On Palm Sunday, Christians throughout the world celebrate the day Jesus triumphantly entered Jerusalem days before his crucifixion. (PHOTO | FILE/COURTESY)
Thousands upon thousands of Ugandan Christians observed Palm Sunday at home this year, as the coronavirus pandemic forced most churches to hold services online because of stay-at-home orders.
The day marks Jesus’ monumental arrival in Jerusalem as Savior and King, an event mentioned in each of the four Gospels.
At Covenant Nations Church, the lead Pastor Patience M. Rwabwogo led a section of believers in prayer during a virtual Palm Sunday service at 8:45am, with readings from Matthew 4.
“As Uganda aligns with God’s redemptive purpose, it will have an effect in the transformation of Africa,” Pastor Patience M. Rwabwogo started.
“From the bible we see that just before God would bring great deliverance, there could be a counter attack in an effort by the enemy to derail God’s redemptive purpose from being fulfilled in the earth,” she said.
Pastor Rwabwogo encouraged viewers saying “God is able to preserve us even when we are in the very face of great danger.” “God’s plan must come to its fulfillment no matter what the enemy seeks to do. God has more than a million ways to preserve, save and deliver,” she said.
Despite the pandemic, Pastor Patience Rwabwogo urged that God’s plan for Africa is being revealed in this time.
In his sermon, Pastor (Dr.) Abed Bwanika of Christian Witness Church urged that as the body of Christ prepares to commemorate the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, they should be strengthened by the fact that He secured their victory.
“His pain was our victory,” Bwanika urged. “Jesus went to the cross, not for Himself, but for us… The freedom and liberty we are enjoying today is because of Jesus.”
Similarly, a Palm Sunday service was livestreamed at Gaba Community Church where the founder of African Renewal Ministries, Peter Kasirivu is lead pastor.
The preacher shared a message on peace that “only God can provide”, and encouraged Ugandans to give to the needy during this season.
“I pray that God will open your heart to know what peace is,” he said.
He quoted Philippians 4:4-7 which says, “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
At Watoto Church, Pastor Eddie Mwesigye led online and on air viewers through holy communion, as Pastor Julius Rwatlonyo shared about the Passover Lamb.
President Yoweri Museveni issued a statement wishing Christians in the country and elsewhere a blessed Palm Sunday.
“We might not be able to congregate in churches to mark this holy day but we can still worship as families from the confines of our private spaces. God bless you all and stay safe,” he said.
