In accordance with the observance of Thanksgiving in North America, and among the body of Christ, the First Assembly of God Wortmanville church family on Sunday November 28, 2021, celebrated ‘Harvest Sunday.’
Speaking on the theme ‘It Is God Who Makes Things Grow’ taken from I Corinthians Chapter 3, Verse 7, Reverend Winston Assanah stated, “Harvest Sunday provides an opportunity for us to pause and tell God thanks.” Acknowledging it is often challenging to give thanks in difficult circumstances, Reverend Assanah encouraged congregants to thank God in the good and bad times, since He gives the increase and makes things grow.
We All Have Seed
Highlighting the importance of having a seed, Reverend Assanah posited, “We all are required to have seed. You cannot exist in this life without a seed.” Planting requires seed, and though a person may not be aware, God has blessed everyone with seed. “When you say you don’t have, watch it, cause you may very well have, but don’t recognise it,” Reverend Assanah stated. He declared whether rich or poor, male or female, everyone has access to some form of seed. Whatever a person is good at and passionate about, represents a gift, which God requires to be sown as seed.
Sowing and Reaping
Establishing the correlation between sowing and reaping, Reverend Assanah asserted, “you must do something with the seed you have.” He urged members of the congregation to recognise, no matter what stage of life they may find themselves, in order to benefit from the harvest they must plant seed. According to Reverend Assanah, “seed can only grow and produce fruit when it is first sown.” Alluding to mustard seeds he received many years ago, Reverend Assanah indicated he could not benefit from the fruit of the tree, because he did not plant the seeds. The Harvest Sunday service is designed to recognise the seed and the harvest God produces after the seed is planted.
Quoting Luke 6:38, Reverend Assanah said, God’s promise to those who plant seeds is, “…good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over…” Enthusiastically reflecting on his farming activities, Reverend Assanah shared experiences of reaping bountiful harvests from one vegetable seed or stem. Drawing attention to Galatians Chapter 5, Verse 9, Reverend Assanah reminded congregants that, to those who do not grow weary in doing well, and do not lose heart, God promised they will reap in due season. Based on Matthew Chapter 13, Verse 31, he also challenged the congregation to become like the mustard tree, which develops into a great tree from the least of seeds. Further, God promised to rebuke the devourer in accordance with Malachi Chapter 3, Verse 11.
Nurturing the Seed
For the seed to develop and bear fruit, it must be nurtured or watered. Reverend Assanah encouraged listeners and viewers to water their seed by the Word, giving cheerfully, with praise, and by keeping ‘weeds’ out.
Giving Back is a Joy
Considering the meaning of ‘Harvest’, Sister Christine Rogers said, “Giving back is a joy.” According to her, ‘harvest’ represents giving with expectation of receiving. She stated that when she gives, she expects to see returns, but first she has to give. Sister Rogers disclosed, “Every Harvest Sunday I plant to reap and I have experienced it before, so during this time, it’s exciting for me!”
Harvest Sunday is observed annually on the last Sunday of November, and provides an opportunity for members and friends of First Assembly of God Wortmanville church, to freely bring an extensive array of produce and gifts to the House of the Lord. Produce and gifts include a wide variety of agricultural products, cooked delicacies, and precious minerals, which are subsequently distributed to others.
