Approximately 120 members participated in this GCFUK November 2009 worship service. Pastor Immanuel Christian led the service and the message was brought by Mr. Heflin Jani reflecting on the heart of our God-our heavenly Father.

The reading was Luke 15: 11-24 – The Prodigal Son.

Mr. Heflin gave a brief introduction to the passage and made references to other parables that are related to it: The lost sheep and the lost coin, hereby drawing parallels on the nature and the heart of God who is a compassionate, forgiving and loving heavenly Father.

Interpretation included:

• The father in the story (prodigal son) is the Lord himself and the euphoria of the moment when a father finds his lost son/daughter.

The character of the heavenly Father is that He willingly accepted His son’s request of distributing his wealth amongst two sons and the consequences in today’s generation if a son made the same decision.

• The second character analysed was of the son; the son went through a series of phases in his life and the resemblance these phases has with our lives. The phases are as follows:
  1. Losing oneself
  2. Sinning against the will of the Lord
  3. We are left behind with nothing
  4. Repentance
  5. Changing ourselves to follow Christ’s way of life.

The sermon then went on further challenging people to ponder as to what phase of life they are at thereby deciding to initiate a change within ourselves. Special emphasis was made on verse 19- explaining how the Lord has forgiveness and love for us in abundance and even today our heavenly Father is holding His arms out wide and waiting for His lost sons/daughters to return to Him.

Finally, it concluded with a special message of forgiveness and how we should forgive each other and let each other in our lives just as our Father has let us in his life through forgiveness.

Later notices and news at GCFUK were brought and the congregation was especially briefed about the upcoming Christmas event to be held at St. John’s Church Hall (Wembley High Road)on the 19thDecember Saturday 4pm onwards, and everyone was welcome to join the celebrations. Also, friends visiting GCFUK for the first time were welcomed; friends who had their birthdays and marriage anniversaries too were wished and congratulated.

The meeting later ended with refreshments giving time and opportunity for individuals and families to socialise and share about their lives with each other.