Report of the Bristol/Cardiff Christmas Concert on 27th November 2022

The Bristol/Cardiff Group is full of appreciation to God for the success of their 2022 Christmas Concert, held in Llanrumney Cardiff, Wales on the 27th November 2022. The occasion, which attracted attendees across the United Kingdom, was well supported by delegate choristers from Glasgow (Scotland), as well as Bexley and Peckham branches in London, culminating in a total attendance of 60 congregants, including 12 visitors. Glory be to God!

The day started off with Sunday School lessons for all ages, with the children (Primary Pals and Answer classes) having a separate class, while the junior and senior attendees held a combined class focused on the topic – “The New Heaven and New Earth”. The lesson happened to be the last in the quarterly series with the theme “Are you Ready?”, which is centred on end-time events. The lesson was facilitated by Brother Ola Balogun, the Pastor of our Peckham Branch, who guided the class into a look ahead to events after the great white throne judgement, the beauty of the New Jerusalem and characteristics of its occupants, as well as a detailed recap of key events in the end-time chronological order. The lesson climaxed in a time of personal prayers for mercy and grace to be counted worthy to partake in the new heaven and new earth.

After a hearty lunch and good fellowship, and a time of practice by the choir led by Sister Olos Irenoa, to put some finishing touches to their preparations, the concert kicked off at 2pm.
The theme of this year’s concert “His Name is Jesus”, rang throughout the afternoon of music, as the choir blessed the audience with melodious renditions of Christmas classics, such as “O Little Town of Bethlehem” and “Once in Royal David City”. The audience were also treated to a Cello solo, as well as other beautiful choral pieces, while also delighting in the opportunity to join in the singing themselves, of hymns. Congregational hymns included “Joy to the World” and “It came upon the midnight clear”. The Christmas feel was very evident in the building, despite the concert taking place just shy of the festive month of December. A melodious Choir rendition of “Good Christian Men Rejoice”, was closely followed by a sermonette from Brother Fungayi Mangere, the leader of our Bedford group. Using Colossians 1:14-19, he preached about ‘The Preeminent Christ’, and guided the congregation to ponder on some poignant questions. Asking, – “Is Jesus the Centre of your life?”, “Is He the point in your life from which all things are directed, and to which all things are focused?”. Brother Fungayi Mangere urged everyone to make Christ the centre of their lives, considering Him in every thought and decision and further prayed that God would help all those who hadn’t submitted to the Lordship of Jesus, to do so on the same day.

After a few closing comments by Brother Thomas Moyo, the leader of our Bristol/Cardiff Group, Brother Mark Mfandarahwa, our District Superintendent gave the vote of thanks, which was closely followed by a beautiful congregational rendition of “The First Noel”, and a jubilant chorus of “We wish you a Merry Christmas” by the Choir, effectively rounding off the evening of Christmas music. We give all glory to God for the success of the Carol and look to Him for a more glorious event in the coming year, if the Lord tarries.