During my stay in Pakistan with the JC2033 initiative, I was invited to speak at the general assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Pakistan. Then, on Sunday 23 November, I preached at the Presbyterian Church service held on the campus of Forman Christian College University in Lahore, at the invitation of Ruben Qamar, moderator of this sister church. Here I recount the various moments of this service, which was similar in structure to those of my Protestant Church in Switzerland.
The congregation, sparse at first, gradually filled the university auditorium, reaching about 500 people. The service began with a prayer for Christian educational and health institutions. It also included a prayer for political and financial stability in Pakistan, and for peace in the country and throughout the world. This was followed by a prayer for the sick—that they might receive healing—and for childless couples, that God might grant them offspring.
Then came several announcements concerning marriages within the community, as well as numerous notices relating to the life of the Church. The whole event was punctuated by lively songs, accompanied by an orchestra.
Then Ruben Qamar introduced me to the congregation and briefly described the JC2033 initiative, of which he is one of the ambassadors in Pakistan.
The encouragement of Emmaus
After reading the account of the disciples of Emmaus (Luke 24), I preached on this important text, linking it to the three values of JC2033 (unity, witness, celebration).
For the first time, I spoke publicly about a dream in which, briefly but powerfully, the face of the Lord Jesus appeared to me to offer me great encouragement. This personal testimony illustrated the theme of the service: ‘Trusting through trials’.
God is close to those who are broken-hearted (Psalm 34:18), he is with us in the midst of storms (Mark 4:35-41) and renews our strength (Isaiah 40).
The disciples of Emmaus also received this encouragement when they met the Lord, whose face they glimpsed. (see my sermon here.)
Following my sermon, Ruben Qamar said this prayer:
« Lord Jesus Christ, we thank you for the way you filled the lives of these two disciples on the road to Emmaus with comfort and hope.
In the same way, you come to us today on our roads of suffering, discouragement and doubt.
We entrust each and every one of us here to you: may we experience your presence, hear your Word, and recognise you in the breaking of bread.
Strengthen our faith, give us peace, and make us your witnesses, here in Pakistan and to the ends of the earth. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen. »
On my right, Pastor Reuben Qamar
Celebration of the Lord’s Supper
After the offering comes the celebration of Holy Communion, in traditional terms that I find interesting to transcribe here.
It begins with a confession of sins, repeated by the congregation:
Almighty and merciful God,
we have sinned against you
in thought, word and deed.
We have followed our own desires
and ignored your holy commandments.
What we ought to have done, we have not done,
and what we ought not to have done, we have done.
There is nothing good in us.
But you, Lord, have mercy on us.
Forgive those who confess their faults.
Lift up those who repent,
according to the promises you have made
in Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Grant us to live henceforth
in piety, righteousness and holiness,
so that your holy Name may be glorified.
Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Prayer to the Holy Spirit
After the institution of the Lord’s Supper, there is a prayer of invocation to the Holy Spirit before communion:
O God of grace,
whose nature is always to show mercy,
grant us, through your goodness,
to receive the precious body and blood
of your Son Jesus Christ, our Saviour,
so that we may abide in him and he in us.
Send your Holy Spirit upon us
and upon these gifts of bread and wine.
May we, by partaking of them, be united with your Son,
strengthened by your grace,
and filled with hope for eternal life.
Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Thanksgiving
After the distribution of the bread — in the form of a host, as in the Catholic Church — accompanied by verses from John 6 reminding us that Jesus is the ‘bread of life’ and that he gives eternal life to those who eat his body and drink his blood in faith, the pastor says this prayer:
Living God, we thank you with all our hearts
for feeding us with the precious body
and spiritual blood of your Son Jesus Christ.
Through this sacrament, you assure us of your love
and strengthen our faith.
Help us, by your grace,
to live henceforth for you
in obedience and gratitude.
Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The celebration concludes with the Lord’s Prayer and a blessing.
On the way out, Reuben Qamar and I greet the congregation. According to tradition, pastors bless women and children by placing their hands on their heads.
We then walk around the campus of Forman Christian College University before arriving at his home, where an excellent Pakistani meal prepared by his wife Nadia and daughter Benaiah awaits us.
Personal reflexion
This service at the Presbyterian Church of Pakistan was a joy for me. I discovered a welcoming, lively and fervent sister church. I was particularly touched by the dynamism of the singing, the participation of a large congregation and the warm relationships between people.
The Eucharistic liturgy, simple and profound, accurately expressed the faith in Christ’s presence among his people.
As I left, I felt united with these brothers and sisters by the same hope in the risen Jesus. This communion remains for me a strong sign of the universality of the Church and of our common journey towards 2033.
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