Memories Forever

Chapter 10 - Devoted to You

They all took their seat as the choir began leading them in worship. Today was particular electrifying and at some point Karen thought she felt her hands tremble a bit as she lifted it up, waiving in worship as the worship leader told them to.

Soon enough Pastor Tim climbed up the podium speaking ‘Today is a special day, a different type of Service. The youth are celebrating the world youth day around the world and here in church we decided to make it special by holding a youth program yesterday and have the youth leaders handle the service today

At this the congregation cheered and waited for the Pastor to continue. It was always exciting to see their young adults and teenagers preach, act a drama, dance or take song. Church was going to be noisy today for sure, few adults murmured amongst themselves as the teenagers cheered and hooted ‘Glory’ ‘Yeah’.

After a series of soul stirring songs, a dance presentation and thrilling music ministrations, the time for the Word came and Pastor Tim came back up to introduce the preacher for the day, ‘We have our dynamic Brother Ephraim here today to bless us with the Message, let’s welcome him.. come up son’ he said, and a young 19 year old climbed up the podium and began leading in song….

‘Simply devoted to you oh Lord..

I lose myself to follow you…

this life that I live it’s not I that lives…

for me to live is Christ’

 Karen was mesmerized and as she sang along, she really did begin to feel like she was being transported to a blissful place. Gretchen standing next to her, was crying as she worshiped and when she looked across, Felicia seemed to be speaking a strange language with her lips moving very fast as she was enraptured in the song and the atmosphere that came on them as the preacher led the song.

As Karen turned round looking for Archer who was seated next to them a moment ago, she sighted her friend and neighbor Gina on the other side of the pews, who also looked at her winking at her and nodding to her to lift her hands and close her eyes

At that time, the youth leader said to the congregation ‘Don’t look around, God is ministering to you right there, He is taking away anything that seems to be a challenge, He is bringing you peace right now. Receive it and be made free’ he ministered

He then led them in prayer, calling out different cases of people with health challenges and prayed for them. Many of them shouted in joy when he was done, saying they felt better. As this was going on, Gretchen leaned over and whispered ‘he is the guy from yesterday…Bro Ephraim..at the community service program I attended’

‘Oh..’ Felicia said ‘Now I can see why you were glowing yesterday!.. Wow he is really gifted’

‘Yes he is, …so anointed.’ Gretchen replied. And they listened to him attentively as he preached a sermon on “serving the Lord with one’s life”.

‘In the Bible, Jesus speaking to his hearers in …’ Ephraim began

‘Luke 9:24, “Whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it’

‘Whether you are now 61 years old or just 16 years old, this message is for you. Go all out for the Lord, serve him whole heartedly and be devoted to Him in worship and service. Whatever your calling is in life, wherever you work, school or transact business, see to it that you live like a Christian, bring honor to the Lord. If you say something or write something or act a certain way, it should always stir people to do right. Just like a piece of writing can influence people to go try out what they just read, so also your writings, thoughts and words must always motivate your listeners to do the right thing. And know that all things work together for good to them that love God.’ He continued speaking with great passion

‘We show our love for God when we accept the sacrifice for our sins and receive His son Jesus into our hearts. We also show our love for Him when we live godly lives as he taught us live.’ As he spoke, the congregation was filled with faith and nodded, with ‘Amen’ heard throughout the hall.

He then called for those who wanted to give their hearts to Christ or renew their walk with Christ to step forward. The girls found themselves moving forward to the altar along with a lot of the youth present and when Ephraim led them in prayer to get born again, they said the words as instructed:

‘Father God, thank you for sending your son Jesus Christ to die in my place. I believe with my heart that God raised Him from the dead and I confess that He is Lord of my life. Thank you for saving me and giving me eternal life. I walk in newness of life today and I receive your Holy Spirit now to live in me as a surety of my salvation. I am Born Again! Thank you Lord, in Jesus Name Amen’

He then prayed that they be filled with the Spirit ‘Receive the Holy Spirit’ He called out with a shout. At that, most of the people that were standing in front fell on the floor vibrating and speaking in tongues as he called it. Karen also experienced something beautiful and different that day. She was overjoyed as they jumped excitedly back to their seats

Emma and Martin pinched themselves as they watched from their seats when Karen walked to the altar with the other teens to receive Christ, they were elated. Emma couldn’t hide her tears.

