The high spirits of the Kingston Jamaica congregation continued to be matched by a high attendance of 341 for the Last Day of Unleavened Bread. The capacity of the Sagicor Auditorium was challenged as members and visitors filled the hall for a day of high energy worship, praise and preaching. Meanwhile, approximately 55 brethren met at the Maroon Town congregation in Western Jamaica, bringing total attendance on the Last Day of Unleavened Bread to approximately 400 in Jamaica.

In his Last Day sermon, Mr Boyne delivered a life impacting presentation titled “The Passion Story: Lessons from the Characters.” In it he explored the lessons from the life of Peter, Judas, Pilate, Herod, and Joseph of Arimathea. He showed how emotions of fear, uncertainty, and experiences of disillusionment and suffering could cause believers to compromise their faith. He demonstrated the importance of knowing how to rebound from failure by contrasting the examples of Judas and Peter, while emphasizing the compassion, mercy and forgiveness of Christ, our Redeemer and Unleavened Bread.

He also showed how it was fear of losing his political influence that caused Pilate to deliver Jesus up to be crucified and not any proof that Pilate found against him. We should be careful, he warned, to live true to our spiritual convictions rather than succumbing to expediency and the fear of losing things we value. The concept of living Unleavened Bread beyond the ritual came alive as a result of the sermon for many members, as Mr. Boyne didn’t stray far from the practical, everyday issues facing listeners in his presentation.

The traditional second service on the holy day was a memorable experience for all members as Pastor Pedro Hall of the Spanish Town congregation delivered a powerful sermon entitled “The Man in the Mirror is the Problem.” In it he pointed out that for a better church, for better marriages and families, for better working relationships, we should develop the discipline of looking first at the man in the mirror. Rather than blaming others, or finding fault with others, we should instead follow Jesus’ command to take the mote out of our own eyes so we can see to take the speck out of others’ eyes. His dramatic, humorous and skilful use of the mirror metaphor throughout made his presentation riveting, searching, and actuated many brethren to commit to taking up this practice. GS.