator, Very Rev. Joseph Obiri Yeboah Mante expressed this feeling when he delivered the sermon during the New Year service at Manhyia.
Background
14 years ago, the Asantehene, Otumfno Osei Tutu II, in an interaction with the leadership of the Asante Presbytery under the Chairmanship of Rev. Dr. Kwabena Opuni Frimpong made a solemn request for the Presbyterian Church to schedule to come to Manhyia in their numbers to pray and worship the Almighty God with his chiefs and household every first day of the year; 1st January. The church which has always sought to send the gospel message to the ends of the earth accepted and has since been worshiping with the Manhyia Palace.
Sermon
The Very Rev. Prof. J.O.Y Mante, immediate past Moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana indicated his joy in what Otumfuo has done by instituting the first day of every year for worship with the Presbyterian Church of Ghana. He appreciated the Asantehene for his support, prayers, and good counsel during his term of office.
Speaking on the theme “The Songs of the Angels,” he explained from the Scriptures that the carol service we celebrate comes from the songs of praise to the glory of God when they visited the shepherds in the night in Luke 2:13–14. Singing carols is a continuation of glorifying God in His praise.
Explaining the significance of celebrating the birth of Jesus, he illustrated that just as many of us did not know our date of birth, teachers picked a day for us, and we celebrate on such days. In the same way, we have indicated one for Jesus to be celebrated, and that is December 25. We need to celebrate the Saviour of our souls and life on earth in His honour and glory.
Three things that the angels did in their songs of praise to God’s glory;
1. They worshipped the LORD
2. Peace on earth
3. Goodwill to all men.
Narrating from the book of Daniel, he mentioned that Nebuchadnezzar was blessed by God, but his later pride brought him down. He prayed for all traditional leaders, kings and chiefs that they would be humble enough to see God’s glory in their reign.
Papa JOY Mante emphasised loving-kindness as a priority for the church. He charged Pastors not to grow themselves at the negligence of their church members; “this is not Christianity.” He asked that we listen and focus on what God wants us to do instead of instructing God on what to do for us in our prayers.
Speeches
The Rt. Rev. Dr. Abraham Nana Opare Kwakye, the Moderator of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana greeted Otumfuo and congratulated him on his 25 years of being on the Gold Stool.
In his address, he humbly called for prayers and the continuous support of Otumfuo and the entire Christendom, to be worthy servant before God. The Moderator promised Otumfuo Osei Tutu II the full support of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana for his 25th Anniversary.
Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, speaking to the congregation, quoted from the Bible, saying, “Love your neighbour as yourself” is a key message for us all today.
Otumfuo indicated that the Presbyterian Church of Ghana is led by very humble, faithful servants.
He indicated that he is a human being like everyone else. He is on the throne “Sikadawa” because of God’s grace, and he is not different from his sub-chiefs and servants around him. He said, “We breathe the same air and drink the same water.” The only difference one may draw is what God has raised him to be. Loving your neigbour is a sign of dependancy and togetherness.
He added that the Presbyterian Church must always bring the crowd to pray and lift God’s glory higher all the time. He indicated that reducing the numbers is not the way to go. He appreciated PCG for the consistency to pray with and for him to rule the Asante Kingdom with God’s discernment under the light of Christ.
Otumfuo asked the former Moderators to give their full backing to the new Moderator as he humbly leads the Church.
Prayers
Special prayers were said for HRM Otumfuo and family/Asantehemaa, Asanteman, The Nation, Ghana and elections 2024, as well as for World Peace.
The service was attended by the Moderator, Rt. Rev. Dr. A. N. O Kwakye, Clerk of GA, REv. Dr. Godwin Nii Noi Odonkor, Former Moderators, Very Rev. Dr. Sam Prempeh and Very Rev. J. O. Y. Mante, Rev. Dr. Kofi Effah Ababio, Rev. Otuo Acheampong, Director for Ecumenical and Social Relations, Rev. Andrews Odjao, a host of Ministers, Catechists, and church members.
PCG, Public Relations