‘What a gift the Lord had given us’ she whispered to Martin in delight and they both worshiped and thanked the lord for their precious daughter’s salvation.

Service ended on a high note and they all filed outside greeting themselves and making new acquaintances.

‘Ready to go home now?  Archer remarked near Karen

She turned around to meet his gaze ‘And where were you when Service was on Mister?’ she didn’t remember seeing the boy inside when all those lovely experiences were going on

‘Urm yeah...I had to step out a short while to take a call, but came back in before the end of the service’

‘A call?’ Felicia asked aghast

‘Yeah, when the singing started, it was an important call from my father’ he replied shrugging his shoulders nonchalantly

‘Are you serious?’ Karen asked, marveled that the boy didn’t get that he wasn’t supposed to get distracted with a call while the service was on

 ‘Yeah… but I listened to the song from the hallway, “simply devoted to you”. It was a very nice song’ Archer replied smiling

‘So you missed the preaching and the altar call? How would you then say you attended church today?’ Felicia asked him shaking his head and Gretchen slapping him across his head, the girls laughing

Phoenix and Gina came toward them to say hello and Ephraim was with them

‘Hi Karen’ Gina said grinning, hugged her and moved to introduce Ephraim to the girls

‘Hey pumpkin..’ Phoenix greeted her and hailed the others, giving a thumbs up to Archer ‘Hey man…I’m Phoenix’. It was his first time meeting with Archer even though she had told them about him

‘Hi.. Archer’ Archer replied with a small smile

‘This is….’ Gina started but Ephraim beat her to it

‘Hello I am Ephraim, what’s your name?’ he asked Karen first, stretching out his hands to give a handshake

Karen went numb and temporarily couldn’t answer. She looked dazed as she gazed at his features up close. Felicia cleared her throat and nudged Karen to get her to respond

‘Yeah…oh hi,’ Karen forced out in a squeaky voice, blinking rapidly and coming out of the trance, ‘Hi I am Karen… pleased to meet you’ she answered with a firmer voice and a wide smile, receiving his handshake

‘We had a great time today. You were awesome’ Karen gushed on to Ephraim, the girls agreed, greeting him and expressing their gratitude. Archer had stepped back a little from the group, quietly observing Karen’s demeanor

‘Yeah great, thank God’ Ephraim smiled looking at her, amused at her reaction to him, ‘I guess I’ll see you around then. Gina tells me your birthday is coming up soon and you want to visit an orphanage?’ Ephraim asked

‘Yes’ Karen mumbled, nodding in reply, as she gazed at him

‘Yeah…okay we have some connected to church and I’ll be glad to help plan that out with you if you would like? Ephraim offered

Archer quirked his brow at that. He was in charge of her birthday plans! he protested in his mind.

‘Okay that would be great, thanks a lot Bro…Pas-tor Ephraim’ Karen stuttered, very happy at his offer

‘Just “Ephraim” is fine’ he said to her with a smile then turned to the group…’Alright y’all, see you during the week’ his eyes sweeping through everyone, lingering on Archer and then to Gina ‘See ya’

‘Okay…’ Gina said smiling. ‘Byeee’ she and the girls chorused as he walked away with Phoenix to speak to some other people. Gina then said bye to the girls and went in search of her cell members for a meeting before heading home

The girls looked at Ephraim as he went away, completely in awe of him

Archer merely snorted and turned to get in the car, sulking at the attention Ephraim got from Karen. He couldn’t wait to leave this place he thought to himself, ‘No guy is getting my babe’ he muttered in frustration

The girls eye rolled and laughed at Archer and they got into their respective cars as Emma and Martin made their way to them, ‘Ready for Chinese fam? Martin asked them

‘Yeees’ they all cheered in reply. Karen and Archer got in with Martin and Emma; while Felicia and Gretchen got into the car driven by Gerald. Ben and Claire drove the third car, a minibus with the few other house staff that attended Service with them. Everyone excited about their traditional Sunday lunch hangout.

‘Okay then let’s get to it’ Martin remarked and they drove off to the High Pond Chinese, the best Chinese restaurant in town.

Archer made sure to draw Karen close to his side as they sat at the back of the car, twiddling his hands in hers, whispering and chatting with her, doing all he could to keep her attention fully on him albeit discreetly seeing as her parents were in the front seat. He didn't want her thinking of Ephraim so he went overboard with his subtle caresses that day, Karen giggling at his antics, loving all the attention